Devotional, Devotion, Prophecy, Bible Study, Bible discussion, End of Days, End Times, Enter Ministry, Underground Church, Church, Fellowship, Tribulation, Salvation, Ordained, Love, Heaven, Miracles
Author: Michael Young, Sr.
I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me.
I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians.
I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments.
I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.
(You can listen to this audio podcast as you read along, and, you can stop the audio to follow links on this page, then resume the audio when you are ready)
THE SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL
(See New Video Below).
Identifying the eschatological timeline of THE LAST DAYS and what may have already occurred, can help us identify the “season” we are now in and the urgency of our day.
OUTLINE OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS – Seal 1 through Tribulation Seal 7
The 1st Tribulation Seal – Global conquest and political intrigue, The 2nd Tribulation Seal – Wars and Rumors of War, The 3rd Tribulation Seal – Famine, The 4th Tribulation Seal – Death, The 5th Tribulation Seal – Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away.
(We have already entered the 5th tribulation Seal and are only waiting for the revealing of the Antichrist before the 6th Seal is broken – the beginning of The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, aka, The Great Tribulation period).
The 6th Tribulation Seal
Revelation 6:12“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, verse 13 . and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. verse 14. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, verse 16. calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, verse 17. for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
The 6th Tribulation Seal – During the 6th Seal the world will see Cosmic disturbances, a blood moon, the sun darkened
Sealing of the 144,000
The Rapture
Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God
The breaking of The 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, which are the final 7 years of the great Tribulation. (The 7th Trumpet is the mid-point or 3.5 years)
We are on the verge of seeing one of the greatest outpourings of the Holy Spirit since the Day of Pentecost, as foretold by the Apostle Peter:
Acts 2:14“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. Verse 15. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
Verse 16 . But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
Verse 17. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
Verse 18. “even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
Verse 19. “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
Verse 20. “the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
Verse 21. “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“
An Aesop’s children’s story tells of an ant and a grasshopper. The ant is working away throughout the summer collecting his food and building his shelter in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. The Grasshopper on the other hand enjoys his summer months by “sitting on a blade of grass fiddling and singing to the sun”. The ant is prepared and has what he needs to survive a long and cold winter, but the grasshopper played his time away during the summer and is left out in the cold to die, starving and without shelter. (the entire fable: THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT).
This fable has a good moral about working hard and preparing for the future. It reminds me of what a pastor said once, “Don’t wait until trouble finds you to begin to search for God because then it might be too late. Keep your relationship with God current, so you know He is always near,”
The Bible warns Christians to be prepared for a coming day
Mattehw 24:29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet-call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
But, most Christians hold the belief that making a one-time confession of faith (with little-to-no follow through, I might add) is sufficient to save them from the coming wrath. The fact is that the time is very close and most are not prepared for what is coming.
Please watch this short video excerpt before I close this post about how we can be ready for anything that may come upon us:
Host and historian Ronnie Cohen plus several prophecy experts including Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum go on an epic journey to uncover the secrets behind Middle Eastern Bible prophecy and the shocking statistical evidence that proves there is much more going on regarding past prophetic fulfillment than mere chance.
Shocking new research also reveals that prophetic events foretelling frightening social changes that will usher in a new period of global hardship, tribulation and widespread death may be more plausible than many believe. No matter your belief system, the findings presented within The final Prophecies are as eye-opening as they are frightening. The ultimate conclusion may change your view of prophecy forever and redefine how much time we truly have left on this world!
Historian Ronnie Cohen and others examine biblical prophecies and tie them into possible evidence that Earth’s days are numbered. Director: Brent Miller Jr. (Go here for the full length movie:https://youtu.be/6-qHgpz_qOs)
Are you still “fiddling around” with pursuing the pleasures of this world?
Soon, there will come a shaking in the heavens, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, and the very powers of the heavens will shake, then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet-call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)
This cosmic cataclysm is being preceded by the ‘a rebuilding building of the Tower of Babel’, a time when men said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”?
We saw then, “5 the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.”
This modern-day ‘Tower of Babel’ is a metaphor for the intentions of the ancients. Even so, the secular world is aware that something new is happening. Many postmodern Globalists are calling it The Great Global Reset.
Joel 2:11“The Lord utters his voicebefore his army,for his camp is exceedingly great;he who executes his word is powerful.For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome;who can endure it?Joel 2
Take this instruction of the Lord God; it is for you to do it:
Deuteronomy 29: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God,
but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever,
that we maydoall the words of this law.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Asah: accomplish; Part of Speech: Verb; Transliteration: Asah; Phonetic Spelling: (aw-saw’); Definition: do, make. We are to DO what we know!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
We can begin to know what it means and gain understanding and wisdom from two prominent Scriptural prophecies and promises:
Joel 2:28– “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
30“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.
This is both a foreshadowing and a reference to the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (compare Deuteronomy 2:30 – 3, shown above, to Matthew 24:29 – 31 and Revelation 6:12-17 )
Romans 11:17.“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?
We, as Christians, are now part of God’s Chosen People, having been “grafted in” by way of God’s grace and thorough our faith in Jesus.
GAIN INSIGHT: The Blessings & The Curse
Deuteronomy 29:30“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you,
and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you,
2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children,
and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul,
3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you,
and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it.
And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
7 And, the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
8 And, you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today.
9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in
all the work of your hand,
in the fruit of your womb and
in the fruit of your cattle and
in the fruit of your ground.
For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The Choice of Life and Death
Deuteronomy 30:11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[e] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[f] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
WHAT ARE YOU / AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
This is for us, today. You can do these things as God has said in Deuteronomy chapter 30, especially in the light of two prominent Scriptural prophecies and promises in Joel 2 and Romans 11:17
We must read these verses as Prophetic, and we must DO them. They may have been written about, and to the Hebrew Jews, the Israelites, but they are also written to you and me. Remembering that The Prophecies of God are enduring until the end of time when Jesus will complete / fulfill them all, until then, we are to walk in them!
A ’Tower of Babel’ to be built opposite US Capital – February 10, 2021 – Amazon Corp. has just unveiled the plans for its new corporate headquarters that will stand in Arlington, Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC. The announcement inaccurately describes the design as a “double helix” but scholars of ancient history and the Bible will readily recognize the ancient model for the design: the Tower of Babel. Of course this is a just a corporate enterprise, but, considering all things Amazon… https://www.israel365news.com/186976/amazon-reveals-plan-to-build-tower-of-babel-opposite-us-capital/
We have been called to join Jesus on the front lines of the battlefield. The time for worry, complaining, standing, watching and waiting is over.
We are seeing an unprecedented unleashing demonic activity from the depths of hell. Our nation and world is being overcome by evil, perversity, disease, war, hatred and divisions, and we are called to stand in the gap!
God tells us, repeatedly, through the Bible, to “gird ourselves up” with the full armor of God, fear not, stand firm and engage the enemy. He has promised us that everywhere our foot treads shall be ours and that no enemy will be able to stand before us all the days of our lives. He has given us His Authority, and that He is with us until the end of the age.
Before you dismiss this, ask yourself, “What are you DOING that He told you to do, in these Last Days?” This is URGENT!
I am pleading with you to meet in Him in your Prayer Room, daily.
Here is a Prayer Journal to help us get started. (You can download and/or print “War Room Journal”from .PDF format)
(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)
There is a lot of interest and conversation and controversy about an event called “The Rapture”, both inside and outside Christian Circles. Scores of books, articles and movies have been written and produced on the subject, so many in fact, that one internet search returned over 1,500,000 hits on the subject.
The “Rapture”, as it is called, is an eschatological (study on matters of end times) theological position held by some Christians, of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are alive, along with resurrected believers, will rise “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”[1] The idea of a rapture as it is currently defined is not found in historic Christianity, and the term “rapture” is not found in the Bible.
The doctrine of a rapture is a relatively recent idea of Evangelical Protestantism, introduce by John Nelson Darby, a British pastor, writer and educator in the mid 1800s . Darby formulated the idea of the rapture from the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:13-17, specifically from verse 17, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
The words “caught up” translate from the Greek verb “harpazō”. The Latin Vulgate translates the Greek as “rapiemur” meaning “we are caught up” or “we are taken away” from the Latin verb rapio, where we get the English word, rapture.
This ministry’s position is a definitive “Pre-Wrath Rapture“. The foregoing link will take you to an explanation and three videos produced by Zion’s Hope (also shown on this page) ministries and one video by The Fuel Project on this matter.
For the sake of brevity on this posting, I will leave you with this PDF presentation comparing the Words of Jesus in the Book of Matthew, chapter 24 and the book of the Revelation, taken from chapters six and seven. (click on the image or the text below here).
Signs of Christ’s Return – See to it that no one misleads you!
Matthew 24:1 “Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way[a]when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 But He responded and said to them, “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.”
3 And 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?”
4And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.”
Just about anyone would know that only a fraud would go about saying, “I am Jesus. Follow me“. But INSTITUTIONAL DECEPTION is harder to spot. False teachers will use most of the words of the Bible to start a false church and to convince you they are Christian, much like Satan did in the Garden of Eden and during the testing of Jesus, only to mislead you.
These videos will help you begin to understand this sign of the 5th TRIBULATION SEAL
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Matthew20:25 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Many times the distinction between being someone’s ‘doormat’ and being ‘the doorman’ to assist others along their way, is very narrow. Even once the distinction is made, the desire to do it can be even more of a challenge.
However, Jesus warns us to “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Showing Grace, mercy and compassion, in our Secular-Humanist world, can sometimes be mistaken for weakness. But, God’s Grace is unmistakable.
Listen to a few minutes of this introduction to a sermon by Pastor Trent Casto, senior pastor of Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida, as he recounts a picture of GRACE from the story and play “Les Mis” and relates that to the Truth of Scriptures. You will be moved. (with permission)
So, is it “Doormat” or “Doorman”? Either way, it takes great courage to follow Jesus and to be like Him, but, God repeatedly tells us to “Be strong and very courageous”, and then we will have good success!
Let’s join God and make this happen!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Philippians 2: 5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature a God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature b of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
“The Chosen” is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. The series’ creators are hoping to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story. (2/5/2020)
Now, it is 1/7/2022 and a YouTube video of Dallas Jenkins has emerged, casting a shadow of doubt on the creator and producer’s theological stance:
The American presidential election of 2020 should not be considered a ‘turning point’ for America, it should be considered as ‘the last nail in her coffin’. The groundwork for the transition of America from a democratic-republic and a world superpower into just another Prefect in a One World Government had been laid decades ago. The aging and dwindling populace of freedom loving American Patriots has finally been overcome by the swelling tide of from foreigner, both naturalized citizens and illegal aliens, (foreign agents) within her own borders.
You could see this coming, if you were watching. A super influx of illegal and anti-American foreigners, made possible by the Leftists and Globalists in our own democrat party, was tipping the balance of power.
Additionally, the surreptitious introduction of Socialist doctrine into the curriculum of our education systems has indoctrinated several generations of children to think antithetically to America’s founding principles. These are only two of the methods of the myriad of complex strategies to subvert and transform our once great nation into the Socialist / Communist pariah she is becoming.
WHERE CAN WE FIND HOPE?
A great example would be to look to the Jewish people who were primarily subject to foreign rule (Egyptian, Syrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman, etc.), for thousands of years, with only brief periods of independence.
Specifically, in the first century, when the Romans ruled the Mediterranean area known as Palestine (modern-day Israel), where Jesus was born and lived his life. In the hierarchy of power, the Jewish self-government reported to the authority of the local Roman government (King Herod), which reported to Rome (Emperor Caesar).
Much like the modern/post-modern ecumenical movement in America and other parts of the world, the Roman government practiced syncretism, that is, they believed that all religious beliefs, philosophical teachings, and government systems are ultimately compatible, or a reflection of, a larger system – the Roman system. They practiced one of the first “one country, two systems” policies – pronouncing that all people had religious freedom, political freedom, and freedom of thought, yet maintaining strict control.
Just as the Jews understood the world to be divided into two types of people: Jewish and Gentile (non-Jew), Christianity divides the world into Believers and non-believers, and, just as the Jews worked hard to disassociate themselves from the Gentiles, so Christians tend to disassociate with non-believers. But more than that, Conservatives and Liberals is the new identity, and they are sorely divided.
President Joe Biden, in his first month in office as begun the work of redefining America through executive order (dictatorial rule). The Jewish people accepted their freedom in both their governing system, and in maintaining their own traditions, yet the Roman government required that everything be ultimately subject to Roman authority. For example, Jewish citizens were under the authority of the Jewish court system (the Sanhedrin), yet all rulings for the death penalty were sent to the Roman government. So, it is coming to be, in America. It is as if Biden was reading ancient Rome’s playbook.
The most disheartening, if not disgusting acts of sedition and cowardice in post 2020 America, is to be found in our religious and political systems. In ancient Rome, the Jewish religious and governing system was divided between two parties: the Pharisees, which we can compare to the “Conservatives” in our political and religious system – the ‘people’s party’, taught the law and traditions of Israel’s patriarchs (or, America’s founding principles), and were strictly conforming to Jewish law (in our case, Constitutional law); and the Sadducees (comparable to democrat and republican elitists) – the wealthy and conservative leaders who rejected the traditions in favor of political and religious cooperation with the Romans (in our case, Socialists and Globalists in America).
THEN CAME JESUS
The advent of Jesus, the Messiah, changed everything, “first in Jerusalem and then in all Judea, then Samaria, and then as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
That Hope, Jesus, is still alive and well, for us today. But, this time, this 2nd Advent of Christ, He will not return as “the humble servant”, but this time
The heavens will open and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness. He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 11:11-16.
Please watch these CHOSEN videos – and notice that the Work of God continued, despite Roman and Jewish opposition, impediments and interruptions. This is our model.
Embrace THE HOPE, trust Him, follow Him – He knows the WAY!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: I am writing a study named “THE CHOSEN” from 1 Peter. It is a work in progress Are you chosen?
I came across an article in the New York Times titled “The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus”, which, in part, describes exactly what we, as Christians, must embrace. Here is an excerpt:
“Get used to different.” “That line comes from a marvelous new TV series on Jesus’ life, “The Chosen,” in which Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, invites Matthew to become one of his disciples. Simon Peter, already a disciple, registers his fierce objection. Matthew is a tax collector, who were viewed as tools of Roman authorities, often dishonest and abusive. They were therefore treated as traitors and outcasts by other Jews.
“I don’t get it,” Simon Peter says to Jesus about his decision to invite Matthew, to which Jesus responds, “You didn’t get it when I chose you, either.”
“But this is different,” Simon Peter answers. “I’m not a tax collector.” At which point Jesus lets Simon Peter know things aren’t going to be quite what his followers expected.
“First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly radical and radically inclusive figure Jesus was, and neither are today’s Christians. We want to tame and domesticate who he was, but Jesus’ life and ministry don’t really allow for it. He shattered barrier after barrier.
“One example is Jesus’ encounter, in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus and the woman talked about Jesus being the Messiah, why he was even deigning to talk with her, and the unnamed woman’s past and present, which she initially sought to hide from Jesus. (It included her five previous husbands, according to the account in John, and the fact that “the one whom you now have is not your husband.”) Yet not a word of condemnation passed the lips of Jesus; the woman felt heard, understood, cared for. Jesus treated her, in the words of one commentator, “with a magnetic dignity and respect.” (End excerpt)
TWO MAIN POINTS
There are two main points we must take from this and embrace them as we move forward, marching with time inexorably to the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and His judgment, which is coming upon every person and in all the earth.
POINT #1
The author starts the article well, then deviates from Jesus’ radicalism for the lives of the lost and turns the article into a weak “social justice commentary”.
Jesus did not come to earth to preach a gospel of “social justice” of man’s perceived standards of right and wrong, just or unjust. Jesus came into the world to save the world. Jesus preached His Gospel message of God’s mercy and justice.
GOD’S JUSTICE
It did not matter to Jesus, whether a person is rich or poor, weak or strong, oppressed or privileged, intellectually brilliant or disadvantaged, educated or uneducated – you either believe on Him, the One whom God has sent, or you perish. This is God’s Justice.
We must have this MIND OF CHRIST, as we live-out Jesus’ example and teaching, and as we reach out to the lost.
Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, verse 2, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. verse 3, Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ verse 4, For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, verse 5, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” verse 6, And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; verse 7, now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? verse 8, I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. verse 19, He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. verse 20, A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. verse 21, And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”
This justice, “Krino” κρίσις, εως, ἡ is a separating, sundering, separation; a trial, contest, selection, judgment; i. e. opinion or decision given concerning anything, especially concerning justice and injustice, right and wrong; in a forensic judgment sense, of the of God or of Jesus the Messiah: universally, the day appointed for the judgment, at the time of the judgment, when the judgment shall take place, to execute judgment against (i. e. to the destruction of) all. Specifically, sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment:
POINT #2
We must come back to the fearless, self-abandonment of Jesus’ first disciples in our pursuit of Jesus (as depicted in the video, “The Chosen”).
Jesus, when calling Matthew to follow Him, He is threatened by the Roman guard to “back off”. But, Jesus stays focused, smiling, calling.
Matthew immediately responds by “closing up shop” and leaves his post to follow Jesus. The Roman guard sternly warns Matthew, reminding him that he will lose his position of favor with the Roman government, his protections and his wealth, but Matthew brushes him aside, saying, “Get out of my way”.
Radical obedience in faith is the ONLY PATH for a true Christian, (“Matthew 4:20) “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”
The heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.
He always has been and He always will be. He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s our King! That’s our King!
Will you follow Him? (adapted from SM Lockridge’s “That’s My King”)
(You can listen to the audio podcast and read along, then you can pause the audio to follow links on this page for additional details. When you are ready, you can, then, resume the audio.. Please note that page links are used in lieu of footnotes and references.)
JESUS, THE APOSTLE PAUL, GNOSTICS AND FALSE TEACHERS
There are remarkable and undeniable similarities between the false teachers, Judaizers, Pharisees and the Gnostics of the Apostle Paul’s day and the religious humanists of Socialism, Communism, Marxism, the Ecumenical Globalists and the political Leftists of our day. In fact, one could say that the latter is just a postmodern continuation of the former.
So, we can study Jesus’ and the Apostle Paul’s approach to dealing with the false teachers and “Christ deniers” of their day to see how we should deal with false teachers, false religions and the Marxists of our day.
I have selected pointed and succinct scriptures to inform, teach and guide us. Please take notes, because I have a question for you at the end of this page.
I. Warning Against False Teachers (Paul the Apostle)
1 Timothy 1:3-20, says “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by serving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
“Now we know that rthe law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with uthe gospel of the glory of vthe blessed God wwith which I have been entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
“I thank him xwho has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, go whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, iimmortal, invisible, the only God, lbe honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I thave handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Pray for All People
1 Timothy 2:1-15, continues, saying, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and ato come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given fat the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, klifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
likewise also, that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, rthen Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but sthe woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
II. SHEEP, WOLVES, A TREE AND ITS FRUIT (Jesus)
Matthew 7:5 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are avenous wolves.You will recognize them lby their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
I Never Knew You
Matthew 7:21, tells us, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Build Your House on the Rock
Matthew 7 :24-27, continues with, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
The Authority of Jesus
Verse 28.“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
III. FIERCE WOLVES COMING FROM YOUR OWN PEOPLE (Paul the Apostle)
Acts 20:28-31, cautions us, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”
IV. PURGE THE IMMORAL GREEDY, EVIL (The Apostle Paul)
1 Corinthians 5:6-13, instructs us that, “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
V. Godlessness in the Last Days (The Apostle Paul)
2 Timothy 3:1-5, informs us, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance ofgodliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.“
RECAP:
1. Warn others not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations.
2. In accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.
3. Hand those over to Satan who have made shipwreck of their faith, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Name them publicly , such as Hymenaeus and Alexander.
4. Make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people,
5. Men should be the ones who pray in every place, lifting lholy hands without anger or quarreling;
6. Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
7. Let a woman learn quietlywith all submissiveness.
8. Do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
9. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves
10. Cut down every “tree” that does not bear good fruit and throw it into the fire.
11. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,
12. Your boasting is not good.
13. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened, for Christ. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
14. Do not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
15. Do not to associate with anyone, do not even to eat with such a onewho bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler.
16. Purge the evil person from among you. You are to judge those inside the church. God judges those outside the church.
17. Avoid people who are lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
These points may counter what you have been hearing in your local church, but, as you can see, they are straight from Jesus, the Apostle Paul and the Bible. These are our instructions for today – our Marching Orders.
Please listen to the video from THE BIBLE PROJECT. It is like reading today’s headlines or from a church bulletin.
MY QUESTION FOR YOU
Will you PLEASE CONTACT ME and join the resistance today! I will give you full details if you will just contact me.
Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17)For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
(25) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
“Walk in the Spirit” translated literally says, “I walk, in an ethical sense: I conduct my life, live according to the Spirit of God; to make the best use of my opportunities” so that I am not consumed or pursuing lustful or selfish, self-centered matters.”
It is vitally important to take notice and understand what it means that the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
To “walk” in the Bible is often a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to “walk” it, that is, we are to make consistent forward progress. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the Spirit: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”.
The statement that “the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another”, besides meaning they counteract or repel one another, it literally says the Spirit pushes down on or through the flesh, “so that you cannot do the things you want to do”.
This carries the idea of being double-minded, and, James (1:7)warns that a person “ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, (8)while being double-minded, as they are unstable in all their ways.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
Again, it is vitally important to take notice that the Spirit and the flesh are ‘contrary’ to one another. In other words, they counter act or repel one another “so that you cannot do the things you want to do”. Unless you correct this state of affairs, you are inert and basically, ‘good for nothing but to be trod under foot of man’, as Jesus puts it.
Secondly, and here is where it gets tricky, we are basically back to the principal of “Binding and Loosing”, and this is KEY! (words in parentheses are my notes; words in brackets are footnotes at the bottom of this page)
Matthew 18:18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you [r] bind on earth (*the flesh)[s] shall have been bound in heaven (*the Spirit); and whatever you [t] loose on earth (*the flesh)[u] shall have been loosed in (*the Spirit)heaven.
(19) “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth (*the flesh)about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them [v] by My Father who is in heaven (*the Spirit). 20For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
BINDING AND LOOSING – A SERIOUS MATTER. The Bible says that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven; in other words, once a matter is bound in heaven, then it will be manifest on earth. It is a covenant with God and is a serious matter. God is saying that if you are going to enter into a covenant agreement with Him as His disciple, the standards of such a covenant are “high as the heavens are from the earth”, and the discipline necessary is impossibly strict, in the flesh, and can only be done by way of the Spirit of God, and the commitment is for life.
When you make a “causal statement” such as, found in James 4:13, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” (14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. (15) Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that”,you are, in essence, making a VOW.
(Notice I said C-A-U-S-A-L, not casual. A statement of intent to do or create something)
When you make a statement with your mouth, it is as if you are making a vow before the Lord. (A spoken word, made “by the living voice” is translated as “Rhḗma”, from Strong’s concordance #4483, /rhéō, “to speak”) – a spoken word, made “by the living voice”. See John 15:7).
This is an important point. It is important enough that Matthew 12:36warns us“…that for every idle(careless, useless, lazy, barren) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (37) For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” So, Matthew 5:37instructs us “But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”
Now, back to making a CAUSAL statement of a VOW. An idle word, by definition from the Bible, is a word that is careless, lazy, and useless. It comes to nothing except ridicule and humiliation and as the Bible states,by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
BINDING a word, to make it “useful, active and productive”, YOU MUSTWALK IT OUT (i.e., “do it”) in the flesh (on earth) by way of the Spirit of God.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Finally, I will attempt to draw a word-picture as an illustration of this profound Truth.
SCENARIO 1.
Assume you are standing on earth, praying or speaking (vowing) a Rhḗma word. God hears your words or ‘vows’ or prayer from heaven and answers you, opening the way for its accomplishment.
But supposing you fail to act on God’s answer to that word, it remainsidle, useless and barren, the result of a careless, lazy word; and by this you will be justified, or you will be condemned!
Can you see the importance of every word that proceed out of your mouth?
SCENARIO 2.
Assume you are standing on earth, praying or speaking (vowing) a Rhḗma word. God hears your words or ‘vows’ or prayer from heaven and answers you, opening the way for its accomplishment.
Assuming you act on God’s answer and you and you “WALK IT OUT” (i.e., ‘you do it’) and it is accomplished. The result of a carefully spoken word; and by this you will be justified!
Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Now, when you read or hear that “All things are possible for him who believes” perhaps you will believe! Matthew 21:22And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: For anyone who immediately begins to pick these verses apart with a “Yeah, But” excuse, I am truly sorry for you.
This is the plain Truth. JUST LIVE WITH IT!
[r] 18 I.e., forbid [s] 18 Gr fut. pft. pass. tense [t] 18 I.e., permit [u] 18 Gr fut. pft. pass. tense [v] 19 Lit from
“If anyone has an ear, let him hear. Verse 10, “(1) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; (2) if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed.Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:9
“Here isthe perseverance of the saints who (1) keep the commandments of God and (2) their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:12
This article is meant to emphasize the conclusions of my previous articles and to pull them all together by citing what is known as “The Perseverance of the Saints”.
There are few matters more important than how we prepare for what has been prophesied in Scriptures, and it appears, is coming to pass. It is the concurrence and the convergence of The Prophetic events from Scriptures, occurring in our day, which have never been seen before.
I am turning to the Book of the Revelation, chapters 13 and 14 for this study:
Revelation 13
1 Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been [b]slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking [c]arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who [d]dwell in heaven.
7 It was also given to him to make war with the [e] saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been [f]written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
Verse 9 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. v10 If anyone [g] is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the [h] perseverance and the faith of the [I] saints.
Rev 14:11 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. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast [j]in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform [k]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. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even [l]speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, [m]to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 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. 18 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 [n]six hundred and sixty-six.
Revelation 14:
1 “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they *[a]sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they [b]have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who [c]live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”
8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “[d]Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the [e]passion of her immorality.”
9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed [f]in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and [g]brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and [h]whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Verse 12 Here is the [I] perseverance of the [j] saints who keep the commandments of God and [k] their faith in Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
The Reapers
1st Reaping:
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like [l]a son of man, having a golden crown on His head (also see Matthew 24:30,31) and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the [m]temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “[n]Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth [o]is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud [p]swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
2nd Reaping:
17 And another angel came out of the [q]temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “[r]Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters [s]from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel [t]swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, [u]for a distance of [v]two hundred miles.
“The Harvest of the Earth”
Revelation 14:14-16 says,
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for theharvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
The reaping of the harvest of the earth, is the rapture of the church. (see Matthew 24:29,30)
The Reaping of the Vine of the Earth
In Revelation 14:17-18 there is another harvest that is different from the first. It says,
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vineof the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
This is called the “reaping of the vine of the earth”. The first was the harvest. Revelation 14:19 talks about the winepress where the grapes will be trodden, “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” The first harvest is caught up to be with Jesus Christ. The second harvest is to be thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. Revelation 14:20 continues, “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Notice several things. The winepress is to be trodden without the city. This is undoubtedly speaking of Jerusalem. Immediately outside the walls of the Temple Mount, there is a valley called the Valley of Jehoshaphat, also known as the Kidron Valley. It lies just outside the Eastern Gate where it is prophesied in scripture that Jesus Christ will enter at the time of His Second Coming. The Mount of Olives is here, also. This is where the winepress of God will be. This is describing the Battle of Armageddon. The blood will flow unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs, the equivalent of 160 miles. If you measure from the Plain of Megiddo in northern Israel, through the Jordan Valley, and then into the Gates of Jerusalem, it equals approximately 160 miles. The Battle of Armageddon will begin in Megiddo, then down through the Jordan Valley as the armies of Israel retreat. It will finally culminate in the Kidron Valley outside the gates of Jerusalem. Only Jesus Christ will save the Jewish people at that time. “END OF EXCERPT”.
If after reading this, you still think you need to take up conventional arms of warfare and fight the onslaught of evil by way of a world war, a regional war, a civil, political war, or a social war, then go about your business. But, remember what Scriptures tell us about the PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINT, “if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed” Rev. 13:9
Is the TRIBULATION of the current social and political unrest, chaos and uncertainty getting to you? Having trouble getting things done? It could be a problem with your ability to focus, or it could be an early warning sign of a deeper problem.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT BE DECEIVED. All things which you can see and touch on this earth, originate and are emanating from the “Unseen world” of the Heavens. This includes this Time of TRIBULATION we are currently experiencing.
2 Corinthians 4:18“while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Hebrews 11:1“Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the world has been created by the Word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.
1 Timothy 1:17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. “
Romans 1:20“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: 16 for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.”
A GREAT DELUSION
There is both AGreat Delusion and A Great Deception at work.
2 Thessalonians 2:9“That is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved.”
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
Do not trust your natural mind or your natural abilities to struggle against the things of this age, that is, things of this increasing time of the TRIBULATION.
THE BATTLE WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Galatians 5:17 tells us that the desires of our “Flesh” (i.e., or mind, will and emotions – our psyche, or our ‘soulfulness’) work against the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God, Who dwells within us works against our natural mind, our will and emotions; the Bible tells us that our “Flesh” and the Spirit of God, which would dwell in you as a Christian, are in opposition to one another, and this unseen conflict keeps you from doing whatever you want. Galatians 5:17
So, ask yourself, “Do I constantly struggle with or am I prone to participate in”
sexual immorality, carousing, impurity, indecent behavior, whether it is physically or a constant mental obsession
idolatry, obsession with luck, witchcraft, horoscopes, charms
hostility, strife, outbursts of anger, dissensions, factions
jealousy, selfish ambition, envy,
drunkenness, excessive drinking or drug use
and things like these? The Bible forewarns us of this. I am taking notice for myself, and I am telling you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (inherit: Will not take part in, will not inhabit, will not have any right to)
The Bible goes on to teach that if you are “led by the Spirit of God”, you are not under “the Law”, that is external controls and condemnation for past actions.
You see, the manifestation or “the fruit” of the Spirit of God, when He is actually dwelling in a person, is manifest through an attitude and a behavior which demonstrates
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
self-control;
Again, the Bible teaches that these manifest actions are the results of the Spirit of God dwelling in and controlling your “Flesh” (your mind, your will, your emotions, i.e., your psyche) and effectively abrogate any and all effects of “the Law”, that is the external controls and condemnation for past actions.
You see, and odd as it may sound, those who actually belong to Christ Jesus “are crucifying and continue to crucify the passions and desires of their Flesh”. (This takes the hard work of prayer and seeking and appropriating the freedom Christ has given us.)
This ‘crucifixion’ results in what the Bible calls FREEDOM. Free to think and act and to submit ourselves to the decisive and effective power of God which would emanate from Him through our lives.
So – How do these things I have discussed, connect? What do they have to do with one another?
1. What we see (the visible things) come from what we cannot see (the invisible things).
2. The Great Deceit and the Great Delusion
3. Evidence which reveal whether you are “Controlled in the Spirit of God” or you are “Controlled by the Flesh”.
The visible political and social war of Conservative ideals which are based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible VERSUS the reemergence of Marxism/Communism and a One World Government, is the product of a Spiritual War that has been raging since the beginning of time.
This war is being waged by the great dragon, Satan, by means of deceit and lies and God has sent a great delusion upon those who do not believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Whether you are part of the problem and are being deceived or whether you are part of the solution of God’s Plan can be determined by your attitude and behavior – no matter what you say, what you do speak the truth.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(PS: This was hard to write, because I am convicted of these things. Please, pray for me and I will pray for you)
2 Corinthians 10:3 “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses
“4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
“5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
“6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
“7 Do you look on things on the outward appearance? If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.”
Our task, our duty and our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, alone! The warfare we now face, takes preparation, discipline, diligence, steadfast commitment and ACTION!
It is unlike any conflict or war you have ever fought or have thought about fighting. THIS IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE being played out on planet earth. The root of this Tribulation Period is in the Heavens and our battle must be fought there, first!
I have, to the best of my ability, with diligence, spelled out what I read in the Bible as Jesus’ stance and instruction on what a Christian’s response should be to attacks on their person, their property, their freedoms as well as threats of terror. I have posted these articles on my website, on my blog site and on various social media platforms.
I am hearing responses such as:
“The Church of Jesus cannot afford to simply be passive, it must stand for biblical truth.”
“Your remarks of pacifism are like Baal worship. We have a responsibility to defend ourselves and fight for our freedoms.”
“Christians have a right to fight back.”
Based on these replies, I apparently I am not properly communicating the plain and obvious Word of God. I apologize. Please, let me try again.
I. I AM NOT ADVOCATING STANDING IDLY BY TO BE SLAUGHTERED
II. SECONDLY, I would like to state that, in case of emergencies or crises, I have stored some extra food supplies, water, dry goods, “implements for defensive measures” and means to buy or sell or barter. I am not a fool. We have seen how crisis and panic causes people to act, so I am trying to be prepared for any eventuality. And, yes, I get angry at what I see happening to our Nation or world and our way of life.
Supplies of food, water and money may help in the short run, but they aren’t going to save me. Getting angry may be a natural response, but it will not help me or save me. As I have said repeatedly, government is failing us, politics have failed us, educational systems are failing us, technology is being used against us, medicine can’t save us, so, my question is now, and always has been:
WHAT SHOULD I DO in response to this Tribulation which now encompasses me? What can I do?
I have written and posted about this Ad Nauseam, but once again, here is what the Bible tells us:
Luke 21:14-19, says, “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.”
Matthew 24:42–47. says, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 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. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, 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.
III. Examples of expected result of Service and Obedience to God in Tribulation:
2 Corinthians 11:23-27 says, “Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” (The Apostle Paul’s response to threats and ‘terrorism’.)
Isaiah 13:5 tells us, “They are coming from a distant country, From the farthest horizons, The Lord and the weapons of His indignation, To destroy the whole land.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-6, says, “For, though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:7 tells us, You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
2 Corinthians 6:3. says, “We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”
Isiah 54:17 says,“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And you will condemn every tongue that accuses you in judgment.This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:20-23 says,“You are My war-club, My weapon of war; And with you, I shatter nations, And with you, I destroy kingdoms.
“With you I shatter the horse and his rider, And with you I shatter the chariot and its rider,
“And with you I shatter man and woman, And with you I shatter the old man and youth, And with you I shatter the young man and virgin,
“And with you I shatter the shepherd and his flock, And with you I shatter the farmer and his team, And with you I shatter governors and officials.”
Jeremiah 50:25 says, “The LORD has opened His armory And has brought out the weapons of His indignation, For it is a work of the Lord GOD of armies.
V. RECAP –
The reason we don’t understand the Biblical instruction and requirements on our response to the Tribulation which is besetting us:
You are looking at things as they are outwardly. (2 Corinthians 10:7)
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.(2 Corinthians 10: 4)
The weapons of our warfare are divinely powerful.(2 Corinthians 10:4)
Designated use and purpose of our weapons:
The weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack.
The weapons of righteousness in the left hand for defense.
For the destruction of fortresses.
We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God,
Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
we are ready to punish all disobedience.
The origin of our weapons:
The weapons of His indignation.
You and I say we believe in God, but do we BELIEVE HIM? When Jesus said, “Come to me”, Would you have gotten out of the boat with Peter and walked on the water?
We say a lot of brave things, but, now it is time to do them. It is time for obedience to Christ Jesus, because doing things your own way can be fatal. Taking matters into your own hands can be deadly.
We have put our hand to the plow of the Gospel and if you take your hand off that plow, now, or look back now, you will find yourself LEFT BEHIND!
Our task, our duty and our allegiance is to Jesus Christ, alone! This warfare takes preparation, discipline, diligence, steadfast commitment and ACTION! It is unlike and conflict or war you have ever fought or thought about fighting. THIS IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE being played out on planet earth. The root of this Tribulation is in the Heavens, and our battle must be fought there, first!
v43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven;”
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Once again, “Jesus is turning the world right side up” in its thinking, using the Law of Moses (the Torah). Jesus is taking one teaching of the Law, at a time, and is saying, “I have come to fulfill the Law and to show you” the one and only way to successfully navigate this world in order to be made ready for the next world, which is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus began His ministry saying, “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand.” His command and warning is resonating in these teachings. He is saying, in these most profound revelations of Truth, that how you think and believe, (which, naturally, results in how you behave) are the keys to eternal life. The first and foremost Truth is believing on the One whom God has sent: Jesus.
Jesus is saying that it is not enough to simply think a certain way. You must believe with an unwavering and unmovable certainty of the Truth. This requires faith which is full of the substance of the Truth and certain of the thing hoped for, and then is manifest as the proof of things not yet seen.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus is telling His listeners (readers) that they although have been loving the lovable, the friendly, the relative, those with whom you live in peace, it is not enough; because they have been hating those they consider to be an “enemy”, those who are unlovable, unlovely, not-so-friendly those who cause discomfort, are considered a threat of strife or war.
But, Jesus says, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven”. This can be one of the most difficult things to understand and to do without the right understanding.
First things first: Jesus is speaking to Jews and to His Christian Disciples, and these Truths are meant for His disciples (followers), present and future. Anyone can listen to Jesus, but, not everyone can hear and understand what He is saying. Anyone can attempt to apply these Truths to their life because the Truth is universal. But, a person cannot live the Truth without Christ Jesus because Jesus is the Truth, bodily. (John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”)
Secondly, “sin” is THE obstacle that causes you to separate yourself from the presence and love of God. Sin is rebellion toward God and to His Word, and it is THE obstacle to entering the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God.
Notice that the keys words here are “Love” and “Hate”. Remembering that these words of Jesus, these Eternal Truths are written
TO THE CHRISTIAN,
ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN AND
FOR THE CHRISTIAN,
So, 1 John 4:20 tells us that “If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.”
Again, 1 John 3:15says, “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
Simply put, God is Love. Hate is not of God. If these two coexist in the life of a Christian, you will stumble. If they persist in the life of a Christian, there is a deeper and darker problem embedded in your soul.
Additionally, you must “know the enemy” or more correctly put, know who and what is the enemy. The Bible tells us “who is the enemy.”
“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 6:12
You can and must understand (1) Who the enemy is, and (2) How to withstand and overcome the enemy. This is done only by way of the indwelling Presence of God (The Holy Spirit). Anything less should cause you grave concern about your life now, your effectiveness in the Kingdom work, and perhaps, even your eternal security.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Will you take the time and apply the discipline necessary to prepare and equip yourself? It will take submission to Jesus as your Lord and savior and, you must study to become equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16)
Remember, one of the hallmarks of a Disciple of Christ is that you will be able to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Just doing this without know WHY and HOW is works without faith.
Additional resources for your Journey:
(This video study series is from The Fuel Project and has over 37 informative, helpful and eye-opening lessons)
Let’s Gird up! The enemy is at the gates!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: Jesus is moving us from engaging the world in “wordly matters” and leading us to serve Him in His Father’s Mission.
This is what these teachings do: They move us into His Kingdom, doing Kingdom matters in preparation for His return.
An Aesop’s children’s story tells of an ant and a grasshopper. The ant is working away throughout the summer collecting his food and building his shelter in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. The Grasshopper on the other hand enjoys his summer months by “sitting on a blade of grass fiddling and singing to the sun”. The ant is prepared and has what he needs to survive a long and cold winter, but the grasshopper played his time away during the summer and is left out in the cold to die, starving and without shelter. (the entire fable: 
THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
