The Times In Which We Are Living

1Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

There are those who study Bible prophecy. They read headlines and take note of what’s happening in the world and compare it to what the Bible has already said would happen. Some is speculation; not all is perfect prediction. But…we can know the times in which we are living. The Bible tells us that these things were written as examples for us today. The Bible in general was written that we may know what God desires of and for us. It points out right and wrong ways to live. It also shows us the signs we need to be looking for.

Don't bypass the scriptures. They are not difficult to understand. There are so many more that say the same things. One just has to want to understand. God has said that wisdom is the most important thing we need to have. But not man's wisdom, but His. 

We are seeing an unusual display of events with the Covid-19 disturbance. No one has definitive answers, yet. Media, as they are wont to do, can exaggerate, in either direction. Who do we believe? I know I am not the only one who realizes that we cannot trust man or his words implicitly. But I also know that others would agree that we can know what the truth is because it is in the Bible. The Bible tells us if we are in Christ we need not fear because He will be our protector. He is our only Rock of salvation. He knows the end from the beginning, which man cannot. (We can see based on events of the day compared to what the Bible says where we are in the grand scheme of things; we just won’t know the absolute end. Only God knows this.) He calls us during these times to seek Him....because He IS our only hope...for those who trust and believe in Him.  I just don't know how much more I can explain that simple promise. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) There is a very real evil that manifests itself in all the junk happening in the world. He is also very subtle, using things that seem very innocent to deceive. I won't go into all that. But, thankfully, there is also a very real good in the form of God or Jesus who will fight this enemy someday...and win. But that win is only for those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb.  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1Peter 1:17-19)

What will the signs look like? What might we be seeing today?

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. (Luke 17 26-27)

What God may be pointing out above is no one looks to Him for answers. Man thinks man can take care of all this. So they look to man and continue to live as they always have…without regard or acknowledgment that there is a God out there who really does have everything under His control. But man doesn’t always want to recognize that. Voting in the right party or stashing away money, hoarding food and supplies will not cause us to always be safe. And I know this is not something people like hearing. The name of Jesus and His Word is an offense even to those who don’t hate God. But if we are not looking to Him for the answers, and we don’t like what He has to say (Bible), there is a problem. It’s not my problem; it’s not God’s problem either. It is a problem with anyone who doesn’t want to choose Him or truly believe or trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The one who puts their trust in the things of this world and of man has no hope. It's that simple and true. It's like the people did in the days of Noah, a truly terrifying story.  (Genesis 6 and 7) 

Jesus will return some day. (Matthew 24:3-31) The days we are living in seem to point to this; actually for years we have seen evil abounding more. Lifestyles have changed. In some cases we’ve become very relaxed in our way of life; we’ve become spoiled. When that happens there is a false security that life will always be great (and that any country can be made great again) and that any little hiccup in life will be overcome. Think about all the natural disasters over the years that have escalated. Think about the number of abortions on a yearly basis. Think of the violence. Think of the type of entertainment we are now seeing on television and in the theaters. Think of the language being used. Think of how God's name is spewed as a curse. Think of homosexuality. It's a growing... We can believe that as long as it doesn’t affect me it’s okay. But that’s not what God thinks. He calls many things that people suggest we be tolerant of abominations. That’s a strong word. 

We have seen when times are bad churches can be filled with those seeking God. But when things get to normal, they go back to their life as usual, what they are accustomed to. God can bring about evil to bring good. The best that could come of evil is a heart that turns to God. That’s all He wants for this sinful, and growing more so, world. Jesus died that we would always have the hope of eternal life. He doesn’t want anything but our hearts. In return for our turning to Him, repenting and believing in Him, humbling ourselves, and trusting in Him, He gives us assurance of eternal life. Death may come in some way but we need it fear because He will be beside us.

We are living in trying times. Man has ever been going against God, since the Garden of Eden. There has always be a small number who seek Him. Sin is escalating and it is just a matter of time when God has had enough, and as I have heard and read, that last person is saved. Who will that last person be? Who will truly be heading toward a glorious reunion with God? Who will take Him seriously enough to seek Him and follow Him…and endure until the end? The argument is, we’ve heard for a 2,000 years Jesus is returning. People (idiots might I even say) have predicted His return and it has proven to be false. We are to beware of those false prophets. We cannot know the day or hour, but we can know the times in which we are living. The fact is, He will return. Will you be ready? Do you turn away from the things of God or His Word? Don’t do it. 

A day will come when His Church, those people who have believed, followed, shared His Gospel, endured the criticism, endured rejection as Jesus did, will be taken out of this world. When that happens things will get worse than we have seen now. What seems disastrous today will not compare to that day. The Bible mentions birth pains. I believe we are living in a time of those birth pains. While this all sounds like doom and gloom and nonsense, I know what good is on the other side for those whose hope is in Christ alone, not government, man, self, money... That good is the end of this world and the beginning of a new life with Christ, who has returned, in a new earthly situation. All evil will be removed for 1,000 years. It will be as it was intended all along, like the Garden of Eden. THEN…the promise of heaven. Only Jesus is our hope. Call on Him. Be serious about it.

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

A Sunday Message Take-Away

Genesis 6:5 - Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

History is repeating itself. We need to understand and believe this. God showed us, He warns us, the signs are out there. I went to a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan two Sundays ago with some girlfriends in Christ. This preacher was not subtle in his sermon, which I like. 

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will DESTROY man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

The EARTH also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will DESTROY them with the earth.”

(‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7, 11-13‬)

An ark was made. All who entered were saved by the great flood. Those people were eight in number...a remnant of believers. This small family left behind family and friends for their belief in their God. It will happen again. 

Like the whole account of Noah’s ark and the great flood, Jesus said He is the Door. The ark had only one door. There is only one way to the Father to obtain salvation. Jesus saves. Works do not, government does not, nothing else does. One way: “I am THE way, THE truth, THE life.” In Noah’s day only that handful survived and were saved. It’s a picture of what will happen again.  laugh it off, don’t pooh-pooh the idea. Don’t be one of the end-time scoffers. It should not be 

Anything that goes against the Word of God is rebellion. One biblical definition of "rebel” is that one refuses to come under the authority of someone who is above them. Or, man rebelling against a human king or God. I'm thankful, however, that when we repent of this rebellion and turn to God, whether it is the first time or another, He will forgive. If not...

Psalm 107:10-13 -Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons--b

ecause they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, t

herefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. 

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. 

It Is Done!

Just as Jesus came into this world to live and minister to many people to bring them into relationship with Him through repentance of their sin, so Jesus will return to bring eternal life to those who have repented...and judgment upon those who have not, who have rejected Him and hardened their hearts to Him. (The Book of Revelation)

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke‬ ‭23:44-46‬)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew‬ ‭27:50-53‬)

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”... (‭‭John‬ ‭19:30‬)

Similar words used upon His death will be used upon His return. Similar experiences will occur. In both instances, of death and His return, the glory of the Lord is seen. 

Darkness, an earthquake and supernatural events occurred at Jesus' death. When He returns there will be more darkness and an even greater earthquake along with thundering and lightning. How awesome His return will be. I think about the awesomeness of the veil of the temple being rent in two by the power of God to show and bring about the availability of the access between people and He, through His Son, through His death, through His Resurrection...and our decision to receive Him. Hallelujah!

When He returns another voice will proclaim encouraging words to all believers. It is done! Vengeance which is God's alone to administer will be brought about upon those who have rejected Him, who have persecuted God's children through all the ages, those who have waited a long time for this vengeance. 

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation‬ ‭6:9-10‬)

Jesus came to redeem mankind. He will return to exact judgment one final time. Those who received Christ for the redemption of their sins will watch as God brings vengeance upon those who did not. 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12:19‬)

Hear the Heart of God

Matthew 24:21 - For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of time, no, nor ever shall be.

Why does he have to be in jail for loving Jesus? These were the tearful words spoken by a little girl whose father, Saeed Abedini, an American pastor, is in an Iranian jail because He is Christian. A headline states: AMID ETHNIC CLEANSING OF CHRISTIANS, ISIS NOW MASSACRES IRAQ'S YEZIDI MINORITY (Breitbart, August 5). They are imprisoned and dying in the mountains with little food or water because ISIS has deemed they are a minority religion. Christians in Mosul told to leave, convert or die. Children being beheaded. The heartache and tears. The fighting between Israel and the Palestinians. How about the crime, moral degradation and societal standards, political correctness, corruption, squelching of God and His name in the US?

All we see happening in the Middle East and around the world does not come as a surprise to God. What causes it is sin and evil that has run rampant. It grows worse. We have seen it in the Bible, but it grows like leaven in today's world. It will have to come to God's end someday because it is all about Him and I believe it will happen soon. How much more can we take? And do we dare think that it won't come to the US? What about this bit of news: In 2009 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS leader, said See you in New York when he was released from a US detention center in Iraq. Shouldn't that cause some concern over here?

What is it going to take for people to understand? Just because it isn't affecting our day to day lives because it's "over there," doesn't mean we are immune. We may have killed bin Laden, but it's not the end...it's like that leaven...growing.

It still is so all about God. It's about His desire that all would look to Him. While others believe all religious roads lead to heaven, He has told us for thousands of years that there is only one way and one truth to that one life and that is through His Son, Jesus.

My heart goes out to those who dismiss this. My heart aches that there is truth in the scripture that says ...narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14) There are few who find it. And even then there are those who think they are on that narrow road and yet He says Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Not everyone...but he who does the will of the Father. And yes, it is a difficult way because those who do dismiss this scoff and persecute those who do.

Yet Jesus told us He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)  I'd rather be on the right side on the right path and suffer the consequences of this world's persecution than to not see Jesus in the end. He died for my sins. He died for all men's sins.

We cannot stick our heads in the sand. It has always been through conflict or oppression that God showed His mercy upon His people...and those who have called on the name of Jesus are part of His people today. Not that we say, Yeah, I know who He is. But that we actively seek Him daily. That we put aside religious differences and denominations and know the one, true God who died for all. That we put aside all the things we deem so important in life and pay heed to Him daily. Not that we ignore family and friends, or stop life as usual, but that as we go about our lives we keep Him in the center of our lives.

Everything I see happening I see through His eyes. Like Israel when they were in captivity in Egypt, it was that they would see who He was through the oppression, through the plagues, through their freedom, through their wilderness wandering, through their eventual end in the land God promised them. He was with them all along. They grumbled and complained but every so often they would recognize by Whose hand they were being saved and they would repent of their ways.

By Whose hand they were being saved...it's the same hand we are being saved even today. Many understand why Jesus came. Many should be more thankful in their lives for this. Many should be more interested in the things of God than the things of the world. People go to church--or not--and think God will just put up with their lifestyles of the world, that they can live in any way they wish without regard for Him. And that heaven is the ultimate end...for all...no matter what. Not so.

None of us is perfect. Life goes on and it has to. But if God is not the center we will find out which path we are on some day...the wide one or the narrow one. Remember, the narrow one has very few on it. There is only one way to know for sure who Jesus is. It does not come with the territory of going to church, a certain religion, but through a relationship.

But we need to understand what that relationship entails. It starts when we realize we have a need for Jesus. It starts with dropping our pride. We must admit we are sinful, which really means dropping the pride. We must admit we need a Savior...who is Jesus Christ alone. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden until they sinned, separating us from God. He wants to bring that same relationship back and it only happens through Jesus. We must drop the idea that we can, in our own strength and wisdom, do all things. Instead we must believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

I realize not everyone wants this and will reject it. I realize many will still cling to their original beliefs. I realize the road will remain narrow until Christ returns. I also realize that time is short. What we see in this world has been told to us will happen before Jesus returns. I also realize that many will continue life until the disaster hits too close to home...and I guess if that's what it takes... But we are told to seek Him while He still can be found (Isaiah 55:6). None of us knows when we will die. We might think we are invincible but what about those who die instantly in vehicle accidents, heart attacks, drownings, drive by shootings, or just stumbling, falling and hitting one's head? Even golf balls kill!

Why does this pastor need to be in jail for loving Jesus? Why does anyone who loves the Lord need to be criticized? Like I said, what we see happening in the world is setting the stage for Christ's return. We should all be ready. It is not God's desire that all perish but that none should. He is a God of judgment as well as love. Too many believe only in the love half of Him. It's time to understand this. Have you heard my heart? It is God's heart too.

Lord, turn hearts toward You. Open blind eyes that they may see You. Let them seek You while You may still be found. Oh the joy and peace amid the wreckage of this world's troubles one can have. It so saddens me that worldly devices keep people from You. That's the enemy's plan...he makes it so sweet a deal one cannot refuse. Open blind eyes that they may see You and give them the hope You offer. 

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.