When does the 7 Years of “Great Tribulation”, The “Great and Terrible Day of The Lord” and “The Wrath of the Lamb” begin?

And, When does the “midpoint” (3.5 years) occur?

This can be a great mystery. But, it need not be.  Here is the Tribulation Timeline, in summary:

The opening of Tribulation Seal ONE began sometime between the birth of Jesus and A.D. 95.   Tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE have been broken, progressively, have been overlapping and intensifying up until this day.

(These are known as the “Birth Pains” or the Birth Pains phase of the Tribulation (see Matthew 24:3-18 for Jesus’ complete statement). They began at or around the time of the birth of Jesus, and they include (1), great deceptions also called the great delusion (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12), (2), wars and rumors of wars, (3), famines and earthquakes, (4), a great persecution of Christians, (5), the Great Apostasy, falling away from the faith in Christ, which leaves only one event to be completed – The revealing of the man of perdition – before the SIXTH TRIBULATION SEAL is opened, marking the beginning of the 7 years of Great Tribulation, also known as the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb.

How can these things be since so many Protestant evangelical churches teach a dispensational pretribulation view (in other words, the rapture occurs, then all 7 years of the tribulation begins)?

The history behind the traditional dispensational pre-tribulation rapture was proposed and promulgated by John Nelson Darby, (1800–1882) a British theologian and a key figure in the Plymouth Brethren movement, known for founding the Exclusive Brethren and for his role in developing modern dispensationalism and pre-tribulation rapture theology? However, critics of John Nelson Darby often point to his teachings on dispensationalism and his views on the atonement, which some argue are inconsistent with traditional Christian doctrine. Additionally, figures like Charles Spurgeon have criticized Darby’s influence on the church, describing it as leading to isolationism and doctrinal errors within the Plymouth Brethren movement.

A slow, careful and studious reading of the New Testament, looking for clues to the events and testimonies of Jesus and His disciples and apostles leading up to Matthew 24:29-31 will give you a much clearer and more accurate picture. (You can do this on your own, and I am giving a synopsis below).

Please read these scriptures and testimonies by other Apostles, confirming that the Last Days and the breaking of tribulation seals one through five had begun in or around the birth of Jesus through A.D. 95:

Since the birth of Jesus, there have been increasing episodes of

1. global conquest and political intrigue (tribulation seal ONE),
2. wars and rumors of war (tribulation seal TWO),
3. famines, earthquakes, (tribulation seal THREE),
4. widespread and global deaths (tribulation seal FOUR),
5. persecution, martyrs, the Antichrist, the Great Apostasy and falling away from the faith (tribulation seal FIVE);

All occurring since the birth of Jesus, continuing, overlapping and intensifying since their inception:

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),

(1). Jesus warned that “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5). Do you see these things in our day? This a clue pointing to the “Last Days”.

(2). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes”. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the Fourth Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8). Do you see these things happening in our day? If you aren’t ‘denominationally biased’ could this reasonably be a clue to the timing of the “Last Days”?

(3). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the Second Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).

(4). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. “See Matthew 24:9 and the onset of the Fifth Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).

(5). Jesus said, “In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith.” (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).

These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation (see Matthew 24:8), are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.

Jesus calls the 1^st phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the 2^nd phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6^th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).. (Please click these links for verification and understanding).

Do you now see the clues to the timing of the first 5 tribulation seals?

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days?

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Do you see this clue to the timing of the Last Days here?

1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). A clue!

2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Is this true in our day, also?

If these verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think, now?

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60). Could it be any clearer? The Last days began at the appearance of Jesus!

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

What would you think?

2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

If these verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

Would you now think the Last Days began? Want more?

1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

According to the words and the testimonies of Jesus , His disciples and Apostles, the “LAST DAYS – THE LAST TIMES – THE END OF THE AGES – THE END OF ALL THINGS – THE BIRTH PAINS OF THE TRIBULATION” began with the Birth of Christ Jesus.

With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)

Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation:

Furthermore, it is important to know that the Apostle Paul grappled with a growing apostasy, (tribulation Seal 5), during the early formation of the Church. It is reaching a crescendo now, in the twenty-first century. The only things left to happend before breaking of the Sixth Tribluation Seal and the rapture is the revealing of the “man of lawlessness”, i.e., the Antichrist. He will appear before the rapture, according to the Apostle Paul. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy, ^{[Which is the falling away from the faith]} comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”)       

We are therefore now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

Section A.2. With the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal we will see that THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 & Revelation 6:12-16)

Sometime after the rapture of the church, which occurs at the 6th Seal, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation. (see BibleHub.Org).

At the midpoint of the tribulation, which is found at the 6^th tribulation trumpet, (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews. (see BibleHub.Org).

According to Daniel 9:27, the tribulation begins with the signing of a peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel, intended to be for one “seven,” that is, a set of seven years. But the “seven” is divided into halves: midway through the seven years, the Antichrist breaks the treaty and sets up in the temple a sacrilegious object (the “abomination that causes desolation”). The phrase “in the middle” indicates that the first half of the tribulation lasts for 3½ years, or at the blowing of the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet, (1,260 days, using a “prophetic year” of 360 days). Likewise, the second half of the tribulation lasts another 1,260 days (another 3½ years), for a total of seven years.

At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.

During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt, and the earth is restored.

During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.

The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3 5–6,).

(Below here is a more complete description of the Tribulation Timeline. Concern yourself with the first SIX SEALS.)

The ‘tribulation period of birth pangs‘ (Matthew 24:8 & Revelation 6) begins with the breaking of the 1st Tribulation Seal and continues through the 5th Tribulation Seal, during which time we will see the

• Apostasy,
• the great persecution of Christians,
• the revealing of the man of perdition and
• the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and her enemies.

The 1st Seal of the tribulation was being broken just after the death and resurrection of Christ, and the succeeding seals (Seals 2 – 5) have been broken. Jesus refers to this period, the breaking of the tribulation Seals ONE through FIVE as “the beginning of the birth pangs”, and He points out that “this is not yet the end”.

Section B.2. Then, with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal, THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD, THE GREAT TRIBULATION, BEGINS. (Matthew 24:29, & Revelation 6:12)

As witnessed by, Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

The “7 years of Great Tribulation” (aka Daniel’s 70th week) begins with the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, and, will reach the mid-point of the tribulation period, (after 3.5 years) with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet of the Great Tribulation.

Then, the Great Tribulation will end with the pouring out of the 7 Bowls of Wrath.

– THE TRIBULATION JUDGMENTS LEAD TO THE END OF THE AGE –

The world has endured, and is enduring, the first 5 tribulation seals. You should, therefore, concern yourself with and be ready for the breaking of the Tribulation 6th Seal and the Great and Terrible day of the Lord!

Here is a Short outline comparing Jesus’ account of the Tribulation period both in the Book of Revelation and in the Book of Matthew:

Revelation Ch. 6 – as corresponding to – Matthew Chapter 24

The 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death. (This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying.)

The 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution, Anti-Christ, falling away.(This Seal was broken between A.D. 1 and A.D. 95, has been ongoing and has been overlapping the other Seals, and has been intensifying and will transition to the Sixth Seal once the Antichrist has been revealed.)

The 6th Tribulation Seal  –  Cosmic disturbances, blood moon, darkened sun. (The Opening of the 6th Tribulation Seal is yet to come. It is The BEGINNING OF the 7 years of “THE GREAT TRIBULATION” period, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Wrath of the Lamb.)

• Sealing of the 144,000 – during the 6th Seal. (Revelation 7:1-8).
• The gathering & The Rapture of God’s Elect. (Matthew 24:29-31)
• Multitude from the tribulation before the Throne of God (Revelation 7:9-17).

I will continue through the ‘Bowl Judgments’ in this article, but, for the Christian, The Rapture has occurred at this point and Jesus has taken His Spotless Bride, The Church, to the Throne of God, Her eternal home.

Be Sure. Be Ready. Be Secure.

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

Receive Him and Declare Him as Lord Today
Become a Child of God Today

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and surrender my heart and my life to you.  I will trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior the rest of my days.” 

The 7th Tribulation Seal – (click to continue) – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments.

(Ancillary reading:  The Great Concurrence and Convergence of Events).

 

Two Views of History – The Past and Present – The Past, Present and the Future.

There are only two credible views of human history and only one view of our destiny.

Science gives us the lens of archeology, geology and biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, mathematics and logic which looks back in time. The Bible gives us the root of scientific discoveries, their outcomes and the origins and root of the body, the mind, will, emotions and of the soul or spirit of mankind. In other words, science is restating what the Bible has already proclaimed, instructed, created, and caused, but it is unable to see what is coming (i.e., what has been prophesied by the Bible). Science speaks in the vulgar language of humanity. The Bible is the Harmonics of God throughout creation. It is the very Breath of a Holy, Good and Perfect God.

If you want to know where we have been as a human race, both science and the Bible give a perspective into history. One, being science, is a theoretical look back by way of ancient evidential ruins, and the other, being the Bible, retraces our steps by way of an emphasis on the causes, purposes, plans and methods derived the Spirit of God, imparted to our physical abilities, cognitive skills, our psyche and the core of our being also called our spirit.

Science relies on the wit and skills of mankind. The Bible (i.e., God) relies on the unseen Spirit of God and the kingdom of heaven, which tells of what was, what is and what forevermore shall be.

Science is both empirical and theoretical and mankind is fallible and prone to self-destruction by way of scientific advances.

God and the Bible are eternal and lead to abundant and eternal life.

Science attempts to tell when, what, where and why of the past and present.

The Bible tells when, what, where and why of the past and present with a promise of a future and the only way to get there.

People have tried to accuse religion as the cause of most wars. That is an arrogant deflection from the failures of humankind. The cause of most wars is mankind using religion as their excuse for wars.

Christianity clearly teaches and promotes peace among humankind. Humankind subverts that teaching and promotes tyranny and authoritarians rule for all humankind.

God Created

Mankind Fell

 

God Expelled,

Mankind Rebelled .

 

God Expunged, Cleansed, Restored,

Mankind Exalted himself.

 

God Scattered,

Mankind Gathered again.

 

God showed the way,

Mankind strayed from the way.

 

God sent a savior to show the way,

Mankind killed The Hope.

 

God showed mercy and restored hope by raising Jesus from the grave,

Most all of humankind is slapping away the extended merciful Hand of God.

 

God is Gathering once again,

Most of mankind is scattering.

 

God is Calling,

The rage of mankind is deafening and is muting His Voice.

 

God is at the doorstep,

Most of mankind would lock that door.

 

Revelation 3:8, ‘I know your deeds – (those things you have done and these things you are doing). Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have little power,

Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Verse 21 The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. Verse 22. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Revelation 4:1, After these things I look, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”

Dear Friend,

We are at the precipice. Open your spiritual ears and eyes and hear and see. God has given us instruction over the epochs of time and some have heard His Word and given us that Word. We have (clumsily) acted on His instructions. Our methods and form has changed as time has gone by, and we have strayed once again. We are now at the breaking point – the precipice. God said He was sorry He had created humankind and destroyed all but a remnant.

He has said that, as this cycle repeats and “mankind continually does evil”, He will once again call out a remnant, and He will once again destroy this world, but this time a fervent heat will consume the heavens and the earth.

Then He will provide us who remain, a new heaven and a new earth, and we will live with Him, and He will dwell among us for all eternity.

The time between then and now there is coming a Great Tribulation, an apocalypse, such as the world has never seen and will never see again. That time is at hand.

 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  A Timeline from The Beginning to The End

THEN: A World History timeline converged and compared with a Biblical Historical Timeline

FINALLY:  The Journey to Perfection

https://songer.co/song/lyz3irt4zczcs68hxx7dre16

 

“Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks?”

The TOP Line

At the top of all this, there have been church bombings, burnings, violent attacks on the people of the church. And as of this date, January 22, 2026, we only need to look to New York City or Saint Paul Minnesota to see the aggressive, often illegal and oppressive tactics being used by Leftists (Marxists). We can also see an example of how one church is responding to this harassment.

If we depend solely on our own strength and wit to engage these harassments and attacks, we will fail. You see, scriptures instruct us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, we are to take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.

I asked Chaptgpt, “Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks?” and it began by saying, Christians have wrestled with this question from the earliest days of the faith. The Bible gives principles, not a single one-line rule, and those principles need to be held together.

But first, MY RESPONSE (in red and black text):

I am all but certain that my response will evoke a myriad of responses, but I both agree and disagree with the Chatgpt answer to this question (see below).

I believe all that is said (by Chatgpt, below) is correct with one exception, and that one exception is the bedrock of the argument or discussion.

The one exception is that Jesus came to earth and was on the specific Mission give Him by the Father, and He could not and would not waste His time physically engaging His enemies and detractors. His Mission was to save sinners by revealing God, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin, and accomplishing redemption—according to God’s predetermined plan.

Jesus and His disciples and those disciples that followed, faced the most severe persecutions, harassments, murders, and beatings. They were, at times, hunted down, viciously attacked, cut to pieces, stoned, burned to death and crucified on crosses. Sometimes they fled and hid but they stay true to Jesus’ Mission, even in the face of these perils. We are to do no less.

(CHATGPT response is in this color text –  my comments are in black or red text):

In TheMiddle

From the middle ages until this postmodern age, here are the core components of His mission, stated in Jesus’ own words and in apostolic teaching.

1. To Do the Father’s Will (Perfect Obedience

Jesus repeatedly defined His mission as obedience to the Father:

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
— John 6:38

This obedience included His life, suffering, death, and resurrection (Philippians 2:8).

2. To Reveal the Father

Jesus’ mission included making God known:

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
— John 14:9

“No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son… He has made Him known.”
— John 1:18

Jesus reveals God’s character, truth, holiness, love, and redemptive purpose.

3. To Proclaim the Kingdom of God

Jesus announced the arrival of God’s kingdom:

“I must preach the kingdom of God… for this purpose I have been sent.”
— Luke 4:43

This proclamation included repentance, forgiveness, and the future fulfillment of the kingdom (especially relevant in a premillennial framework).

4. To Seek and Save the Lost

Jesus explicitly stated His redemptive mission:

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10

This frames His ministry as a rescue mission for sinners.

5. To Give His Life as a Ransom

Central to His mission was His sacrificial death:

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
— Mark 10:45

“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
— Matthew 26:28

This fulfills Isaiah 53 and the entire sacrificial system.

6. To Fulfill the Law and the Prophets

Jesus’ mission was not to abolish Scripture but to complete it:

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

Every aspect of His life aligns with God’s redemptive promises. 

7. To Secure Eternal Life for Those Given Him by the Father

Jesus links His mission to a specific people given by the Father:

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
— John 6:39–40

This includes resurrection and eternal life.

8. To Destroy the Works of the Devil

His mission had cosmic implications:

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
— 1 John 3:8

This includes victory over sin, death, and Satan—fully realized at His Second Coming.

(One-Sentence Biblical Summary):

Jesus was sent by the Father to do His will by revealing God, proclaiming the kingdom, offering Himself as a ransom for sinners, fulfilling Scripture, securing eternal life for His people, and ultimately defeating sin, death, and Satan.

(CHATGPT response is in this color text –  my comments are in black or red text):

(1). Although this is still the method and the practices we, as Christians, are to employ in the Great Commission, today, we are not under the time constraints that Jesus was under (His coming and timely crucifixion, resurrection and ascension).

(2). This matter is far from settled. Even the early reformers changed their view over time:

When Christianity became legalized and later dominant, the question changed:

What should Christians do when they are responsible for protecting others?

2. Augustine’s contribution

The Bible had not changed but …

Augustine introduced the Just War framework, arguing:

• Violence can be morally permissible to restrain evil
• Motivation matters: love of neighbor, not hatred of enemies
• Governments bear the sword legitimately (Romans 13)

For Augustine:

• Personal revenge is forbidden
• Protective force may be necessary to preserve life

This marked a shift:

• From martyr church → shepherd society

3. Again the Bible had not changed, but The Reformers (16th century): Two Kingdoms & vocation

Martin Luther

Luther taught the Two Kingdoms doctrine:

• The spiritual kingdom (church): governed by the gospel
• The civil kingdom (state): governed by law and sword

Implications:

• As private individuals, Christians should endure wrongs
• As magistrates, soldiers, or heads of households, Christians may use force to protect others

Luther saw Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as:

• Governing personal ethics
• Not abolishing civil responsibility

John Calvin

Calvin emphasized:

• God ordains civil authority to restrain evil
• Self-defense is lawful when life is threatened
• Vigilante justice is forbidden

Calvin rejected pacifism as:

• Unrealistic in a fallen world
• Potentially enabling injustice

4. The Bible had not changed but Modern Evangelicals: Qualified self-defense

Most modern evangelicals hold:

• Verbal persecution → endure patiently
• Physical violence → self-defense permitted, sometimes required

Typical reasoning:

• Human life bears God’s image (Genesis 9:6)
• Jesus forbade retaliation, not protection
• Loving your neighbor includes stopping harm

Many evangelicals distinguish:

• Persecution for Christ (may involve suffering)
• Criminal violence (may be resisted)

And finally, although the Bible had not changed but some subgroups:

• Anabaptists / Mennonites – continue early church pacifism
• Reformed / Baptist / Pentecostal – defensive force allowed
• Christian self-defense advocates – emphasize stewardship of life

1. Verbal harassment: generally endure, respond wisely, or disengage

Scripture consistently encourages restraint in the face of insults:

• Jesus: “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).
• Peter: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23).
• Paul: “Bless those who persecute you” (Romans 12:14).

This doesn’t mean Christians must be silent doormats. The Bible allows:

• Calm defense or correction (Acts 23:1–5; Jesus answering accusations)
• Setting boundaries (Proverbs 22:3)
• Walking away when words become destructive (Titus 3:10)

Key idea:
Verbal harassment is best met with patience, wisdom, and self-control—not retaliation.

2. Violent attacks: self-defense can be morally permissible

The Bible does not command passivity in the face of physical harm.

Biblical support for self-defense

• Exodus 22:2–3 allows defending against a violent intruder.
• Nehemiah 4:16–18 shows God’s people armed to protect themselves while doing His work.
• Luke 22:36 — Jesus acknowledges the reality of personal danger (though He forbids using violence to advance God’s kingdom).

The consistent biblical pattern:

• Preserving life is good
• Stopping violence is not the same as seeking revenge

3. What Christians must not do

Even when self-defense is justified, Scripture sets limits:

• No revenge (Romans 12:19)
• No hatred or cruelty (Matthew 5:44)
• No violence to advance the gospel (John 18:36)

Self-defense should be:

• Proportionate (only what is necessary)
• Protective, not retaliatory
• Last-resort, not first instinct

4. Jesus as the model

Jesus:

• Endured insults willingly
• Avoided unnecessary danger at times (Luke 4:30)
• Forbade violence to fulfill God’s redemptive plan
• Yet affirmed the value of life and responsibility

Christians are called to imitate Christ’s heart, not necessarily repeat every circumstance of His suffering (He died uniquely as the atoning sacrifice).

A balanced Christian conclusion

• Verbal harassment → endure, respond wisely, disengage when necessary
• Violent attack → defending oneself or others can be morally legitimate
• Always → act without hatred, vengeance, or pride

As Paul says:

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18)

How different Christian traditions (early church, Reformers, modern evangelicals) have answered this—or how this fits within Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount:

Below is a historical-theological overview showing how major Christian traditions have handled self-defense, persecution, and Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, followed by a synthesis.

1. The Early Church (1st–3rd centuries): Radical non-retaliation

Historical context

Early Christians:

• Had no political power
• Were a persecuted minority
• Often faced imprisonment, beatings, and martyrdom

This context deeply shaped their ethics.

Core position

Most early church fathers emphasized:

• Enduring persecution
• Refusing violence
• Imitating Christ’s suffering

Key voices:

• Tertullian: Christians should not retaliate or bear arms
• Origen: Jesus’ commands were literal and binding
• Justin Martyr: Christians had “exchanged swords for plowshares”

Why?

They interpreted Jesus’ words very literally, especially:

• “Do not resist the evil person” (Matt 5:39)
• “Love your enemies” (Matt 5:44)

Martyrdom was seen as:

• A witness to the gospel
• Participation in Christ’s suffering
• A victory, not a defeat

⚠️ Important nuance:

• This was not cowardice
• It was voluntary faithfulness, not inability to resist

2. Augustine & Just War (4th–5th centuries): Love-motivated restrains

5. The Sermon on the Mount: how it fits

“Turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39)

• Refers primarily to personal insult, not lethal threat
• A slap was a shame act, not attempted murder
• Jesus is addressing retaliation, not protection

“Do not resist an evil person”

The Greek implies:

• Do not resist with revenge or vengeance
• Not a blanket prohibition of all resistance

Jesus’ own behavior

• He did not seek violence
• He avoided danger when His time had not come (Luke 4:30)
• He rebuked Peter’s sword because it interfered with redemption—not because all defense is sinful

Jesus’ kingdom advances by:

• Sacrifice, not coercion
• Witness, not force

But this does not nullify:

• Civil justice
• Protection of the innocent
• Responsibility to preserve life

A synthesized Christian framework

Situation: Insults and verbal harassment. Christian Response – Endure, forgive. Harassment – disengage. Personal vengeance – forbidden. Violent attack – defense may be justified. Protection of others – often morally required. Gospel advancement – never by force.

The tension remains intentional:

• Christians are called to be cross-shaped
• Yet live responsibly in a fallen world

Final thought

The Sermon on the Mount shapes the heart posture of Christians:

• Mercy
• Humility
• Love one’s enemy.

Christian tradition then asks:

How do we live this out without abandoning justice, life, and responsibility?

That tension is not a flaw—it is the cost of following Christ in a broken world.

This question fits very naturally with your futurist, pre-millennial, pre-tribulation framework, because Scripture explicitly connects persecution, restraint, and testimony in the end times. I’ll walk through this carefully and biblically.

1. The end-times setting: persecution is expected, not accidental

Jesus repeatedly warned that the closer history moves toward its climax, the more intense persecution becomes:

• Matthew 24:9–10 – believers hated by all nations
• John 15:18–20 – the world treats disciples as it treated Christ
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – “all who desire to live godly… will be persecuted”

This reaches its peak during the Tribulation, when:

• Global political power turns openly hostile to Christ
• Religious coercion is enforced (Revelation 13)
• Faithfulness may cost livelihood—or life

This context shapes Christian response.

2. Pre-Tribulation Rapture: why restraint matters before and after

In a pre-trib view, the Church is removed before God’s wrath (1 Thess. 4:16–17; Rev. 3:10). However:

• Persecution exists before the rapture
• Tribulation saints (those saved after the rapture) still face intense pressure

Key principle:

Persecution is not something the Church is called to defeat—it is something we are called to endure faithfully.

3. Jesus’ end-times instructions: witness, not resistance

When Jesus spoke directly about end-times persecution, His guidance is striking:

“Do not resist” in testimony contexts

“When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak… for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit”
(Matthew 10:19–20)

“This will be your opportunity to bear witness”
(Luke 21:13)

Jesus frames persecution as:

• A platform for testimony
• Not a call to armed resistance

4. The Book of Revelation: two very different kinds of conflict
5. What believers do not do

Believers are never shown:

• Forming militias
• Overthrowing the Beast
• Taking up arms against Antichrist

Instead:

• They overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11)
• They are described as martyrs, not soldiers

1. Who fights in the end

• God fights (Rev. 19)
• Christ returns as Warrior-King
• Judgment belongs exclusively to Him

This is crucial:

Any attempt by believers to violently overthrow Antichrist would be a theological error, not faithfulness.

5. The Mark of the Beast: resistance vs faithfulness

Revelation 13 presents a stark choice:

• Compliance → temporary safety
• Refusal → persecution or death

How do saints respond?

• They refuse idolatry
• They accept consequences
• They do not fight back

“Here is the endurance and faith of the saints.”
(Revelation 13:10)

This is not weakness—it is eschatological obedience.

6. Self-defense vs martyrdom: the key distinction

Biblical distinction

Criminal violence –	Defense permitted
Religious persecution –	Endurance commended
Gospel coercion –	Refusal, not revolt
State-enforced idolatry –	Obedience to God, even unto death

End-times persecution is:

• Systemic
• Ideological
• Religious

Therefore:

• Violent resistance misunderstands the nature of the battle
• The battle is spiritual, not political (Eph. 6:12)

7. Why martyrdom has unique end-times significance

Revelation gives martyrs a special place:

• Revelation 6:9–11 – souls under the altar
• Revelation 20:4 – martyrs reign with Christ
• Revelation 14:12–13 – blessing for those who die in the Lord

Martyrdom is not:

• Sought recklessly
• Avoided at all costs

It is:

• Accepted when faithfulness demands it

8. What this means practically for believers today

Before the end intensifies

Christians should:

• Defend life lawfully
• Protect families responsibly
• Use wisdom and discretion

When persecution becomes explicit and religious

Christians should:

• Refuse compromise
• Speak truth calmly
• Accept suffering without vengeance
• Trust Christ to vindicate

The closer history moves toward Revelation 13–19, the less room there is for violent resistance, and the greater the call to faithful endurance.

9. The paradox of end-times victory

The Church appears defeated—

• imprisoned
• silenced
• killed

Yet Scripture says:

“They conquered him…” (Rev. 12:11)

How?

• Not by swords
• Not by revolutions
• But by faithfulness unto death

Final synthesis

In end-times persecution:

• Self-defense is not the primary calling
• Witness is
• Endurance is victory
• Christ alone brings judgment

Or simply:

The Church does not overthrow the Beast—Christ does.

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Although the Bible has not changed in the Twenty-first century, there has been an unforeseen and unimaginable advance of technologies and the prophesied spread of global evil and hatreds. There are assaults by Global Marxist atheist, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian ideologies which are becoming more violent and deadly, and are being justified by its perpetrators. They are able to utilize new technologies to assault their perceived enemies physically, electronically (media and social media), financially (passing laws and using electronic means to track, monitor and oppress).

So perhaps it is time for another “adjustment” to the view of the early Church leaders and reformers when asked,

“Should a Christian defend themselves against verbal harassment or violent attacks” or as when Christianity became legalized and later dominant, the question changed to, “What should Christians do when they are responsible for protecting others?”

(1). We are still to follow the teachings and example of Jesus: Preach and live the Gospel.

(2). We are still responsible to complete the work the He began and commanded (The Great Commission).

(3). Consider adding the framework of the earliest “church model”, the Wilderness Tabernacle.

(4). We may protect ourselves, using only the defensive means necessary to preserve life.

(5). Arrange and keep ourselves in a defensive mode. (obstruct, resist and flee when necessary).

(6). Call on civil authorities for defensive and offensive measures.

(7). Expect some will be martyred.

I think the point is made. However it is often easier to analyze and speculate than to apply principles in a difficult situation. So I will close with these two final remarks:

*“It is not easy to be a Christian, that is, to actually follow Jesus, His model, His teachings and commandments – it is simply impossible. That is, it is impossible unless you are truly His disciple, then it is He who is doing these things through you.”

*“Being a disciple of  Jesus means that you are just dying to follow Him.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

This Episode will bring us up-to-date (through the year 2022), and the daily news (in 2026) tells the rest of the visible story.

The groundwork has been laid for a coming global conflict of unimaginable terror and destruction. The earth is groaning and something new and terrible is about to be birthed. I will reveal the source of this “last days” apocalypse and what we can expect to happen, in the next episode.

The sides and factions of the ideological global war are established, and it would appear there are several. Some in opposition, others in an alliance. China (Chinese Communism), Russia (global ambitions), Iran (Islamic Jihad) and the United States.

But appearances can be deceiving. The greatest of all prophecies says otherwise and gives us a clear and precise description of the parties involved and the driving force behind each one. There will be only two dominant forces in opposition with a myriad of allies and accomplices and only two driving forces (which I will reveal in a coming episode).

But first, as I stated, in the last Episode, that I would address each stated goal of the U.N. initiated and U.N. controlled Marxist-Globalist Agenda 2030 and uncover their actual goals, methods and results. Because Agenda 2030 Goal #3 is so broad and includes all the goals, I am doing a panorama of all 17 goals and will point out the REAL OBJECTIVE and METHODS of each goal. (You can click on photos to see the webpage source).

Goal #3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

There is a social and political war raging in America between ‘Conservatism’ and the ‘Radical Left’, and it is for the life or death of America.

Better said, the war is between Capitalism and Marxism, Democracy, (in the case of America, a Constitutional Republic) and Marxist-Communism, prosperity and severe lack and poverty; between slavery and freedom, between Christianity and Atheism.

The Leftists and Marxist have a well-defined game plan and a simplified strategy, while the Right has a confused defense and no effective game plan. It seems the Conservatives, Christians and most Republicans are furiously fighting the myriad brush fires being ignited by the Leftists, while ignoring the source – or should I say, ignorant of the source.

If you don’t stop the problem at its source, you will always fight the endless brush fires, until you tire and collapse.

What is ‘The Source’? Liken ‘the source’ to flying a kite. You can know all about the materials of the kite, the construction of the kite and the kite’s aerodynamics.  But, until you know what is DRIVING the kite, you will always deal with the failure of an earth born kite or kite tangled in trees or high electrical wires.

‘The Source’ of the kite is the wind.  It is the wind that drives a kite.

It is a combination of the Socialist-Communist-Marxist hatred, resentment and envy of Western prosperity and values, greed and the dream of a Communist Utopia, (which is the absence of the latter), that drives the political and social war in America and around the world.

COMMUNIST UTOPIA:  A place of ideal perfection, especially in laws, government, and social conditions.

Adherents of Marxism, (into which I am lumping Socialism, Communism and all other variants of these ideologies) truly believe that they can achieve

1.  World Peace and the end of wars by eliminating gun ownership and by creating one global police force, a one world court system and a one world government. (Click on photos for website referenced).

2.  The end of hunger by controlling worldwide agriculture, food production and distribution, but scarcity is the result.

3.  Good health and well-being for all of earth’s inhabitants by way of the World Health Organization directing which medical practices are allowable, pharmaceuticals, medicine production and distribution; making unilateral decisions on abortions, assisted suicides and euthanasia (i.e., world population control).

(Life in Cuba)

4.  Quality Education through tightly controlled state sponsored education programs which teach or indoctrinate government policies and practices of Marxism.

(Life in Cuba)

5.  Gender Equality by promoting and protecting aberrant behavior and lifestyles which are counterproductive for social and psychological stability and population growth –  not to mention the destruction of women’s sports programs.

(Transgender Lia Thomas)

6.  Clean water and sanitation by rationing the availability of resources.

(Water pollution in China)

7.  Affordable clean energy by eliminating all fossil and nuclear fuels and through rationing.

(High wire electrical workers in China)

8.  Decent work and economic growth as determined by Elitist policymakers in the highest offices of a One World Government. (This is so ill-defined and subjective that no further comment is needed.)

(Labor conditions in China)

9.  Resilient Infrastructure.

(Venezuela’s weak infrastructure)

10. Reduced inequalities is another way of saying, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” is a slogan popularized by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program. The principle refers to free access to and distribution of goods, capital and services according to Marxist Doctrine.

11. Sustainable cities and communities as defined by Marxism.

12. Responsible consumption and production as defined by Marxism.

13. Climate action by eliminating all fossil fuels and any production method with emissions of any kind. Funded through taxation and redistribution of wealth.

14. Cleaner oceans according to Marxist doctrine, which usually mean restricted use.

16. Peace and justice according to Marxist doctrine by strict dictatorial rules.

17. Partnerships for these goals – though a One World Government.

 

 

 

 

The U.N. and their surrogate-partnerships are simply a front for a One World Marxist-style Government. They have accomplished what they endeavored to do.  Agenda 2030 has publicly and brazenly stated they will have achieved all their objectives by the year 2030. They are ahead of schedule.

The ideological war is drawing to a close. The terror and suffering will soon begin. Get ready and stay ready!

(Since writing this article in 2022, President Donald Trump has changed the political landscape around the globe in an effort to counter the growing global Marxist and radical Islamic menaces. The dictator in Venezuela has been removed and hope given to her people. Cuba has been put on notice. The terrorist Islamic leadership in Iran is falling into shambles, Israel is exerting great influence and control around her borders, and the U.S. commitment to Israel is stronger than ever. This strengthening of the Western commitment to global democratic freedoms is encouraging but is also creating a global tension that many fear will erupt into a global conflagration).

Michael J Young

NEXT:  GLOBALISM AND THE NEXT TOWER OF BABEL – Episode 6.

PREVIOUS: MARXISM, AGENDA 2030, THE U.N., THE AMERICAN DEMOCRAT PARTY – Episode 5

A preview into what is coming – The Prophecies:

Daniel 12:1 says, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

A visible look into the future:

Matthew 24:29 warns that, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Verse 30. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Verse 31. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

Matthew 24:21, tells us that, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Verse 22. And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

Additional Reading:

FOREIGN TO AND IGNORES IDEAS PRECIOUS TO THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

WHEN DO THESE FINAL 7 YEARS BEGIN?

 

THE ENTIRE WORD

Why do so many people, including pastors, bible teachers and even theologians read and teach the Bible’s instructions, prophecies, precepts and meaning without regard to the context of the entire Bible? It is as if they have myopia. The way they teach and preach the Bible, one might think they assume that God’s mind wanders from event to event, topic to topic and subject to subject. As I read various highly regarded Bible commentaries, it seems as if those authors might think that God had to change His mind from time to time in order to correct Himself.

Even those who preach or teach the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse often fail to connect their chosen verse with the overall context of “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) and “Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Isaiah 28:10 would explain this well and in the simplest of ways when it says, “For precept must be on precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little”.

Furthermore, God is not a God of disorder or confusion. Consider that God has said, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14), the Pre-existent One. This reveals God’s self-existence, eternal presence, and unchanging nature. He is omniscient (all knowing at all time), omnipresent (everywhere, all the time) and omnipotent (all powerful). God never ‘has a thought’ or ‘changes His Mind’. He is and always has been and always will be.

So, when you read the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 (the beginning) through Revelation 22:20 (the end of all things old and the new beginning of all things new), make it your goal to discover the context of the entire Bible. For example, if you are to determine “if, when and how” God created all things, read the Book of Genesis (chapters 1 through 3, sort of like reading the topic sentence and paragraph of a well written book). Then, if you want to know why God created all things, read the last three chapters of the book of the Revelation. (Sort of like reading the epilogue or concluding sentences and paragraphs of that same well written book). Then it is fair to conclude that everything written between these two points supports the topic sentences and paragraphs and the concluding chapters.

This way, you will discover God’s Plan and His Purpose for all creation. And in that you will find His Methods and discover His Nature.

And, if by chance someone says that the Bible says that “God has a plan for your life” you will discover that God has both a universal plan (the same for everyone) and a personal plan (just for you). You will then find that you have a choice to make. You will either choose to follow Him and His Plan or you will reject Him, rebel and go your own way. Furthermore, you will either find peace and enter into an eternal rest with Him, or you will wander into an eternal torment without Him. Either way, you cannot make an informed decision in plans for this eventuality if you do not know the His Plan and The Way.

If this seems confusing, then let’s simplify this matter and get some assistance from Jesus. He has said, “I am The Truth and The Way and the Life. There is no other way to the Father except by Me.” In a colloquial vernacular, we might say, “Hey, folks. Over here! You are lost, and the path you are on leads to the destruction of your soul and an eternity in darkness and fire. Come and follow Me. I know the way out of this mess. I know the way out of your dilemma. I know the way to life. Come on. Follow Me – or you will perish.”

(Just as a footnote: from before time began, even before time existed, God exists. So for us to say that God had a plan is pathetically ignorant of God. God Is and always has been. God is the Plan, Purpose, The Way and The Method. It is the infinitesimally small and limited mind of mankind that needs to define, draw boundaries, analyze and explain God in order to gain some understanding. And even our pathetic attempt to define God is from a flawed human perspective. But we try and we fail. But we can take heart because God has said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” So by faith we fear God and gain wisdom and understanding.) (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, Psalm 19:9).

Finally, let me say that even from a secular point of view, science and scientists are just beginning to peer at things they admit they do not understand. They call this quantum physics. Strange and wonderful and often frightening things. But, when put in the context of the even stranger language of the Bible, it would appear that science is peering into the Eye and the Mind of God, so-to-speak. Just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.(2 Corinthians 2:9-13). This phrase refers to the idea that the wonders and plans God has for those who love Him are beyond human understanding or imagination. It is often cited in the Bible, emphasizing the mystery and greatness of God’s promises.

Let’s trust Him. Take Him at His Entire Word and give your soul rest while we busy ourselves preparing for His return.

Glory!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“What does it mean to get ready?”

This message, “A Race Worth Running” by pastor Trent Casto, Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida, is a message for all people – men, women, boys and girls.

But I title this post, “A MAN’S RACE” because if you are a man and feel like church is pretty much ‘feminized’, then this may be just right for you.

Jesus was a man. In fact, the Bible often refers to Him as the “Son of Man”. Jesus was, in the vernacular of the beloved, respected tough man’s man, John Wayne, “One tough Hombre”. He is the toughest of Hombres.

It’s time, we as men, stop “pussyfooting around” and re-take our responsible place as leaders and defenders, as Christian Men willing to do what it takes to love, serve and protect as Christ has done!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

JUST IMAGINE

You come to a particular church and decide it is the church you want to join. You go to the pastor and tell him your decision, and he says, “I am glad you want to join this church. Let me be clear about the main requirement for membership. You will have to surrender your eldest child (and if you do not have children, then you or your spouse) to a certain foreign legion military group for service, where the fatality rate is rumored to be near 100%.

Can you imagine your astonishment? You might think the pastor has lost his mind, is making a bad joke, or the church is some kind of cult? But he reassures you that is the main requirement.

Of course, this proposition is beyond ridiculous. No pastor or church would ever imagine or allow such a thing. But this is similar to what God has done for you.

But listen to this: God sent His son to seek and save and to die for the lost – you and me. And by that act, Jesus set the framework for the establishment of His Church. The main prerequisite was that God gave His only Son as a sacrifice. Our main requirement is to believe in faith that God gave His only son as a sacrifice for many, and that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

Thankfully, the only sacrifice we have to make is putting our mortal flesh, our old life to death. But that is not an end, it is just the beginning of a new life, so we can live in and with Him forever!

So, why all these requirements of death in trade for life? There are three ways to view this. One is complicated and two are simplistic.

(1). The idea and practice of exchanging or sacrificing a life of one for the life of another – in other words, one must die so another can live, is this: Before there was a Law (the knowledge and boundaries of right and wrong) humankind was sinless. Then at some point they gained the knowledge of right and wrong, and they chose to do wrong and experience the pleasure and the pain of sin. (See the story of Adam, Eve, Satan and the apple of the fruit of knowledge). Then came death. First the death of animals so Adam and Eve could begin to clothe themselves. Then the son of Adam and Eve, Caine, killed his brother Able in a fit of jealous rage. And so sin progressed.

In the Jewish Law (Old Testament or the more accurately, the Torah) God established a law that said that lawlessness, rebellion and sin could be forgiven and the effects could be erased or mediated only if the sinner (the perpetrator) died or paid an equal price for his or her sin. This was supposed to relieve the anger and the pain and soothe the grieving conscience of the offended parties. But in the mind of the Jew, God needed to be satisfied and ameliorated also.  The Jew correctly believed that since God is perfectly sinless He cannot tolerate sin in His presence nor among His people. So, in order to satisfy God and the Law, someone had to die in order to keep the presence and peace of God with His people.

Therefore, this Law said that animals would be sacrificed each year so as to satisfy the unseen sins or lesser sins of the people in general. Additionally, the High Priest of Israel prayed over a goat (the “scapegoat”) designated to bear the sins of the people during the Yom Kippur ceremony, which occurred once a year. This ritual involved confessing the sins of the people over the goat before it was sent into the wilderness.

(2). God put an end to the endless, repetitive and largely ineffective sacrificial system with the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for all the sins of all humankind. The only difference being is that only those who confessed their sins and would confess Jesus as their risen Lord would be washed clean of their sins, forgiven and saved from a coming final judgment of the sinner.

Even for the Jew, it wasn’t until 70 CE when the Roman army destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem that sacrificial system ceased. The Temple was the only place where sacrifices were permitted according to Jewish law. Today, no Jewish community practices animal sacrifices. Instead, prayer and good deeds have taken the place of sacrifices in seeking forgiveness and drawing closer to God.

(3). On a more practical level, God created a conscience in all of us. Some may call this the heart or soul of a person (pseuche), where our emotions reside and from which they emanate. When we feel that we have been injured unjustly, treated unfairly or mistreated in any of hundreds of ways, it is built within us to want justice or for things to be made right. We want a sense of being made whole again, to be repaid physically, mentally and emotionally for any and all harms. Without things being put back into balance, we may very well carry a sense of a need to get even or to pay someone back (an eye for an eye) for what has happened to us. Or perhaps these emotions stem from anger, greed, vengeance or selfishness or dozens of other responses. In any case, and as strange as it may sound, they can and do lead to sexual immorality and addictions, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, murders, wars unless they are satisfied or recast in the mind of the beholder.

Can you see it? Do you get it? Any kind of betrayal, disappointment, failure, or harm must be put right in the heart and mind of any individual. Without that, we cannot live a productive, useful, satisfying and healthy life. This is simply how we are made – as a faint copy of the image of God.

God has made a way, if you are willing. God sent His Son, Jesus to speak directly to you, that is to your mind, heart, soul and spirit. The very mind, heart, soul and spirit He created and put within you. He is saying your sins – all of them, no matter what you have done – can be forgiven you, and you can be made whole, safe, healthy and well with a new start in a new life with Him. He was sacrificed on your behalf. He repaid the debt that you owed God. The same debt you may have felt you were also owed. But you must first step away from the tangled mess of the power, pleasure and pain of sin that has entrapped and enraged you for so long.

You can now be set free to live, maybe for the first time. Leave all that behind and God will satisfy your need for revenge. Believe me when I say that He will repay the vilest of offenders. (And if you could see it, you would wish you had not seen it. You would feel compassion on them for the severity of their punishment if they do not also repent of their great offenses).

Just like Adam and Eve, we all have been deceived at one time or another. It isn’t our fault! But now that it is done, it is our responsibility to turn to God and make things right once again. It is our responsibility to accept the balance that God brings. It is our right and our responsibility to become whole, safe, healthy and well at last.

In the simplest of terms, just turn to Jesus, right now, and ask Him to show you the way. Give Him your past and accept His future for you.

Just remember that you cannot bring your past with you. You cannot pass through that “eye of the needle” with the baggage and burdens of the past. You just will not fit through the “narrow gate” with all the additional baggage and weight of the past.

There is only and just enough room for you, empty-handed, unburdened and free.

Come now.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

CALL ME RELIGIOUS IF YOU MUST

BUT MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR – IN JESUS NAME

But I say, (if you) walk by the Spirit (that is according to the characteristics and leading of the Holy Spirit of the Lord God of the Bible, on this Christmas and New Year, then) you will not carry out the desire of the flesh, (which are hedonistic, self-serving and destructive to a healthy, self-controlled, moral, purposeful, useful, and giving way of life). The reason being is that the desire(s) of the flesh (the self-centered, self-destructive, hedonistic ways work) against the (desires of the) Spirit (of God which are life giving and life preserving), and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another. (The two work are in conflict with one another, holding you captive and chronically indecisive. Thereby keeping) you from doing whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under (a set of manmade religious Laws).

Now the deeds, (the proclivities and urges) of the flesh are (self) evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Examples of this kind of person might be Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin or Pot Pol – all of whom created chaos, poverty, wars and led hundreds of millions to their death.)

But the fruit, or the outcome of the (indwelling) Spirit (of the Lord God), that is for those who live according to the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no (set of manmade laws that can be imposed upon you lead you or cause you to live in the misery of a failed life). (Examples of these kinds of people are Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Billy Graham).

Now, ( here is “The Way” or the secret for) those who belong to Christ Jesus, (that is those who submit themselves to His teachings and following His ways by calling Him Lord of their life: You) will have crucified the flesh (so-to-speak, that is they deny the hedonistic, selfish and destructive ways of living) along with its passions and desires (and turn your life Jesus, to His ways and His teachings).

FURTHERMORE

Here are 10 guarantying steps for a successful life – not as the world considers success – but true soul, mind, body and spiritual success – and the process for a better life for some and a greater life for others. This way you will prosper even as your soul prospers.

1. Rise up (from your current life, your current ways of thinking and living), and cross (your) “Jordan” (river – the dividing line between your selfish base desires and passions that only create poor life habits, self-serving behaviors, inane pleasures and spiritual fatigue). (Decide to go) into “the land” which (God) has given (those who will believe and follow Him. For those who will, then) every place the sole of your foot treads, He will (have given) to you. Just as God did for Moses. (Then), from the wilderness (and your misdirected hedonistic heart desires, reaching) as far as the “great river, the river Euphrates” (which is your new beginning of a prosperous, meaningful and successful life, throughout)  all the land of the Hittites, (that is all the low and terrifying places you have or will have encountered), and as far as the “Great Sea” (the new horizons of a new life) toward the setting of the sun (of your old life) will be your (conquered) territory. (You will overcome all these things, and), no one will be able to oppose you (in any of your efforts) all the days of your life. (Just as God has been with) Moses, (He) will be with you; He will not desert you nor abandon you. (You must decide to) be strong and courageous, for you shall (possess) all the land which God sworn to (the forefathers of Israel and their descendants and all those Christians to follow. He has given all this to) them. (Again, just) be strong and very courageous; (And) be (diligent) and careful to do according to all the (Words and Ways) which Moses, God’s servant commanded; do not turn from it to the right (- that is in your own strength) or to the left (- that is do not get wrapped up in your own ways or ways contrary to what God says, or your life will take on that form and failure), so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Word of God shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, (and that way) you will be (able to be) careful to do according to all that is written in it; (It is) then (that) you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. (Now) God is commanding you – (do you hear) Me? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (see Joshua 1:1-9)
2. Always find a way to show love to others – even those who behave badly and do not deserve love – find a way.
3. Find the joy of life, especially in the face of troubles, so others see it and will reward you for it.
4. Learn to be at peace, practice being at peace and demonstrate peace, and you will be rewarded with peace from others.
5. Show patience to all people at all times and others will return the favor as you work toward your successes in life.
6. Be kind and show kindness, always. What you give, you will receive if you persevere in kindness.
7. Do good and give goodness to all people at all times and they will pour goodness into your lap until it runs over.
8. Be faithful and show others your faithfulness. Make good on your word. Make your yes, yes and your no, no and nothing more or less.
9. Be gentle and create an atmosphere of gentleness.
10. Exercise and show self-control so all these other things will have their effect on your life and on other, and then your successes will be great and very great. (see Galatians 5:16-24).

Now, let’s please pray for one another and make this Christmas day, today, all of 2026 and the rest of our lives the merriest of Christmases and Happy New Years!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

THE GREAT ESCAPE

The Great Escape was a true-to-life movie made in 1963 about the mass escape of 76 Allied airmen from a Nazi POW camp in March 1944. Allied officers in a German prisoner of war camp during World War 2 make a daring plan for a mass escape by hundreds of POWs, hoping to draw German personnel and resources away from combat operations. 200 were in on the planning, but only 76 escaped and of those, 50 were executed by the Nazis for their attempt. Three men actually made it to safety.

THE GREATER ESCAPE. God created the heavens and the earth and all its inhabitants. Lucifer, (also known as Satan) once an angel of light, rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven and condemned to Hell and became a destroyer of nations. His prideful evil work would continue as the prince of the air of earth. Through his armies of demons, he kills, destroying lives and steals all that is good.

There is an ongoing escape from this present age greater than the one depicted in the great escape of World War 2.

THE GREATER ESCAPE FROM: Ungodly stress, unnecessary poverty, demonic sicknesses, unreasonable fears, confounding doubts, wounding hate, bewildering and isolating divisions, soul tearing perversity, deadly deviancy, monstrosities of witchcraft, satanic evil, spirit killing drunkenness, murders and the like.

THE GREATEST ESCAPE TO: A peace that passes all understanding, a love that transcends reason, Joy that lifts you above all your troubles, a Kindness that sustains, a Goodness that gives, Patience that heals, long-suffering that sustains, Faith that brings hope, self-control that proves what is good and acceptable in those who are being tested.

THE ESCAPE ROUTE: Romans 10:9-10, Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

2 Timothy 2:19-26, The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His; and, Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Break free and run! Run to Jesus. He has made a way and is waiting for you.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

 

“The 8.3”

One in Twelve

Salvation is an exacting matter. So, could there have been any significance to the fact that one of the twelve initial disciples of Jesus betrayed Jesus and was thereby condemned? Perhaps not, but I will coin a new term, “The Eight Point Three” as a new moniker for an old category.

1. The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and 
2. Andrew, his brother; and 
3. James the son of Zebedee, and 
4. John, his brother; 
5. Philip and 
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael); 
7. Thomas and 
8. Matthew the tax collector; 
9. James the son of Alphaeus (James the Less), and
10. Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James); 
11. Simon the Zealot, and 
12. Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 

Regarding Judas Iscariot, Jesus said, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. (John 6:70-71)

The Traitor – a devil. Nothing is known about Judas’ background. His encounter and call by Jesus is not recorded in Scripture. He was not from Galilee, that much is known. He obviously became a follower and stayed with Jesus for three years. Judas gave Christ three years of his life, yet he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:15), and became an “8.3 percenter”.

The Calvinist and the Reformed believer and theologian (Baptist, Presbyterian), would most likely say that although Judas followed Jesus and seemed to be a ‘believer’ and was named, by Jesus, as His disciple, he was never truly saved. (see GotQuestions.Org). But others who hold an Armenian view (Methodists, Nazarenes, Wesleyans, General Baptists, Pentecostals), will say that he fell away or in a certain vernacular that “he lost his salvation”.

Certain scriptures, such as Hebrews 6:4-6, tells us that “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

Others scripture verses, such as Ephesians 1:13-14, explains that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, ensuring their eternal security. And, Philippians 1:6 assures that God will complete the good work He began in believers.

Both views use scriptures to make their point, but the people making their point do so as humans attempting to decipher the true meaning of God’s Word from an anthropomorphic point of view, through human logic and human reasoning.

Jesus said that He would lose none of those Whom God has given Him. Yet on another occasion He said “Depart from Me, for I do not know you workers of lawlessness” speaking to those who follow Him, calling themselves Christian.

Let’s please step back and look at the full picture, trying to reconcile these two points of view on salvation.

The Bible implies that there is confusion from a human perspective of who is really saved versus those who only thinks they are saved. Or those who persevere in the belief they are saved versus those who lose their faith.

The Bible says there will be wheat, true Christian believers – true followers of Jesus, and tares, or false believers; these are the “8.3 Percenters” in the Church, and that we are to let Him sort them out – “First, at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn.”  (see Matthew 13:24-30).

Now, factually, there are no ideas about an “8.3 Percenter” in the Bible. It is just made up to make a point. But in the case of Judas, it is true. He was chosen as disciple – One of Twelve who were chosen – he represented 8.3% of the total, and He was lost and condemned, although He followed and walked with Jesus. He became a sad statistic.

But for the believer reading this, please keep heart. God is not mocked. God knows every person’s attitude, intention belief and faith and holds you tight.

There are those who are believers and followers of Jesus whose faith is genuine, and they are truly saved (made safe, made well, made whole). This salvation given by God through faith in Jesus and His redemptive work, produces a salvation that delivers a person from sin and its consequences, allowing believers to attain eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses both spiritual and physical aspects, emphasizing God’s grace and the transformative power of faith. And still, some of these believers will suffer physical and emotional scars or consequences of sin while living in their fleshly bodies and may begin to doubt is they are truly saved. Therefore, many of the believers live in fear and shame because of mental or emotional disabilities such as trauma induced afflictions or chronic habit or substance addictions. They live in a repeating cycle of sinful behavior and abuse – both in their thought life and in their actions.

I say to these believers, never give up. God knows your heart and your dilemma, and He is faithful. He will deliver you. But you must join Him and seek help as He directs you to overcome these adversities. It may be, and in fact it most likely will be a life-long battle of recovery or restoration, but it is “the one who endures to the end who will be saved.” God knows your heart. Continue to pursue God, pursue righteousness and pursue holiness. Whether Satan has afflicted you directly or you have stumbled into his trap, unaware, or if, God forbid, others have caused this affliction in your life, one day you will see victory. One day, you will be delivered from this torment, and you will be set free.

 TO OTHER BELIEVERS: Never cast a brother or sister aside. Pray for them. Encourage them. There may be times you need space from them, but continue in prayer and encouragement.

Listen, please. Here is a key:

Hebrews 6:4-6, tells us that “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt”, and they may seem to say you can inadvertently, helplessly or deliberately fall away from God’s saving work.

But in reality, these verses are literally speaking of a person who seems to be “a fully devoted follower of Christ”, but is in fact only ‘dabbling around the edges’, inspecting the idea of being saved and having faith. They take a‘taste’, of the heavenly gift here and there, and sample a momentary share in the Holy Spirit, but never make up their mind to made it their own. They continue to argue with themselves about the veracity of faith in Christ and the reality of being saved. Metaphorically, they ‘wrestle with their faith’ (the picture given from the Greek language in these verses is of a Greco-Roman wrestling match) until they grow tired of this “wrestling match”, and the argument throws them to the ground, and they are pinned to the mat in failure! And they are defeated. They are called out!

It could be said they had “lost their salvation” or that “they were never saved in the first place”. It matters very little how you say it, because either way, the end result is the same: They are eternally lost. God says this person is irrevocably lost. What a terror!

The lesson to be learned? Fully embrace the promises of God. Believe in faith. “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (see Romans 10:8-10). Know this: the person who holds fast to the promises of Christ and perseveres, is saved. Even while you may struggle, God knows your heart and mind, and He will hold you tight in His Mighty and loving grip while He makes a way for you. Join God as He does His mighty work.

And finally, scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Never take anything simply for granted. Beware lest you become a statistic like the 8.3%.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

For the rest of the matter:  Separated from God?

 

GOD and THE BIBLE:

“In A Nutshell?”

1. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? The Bible is the Word and Breath of God. It is the inerrant, infallible, perfect, eternal Word of God. It is creative, causative, instructional and prophetic. It tells the Truth to you, and when you consume it, it will tell the Truth through you.

2. WHAT IS THE PLAN?: God created with an eternal plan already in place:
   1. A beginning (without form and void),
   2. The middle (the act of salvation and the process of sanctification),
   3. An end, and,
   4. A new and eternal beginning.

3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?: Perfection. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

4. WHAT IS THE METHOD? God allows trials, tribulation and persecutions and our faith to squeeze us in order to transform us into the image and likeness of Christ. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

5. WHAT IS THE TEACHING? When Jesus had finished instruction His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Please note that each link opens a detailed description of the subject. This is meant to be ‘an overview from 50,000 feet’, so-to-speak.

I have visited scores of churches and have been a ‘visiting member’ of several. Additionally, I have been ‘on staff’ at a few churches and even established a small church. And what I have found is that the great majority of Christians who are ‘church attenders’ do not want to actually follow in the steps of Jesus. Allow me to explain.

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him. (Matthew 4:1-3).

Most, if not all, new Christians (pastors and leadership included) fail to recognize, embrace and endure the earliest first steps of God’s sanctification, which is the process of being set apart for God’s special use and purpose, which involves moral transformation and growth in holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit. It signifies both a definitive status received through faith in Christ and an ongoing journey of becoming more like Him in character and actions. It can be difficult and bewildering at times – so most will turn away from it and simply ‘go to church’ for the benefits. They take the easy road, and enter through the wide gate.

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

Jesus’ first sermon, both a message of instruction and the example for the rest who would follow, is only 9 words in length., but transformative and eternal in its intent and effect. When it is ‘unpacked’ these nine words change the world, but of the hundreds of millions of sermons preached from thousands of churches every week, this is the least preached sermon. It is just too hard and distasteful for most Christians. (Use this link for a deeper explanation of this verse, Matthew 4:17).

Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people”. (Matthew 4:18-19).

Jesus preached and taught that He is on mission to preach the Gospel and to make disciples. His last few words to His then current and all future followers, (i.e., disciples), before ascending to the Right Hand of the Father, were to “go and make disciples” But, again, few if any followers of Jesus, follow in these steps of Him Who called them.

Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.(Matthew 4:23).

This is the example Jesus sets before us. He repeated these instructions to His disciples in Matthew chapter 10. Jesus’ life and Words are prophetic and eternal. They were never ‘casual remarks’ or suggestive requests. Yet few to very few ever follow Him in these steps.

We ‘say a little sinner’s prayer’, congratulate ourselves, and go to church – all of which is a good start I guess. Then the most churches begin the “pandering“, giving what the ‘congregation’ wants. And we want to be comforted, entertained, motivated, affirmed and served.

We don’t want to ‘get our hands too dirty’ so rather than go and make disciples, we give and send. But Jesus never said that. He said go.

There is more that could be said about how Christians, pastors and churches have redefined what it means to “follow Jesus”, but anything more said here may be just beating ‘a dead horse’?

Please, dear friends. Hear this. Jesus said that the very first symptom or sign that we have entered the Last Days would be deception. The world has always been full of deception, but the Church – deception in the Church is the first sign. And it is well under way.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

For many will come in My name, (saying they represent Him) saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.

And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.

The one who endures – Strong’s concordance #5278 depicts the voluntary choice to “remain under” pressure rather than escape it. In Scripture, this endurance is never stoic resignation; it is confident perseverance grounded in the character and promises of God. The term gathers ideas of steadfast loyalty, patient waiting, and unwavering courage.

To tarry behind. To persevere: absolutely and emphatically, under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ. Enduring ill-treatment bearing bravely and calmly, absolutely. Following Jesus.

To the end:

Strong’s #5056 (telos, plural telē) embraces the ideas of completion, goal, outcome, fulfillment and consummation. Scripture applies the word to taxes (the due paid at the completion of a commercial transaction), to prophetic fulfillment, to moral consequences, to the believer’s perseverance, and ultimately to the eschatological climax of history. Each sphere enriches the others, presenting a single divine storyline that moves from promise to consummation.

Hebrews repeatedly ties telos to enduring faith: “We are His house if we hold fast our confidence and the hope in which we boast until the end” (Hebrews 3:6); “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first” (Hebrews 3:14). Paul prays that God “will also keep you strong to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8). Revelation 2:26 promises authority to the one “who overcomes and continues in My work until the end.” Telos serves as both the horizon and the incentive for steadfast discipleship.

Please. Let’s pray for one another as that day draws evermore near.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

CALLING ALL CHRISTIANS – CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?

Politics will not save you and will not save America.

There are pastors, evangelists and Bible teachers who openly and blatantly preach politics from their pulpils and their perches. But, that is not our fight. The Bible clearly teaches that “There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (see Romans 13:1), and “we are to submit ourselves for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as ones sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right”. (see 1 Peter 2:13-14). Preach the Bible becuase the Bible defines our politics.

Weapons of war will not save you and will not save America.

Jesus clearly teaches that, “They who live by the sword will perish by the sword”. (see Matthew 26:52). “But our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”.(see Ephesians 6:12).

Going off-grid, storing up food stuffs, water, medicines, ammo, seeds and raising animals will not save you and will not save America.

SO, WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

 Pray? Yes, pray. And by the way, there are many Christians who are claiming  2 Chronicles 7:14, which says “If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”, thinking it will be effective in saving America. This is a worthy prayer, but this instruction to pray was specifically spoken to Solomon and for the people of Israel for that specific time.

It is not that God cannot or will not hear this prayer today, and show pity or mercy. But, our world and our nation is at another specific place and time on God’s eschatological clock. We are in the Last Days as described by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, John, Peter and the disciple, Timothy. (see “Did They Really Say This?”)

Concerning these matters;

Jesus warns that we are now in that day – the day of His Return and the commencement of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, distinctive from “the tribulation birth pains” as described by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-14. The “tribulation birth pains” are the first five tribulation seals: false christs, wars and rumors of war, nations rising against nations, famines and earthquakes. Then will come an increase in martyrdom, apostasy, divisions within the church, a rise of false prophets, an increase in lawlessness and hatreds. Following this, between the Fifth tribulation seal and the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal, and the sun will be darkened, the moon will fade and turn dark red, and there will be astronomical calamities as “the stars fall from the skies”. Then the “Son of Man”, (Jesus), will appear in the clouds and every eye will see Him and will mourn. Then comes the Trumpet blast, and the angels will gather His elect from all four corners of the earth and from one end of the sky to the other which marks the commencement of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb and the final Seven Years of Great Tribulation (the final two tribulation seals, the Seven Tribulation Trumpets and the Seven Tribulation Bowls).

Before these things occur, Jesus warns that we are to:

• Learn,
• Prepare, and
• Stay ready!

LEARN: (see Matthew chapter 24:32-35). We are to learn from the parable of the fig tree, saying,

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as the as soon as the fig tree’s branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves,

you know that summer is near; so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

(see Matthew 24:3-14 for Jesus’ example of the ‘fig tree’s branch’ , “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  And Jesus answered and said to them, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains. (This is Jesus’ reference to ‘the summer is near’ when these thing happen ), Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another, and many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. (This is the reference to (He is near, right at the door ) This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.)

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

(see Genesis 6:5-8, (This is Jesus’ reference to (just like the days of Noah ) Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.”)

 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. (see Matthew 24:29-31, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, (This is Jesus reference to one will be taken and one will be left ), and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.)

PREPARE: (see Matthew 24:42-51),

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house (The “head of the house” represents individuals responsible for their spiritual well-being of his family, those under his care and tutelage and those within his or her sphere of influence), 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 (The “house” symbolizes one’s life or spiritual state. Allowing it to be “broken into” suggests a failure to guard against spiritual complacency or sin. This imagery reinforces the need for spiritual alertness and moral integrity), to be broken into.

STAY READY: (see Matthew 24:44-51).

For this reason you must be ready as well (The call to readiness is a central theme in Jesus’ teachings about the end times. This readiness involves living a life of faithfulness and obedience, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God. The imperative “must be ready” suggests an ongoing state of preparedness, not a one-time action); for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves (The master represents Jesus Christ, who entrusts His followers with responsibilities. The household can be seen as the Church or the community of believers. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where believers are entrusted with the care and management of God’s resources and people), to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

SO, WHAT ARE WE TO BE DOING, NOW?

(Jesus demonstrated His Deity – So we would demonstrate our Discipleship) 

HIS DEITY

Jesus says, “The one who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NASB).

Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30, NASB).

The Bible says, “Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV).

Jesus says, “Even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38, NASB).

OUR DISCIPLESHIP

Jesus says, “If you abide in my Word, you are truly My disciples” (John 8:31).

Jesus says, “Go therefore, and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

What The Bible says we are to be doing in “Last Days”*: “Be strong in the Lord and mighty in His power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand strong against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

“With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.” (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

Dear Friends and fellow disciples, please, let’s be careful that we are not lulled into a sense of complacency. These mighty words from the book of Ephesians are not just metaphors, they are clear instructions that only His elect, His disciples can fully understand, and that only by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the way spoken to us by the Breath of God. Listen. Learn. Prepare. The day is now at hand.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

*Last Days:

The “last days” refer to a period in Christian eschatology that begins with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and extends until his second coming. This time is characterized by significant events and changes in society, often associated with themes of judgment, redemption, and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

Definition of the Last Days

The term “last days” refers to a significant period in Christian eschatology, marking the time from Christ’s ascension to His second coming. This period is characterized by various prophetic events and societal changes.

Key Features of the Last Days

Biblical Context

• Start: The last days began with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
• Duration: This period encompasses the entire history of the church until Christ returns.

Characteristics of Society

• Difficult Times: The last days are described as perilous, with societal challenges such as moral decay and conflict.
• Prophetic Signs: Events like wars, famines, and cultural shifts are often interpreted as signs of the approaching end.

Theological Perspectives

Abrahamic Religions

• Judaism: Refers to the “end of days,” focusing on themes of redemption and the coming of the Messiah.
• Christianity: Emphasizes the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises.