Second Coming

10
Nov
2012

Teach Your Children the Way of the Lord

“The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed?

“For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” (Gen 18:17-19)

 

 

Journal,

The two cherubs in the picture above are my great-grandchildren, Aiden and Kennedy. (I have another great-granddaughter, and another cherub on the way. Not sure whether the next one will be a lad or a lass.) 

Anyway, as things go, last year I shared a journal entry, ‘Tell your children and your children’s children.’ I want to piggy back on that entry and provide more thoughts that have rested on my heart of late. It all has to do with family generations and in particular the passing of spiritual values on to our children.

I realize that not everyone will be interested in renderings on the Martin family but there is a point in all this. Please bear with me as I reflect on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how the message of heaven is to be handed from one generation to the next.

Borrowed picture. Yes, I well remember families living in log cabins. I also remember studying by kerosene lamp, drawing water from a well, the old outhouse, no electricity, cooking on a wood stove, and so on. Guess what? It really hasn’t been that long. Another guess what – Life is short and needs to lived well. Living well means to live for the Lord.

My family has been Christian as far back as we have a record. The first Martin of our line came to Louisiana with his Indian wife, in 1803 thereabouts. He was a Revolutionary soldier. According to the information I have, Billy Martin was Methodist.

Billy and Elizabeth, are buried at Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana. The top of their joint headstone reads, ‘Pioneer Martin.’ It gives their names and the names of their nine children. (Eight sons and one daughter. My lineage is through two of the sons, Billy, Jr., and Charles Seth.)

We have this rendering of the Mitchel Cemetery from another early settler.

 

“Pioneer Minister Tells of First Cemetery”

by Rev. Thomas Franklin [Quotes in part]

“I have been acquainted with people of this country ever since the year 1835, and the history of this graveyard from the time the first grave was opened. …

In my early days there were no churches, no schoolhouses, preachers, nor anyone who could offer prayer in public, but my mother. … I well remember when the people were called to bury John Martin’s infant child. …’

There was no man of God to speak a word of encouragement …

At this time the Martin, West, Miers, and Franklin families made the principal part of the citizens …

I well remember the old preacher preaching the funeral of Thomas Martin. He was the first man I ever saw kneel and offer prayer to God in this graveyard …

Now as we have been following the history of servants of the Lord since 1835, we now turn more directly to the history of the graveyard for here lies the body of the old and the young resting.

“Here is the body of William Martin, an old Revolutionary soldier, with his wife, also many children and grandchildren. …”


From Mitchell Cemetery I have to bring you to…

Campbell Creek

Buried at Campbell Creek Cemetery in Sharp, Louisiana are some of my forbearers all the way back to Charles Seth Martin, the son of the Revolutionary soldier.

In a line from the front left, are the graves of my father, Lawrence Bert, our son, David Lynn, my grandparents, John Allen and Frances Ella, my great-uncle, Jessie, my great grand-parents, James Erwin and Mary, and my great, great-grandfather, Charles Seth Martin, the son of the Revolutionary soldier.

Also in this cemetery is a message from my grandfather.

When my great-grandfather, James Erwin Martin, died in 1905, my grandfather prepared a homemade headstone for him. On the front of the head stone he encased behind glass a paper which reads,

“Remember friend, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, you soon shall be.
Prepare my friend to follow me.”

My great-grandfather, James Erwin Martin, was a school teacher. His wife, Mary Lize Edwards, descended from the Spanish-and French settlement forts of Natchitoches, Parish. In her line we are said to have Apalachee Indian. (She spoke little English.)

Due to a broken edge of the glass and the weathering over the years, the paper is now barely readable. I’m one of the few people who knows what it says.

Very often when I do a funeral, I’ll call attention to those words. And more often than not, someone will want me to show them my great grandfather’s grave. Of course I’m always happy to do that. It gives me a chance to share the gospel from his headstone.

Yes, there is a life lesson in all this. It consists of the headstone message of my great-grandfather, and a simple prayer we should learn to pray.

The prayer should include the words…

 

Lord, Teach Us to Number Our Days

The faith of God’s people goes back thousands of years. In fact it reaches back to the very beginnings of the generations of men. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David are names we are most familiar with. But the list is unending.

For example, when Moses looked down on the tents of Israel that were scattered over the wilderness expanse, he said,

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man back into dust and say, ‘Return, O children of men.’ For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.” (Psa 90:1-4)

Moses then adds these words,

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants. O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psa 90:12-14)

Did you catch it? Lord, teach us to number our days…

It is only when we remember that life at best is short, that we should learn to live in a matter that speaks to the generations to come, in how we should make our days count for eternity.

 

What is the Life Lesson in all this

And so the story continues. In the Bible record of the righteous, we often simply read, “And he died.”

“So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.”

“So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died.”

“So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”

Yes, one generation continues to replace another. It has always been that way. We can only live in the generation of our birth.

But there is an issue that this generation must pay special heed to.

There is an insidious danger many are not aware of. It has to do with a message that is becoming lost in a maze of modernism. It is the message of the cross. There are so many voices in the world today who are making the cross something that it isn’t about.

The Lord spoke of this concerning His second coming: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luk18:8)

Listen to the many warnings that speak to this generation —

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” (1Ti 4:1-2)

And again,

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

“Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2Pe 2:1-3)

I don’t mean to labor this. It simply brings me to my own concerns for this generation, for my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. They world they are facing seems far removed from the world of my younger years.

I’ve never seen such a deterioration of morals and spiritual values as can be seen today. You find it in high government, you find it in our schools, you find it in religious circles, you find it in the entertainment business, and you find it in family structures. It is like a flood of ungodliness and degradation is beginning to sweep the earth.

My questions are simple –

‘Where are you in the maze of life?’

‘What spiritual values are you passing on to your children?’

Yes, I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is wonderful beyond words. Yet, I do carry in my heart an aching for the young generation of today. It is hard to look at those who seem to have no conscience about sin and the powers of darkness, and wonder, why?

What can I do? What can you do? We can listen to what David had to say –

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD.” (Psa 116:12-13)

My constant prayer is that the Lord help me to be a faithful servant of the gospel to this generation. Do I believe the end time is near? Absolutely.

Perhaps this song says it best…   [Jesus Is Coming Soon.]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejDCt1euySM[/youtube]

 

Your Servant in Christ always,

Buddy

 

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21
Nov
2011

The Longings of Eternity – My How Time Does Fly

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Rev 20:6) 

  Journal,

I was asked some time back to give a study that would include eternity to come, and the early Church’s belief in a millennium, or what is often called the 1000 year reign, or the kingdom age of Messiah.

These are pretty broad subjects. I’ll limit my sharing to what I think will best help my readers. Let’s begin with what is called the millennial age. It is in the book of Revelation that we find the subject of a millennial reign. Yet it is interesting that the concept of a 1000 year reign is taught both in Christianity, in Judaism, in Islam, in Zoroastrianism, and in other oriental religions.

Seems this idea is deeply embedded in nearly all religions. Here we can take note of how the earliest Christian writers approached the idea of a millennium. Keep in view that these writers were the closest to the time of the apostles.  

According to the Apostle John

Once again, John is the apostolic writer who calls attention to a thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth. He references the thousand-year reign six times in Revelation 20:2-7.

John seems to be pretty clear on the issue of a thousand-year time when Satan is placed in captivity. But the question that we want to answer is how did other early believers look at this idea of a thousand-year reign? The answer is that nearly all the earliest Christian writers believed in a literal thousand-year reign.

When I speak of the earliest writers, I am including second and third generation disciples. This would include those who were nearest to the apostolic age. Here are some quotes:

#1) Papias cited by Eusebius (Papias was a disciple of the Apostle John and a friend of Polycarp; 60-130 ad): “Among these things, Papias says that there will be a millennium after the resurrection from the dead, when the personal reign of Christ will be established on this earth.”

#2) Justin Martyr (c. 160); “There was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem.”

#3) Hippolytus (c. 205); “The Sabbath is the type and symbol of the future kingdom of the saints, when they shall reign with Christ after He comes from heaven, as John says in his Revelation. For ‘a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.'”

#4) Tertullian (c. 207); “We do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth, although before heaven. Only, it will be in another state of existence. For it will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built city of Jerusalem ‘let down from heaven.'”

#5) Victorinus (c. 280); “The true Sabbath will be in the seventh millennium of years, when Christ will reign with His elect.”

#6) Lactantius (c. 340); “Back then a mortal and imperfect man was formed from the earth, so that he might live a thousand years in this world. So, now, from this earthly age is formed a perfect man. And, being quickened by God, he will bear rule in this same world through a thousand years.”

#7) Irenaeus (c. 180); “The predicted blessing, therefore, belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom, when the righteous will bear rule, after their rising from the dead. It is also the time when the creation will bear fruit with an abundance of all kinds of food, having been renovated and set free. And all of the animals will feed on the vegetation of the earth. They will become peaceful and harmonious among each other, and they will be in perfect subjection to man. And these things are borne witness to in the fourth book of the writings of Papias, the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp.”

#8) Commodianus (240); “The Amen sends flames on the nations. And the Medes and Persians burn for a thousand years, as the apocalyptic words of John declare. After a thousand years, they will be delivered over to Gehenna. And he whose work they were is burned up with them.”

 

More on The Age to Come

That there was to be an age to come that precedes the eternities of God is very much described in the Scriptures. Isaiah is replete with descriptions of that age. Rather than go through the many references, let’s consider this one;

“The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus. It will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given it the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” (Isaiah 35:2)

Then we have the teaching of Jesus. In the beatitudes, the Lord said,

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

This is a near quote from the book of Psalms;

“But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (Psalm 37:11)

An important point to keep in mind is that before the apostolic writings were collected, the Bible of the earliest believers was simply the writings of Moses, of David, and the prophets. The Hebrew people very much believed in a Messianic age. Their Bible was filled with descriptions of that certain age.  

Sons of the Resurrection

Perhaps we need to consider the word for ‘age.’ The Greek word is ‘aion.’ Aion generally refers to a unit of time. (The context determines its usage.) The Lord seemed to have the kingdom age in view, when he said,

“The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)

This statement by Jesus ties in with that John had to say about the resurrection and the thousand-year reign. He said,

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Rev20:6)

Then when John speaks of thrones being set up at the end of the thousand-year reign, Paul had this to say:

“Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters of this life.” (1Co6:3)

 

The Longings of Eternity

No matter where the thousand-year reign fits in God’s program for the ages, there has always been in the hearts of God’s people a longing for their eternal destiny. Moses looked upon the tribal people, and said,

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:1)

Moses must have had a deep longing in his heart for the things of eternity. Psalm 90 is a most precious Psalm. Since Moses was a prophet he was able to see into the far distant future. Then we have the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 30, that John calls attention to in Revelation. It is called,

‘Song of Moses the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.’ (Rev15:3)

Psalm 90 is similar to the Song of Moses in that it touches on eternal issues while reaching into the deep of our soul. We hear Moses say,

“O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (v14)

But there is something else that Moses says that each believer should take to heart. The man of God says,

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (v12)

It is this last statement that gives us pause for reflection. How is it that learning to number our days will cause us to have a heart of wisdom? It all comes back to our allotted space of time. Moses knew that his time-space was only a moment in comparison to eternity. He also knew that God’s people needed to keep this truth ever before them.

It is as the apostle said that our life is like a vapor that appears but for a moment. Moses’ entire life was wrapped up in doing God’s will in whatever space of time had been given to him.

How about you? Do you feel the same about your space of time? In Psalm 90 Moses also marked out the general life span given to humanity. He said,

“As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years…” (v10)

Certainly some folk live beyond the eighty years. Some live much less. Our allotted space of time is not for us to know. But it is a truth none the less. We have only so much time to live. No more. No less.  

Our Allotted Times on Earth

David also drew attention to our allotted days. Being a prophet himself, David wrote,

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:16)

But David also gave us a glimpse into wisdom. He ended Psalm 139 in saying,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” (vv23,24)

David knew that he was not free from sinful attitudes and thoughts. This remains true today. Even the most godly of believers still have to bring their thought life into check. But like all true believers, David did not want anything in his life that would be offensive to a walk of holiness. (Nor should we.)

Then where David says, “Lead me in the everlasting way,” he was speaking of the ‘way of the Lord,’ that is, he wanted to keep his focus clear on God’s path of redemption.  

The Everlasting Way

Perhaps we should point out that David’s Lord is the very same Lord that new covenant believers love and serve. Sometimes it is hard for us to grasp this. But when David wrote, “The Lord says to MY Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet,'” he was calling attention to the One who would be incarnate as Jesus Christ.

Jesus carefully brought attention to this. So, David’s Lord was Jesus Christ, though he did not know Him by that name at the time. Keep in mind that the term ‘the everlasting way’ always had a view to God’s redemption story. David had much more to say about this Jesus Christ whom both he and we love.

In fact all the prophets wrote about Jesus. Abraham saw Him.

This is why the writing prophets described future redemptive and historical events with such clearness that it is astonishing. But they wrote in what is called ‘prophetic perfects.” This means that when they wrote, it was as though they were actually present at the time of the event.

They recorded what was being revealed to them in the Spirit. This is the primary reason the apostle said that we should never exceed the writings of the ‘prophets.’ So, as a prophet, David spoke and wrote in prophetic perfects. This is why he could describe the events of the cross with such vividness. David literally recorded the words and even the thoughts of Jesus as He hung on the cross. Notice how Psalm 22 begins;

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

And so about the everlasting way, David further writes,

“Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth [this is Jesus], and righteousness looks down from heaven [this is the Father].”

Then he writes,

“Righteousness will go before Him AND WILL MAKE HIS FOOTSTEPS INTO A WAY.” (Psalm 85:10-13. Caps for emphasis only.)

 

The Footsteps of Eternity

What did David mean about God making the footsteps of Jesus into a way? He wasn’t speaking of ‘a’ way as though there were other ways. David is speaking towards the finished work of the cross. Jesus Himself said,

“I am the [everlasting] way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus is the Way of God. Jesus is the Truth of God. Jesus is the Life of God. It was His footsteps in the earth that opened the portals of heaven for the saving of all who would believe in Him. Jesus walked out of heaven, into our earth. He walked our planet, loving, healing, preaching, teaching, and presenting Himself as the Messiah and Savior of humanity. He was placed on a cross. He walked out of the tomb. He ascended into heaven. And His footsteps became our salvation. Jesus said to Peter,

“Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” (John 13:36)

Jesus had to first enter into heaven on our behalf, bringing His own blood for the atonement sacrifice. When the sacrifice was accepted, that opened the door for all who believe to follow in His footsteps. In fact His life has become our life.  

Completing Our Course

Time marches on. It waits for no man. I was twenty-four years old when the Lord called me to the ministry. I am now seventy-five. And the older I get the more I appreciate the Lord’s adage for completing my course of life. It is so simple and yet so profound. Jesus said,

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt6:33)

Notice that Jesus didn’t tell us to seek a certain religion, or to seek to be right about everything, or to seek to make a name for ourselves, or to seek to be a corrector of everyone else. Seeking the kingdom is a Hebraisms. It means to seek the direct rule of God in our hearts and lives. We are to do this day by day by day. This is true wisdom. Peter understood this as well as anyone. In alluding to the Psalm of Moses, Peter writes,

“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” (1Pe1:24)

Thus life as we know it now is like a fading flower. Perhaps there are questions left to ask –

Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your own Lord and Savior? Have you turned from your sinful living? Are you serving Him with a true heart of faith?

As for me, I thank you, my brother Moses. I’m on the same page as you. I agree fully with how you concluded your wonderful Psalm, when you said,

“Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your majesty to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:16,17)

This does need sober thinking. Nor does it take away from the joy of our walk with Jesus. It simply puts things into a better perspective. Are there any adjustments you need to make? Think about it. God has allotted you a space of time. What will you do with it?

Take time for this song. The Lord wants to speak to your heart.   In Christ always,

Buddy    

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12
Feb
2011

Egypt and the World of Islam #3

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” (Dan 12:1-4)



Notes:

(1) The “time of distress” has to do with the great tribulation period. Cf. Dan8:17; Mat24:32-34 (the fig tree is a symbol of Israel); Rev4:1 may well speak to the rapture.

(2) “Those with insight” has regard to end time believers who are given spiritual understanding and prophetic insight into the end times and are thus able to turn many to the Lord. (Includes a great gospel movement into Islam.)

(3) Parts of Daniel would be sealed for the last generation. Not even Daniel understood some of what he was given as prophecy. (1Pet1:10-12) Paul was also given special insight into the end time but was not allowed to share what he heard and saw. Cf. 2Co12:2-4.

Keep in mind that the rabbis placed a curse on anyone who tried to calculate the times by using Daniel. Daniel not only set forth the timing for the first coming of Jesus, he also set forth the timing for the second coming.

(4) “Knowledge will increase” has to do with the flow of revelation and understanding given to God’s end time people from the prophetic writings. It likely allows for an increase of human knowledge on all levels including communication and technology. The revolution in Egypt can largely be traced to Tweeter and Facebook and other forms of communication.

*Place your cursor over a Scripture reference and it will appear.


Journal,

I want to encourage my readers to preview the two preceding entries on ‘Egypt and the World of Islam.’ (#1 and #2)

The whole world is in wonderment at what is happening in Egypt now. Of course this is only the forefront for the continual unveiling of God’s end time program of redemption. Muslims have been in upheavals for a few years; war in Iraq, in Afghanistan, disturbances in Iran, in Pakistan, in fact all across the Isl?mic nations.

I shared in an earlier entry how Satan raised up Mohammed to create an antichrist religion that has held untold millions of souls in the bondage of darkness. What is happening in Egypt and the middle east is merely a precursor to prophetic events that are unfolding in the days ahead. The end time battle lines have long been drawn. The clock is ticking.

Keep in mind that God’s time clock of redemption did not begin with this revolution in Egypt. God’s time clock was set in motion on May 14, 1948, when Israel became once again a nation among nations. (Isa66:8) It is likely that God’s prophetic seventy year wrap for this age as we know it began on that date. (Go to the entry prior to this one for how the principle of seventy figures into prophecy.)

Here is a quote from my last entry:

The place to begin is to understand the role that Islam plays with regard to the second coming. Here is the scene – Satan has always known that God’s plan of redemption completes itself with the second coming of Jesus to Jerusalem. Therefore his major line of defense has been to create a false gospel that would get around the true gospel. This false gospel would honor Jesus as one of the great Messengers of God. However, it would disallow how the gospel of Jesus saves people. This false gospel would find its center in the nations surrounding Israel. Herein you have Islam.


Leave room for adjustments

With regard to end time events it is important not to nail things down too tightly. Leave room for adjustments. In some prophecies you will see both the first and the second coming of Jesus. Prophecy is not always laid out in an exact time sequence. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us see how things are falling into place. However, we are seeing the end time prophetic picture unfold in a way never seen.

One thing I’ve tried to stress in these entries is how very important the Old Testaments prophets are with regard to God’s plan for the ages. They often prophesied far beyond their own experiences. As I shared earlier, the New Testament church was not some upstart religion. The Christian faith is literally a fulfilling of what had been spoken by God’s ancient servants.

Consider these Scriptures:

“I sent you [apostles] to reap that for which you have not labored; others [OT prophets] have labored and you have entered into their labor.” (Joh 4:38)

“And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luk 24:25-27)

“ … that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’” (2Pe 3:2-4)


There are two things I want to discuss more fully In this entry. One has to do with what is commonly called the ‘catching away of the church.’ The other has to do with how God’s people should view the events that are now taking place.

Let’s begin with…


The People of Christ

Believers who struggle the most over their salvation are generally those who come from a ‘works-righteousness’ background. What they don’t understand is that their salvation is wholly of the Lord. No person will ever be saved because they became good enough. We are saved by grace alone.

There isn’t much I can add to what this dear sister recently wrote. It took a revelation from the Lord to bring total peace to her life.

Tina is from a Pentecostal background.

 

From a sister in the Lord

I just thought I’d share something that happened a few days ago.  I was thinking about death and having to face Jesus.  I was feeling really scared and wondering if I’d done enough.  All of a sudden, I had an image come into my head of Jesus standing there with his arms open.  Every time I started to tally up my good vs bad deeds, the image would return.  I finally got the message….  He is WAITING for me to come home.

All the good, bad, and ugly will stay here on earth.  My Savior is standing there waiting for me to come home.  Jesus already completed his mission here on earth, now it’s my turn.  He is here in spirit (Holy Ghost) helping me through this journey.  And when it’s over, I’ll be with him…period, end of sentence.

My physical flesh acts like a prison.  It keeps me in the shadows where things sometimes become fuzzy and confused.  I am living in the domain of evil. The lures of the flesh are almost like being tortured.  Sometimes we do things that are wrong before we even catch ourselves or realize that it’s wrong.

The Father knew that, and he planned for that, and sent his Son to make a way for us to be made clean.  Jesus went back to heaven, but he left the Holy Spirit here to act as a guide through the many pitfalls in life.  The HS keeps us on the right track.  When life is over, I will shed this flesh and go be with HIM!

What a blessing when God puts peace in our hearts and lets us know that we are his!  I didn’t speak in tongues or become hysterical, it was just the sweet, presence of God’s spirit that spoke to my heart.  That’s what it’s about. That’s what Paul and the apostles tried to get across over and over and over again in the New Testament.  Men get tripped up over doctrine, and when they do, they completely miss God’s plan for Salvation and life with him.

TinaP~ – Your Truth Place: http://yourtruthplace.blogspot.com/2011/02/eternal-life.html



The Catching Away

The removal of all who belong to Jesus Christ is well taught in the Scriptures. Regardless of the time element involved, and regardless of what a person believes about Pre-trib, Mid-trib, or Post-trib, this truth is well established.

I’ll share just a bit in brief. Note carefully:


“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:14-18)
The expression ‘caught up’ is the Greek word ‘harpazo‘ [har-pad’-zo]. This word is used fourteen times in the New Testament, with the sense of sudden removal from one place to another. In this case it states that believers will be instantly caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds. Notice how Paul said that we are to comfort one another with these words. The second coming of Jesus and all that it entails is a time of glory for the Church. Our being caught up has to do with the marriage feast of the Lamb.
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Jesus spoke of this in John 14. Many don’t realize that what Jesus shared with the apostles in this setting has the Jewish wedding as its motif. The Ancient Hebrew wedding had two parts. The first was the espousal and the second part was for the bridegroom to actually come for the bride. Here is the setting:
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (Joh 14:1-3)

Did you catch it? Look closely. Jesus ascended into heaven and thereby through the cross He has prepared a place for all believers. He is returning at the proper time to receive us to Himself. Because we are already espoused to the Lord, our placement in heaven has already been decreed. Positional we have already been seated with Jesus. Now we are waiting for our full glorification with Him.

There is so much more I would like to share but I’ll leave off for  now. Here is a wonderful song that will minister to your heart. It is titled, ‘There’s Something in the Air’, by the Lanny Wolfe Trio.



In Christ always,

Buddy

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Posted by Buddy in News & Views, 6 comments
18
Nov
2010

Strong Consolation – Terror Expectation


“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Heb 10:19-30 NASB)

Journal,

Is it possible that the world as we know it has entered the countdown of the age? Do we really have cause for concern? Actually no one knows the exact timing for the Lord’s return but we have ample prophetic descriptions of the times to know that everything is coming into place.

The Scriptures above may have a similar parallel that equates the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. with what is soon to take place in the near future. Hebrews was written not long before a judgment of God came on Jerusalem. Thousands of Jewish people encircled the city on crosses. Other thousands would be taken as slave.

While the parallel may not be exact it does carry an eerie sense for what is to come. At the same time these Scriptures hold a strong consolation for those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ. We know that many thousands of Jews are coming to faith in Jesus.

I want to break down the afore Scriptures so that we can see both the consolation for believers and the horror that will descend on those of the world who have no regard for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

But before I do that please take note of the following video. It has to do with a, “revered rabbi in Israel who died about 4 years ago at the age of 108 who, before he died, said that the Messiah had appeared to him and revealed His name.” (Thanks Doug for the video.)


 

Is Ariel Sharon still alive? Yes. Go here for the latest report as of November 10, 2010 –

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/10/ariel-sharon-may-leave-hospital

 

In a prior Journal entry I shared this ad that was put in the Jerusalem Post by an anti-missionary Jewish rabbi:

What Are We Doing Wrong, and What are They doing right? Why Have more Jews Converted to Christianity in the Last 19 Years than in the Last 1,900 Years?” Rabbi Tovia Singer – Jerusalem Post [Of course he was out to sell his 24 tape package for $113.]

 

Now for our text Scriptures. Let’s begin with…


The testimony of the blood

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb 10:19-22)

The apostolic writer is using Old Testament imagery. Once a year the high priest entered into the holiest of holies. He carried a basin of blood that would splatter on his robe and on his feet, leaving a trail from the sacrificial altar all the way to the mercy-seat of God. Jewish readers would have grasped the significance of this picture.

Through the cross we now have a new and living way, that is, we walk a living trail made alive by the blood of Jesus, and we are now invited to enter into the holiest of holies at will. Not only is the trail a living trail but our very hearts have been sprinkled clean by that same blood. So our hearts have also been made alive.

The significance of having our bodies washed with pure water could well be an allusion to water baptism. The early Christians very much considered water baptism as part of the covenant experience. However, bodily washing may also speak to our acceptance before God as a whole being. Paul refers to this as ‘the washing of water with the word.’

 

…so that He might sanctify her [the church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” (Eph 5:26-27 NASB)



Holding fast our confession of faith in Jesus

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb10:23-25)

Here the cautionary warnings begin. To hold fast their confession is a clear juncture to how salvation begins. Our continual confession of Christ is the benchmark of a living faith. It is possible that some of the intended readers of this letter had never made a clear demarcation in their hearts with regard to the law of Moses and their allegiance to Jesus Christ.

An indicator of this was likely is some of them ‘forsaking‘ the assembling with other believers. This was such a time of duress for the Jewish church. They were being persecuted and reviled for their confession of Jesus. And while many still attended the synagogue, the pressure was on to renounce Jesus. But the Lord said this division even in the family would happen. This was the ‘sword‘ He came to bring. The sword linked to the confession.

 

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Mat 10:32-38 NASB)


Did you know that the Messianic community [Christian Jews] in Israel are undergoing considerable persecution? Take time to view this video of the Hebrew Christian Ami Ortiz, the son of Hebrew Pastor David Ortiz, who experienced a deadly bomb that was sent to his home by an orthodox Jew.


 

The warning of a terror to come

Keep in mind that the book of Hebrews deals with only one sin – The sin of rejecting Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of Israel and of all mankind.

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Heb 10:26-29 NASB)


Once again the ‘sinning willfully’ had to do with the rejection of Jesus Christ. This was a terrifying place to be. If they turned from Jesus, after having heard the message of the gospel, a message that went to Israel first, it was the same as trampling the Son of God underfoot, and as an insult to the Spirit of grace. Judgment was swiftly on its way.

This warning is a clear reflection on something the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah;

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.” (Isaiah 63:9,10 nasb)

 

The warning becomes more intense.

 

For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb 10:30-31 NASB)


What was going to happen to Jerusalem in a short while would be beyond imagination. Jewish factions would turn on one another. And the Roman soldiers would cover the city with a thirst for blood that would be uncontrollable. Thousands of crosses would ring the city. Multiplied thousands would become slaves. A raging fire would consume the temple while blood flowed through the streets of Jerusalem. No longer would there be a vestige of Old Testament Judaism with its sacrifices.

Was this a judgment of God? Absolutely. Jesus described it more than once. When the women were mourning over Him as He carried His cross, the Lord said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Cf. Luke 23:28-31)


Note: According to the historian Epiphanius, for some unknown reason there was a temporary pulling back of the Roman forces. During this time the Jewish Christians made their escape to Pella. Over the centuries this tradition was held without question. Certainly we know that the Lord always makes a way for His people, when there seems to be no way.

 

A final word of consolation

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But my righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (Heb10:35-39)


There you have it. Can there be a parallel to this for the world today? What do you think? Take time to listen to this song – Jesus is Coming Soon

Much love to be found in Jesus,

Buddy

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