Category: Evangelism

CHOSEN

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 2 Comments

“The Chosen” is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. The series’ creators are hoping to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story. (2/5/2020)

Now,  it is 1/7/2022 and a YouTube video of Dallas Jenkins has emerged, casting a shadow of doubt on the creator and producer’s theological stance:

 

Created by: Dallas Jenkins, Distributed by: VidAngel

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF AMERICA – 2021

The American presidential election of 2020 should not be considered a ‘turning point’ for America, it should be considered as ‘the last nail in her coffin’.  The groundwork for the transition of America from a democratic-republic and a world superpower into just another Prefect in a One World Government had been laid decades ago.  The aging and dwindling populace of freedom loving American Patriots has finally been overcome by the swelling tide of from foreigner, both naturalized citizens and illegal aliens, (foreign agents) within her own borders.

You could see this coming, if you were watching.  A super influx of illegal and anti-American foreigners, made possible by the Leftists and Globalists in our own democrat party, was tipping the balance of power.

Additionally, the surreptitious introduction of Socialist doctrine into the curriculum of our education systems has indoctrinated several generations of children to think antithetically to America’s founding principles.  These are only two of the methods of the myriad of complex strategies to subvert and transform our once great nation into the Socialist / Communist pariah she is becoming.

WHERE CAN WE FIND HOPE?

A great example would be to look to the Jewish people who were primarily subject to foreign rule (Egyptian, Syrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman, etc.), for thousands of years, with only brief periods of independence.

Specifically, in the first century, when the Romans ruled the Mediterranean area known as Palestine (modern-day Israel), where Jesus was born and lived his life. In the hierarchy of power, the Jewish self-government reported to the authority of the local Roman government (King Herod), which reported to Rome (Emperor Caesar).

Much like the modern/post-modern ecumenical movement in America and other parts of the world, the Roman government practiced syncretism, that is, they believed that all religious beliefs, philosophical teachings, and government systems are ultimately compatible, or a reflection of, a larger system – the Roman system. They practiced one of the first “one country, two systems” policies – pronouncing that all people had religious freedom, political freedom, and freedom of thought, yet maintaining strict control.

Just as the Jews understood the world to be divided into two types of people: Jewish and Gentile (non-Jew), Christianity divides the world into Believers and non-believers, and, just as the Jews worked hard to disassociate themselves from the Gentiles, so Christians tend to disassociate with non-believers.  But more than that, Conservatives and Liberals is the new identity, and they are sorely divided.

President Joe Biden, in his first month in office as begun the work of redefining America through executive order (dictatorial rule).  The Jewish people accepted their freedom in both their governing system, and in maintaining their own traditions, yet the Roman government required that everything be ultimately subject to Roman authority. For example, Jewish citizens were under the authority of the Jewish court system (the Sanhedrin), yet all rulings for the death penalty were sent to the Roman government.  So, it is coming to be, in America.  It is as if Biden was reading ancient Rome’s playbook.

The most disheartening, if not disgusting acts of sedition and cowardice in post 2020 America, is to be found in our religious and political systems.  In ancient Rome, the Jewish religious and governing system was divided between two parties:  the Pharisees, which we can compare to the “Conservatives” in our political and religious system – the ‘people’s party’, taught the law and traditions of Israel’s patriarchs (or, America’s founding principles), and were strictly conforming to Jewish law (in our case, Constitutional law); and the Sadducees (comparable to democrat and republican elitists) – the wealthy and conservative leaders who rejected the traditions in favor of political and religious cooperation with the Romans (in our case, Socialists and Globalists in America).

THEN CAME JESUS

The advent of Jesus, the Messiah, changed everything, “first in Jerusalem and then in all Judea, then Samaria, and then as far as the remotest part of the earth.”

That Hope, Jesus, is still alive and well, for us today.  But, this time, this 2nd Advent of Christ, He will not return as “the humble servant”, but this time

The heavens will open and behold, a white horse, and He who sits on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness.  He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 11:11-16.

We need to be aware and informed about the movement and the status of world religions and world politics only to the extent that it informs us of the lateness of the HOUR according to God’s eschatological clock.

Please watch these CHOSEN videos – and notice that the Work of God continued, despite Roman and Jewish opposition, impediments and interruptions.  This is our model.

Embrace THE HOPE, trust Him, follow Him – He knows the WAY!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I am writing a study named “THE CHOSEN” from 1 Peter.  It is a work in progress  Are you chosen?

THE RADICALISM OF JESUS

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

I came across an article in the New York Times titled “The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus”, which, in part, describes exactly what we, as Christians, must embrace.  Here is an excerpt:

“Get used to different.”  “That line comes from a marvelous new TV series on Jesus’ life, “The Chosen,” in which Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, invites Matthew to become one of his disciples. Simon Peter, already a disciple, registers his fierce objection. Matthew is a tax collector, who were viewed as tools of Roman authorities, often dishonest and abusive. They were therefore treated as traitors and outcasts by other Jews.

“I don’t get it,” Simon Peter says to Jesus about his decision to invite Matthew, to which Jesus responds, “You didn’t get it when I chose you, either.”

“But this is different,” Simon Peter answers. “I’m not a tax collector.” At which point Jesus lets Simon Peter know things aren’t going to be quite what his followers expected.

“First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly radical and radically inclusive figure Jesus was, and neither are today’s Christians. We want to tame and domesticate who he was, but Jesus’ life and ministry don’t really allow for it. He shattered barrier after barrier.

“One example is Jesus’ encounter, in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus and the woman talked about Jesus being the Messiah, why he was even deigning to talk with her, and the unnamed woman’s past and present, which she initially sought to hide from Jesus. (It included her five previous husbands, according to the account in John, and the fact that “the one whom you now have is not your husband.”) Yet not a word of condemnation passed the lips of Jesus; the woman felt heard, understood, cared for. Jesus treated her, in the words of one commentator, “with a magnetic dignity and respect.”  (End excerpt)

TWO MAIN POINTS

There are two main points we must take from this and embrace them as we move forward, marching with time inexorably to the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and His judgment, which is coming upon every person and in all the earth.

POINT #1

The author starts the article well, then deviates from Jesus’ radicalism for the lives of the lost and turns the article into a weak “social justice commentary”.

Jesus did not come to earth to preach a gospel of “social justice” of man’s perceived standards of right and wrong, just or unjust.  Jesus came into the world to save the world.  Jesus preached His Gospel message of God’s mercy and justice. 

GOD’S JUSTICE

It did not matter to Jesus, whether a person is rich or poor, weak or strong, oppressed or privileged, intellectually brilliant or disadvantaged, educated or uneducated – you either believe on Him, the One whom God has sent, or you perish. This is God’s Justice.

We must have this MIND OF CHRIST, as we live-out Jesus’ example and teaching, and as we reach out to the lost.

Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, verse 2, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. verse 3, Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ verse 4, For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, verse 5, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” verse 6, And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; verse 7, now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? verse 8, I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

This “justice” is God revenging; God’s vengeance and punishment: Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 from Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Luke 21:22; ποιεῖν τήν ἐκδίκησιν τίνος, to vindicate one from wrongs, accomplish the avenging of, Luke 18:7f;  τίνι, to avenge an injured person.

Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. verse 19, He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. verse 20, A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.  verse 21, And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”

This justice, “Krino” κρίσις, εως, ἡ is a separating, sundering, separation; a trial, contest, selection, judgment; i. e. opinion or decision given concerning anything, especially concerning justice and injustice, right and wrong; in a forensic judgment sense, of the of God or of Jesus the Messiah: universally, the day appointed for the judgment, at the time of the judgment, when the judgment shall take place, to execute judgment against (i. e. to the destruction of) all. Specifically, sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment:

POINT #2

We must come back to the fearless, self-abandonment of Jesus’ first disciples in our pursuit of Jesus (as depicted in the video, “The Chosen”).

Jesus, when calling Matthew to follow Him, He is threatened by the Roman guard to “back off”.  But, Jesus stays focused, smiling, calling.

Matthew immediately responds by “closing up shop” and leaves his post to follow Jesus.  The Roman guard sternly warns Matthew, reminding him that he will lose his position of favor with the Roman government, his protections and his wealth, but Matthew brushes him aside, saying, “Get out of my way”.

Radical obedience in faith is the ONLY PATH for a true Christian, (“Matthew 4:20) “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

The heavens of heavens cannot contain Him,
let alone a man explain Him.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hand.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

He always has been and He always will be.
He had no predecessor
and He’ll have no successor.
There was nobody before Him
and there’ll be nobody after Him.
You can’t impeach Him
and He’s not going to resign.
That’s our King! That’s our King!

Will you follow Him?  (adapted from SM Lockridge’s “That’s My King”)

Your Brother and friend,

Mike Young

Got questions.org – mercy and justice

THIS IS FOR YOU

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

“If anyone has an ear, let him hear. Verse 10, “(1) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; (2) if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:9

“Here is the perseverance of the saints who (1) keep the commandments of God and (2) their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

I have written several articles on

1. “The Tribulation period we are now facing”,

2. “How Christians must respond to this Tribulation, the terror and the attacks on our Faith” and

3. “The Method and Weapons of Christian’s Warfare”.

This article is meant to emphasize the conclusions of my previous articles and to pull them all together by citing what is known as “The Perseverance of the Saints”.

There are few matters more important than how we prepare for what has been prophesied in Scriptures, and it appears, is coming to pass. It is the concurrence and the convergence of The Prophetic events from Scriptures, occurring in our day, which have never been seen before.

God is completing the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal and we are on the verge of Christ’s return for His Church and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

I am turning to the Book of the Revelation, chapters 13 and 14 for this study:

Revelation 13

1 Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been [b]slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking [c]arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who [d]dwell in heaven.

7 It was also given to him to make war with the [e] saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been [f]written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Verse 9 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. v10  If anyone [g] is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the [h] perseverance and the faith of the [I] saints.

Rev 14:11  Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast [j]in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform [k]in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even [l]speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, [m]to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is [n]six hundred and sixty-six.

Revelation 14:

1 “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they *[a]sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they [b]have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who [c]live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “[d]Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the [e]passion of her immorality.”

9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed [f]in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and [g]brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and [h]whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Verse 12 Here is the [I] perseverance of the [j] saints who keep the commandments of God and [k] their faith in Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

The Reapers

1st Reaping:

14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like [l]a son of man, having a golden crown on His head (also see Matthew 24:30,31) and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the [m]temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “[n]Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth [o]is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud [p]swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

2nd Reaping:

17 And another angel came out of the [q]temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “[r]Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters [s]from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel [t]swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, [u]for a distance of [v]two hundred miles.

“The Harvest of the Earth”

Revelation 14:14-16 says,

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for theharvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

The reaping of the harvest of the earth, is the rapture of the church. (see Matthew 24:29,30)

The Reaping of the Vine of the Earth

In Revelation 14:17-18 there is another harvest that is different from the first. It says,

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vineof the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

This is called the “reaping of the vine of the earth”. The first was the harvest. Revelation 14:19 talks about the winepress where the grapes will be trodden, “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”   The first harvest is caught up to be with Jesus Christ. The second harvest is to be thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God. Revelation 14:20 continues, “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”  

Notice several things. The winepress is to be trodden without the city. This is undoubtedly speaking of Jerusalem. Immediately outside the walls of the Temple Mount, there is a valley called the Valley of Jehoshaphat, also known as the Kidron Valley. It lies just outside the Eastern Gate where it is prophesied in scripture that Jesus Christ will enter at the time of His Second Coming. The Mount of Olives is here, also. This is where the winepress of God will be. This is describing the Battle of Armageddon. The blood will flow unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs, the equivalent of 160 miles. If you measure from the Plain of Megiddo in northern Israel, through the Jordan Valley, and then into the Gates of Jerusalem, it equals approximately 160 miles. The Battle of Armageddon will begin in Megiddo, then down through the Jordan Valley as the armies of Israel retreat. It will finally culminate in the Kidron Valley outside the gates of Jerusalem. Only Jesus Christ will save the Jewish people at that time.  “END OF EXCERPT”.

If after reading this, you still think you need to take up conventional arms of warfare and fight the onslaught of evil by way of a world war, a regional war, a civil, political war, or a social war, then go about your business.  But, remember what Scriptures tell us about the PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINT, “if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed” Rev. 13:9

2. “How Christians must respond to this Tribulation, the terror and the attacks on our Faith” and

3. “The Method and Weapons of Christian’s Warfare”.

THE GREAT ASSEMBLY

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

“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 7:13 tells 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 report on 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

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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