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.

AMERICA UNDER SIEGE – Going on the Offensive

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

America Under Siege

Going on the Offense

     This Spiritual war for the souls and lives of God’s creation has been raging since the Serpent (Satan) entered the garden of Eden and deceived Adam and Eve.

     Now, we are called to join God as His disciple in these Last Days, and engage the enemy in this very real cosmic battle for our survival, for our household, for our loved ones and for the souls of God’s created children.  This is about getting ready, now, today, taking up the full armor of God and engaging the enemy.

     Our first step to engaging in this Spiritual War, is to understand that there is a Universal Truth.  An Absolute Truth which cannot be compromised or synthesized to suit any individual’s personal beliefs that do not conform to God’s Word, nor, any agenda except God’s Agenda nor anyone’s fleshly opinion, lust or personal desires. The Truth is an anathema for its detractors.

​The Truth is a Person

​     This Truth is found in a Person:  The Life and the Word of Jesus (the “Logos-Word” of God).  Jesus testified to this fact when He said, in John 14:6, “I am the Truth and the life”, and again, in John 18:37, He said, “I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.”

     You and I must, first, receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and become a child of God.  John 1:12, tells us that, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

The Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony

        Being a child of God is the only way knowing the Truth and is the only way to succeed in this war.  Revelation 12:10-12 says, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.  For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that Satan has only a short time.”

​Believe Him at His Word

     You can choose to believe God, or not.  If you believe Him, you will find an abundant and fulfilling life with the ability to overcome in tribulation.  If you choose not to believe Him, you will find eternal darkness “where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth”.  In other words, you will perish in the eternal Lake of Fire. Those are the simple facts.

​Psalm 34:15-19

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
           And His ears are open to their cry.

        The face of the LORD is against evildoers,
           To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

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

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

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

      Secondly, we must stand on this Truth which is the beginning and the end of every argument.  It is our offense, and, it is our defense.

Stand Firm and Speak God’s Word

​     Third, we must stand firm and Speak The Truth, the ‘Rhema-Word‘ of God.  Ephesians 6:14 instructs us to, “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH”.  We must never engage in debate or argument on any matter thrown at us by the enemy or by those who are deceived.

     2 Timothy 2:23-24, tells us, “But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged”.

     We must live and speak the Truth in every circumstance and to every person, at all times.  We need not fear or worry.  Jesus tells us that, “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12).

Speak and Act on God’s Word

Next, we must speak and act on God’s Word in all circumstances.  Do nothing by your own will.  Even Jesus said, in John 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

     And again in, John 5:19, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”

     Speak by His prompting, act in His manner, and it will come to pass.  This is how we God has told us, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;  So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Pulling Down Strongholds, Destroying arguments

     “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

     “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

(2 Corinthians 10:4-6)

​     What you are reading on these pages, and in the Bible, regarding these matters, are not just concepts, ideas  or religious philosophies.  This is the Truth, which must be applied to be effective.  This is what you and I must be doing each and every day.

“Knowing the Truth and not applying it, renders it as idle information.”

​Commissioned and Sent

     ​Matthew 28:16-17, tells us, “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.”  Did you get that?  “But, some doubted”, and Jesus sent them anyway.  They had been, taught, trained and now, they are sent.  This is our model, our calling and our commissioning, also.  If you are having any doubts, go, anyway!

     In Matthew 28:18-20, “Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore 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 I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  This process of making and sending disciples has been repeated millions upon millions of times since Jesus gave this prophetic commandment, and this process reached you at some point.  You have been called and sent.  You and I cannot wait until we think we are ready.  Jesus says you are ready, so, now, “Go”.

     I am closing this section with two finals ‘helps’ and a reminder from Joshua 1:9-15.

The first ‘help’ is a forty-seven lesson booklet on how we are to proceed as Jesus disciples.  Complete one of these very short  lessons each day.  You will find instruction, encouragement and strength.

Just click on this image of the book to start.

​​

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – THE BOOK-2022

​The second ‘help’ is to Memorize and Meditate on God’s Word.  Commit these verses to memory and meditate on them. You will need them.

(Paraphrased from Joshua 1:5-9)

​​“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

“The Word of God shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  

Your Brother and Friend,

​Mike Young

Click this link to:  GOING OF THE OFFENSIVE – PART 2

​The third ‘help’ gives some examples of Jesus, speaking The Word.  You can find many more examples by doing your own Bible study.  You will find several examples, at this link:  Jesus Speaks the Word

Click this link to go  back to Episode One:  AMERICA UNDER SIEGE

AMERICA UNDER SIEGE – The Struggle

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

America Under Siege

OUR STRUGGLE

“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.”  

(Paraphrased from Ephesians 6:12)

​     This may be a strange concept or idea to some, but, everything we consider as ‘real and tangible’, the things we can see, smell, taste and touch, have come from the ‘unseen world’.  One way of looking at this is to consider the ‘unseen world’ of atoms, electrons and protons, which creates all the ‘matter’, seen and unseen.  A second way of viewing it, is that those things which are ‘built, constructed or done’ by people, originated from the ‘unseen’ world of thoughts and ideas.

​     The things of this world are temporal.   Everything seen on this world is the final manifestation of form and matter, before it decays.   Matter decays.  People get old and die.  The eternal is in the ‘heavenly place’, the abode of God. The Book of Genesis gives us the best example of this idea, which says,  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  All things, seen and unseen, begin with God, Who is unseen.

     The Bible tells us that everything, seen and unseen, whether good or for evil, comes, first, from the unseen world ‘of the heavenly places’.   Effecting change in the temporal means, we must start where the matter begins:  in the eternal place, ‘the heavenly places’.

     Ephesians 6:10-11, fittingly says,  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

​Verse 12. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Verse 13.  “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

​​Verse 14.  “Stand therefore,

  • having fastened on the belt of truth, and,

  • having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and,

  • as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

  • In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and,

  • take the helmet of salvation, and,

  • the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

  • praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

​     Please notice that each piece of the armor of God is not just clothing with some religious significance or decorative garb.  Each item represents an ACTION which must be taken.​

  • The belt of Truth:  You are bound to Live and speak the Truth.

  • The breastplate of righteousness:  You are to live justly, be innocent, stay in right relationship with God.

  • The shoes of peace:  Walk in peace with God and with man, whenever that is possible.

  • The Shield of Faith:  Take up your faith in God and act on that faith.

  • The Helmet of Salvation:  Have the mind which is also in Christ Jesus. Think like Him.

  • The Swords of the Spirit:  Read, speak and practice the Word of God.

  • Pray in the Spirit:  Pray and make supplication, at all times.

Do these things, and you will be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Go to Part V

AMERICA UNDER SIEGE – Escape the Dialectic

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

America Under Siege

ESCAPE THE ‘DIALECTIC’

​WHAT IS TRUTH?

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”   John 8:32-33

Know Your Enemy

     It is very important that you read these quotes by Karl Marx, known as the ‘Father of Communism’ and quotes by Vladimir Lenin, the man who developed a murderous variant of communist ideology known as Leninism.

     In them, you will see and better understand the things you see happening in our world, today.  They are still the methods, strategies and techniques for establishing Marxism and a One World Government.  They have always been and still are the standard and goal of Marxism. You should know these things to know how the modern Globalist-Marxist thinks and what they are accomplishing:

Quotes by Karl Marx:

  • “Take away a nation’s heritage, and they are more easily persuaded. “
  • “Communism begins where atheism begins. “
  • “The education of all children, from the moment that they can get along without a mother’s care, shall be in state institutions. “
  • “We have no compassion, and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for the terror. “
  • “The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism. “
  • “If you can cut the people off from their history, then they can be easily persuaded. “
  • “The democratic concept of man is false, because it is Christian. The democratic concept holds that each man is a sovereign being. This is the illusion, dream, and postulate of Christianity. “
  • There are, besides, eternal truths, such as Freedom, etc., that are common to all states of society. But Communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality, instead of constituting them on a new basis; it therefore acts in contradiction to all past historical experience. “
  • “The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property. “
  • “When the sufferers learn to think, then the thinkers will learn to suffer. “
  • “The Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. “
  • “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope. “
  • A heavy or progressive or graduated income tax is necessary for the proper development of Communism. “
  • “The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.
  • “The unity is brought about by force. “
  • “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs. “
  • “There is no greater stupidity than for people to marry and so surrender themselves to the small miseries of domestic and private life. “
  • “Taxes are the source of life for the bureaucracy, the army and the court, in short, for the whole apparatus of the executive power. Strong government and heavy taxes are identical. “

​Quotes by Vladimir Lenin:

  • ​“Give me your four-year-olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state. “
  • “We can and must write in a language which sows among the masses hate, revulsion, and scorn toward those who disagree with us. “
  • “The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses. “
  • “The goal of socialism is communism. “
  • “Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns. Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government? “
  • “The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation. “
  • “People always have been, and they always will be, stupid victims of deceit and self-deception in politics. “
  • “Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world. “
  • “One man with a gun can control 100 without one. “
  • “As an ultimate objective, “peace” simply means communist world control.”
  • “Atheism is a natural and inseparable part of Marxism, of the theory and practice of scientific socialism. Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism. “
  • “It is, of course, much easier to shout, abuse, and howl than to attempt to relate, to explain. “
  • “Medicine is the keystone of the arch of socialism. “
  • “One of the basic conditions for the victory of socialism is the arming of the workers Communist and the disarming of the bourgeoisie to the middle class.”
  • “The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves. “
  • “Give us the child for eight years, and it will be a Bolshevik forever. “
  • “There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel. “
  • “We are not shooting enough professors. “
  • “Germany will militarize herself out of existence, England will expand herself out of existence, and America will spend herself out of existence. “
  • “It is necessary – secretly and urgently, to prepare the terror. “
  • “The establishment of a central bank is 90% of communizing a nation. “
  • “We want to achieve a new and better order of society: in this new and better society there must be neither rich nor poor; all will have to work. Not a handful of rich people, but all the working people must enjoy the fruits of their common labor. Machines and other improvements must serve to ease the work of all, and not to enable a few to grow rich at the expense of millions and tens of millions of people. This  is the new and better society, and it is called a socialist society. “
  • “There can be nothing more abominable than religion.”

​(Additionally, here is a link to a 77 part video series from The Fuel Project titled, “KNOW YOUR ENEMY”,

This video series reveals and delves into the myriad of tentacles of this beast known as Marxism, which has been hiding under the umbrella of once familiar and trusted organizations.)

​Go to PART IV

AMERICA UNDER SIEGE – The Marxists Dialectic

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

America Under Siege

The Marxist Dialectic Methodology

Methodologies, strategies and tactics employed effectively in political and social conflicts.

​Military Maneuvers of War

     Penetration of the center, envelopment of a single flank, envelopment of both flanks, attack in oblique order, feigned retreat, attack from a defensive position and the indirect approach.

     A commander often must employ more than one maneuver to achieve victory; he may try to penetrate the center but fail, feign a retreat and then envelop a single flank. Each has advantages and disadvantages, while may be more effective in some situations and less in others.

​     There is also One Modern Maneuver of War: offensive revolutionary guerrilla warfare. This maneuver has actually been around for a while, but is only now becoming a legitimate, effective means of victory.   The strategy is to create diversions to distract and confuse your adversary, and while he is distracted, attack him at his core.

​     This military tactic is also effective in political, religious and social conflict.  The dominant philosophy driving this strategy comes from a tactic known as the Hegelian Dialectic, developed by George Wilhelm Hegel, an influential German philosopher in the 18th and 19th century.

What about Hegel?

​“…the State ‘has the supreme right against the individual, whose supreme duty is to be a member of the State… for the right of the world spirit is above all special privileges.'” Author/historian William Shirer, quoting George Hegel in his The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1959, page 144)

     In 1847 the London Communist League (Karl Marx and Frederick Engels) used Hegel’s theory of the dialectic to back up their economic theory of communism. Now, in the 21st century, Hegelian-Marxist thinking affects our entire social and political structure. The Hegelian dialectic is the framework for guiding our thoughts and actions into conflicts that lead us to a predetermined solution.

     If we do not understand how the Hegelian dialectic shapes our perceptions of the world, then we do not know how we are helping to implement their vision. When we remain locked into dialectical thinking, we cannot see out of the box.

Hegel’s dialectic is the tool which manipulates us into a frenzied circular pattern of thought and action. Every time we fight for or defend against an ideology, we are playing a necessary role in Marx and Engels’ grand design to advance humanity into a dictatorship of the proletariat.

​     The synthetic Hegelian solution to all these conflicts can’t be introduced unless we all take a side that will advance the agenda. For example, a person can draw you into a conflict and convince you to take a side by feigning a desire to understand your point of view in search of common ground for cooperation or compromise.

     It goes something like this:  We don’t agree on a religious view. Your opponent states their case and asks that you help them understand your views.  You have now been drawn into the ‘dialectic’.  They will always respond with a counterpoint, criticism and ridicule.  If you do not concede to a compromise, they will inevitably resort to condescension and threats. Your opponent will be tireless and relentless in perpetuating the conflict until they gain a compromise from you.

​     The Marxist-Socialist’s main goal is Global domination. (Marxists truly believe the world will eliminate wars, hunger, poverty and will experience global prosperity if they achieve their aims.) A primary tactic is diversion (false flags) through this dialectic process, they have been successful at distracting their adversaries while advancing their causes, unimpeded.

​     For example, certain branches of the central Socialist organization may create simultaneous debates on a myriad of important social, economic, political and religious issues.  I will use the issue of abortion for an example. Having carefully orchestrated a national debate which occupies the nation’s attention, and the adversary is sufficiently distracted, the Marxist-Socialist machine goes about their business of building their Global Marxist apparatus.

​     Here is one small example:  #1.  THESIS:  A Democrat (i.e., socialist) says to a Republican (i.e., conservative), It is a woman’s right to abortion. The two sides argue and debate the point.

#2.  ANTITHESIS: The unborn have rights and abortion is murder.

#3.  SYNTHESIS:  (Compromise) Abortion should be allowed in the case of incest, rape or to save the mother’s life.  The conservative agrees to the compromise.

     The results?  The Conservative has ceded 25% of the high ground on abortion.  The new reality is that the conservative’s position is now 75% of what it had been, and the Socialist’s position has grown 100%.

This process repeats, and the conservative falls into the trap again, losing 25% again and the Socialist gains 50%.  Repeated long enough, the conservative is in disarray, having lost the argument and the superior position, all abortion is legal including infanticide, but the conflict escalates and continues.

These skirmishes are numerous and growing.  Gun rights, civil liberties, homosexual rights, transgenderism, global warming, onerous taxation, socialized medicine, social security, etc.

     All the while, the Marxist-Socialist have gained political and social advantage worldwide, unnoticed and unimpeded.

     When we understand what motivated Hegel, we can see his influence on all of our destinies. Hegelian conflicts steer every political arena on the planet, from the United Nations to the major American political parties, all the way down to local school boards and community councils.

​     Dialogues and consensus-building are primary tools of the dialectic, and terror and intimidation are also acceptable formats for obtaining the goal. The ultimate Third Way agenda is world government. Once we get what’s really going on, we can cut the strings and move our lives in original directions outside the confines of the dialectical madness. Focusing on Hegel’s and Engel’s ultimate agenda, and avoiding getting caught up in their impenetrable theories of social evolution, gives us the opportunity to think and act our way toward freedom, justice, and genuine liberty for all.

Today, the dialectic is active in every political issue that encourages taking sides. We can see it in

  1. environmentalists instigating conflicts against private property owners, in

  2. democrats against republicans, in

  3. greens against libertarians, in

  4. communists against socialists, in

  5. neocons against traditional conservatives, in

  6. community activists against individuals, in

  7. pro-choice versus pro-life

     No matter what the issue, the invisible dialectic aims to control both the conflict and the resolution of differences, and leads everyone involved into a new cycle of conflicts.

     The ‘Dialectic’ and the Marxist’s global agenda is moving along at breakneck speed. The only way to completely stop the privacy invasions, expanding domestic police powers, land grabs, insane wars against inanimate objects (and transient verbs), covert actions, and outright assaults on individual liberty, is to step outside the dialectic. This releases us from the limitations of controlled and guided thought.

​” It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  

Galatians 5:1

​Go to PART III

AMERICA UNDER SIEGE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this audio while you read along, then, you can stop the audio to follow a link, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

America Under Siege

(What We Can And Must DO About It)

​     Everything you read in this article, “America Under Siege”, has been foretold through Biblical prophecy over 2,800 years ago.  Various New Testament writings by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, John and Peter, brought some clarity to these prophecies and gave clues to timelines along with certain instructions and warnings.

​​Isaiah 2, 9, 11, 13                                   Matthew 24,

Micah 4                                                 Hebrews 1:2,

Jeremiah 30, 33, 50                             Hebrews 9:26,

Hosea 3                                                 1 Corinthians 10:11,

Joel 2, 3,                                                Acts 2:14-17,

Zechariah 8                                         2 Timothy 3:1,

Ezekiel 30.                                            1 Peter 1:20,

Amos 5                                                  1 Peter 4:7,

                                                               2 Peter 3:3.

                                                                5th Tribulation Seal

  6th Tribulation Seal

​The intended purposes of this article are to correctly frame the context of current and past world events and the inexorable march toward a Socialist-Marxist One World Government, from a Biblical worldview, and to outline actionable steps of what we can and must take.

     American culture, societal norms, family structures, personal freedoms, legacy and history are being desecrated, destroyed and dissolved. Our Constitutional ‘guarantees’ are being ignored, violated and negated. You might say our Constitution is being shredded right before our eyes, and no one is doing anything to stop it.

​     The Democrat Party in America has adopted and is practicing Socialist-Marxism.  Their plan is the dissolution of our way of life with the plan of merging the United States into a confederation of a one world government.  (see, “Our Global Neighborhood“)

​     The so-called Conservative leadership in America is either complicit, or has become ineffective, self-serving and cowardly – or both.  Conservatives in congress are being soundly defeated in a political war for the soul and existence of America, which they don’t understand, using outdated methods against a foe who is expert at a new style of guerrilla warfare.

​     We are losing, and in fact, may have already lost our nation, our freedoms and our way of life, and it is getting worse.

​     The Marxist organization, UNESCO, through their Agenda 21, over the past 75 years, have developed an advanced framework for the dissolution of every nation’s sovereignty and borders.  Their plan, “when 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.” (The Commission on Global Governance, 1996; also see, Global Governance, Our Global Neighborhood, The Report of the Commission on Global Governance)

​     There was a World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in New York City, NY, USA, September 15-17, 2015, in which a date of 2030 has been set for complete global dominance by this Marxist global movement.

​     As of this date, August 31, 2021, these Globalists, have been embedded in our U.S.government, in our legal system at every level, in our religious systems, in our churches, in our school, colleges and institutions of higher education. Over 528 American cities are members of “Local Governments for Sustainability”, which is the Agenda 21 program at the local level.  Also known as “ICLEI”, 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. (Former presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush, were responsible for promoting and implementing these Marxists programs in America.)

​(PLEASE NOTE: Links on these pages contain important details and are used in lieu of footnotes and citations.)

​     UNESCO, Agenda 21 and their various entities are using Marxist methods to erase and eradicate the culture, history and legacy of the countries and nations both in Europe and in America.

​     It is made more difficult to stop the dissolution of our America, since we, in America, have forgotten the principles upon which our country was built.  The principles which made America the greatest nation the world has ever seen  are principles which spring from the Judeo-Christian ethos.  This is reflected in all our founding documents and in the personalities and lives of our founding fathers.

​     The spiritual evil swallowing our Nation has always lurked in our world, infecting and infesting the minds of people who, then, manifest this evil on earth, killing, stealing and destroying everything good.  Because of our Nation was founded on Biblical principles, and our nation trusted and followed God, we have been protected and blessed.  Now, we have gone our own way and forgotten God and His Ways, and judgment has come.

     Any attempt to win back our Nation and our freedoms will take an extraordinary effort, supreme personal sacrifice and a lifetime effort, and there are very few willing to make such a commitment.

​     But, there still may be hope. There are still some Americans willing to carry this fight to the enemy, and would be willing to make the commitment if they knew who to follow, knew just what to do and how to do it. But, it appears there will be no help from the leadership of any existing political, social or religious organization. It would have to be a true grassroots movement with a new type of leadership. It will take fearless men and women who are full of faith in God, who will not compromise on God’s Word and Ways, who will not surrender nor will they quit, even in the face of ruin or death.

​     The following pages will articulate the steps we must take to engage the enemy and drive this manifest evil from our land.  I have abbreviated, simplified these steps, but they will work if you and I will do them.  It will take each one of us doing our part.

     So, please, as God’s people, let’s stop living in fear and confusion.  Let’s stop lamenting, crying, complaining and despairing and let’s get to work.  Please follow this link to page 2, “OUR STRUGGLE”

​“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, and the accuser of our brethren will be thrown down, that is, he who accuses us before our God day and night. And we will overcome him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony, and we do not love our life even when faced with death.”

(Paraphrase of Revelation 12:10-11)

Go to PART II

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 6

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #6 

 

    • Be Reconciled

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.”   (Matthew 5:23–25).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Truth is presented on several levels in this teaching.  Jesus, using the practice of giving a gift or an offering to God, takes us from a practical spiritual duty to a profound Spiritual application.

We are reminded, here, that sin separates the Christian from God, and it must be dealt with quickly.  Otherwise, anything you have to offer God is tainted by your recognized sin, in this case separation from a brother due to some offense.

Jesus then uses a metaphor of the law to explain what happens in the Spirit and in your soul when sin is unconfessed, and you are unrepentant toward God.  You are handed over to the judge, and you are thrown into prison.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, in Romans 8:6  “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

The Greek language used here for,“mind set”, once again, is a picture of being “swept away, fenced in and locked up”, put into a prison within one’s own mind, soul and spirit, separated from God.

Jesus, Himself, warns us, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:14-15

The penalty is harsh, but the remedy is simple:  “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way…”

Forgive and be reconciled.  This is what a disciple of Jesus does.  This is what a Christian does.  We cannot deliberately and defiantly harbor ill feelings between a brother or a sister – for the jailer awaits.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW CAN YOU DO IT?  ________________________________________

HOW CAN YOU TEACH IT?  ____________________________________

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous Lesson:  #5, “HONOR GOD”, Matthew 5:17

A SERMON THAT REACHES TO “THE NEXT LEVEL”

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I am sharing today’s message, via a video sermon (at the end of this page), by Pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Church of Naples PCA, Naples, Florida, that will answer some of the most daunting questions about our covenant relationship with God.

I have been a Christian for about 45 years.  I have been taught and trained in Christian theology and the study of God’s Word and I still study God’s Word, daily.  And I still have questions about what and why God has unfolded our salvation and world history the way He has done it.

Why did Jesus have to suffer so horribly and die so shamefully, for our sins?  Couldn’t God have done it any other way?

How does Jesus’ death excuse my sins?  (I know the doctrinal explanation, but, really, HOW does that work in LIFE?)

When did this all start?  Men and women had become so evil that God destroyed most of them.  I mean, Jesus wasn’t a ‘sudden idea’ of God, so He wouldn’t have to destroy us again, was He?

Where is this all going?

What does ancient Hebrew law and Israel have to do with me and God’s plan for my life?

This sermon answers the most daunting and most sought after explanations about WHYs, HOWs, WHENs, WHEREs and WHAT of our faith, SO ANY CHRISTIAN CAN UNDERSTAND and have their faith strengthened.

I am sharing today’s message (sermon) by Pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Church of Naples PCA, Naples, Florida, that answers those questions.  Listen to the end, and you will be deeply and greatly encouraged.

In Deuteronomy, God re-establishes Israel as his covenant people. What does it mean to be the covenant people of God, and what are the implications for our lives today?
Get ready to be encouraged in a very BIG way!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Sermon Outline:
I.   A Promise of Land, People, and Blessing.
II.  The Establishment of God’s Covenant People.
III. Deuteronomy as a Covenant Treaty.
IV. The Long Way of Disobedience.
V. Living as God’s Covenant People Today.

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 5

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #5 

    • Honor God’s Law

““Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

These Laws and the Prophets were meant to teach and guide the Jewish people in all their thought and conduct to live a life pleasing to God to have success in their affairs.

Then, In one bold and sweeping statement Jesus announces that He is the fulfillment, the revealing and the completion of all the Law and the Prophets spanning their four thousand years of history.

Jesus is saying that His life, ministry and teachings not only explain the Law and the Prophets but completes their meanings and requirements.

The significance of this announcement is that it relegates the Torah and the Prophets as subject to Jesus and His teachings.

“The Torah” is the “Jewish Law”.  The “Torah” is the 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The Jewish tradition is that there are 613 commandments, or mitzvot, in the Torah, (also known as the Law of Moses).  Also known as the “Pentateuch“, which is Greek and means “Five Books”, refers to the Torah, i.e. the 5 Books of Moses.  These Laws and the Prophets teach and guide the Jewish people in all their thought and conduct how to live a life which is pleasing to God and leads to success in their affairs.

Secondly, the “Prophets“, or The Twelve, also called The Twelve Prophets, or The Minor Prophets, the book of the Hebrew Bible which contains the books of 12 minor prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

These books contain an account of God crating the world and the emergence of human civilization.

The first six books narrate not only the history but the genealogy of the people of Israel to the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land under the terms of God’s covenant with Abraham, whom God promised to make the progenitor of a great nation.

The following seven books continue their story in the Promised Land, the establishment and development of the monarchy and the warnings by the prophets both of impending divine punishment and exile and of Israel’s need to repent.

The last 11 books contain poetry, theology, and some additional history.

Then, in one bold and sweeping statement, Jesus announces that His life, ministry and teachings not only explain the Law and the Prophets but completes their meanings and requirements.

Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets spanning their, now, four thousand years of history.

So, we now know that we are no longer saved or guided by external things, but, by the Jesus and Holy Spirit who indwells us, as Christians.

Hebrews 8:10

            “I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,
            AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
            AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,
            AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

Now, it is your turn. Please ask yourself:

HOW CAN I DO IT?                                                                            

HOW CAN I TEACH IT?                                                                    

Jesus is our One True way to life and life more abundantly.  Just believe, trust and obey.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous Lesson:  #4, “Let Your Light Shine”, Matthew 5:16

Next Lesson:  #6, “BE RECONCILED”, Matthew 5:23-27

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 4

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen on this podcast audio and read along.  You can stop the audio and follow links in this lesson, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #4


    • Let Your Light Shine

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.  (Matthew 5:16).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

SHINE:  Comes from the Greek word, “phos”, which means:

    • To shine or to make manifest one’s thoughts;
    • God is light, and because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity is associated with it that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly;  reason, mind ;
    • The power of understanding, especially moral and spiritual truth.

Faith is a vital ingredient in our walk with God.  Our obedience demonstrates that faith.  James gives us a great reminder when he says, in James 2 :14-18, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

“If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

But are we willing to recognize, that faith without works is useless?

We must remember that it is not our light that shines, but His Light within us, bringing Him glory through our submission and obedience to Him and His Will.

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians2:10

Now, it is your turn:

HOW CAN YOU DO IT?                                                                  

HOW CAN YOU TEACH IT?                                                           

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Previous Lesson:  #3, “Rejoice in Persecution”, Matthew 5:10-12

Next Lesson:  #5, “Honor God”, Matthew 5:17

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 3

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen on this podcast audio as you read along.  You can stop the audio and follow links in this lesson, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #3 

    • Rejoice in persecution

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10–12).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?  

First, let me define these words, so we can get a clearer understanding.

We are told to Rejoice:  This word means ‘to rejoice, be glad, to rejoice exceedingly, to be well, thrive.’

We are told we will be Persecuted:  This from the Greek word, ‘dioko’, which means ‘to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away in a hostile manner; to harass, trouble, molest one’.

The word “persecuted” comes from the world “Diakonos” which translates DEACON, which is a servant of God, a minister.

Why and how do you, as a servant of God, rejoice when being harassed or terrorized?  You cannot, and you should not unless something unusual and something exceptional is happening.

What we discover is that Jesus is teaching about your “Sanctification” and He is saying that you will be purged, refined and restored, when you follow Him and are fully surrendered to God and His Will.

Persecution is a necessary and inevitable step.  You are walking in the steps of Jesus, being made into His likeness, doing His Will and His Works.

Now, it is your turn:

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU DO IT?                                               

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU TEACH IT?                                              

Your reward in heaven is great.  Great, indeed.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Next Lesson:  AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 4, “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE”  Matthew 5:16

PREVIOUS: AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – LESSON 2

Related reading:

Living in God’s Will

WHAT IT MEANS TO GET READY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can play this audio and listen as your read.  You can stop the audio to follow links, then resume the audio when you are ready.)

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “GET READY & TO STAY READY”?

Jesus tells us in Mathew chapters 24 & 25

Matthew 24:31 says,  “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Verse 36.  “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40  “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”

Be Ready for His Coming

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 50.  “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, verse 51, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. LEARN AND KNOW THE SIGNS, WELL.  Don’t be caught unaware, study now.

Matthew 24:32-35 says, “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

2. KNOW THAT IT WILL BE SUDDEN.  There will be no time to get ready, later. The time for preparation is now.

Matthew 24:36-41 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.“

3. BE ALERT, READY TO RISE UP.  You must be on guard, supplied and ready to defend.

Matthew 24:42-44 says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. “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. “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

4. BE FULL OF FAITH, WISE, RESPONSIBLE. You will either be put in charge of caring for yourself and others, or you will perish. Do not linger. Today is the day to prepare.

Matthew 24:45-47 says, “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? 46“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47“Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

OR PERISH

Matthew 24:48-51 says, “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

5. STAY READY, FILLED, ALERT.  You must be supplied, filled, aware, alert and ready to go into the Kingdom of God. There is no second chance, despite what others are telling you. This is your one chance.

Matthew 25:1-13 says, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

6. INVEST YOURSELF.  Spend your time, money and effort getting ready for His Return. When Jesus comes, He will settle accounts. You are either ready or you will be considered as a worthless slave and cast into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:14-30 says, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.  Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO TO BE READY

We are told that our first line of defense and our most effective offense is to trust in the Lord our God.

Next in order of priority is to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might and to put on the full armor of God, so that we 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. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

FULL ARMOR OF GOD:  Therefore, we are to take up the full armor of God,

RESIST IN THE EVIL DAY:  So that we will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything,

STAND FIRM:  Stand firm. Stand firm therefore,

PUT ON TRUTH:  HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and

PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS:  HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and

PREPARE WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE: having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

FAITH:  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.

PRAY:  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

HOW WE SHALL DO IT

Readiness and your response becomes a matter of faith, obedience to His Word, walking in His Spirit and speaking His Word.

This warning and explanation of what is coming, and what is upon us, is not to be taken lightly.  Neither is it unintelligible.  Christians MUST understand and DO what Jesus has told us.  Or you will be left to suffer the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

Please, loved ones, if you have any questions, doubts or hesitancy, please contact me and let’s talk.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Although, the things I have listed below will not ‘save you’, they are some things we should consider doing while we expectantly await His Return to take us to our Eternal Home:

We Must Be Ready Presentation

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(responses or questions? reply below here)

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson 2

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this podcast as you read along. You can stop the audio to follow links, and then resume the audio)

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #2  

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

    • Follow Me

“And he said unto them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matthew 4:19).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

“Follow Me”, is an imperative statement, a command (not a request). It conveys a sense of urgency, as saying “Now!”. Finally, the idea is to draw near, as looking over Jesus’ shoulder, watching, learning, preparing to imitate Him. You are to be seen with Him and identified as having been with Him.

A disciple of Jesus – A Christian – is identified as having been with Jesus.

He called Peter and Andrew and said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Peter and Andrew understood this was an invitation to a close, personal and lasting relationship.   This was not a casual encounter.  This is the Call of God for all to follow Him, and a being yoked with Him is the perfect illustration to describe this new relationship with Jesus.

YOU ARE “THE CALLED” OF JESUS CHRIST

Being yoked with Jesus is freedom from what binds you, what ails you, what plagues you.  Know that Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.  His yoke is a yoke of freedom!

When people see you, are they amazed, and recognize you as having been with Jesus?

Now, it is your turn:

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU DO IT?                                               

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU TEACH IT?                                              

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – LESSON 3

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – LESSON 1

Additional Reading:

The Real Gospel of Christ

Yes, you have to follow Him, for real!

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Intro & Lesson 1

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen to this podcast as you read along. You can stop the audio to follow links, and then resume the audio)

“AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES”

A Disciple’s Devotional Guide

​

 Be a disciple of Jesus and become His disciple-maker.

In order to follow Jesus, you really have to follow Him.  Join God in what He is doing.

(This is a 37 part Bible-based guide to following Jesus and being His disciple.)

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, “Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

I have been a practicing Christian since 1978.  My walk as a Christian has not always been steady nor has it been always “pretty”.  Then, I discovered the ‘secret’ of becoming a disciple of Jesus, and to my dismay, I also discovered it is impossible to do what Jesus commanded – on my own.  But then, so is everything that Jesus commanded.  Impossible, that is, to the natural man or woman.

It is only possible to become a disciple, a true follower of Jesus, by completely surrendering your life to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to inhabit you, guide you, teach you and provide you with His spiritual gifts.  It is God who does the work through a humbled and surrendered person.

God, alone, is the miracle worker.  We are simply the conduit, simply His vessel.  So, we confess, as the Apostle Peter said:

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

This began as a personal journey and a Bible study to learn about being a true disciple of Jesus.   I found seventy-two disciplines which mark a disciple of Jesus.   This is not a list to be followed nor is it a formula to be worked.  It is a frank and honest evaluation of what it takes to  follow Jesus – we must honestly and completely submit ourselves to His Will.

It will take effort on the Believer’s part, both of (#1) spiritual discipline and the effort of (#2) practical application.

Please join me, and let’s all pray as we undertake the “impossible” and watch for His Miracle!

“With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:27

This is a portal leading to “THE DOOR“

I encourage the reader to view this as a pamphlet about the supernatural.  The principles contained in the study are from the Bible, the portal into the supernatural realm of God.

The chapters offer simple, practical insights into what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  But, what one should quickly realize is that it is impossible for the natural mind to perform the tasks and to assume the mindset required.

It is only by complete submission to Christ – mind, body and soul – and by way of a fervent and diligent and search, will one actually have any chance of finding his or her way into the ranks of the true disciples of Jesus.

I would suggest you read and practice the principals in this book, not as one would read an instruction book looking for a magic formula, but rather, read it as a means to remove those things from your life which are obstacles and barriers, obscuring THE DOOR, the PORTAL into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Godspeed.

LESSON #1

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #1

      • Repent

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The greatest pronouncement and call to readiness for all Christians:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The hour has arrived.  Final preparations are being made.  Ready yourself for the Heaven’s final assault upon the earth.  Satan is to be defeated and you and I are part of God’s invading force.

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

Repent, in the Biblical sense, literally means, “To change one’s mind; to change one’s mind for the better” and it comes from two root words which mean, “Hereafter, have this understanding or perception”.

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

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

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

BOTH A COMMAND AND A PROPHETIC WORD

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

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

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

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

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

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

MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go and tell others this exceedingly Good News, telling them to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU DO IT?                                               

Please ask yourself, HOW CAN YOU TEACH IT?                                              

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  This is not “name-it-and-claim-it” theology.  It is DOING what the Bible says to DO.  Pray, meditate on God’s Word, speak His Word, practice His Word.

NEXT:  AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – LESSON 2

Additional reading:

You Have to Follow Him For Real

Call to Arms

READY FOR HIS COMING

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

You can listen to the on Podcast and read along.  You can pause the audio to explore a link for details on this study, and resume the audio at any time.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

“BE READY FOR HIS COMING”

Matthew 24:1-2 says, “Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples),“Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

Verse 3.  “As He 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?” Verse 4.  “And Jesus answered and said to them (His disciples), “See to it that no one misleads you.”

These foregoing words of Jesus were spoken to, and are meant for, His disciples.

(See Matthew chapter 24 verses 1-4. (This may seem like a ‘long read’ or podcast, depending on how you choose to follow along,, but, these are the very Words of Jesus and He answers all the key questions of being ready for His return, and, it’s worth your time.),

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “BE READY”?

Matthew 24:32-51 and Matthew 25:1-46

Parable of the Fig Tree

Verse 32.  “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; verse 33. so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Verse 34. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Verse 35. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Verse 36. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Verse 37. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.”

What Those Days Will Be Like?

  • Verse 38. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
  • Verse 39. 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.”

 I. What Should You Do to be Ready for His Coming – The reason for Readiness 

(Compare these 4 parables for the answer)

  • Matthew 24, 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.”

Benefits of Readiness

  • Matthew 24, 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. Verse 47. “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

Consequences for Carelessness regarding His Coming

  • Verse 48. “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ Verse 49. and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;
  • Verse 50. the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect himand at an hour which he does not know,
  • Verse 51. and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 II. What Should You Do to be Ready for His Coming – The reason for Readiness

Parable of Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-46 says,  “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

  • Verse 2. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. Verse 3. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, verse 4. but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
  • Verse 5. “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and beganto sleep. Verse 6. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet ’ Verse 7. “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
  • Verse 8. “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ Verse 9. “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too;go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

Benefits of Readiness

  • Verse 10. “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast;and the door was shut.

Consequences for Carelessness regarding His Coming

  • Verse 11. “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ Verse 12. “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’
  • Verse 13. “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

III. What Should You Do to be Ready for His Coming – The reason for Readiness

Parable of the Talents

  • Matthew 25:14.  “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. Verse 15. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
  • Verse 16. “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. Verse 17. “In the same manner the one who had receivedthe two talents gained two more. Verse 18. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Benefits of Readiness

  • Verse 19. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Verse 20. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’
  • Verse 21. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
  • Verse 22. “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ Verse 23. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

Consequences for Carelessness regarding His Coming

  • Verse 24. “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no Verse 25. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
  • Verse 26. “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no Verse 27. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Verse 28. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
  • Verse 29. “For to everyone who has, moreshall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
  • Verse 30. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 IV. What Should You Do to be Ready for His Coming – The reason for Readiness

The Judgment

Matthew 25:31, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32“All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

  • Verse 34. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Verse 35. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me somethingto eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; Verse 36. naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
  • Verse 37. “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You somethingto drink? Verse 38. ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? Verse 39. ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

Benefits of Readiness

  • Verse 40. “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, eventhe least of them, you did it to Me.’

Consequences for Carelessness regarding His Coming

  • Verse 41. “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;
  • Verse 42. for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothingto eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; Verse 43. I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’
  • Verse 44. “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’
  • Verse 45. “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ Verse 46. “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Please take note of the consistency of these parables.  Each scenario tells of a coming judgment and either a reward for the faithful servant or the punishment of perishing for the unfaithful and unprepared servants.

(PLEASE NOTE:  This is not a matter to be argued, such as “once saved, always saved” or “they were never saved in the first place”.  This is a matter of being a prepared and of being a faithful servant or, of being a person who is unprepared and just “going through the motions” of Christianity.)

The foregoing Words of Jesus, from Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, are written to His disciples (Christians). So, if you are not a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, you probably don’t understand what He is saying, and most likely, consider all this as foolishness, as, God has told us that spiritual matters are Spiritually discerned and you must have the Spirit of God within you to understand.

If you have any sense of the gravity of this message, you can turn to God now, and, confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Where Are We Now?

The date, at the time of this writing, is August 22, 2021. There is a convergence and concurrence of global events, as never been seen before, in alignment with Bible prophecy.  The branch of the olive tree has become tender and is putting forth its leaves, so, you know that summer is near; so, too, when you see all these things, recognize that Jesus is near, right at the door!

Where Do We Go From Here?

The Bible shows us the Spiritual War that has been raging for millennia, first in the spiritual realm and then on earth. That war is intensifying and the final Judgments of God are soon to follow. After these judgments, Jesus and His armies of heaven will appear to defeat the Beast and the False Prophet. Until that final day, we, who are on earth, are commanded to join the battle.  This is critical.

We are told that our first line of defense and our most effective offense is to trust in the Lord our God.

Next in order of priority is to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might and to put on the full armor of God, so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

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. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

FULL ARMOR OF GOD: Therefore, we are to take up the full armor of God,

RESIST IN THE EVIL DAY: So that we will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything,

STAND FIRM:  Stand firm. Stand firm therefore,

PUT ON TRUTH:  HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and

PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS:  HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and

PREPARE WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE: having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

FAITH:  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.

PRAY:  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

How Shall We Do It?

Readiness and your response becomes a matter of faith, obedience to His Word, walking in His Spirit and speaking His Word.

Understand the meaning of: “Jeremiah 12:5, “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?”

DO THESE THINGS

Luke 15:10-18 says, “Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

(Note:  Luke 15 contains the description of the first five Tribulation Seals which began around AD 1, and those who are alive on earth during these times, must endure.)

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.

“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;

“for, I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 

“But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name.

“Yet not a hair of your head will perish.

“By your endurance you will gain your lives.“

 

  • So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
  • I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.
  • Yet not a hair of your head will perish.
  • By your endurance you will gain your lives.

 

Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

  • No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
  • And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn

 

Matthew 21:21 says, ”And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.”

  • have faith and do not doubt
  • if you … it will happen

 

John 15:7-8 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so [d]prove to be My disciples.”

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

 

Revelation 12:10-11 says, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

  • Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come
  • And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and
  • they did not love their life even when faced with death.

Thus says the Lord.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Although, the things I have listed below will not ‘save you’, they are some things we should consider doing while we expectantly await His Return to take us to our Eternal Home:

We Must Be Ready Presentation

 

WHEN IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST GIVEN?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Please remember, you can listen while you read.  You can stop the audio to follow links for more detail on this teaching; then resume the audio.

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST

The Antichrist?

No one knows who the Antichrist will be, but we do know that when he is revealed he will not be a frightening figure.  In fact, he will be just the opposite until he has gained power.

There is a reference in Daniel 11:21 comparing Antiochus Epiphanes to a type of Antichrist, who is one of the most brutal rulers known in history, easily eclipsing the horrors of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich.

But, the horrors of Antiochus Epiphanes will pale in comparison to the brutality and horror of the coming Antichrist.

Traits of the Antichrist Described in the Bible

  • Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
  • Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
  • Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
  • Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
  • Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
  • Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
  • Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
  • Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
  • Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
  • Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
  • Controlling: Daniel 7:25.
  • Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.

What is the purpose of the Antichrist?

His purpose is to deceive.  The Antichrist is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ and substitute himself in Christ’s place before the Second Coming.

What will the Antichrist do?

Revelation 13:11 says, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.”

  • He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.
  • And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
  • He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
  • And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
  • And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
  • And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
  • and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”  Revelation 13:11-18.

He will doom anyone who receives his “Mark” and worships him, to suffer God’s Wrath.  “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.”  Revelation 16:2

Those which he deceived, those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image, are thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.  Revelation 19:20

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST

No one knows what ‘the mark’ will actually look like.  There is speculation that it could be an image, (an icon), or a microchip or a tattooed type of barcode used in place of money or credit cards for tracking, commerce and trade.  But, from scriptures we do know…

  • And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be givena mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
  • and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell,except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
  • Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.  Revelation 13:11-18

WHEN WILL THIS BEAST GIVE HIS MARK?

The popular idea in many church denominations is that

    • the Antichrist will give his “Mark of the Beast” before The Tribulation period but that
    • he will not be revealed until after the rapture of the Church.

Revelation 3:16-17 says, He will “cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  from, Revelation 13:16-17.

HOWEVER, the Bible clearly tells us that

    • the Antichrist will be revealed BEFORE the rapture of the church and
    • he will give his Mark of the Beast AFTER the rapture of the Church.

I.  Anti-Christ is revealed before the rapture

The Apostle Paul informs us, in 2 Thessalonians1:4  that, “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.“

(What is “THE DAY OF THE LORD”? To know more, click this link.)

The Great Apostasy and the persecution of the saints occurs sometime during the 5th Tribulation Seal, or just at the beginning of the 6th Tribulation Seal. (Compare Matthew 24: 9-10 with Revelation 6:9-122 and you will see the the great persecution of Believers and accompanied by the Great Apostasy)

We are seeing the 5th Tribulation Seal being opened in our lifetime, the great apostasy or falling away from the faith, false messiahs, great deceptions, a.k.a. the ‘deluding influence’ and alienation from one another, and it is become more pronounced as time passes.

As I have proposed on numerous occasions, the Tribulation Seal Judgments One through Four, (wars and rumors of war, famines, plagues, earthquakes, spread of new diseases) began in or around AD 1.  (click this link for “When Does Daniel’s 70th Week, also known as, the 7 Years of Great Tribulation, begin).

RECAP

  1. Verse 2. “you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
  2. Verse 3.  “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and
  3. the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, Verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

 II.  The Mark of the Beast comes AFTER the Rapture

And according to the Bible, the Antichrist gives his ‘Mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment and at the advent of 7th Trumpet Judgment, which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us when the Antichrist  “causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, Verse 17. and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  

The placement of Mark of the Beast, as mentioned in the scriptures, also tells us it is immediately following the 6th Judgment Trumpet:

  • Seven trumpets are sounded (Seen in Revelation Chapters 8, 9, and 12).
  1. First Trumpet: Hail and fire, mingled with blood, are thrown to the earth burning up a third of the trees and green grass. (Revelation 8:6–7)
  2. Second Trumpet: Something that resembles a great mountain, burning with fire, falls from the sky and lands in the ocean. It kills a third of the sea creatures and destroys a third of the ships at sea. (Revelation 8:8–9)
  3. Third Trumpet: A great star, named Wormwood, falls from heaven and poisons a third of the rivers and springs of water. (Revelation 8:10–11)
  4. Fourth Trumpet: A third of the sun, the moon, and the stars are darkened creating complete darkness for a third of the day and the night. (8:12–13)
  5. Fifth Trumpet: The First Woe, (Revelation 9:1–12)
    1. A “star” falls from the sky, (Revelation 9:1).
    2. This “star” is given “the key to the bottomless pit”, (Revelation 9:1).
    3. The “star” then opens the bottomless pit. When this happens, “smoke [rises] from [the Abyss] like smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky [are] darkened by the smoke from the Abyss” (Revelation 9:2).
    4. From out of the smoke, locusts who are “given power like that of scorpions of the earth” (9:3), who are commanded not to harm anyone or anything except for people who were not given the “seal of God” on their foreheads, (from chapter Revelation chapter,7,and Revelation 9:4).
    5. The “locusts” are described as having a human appearance (faces and hair) but with lion’s teeth, and wearing “breastplates of iron”; the sound of their wings resembles “the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle”, (found in Revelation 9:7–9).
  6. Sixth Trumpet: The Second Woe, (found in Revelation 9:13–21)
    1. The four angelsbound to the great river Euphrates are released to prepare two hundred million horsemen.
    2. These armies kill a third of mankind by plagues of fire, smoke, and brimstone.
  7. Interlude: The little scroll. (found in Revelation 10:1–11)
    1. An angel appears, with one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, having an opened little book in his hand.
    2. Upon the cry of the angel, seven thunders utter mysteries and secrets that are not to be written down by John.
    3. John is instructed to eat the little scroll that happens to be sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach, and to prophesy.
    4. John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
    5. Outside the temple, at the court of the holy city, it is trod by the nations for forty-two months (which is 3 and 1⁄2 years).
    6. Two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:1–14)
  8. Seventh Trumpet, (found in Revelation 11:15–19): This is the Third Woe which is followed by the Seven Bowls.
  9. The Beast gives his ‘MARK’. so that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the ‘Mark of the Beast’.
  10. The temple of God opens in heaven, where the ark of His covenant can be seen. There are lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

What Does This Mean to You?

What this means to you and to me is that some will have the opportunity to suffer awhile before the Rapture. But, no Christian will suffer the Wrath of God, following the 6th Tribulation Seal.

Before the Rapture

Other names for the the tribulation Seals 1 through 5 is the ‘BIRTH PAINS’ or ‘the beginning of birth pangs’.  Christians may suffer during this time. How do we know this?  The Bible says so:

1 Peter1:3  says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • verse 4 . to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
  • verse 5.  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  • verse 6.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, verse 7. so that the proof of your faith, beingmore precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

Revelation 6:9 tells us that, “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.

After the Rapture

The Great Tribulation also known as The Wrath of God, that is the Wrath of the Lamb, begins with the breaking or opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.

NOTE: The final 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, also known as the 7 Years of the Great Tribulation, will begin with the Breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. It will reach the mid-point (after 3 1/2 years) at the Blowing of the 7th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude with the pouring out of the 7th Bowl Judgment. 

Contrary to popular denomination beliefs of some, NO ONE WILL BE SAVED AFTER THE SIXTH TRUMPET JUDGEMENT.  (Revelation 9:20-21, “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders, nor of their witchcraft, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.”  Also, Revelation 16:10-11 warns, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.”

Be comforted by this, that “God has not appointed us (Christians) to His Wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:9

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For more on this subject, go to this link:  The Mark of the Beast

 

NOTES:  Bible references for “The Day of The Lord”

2 Peter 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Jeremiah 46:10  For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of hosts, A day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes; And the sword will devour and be satiated And drink its fill of their blood; For there will be a slaughter for the Lord GOD of hosts, In the land of the north by the river Euphrates.

Ezekiel 30:3  3 “For the day is near,
Even the day of the LORD is near;
It will be a day of clouds,
A time of doom for the nations.

Amos 5      18 Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD,
For what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you?
It will be darkness and not light;

19 As when a man flees from a lion
And a bear meets him,
Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall
And a snake bites him.

20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it?

Jeremiah 25:33  Those slain by the LORD on that day will be from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be lamented, gathered or buried; they will be like dung on the face of the ground.

Joel 3  Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

The sun and moon grow dark
            And the stars lose their brightness.

The LORD roars from Zion
And utters His voice from Jerusalem,
And the heavens and the earth tremble.
But the LORD is a refuge for His people
And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

Isaiah 13:9  Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it.