MERRY CHRISTMAS – HAPPY HOLIDAYS?

You know the drill, it’s Christmas. It’s time to gear up, start spending the money and decorating the house.  Then, spend some more money running amok buying gifts. Next, plan your visits (or be plan on being alone?). Go to all the Church Christmas programs (or watch on television?) You know, hurry, rush, have fun, and try and not stress!

It’s a holiday for some and for others it’s ‘celebrating the birth of Jesus’.

Let me quote you what the Bible says about “Christmas”:

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Okay. Now, let that sink in before we go on. Talk about ‘stressful’, huh?

Next: The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:1, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;  and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of  Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people, Israel.’”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Political intrigue, deceit, murder plots and miracles. And this is the ‘Christmas story’?

Maybe we should look at this account through the eyes of Luke for a more relaxing narrative:

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Luke 2:1, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

^“ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Have you ever heard the term, “syncretism”? Syncretism is the

1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous.
2. The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
3. The attempted reconciliation or union of irreconcilable principles or parties, as in philosophy or religion.

I really hate being considered a humbug or a scrooge, but I guess it was inevitable:

Pagan customs and holidays, like those involved with the holiday we now call Christmas, came into the Christian church primarily through the Catholic Church’s efforts to adopt then “Christianize” certain holidays not found in the Bible – so they could attract more people in their pews on Sunday.

The Catholics began to syncretize pagan celebrations and holidays after the fourth century A.D. when the Edict of Milan openly endorsed Christianity as a religion. Pagan festivals celebrated around the time of the winter Solstice have far more to do with ‘Christmas’ than does Christ’s birth, which occurred in the fall.

In order to save space here (and to get on with the point) here are a couple of links to websites which give a fuller explanation of the ‘paganization of the Christmas’ we practice today:  The pagan origins of Christmas and A BBC video “The astonishing pagan origin of Christmas.

Now, my point? Well, I suppose you get where I am going, or have gone. So, let me just reprint the salient points from the scriptures:

• “They fell down and worshiped him.

  

• Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts.”

 

• “The glory of the Lord shone around them, and

 

• They were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them,

 

• “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

 

• And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When our sons were children, we would explain the differences between the ‘secular’ pagan celebration that takes place in December and culminates on December 25^th each year, and Christmas, the celebration and remembrance of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

We chose to, or perhaps I should say ‘succumbed to’, the society and culture around us. We ‘played the winter solstice holiday game’ called Christmas, but we did emphasize the birth of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, as our reason for the season.

Listen, I know, as you know, the pressures to conform the societal culture and to this world. We have tried to resist and in retrospect, at times we have succeeded, at other times we failed. Would we change anything? Sure, I guess. But who really knows. We cannot start over. We only have today. So, as you think on this, pray and seek God, His wisdom and do your best. Celebrate the birth of Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is great news!

Even if you can’t quit it, all together, (the hurry, shop, spend and stress), just slow down and take a breath. Maybe do half as much as feel others expect of you or that you expect of yourself, then next year do one fourth as much? Get your life back from the world and its demands.

Take a day and focus on Jesus, what He went through and what He has done for you.

 

Let’s all celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, together!

 

 

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7L4YInS9owZFBfo7ESAB9d

– “Israeli Rabbi Says He’s Already Holding Meetings With Messiah” – Ryan Jones, Israel Today News, September 2022

“For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed.”

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”  –  (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

I have studied Biblical eschatology diligently and seriously for 20 years, specifically regarding the timing of the periods of the tribulation (i.e., the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls), specifically to understand the second advent of Jesus, the rapture of the Church and our required preparation and response – with nothing to gain except understanding.

It is my studied understanding and iron-clad conviction that the 1st Tribulation Seal was broken coinciding with the birth of Jesus. This is confirmed by the statement and testimonies of the Apostles Paul, Timothy and Peter, and by the words of Jesus, Himself. (see link below).

Seals two through four have been broken sequentially, occurring around A.D. 30 to A.D. 90. They have overlapped and continue to increase in intensity and severity.

The 5th Seal has only recently been broken (in the last 75 years, perhaps) and is overlapping and continuing with the previous 4 seals.

A harbinger that the 6th Seal is close to being broken is the revealing of the antichrist.

(NOTE:  The 6th Seal begins with a trumpet sounding and the appearing of Jesus in the clouds of the sky ‘for every eye to see’, the ‘gathering of the elect from the four corners of the earth’, cosmic and terrestrial cataclysms, the numbering of the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel and the ‘appearing of an innumerable crowd of every tongue and tribe from earth before the throne of God’.)

For detailed information on the sequences and timing, see this LINK:  “Immediately After the Tribulation of Those Days”.

NOW, on to Excerpts From The Israel Today News:

“Israeli Rabbi Says He’s Already Holding Meetings With Messiah”

“A snapshot of Israel’s spiritual hunger, as the biggest-named rabbis are afraid to leave the country lest they miss Messiah’s coming. By Ryan Jones | September 29, 2022 | Topics: Messiah“

“A recent interview on Israeli radio featured prominent rabbis explaining that the Messiah is just about to reveal himself.

“Rabbi Yaakov Zisholtz told religious broadcaster Radio 2000 that Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (who passed away earlier this year) had told him that he (Kanievsky) was already in direct contact with the Messiah.

“To understand why religious Jews are taking this seriously, it’s important to know that Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was considered one of the two or three top rabbis of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel.

“And Rabbi Zisholtz says that Kanievsky and others of the mystical “concealed” rabbis had tasked him with informing the public of the Messiah’s imminent arrival.

“Rabbi Zisholtz began his explosive three-hour interview with a warning:

“…the process of redemption is about to start happening very quickly and at a fast pace. It is important that people remain calm and steady to act properly in the right time.

“There is a potential Messiah in every generation, and there are righteous men who know precisely who it is. This is, of course, true in this generation.

“Getting the word out now that the Messiah is closer than ever is a matter of life and death. Haven’t you heard of Gog and Magog? That is what is going to happen very soon. Right now, the situation is explosive more than you can possibly imagine. Everyone needs to know whether they are on the inside or if they are going to be left out.”

“He went on to reiterate a number of signs of which prominent rabbis have taken note and that they firmly believe to be evidence of the coming of Messiah

“Rabbi Dov Kook, as everyone knows, is a very righteous man. He is one of the greatest men of our generation…[and] ten years ago, when Israel was suffering from a horrible drought, someone asked Rabbi Kook when the Sea of Galilee will again be full.

“Rabbi Kook responded that when the Messiah arrives, the Sea of Galilee will be full. In a few weeks, the Sea of Galilee will be full for the first time since Rabbi Kook made this statement.”

“Another righteous rabbi said that according to the current situation in heaven, there will not be Israeli elections – rather, there will be a war. If the elections do take place, it’s pointless since it will end like the other elections; no government will come out of it.”

“Decades ago, Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri, one of modern Israel’s most revered sages, as well as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, both predicted that Benjamin Netanyahu would be the State of Israel’s last prime minister prior to the Messianic Age. A great many, if not most, of the ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel continue to believe that to be true.” (End excerpts).

Whether these are ‘newsworthy reports’ and whether this is a just another false Messiah or is the Antichrist is yet to be seen. But there is no doubt that the world is spiraling out of control, and the air is full of expectation for the Return of Jesus and the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

Get ready – Stay ready. The Day is at hand!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: THIS IS A FALSE MESSIAH, one of those Jesus warns about. Prophecies coming true!

Israeli Rabbi Says He’s Already Holding Meetings With Messiah

Top Rabbi: Messiah’s Name Will Soon Be Revealed

Top Rabbis: Look at the Signs, Messiah is Coming!

Christians Anoint Young Rabbi as ‘False Messiah’

 

“In Essentials Unity, In Non – Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity”

There is a phrase that has been around since the mid – sixteen hundreds that came about during a time of religious tensions, which says in effect, “In Essentials Unity, In Non – Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity”.  Most likely an attempt to reduce or eliminate conflicts within the church and between some denominations.

Jesus did not say this, however. It has been attributed to theologians such as Augustine or German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius.

Interesting. After all these years, the unity that exists in the ‘essentials’ is bland, at best. The ‘liberty’ in the non – essentials of the faith simply exists in your right to say what you believe and my right to disagree. Finally, the ‘charity in all things’ works best when we ignore our differences in beliefs and practices so we can just get along for a moment.

Jesus didn’t say it, and I have to say, ‘nice try, but it really isn’t working’, (nor should it in many instances).

There are some what we could call ‘non-negotiables’, I suppose. They are found in the things Jesus actually said. They are ‘non-negotiable’ only in the sense that you only need to do them if you are planning on successfully following Jesus. (Successfully in the sense that you are really a disciple of His.)

Jesus Did Say These things. In fact, Jesus says this what we should become; what we should look like and how we should be. Take a look and try to imagine what kind of person you would be (or that anyone might be), if we were described these ways:

 

Humble                                  Meek                                      Joyful

Generous                               Loving                                    Responsible

Self-Controlled                    Truthful                                 Deference to others

Creative                                 Sincere                                   Faithful

Thrifty                                   Took Initiative                      Discrete

Resourceful                           Sensitive to others               Decisive

Alert                                       Compassionate                     Wise

Bold                                        Attentive                                 Obedient

Reverent                                Virtuous                                 Determined

Tolerant                                 Just                                         Content

Forgiving                               Loyal                                      Available

Persuasive                             Patient                                   Hospitable

Gracious                                Grateful                                 Enthusiastic

Gentle                                    Punctual                                Thorough

Secure                                    Diligent                                  Enduring

Dependable                           Cautious                                Orderly

Flexible

Jesus did say these things, and scriptures tell us that Jesus both did and said so much that “if every one of them were to be written down, that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (John 21:25).

You know, having written this, I am feeling both inspired and convicted. I think I might just enlarge this list and put it on my desk or mirror, assign one character trait per day to think on, meditate on and to work on. (And I thought at my age I had achieved these ‘basics’, but I can see I still have a ways to go.)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Here are the character traits in a format suitable for framing. Just click this PDF link:  HumbleMeekJoyful.pdf

Here are these same examples with scripture references – plus an additional list that follows, just for fun:

1. Repent  –  Matthew 4:17 Humility
2. Follow Me – Matthew 4:19 Meekness
3. Rejoice – Matthew 5:12 Joyfulness
4. Let Your Light Shine – Matthew 5:16 Generosity
5. Honor God’s Law – Matthew 5:17 – 18 Love
6. Be Reconciled – Matthew 5:24 – 25 Responsibility
7. Do Not Commit Adultery – Matthew 5:29 – 30 Self – Control
8. Keep Your Word – Matthew 5:37 Truthfulness
9. Go the Second Mile – Matthew 5:38 – 42 Deference
10. Love Your Enemies – Matthew 5:44 Creativity
11. Be Perfect – Matthew 5:48 Sincerity
12. Practice Secret Disciplines – Matthew 6:1 – 18 Faith
13. Lay Up Treasures – Matthew 6:19 – 21 Thriftiness
14. Seek God’s Kingdom – Matthew 6:33 Initiative
15. Judge Not – Matthew 7:1 Discernment
16. Do Not Cast Pearls – Matthew 7:6 Discretion
17. Ask, Seek, and Knock – Matthew 7:7 – 8 Resourcefulness
18. Do Unto Others – Matthew 7:12 Sensitivity
19. Choose the Narrow Way – Matthew 7:13 – 14 Decisiveness
20. Beware of False Prophets – Matthew 7:15 Alertness
21. Pray For Laborers – Matthew 9:38 Compassion
22. Be Wise as Serpents – Matthew 10:16 Wisdom
23. Fear Not – Matthew 10:26 Boldness
24. Hear God’s Voice – Matthew 11:15 Attentiveness
25. Take My Yoke – Matthew 11:29 Obedience
26. Honor Your Parents – Matthew 15:4 Honor/Reverence
27. Beware of Leaven – Matthew 16:6 Virtue
28. Deny Yourself – Luke 9:23 Determination
29. Despise Not Little Ones – Matthew 18:10 Tolerance
30. Go To Offenders – Matthew 18:15 Justice
31. Beware of Covetousness – Luke 12:15 Contentment
32. Forgive Offenders – Matthew 18:21 – 22 Forgiveness
33. Honor Marriage – Matthew 19:6 Loyalty
34. Be a Servant – Matthew 20:26 – 28 Availability
35. Be a House of Prayer – Matthew 21:13 Persuasiveness
36. Ask in Faith – Matthew 21:21 – 22 Patience
37. Bring in the Poor – Luke 14:12 – 14 Hospitality
38. Render to Caesar – Matthew 22:19 – 21 Gratefulness
39. Love the Lord – Matthew 22:37 – 38 Enthusiasm
40. Love Your Neighbor – Matthew 22:39 Gentleness
41. Await My Return – Matthew 24:42 – 44 Punctuality
42. Take, Eat, and Drink – Matthew 26:26 – 27 Thoroughness
43. Be Born Again – John 3:7 Security
44. Keep My Commandments – John 14:15 Diligence
45. Watch and Pray – Matthew 26:41 Endurance
46. Feed My Sheep – John 21:15 – 16 Dependability
47. Baptize My Disciples – Matthew 28:19 Cautiousness
48. Receive God’s Power – Luke 24:49 Orderliness
49. Make Disciples – Matthew 28:20 Flexibility

Here is another list with more detail:

1. “Forgive”

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.” (Mark 11:25 – 26)

2. “Repent”

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8

3. “Remain in Me and I will remain in you”

When you repent and trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit actually lives in you, and you in Him. Here Jesus uses a grape vine to compare our relationship with Him. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)

4. “Let your light shine before men”

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ” In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14 – 16)

5. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary”

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.” (Matt 5:25)

6. “Get rid of whatever causes you to sin”

“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”(Matt 5:29 – 30)

7. “Do Not Swear at All”

“But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matt 5:34 – 37)

8. “Do Not Resist an Evil Person”

(Turning the other cheek.)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt 5:38 – 39)

9. “Giving More than is Demanded”

“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matt 5:40 – 42)

10. “Love Your Enemies”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt 5:43 – 45)

11. “Give to Please God, Not to be Seen”

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matt 6:1)

12. “Pray Privately, Not to be Seen of Men”

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matt 6:5 – 7)

13. “This, then, is how you should pray”

“This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt 6:9 – 15)

14. “Fast Without Fanfare”

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matt 6:16)

15. “Do not Store up Treasures on Earth”

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19 – 21)

16. “Do not Worry about Your Needs”

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt 6:25 – 26)

17. “Do not Worry about Tomorrow”

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34)

18. “Place God First”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33)

19. “Do not Judge”

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1 – 2)

20. “Guard what is Sacred”

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matt 7:6)

21. “Ask, Seek, and Knock”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt 7:7)

22. “Care for Those in Distress”

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matt 25:34 – 36)

23. “Enter Through the Narrow Gate”

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt 7:13 – 14)

24. “Watch out for false prophets”

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matt 7:15)

25. “Exercise Spiritual Power”

“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Matt 10:1)

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:8)

26. “Do not Despise Childlike Believers”

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 18:10) Commandments of Jesus

27. “Do not Exalt Yourself”

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matt 23:8 – 12)

28. “Settle Disputes Between Believers in this Manner…”

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”(Matt 18:15 – 17)

29. “Do not Oppose Other Christian Groups”

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:38 – 40)

30. “Have Complete Faith in God”

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22 – 24)

31. “Do as the Good Samaritan Did”

“The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)
(In reference to the “Good Samaritan”)
(Luke 10:30 – 35)

32. “Love One Another”

(This commandment of Jesus summarizes all the others.)

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

33. “Do this in Remembrance of Me”

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’”
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” (Luke 22:19 – 20)

34. “You Should also Wash One Another’s Feet”

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

35. “Be Merciful”

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

36. “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations, Baptizing Them”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:19 – 20)

37. “Obey What I Command”

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

38. “You Must be Ready”

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3C4UKcNPpqljTQjO2uASwb

But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15

Is this a ‘God Thing’ that happened? I was browsing the internet looking at local churches and I came across one named “Rock Church”. Great sounding name, I thought. So, I looked at the website and gathered a few details. I wondered if I should visit this small storefront startup church. In fact, I felt oddly attracted to the idea. But, I couldn’t come up with a good reason, so I said a short prayer for the pastor and the church and moved on. A couple of weeks later, I was shopping for a weed killer in a Lowe’s store and struck up a conversation with another shopper. This fellow was in the same department and look like he had been working in the yard, also. “So, which of these is a good weed killer for this area?”, I asked. “I don’t really know”, he replied. “I was hoping you could tell me”. “Well, this one says it kills fifty or so kinds of weeds and won’t kill the grass”, I smiled, “But, who knows? Are you from here?”, I asked. “Yes”, was his simply reply. But he didn’t have the North Carolina Mountain drawl, so I took a chance and pressed him. “So, which church do you pastor”, I guessed at this, and I really don’t know why I would ask such a silly question. His eyes widened, and his jaw went slack, “Do I know you?”, he blurted. “No”, I grinned, “I just felt impressed to ask. So, you ARE a pastor?” I laughed. “Yes, I am”, He announced. He gave me his name, stuck out his hand and told me his church is a new church named The Rock Church. Now my jaw went slack. “The storefront?”, I asked? “That’s the one”, he replied. I told him I had visited the Church website and was interested in his church. He told me a little about himself and how he became the pastor, then he invited me to his church. “Great and thank you”, I said. But remembering I couldn’t come up with a good reason to visit this church, I decided to ask him a question. “First, I have just one question for you”. “Go ahead”, he smiled. “Why?”, I asked. “Why, what?”, he replied. “Why should I visit your church?”, I said, again. He looked perplexed. “Huh?”, he stammered. “Well, because I invited you and would like to have you as a guest”, he replied. “Thank you”, I said, “But, why? Why should I visit your church. I have a church, and I am not a church hopper. So, I am wondering if I should visit and why?” This fellow was stumped. “Well, it’s up to you. We would like to have you visit, but, it’s up to you”. I told him I would stay in touch via his church’s email and went our ways. “Well, that was a lost opportunity”, I thought. But it puzzled me why I was feeling this way and why I was having these thoughts. ONE YEAR LATER Betty (my wife) and I were walking through a local park the 4th of July evening. We walked through a pavilion area and I noticed a sign that said “Rock Church Picnic here”. I approached a group of older men sitting in lawn chairs and asked if this was The Rock Church from the storefront. One man answered with a broad smile, “It sure is. How are you?” I answer that I was fine and that I had met the pastor of this church a year ago and asked if he was here? The man pointed him out and proudly stated that he was the pastor’s father. I greeted the pastor, and we had a friendly exchange. The pastor asked me why I had not contacted him? I answered that I had emailed him through the church email address. We shook hands and went our ways. The pastor’s father approached me and invited me to come to their church sometime. I related my exchange with his son the year earlier about an invitation and said, “So, I would like to respectfully ask you the same question, why should I visit? Any special reason you would invite me?” The man look surprised and said, “Well, no. I am just trying to be polite and invite you to our church.” I thanked him and turned to leave when the man said, “Wait a minute. Why would you ask me that?” “Because I was wondering if it was you asking me or if it was God, or if you had a special reason”, I replied. We both smiled and my wife and I left. As we were leaving, though, I think I saw here roll her eyes. “So, do you think I was out-of-bounds with that question?”, I asked. She just smiled and told me that if I didn’t want to go I should just say so, or I could have told them I already had a church. “Yes, I suppose I came off a bit weird or rude?” I asked. She rolled her eyes again. “Well, I’ll tell you. I sort of wanted to go to that church at one time. Seemed like the Holy Spirit was prompting me. But, I also felt like the Lord was telling me to ask that question. It gave them a chance to tell me about the reason for the Hope they have. “You see, I don’t need another church. I have one. What I need and want is Hope and a Promise from God. And I wondered if that was the reason they meet as a church – perhaps they had found that Hope and A Promise from God and want others to share in that with them. “Or are they just meeting? I am retired now, and believe me, I am plenty tired of meetings.”

You see, I was once lost, without God. My life had spiraled out of control.

I had no job and a poor education. My wife and I split up. We had no children. My side of my family was worse off than me.

I had no hope.

But, God found me and bought me back from destruction.

He forgave my sins. He gave me a new start. He restored my marriage.

He restored my health. He gave me knowledge and wisdom. He blessed us with children.

He gave me a career and money. He gave me Hope. He gave me to Jesus, and gave Jesus to me.

So, if you ever ask, I will tell you that JESUS IS MY HOPE AND MY FUTURE

How about you? Do you think I was out of line? Do you have a reason for your hope? Your Brother and Friend, Mike Young

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.”

Hebrews 6:19

Do you have a story or a Reason for your hope? Share it below… Your Brother and Friend, Mike Young  

JUST SHOW ME

One of the mottos for the state of Missouri is “Show Me”.  There are various stories related to how “Show Me” came about. One such legend claims that the phrase ‘’Show-me’’ originated from Leadville, Colorado. In Leadville, the slogan was used as a phrase of reproach and ridicule. During the mid-1980s, there was a miner’s strike in Leadville, Colorado. Therefore, miners were imported from Missouri to replace the striking miners, and since they were not familiar with the mining techniques, they needed frequent instructions. The bosses of the mines started saying these are miners from Missouri and you will have to show them the mining techniques. The phrase has gained a different meaning, and currently, it refers to the non-credulous, conservative, and strong character of the people of Missouri.

One central idea is the people from Missouri have a natural healthy skepticism, so they want proof before they believe some things.

One popular commercial used the phrase, “Well, if it is on the internet, it has to be true” to express sarcasm. I believe, in this day and age of deception, we all could use a bit of healthy skepticism.

Discovering what is true and legitimate has never been more difficult. For example, there is a philosophy going around which says you can have your ‘own truth’. This used to be derisively named “situational ethics”, i.e., everyone for themselves. What a recipe for turmoil and chaos.

One of our historically most trusted documents, the Bible, has come under attack over the last 100 years. Detractors spend an inordinate amount of time trying to discredit the Bible, either by deception and lies, taking specific scriptures out of context and creating their endless arguments or using their opinions based on sources other than THE SOURCE, the Bible. But the Bible has stood the test of time and accuracy, when taken in context.

There is now an attack being mounted from inside the church, and it is having a deleterious effect. The old techniques are the same, but, the ‘enemy’ has infiltrated the church. I call them the ‘enemy’ for good reason. They deny the Gospel. They deny the Bible. They have gained the moniker of pastors, theologians, church leaders, deacons and elders, strictly by way of attending various religious schools, colleges, seminaries for the education. But they teach and preach a strange ‘new gospel’, and the results are tragic and are growing worse.

Sadly and strangely, churches are responding by demanding higher and higher education degrees from those who would pastor their organizations, not realizing what they are getting are many times ‘religious humanists’ who teach in the spirit of antichrist. (I know how this sounds, but please beware).

Now, many in our churches remain true to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, are saying, “Show Me!” Show me where you find that in the Bible. When a preacher or a Bible teacher says “I believe this means ‘this or that’” they are being called to account by those demanding to be shown the exact words in the Bible.

Then, there are a few pastors, teachers and theologians who hold themselves to the highest Biblical and doctrinal standards and subject themselves to the oversight of other capable pastors, Bible teachers, theologians, deacons, elders of the church and fully devoted followers of Jesus.

One strong example of this is Pastor Trent Casto, Senior Pastor, Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida.

A sermon he delivered on a recent Sunday, “Strong Foundations in Times of Uncertainty”, is an example of the highest standards of correct teaching. (Video posted below).

His message comes from Deuteronomy 31:1-29. This message, these verses, are to be considered “An Eternal Prophetic Truth”. The principals and truths in this passage have remained true and in effect since God Breathed them through Moses, and will continue to be true and at work.

There are four “Strong Foundations” found in these verses which give us Truth, Sanctuary, Help, Guidance and Character in these times of uncertainty.

There are both warning and instructions in these scriptures. They are still true and are being playing out in the waning days of the United States of America. BEWARE.

God warns that His anger will be kindled against His people in the day that the people living in the land He has appointed and consecrated when they ‘whore after foreign gods and forsake Him and break His covenant that He made with them and their fathers.

 Then, His anger will be kindled against them in that day, and He will forsake them and hide His Face from them, and they will be devoured.

And, many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?”

And says, “I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil that they have done, because they have turned to other gods.;” (Deuteronomy 31:16-18).

GOD’S STRONG FOUNDATIONSREBELLION TOWARD GOD

There are four basic parts to what happened to the Israelites, which are not prophetic proclamations for anyone in any land who have been established and ordained by God and then turned away from Him.

1. (Moses died). Also, our National Spiritual Leadership is passing away.
2. (The Israelites were unfaithful to God). The people of the America, including and specifically Christians, have become spiritually unfaithful and are chasing after idols.
3. God will become and is becoming angry and will forsake us and allow America to be devoured by our enemies.
4. In the midst of our misery, we will ask, “Have not these things come upon us because God is not among us?”

We also find the Truth, Sanctuary, Help, Guidance and Character in these times of uncertainty in God’s Strong Foundations:

1. God’s Presence.
2. God’s Appointed Leaders.
3. God’s Word.
4. God’s Unchanging Character.

We are living in treacherous times. Dangers lurk everywhere. But there is safety. There is Truth, Sanctuary, Help, Guidance and Character in these times of uncertainty.  You and I must choose to live and stand on God’s Strong Foundations:, we must become part of the prophesied “Remnant of God”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

 

“See that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray”.

The Gospel Truth. Which one is it?

Did you know that there are over 200 different known denominations in America? There are over 51,000 Christian and around 33,000 other religious denominations world-wide, And there are almost as many ‘theologies’? Here are a few of the major and better known Theologies in America:

Reformed Theology

Pentecostal Theology (Pentecostalism)

Methodist Theology (Methodism)

Wesleyan–Arminian theology

Charismatic Theology

Catholicism

Lutheran Theology

Presbyterian Theology (Reformed)

Episcopalian Theology

Anglican Theology

The differences between some denominational beliefs and theologies are minor. But, many more have major differences.

Some are even considered as Sects of Christianity, or worse yet, as Cults. Some of these fringe groups are the

• • • Jehovah’s Witnesses,

    • Mormons,

    • the Emergent church,

    • the Unitarian Universalist and

    • Liberation theology.

Within these types of Christianity, there are also thousands of subgroups, and subtypes of theologies, types of doctrines and belief systems.

But, there is only ONE Bible and ONE Jesus.

Since there are so many, how do you decide which one(s) will lead us to Jesus Christ as savior and lead us to heaven?

Here’s the Gospel Truth

1. The word gospel means “good news,” so the gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of His (Jesus’) coming to provide forgiveness of sins for all who will believe (Colossians 1:14; Romans 10:9).

2. Since the first man’s sin, mankind has been under the condemnation of God (Romans 5:12). Because everyone breaks God’s perfect law by committing sin, everyone is guilty (Romans 3:23).

3. The punishment for the crime of sin is physical death (Romans 6:23)

4. Then an eternity spent in a place of punishment (Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:46). This eternal separation from God is also called the “second death” (Revelation 20:14–15).

5. The gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, pardons the guilty sentence of sin and condemnation by God. Because of His love for the world, God has made a way for man to be forgiven of their sins (John 3:16).

6. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the sins of mankind on Himself through death on a cross (1 Peter 2:24).

7. God ensured that all who will believe in the name of Jesus will be forgiven (Acts 10:43).

8. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the justification of all who believe (Romans 4:25).

Here’s the Gospel Truth

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

• Who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

• Verse 4. In order for us to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, and is reserved in heaven for you,

• Verse 5. We are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• Verse 6. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

• Verse 7. so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

• Verse 9. “Obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

The Gospel of Jesus, Christianity, is ALL ABOUT JESUS ALONE, and what JESUS HAS DONE for us.

• • • It’s not about Spiritual Gifts, although there are Spiritual Gifts, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

    • It’s not about miracles, although there are miracles, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

    • It’s not about what you can become, although you are made into a new creature, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

    • It’s not about your church or denomination, although you become the Church, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

    • It’s not about the rapture, , although there will be a rapture, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

    • It’s not about going to heaven, although Jesus has prepared a place for us in heaven in our Father’s House, it’s about Jesus, first and foremost!

THE GOSPEL IS ALL ABOUT JESUS, WHO DIED FOR OUR SINS, WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND REIGNS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.

Everything else, The

• • • Prophecies

    • Words of wisdom

    • Gifts of Serving

    • Words of knowledge

    • Teaching

    • Faith

    • Exhortation

    • Gifts of healing

    • Miracles

    • Gifts of Giving

    • Gifts of Mercy

    • Gifts of Distinguishing between spirits

    • Gift of Administration

    • Gift of Tongues & The Interpretation of tongues,

come from What JESUS has done. It’s all about Who JESUS is, What JESUS continues to do and Where JESUS is seated – in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Father.

And, all of this is only part of what is to come. All the gifts and offices are just a part of the Glory, that is to come.

And when the Perfect comes, when Jesus comes, the gifts of will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-9)

Desire the benefits of your salvation now, and desire Gifts of God now, and use them for the building up of His Body.

But seek first the Kingdom, first, and set your eyes on Him, alone.

And, in case you were wondering if you fix your mind on prophecies, words of wisdom, gifts of serving, words of knowledge, teaching, acts of faith, exhortations, gifts of healing, miracles, gifts of giving, gifts of mercy, gifts of distinguishing between spirits, the gift of administration, gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues, in the end, you will find disappointment. When crisis comes, when troubles, trials and tribulations come, you will find yourself trapped in a blind alley, alone with your gifts.

It is Jesus Who is the Giver of Gifts, so set your mind, heart and eyes on Jesus alone. Only Jesus satisfies. Only Jesus saves.

That’s the GOSPEL TRUTH – Selah.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

  1.  “Former billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of cryptocurrency exchange company FTX, funneled millions of dollars to Democratic campaigns, becoming one of the party’s largest donors, second only to George Soros. 

“Bankman-Fried donated nearly $38 million during the midterm cycle, according to Federal Election Commission data. His company also reportedly set up a website, Aid for Ukraine, to raise funds for Ukrainians amid the ongoing war against Russia. The initiative was powered by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, FTX and Ukrainian-web company Everstake.

“Cryptocurrency donations were sent to the National Bank of Ukraine. The 30-year-old crypto financier wrote on Twitter in early March he was “excited and humbled to be working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance and others to support crypto donations to Ukraine.”  – FOX NEWS, Published November 15, 2022 11:13am EST   2.  “Last week, FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a liquidity crisis at the company, and Bankman-Fried is estimated to have lost roughly $16 billion in a week.

“Sam Bankman-Fried, the now-bankrupt founder of crypto exchange FTX, is a prolific donor of Democratic candidates and liberal causes, and infused at least $38 million into left-wing groups during the 2022 election cycle.

“Bankman-Fried was the second-largest contributor to Democratic-affiliated political action committees (PACs) and organizations, behind only liberal financial magnate George Soros, who donated nearly $127 million during the midterm cycle, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. However, the collapse of FTX this week has called into question Bankman-Fried’s finances.

“A full-fledged liquidity crisis forced FTX to file for bankruptcy on Friday, and Bankman-Fried’s wealth, which was estimated to be $15.6 billion earlier this week, has sharply plummeted, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The index currently estimates Bankman-Fried has no material wealth.”  FOX NEWS, Published November 11, 2022 1:26pm EST

Pastor Steve Cioccolanti gives a Biblical update on FTX and its CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, how their Collapse ties into the greatest financial fraud and political corruption of our lifetime.

Scriptures are clear, “In this world, you will have tribulation”, but we can find peace in these last days, in Jesus (John 16:33) As good as this report is, it still fails to answer one key question lacks one key ingredient for Christians:

 

HOW AM I TO RESPOND IN THESE LAST DAYS? Resist and Grid up of War.

Do not stand idly by, staring heavenward. Not is the time to pray, read, study, think, prepare and act!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

13 Articles on HOW I SHOULD RESPOND IN THESE LAST DAYS.

***IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Whitestone Fellowship, Whitestone2020.com and Michael J. Young, Sr., do not endorse political parties on this site. We do, however, endorse policies which align with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Bible. If a political party happens to endorse or policy, a plank of a platform or a program which aligns with the teachings, doctrines and practices of the Bible, we consider that to be coincidental, and we cooperate in those cases as a co-belligerent only.

(A CO-BELIGERENT is someone who may not have any sufficient basis for taking the right position, but takes the right positions on a single issue.  I can join with this person without any danger as long as I realize that he is not an ALLY, that we are cooperating only on a single issue.

1.  So when it comes to issues of the common good, such as proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ending abortions, preserving religious freedom, healing racial divisions, or relieving poverty, we can be CO-BELLIGERENTS and cooperate with people or organizations who do not share our Christian convictions.  But we must not be drawn into becoming full ALLIES and careful not to disclose detail about our organizations, personnel or our ongoing methods, lest our CO-BELLIGERENTS would use these against us on other issues.

2.  Secondarily, but just as important, we are defined by our associations.  This can hamper the effectiveness of our mission going forward.

3.  Finally, we can be INFLUENCED by close relationships and continuing associations.  Should this happen, be certain you are at risk of losing your “Savor and Light“, and if that happens you are rendered impotent.)

 

There are very few pastors who can understand and relate the doctrines and the deep mysteries of the Bible in a way that the ‘everyday Christian’ can ascend to and inculcate into their daily lives.

Pastor Greg Blosser, (pastor of Church Planting, Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida), is one of those men.

Today, pastor Blosser delivered a sermon from Isaiah 35, “Advent in the Wilderness – Hills and Valleys”, and it is God inspired.

I have just written a post named, “Out There?”. Pastor Blosser answers some of the questions I raised.

Please listen. Be informed. Be inspired. Be ignited – to action!

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

Also, a great article asking, “Are ‘They’ Out There?”

“Are ‘they’ out there?”

Let me tell you about a man. He is, or rather was just a man, but he is a man with extraordinary gifts, talents and abilities. His name is Chuck Missler.

Missler graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956 and received a Master’s degree in Engineering from UCLA. He worked for several years in the aerospace and computer industries. He joined the Ford Motor Company in 1963. Missler joined Western Digital as chairman and chief executive in June 1977 and became the largest shareholder of Western Digital.

Additionally, Dr. Chuck Missler, was an internationally known author, is among the best-known Bible expositors in the world, and was a prominent speaker on the subject of Bible prophecy and is featured on many Christian radio and television stations worldwide. He is well known for his Biblical studies including most notably Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, The Book of Genesis, and The Book of Daniel, as well as his topical studies Return of the Nephilim and his Angels series.

If you ever listened to any of his lectures or sermons, you too, would probably agree that he was a gifted if not a brilliant man.

Chuck Missler was also a devout Christian, and he was not afraid to push the boundaries of tradition. One area of particular interest and peculiarity was his studies on the Return of the Nephilim, which has raised more than a few eyebrows and created a few more winces along the way, but no one questions Missler’s sincerity and ability to dig deep and uncover the mysterious hidden gems in the Word.

Missler postulates that there is a time coming that Satan’s access to ‘roam the earth seeking whom he may devour’ will be restricted as will his ability to remain invisible. This also applies to the many demons of his kingdom. This visible manifestation of Satan and his dominion may be the reappearance of the Nephilim spoken of in the Bible and the mistaken identity of current day UFOs.  (Koinonia House articles).

My reason for raising this subject is an attempt to rattle the ‘Church cage’. We have, in the opinion of many, become comfortable and complacent to a point of lethargy. It is hard to explain to a ‘church goer’ or a Christian that we have drifted so far from our early Christian moorings, (roots), that we have no idea that we have even drifted away nor do we have any inkling from whence we might have come.

Oswald Chambers, (July 24, 1874 to November 15, 1917), a current day enormously popular early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist, best known for the daily devotional My Utmost for His Highest, wrote

“The feebleness of the church is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the feebleness is that there has not been this focus on the true center of spiritual power. We have not dwelt enough on the tragedy of Calvary or on the meaning of redemption.” (written around 1900).

Another pastor, teacher and author, A.W. Tozier, (April 21, 1897 – May 12, 1963), was an American pastor, author, magazine editor, and spiritual mentor. Tozier received honorary doctorates from Wheaton and Houghton colleges, commented

“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”

Again,

“To great sections of the church the art of worship has been lost entirely, and in its place has come that strange and foreign thing called the ‘program.’ This word has been borrowed from the stage and applied with sad wisdom to the type of public service which now passes for worship among us.”

Finally,

“The church has lost her testimony. She has no longer anything to say to the world. Her once robust shout of assurance has faded away to an apologetic whisper. She who one time went out to declare now goes out to inquire. Her dogmatic declaration has become a respectful suggestion, a word of religious advice, given with the understanding that it is after all only an opinion and not meant to sound bigoted. Pure Christianity, instead of being shaped by its culture, actually stands in sharp opposition to it.” (written in the early-to-mid 1900s).

The state of the Church, according to these criticisms of the church in late 1800’s through the mid 1900’s, has only grown worse and more distant from her calling. (See “Shipwrecked“)

A recent class I attended,  titled, “Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides” from the book by the same name, is a discussion to consider what it means to live a Christian life in deeply divided times. The question asked is “How can we move forward with the Gospel in this postmodern world?”. Are we asking how we can remain relevant and relatable?

I would suggest that we don’t continue ‘moving forward’ for the sake of being relevant or relatable, at all. We have already gone too far. We have lost our way in a new and foreign land of paganism. It is time we go back to our roots, back to the teaching and the methods of Jesus. God-seeking, Jesus-believing, Counter-cultural, soul-saving, living a redeemed and miraculous life. (Out there, huh?)

Chuck Missler, I believe, was also shaking the cage of the Church. His detractors might say, “Giants? Aliens? Really? Come on Chuck!” But these same people would hardly blink at giants in the Bible, Nephilim, ghosts and demons, as if to say, ‘yeah, then, and in the Bible, but not now!’

I still hear people in the Church say that the miracles Jesus performed were just for then and not for now. But Jesus’ own words proclaimed that we should do His Works and greater works yet because He has gone to the Father!

Faithless doubters, skeptics, arrogant disbelievers, lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. These pastors, teachers and Christians are leading millions more astray.

So, of course we are not doing the works Jesus did, let alone greater works. We don’t even believe it any longer.

It is also no wonder that when we hear words like, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31), that we create our own version of what this means and go on our merry way, saying something like, “well, if it does happen, I’ll be in the rapture to heaven, anyway”.

We have been falsely taught, that all I had to do was ‘say a little prayer’ and ‘accept Jesus’ and I would be saved. Saved that is, with my current belief system fully intact. Aside from going to church and modifying my behavior just enough to satisfy the socio-religious rules that I determine necessary.

Other than some distinct oddities such as praying in public, supporting my church with a small stipend periodically, and the long chance of going on a mission trip event (or more likely a comfortable cruise or a trip to Israel), We, calling ourselves Christians, are hardly distinguishable from any other ‘polite person’ nor from the person I was before I was saved.  We are not in the model nor of the ilk of a first century Biblical Christian. We are adrift without the fear of God.

So, if you think the idea of Nephilim or alien life is ‘out there thinking’, what do you think about the end of this world beginning with a cosmic cataclysm. The sun and moon stop giving light, asteroids crash into the earth and the very powers of the heavens shaking. Then, Jesus visibly appearing in the sky amongst the clouds to the sound of a trumpet call and ‘the Elect of Christ’ are gathered up and taken into the heavens? (see Matthew 24:29-31)

We know, or at least suspect these days are at hand:

Daniel 12:1, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”

Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”

So, if you believe, then you must not only believe ‘in Him’, but you must believe Him – and do as He says, and do it quickly. The Bible says your redemption is drawing near, time is short.

We have been given remarkably clear instructions on how to avoid the coming wrath. Yet we seem to have lost the desire or will to ‘endure to the end to be saved’. (We must first confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved; this means then that you must ‘die to self’, that is, give up our old life and be completely transformed in our thinking, attitudes and behavior and follow Jesus, doing what He has done and taught, and then teach others the same.)

As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. ¹¹ And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.

And, please remember dear friends, He has said that those who begin this journey, then look back or shrink back, are not worthy of His Kingdom. Let’s endure to the end and overcome!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Also: A great video sermon answering important questions

THE 7 BOWL JUDGMENTS

Revelation 16:2 , “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

Verse 3.  “The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.

Verse 4.  “Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood.

Verse 5.  “And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things;

Verse 6.  “For they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.”

Verse 7.  “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

Verse 8.  “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.

Verse 9.  “Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.

Verse 10.  “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain,

Verse 11.  “And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.

Verse 12.  “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.

Verse 13.  “And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;

Verse 14.  “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

Verse 15.  (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)

Verse 16.  “And they gathered them together to the place, which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.

Verse 17.  “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”

Verse 18.  “And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.

Verse 19.  “The great city was split into three parts, and the ‘cities of the nations’ fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.

Verse 20.  “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Verse 21.  “And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.”

Armageddon –

7^th Bowl of Wrath – “It is done.”

What follows:

Revelation 17.

The Doom of Babylon,

Victory for the Lamb,

 Revelation 18.

Babylon Is Fallen,

Lament for Babylon,

The Fourfold Hallelujah,

Revelation 19.

Marriage of the Lamb,

The Coming of Christ,

Doom of the Beast and False Prophet,

 Revelation 20.

 Satan Bound,

Satan Freed, Doomed,

Judgment at the Throne of God,

 Revelation 21.

 The New Heaven and Earth,

The New Jerusalem,

 Revelation 22.

 The River and the Tree of Life,

The Final Message:

Revelation 22:6 “And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

Verse 7. “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Verse 8. “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, verse 9, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Verse 10. “And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Verse 11. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Verse 12. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. Verse 13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Verse 14. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Verse 15. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Verse 16. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Verse 17. “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Verse 18. “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, verse 19, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Verse 20. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” – Revelation 22:21.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: Part 4 – The 7 Trumpet Judgments.

Part 3 – Where are we on the End Times Clock?

Part 2 – Daniel’s 70 Weeks.

Part 1 – The beginning of the End of the Age: Harbingers.

DEAR FRIENDS, PLEASE NOTE:  If you are a devoted follower of Jesus, please pray and consider what you have read, and be concerned that, by all accounts, it appears that the first 5 Tribulation Judgment Seals are broken, and that we are nearing the 6th Tribulation Seal being opened. Time is very short. All Christians have a responsibility which we cannot escape, and dereliction of our calling and duties will reveal the true nature of each of our hearts and of our salvation. The advent of the 6th Tribulation Seal is the beginning of the Days of Wrath, to which you are not appointed if you are truly a follower of Jesus.

*If you are not a believer and follower of Jesus, I thank you for reading this far, but I must warn you that your fate at this moment is almost sealed. If you die before the 6th Tribulation Seal, you will suffer unimaginable sorrows and loss. And, if by some reason you manage to live during the coming cataclysms, and you fail to repent (by the 6th Judgment Trumpet) and surrender yourself to Jesus by seeking Him as your Savior and your salvation, you are doomed to an eternity in the Lake of Fire – an eternity in hell. This is deadly serious. Please, turn to Him today.

The Tribulation Seals Completed – The announcement of the 7 Trumpet Judgments.

The first 5 Seal Judgments are completed and the 6th Seal Judgment is the beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. Next comes the Trumpet Judgements:

Revelation 8:7 says, “The first (trumpet) sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.”

Verse 8.  “The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood,

Verse 9. “and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

Verse 10.  “The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters.

Verse 11. “The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.”

Verse 12.  “The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

Verse 13.  “Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

Revelation 9:1.  “Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. 2He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. 3Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Verse 13. ”Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Verse 14.  “one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Verse 15. “And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.

Verse 16. “The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

Verse 20. “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.”

(* “How Long?”) This is very complex and confusing for almost every reader. This is meant to be a footnote: There will be 1,290 days of desolation)

Daniel 12:11.  “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Verse 12.  “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! 13“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

Both of these prophecies deal with specific time periods associated with the seven-year tribulation. 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 (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.

The 1,260 days of the second half of the tribulation begins as the Antichrist breaks the treaty, occupies the third Jewish temple, and sets up a profane and sacrilegious object of worship. This 1,260-day period ends when the Antichrist is defeated at the battle of Armageddon upon Jesus’ return to earth. At that time, the tribulation will be at an end.

NOTE: The Sixth Trumpet is a Key ‘Time Marker’ for the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation. It is at this point that no one will be saved from the remaing Judgments.

Revelation 9:13. “Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Verse 14. “one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Verse 15.  “And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.

Verse 16.  “The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

Verse 17.  “And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone.

Verse 18.  “A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths.

Verse 19.  “For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.

Verse 20.  “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; Verse 21, and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.”

The Angel and the Little Book – Key Time Marker

Mid-Point of the Tribulation

(*The first 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation have passed at this point)

Revelation 10:1  “I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire;

Verse 2.  “and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land;

Verse 3.  “and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.

Verse 4.  “When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.”

Verse 5.  “Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven,

Verse 6.  “and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer,

Verse 7.  “but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

Verse 8.  “Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.”

Verse 9.  “So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”

Verse 10.  “I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

Revelation 11: 1  “Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.

Verse 2.  “Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.

Verse 3.  “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Verse 4.  “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

Verse 5.  “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.

Verse 6.  “These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.”

Verse 7.  “When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.

Verse 8.  “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

Verse 9.  “Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

Verse 10.  “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

Verse 11.  “But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.

Verse 12.  “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Verse 13.  “And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Verse 14.  “The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet — Christ’s Reign Foreseen

Verse 15.  “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,

Verse 17 . “saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

Verse 18.  “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Verse 19.  “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

• • • Revelation 11:3 specifically mentions 1,260 days, which corresponds exactly with Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation.
    • In Revelation, we have an added detail: two divinely appointed witnesses will preach and perform miracles for half of the tribulation—the first half—according to the chronology of Revelation.
    • These two witnesses are killed at the midpoint of the tribulation; their bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days as the world celebrates their demise; then they will be resurrected and taken up to heaven (Revelation 11:7–13).
    • The 1,260 days of the second half of the tribulation begins as the Antichrist breaks the treaty, occupies the third Jewish temple, and sets up a profane and sacrilegious object of worship.
    • This 1,260-day period ends when the Antichrist is defeated at the battle of Armageddon upon Jesus’ return to earth. At that time, the tribulation will be at an end.

Here is a summarization of the timeline:

• 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 period.
• At the midpoint of the tribulation, at the blowing of the 6^th Trumpet Judgment, (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
• At the end of the tribulation period, (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 a literal 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6).

NEXT:  Part 5 – The 7 Bowl Judgments.

PREVIOUS:  Part 3 – Where are we on the End Times Clock?

The Bible’s “Daniel’s Seventy Weeks’ Prophecy” is one of the most significant and detailed Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. Starting around 538 B.C., it presents a prophetic path of earth’s history as it concerns God’s Plan of Perfection for humankind and the cosmos, to its fiery conclusion. This amazing prophecy is found in the Bible’s Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter nine.

The chapter begins with Daniel praying for Israel, acknowledging the nation’s sins against God and asking for God’s mercy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future.

In verse 24, Gabriel says, “Seventy ‘Sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city.” Almost all commentators agree that the seventy “sevens” should be understood as seventy “weeks” of years, in other words, a period of 490 years. These verses provide a sort of “clock” that gives an idea of when the Messiah would come and some of the events that would accompany His appearance.

The prophecy goes into such detail as to divide the 490 years into three smaller units:

• one of 49 years,
• one of 434 years, and
• one of 7 years.
• The final “week” of 7 years is further divided in half. Verse 25 says,
  

• • • “From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (445 BC)
    • until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, (30 A.D.)
    • there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and
    • sixty-two ‘sevens.’”
      

• Seven “sevens” is 49 years, and
• sixty-two “sevens” is another 434 years:

1. When did Daniel have his vision about the End of Days?                  

660 BC

2. What is Daniel’s Seventy Weeks?                     

The prophecy contains a statement concerning God’s six-fold purpose in bringing these events to pass. Verse 24 says this purpose is

1) “to finish transgression,”

2) “to put an end to sin,”

3) “to atone for wickedness,”

4) “to bring in everlasting righteousness,”

5) “to seal up vision and prophecy,” and

6) “to anoint the most holy.”

Notice that these results concern the total eradication of sin and the establishing of righteousness. The prophecy of the 70 weeks summarizes what happens before the End of the Age, and when Jesus sets up His millennial kingdom.  (From Gotquestions.org, seventy weeks)

3. When did the 70 Weeks (490 years) begin?

Gabriel said the prophetic clock would start at the time that a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem. From the date of that decree, 445 BC, to the time of the Messiah (30 AD) would be 483 years. We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia c. 445 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8).

The first unit of 49 years (seven “sevens”) covers the time that it took to rebuild Jerusalem, “with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble” (see Daniel 9:25). This rebuilding is chronicled in the book of Nehemiah.

Using the Jewish custom of a 360-day year, 483 years after 445 B.C. places us at A.D. 30, which would coincide with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21:1-9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (verse 26). This was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.

Daniel 9:26 continues with a prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The “ruler who will come” is a reference to the Antichrist, who, it seems, will have some connection with Rome, since it was the Romans who destroyed Jerusalem.  (From Gotquestions.org, seventy weeks)

4. When does the final week, the 70th Week of Daniel, begin?

Read again, in Daniel 9:26, the prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

This issue has been hotly debated for centuries.  Scriptures have been clear. A simple face-value reading of scriptures leads to the conclusion that the final 7 Weeks, the ‘birth pains’ also known as a period of tribulation (not to be confused with the Great Tribulation Period or the “Wrath of the Lamb”), will END with the breaking of the breaking of the Tribulation 6th Seal.

 After that, the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, (after 3 1/2 years) begins with the blowing of the 6th Tribulation Trumpet and will conclude after the pouring out of the 6th Tribulation Bowl Judgment.

5. What will happen to the people on earth?

All of those who, by faith, have repented of their sins, and who have confessed Jesus as savior and followed Him in obedience, will be saved. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Verse 17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

6. Is there anything I need to do to get ready for these events?

Yes.  Romans10:9, says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; verse 10. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Matthew24:42 also tells us, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Verse 43. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Verse 44. “For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Verse 45.  “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Verse 46.  “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”

“Giving hem their food at the proper time” means you are to be teaching them about Jesus, His Gospel Message, and making them disciples of Jesus and teaching them to go and make other disciples.  (Click the link here for a timeline comparison chart:  Daniel’s 70 Weeks – A comparison of a World History Timeline, Daniel’s 70 Weeks Timeline, and A Biblical Timeline.

NEXT: Part 3 – Where are we on The End Times Clock?

PREVIOUS: Part 1 – The beginning of the End of the Age: Harbingers.

Whether you think of it as a joke or take it seriously, people ranging from doomsday prognosticators, Nostradamus followers, MIT grads who have build end-of-worlds computer predictive models, to climate-change-fatalists, there is intense interest in the End of the Age and the Last Days of earth. The most reliable source in terms of up-to-date accuracy and detailed prophecies, however, is the Bible. For example, the Bible tells that in the coming decades, there will be events which are harbingers to the end of this earth age. These events will occur in sequence, then begin to overlap and increase in intensify until a great cosmic cataclysm will occur, wiping clean the face of the earth and eventually, the both the heavens and the earth will be consumed in a fervent heat.

I have prepared this essay in 5 parts.

PART 1.

The Bible tells of the harbingers to watch for and of the events that will lead up to the End of the Age:

• False Christ’s and false Messiah’s,
• Wars,
• Famines,
• Earthquakes,
• Hatred, persecution and martyrdom of Christians,
• A great falling away from the Christian faith.
• The appearance of a charismatic leader who will seem able to solve the world’s worst problems, only to become a vile person of unimaginable evil, creating a global nightmare of unrivaled carnage, death and destruction.
• Cataclysmic cosmic events.
• Cataclysmic terrestrial events.

Here is the beginning of the discourse of the End of the Age between Jesus and his disciples:

Matthew 24:3 says,  “As He, (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?”

Verse 4, And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

Verse 5, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Verse 6, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

Verse 7, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

Verse 8, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Verse 9, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

So, when will these things happen?

Many of these harbinger events began as early as B.C. 2 and have progressively appeared, overlapping one another and increased in intensity and frequency:

I. Many will come IN MY (Jesus’) NAME:

This can be someone literally saying ‘I am the Christ’, but it is proving to be those who consider themselves as an emissary of Christ – such as ‘ordained pastors’ – who speak for Christ, but are blindly following ‘new age’ or errant doctrines; or, as we are clearly seeing, now, in our day, ‘institutional deception’, where entire denominations fall away from the clear teachings of Jesus and lead millions astray. (Also see“Shipwrecked”).

So, how can we know ‘which of the false Christs‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? Keep reading!

II. WARS and rumors of war:

There have been thousands upon thousands of wars and conflicts since the time of Christ. Most notable for their scope and breadth are the

• Religious Crusades (1095 – 1291, Muslims vs Latin Church, almost 2 million dead),
• WWI (1914 – 1918, 17 million dead), and
• WW2 (1939 – 1945, over 70 million dead).

Current wars and conflicts 2018: Interactive global conflict tracker.

So, how can we know ‘which wars and rumors of wars‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? Keep reading!

III. EARTHQUAKES & VOLCANOES:

Earthquakes are nothing new. In fact, they are so numerous that I can only give you a web link by period of time and let you view what has been recorded. But, Jesus did warn they would come.

Lists of earthquakes by period

• Before 1901
• 1901–2000
• 2001–present

Seismic Event List Index

Volcanoes are nothing new, either, but it would seem that seismic events (volcanoes) are on the rise.

Figure 1. Graph showing the number of volcanoes reported to have been active each year since 1800 CE. Total number of volcanoes with reported eruptions per year (thin upper black line) and 10-year running mean of same data (thick upper red line). Lower lines show only the annual number of volcanoes producing large eruptions (>= 0.1 km3 of tephra or magma) and scale is enlarged on the right axis; thick red lower line again shows 10-year running mean. See text for discussion.

Figure 2. Graph showing known historically active volcanoes, number of volcanoes reported to be active each year, and population. The line labeled “Known Historically Active Volcanoes” (right scale) is the cumulative number of volcanoes with an historically recorded eruption by that year. “Volcanoes Active Per Year” since 1400 CE (black line) and 10-year running mean of same data (thick red line) is also based on reported eruptions (those with uncertainty dates greater than 1 year are not included, nor are uncertain eruptions). “Population” (right scale) is the world’s estimated human population; data from McEvedy and Jones (1978) and (since 1750) Population Reference Bureau, Washington, D.C. See text for further explanation.

At first glance the nearly exponential increase through recent centuries suggests that the planet may soon be overwhelmed by volcanic activity, but this increase tracks the striking growth of global population (dashed line on figure 1) that has spread potential observers of eruptions over much of the Earth and the technological advances that have facilitated reporting of those eruptions. Another indicator of the growth of the record is the increase in the total number of known historically active volcanoes (upper line on figure 2). These are not newly-formed volcanoes, but already established features (or volcanic fields) that clearly had numerous previous eruptions. If a list had been continuously kept, about 2000 years ago, it would have contained only the names of nine Mediterranean volcanoes and West Africa’s Mount Cameroon. In the next ten centuries, the list would have grown by only 30 names, 18 of them Japanese. Although newly settled Iceland soon added seven volcanoes, the list totaled only 63 by 1400 CE.

Global Volcanism Program, 2013. Volcanoes of the World, v. 4.8.5. Venzke, E (ed.). Smithsonian Institution. Downloaded 14 Jan 2020.

So, how can we know ‘which EARTHQUAKES‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? Keep reading!

IV. FAMINES:

Famines have taken hundreds of millions of lives since the time of Christ, so this is nothing new, either.

So, how can we know ‘which FAMINES‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? Keep reading!

V. PERSECUTION:

Jesus tells us there will be a worldwide persecution of Christians. A look at history shows us that In the first few centuries, Christianity grew quickly. By A.D. 325, an estimated 7 million people were Christians, with as many as 2 million killed for their faith in Jesus.

However, according to a Christian think-tank. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) says 900,000 Christians have been ‘martyred’ in the last decade, equating to 90,000 a year and one every six minutes.

This may be the most dangerous time in history to be Christian

At least 327 million Christians face persecution, according to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which released its biannual report on Religious Freedom in the World in November 2018. That is 7 percent of the world’s 2.3 billion Christians, estimated by Pew Research Center in 2015.

245 million Christians in the top 50 countries on Open Doors USA’s 2019 World Watch List experience high levels of persecution (i.e.: torture, rape, sex-slavery, for conversion to Christianity, murder and genocide), an increase of 14 percent from 2018. Sixty percent of those enduring persecution are children; women and girls are most violated. Release International, a UK-based human rights watchdog in operation for the past 50 years who partner with U.S.-based “Voice of the Martyrs” said they expect global anti-Christian persecution is set to rise ‘sharply’ in 2019. – (Read the report here)

So, how can we know ‘which period of Christian Persecution‘ Jesus is referring to, WHICH WILL MARK THE ‘END OF THE AGE’? Yes, Keep reading!

So, where does all of this lead?

1. You will know when ‘The End of the Age’ is near, not when one or two of these events occur, but when ALL of ‘these things’ occur and converge concurrently, as Jesus said they would; then these things are the harbinger of ‘those things’ which have come to pass. (Also, see “The Tribulation of Those Days’).

2. The phrase “the beginning of birth pangs” is a statement made by Jesus in or around the year AD 30 and is a translation of the Greek archē _ ōdin . The meaning of the phrase, translated in the KJV as “the beginning of sorrows” is a direct reference to preliminary birth pangs that ultimately lead to the full scale contractions and travail, which leads to the actual birth.

Recognizing the Old Testament reference that Jesus was hearkening to is an essential, but often overlooked, key to determining the timing of the prophecy. Jesus was pointing his disciples to two key passages from the prophet Isaiah.

The first passage is Isaiah 26, a portion of Scripture found in the middle of what is sometimes referred to as “Isaiah’s little apocalypse”. There, the Lord speaks through Isaiah, specifically contrasting the expectations of the Jewish people regarding deliverance, redemption and physical resurrection with the reality of the pain, suffering and travail that they had corporately experienced. In verses 16-18, the complaint of Israel is raised that despite having endured the great suffering of labor, the expected “birth” of deliverance, redemption and resurrection had not arrived.

NEXT:  Part 2 – Daniel’s 70 Weeks.

“As it is written and forever remains written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE.” – Romans 3:10 (Amplified)

Does SIN separate you from God?

Have you ever heard that sin can separate you from God? I have often heard this phrase, that my ‘sins’ separate me from God, and that sin even hinders or negates my prayers or that God won’t even hear me.

Those who say that sin separates us from God, usually quote verses like Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Or, New Testament verses like Galatians 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

Then, when I commit a sin, this phrase comes to my mind, I begin to worry and doubt and fear that I have created a separation between me and my Eternal Hope.

I try to “not sin”, then I sin, anyway. And, the cycle of worry and doubt and fear starts over again.

I have met Christians who have serious challenges with alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual addiction, kleptomania, homosexuality, and other habits of thought, behavioral habits or addictions, and most will either say “the harder I try, the worse it gets” or “I am better, but…” or, they find themselves having live in the torment. I had found myself in this dilemma, once in my life.

Then there are the few who say they have been delivered from this torment and have been set completely free. How do they do that?

I have read all the well-intended commentaries and the so-called Bible scholars on this matter, and you get answers that differ depending on denominational views.

WHAT A QUANDARY.

The Apostle Paul gives us a word of hope in Romans, chapter 7, speaking about the conflict of the two natures that dwell within us.

Romans 7:14-25, tells us,

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.  But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind I am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh, the law of sin.”

THERE IS DELIVERANCE FROM THIS BONDAGE

Romans 8:1-6, tells us,

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of [c]sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For, those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For, the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”

NOW THERE IS THE NEW COVENANT

The Good News is that Jesus died, ONCE, for all who would believe.

Sin may cause us to separate ourselves from God, but sin will never separate God from those of us who believe.

Romans 8:31-39, says,

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You see, our ‘natural response’ to sin is to withdraw and try to HIDE FROM GOD, due to shame, guilt, worry, doubt and fear.

We can see this played out in the Garden of Eden, in Genesis 3:8

“They (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

Sin does not separate God from us. God will seek us out. We are the ones who will seek separation.

Sin is a method of Satan to impose guilt, shame, fear and doubt into our minds in order to compel us to withdraw from God and from God’s protection over our lives.

God never withdraws from His own, thanks to Jesus our Christ. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Romans 8 tells us that, “there is now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, those who walk in the Spirit of God. And that the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace!”

SO, WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THIS QUANDARY?

James 4:7 (Think on this, understand this, take it seriously, and do it)

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

YES!! Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

1 John 1:9 tells us that

“if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

And, on a final note, as helpful as some recovery programs are, this is not a “Two-Step” program for recovering addicts or habitual offenders.

James 4:7, is ALL ONE STEP:  Submit yourself to God AND resist the devil, and the devil will flee from you WHILE you are drawing near to God.

In other words, MOVE YOUR FOCUS AWAY FROM THE TROUBLE AND ONTO GOD.  YOU DO YOUR PART, WHILE, GOD IS DOING HIS PART

Again, let’s remember, Romans 8:6, says, “The mind set on The Spirit is life and peace.”  Life and Peace, Indeed!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Sample Ballots ⇽ Lee County, FL, November 8, 2022

Recommended Conservatives:

                        

OFFICE		Florida Family Action	United Christian	Florida Votes Values
US Senator		Marco Rubio	Marco Rubio	Marco Rubio
US Congress		Byron Donalds	Byron Donalds	Byron Donalds
Gov & Lt Gov		Ron DeSantis & Jeanette Nunez	Ron DeSantis & Jeanette Nunez	Ron DeSantis & Jeanette Nunez

      

                                                           F.F.A.                U.C.               F.V.V.

Atty General		Ashley Moody	Ashley Moody	Ashley Moody		Green = ENDORSE and/or YES, RETAIN
Chief Financial Officer		Jimmy Patronis	Jimmy Patronis	Jimmy Patronis		Red = DO NOT ENDORSE and/or NO, DO NOT RETAIN
Comm of Agriculture		Wilton Simpson	Wilton Simpson	Wilton Simpson
State Rep District 80		Badam Botana	Badam Botana	Badam Botana
Board of County Comm Dist 2		Cecil Pendergrass	Cecil Pendergrass	Cecil Pendergrass
Board of County Comm Dist 4		Brian Hamman	Brian Hamman	Brian Hamman
Board of County Comm Dist 5		Mike Greenwell	Mike Greenwell	Mike Greenwell
Justice of the Supreme Court		Chalres T. Canady	Chalres T. Canady	Chalres T. Canady		Green = ENDORSE and/or YES, RETAIN
Justice of the Supreme Court		John D. Couriel	John D. Couriel	John D. Couriel		Red = DO NOT ENDORSE and/or NO, DO NOT RETAIN
Justice of the Supreme Court		Jamie Grosshans	Jamie Grosshans	Jamie Grosshans
Justice of the Supreme Court		Jorge Labarga	Jorge Labarga	Jorge Labarga
Justice of the Supreme Court		Ricky Polston	Ricky Polston	Ricky Polston
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Patricia Joan Kelly	Patricia Joan Kelly	Patricia Joan Kelly
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Nelly N. Khouzam	n/a	Nelly N. Khouzam
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Suzanne Y. Labrit	n/a	n/a
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Matt Lucas	Matt Lucas	Matt Lucas
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Robert Morris	Robert Morris	Robert Morris
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Stevan Travis Northcutt	Stevan Travis Northcutt	Stevan Travis Northcutt
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		John K Stargel	n/a	n/a
2nd Dist Court of Appeal		Craig C. Villanti	n/a	Craig C. Villanti
School Board Dist 6		Denise Nystrom	Denise Nystrom	Denise Nystrom
Lee Memorial Health BOD Dist 3	David H. Klein	n/a	n/a	n/a
Lee Memorial Health BOD Dist 4	Dane Allen & Diane Champion	n/a	n/a	n/a
Voting yes on all amendments	Voting yes on all amendments

Official Sample Ballot, Lee County, Florida.

Also, BALLOTPEDIA sample ballot lookup by address.

CONSERVATIVE AND REPUBLICAN VOTER GUIDES:

Florida Family Voter Guide ⇽

United Christians of Florida Voter Guide ⇽

Florida Votes Values Voter Guide ⇽

VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT REQUEST FORM

VOTE BY MAIL INFORMATION and other resources

IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATES REGARDING THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION (Your vote can be critical) ⇾

Florida Charter Schools

Lee County Schools “Gender Equity Guide”

Lee County School Board to eliminate ‘sexist’ Prom King & Queen tradition.