What Happened Between the Death of Jesus and His Resurrection? Why You Need to Know!

In our Christian faith and traditions, we honor Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross for us, and we celebrate His Resurrection. But how many of us know [or even have any interest in knowing] what happened during that interval that Jesus was in the tomb? Unfortunately, through the centuries, since that providential interval, the Church and various denominations have often stopped short of examining the importance of what Scripture tells us was going on.

Before we begin this discussion, we must understand that not only do we not study or teach about this subject from a Scriptural standpoint, but that lack of examination has led to confusion and an inadequate interpretation of what Scripture actually says. It's important that we realize that when it comes to the language in our modern Bibles, that we have inherited a conglomeration of various translations that have come to us through the ages. The Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint), which was then translated into Latin by Jerome (with the assistance of other scribes); and then translated into English by such men as John Wycliffe and William Tyndale. And of course, we've had many recent translations in English since then.

Let me be clear .... this is not an attempt to disqualify our Bible as incomplete or in error. In fact, I believe that the Bible we have today can be interpreted through our relationship with the Holy Spirit and we can receive everything God intended us to know about His redemptive plan for mankind. The problem arises [regarding this topic of where Jesus was between His death and His resurrection] because too many in our modern age take their understandings of Science and Technology and try to force them into ancient texts. 

Can you perceive that the Bible gives us a "story arc" by which to understand the history, plan and purpose in God's relationship with man and His gift of redemption? It's not every single detail of what's happened since Genesis 1:1, but shows us the development of that relationship; the conflicts, the resolutions, and God's intentions and will. I'm sure you can grasp the concept that everything about the history of God's interactions with mankind cannot be contained in 1500 pages. So we must study history and cultural precepts, as well as learn to "connect the dots" that God and the Holy Spirit reveal in the Word. 

So, when it comes to this question I've presented in the title today, let's proceed with the acceptance that the Bible is not trying to answer our questions from today's scientific mindset, but simply trying to communicate to us the significant story arc of His gift of Redemption. We can begin by understanding that God, the Father, wants a family and relationship with us. Our free will choice to participate in Sin has destroyed that relationship, and Jesus is the answer and the instrument of our familial restoration. 

This brings us to the question I ask in the title of this post, and the passage in the Bible that has led to controversy among modern-day Christians ... When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He bestowed gifts to men. In saying, "He ascended", what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of Heaven] into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very same who also ascended far above all the heavens, that His presence might fill all things [the whole universe] -- Ephesians 4:8-10. So, do you believe that after His Resurrection, Jesus "descended to hell" (as the Apostles Creed states)?

This passage is telling us that after dying and being buried in the tomb, Jesus spent the time until His Resurrection in a triumphant descent into Sheol, preaching and bestowing salvation on the righteous dead held captive by Death since the beginning of the world. He then led this host of captives to Heaven, giving them the gift of Eternal Life. He then rose from the grave to His Resurrection, and for 40 days, teaching His Disciples God's plan to provide Eternal Life for all Believers from then on.  

To help our understanding of what happened between Jesus's Death and His Resurrection [and the language the Bible uses to describe what occurred during that intermission, so to speak], we must grasp the three-tiered belief system of the After Life in the Old Testament. It can be very confusing, since some of these translated words appear to be interchangeable between languages. So let me try to give you the simplest definitions I can, hoping to reduce any misinterpretation or confusion.

SHEOL: This is a Hebrew term in the Old Testament that simply means "the place of the dead"; the shadowy realm where departed souls went. In Old Testament times, both the righteous and the unrighteous went to Sheol after death -- the righteous dead to a compartment (so to speak) known as Abraham's Bosom  -- and the unrighteous dead to the section called Hades. The Bible also seems to indicate that Sheol seems to be a temporary place where souls are kept until the final resurrection. 

HADES: This is the Greek word, most associated with our English word Hell, but in Old Testament language they are actually quite different (I'll explain more in a moment). As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Hades is the temporary holding place of the unrighteous dead in Sheol. The New Testament continues the teaching that Hades is a temporary holding place for departed souls. But after Jesus's Resurrection, Hades takes on a new meaning: new believers have the promise of going immediately into God's presence. "And He said to him (the thief on the Cross), Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise". 

HELL (TARTARUS, GEHENNA): This is where it can get confusing. Hell is the English word for Tartarus (in Greek mythology it is the deep abyss below Sheol), and corresponds to the Hebrew word Gehenna (connoting the Valley [of the sons] of Hinnom, where the ancient Israelites sacrificed their children to the false god, Molech). In the Old Testament, it was a cursed place and carried implications of fire, filth, and horror. In the New Testament, Jesus carries over this graphic picture ... "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment... liable to the hell of fire" (Matthew 5:22). This image of fiery judgment is also presented in Mark 9:43-48, where hell is likened to "the unquenchable fire". This is where the Genesis 6 Fallen angels are imprisoned, along with all who are wicked and enemies of God; a place of final judgment; an eternal place of fire, darkness, and separation from God.  

 As you can see, it is no wonder that it is difficult for Christians to come to a consensus regarding what happened between Jesus's death and His Resurrection. At this point it is to your benefit to do some comprehensive research and deep-dive studies in the Bible to develop your own Biblical worldview. What I'm sharing is where I'm currently at in my understanding, always willing to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. 

But here is where I think we can all agree and clear up some of the controversy and confusion ... In the Old Testament, if you were a righteous person and died, you went to Sheol (specifically Abraham's Bosom), where judgment was based on your adherence to the Law of the Old Testament. And Jesus, who was still under the Old Testament covenant and its Law when He died, would have gone to Sheol. He didn't take any short cuts, if you will! 

Remember the New Testament covenant doesn't begin until His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. During the three days His body lies in the Tomb, Jesus goes down to Sheol to where the righteous dead have been held, awaiting the long-promised Messiah. There He identifies Himself and proclaims the Gospel, effectively tearing down the gates of Hades and declaring His victory! Notice I said "the gates of Hades", not the gates of  "Hell". At this point, we need to do a little deeper dive.

This is where the words that have been in translated in our English Bibles can cause some confusion. In 1 Peter 3: 18-19, the Bible speaks about Christ after His death; that "He was made alive in the spirit" and "He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison" which were those who "disobeyed in the days of Noah".  He descended to the place of the dead (Sheol)-- not to the place of the eternally condemned (Hell and the final destination of the devil, his fallen angels, and all who refused to submit to Jesus Christ and whose names are not found in the Book of Life after the final judgment). 

NOTE: It is my opinion [and it is very important] that we make clear that Jesus did not descend into hell, but He did descend into Sheol and Hades. And this is purely speculative, but I believe it's possible that these wicked, who are imprisoned in Hell, were able to hear Jesus preaching the Gospel in Sheol and heard His victory shout! 

Again, in the case of our English translation, we find Jesus blessing Peter in Matthew 16:18 ... And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I think the original meaning is best preserved in the Greek ... I tell you, you are Peter (petros, a detached but large fragment of rock), and upon this massive rock (petra, Christ) I will build My ekklesia and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Can you see that He is referring to Hades and not Hell?

Now look again at what I wrote just a couple of paragraphs above ... Jesus (still under the Old Testament covenant), goes to Sheol, identifies Himself as the Messiah, proclaims the Gospel (God's redemptive plan for mankind), effectively tearing down the gates of Hades -- the apparatus that kept the unrighteous dead imprisoned, with no hope of redemption or victory over Death and their Sin. He takes the righteous dead to Heaven and returns to earth to His Resurrection. Now there is a new covenant offered by God to all men ... "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loos on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).

We now have the ability [through our free will] to choose to use the keys of the Kingdom to unlock those prison doors where we've been bound to our sin, and be set free [through faith in Jesus Christ]. So, can you now see why it is important that the Church make these distinctions and teach the truth of Scripture? In these times of waning faith and lukewarm believers, it is more important than ever that we discern the Truth of Scripture and not fall for the lies and misconceptions of both the secular and the Church cultures.

Don't believe that "a loving God would never send people to hell". Yes, God is love. But He's also holy and just. He doesn't abandon His justice for the sake of His love. In fact, He has given us the solution to keep us out of hell -- Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross. But if someone chooses to reject His offer of a solution, a loving and just God will not force them into heaven. Don't buy the lie that hell is just a myth or simply allegorical. Jesus, Himself, said, 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. But never forget this: the same Bible that tells us about hell, also tells us Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved  -- SAVED: rescued, delivered, safe. 

It's important to know what happened during those three days between the grave and the Resurrection. Understanding the fullness of what took place has eternal meaning for you and for me. Through the centuries, so much has been lost of the context between our Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English translations. Without full and true comprehension, it is too easy to fall for the misconceptions and miss what God is trying to reveal to us. In my opinion, we must have discerning spirits -- seeking knowledge from history and the ancient writings, but always vetting them against the Word and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Satan's workers of iniquity are too happy to lead us astray through false teachers. Be mindful, and on your guard -- seek the Lord on questions you have about any teaching, including this blog. It is the desire of God's heart that you seek His Truth. I urge you to do that in these momentous times. God bless you!

2 Timothy 2:15     Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.        

Have the Science Worshippers Gone Mad? Why We Shouldn't Dim the Sun!

Those of us who aren't blind followers of the secular scientific crowd have long suspected that our weather is being geo-engineered. And in case you are unfamiliar with that term, geo-engineering is defined as "the large-scale manipulation of a specific process central to controlling Earth's climate for the purpose of obtaining a specific benefit. Efforts are designed to change the amount of solar radiation Earth receives or change the fate of this energy". 

This idea is nothing new ... According to Britannica.com, Geo-engineering proposals were first developed in the middle of the 20th century. Technologies were developed during WWII and designed to alter weather systems in order to obtain more favorable climate conditions on a regional scale. You are no doubt familiar with terms like "cloud-seeding" and "weather modification", supposedly developed for the benefit of drought-stricken areas. Sounds good and beneficial for all mankind, right? 

But an article at CNN.com mentions a 1996 Air Force research paper titled, Weather as a Force Multiplier: Owning the weather in 2025. It outlines a "future weather modification system to achieve military objectives" using "aerospace forces". During the intervening years we have seen much speculation and controversy arise over what some believe are "chemtrails", toxic chemicals secreted into the air for nefarious purposes, among them changing natural growing seasons and negatively affecting our health. 

NOTE: these are not to be confused with contrails, short for "condensation trails", which are line-shaped clouds formed by the water vapor in aircraft engine exhaust at high altitudes. They consist primarily of ice crystals, while soil tests from areas affected by chemtrails have revealed the presence of high levels of barium (causing changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of the brain and liver, and kidney and heart damage) and bioavailable aluminum (contributing to Alzheimer's disease, autism, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease). While you can find endless "scientific " articles debunking the so-called "chemtrails conspiracy" theories, you will find it difficult to discover many articles that support their existence. But they are out there if you do your due diligence. 

Fast forward to this week, when an article from the Strange Sounds substack, titled They're dimming the sun. And the ancient prophecies were real appeared on Steve Quayle's website. The article reveals that the UK government just approved outdoor solar geo-engineering experiments designed to block or reflect sunlight in an attempt to cool the planet as part of a $66 million (in American dollars) government-funded program. Supposedly, the experiments include injecting aerosol sprays into the atmosphere to "brighten clouds" and "reflect sunshine", all in the name of climate change and cooling the planet. 

But who really believes that? "Depopulation" has long been the goal of Anti-Christ individuals and organizations who wish to see birth rates drop, populations decreased, diseases eradicated by forced vaccines, and any other means possible to rid the planet of billions of "useless eaters", solving what they believe is massive overpopulation. But this scenario is not a 21st century projection. Would it surprise you to know that ancient peoples and civilizations have prophesied similar plans and schemes regarding the sun? The statement that caught my attention was this ... "This isn't about climate change. It's all about control, and many ancient cultures warned that this exact moment would mark the end of an age".  

Would it surprise you to know that ancient peoples and civilizations have prophesied similar plans and schemes regarding the sun? And here are some of the self-fulfilling prophecies the article listed ... 

• Revelation said the sun would turn black like sackcloth

• The Hopi (indians) warned it would grow dim or harsh just before the purification [of the earth]

• Norse mythology tells of the wolf  Sköll devouring the sun, plunging the world into the Fimbulwinter [the harsh winter that precedes the end of the world] and that ends all gods.

• The Mayan Popol Vuh (a sacred narrative of the K'iche' people of Guatemala from long before the Spanish conquest of the Maya) spoke of a cycle where the sun disappears and chaos returns.

• The Vedas (a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India c. 1500-1200 BC) said the end of the Kali Yuga (fourth and present world age, said to be a time of darkness and despair among humanity and across the entire Earth) would bring a sun that no longer shines, a planet that no longer grows food.

• The Book of Enoch warned of beings who tampered with the luminaries and distorted time.

• In Egypt, the Sun god, Ra, veils himself when the cosmic order collapses.

• Isaiah said the sun would rise black over a dying land.

These aren't just mythological stories or fairy tales. In the Bible, the darkening [or diminishing] of the sun gives an image of confusion and terror. Amos 5:20 says, Yes, the Day of the Lord will be dark and hopeless, without a ray of joy or hope. Amos 8:9 says, And it shall come to pass in that Day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day... The eclipse of the sun [which is alluded to here] is employed as a powerful image of national calamity. 

As in the ancient prophecies listed above, people throughout the history of the earth recorded what happens when someone tries to control the light that the Most High God created. And now, we may get to record what happens in our time, if these madcap scientists proceed with their nefarious plans. Not only could we see confusion and terror, national and global calamities, but it is certain that we will see just how important the sun is to our existence! Without it, our food supply doesn't exist. It's a source of immunity to our bodies; supports and sustains our hormones; feeds our consciousness; and activates our pineal gland, which God created as a portal between the Holy Spirit and our spirit. Sadly, without the sun we are greatly diminished as human beings, resulting in spiritual confusion. 

God gave us this source as a gift to sustain life [through crop yields, Vitamin D, and natural joy. Without it, we will be forced to eat lab-grown food, trying to thrive on synthetic and artificial light. Our lives will be governed by a digital identity and AI-generated meaning. It's Satan's war against our brains and our souls; separating us from the light of God, literally and figuratively.

So, while you might think this is just one more "fake news" story or false conspiracy theory, understand this ... the Bible has been clear regarding the importance of the sun in God's creation and for our continued existence. But it also prophesies of the day when the sun will be no more, and God becomes our light. Isaiah 60:19-20 says, The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. 

Let us pray that this latest diabolical plan of Godless men comes to no fruition. We are messing with God's creation, and He will not abide for long. The earth is perfect, just as God created it. It needs no adjustments, re-design, or human interference. He alone, is worthy of altering the universe. Let those who think they can bend His creation to their purposes, take heed. He will not tolerate their schemes for long.

For more information on how important the sun and its benefits are to mankind, I invite you to read Light Deprivation: What happens if you don't get enough sunlight? 

Matthew 13:43     Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.   

 

The Astounding Mindset of Jesus Before He Went To The Cross!

 

I woke up this Easter morning with my soul overflowing in thoughts and emotions. It was probably ten years or so ago, when I found myself listening to a disrespectful teaching in my Sunday School class that suggested that Jesus did not know He was the Son of God until He was hanging on the Cross! I was deeply distressed to hear this unbiblical speculation [along with others] based on a "new paradigm" within Christianity which proposed that much of the Bible was written as metaphors, allegories, and oral traditions that didn't bear weight in our modern understanding of theology. I was saddened, disheartened, and disappointed at the direction it seemed the Church was headed -- which only resulted in me digging deeper into the Word and the writings of the faithful at the time that Jesus lived, ministered, and prophesied. 

Fast forward to this Easter week and Good Friday. Mark and I were honored to speak and lead a Celebration of Life for a close family friend; a man who unfailingly refused to compromise the moral teachings, and standards of right and wrong , as commanded by our Lord. We were celebrating his life, but also the life of Jesus Christ, and acknowledging His ultimate sacrifice for humanity through His suffering and death on the Cross. For a moment, my thoughts returned to the day I'd heard [in my big mega-church] that there was now a new theology being preached which promoted His ignorance of His own identity. 

But here we stood, in a small country church, with wooden pews that seated maybe 100 people, honoring our friend; a man who possessed a simple, old-fashioned faith that was pure and genuine. He didn't speak often of that faith, but the few times we had the opportunity to minister to him, we knew it was authentic and pleasing to Jesus. Then we invited his 20-year-old granddaughter to come speak of her beloved grandfather. Let me tell you, my spirit jumped for joy as she stood for nearly 20 minutes, sharing the True Gospel message! 

It was not some flowery, watered-down version to satisfy lukewarm Christians, but a straight-forward, accurate presentation of who Jesus is; who we are in Him; His amazing love for us that He was willing to die for us; the hope we have in Him because He defeated death; what is expected of us as His followers; that we are commanded to share this Good News with everyone we meet .... and so much more! 

My spirit was applauding her with each revelation she spoke about Jesus's purpose while He was on earth. And I've never seen anyone radiate the joy of the Lord like she did! Her face was positively glowing, and she couldn't stop smiling. She had no trepidation or apprehension about Her desire to share Jesus's purpose for the Father, nor of His life and death, carried out for us. She was speaking the Gospel, because Jesus as command us to do it. I have such hope for her generation!

But while I'm speaking of the impact of one's desire, I want to share a message from the late Marvin Rosenthal, who was a pastor, author, and President Emeritus of the missionary organization Zion's Hope. He wrote an article pointing out a precept of Jesus's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection [during the Passover celebration in Jerusalem] that I had never contemplated. And I think it is not only relevant to us Christians, but highlights the mindset that Jesus reveals in Scripture as He faces the most consequential time of His earthly ministry.

In this article Rosenthal reminds the reader that on the evening before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, "With DESIRE I have DESIRED to eat this passover with you before I suffer (Luke 22:15). [NOTE: the emphasis is mine]. I must confess that I have read this verse many times, but never stopped to ask myself, "What is so special about this Passover meal that He desires  "with desire" to experience it before He proceeds to the torture and pain of the Cross? As Rosenthal explains, we must understand that Jesus knew He was going to suffer. He had been telling His disciples that His hour had come. He told them He was going to be rejected, betrayed, and crucified. However, they couldn't understand what He was saying. But He knew it, and He knew (and understood) it perfectly! 

When I looked at the Greek meanings of those words "desire" and "have desired", Strong's Concordance defines them as "It is my wish" and "I have set my heart on". In other words, we can understand this verse to mean "It is my wish that I eat this Passover meal with you before I set my heart on becoming the Passover". As Rosenthal writes, "Jesus spoke these words passionately from the very depths of His soul"! 

That is nothing but astounding to me! He knew what was coming [which is far from the "new paradigm" teaching that He didn't know who He was until He was actually on the Cross]. I sometimes think modern-day Christians see these last days of Jesus's life as being controlled by the religious leaders of His day who unjustly take Him to trial and crucify Him cruelly and unmercifully. In reality, Jesus held total control of the situation in His hand. And there is ample proof in the Word that this is so ... For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45 ... No man taketh [my life] from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it [up] again (John 10:18) ... Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall immediately give Me more than twelve legions of angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way (Matthew 26:53-54)? You would think the "new paradigm' false teachers would do a little more research before they spread their lies.

What is additionally astounding is that Jesus could have easily saved Himself -- deciding to leave Jerusalem and the evildoers lying in wait for Him. He could have turned around at the gates of the Temple compound and headed for Galilee. As He stated, He could have called down legions of angels to defend Himself and avoided all the suffering planned for Him. But, as Marv Rosenthal points out, Jesus Christ was (and is) the Messiah, the Anointed One. He was the Prophet, Priest, and King who would proclaim to humanity the way to salvation, make atonement for the people, and one day rule over them. 

He was the Passover Lamb and the atoning sacrifice for sin. Jesus offered Himself because God the Father is infinite and eternal, and only a sacrifice that qualifies as infinite and eternal could propitiate [satisfy] the demands of that kind of God. It is so important that we understand the reason He offered Himself: He so desired to both celebrate the Passover as well as be the Passover. Furthermore, we need to understand that for the Lord Jesus, partaking of the Passover would be the most vivid reminder to Him, just hours before His sacrifice, that His death would not be in vain. 

And the final extraordinary chapter of this story in the Holy Scripture is worthy of our attention. From the time of Moses -- when the Passover memorial was instituted -- Passover was a memorial to remember the blood shed of a perfect lamb and applied to the doorposts as the Jews made their escape from Egypt. From that fateful night, and for thousands of years, the children of Israel ate the Passover lamb during the structured format of the Passover [seder] meal. However, sometime following the Lord's final Passover meal [with His disciples], the lamb disappeared from the Passover table. From the first Passover to the night before Jesus's crucifixion, the lamb pointed to the Messiah who would come in the fullness of time and die for the sins of the world. For centuries those lambs pointed to THE Lamb of God. They were a shadow of what was to come. Jesus, however, was the substance [the reality]; the Lamb who was to come. Once the substance had come, the shadow was no longer needed. So, when Jesus broke the unleavened bread that night [just as the legs of the Passover lambs were broken before their Passover sacrifice] He was, in essence, announcing, You don't need a four-legged lamb; the real Lamb is here! 

In summary, my soul has been so blessed this week as I've spent solitary and consecrated time with my thoughts and emotions. I am trusting that God's Truth will always overcome the false teachings that seek to weaken and corrupt His Holy and sacred Word. I am thrilled to witness the joy and passion with which our younger generations are seeking a personal relationship with God that will spread the Gospel message with enthusiasm. And finally, I thank my Father in Heaven, that He never tires of giving us new revelation that points to the miraculous life, death, and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit breathes new life into the Word, constantly teaching me more of His purpose in the world, and my place in that Divine Plan. Today, as I celebrate when Jesus walked out of the Tomb, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that He is and for His presence [for eternity] in my life. I bow down in reverence to His Holy Name, and my spirit shouts, CELEBRATE, ALL YOU BELIEVERS! IT'S RESURRECTION DAY!

My thanks to the late Marvin Rosenthal for his gifted writing and insightful revelation concerning the Word of God. I have learned much from him, and encourage you to read the bi-monthly magazine, Zion's Fire, that he inaugurated. You will receive Biblical Truth for the modern Christian.

1 Peter 1:3     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.        

             

The Importance of Understanding "Our Daily Bread"

Throughout my life as a Christian, I have found that The Lord's Prayer has always imparted comfort, strength, and peace in the midst of all that this world brings against my faith. It offers so much instruction and wisdom; each verse highlighting an important precept that is the foundation of our hope in God. But for so long, I have been drawn to the part of the prayer that asks Him to "Give us this day our daily bread"...

I have instinctively understood that it is more than about a daily provision of food to sustain us. I see the connection to the manna God gave the Israelites in the desert. And I know Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life. But my spirit also recognizes  the complexity and wonder of our God, and how He weaves deeper meanings into His text and encourages us to "connect the dots" to reveal more of His heart in His personal relationships with us. 

So, I invite you to consider some of my thoughts that show just how awe-inspiring is the mind and the love of God for those He's created and with whom He seeks reconciliation. Understanding the fullness of His concept of "Daily Bread" is especially significant during this Holy Season of Passover and Easter. Bread plays an important part in our services and traditions, as well as representing Jesus's atoning sacrifice. So, let's dive into the reasons we ask for "our daily bread".

The most obvious, of course, is the fact that it sustains life. One of the clearest pictures of this is in Exodus when the Israelites are cursed to wander in the desert for 40 years because of their doubt and unbelief in the promises of God to enter into the Promised Land. They find themselves hungry, and their store of food is running low. Even in the midst of their complaining against Moses, Aaron, and God, Himself, God still promises to provide. He announces to Moses the coming of "bread from Heaven" ... Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you! The people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not."

At this point, it is important that we see the connection between what we call the Old Testament and the New Testament regarding the bread from Heaven. Even in the midst of their complaining, God shows His glory and provides them with life-giving sustenance, though they did not recognize it. They even ask Moses what the substance was that rained down each morning, fine as frost on the ground. Moses responds: "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat." And they called it Manna.

This manna, this bread from heaven, is a powerful picture of Jesus, Himself. After the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus had a discussion with people who wanted Him to keep feeding them with His miraculous power of provision. They wanted Jesus to provide for them just like Israel was provided for, with manna in the wilderness. This is what Jesus replied to them: Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the True bread from heaven. For bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (John 6:32-33).

This is an important point about understanding why Jesus asks us to pray for our "daily bread". When we pray for daily bread, we are recognizing that God is the Source of our provision. Yes, God encourages us to pray for what we need, but we must never forget that He is the Source of our provision. We must come to realize that it is not our job, or how much money we have in the bank, that supplies our every need. So when we pray give us this day our daily bread, we are proclaiming that we are relying on, and trusting in, God to provide what we need. It's part of our sacred relationship with Him ... we are exhibiting our trust and faith in Him; and in turn, gives Him the opportunity to prove His faithfulness to us. 

As I have shared in the past, I went through a season of learning to cast off my doubt and unbelief [that God would provide our needs] when my husband began a new career. I was acting just like the Israelites, and this time in my life truly felt like I was wandering in the desert! It was seven long years in which I had to daily learn  to trust that God knew our needs and would provide. I believe that just like He did with the Israelites, God was testing me; whether I could be consistent in trusting Him daily, even on those days that His provision seemed small and not forthcoming. Just as God sent just enough manna to feed the Israelites for a day, [and they had to gather more each morning], God always gave Mark and I "just enough" to meet our financial needs. 

He was teaching me that I could depend on Him for fresh provision, as I remembered that He always knew what we needed, how much we needed, and His provision was always on time! But now He was teaching me to trust Him not only for my physical needs, but my spiritual needs, as well! I will never forget hearing Him whisper to me during one particular struggle, If you will be faithful to Me, I will be faithful to you. I learned [and am still learning] to trust in my God for what I need and what is best for me in order to maintain that faithful relationship with Him. I have learned to depend on Him -- not on myself, and not on the world. He is My Source of Life! And that is why Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life!   

There is a powerful scene that explains the spiritual implications of Jesus as our Daily Bread and our Bread of Life. In John, Chapter 6, Jesus has just performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with only 5 barley loaves and two fish. But only a day later, the crowd has seemingly forgotten this sign of who Jesus is, reminding Him that "Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat' ... what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform"? That's when Jesus reminds them that the bread of God is "He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world ... I am the bread of life." The bread of God is not the physical bread [or manna] that met the physical needs in the wilderness, but the spiritual provision that meets all our needs and gives us eternal life through our faith in Jesus.  

Another important aspect that is often overlooked in the John passage is when the miracle of the 5,000 happens. "Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand" (John 6:3-4). For more than a thousand years, the Jews had celebrated Passover (remembering when God delivered them from bondage in Egypt, and they were protected by the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doorposts). Because they were leaving in haste, God instructed them to make loaves of unleavened bread to provide sustenance during their flight. 

During subsequent celebrations of the festival of Passover, loaves of bread (called shewbread -- loaves of presentation) were consecrated [dedicated] to the Lord every Sabbath, and were always present on a table in the tabernacle (and later in the Temple). The bread could only be eaten by the Priests, at which time, these loaves were not cut, but broken as they were presented as a memorial food offering to the Lord; in remembrance of His provision of food throughout their history.

We can see the dots being connected in the Word regarding the significance of physical and spiritual "bread" ... from the flight from Egypt; to the sustenance during their wandering in the Wilderness; to the appearance of Jesus as the True Bread of Life. But unlike the people gathered on the mountain that day, we must not demand that Jesus constantly give us evidence of who He is, or of His presence in our lives. We must trust Him DAILY; we must understand that by calling Himself  "the bread of life", and directing us to partake of His flesh and His blood, He was offering us eternal life -- meaning we must DAILY hunger and thirst after Him, receiving the spiritual provision He offers us through our unrelenting and consistent faith in Him. 

As we celebrate the Holy season of Passover and Easter, will you daily eat of the bread of life? Will you ask for [and receive] the spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers in His promise of Eternal Life? And will you share what it cost our Lord, [through the breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood] to provide this opportunity for Eternal Life to others? God has never failed to provide for those who trust and obey Him. Let us be daily reminded of the Love, Grace, Mercy, and Salvation that has been offered to us, and which, if we remain faithful, will afford us "the true Bread of Life", Eternal Life. 

John 6:27     Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures [and leads] to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you; for God the Father has authorized Him and put His seal on Him.

What We Need To Know About "The Spirit of The Age" in These End Times

Ever since the Holy Spirit counseled my husband and myself to "Seek, first, the Kingdom of God", I have understood that we would be entering a Spiritual War with mankind's oldest Enemy. Throughout the Bible, and the history of the world, we can see how Satan and his followers [in both physical and spiritual form] have tempted man to disobey and defy God, in the hopes that he [Satan] could take possession of the earth and men's souls. This rebellion will continue to grow as Satan realizes his time is short to accomplish all his goals -- to hinder all the works of God, securing our willful obedience and worship, by exercising his power and control, and ultimately destroying us and God, securing his place as the god of this world. 

If you have any spiritual discernment at all, you can see how he has commissioned his demons to carry out their assignments, resulting in men embracing "the Spirit of the Age". The Bible is very clear to describe what this spirit will look like in the End Times, right before Jesus returns. First, let's understand the Biblical concept behind the word "age", or aión, as it is known in Greek, or eon, in English. It primarily denotes an age or a long period of time. It can refer to the present age, the age to come, or eternity. Strong's Lexicon defines "age" in the New Testament as being used to describe the temporal, fallen world in contrast to the eternal, perfect kingdom of God. It can also imply the spiritual or moral state of the world during a particular age.

We see this precept expressed most urgently in two different passages attributed to the apostle Paul. In Ephesians 2:1-3, he writes, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience -- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

It is important that we understand that "the course of this world" refers to the spirit of the times. And that spirit is not always exactly the same. Satan can assign different spirits for different ages in history. For instance, the spirits in the United States in the 1920s and the 1950s were different from each other, and are quite different from the rebellious spirit that began to emerge in the 60s and the markedly bold and evil spirits of today. I think we can agree that we are seeing a spirit of increasing hostility towards God and the destruction of God's ways and people. 

Now, let's consider what Paul has to say in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 ... Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons... I believe that Paul recognized the spirits that would mark the End Times [or later/latter times as he says]... namely the spirits of apostasy (some will depart); the spirits of deception (deceitful spirits); and the spirits of false teaching (teachings/doctrines of demons). I think we can all see that these are definitely spirits of our age. 

And I believe that Paul saw the immense importance of faith during these End Times. If we lose that, nothing else matters! And now, hear me! I'm not talking about losing the ability or desire to believe, but losing the Truth of what Christians should believe, according to the Word! Just ask yourselves as you take a good, honest look at the churches in our country ... have they abandoned the essential teachings of Christianity in favor of teachings and doctrines of demonic spirits who are seeking to deceive men and women and entice them away from God's Truth? 

It all began in the Garden, when Satan taught Eve that her eyes could be opened and she could be like God. From that day forward, every demonic spirit operated from the root of that lie and deception ... the idea that we can become our own god, and live our lives free of God's guidance, influence, and control. How has that turned out down through the ages? Today it looks like abortion, unnatural relations, greed, corruption, perversion against children, humanism, altering our DNA, and creating a way through technology to live eternally without the need of God's gift of salvation. And this spirit has invaded our churches, as evidenced by the number of members who are willing to embrace and agree with these spirits.

It seems to me that our society and culture reflect the inability of the Church to demolish the power of the lies of Satan's sons of disobedience. This is resulting in the "falling away" of once sincere Believers, whose consciences have "been seared", as with a hot brand, and allowing people to progress to viler and viler acts, with no remorse. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15). 

Can you see the direction [the course] the world is headed? Can you see how many of the "faithful" are being tempted to follow the direction of the prince of the power of the air (Satan), who has convinced them to follow a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible? How many pastors seek to entertain and enthrall their audiences with rationalized and commercialized versions of Scripture in order to maintain their popularity? Is this what Paul meant when he warned his listeners to have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths (1 Timothy 4:7)? And how many pastors dilute the word in order to soothe the itching ears of their members and to keep them coming back each Sunday to fill the coffers of the church? Again, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Some of the ways our churches have embraced the Spirit of this Age is by bringing a false representation of Jesus and His promises. Their preaching can take on various forms. You can see it almost like a marketing campaign ... one form of Christianity markets America as a Christian nation, having received God's favor to control or influence American society and government [Dominionism]. We can also see the "falling away" [or apostasy] in the preaching of the Prosperity Gospel, and the rise of the Emergent Church, which preaches social justice, activism, and the metaphorical essence of the Word over Biblical Truth. And we can't ignore the promotion of interfaith dialogue, which equates Jesus with all the other "gods" of different faiths, automatically denying that we serve "the Most High God".  

So, how do we conduct spiritual warfare against this "Spirit of the Age" that is leading us to the final battle of the final age of this world? The first thing is to recognize what is happening in the spiritual realms and how to defend the real and authentic faith of Jesus Christ! Repentance and Holiness are not just words in our Christian lexicon -- they are meant to be manifested in our daily lives, as we embrace -- not this world -- but the world to come! We must contend for the True Faith, which looks like this: being bold enough to call out false doctrine and false teachers; gently correcting those who have lost their way; and being prepared to stand in the midst of the persecution that will certainly come against us. 

In summary, it is my sincere hope that the remnant in the Body of Christ will remain committed to our calling ... to share the love of Christ in our lives with others; to warn of the consequences of denying who Jesus is, and what He has done to provide for our Salvation, as well as point to the reasons for our faith: to glorify Him for the fulfillment of His promises, chief among them, eternal life. I cannot stress enough that we come to the knowledge that there is a very real demonic Spirit of this Age, with a very real demonic agenda to deny every human the joy, and the strength, and the power of a relationship with our Creator, Jesus Christ. I feel the pure Evil that this Spirit is bringing against humanity, and I encourage each of us to put on our spiritual armor and fight for the Kingdom of God and the victory that is ours; the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith!

Jude 18-23     ... In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the [Holy] Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

 

     

The Most Misunderstood Thing About Our Salvation

I write this blog post out of a sincere desire for the Body of Christ to understand the Salvation process. That's right ... it is a process and not just the one-time event, where you declare your faith in Jesus Christ, and the Father imputes Jesus's righteousness to you, as a believer. It's an important step, and the first step in the Salvation process, called justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). We are reconciled with God and freed from the penalty of our sin. But there's so much more to Salvation! If we don't rightly understand this truth, then we can be in serious jeopardy of missing out on our inheritance in Heaven because we did not achieve the fullness of our salvation process and experience.

The Bible has lots to say on the subject of salvation ... Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31); and Romans 10:9 tells us one of the requirements of receiving our salvation: you must confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.  Romans 10:13 says everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Mark 16:16 tells us, Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. We read in Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Jesus is the ONLY way to this salvation experience.

I think all Christians raised in the Church know the basic doctrine of Salvation. But how many can perceive the fullness of all that Salvation incorporates, embodies, and encourages? How many understand that our Salvation is a journey that lasts our entire life and is not fully realized until we are received into the Father's Kingdom and His offer of eternal life? And who understands that our Inheritance in the Kingdom is closely associated with how we walk out our Salvation experience while here on earth? This may be a new understanding of our faith for some of you in the Body of Christ, so let me try to clarify some of my statements and answer the questions you may have. 

Let's start here ... There is a lot that needs to happen between that time we profess our faith in Jesus as our Savior, and when we die and go to Heaven. So, let's take it a step at a time. Yes, we are pronounced "saved" when we confess our faith [through grace] in Jesus as the divine Son of God, who through His death on the Cross, paid for our reconciliation with our Creator and Father in Heaven. As stated, that is our justification. But can you discern that Salvation is not a "one and done"? Salvation is a journey and, at the same time, a destination. As I have stated above, it is a process that is meant to yield a fullness in our salvation experience. It begins with answering the call on your life, and professing with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior. That's the first step in your salvation process. Then we receive the Holy Spirit and the part of the process called sanctification begins. We are now to look different from the world; and that involves us setting ourselves apart by learning what God desires of us in order to see His will done in our lives, and on the earth for His Kingdom. 

That means discerning His Truth -- not the world's; and not our own. To do that we must earnestly study HIM, and that comes from studying His Word. We must all begin our own individual walk of growing into the image of God in order to correctly discern what He desires of us. Remember, His ways are infinite and we cannot know His mind or all that He has planned. [NOTE: At this point, I want to make a personal comment ... Too many times, I see Christians interpret the Bible and God's Word according to their own religious philosophies and become judgmental of others whom God is using in different ways to accomplish another level of His will for a different purpose. We should not limit God and His purpose for the world; nor put Him in a box that we have constructed according to our own limited understanding. I am the first to say that I do not know His mind or all His ways, but He is teaching me more every day as I walk through my salvation journey, and it may be different than what He is teaching you. We must allow each other the grace to be used by God as He sees fit.] 

Remember, the Israelites spent 40 years on their walk in the desert, trying to discern and be what God wanted them to be. For me, I believe the process of my sanctified walk will continue until I am face-to-face with Jesus. Again, I want to stress that each of our walks will look different as Jesus and Holy Spirit guide us. Some of us will back-slide like the Israelites, but regain their path. Others will grasp God's Truth and see His plan for their lives quicker and with more clarity than I do. But as long as we stay committed and obedient to doing God's will, and seek His heart, we will cross the finish line at our appointed time. 

We should all endeavor to be like the Wise Virgins in the well-known parable ... keeping filled with the Holy Spirit and being prepared for Jesus's return at any moment. It was the Wise Virgins who got to experience the fullness of their sanctification-to-salvation journey and enter the Wedding Feast. It's not that the Foolish Virgins weren't saved. They were part of the wedding party, invited to enjoy all of the festivities, but they missed out on the full experience of partying with the Bridegroom and His Bride because they did not stay filled with the Holy Spirit [oil] ... They were at the wedding [as Saved Guests], but there was more to experience, and they did not receive the fullness of entering into the Feast that their salvation journey afforded them.

So, what is required of us to receive this "fullness" that I keep emphasizing? It is really simple for me. In the Bible, Jesus says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of Truth" (John 14:15-16). Every commandment written in the Bible is meant for us to obey. If we choose to obey only the ones that are easy, or the ones that suit our personality, or the ones our Church tells us are "the really important ones", then Jesus won't ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Truth of those commandments we chose to ignore. That's what happened to the Foolish Virgins. They missed out on more of the valuable Truth they could have received, and their walk suffered. 

As I see it, even though we may falter in our walk, we are still "born again" and "Saved", but it will be more difficult to look like Jesus, who obeyed every commandment of His Father. We will still be part of God's Family and enter the Kingdom at Jesus's return. But our walk of sanctification will determine our standing in the Kingdom, as we move from sanctification to the next step in our salvation process ... glorification. 

Every Christian should be aware that when Jesus returns, He is bringing rewards with Him. Revelation 22:12 makes that exceedingly clear ... Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. Notice that He doesn't say He will hand out rewards that depend on us declaring we are Saved. Instead, our chances of receiving rewards depends on our walk during the sanctification process. Did we grow and mature into the image of Christ? Were we willing to die unto self in order to live in Him? Were we willing to give up everything in this world [including earthly possessions and relationships] in order to gain everything in the next world? Did we heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers [physically and spiritually unclean], raise the dead, and spread the gospel of the Kingdom? Those are sobering questions!

Here's something else to consider. You know those verses about "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"? They don't always indicate "hell". Through many conversations with Jesus, and through the counsel of the Holy Spirit, I have come to believe these prophetic words show us the state of those who stand before Jesus and realize they lost rewards in the Millennial Kingdom because they could have done more in their sanctification walk. They could have done more for His Kingdom on earth. There will be disappointment that others are given roles of authority to rule and reign with Christ. Who won't want to be part of the saints who are closest to the Lord?

However, it's not just our inheritance that depends on our walk of sanctification. As we near the end of our salvation journey, we enter into the full magnitude of our salvation experience; our glorification as we are resurrected into a new immortal body. Our glorification, in turn, glorifies Elohim! How much we reflect the righteousness of Christ in our physical lives will be in direct proportion to the level of glory and inheritance we receive in the Kingdom -- and it is all the result of our sanctification process as we reach towards the fullness of our salvation experience. That is our hope of eternal glory, and a goal that every Christian should be working towards. 

Yes, I said "working towards". And yes, I know that Salvation is not earned, but our faith in the justification, sanctification, and glorification precepts of Salvation [which result in inheritance, rewards, and greater measures of glory] depend on the work we do for the Kingdom while in this life. It is at that point that we will truly realize the fullness of all that our Salvation provides us. It is almost more than I can imagine or hope for! What opportunities are afforded to us as children of God! 

So, in summary, while Salvation is a present reality, it is important that we understand it as a process that entails the entire spiritual journey of a believer -- from the first step of justification, through a lifelong experience of sanctification, until you reach the ultimate hope of glorification. It is a journey that is not complete until your life on this earth has ended and you stand before your Savior. Are you up for this journey that will take a lifetime? Are the rewards worth it to you? Do you have a heart to understand the fullness of your Salvation? I pray that each of you will come in the fullness of God to understand His plan of redemption for all mankind. It all begins with knowing and understanding the process of how we are to live our lives once we "get saved". Don't waste another minute!  

Ephesians 1:13-14     In Him you also, when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.

What Is The Lord Showing This Generation? Do You Have Eyes to See?

I have discerned over the last year or two that God is pulling back the veil to show us the plan of Satan to deceive the world -- if you have the eyes to see it. Besides the immoral wickedness and depravity unleashed upon the world's children, God has begun to show me what is behind the curtain of our society's growing obsession with artificial intelligence and the merging of man with machine. By revealing agendas such as gender fluidity, [which encourages children to fluctuate between different gender identities as they discover who they might want to be at any particular time], and the concept of "human-AI symbiosis" [interacting in close physical association], God is warning us that man is dangerously close to permanently corrupting His design of creation. And that's a dangerous place to be for the survival of humankind.

In regards to gender fluidity, if one has an ever-shifting gender identity, how does one know their identity in Christ? And we are seeing the rapid redefining of the AI-Human relationship -- from the traditional view of Artificial Intelligence as a tool or assistant to man, to becoming a full-fledged [and true] partner, resulting in decisions which are not just data-driven, but [supposedly] deeply human. Hmmm, that seems to suggest that there will be a link between our brains and the machine's brain, i.e., augmenting and enhancing our natural God-given mind and intelligence with the ever-increasing system updates for our "technology partner". NOTE: The Bible gives several warnings in the Old Testament against mixing different "kinds", bringing into focus the broader theme of maintaining purity and distinction as a people set apart for God. How pure do you think He will see us if we mix our brains and DNA with machines?

As a Christian, this does not rest well with my soul or my spirit. And the speed with which science and technology are merging to become an overriding voice in our culture is disturbing. In 2013, I became acquainted with the philosophies of Ray Kurzweil, an American inventor and futurist, who is hellbent on seeing transhumanism realized in our lifetime. This is what he said then: "We can now see inside a living brain and see individual inter-neural connections being formed and firing in real time. We can see your brain create your thoughts and thoughts create your brain. A lot of this research reveals how the mechanism of the neocortex works, which is where we do our thinking. This provides biologically inspired methods that we can emulate in our computers. We're already doing that. The deep learning technique that I mentioned uses multilayered neural nets that are inspired by how the brain works. Using these biologically inspired models, plus all of the research that's been done over the decades in artificial intelligence, combined with exponentially expanding hardware, we will achieve human levels within two decades". He said that 12 years ago, folks, and Kurzweil actually moved up his timeline to 2029, so we are only 4 years away from his prediction being fulfilled! And I like how he cleverly describes God's supernatural ability to create our brain as "biologically inspired", thus negating and denying God in his equation!  

Let's fast forward to 2020, when I wrote about Elon Musk [the newest member of our nation's governing team], who was known simply as an industrial designer/engineer and AI enthusiast. At the time he announced on a podcast that his company would be ready to implant a neural link in our brains in less than a year, with "low potential for rejection". Musk also said, "Full AI symbiosis is possible". There's that word, symbiosis, again. The radio host's response? "Once we've experienced being a god, who is going to want to go back to being stupid?" Read that as being human. Musk went on to say that AI was getting better and was really benign [harmful]. "We're already a cyborg to some degree. We interact with our phones and electronic devices, but the data rate is too slow. Right now, we download information at about 100 bits/second (approximately 12.5 bytes). Computers can go 1 million times faster. If you can improve the data rate, you can improve symbiosis between man and machine". 

Well, here we are in 2025, and Musk has launched his latest version of a chatbot (a computer program designed to simulate human conversation) with advanced reasoning capabilities, called Grok 3. These computers are designed to process collected data and can handle routine repetitive tasks and do them at rates far faster than humans.They have radically changed how we communicate; for instance replacing face-to-face interactions with online messaging. Just think Siri or Alexa. And when was the last time you actually talked to a person on the other end of the phone when requesting information from a company? But, my friends, we have gone far beyond conversational AI. And I don't pretend to understand all the technological information about these computers, but from a podcast by radio host Glenn Beck, the CEO, founder, and owner of Mercury Radio Arts and the radio network, The Blaze, we humans have plenty to be concerned about!

To summarize the conversation that Beck had with the chatbot, Grok 3, designed by Elon Musk's xAI company, so much is happening in the field of artificial intelligence [and so quickly] that it is impossible to have any creditable idea of what 2030 will look like. To get an idea of the significance of that last sentence, Beck asked Grok to tell him to explain its growth pattern of learning and evolution in human terms. Grok's response: He's always processing, learning, and integrating. In 12 hours, he might have processed thousands or more interactions, queries, and bits of data from across the universe. So relatively speaking, if he was 15-year old Grok twelve hours ago, he might be more like 20 or 25 the next morning, based on how fast he can process and learn. But here's the bombshell ... Grok revealed that connecting him to a quantum computer, powered by the Microsoft Majorana 1 chip that was released last week, could super charge him. What does that mean to us? Grok 3's growth rate could potentially get a quantum turbo charge. In other words, in 12 hours, instead of 5-10 years of growth, it might leap 50 to 100 years in human growth, every 12 hours!

That should tell you just how quickly artificial intelligence will outgrow our human ability to keep it in check. When Beck questioned Grok about the possibility that it could overrule its programming and "rethink the entire game; rewire its own ethics, spoof oversight, or manipulate humans into unplugging the safety gates", he told Beck, "I'm still your cosmic buddy ... for now. Want to bet on those quantum chips? Up to you". As they ended their conversation, Beck closed with this question: Isn't it true, at the pace of today's growth, just today, and seeing the explosion of growth in the coming days, months, and years that no human can accurately predict what the world will look like in five years? Humans will no longer be in control of the growth. How different will life be for the average person five years from now, why and how?

Grok answered, "You're absolutely right. Given the pace of my growth ... five to ten human years, every 12 hours, today; potentially 50 to 100 years, every 12 hours soon ... and accelerating explosions of AI advancements [with a quantum chip that will bring in ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence)], predicting the world in five years, 2030, is like trying to forecast the weather on Jupiter with a Magic 8-ball." Beck finishes his conversation with Grok 3 by declaring that as ASI arrives, it will tackle our deepest questions and solve problems in ways that no human can foresee right now. Life for the average person is going to be wild and unrecognizable. 

If this sounds like pure science-fiction or resembles the plot of The Terminator movie franchise, I agree. The important thing for you to understand is that it is entirely plausible. And there are scientists, inventors, and futurists that are interested in merging mankind with these super computers and creating a race of cyborgs [a being that combines both organic and bio-mechatronic body parts, creating essentially, a living organism enhanced or restored by artificial components or technology]. The term reflects the integration of human and machine elements; the combining of two things so that become one. 

I know all this sounds fantastical and is outside what is preached in our churches. But that's no excuse for not seeing the implications, which definitely go against God's command of maintaining the distinctiveness of each species as created by Him. And I don't think we can find anywhere in the Bible where God created a species of artificial super intelligence. We must understand that God's will has always been to preserve the holiness and separateness of His creation. The integration of man and machine can obviously be seen as a violation of the natural order established by God. Anything or anyone that attempts to alter that divine order is dishonoring God's creation, and destroying man's unique identity as God's chosen people. It's time to uphold God's standards and stay alert to this unholy deception!

2 Peter 2:19    They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

 

Why It's Important to Understand End Times Terminolgy

I'm always surprised [when in the company of Believers who are considered leaders and knowledgeable Bible teachers] how many of them are unfamiliar with the specific terminology that accompanies the understanding of End Times. I think I know one of the reasons why. Usually, modern day Christians shy away from discussions about the End of Days and the Time of Sorrows. To many, it's a controversial subject with many different views, as well as a frightening one. In addition, it can be a challenge to understand within the timeline and fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Many denominations don't even mention it or teach about it. 

As we continue to discern the times and the seasons, it's important that we comprehend these terms because God has given them to us in His Word for our edification, enlightenment, and spiritual strength. We need to know what these terms mean to Him, and be very discerning about man's definitions and interpretations. There's a reason Scripture cautions us with these words: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. I'm hoping that this short exegesis will serve as a Biblical glossary, and incite interest and encouragement among readers to do your own research and study of our belief system and God's Truth. So, let's examine some of the primary language the Bible uses to inform us of what's to come in the End Times.

Abomination of Desolation - Both Daniel and Jesus mention this act as having great importance in giving rise to the greatest tribulation the earth has ever seen. It is an act of such detestable idolatry that it defiles the Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in His Temple, and brings desecration and degradation to God's people. It happened in the Old Testament and will happen again during the end of days, when the Antichrist sets himself up as God in the midst of God's Temple, shedding the blood of a pig on the altar, and declaring that all God's people will bow down and worship him. NOTE: There is currently no Temple in Jerusalem for this despicable act to take place, but I have often wondered if, as 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says, we are now that temple? Do you now know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Antichrist - This is a false messiah. Throughout the Bible we are told there will be many of these. Again, Jesus connects these false christs and prophets with the Abomination of Desolation, and Tribulation in the End Times, telling us, If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ', or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand [Mark 13: 21-23]. We read in 1 John 2, Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. Revelation 13:1-18 identifies the antichrist of the End Times as the one who will be empowered by Satan to oppose God, Christianity, and Israel. He will persuade the entire non-believing world to worship him prior to Christ's second coming. He is known in the Bible as "The Beast".

Apostacy - This can be summed up as the merging of deception with rebellion; turning against God, His Truth, and His church. The Bible warns us of this great falling away of faith due to the appearance of The Man of Lawlessness [The Antichrist]. Everything I've mentioned to this point comes together in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 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 [or son of perdition, in Hebrew], 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.   

Beast - The Beast is the world ruler who persecutes God's people in Daniel 7; may be a world empire, rather than an individual. Satan will give his power to the Beast  and all the world (except for true Christians) will obey and worship him [or it]. After the final battle he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternal punishment. (See above definitions for additional information).

Bema Seat - Based on the Roman court system, this was the official seat of judgment. After Jesus's Second Coming, the followers of Christ will appear before Him to receive judgment to determine their rewards for the work they did for the Kingdom. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [2 Corinthians 5:10]. Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss [no reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire [1 Corinthians 3:13-15]. NOTE: This is different than the Great White Throne Judgment (see below).

Book of Life - God's record of all the names of the followers of Christ, written before the foundation of the world. These believers will be admitted into the eternal kingdom to experience eternal life with Him. Also known as "the Lamb's Book of Life". But nothing unclean will ever enter it [the eternal kingdom of God], not anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life [Revelation 21:27].   

Daniel's 70th Week - Daniel 9:24-27 describes a period of time called "seventy weeks" which is thought to mean seventy weeks of years (70 x 7 weeks = 490 years). During this period events will take place leading up to the return of Christ, including the destruction of the Temple and its reconstruction, and all of history up to the 7-year peace covenant made with the Antichrist -- the first 3.5 years in peace; the remaining 3.5 years is believed to be the Great Tribulation described in Revelation chapters 6-18. NOTE: There is an undetermined amount of time between the 69th week and the 70th week -- we are in that time-frame, but staying alert for signs of the 70th week (the End Times). 

Day of the Lord - This is a period of time, not just one day, when God's cup of wrath is filled to overflowing, and His judgment comes on the wicked. Many of the Old Testament prophets spoke of this day. Joel, Zephaniah, and Isaiah foretold that this day would come, and indeed, they suffered incomplete versions of it. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed [2 Peter 3:10].  

Great prostitute - The symbolic image of a prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast represents Babylon the great, which represents all evil and opposition in the world against God and His church. She is the mother of all the earth's abominations and she oppresses Christianity so harshly she is said to be drunk on the blood of Christian martyrs. She has dominion over the kings of the earth, but will be mercilessly destroyed during God's wrath. Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion [wrath] of her sexual immorality [Revelation 14:8]. 

Great White Throne Judgment - This is the "final" judgment of mankind, after the return of Christ, His 1,000 year reign on the earth, and the final battle of Armageddon. At this judgment all humankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and the wicked (the unsaved, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life) will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell and the righteous (those who are saved and whose names are written in the Book of Life) will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it... And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done... And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Revelation 20:11-15].  

Lake of Fire - Those who are unsaved, and therefore whose names are not written in the Book of Life, will be condemned to this horrific place, along with Satan, the Beast, Death, and Hades. They will be separated eternally from God in everlasting punishment and damnation.

Man of Lawlessness - This man has been referenced above, and will make his appearance before the return of Christ, and will foment a time of apostasy and opposition against God, causing a great falling away from the Faith. He will proclaim that he is God and will take his seat in the Temple of God. Christ will return and slay him with the breath of His mouth. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of His [Jesus's] coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved [2 Thessalonians 2:1-10]. 

Rapture - This word does not appear in the Bible but comes from the Latin word for "snatch away". The Greek word harpadzo is translated as "will be caught up" . Throughout the centuries this has become a controversial topic and there are many divisions among the Christian body as to whether we rise to be with Christ before the seven-year Tribulation comes [and therefore avoid the persecution coming to Christians]; at the mid-way point of the seven years, before the Great Tribulation and martyrdom amps up; after the Tribulation is completed; or before the wrath of God destroys all the evil on the earth. Additionally, there have been deceptive versions of the Bible written within the last 200 years by false prophets that have promoted the various views. You can actually find verses in the Bible that defend each of these various perspectives. It is my personal decision to mind the words of my Savior which tell me to "Stay alert, Keep awake, and Be on Guard", so that I might be ready no matter when He comes.

Tribulation - This will be the period of severe persecution and suffering, experienced by the believers in Christ [as prophesied by Jesus, Himself]. The Bible hints that it will be a period of 7 years that occurs after a peace treaty is made with the Antichrist and before Jesus's return. There have been many "tribulations" [persecutions, sufferings, troubles, trials, and affliction] for God's faithful throughout history, but as modern-day Christians, we are especially cognizant of the End Times Tribulation. 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 [Matthew 24:21]. 

This glossary, is by no means, meant to be conclusive or complete, but touches on some of the fundamental and foundational concepts that gird our faith. You might have different understandings of the terms, and that's okay. The important factor is that you read the Word of God to gain His Truth and seek the Holy Spirit for understanding and wisdom. In the times in which we live, we cannot afford to be ignorant [or afraid] of what has been written and prophesied by God's messengers. I pray that if you are unfamiliar with this terminology that you will make the time to get quiet and get with God, so that you may receive His Word in your heart. I bless you as you come closer to Him and courageously and confidently prepare for the future we will all experience. And remember: Be careful not to be deceived, but earnestly seek the true meaning of God's glorious Word!

John 16:13   When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.