A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


Showing posts with label The Tribulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Tribulation. Show all posts

June 23, 2021

Take It To Jesus!

 

I don't know if what I have to say today has any real significance according to the dictates of the Throne Room in Heaven. I am not a prophet; Jesus has not anointed me with that assignment. But, that doesn't mean that I cannot share the promptings that my spirit is receiving, and question [with discernment and grace] what others are hearing in their spirits. 

To begin, I know that I am not the only one recognizing the storm clouds on the horizon. It is apparent that the world is rapidly changing and chaos and disorder is on the brink of erupting in all areas of our lives. From the economy to the education of our children; from the instability and destruction at our borders, to the unreliability and quagmire in the halls of Congress, we are a nation in deep conflict. And we don't just feel the threat from domestic sources. We can sense the anticipation of our foreign enemies to take advantage of our internal turmoil. We are on the verge of lawlessness. Just as Jesus says, "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold". 

And that brings me to a subject that I've decided to rely on Jesus to show me His truth. I'm not one to receive or accept everything the modern day "prophets" share. Mind you, I do not dispute that Godly men and women are receiving some amazing downloads from the Holy Spirit, and many of their prophecies witness to my spirit in truth. I know that one of the more recent prophecies that the Church is giving credence to relates to the year 2025. Some are predicting that 2025 will start the final age of man, with a possible cataclysmic collision with an asteroid somewhere around 2029. Others are saying that 2025 will bring famine, civil war, and the threat of nuclear war; still others are predicting that 2025 will be the year of the Rapture. I cannot say, with any certainty, that any of these prophecies are correct. But I will share, in a moment, some interesting thoughts that are beginning to emerge in my spirit regarding this timeline.

We have seen such prophecies come and go in our lifetime. So I hold fast to the Biblical truth that no one knows the day or hour of Christ's return and the destruction of evil on the earth. However, we CAN be alert and watching for the signs and seasons. 1 Thessalonians 5 tells us we "are not living in the dark, allowing that day to creep up on you like a thief coming to steal".  But, He only comes as a thief in the night to those who are watching for Him! We Christians are to be on alert! And Luke shares Jesus's parable of the fig tree in chapter 21 ... as soon as the fig tree puts out its leaves, we know that summer is near. Jesus then reminds His listeners that "So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near." 

We, who are discerning correctly, will know that the time is at hand and what to look for; so knowing the times and seasons is important. In fact, the truth is that the Anti-Christ doesn't want us to know the times and seasons as attested to in Daniel 7:25, "He will speak words against the Most High [God] and wear down the saints of the Most High, and he will intend to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, [two] times, and half a time [three and one-half years]".

We all recognize this familiar Scripture as describing the Tribulation, which according to the Bible, will be a seven-year period in which the hand of God is removed from a world that has rejected Him for so long -- which results in the Anti-Christ and his agenda of evil which will reign down on the just and the unjust. [NOTE: Remember, we still have hope ... "And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened".] Our God is a righteous Judge, and in the end, Evil will be defeated and His people will be victorious.

I also want to point out that the Bible references both the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation [which is the three-and-a-half period that Daniel 7:25 references. This is the last half of the seven year covenant [or treaty] that the Anti-Christ enters into with Israel, foretold in Daniel 9:27, "And he will enter into a binding and irrevocable covenant with the many for one week (seven years), but in the middle of the week he will stop the sacrifice and grain offering [for the remaining three and one-half years]. The first half of this covenant is what Jesus talks about in Matthew 24... the beginning of birth pangs. He warns us of false messiahs who misappropriate the strength of the Name that belongs to Him; misusing it and calling themselves the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. The one who will "rise to the top", so to speak, will be the Antichrist, who appears to be the champion and friend of Israel, only to turn against her in the middle of that seven years and begin to severely desolate her.

That's why Jesus gives us the signs of His Second Coming -- we are to be alert to the season of time which begins with wars and rumors of wars; nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom; famine, pestilence; and earthquakes. That is tribulation coming on the earth and the beginning of birth pangs for three-and-a-half years. But those pains will become more severe in the last three-and-a-half years, which will be characterized as the great tribulation. But all those signs point to His imminent return! All of this must happen immediately before His glorious return to defeat Evil on the earth and usher in God's Millennial Kingdom! Hallelujah!

And here is what I also want you to know .... in His amazing Grace and Wisdom, God has given us His Feasts as appointed times; to be on the lookout for these momentous seasons. And my spirit is on high alert about the approaching Feast of Trumpets in September. This Feast has great significance in God's plan for redeeming the world. God instructed the ancient Israelites to blow trumpets [shofars] on that day to call a holy assembly. It is a time to reflect both on the righteous judgment of God and a time to contemplate repentance for sins ten days later, on the Day of Atonement [pointing to the Bema seat judgment of Jesus to distribute crowns and award inheritance] . 

It is significant to note that the blowing of shofars was done for various reasons, among them to sound an alarm, to announce the reign of a new king, and also as a call to battle or war. This all comes into focus when we understand that early Jewish Christians [who regarded Jesus as the Messiah] recognized that Jesus was born on the Feast of Trumpets -- not December 25th, which was instituted as His birth date when the Roman empire took over the world in the 4th century. Constantine [who hated the Jews] initiated "Christ-Mass" in honor of his old pagan celebration of the sun god on that date, and in homage to the festival of Saturnalia. All true Biblical scholars know that Jesus was not born on December 25th.

In fact, modern scholars have been able to precisely pinpoint His birth as corresponding to Tishri 1, the first day of the Feast of Trumpets. For a very detailed picture of the astronomical signs in the heavens which point to this phenomenon, you can read this article. For the purposes of this blog post, I want to concentrate on the import of the Feast of Trumpets. If we can believe that Christ was born on this particular Feast day, then we can see that His birth on this day announced that a new king from the Kingdom of Heaven had arrived to battle the kingdom of darkness in the world. For over 2000 years, the ultimate battle between Good and Evil has been building to a future Feast of Trumpets when the shofars of Joel 2 will be blown in Zion, to sound an alarm for battle; that days of darkness and gloom are coming that will ultimately bring forth the return of Christ and the Day of the Lord, and when evil will be judged and destroyed. Could this September see the fulfillment of that prophesied Feast of Trumpets?

If so, then it will coincide with the modern day prophecies of 2025 as a most consequential year for mankind. If the world continues on its rapid decline, then this September could begin those birth pangs; those things that Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 "must take place"; when we will be "handed over to [endure] tribulation". If the Feast of Trumpets in September 2021 kicks off the Tribulation, then three-and-a-half years later [March 2025] would find us entering The Great Tribulation period. Am I uncategorically endorsing this prognostication? No. But I also am not dismissing it. I will continue to do what Jesus and the Bible tell me to do ... receive council and understanding from the Holy Spirit, stay alert to the signs I've been given, and pray for discernment to recognize the Abomination of Desolation when it appears. 

I know this is not a popular message or topic in this day of hopeful revival that will delay any semblance of tribulation. It is not a message that anyone who loves the Lord enjoys giving. But we all know we serve a God of both love and mercy, as well as justice and righteousness. I pray for individual as well as corporate revival. And I welcome the warning blasts of the shofar, as they call us to repentance and God's righteous judgment against evil, because they also announce the impending return of the Messiah to establish God's Kingdom on the earth and the return of man's dominion over His creation. The shofars are also a call to battle for those of us on the earth to fight for the Kingdom! The prophesied Day of the Lord IS coming! I don't know if it is this year, or 2025, or some year far in the future. But I am looking forward to the day that the return of my Lord, Savior, and King is announced by the sound of a trumpet. Until then, I/we have work to do to prepare as many people as we can to get ready to receive Him. And it will be worth whatever is coming with the approaching storm clouds. Stay alert, use your discernment, and be active in the Kingdom!

Matthew 24:34    I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.

 

 


 

May 31, 2021

Persecution and The Tribulation: How Close Are We?


"The world is deathly ill. It is dying. The Great Physician has already signed the death certificate. Yet there is still a great work for Christians to do. They are to be streams of living water, channels of mercy to those who are still in the world. It is possible for them to do this because they are Overcomers."

Those words were written in a letter in 1974, by Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of the Nazi Death Camps. Unfortunately, I don't think Christians in the West listened to her ... especially here, in the United States. We have lived too comfortably, and we have identified for so long as a prosperous nation, that it is difficult to admit that this world is actually dying. That outlook might be about to change, so maybe we should examine her letter a little more closely. There is hope as she points out that we Christians are ambassadors for Christ to this dying world. And there is no compromise in her theology; she takes the Bible at face value, so she is cognizant of what the Lord said the world would look like before He returns.

She is really quite honest when she admits, "Sometimes I get frightened as I read the Bible, and as I look in this world and see all of the tribulation and persecution promised by the Bible coming true. Now I can tell you, though, if you, too, are afraid, that I have just read the last pages. I can now come to you, shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” for I have found where it is written that Jesus said, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be His God, and he shall be My son.” This is the future and hope of this world. Not that the world will survive – but that we shall be Overcomers in the midst of a dying world".

I will tell you that this is a message that the Western Church is reluctant to hear, let alone accept. But it is a message that I share -- both the good, bad, and ugly about what the Bible prophecies for this time. And I will also tell you that far too many of my contemporary Christian brothers and sisters do not want to receive that message. But as a Watchman on the wall, it is my obligation to speak the truth -- all of it -- both the coming persecution and final victory in overcoming.  

Corrie shares some of the persecution she and her sister Betsy suffered in the midst of the evil in that concentration camp, and that she even struggled to understand God's purpose in all the death she witnessed, including the death of her beloved sister. But, as the Word says, "What the devil meant for evil, God will use for [His] good". And I would like to say that He uses it for His Glory, as well. Corrie saw that herself. She stated that because of Betsey's death, she has been given the assignment [and gift] of  traveling all over the world and telling people about Jesus.

In regards to the persecution she personally endured, in 1974, Corrie declared, "There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days." I am now declaring, that in 2021, there are some among us teaching we will be able to escape the persecution in our time, and receive a reprieve from the tribulation! They tell us that we are on the brink of a "worldwide revival". But Scripture not only tells us we are not going to escape persecution, but I am unable to find anywhere that Jesus foretells such a revival. And I do not believe that we are to cherry-pick the Psalms that speak of our victory in Christ, yet overlook those verses that cry out for deliverance from the persecution of the Enemy.

I absolutely believe that the Bible speaks of personal revival in the End Times, as each human being must make a decision for Christ in the face of persecution and tyranny by the Enemy. Jesus warns of false prophets who are like wolves in sheep's clothing; of diseased trees bearing bad fruit; of wars, nation against nation, famines, and earthquakes -- all of which are the beginning of birth pangs, indicating the end of the Age. Furthermore, He says we will be delivered up to tribulation and put to death. Many will fall away from the faith and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved! Nowhere do I see Jesus saying that there will be a worldwide revival ushering in the fulfillment [completion] of the Kingdom on earth.

The Kingdom is here NOW! And Jesus tells us that the Good News about this fulfillment of the Kingdom [in His Second Coming] will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then "the end will come". I believe the end He is talking about is the end of the reign of the kingdom of darkness on the earth. Yes, the whole world will hear of what Jesus has done for us, but I do not think "proclaiming" the Gospel is the same as a worldwide revival of people coming to Christ. There is definitely a hope fo that result, and if by "revival", they mean the Body of Christ rises up to do what it is supposed to have been doing all along ... healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel, then I can hope for that, too.

But we cannot ignore the warnings about persecution, because it is here! The Christian Post website reported that China's persecution of Christians intensified in 2020, and the Communist Government is working to more fully control "religion". The website revealed "that schools in China have been teaching children that Christianity is an “evil cult,” while children are being taught to oppose religion, encouraged to question the beliefs of family members and report those closest to them to authorities." As our culture becomes increasingly "woke", and as we see "critical race theory" further dividing the American people, how long before religious and political persecution takes root in America? We are already seeing a "One World/Universal" religion spreading its false teachings throughout the world and within our denominations. Those who choose to proclaim Jehovah Adonai as the One True God will undoubtedly come under fire.

As Believers in this 21st Century, we must set our minds on the truth of Scripture and be prepared to endure during persecution. Will we see a remnant thrive and revive during these anti-Christ times? Of course! The Father's purpose for End-Times believers will never be thwarted! But if we truly believe that every word of Scripture is true, we know that we will be rewarded with Eternal Life with our Savior. What a victory! But before that victory, there is a reality that we cannot ignore. The Book of Revelation holds nothing back. The sixth chapter reveals the storm that is coming before Christ returns: Satan will empower a conqueror to wage war and take peace from the earth "so that men would slaughter one another; and a great sword [of war and violent death] was given to him". The 13th chapter says, "It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and  authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him". The 17th chapter tells us, "And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus". 

I believe these are the souls under the altar in Heaven crying out for Justice; those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained [out of loyalty to Christ]. There will be martyrs for Christ, just as there were in the first century after Christ's crucifixion. In 1974, Corrie Ten Boom wrote, "In America, the churches sing, “Let the congregation escape tribulation,” but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived.  This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa.  Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations.  But I know. I have been there.  We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners.  Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation". Can you honestly say that Satan has backed off his plans to defeat Christianity in the last 47 years? 

I know that many don't want to contemplate persecution or tribulation; it is much more pleasant to think on the mercy, grace, and victory of Christ. And I recognize that Satan uses fear to keep us from thinking we are strong enough to be a martyr for Christ. But we need to understand that if that time comes, we will receive the strength we need to glorify the Lord in that moment of our refusal to deny Him. We will be able, like Stephen, to testify of His presence in our lives and of His power in the world. We will confidently cry out, “Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!” 

So, how close are we to this controversial Biblical prophecy? No one knows for sure. But the signs are all there. The birth pangs are getting sharper and lasting longer. The Enemy is longer working in secret, but operating right out in the open for discerning minds and hearts to see. He thinks he has control of the whole earth, and is putting his plan into effect. A global pandemic, famine, earthquakes, and rumors of war are all in view. And I wholeheartedly desire revival in the lives of every Christian on earth, with millions more joining our family of God. But I believe it is a personal revival; perhaps one person at a time. And I welcome that! So let us encourage each other and help each other get ready. We have a purpose to fulfill! And let us approach each day knowing that no matter what happens to us, we will not endure this day alone. Our Lord will always be with us, in and out of persecution; in and out of tribulation; until one day we stand before Him and receive the Crown of Life. Praise Him, for He is worthy to be praised!

2 Timothy 3:12   Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith].

October 23, 2020

How Spiritually Prepared Are You?

 

"Brace Yourself" is the prophetic watchword for this specific time in our history.  This warning is coming frequently in dreams and visions and prophetic words to the people of God.  Christians at every level of service to the Body of Christ are spreading the alarm they are receiving in their spirits. If you are at all in harmony with your spirit, then you can discern that Evil is increasing on the earth -- and we can certainly see it on our streets. Men's hearts have grown cold. Lawlessness and sin abound. Love for each other is diminishing; our differences fuel the hate this is increasingly evident. The Enemy of the children of God is getting ready to mount his final campaign against us as he plots to defeat Almighty God.

We know this because the Bible tells us so. When asked by His Disciples what it would look like at the end of the age, Jesus replied, Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

This pretty much describes our relations with China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and countries around the globe. And if you are unable to see that it illustrates our national crisis, then I'm afraid you're being naive.  I know there are counter voices in the Christian culture that promote the religious message that Revival is on the way. And we should most definitely pray and intercede that recognition of God will reawaken in our land, and impassioned worship will sweep the nation. It is imperative that we do these things. But it is also wise to prepare for what Jesus most emphatically prophecies as our future. And I'm afraid "the Church" doesn't want to hear that message.

We, in America [as products of the Western/Greek mindset] rely on what I call our "religious bias". We are partial to our 21st Century theology which emphasizes God's Grace and Mercy through the sacrificial act of Jesus on the Cross. We have been saved from our sins, we tell ourselves, therefore the doom and gloom Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah and Ezekiel and Jeremiah regarding the End of the World are mitigated by the New Testament Atonement of Christ. 

And the Church points to the Book of Acts as proof of what faithful Christians on fire for the Gospel of Salvation can do in the world. Modern Christians point to the promise of eternal life in Heaven as our destination, and ignore the persecution that each of those founders of the Church suffered in their lives. The Bible tells us that we will be regarded as "sheep to be slaughtered". The early disciples certainly experienced that. They were boiled in oil, crucified upside down, beheaded, stoned and clubbed to death, burned alive, sawed in half, and suffered many other forms of cruel death. Disciples of Christ have been martyred ever since. So, I must ask the difficult question ... are you prepared to suffer such tribulation?

I get it ... none of us want to suffer. And I'm afraid that we American Christians live our lives under the comforting words of the Declaration of Independence --- that we are entitled to "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness", as a right given to us by our Creator. But that document does not supersede either Scripture or the words of our Savior, both of whom promise that suffering is guaranteed in this fallen world; and will increase as we near Christ's return. And as we see the rebellion against God and His principles on the rise, we must expect, as His followers, that we will be treated as His Son was treated. Are you ready for that kind of persecution?

When I first began writing this blog in 2011, my spirit knew changes were coming to our country, and I felt called to warn people to prepare for the physical trouble and hardship that was coming, while clinging to Jesus and growing a deep relationship with Him. Ultimately, I warned, He will be your answer. But we needed to come out of our normalcy bias that "everything would always be okay, because we are America!" Well, here we are nine years later, and everything is not okay. In fact, we are in very real danger of losing what America has been all about. More than just lack of food and shelter, we are now facing threats to our lives because of our political alliances and the color of our skin. We are losing what this nation has always considered our "God-given rights". And we are failing to recognize that an Anti-Christ spirit is invading our land; a spirit that hates God and holds in derision all that He has created -- the unborn child, marriage, gender, race, law and order. And soon this spirit will exhibit his hate for those of us who are called by His Name.

Are you ready for the persecution that will swiftly follow? Are you ready to lose your job; be hated by your family; rejected by society; imprisoned for your faith; and yes, to be martyred? If you think it can't happen, just look at the lives of our fellow Christians around the world. Jesus, Himself, prophecies it! And I worry that far too many Christians will stumble and be unprepared to pay the cost of being a follower of Christ. We must strengthen our faith and prepare to carry our own cross, just as Jesus did. We must be prepared to lose everything!

Sadly, the Church has given lip-service to this concept and shied away from confronting believers with the hard truth that suffering and tribulation will be our temporary circumstances before Jesus's return. We have fallen for the messages of false prophets such as Darby and Scofield, who wrote Bibles promoting a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. This doctrine has certainly led people astray, and it was never spoken of by Jesus. Yet, many in the Church choose to believe this false theology, which is only 200 years old, rather than the Word of God spoken by our Lord and Savior 2000 years ago! 

I am being honest when I say that I fear for my fellow Christians. I don't want them to be surprised or in shock when the promised persecution comes. And it will be far worse than anything we have witnessed to date. I want them to be strengthened to endure and persevere during what is coming, and to keep their eyes and hearts and spirits focused on the One who will ultimately deliver us. I want them to be able to reinforce the faith of our fellow Christians who will falter during the satanic oppression, and at the same time, be prepared to share the Good News of Salvation and God's Kingdom on earth with those who have never heard. I want them to be prepared to declare Jesus Christ even when the sword is at their breast. I want their spirit to rise up in their identity as warriors for the Kingdom, even when their flesh is weak. I want them to be sure of who they are, and just how great is their God, so that even in the midst of persecution like the world has never seen, they will be known for their faith. 

I desire all this for the Body of Christ, and I desire it for myself. I have no great illusions that all Christians will meet this test. But I pray that the Remnant, however large or small it is, is even now preparing itself in all these matters. I pray they see through the dirty veil that the Enemy has placed over the physical eyes of my fellow believers, and that they see clearly [with spiritual eyes] the truth of what Jesus spoke. May God Almighty strengthen us and fortify us to meet the coming tribulation, and may we serve Him with courage and spiritual might, knowing that because we will endure, we will be saved. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have given us Your Word of Truth so that we might not be caught unaware; so that we might train and equip ourselves to be ready when the Evil One comes against us at the end of this age. Amen.

Luke 21:36   But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].

 

 

June 30, 2020

"Where Can We Go?"

    

     "Where can we go?" That's the question that Mark and I get from a lot of our Christian friends who are struggling with how to respond to the chaos and breakdown in our country. Our answer is always the same ... "There's nowhere you can move to escape what the Enemy is sowing in the hearts of men."
     These are good Christian men and women who believe in Jesus. But what does that statement really mean? I can say for sure that they're not fence-sitters -- they have clearly chosen to pursue faith in Jesus, and sincerely want to know how to respond in these desperate times. But have they truly been equipped to see beyond this natural realm into the spiritual? Are they mature enough in their faith to endure the fundamental changes that might soon take place in our homeland?
     I will tell you that there are those who are still counting on the Rapture to catapult them off the earth before things "get too bad". And when I tell them that the Bible never promises us that; only that we are not appointed to God's wrath, and His wrath comes right before the "terrible day of the Lord", which is the judgment of the earth. That interpretation is usually met with a period of prolonged silence. And I then explain that as I read the Bible it is clear to me that we will experience the Tribulation, and then I tell them why .... First, Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that we will recognize the "birth pangs" of the coming Tribulation by the signs (wars and rumors of wars; nations against nations; kingdoms against kingdoms; famines and earthquakes); in other words, general upheaval across the globe. And then, comes the specific warning for us Christians: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." There is nothing in that passage that hints we will be delivered out of those adversities.
     I then explain that, to my sorrow, I discern that there will be many Christians who "fall away" from their faith; with their love of Jesus [and their faith] growing cold because their expectations of "deliverance from the hard times" has not been met. They will falter and lose their hope and strength in the Lord, and there will need to be at least a remnant on the earth who can speak God's truth into their hearts and help them to endure and be overcomers.
     Secondly, there is still work to be done for the Kingdom during the Tribulation! There are still people being born; people who need to receive Salvation and enter into their Kingdom citizenship to battle alongside us in the Spirit until Jesus returns to wipe out the evil on the earth. God wishes no one to perish and we will still be able to have an impact on people's lives during those harrowing times.
     Then once Christians get over the shock that they might actually have to experience the Tribulation, then we have to have the talk that all their worldly goods will not be able to save them from the great trouble or suffering that is prophesied in the Book of Revelation. You see, this nation has a history and legacy of prosperity. Even our poorest citizens are richer than many in Third World countries. True, our distribution of wealth is unequal, and the span between the rich and poor is getting even wider. So, let's just agree that we in America are pretty comfortable by the world's standards.
     I often hear from Christians who, until now, have clung to the belief that the power of the United States of America would be everlasting; that it is iindestructible. But now that foundation is beginning to crumble, and they want to know how to preserve their wealth; their money, their 401(k)'s; their houses and property if "things go south", and the unimaginable happens .. the ruination of the US economy. They want to know where they can go [on earth] to maintain the lifestyle that they've worked so hard to achieve and protect. I tell them that the world as they know it will no longer exist. And then I tell them it's time to open their Bibles and read. Their answers are in that book which God gave to us to reveal His heart and His plan of redemption. If we come to that point, it's time to flip to the Book of Revelation.
     When Jesus opens the Scrolls in Heaven, it begins an unprecedented chain of events upon the earth, in which Death and Famine and Disease preside, along with earthquakes and devastation of the seas and the first heaven; and the martyrdom of the Saints during the great Tribulation. With each successive seal that is opened, and trumpet that is sounded, the battle between God and Satan for the peoples and the earth increases with intensity. I try to explain to my friends who are comfortable in their faith and their possessions, that when that time comes, they will have no concern for 401(k)s or big houses and fancy cars. It will be a matter of survival in the Lord.
     But all will not be hopeless! Those of us who are enduring for the Lord will see 144,000 of the lost sheep of Israel come to faith in Jesus Christ, their Messiah! They will resume their intended purpose: to lead all nations of the earth to faith in YHWH. Those of us who endure will hear of the testimony of God's two witnesses in Jerusalem for the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation. We will hear of the joyous celebration by God's enemies when the witnesses are killed and their bodies lay in the street for 3.5 days. But the faithful of YHWH will themselves rejoice when "the breath of life from God enters the witnesses, and they will stand up on their feet" and respond to the shout from Heaven to "Come up here!" We will pray for the 7000 souls lost in the subsequent earthquake, but praise the Lord for "the rest [who] are terrified and give glory to the God of Heaven"!
     I know that to some of you I may sound like a Doomsday sayer. I don't sound like some of the prophets of today who are speaking of a great and imminent revival that is set to sweep the globe in the near future. They predict that this unprecedented and unparalleled revival is in answer to our prayers to heal this world, and it will precede the final lawlessness of the Enemy and the Coming of the Lord. I'm sorry, but I don't see any indication anywhere in the Bible of such a tremendous and multitudinous renewal across the globe in the last days. However, I do believe that there will be huge spiritual return to God, as He draws forth His Remnant; Believers who will walk in such supernatural power and authority that they will resist the Enemy's numerous forces and stand on the earth in mighty opposition to the Man of Lawlessness and his Beast System. People will be drawn to their message and souls will be won for the Kingdom. And I praise the Lord for that!
     In the final analysis, there is one thing I know for sure ... God has not given up on America, even though we have slowly, through the last 50-60 years, seem to have given up on Him. I believe that He could decide to pour out His Spirit upon our land, and we still have time to turn this ship around. But we need to be asking different questions. Instead of, "When is the Rapture coming?", we need to be asking ourselves if we are prepared to endure and overcome what might be the darkest hour in our nation's history. Instead of asking, "Where can we go if the US economy collapses?", we need to take a measurement of our faith. Are we secure in Jesus, or do we find our security in our position and possessions? And finally, instead of looking and waiting for the fourth great awakening in America, perhaps we should invite the Spirit to breath new life into us, as individuals, and re-commit ourselves to our Lord's command to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom as a witness to our fellow man. So, where can we go? Anywhere the Lord sends us, and to the ends of the earth, if necessary.

Romans 12:12     Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
   

August 29, 2016

Why Understanding Eschatology in World Religions Matters

    As you know, I have been focusing on the subject of spiritual warfare of late.  It is because I believe that the turmoil and chaos we see in people's personal lives and throughout the world is the result of an earthly king who opposes God and His people, and the “prince” who stands behind that realm, prompting men to carry out his will. Of course, this belief system is supported by my faith and profoundly frames my Biblical worldview.
     So, when I look at topics like the racial violence in our cities, terrorist attacks in Europe, and the latest issue of Dabiq, the propaganda magazine of the Islamic State, I see beyond the surface images and discern a deeper truth regarding their significance to men.  Each one points to an underlying element of satan's character and conduct -- to wreak havoc and spoil and ruin in his never-ending quest to destroy mankind, which is God's creation and the one who usurped his position in Heaven.
     I'm pretty sure that you are aware of the first instances I cited, but that third one ... Dabiq, the propaganda instrument; what part does it play in satan's plan?  First of all, thanks to Joel C. Rosenberg, prolific author and communications strategist, we have a unique perspective on the importance of this strategic tool and the significance of its name.  Dabiq, a small town in northern Syria, lies around 6 miles from the Turkish border, and it features in Islamic apocalyptic prophecies as the site of an End Times showdown between Muslims and their enemies.  By naming their propaganda tool after this site, ISIS is showing the world that they intend to bring about this confrontation.  In essence, the magazine Dabiq is foreshadowing Islamic eschatology.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
     For those of you who need a solid definition of just what comprises eschatology, here it is:  eschatology is the part of religious theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind; it is the belief of what will happen in the final events in the history of the world.  Each of the three major religions has their own form of eschatology (and none of them are universally accepted by all adherents of each faith).  In Judaism, this time period is known as "the End of Days", and centers around the belief that the God of Israel will redeem His people from captivity (which began in the Babylonian exile) and return the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.  God will restore the Temple in Jerusalem and the House of David, out of which will come a King, a Jewish Messiah, who will defeat the Gentile nations, lead the Jewish people and the world, and He will usher in an age of justice and peace.  All nations will recognize that the God of Israel is the only true God, after which He will resurrect the dead and create a new heaven and a new earth.
     In Christianity, our End Times eschatological theology can vary among different denominations.  So, I will present it as I understand it from my study of Scripture ... Jesus returns at the end of "the Tribulation" to rescue Israel, defeat the Antichrist, judge the nations and the wicked in Israel, and rule over the Messianic Kingdom.  The Church will be snatched away at some point prior to God's judgment being poured out on the wicked of the earth.  [Whether that is pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, or post-tribulation is anyone's guess.  I prefer to see it as pre-wrath since 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says that God did not appoint us to suffer wrath.  That being said, Scripture tells us "no one knows the day or hour"].  After Armageddon, Satan is bound and believers enter the Millennium.  Following the thousand year reign of Christ there is a final battle with satan, the destruction of the cosmos, and recreation of a new heaven and earth.
     The eschatology of Islam looks like this ... Jesus (Isa) will return to over-throw the Romans in "Dabiq or Al-A'maq" in Syria, or at the Lud gate in Jerusalem, according to another account.  Jesus will "kill all pigs and break all crosses", confirming Islam as the only true religion.  After 40 years Jesus will die and be buried next to Muhammad in Medina (Islam teaches that Jesus didn't die in A.D. 33 but has been in a state of "suspended animation" since).  That is the purpose of Jesus's Second Coming according to Islam.
     In Judaism Jesus returns as the Messiah to defeat the hostile Gentile nations and restore the kingdom of Israel.  The Jews will return from exile to their Holy Land (already occurring) and they will rule in a spiritual age of harmony.  His return in Christianity is similar; Jesus will come to rescue Israel, defeat the Antichrist, judge the nations and the wicked in Israel, and rule over the messianic kingdom.
     So, while all three major world religions share in a belief of a final judgment, the establishment of a new earth, tribulation before the establishment of this new earth, and the belief in the eternal reign of a Messianic figure -- there is a major difference that must be noted.  The Bible never calls on Jews and/or Christians to annihilate their enemies to bring about the Kingdom of their Messiah.  But Apocalyptic Islam calls for just that -- there must be a conquest of their enemies before the Kingdom of their Messiah can be established.  Some analysts have said ISIS could be trying to hasten this battle by goading the U.S. into putting boots on the ground in Syria.  According to the Islamic view the soldiers of Allah will win this battle, ushering in a period marked by the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel and the dominance of Muslims globally.
     Do you see why it is important to note and understand the eschatology of these World Religions?  We can no longer ignore a major religion that consists of 1.6 Billion followers and approximately 23% of the global population (and growing).  And we cannot ignore the message shouted from the pages of Dabiq:  ISIS leaders make it clear they want to bring about the End of Days; they vow to “break the cross” — that is, to slaughter Christians in the Middle East, in the West, and around the world, and to annihilate Christianity from the Earth; and they list six reasons they hate us .... 1) we are "disbelievers" in their god;   2)  they hate us because our secular, liberal societies permit the very things that their god has prohibited;  3)  they even hate our atheists because they deny our Lord;  4)  they hate us for the crimes and transgressions they believe we have waged against their religion;  5)  they hate us for what they see as crimes against Muslims; and 6) they hate us for invading their lands, and they vow to fight us and drive us out.
     For perhaps the first time in the short history of our nation, eschatology is at the heart of our enemy's motivations, their strategies, and their tactics.  Many Muslims across the globe see the unfolding events in Syria and Iraq as proof that the prophetic traditions of their religion are coming to pass and will soon lead to the return of the Muslim Jesus and the Mahdi ... the "guided one", the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will rule for five, seven, nine, or nineteen years before the Day of Judgment and will rid the world of evil.
     And just in case you are wondering what all this has to do with spiritual warfare... it should be apparent by now.  The powers of darkness which have been given territorial rule by the prince of this world are running their programs.  The Enemy of mankind senses that his time is short ... he, too, knows the eschatology of each of the major religions and he is playing his hand for all its worth right now.  So, we'd better know the game plan, too.  And all the earth better know that there is only One True God who will rule the world.  When that trumpet blows, it will be the Jewish Messiah, our Lord and Savior, who descends from heaven.  And every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!  Amen!

Isaiah 60:1-2    "Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you."







April 29, 2015

These Are The Days of Destruction


     I don't believe that anyone can watch the bedlam that is Baltimore and not grieve our human condition.  To demolish and shatter property and lives for the pure "joy" of destroying them is a picture of a society without a moral code.  While the gangs and hoodlums who roamed the streets of Baltimore, burning and looting, may know the difference between right and wrong, it is abundantly clear that they weren't concerned about choosing wisely, or displaying good or bad behavior; nor did they hold any high principles for proper conduct.
     I am not willing to cut them any slack due to the death of Freddie Gray.  Those who were drawn to the impulse to destroy did not even know Mr. Gray.  They didn't attend his funeral, nor seek to engage in constructive protest of police actions.  Instead they responded to social media provocations to riot and rampage.  Let's be clear ... they were determined to destroy, and complete devastation and ruination was the goal.  The lack of authoritative control on the part of government officials, law enforcement, or parents shows the degree to which we are sliding into corruption, abomination, and wickedness.  The Enemy of God and mankind chortles with glee and satisfaction.

     The figures are devastating:  More than 4,600 people dead. Over 9,000 injured. Eight million affected across Nepal. One million children urgently in need of help.  (Statistics from CNN).  And those numbers are nowhere near the final toll.  Landslides, avalanches, and torrential rain have added to the grief we feel for the humanity of man after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Himalayan country.
     The capital city of Kathmandu is also known as the City of Temples.  An ancient poet once said, "there are as many temples as head of people can be seen".  Wikipedia lists nearly 200 temples in an area equal in size to two counties in Texas!  While I disparage the anguish of the millions of people affected by the destructive earthquake, my biblical worldview and spirit cannot help but wonder if the price of worshipping foreign gods has not come due on the people of Nepal.  The First Book of Corinthians, Chapter 10, contains a strong warning about the price to be paid for idolizing false gods and provoking God to jealousy.  Is the God of Creation announcing that His final judgment upon this earth is about to occur?
     The Bible also tells us that there will be "distress of nations" on the earth due to signs in the sun, moon and stars.  The blood red moons and the solar disturbances give credence to that prophecy.  Our own nation sits on edge with prognostications of major earthquakes in California and along the New Madrid Fault in the Midwest.  And volcanoes along the Pacific Ocean Ring of Fire are making themselves known ... it sure seems as if the earth and the works that are done on it are being exposed [with the result being our own destruction].  The Ruler of this world and of Darkness waits in anticipation to make his final moves.
   
     And we cannot discuss the destruction of these days without considering the effects of the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage.  My opinion will come as no surprise to anyone,  I believe that if the definition of marriage is redefined, it will mean the destruction of the family as God intended it.  In fact, even the term "family" is being redefined as any two people who live together, regardless of their sex.
     But this is what I find interesting ... For the last 50 years or more, Sociologists have pointed to the lack of fathers in the black community as a vital reason for the destruction of the Black Family.  So why is that correlation not continued across the spectrum of all families?  If it is essential for a healthy family to consist of a father and mother, then doesn't it make sense that the union of the two people who create that family be defined as a man and woman?  Doesn't it seem that simple?
     Yet our very churches no longer seek to encourage the family unit.  They increasingly model themselves to the whims of society, with no regard as to the morality or sinfulness of societal self-indulgence.  Humanism has become the new religion of this Age; the human perspective has become more important than the Divine.  Human beings know what they want and what is good for them; there is no need to subject the desires of the flesh to the standards of a diminished God.
     And this summer the highest court in the land will determine the standard by which future marriages and families in the entire country will be defined.  Sadly, I do not have great hope that their decision will be pleasing to the God I serve.  Compromise has become the byword, and unfortunately, that concession will seal our destruction, both as a nation, and as Christ's Church.  Score one more for Satan in his cosmic battle to control this realm.

     The definition of Destruction is as follows:  a)  the action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired;  b)  the action or process of killing or being killed;  c) a cause of someone's ruin.  Look carefully at each of these three meanings ... you will find Baltimore described in the first; Nepal in the second; and our nation in the third.  Is it as apparent to you, as it is to me, that these are the Days of Destruction?  Pray for God's mercy to keep us from destroying ourselves!  Lord knows we are due His Destructive Hand!

Matthew 10:28    "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."


January 15, 2015

Is This Our New Normal?

     Are you like me, and finding it hard to remember what it was like to have days free of worry or concern over the affairs of the world?  When was the last time you remember a day without a headline screaming about a terrorist attack, or the imminent collapse of the economy?  The problem is, those topics used to seem like some obscure or vague threat.  We could pretend that these scenarios were just a vision of some whacked-out conspiracy nut.  Besides, there was plenty of good news to keep our minds focused on a rosy future ... like reports that the jobless rates were falling, the end to our foreign wars, and even our surge in energy independence.
     The space of time between reports of terror attacks, or downturns in the economy, were long enough that we could convince ourselves that they were just blips on the radar.  All the talk of End Times events were just the rants of religious fanatics, right?
     Of course, September 11, 2001 was the moment that we were all shaken out of our comfortable existences.  We began to look outside ourselves and see that the world truly was interconnected ... and beginning to spiral out of control. And I do not find it coincidental that 2001 was the year that PLW and I took a u-turn in the direction of our lives, and decided to trust God to lead us down His path, rather than the one the world prescribed.
     Although I found learning to trust Him to be a frightening period, it was never-the-less, a time of spiritual growth and a moderate, but increasing, period of prosperity.  I guess it was 2008 when I realized that I was in for another period of adjustment and spiritual growth.  I realized that there were forces outside our control that would effect our future --- not only how we lived and existed in the world, but that our spiritual life would also be tested.  I'm sure many of you have experienced the same journey.  Yet, the periods of smooth sailing were still there, and we could hope that the serious troubles were yet years away.
     But it seems, with the advent of 2015, that we have crossed over into the Twilight Zone.  It's like we have passed into some new dimension, from which there is no return.  And the Enemy is renewing his attacks on old fears and attempting to keep us from turning to God.  Even my most skeptical friends --- you know the ones; those who smirked every time I expressed my opinion that this country was still in the crosshairs of the terrorists --- are now admitting that we are vulnerable, in the wake of the Paris attacks.  The hint of "lone wolf" attacks are now being replaced with reports of worldwide "sleeper cells".  We can no longer ignore the warning signs.
     And speaking of vulnerable ... how quickly has our economy become susceptible to collapse?  In just a few short weeks, the price of a barrel of oil has thrown the world's economy into a tailspin, and the booming Texas and North Dakota oil/gas exploration is experiencing a terrifying slide.  In the last few years, this industry sector has single-handedly kept Wall Street afloat.  The downward price of oil was good for the consumer, but the panic over diminishing company profits was felt at the New Year's opening bell on Wall Street.
     Yes, I'm afraid we must face up to it; this is our new normal.  And, yes, it appears to project a dismal and declining future.  If you measure it by the world's standards, I would have to agree with you.  BUT, it is also an opportunity to develop a new normal, a new pattern of living.
     We cannot make the negatives disappear.  I'm afraid they are here to stay.  Our Lord told us we would experience them all -- the wars, the diseases, the famines, the persecution, the earthquakes, men being offended, false prophets, lawlessness, and love grown cold -- and in the Revelation to the Apostle John, we see that they will increase in number and speed and intensity.  I'm pretty sure we're in what He called "the beginning of sorrows."
     But our new normal can transcend these troubles and perils.  We can turn from these disturbing trends and center our lives on seeking the face of God.  I know that sounds trite, and simplistic.  But when we immerse our minds and our hearts on drawing nearer to Him, we are insulated from the events of the world.  All the comforts and so-called security of this world will fade away, but if our life is centered on serving God and others, then our minds cannot be tempted by the lies of the devil.
     Our new normal may look nothing like the contented past we enjoyed, or the future we planned; but it can be richer, and more productive, and even more peaceful when we are not seeking the rewards of this life, but instead focusing on running a good race for the next.  We're in a race now, to make it to the finish line, and I want nothing of the old normal to hold me back.  I will gladly embrace the new if it means conquering my fears and reaching for eternity.

Isaiah 43:19    "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
   
   

January 8, 2015

The Canary in the Coal Mine

     The history of Europe has been long and storied.  It includes classic antiquity and the influence of ancient Greece and ancient Rome.  During the Middle Ages, the Eastern Roman Empire spawned the Byzantine Empire, while the Western portion of Roman lands would emerge as their own kingdoms in the form of nations such as France, Germany, and the British Isles. 
     As history progressed through the Viking Age and what historians call the High Middle Ages, you can see the emergence of nations like Poland, Hungary, and Croatia; along with the rise and fall of the Mongol and Ottoman Empires.  The Renaissance saw unprecedented growth in science, theology, religious wars, and political revolutions.  One can see the changing landscape of national boundaries through the era of "World Wars" in the 20th century, as well as the rise, fall, and resurrection of the economic/political system called communism.  (You can see a fascinating recreation of 6013 years of changing European boundaries in this 3-minute video).  Currently Europe is attempting to remain united under a faltering compact called the European Union.  But there are cracks in the cement of this coalition.  
Supporters of the newspaper staff who were murdered in Paris.
Sign reads "I am Charlie".
     Two primary fractures are apparent in the form of anti-semitism and radical Islam.  Just yesterday, the world witnessed the outrageous murder of a French newspaper's staff because they dared to ridicule a religion, which claims to be one of peace.  For the editor, Stephane Charbonnier (of the satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo), who had been threatened before about cartoons critical of the faith, it was a question of free speech.  Even though his name was among those on an al-Queda "hit list", he remained adamant to the end, declaring "I prefer to die standing than to live on my knees."
     France is not the only European nation to find itself engulfed in a battle for a free civilization.  The growing Muslim populations in European countries have led to a rising conflict between cultures and vocal protests against the increasingly radicalized Islamic citizens in Sweden, Denmark, Greece, and now Germany.  Ultra-Nationalism is becoming a greater influence, which has resulted in the rise of nazism and the ugly threat of anti-semitism.
     Only 70 years since the most horrific murder of 6,000,000 Jews in the Holocaust, the world once again is seeing the evidence of prejudice and persecution of Jews in Europe.  But this time, the hatred of Jews is not only coming from ultra-nationalist factions in the political arena, but from the growing Muslim population in Europe.  That's what makes this new antisemitism even more dangerous, if that were possible.  
     Since the year 2000, there has been a steady increase of physical assaults against Jews including beatings, stabbings and other violence.  Pro-Palestinian rallies across Europe have resulted in shouts of "Death to the Jews" and "Gas the Jews", as well as graffiti expressing similar threats.  People have been killed at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium; and Jewish businesses and synagogues in Paris, Italy, and Germany have been destroyed.  The truth is that Jews are not feeling safe in Europe, and while these circumstances may eerily resemble the climate of Europe before Hitler's "Final Solution"; in reality, it is much worse.  The Jews find themselves a target of the confluence of political rhetoric, socialist ideology, and religious fanaticism.  And it is all fueled by the immediacy and emotional impact of social media. 
     But, if you are a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ, you should not be surprised or caught unawares of this firestorm.  We see the world's rising hatred against God's chosen people, and we know why.  We see the increasing forces of evil coming against civilized man, and we know why.  We see the wars, and rumors of wars; we see the battle over the holy city of Jerusalem; we see the earthquake swarms (11 in Texas in the last 24 hours!), weather anomalies, martyred Christians, diseases and plagues .... and we know why.
      And in the midst of it all, we see what Jesus called "the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity".  But what are we to do?  It's simple.  We endure and we preach the Gospel.  The rest is up to God; and believe me, He will take care of it.  He says He will.  Until then, we have been given the warnings and we should not be unprepared for what is coming. 
      You know, I find myself not so much fearing those final days of spiritual trouble, as much as I feel apprehensive about the "worldly" issues -- the uncertainties of income, the wondering when the economic collapse is coming, or how to deal with rising prices and lack of resources.  I know the ways of this world are temporary and meaningless; and I want nothing more than to be out of this worldly system.  At the same time, I strive to count it all joy, and willingly suffer as Christ did.  I know my spiritual strength and that God abides in me; I know my eternal life is secure.  
     But I worry about friends and family, and how this coming storm will effect them.  Most of all, I am concerned for my Jewish friend, Ophir, who lives in the heart of Jerusalem.  She is a believer in Jesus as the Messiah, and is a single mother with four small children, all under the age of nine.  The oldest, beautiful Liya, has Down's syndrome, and her youngest son is only 18 months old.  I pray for their safety and that it will not be wintertime when they are forced to flee Jerusalem.
     So, I see clearly what is on the horizon.  It cannot be avoided as we look at the headlines coming out of Europe.  It is ugly, and it is a warning of the tribulation to come.  But, as it is written in Scripture: ... "When you see these signs, all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors."  As disturbing as the signs are, they are both a warning of the evil to come, and a beacon of hope for our deliverance from this wicked world.  Maranatha!  

Revelation 22:20    "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"