The Gospel of Grace (The third message in the series: The Gospel)

The Gospel of the Grace of God

(The third article in the Gospel of Jesus Christ Series)

  Oh, the good news the Bible brings to humanity!  And this is what the Gospel is: it is good news.  Humanity languishes under the awful burden of evil, violence, sorrow, fear, shame, and guilt.  Nothing humanity has to offer has the capacity to eradicate these heavy taskmasters from us. 

  The woes of humanity exist in every culture, in every region of the earth.  There is nowhere one can go and find the life we all crave so desperately.  Regardless how affluent, gifted, or powerful; we cannot free ourselves from the effects of our own depravity.  The world has no answer, no solution to what torments humanity.  Yet an answer does exist.

  As we have discovered in this series, God has made provision for humanity’s dilemma.  So deeply, and so completely does God care about our torments, that he went to the extraordinary measure of becoming one of us, so we can understand and experience his eternal love and care for us; and finally be free of sin.

  The good news to humanity is God loves us.  God loves each of us individually, personally, as though we were his only creation.  He created us with the capacity to be conscious of him, and to know him.  He empowered us to love him back, and that is indeed the most wonderful thing any human being can experience in this realm of time/space.

  In our two previous articles we have dealt with the person of Jesus Christ, and the simple, yet extensive, global reach of the Gospel or good news wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 The Gospel involves us personally; but, as we discovered in the second part of this series the gospel is far more than a personal coping mechanism for life.  The Gospel involves the infinite Kingdom of God as well.

  Yet, even the vast kingdom of God is not all the Gospel involves.  There is more?  Yes, my friend, there is much more to the Gospel and now we are going to look still deeper into this glorious thing called the good news of Jesus Christ.

  We are now going to lower ourselves into the well of God’s grace, and see what the Bible has to reveal to us regarding, “The Gospel of Grace.”

  A well is an ancient thing.  Humanity has been digging wells nearly as far back as human history goes.  A well provides the means to nurture and sustain life.  It is vital to our survival.

  Other than water, oil probably is the commodity we most often associate with wells today.  Oil and water have a profound influence on the world today.  But what do wells have to do with grace?

  As every genuine Christian has learned, grace nurtures and sustains our spiritual life just as water sustains our physical life.  One cannot long survive in today’s world without the grace of God.

What Grace Is:

  The simple, classic description of grace is, “Grace is God’s favor, and enablement extended to undeserving human beings.  While this description is surely accurate, it fails to reveal the vast depths, and heights to which grace can reach, and the utter satisfaction grace bestows upon both God and the recipient God’s grace.

  Grace is not to be mistaken for mercy or love.  These are very different from grace.  Mercy is withholding just punishment from the condemned.  Grace goes well beyond mercy, and grants God’s favor upon the condemned.

  “Grace is what God may be free to do, and indeed what he does, accordingly, for the lost after Christ has died on behalf of them” (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology,—New Unger’s Bible Dictionary) 

  Grace reveals the great divine favor for those who place faith in Jesus Christ.  Grace is absolutely essential, as it goes where mercy could not go, and does what love alone could never do.

  Grace grants God’s favor on the basis that Jesus has owned the Father’s favor forever.  Since the Son died for the sinner, God the Father grants favor or grace to the sinner through the favor he already has given Jesus.

  Many have wondered why human merit, works, or attainment, are not good enough to earn salvation and eternal life.  The reason is the holiness of God.

  Everything a human can do falls short of the perfect and holy standard of God’s holiness and righteousness.  (Rom. 3:23)  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

  Only the death of Jesus Christ, a man without sin, and God, could serve as humanity’s substitute and satisfy the holiness of God.  Because God accepts the death of his Son, nothing else, can be added to it, without desecrating his sacrifice for sin.

  Also, it must be remembered, salvation is wholly the work of God within a human being.  Just as a baby has nothing to do with the conception/birth processes, so neither does a sinner have anything to do with the redemption/ salvation process.  It is totally the work of the grace of God.

    Because Jesus is the basis of our salvation, we shall never need to fear of falling out of God’s favor.  It is impossible for Jesus to ever fall out of favor with his Father.  This is one of the reasons, we believe salvation is eternal and cannot be lost once received.

  Grace is a gift.  It is a gift from God.  Grace is God’s gift to you and to me.  Grace is the one thing I could never have unless God gives it to me, and the same is true for you.  One cannot buy divine favor.  One cannot earn eternal life. 

  Is this good news to you?  If you want inner peace, life purpose, and life after physical death then grace is good news indeed.

  Some will think their sins have been too many, or too evil for God to save them.  Thinking this way, fails to understand the grace of God.  Favor is favor; there are no conditions attached, no levels of favor.  One either, has favor with God, or one does not have favor with God.

  God grants a sinner favor solely based on his love for His Son Jesus Christ.  The question is not: Does God love me enough to save me?  Rather, the question is, does God love Jesus enough to save me?

  God the Father has never loved anyone as much as he loves his only begotten Son Jesus Christ.  Remember the cross?  Jesus prayed for you there my friend, and he prayed for me.  “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  (Luke 23:34)

  Do you think it is possible, that Jesus Christ could pray a prayer that his Father would not answer?  There is absolutely no prayer Jesus could pray his Father would not answer.

  Earlier I stated grace is a gift of God.  What is a gift?  It is something of either material or intrinsic value offered or bestowed upon another person.  How does one respond to a gift offered?

  Well, technically, there is the option of rejecting the gift.  Rejecting a gift indicates there is enmity between the people receiving the gift and the one offering the gift.  To reject a gift clearly indicates hostility exists in the mind of the rejecting person.

  Of course, there is also the option of receiving the gift, and this is what most people do when offered a gift.  The true nature of a gift is that there are no conditions, no costs involved to the one to whom the gift is extended. 

  God requires nothing from the sinner but that he/she receives the gift of grace being extended to him/her.  Often the sinner makes receiving salvation much more involved than it actually is.

  “Well, if I accept the gift of salvation, I have to clean up my life, and stop doing things I’ve always done, and going to places I’ve always gone, and being with people I like being with.”

  What you are describing dear friend is not a gift, it is a prize you’ve earned or qualified for, and that definitely is not the grace of God!

  You are thinking, you have known others who accepted Jesus Christ into their lives, and everything changed.  This of course, is exactly what happens to a person who places faith in Jesus Christ.

  But it is not the former sinner who brings the changes; it is the gift itself that begins the process of transformation from the old life to a new life.  No one can ever change one’s self enough to produce salvation.  If this was possible, Jesus Christ would not have had to die on the cross for our sins. 

  So, let’s step back and see what we‘ve learned.  The good news is, God loves us, and he has provided a way to deal with our depravity, and condemnation.  Jesus is this way, and his death on the cross provides the way for every person on earth who will, to experience complete forgiveness, freedom of condemnation, and favor with God almighty.

  This provision is wholly the work of God, and free to everyone without exception.  This is the great news we call the Gospel. 

   Grace bundles his love and mercy, and extends these precious things to us, so we can become the person God created and redeemed us to become.  Grace, however, goes well beyond the depravity and condemnation issues in ways that are truly amazing. 

  After a sinner accepts Jesus as his/her Lord and Savior, amazing things begin to happen.  Things that can only be explained and understood as grace is bestowed upon the person by God.  

 Acts 20:32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 

   The Apostle Paul in this verse explains how grace continues after saving a person to build us spiritually, and provide our eternal inheritance making it accessible to us now, as well as in eternity.

  The believing sinner, now is made a child of God, and begins the new life of one who has access to the throne of God, and the infinite resources and provisions of God. 

 Rom. 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

   Paul explains that the law of God as well as the law of man condemns; but now the one who has placed faith in Jesus Christ, is no longer under the jurisdiction of either divine or human law, because another jurisdiction has taken effect, and this is grace.

   Grace is divine favor, but not a human license.  “What shall we sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid!”  (Rom. 6:1)  In many ways, grace goes beyond the limitations of either divine or human law in that it provides an entirely different operating system for a person to live by.

   Remember Dos?  I do, and I hated it.  I didn’t know enough about how it worked to do the things I needed a computer to do.  Was I glad to discover Windows?  You bet!

   Windows freed me to do things I could never have accomplished under Dos.  Yet it would be incorrect to say Windows freed me to do whatever I want on a computer without restraints.

   Grace grants more freedom, more capability, and here is some good news:  it expands with the person’s understanding and spiritual maturity.  For example I can do more, accomplish more in grace today, than I could the first weeks, months, and years immediately after I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

   I remember distinctly being told, when I got my first computer: “This baby has everything you need built into it.”  I took that to mean, I would never need another computer!

   I think now, I understand that statement to mean the system this runs on will grow with you, and it is all you will need to use computers.

   Grace is all you will ever need in this life or the next one.  And you will not need to continually upgrade spending your hard-earned money to keep it relevant.  Grace will always be sufficient, and it will always be free.

   Since God cannot change, grace is a permanent fixture in the life of all of God’s children, and will be so forever.

  What Grace Does After Salvation:

   At the beginning we stated, “Grace is God’s favor…”  Grace is also divine enablement bestowed or granted.  I like the word “infused.”  Now that I am a child of God, based on grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, God infuses me with himself in the person of the Holy Spirit.

  This continual, divine presence provides me with the capacity to know things, and to do things I otherwise could not in my own power, and capabilities.  Therefore, grace is much more than divine favor; it is in fact an infinite reservoir of divine provision and power always accessible to the child of God.

 2 Cor. 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

Eph. 4:7 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace.  Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

   These Bible passages and many others show how grace works in a person’s life after salvation is extended through faith in Jesus Christ.  Through the grace of God, any Christian can do anything God desires him/her to do because God will grant sufficient grace (empowerment) to accomplish the task.

  Grace is the means through which Christians mature in both faith and service to God.  Grace aids the Spirit of God in the transformation of the individual Christian from new faith to mature faith and on to seasoned faith.

 Grace Is Good News For All:             

  Does grace affect only Christians?  This is a good question, and the answer we discover is once again, great news for everyone even the unsaved.  There is another dimension to grace, that goes well beyond the lives of genuine Christians, and it is important that we examine this dimension before moving on to other aspects of God’s grace.

  Col. 1:25 “…I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.”

  Eph. 3:2 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” 

  Paul revealed God uses various “dispensations,” or administrations through which he  works in the world.  Actually students of the Bible can identify at last seven of these  distinctive dispensations or administrations, ways God has chose to involve himself in human affairs.

–   Innocence (From the creation of humans to the fall and exit from Eden)

–   Conscience (The exile from the Garden of Eden to the global flood)

–   Human Government (Began after the flood, and was amended at Mt. Siniai)

–   Moses’ Law (The Ten Commandments to the cross of Jesus Christ)

–   Grace (Began at the death of Jesus and continues unto this present time)

   One can study human history through the filter or lens of these divine dispensations and get a completely different understanding of history.  These eras where God specifically dealt with people, on the basis of these administrations illuminate and explain why the Bible makes the claims and demands it does.

  Some people question why God does not intervene in the world today when terrorism, violence, evil, and disaster happens and causes havoc to human beings.  The question can be answered on at least one level with an understanding of God’s grace. 

  One can read the Old Testament record of the Mosaic Law and quickly realize it was a harsh legal system with a definite bias towards swift and certain punishment of wrongdoing. 

  One of the most vivid examples is the law which required parents who had a rebellious child who refused to submit to their authority, to present the child to the authorities.  After one final reprimand, the child who refused to conform was to be put to death.

  Today, there would be only a few children this law would not endanger with so much rebellion in our homes, schools, and communities.  Did God change his mind about disobedient children?  No!  God cannot change his mind, but he can, and he does change the way he deals with human beings.

  Under grace, God does not act immediately in wrath and judgment.  Instead, he patiently repeats his love for us, and warns us of the consequences of sin.  God’s holiness and justice are still present, and will always be present.

  Because Jesus’ death satisfied the holiness of God, he is free to be gentle, patient, and merciful for the time being.  God’s grace must not be misunderstood.  Grace does not remove the threat of God’s wrath; it only delays the unleashing of God’s wrath.

  Grace gives the sinner the opportunity to come to faith in Christ freely motivated by God’s love rather than God’s wrath.  (Rom. 2:4; Rom. 11:22) 

  A word of caution is in order here:  Grace is not the last dispensation, or system he is going to use with humanity.  Just as there have been other dispensations before grace, there are others which will follow it.  In fact, there are at least two more dispensations to come meaning the grace of God as a means of him dealing with people will one day end.

  The Bible reveals the dispensation which follows after grace is in fact the dispensation of divine wrath.  The wrath of God is so fierce, so dreadful it will last only seven years.  Nothing human beings have ever experienced before can prepare or equip the world for facing the wrath of God.

  Because I understand something of both the grace, and the wrath of God, I am amazed when people defiantly and arrogantly blaspheme the name and person of God.  As Jesus said on the cross, “they know not what they do.” 

  We have only touched the surface, and partaken of merely a cupped hand of water from the well of grace.  Though, grace to the nonbeliever, is a “limited time offer,” grace for the child of God is eternally accessible and without limits.

  One other feature of grace needs to be revealed before we end this study.  Grace is God’s favor, yes!  Grace is divine empowerment yes!  Grace is the operating system God is currently using to manage humanity yes.

  Grace is also the supernatural ability to persevere to the end of our earthly life.  We all know life is not a sprint; it is a long distance obstacle course, fraught with innumerable dangers and challenges, which seem to intensify as we move from youth to old age.

   Jesus intended the Christian life to be a fulfilling, abundant life. (John 10:10)  Abundant life is not the absence of trial, sorrow, or disappointment.  Rather, the abundant life is a purpose-driven life infused with the divine capacity to joyfully endure and persevere to personal victory throughout life.

2 Cor. 12:9, 10 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  

I Pet. 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 

  The evidence of this enduring grace is found throughout the world where there is persecution.  We find it present everywhere there is suffering.  But perhaps grace’s most evident display is in the lives of people who have quietly, but confidently followed the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the long journey of life.

  Faith that was born in their youth, has grown and matured.  They had calmly and resolutely endured all that life could throw at them.  Even in old age, they possess a joy, a spark, an energy that goes well beyond any human explanation.  These people are genuine trophies of the grace of God at work in this world.

  Friend, you have experienced the grace of God whether you realize it or not.  Were it not for God’s grace, you would not be alive today.  Grace is the way God is dealing with you, and with the world around you.

  Yet, there is so much more to grace you are not experiencing unless you are a child of God, through faith in Jesus Christ.  God wants you to experience all of his grace.  He has made it accessible to you through his Son Jesus Christ.

  Grace is a divine gift, so there is nothing you can do to buy it or earn it.  But to experience grace in its fullest you must receive it willingly based on faith in Jesus Christ.

  Living under grace is living life to its fullest.  You will discover joy, peace, assurance, and the capacity to experience things you never thought possible.

  You can begin to enjoy the eternal well of grace right now, in the next moment by simply asking God to forgive you and save you from the condemnation of sin.  Confess to God your personal faith in the death of his Son Jesus Christ, believe in your heart that Jesus lives today, and simply ask God to bestow his grace upon you.  God will do everything necessary to free you from the condemnation of sin and death, and transform you into the very likeness of His Son Jesus Christ.

  If you have specific questions, or you would like more information, please contact me at the site you are reading this message or contact me via my personal e-mail address: butchhoward@bellsouth.net.  I will be delighted to correspond with you, and help you discover the awesome grace of God for yourself.     

The Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospel of the Kingdom

(The Second Message in the Series: The Gospel of Jesus Christ) 

  As I said at the outset of the first message, our intent here is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a manner easily understood to the unchurched, non-Christian person.  This is important because of the world’s nearly seven billion inhabitants, at least five and a half billion of them are un-churched and/or non-Christian.

  The term “gospel,” we discovered in that first message simply means “the good news.”  Christianity is unlike any other religion in that it bases its legitimacy not upon religious tenets but the person of Jesus Christ.  Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christianity.

  Jesus Christ claimed to be God in human flesh, and he made it clear: there is no other way to peace with God or eternal life except through him alone.  No religious figure in history has ever made these emphatic claims and demands.

  The gospel, or good news according to the Bible, is that Jesus, God in human flesh came down to this earth, became one of us, and fixed the problem every human has, which we call sin, a predisposition to self-centeredness and independence from God and everyone else.

  The good news is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ made a way where there was no way back; not to mere innocence as in the Garden of Eden, but well beyond innocence to rightness and inner peace.

  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a simple, yet profoundly transforming message every human being needs to hear.  However, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has greater latitude and power than just righting the wrongs in individual lives.

  The good news of personal salvation leads us to discover another amazing glorious message.  What God can do for one person, he can do for any person, and every person.  What Jesus Christ has done for individuals, he has done for the entire world, and its impact reaches all creation.

Matt. 9: 35   And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

  The question begs to be answered, to what kingdom was Jesus referring?  Historically, the Jews were seeking for a king who would deliver them from Roman bondage.  They wanted someone to re-establish the kingdom of their great king David.

  Jesus had something much larger in mind and something much more permanent in mind, than a political or geographic dominion.  This is indeed great news not only for Jewish people, but also for everyone in the world.

  Providing a means of transformation and deliverance from our personal depraved nature, and empowered to live life differently, was merely a first step in the total plan of God for humanity.  This greater scope to the life of Jesus Christ was a part of the plan even before God created this earth.

     RE 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

    EPH 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

    These two New Testament passages clearly teach us God did not merely react to Mankind’s choice to reject and rebel against him.  He knew it, and planned for it even before he created the world in which he would create man.

   It was never God’s intention that humanity rule itself.  God did not create us with the capacity to rule ourselves.  He gave us the capacity to love him in an intimate relationship, and to care for, and manage the earth.

    Both Adam and Eve misused the gift of free will, and choose instead of loving God intimately to live independent of God, and rule themselves.  It is this species’ misuse, and misappropriation of free will that has caused every sin, every act of violence, and every tragedy in human history.

  God is not responsible for our wounds and our tears; we have only human independence from God and rebellion within ourselves to blame for these things. 

   We all have taken the gift and power of free will, and instead of using it to love God and manage the world in which he placed us, have declared our independence from God, and are attempting to rule ourselves, a role, for which we were never, nor shall ever be equipped.

   We learn this from the nation of Israel.  God made a new race of people in the descendents of a man named Abram, later renamed Abraham.  Eventually, this new race of people became a nation called Israel.

   Israel, from its inception was ruled not by men, but by God himself, and she was unique in the world in this distinction.  But the Jews began to look around them, at the other nations on earth, and they saw these other nations had kings who ruled them.

  They turned to God and asked him to give them a human king to rule over them.  God saw this desire for what it really was.  They were rejecting him and his rule over them in favor of human rule.  (I Samuel 8:5-7)  They nationally did what every person ever born (exception: Jesus Christ) has done.  They used their gift of free will and chose to reject God’s rule of them in favor of human rule.

  Human government is doomed to failure because human beings that rule through human government are depraved sinners like the people they rule.  They make decisions, and commit actions without any regard for God, or intent to seek his guidance and desires for the nation.

 This “independence from God” invariably leads to laws, and corruption that are oppressive, and burdensome to humanity.

 Enter the Kingdom of God:

  As I mentioned earlier, God knew all about humanity’s misuse of free will even before he created the earth.  Jesus came into the world to be humanity’ Savior yes, but there is much more to the mission than rescuing us from our sins; Jesus came to rescue us from ourselves also.

  What is the kingdom of God?  Who is in it?  How far does it reach?  What is the kingdom of God like?  These are questions, to which we need answers.

  The kingdom in its New Testament usage actually involves three different terms, which explain what we need to know about the kingdom:

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Christ 

  The kingdom of God is a term which explains the scope or reach of the kingdom Jesus Christ came to establish.  It refers to every created thing, every created being in this universe and any others which might exist.

  The kingdom of Heaven is a term which explains God’s rule over this earth particularly, more than the broader universe.  It explains that everyone and everything in this earth belongs to God, and is under his jurisdiction regardless of whether they have used their volition to choose Him as their God.

  The kingdom of Christ is a term which explains that Jesus sits upon the throne of this kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus is king because he has freed humanity from sin, and the eternal condemnation that sin brings with it. 

  Now you may say, if this kingdom of God exists, why does God not step in, and right the wrongs, eradicate both sin and suffering immediately?  Of course, this is one of the two or three major issues atheists and agnostics present for their disbelief in God.

  The answer lies in the power of free will.  We either all have it, or none of us have it.  If God takes it away from some of us (the bad guys) then he must take it back from all of us.  Why?  Because God is not partial, he plays no favorites, and he is not capable of changing his mind or his will.

  If God immediately stepped in and abolished all evil from the earth, he would be removing the power of people to choose to reject him, and live independently of him.  Instead, what God does is he presents himself to people as the loving Creator who has provided for their eternal rescue from the effects and consequences of human self-rule.

  Those who accept the reality of his Lordship over them discover an entirely new way to live in this world free of the bondage to sin, and the eternal condemnation sin brings with it.  Those who receive his gift of salvation are not exempt from the effects of sin in this world; but they are divinely protected, and provided for as long as they remain in this world.

 This way, God has not violated humanity’s gift of free will, but he has provided for those who have chosen by their free will to love and serve him.

  These who come to willingly, and accept Jesus Christ enter the kingdom of Christ, a spiritual, and as of this present time, an unseen kingdom.  Every genuine Christian, regardless of geography, culture, race, or language acknowledges the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus over them.  Their allegiance is first now to Jesus Christ even when that results in confrontation with human nature, and human government.

  Some wonder whether God will ever intervene and impose himself on the human world.  Can he do so without violating humanity’s gift of free will?

  Yes, God will eventually intervene in this world.  He will use a natural law he built into creation in the beginning of this earth.  It is called the law of sowing and reaping.  (Gen. 1:12, 13; Gal. 6:7)

   When one plants, one can expect something to grow from that action.  Sin is caused by independence from God, and self-rule on the part of human beings.

  The Bible explains there is a point at which evil will ultimately reach a point at which it produces a harvest of evil which can no longer replicate itself into more evil.  It is like sowing wheat or corn, or any other producing plant.  It will reproduce for the last time, and it must be harvested, and afterwards cut down.

  Humanity is not infinite as is God, and this is a very good news indeed.  This means that at some point humanity’s independence from God, and self-rule will reach a point where it can produce no greater evil, and will be harvested.

  When the Bible reveals the apocalypse in Revelation, it reveals the ultimate result of human independence from God.  Sin will have brought forth its final harvest.

  God revealed himself to the human world first through the Old Testament, and then he actually entered the world as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ.  Humanity rejected the revelation of God by hating Jews, rejecting the Bible, and crucifying Jesus Christ.

  Because God loves humanity so much, he created the New Testament Church (not the same as the Christian religion as presented by the Roman Catholic Church and other apostate, and reprobate entities that use the Bible and Jesus Christ to advance their own form of defiance of God). 

  The mission of the New Testament Church is to share the Gospel with the world, and demonstrate the power of transformation as an illustration of what Jesus Christ can do in a human life.

  The human world has chosen once again to reject the message and the messengers of the New Testament Church in favor of religion free of genuine repentance and surrender to God’s rule.  God has permitted humanity to go on in defiance and independence of him.

  As a result, sin has consistently produced more and worse actions, values, and mindsets that have only hardened and deepened Mankind’s rebellion against God.  But because humanity is finite, there is a limit to amount of evil humanity can produce.  When sin has finished it course, the Bible says, “It brings forth death.”  (James 1:13-15)

13   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14   But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 
15   Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 

  God has given humanity nearly 6,000 years to hear, and respond to the message of the Bible, and specifically the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The New Testament Church now for nearly 2,000 years has shared it throughout the world.  Consistently, and relentlessly, the vast majority of people have willfully, deliberately, knowingly chosen to reject the good news, and remain in a state of rebellion against God.

  According to the Bible, God is going to make one final attempt to present his sovereign rule to humanity.  Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth, actually visibly appear in the sky to every person on the planet. (Rev. 1:7)

  The Antichrist, whom the world will have chosen to rule them rather than Jesus, will attempt to launch an attack upon Jesus and his army.  Since there is no greater evil humanity can commit, Jesus will cut down those who are incapable of committing a worse evil.  (Rev. 19: 14-21)

  Jesus will go to the extraordinary measure of establishing a temporary kingdom on earth to demonstrate what his eternal rule will be like.  For one thousand years, Jesus will physically, visibly rule this earth from Jerusalem, Israel. (Rev. 20:2-4)

  The loving, gentle nature of God is repeatedly evidenced throughout human history, but none so great as what God does near the end of a thousand years of rule by Jesus on earth.  God empowered and gifted humanity with free will. 

  He wants people to love him, and serve him because we want to love him and serve him, and have willfully, joyfully chosen to do so.

  God will provide humanity with one final opportunity to see a clear difference between his rule and self-rule.  He will release Satan for a brief period to offer an alternative to his wise and protective rule. (Rev. 20:5-15)

  Amazingly, after experiencing longer life span, amazing advancements, and global peace for nearly one thousand years, the vast majority of humanity will still willfully chose independence from God and self-rule over citizenship in his kingdom.

  Human wickedness will have then reached its maximum capacity for evil.  There is no greater sin, than rejecting God after experiencing his provision in an ideal world for one thousand years.  Then, and not until then will God send his angels to harvest humanity’s wickedness and evil.  God will then judge individually every person who chose to live independently and rebelliously from him.  And he will destroy this planet utterly, and completely.  (2 Pet. 3:9-13)

9   The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10   But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11   Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12   Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?   13   Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.   

  God alone is infinite.  Because he is infinite, his kingdom is also infinite.  It is a foolish choice for a finite person to choose independence from an infinite God.  It is your right and freedom to choose, and God will not intervene in your choice.  But please remember because you are finite, you have only a very limited capacity to self-rule, and independence.  And then there is the harvest of your rebellion against God. 

  Now that we have given a brief answer as to what the kingdom of God is, and how far it reaches, it is important that we discover what the kingdom of God is like.

The Kingdom of God: What it looks like on Earth 

  Jesus Christ preached and taught publically for just over three years of his very short life on earth.  His mission by his own words was to “seek and to save the lost,” and reveal the kingdom of God to humanity.

  Often Jesus employed the phrase, “the kingdom of God” or, “the kingdom of heaven is like:” Then he would proceed to provide insight and instruction as to the characteristics of the Kingdom he rules.

  Perhaps the best depiction of the Kingdom of God is presented in The Sermon on the Mount found most extensively in Matthew chapters 5-7.  Here we read the famous “Beatitudes.”  Jesus also presents practical applications of kingdom principles in this great sermon.

  There is no question; our world would be a better place to live, if humanity lived in accordance to the principles set forth, in the Sermon on the Mount.  But doing so requires humanity to choose to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ as King. 

  Another major “Kingdom address” is recorded in Matthew chapter 13 often called the chapter of Parables.  In this message, Jesus used common everyday terms with which his contemporary audience would have been familiar to describe the unseen dynamics of the kingdom, and their influence on the visible world.

  In this message, Jesus addressed such issues as why every Christian doesn’t mature the same as other Christians, and why it is so difficult to determine who is a real Christian, and who is counterfeit.  Also, Jesus explains how something as small and simple as the Gospel message can transform the entire world over the course of human history.

  And in the final great “Kingdom address,” called the Olivet Discourse, found in the three synoptic “Gospels,” (Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke 21) Jesus reveals the signs that will signal the coming of the visible kingdom of God to this earth.

  There is no shallow treatment, of the Kingdom of God in the New Testament, for in addition to the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and others taught kingdom principles throughout the New Testament, and early church era.  

  One other important detail needs to be provided here to complete the introduction to the Kingdom of God for those unfamiliar, and not indoctrinated in New Testament Christianity. 

Who is in the Kingdom of God? 

  Remember the three terms provided in the beginning of this message defining the Kingdom.

1. The kingdom of God – pertains to all created beings and things in all time and eternity
2. The Kingdom of Heaven – pertains to God kingdom activity and involvement with humanity on this earth.  It assumes God’s right to us and to everything he has made in this world.
3. The Kingdom of Christ – pertains to the reality that Jesus Christ is king of this Kingdom of God.

  Unless we are careful here, we will misunderstand who is in the kingdom and who remains outside the kingdom.  The best word to use to illustrate this important distinction is the word “citizenship.”

  I live in the United States.  I am a natural born American citizen.  This distinction does not mean there are no other people in the world, nor even, does it mean there are no other people living within the borders of the United States.

  We know in fact, there are billions of other human beings on earth who are not American citizens.  Yet they live, breath, and function much as American citizens function in this world.

  There are some things every human being has in common, regardless of where we live on the planet.  However, there are some things unique to citizens of the US that do not apply to non-citizens of America.

  The same can be said for citizens of the Kingdom of God.  Every human being lives in the Kingdom geographically, but not every human being is a citizen of the kingdom.  There are some commonalities we all share as human beings, but also there are some things only actual citizens of the kingdom experience and enjoy.

  Non-citizens are free to ignore the laws of the United States, unless they are physically within our borders.  Citizens of the US are bound by US law wherever we are on earth.

  God does not expect non-citizens of the Kingdom to adhere to kingdom laws.  In fact, they cannot do more than merely attempt the concepts of kingdom laws, full compliance is absolutely beyond their capabilities.  Citizens of the Kingdom are bound by our loyalty to Jesus Christ and our citizenship to respect and adhere to Kingdom laws regardless where we are on earth. 

  Kingdom citizens know without any doubt or question that Jesus Christ is our Lord and King.  No citizen of the Kingdom will question the Lordship of Jesus Christ over us.  Anyone who questions the Lordship of Christ reveals himself/herself to be a non-citizen of the Kingdom of God.

  In the human world, one becomes a citizen of our nation or kingdom by either birth or application.  One born into a country is a natural born citizen of that country.  Those who are not born into a country still can apply for citizenship, meet the requirements that country sets forth, and become through application process a citizen of a country.

  So, how does a human being become a citizen of the Kingdom of God?  There is only one way to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  Yes, there is one and only one way to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  On the surface, this sounds like bad news, but it is not bad news at all:  It is in fact, wonderful, good news!

  Jesus explained this for all of us in John 3:6, 7 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7   Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

  But that is impossible!  No dear friend, nothing is impossible with God.  (Luke 1:37)  Jesus explained there are two types of human births.  One is a physical birth.  This is how we enter into this world.  There is also a spiritual birth.  This spiritual birth is how a human being is born into the Kingdom of God.

  Just as you had nothing to do with your physical birth into this world, you have nothing to do with being born into the kingdom of God.  The act of birth is all the miraculous work of God himself on your behalf, solely because he loves you.

  A human baby does not conceive itself.  It has no capacity to sustain itself.  It simply exists completely because of his/her mother’s nurture and nourishment.  The baby literally draws its life, from the mother’s life.

  This is the same dynamic at work in spiritual birth.  We cannot conceive ourselves into the Kingdom of God, nor could we sustain ourselves for even one moment by our own means.  We are born into the kingdom of God because of God’s love for us.  We obtain our spiritual life from his life.

  God the Son, Jesus Christ gives us his own life, and we are thereby born into the kingdom of God.  This is great news! 

  A human baby never has to worry about ever becoming something other than a human being after birth.  He/she cannot become a dog, or cat, or bird, or any other life form.  Simply stated, that child is alive, and is human solely because of the life of the parents who conceived the child.

  This is why we know the Christian’s life is an eternal life.  The source of our spiritual life is the eternal God, and therefore we can become nothing less than his offspring.  He is eternal; therefore, we must also be eternal.

  Jesus confirmed this understanding of spiritual birth in John 10:28.  28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…”

  The rest of the New Testament confirms and expounds upon this reality of eternal life.  (Matt. 25:46; Rom. 5:21; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 5:9; I John 2:25; I John 5:11)

  Eternal life is just one of the differences between citizens and non-citizens of the Kingdom of God.  Our human nature has been transformed, and we are in the process of becoming like Jesus Christ in character.  We also have a specific purpose and mission to accomplish while we live in this present world.

  Citizens of the Kingdom of God, adhere to kingdom principles, laws, and values that go well beyond human values and principles.  Jesus taught these things in his messages and through his life as he shared the heart of God with the world.

  In human kingdoms and governments there are a few important people, and everyone else are common.  This is not the way of life in the Kingdom of God.  Every citizen of the Kingdom is a special creation of God, with a specific purpose, and mission that contributes to the operation and advancement of the Kingdom. 

Making it happen for you:

  Perhaps for the first time in your life, you now realize there is so much more to attain and experience than the life of a mere human being on earth.  You finally know there is something beyond this human, earthly existence, and you want to get in on it.

  One cannot birth one’s self, but one can draw from the life who conceived it.  God thought about you, planned for you, and created you.  He has given you his life in the blood of Jesus Christ. 

  In order for you to experience spiritual birth, and be born into the Kingdom of God all that is necessary is for you to confess your faith in Him, and draw your nourishment for life from him.

  The New Testament puts this process into easy to understand terms that anyone, anywhere, anytime can understand and apply.  The Scriptures tell us spiritual birth happens when:

1. We receive the message of truth of the Bible (John 20:31)
2. We confess our sinfulness and guilt to God (I John 1:7-9)
3. We accept the blood, death, and resurrection of Jesus as being for us personally (John 1:12; I Cor. 15:1-4)
4. We trust Jesus to forgive, cleanse, and give to us his life (John 3:16-18; Eph. 2:8,9)
5. We confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:9-13)

  Wow, that’s a lot to take in!  Stay with me here, these things happen so fast, and they happen “on their own,” once you choose to believe Jesus Christ is who he claims to be.

  Remember the thief on the cross who died that day beside Jesus?  He did all of these things, and the proof of them is in his simple words to Jesus: “Lord, remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

  That thief realized Jesus was indeed the King, and he had right to be Lord of his life, even at the moment of death.  In simple, child-like trust, he simply rested in the claims of Jesus, and died with the peace he would awaken in Paradise with Jesus.

  I have been blessed to travel in numerous countries in the world.  Invariably the question is asked: “What is it like to live in America?”  Those who ask generally believe they will probably never get to come to America themselves, but they want to know what life is like here.

  I cannot actually invite those people to come and live in America as a US citizen, for most, if not all of those who ask the question; it is not possible for them to make that happen.  However, I can invite you into the Kingdom of God.  God has already made all the necessary preparations, and provisions, and has even extended to you his personal invitation.  (John 6:37) “He that cometh to me, I will  in no wise cast out.”  There it is, Jesus guarantees your admittance into the Kingdom when you come to him an ask.  (John 1:12; 2 Pet. 3:9)

  A dying thief became a citizen of the Kingdom of God, so can you.  All he did was believe, and ask, and it was done for him.  God will do no less for you; but you must ask him. (I John 5:9-15)

  There is another piece of good news that accompanies the Gospel of the Kingdom.  Human beings who come into the kingdom in this era of grace (the present time) come in not as mere citizens and subjects; we enter as children of the King.  This means we are also royal heirs!

  There is not space here to expand this delightful bit of good news more than merely to mention it, and provide the Biblical proof-texts.  But I just have to tell you about it briefly and provide you with the scriptures to read.

  The New Testament teaches those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior are actually children of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ of the kingdom of God!  (See Rom. 8: 11-21; 2 Cor. 4:14-18; John 17: 13-22; Rev. 5:10)

  Dear friend, I have only scratched a tiny portion of the surface of what it is to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and the wonderful good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom.  I have shared with you for two simple reasons:

1. Jesus commanded his followers to take the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to do so until every person has heard the Good news sins can be forgiven, and human beings can experience eternal life in the Kingdom of God.  In other words, I’m doing what God commands me to do.
2. God has placed within me a heart-felt compassion and love for all humanity.  I want everyone to know the love of God, and experience the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and know the joy, peace, and eternal purpose God provides for all humanity in Jesus Christ.

  Now you know about the Gospel of the Kingdom.  What will you do with this knowledge?  God has given you to power and capacity to choose freely to receive the message, or to reject it.  You now have enough information to either place your faith in Jesus or reject his claims as God in human flesh, and Savior of the world.

  God is not going to give you more information than he has provided in his word, the Bible.  Why?  There will be no additional information because he has chosen to extend eternal life completely on the basis of simple faith.  If one could examine, touch, see, and humanly “prove” it; there would be no factor of faith involved in it.

  Yes, I know this is frustrating to many, many people.  But remember, it is His kingdom not ours.  We do not get to make the rules, but we do get to enjoy all the eternal benefits of the Kingdom once we believe and receive the revelation he has provided us through the Scriptures, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the glorious message of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

 It is my prayer, hope, and expectation to see you join the ranks of the redeemed, and become a part of the great family of God.  Please let me know if you have chosen to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life as Lord and Savior, but e-mail either at my page on the internet site you read this, or my personal e-mail address at butchhoward@bellsouth.net.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

  Those who have visited foreign lands know first-hand the frustration, and confusion that can occur when language and culture get in the way of communication.

  We all tend to use words which seem perfectly clear to our own understanding, but are confusing to people unfamiliar with our verbal mannerisms.  Frequently, we read of instances of verbal gaffs committed by political leaders attempting to communicate with foreign entities.

  Most people laugh these things off, but for the few to whom these gaffs are directed it is anything but funny and harmless.  When important communication is being done, nothing is more important, than the communicating parties understanding one another.

  I live in America, and here in the south where I call home, local churches have message signs they display for the community to read.  Church events, of course, are posted; but many churches use these signs, as a means of communicating spiritual and Biblical messages to their communities.

   One of my favorite things to do while driving is to read messages posted on church signs.  Some are humorous, some are serious, and some, are seriously misguided, in how they communicate with their communities.

   Unfortunately, some churches do not realize the unsaved world does not, and cannot understand the spiritual vocabulary they employ in their messages.

  This confusion leads to deception as words coined by church folks get new meanings attached to them by the unchurched world.

  Perhaps after the name of Jesus Christ, the word, “gospel” is the most used term in Christianity.  But what does it mean in its biblical setting? 

   Modern Christianity uses the term gospel to describe and define many things not actually attached to its original meaning and usage in the New Testament.

    Someone recently told me there are 3,000 Christian denominations worldwide.  I do not know whether this number is accurate, but I do know there are a large number of different Christian denominations all of which are using this word gospel to define and legitimatize their existence and work.

  Add to this the unchurched, un-Christian world’s misunderstanding, and misuse of the word: one can immediately see why the message of the Gospel is obscured, and disenfranchised from its original mission.

  Here is our dilemma: How does one present the Gospel to people who are unchurched, and un-indoctrinated in the Christian faith?  It is not as if thousands of books and tens of thousands of sermons do not already exist on the subject.

  I do not claim to have any more skill or ability than others who have already approached this topic, with a sincere desire to make the Gospel comprehendible to everyone.  I simply offer my own explanation in hopes it will make the message clearer for at least some of those who read or hear a presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The one little secret we all have:

    I want to begin by appealing to our universal consciousness.  Something is wrong with us, and we all know it.  Only the pathologically dishonest would dare say, they have never felt anything wrong with himself or herself, or the world that exists around them.

  Human beings are amazing creatures.  We have characteristics, skills, intuitive powers, and creativity without equal among any other physical life forms we know about.

  We have moved in a relatively short span of time from being very primitive to amazing advancements and even greater potential in the future.  Yet, humans are capable of unspeakable atrocities. 

  Even worse than the voluminous record of violent deeds, are the unspoken, unrevealed thoughts and desires that lurk within even the most humanitarian among us.  We all have had thoughts appear so disgusting and unsettling that we ask ourselves, “Where did that come from?”  And we try to dismiss it as quickly as possible because we abhor it.

  Each morning and evening, for a brief few moments, we gaze at ourselves in our mirrors, and we see inside ourselves.  The depths of our own wickedness shock us.  We think things, desire things, plot things about which we hope no one ever finds out.

  Fortunately, most of these bizarre thoughts and desires never work their way into words or deeds.  Yet, still merely having them disturbs our sense of self.

   Horrific actions which used to be rare are now occurring more often: the news will report that someone actually acted out something we have at some time or another thought or desired, and we cringe and shiver that human beings are even capable of such things.

  We know something is very wrong inside of us.  The Bible calls this inner capacity for evil, sin.  Christians and non-Christians alike often are hung up on the deeds and desires we call sins.  We fail to deal with the default setting we all have called sin, or the sin nature.  A sleek relatively new name for this entity is, “the self.” 

  For a moment, let’s lay aside the Bible, since so many people reject it in our world today.  Forget the Bible term sin.  Still it is there deep within us, the capacity, desire, and mindset; which willfully chooses to go against established human laws, and social values, and to do our own thing even if it harms other human beings. 

  You may never commit murder, rape, theft, or physical assault; but you are more than willing to move against someone else’s ideas or position to gain the advantage to your own agenda.  This is the sin, or “the self” in all of us.

  Humanism actually is an attempt to answer the dark side within each of us.  Humanism believes in human potential, and solution to everything that is undesirable and unpleasant in this world.  Humanism believes someday, mankind will eradicate evil, violence, pain, and oppression.

  The problem is, humanism cannot address humanity’s default setting of sin, the nature to act selfishly and rebelliously.  So, humanism cannot solve humanity’s problems at the core of our origin, this problem is the self.

   Religion, specifically, the non-Christian variety offers an array of doctrines and rituals intended to address the effects of humanity’s evil on humanity.  Religious doctrines attempt to explain why, ritual provides penance, and always there is the promise religion makes of restoration and inner peace.

  There was religion long before Jesus Christ came into this world.  Religion had failed miserably before Christ, and it has failed miserably since Christ.  The reason: The default setting sin nature remains, without any means to offset or over-ride it.

    This is where the Gospel enters the world.  All humanity needs to at least listen, and carefully consider the message, and the claims of the Gospel, for it is not just another religious term or doctrine.

    Simply defined, the word gospel means the good news.  That something exists that can deal with the reality of our depravity, and self-centeredness is good news indeed.

  Let’s take a closer look at the gospel.

1. Its message – its claims
2. Its methodology – how it works
3. Its capacity – transforming humanity

  Look with me at the Gospel, as we try to process in ways we can understand this simple yet profound word which holds the potential to transform humanity eternally.

The Gospel: Its’ Message – Its Claims

  The simple message of the Gospel is there is good news for humanity.  Jesus Christ has come to deal with human depravity.  The Gospel deals not so much with what humans do, but why we do what we do.

    In the beginning of humanity, God created people without the self-centered nature.  Humans were not righteous as is God, but they were innocent, without a selfish agenda driving them.

  The Bible says, Satan introduced to Eve another perspective of life on earth.  Satan showed Eve she could think only of herself, and see things from a new and different perspective.  Eve saw the fruit, saw its potential, and acted selfishly by eating the fruit without consulting either God or her husband. 

  So, human beings began to be self-centered and to sin in the Garden of Eden.  God informed Adam and Eve their volitional sin, would be passed on to their descendents.  This was bad news.

   How horrible it must have been for Adam and Eve to know their children, and every human being who would follow them would be born with the default setting of self-centeredness and sinfulness. 

  Graciously, God did not stop with the bad news.  He then told Eve, he would raise up one from her seed that would deal with this self-centered depravity issue permanently.

  The divine message of good news was told over and again throughout the centuries first to the Jewish people, and to many non-Jews who heard the message from their interactions with the Jews. 

  The Jews believed God one day would send a Jewish man who would be a divinely appointed redeemer king.  The Jews called this one their Messiah.  The New Testament reveals this person to be Jesus of Nazareth.

  It was Jesus who coined the word gospel.  He called it, “the gospel of the kingdom.”  Jesus’ description of the gospel involved spiritual, as well as physical and governmental redemption and renewal.

  Jesus revealed to humanity a new way to live, not based upon Mankind’s default self-centered way of life.  He taught that, humanity was hopelessly lost and condemned unless a spiritual transformation occurred within the human being.

  Jesus declared himself the Savior of humanity, and predicted he would die for the sin of the world.

  Yet, the gospel is broader than just the short meaning of good news regarding human destiny.  This broader sense of the term is discovered in the following Biblical phrases where the term gospel is used.

–        “the gospel of the kingdom” Mt. 4:23

–        “the gospel of Jesus Christ” Mk. 1:1

–        “the gospel of the grace of God” Acts 220:24

–        “the gospel of God” Rom. 1:1

–        “the gospel of peace” Rom. 10:15

–        “the everlasting gospel” Rev. 14:6

 Entire books have been written on these themes, and still the depth and scope of the gospel remains unexhausted.

The Methodology of the Gospel – How it works

  This brings us to the methodology of the gospel.  What is accomplished by an ancient Jewish man being put to death on a Roman cross?  How does this death address humanity’s default self-centeredness and depravity?

  The Apostle Paul explains it very well, as he takes us back to Adam.  Paul says, “As by one man sin entered into the world and so death by sin.”  Even so, by one man (Jesus), the world is given the capacity to become righteous and this self-centered depravity is finally dealt with.  (See Romans 5:8-21)

  Finally, humanity is provided an answer to our inner wickedness that is not just masked by ritual and the hope of human potential.

  Still, one must ask, how does this work, how is this new nature appropriated, and experienced by human beings?  This is actually, what makes the gospel unique in the world.  (So you do not want to rush through these next few sentences.) 

  Jesus claimed to be God in human flesh.  He taught that his death meant that he was taking upon himself the full impact and effect of human depravity.

 He taught that by doing this he was taking humanity back to the Garden, back to innocence, and undoing in one human body, what Adam’s body had brought upon the human world since.

  The apostles later would expand the initial teachings of Jesus to explain that Jesus’ death on the cross actually created a new kind of human being.  (2 Cor. 5:17)

  Of course the question is asked, and rightly so, “how do we know what Jesus taught and claimed actually served to permanently deal with human depravity?”

  Our proof is in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead three days after his crucifixion on a Roman cross.  He could have been resurrected secretly, but God knew humanity needed to know the sacrifice had been accepted. 

  Jesus arose bodily, and visible to all who knew him before his death.  He remained on earth for forty days after his resurrection, just so people could see him, hear him, and touch him. He was seen and heard by individuals, small groups, and as many as five hundred persons at once, each of these times were multiple events spanning the forty days, and in different locations.

  Only agnostics and atheists seriously question the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Unbelief blinds them to the truth, not the event itself.

  The resurrection of Jesus transformed those who knew him before from fearful, scattered followers, into dynamic messengers of the gospel.  The transformation caused them to forsake all their previous life in pursuit of sharing the Gospel with the world.  Many of them died martyrs’ deaths rather than recant their encounter with the resurrected Jesus. 

   Jesus taught, and so did his apostles who followed him, the gospel, and the good news must be experienced not just heard.  The gospel can be experienced by every human being on earth.

  This universal availability of the gospel is yet another part of the good news message.  No longer will the great things in life be limited to the privileged, the powerful, or those who gain them through thievery.

    It does not matter who you are, where you live, what you have done, or have not done.  It does not matter what you have, nor do not have.  Nor does it matter if you have little or nothing at all.  You can experience the gospel.  This is good news!

  Jesus demanded that the gospel not be bought and sold.  He refused to limit it to the religious only.  He offered it freely to the entire world.  (John 3:16)

  But how can one experience the gospel if not with money, deeds, or status?  Can you handle some more good news?  The gospel can be experienced simply by faith in Jesus Christ.  That’s it! 

  Again, Jesus provided proof for us himself, as he hung on the cross.  Remember, Jesus died between two thieves that day.  One of them was the typical agnostic.  He scoffed, and mocked Jesus.  The other thief had nothing to offer anyone.  He could not prove himself to Jesus with a righteous life of good deeds.  He could not be baptized into a church.  He had nothing at all to offer Jesus.

  Yet, he possessed the one thing, the only thing that bridges the hopeless divide between God and man.  He simply believed Jesus was who Jesus said he was.  He called him, “Lord.”  His prayer was not the typical “sinners’ prayer” recited at church altars. 

   No, that thief simply said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus demonstrated to the entire world that day, that faith is enough to gain eternal redemption from God.  This is very good news!

  Regardless of whom you are, where you are, what you have done in life, or what you have failed to do in life.  It doesn’t matter whether you are a multi-billionaire, or a homeless street beggar.  The gospel is accessible to you.  You can experience it, all of it just by believing in Jesus Christ.

  Throughout the Bible there are records where harlots, adulterers, idolaters, drug addicts, murders, rapists, thieves, liars, homosexuals, and even blasphemers who placed simple faith in the word of God, and found forgiveness, peace, joy, and a new life.

  Many have made faith so complicated, that multitudes languish in horrific doubt and insecurity regarding their eternal position with God.  One need go no further than the thief on the cross to understand faith’s simplicity.

  Bible faith is simple faith.  It is child-like reliance.  It simply means to believe, and rest in the one upon whom you believe.  Real faith demands we reject all former mindsets, and values.  Real faith says God said it that settles it for me.

  Often the agnostic and atheist will demand “empirical evidence.”  They get quite frustrated when all I bring as evidence is the Bible.  I say, why not bring the Bible it is the greatest piece of evidence in the world today.

  For me it is enough.  Jesus is enough.  The gospel of salvation by grace through faith is enough.  I lay no claim to anything else.  If it was enough for the dying thief as he struggled to get his last few breaths, it is more than enough for me.

  If that thief on the cross can die with his faith in Jesus, I can certainly live with my faith in Jesus.  The good news is the gospel is experienced by faith alone, nothing more, nothing less. 

   The gospel works on the premise of faith, and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It has nothing to do with religion, denominationalism, or cultural considerations.  The gospel is based solely upon the person of Jesus Christ.

  The gospel demands that a person looks only to Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews calls Jesus, “the Author, and Finisher of our faith.”  John the Apostle, wrote, Jesus is, “the Alpha, and the Omega, the First, and the Last, the Beginning, and the end.”

  So, the gospel is simply about believing in Jesus Christ.  The gospel is about life and eternal transformation based on simple faith in Jesus Christ, and nothing else.

  The power of the gospel is not just to provide an answer for humanity’s eternal destiny.  The gospel alters a person’s view of the world, of life, and most importantly of one’s self.  The good news enables us to deal with this present time with a new and different perspective. 

  The gospel empowers optimism, healthy self-image, and a moral foundation upon which life can be lived to its divine potential.  People who were formerly guilt-driven and self-depreciating discover they are unique creations of almighty God.

The Gospel makes former criminals into exhibits of great character.  The gospel makes trophies of grace and divine love out of humanity’s worst people. 

  The very glory of God is not what one might thing the glory of God would be.  It is not the amazing spectacle of the universe’s vastness and raw beauty.  Nor is it the trillions of life forms we know about on planet earth.

  The real glory of God is the Son of God transforming formerly hopelessly depraved human beings into redeemed holy saints.  God has never laid his mighty hand to a grander work.  Nor has there ever been a more magnificent divine accomplishment.  This is the good news of the Gospel.

  No one is beyond the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  One must defiantly walk away from the love of God, and the cross of Jesus Christ to be removed from the power of the Gospel.

  God will not reject anyone, Satan cannot prevent it; no, every person has the privilege to receive the good news of the Gospel.

  The Mission of the Gospel in this world:

  I have been asked many times why Christians leave the comfortable surroundings of home, family, and vocation to carry the Gospel message to distant places in the world.  It is a natural question unless one understands just how great the good news of the Gospel actually is, and how desperately it is needed throughout the world.

  Our present communications capabilities came about after human beings understood the value and importance of knowing about important developments and events.  We began with “runners,” and now we have instant, global news via satellite communications to our phones, computers, radios, and television.  

  We go to all this vast effort and cost because news matters to humanity.  The good news of the Gospel is the most important news the world will ever hear or communicate.

  It is good news that God loves you.  It is good news that you can know him personally, intimately, eternally.  It is good news that you can be forgiven of every thought, desire, attitude, intention, word, or deed through Jesus Christ.

  It is good news that life is not random.  There is a divine purpose for everyone and everything on earth.  The Gospel makes this plain and understandable.

   It is good news that God will deal with sin, evil, sorrow, and pain eventually, and all of these shall forever be done away for the children of God.  It is good news there is heaven to gain, and to know we do not have to experience hell forever. 

  It is good news to know God is present, and we are never alone.  The Gospel is a simple message of good news, but it is infinite in its impact upon humanity one person at a time.

  The good news of the Gospel is not just to the masses, it is good news to me.  It is good news that no one is left out, or disqualified, but all can experience its wonder and power.

  The Gospel goes far beyond religion or denominationalism.  The Gospel transcends politics, culture, and language.  Regardless of what language you speak, the Gospel is good news to you and to all.

An invitation to YOU!

   Dear friend, you may be one who is reading about the Gospel for the first time, or you may be one who has heard the gospel message many times before.  I invite you to listen to the voice inside of you that asks you to reach out and receive the gospel as the answer to your internal questions.

  I have no doubt the Holy Spirit is at this very moment attempting to break through the natural defenses of the self, that part of you so prone to sin.  He loves you, and wants to change your life forever.

   Please, this moment bow where you are.  You may not be able to get on your knees, or even close your eyes; yet where ever are this moment; you can simply do what the thief on the cross did that day so long ago.  Simply ask Jesus Christ to forgive you, and live with you forever.

  I could, and I have often provided a sample prayer for those who desired to receive the Gospel message and ask Jesus to become their Savior.  I think, sometimes we get distracted by words.  Simply talk to God from your heart.

   “Lord, remember me!”  Once there was a publican who realized his sinfulness.  His prayer was this; “God be merciful to me, I am a sinner!”  Jesus said that man when home forgiven that day. 

   If you have just asked Jesus Christ to forgive you, and expressed faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I would love to know about your decision, and welcome you into the family of God.  Please, send an e-mail at the site where you read this message, or you can contact me at my personal e-mail address which is: butchhoward@bellsouth.net

(A note to my fellow Christians, particularly pastors and teachers)

  I have avoided using the terms churches use in presenting the Gospel.  I believe them of course, and each term is genuinely important and relevant to the doctrine of salvation.  I refer to terms like: new birth, born again, saved, redeemed, sanctified, and many others.

  I trust my Christian brethren, who read this will understand the intent, and realize the unsaved world does not, cannot understand them apart from the working of the Holy Spirit within them.

  Truly, the effect of the Gospel upon a believing sinner renders one saved, born again, redeemed, sanctified among other delightful effects.  Let’s remember the call to simplicity in our presentation of the Gospel.

  Jesus did not use the terms saved, born again, redeemed, sanctified, or any other theological depiction of salvation with the thief on the cross.  He said, “This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

  Phillip when sharing the Gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch also neglected to use these terms, but there is no question of the Ethiopian’s salvation.  Again, the apostle Paul avoided theological terms when ministering on Mars Hill to people totally unfamiliar with Christian or Jewish theology.

  I believe the Gospel transcends theological terms, and doctrinal dictates.  It is powerful in its simplicity, for one does not have to be versed in theology of any denominational group to become a child of God. 

 Please know my decision not to use these familiar terms is not an indication of not believing and embracing every one of them.  I simply wanted to speak to unchurched people in a manner they are more likely to understand.

  I desire your prayers, encouragement, and fellowship as I seek to carry the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the mission of the Great Commission to the world via the internet.

What Is Armageddon? (Part Two in the Armageddon Series)

Rev. 16: 16   And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

  In the previous article, we presented world events and developments that the Bible indicates will lead humanity and the world to the end time event known as Armageddon.  (See article entitled: “Understanding How the World Will Arrive at Armageddon”)

  Though the world is quite familiar with the term “Armageddon,” much confusion and misinterpretation exists as to what Armageddon actually is.  For example, some believe the term to mean the end of the world.  Others see it only a future battle fought in the Middle East.

   According to the Bible, Armageddon is much more than a future battle in the Middle East, but it clearly is not the end of the world.  Between these two polar beliefs lies the truth.

  Armageddon is humanity’s epic attempt to finish its rebellion against God, in a showdown intended to deal with God once for all.  Mankind’s rebellion began in the Garden of Eden, and has progressed unabated throughout history.

   Satan is the instigator of this rebellion.  It is true he initiated it, and has facilitated it throughout history.  But Satan does not bear the entire burden of guilt in the matter of this rebellion against God.

  Humanity is depraved, because of Satan’s deception of Eve and every human being after her, with the one except of Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus of course was the God-man, fully human, fully God in human flesh, thus he had no sinful nature, and was never deceived by Satan.  God provided a deliverance from Satan’s deception in salvation by grace through faith in the blood, shed by Jesus Christ on the cross.

  In every generation, every century since that original fall into deception and sin, Mankind has consistently chosen to refuse God’s provision of deliverance, and has boldly continued to rebel against God’s will and purpose for humanity.

  Tyrants and despots have attempted to defy God and rule humanity.  Every bloodthirsty dictator who has ever lived is a part of the human rebellion against God.  Atheism, agnosticism, pagan religion, and false teachers are guilty of defying God.

  Murderers, rapists, thieves, whoremongers, adulterers, fornicators, and liars are rebels opposed to God’s law, and God’s authority over humanity.  Addicts of all kinds have ascribed to their “drug or behavior of choice” god status, and have given up their will and freedom of choice in defiance of God.

  But rebellion is much broader than mere overt defiance.  Every human desire and act of independence from God is rebellion.  The moralist, the humanist, who do good deeds without acknowledging God are attempting to live their lives independent of God.

  I am a born again Christian, yet I must confess that I have rebelled against the will of God at times in thought, desire, and even deed.  Many has been the time when I moved without conferring with, or even acknowledging God, and his absolute right to me.

  Every Christian I have ever known has made similar confessions from time to time.  Any human attempt to live independently of God is rebellion against Him.

  Now, there is surely a difference in the heart of a genuine Christian when he/she acts independently, thus rebelling against God.  For those of us who know Jesus Christ as personal Savior, our rebellion is short lived, and remorse immediately sets in when the Holy Spirit confronts our attempt at independence from  God.

  Why do human beings want to be independent from God?  Well, I suppose there are as many possible answers as there are people alive today, for we all have our reasons why we choose to rebel at any given time. 

  However, I believe, the wonderful and powerful gifts of free will, and self-consciousness are the major reasons driving our desire for independence.  We are the zenith of God’s creative acts, and unfortunately, we know it.

  We understand our potential is virtually limitless.  We know we use only a small percentage of our full capabilities.  This knowledge prompts us to desire to explore beyond the boundaries God has established.

  Ironically, God agrees with our assessment of our capabilities and powers.

Gen. 3: 22   And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:

Gen. 11: 6   And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

  Even though humanity has learned the wisdom of establishing boundaries, it is in our nature to want to move outside of them.  God established both his law, and human law to set necessary boundaries for humanity, so that we will not destroy ourselves.

  Every time we do what we know we ought not to do, we cross a boundary.  The Bible uses several descriptive terms to help us see our rebellion and adjust our will and our behavior accordingly.

  Particularly in the Old Testament, God uses words like trespass, disobedience, and iniquity to illustrate the act of rebellion in our behavior.  The word, “iniquity” means lawlessness, that which breeches the law.

  God, in his love and mercy, has established principles to correct and discipline us when we act independently of him.  God uses punishments, consequences, and incentives to help us avoid rebellion.

  Everyone rebels against God at some point in his or her life.  This is because there is a universal desire to live independently of God.  This desire is driven by our depravity. 

  Though genuine Christians truly love God, and want to please him, we are still depraved.  We still have this nature that wants independence from God.  The Apostle Paul labeled this rebellious nature, “the flesh,” in many of his New Testament writings.

  Gal. 5: 16   This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17   For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

  Unbelievers do not have the benefit of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, so they have no capacity to deal effectively with their own depravity.  Rebellion against God reigns in their lives.

  It is not that the unbeliever is more rebellious, than the genuine Christian.  Unbelievers are not worse sinners than believers are; they simply have no means to deal effectively with their rebellion against God.

  One might ask, what is the result or consequences of personal human rebellion against God?  Rebellion, in God’s view is extremely serious.

I Samuel 15: 23   For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Job 34: 37   For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

Romans 1: 21   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen.  26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind…32   Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death… 

  Rebellion is so serious to God, he has provided only one alternative.  Repent, or else.  God will not tolerate rebellion indefinitely with anyone.

Prov. 29: 1   He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Hebrews 10: 26   For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27   But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  28   He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30   For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.  And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  31   It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  Those who choose to continue in their rebellion against God, will suffer serious consequences.  God shows his displeasure first, by becoming silent, so the individual is no longer being convicted of sin, nor punished for his/her wrongdoings.  (Note: this releasing to do sin and go unpunished is temporary.  Every sin will eventually be dealt with.  Galatians 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.)   

  What does all of this have to do with Armageddon?  A lot, it has a lot to do with where we are in time, and where humanity is going.

  Just to build on the use of the sowing of seed in Galatians 6:7, one does not sow one seed, and expect to get one kernel of corn.  The very same principle applies to sin.

  When a person sins, he/she sows sin, and will reap the consequences of that sin.  Now, multiply the number of people committing sin by the number of people in the world today.  Nearly seven billion people living in some degree of rebellion against the God who created them.

  As the rebellion in one person’s life, interacts with the rebellion in the lives of people that person influences, the rebellion develops synergy.  This synergy of rebellion, is being manifested in the form of violence, hatred, immorality, etc.

    The effect of sinfulness is not limited only to individual people.  Sin takes a toll upon society, and eventually the planet itself.

  Sociologists, psychologists, and behaviorists, know the behavior of one person influences the behavior of the people around him/her.  A rebel in a room of compliant persons, can provoke rebellious behaviors in others present.  If the majority of persons in the test exhibit rebellious behavior, eventually that behavior becomes the norm in that environment.

  No one will argue the fact, there are many more unbelievers (in biblical Christianity) today, than there are believers.  Enlarge the behavioral test field to include the entire world, and you begin to realize the synergy human rebellion is achieving.

  Humanity is becoming more non-compliant, more violent, more self-centered.  This is evidenced, by our daily interactions in the world, and the news events reported every day.

  People want to be free to do as they please, when they please, to whom they please, for as long as they please, and without any intrusion, inhibition, or restraints in any form.  And people expect to experience no adverse consequence from their independence from everyone and everything.

  Enter God, and watch humanity get agitated.  The smoldering anger whooshes into a mighty solar flare of indignation and seething defiance.  Many atheists, cannot stand for God to be present in any visible figures or symbols.

  Remove the displays of the Ten Commandments.  Do not put the manager scene on exhibit at Christmas, now we cannot even say Christmas, instead let’s use winter holiday, or holiday season.

  God offends atheists.  They cannot tolerate any form of acknowledgment of his existence.  It is not enough for them to attack God, they want to also silence Christians. 

  Governments are as rebellious against God as atheists.  As I stated earlier, all humanity is guilty of rebellion against God.  Today, governments all over the world are moving to restrict and restrain religious faith and expression.

  Humanity labels adamant believers as insane, disturbed, unstable,  menaces to society, and worse.  Some are suggesting these kinds of religionists must be silenced by whatever means available.

  Today’s mentality towards God and his followers, is moving the world towards Armageddon as surely as night follows day.  Humanity’s growing intolerance with biblical Christianity is just one piece to the puzzle.

  In a sense, all the weapons formed, and all of the battles and wars of human history have been preparatory exercises for humanity’s confrontation with God at Armageddon.

  Military forces are recruited, trained, and deployed in preparation for the mother of all battles, which one day, will be fought in the fields of Megiddo, when Armageddon is unleashed.  Oh, the commanders of these armies, nor the governments who sanction them are aware of the greater drama in which they participate.  Yet, know this:  God and Satan are very aware of the connection with present activities and their eventual culmination at Armageddon.

  The entertainment industry is party to this unfolding saga as well.  Some of the world’s greatest box office successes have been movies depicting the world gathering in unity and cooperation to defend against an attacking force from the heavens.

  Well, the stage is being set.  The pieces are finding their way into the puzzle.  It is all coming together.  On a day, in the not too distant future, humanity’s rebellion will consummate in global defiance against God.

  History’s greatest movements have always found a leader to rally the troops, inspire the masses, and boldly take them into mortal combat.  Such a leader will soon emerge, probably from Europe.  He is called, the Antichrist. 

  Revelation chapter 13 records the rise of this “son of perdition,” this “beast,” to global power and authority.

Rev. 13: 1   And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.  2   And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  3   And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.  4   And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?  who is able to make war with him?  5   And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  6   And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  7   And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  8   And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

  This man, is actually the combined features of all the world’s despots and dictators rolled into a single human being.  He will be more evil, wicked, and rebellious than any human being has ever been.  He will blaspheme God openly, and the world will worship him for it.

  That such a blasphemous person could ever rise to prominence, let alone global power and be worshipped by his peers is a glowing indictment of the absolute depths of human depravity.

  Amazingly, as wicked as this man will be, his rule will rank among the shortest dictatorial, and the most chaotic reigns in human history. 

  Antichrist will rule for not more than seven years, and there is evidence he does not actually rule even that long.  (Daniel 7:24-26)

24   And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.  25   And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26   But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.   

  This passage seems to suggest, these ten kings who usher the Antichrist into power, will become disappointed in his failed policies, and actually retract the authority they vested upon him.  This seems to explain why he is in Jerusalem instead of a gentile center of power such as Rome, the Hague, New York or Washington.

  History is littered with once powerful, seemingly unstoppable tyrants whose demise was sudden, and much sooner than anyone believed possible.  The most powerful one of them all, will enjoy only a very, very brief power high before his amazing fall and end.

  Hardened by the depths of their own sin, maddened by the horrific plagues God will unleash upon this planet, duped by the deceptive powers of this man of sin; humanity will follow him mindlessly to their own eternal ruin at Armageddon.   

  According the Scriptures, the Antichrist will lead a military force loyal to him in an all out invasion of Israel.  Jerusalem will fall into his hands, and the carnage will be catastrophic.  (Zech. 14:2)

Zech. 14: 2   For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.    

  With this bloody act, God’s patience will run out.  He will not tolerate Jerusalem’s destruction again.  This time, when God moves, there will be absolutely no argument or debate about his existence, or his direct intervention in human affairs.

Matt. 24: 27   For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28   For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  29   Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30   And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  Rev. 1: 7   Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. 

Rev. 6: 14   And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15   And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16   And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

  On that day, the entire world will see Jesus Christ at once.  No more will it be argued whether Jesus is alive, his claims to deity unfounded.  Every eye shall see him!

  That day in April 30 AD, his detractors mocked him, and said, “If thou be the Christ, come down and save thyself.”  The jeering and mockery will turn to wails of anguish, and indescribable fear.

  There are some agnostics who rise up and say, “how do you know this one in the sky is actually Jesus Christ?”  I am so glad you asked.

   Zech. 12: 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10   And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11   In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Armageddon)

Rev. 19: 11   And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  12   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13   And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14   And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  15   And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  16   And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  Remember, John opened his “gospel,” with this very description of Jesus.

  John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2   The same was in the beginning with God. 3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  10   He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  11   He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  12   But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13   Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  14   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15   John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.  16   And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17   For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Acts 1: 9   And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10   And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11   Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

  The Bible teaches the omnipresence of God.  God is in all places at all times.  His invisibility in no way diminishes his ability to be present everywhere all the time.  Agnostics and theists mock us who simply believe the Bible without the capability of “visibly proving” it to be true.  Their favorite two words seem to be, “Show me.”

  One day, God will do just that, and their arrogance will melt like ice cream on a hot summer day. 

  According to the very words of Jesus himself, when he returns,  he will appear just as  lighting flashes over the entire from the east to the west. (Matthew 24:27)

Mt. 24: 27   For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  This means, on that day, no matter where a person is, in any part of the earth, they will be able to look up into the sky, and see Jesus Christ, and his army of saints and angels.  There has never been anything like this before in human history. 

Also, according the Scriptures everyone will be able to identify that this is in fact Jesus.  They will know him.  Hollywood has attempted to depict “alien invasions,” but nothing Hollywood has produced will prepare humanity what this sight in the skies.

  It is interesting to note in the descriptions of those who see this amazing sight, none of them repent of their sins.  No one cries out for salvation.  Instead, they tremble and wail, and call out to the rocks to fall on them.  Why?

  There is no repentance because even in the state of complete rebellion, and now  horrific fear, they know this is the end.  They sense, God’s mercy is gone.  There is nothing to do but face the wrath of the Lamb of God.

  The outcome?  It’s not pretty.  In fact, there has never a battle’s end quite like Armageddon.

Rev. 19: 17   And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18   That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  19   And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  20   And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21   And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

  Actually, there is no fight at all.  Humanity has never had the capacity to defy God and win.  The outcome of this has always been a foregone conclusion.  Yet, as awful and terrible as the carnage and the death toll of Armageddon; God does not wipe out all humanity as he did earlier in the global flood.

  The death and carnage seem to be limited to the valley of Megiddo, where Armageddon happens. 

  Once the Antichrist and his armies are destroyed, Jesus will descend to the earth.  His feet will touch down atop of the Mount of Olives, just outside of Jerusalem.  He will move into the city, and begin to physically rule the entire world from Jerusalem.

Zech. 14: 4   And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  5   And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.  6   And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7   But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.  8   And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.  9   And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.  

  Once again, our loving God will grant humanity another opportunity to consent to his rule over it.  The Bible reveals a period of one thousand years in which Jesus Christ will rule the earth from his throne in Jerusalem, Israel.

  The earth of the Millennium Is not going to be a perfect world, and sin will still be present.  Jesus will “rule with a rod of iron,” indicating he will forcefully impose the law on lawbreakers. (Rev. 19:15)

  In the end of this thousand years of rule by Christ, humanity will once again revolt.  This final defiance proves environment is not the answer to degenerate human behavior. 

  Satan will lead the rebellion against Jesus himself, and a number, “as the sands of the sea” (Rev. 20:8 ) will follow him against God. This is the end of the world.

  In a sudden, swift, blinding flash, God will destroy this world with fire.  Everyone and everyone left on earth will die.

   Rev. 20: 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 

2 Pet.3: 10   But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  So absolute will be earth’s destruction, that even the place earth once occupied in the universe will not be discernable. (Rev. 20:11)

Rev. 20:11 “….the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” 

This event occurs at least one thousand years after Armageddon.  This fact, removes any possibility that Armageddon is the end of the world.

  Well, this is quite a shock to our collective senses is it not?  The Bible’s many detractors will no doubt dismiss the entire thing as myth, yet they will not be laughing when Jesus fulfills his word, and they see him coming in the clouds of heaven.

  I write these things not to provide fuel for the world’s scoffers, but with the genuine concern for people who sense the answers the world provides just do not add up.  They feel, there must be something more than science and human reasoning can explain.  There are millions of people like this throughout the world.

  If you are one of these, I hope you will consider these things with an open heart and mind.  I’ll be the first to admit, these things CANNOT be comprehended solely through human intellect.

  There is the matter of faith.  This is God’s design.  If you will simply trust that God does exist, and he reveals himself to us through the pages of the Holy Bible; you will begin to experience amazing clarity.  Things begin to make sense, that have been beyond your grasp before.

  Show yourself open to faith, and the Bible becomes an amazingly open book.  Then, take the next step.  Ask this God who reveals himself to you through the Bible to forgive your rebellion against him, and ask him to give you the gift of salvation that is found in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:13) 

Rom. 10: 13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

    As surely as he has given you access to the Bible in some form to read and discover him, he will save you if you will ask him to save you.  Then you will experience an indescribable peace, and sense of safety you have not known was possible before.

  Some have said to me, “I don’t know what to say to God.”  If this describes you, try using this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe the Bible is your word to me.  I admit that I am a sinner, and I humbly ask your forgiveness through Jesus your Son.  I renounce my former life of sin, and I now want only to love and please you. Amen.”

  The specific words are not as important as your heart attitude towards God.  I assure you God will save you.  This is why Jesus lived on earth, died on the cross, and arose from the dead on the third day.

  For God, it has always been about saving humanity from our sins, and showering us with his love.  May God bless everyone who reads this, especially those who come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Understanding How the World Will Arrive At Armageddon

 

Rev. 16: 16   “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

 

  We all know that the Bible reveals a climatic, end of time battle known as Armageddon.  It’s a topic, which has fascinated, intrigued, and even terrified humanity for centuries.

   Just as the Bible foretells this apocalyptic event, it also reveals how the world manages to degenerate to such a state that humanity will actually go to war against God.  Knowing how we get to Armageddon will not prevent it from happening; but it will enable us to make sense of the disturbing developments going on around us.

  When God created the first people, (Adam and Eve) He created them in relationship with himself and with one another.  The Bible states, God came down and walked with them in the Garden in the cool of the day.  (Gen. 3:8)

  This relationship humanity had with God, was of course, severely damaged when those first two people chose to distrust, and then disobey the God who created them.  Though damaged, the relationship was not destroyed, for God made a way for humanity to receive his love, and to love him in return.  (Gen. 4:4)

  Very soon, humanity moved from mere disobedience to defiance.  By Genesis chapter six, humanity is so wicked God regrets he had made people.  (Gen. 6:6)  Rather than destroy all of the people he created as the objects of his love, God chose to start over with one man and his family.

  The world’s wicked inhabitants were destroyed in a global flood, and God spared Noah and his family, and commissioned them to start human life on earth again.  Unfortunately, Mankind shortly returned to defiance against God when a man named Nimrod decided to build a city and a tower as a defense against acts of God.  (Genesis chapters 10 and 11) 

 Human government has always opposed God, and only for very brief periods of our history have human beings managed to keep human government sufficiently subdued by checks, balances and limitations of power so that government did not defy God. 

  God never intended for man to rule the earth.  His original plan was for man to subdue and serve as caretaker of the earth.  (Genesis 2:15)  God intended that he alone rule the earth. 

  Empires began early in human history, and dominance was always the motivation behind those who ruled the empires.  One after another, human empires arose, and eventually fell when their defiance of God’s right to rule the earth interfered with God’s will and purpose for earth.

  Today’s world system is merely a by-product of the evolution of humanity’s defiance of God’s right to rule us, and the world in which he created us.  The Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments record historical events that are significant in the process of human defiance from the Garden of Eden to the yet future event the Bible calls Armageddon.

  The Jewish prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, and numerous Minor Prophets, proclaimed detailed prophecies regarding how certain human activities fit into the record of humanity’s march to Armageddon.

  Daniel provided one of the most specific accounts of both history and future prophecy regarding humanity’s defiance and God’s eventual judgment at Armageddon.  (See Daniel chapter 2)

  Hundreds of years after the time of the prophet Daniel, Jesus Christ himself, mentioned Daniel’s prophecy specifically, and drew a line from it to the final showdown between God and humanity.

Matt. 24: 15   When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand 🙂 

Matt. 24: 21   For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22   And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.  23   Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  24   For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25   Behold, I have told you before.  26   Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  27   For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  28   For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  29   Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30   And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

  Jesus provides many details not previously provided by any Old Testament prophet regarding the conditions and developments along the way to the final event of this current age.  The Gospel writers are careful to include many specific things Jesus revealed concerning this important matter.

  In Luke’s account of the same message, just cited in Matthew 24, we discover Jesus referring to our present age as “the times of the Gentiles.”

Luke 21: 24   And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

    This “times of the Gentiles,” refers to the period of history since Israel fell as a nation as was scattered all over the world.  This began during Babylon’s first invasion of Judah in 605 B.C. and it continues even to our present time.

  I will add at this point, there are some who believe the “times of the Gentiles” ended May 14, 1948 when Israel became a nation state again.  However, the majority of conservative scholars believe Jesus intended this term to apply all the way forward until his physical return to this earth, an event which at this point is yet future. 

  When we examine all of the information provided by the Old Testament prophets, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the additional insights of the New Testament writers a clear picture comes into focus.  There is a pattern, an order to world events, that, undoubtedly, is moving humanity towards Armageddon.

  We as biblical Christians believe there are discernable road markers indicating where we are, and where we are going in humanity’s journey towards Armageddon.  Revelation, along with the entire body of New Testament Scripture, provides a reliable tracking system we can use, to discern the times in which we live.

  Our purpose here is to recognize the road markers of the recent past, the ones we see in the present, and ones the Scriptures indicate we will encounter further down the road to Armageddon.

First, let’s take a quick look at what is in our rear view as of 2010.  From here, we will consider Bible passages, that prophesied what we are experiencing now, and finally, we will look ahead to the road markers yet to be encountered, as humanity moves closer to Armageddon.

  Daniel chapter two reveals a dream Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had, and the Jewish prophet Daniel interpreted for him.  The short explanation of the passage reveals five major empires that have existed from the time of Daniel to the yet future return of Jesus Christ to this earth.  (Dan. 2:38-42)

  History has revealed these empires to be:

Babylon

Mede-Persia

Greece

Rome 

 Daniel revealed the final empire would have two distinct parts. (Dan. 2; 33, 41)  Again, history reveals this is the divided Roman Empire into the Eastern Empire and Western Empire in the third century AD.

  The above four named empires have come and gone.  History validates this.  According to Daniel 2:42 the toes on the image are distinctly mentioned.  We believe these ten toes on Daniel’s image are to be interpreted the same as a later vision given to John the Apostle in Revelation 17.

  According to John, at some point in the future from John’s writing a beast (system) with ten horns would influence the nations of the world.  (Rev. 17:3)

  John is told by the angelic messenger giving him this revelation, that these ten horns are ten kings.  (Rev. 17:12)  We know these to be Gentiles because of the contents of Revelation 12.

  This is another reason why we believe the “times of the Gentiles” will not end until Jesus Christ physically returns to the earth.  And of course, these ten kings are to be followed by the one the Bible calls the Antichrist.

  Since we know the four major empires have risen and have fallen, we can easily discern that currently we are at the bottom of Daniel’s image, (the feet) and the thing to be looking for next is the ten king system John reveals in Rev.17.

  Today’s world runs on a system as surely as those major empires systematically influenced the world of their time.  Though there are 192 or so “sovereign” nations, the common world-view is, “a community of nations,” rather than isolated independent nations.

  This “global mentality” has provoked the development of an international structure to facilitate our worldview.  Various international alliances, co-ops if you will, have resulted in a continually emerging authority and leadership structure.

  Today, the United Nations General Secretary presides over a 192-nation co-op.   The Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations is a smaller, but arguably more influential international co-op.  The recent, emergence of the European Union and its new presidency has added yet another piece to the evolving new world order.  

  Nothing happens on earth that does not reach these ten political figures.  I am not indicating, this is the final form of the ten kings John saw; but it is how things are done in the early 21^st Century.

  Assuming this current structure of the leaders of the G-8, the EU President, and the General Secretary of the UN is the early form of the coming ten king committee empire both Daniel and John foretold, we are well advanced politically, economically, and technologically on the journey towards Armageddon.

    It is also possible the present structure, is in fact, the “ten kings” of Rev. 17:12.

  But let’s look at some other pieces of the prophetic puzzle for additional insights and bearings as to where we are in time.  Jesus provided numerous indicators that would mark the road to Armageddon.

Global Deception (Mt. 24:4, 11, 23, 24)

Rampant War and International Tensions (Mt. 24:7)

Cataclysmic Environmental and Celestial Events (Mt. 24:7b, 29)

Global Persecution of Christians and Jews (Mt. 24:8-10)

The Gospel preached into all the world (Mt. 24:14)

  Let’s take a closer look at these five major road markers Jesus provided us.

Number One: 

  People have been deceived since Satan entered the Garden of Eden as a serpent, and beguiled Eve.  Disinformation has been a political and military tactic since ancient times.    

 The explosion of information in the Information Age has only complicated and frustrated our attempts to find the truth.  The Internet, research, and development, all the various scientific disciplines and intellectualism help make this the most enlightened generation in the history of humanity.

  Yet truth is buried, in the deluge of information, to the point many people no longer believe truth can be, absolutely determined.  This mindset of relative truth or rationalism has enabled deception to reach pandemic state.

  The Prophet Daniel predicted this explosion of knowledge and global access.  (Dan. 12:4)  Every day now, I communicate with people all over the world via the internet, and advanced communication technology.  Many of you do as well.

Number Two:

  War, bloody war!  No one knows precisely how many, but the toll of war on humanity is staggering.  The 20^th Century, has been labeled by many as, “the bloody century.”  Two world wars and countless smaller wars were daily realities throughout the 20^th Century.

  Even when there has been no fighting, there has been talk of impending war.  Right now, in the early days of our second decade of the 21^st Century war is on the minds and lips of every person on earth.

  The US is attempting to do the impossible: fight three wars at once.  We are at war in Iraq.  We are at war in Afghanistan.  We are fighting a global war on terror.

  Even as I write these words, the world is holding its collective breath worried that war is about to be unleashed once more in the Middle East.  Then there is North Korea and the civil wars raging in the African Continent.  Smaller skirmishes are raging in the far east.  Always in the back of minds is the fear of nuclear, biological, and chemical war.

  Jesus mentioned perplexity among the nations.  (Luke 21:25)  Today, we are in the grip of the Great Recession.  There is growing anxiety the worst may not be over.

  For the first time in her illustrious history, there has been talk of the economic collapse of the United States of America.  Our national debt is reaching destructive levels; yet, there is no will to address it in either her citizenry, or her leadership.  Eventual economic collapse is the only possible outcome of the present course.

  However, the US is not the only nation is danger.  Most of Europe teeters on the brink of ever worsening economics and politics.  Most of the rest of the world is called “third world” with good reason.  China is dangerously over exposed with bad debt from the US and other western nations.

  Something major has to happen in the near future one way or the other.  The present course of the world is not sustainable.

Number Three:

   Humanity is not the world’s only brewing crisis point.  In fact, some believe humanity is not even the world’s most serious threat.  Geologists, and other earth scientists, as well as astronomers and astro-physicists worry about disturbing indicators the earth itself is about to be bombarded by natural and celestial events that will threaten our very existence on planet earth.

  Ironically, almost none of these experts are adherents to religious tenets of any kind.  Yet, their warnings ring harmoniously with the very statements written in the Bible thousands of years ago. (Luke 21:11, 25, 26)

Number Four: 

  The next of these biblical road markers pertains to religious persecution of Christians and Jews in the world.  The world’s hatred of the Jew is legendary.  Christianity was born in persecution.  Now, the world at large is returning to its collective intolerance of these two closely related, but distinctive faiths.

   I was born, and I have lived all of my life in America.  Though I have read of religious persecutions in other lands, I personally knew nothing of it until the last twenty years. 

  Now Christians throughout the US are facing criticism, missed job opportunities, rejection of family members, and legal issues solely because of their public display of their religious faith.

  The current US government administration is clearly hostile towards Biblical Christianity, and is working to further isolate and restrict the rights and activities of Biblical Christians in the public arena, and civic life.  There is also worrisome sings, the American government is removing its support of the state of Israel, which every administration since Israel’s rebirth has extended.   

  There is a growing tide of hostility towards Christianity worldwide, and it is manifesting itself more now in oppressive legislation not just public sentiment.  Europe is generally more religiously restrictive than the US, and that is even truer in the Middle East of Christians and Jews.

  Jesus prophesied eventually, there would be nowhere to hide for Christians and Jews.  Even family members would betray their own family.  (Luke 21:12-17)

  One would think the more informed and advanced humanity becomes, the more tolerant it would become; actually, the reverse is happening around the world, in virtually every region, and culture.

Number Five:

  The fifth of these road markers involves the propagation of the Gospel message to the world.  (Matt. 24:14)  We are certainly witnessing this fulfillment in our time.  Geographically, the Gospel has reached every continent.  With the use of the Internet, physically unreachable people and places have access to the Gospel in unprecedented volume as innumerable web sites offer presentations of the Gospel message in many forms, and many languages.

  The tragic irony is though we have sent the Gospel throughout the cyberspace, there are more than 6,000 people groups who have never hear the name of Jesus Christ, or the message of salvation. 

  Of the nearly seven billion human inhabitants of planet earth, six billion are yet unsaved, and most yet unreached with the Gospel of Christ.

   According to the words of Jesus Christ, we are experiencing all of the types of events He said would mark the approach of Armageddon.  (Matt. 24:27-30)

  The other writers of the New Testament also provide helpful insight as to how the world will move towards Armageddon.  The Apostle Paul addressed the subject, so did Peter, John, and even Jude.  (Jude 1:3-18)

  The Apostle Paul spoke of apostasy within Christianity.  (2 Thess. 2: 1-12)  Peter wrote about scoffers and the eventual destruction of planet earth.  (2 Peter 3:1-15) both warned of false teachers.  (2 Tim. 4:3; 2Pet. 2:1, 2) 

  John the beloved Apostle addressed both apostasy, and the eventual destruction of the present earth in the book of Revelation.  The first three chapters address the gradual decline of purity and doctrine as the world moves towards the end of days.

  Armageddon, of course, is first revealed in Rev. 16:16, and the march towards it progresses from chapter 16 through the end of Revelation chapter 19.

  Can anyone deny the spiritual state, even the outward appearance of the New Testament Church is exactly as the biblical writers prophesied?  Can one read the seven letters to the churches in Revelation chapters 2, 3 and not easily relate them to the present condition of many, if not most local churches and Christian denominations in the world today?

  All of the indicators provided by Old Testament prophets, Jesus Christ, and His apostles, are present today in our world in our time.  Do we need anything else to convince us, we are moving decisively toward Armageddon?

  Perhaps, one final piece of Biblical truth would help convince those who are on the sidelines.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke quote the following words of Jesus,  Those familiar with the Olivet Discourse know only a few statements of our Lord’s message of the end time appear in all three places.   

Mark 13: 28   Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29   So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.  30   Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.  31   Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

  More on the “fig tree” later in this article:

What is ahead of us on the road to Armageddon?

  We have considered the past developments that the Bible ties in with the eventual end-time event we know as Armageddon.  We have observed present conditions in the world today, and discovered they are clearly connected to biblical prophecies concerning Armageddon.

  The question begs to be asked: What else needs to happen to bring the world to Armageddon?

  Some treat the Bible as a difficult to understand, mystical, book of symbols, religious dogma, and foreboding figures.  This is not God’s intention, or fault.  God provided the Bible to reveal himself to humanity.  With the aid of the Holy Spirit, and faith, any true believer in Jesus Christ can understand everything one needs to know and understand to live in this world and please God. 

 God wants his people informed, about whom he is, and what he is doing, and intends to do in the world.  Just as we have discovered easily discernable road markers from the past, to our present time, God has provided clear statements regarding what is yet ahead of us on the road to Armageddon.

  I will be the first to admit, no one actually knows the order of yet future events.  Many of the intricate details remain obscure.  But there is no mistaking the major happenings that stand between us and the future event called Armageddon.

  The first thing I think we need to mention is; clearly all of the indicators we have previously discussed will continue in concert and will worsen or intensify as we move closer to Armageddon.  This is indicated throughout the New Testament.

 Mark 13: 19   For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  20   And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Luke 21: 34   And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  35   For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36   Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

2 Tim. 3: 1   This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2   For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3   Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4   Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5   Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  6   For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7   Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I Thess. 5: 1   But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  2   For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  3   For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

I Peter 4: 12   Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13   But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  14   If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  16   Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  17   For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, whatshall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  18   And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  19   Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

  Also, we need to be reminded there may be unseen developments yet required but not prophesied.  Many scholars have likened Bible prophecy to a system of mountain peaks.  Everyone can see the tops of the mountains, but from a distance, it is virtually impossible to know:

1. How far away the peaks are
2. The distance between the visible peaks
3. The contents of the valleys between the peaks

  One cannot see the valleys, though we know they surely are there.  So it is with Bible prophecy.  God has provided the mountain peaks.  History has revealed the presence of valleys between past peaks.  Time has witnessed the challenges of attempting to gage distance between the peaks that are visible.   

  So, we need to remain cautious, and aware there will be things we cannot see, but will happen in addition to the events of which the Bible speaks.

  Having stated these things we can confidently declare some very visible images on the horizon in front of us.

–   The continued development of the ten ruler governing system (The US is not mentioned specifically anywhere in end of days prophecies)

–  More crises and natural disasters globally

–  Possible war in the middle east (Ezek. 38,39)

–  Intensified global persecution and loss of personal freedoms

 – Christians less influential and visible due to political and financial realities (Local church families may move more to small group gatherings and functions)

–  The Rapture event

–   The rise of Antichrist

–   The 21 divine judgments of the Great Tribulation

  These eight “mountain peaks” ahead of us, are clearly visible and foretold in the Scriptures.  We cannot know whether we have these in the correct sequence, nor when exactly they will occur.

  I must also remind us, the Rapture event is really an event without accompanying signs, and therefore, can occur at any time now that all the five major road markers are either behind us or in play now.  Every Bible prophecy student has his/her own experimental models of where and when the Rapture fits into this final sequence.  But no one knows for sure.

    Let’s turn our attention back to the “fig tree” Jesus mentioned in his message on the end times. 

  The fig tree, Jesus mentioned in the Olivet Discourse represents Israel’s rebirth.  Of this we are quite sure.  2010 is the 62^nd year of Israel’s rebirth.  Some models place the rapture at the 70^th year.  It is a jubilee year.  It is also the traditional time frame of a single generation (three score and ten). 

  We just do not know.  And that is exactly as God intended it to be.  (Mark 13:32)

13: 32   But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

  We have taken a close look at how the Bible says the world will arrive at the event known as Armageddon.  Next, we will study and consider exactly what Armageddon is.  What you discover will surprise you.

The Worst Sin (It’s not the one you think)

The Worst Sin 

  Mankind has inhabited this planet we call earth for thousands of years.  In this time, we have managed to do both good and bad things.  Human beings have accomplished many amazing and noble things.  Unfortunately, we also have the capability to commit revolting atrocities.

  Any catalog of human misdeeds would include war, torture, terrorism, genocide, tyranny, murder, rape, bigotry, hate, blasphemy, vandalism, theft, lying, and other forms of dishonesty.  Perhaps you would add other things as well.

  Rid humanity of these deeds, and, our world would seem to be utopia.  Missing in this and virtually all other such listings of misdeeds is the one sin that is the mother of them all.  This missing sin is the one the Bible elevates above all others.  The one, and only sin that, condemns people who commit it, to hell fire.

  What could possibly be worse than war, torture, tyranny, murder, rape, etc.?  Worse than these horrific deeds is the mindset that conceives them.  It is the mindset of unbelief.

  Unbelief is the mother of all sins.  Unbelief breeds independence from God, and causes us to rebel and turn on our fellowman.  Unbelief, according to the Bible is the sin at the top of God’s list of sins.

Rev. 21: 8   But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

John 3: 18   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

John 3: 36   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 8: 24   I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 

2 Thess. 2: 11   And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12   That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  Unbelief was the first sin ever committed by Mankind.  Satan cast doubt into Eve’s mind in the Garden of Eden, and that doubt led Eve to unbelief that God meant what he had said to her and her husband Adam regarding the forbidden fruit.  (Gen. 3:1-5)

  Unbelief caused Cain to bring the wrong sacrifice and ultimately kill his brother Abel.  Unbelief doomed those people Noah warned of the impending flood.  Unbelief caused the Jews to reject Jesus of Nazareth and so they had him crucified.

  When a person plots a crime in the mind, there is some point when that person ceases to believe in the rule of law, and the stated consequences of offense.  They disbelieve they will be caught and brought to justice.

  Marriages end in divorce when one or both spouses cease to believe in the sanctity of their marriage.  Unbelief is the mother of all sin and sorrow in this world.

  Unbelief is the great disease of humanity.  It disables, debilitates, and eventually destroys everyone infected by it.  Unbelief prompts the hopeless to commit suicide, reckless acts of violence, and insanity.

  All of the great errors of humanity have at their conception this sin of unbelief.  Evolution could not have been hatched, in the mind of Charles Darwin and others were it not for a blatant unbelief in God.  There would be no tyrants if men truly believe they are accountable to God.

  Abortion would not exist if mothers, medical professionals, politicians, and citizens believed the Bible’s statement that life begins at conception.  There would be no murder if everyone believed human life is sacred, as it is declared to be in the Bible. 

   Homosexuality and all of the many sickening forms of deviant sexuality would cease if people believed God has declared these things an abomination to him.

   One might interject at this point; there are many, many belief systems in the world.  And it can be argued most people believe in something or someone, or some ideology of some kind.

  Surely, this is true of humanity: there are indeed many forms of belief in the world.  Humanity is unique in all of creation in our capacity to believe in a stated system of values.  The remainder of creation lives on the basis of adjustment to their environment rather than any system of moral values or beliefs.

  At the top of this issue of belief obviously is the object of that belief.  Not all beliefs are equal.  Nor is the issue sincere belief alone.  It is vital; it is essential one’s belief, be established upon absolute truth.

  Virtually all practitioners of religion and politics are sincere in their belief in the dogma of their particular system.  Karl Marx actually believed in the nonsense that came to be known as Marxism.  Joseph Stalin believed in socialism, Mao tae Sung believed in Communism.

  Osama Bin Laden passionately believes in Islamic fundamentalism.  The Pope believes in Roman Catholicism.  Barrack Obama seems to believe destroying America as we have known it is good for the future of the world.

  The KKK believes the world would be better without blacks.  Arabs believe the world would be better without Jews.  The point is, all of these people believe something, and believe it passionately.  They are so convinced of their beliefs; they are taking decisive steps to impose their beliefs on the rest of us.

  On this, much we all agree: not every one of these above belief systems CAN be the correct belief!  Some in this list must be wrong!  The issue remains, how is it to be determined who is right, and who is wrong? 

 Some would say the view of the majority is right.  Well, history proves that in many instances the majority has been wrong.  Others would say science should be the arbitrator of correctness.  Yet, again, science has been wrong many, many times.

  There are those in the world today that embrace rationalism as the great discerner of wisdom.  Yet, one individual’s rational view will certainly eventually infringe upon another person’s rational view of things, and there will be conflict.

  Does anyone among us still believe human government is the answer?  Insanity is defined as, repeatedly doing a thing the same way, and expecting a different result. 

  It is obvious then, that belief alone is insufficient.  Sincerity alone is not enough.  One’s intentions may indeed be noble honorable, and sincere, yet one’s belief system can be absolutely flawed and wrong.

  I realize immediately, there are many who are not going to appreciate or even kindly consider the Bible as the one and only source of absolute truth in the world.  In fact, such an assertion is sure to provoke a firestorm of vehement animosity and anger directed at me.

  Yet, in all of the history of the world, no volume has so weathered the sands of time, and critical analysis as the Holy Bible.  Whether you agree with me as to its inerrancy and divine inspiration, it is arguably the greatest book on human nature, behavior, and government the world has ever known.

  It has proven to be exceptionally accurate in all of its assertions and prophecies.  It exalts all races, genders, and cultures to equal status.  It renders law fairly and justly to all peoples. 

  It calls for freedom, justice, equity, and order for everyone. It punishes violence and evil.  It provides for prosperity and advancement of individual, family, and society.  It makes everyone accountable to one Supreme Being rather than a flawed person or human system.

  The world can do a lot worse, than adopt the Bible as the supreme authority in the world.

  But let’s get back to our topic of unbelief, the greatest sin a human being can commit.  We have considered the possibility, and reality that other belief systems exist.  Why then is unbelief in the God of the Holy Bible the greatest sin?

  While there are numerous other “holy books” in the world, only the Bible declares itself, inspired of God and a closed revelation of divine truth.

2 Tim. 3: 16   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1: 19   We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20   Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  21   For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Rev. 22: 18   For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19   And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

  Revelation 22:18, 19 effectively render any claim of a “holy revelation” later than John’s Revelation, an imposter and counterfeit.  This invalidates the Quran, the book of Mormon, and many others including the papal edicts which the Roman Church claims to carry the weight of scripture.

  Many stumble over the Bible’s rigid and specific dogmatic claims.  They prefer a faith that admits the possibility of error and future revelation.  In reality, they want a book that is evolving rather than finished.

  I agree the Bible makes some astounding claims and assertions.  It draws a narrow, straight line between right and wrong, and leaves room for worship of only one person Jesus Christ. 

To the Bible’s detractors I want to point out, that only a book based upon absolute truth would dare take such a narrow position.  Unless its claims are true, no book could hope to survive a single generation of scrutiny, let alone thousands of years of vicious attacks.

  There are more ancient copies of the Bible than any other book ever written.  How can this be unless it has proven itself reliable over the eons of history?

  God could have provided more specific answers than he provided.  He could have given us a more detailed record of many things.  But the fact remains in everything he did provide none of it has successfully be refuted or disproved in six thousand years of history.

  God chose to limit the details for a specific purpose.  He consistently states this purpose throughout the Bible.  He has chosen to redeem humanity, based on faith rather than human accomplishment or some other method.

  It is his right and power as the Creator to choose how he reveals himself to Mankind.  I am amazed at how infuriated humans are at God’s insistence upon faith in him, when we demand the same thing every day.

  We go to the doctor and the doctor exams us and begins to explain in medical terms what is wrong.  We do not understand very much about anything he or she tells us, but we are encouraged by our doctor, the greater medical profession, and society to just trust and believe what our doctor says is true.

  Scientists do the same thing.  They announce a new discovery or fact, and they explain it in terms no layman can understand, but we are encouraged to accept what the scientists tell us.

  Our government’s leaders do this all the time, so do corporations, and all sorts of other entities.  We are supposed to accept their word and works as factual, yet we take the opposite stance with God and the Bible! 

The other day someone suggested that science is different because scientists post their methods and findings and other scientists prove their work.  This person suggested somehow that the Bible is different from this process.

  Scientists post their words and works in terms only other scientists can possibly comprehend.  The Bible, even the King James Version (English) is written on a six grade reading level and is open for the entire world to read, study, critique, and prove in the real world. 

  The Bible has made statements so dogmatic that virtually anyone can understand the claim made, and yet the world’s powerful and elite cannot prevent it from fulfilling its statements.

  The Bible has been critiqued, more than any volume the world has ever known.  And it has been validated in the everyday lives of hundreds of millions of people in every culture, every age group, and every century in history.

  It has been retranslated, and abridged to include study helps, but the original text has not been altered in any way since it was first written.  Not one single assertion in the original has been omitted, changed, or amended except in the liberal translations produced by people that publically attack the doctrines of inspiration and inerrancy.

  Pagan religions and cults could not exist if everyone believed the Bible.  Radical extremists could not kill and plunder if everyone believed the Bible.  Murder would end, abortions would cease, if the Bible was hallowed throughout the world.

  The world would be a safer place, a more civilized place if humanity believed the Bible.  There is not an issue facing humanity today the Bible does not address.  All it requires is a simple, child-like faith that God is sovereign, His word is true, and His Son Jesus Christ is King, and the world would immediately be a better place to live. 

  I know there are people who will read this that will do everything in their power to see that the Bible is never the supreme authority in the world.  They would love to rid the world of every Christian, and every Bible on earth.  They do not want to even think about God. 

  Actually, the Bible has a special passage for this kind of person:

Romans 1: 18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19   Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20   For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.  Amen. 26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29   Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30   Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31   Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;

  I also know there are some of these very kind of people who are in places of power and influence throughout the world.  They are moving every day to limit the freedom and influence of Christians all over the world.

  These people have been around throughout history.  Every despot that moved to eradicate the Bible and Christianity from the earth died in failure.  It is the very nature of evil, that if evil actually had the power to overcome God and good, it would have already done so. 

  Evil cannot win.  Evil people cannot win.  The Bible is completed, it is finished.  Anyone who chooses to do so can read the last book, the last chapters, and the last words.  God is on His throne forever, and God wins.

  There are ultimately two types of people in the world today.  There are those who have become convinced the Bible is right, and its claims are true.  These people have humbled themselves and confessed themselves the sinners God has declared them to be, and placed their faith in God’s only Son Jesus Christ.

  The other type of people are those who refuse to believe, and commit the greatest sin, the worst sin a human being can commit.  They commit the sin of unbelief and are condemned by almighty God.  (John 3:18)

  Some people would say, hey, don’t put me in that other group just yet, I need a little more information before I decide.  Read these next words very carefully my friends.

I John 5: 5   Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 
6   This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  7   For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  8   And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  9   If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.  10   He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  11   And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Heb. 10: 26   For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27   But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  28   He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30   For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.  And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  31   It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  As I stated before, the Bible has made some profoundly narrow and direct statements.  They are either true or false.  People like myself are among the hundreds of millions around the world and throughout history who have chosen to confess our sinfulness and choose to believe the Bible as the word of God, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

  There is a mistaken belief that Christians want to impose our belief system on the rest of the world.  This is patently not true.  God does not impose himself upon human beings, and Christians are not in this world to impose ourselves upon other people either.

  We share the message of the Gospel and the Bible in obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ who gave us the Great Commission.  (Matt. 28:18,19)

  You are free to reject the Bible and Jesus, and for that matter, you are free to dislike and even hate me and all other Christians.  But you are not free to ignore the truth.

  You must decide to believe or reject the truth of the Bible.  God is not going to prove himself to you in a science lab, or hit you with a lightning bolt.  He has already given you all you need to make the right choice.  It is a choice to believe or not believe.  It is about simple faith, and that is the only way you can know God.

  Today, Christians are very much a minority in America and the world.  We have chosen to bow before the Lord Jesus Christ here in this life.  But make no mistake about this, everyone who has ever lived including the rich, famous, and power, as well as the renowned scientists and intellectuals will bow down before Jesus Christ, and they will confess that he is who the Bible declared him to be, the Son of God, and King of kings.

Phil. 2: 5   Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7   But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8   And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  9   Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10   That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11   And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Rev. 5: 11   And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12   Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13   And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

  You, my friends are free to disbelieve these words from the Bible, but you do so at the peril of your eternal soul.

  The great horrors of hell will be unrelenting forever, yet perhaps the greatest torment of all will be the continual, unabatting thought, “I could have avoided all of this torment if only I had simply believed the Bible!”

  God does not require great works, great character, or vast riches.  He only requires simple faith in his Son Jesus Christ.  This is the one thing every one of us are capable of doing.

  Some no doubt will accuse me of writing hateful things in this article.  I have only love and compassion in my heart for humanity.  I have only written things that are declared to be true in the Bible.  I am nothing more than a sinner who came to believe Jesus Christ died for my sins, and I received him into my heart and life.

  I am not in the business of judging people.  I do not look down on any one for any reason.  I share the message of the Bible as an act of love and concern for all mankind.

  I ask you to take the words you have read and ponder them in the deepest recesses of your being, and ask whether you are prepared to die in your current spiritual condition.

  If you are a believer in the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ, you are ready to live, and you are ready to die.  If you are not a believer yet, I encourage you to bow right now where you are, and pray a simple prayer of faith in Jesus Christ. 

 If you do not know what to say to God, you can use these simple words, just adopt them as your own, from your heart to the heart of God.

  Pray, “Dear God, I believe the Bible to be your word to me.  I confess my sinfulness to you, and I ask you to forgive me for Jesus’ sake.  I confess him as my Lord and Savior right now.  Please come into my life.  Thank you for saving me.  Amen.”

The Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End 

  It is 2010, the world is moving at break-neck speed without a clue to where it is going.  Billions of people are caught up in the moment too busy, too tired, to numb to think about what lies ahead of them.  Just getting through the day, the week, the month requires more and more from us, and we are beginning to wonder if we have it in us.

  Now, I know not everyone is of this mindset, but there are many, too many who fit this description perfectly.  Today, the world is teetering on the brink of economic collapse.  Most of the world’s nations are facing debt crises that threaten their sovereignty, and demand attention now, not later.

  The world is a dangerous place.  Today it is more dangerous than it has ever been, even in the midst of the cold war.  There is talk of war between the Koreas, the Middle East, and of course, we are at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Terrorism threatens to erupt at any moment anywhere in the world, and shatter our semblance of peace and order.

  The leaders of the world have come to realize talk is cheap, and ineffective against terrorism and ancient disputes.  So, we wait.  We wait until someone blinks, or someone gets reckless.  And we fear the effects of either one will bring down our illustrious house of cards in one swift destructive moment of time.

  We wonder if we will be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, when the next crisis happens, and whether we will survive to see another day.

  People are not the only threats to our world.  There is the weather always present, but now becoming more and more violent, and destructive.  Killer tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, and famines are making everyday life on earth more terrifying than any time any of us can remember. 

 2010 has already experienced a number of severe earthquakes around the world that have taken tens of thousands of lives.  We know too well, others even more devastating may happen any moment anywhere.

  Volcano eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and pestilences are still other dangers for which we must plan and defend.  Our governments are broke, and still must commit billions of dollars in rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts each time one of these calamities occur.

  Also, we were warned a new recently, about the potential dangers of asteroid strikes as Jupiter sustained another big hit.  Add in a half dozen other celestial dangers, to the turbulent mix and it is no wonder many are wondering whether life on earth can continue beyond the foreseeable future of mere decades.

  I realize these same dangers have been facing humanity for at least three quarters of a century now, since the first atom bomb, was created, and detonated.  But we all know we live in a very different world today politically, economically, and culturally than the generation that invented the bomb.

   In addition to the horrific possibilities already mentioned, there is violent crime, immorality, dishonesty, and disassociation the world over.  Most everyone is only concerned about one’s own self.  It has become a world that adheres to the survival of the fittest of Darwinism.  The world has become a very unfriendly, unsafe place to live.  

  In an earlier article, I mentioned the new paradigm emerging in the world.  Today, it’s not national boundaries that matter, it’s economics, and information and the flow of each of these powerful dynamics that move world events.

  Ironically, even in this ultra modern world of high tech gadgets, and the information super highway; it is ancient disputes, racial tensions, and religious passions, which keep the world’s leaders awake at night. 

 We seem to be holding our collective breath waiting for some unknown, yet felt fateful event, to rip the fabric of our culture in shreds, and destroy our modern Babel.

  Ah, Babel!  Ancient Babel still holds humanity under her satanic spell.  She was the first city built by Nimrod the mighty hunter.  Babel’s founder and citizens believed they could defy God, and save themselves from his judgment.

  At Babel, the world came together as one people, one language, one mindset, and one purpose.  Like us, she was technologically gifted.  Like us, Babel believed she could live independently of God.

  Interestingly, God did not destroy Babel with an act of nature.  He did not call fire down from heaven as he did later at Sodom.  His act of judgment was simple, anticlimactic, but very effective.  God simply confounded the people through language.  He confounded their speech, and scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

  Nations are born, and nations die.  And God is the one responsible for this reality.  “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God.”  (Psalm 9:17)

Jer. 18:7-10

7   At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8   If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9   And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10   If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.  

  God does not have to use drastic measures to bring our generation to naught. 

  Until now throughout history, there has always been some place for the righteous children of God to go, where they could worship freely, and serve God without human government intruding.  Today, there is no such place on earth.

  The entire world is corrupted by sin and violence.  The stench of our collective wickedness has risen up to the nostrils of God.  He is more than offended; he is disgusted with our wickedness and our rebellion against him.

  In Noah’s day, the judgment of God did not start the day it began to rain.  The judgment of God began the day he told Noah to begin building an ark.  Noah labored on the ark for 120 years, and he preached as he built it.  (Gen. chapters 6-9)

  Later, Israel would fail into the hands of the Babylonians, but God’s wrath began as his servant Jeremiah preached the message of judgment.  Still later, Jesus pronounced his verdict of righteous judgment over Israel as he wept over the city of Jerusalem, still it would be some 40 years before Titus, the Roman general came, and destroyed the city.

  I believe God has already begun to judge the world in wrath.   His servants have been preaching for decades now, warning the masses of impending judgment, at which the world has only laughed and scorned.

  Now, the die has been cast, the door of the ark is closing; only a few more precious souls will enter before it is too late.  Every second that ticks off the clock, brings the world closer to the full force of God’s wrath upon this earth.

Proverbs 29:1 “He, that being often reproved, and hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Revelation 6: 15   And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16   And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  17   For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Revelation 18: 8   Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.  9   And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10   Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city!  for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  God’s fierce wrath is certain to come upon this earth.  This is as certain as the Sun in the day sky.  The passages in Revelation foretell of the severity of God’s wrath.  The Bible describes a time of Great Tribulation.  Jesus Christ referred to it in his message on the Mount of Olives.  (Matthew 24:21-22)

21   For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22   And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.

  But before these horrific things mentioned in Revelation, God begins his judgment in silence.  The first wave of divine wrath is not apocalyptic.  In fact, only the righteous will realize judgment has arrived.

Romans 1:24-32

24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.  Amen. 26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29   Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30   Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31   Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32   Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

  Read this passage honestly, and tell me, this is not happening right now.  God is judging the world in silence at this time.  He has removed his hand of protection from humanity, and allowing the fierce forces of wickedness to take their toll on Mankind.

  Evil of every kind, and violence fills the earth, all the while fewer and fewer people have any consciousness of their own sinfulness and need for God.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.”  Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:8)

  In the preceding verses, Jesus has just mentioned the wars and, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, and persecutions.  He declared these to be the beginning of sorrows.

  We are here, the beginning of the end has commenced.  The wave of divine silence has swept over the entire earth.  Nature has begun her groaning awaiting the return of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:19-22

19   For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  20   For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21   Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  22   For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

  The earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, storms, and celestial movements are nature’s cosmic plea for the Creator to return and right the wrongs and re-establish nature’s original harmony.  The closer we get to the end, the louder nature’s groan will grow until humanity shudders and shakes in horrific fear and unspeakable dread of the fierce wrath of God.

  The scoffers will say, how do you know this is the end?  What makes our day different from all the former days?  You have been speaking of this second coming for thousands of years now.  You have no credibility, no physical proof of the things you say.

  To the scoffers and agnostics I say the word of God is more than adequate proof.  But to appease you, l will provide more.

  I concede the world has experienced earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, famines, pestilences, comets, and asteroids since the beginning of time.  While they are more frequent and more severe now, it is true, they have always been with us.

  It is the human factor, rather than the cosmic that is our observable proof.

2 Peter 3:3-10

3   Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4   And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5   For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6   Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7   But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  8   But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  9   The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10   But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

I Thessalonians 5:1-3

1   But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  2   For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  3   For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  

  The word peace is upon the lips and minds of every world leader, and every citizen alive today, yet peace is not to be found on planet earth.

2 Timothy 3:1-7

   This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2   For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3   Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4   Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5   Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  6   For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7   Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Matthew 24: 23-25

23   Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  24   For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  25   Behold, I have told you before.

  Since Jesus spoke these words, there have been many imposters posing as Messiah and Savior of mankind.  Jesus warned against their deception tactics.

  I could add more passages to these, but the point is a simple one:  People are the surest sign that we are approaching the end of days.  There is no disputing the fact human beings are behaving in the very manner the Bible revealed humanity would behave in the last days.

   In addition to human behavior, there is the posturing of nations and world leaders in complete alignment with the biblical prophecies regarding the world’s nations in the end time.

Daniel 2:41-45

41   And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.  42   And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.  43   And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.  44   And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.  45   Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Revelation 17:12-17

12   And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.  13   These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.  14   These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.  15   And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.  16   And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.  17   For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

  The ten toes in Daniel and the ten horns in Revelation are ten world leaders that will be in authority just prior to the antichrist.  Today, we have the early stages of this ten-ruler regime in place. 

  The G-8, plus the President of the EU and the UN General Secretary round out the ten world leaders who are in power today.  This system may still change a bit, but the dynamics are in place right now.

Luke 21:20-24 

20   And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  21   Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.  22   For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  23   But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!  for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.  24   And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  The tiny state of Israel is surrounded by hostile Arabs, and a growing opposition in both Europe and the United States.  Jerusalem is clearly surrounded by armies today.  The gentile world powers still dictate what happens in the world.  So the times of the gentiles remains.

Revelation 13: 16-18

16   And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17   And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  18   Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

  Ours is the first generation in human history with the capability and technology to implement the Mark of the Beast (666).  For generations agnostics scoffed at this passage saying it would be impossible to mark every citizen in the world.

  Now, only ethical considerations stand in the way of it being implemented, and the resistance is waning in the face of the obvious benefits of tracking people for security purposes.

  I realize there are unreasonable people in the world who will flatly refuse to accept the clear evidence presented here.  These people are those “willfully ignorant” people the apostle Peter referred to in his second letter. These poor mis-guided people are in themselves a fulfillment of the Scriptures.

   We are living in the beginning, of the end of days.  So, how long do we have left?

There is growing consensus among Bible believers Jesus Christ will return to this earth in this century.  The vast majority of conservative Bible prophecy students believe the Messianic era began in 1948, and will consummate with the return of Christ to the earth before that generation expires.

  Should this be the correct model, it is safe to assume the return of Jesus Christ to the earth by 2030.  We must remember the rapture event, which pre-tribulationists place before the beginning of the seven years of Jacob’s trouble or Great Tribulation.

This year, 2010 is the 62nd year of Israel’s rebirth.  Some believe a biblical generation to be 70 years.  This would move up the rapture event to a window within the next 8 years. 

  Jesus warned against attempting to set dates.  He said, “No man knows the day or the hour not even the angels, but my Father only.”  Our purpose here is not to set a date, but to demonstrate the fact of our subject: we are in the beginning, of the end.

  The reality is, Jesus could return for the rapture event at any moment of time now, because all major prophecies pertaining to his return have been fulfilled, in at least partial fulfillment.

What are you waiting for?

   Virtually every unbeliever I talk with about these things tells me they are just going to wait and see a little more.  I remind them, there will be no “do-overs,” no make-up dates.  The rapture event will be so sudden, so unexpected in the moment it occurs, those who are not ready when it happens will not be able to make a snap decision and be taken up with us.

  Now is the day of salvation.  Today is the day you have been given to hear the message of salvation, heed the warning, and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do not waste your opportunity; do not throw away the present moment in favor of a later decision.  You may live to regret the delay for eternity. 

  I have heard some unbelievers tell me that if they are living at the rapture event, and they miss it, they will know immediately Jesus has returned, and they will immediately repent and believe and get saved.  It’s a nice plan, except for one important passage of scripture.  2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

10   And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11   And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  This passage reveals that those who have had opportunity to hear and respond to the message of salvation in faith and choose not to do so; will fall under a delusion or deception God will lay on them after the rapture event.

  In other words, you choose to reject salvation now, and after the rapture event, God will cause you to believe the delusion or lie the world will offer so you will not believe and be saved even after the rapture.

  This passage is one of the most sobering, frightening passages in the Bible.  Friend, do not waste the opportunity God is providing you right here, right now, to believe and receive his gift of eternal life through his only Son Jesus Christ.

  Here is how you can be right with God, and free from the eternal condemnation that now rests upon your head as a sinner.

  Right now, confess to God, in other words talk to him.  You can use this as a guide to help you talk to God: “Dear God, I know I am a sinner because the Bible says I am.  I believe your Son Jesus came to die for my sins.  Right now, I am asking your forgiveness for my sins, and asking you to save my eternal soul.  I believe and receive Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  I give myself completely to you, trusting you with my eternal destiny, and the remainder of my life on earth.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

If you have just prayed this simple prayer, or one similar to it, and you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I would love to rejoice with you, and welcome you into the family of God.  Please take a brief moment and send me an e-mail at the site you read this. 

  My prayer is God will bring many precious people just like you into his family before it is too late.

The Coming War in the Middle East

The Coming War in the Middle East

    There is growing concern of impending war once again in the Middle East, since the flotilla incident of this past week.  Now, another incident involving the naval blockade Israel has established, has the world holding its collective breath. 

  Turkey has vowed to break the blockade, further ratcheting up the stakes in this disturbing battle of the wills.  All of this on the heels of growing global pressure upon Israel to declare their nuclear arsenal, and commit to a nuclear free region it for the sake of peace.

  These are difficult times for Israel, as her staunchest ally, the US, is showing signs of becoming a turncoat.  This uncomfortable new relationship has Israel believing she must stand alone in an increasingly hostile world.

  Iran is developing nuclear weapons, and defying the world’s insistence they desist, and cooperate with UN policies and resolutions.  Russia and Turkey are developing the strongest tie they have had in modern times, and Europe is growing more and more pro-Islam.

  What do all these developments have in common, and where are these developments leading the world?  Israel is the common denominator in all of these developing news items.

  As to where these developments might be leading the nations of the world: there seems to be a growing consensus among Christians who study Bible prophecy, these current developments may be leading the world to the next war in the middle east which the Bible describes quite precisely in Ezekiel chapters 38,39.

  For the benefit of our readers who may not be familiar with the passage just mentioned in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, let me provide a brief overview of the passage. 

 God instructed his prophet Ezekiel to write about a future war that would involve many nations.  These nations would move together against the nation of Israel.  Ezekiel writes this war would occur in the last days (Ezk. 38:8) and would be a world-changing event.

  Ezekiel provides a list of nations that will be involved in this war against Israel.  Now this is where things get interesting in light of the current events playing out in the Middle East right now.

    The most widely accepted understanding of Gog and Magog in this passage is that Gog is a title for a ruler, and Magog is modern day Russia.  Some are thinking since the current events between Turkey and Israel, and Turkey declaring it will break the blockade then the nation to the north might be Turkey.

  Turkey is certainly involved in the war of Ezekiel 38, 39, but it does not meet the requirements to be Magog.  It is important that we remain hermeneutically, historically, and geographically disciplined as we study the Scriptures, or else we will arrive at false conclusions and misled those who look to us for spiritual instruction.

  Why is this war fought?  The biblical record indicates two important factors involved in the onset of this war.  First, God puts hooks in the jaws of Magog or Russia.  (Ezek. 38:4)

  This seems to indicate, Russia is forced to invade Israel out of desperation.  It is no secret the Russians hate the Jews.  But Russia is not foolish.  No one has attacked Israel since her rebirth and won.

  What produces the desperation is not revealed, so we can only speculate.  Chernobyl proved to be a terrible disaster that affected Russia’s ability to grow grain.  The fall of communism further depleted the nation’s resources, and capacity to care for its citizens.

  Today, Russia’s economy like many in the west is teetering on the brink of collapse.  Russia desperately wants to be great again.  The only way Russia can be great again is to rebuild its military and return to an expansionist international policy. 

  Though she is tiny as nations go, Israel has all the right stuff to make Russia great again.  Israel possesses great mineral wealth capabilities, and owns a long coastline to the Mediterranean Sea.

 It seems the stage is now being set, for the international community to dangle greatness before the Russian bear, and he will reluctantly lead the international coalition of nations against Israel much as did the US in Desert Storm.

  The world is growing tired of Israel’s insistence upon absolute sovereignty.  After all, even the US has brokered some of her sovereignty for the sake of globalism.  Israel’s defiance coupled with millennia long hatred for the Jewish people in general, has brought the world to the point of drastic measures to bring Israel to her knees.

  However, the coming war in the Middle East will not be a war that originates in the human mind; rather it is completely the work of God almighty himself.  It is God, who puts the hook in the jaws of Russia.  God puts the thought in mind to attack.  (Ezek. 38: 3, 4, 10, 16)

  Today, there are many people, who do not understand how or why God works in the ways he does with humanity.  They wonder why bad things happen to good people.  Ezekiel 38 is a classic passage that illustrates how God’s mind works.

  The very thought of a Russian led coalition of nations moving in armed conflict against Israel is Frightening beyond imagination if you are a Jew, or an Israeli citizen.  There will be many Jews, who will believe God has forsaken them when they hear of the invasion as it begins to descend upon the tiny nation.

   But this war was not contrived in some military strategy session; it originated in the mind of God.  God is not absent, he is not distracted, and he has not forsaken his chosen people even though this massive military power is moving to destroy tiny Israel. 

  Though it defies appearances, God is actually working on behalf of his chosen people, by leading Israel’s enemies to their own demise.  God intends for this war to validate his care of his chosen people Israel, and remind them to repent and return to Him.

  The military genius and capabilities of Israel are well known and documented.  Since her rebirth as a nation on May 14, 1948, Israel has fought numerous wars, and has won them all.

  None of those victories was won with such flair, and amazement, as the Six Day War in June 1967.  Yet, as amazing as the six-day war was, it is not to be the highlight of Israel’s long and lustrous military history.   

  According to Ezekiel 38, 39 the entire world will be involved to some extent; either directly, or as victimized by the repercussions of the war itself.  According to Ezekiel, Saudi Arabia and her western allies will see the tensions mounting, the military posturing, and staging for war, and seek to defuse the situation through diplomacy.  (38:13)

  Fears grow as they watch Russia enter into new alliances with Turkey, Iran, and other Arab states.  Germany, already known as a terror cell hotbed will come into play perhaps through a terror event protesting Israel’s unwillingness to engage in diplomacy with the Russian led coalition.  

  The growing fears, drive up oil prices, and virtually all other sectors of the economy, are adversely affected, as tensions mount.  The world’s leaders know all too well, the international community can ill afford a war in the Middle East; yet they seem powerless to prevent it. 

Why?  Why is this war fought at all? (Ezek. 38:8-12

8   After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9   Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
10   Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: 
11   And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12   To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. “         

  God declares through his prophet Ezekiel, the purpose and intent of this war is to invade and spoil the nation of Israel.  There is no provocation by the Jewish state.  The raw motive is greed, and self-interest on the part of Russia, and hatred of Israel on the part of Russia’s host of allies.

  Many in Israel today believe Ezekiel 37 portrays the rebirth of the nation of Israel in her homeland.  Ezekiel has a vision where he sees a vast valley of dried bones, brittle, and disassociated.  As Ezekiel watches this field of dried bones, the bones begin to come together, and sinew begins to grow on the bones, then flesh, and also blood, until the bones live again.

  Ironically, some Jews who believe May 14, 1948 began the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision are some of Israel’s top leaders today.  This being the mindset of the higher Ievels of the Israeli government, they are not fearful of Russia’s power, or of Arab wrath.  Though Obama protests, Israel will not bow to the will of the UN nor any other body.

  The reason is simple.  They have read Ezekiel 37-39, and beyond.  They know the outcome before the first shot of the next war is fired.

  The world is filled with people who believe the Bible to be an out-dated, ancient book that has no place in the modern world except perhaps as ancient literature. 

  This is not a position held by some of the most important people in the world today.  Interest and belief in the Bible’s prophecies has continually increased over the past 25 years.  Virtually, all of the world’s leaders have made comments on end of days issues and topics whether they believe in them or not.

  Ironically, some of the key players in the Middle East very much believe in the ancient prophecies regarding the end of days.  Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually believes he was born to bring in the Islamic end of days.

  Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is a believer in the Old Testament prophecies, some believe he is a messianic Jew, and some have even speculated he may be a secret believer in Jesus Christ.

  There is growing interest within Israel to rebuild the Jewish Temple, which according to the book of Revelation will be built sometime in the future.  This Jewish interest in building a new temple is bitterly opposed by the Palestinians and Arabs all over the world.

  The Bible does not tell us how long this war runs before it ends.  It does provide graphic details of the fierce effects of this war on the world, especially the enemies of Israel.

  9   Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land,

        thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

   We all know how storms begin.  Clouds form in a formerly blue sky.  As the clouds begin to cover the sky, they darken gradually.  Most storm cells develop off in the distance, yet we can see them build in intensity as they move in our direction. 

   There will be a gradual darkening of the day skies, and thunder will be heard rumbling in the distance.  Occasionally, we will see distant lighting.  These things signal an approaching storm. 

  It is quite possible the rumblings we are hearing now from Iran, Turkey, Russian, Israel, Europe, and the US are the precursors of the soon coming war in the Middle East.  The polarization and posturing going on around the world, demonstrate to all of us the intensity of this coming war.

  No one knows how long this staging and posturing will continue.  We cannot see at this moment exactly what event will shatter the tense peace currently in place.  It is very possible, the event yesterday, a Turkish ship boarded by Israeli military, has already cast the die and the war has begun even before the all out invasion begins.

  We do know this will be the bloodiest Israeli war in modern times.  God will fight for Israel.  (Ezek. 38: 20 chapter 39:6)  What I am about to write will surely be laughed at and mocked by every non-believer on this small planet.

  In fact, if it were not stated so emphatically in the Scriptures, I would not believe it either.  But it is here: it is written right here in black and white. 

1   Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
2   And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
3   And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.
4   Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5   Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
6   And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7   So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8   Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
9   And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
10   So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
11   And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. 

  Jehovah declares to Russia, “I will leave but the sixth part of thee.” (39:2) this means 5/6^th of the Russian lead coalition force will be destroyed, wiped out! 

  What is even more amazing is the manner in which this amazing defeat happens.  Israel is a great military power, but she is certainly no match for the might of the Russian military machine, and Arab armies.  God makes it clear, He will fight for Israel.  (39:1-6)

   The next war in the Middle East will be fought and won by God on behalf of his chosen people Israel.  God’s intervention in this war will send a message to the entire world, God is here, and He is active in this world.

There is More:

  The war of Ezekiel 38, 39 has always intrigued Bible students.  One of the most intriguing elements in these chapters is the continual mention that the world will know the Lord has intervened.  (38:23; 39: 6, 7, 22, 28)

  Christian scholars believe the current dispensation (operating system) of God with humanity is grace through faith.  The war of Ezekiel 38, 39 seems to remove the possibility of faith in the sense the world will now know emphatically there is a God in heaven, and he is to be reckoned with.

  It appears that from this war forward in time, Israel will know God is indeed on the throne, and her place of blessing remains.  This will prompt Jews in amazing numbers to turn to God in repentance. 

  What I am getting to here is that it seems to be an event beyond the dispensation of Grace through faith.  If it is indeed, beyond the current dispensation, then the rapture event seems imminent.

Caution, Caution:

  There are a few things here to keep us from knowing with any degree of certainty whether the rapture event is near:  First, we do not yet know if current events are in fact, the beginnings of the war of Ezekiel 38, 39.  These events may well be only stage props being moved about before the next act begins.

  Second, we do not know for sure the current events will lead to war.  Rhetoric has been hot before, and tensions have mounted only to be defused.  So, we must not jump to conclusions hastily.

  Third, there is a real possibility that the events of Revelation 18 may occur prior to the war of Ezekiel 38, 39.  Obviously, the gentile nations are teetering on the brink of chaos economically.  Just this week Fox Business Channel as the question: “Is the World Broke?”

  So, there are a lot of variables, and unknowns still before us.  Yet, it is vital that we study these passages carefully, and keep our eyes open as world events move us closer and closer to our Lord’s return to this earth.

  This is not a good time to be an unbeliever.  It is not a good time to be disassociated with world events.  Jesus instructed us to “watch and pray.”  He wants us observant, and also prayerful.

  This is a good time for people all over the world to find a Bible and begin reading it again.  Listen with your heart as God speaks through the pages of his word to you.  The Bible is not a book one can ignore without eternal peril. 

  It’s not the same as reading a newspaper or a top best-selling novel.  Reading the Bible requires faith in the divine Author, and a hunger and thirst for truth.  The Bible is not the easiest book to read, but it is the most important book you will ever read.

One Christian’s Perspective of the World Today

One Christian’s Perspective on the World Today

  I am only one man, on Christian, one citizen in America, which is but one nation among the nations of the earth.  I can only speak as an individual.  Please do not pretend to infer that I speak for anyone other than myself.  

  I am sick of the world as it is today.  I am tired of the hate, the violence, the oppression, the fear, and the struggles of the masses of humanity.  I am tired of people who promise answers and deliver only more trouble and oppression.

  I regret that I and those whose views and values are as mine have been so incredibly misunderstood.  Even worse, I am ashamed of what many of them have said and done in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior throughout the centuries of world history.

  No one man, no one church, no one denomination can speak exclusively for Jesus Christ.  He does not need our defense.  He stands alone in all of history as the supreme personage in the annals of humanity.  He is imminent beyond anything we can imagine.  He is the one and only Creator of the universe, the only Savior of humanity, and he is now, and forever shall be the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.  “Of his kingdom and increase, there shall be no end, and he shall reign forever and ever!”

  He has been hated, misquoted, misrepresented, misunderstood, and disparaged, and blasphemed, by every nation, every language, and every culture on earth.  Yet, he alone came into this world to love us, and heal us, and deliver us from ourselves, our sins, and our damnation.

  I am one man, one Christian, one American who is fed up with listening to the world mock and blaspheme my beloved Savior.  Enough is enough!  Stop and listen to Him as he speaks from the pages of the Holy Scriptures: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  (Jer. 31:3b)  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”  (Luke 23:34) 

  No one ever cared for humanity as Jesus cares.  It is time to stop the hate and accept his love.  I have, and I have to tell you, Jesus Christ has made a miraculous difference in me!

  Today, Christians are failing to live up to the life standard Jesus set for us.  It is not Jesus’ fault the world hates us.  We have failed to show the world the life changing power of Jesus Christ as we compromise to gain human favor, and status, and tampered with sinful lifestyles Jesus forbade.

  We have fallen so far, that today it is extremely difficult to clearly see the difference between so-called Christians and the unbelieving world-ling.  Real Christians look like freaks to the unsaved because so many religious Christians have no idea what being a child of God actually means.

  I long for God to send revival to his people and clearly separate the professing, from the genuine Christians.  Even if this means severe persecution of the righteous, we will be better off than the mess we have now.

  Fortunately, there are like-minded people all over the world, and we are praying together for God to awaken his children to righteousness and purity.  We understand it comes with great cost; but believe it must happen if our witness is to be preserved in the world.

  Christians are not simpletons, who have taken a wild leap of faith into the dark unknown abyss.  We have among our ranks some of the world, and history’s greatest minds in every major academic field of discipline.  We have survived nearly 2,000 years of hostility, fierce persecution, violence, and genocide at the hands of some of history’s most bloodthirsty tyrants.

  We are still here.  We will remain here until God calls us out of this world either by death or by the rapture event.  You may hate me, and my kind, but you cannot destroy us.  I know inside, I will live until God is finished with me, and the world is powerless to destroy my life until that moment.  The same is true of every true Christian on the earth today.

  To our enemies I say, deal with it, we are here, and we are not going anywhere until Jesus Christ is finished with us.  At that time, you can take credit for yourselves, but it will be yet another self-deception.  Satan and hell itself cannot destroy the righteous from this earth until God almighty is finished with us here. (Rev. 12:11)

The World might want to listen to us:

  If our enemies would be still and hush for a few moments, they would realize we Christians are coming together in the world for what might prove to be an important message for earth-dwellers.  We are not trying to make a name for ourselves; we are still doing what our forefathers did when they were alive.  We are warning the world of the divine wrath that is coming on the earth.

  Here is why listening to us now is a good idea:           

  It is increasingly clear our nation and our world are moving swiftly towards the perfect storm.  Global economic, political, military, and cultural dynamics are converging simultaneously; creating uncertainly, unrest, and escalating tensions virtually everywhere.

  The human paradigm has already been altered.  The world is well beyond the point of reversal of current trends back to the former status quo.

  Recently President Obama followed the lead of former US Presidents by announcing what he calls, “A New International Order.”  (US Naval Academy Commencement address)  Recently Mr. Obama was photographed holding a copy of the book, “The Post American World,” by Fareed Zakaria (a Muslim)

  This of course is not the first book written detailing why the American empire is in decline, but it is the most recent.  America finds herself in a very different world than she has known during her young (as empires go) history. 

 Throughout history, politicians and religions held the power.  It is not so in the here and now.   Multinational corporations and dark, ultra-powerful money brokers hold the power in the world today.

  There are some, who truly believe the world’s religionists and politicians are the root cause of all the world’s ills.  In a decade or two, they will come to realize the worst politicians and religious figures of world history cannot hold a candle to the despotic capability of the world’s elite money movers.

  The collapse of the former Soviet Union created the international vacuum necessary for the monetary elite to move on the splintering economies of Eastern Europe.  Massive amounts of money and other forms of economic aid provided the perfect cover for the World Bank, the IMF, and other international and multinational entities to change the financial landscape, and re-write the rules of international diplomacy.

The Role of East Asia:   

The emerging global economy is only part of the picture.  In Zarkia’s book, he points out the platonic shift to eastern nationalities as the pressure point tilting the dynamics away from the US.  China and India are becoming world leaders not just world players in economics and diplomacy.

  For the nations of the world, this is a cultural shift not merely a political or economic one.  The Chinese and Indian cultures are ancient, and rest upon far different principles of life than western empires.  They think differently, and choose differently, and they live differently.

  This difference is gradually, yet radically changing life in the west for all of us.  The changes have only begun.  Soon, Europeans, and Americans will be dealing with the dark secrets and unseen powers that have ruled the east for centuries.

  Many in the rest of the world marvel at the audacity and arrogance of the west, and particularly of the US.  Ironically, most western citizens do not seem at all disturbed by this shift of wealth and power to the Far East. 

Many in the west believe eastern cultures, will be seduced by materialism, and power and the east will become more like the west.  This is a tragic mistake.  Surely, there will be some in the east, that will enjoy the western life, but these are disciplined peoples.

  The decadence and decay of the west, has been closely watched in the east, for decades now, and eastern cultures will not easily succumb to its materialistic allure.

The New Religion is Emerging: 

  The rise to power of the Chinese and Indians, and other lesser eastern cultures is bring the mystic beliefs of the east westward.  Hinduism, Buddhism, New Ageism, and other pagan belief systems, are being introduced and accepted, in more places, in the western world than ever before.

 This is a significant spiritual shift, we must not overlook.  According to Daniel 11:38; a future world ruler (the antichrist) shall come to power serving the god of forces.  He will be a worshipper of the mystic powers of the east. 
  Today, this kind of leader would not be accepted, by the western world.  But given a couple of decades of East Asian, influence and that could change quickly.  The east plays a significant role in the biblical end of days scenario.  Nearly 60 Old Testament prophetic passages and at least 6 key New Testament passages highlight the importance the east has on the end of days plan of God.

  For many in the world today, religion is the cause of much of the world’s ill will.  Specifically, religions who claim to have one central deity.  This of course, includes Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  What would the world be like if suddenly, there were no Christians, Jews, or Muslims?  Many, and the number is growing significantly, believe the answer is world peace.

  Who or what would fill the religious vacuum created by the absence of these three monotheistic religions?  Eastern mysticism: specifically, a new brand of it would graft in popular elements of all the international cultures, and exclude the divisive elements.  What emerges is a modified new ageism.

The Tyranny of Economics:

  Western nations are learning that you do not have to pass laws to get citizens to conform to predetermined behaviors.  Well, you do need the laws, but they do not have to be draconian and heavy-handed.

  This is being done throughout Europe, and the United States with tobacco products.  Authorities have taken the great villain tobacco with all of its menacing health hazards and used it as an experiment in citizen control.

  Raise taxes, or costs on any product the government deems unacceptable.  Eventually the masses will stop said behavior, not because it is illegal, but because it is unaffordable.  Armed with the statistics of the past couple of decades, authorities around the world are adding to the list of unacceptable products; and legislating their costs beyond the reach of the average household.

  This is most visible with the so-called “Green Movement.”  No one wants to be accused, of being unfriendly to the environment, so products, deemed environmentally unfriendly are targeted for increased costs of production, manufacturing, distribution, and consumption.  At the same time, economic incentives for choosing other so-called, “green” products or environmentally friendly products are presented to encourage compliance.

  This of course, drives up the cost of living, drives down profit, and puts entire (undesirable) entities out of business by economic leverage rather than draconian laws.  Look around you and tell me I am wrong.  This is happening in virtually every sector of the economy.  In every industrialized nation on earth.

  At the center of Obama’s environmental agenda is VAT.  (Value Added Tax)  Implementing this tax structure will insure Americans buy what the government wants them to buy, and render unaffordable all (governmentally) undesirable products.

  This is a process far advanced in certain industries, and is quickly taking over in many other industries.  What will it look like when it moves from industry to culture?

  Suppose, certain other sectors of our American culture, are targeted by the government, as politically incorrect?  Remember, you no longer have to outlaw it, just make it economically disadvantageous to continue to do it.

  Certain religious groups lose their tax exemption status, or zoning rights; or certain fees are added, to make it increasingly unlikely small groups, of these religious entities can function.  The law still states freedom to worship for all, it is that now it is just not economically possible for certain of them to exist (legally = in full compliance of all fees and ordinances)

  There is a full frontal assault going on by this administration in the US, (already well advanced in Europe) to silence specific religious entities through these very heavy handed financial tactics.

  The flip side of this particular coin is not just tolerance but enabling of entities that are alien to religious sensibilities and values in the west, and specifically in the US.  The Pro-choice, Pro-Gay, Pro-Muslim agenda of the politically party in power, the elite media outlets, and the multinational corporations, constitute the unholy trinity of forces against Christianity and Judaism in the western world.

  All someone in the US or Europe has to do is even slightly disparage (in the view of the offended) abortionists, euthanasia, or gays and that person, or group is besieged with hate-laced media assault, personal threats, and ostracism from all of the powers evil can bring to bear against the poor soul.

  The majority learn a very important lesson:  If you want to have a relatively quiet life, and continue to make your own meager existence in this culture, keep quiet and behave as the masses are instructed to behave. 

The Veracity of the Holy Bible:

  Recently, I have read many, many posted opinions of persons who do not hold my religious or moral views.  Some of them wrote only of their disagreement with me, yet others (sadly the majority) have viciously blasphemed the name of my God, and the Bible, and essentially said the world would be better off if my kind no longer existed in the world.

  They sought to disprove the statements of Scripture in the Bible, all the while stating the very things prophecies written thousands of years ago stated they would say.  The Bible is the only source of absolute truth in the world today.  It is, inspired by Jehovah God, revealing to this world the only Savior, Jesus Christ, and it must be held in the highest esteem as the rule for human conduct and governmental structure.

 Any human government that departs from the biblical mandate for government, and seeks to enslave its citizens for any reason has lost its legitimacy before God.

  Some would say, Christians are narrow-minded and love to hate people.  This is patently not true.  Put us to the test:  Find even one thing we say we stand against, that the Bible does not disapprove, and you will realize our positions are not of our own devising.

The Bible states God’s opposition to homosexuality.  (Lev. 18:24; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26, 27)

The Bible states God’s opposition to abortion, murder, euthanasia (Gen. 9:4, 5; Ex. 20:13)

  I could go on, and on and list hundreds of things humans are doing that God opposes.  God has been long-suffering, and extremely patient with humanity.  Now his mercy is about to end.  In fact, there is a preponderance of convincing evidence in favor of the belief divine judgment of humanity has already begun. 

  It ought to be pointed out Christians do not exit their mother’s womb thumping a Bible, and singing Amazing Grace.  Christians are people just like you.  We are white, black, red, yellow, and people from every nation, race, language, and culture on earth.  Some of us are dirt poor, others are extremely affluent.  Our number boasts the powerful and famous, as well as the unknown face in the sea of human faces.

  We all were born into this world depraved (sinners).  To God all humans are the same.  (Romans 3:10-23)  Look closer at us and you will see former drunks, drug addicts, prostitutes, and homosexuals as well as religious zealots, and bigots, whom Jesus Christ transformed by his death, burial and resurrection.  (I Corinthians 6:9-11)

  The truth is every Christian alive today, arrived at a place in his/her life where we came into direct confrontation with the Bible, and Jesus Christ.  None of us held the beliefs we hold today at that time.  Through the Scriptures, through the convincing of the Holy Spirit, we came to believe the Bible was right, and we were wrong.

  We made no excuses; we did not try to amend God’s word.  We confessed our faith in Jesus Christ, repented (turned away) from our sins, and we cast our total being into the care of the Lord Jesus Christ for now and eternity.

  All of us have the same confession, though virtually everyone came to Jesus via different circumstances and from different backgrounds and lifestyles.  The commonality we have is Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord over us.  We love him, because he first loved us.

Why We Don’t Just Keep It To Ourselves:

  Some have agreed we are entitled to believe what we wish.  But they question why we are so vocal, and proactive in sharing our faith with the world, even when the world seems uninterested in our message.  It is a legitimate question. 

  Christians (those whose faith is real and unmovable in Jesus Christ) are bound by a confession of love and obedience.  Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  John 14:15   There are many commandments in the New Testament far more than the famous ten in the Old Testament.

  Jesus said there were two of those Old Testament commandments that stood above the rest: Luke 10:27

   “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”

   To this summary of the Ten Commandments, Jesus added, what the New Testament Church calls, The Great Commission.  It is revealed in two of the Gospels, and the book of Acts of the Apostles.  (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 1:8)

    Christians believe we must take the message of Jesus the Savior of the world to all the earth, and disciple those who believe and confess Jesus as personal Savior.  This is what true Christians have been doing since Jesus left this world, and will continue to do until we leave this world.

    The world today needs to know, this is not a new thing Christians are doing, nor is it something we can be convinced to cease doing as long as we are in this world.

 The Gathering Storm:

    Humanity has a God-given nature of survival, and we are capable of unimaginable feats of endurance.  This knack for survival has served us well as a species.  Another, more unfortunate human characteristic closely akin to the drive to survive is a stubborn tendency to prefer self’s will over God’s will.  This is the cause of all the evil in the world today.

    God has been patiently drawing humanity towards himself one person at a time for thousands of years.  Yet, today, humanity is more rebellious than at any time since God instructed Noah to build an ark so he could survive the coming flood that would destroy all the rest of humanity.

    One does not have to believe in a prehistoric global flood to admit the world is more violent, more evil, more selfish, and more rebellious than it has ever been, simply on the basis there are many more of us now than at any previous time in human history.  (2 Tim. 3:1-7; Luke 17:24-30; Luke 21:9-32)

    Today the perfect storm is forming, and is about to unleash its fury upon a woefully unsuspecting, ill-prepared humanity.  I mentioned earlier the paradigm change in the power structure of the world.  That is not the only disturbing item on the horizon.

     Just last week (May 26, 2010) the world’s weather scientists released their hurricane forecast.  It was not a pleasant one to say the least.  Today, June 1, begins the 2010 hurricane season and we are told it will potentially be one of the worst on record.

    This, while the North American continent, continues to deal with, the BP oil spill in the gulf; unnaturally violent tornadoes, and storm cells.  Europe deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic volcano eruption that disrupted the European economy and caused yet untold damage on the continental and global environment.

     Major earthquakes are shaking the world again this year, and the world’s elite seismologists are beginning to wonder if we entering something new geologically that could affect the planet for decades or more. 

     New viruses and diseases have our CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) around the world awake nights, worried when the next killer pandemic will strike, while still scratching their collective heads about the H1N1 pandemic of 2009-2010.

   Already stated above, our world is becoming more intolerant by the day.  Religious persecution is up in virtually every sector of the world.  The last bastion of religious freedom in the world, America is moving to limit, and observe the movements of Christians in the US for the first time in her history.

  How much more can we stand before the proverbial straw breaks the camel’s back, and chaos ensues around the world?  Do you really believe the talking heads on the evening news have a firm grip on things?  Why then are things getting worse instead of better?

  Why is our own President reading about the post-American world?  Not until the last 15-18 months has anyone in the world seriously discussed the fall of the USA, but it is on the minds of all the world’s leaders, and it is at the root of all our fears in the American citizenry.

   I know, most people do not want to know this, but the Bible has a lot to say about the very things going on in our world today, and it can tell us where things are going, and how all of this current mess is going to play out.

             Here is what the Bible says we can expect some time in the future:

1. Another war is coming in the middle east (Ezek. 38,39)
2. A Global governmental system of economics, politics, and religion will eventually hold power over humanity (Daniel 2: 31-45; Rev. 17:1-18)
3. A future global dictator who will demand global loyalty (Dan. 7:8; Dan. 8:9-17; Dan. 11:21-45; Dan. 12:1-7; Matthew 24:8-39; Rev. 13:1-18)
4. A brief time of catastrophic tribulation unlike anything the world has ever seen will cost billions of human lives (Rev. 6,8,13,16,18)
5. The Return of Jesus Christ to this earth to rule the world for 1,000 years is the only answer to the preservation of the species and the planet.  (Rev. 19,20)

   You are free to disbelieve any or all of the above Biblical revelations on the future of planet earth.  But no one can prevent them from coming to fulfillment.  The Scriptures even predict the scoffing that will be suffered by the faithful who proclaim this message to the world.  (2 Peter chapter 3)

   We carry this message minus any illusions the world will believe us, and repent and believe upon Jesus Christ as Savior.  We are well aware the masses will mock and even persecute us, but some will believe and be saved. (Matt. 7:14)

   The great spiritual awakening in China, and other East Asian countries, as well as reports coming out of Iran, and other Islamic nations indicate God is still saving people who will confess Jesus Christ as their Savior.

  It has never been about being world-changers.  The world has us all wrong on this.  Only Jesus Christ can change human beings from sinners to righteous children of his Father.  We are but messengers, ambassadors for him.  (2 Corinthians 5:20) 

  Some try to group us with other religious zealots and radical extremists who fly planes into buildings, and blow up themselves in crowded places.  No person who honestly investigates us will ever find this true of us.

  Despite those who have laid claim to the “born again” label, our kind will always be truly identified by their love for God and humanity.  Biblical Christians do not shoot abortionists, beat, and kill homosexuals, or blow up buildings in protest.

  We love God, love peace, and love people.  Though our message is lost in the vicious misrepresentations in the press, and sadly, a few terribly misguided, misinformed people; Christians will continue to be faithful to our divine mission.  That mission is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Lord!      

       

 

Satan’s Brief Reign of Terror on the Earth

Satan’s Brief Reign of Terror on Earth

Outline of Events in Rev. 9:1-21; 16:12-14; 20:7-10
In our previous study of The Cataclysmic Events of the Revelation Judgments, we learned that upon the removal of all true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ from the earth, an event commonly referred to as the “Rapture,” God will begin to bring this planet and its inhabitants into account and pour His wrath out upon the earth.
This divine activity produces unparllelled devastation upon the environment, all forms of life, and particularly all human life in the earth. Nations will collapse in heaps of economic, political, and social calamity, geography will be altered on a global scale as mountains and islands disappear, making all known maps of the earth obsolete and useless.
Hundreds of millions of people will die from devastation, disease, chaos, and upheaval. Some theologians have suggested as much as three quarters of the world’s population may die during this brief seven year period of time.
As terrible as the natural world has become, an even more horrifying and sinister development will arrive on the earth with unimaginable terror and violence. God will unleash upon this world a power that has never before been permitted to physically break through into the material world.
Ironically, this very possibility has been dreaded by human beings as far back as recorded history has been witness to human life. This horrific possibility has been the focus of many writings, and movie plots. Revelation reveals, one day, God will permit demons to run freely in the physical world.
What We Know About Demonic Beings:

1. The Bible clearly reveals that very powerful dark, evil beings exist. (Matt. 9:32; 11:18; 12:22; 15:22; 17:18; Acts 19:19; 1 Cor. 10:20; 1 Tim. 4:1)
2. The Bible refers to these beings by several names.
a. Demons
b. Devils
c. Evil spirits
d. angels
3. Historically these evil beings have been able to influence, and even indwell human beings, yet not been capable of visibly, physically crossing from the spirit world into ours.
4. There are several passages however, that seems to indicate occasions when supernatural beings crossed over into the material world in the past.
– Genesis 3:24 (God places his angels to guard the entrance to Eden)
– Genesis 6:1-5 (The “sons of God” marry the daughters of men)
– Genesis 19:15 (The angels appear to Lot in Sodom)
– Det. 18:10-12 (Jews forbidden to contact evil spirits)
– Luke 4:32 (Jesus casts out evil spirits from numerous people)
– 2 Peter 2:4 (fallen angels at some previous occasion are mentioned by Peter)
– Jude 1:5-7 (Jude reveals that at some previous time some evil angels moved from their previous state and habitation)
Unfortunately, there is no clear, definitive biblical clarification as to the meaning and correct interpretation of these very disturbing passages. Some commentators have attempted to set forth several possibilities regarding the passages in Genesis 6; 2 Peter 2; and Jude.
1. The “sons of God” refer to the descendents of Seth, Adam’s son after Abel’s death.
2. The “sons of God” refer to fallen angels who were expelled from heaven in Lucifer’s rebellion.
3. A more bizarre explanation sets forth these “sons of God” were beings from a previous earth whose entire race was condemned and died.
The Hebrew word for, “sons” in Genesis 6:1 is consistently interpreted by Hebrew scholars to mean angels. Although some commentators suggest the writer intended to refer to the sons or descendents of Seth, Adam’s son; this is inconsistent with all other lists of descendents throughout the word of God.
If these “sons of God” were in fact angels, they must be fallen angels because the result of their cohabitation with the daughters of men produces rampant evil and violence throughout the earth.
When it is assumed these “sons of God” are fallen angels, we can easily connect to the passages in 2 Peter and Jude. Both of these New Testament writers would have been very familiar with the passage in Genesis 6.
The Demons of Jesus’ time:
But what of the demons Jesus cast out of people during his earthly ministry? Are these demons, the same fallen angels Moses wrote about in Genesis, and then mentioned later by Peter and Jude? If we assume Genesis six is related to 2 Peter 2, and to Jude, we must make a distinction between the “angels,” and the demons Jesus cast out of people. Why?
The passages in 2 Peter and Jude both reveal these fallen angels they mention are “reserved in chains of darkness.” The demons in Jesus’ ministry were free to possess, and even leave at will those they possessed.
Demonic Activity and the New Testament Church:
Another very important consideration on this topic involves the fact that demonic activity on earth did not cease with Christ casting demons out of people’s bodies. The Apostles dealt with demons in their ministries, and warned the entire Church Age that demonic activity would continue, and increase as the day of Christ approaches. (Eph. 6:12; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:2-7; 2 Pet. 2:10; I John 4:1-3)
The Bible teaches that demons can inhabit human bodies, and seize control of the person they possess. The scriptures also reveal that only unbelievers can be possessed by demons, since every believer is indwelt (possessed) by the Holy Spirit. Another key revelation is that the key factor in a person’s vulnerability to demonic possession is unbelief. (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
The Coming Demonic Reign of Terror:

As we revealed in the previous study guide, once the Church is removed from the earth, the Holy Spirit will also be absent. The passage in 2 Thessalonians reveals that it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that holds back the forces of darkness and evil in the world at the present time. Once He is removed, the demon world will have nothing to prevent its invasion of the human realm but the will of God Himself.
Humanity has been casting its lot with Satan ever since the Garden of Eden. God has chosen in His goodness and love for humanity to refrain from demanding and forcing Himself upon His creation. He calls us but does not coerce us. Though He is absolutely sovereign, He will not retract His gift of free will to us.
Revelation chapters 9 and 16 are about God honoring humanity’s choice. Mankind has chosen to worship Satan, now they will get a little taste (one of these events lasts only five months) of their eternal state of separation, torment, and horror in the darkness of the Lake of Fire.
In these two chapters in Revelation, there are no less than three distinct demonic episodes of hellish terror awaiting the world’s inhabitants during the seven years of Great Tribulation. It is also obvious much has been withheld from us, yet what is revealed is terrible enough to be thankful we have no part in experiencing the wrath of God that will be poured out “without mixture” (Rev. 14:10)
Revelation 9:1-21

Clearly this is the most horrific chapter in the Bible. It is not, to be interpreted figuratively; as to have another possible meaning. The figures described here are literal hellish creatures that are unleashed upon this earth.

There are actually two distinctive demonic attacks described in Revelation 9. The first is revealed in verses 1-11, the other in verses 12-21

The Attack of Demonic “Locusts:” (Rev. 9:1-11)

1. They arise out of the “Bottomless Pit”. (Rev. 9:1-3)
2. They have an appearance best described by John as looking like locusts, yet more hideous and more powerful than locusts. (Rev. 9:4,5; 7-10)
3. They are commanded and led by a creature called Apollyon. This is the traditional name of the fallen spirit that serves at Satan’s right hand. (Rev. 9:11)
4. These demonic creatures will torment humanity ruthlessly for a period of five months. (Rev. 9:5,10)
5. During the demonic attack, death will be impossible for human beings. (Rev. 9:6)

The Attack of Demonic Horsemen: (Rev. 9:12-21)

These demonic horsemen, as they appear to humanity, are actually four fallen angels that have been confined specifically for this occasion. The text reveals, they have been chained beneath the surface of the Euphrates River which is located in Iraq, not far from the city of Bagdad.

It is possible that these fallen angels are the very beings mentioned by both Peter and Jude. If it is, we have pieced together a great biblical mystery. At any rate, these angels are chained in the Euphrates River, and must be released by the “sixth angel” who blows the sixth trumpet. (9:14)

1. These four demonic horsemen will ride across the earth unleashing evil and horror never before experienced by human beings on earth. They will kill one third of the world’s remaining population. (9:15)
2. These four horsemen will lead a demonic army of horsemen that will number 200 million demons. (9:16)
3. Their appearance is so frightening John struggles to find words close enough to what he is seeing in the vision. (9:17-19)
4. Unlike the former demonic locusts, these creatures will kill ruthlessly. (9:15,20)
5. Amazingly, humanity refuses to turn to God and in repentance cry out for mercy and deliverance. (9:20,21)
Revelation 16:13-14

Clearly, these two verses are two of the most intriguing verses in the Bible. The world has been in a cascading sequence of unimaginable horror and destruction for nearly seven years by the time we approach chapter 16. Humanity is reeling from massive death, horror, and sheer shock to the degree it seems from what is revealed in this sixteenth chapter they are mere zombies being led to the slaughter by Satan’s cohorts.
These hellish creatures from the kingdom of darkness have taken on the appearance of bizarre locusts, freakish horsemen, and now grotesque looking frogs. There is no hint of any attack upon human beings or the natural world itself. These demonic “frogs” have one mission: Round up all the remaining living people and march them to Armageddon. (16:16)

There is a direct connection here with the tactics of Satan through the centuries, and Mankind’s deliberate and willful unbelief and rejection of the truth. We must not miss this connection. None of these horrific demonic attacks would be possible were it not for people following Satan’s deceivers who have worked their craft down through the centuries. Consider the following passages:
– Matt. 24:4,5; 23,24
– 2 Cor. 11:14
– 2 Thess. 2:9-12
– 1 Tim. 4:1
– 2 Pet. 3:3-5
– I John 4:1,2

Each of these passages warns against deception. Deception is the result of unbelief of the revealed truth of God’s word. The great lie Satan spawned to Eve in the Garden comes full cycle in Rev. 16:13, 14.

The New Testament Church has been gone from the earth nearly seven years now. All remaining of the righteous, (those saved during the tribulation) have been driven underground by the forces of the Antichrist. Satan has used all available means of the natural and supernatural realms to spin his deadly web of deception, and the masses have bought into it “hook, line, and sinker.”

The awful effects of God’s wrath poured out upon the earth, has every human being suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome, and even more severe mental, emotional, and physical conditions. Now they are easily led by these three demonic frog-like creatures spawned by the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and even Satan himself to their death.

Armageddon:

The term Armageddon, has been applied to virtually all “end-of-the-world” scenarios. It is however a literal location on earth, and a literal event that will happen in the future.
1. The Valley of Megiddo – Many historic and decisive battles have been fought in this vast valley. Many of history’s most famous military personalities have fought there. This valley is just to the south of the city of Nazareth where Jesus was born, and west of Galilee where Jesus spent most of years of ministry.
2. This will be the sight of the last great battle of the Antichrist against Israel’s Messiah, and the Christian’s Savior. According to Zech. 14 every nation on earth will be represented in this valley to engage in battle against the Lord Jesus Christ. (Zech. 14:1,2)
3. During the process of the staging for this battle, the city of Jerusalem will fall into the control of the Antichrist. (Zech. 14:2)
4. The coming war with Iran will be fought in part because of the issue of Jerusalem as set forth in Zech. 12:2, 3. Jerusalem today is the most important city on earth in regard to global peace.
5. This scene in Rev. 16:16 occurs at the very end of the seven years of Great Tribulation. We know this because of the passage in Zechariah. We must connect Rev. 16:16 to Rev. 19:11-21
6. The carnage of this battle will be unprecedented in military history. The flow of human and animal blood will flow as high as the horse’s bridle in a valley 14 miles wide, 20 miles long. (Rev. 14:19,20) Note: The passage in chapter 14 probably relates both to the fall of Jerusalem prophesied in Zech. 14:1, 2 and the battle of Armageddon. The measure provided in 14:20 is a distance of 180 miles.

Closing Thoughts:

Never has the world experienced anything comparable with the events we have just studied. Tragically, it is all the culmination of Eve’s unbelief and deception, and Adam’s self-determination in the Garden of Eden. In the end, billions of people will have lived and died in their fallen state, and will exist eternally separated from God experiencing forever the torments revealed in this book of Revelation.