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.
Some say, “SOLA FIDE”! This means “By Faith Alone” a person is forgiven of their sins and “justified” or declared righteous (in right or good standing with God) and will go to heaven.
The doctrine of “Sola Fide” asserts that is salvation based on ones faith in Jesus and His death on the cross that a person is forgiven of their transgressions, rather than on the basis of any good works which the believer might have done. This forgiveness is known as “justification”. In classical Reformed theologies, good works are seen to be evidence of faith, but the good works themselves do not determine salvation.
And, the entire Word or the entire counsel of God tells us that…
SOLA FIDE is a Narrow Gate
13 “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.”
The Narrow Gate: Narrow, Straight (STENOS)
From: to set or establish (HISTEMI)
to make firm, fix establish
to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety
to establish a thing, cause it to stand, to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything
to set or place in a balance
to stand immovable, stand firm
continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared
to be of a steadfast mind
of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver
SOLA FIDE is the The Eye of a Needle
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
SOLA FIDE is Childlike faith
15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it atall.”
SOLA FIDE is The Will of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
SOLA FIDE is Water and The Spirit
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
SOLA FIDE is The Many Tribulations
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
So, we would do well to adhere to the words of the Apostle Paul in
Philippians2:12 “,,,work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,”
We live in difficult and challenging times – this is especially true for Christians. We are being stressed, challenged, persecuted, reviled and tested, all for the Name of Jesus. So, now is not the time to withdraw. It is the time to stand fast, endure so as to overcome!
Let’s stand together, encouraging one another, spurring one another on to love and good works.
“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. 19 Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
That is an odd thing to say to someone who wants to follow you, isn’t it? What does Jesus mean?
A scribe in the Bible, was a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope, and did this to the detriment of religion.
Scribes were trained and enrolled in the Sanhedrin political and judicial council headed by the high priest (in his role as civil ruler); in the Talmud it is described as primarily a religious legislative body headed by sages, though with certain political and judicial functions. (notes from the Online Bible edition)
So, Jesus tells this Scribe, this judge and sage, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Foxes retreat to the safety of their lair. They live and remain in their holes, venturing out only to gather food and water, then they scurry back to the safety of the hole. Their focus is on their safety and their hole in the ground.
Same for the birds. They have the nest they build to lay eggs and raise their young. A safe place. They, too, venture out for food, but their focus is on the safety of a nest.
BUILDING HIS CHURCH
Jesus, however, is on mission. He knows that He is the permanent sacrifice for the reconciliation of all people to God. He is doing the work of His Father. Time is short.
He is telling this scribe and His disciples that He has neither the time nor the intention of settling into a “hole in the ground” or building “a nest” into which they can settle down and feel safe.
He has no time for building programs, no time for social programs, no time for endless debate over the ‘cummin and dill’ of the Torah or the endless list of man’s constructs designed to explain and contain the Holy Scriptures. No time for holes in the ground or nests.
Jesus is saying that He is the foundation of His Church, and He is on the move, building His Church. He is the foundation for Temple of the Holy Spirit in the hearts, minds and souls of people.
His Church is Spiritually alive, organic and naturally fluid and on the move; It cannot be contained by a program or an institution. It is powerful, transformative, life changing, world altering and cannot be taught in a school on religion.
If you come to know Jesus, you will know His Church and it is not to be found in a building, a hole in the ground or a nest.
THE CHURCH WAS A MOVEMENT
In AD 1 The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.
Jesus said to make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.
However, the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death.
Still, the Church grew exponentially.
THE CHURCH BECAME A PHILOSOPHY
AD 49 The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence.
THE CHURCH BECAME AN INSTITUTION
AD 313 The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.
THE CHURCH BECAME A CULTURE
AD 380 The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.
THE CHURCH BECAME A BUSINESS
AD 1607 The Church reaches America.
AD 1681 The Church became corporate. It had became a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.
The Corporate Church grew. It needed money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.
AD 1777 The state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship.
AD 1894 The corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government.
AD 1954 The Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax exempt status.
The church continued to grow, and in order to attract more people the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.
The Church corporation is complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.
Local churches compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three line slogans”.
The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (2 Timothy 3)
The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models.
Record numbers of pastors quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).
Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.
AD 1968 The church ordains homosexuals as clergy.
AD 1972 The United church of christ ordains homosexual clergy
AD 2010 The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy
AD 2012 The Presbyterian church ordains homosexual clergy
As the Day of the Lord draws near, part of our preparation is to know for certain that we, ourselves, are in the Ark of our Salvation, safe among the family of God. This includes knowing the difference between
the “Wheat” from the “Tares”,
the “The Good Shepherd” from the “Hireling” and
the “Gleaners” from the “Join-Heirs”.
Jesus said, see to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, and will mislead many.
(A video wrap-up is at the end of of this page)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:7 “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 “All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
“HIRELINGS” AND “GLEANERS”
These terms, “hirelings” and “gleaners” are found only a few times in the Bible. These terms can be either good or bad. However, they are just word; adjectives.
Adjectives, however, are words or phrases naming an attribute. Words added to a noun to modify or describe it.
These terms are revealing.
HIRELING
The Old Testament describes a “hireling” simply as a hired laborer, perhaps a mercenary, or someone who hires oneself out to earn wages.
The New Testament, however, contrasts the “hireling” with the Shepherd. See John 10:11-13
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.”
There are those who tend to the sheep for commercial purposes. Their intentions may be good and they offer a good service. But, they, too, are nothing more than “hirelings”.
Jesus says, in John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Jesus use of the word “shepherd” is used interchangeably for overseers, pastor, elders, and presbyters.
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.
Many “hirelings” like to use the moniker of overseer, pastor, elder, and presbyter. Such titles may bring them status, respect, influence, income or even power over others. But, they are just “hirelings”. Beware, however, because wolves are also lurking under the cover of such names.
Remember, unlike a “hireling”, Jesus tell us He requires we complete His Works as His servant as the cost for being His disciple, among His sheepfold. Besides the benefits, there is a requirement.
Don’t be fooled, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Flee from the “hirelings”.
GLEANERS
Leviticus 19:10 says to the vineyard or landowner, “Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.”
We see that a “gleaner” is someone who picks up, or gathers up or collects. The Bible describes them as the “needy and the stranger” and not part of the family of the landowner.
The book of Ruth tells us of an account of Ruth, a Moabite, the widowed daughter-in-law of the widow Naomi. To prevent starvation, Ruth gleaned the fields of Boaz: “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.’ Naomi said to her, ‘Go ahead, my daughter,’” (Ruth 2:2).
Ruth was a widow and had no husband to provide for her. She took the initiative and went out into the fields to take care of herself and Naomi. She made this effort as a foreigner among Naomi’s people.
In Chapter 4 of the book of Ruth, we read that Boaz takes Ruth as his wife. She is no longer a “gleaner” but is now part of the family, entitled to all Boaz has. The contrast between being a “gleaner” and a family member is stark.
The Bible says that you and I were once like the “gleaner”, not part of God’s family. Maybe “gleaning” what we could from generosity of others.
There are many people in the church and Christian organizations who are actually little more than “gleaners”. They are not like Ruth. Their mind is set to get what they can get from God and from others, whether it is material goods, money, recognition, status or influence.
GLEANERS ARE NOT GOD’S “CALLED OUT ONES”
You can tell the difference. “Gleaners” focus on themselves and their needs . They have little interest is actually humbling themselves before God or others. They aren’t sure how. They don’t consider “repentance” as an ongoing matter for their own lives, and they tend to pursue the “spiritual gifts” over spiritual disciplines. They usually don’t witness (tell or teach) the Gospel, and are usually unwilling servants.
They can act humble but crave recognition and leadership roles. The tip-off is how they act if they cannot get what they want.
A Believer and Follower of Jesus can also be identified by their behavior. A disciple of Jesus is a son or daughter in the family of God, a brother, sister and friend of Jesus. A joint-heir, entitled to all God has for His own children.
Don’t be a “Hireling”. If you are going to serve God, feed His Sheep.
Be kind to “gleaners”, just don’t be a “gleaner”. If you are going to come near to the House of God, stop being needy and a stranger. Become a child of God and a Joint-Heir with Jesus Christ.
The Day of the Lord is close at hand. Listen for His Voice and follow Him to safety.
(I have set the video to start at the 8:00 minute mark. Listen to at least 11 minutes and 21 seconds – from 8:00 to 18:21, to get the heart of the message)
This book is not meant to be an opinion of the author, but are practical steps in becoming a true disciple of Jesus, which is impossible for the natural mind. But, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible through Christ.
“And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen.
“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:21-22
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
There are times when Jesus will use similes, metaphors, idioms and even hyperbole to make a point. Those examples are easy to spot. Then there are times when Jesus is being literal and The Truth is so profound that many who hear it do not believe. This is one of those times.
Additionally, whenever Jesus uses the word ‘Truly’ He is actually saying “Amen”, in other words it is saying, “this word I am giving you is a firm and faithful statement.”
Truly or Amen, at the beginning of a discourse, informs the listener (or reader) of a coming truth. If it is used at the end of a statement it means “so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled.”
It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.
Therefore, Jesus alerts His disciples (which includes His followers today) that a profound Truth is coming!
(I am breaking Jesus statement into parts, so we can see the importance of each ‘step’ and contemplate them, and I am putting the Greek translation from Strong’s concordance with the meanings in parentheses for your understanding),
“if you have faith (Faith: is a conviction of something, an assurance; faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.)
do not doubt, (in your heart and mind, have left no room for an alternative choice)
you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but (you will singularly see and complete (poieo) and create what God has prepared ahead of time)
even if you say to this mountain,‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. (even though you say, and if you say; affirm over, exhort and to command; to direct something to come into existence; i.e. to come to pass, happen)
In simpler words, Jesus is being literal. He is shaking the foundations of the natural world. But then, He is God Incarnate, Emanuel, God with us and He is saying to you that if you have faith and do not doubt, all things are possible for you.
You can literally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. You can put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, you can take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, you can stand firm.
Jesus is saying that you need to have no fear of any circumstance, no fear of any person. God is for you. No man can stand against you. No weapon which has been formed can prosper against you. Just, “Ask in faith”.
AND HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, STAND FIRM
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: It is and always has been the responsibility of each and every Christian to follow and obey Jesus, do the works He has done, and to make other disciples who will do the same.
Have we, the Church, abdicated one of the greatest commands and commissions by Jesus to the professional clergy? Have we engaged hirelings to do our work?
This is what Jesus told us we MUST BECOME and what we MUST BE DOING as His Disciples.
No one knows who the Antichrist will be, but we do know that when he is revealed he will not be a frightening figure. In fact, he will be just the opposite until he has gained power.
There is a reference in Daniel 11:21 comparing Antiochus Epiphanes to a type of antichrist, who is one of the most brutal rulers known in history, easily eclipsing the horrors of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich.
But, the horrors of Antiochus Epiphanes will pale in comparison to the brutality and horror of the coming Antichrist.
Traits of the Antichrist Described in the Bible
Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
Controlling: Daniel 7:25.
Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.
What is the purpose of the Antichrist?
His purpose is to deceive. The Antichrist is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ and substitute himself in Christ’s place before the Second Coming.
ANOTHER BEAST – The False Prophet
Revelation 13:11 says, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.
He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.
And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” Revelation 13:11-18.
He will doom anyone who receives his “mark” and worshipshim to suffer God’s Wrath. “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.” Revelation 16:2
Those which he deceived, those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image, are thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. Revelation 19:20
WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST
No one knows what ‘the mark’ will actually look like. There is speculation that it could be an image (icon) or a microchip or a tattooed type of barcode used in place of money or credit cards for tracking, commerce and trade. But, from scriptures we do know…
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. Revelation 13:11-18
And according to the Bible, the Antichrist gives his ‘Mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment or during the 7th Trumpet Judgment, which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.
We have seen the 5th Tribulation Seal being opened in our lifetime, the great apostasy or falling away from the faith, false messiahs, great deceptions, a.k.a. the ‘deluding influence’ and alienation from one another, and it is become more pronounced as time passes.
The Apostle Paul informs us, in 2 Thessalonians 2
Verse 2. “you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
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.”
What this means to you and to me is that some of us will have the opportunity to suffer awhile before God takes us away in the Rapture. How do we know this? The Bible says so:
1 Peter1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
verse 5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
verse 6. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Revelation 6:9 tells us that, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal,
I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; verse 10. and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Verse 11. And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
The Great Tribulation also known as The Wrath of God, that is the Wrath of the Lamb, begins with the breaking or opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.
NOTE: The final 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, also known as the 7 Years of the Great Tribulation will begin with the Breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. It will reach the mid-point (3 1/2 years) at the Blowing of the 7th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude with the pouring out of the 7th Bowl Judgment.
Be comforted by this, that God has not appointed us to His Wrath but to obtain His salvation!
Peace in the Middle East? Could world peace start with a peace agreement in the Middle East? There are some who think that if this area can find a solution, there may be real hope for the rest of the world.
Any prospect for a Peace Treaty for the Middle East garners great worldwide attention, as has the recent announcement of a Middle East peace initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
“My vision presents a win-win situation for both sides,” Trump said. “Today, Israel has taken a giant step toward peace.” President Donald Trump, January 2020
“White House officials described President Trump’s Middle East peace plan as realistic and said Israel is prepared to act. According to White House officials, the plan calls for a two-state solution, including the state of Israel and the “future” State of Palestine. Under the plan, the Palestinians would have to reach certain benchmarks to achieve a state. Those benchmarks include rooting out terrorism, stopping what they call “pay to slay,” implementing steps toward free speech, and other political reforms.
“The plan is a basis for negotiations with Israel, Trump officials said, claiming many of the Palestinians’ red lines are met, including their calls for a Palestinian state and a capital in parts of East Jerusalem.
“The vision calls for more than doubling the amount of territory the Palestinians control.
“This plan will double Palestinian territory and set the capital of the Palestinian state in eastern Jerusalem, where the United States will happily open an embassy,” Trump said. “Our vision will end the cycle of Palestinian dependence on charity and foreign aid.”
“The plan also includes a map of a contiguous Palestinian state in the West Bank, with a proposed tunnel to connect the West Bank and Gaza Strip. There would also be land swaps south of Gaza to give the Palestinians more territory.
“This is the first time Israel has agreed to a Palestinian state with defined borders.
“A small strip of land between the Egyptian border and the proposed land swap areas south of Gaza would remain Israeli territory and be subject to Israeli security control. This was requested by Egypt as a buffer against cross-border terrorism.
“As part of the plan, Israel has agreed to halt settlement construction for four years. But in one detail sure to provoke Palestinian objections, the plan recognizes Israeli sovereignty over major settlement blocs in the West Bank.
“The plan calls for a demilitarized Palestinian state. Israel would maintain overall security, though it does create programs for the Palestinians to show the capability to secure their areas, including a local police force. The more the Palestinians show they can secure their areas and cooperate with Israel, the less Israel will have to do in terms of maintaining security, officials said.
“Israel would maintain sovereignty of the Jordan Valley east of the West Bank, according to the proposal. Israel would also maintain the security of the area.
“There is a plan that over time, Palestinians would be able to achieve some civil sovereignty in the Jordan Valley, like farming, officials said.” Excerpts from a Fox News article, January 29, 2020
BUT, WILL THERE BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
Searching for a peace plane for the Middle East is nothing new. The Messianic Prophecy Bible Project website, explains how this has been an ongoing idea for centuries.
“It is vital to understand what the Prophet Daniel and Jesus told us about a peace plan for Israel and the Middle East and the last days, so we can recognize the times and warn others also.
A Middle East peace plan will begin the final countdown to the return of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
“The ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel, tells us that Daniel, who was in exile in Babylon with the Jewish People, was studying the Book of Jeremiah looking for answers.
“As he read, he understood that Jeremiah foretold a 70-year period of Babylonian captivity before the restoration of Israel would come to pass (Jeremiah 29:10).
“Daniel’s heartfelt, moving response was to pray, confessing his sin and the sin of the entire nation of Israel.
“As he prayed, the angel Gabriel came to him, telling him of an additional time period, this time of shevuim shevim (seventy sevens) or 490 years. This was the time that would elapse before sin would end and everlasting righteousness would be established:
“Seventy [shevim] ‘sevens’ [shevuim] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” (Daniel 9:24)
End-Time Prophecy: What Are the “Seventy Sevens”?
“Shevuim (sevens) is similar to the concept of a decade (10 years), but refers to a seven-year period.
“Seventy sevens (70 X 7), therefore, represents a period of 490 years before the prophecy would be fulfilled.
“Of these 490 years, 483 have been fulfilled with remarkable precision; they represent the time between the decree by the Persian king Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1–8) and the cutting off of Yeshua HaMashiach:
“From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven [sheva] ‘sevens’ [Shevuim] and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One [Mashiach / Messiah] will be put to death and will have nothing. (Daniel 9:25–26)
“From Artaxerxes’ decree (Ezra 7:13–28) to Yeshua’s death on the Roman execution cross, was 483 years.
This leaves a seven-year span that has yet to be completed
and will be fulfilled
in the “Last Days” during the Tribulation Period.
“Daniel describes that time in Daniel 9:27: “He [the ruler at that time] will confirm a covenant [peace treaty] with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation.”
“When Jesus was asked about His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3–15), He referred to the above verse. Jesus’ end-time explanation, confirms that there will be a third Jewish Temple in the last days and a seven-year peace covenant, which likely will be brought about by the anti-Christ.
“Just as the Hebrew Prophet Daniel searched the Scriptures for clues to understand the time in which he lived, we also should be diligently searching the Scriptures.
“Indeed, when we examine current events in the light of Bible prophecy, there can be no doubt that we are living at the end of the age.
“The necessity remains to scrutinize world happenings so we may be prepared for whatever is coming, especially since recent attempts at peace in the Middle East may be a precursor for the fulfillment of Daniel’s final seven-year period.
“This peace covenant will begin the 70th week in Daniel’s prophecy, the final seven-year stretch before the return of Jesus.
“Daniel also highlights the halfway point in the seven-year covenant, this leader will set up an abomination in the Temple, perhaps an image of himself to be worshiped. (The Book of Revelation also mentions a three and a half year period in Revelation 11:2–3; 12:6; and 13:5).” END OF EXCERPT
As I have said before and have written in numerous articles, we are now, undoubtedly, seeing the breaking of the 5th Seal of the tribulation period. https://www.whitestone2014.com/is-this-the-end
As stated in the Messianic Prophecy Bible Project article, This peace covenant will begin the 70th week in Daniel’s prophecy, the final seven-year stretch before the return of Jesus.
Additionally 2 Thessalonians 2:1tells us, “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 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. 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.”
The Day of the Lord will not come unless
The apostasy comes first, and
The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.”
The final seven-years of Daniel’s 70th week, also known as the period of the Great Tribulation begins with this peace covenant and will quickly be followed by the breaking of the 6th Seal, and thus, the beginning of the GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD.
The Bible tells us – Jesus tells us – no man know the day or the hour, but, we can know the season.
THE TIME TO PREPARE IS NOW
The Day of the Lord will come upon us like a thief in the night, and will overtake all who are not prepared.
If you would like to talk, use the form below to GET IN TOUCH or use the comments section.
” And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.
“And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’; but you are making it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” Matthew 21:12-13
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Please remember, we are studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus so we can be like Him. This is an event which must can be misunderstood as Jesus showing calculated anger – which is incorrect. This teaching must be carefully framed as “Righteous Indignation”.
Very little is said about this subject, but in this example we have a clear look at a powerful demonstration of “Righteous Indignation”, when it is appropriate and when it is called for.
There are only a few examples of when Jesus appears get angry. Each time it is related to someone or some group blocking access to our Father in heaven. And each time Jesus demonstrates “Righteous Indignation”.
One account of this event tells us that Jesus takes time to braid a cord into a whip, before entering the Temple. That would take time and forethought. This was not a sudden outburst of anger. It was thought out.
Yet, today, almost every one of our churches, claiming to be a “House of the Lord”, have turned His House into a Robber’s Den.
How? At various times, Sanctuaries of God are being used as entertainment centers, athletic centers, political stages or voter registration centers. It is a place to sell religious literature, CDs, DVDs, to raise money for activities in and outside the church – just like we see in Matthew 21.
So, ‘what wrong with that?’ you ask? Let me say, that if you have to ask that question then it may be a sign that you have, along with thousands of pastors, churches and entire denominations, drifted from so far from a basic understanding God and His Teachings and His Ways, that this small space cannot facilitate your question. One of the main reasons the contemporary church has lost its power and effectiveness in our world is that we fail to have fervent effective prayers and fail to recognize what Jesus is telling us.
I will close by quoting what Jesus, our Lord and Teacher, says, “MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER”. Jesus has set the example before us and it is THE CHURCH as a House of Prayer.
I beseech all of us to take this seriously. It is as if we are hemorrhaging our spiritual life blood away from ignorance and neglect of this Great Edict.
Let’s turn back to God in fervent, persistent and regular prayer.
25 “Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes 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 a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26–28).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Let’s step back and read these verses in context:
v20 “Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She *said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.”
23 He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.
Simply put, Jesus is both reminding and reprimanding the mother of James and John and her sons for seeking a position and an authority for which they are neither qualified nor eligible. Worse yet, James and John don’t ask for themselves, but have their mother make a request which comes from a self-serving attitude.
It is very common for people to “ride the coattails” of a great leader or teacher without having to earn the position of leadership and authority. Many people even prefer to act on the authority of another and some will attempt to usurp the authority rather than earn that right. These ‘usurpers’ rarely have the ability to fill the role they desire.
It is equally common for ineligible or incapable people to assume roles of authority or titles which confer authority within the Church. Many Church leaders have simply completed educational courses or are selected through an urgency or by way of favoritism but are ineligible and incapable.
Many church leaders revere the title or moniker of ‘pastor’ but few pastors, now-a-days, are eligible or capable or even desire to fill the role and responsibilities of a Biblical pastor.
Jesus, rather than offer a ‘curriculum or a course of study for leadership positions’, makes an astounding statement in response to this mother’s request: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
The word for ‘servant’ is ‘diakonos’ from which we get our word deacon. It is also used to mean minister; one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use; a waiter, one who serves food and drink.
The word for ‘slave’ is ‘doulos’ which is a man of servile condition or one who gives himself up to another’s will, especially those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. Voluntary servitude in the cause of Christ.
Jesus, with His words, had turned their worlds upside down. He is, in essence, saying that the things you seek you neither understand nor desire.
The magnitude of the Cause and Mission of Jesus is incalculable. The soul of every person to ever breathe the breath of life, hangs in the balance. As Revelation 7:9 puts it “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues.”
Jesus, alone, was Called, Capable and Qualified for His role as Savior of the World, and He called Himself a “Servant of many”.
Therefore, we, His followers, must and should eagerly desire not only to be called a servant and slave in the Cause of Christ, but we should eagerly desire to made capable and qualified to fill that role.
We could, once again, see the world being won to Christ if we, the follower of Jesus, would but humble ourselves and have the attitude in ourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: I am saddened, as I have written this devotional today, that I know I am incapable and ineligible to fill the role I read about and teach about. Let’s please pray for one another, as the day draws near, that we will be found as willing and obedient servants to Christ and to one another.
(You can listen to this audio as you read along, and, you can pause the audio to follow links, then resume audio when you are ready.)
QUESTION & ANSWERS ABOUT “DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK”
1. When did Daniel have his vision about the End of Days?
660 BC
2. What is Daniel’s Seventy Weeks?
The prophecy contains a statement concerning God’s six-fold purpose in bringing these events to pass. Verse 24 says this purpose is
1) “to finish transgression,”
2) “to put an end to sin,”
3) “to atone for wickedness,”
4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,”
5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and
6) “to anoint the most holy.”
Notice that these results concern the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness. The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before the End of the Age, and when Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom. (From Gotquestions.org, seventy weeks)
3. When did the 70 Weeks (490 years) begin?
Gabriel said the prophetic clock would start at the time that a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem. From the date of that decree, 445 BC, to the time of the Messiah (30 AD) would be 483 years. We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia c. 445 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8).
The first unit of 49 years (seven “sevens”) covers the time that it took to rebuild Jerusalem, “with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble” (see Daniel 9:25). This rebuilding is chronicled in the book of Nehemiah.
Using the Jewish custom of a 360-day year, 483 years after 445 B.C. places us at A.D. 30, which would coincide with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21:1-9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (verse 26). This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.
Daniel 9:26 continues with a prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The “ruler who will come” is a reference to the Antichrist, who, it seems, will have some connection with Rome, since it was the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem. (From Gotquestions.org, seventy weeks)
4. When does the final week, the 70th Week of Daniel, begin?
Read again, in Daniel 9:26, the prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
This issue has been hotly debated for centuries. Scriptures have been clear. A simple face-value reading of scriptures leads to the conclusion that the final 7 Weeks, the ‘BIRTH PAINS’ also known as a period of tribulation (not to be confused with the Great Tribulation Period or the “Wrath of the Lamb”), will END with the breaking of the breaking of the 6th Seal of Tribulation.
After that, Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, (after 3 1/2 years) begins with the blowing of the 7th Tribulation Trumpet and will conclude after the pouring out of the 7th Tribulation Bowl Judgment.
5. What will happen to the people on earth?
All of those who, by faith, have repented of their sins, and who have confessed Jesus as savior and followed Him in obedience, will be saved. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “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. Verse 17. 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.”
6. Is there anything I need to do to get ready for these events?
Yes. Romans10:9, says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; verse 10. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Matthew24:42 also tells us, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Verse 43. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Verse 44. “For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
Verse 45. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Verse 46. “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”
“And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:3–6).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus is quoting the Old Testament, Genesis 2:24. From the time of creation, God has said that marriage is the joining of two people, a man and a woman, through a covenant relationship, into ONE person.
A man and a woman, separate, yet ONE.
A more detailed explanation of why it should be as God has said and HOW WE CAN find life & peace by way of God’s design for marriage is found in the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians5:”21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
The word Greek word for “to be subject to” or “submit to” is “Hupotasso”, which literally means:
To arrange under, to subordinate;
To subject, put in subjection
To subject one’s self, obey
To submit to one’s control
To yield to one’s admonition or advice
To obey, be subject.
To mutually agree upon
HUPO – arrange under; TASSO – mutually agree upon
The intention of “submission or subjection” is found in the CONTEXT of the words in this chapter of Ephesians which encourages us to be wise and moral, kind and pure, gentle and forgiving.
The context is also found in the meaning of the words in these verses.
Specifically, “Hupotasso” comes from a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”.
These troop formations were called a Phalanx. The Phalanx was the formation, usually in triangular form, in which The hoplite phalanx of the Archaic and Classical periods in Greece (c. 800–350 BC) was the formation in which the hoplites would line up in ranks in close order.
Hoplites were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greekcity-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers utilized the phalanx formation in order to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the soldiers from acting alone, for this would compromise the formation and minimize its strengths
The hoplites would lock their shields together, and the first few ranks of soldiers would project their spears out over the first rank of shields.
Those at the front were, what we would call today, THE TIP OF THE SPEAR or the POINT MAN. They presented the first defense against the enemy and were the first to engage the enemy and the first to take casualties.
The phalanx therefore presented a shield wall and a mass of spear points to the enemy. Making frontal assaults against it very difficult.
It also allowed a higher proportion of the soldiers to be actively engaged in combat at a given time rather than just those in the front rank.
This word, “Hupotasso”,
In non-military use,
is “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.
The Bible gives this as an example for husbands and wives to cooperate and to successfully navigate life and in waging wars against ‘their common enemy’, Satan.
The wife is fully engaged in the marriage relationship, but, God says the husband is to be the Tip of the Spear in order to protect and preserve and, if necessary, the first to fall.
Interestingly, Ephesians 5:22, “be subject to your own” uses the word “idios” which means, uniquely one’s own, peculiar to the individual. It is “stronger than the simple possessive pronoun (‘own’). This emphatic adjective means ‘private, personal’ “.
God gives each husband a wife, designed by God, Himself, to fulfill a role specifically for that husband. God gives the wife gifts, talents, abilities and a calling uniquely designed to serve God and to compliment and to complete the husband.
This is why the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself”.
It is also why God says, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”
Neither, the husband nor the wife, can be made complete as persons, finding refuge, protection and provision as provided by God well as the God given ability to mature and sustain one another, until they understand this Spiritual principal and follow it.
Marriage has mutual strength through commitment and cooperation with one another under God’s Steady Hand.
Please take this to heart, dear ones. This message is so important.
The world and the Devil are deceiving the family in to thinking ‘what works for you is OK”. It is NOT OK. God’s design, His plan and His Word is what gives life, and life more abundant. Stop following the world and REASON through God’s Word. Understand it and live!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: Marriage makes the two into ONE. Divorce is a violent tearing apart, no matter how amicable you try to be.
Imagine having your arm our your leg amputated. Can you imagine the pain and the loss? Literally losing part of yourself would impact and affect your body, your mind, your soul and your spirit.
Please dear ones, do not deliberately wound yourself and others.
“Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?
“And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:3–6).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
So, what is the question? Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him. So, they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?”
Before we get to Jesus’ answer, let’s take a quick look at the real motive.
The Greek for “testing” is “periazo”, which means to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments, to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin, to solicit to sin. This is the epitome of evil. Tempting Jesus, the Son of God, God Incarnate, to sin.
So, the question posed by the Pharisees was asked under guise of divorce, but, the intent was to maliciously TEST (periazo) the Son of God in order to tempt Him to sin.
This is the same word used when was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (periazo) of the devil. (Matthew 4:1) The devil tempted (periazo) Jesus as a man on three levels: Bread for the body, the Well being in the soul and the ego of the spirit of man. Jesus rejected the temptation as a testimony and a teaching. He testified to the sufficiency of God His Father.
This is Christ’s example for all Christians:
‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
The Pharisees and the devil were consorts in many ways. In this case, they were complicit in an ultimate evil, that is, the temptation of the Son of God to sin.
Now, just for you information, here is a quick review of the Jewish views on divorce:
The rabbis of the Talmud considered marriage a holy contract, and the dissolution of marriage an unholy act. They quote the prophet Malachi, “. . .the Lord has been witness between you and your wife of your youth against whom you have dealt treachorously, though she is your companion, the wife of your covenant” (2:14). Jewish Oral Law added in Sanhedrin (22a), “Even [G-d] shares tears when anyone divorces his wife.” https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/divorce-in-judaism
Aaron Moss, in ‘The Jewish View of Divorce’ says, “When a couple gets married in a Jewish wedding ceremony, their souls become one. It is like a spiritual operation that takes separate beings and fuses them into a new whole. The Jewish divorce ceremony is the reverse of this. It is a spiritual amputation, severing one part of the united soul from the other, creating two separate beings. Divorce, like an amputation, is a tragedy, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do. Our attitude to divorce parallels our attitude to the amputation of a limb in several ways… https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/387647/jewish/Jewish-View-of-Divorce.htm
But, what is God’s view on divorce?
Matthew 19:4 “And He (Jesus) answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, ANDTHE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? 6“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 7They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?” 8He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
How about you? What is your view of divorce?
Have your ever asked the question, “Is divorce OK”? Are you thinking about getting a divorce? Are you are tempting the Son of God with these intentions?
Divorce is a complicated and serious matter. It will affect you and those around you on all levels:
You body is affected,
your soul and mind are affected and
your spirit is injured.
Divorce is sin in the eyes of God. And, sin is to miss the mark of God’s plan of a purposeful, meaningful life and life with peace (Romans 8:6).
Life can be tough enough without causing deliberate damage to yourself and to others. Finding the way to a life full of purpose and peace be difficult. So, call on God and let Him light your path and follow Him in all your ways.
“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.
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: Have you been divorced? I was divorced before becoming a Christian. I know the pain and the regret. But, remember that God is merciful and quick to forgive those who have been divorced and turn away from sin and ask Him for forgiveness.
I did that and thankfully, I was remarried to the same woman, right after we both came to Christ. We have been married 53 years, now.
A woman once asked my wife “How have you managed to stay (re)married for all these years?” My wife responded with, “Just never get a divorce!”
It sounds simple, but it is not. It take commitment, some hard work and sacrifice. And, it is worth it.
NOTE: THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. Check back often!
I am presenting a Play, a Drama, I will call “The Great Tribulation”. Imagine with me that you are seated in a grand theater. Your seat is front row, center, on the edge of the universe, in heaven, looking down at the stage, planet earth.
The following is an actual detailed description and a panorama of coming events taken directly from the New Testament Book of The Revelation, using New American Standard Bible version.
When I make comments, they will be in green italics, to explain the symbolism and other relevant information. My remarks will be brief. For fuller commentary I recommend ENDURING WORD COMMENTARY.
NOTE: This presentation is actual BIBLE PROPHECY taken directly from the Bible. The scriptures quoted are indisputable. I will not add to nor will I take away from the words found in Scriptures, the N.A.S.B. version.
I will make references to historical events, current events and future events and I will code them in purple italics – whether you agree with my references are up to you, the reader.
INTRODUCTION TO “THE PLAYERS”
The Woman, Israel
William Blake (British, 1757 – 1827), The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun, c. 1805, pen and gray ink with watercolor over graphite, Rosenwald Collection 1943.3.8999
Revelation 12:1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars;
2and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
The “woman” represents Israel. According to Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:9-11), the sun represented Jacob, the moon represented Joseph’s mother Rachel, and the eleven stars were the sons of Israel which bowed down to Joseph. In this sign with twelve stars, Joseph is now among the other tribes of Israel.
The Child is Jesus. The pain described refers to the travail of Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth (under Roman occupation and oppression).
The Red Dragon, Satan
3Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
A red dragon “symbolically suggests” an actual person will come to power on earth, with fierce power and a murderous nature. This is a picture of the complete evil with hideous strength.”
The revived Roman Empire is in view, here. The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation who reigns over the revived Roman Empire.”
Seven diadems on his heads: This dragon (person and political power) had great power (seven heads and ten horns) and claimed royal authority (seven diadems). The crowns represent his presumptive claims of royal authority against the true King.
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven: Many believe this describes one-third of the angelic host in league with Satan (his angels of Revelation 12:9). This army of angelic beings in league with Satan makes up the world of demonic spirits.
Matthew 18:18 says, “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Remembering that “what is seen comes from what is unseen”, this represents a dramatic shift, a diminishing of Godly influences “in the heavens” by one third in the heavens and this shift is manifest on earth. Evil is to be increased exponentially, on earth.
To devour her Child as soon as it was born: The attempt to devour her Child was initially fulfilled by Herod’s attempts to kill Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:16-18). It was also fulfilled throughout Jesus’ life as Satan attacked Him (John 8:58-59 and Mark 4:35-41).
The Male Child, Christ
Revelation 12:5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
A male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He rules the world with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9 and Revelation 19:15) refers to the triumphant return of Jesus. By stating the starting point and ending point of Jesus’ earthly work, John alluded to all that stood in between.
After a conflict with the Prince of this world (Satan and his evil accomplices), who came and tried Him, but found nothing in Him, the Son of the woman (Jesus the Christ) was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). Words can hardly be plainer than these.
“She would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days” is a reference to a three and one-half year period connects these events with the final seven years of the Daniel 9 prophecy. Since Revelation 12:5 describes the ascension of Jesus, and Revelation 12:6 describes yet-to-occur events in the 70th week of Daniel, between these two verses lies hundreds of years sometimes known as the “Age of Grace” (our current period).
The Angel, Michael
Revelation12:7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.
Around the mid-point of the great tribulation, God will turn the tide against Satan – first in heaven, then on earth. A battle is taking place that will deny Satan access to heaven.
ACT – I
Revelation12:7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon The dragon and his angels waged war, 8and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
Satan’s angels were cast out with him: This indicates that demonic spirits are indeed fallen angels, those who joined with Satan in His rebellion against God. These are “his angels.” These angels are also the same as the “third of the stars of heaven his tail swept away and threw them to the earth”, described in Revelation 12:4.
This even is occurring at just before the sounding of the 7th Trumpet Judgment which marks the end of the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period, also known as Mid-Tribulation.
11“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 12“For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”
They overcame him because of the Blood of the Lamb represents Jesus’ Blood shed at His crucifixion. Jesus died and was raised again to life, defeating the cruse of sin and the devil for all times and for all who believe in and follow Him.
They overcame him because of the Word of their testimony represents our confession as explained by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:8 “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
God had allowed one-third of the Angels to rebel and now Satan and these rebellious demon-angels are cast down from heaven. The have lost their authority and have seen their power and influence subdued. Their time is short before God casts them to their destruction in the bottomless pit and the lake of eternal fire.
13And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. 17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
The dragon (Satan), having been thrown down to earth, knowing his defeat is at hand, in a rage persecutes the woman, which is Israel. (This period of persecution has lasted for 2 centuries). But, the woman will fly to “the wilderness” where she will be nourished for “a time and times and a half a time” which is a reference to the first 3 1/2 years of the 7 Year Period of the Tribulation known as Daniel’s seventieth week. This first 3 1/2 years begins with the Breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and will last until the Blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet.
“The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood“.
The word “flood” is used 28 times in the Bible. It is used eleven times in the Book of Genesis and refers to God’s Judgment on the world for sin by the Great Flood.
*God is using Satan’s “flood” as a means to cleanse, purify and restore His Church in preparation for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and the Rapture of His Church. (see Daniel 12)
The Flood is used in reference to God’s Judgments, once in Daniel, twice in Matthew, once in Luke and once in Revelation. These references are related to the End of Days in some way.
*These references link Past Events of God’s Judgments with the Present Day and the Present Day with Future Judgments.
Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. 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. 2And 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. 3I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4they 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?” 5There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
ACT – III
The Beast from the Earth Revelation 13:11Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17and 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. 18Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
ACT – IV
The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion (see Revelation 7:4 )
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. 2And 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. 3And they 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. 4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they 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. 5And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
ACT – V
Vision of the Angel with the Gospel
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7and 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.”
8And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
ACT – VI
Doom for Worshipers of the Beast
Revelation 14:9 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, 10he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and 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 whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
13And 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.”
ACT – VII
The Reapers
Revelation 14:14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18Then 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, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.”
Revelation14:19 So the angel 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. 20And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.
ACT VIII
A Scene of Heaven
1Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
2And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.
3And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!
4“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.”
5After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened, 6and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
INTERMISSION
PLEASE, BE AWARE
The Mark of the Beast is given just before the Sealing of the 144,000 saints of God from Israel.
This most likely will occur during the “interlude” between the 6th & 7th Seals and the Rapture.
We are very near the 6th seal, now, 7/30/2020.
During this time chaos will reign in the world and the need for a savior will be great. The antichrist will make a peace treaty the world seeks after. But, assuming the anti-Christ and the Beast are the same, he will suffer and mortal wound to his head, then he will recover. Then, people will turn to this Beast and worship and will receive his mark on their forehead or on their hand will be doomed to suffer in hell forever.
WE MUST BE PREPARED
Now is the time to prepare, if you have not already. Preparation begins in your heart and in your mind. No matter if you call yourself a Christian or not, call on the Name of the Lord and you will be SAVED: Made safe, made healthy, made whole, given your purpose in life, saved from the coming wrath, made a child or God and a freind and brother of Jesus, given an eternal home with God.
“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
“Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21–22).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Jesus is using a teaching technique of overstatement or exaggeration, familiar characteristic in Semitic speech and teaching. It is a means of emphasis.
For example, Luke 14:26, Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”
Another example is found in Matthew 19:24 when Jesus says, “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
These exaggerations are meant to sound preposterous! They say, in essence, there is ONLY THIS WAY. Forget finding another way!
When Peter came to Jesus and asked “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”, Jesus’ answer is that CHRISTIANS ALWAYS FORGIVE and, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF TIMES!
Finally, what is the truth or motivation behind ENDLESS FORGIVENESS?
“Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? – Eternal Security
Once again, we must “zoom out” and look at the context of this verse.
It all began when “Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
And then Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
Then Jesus said to them all, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
This another profound teaching of Jesus which is largely misunderstood or is so difficult to accept that it is disregarded as literal. But, listen to the key words here: BEWARE, BE ON GUARD. This is given as a warning with urgency.
This teaching has more to do with Eternal Security than with accumulating and hoarding wealth.
And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.
And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’
This is the consequence Jesus warned about. Imagine, God calling you or me a fool! But, God said to the man, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you.” And the man will be left with nothing, for Eternity!
You see, this man did not prepare. He did not have a ‘money belt of unfailing treasure in heaven’. He had not made himself ‘rich’ toward God.
v 21 “So it is with the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
v30 “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts an unfailing treasure in heaven, which do not wear out, where no thief can come near nor can the moth destroy.
Then Jesus utters one of the most profound remark of all times, revealing the secret of His teaching. The oracle is laid bare:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The complete meaning is that a “treasure” from the Greek word is “thesauros” from which we get the English word, “thesaurus”. Which is to gain a more completed understanding and to lay aside for our use. In this case it is to gain a more complete
understanding that being ‘rich toward God’ is what is eternally important and to store that up in abundance.
The “heart” is the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors.
“It is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Romans 10:10
Now, it is your turn:
HOW MUST YOU DO IT?
HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?
Although these are urgent days, fear not! He Who is in you is Greater than he who is in this world. Yet, we must learn to “accurately handle the Word of God” in order to Overcome and Endure to the end!
