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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.
It is August, 587 B.C. Fear is gripping thousands upon thousands of people.
Ezekiel 21:1 “And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and speak against the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel; 3and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you; and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. 4“Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go forth from its sheath against all flesh from south to north. 5“Thus all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again.”’ 6“As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight. 7“And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
Debilitating fear. Incapacitating fear.Fear of the unknown.The people of Israel simply hear the news about a coming judgment which is so terrible that the news alone will cause their hearts to fail, their hands will become feeble and their knees will collapse from the fear of what is coming.
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It is November, 2020 A.D. and fear is gripping the hearts and minds of millions upon millions of people around the world. A virus which statistics show has a fairly low infection rate and an extremely low mortality rate, is creating fear which rules the hearts and minds of millions and millions of people.
The CDC reports, since January 1, 2020, 11,650,817 total cases in the US, with 185.095 new cases, 251,715 deaths with 2,045 new deaths. That makes
A 3.5% infection rate of the US Population; a 2.2% death rate of those infected since 1/1/2020; The last 7 days the NEW infection rate is .01 % A 1% death rate on NEW functions
Debilitating fear. Incapacitating fear. Fear of the unknown.
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I have friends and there are people I know who are Charismatic or Word of Faith or Pentecostal in their belief system and for decades these dear folks bragged, “I do not fear anything because my The Lord is my strength and my shield!” They deny sickness can affect them. These same folks warm me to “never give a negative confession” because it will bring on trouble and that we are not a people of fear!” I love these folks. I love what they say. I love their strong convictions.
THEN ALONG COMES THE CORONAVIRUS
Since the Coronavirus ‘pandemic’ started, I can’t find many of these same “faith folks”. It seems most of them are hiding, or as they call it, “staying safe at home”. I don’t immediately recognize many of the ones I can find because they are wearing masks and avoiding others! (Many of them even wear masks while driving alone in a car!)
When I ask them about their behavior, they openly admit they are “Afraid to death of catching the coronavirus”.
Dear friends, this recent ‘pandemic’ is just a test. The real trialis yet to come and you are failing this test, badly!
Jesus has said, in Matthew 24:6. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
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Matthew 24:25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26 men will be fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.
Luke21:25“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Dismay among the nations. People fainting from fear at the expectation of things coming upon the earth, calling upon the mountains to fall on them and hide them from what His coming.
For those days will be a time of terror and tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation, until now, and never will be again!
This time of tribulation leading up to Daniel’s 70th Week, things will go much differently than ever before; and things will end much differently than ever before – This is the prelude to the End of the Age
Nothing like this has ever happened.
There have been foreshadowing events, but nothing in the magnitude or terror as what is coming.
Nothing like this will ever happen again.
You have the promise that if you endure to the end, you will be saved.
You may be killed or martyred for your faith in and testimony of Christ, but, you will not perish.
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DO NOT FEAR WHAT THE WORLD FEARS
Isaiah 8:11 says, “For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
v12 “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy’ in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
DO NOT FEAR WHAT COMES UPON YOU
Job lamented this truth “For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” (Job 3:25)
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YOUR GREATEST FEAR IS OF GOD, ALONE
“It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. V14 “Then He shall become a sanctuary” – Isaiah 8:13
The New American Standard Bible version says, “Fear Not” or “Do not be afraid”, 107 times. Similarly, the King James Version says “Fear Not” or “Do not be afraid”, 103 times.
Repetition is for emphasisand God is emphasizing that we have nothing to fear. His plan is perfect, His methods are righteous, His will be done on this earth as it is in heaven! Enter the arc of His Covenant and live!
NOW, LET’S GO AND LIVE LIKE WE BELIEVE IT!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Joshua 1:8“This book of the law 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. 9 “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.”
“Behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues.”
Revelation 7:9
Imagine. A number of people so large that no one could count. The Population Reference Bureau, Washington, DC, estimates that as of the year mid-2022, 117,020,448,575(read that, one hundred seventeen billion, twenty million, four hundred forty-eight thousand, five hundred seventy-five) people have lived on earth. (Actually, that number is extrapolated with some very sophisticated formulae.) Now imagine this. Matthew 7:13tells us to “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Those who do not enter through the narrow gate, do not go to heaven, but will perish in the lake of fire – hell.”
QUESTION #1. So, which is it?
(a) “A great multitude” before the throne of heaven, so large no one could count them? Or,
(b) “A narrow gate” to eternal life and few find it?
The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life published a new comprehensive demographic reporton the size and distribution of the world’s Christian population. The study finds that there are 2,662,979,000 (billion) Christians of all ages in more than 200 countries around the world, according to a report published in early January 2023, by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
That would mean that only about 2.27% of the world’s entire humanity found the narrow gate! Small, indeed, when compared to the entire population of the earth throughout all time. But, still, 2,662,979,000 is a lot of people. So, I guess the answer is “BOTH”.
QUESTION #2.So, where did approximately 2 Billion people come from who “were standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;”? (Revelation 7:9)
Revelation 7: 14 says, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
If that number, that multitude came from the Great Tribulation period alone, that is during the final 7 years (The 70th Week of Daniel) the number would not be so large. But, if it comes from the beginning of time, when “your faith was counted to you as righteousness”, the number could be staggering.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 tells us “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
QUESTION #3. Will you be counted in the number of “The Great Multitude” standing before the Throne of the Lamb?
By all accounts, we are witnessing the breaking of the FIFTH SEAL of the tribulation. The return of Christ and the breaking of the SIXTH SEAL marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, could occur soon – at any moment.
This is the Christian’s destiny. This is The Christ’s Promise and our Hope. Having been washed clean of all regret and sin by the sacrificial Blood of Jesus, spending our eternity with Him in heaven.
But, time is short – the exact date is not known. Come to Jesus, now! Do not delay. It’s the best decision you could ever make. Surrender your life to Christ Jesus, now.
QUESTION #4. What’s stopping you? Nothing to lose except sin, misery, aimlessness (and outer darkness where there will be and wailing gnashing of teeth!) and everything to gain!
“I came that you might have life, and life more abundant” – Jesus, John 10:10
“If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47
We are entering a new kind of world, a new era. It is something very unfamiliar to most of us. World forces are at work which are changing everything we have known as ‘normal’. There is an idea being implemented known as the ‘Great Global Reset’. We are being told that nothing will ever be the same again. We are being told that “you must submit”! (Quote by Klaus Martin Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum)
Those Globalists and Socialists in favor say this Great Reset will be our world’s salvation through the elimination of wars, poverty, disease, and social injustice. It is the same decades old mantra of Socialist’s dream of Utopia.
Those who do not agree with the precepts of Socialism say we need a different solution. We all agree, however, that we need someone or something to make our world a better and a safer place.
I suspect that many people will roll their eyes, derisively, when I say that the answers to all of these world problems – and, the problems you and I face – is Jesus and His Word.
Periods of change such as ‘The Renaissance’, ‘The Enlightenment Age’ or ‘The Industrial Revolution’, all began with an idea which thoroughly transformed the world.
An idea expressed passionately, even fervently, and zealously pursued by committed and capable people, can bring change. Often there is a cost of radical change and the expense is measured in lives and families and fortunes.
An idea, repeated often enough and argued affirmatively and often enough, which is born in a crucible of fiery trials, often gives way to amazing global change, whether for good or evil. Then, once the hearts and minds of people are either convinced or enslaved, how they view and interact within the world can be seen in some very unexpected ways.
The American Revolution, for example, was an idea born of men and women who mutually pledged their lives, fortunes and their sacred honor to one another. Once this idea was manifest, the destiny of the world was a set and the world has been a different and a better place for over 250 years. That era, now seems, is drawing to a close.
The Advent of Jesus Christ, “The Greatest Idea” was born of God, as a child in a manger in the obscure town of Bethlehem in the region of Judea. Emerging from this obscurity was “The Greatest Idea” which became known as Jesus Christ, the ‘Son of God’ and the Son of Man.
(I am aware that since God is omniscient, He actually doesn’t have ideas as we consider them. When God has a thought, oddly enough, it has no beginning as it has always been in existence waiting for its time to be manifest – and then it is eternal.)
The appearance of The Greatest ‘Idea’, that is Jesus, and the expression of this “God-man”, changed not only how people thought about the world, but radically changed how they interacted. It has been said that Jesus and His disciples had ‘turned the world upside down’, which was an apt description since He expressed and demonstrated ideas which were counter intuitive to the human experience up to that point in time. For examples:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:21-22
Also, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-43
And again, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Matthew 5:44
Jesus influenced the thoughts and behaviors of the known world by His Word and His deeds of peace among brethren and love for all humankind. His influence should rightly be called “The Greatest Idea”, as it brought change on a global scßale in ethics, morals, social constructs, national economies, educational systems, and all the disciplines of the age.
But, everything temporal is subject to change. And, as time has passed, the world has continued to change in both its thought and behavior – and not always for the good of humankind.
Remarkably, it would seem, we are have not been ‘evolving’ as some like to say, but we are simply repeating history. It would seem we are specifically revisiting a bygone era, but with new advanced technologies being applied to some not-so-new ideas.
Although the world is changing, Jesus Christ, “THE GREATEST IDEA”, has not changed. Christ and His teachings are unchanging. His methods and His purpose are immutable. And, He has not forgotten the world He created by His Word, although the world is forgetting Him.
Change is rarely easy and opposing ideas almost always bring some sort of conflict. And, there has always been conflict in the hearts and minds of people when it comes to the idea of good versus evil. And this conflict intensifies as people forget God.
The standard of what is good and what is evil has been long established, although those who deny God and practice the ‘dark arts of the flesh’, would like to argue the point. Some would argue there are degrees or shades of evil. They say that some evil is not necessarily bad or harmful and therefore isn’t really evil, but are just examples of human error or mistakes. They go on to say that evil is just a concept and should be defined by each person by their own standard.
But, with Jesus, came “The Greatest Idea”. He set The Standard of Good – and that anything less than HIs Standard is evil.
It is The Mind of Christ which holds the Standard of Good. It is the Mind of Christ which transforms the mind of man and woman and how they think – for Good. It is the Mind of Christ literally living within us that overcomes the powers of the he rulers, and world forces of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the ‘heavenly places – that is in the unseen realm from whence comes all things which are seen.
There is no doubt that times are changing and the days are growing spiritually darker. Chaos, division and uncertainty reign. It is time, once again, to call on The Greatest Idea for our salvation. It is time to make the Mind of Christ our own mind and set things right.
How can I know this will set things right? How can you know this? Look at the evidence. Look at the effects. Look at the history. Make up your own mind. Don’t be swayed by doubters ‘second guessers’. Then, ‘by faith’, decide for yourself. Decide to believe “The Greatest Idea”. Believe Jesus and go after Him. Embrace Him, embrace His Greatest Idea. Follow Him and you will live! (“The mind set on the Spirit is Life and Peace”. Romans 8:6)
Finally, you must know that “The Greatest Idea” is not just an idea. “The Greatest Idea”, took on the form of a man and brought the world The Greatest Truth ever known. And He, Jesus, proved The Greatest Truthby going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, forgiving sin, healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. And, the news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.
And for that reason, those who practice religion and the ‘dark arts of the flesh’, executed Him in an attempt to silence Him and to keep the Greatest Truth hidden. He was crucified on a Roman criminal’s cross. He was executed for no other reason than Who He is and for What He represented and for bringing the world Hope through the Greatest Truth, The Gospel of Christ.
In an ultimate act of God’s power and in defiance of the powers of and world forces of darkness and the spiritual forces of wickedness in the ‘heavenly places’ , Jesus rose from the dead, walked the earth and as an exclamation, ascended into the Heavens in plain view of men. He is now seated at the Right Hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf. He has also announced that He will return again, this time in the skies, to gather His Elect, and to judge the world for its evil and rebellion.
There is new global shift occurring. Everything is changing, everywhere. And, like every other substantial shift or ‘new era’ in world history, this too, began with an idea. This idea, as it turns out, is not a new idea, but an old idea, one which has been lurking in shadows of the minds of certain people for centuries. In the book of Genesis, we see Satan spreading his lies and planting his ideas of destruction in the minds of God’s children. Its reformulation has been at work for centuries. A foreshadowing of this ancient idea of evil can be found in the writings of the Bible. It is known as the Tower of Babel. And that sinister tower is being rebuilt using twenty first century technologies. And the final conflict has begun.
The one who practices sin and evilis the of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). This is the purpose for all who call themselves the Children of God.
Those of us who have made The Greatest Truth our own and who follow Jesus as the Christ, have a role to play. God has told us, through His Son, that we will continue His Works, and we will do even greater works because He has given us the authority to complete His works, and He is now seated at the Right Hand of Power of The Father interceding for us.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
THE GREATEST TRUTH:“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the [b]only begotten Son of God.
19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21
A slick and powerful, multifaceted global government propaganda cabal, is pushing THE SOCIALIST AGENDA ACROSS THE GLOBE.
The United Nations has been at work over the last thirty-five years, quietly and surreptitiously assembling a global organization and network with an agenda. It was named the Agenda 21, the twenty-one designating their goal to fully implement their global plans in the 21st century.
Produced by the United Nations World Commission on Environmental and Development, authored by Gro Harlem Brundtland, VP of the World Socialist Party, the term Sustainable Development was first introduced to the world in the pages of a 1987 report (Our Common Future).
The term was first offered as official U.N. policy in 1992, in a document called UN Sustainable Development Agenda 21, issued at the U.N.’s Earth Summit, today referred to simply as Agenda 21.
The full implementation of Agenda 21, the Program for Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Commitments to the Rio principles, were strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (W.S.S.D.) held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. The actual and basic goals of the United Nation’s Agentda-21 and the W.S.S.D are hidden behind the stated goals of, which will be reaffirmed at a world summit in 2022,and Agenda 2030 was inaugurated, which set the date for the Globalist-Marxist Great Reset, and world domination. (No, this is not science fiction.)
“Quietly, while the coronavirus pandemic distracted the world, a group of liberal “key global governmental and business leaders” met in Switzerland and planned the next coup d’etat to take over the global economy. Many call it The Great Reset. It also means “dangerous times for those who support individual liberties and free markets.”
The World Economic Forum will hold a summit next year to further their initiative. According to them, “The Great Reset is a commitment to jointly and urgently build the foundations of our economic and social system for a more fair, sustainable and resilient future. It requires a new social contract centered on human dignity, social justice and where societal progress does not fall behind economic development.”
“What it is really trying to accomplish is using the coronavirus pandemic as a cover. They’re aiming for a renewed push for Socialism and climate change initiatives.”
The World Economic Forum and the United Nations signed a Strategic Partnership Framework, June 13, 2019, outlining areas of cooperation to deepen institutional engagement and jointly accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework was drafted based on a mapping of existing collaboration between the two institutions and will enable a more strategic and coordinated approach towards delivering impact.
The UN-Forum Partnership was signed in a meeting held at United Nations headquarters between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and World Economic Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
U.N. BACKED “GREAT RESET” TO USHER IN NEW WORLD ORDER
“Get ready for a lot less freedom and prosperity, and a lot more government — at least if the elites get their way. After peddling coronavirus lockdowns that crushed the economy and funding riots that terrorized the public under the guise of fighting “systemic racism,” Deep State globalists are stepping in to offer their proposed “solution” to the crises they themselves unleashed: A “Great Reset” to transform the world and everything in it, supposedly for the benefit of the masses, but really for the benefit of the ruling classes.
“Top leaders of Big Business, Big Globalism, and Big Government worldwide — including royalty and mass-murdering communist tyrants — are jumping on the bandwagon. But even before the scheme is fully outlined and understood, resistance is growing quickly.
“Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed,” added Schwab, calling for even “stronger and more effective” government. “We must build entirely new foundations for our economic and social systems.” And there is no other choice but to submit, he and others declared.”
“In short, what remains of the tattered free-market system is set to be tossed out — along with the vibrant middle class it sustained. In its place will rise technocratic governance based on nebulous “social” and “environmental” goals set by the technocrats.”
“For decades, progressives have attempted to use climate change to justify liberal policy changes. But their latest attempt – a new proposal called the “Great Reset” – is the most ambitious and radical plan the world has seen in more than a generation.
“At a virtual meeting earlier in June hosted by the World Economic Forum, some of the planet’s most powerful business leaders, government officials and activists announced a proposal to “reset” the global economy. Instead of traditional capitalism, the high-profile group said the world should adopt more socialistic policies, such as wealth taxes, additional regulations and massive Green New Deal-like government programs.
“Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed,” wrote Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, in an article published on World Economic Forum’s website. “In short, we need a ‘Great Reset’ of capitalism.
“Although many details about the Great Reset won’t be rolled out until the World Economic Forum meets in Davos in January 2021, the general principles of the plan are clear: The world needs massive new government programs and far-reaching policies comparable to those offered by American socialists such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in their Green New Deal plan.
“Or, put another way, we need a form of socialism – a word the World Economic Forum has deliberately avoided using, all while calling for countless socialist and progressive plans.”
OK? Now you have an idea of what the CoronaVirus pandemic is really all about. Now you know what the GREAT RESET is all about. The question remains is,“what can we do about it?
Beating Back the Great Reset – World leaders’ radical plan to transform the economy, by Justin Haskins.(Justin Haskins is the director of the Socialism Research Center and editorial director at The Heartland Institute.)
Here are some of the actual and most prevalent remarks I have heard when teaching on or discussing “witnessing” to others about Jesus:
“I believe that ‘witnessing’ turns people off. How I live will tell others about the Love of Jesus”. – D.M.
“Witnessing makes you like a ‘bible thumper’. It is offensive and runs more people away from the Gospel than if you show the Gospel by how you live”. Jack W.
“I believe ‘lifestyle evangelism’ is more effective than telling people about Jesus, that is, unless they ask”. – D.J. “I don’t have the gift of evangelism. It makes me uncomfortable. Sometimes I will invite people to church”. – Linda J.
“If God wants someone saved, He will draw them to Himself. I don’t think personal witnessing makes much difference unless a person asks you first”. William B.
Witnesses: Greek = μάρτυρες, martyres,
(a) “martyr” — martyr, record, witness. (b) in an ethical sense those are called, who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death
WHAT IF THE DISCIPLES THOUGHT LIKE YOU?
Hear the Words of Jesus:
Matthew 28:18. “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Go, Make Disciples, Baptize, Teach,
Matthew 10:7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12“As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13“If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.– Go, Preach, Heal, Raise the Dead, Cleanse, Cast Out Demons
THE APOSTLE PAUL’S TESTIMONY
2 Corinthians 11:12 “But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. 17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. 20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. 21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham?
So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 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 on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
Now tell me, do the instructions and commands of Jesus, and Paul’s testimony sound like some kind of tacit, socially awkward, politically correct, ultra-polite lifestyle evangelism?
So, which is it? Are you DOING what Jesus did and said we should do? Or have you found a ‘better way’?
Is our postmodern attitude a type disobedience to Jesus’ instruction? Perhaps we are fearful – or lazy – or just indifferent? Or are we just being dishonest with ourselves?
Simply put, most self-professing “Christians” do not witness the Gospel or testify to Christ.
Alarmingly, “roughly 174,000,000 million people, those between the ages of adolescence to the age of 40 years, are the largest un-reached people group in the US today. About 152 million of these people do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One in five high schoolers have never been in church. (Paraphrased from a presentation by author, pastor and teacher, Dr. Robert Petterson.)
It would appear that our Nation goes as goes our witness of the Gospel of Christ. It is disappearing. It would also appear that we are on a steady march into the slavery of godless communism.
It need not be this way. But, we, the people of God, must take up our banner, make our stand and be His soldiers of the cross!
(Please note: There is no ‘shortcut’, no easy 1-2-3, to defeating our enemy. It takes discipline and training and preparation. You need to read, study, pray and prepare. And, you cannot get the complete detail or a complete understanding of the steps we can and must take, unless you read the related links on each of these pages)
A war to resist and overcome the evils enveloping America and the world can be fought in three basic ways: (1). Conventional or guerilla warfare, using conventional weapons of war, economic weapons, psychological warfare, the weapons of the media; (2). Political weapons; (3) Changing and winning the hearts and minds of the people through Spiritual Warfare.
The first two methods have been in use since creation and have had brought only temporary periods of peace or limited prosperity for the few. But, the “unsaved” people among us who are share our Christian ideals, but have not received Christ as their Lord and Savior, are still our allies and co- conspirators, and they will continue to wage war against our enemy using traditional methods. However, we have been fighting wars throughout our history, which have murdered billions of people and cause destruction at unimaginable costs in dollars and human suffering, so the first two methods have not brought any measure of lasting peace or prosperity, except to a few.
If you cannot, or will not, believe that this is your mission and that He will accomplish these things through you, then you are not yet His disciple. And you cannot know how and are unable TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE THE EVIL ENVELOPING OUR NATION AND THE WORLD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
Our relationship with God requires more than just knowing about Him. We must know Him, believe Him and we must follow Him, which requires our FAITH in ACTION.
Pastor and author Henry Blackaby points out, in his study “The 7 Realities For Experiencing God”, what we should know about God’s ways, His plans and His purposes. It illustrates how we can follow Him. :
God is always at work around you.
God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through you.
I. JESUS’ MINISTRY IS OUR MINISTRY
Our relationship with Jesus is more than ‘Just Knowing’; it requires Believing and Doing. Jesus has
(a) The plan for us to follow,
(b) The purpose which becomes our purpose, and
(c) The ministry for us as His disciples.
For example, in Matthew 10:2, we are told that “Jesus sent these twelve out after (a) instructing them (b) He gave them authority
over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to
heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
“Heal the sick,
raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers,
cast out demons.
Freely you received, freely give.
“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
If you cannot, or will not, believe that this is your mission and that He will accomplish these things through you, then you are not yet His disciple. And you cannot know how and are unable TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE THE EVIL ENVELOPING OUR NATION AND THE WORLD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
II. JESUS’ MISSION IS OUR MISSION
After Jesus’ death and resurrection and just before His ascension, He said:
Matthew 28:18And 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.”
So, Jesus was sent by His Father and was on The Mission of His Father. If you are a disciple of Jesus (His follower) this is your mission, and He will do this work through you.
If you cannot, or will not, believe that this is your mission and that He will accomplish these things through you, then you are not yet His disciple. And you cannot know how and are unable TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE THE EVIL ENVELOPING OUR NATION AND THE WORLD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
III. JESUS’ PURPOSE IS OUR PURPOSE
1 John 3:8 “The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.”
These are the WORKS of the devil, the thief comes only to STEAL and KILL and DESTROY (John 10:10)
The devil is the accuser, a liar, a thief, a murderer, the author of disease, pain, despair, loss, lack, fear, hopelessness and the like.
IV. JESUS’ METHOD IS OUR METHOD
Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (the devil) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word (logos) of their testimony (Maturia -> Martus), and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
Here is how Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. And, how He will continue to destroy the works of the devil, though His yielded and obedient disciple:
Condemns a Fig Tree Matthew 21:17-22
Feeds More than Four-Thousand People Matthew 15:32-39
Stills the Storm
The Catch of Fish
The Second Catch of Fish
The Temple Tax Money Obtained from a Fish’s Mouth
Walks Upon Lake Galilee
Water Converted Into WineCleanses the Leper
Cures a Man With Dropsy
Cures the Woman With the Issue of Blood
Healing of the Immobile Man
Heals a Demoniac
Heals Peter’s Mother-In-Law
Heals the Daughter of the Non-Jewish, Syro-Phoenician Woman
Heals the Demoniac
Heals the Ear of Malchus
Heals the Epileptic Boy
Heals the Nobleman’s Son
Heals the Paralyzed Man
Heals the Woman With the Spirit of Infirmity
Opens the Eyes of a Man Born Blind
Restores a Blind Man
Restores Sight to Two Blind Men Near Jericho
Restores the Centurion’s Servant
Restores the Deaf-Mute Man
Restores Two Blind Men to Sight
Restoring the Withered Hand
Throws Demons out of Two Men of Gadara (Gerasa)
DEFEATED DEATH
Raises Lazarus from the Dead
Raises the Daughter of Jairus from the Dead
Raises the Widow’s Son to Life at the Village of Nain
“Miracles in the Name of Christ”
If you cannot, or will not, believe that this is your mission and that He will accomplish these things through you, then you are not yet His disciple. And you cannot know how and are unable TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE THE EVIL ENVELOPING OUR NATION AND THE WORLD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
V. OUR THREE-FOLD RESPONSE & OUR MISSION
1. Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus,
2. John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
3. Matthew 28:18 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.
When you ‘hear His Voice’, submit yourself to Him, obey and spring into action!
Step back from the chaos of the 2020 election news. Step back from the chaos of the so-called CORONA virus pandemic, and realize, we are in an historic time in world history – in fact, an historic time in cosmic terms. Don’t miss or ignore what is actually taking place. We will never pass this way again.
Are we in the “Last Days”, as spoke of in the Bible? And, in case you are wondering, “what exactly are these ‘Last Days’?” Then, read further.
The Bible describes events and conditions that would mark “the conclusion of the current system of things,” or “the end of the world.”(Matthew 24:3; NASB) The Bible calls this time period, variously,
The following are some outstanding features of last-days, or end-times, prophecies:
1. Wars and rumors of wars – Just to name three wars of the thousands which have occurred: The religious crusades 1095 – 1291, 2 million dead; WW I, 1914-1918, 17 million dead; WW II, 1939-1945, 70 million dead.
2. Famines. There is no way to accurately calculate the numbers of famiines and deaths since AD 1, but, the best records show at least 246 major famines and over 316 million dead. (See Famines – Wikipedia) .
3. Pestilences, or epidemics of “terrible diseases.”
4. Increase of crime.
5. Ruining of the earth by mankind. —Revelation 11:18.
6. Deterioration of people’s attitudes, as shown by many who are “unthankful, disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” —2 Timothy 3: 1-4.
7. Breakdown of the family, with people who have “no natural affection” and children who are “disobedient to parents.” —2 Timothy 3: 2, 3.
8. Love of God growing cold in most people. —Matthew 24:12.
9. Noteworthy displays of religious hypocrisy.
10. Increased understanding of Bible prophecies, including those related to the last days. —Daniel 12:4.
11. Global preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. —Matthew 24:14.
12. Widespread apathy and even ridicule toward the evidence of the approaching end. —Matthew 24:37- 39; 2 Peter 3: 3, 4.
13. The concurrent fulfillment of all these prophecies, not just a few or even most of them. —Matthew 24:33.
SO – WHEN DID THE “END OF DAYS” BEGIN?
I. Matthew 24:3-14, verse 3 says, “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 10. “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Verse 11. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Verse 12. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
Verse 13. “But the one who enduresto the end, he will be saved.
Verse 14. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
*When was Matthew written? (Around AD 60) What “timeline” clues do you see?
II. Hebrews 1:2“In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
*When was Hebrews written? (Around AD 60) What “timeline” clues do you see?
III. Acts 2:14 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
17‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;”
*When was Acts written? (Around AD 60) What “timeline” clues do you see?
IV. 2 Timothy 3:1 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. verse 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, verse 5, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.“
*When was Matthew written? (Around AD 60) What “timeline” clues do you see?
V. 2 Peter 3:3 “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”
*When was 2 Timothy written? (Around AD 60) What “timeline” cluesdo you see?
VI. Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
Verse 5. “Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river. Verse 6. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; (note: 3.5 years), and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12. “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
*What “timeline” clues do you see?
These “timeline clues” tell us that the LAST DAYS, (THE END OF TIMES, THE END TIME, THE END OF THE AGE), began sometime between AD 1 and AD 69.
We have, in fact, been in the tribulation period known as the “times of distress”, that is Tribulation Seals 1 through Seal 4 since AD 1 and the effects of these broken Seals are working concurrently and have been intensifying.
We are have now entered the 5th tribulation Seal and are awaiting the revealing of the anti-christ.
Identifying the timeline and what may have already occurred, we can identify the “season” we are now in and the urgency of this time.
OUTLINE OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS
Here is a Short outline comparing Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period both in the Book of Revelation and in the Book of Matthew:
During the 6th Tribulation Seal, these events occur:
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)
The 7th Tribulation Seal – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments
Here is a detailed comparison of the The Tribulation Seals between the Book of Matthew chapter 24 and the Book of The Revelation chapters 6 & 7
Seal 1 —Rider on White Horse – Revelation 6:1,2 –
1Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Matthew 24:6 – Wars and rumors of war,
6“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end
*Seal 1 has been ongoing since between AD 1 -AD 69 and has been intensifying.
Seal 2 – The Red Horse —Peace is taken from the earth, War – Revelation 6:3
When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come.” verse 4, And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.
Matthew 24:7 – Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
*This has been ongoing since between AD 1 – 69 and has been intensifying.
Seal 3 – The Black Horse —Famine – Revelation 6:5
“When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. verse 6, And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”
Matthew 24:7 – Famines
Verse 7. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. verse 8. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
*This has been ongoing since between AD 1 – AD 69 and has been intensifying.
Seal 4 – Ashen Horse – Death and Hades – Revelation 6:7
“When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” verse 8. I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.
Matthew 24:21 – Death
“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. verse 22. “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
This has been ongoing since between AD 1 – AD 69 and is intensifying.
“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; 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.
Matthew 24:9 – Persectuion, Martyrs, Deception, Apostsay
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. verse 10. “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. verse 11. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. verse 12. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. verse 13. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. verse 14. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
*Except for the revealing of the “man of perdition”, this has begun or been ongoing since around AD 60 and is intensifying.
IMPORTANT NOTE: from 2 Thessalonians2:1
“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
((which is seen inMatthew 24:31 “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.” An IMPORTANT TIME MARKER in MATTHEW))
2 Thessalonians 2:2 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.
Verse 3. “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, 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.”
*BEFORE The Day of the Lord, the Great Apostasy will come. This is the 5th Seal
Seal 6 – Cosmic Disturbances, Great Day of the Wrath of the Lamb has come. This has not occured.
Revelation 6:12 “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;
Verse13. and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
Verse 14. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Verse 15. Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains;
Verse 16. and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;
Verse 17. for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Verse 30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
Verse 31. “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.
INTERLUDE: Revelation 7:1 through 17 – Winds stopped, Sealing of the 144,000 of Israel, The Multitude Raptured from the Tribulation
Seal 7 – Silence and Preparation for – THE WRATH OF THE LAMB
Revelation 8:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 – Silence in heaven for half an hour, Seven Judgment Trumpets prepared, smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, go up before God, the fire of the altar is thrown to the earth; and there follows peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The pre-wrath-rapture
These are exciting and dangerous times. We can be ready. Contact me if you have questions!
These things are happening before our eyes, yet we think, “Can this be what I have been hearing would happen?” Then we doubt.
Listen to what God says, then we will see what we are to be doing!
Joshua 1:5“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.
1. We, as Christians, are to confront evil wherever we encounter it. Do so with a steadfast spirit, a calm demeanor, knowing that “No man will be able to stand before you“
verse 6“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
2. We, as Christians, are to be fearless and determined – steadfast – as we take possession of the land God has given us – and that land is “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.” Joshua 1:3
verse7“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.
3. We, as Christians, are to do exactly as The Word of God says, know that His Word accomplishes exactly what it is sent forth to do.Isaiah 55:11
verse 8“This book of the law 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.
4. We, as Christians, are destined to succeed according to God’s Will and according to God’s Word! It is written! We will prosper even as our soul prospers!
verse 9“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.”
5. We, as Christians, must audibly and courageously proclaim “Jehovah-nissi”, God is our protector! He is with us wherever we go!
Believe it! Know it! Do it! And, the victory will be ours, declares the Lord!
Ephesians 6:10“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;
v9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
The third part of His testing is the devil’s entry point to the Mind, the Will and the Emotions (The Soul).
The natural eye can see about 12 miles on a clear day. From the vantage point of a very high mountain, Jesus could see all of man’s accomplishments, the glory of the Temple and all the man made and natural wealth of the area.
Imagine the folly of this temptation, offering Jesus anything that God has created through His Word. It all belongs to Him – already.
Nonetheless, the devil will tempt our weak and frail minds with wealth and riches as if he could give us all these things if we would only fall down and worship him.
We would do well to remember that we, who are called by His Name, are joint heirs with Jesus, and have inherited all that He has.
Our response must be as Jesus’ response: According to the Word of God:
10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul. He is worthy.
Jesus has given the final Command and it is bound on earth and in the heavens.
Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”
Jesus has shown us how to draw near to God and that God will draw near to us. We are to resist the devil and the devil will flee. (James 4:7,8)
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?
The Living Word of God is God’s love letter to His children. His Living Word, Jesus, is the image of God for us to see so we can know and understand Him. Jesus is our Lord, our Savior and our example.
God’s written Word, The Bible, reveals God’s plan, His purpose and His Ways.Every word on every page points the way. The path is difficult but clear. We are to follow Him, and in Him, we find refuge. Any deviation from this clear path, leads to confusion, doubt, fear and defeat. Again, the path is difficult but clear.
Success and wealth can have a strong attraction to most of us. Just thinking about “being successful and rich” might cause you to feel “tempted”. But, is pursuing a career and making money – perhaps a lot of money – wrong?
Simply put…
1. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to misuse or neglect our relationship with God and the authority He has granted us, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
2. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to take unhealthy or dangerous risks instead of following the teachings of Jesus, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
3. If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to become self-seeking, prideful, full of envy, boastful, arrogant, filled with hate and strife, jealously, prone to outbursts of anger, engaging in endless disputes, dissensions and factions, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.
Our response should be as Jesus’: Always According to Scriptures.
v 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
This is our command: “Go Satan! For it is written…”
Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul. He is worthy.
Mark 10:28 “Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”
v29 “Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,
v30 “but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.
v31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
He has told us the Words to say. He has shown us the Way to go. Now, we can confidently and obediently follow Him.
Matthew 4:5 “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 “and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Notice, in verse 1, “The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness”. Then in verse 3, the devil came to Jesus. Now, in verse 5, the devil takes Jesus into the holy. This is becoming personal.
The devil challenges Jesus with “If You are the Son of God” prove it to me and jump! The devil accurately recites the Word of God to Jesus, but carefully and craftily twists the intention of God’s Word to fit the contrived circumstances.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The Temple was in the Holy City which is Jerusalem and was 60 cubits or approximately 90 feet high. Jumping from that height would mean certain death for anyone. As in his first test, the devil is calling Jesus to misuse His authority and to question His position as the Son of God.
Now, the devil is demanding that Jesus obey him and prove His Authority and His Ability as the Son of God.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
If God allowed Jesus to be tested in this way, you can expect the same in your life. Remembering that Jesus set the example and passed the test so we would know how to successfully follow Him through fiery trials!
When you find yourself vulnerable through circumstances or attitude, the devil will find his opportunity to test you, too.
It may well be, that you will ‘hear the Word of God’ whispered to you, offering a way out of your present circumstances. You might hear what seems like a solution lines up with the Word of God, the Bible.
In desperation and hopelessness, You may think, “All is lost. What’s the point of going on?! I think I will just jump! ”
Or, you might be thinking, “I can take this risk. I will just “step out in faith!”
DON’T DO IT! What you might be hearing or thinking requires that you:
1. Search the Bible. Holy Scriptures are never contradictory and will confirm themselves. If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God! REPEAT: If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God!
2. Seek the Wisdom from a multitude of counselors. Go to several trusted believers who have proven their trustworthiness in spiritual matters.
3. Discernment is from the Holy Spirit. Pray, listen and wait. If your emotions continue to be in turmoil – either high or low – wait for the peace of God to rule in your heart before you act.
4. (a) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known and the Lord will be near.
(b) Be anxious for nothing, but in all your current circumstances by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
(c) When the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, begins to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, your emotions settle, then your answer will come.
Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
Jesus’ response, again, is according to scriptures, and a rebuke to Satan and his lies.
It is true that,‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”But it is not ours to put ourselves in danger to prove a point, to gain an advantage or to test God!
We are to rely solely on Him and His Word. Call out to God and say:
The new US National Team Olympic Weight Lifting coach?
Naw. Just kidding. But, what if this fellow was hired to such a position? What would you think or say? (I think we can guess)
Nobody and no Olympic selection committee, in their right mind would even consider a guy who looked like this, would they? And, do you know why? (come on, you know!)
Then, why do we consistently see guys who look like this in our church pulpits?
(This is not a real preacher; just an exaggeration to emphasize a point)
But, these guys are real preachers…
And, we see way too many, overweight, tattooed,
sloppily dressed preachers,
lecturing and sermonizing the rest of us on how to think, how to act, how to live, how to have self control, etc.?
(One Sunday, I visited a church, and the ‘very overweight preacher’ was lecturing about overeating! He feigned embarrassment and admitted he had a problem with doughnuts. Oh, really? The rest of us healthy folks didn’t notice! I did not return)
I am talking about preachers and pastors who are supposed to be representing Jesus and His Gospel, not some worldly image!I thought, “maybe it’s just me? Maybe …” Then, I came across this article on The Gospel Coalition website, asking the same question: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/so-why-are-pastors-fat/.
So, it’s not just me wondering “why”? Why is this so prevalent?
They preach self control, but they lack self control.
They preach peace and love, but they don’t demonstrate the same thing.
They preach being a good steward of the money God has provided you, but they and their church organizations are deep in debt with little or no reserves.
They preach honoring your word but they and their church organizations frequently don’t pay their bills, walk off on bankruptcies, etc.
They preach trust, faithfulness, honest and fairness, but they rule their churches and families like control-freaks and tyrants.
How do they get away with it?
YOU and ME! We are the reason. We stay at these church organizations and support this hypocrisy. They may mean well, but good intentions are just not good enough! They spread their personal brand of religion. But, Jesus said, “they (hypocritical men) travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell (hypocrite) as yourselves.”
Are you thinking that maybe I am just full of sour grapes? Well, check these articles and think again!
1. He SAID the WORD. He went about preaching and teaching the Word. And AT THE SAME TIME…
2. He SHOWED the Word.He lived it out. He live according to all that His Father has told Him. He did this for us to see what that looks like – so we would imitate Him.
3. He SENT the Workers.He made disciples who then made other disciples, following the same model.
Many good men have followed and are following Jesus over the decades and centuries since Jesus was on earth, and some are still implementing His Plan of Salvation through Disciple Making. But they are harder and harder to find.
So, now I am asking where have these men gone? Where are the real “Men of God”? Those men who will REALLY give all to Jesus and not just lecture the rest of us on “how”?
Share your view. Do you know of a
(1) Bible Preaching / Jesus Preaching Church and pastor
(2) A Bible Living / Jesus Living Church and pastor
(3) A Bible based / Jesus centered Disciple Making Church?
Tell us where! Share you testimonies about these MEN and CHURCHES. Please!
There is a prevalent view of the an event called “the rapture”, which has been popularized in movies and novels, which depicts Christians being caught up into the air as by some mysterious force, with their clothes lying at the place of their departure, which must assume them to be naked as they rise into the sky to meet Jesus.
True enough, perhaps, but, mysterious. And several popular suppositions doubtful.
The rapture is an eschatological concept held by some Christians, particularly within branches of American evangelicalism, consisting 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.” In Paul the Apostle’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the Bible, he uses the Greek word “harpazo”, meaning “to snatch away” or “to seize,” and explains that believers in Jesus Christ will be snatched away from earth into the air.
John Nelson Darby first proposed and popularized the pre-tribulation rapture in 1827. The idea has been revised and discussed since it was first proposed and there is much discussion and differing views about the details.
The rapture event is not important to know about, in and of itself, because it does not affect a person’s salvation or faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us something spectacular is going to happen – and your view of “a rapture” and whether you believe it or not changes nothing.
READ AND REASON WITH ME:
1 Thessalonians 4:13 ¶ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Himthose who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
v16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God,and the dead in Christ will rise first.
v17 Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
And, there are these verses:
1 Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
HERE IS WHAT WE CAN KNOW:
1. The word “rapture” is never used in the Bible. Here is what it does say:
(a) “God will bringwith Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus”
(b) the dead in Christ will rise
(c) we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
(d) we shall all be changed,
(e) the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and
(f) we shall be changed
Key Words used:
bring with Him
will rise, raised, rose
caught up
changed
2. We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
3. (a)The Lord Himself will descend from heaven
(b) with a shout,with the voice of the archangel
(c) and with the trumpet of God,
(d) and the dead in Christ will rise first.
4. (a) Then, after the dead in Christ have risen to meet Him in the air, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
(b) and so we shall always be with the Lord.
5. (a) We shall not all sleep (die),
(b) but we shall all be changed,
6. The corruptible (body) must put on (become) incorruption, and this mortal (body of death) must put on (become) immortality.
7. Death is swallowed up (ended), i.e., we shall live forever with God.
WE CAN ALSO KNOW:
1. Revelation 1:7 “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.”
Many commentators and Bible teachers assume that since “every eye will see Him (Jesus), that every eye will see people being “caught up” with Him, which is never said nor is it implied.
2. We also know that the Rapture (Caught Up – Harpzo, as written and described in the New Testament Greek language) is a Spiritual event, a Spiritual matter, and that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned or appraised.
Those left on earth will most likely be astounded at the aftermath but they will be seeing only what is LEFT BEHIND! How do we know these things? The Bible says them, very clearly.
And, with a careful study of these scriptures IN CONTEXT of the verses and chapters which come before and after, AND staying in CONTEXT of the entire Bible,
WE CAN SURMISE THIS:
1. Our mortal bodies at the time of the rapture will cease and will be changed or transformed into something completely new.
2. What goes up to meet Jesus in the air will not be our mortal corruptible bodies. It is likely the earth will be covered with the scattered clothed corpses (bodies) of Christians. What a phenomenon!
IMPORTANT COROLLARY VERSES
Matthew 24:29“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
31 “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.
Hebrews 9:27 “And inasmuch asit is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
(Then there are two instances in the Bible in which men, Enoch and Elijah, are taken away by God before they die. But, these are unrelated to the “rapture”. https://www.gotquestions.org/Enoch-Elijah.html)
Just know, we must be ready for His return and His catching us up to meet Him in the air! So, as the Apostle Paul said, “Comfort one another with these words”.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: My study notes which are primarily taken from the New American Standard Bible version, and from Strong’s Bible Concordance, the The Dictionary of the New Testament and The Theological Workbook of the Old Testament, are available upon request.
This morning a friend commented that he had heard that in Job 2:9 the word “curse” (“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!”) actually means “to bless”. My friend said that made no sense to him and asked what did I think?
Here is what I found:
This word “curse” in the Hebrew when it was written, is barak (pronounced baw-rak’) and is used in the Bible, interchangeably as
bless (302 times),
salute (5 time),
curse (4 time),
blaspheme (2 times),
blessing (2 times),
praised (2 times),
kneel down (2 times),
congratulate (1 time),
kneel (1 time),
make to kneel (1 time),
miscellaneous (8 times); for a total of 330 times
A cultural understanding of the word literally means “a sandy mixture” or “both”. In other words, it can mean either “bless” or “curse” depending on the context.
CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING
Job 2: 1 ¶ Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”
3 The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”
4 Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.
5 “However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.”
6 So the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”
7 ¶ Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
8 And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Consider
the context of Job’s condition,
Satan’s access to and cursing of Job,
God’s permission for Satan to test Job,
the condemning remarks of Job’s friend,
Job’s wife’s remark,
Job’s response to his wife and
the fact that “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
It is easy to see that a better translation would be that Job’s wife’s remark was in the context of sarcasm and mocking. She was saying, in essence, “What’s the point, Job? Look at you, covered with boils and sores! God isn’t hearing you, so just go ahead and “Bless your God, you foolish man – and you are still going to die”!
Job replies to his wife in verse 10, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
She has, in essence, called Job a fool, but Job replies that she is the one sounding like a fool.
1. For you and I to “get it right” we must know and understand God’s Word – in the context it was written so we get the right understanding.
2. It is already decided. It has been written. Read to the end of the book of Job:
Job 42:10 ¶ The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.
16 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations.
17 And Job died, an old man and full of days.
3. Don’t fall into the trap of despair. It is a trick of the devil. Remember with me…
Psalms 34
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Be assured. God has the whole world, including you and me, in His Hands!
Have you ever read a good book or watched a good movie and at some critical point, held your breathe in anticipation of the outcome and thought, “Come on, you can do it! Don’t let me down now!!”
Perhaps you were rooting for the good guys to prevail over bad circumstances or to defeat the “bad guys” or to succeed in the face of trouble.
Maybe, in that instance you wished for a certain outcome. Maybe you imagined how the book or the show would end or should end in a climax of victory for good!
But, you know what? The book or the movie already has an ending. It has already been written. The ending is just waiting for you to arrive. It has been predetermined and no amount of wishing or hoping and no matter now great your imagination, the outcome has been decided.
So, why bother watching or why don’t we just go to the end of the book or movie and watch the ending, first? Because we want to enjoy the journey of the story and we love to anticipate the end of the story. We have decided the story is worth it even if we have to live with the outcome. We can rate the movie or the book, later. Until then, enjoy the adventure if you can.
So it is with the destiny or fate of our world. God has predetermined how this world is going to progress until is reaches its end.
In this case, however, you are encouraged to read about the outcome, at any time. And no amount of wishing, cajoling and no matter what you think or imagine is going to change the outcome. It has been written – literally – in the Bible.
SMUG: Having excessive pride in oneself, a high estimation of one’s own ideas or one’s achievements. Self satisfied, complacent, self-congratulatory, more or less superior, pleased with oneself, self-approving, well pleased, proud of oneself, somewhat better than others, self-centered
Smug is similar to the word proud, found in the Bible. 1) showing one’s self above others, over-topping, conspicuous above others, preeminent.
2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.
3) describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others.
You see, smugness is the conviction that you are, at least, just a little bit better than other people.
This would be arrogance if it wasn’t also mixed with a pinch of humility.
Smug people know they’re better, and the fact that they appear to be humble about it makes them think they are even better, still.
No wonder they have that annoying smile.
Listen to what Proverbs 6:16 says about smugness or PRIDE:
“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
(there are five more, but we can stop here for now)
So, is there a way I tell if I or someone else is being smug?
Here are a few things we might need to watch for.
1. If you think your answer is the only correct answer, you might be smug.
2. If other people annoy you for no reason other than the fact they are there, you might be smug.
3. If you are always, even a little, critical of the places you go and the people you encounter (or see), you might be smug.
4. If you struggle with the meaning of humility, you might have a problem with being smug.
5. If you think you are the humble type, you are probably smug.
6. If you really dislike smug people, you might have a real problem with being smug, yourself.
7. If you take pleasure and might even secretly find joy in seeing a smug person embarrassed or humiliated, you might have a problem with personal smugness.
8. If you are judgmental but don’t see that you are, and ascribe traits you don’t like onto others, you might be smug.
There’s more we could list, but you get the idea.
This is a serious matter, but, here is a funny routine, by comedian Brian Regan, about this matter (funny, if it weren’t so true)
Let’s pray for one another to rid ourselves anything that displeases God or injures others.
And, while searching for humility, maybe a good place to start would be to remember that “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
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