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2018 Archived COMMENTARY Blogs
January's Commentary Blogs
CB1A;18
The Reality Of The Growing Perfect Storm
Do you know about the ways in which the "Jewish Police" went about fostering darkness during WWII? One effort was tied to censorship.
Today, as this perfect storm continues to build, there are those who are seeking to censor some who are highlighting biblical insights, ones which address important cultural affairs. Like the Jewish Police of old, some Christians are exerting pressure to do the same. "Discontinue writing as you do!" they say to those who are appealing for godly living in Christ.
Those making these God-honoring appeals also state the intent behind their actions: In God's kind mercy and grace, we genuinely care about His sheep to the extent we are willing to put ourselves in harm's way as we bring warning.
We discern a growing number of Christians-by-name who (in their actions against God's New Covenant Ambassadors in Jesus Christ) speak out in opposition to God's Word. "Christian Police" who are helping to shape and enforce the ideology of the soon-coming antichrist? Perhaps! By their fruits we shall know them.
WHY is this a valid issue to raise at this time?
IF Bible-affirming heralds - especially those who accurately discern cultural movements which will further contribute to the intensity of the Perfect Storm (once it hits in full strength) - IF these followers of Jesus Christ are silenced, some may fail to discern some of the present deceptions unfolding around us. As God blessed His Old Covenant people with heralds who loved enough to bring timely messages of warning, so too does He bless His Church with some who endure in speaking His Truths in love today.
So be watching for further increase of persecution* against those who bring explicit Bible appeals. In this context, even though the darkness will seek to make these Ambassadors of Christ seem evil, please give their messages Berean-like consideration. Pray and ponder their appeals in light of the clear revelation God has graciously given in His precious Word.
Once again, may we continue basking in His kind Word to us, including the reading of end-time passages which speak to our - today - present circumstances before Jesus Christ's glorious appearing.
* Persecution is not only unfolding in the persecuted church areas. Let's endure! We encourage you to read the N.T. book of Hebrews for helpful, most pertinent-to-today Counsel.
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CB1B;18
10 Biblical Reasons Why We Should Question The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Viewpoint
Question: WHY do we persist in rightly questioning? Answer: "Because we sincerely care" is only a partial response.
May we endure in seeking God's clear Counsel as to living for the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, during these end of days.
In response to received comments about the above ...
THANK YOU for your thoughts on the "Click Here" link immediately above. CLICK HERE for our new draft post.
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CB1C;18
Can YOU Help Us ENCOURAGE?
Endurance Ministries (EM) exists to serve God's Kingdom purposes in these end of days. This includes ministry to believers (Discipleship ministry) and unbelievers (Gospel ministry) alike.
One of our major discipleship objectives is to help better foster ENDURANCE in Christ.
As we address end-time Bible data - including both chronological and thematic concerns - we call God's people in Jesus Christ to be like the Bereans of old (Acts 17) who received the message of Paul but did so in light of the Scriptures. Acts 17:10, 11 states it this way ...
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those at Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJV)
Our EM ministries addressing pertinent-to-our-day chronology and thematic concerns are many, including the bringing of quality PPT presentations. (Note: Because many of our visual aids on end- time Bible chronology and themes are made live, we don't post them on the Internet. Please have us come in order to personally share these helpful presentations with you. Use the "Contact Us" link at the top of this page to inquire further.) Your best interests are one of our sincere goals in all this.
In 2016 EM opened a "Building Project" which serves to contribute to this appeal: Saints in Jesus Christ need to further embrace GOD's end-time perspective. In light thereof, our building project is NOT a physical building enterprise but is a project seeking to build perspectival readiness as called for by our Lord Jesus.
In this we wish to promote better mental preparedness to face the days, months and years ahead. (Yes, Christ will not return in the next few years [2018 - 2020] due to biblical data which we've addressed in prior blogs!) One way to do so - to further encourage mental preparedness - is building perspective through SONG. We are wanting to put songs before God's Saints in Jesus Christ, songs which foster endurance as they are sung in praise to Him. So here are some additional details of this building project we're calling Prepared Through Song ...
Our THEMATIC appeals, as outlined in the 7th chapter of our book, The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction, are these:
[ themes on the left ]
Endurance, in the context of Persecution, Deception and Personal Idolatry is crucial! Openness to God's Truth Foundation will protect against Great Darkness which is unfolding today. Separation from the world is wise. Soon, the Antichrist will be revealed, but Jesus Christ will return just as He said.
Additional details of the Prepared Through Song ministry effort (one which we would appreciate your help bringing) are these:
We would like to team minister ENCOURAGEMENT during these more challenging times and we would like to do so through SONG ... with you. Yes, we'd so appreciate your help with this God-honoring project! In case we've not been clear, we are asking folks to send us song, hymn, chorus, [etc.] titles which speak to the end-time themes listed above.
Once we've received and compiled 100 quality title entries (which we discern to accomplish our goal), we will send contributors (to the list of songs) the document which can then be used by our team members to minister in their church(es) and personal outreach efforts.
Care to join us on this God-honoring project? If so, please use the "Contact Us" link at the top right of this page to send us your entries. THANK YOU. And please pray in support of our ongoing ministry efforts through 2018.
1. May we better discern just how late we are (in the setting of Bible prophecy before our Lord's soon initial appearing). The time is short! Are YOU ready? 2. May we delight in continued JOY as we press on in songs of adoration of our soon-coming King - Jesus Christ!
P.S. Because enough have asked ... For contemporary end-time inferential appeals that are unbiblical, please CLICK HERE.
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CB1D;18
God's WORD ... Just What Is It?
In addition to the main emphasis of the Museum of the Bible's (in Washington D.C.) Global Impact Bible - Founders ESV edition of the Bible, the Bible is more than an impactful product of man which has wonderfully affected history, culture, government (including legislative, executive and judicial aspects), language (written genre, speech, idioms), humanity's treasured qualities (e.g., love, peace, joy, humility, etc.), art & music, entertainment, education, commerce, morality/ethics, societal structure, science & technology, etc.
While surely accomplishing (affecting) the above, the Bible is more than an influential piece of history from human contributors - and we're NOT saying the team (administration and staff) at the museum denies the transcendent aspect of the Bible in their attempts to clearly warrant the Bible's contri- butions to humanity through the ages. We simply NEED to acknowledge one CRUCIAL aspect of the nature of the Bible which doesn't seem to be strongly highlighted in this English edition of the ESV Bible. The missing facet, if you would, is this: It is the WORD of GOD.
Here are a few passages which speak to THIS crucial quality of the Bible, one which we dare NOT belittle in this age which hosts many who are LONGING for something greater than mankind's meager offerings ...
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. ... I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. ... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. ... (select verses from Psalm 119)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- eousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16, 17)
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private inter- pretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:19-21)
(passages taken from the NKJV)
These are AWESOME Truths from the only Divine E.T. of all e.ts., One Who has marvelously manifested, by many infallible proofs, His reality whereby everyone is without excuse (to reject Him). CLICK HERE for presentations of HIS Good News to us!
In light of biblical philosophy/wisdom, let's avoid committing the fallacy of the excluded middle by failing to include the more glorious nature of the Bible - it's GOD's graciously revealed Truths to needy humanity, beings who have not been able to solve even the world's most basic problems (outside of the eternal Word's historical moment: the reality of God with us in the Person of the LORD of lords, KING of kings, Jesus Christ).
May we do the both/and thing and, in correct balance, affirm both aspects (i.e., natures, qualities) of this most precious, eternal revelation-from-God gift.
February's Commentary Blogs
CB2A;18
Another CRUCIAL Distinction
In 2012 and 2013 - quite some time ago now, or so it seems! - we addressed a very DIFFERENT (that is, different from the end-time perspective we at Endurance Ministries present) final trumpet raptureposition, one which Irvin Baxter and Endtime Ministries teach. In two FAQ articles, we basically state this: The "final trumpet rapture" view of Endtime Ministries is VERY different from The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering position which we present through our Endurance Ministries' Kingdom efforts. (CLICK HERE for specific details on this matter if you're interested in learning more.)
A very similar statement needs to be made in response to Roderick Meredith's (1930 - 2017) final trumpet return of Christ. For specific details regarding the end-time viewpoint of Meredith and the Living Church of God, see the article posted on one of their Internet sites, Tomorrow's World. The article is titled "Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return."
(Roderick Meredith was initially involved in Herbert Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God movement. Meredith's end-time view is now being offered through the Living Church of God [LCG] which he and others founded in 1998.)
IF you were to study the 14 signs mentioned in the article, you would immediately discern this: The end-time position of LCG (as posted on Tomorrow's World web site) is MOST different than the Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering of Endurance Ministries on a number of crucial points.
Q: WHY do we take time to make this announcement?
A: Because darkness often uses diversions from God's pure Truths in order to lead folks astray. Yes, we are speaking strongly here due to the potential consequences of believing half truths. So please allow us to get to the evidencing of our claim by reading on.
TWO (of many) MAJOR differences between the two end-time views of said positions above are these:
1. The Tomorrow's World article states American and British descendants are included as a part of Modern Israel today. According to the LCG, it's not just the "Jews" who comprise the nation of Israel. LCG's view of modern Israel can be found, in part, in signs 12 - 14 of Meredith's article. Please read the article in full and carefully.
In CONTRACT, Endurance Ministries does not blur Israel with America, Great Britain, at el. We state Israel (and its continued Jewish tie to the Old Covenant without Christ Jesus in general) is SEPARATE FROM the New Covenant Church in Jesus Christ. Yes, Jews reside in the USA but this does NOT mean the U.S. is a partial expression of modern Israel. No, America is NOT a part of modern Israel as the LCG interpretation goes!
While 144,000 members of Israel - some of whom will convert to Jesus Christ during the opening event of the eschatological Day of the Lord - will be the "first fruits" of those who are redeemed from the earth (during the 6th-Trumpet period - see Rev. 14:1ff) just before the sounding of the 7th Trumpet (the "final trumpet" of I Corinthians 15:51, 52), the Church in Jesus Christ is NOT rapture-gathered until the 7th Trumpet sounds. And please note: This rapture gathering of Christ's flock is NOT His 2nd-Advent return to the earth (as the Living Church of God seems to teach).
Here's the second reason (of many) why we take the time to differentiate between these two "final trumpet" gathering positions:
2. Folks prepare differently depending on the end-time view they espouse. The final trumpet event of LCG holds this: Their particular view of God (please note major concerns on this topic as outlined in the Wikipedia article about, what appears to be, the non-tri-unity-of-God doctrine of the Living Church of God*) has Christ coming/returning at the sounding of the 7th Trumpet.
Again, the article titled Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return has Christ returning at the 7th Trumpet while the Scriptures teach He returns to the earth after the Bowls of Wrath are poured out on the earth. Revelation 19 (post Bowls of Wrath) describes His coming to the earth, a "return" that is often called the Second Advent of Christ.
Yes, He comes in the clouds where He rapture gathers His Saints/elect at the final trumpet BUT He does not return to the earth until the great battle at Armageddon/Megiddo as outlined in Revelation 19 (Rev. 16 describes the setting where preparations for the actual battle of Rev. 19:11 unfold). It's in Revelation 19 where the "war" then takes place, NOT at the 7th Trumpet.
May we - God's Saints in Christ Jesus - better distinguish (through the right-handling of the full Counsel of God's Word) between the actual Word of God from that of words and opinions/interpretations of men.
* Also see LCG's "official statement of fundamental beliefs" for further details.
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CB2B;18
"Lord, We NEED, We NEED" ... Shine Jesus Shine
God SO graciously continues to provide insightful help to meet the growing battles of our day! Here are four (of many) PROVISIONS from our loving Shepherd:
He has provided precious MEDIA so pertinent for life in Christ today. Please make the commitment to catch two Christ-honoring films coming out next month: Tortured for Christ (3/5) and God's NOT Dead 3 (3/30). These new presentations deal with MAJOR end-time themes, ones which are raging as we speak. While they're not perfect, they do provide sweet encouragement IF we would but live in HIS perspective during these days of great Kingdom opportunity.
God also extends His wise Counsel through HisCHURCH, but be ever so careful here, for there are a growing number of churches today which are failing to herald God's end-of- day Truths. In contrast, may we continue in fellowship in a Bible-honoring church, especially as we forsake NOT the assembling of ourselves together.
God's abundant mercy and grace continues ...
He has also provided HisWORD - Truth for today, second to none. His leading in this context is ever so needed in this hour. So we ask a simple question: We will do our part? May we read and heed His Word.
Inexhaustible is His mercy to those who fear Him. And those who do so - those who revere Him - are blessed with yet an- other gift which we NEED in this late hour ( ... our God is MOST generous indeed!) :
When Jesus Christ ascended into heaven after His death and resurrection, He shortly thereafter sent the Spirit of God as a helper to His sheep (His born-again followers) in need. In affirmation of Joel 2 / Acts 2, God continues to pour out HisSPIRIT on all flesh today. IF we live in humility before the only true God, we will walk in His Spirit today. This precious divine gift - God's Holy Spirit residing in us, His people in Christ Jesus His Son - provides yet additional help toward shining as His Ambassadors during these end of days.
May we make NO provision for the flesh but rather take full advantage of HIS resources such that we endure - in all aspects of life today - unto His glory and praise.
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CB2C;18
The PROGRESSIVE Nature Of Biblical Salvation
What ever happened to the three-part doctrine of salvation: Justification, Sanctification and Glorification?
It seems as though new-birth regeneration is the one part of salvation we predominately hear about today. By the authority of God's holy Word: What IMBALANCE!
If we biblically discern the danger of half truths - on this salvation issue included! - and simply affirm the FULL Counsel of the Word of God - Acts 20:27 - (instead of picking and choosing only parts of God's redemptive program which fit our personal preferences), many would live very differently than they do today. (See the latest Billy Graham Assoc. film titled Flying Blindfor four contemporary examples.)
May God help us affirm the entire scope of His Word such that we, as we submit to the authority of HIS New Covenant worldview perspective, will NOT hear Him say, " ... Depart from Me you who practice lawlessness."
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CB2D;18
[ Readers appreciate this blog. To get the most out of it, please 1. Hard-copy PRINT this 2-page document (print CB2D;18) ; then, 2. Click the "weekly blog posts" link below whereby you can read biblical data on these important end-time themes as you read through the commentary blog which follows. ]
A BIG-PICTURE, End Time Reality Check - Part 1
We trust you have been greatly encouraged by our new weekly blog posts since the new year.
At this juncture, we feel it prudent to share a bit of "commentary" regarding the Bible's teaching concerning holistic Truths regarding the end of days - our days! Consider this post one of two explan- atory blogs, one which brings a thematic panoramic view of biblical eschatology.
God's Word clearly foretells apostasy (see blog B9;18) will unfold in the days prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Three MAJOR contributors toward the falling away from faith include
Deception (see B4;18 ; including in-the-church deceptions - B3;18),
Persecution (see blog B10;18) and
Personal Idolatry (see B11;18).
In the setting of great lawlessness/unrighteousness (see Mt. 24:12 & blog B2;18), God calls His people in Jesus Christ to a life of sanctification - in part, holy righteous living (B7;18).
Another end-time quality the Bible strongly calls God's people to live out is watchfulness (B8;18), watchfulness whereby we are ready (see blog B12;18), prepared due to discerning our day in light of His Truths forever settled in heaven. Are we, for example, ready for the even more tumultuous days of the next decade?
Living in readiness allows one to discern the contemporary voices which are calling for apostasy - and this includes additional concerns, more than just simply deception, persecution and personal idolatry.
Instead of falling away from the faith, God wants His people to endure (B6;18) to the end (Mt. 24:13). The end-time realities of today - which the Word of God predicted long ago - are clearly unfolding in global culture as we speak.
Have YOU discerned just how it is we (God's people in Christ Jesus His Son) can be enlightened in such a way as to steer safely clear of all the end-time darkness today?
God's Word (B1;18) is such a light to our path. Are you reading it on a regular basis of late? (see blog B13;18, for a suggested end-time Bible reading schedule)
And PLEASE: Don't be a casualty of spiritual warfare whereby YOU suffer shipwreck of faith like Hymenaeus and Alexander did millennia ago - see I Timothy 1:18-20.
One other thing as we bring this first of two blogs (featuring big- picture facts about our days) to a close ...
As the darkness grows, let's not fault God (B5;18) as the end-time conditions continue to unfold. Instead, may we PRAISE the One who has graciously forewarned us of these present and soon-coming realities.
We trust the Word of God, as presented in our 2018 first-quarter weekly blogs, has been of great blessing to you.
March's Commentary Blogs
CB3A;18
Yet Another End-Time MYTH
Our FAQ #40 lists five contemporary end-time fables in response to the data of II Timothy 4:1, 2. Four of five myths we mention include:
1. Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary theory 2. "All religions are basically the same" 3. Present cultural rejections of the historical Jesus Christ 4. Tolerant (so called!) contemporary spirituality
We really do need to add one more myth at this juncture due to this most pressing fact: One "prepares" differently depending on the end-time view one holds. So here's fable #6 ...
Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory
Yes. In fact, this theory is more similar to evolution myth than many would care to acknowledge.
"How so!?" some may ask.
Possible Fable Rebuttal Responses
Darwinian Observed FACTS: 1. Rejection of facts Macro and continued Evolution NO scientific evidence dogmatic belief in support of this myth in this myth 2. Rejection of theory due to scientific & biblical facts
Possible Fable Rebuttal Responses
Pre-Trib Observed FACTS: 1. Rejection of facts Rapture and continued theory 1. NO explicit Bible dogmatic belief evidence, in this myth 2. poor inferential 2. Rejection of theory evidence, and due to Bible facts 3. Bible facts to the contrary of the Pre- Trib timing of the Rapture
Let's BALANCE the pointing the (judgment) finger toward dangerous secular myths and humble ourselves such that we are willing to deal with our own false teachings - unbiblical doctrines within the contemporary Evangelical church! May we do so by - on the grounds of - the authority of God's explicit Word.
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CB3B;18
A CARING Reminder
Free speech is SO under attack today and the related battles are taking place in MANY forms - just browse the news for diverse examples BUT be sure to get your news from sources which are acknowledging these anti- (American) Constitution censorship efforts.
In response to these growing threats, we discern it's once again prudent to be proactive as we anticipate further actions of free- speech restrictions. (Darkness is just that: Dark and those who are in bondage to the dark one manifest his - satan's - qualities!)
Given the uncertainties of freedom of expression over the Internet, we ask THIS of our reading audience:
Instead of sending us financial help in support of our Endurance Ministries' efforts, please apply your gift toward the purchase of a 3-GB USB data stick. Use this data stick to download our Internet materials - materials you can continue to use even if our sites are no longer available. And DON'T simply use the material personally. Share it with others, too!
As we've stated (at times) this past decade:
We will NOT make these materials available via snail-mail (that is, in hard copy form) should our Internet presence dis- continues.
You need to do YOUR part and download the material we have posted. Do it today BEFORE it's too late.
So as to be thorough, please download the material on the following web sites:
(We estimate the time needed to download the material will take approximately 2 hours given all the linked handouts and charts which are posted throughout these sites.)
May we all discern the lateness of the hour. May we discern the above suggestion to be encouragement toward fostering biblical watchfulness - a marching order from our Lord Jesus - Mark 13:37. Yes, please include in your end-time preparations, mental preparedness. Do so by downloading this material today!
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CB3C;18
Reviewing What's NEXT On The Prophetic End-Time Calendar
Please CLICK HERE for some biblical Counsel as to life in Christ today, life navigating the days during our precious 2,000-year Anniversary of the first coming of Jesus Christ - the greatest man of human history. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
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CB3D;18
NO, The Superimposed View Is Biblically Incorrect!
The actual Bible data of Revelation does not support end-time views calling for the superimposing of the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls. Here's explicit reason why ...
< Coming Soon - Now continued after link immediately below >
But until our post, please review our Frequently Asked Question #33 by CLICKING HERE.
_ _ _ _ _ The blog now continues ... _ _ _ _ _
Assuming some of you have given FAQ #33 a look over, it's fair to begin this commentary with this fact:
Irvin Baxter and/or Endtime Ministries has NOT responded to our letter dated 4/9/2012.
Here's one key reason (why) some offer the superimposed view:
They are, in part, trying to resolve the traditional Post-Trib conflict regarding the Church incurring the wrath of God. But what ends up happening is this: In seeking to bring resolution (to the problem of the Church experiencing God's wrath), they embrace even worse problems. They go from stuck (with some problems) to even stucker !
Instead, we encourage this: Moving from stuck tounstuck! CLICK HERE to view one step toward resolution.
Baxter's Endtime Ministries represents one (of many) end-time ministries which teach (or at the very least, used to teach) the (partial) superimposition interpretation of Revelation 6 - 16.
While our FAQ #33 offers textual data (i.e., explicit Bible information) against either the full or partial superimposed view - a presentation which also includes our insufficient warrant concerns - the following two Bible reasons provide additional evidence for rejecting the superimposed end-time viewpoints.
In general, SCRIPTURE teaches the Trumpets follow the Seals and the Bowls follow the Trumpets. This is not only seen to be the case in light of the actual progression of the book (Seals: chap- ters 6-8 ; Trumpets: chapters 8-11 ; Bowls: chapters 15,16) BUT is also seen in the data of the chapters introducing each end-time section.
So let's go to our authoritative Source for insight regarding Truth-based eschatology. Let's go to God's Word. This is what the Bible actually states ...
1. The Trumpets FOLLOW the Seals
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. The another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev. 8:1-6 ; NKJV)
In summation of one of the biblical teachings in the paragraph above:
The opening of the 7th Seal
~ provides the 7 angels with 7 trumpets (vs. 2) which ~ are then sequentially sounded - AFTER the Seals in that the 7th Seal brings on the 7 Trumpet blasts (vs. 6)
One could actually accurately say: "The seven trumpets comprise the seventh seal or at the very least, immediately follow the opening of the seventh seal."
2. The Bowls FOLLOW the Trumpets
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested." After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." (Rev. 15:1 - 16:1 ; NKJV)
In summation of one of the biblical teachings in the paragraph directly above:
Sequentially, the Bowls of Wrath as revealed in Rev. 15, 16 follow the 7th Trumpet of Rev. 11.
Given the historical parenthetical chapters (Rev. 12:1 - 14:13), the end-time chronology resumes in Rev. 14:14ff.
The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering of the Church takes place (Rev. 11:15-18 & Rev. 14:14-16) AND those left behind then experience the Wrath of God (Rev. 14:17 - 16:21).
May we be willing to allow the pertinent Bible passages to say what they actually say and, in so doing, build our eschatological house on the foundation of God's True Word.
Please note: The three end-time chapters - the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls - each finish up with a similar (but clearly different) finale!
Rev. 8:5 closing the Seals Rev. 11:19 closing the Trumpets Rev. 16:17-21 closing the Bowls
But this will be, Lord willing, yet another future blog.
April's Commentary Blogs
CB4A;18
[ The following is taken from the "March 24" devotional prayer reading found in The One Year Book of Bible Prayers ; The Livingstone Corporation for Tyndale House Publishers ; 2000 ]
Proper Perspective
Is it not the Most High who helps one and harms another? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven and say, "We have sinned and rebelled, and you have not forgiven us." Lamentations 3:38-42 [NLT - also see I John 1:8-10]
If we can read Lamentations without having our pride pierced, we may have hardened our heart toward God. In this prayer, Jeremiah attacks our tendency to call God to account for his actions. All too often, we presume to be the judge of God's ways, yet we avoid examining our own sinful ways. The weeping prophet points out the cost of such behavior: We miss God's forgiveness. The problem isn't God's punishment but our unwillingness to repent. Today, consider the ways you have sat in judgment of God. In prayer, submit your own heart to the Lord's scrutiny, and confess to him all that he brings to mind.
[ Suggested prayer beginning: ] Dear Lord, help me to examine and test my ways ...
NOTE: This blog opens the door of concern we have regarding yet another incorrect teaching of an end-time theme by the Cult of Unbiblical Grace movement. For a clear example of another false teaching of some (not all) of the Free Grace folks - one teaching we (and others) are raising - one which actually sounds inviting upon initial read BUT which fails to honor the full Counsel of God's Word (and which commits the fallacy of the excluded middle) - CLICK HERE.
More on this pressing issue in June, Lord willing.
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CB4B;18
WHY Don't We RUN ?!
Question: Why don't we RUN FROM the ugly fruits of the world, the flesh and the devil and instead RUN TO the One True YHVH God and all the sweet wonder in Him and Him alone?
Answer: I Can Only Imagine ... (please catch this movie!)
Considering worldview ABCs and some light/dark contrasts between two opposing paradigms ...
Awful Attitudes of the anti-theists
VS Attractive Attitudes of biblical faith
Bankrupt Secular Perspectives VS Beauty of Life in Jesus Christ
Corrupt Actions of the lost VS Creative Care of our Maker
Deeds and Destructive Dogmas of fallen mankind VS Delightful Truths of the eternal, holy God
Errors of Darkness VS Excellent Ways of Light through Jesus Christ
Failures of agnostic governments VS Fragrant Freedom of balance in YHVH God
Greed of man VS Glory and Grace of the Savior Hateful Acts of the wicked one VS Heavenly Fruits of the Spirit of God Insignificance of the material/temporal VS Indescribable radiance of the eternal in Christ Judicial Evil VS Justice of the loving Creator Killings of today VS Kindness beyond imagination Loss of dignity VS Lavish Position in Jesus Christ
Man-defined Morals VS Magnificent Divinely revealed Morals Neo-Darwinian Myth VS New Life found only in the Resurrected Savior Odorous Obstinacy VS Ongoing Obedience Pride-based Rebellion VS Precious Pride in Christ alone Quitters in bondage VS Quiet, joy-yielding Submission
Rebellious Ridicule VS Righteous Humility
Sinful Living VS Sacrificial Servants Trouble-Makers VS Truth-Tellers
Unthankful Underlings VS Uncompromised Saints Voluntary Puppets VS Valued Ambassadors White-washed Tombs VS Worthy Workers Xtremely Blind VS Xtraordinarily New-Born Yawning Deceived VS Yielded Yearlings Zealous Servants of Darkness VS Zealous Servants of Light
Question: So why don't we RUN to God and all His beauties?
Answer: I can onlyimagine, yes, BUT it doesn't have to end with our (greatly limited) ponderings! God's WORD offers further clarity IF we would exercise humility of spirit enough to allow our eyes to be opened as we read its pages - allowing the Holy Spirit of God to illumine our minds OUT OF the dark pits of the perspectives of the world, the flesh and the devil.
May God help us better discern the deceptions so many are currently in bondage to - for our protection, for the sake of the many lost souls (still seeking an eternal peace which only God can provide) and ultimately, unto His glory and praise.
Thy Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path! Psalm 119
We have produced a 3rd printing of the 1st edition of our book, The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction and would encourage you to request your improved copy (free postage).
Please send your order request to:
Endurance Ministries P.O. Box 92098 Portland, OR 97292
and include your $33 check (to "Endurance Ministries") when you place your order. (see additional ordering information below)
To place an Amazon order for the initial 2009 release: CLICK HERE
To place an order through Endurance Ministries (through which you will receive the improved 3rd printing edition), CLICK HERE
May's Commentary Blogs
CB5A;18
A Big-Picture Heavenly Perspective
[ The following is taken from page 138 of Charles Spurgeon's Spurgeon's Evening by Evening - 2007 by Alistair Begg (ed.) and Crossway Books. ]
_ _ _ _ _
All the days of my service I would wait. Job 14:14
A short stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so enjoyable as work; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine that sparkles in the golden bowls of heaven. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render more glorious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world. We would not have full fellowship with Christ if we did not sojourn for a while below, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the same if we would share His king- dom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the sorest sorrow is a light price by which to procure it. Another reason for our lingering here is for the good of others. We would not wish to enter heaven till our work is done, and it may be that we still have a part to play shining as light in the dark wilderness of sin. Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God's glory. A tested saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King's crown. Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a protracted and severe trial of his work and his triumphant endurance of the ordeal without giving in or giving up. We are God's workmanship, and He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honor of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. Let each man surrender his own longings to the glory of Jesus and declare: "If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth. If to live on earth forever would make my Lord more glorious, it should be my heaven to be shut out of heaven." Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patience until the gates of pearl shall open. _ _ _ _ _
Please discern: The Cult of Unbiblical Grace fails its advocates because this false teaching rejects the full Counsel of God's Word, including some biblical principles highlighted in Spurgeon's appeal above.
May we stop "cherry picking" (as Emily terms it in the Flying Blind DVD) only the Bible Truths we like; may we embrace God's heavenly worldview perspective, not one which we, in pick-and-choose fashion, create in contrast to all of His Truths forever settled in heaven.
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CB5B;18 [ FB ]
Evidence In Support Of The REALITY Of The Supernatural
Do you recall the 1997 movie, Contact ?
In this conditioning film we find so many dark appeals, including ones which echo the dark one's agenda: To foster the attitudes, Has God said? and He has NOT said!
Many examples of dark appeals are packaged in this big-picture/ DVD medium. We'd like to highlight only one in this blog.
At least 3 times - repetition for the sake of emphasis, perhaps? - in the film we find this idea (in relationship to the vastness of the heavens) :
"If humanity is the only group of extra intelligent beings in the universe, there sure seems to be a lot of wasted space."
Here's how the movie literally presents it ...
1. Older Ellie (Jody Foster) - at the end of the film - is instructing a group of kids, one of which who asks, "Are there other people out there in the universe?" - to which Ellie responds: " ... The universe is a pretty big place. It's bigger than anything anyone has ever dreamed of before. So if it's just us, it seems like an awful waste of space ... right?"
2. The postmodern spiritualist, Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey) says to Ellie, "Well if there wasn't [other intelligent life in the universe], it'd be an awful waste of space."
3. Ellie's dad, the scientist (David Morse) says to young Ellie - during the introduction of the film - "If it is just us, it seems like an awful waste of space."
I think they're trying to message us something here!
Notice: By their very confession, they seem to be open to the idea that there are other intelligent beings in the univserse .. but surely NOT YHWH God! What inconsistency indeed.
The Word of God foretells great deception in the days of the end - our days! It predicts global animosity toward the one true God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - and His people. It warns against falling into the bondages of demonic end-time deception.
In relationship to the Contact film, Ellie commits fallacy of the excluded middle by simply rejecting - willful self deception - certain viable hypotheses concerning the WHYS of the vastness of the universe.
She rejects Creator and creation for the naturalistic (yet cosmic) origins' myth, even evidencing her view by indirectly saying (that is, inferring), if God created only us, He sure wasted space ... so God doesn't really exist - poor warrants in support of the agnostic, atheistic or antitheist viewpoints, to be sure.
But, IF she had only been more fair-minded and had opened the pages of the holy Bible - to at least consider Creator, natural revelation (creation) and special revelation (God's Word) - she would have discovered NO wasted space at all! Actually, IF Ellie would have considered and personally accepted this answer to her passionate inquiry searching for something transcendent to man, her most desired longings would have been satisfied. By the way, this transcendent One has taken initiative to contact us and has clearly revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. God is so good, merciful and gracious to humanity but offers these good things on His terms.
So I plead: D e a r Ellie, pleaseconsider the goodness of Creator God whereby you can find true, eternal fulfillment which you so passionately seek! Be open to the glorious, transcendent One through Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords!
As explicitly stated in the Bible, God created the glorious vastness of the heavens for multiple reasons!
1. The heavens declare the glory of God - Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the fimament shows His handiwork. (vs. 1)
2. The universe illustrates God's GREATNESS above man - Is. 55
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are highter than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (vv. 8, 9)
3. The vastness of heaven provides yet another picture of God's mercy and grace toward those who accept His provision in/ through Jesus Christ His Son - Ps. 103
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (vv. 11, 12)
There you have it - viable divine explanations (from God's Word) concerning some of the WHYS of the vastness of the universe.
The recent - say the past 20+ years - big-screen attacks against biblical Truth are blatant. Actually, they demonstrate/evidence the reality of God, Jesus Christ and spiritual existence. Some respond in rejection of His many infallible proofs - Acts 1:3 - while others are wiser and go on to better discern the binding deceptions offered by the spirit of the age. (And by the way, hostility toward the one true God and His people is only going to increase. Are YOU prepared for this next decade which will bring further fulfill- ment of Bible prophecy before Jesus Christ's final-trumpet rapture gathering of His Church?)
Some would respond, But Jon, this film was presented over 20 years ago! Exactly! End-time conditioning through spiritual darkness and its promotion of the one world system of anti- christ is well underway. It has been for decades now. Are YOU diserning the present signs? The glorious initial appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ - marking the beginning of the Day of the Lord - is closer than many discern.
How might we respond to these cultural presentries ?
May we respond, in part, like King David ...
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. ... Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalm 103:1, 2, 21, 22 ; NKJV)
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CB5C;18
Yet Another Call For Endurance
[ The following is taken from page 150 of Charles Spurgeon's Spurgeon's Evening by Evening - 2007 by Alistair Begg (ed.) and Crossway Books. ]
_ _ _ _ _
... later ... HEBREWS 12:11
How happy are tested Christians, later. There is no deeper calm than that which follows the storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-accomplished soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty,* we sit down in the arbor to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing hulls of the ships upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them "later." It is peace, sweet, deep peace, that follows the horrible turmoil that once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. Consider, then, the happy condition of a Christian! He has his best things last, and therefore in this world he receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are "later" good things, hard plowings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and he becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what will be the full vintage of joy "later" in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid that the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then ? Oh, blessed "later" ! Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown that comes afterwards? But here is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but "later." Wait, my soul, and let patience have her perfect work.
* Pilgrim's Progress _ _ _ _ _
May we be willing to live in the context of God's faithful tomorrow-promises whereby our sufferings in Christ today are discerned in such a way we reject the temptation to fall away from the faith - a falling away the Bible also calls "apostasy."
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A NOTE regarding our next blog ...
In our February, 2018 commentary blog (CB2D;18) we highlighted crucial end-time THEMES unfolding in global culture today. Please view this important blog.
In this May, 2018 commentary blog we are highlighting, in similar fashion to blog CB2D;18 (and weekly blogs: B1;18 - B13;18), CHRONOLOGICAL end-time concerns.
Although we posted End Time Waves of Bible Prophecy years ago - CLICK HERE for a recent repost of this fun handout - we discern the need to further elaborate on the 2nd Wave this Spring Quarter.
Due to the 15 (ct.) Wave 2 entries on the CB3C;18 handout linked immediately above, we've created a separate "Wave 2" document.CLICK HEREto view this new, most helpful Wave 2 discipleship handout.
CB5D;18
[ To get the most out of the blog below, please:
1. Hard-copy PRINT this 2-page (possibly 3-page) document. In other words, print this "CB5D;18" blog at this time ; then, 2. Click the "weekly blog posts" link immediately below whereby you can read biblical data on important end- time chronology as you read through your hard copy of the commentary blog which follows. ]
A BIG-PICTURE, End Time Reality Check - Part 2
To be honored with the privilege of being a part of the unfolding of end-time Bible prophecy is such an awe-filled blessing. God is faithful to His Word!
The following brings a wee bit of commentary to our 2nd Quarter weekly blog posts (after clicking, scroll down to our 2nd Quarter blogs):
As was the case concerning prophetic details about the 1st Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible includes scores of chronological predictions detailing His 2nd Coming. The Word of God is indeed miraculously forever powerful and true - see blogs B14;18 & B17;18.
In its (that is, the Bible's) pages, we find clear end-time predicted signs which foretell Christ's soon coming. While some of the early signs have already taken place, additional signs are unfolding today!
A couple fair questions emerge at this juncture:
Yes, the Bible's predictions are amazing, but ... What's on the near horizon, biblically speaking? What will be taking place this next decade?
Here are some key prophetic events which need to be included on the what's next page of the Bible's end-time calendar (not always listed below in exact chronological order given the explicit Bible data with which we have to work) :
~ The 3rd Seal of Revelation 6 will be broken/opened. (see blog B18:18)
~ According to Daniel 7, ten kings will be a part of the final (end-time) global system. (see B15;18) Three of these kings will be plucked out / subdued - vv. 8, 24 - by the little horn (the antichrist). B16;18This action will also help discerning people know the debut of the antichrist. (see B19;18)
~ The "exactor of tribute" (the tax imposer) of Daniel 11:21 will also be tied to an event which immediately precedes the revealing of the antichrist - see blog B21;18. Because our God is great (B17;18- repetition for the sake of sincere emphasis), knows the future (B20;18) and because He cares for humanity, He has forewarned us about eternally significant events which will put all mankind - living in those days (coming this decade!) - in great harms' way. BEWARE!
The predicted signs, which will indeed unfold due to God's faithful Word, will continue ...
~ The Daniel 9:27 Covenant will prompt even greater tribulation, eventually even war against God's Saints. (see blog B23;18)
~ The setting up of the Abomination of Desolation will unleash a period of time the Bible calls the "great tribulation." (see blog B24;18)
AFTER the daily sacrifices are taken away (this is yet future to this blog ; around the time the Covenant is made), a three-and-a-half year period of great opposition against God's people - including both Old and New Covenant Saints - will unfold. (Daniel 12:11 teaches a period of 1,290 days takes place between the taking away of the daily offerings and the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation.)
Once the Abomination of Desolation is set up - toward the tail end of the war against the Saints - great tribulation will unfold, but only for a short duration - possibly until the 1,335th day of Daniel 12:12. (also see Mt. 24:22 as to the supernatural shortening of the great tribulation)
WOW!
Call: Those who affirm the present-day realities and the soon-coming events mentioned above are called to respond to these things - in part - in two ways:
1. Let's consider practical actions in light of these things, for our personal well being - CLICK HERE and note the right column for YOU to fill in ; 2. Let's be in His Word for present-day insight as to how best to live for Christ Jesus this next decade - see blog B25;18.
Jesus Christ calls His people to be ready for His return. We can excel in this by heeding His Counsel found in His Word. May we be doers of His Word, and not hearers only - see Revelation 1:1-3 which includes this exhortation tied to His special blessing: " ... and KEEPS those things ..." unto His glory and praise and unto our best interests!
June's Commentary Blogs
CB6A;18
Faulty ASSUMPTIONS Can Kill Us ... Or ...
Faulty assumptions can kill us, or, at the very least, they could move us toward a posture-of-perspective which potentially puts us in harm's way.
~ Introduction
Most of us tend to think our dearly held beliefs ... our points of view ... and the convictions we hold, etc., are right - especially if these mindsets and attitudes have been in place for some time. But what IF we're wrong? Or IF our understandings need refinement? Or IF errors need correcting?
How do we get to the place before our Lord God where His Spirit will reveal the issues ... open our eyes and ears and hearts and minds to know and understand His Truths rightly? Perfectly?
Recalling many of these blogs - including this one - are especially intended for sincere followers of Jesus Christ ...
For sure, we think you'd agree that genuine desire to know and live His Word, humility of spirit, earnest prayer and diligently seeking His face day by day must all be a part of the equation of walk with God. So with all of these elements highlighted, let's look more deeply into what He has to say about crucial end-time sign events.
Let's consider, in this blog, the timing as to WHEN the 1. Birth Pains of Matthew 24:4-8 begin taking place; 2. Seals of Revelation 6 begin taking place.
So as to avoid losing our way, we need to reiterate this: It must be the Word of God which serves as our reliable guide in this inquiry. This means, in part, we affirm the clearly stated information of the pertinent texts and avoid wandering on the paths of interpretive speculation.
~ This blog's main point exemplified ...
The following is another factual, biblical observation which serves to at least question this dangerous assumption:
"From a futurist's perspective, the main bulk of eschatological themes and events takes place during a final 7-year period commonly referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel."
The quote above is NOT taught in Scripture. It is, what we believe on the grounds of Bible data, a faulty assumption which, if indeed incorrect, puts folks who hold this non-biblical tenet in grave danger of being ill-prepared.
"How so?" one might fairly ask.
We'd like to use the Pre-Wrath Rapture view as the position which seems to hold this view - this assumption. We do so because this view teaches, specific to the quote above, extra- biblical tenets which actually do foster ill-preparedness.
For example, have you read the first part of the new series (in Zion's Fire magazine) titled "Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not?" (March/April, 2018 edition)
If you have, did you discern one (of multiple) extra-biblical assumptions in the view as diagrammed on pages 12 & 13 of the article ... also taught on their diagram of the Pre-Wrath Rapture position at the bottom of page 9 of the same magazine edition?
The view teaches the "Beginning of Sorrows" begins when the antichrist signs the Daniel 9:27 Covenant. BUT this is an extra-biblical - we believe an un-biblical - presumption!
NOwhere in the whole of Scripture do we find the teaching that the birth pains of Mt. 24:4-8 begin at the time of the signing of the Covenant.
Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches there is a time of birth pains, yes, BUT never teaches this "time of sorrows" is a part of the final 7-year period before His 2nd Advent to the earth - NEVER.
This faulty assumption - again, that the birth pains are a part of the 7-year end time period (Daniel's 70th Week) - of the Pre-Wrath advocates is dangerous for this very reason:
It fosters an attitude and/or postures folks toward a state of ill-preparedness due to a false assumption concerning early signs.
Again, "How so?" one could (and should) ask.
MANY today believe the end-time birth pains of Mt. 24 are already upon us. In light of global signs, this view (that the time of sorrows has already begun) is most viable - that yes, indeed, the end-time birth pains have begun and continue to unfold today.
And yet, the Daniel 9:27 Covenant has NOT been signed to date. This Covenant signing is a yet-future event!
We raise this concern because we sincerely care about our Lord's instructions to be ready in light of the signs. As the initial signs come/unfold, there are other signs which follow - signs taking place before the initial appearing of our Lord Jesus as accounted in Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 6:14-17.
We care for God's people in Jesus Christ who have been called to be rightly ready for our Lord's return.
If we believe the birth pains are NOT upon us today (one of the assumptions we're questioning in this blog), what does our Lord mean when He teaches these are early end-time signs?
These birth-pain signs precede :
1. the tribulation of Mt. 24:9-22 2. the astronomical signs of Mt. 24:29 3. the sign of the Son of Man in Mt. 24:30 and 4. the trumpets of Revelation 8 - 11.
The above signs take place before His final trumpet rapture gathering of His Church, a gathering which occurs at the last trumpet! (see I Cor. 15:51, 52; Mt. 24:31; Rev. 11:15ff and 14:14-16)
But this is only the first faulty, unbiblical assumption of the Pre-Wrath position. We present a fair second observation (citing a second extra-biblical presupposition):
In fairness to the Pre-Wrath advocates, we should restate our source: The following is also diagrammed in the March/ April 2018 edition of Zion's Fire :
The two-page Pre-Wrath chart places the Seals in such a way as to teach the assumption with which we're concerned - namely, that the Seals, in this second example, begin at the time the Covenant is signed. BUT what does our authority for faith and practice explicitly teach?
The Bible NEVER teaches the early Seals of Revelation 6 take place during Daniel's 70th Week! This is yet another assumption on the part of the Pre-Wrath (PW) advocates.
Once again, these 2 popular but faulty assumptions are:
1. the time of sorrows begins when the Covenant is signed and continues to unfold during Daniel's 70th Week ; 2. the Seals begin to be opened when the Covenant is signed and continue to be opened during Daniel's 70th Week.
It's here where we make a simple appeal:
Our claim (that the first part of these 2 premises are incorrect) can be easily rebutted! Simply show us EXPLICIT Bible evi- dence that our observations - that these two assumptions are just that, assumed without biblical warrant - are incorrect. In other words, all the PW advocates need to do in response to this concern is to provide Bible data which confirms their assumptions! Pretty easy to do IF there are clear biblical passages which teach their PW view! But there are NOT!
WHY do we raise this concern regarding end-time, extra- biblical assumptions ?
Think about it, please. IF the birth pains and early Seals begin to unfold BEFORE Daniel's 70th Week - which some, with evidence, are suggesting and which are unfolding in global culture today - then one's end time view is changed such that one would live differently, today, given the signs taking place all around us!
As we have stated in past blogs and in our handouts which we provide during our live presentations, we prepare according to the end-time view we espouse! Our Lord calls us to prepare rightly.
One question before we conclude:
Do we prepare correctly - on the basis of an explicitly Bible-based end time view?
~ Conclusion
May we be humble in spirit enough to go back to our Lord's Word for instruction as to living for Jesus Christ during these end of days - days just prior to the final 7 years as outlined in our proposal (for prayerful and exegetical consideration). CLICK HERE for the proposal.
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CB6B;18
We KNOW ! - Rejecting The Bondages Of Dumb-Down
When will we know - biblically speaking - some of the popular end- time positions are incorrect ?
1. Preterit We know - today - this view (including both full and Eschatology partial preterism) is incorrect as an end-time view because Jesus Christ has not yet returned and because the end-time signs (as explicitly informed by biblical Truth) are unfolding - today!
2. Traditional We know - today - this view is incorrect due to the Post-Trib faulty definition of Daniel's 70th Week which most Post Tribulationalists often embrace. The historical Post Tribulational end-time view is incorrect because Jesus Christ teaches this: There are end-time events which follow the close of the tribulation. Click Here for specifics.
3. Evolving Note: The "We Have A Problem" diagram (posted at Pre-Trib the "Click Here" link immediately above) also Rapture applies to most Pre-Trib positions, though some changes in the general position continue taking place.
We know the Pre-Trib view is incorrect because the Word of God speaks to the contrary. For examples, Click Here.
We will also further know this view is incorrect when the antichrist makes his public debut and the real (that is, the biblical) tribulation and great tribulation against the elect unfold. This is a period of time which will also include "the war against the saints." When the little horn / man of lawlessness comes on the scene, the Church will further know, without doubt, the Pre-Trib Rapture view is incorrect. Please note: Some within the worldly church will deny the antichrist due to great deceptions unfolding during this time. Some will deny we are in the tribulation period though the Bible evi- dences (that is, cultural signs in light of biblical data) will be clear. Don't listen to these false teachers which the Bible predicts will appear!
4. Pre-Wrath We will know this view is incorrect when the Rapture Rapture fails to occur immediately after heavenly signs take place. (see Mt. 24:29, 30 ; Rev. 6:12-17) In other words, when, 1) the astronomical signs (of Mt. 24:29 and Rev. 6:12, 13) appear, followed by, 2) the Sign of the Son of Man (Mt. 24:30 and Rev. 6:14-17) ... when these two heavenly events are NOT immediately followed by the Rapture event, then we will know, without doubt, the Pre-Wrath Rapture view is also incorrect.
In seeking to be fair, we go on to ask the same question about the Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering view: When will we know the Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering position is incorrect?
We will know the Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering is incorrect IF the rapture happens before the tribulation and great tribulation of Mt. 24:9-22. We will also know this view is incorrect IF the rapture fails to take place at the last of the Revelation trumpets - before the bowls of wrath are delivered. (see I Cor. 15:51, 52 and Rev. 11)
We conclude this commentary blog with this familar, practical question: WHY do we raise these fair concerns?
We do so because we sincerely care! We do so because we have been called by God to be ready, informed by a TRUE eschatological perspective. Incorrect end-time views lead to ill-preparedness. For example, ponder yet another popular end-time view: Pan-Mil / Pan-Trib, a view often teaching it will all pan out in the end so we don't have to concern ourselves with end-time matters. WOW! How many will be unprepared - who will fail to watch as our Lord has clearly Counseled - in the context of this faulty, half-truth perspective!? Our Lord tells us to be ready for His return and this includes our being ready for the early part of the Day of the Lord when the trumpet blasts occur.
May we be ready and watchful in light of God's explicit caring Counsel to His sheep in Christ. May we heed His instruction to watch! Our Lord was so clear in Mark 13:37 and Rev. 2 & 3 (especially note Rev. 3:2, 3) !
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CB6C;18
Balancing God's Full Counsel
It surely is the case that we KNOW in part!
The following is our meager attempt at affirming God's full revelation regarding only one harmony-of-Scripture matter. Please extend grace knowing Romans 11:33 also applies to the deep topic of eternal security and apostasy.
A. Given God's sheep are secure - no one is able to snatch them out of His hand (that is, Jesus Christ's and the Father's hand - John 10:27-30) ;
B Given false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mt. 24:24) ...
Given the A & B premises above AND
C. Given apostasy (that is, falling away from the faith) is an end-time Bible Truism (I Tim. 4:1 ; Mt. 24:10 ; II Thes. 2:1-12 ; et al.) ; and
D. Given the statement by the third angel, "... If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:9b-11 ; NKJV) ...
Given A, B, C & D above, a fair question emerges:
How are we to understand eternal security in light of the passages above (and others) which state one can suffer shipwreck of faith ?
Isn't this a great question !?
Here's our initial answer, but please discern more could and should be said in order to bring a more thorough answer and please also discern there are multiple ways to go about addressing this concern. Here's our introductory answer given we've once again been asked this question.
1a. We believe ALL of God's Word is Truth (Ps. 119:89, 160) 1b. We must affirm the full Counsel of God's Word is true as outlined in II Tim. 3:16, 17 and NOT "pick and choose" portions of Scripture according to our personal liking and reject other portions of God's revelation - one's we don't like. 2. We must confess we see through a glass darkly.
Here are 3 ways, in general, Christians respond to the issue of the security of the believer and apostasy ...
~ There are those who accept eternal security BUT who go on to reject the Bible passages which teach some who claim to be eternally saved followers of Jesus Christ will not get into heaven (because they were never, in reality, born anew or due to apostasy) but will instead exist eternally in the Lake of Fire.
Are these folks - who accept eternal security but who reject the apostasy passages - presenting the full Counsel of biblical Truth?
NO Why? Because they pick and choose which Scriptures they agree with but reject other passages for various reasons. This includes misinterpreting falling away passages in such a way as to try to fit their once saved ; always saved belief.
This is a dangerous perspective to hold!
~ There are others who accept the passages which teach some will fall away from the faith - including those who claim to be saved but aren't, etc. - BUT who go on to reject eternal security.
Are these folks - who accept apostasy but who reject the passages teaching eternal security - presenting the full Counsel of biblical Truth?
NO Why? Because they, too, pick and choose which Scriptures they agree with but reject other passages for various reasons. Once again, this includes wrongly twisting eternal security texts.
This, too, is a dangerous perspective to hold!
~ Here's a third way some balance the many facets of biblical salvation - and it's our simple answer here - though, once again, a lot more could and ultimately should be said.
We address this issue in the context of end-time dynamics - two examples are highlighted below:
RE: eternal security and the mark of the beast ...
In light of Rev. 14:8-11 and Bible passages teaching the security of the believer, we conclude:
God's people who are indeed elect / truly saved will NOT take the mark, for "anyone" who takes the mark is doomed to live eternally in the Lake of Fire. Simply put: God's TRUE elect (living in the end of days) will not, EVER - no exceptions - take the mark once it is mandated by the beast of Rev. 13. NB: Think about the HUGE practical obedience steps on this matter - do so because, in reality, eternity is a l o n g time!
RE: God's sovereign election and man's freedom to choose deception unto the falling away from the faith ...
Simply put, we need to acknowledge the full Counsel of God's Word when it comes to the progressive nature of salvation by God. It includes justification, sanctification, glorification and a host of other facets - all of which must be affirmed. In our betrothed state (until the marriage of the Lamb to His bride takes place - highlighted/addressed in Rev. 19 of all places!), our husband-to-be allows some betrothed to choose unfaithfulness whereby they walk away - they apostatize, similar to Adam and Eve who walked away in disobedience from God in the garden. Ah, yes, in the context of this understanding, Phil. 2:12, 13 and other passages teaching the reality of progressive salvation by God make sense!
Is this third answer - our answer (incomplete to be sure!) - present- ing / affirming the full Counsel of biblical Truth?
Yes Why? Because we acknowledge and submit to the whole of Bible revelation (and avoid picking and choosing - an act which can easily lead one to dangerous partial truth). Remember, satan uses this half-truth approach all the time.
Putting this matter another way ...
So another great question arises at this juncture:
How are we to understand these passages - the ones mentioned in A, B, C & D ? How do they fit together without becoming a contradiction?
Here's what we teach through our Endurance Ministries' ministry efforts:
1. We affirm the teaching of the security of the believer, as the Bible presents it, but don't necessarily agree with unbibilcal, man-made constructs of eternal security due to the actual data of the full Counsel of the Word of God.
2. In light of our affirming all of Scripture, we call people to heed the many passages in the Word which teach we are to endure in obedient faith (e.g., Rev. 14:12 - this verse is found in the immediate context of Rev. 14:8-11 !).
The whole of Scripture - not that we've covered it here - does indeed fit IF we allow it to say what it actually says. We simply need to follow our Lord's Counsel and confess childlike understanding. We are to apply Proverbs 3:5, 6 and lean not on limited, rational human understanding. [It's for this reason, in part, I am not a (man-based) systematic theologian but a biblical theologian.]
In this context ... With this perspective ...
... the full Counsel of God's Word is balanced such that we're NOT picking and choosing but we're accepting all of God's Truths forever settled in heaven.
We affirm the passages which teach some depart from the faith - they apostatize. We also affirm the passages which teach the security of the believer. And it's important to discern we are NOT talking about an issue that only has two sides (of a coin) or, as the phrase goes, both sides of the fence. A better analogy is a multi-faceted gem stone. Using this illustration, then, to describe the issue, we confess other biblical Truths enter into this equation. For example, we also need to affirm the many passages which speak to the conditional aspects of salvation. I know many folks don't like to do so - to acknowledge this - BUT if we truly desire a BIBLICAL doctrine of salvation, one which affirms the full Counsel of God's Word, we must also bow to these Bible passages which are cast in the subjunctive mood - the con- ditional mood - as opposed to the indicative mood. We need to be honest here and accept ALL of God's revelation, not parts. So yes, indeed, there are also many passages which use conditional language to describe one's saved state! (see Rom. 8 ; I Cor. 15 ; John 15:1-8 and Luke 8:4-15 - only a few examples of many which GOD has included His Word to bring about a full revelation concerning His salvation of mankind!) Ponder THIS facet of the salvation gem because it is factually included in the holistic doctrine of salvation by God. Once again: Ah! In this setting, Phil. 1:6 makes complete sense - God is our Savior and we must bow in obedience to His plan, one which includes active faith as modeled in Hebrews 11 and James 2 ... unto HIS glory and praise because He is the One at work in us toward fruits second to none. So let's walk in His Spirit as we've been told and stop walking in sin - a dangerous lifestyle given the many warning passages our Lord Himself graciously extends.
In closing, may we humble ourselves by placing our human reason beneath God's Truths - His Truths which are illustrated to be much above - what understatement! - man's. Thank You, Lord, for Isaiah 55:8-11! Further transform us into the image of Your dear Son as we allow Your Word to rule in our new lives in Christ Your Son, our Savior. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
July's Commentary Blogs
CB7A;18
May We BE ...
Our life actions spring forth from our being. It's difficult to have one (i.e., life action) without the other - being. Just what am I getting at here?
God exists ; in His existence, He acts.
In similar fashion to James 2:14-26, faith exists (in conscious beings) AND is expressed by action - vv. 17-20. We demonstrate our faith predominately through our life actions - thoughts, words and deeds.
This is tied to the theme of God's call: We are to be doers of His Word and not hearers only (Jms. 1:22) ; we are to love actively, even beyond mere words (I John 3:16-18).
So back to our title, May We BE ...
In our lives - that is, those lives which are devoted to following our Savior, Jesus Christ - we acknowledge both our being (who we are) and our life actions (what we do).
May we be, in our lives, those who consistently express our true selves by our actions. May we be contemporary followers of Jesus Christ who live, today, as the full Counsel of Scripture so outlines.
In seeking to be, let's review our appeals toward this end since the beginning of the year:
~ May we continue basking in His kind Word - CB1A;18 ~ May we endure in seeking God's clear Counsel - CB1B;18 ~ May we better discern ; may we delight in continued joy - CB1C;18 ~ May we do the both/and thing and affirm both aspects [that is, what the Bible is and the Bible's effects] of this most precious, eternal revelation-from-God gift - His Word - CB1D;18
~ May we better distinguish between the actual Word of God from that of words and opinions/interpretations of men - CB2A;18 ~ May we make NO provision for the flesh but rather take full advantage of His resources such that we endure unto His glory and praise - CB2B;18 ~ May we seek God's help in affirming the entire scope of His Word - CB2C;18 ~ May we praise the One who has graciously forewarned us about the days of the end just prior to His Son's return - CB2D;18
~ May we balance, among other things, these two things: 1. our acts which expose dangerous secular myths and, 2. our acts expressing humble tough love such that we're also willing to deal with false teachings within some churches today - CB3A;18 ~ May we encourage the fostering of biblical watchfulness - CB3B;18 ~ May we properly discern what's next and what's near on the biblical prophetic end-time calendar - CB3C;18 ~ May we allow the pertinent (to our day) Bible passages a fair hearing ... may we allow the Word to say what it actually says - CB3D;18
~ May we seek the Lord's help in more thoroughly examining the dangerous half-truths of the cult of unbiblical grace - CB4A;18 ~ May we, leaning on God's strength, better discern other current cultural deceptions - CB4B;18 ~ May we (at the very least) be willing to prayerfully and exegetically consider other explicitly biblical end-time proposals - CB4C;18
~ May we stop picking and choosing and simply accept the full Counsel of God's Word - CB5A;18 ~ May we be intruments of His praise - ones which bless His holy name - CB5B;18 ~ May we be those who reject the many incentives to fall away from the faith - CB5C;18 ~ May we be His Saints in Jesus Christ who take practical, life-action steps toward heeding His end-time Counsel - CB5D;18
~ May we be contrite in spirit such that we seek HIS clear instruction concerning being prepared to face the days prior to our final trumpet rapture gathering (if we don't go Home, first) - CB6A;18 ~ May we be ready and watchful as a result of heeding His precious end-time precepts - CB6B;18 ~ May we be humble enough to subject our reason to His powerful Word - CB6C;18.
Lord, may we be all that You've empowered us to be for the good purpose of bringing You glory, honor and praise during these end of days prior to Your Son's initial appearing! In Jesus Christ's name, amen.
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CB7B;18
Toward APPLYING Bible Principles
[ Please see Acts 15 and blog B28;18 as to setting the context for this commentary blog. ]
"The early church was well served by this meeting!" is an understatement. This meeting was crucial.
We believe communication,when done in a Christ-honoring way, is good.
In seeking to apply one of the principles of Acts 15 - that God's contemporary church (today) should also communicate about important matters ...
We bring this call:
As we did in 2014 when we initially posted this challenge - please see FAQ #60 , we call the church to be a part of communicating crucial, end-time Truths by participating in what we're calling, The Great Debate.
Our debate would include 4 Pre-Millennial views, each viewpoint being able (during the day of the debate) to ...
1. state / define the position they espouse ; and, 2. defend their position by fielding questions from the other presenters and from the audience.
The debate would look something like this (though not necessarily in the order so outlined below):
Pre-Trib Rapture advocate would state/define the view Pre-Wrath Rapture advocate would state/define the view Post-Trib Rapture advocate would state/define the view Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering advocate would state/define the view
Then, each presenter would take 3 questions from the other presenters - each question raising one "problem" of the position under consideration.
After the four position advocates have answered the questions from the other panel members, the audience would also be given opportunities to present questions.
Doesn't this sound like a meeting of this type could bring helpful under- standing - communication in the church - toward better clarity on end-time matters being discussed today?
Please email us (using the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page) IF you're interested in seeing a meeting like this take place.
It would be an excellent opportunity to disciple using God's explicit Truths forever settled in heaven - a discipleship moment which is so very needed as we walk further down the end-of-days path.
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CB7C;18
Batting 1,000
We are currently batting 1,000 (that is, 100%) after over 7,000 at bats since 1999.
By God's grace, we are able to correctly forecast some future events (and, in the case of this stat in this blog, we are also able to correctly deny claims tied to other future events) because our predictions are based on the explicit content of God's Word. We have no control over our prophetic announcements. In other words, we cannot fabricate their fulfillments.
At this juncture we'll simply repeat - in pertinent form - an earlier thus- says-the-Lord prophetic announcement:
The rapture of the Church will NOT take place in 2018, 2019 or 2020. ( see blog CB1C;18 ) This prediction unfolds in the context of daily fulfillment in this way: "The rapture will NOT take place today." This now two-and-a-half-year prediction is True in light of II Thes. 2:1-12, the books of Daniel and Revelation, Mt. 24 & 25 and, in general, in light of the full eschatological Counsel of God's Word.
So if we were to add - figuring from this month of July, 2018 - another 910 days (approx.) to our present at bat average (thereby including the rest of 2018, 2019 and 2020), we will, at the conclusion of 2020, still be batting 1,000 ... after over 8,000 at bats. (Each at bat when we step up to the prophetic plate, we seek a hit. Our prophetic hit is this: being accurate concerning our daily at-bat predictions that "Jesus Christ will not return today." We figure 1 bat/day due to the popular - but incorrect - view which teaches Jesus Christ could return any day.)
As we did in blog B24;17, we need to confess HOW IT IS we are able to bat 1,000 on this prophetic topic:
The entirety of God's Word is Truth (Ps. 119:160). As we allow His Word to say what it actually says, we evidence our Truth Foundation, which is this: God's Word. ANYONE could share the batting average we hold. Folks simply need to affirm the unadulterated Word of God and avoid mixing it with unbiblical opinions/interpretations of men.
It - the Bible - says what it means and means what it says, affirming the reality of various genres existing in the equation.
So don't look to us for Bible prophecy. Look to the Word of God. For starters, please go to blog B25;18 where our summer prophetic reading schedule is posted - "winter" schedule for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. :-)
May the Word of God enlighten you such that you are among those who "understand" - Daniel 11:32-35 - whereby you rightly discern the season. May His Spirit bring illumination as we endure in listening to YHVH God. May we apply what we learn and obey God's protective Counsel. Amen!
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CB7D;18
Hello Unbelieving World !
Everyone has faith. It's not only those who believe in Jesus Christ who confess faith is a real part of each member of humanity's experience. While Christians confess faith to be one dynamic of their worldview, secularists sometimes do not confess faith. In truth, though, the materialists also embrace faith in their worldview tenets and day-by- day practices. This is easy to demonstrate.
So allow us to depart for just one article - depart from blogging to a Christian reading audience. In this commentary blog we're speaking to those who have yet to place their faith in Jesus Christ whereby their eternal state might potentially move from eternal existence separated from God in the Lake of Fire to eternal life in God's presence, eventually in the glorious setting of the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem.
So here we go - our article to unbelieving readers ...
Dear open-minded reader,
Our Lord Jesus Christ said deception would increase before His return. We have seen specific predictions in the Word of God fulfilled in clear, miraculous ways, including prophecies about deception.
If this has caught your attention, please take further steps in considering God's other Truths, especially Truths about the gift of forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ's atoning death on the cross as He shed His blood on your behalf. Please CLICK HERE and read over our presentations of the Gospel. It really won't hurt you to do so. Perhaps it could help.
Do so before it's too late, for the Word of God teaches that there is a limited time to accept salvation from our Creator. He even states this: Eventually God will ... well, let me simply quote one passage, a passage which also includes end-time prediction:
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thes. 2:9-12 ; NKJV)
DON'T be a casualty of the spiritual warfare and continue in the binding deceptions of the dark one. One of his tactics is to operate covertly whereby those in bondage don't even discern their state. Satan is good at this given he's had over 6,000 years of practice.
PLEASE be open to Life Eternal by simply continuing to consider God's precious love gift to you. Again, look over our Good News web pages and email us if you have any questions. Our offer is fair. We'll even send you a Bible and a few fascinating DVDs if you reside in the continental USA - should you request them. Simply send us $5 to help cover our shipping fees. Send your gift to Endurance Ministries; P.O. Box 92098 ; Portland, OR ; 97292-2098. (Send a check, not cash.) If you email us, we'll return your email.
May eternal Father God open your heart to the blessings found only in Christ Jesus His Son. We sincerely love you in taking this time to bring this most important message. Thanks for reading!
August's Commentary Blogs
CB8A;18
God's BEAUTIES In Marriage
May YHVH God be praised. His glorious beauty is seen in so many of His creations. Let's touch upon marriage in this blog.
When Nancy and I were married - in November of 2002 - we gave our wedding guests a devotional book titled, The One Year Book Of Bible Prayers.
We are reading through this work again this year. The following daily devotional readings (June 25 - July 5) in this book highlight passages which address end-time Bible themes - ones which are most encouraging:
JUNE devotional titles
1. Looking To God For Mercy Psalm 123:1-3 2. Finding Strength In Times Of Trouble Isaiah 33:2, 3 3. Recognizing God's Greatness Psalm 135:5, 6, 13, 14 4. Interceding For Those Who Hurt Us Numbers 12:10-13 5. Deliverance From Death Psalm 69:14, 15
JULY devotional titles
1. Giving God Glory I Chronicles 16:29-33 2. Hannah's Prayer For A Child I Samuel 1:10, 11 3. Reminding Ourselves Of God's Greatness Psalm 86:8-10 4. Welcoming The King Of Glory Psalm 24:1, 2, 9, 10 5. Moses Praises The LORD Exodus 15:11-13
Please see our weekly blogs from B29;18 - B39;18. These blogs especially feature the Bible readings quoted in the late June and early July readings from The One Year Book Of Bible Prayers.
May God grant His rich blessing to others by moving Tyndale House Publishers (and The Livingstone Corporation) to run a second printing of this encouraging work.
We interrupt these commentary blogs with an important appeal using a current cultural affair ...
Yes ... EXACTLY !
Have you been listening to the news of late?
I have been taken back by socialist Democrat Ocasio-Cortez and her apparent unwillingness to debate. The appeals for debate have come from Ben Shapiro, Allie Beth Stuckey, Candice Owens and Kaya Jones, to name a few.
To date (FYI: I am writing this blog in mid August as we've been posting our commentary blogs early the past few months), Ocasio-Cortez has been unwilling to put her socialist views under scrutiny in the setting of a fair, non-biased debate format. WHY is this the case? Is it that her view is simply weak and that even (that is, fair) communication (offered through a structured debate format) is problematic in her eyes due to the weaknesses of her political position? What does history testify on this matter of socialist viability? What do present-day evidences say? Ocasio-Cortez, please debate in the setting of a free, open market!
Turning this topic of HELPFUL DEBATE to a different current cultural affair ...
WHY is it that folks who hold various Pre-Millennial views, it seems, don't want to debate in a fair context where the listening audience can see for themselves the strengths and weaknesses of the positions offered?
WHY is it that advocates of other end-time perspectives do not extend to laity - the general Christian populace - a blessing through a debate that would highlight the pros and cons of the positions being represented? Is it possibly the case that fear of unfavorable exposure would uncover the weaknesses of their views? Perhaps. Yes, let's be honest: Perhaps this is indeed the case.
So let's do the RIGHT thing and have a debate featuring four Pre-Mil end-time views. Let's bring the following viewpoints together (with some accountability through audience participation) and allow each view to define and defend the position being offered. Or is an event of this type too risky ?
The four end-time views would, as we're suggesting, include the following:
Pre-Tribulation Rapture Pre-Wrath Rapture Post-Tribulation Rapture Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering
As we've stated in an earlier blog, the early Church was willing to discuss crucial matters of its day. Given our present cultural concerns, why aren't we willing to talk over one pertinent, yes, most pressing matter today (in the setting where differing views exist)? We're talking about living out crucial discipleship today, not in the distant future!
Let's consider a "30,000-foot view" (that is, a big-picture view) and see this "Great Debate" happen. It would be to everyone's edification, those who seek biblical Truth anyway.
End-time Pre-Millennial advocates: Let's see this debate take place in the setting of the free, open market of ideas!
So we ask: Will the debate take place? *
Email us using the "Contact Us" link above and let us hear your vote to move forward with this eye-opening debate ... for our personal benefit, for the benefit of the lost who still need Jesus Christ, and ultimately for God's glory and praise.
"Why?" some may ask. Because Truth matters, especially Truth so helpful in better discerning some of the present cultural deceptions which bear eternal consequence.
May we all be willing to call for this crucial event.
* IF the debate doesn't happen, for one reason or another, would you seek helpful edifying discipleship by having us come to your local church and accurately present the views mentioned above in the setting of sweet conforming-to-Christ activity? Please contact us for more information.
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CB8B;18
From FUTURE To PRESENT
Using this chart [ Click Here ], we'd like to ask a question:
Given 1) preparedness applies to the Saints - who are to be about readiness until either their personal Homegoing or the final trumpet rapture gathering, whichever comes first - and given 2) we are also to be prepared for the days after the intial appearing of our Lord as we venture into the early part of the Day of the Lord - see I Thes. 5 - we ask [ here's our question: ],
How might we be ready for the days immediately following the (yet future to this blog) astronomical signs and the sign of the Son of Man?
In light of the setting or context of that (future) time, are there steps to take / actions to take - today - which are pertinent to our experiencing the Trumpets (where the false prophets and false christs of Mt. 24:23-26 are also doing their miraculous deceptions so as to mislead God's Saints who remain - that is, those who survive the three-and-a-half year war against the Saints) ... actions steps we need to take, even at this time?
We're not sure about particulars but we do feel it appropriate to follow the Counsel of I Thes. 5 and Mt. 24:23-26 in the context of Mark 13:37.
But let's move to - [ "From Future To Present" ] - concerns that are even closer to us than the issues which will arise during the period of the Trumpet blasts.
Let's consider some near-future concerns, things which will take place even before the Trumpets of Revelation 8 - 11. Let's do so through the means of asking yet another question:
Are we prepared - living today in light of our Lord's Counsel to be ready for future days - for the upcoming war against the Saints ?
This three-and-a-half year period will see many martyred for Christ. We bring to you - the reader - WISE words recently given in the March, 2018 theater release / June, 2018 DVD release movie, Paul: Apostle of Christ. (The context of the scene we'd like to highlight is this: Dr. Luke is in prison in Rome.)
When Luke tells those in prison with him, "There will be Games tomorrow" (the Games were also called the Circus where sincere followers of Jesus Christ enter the arena and are killed by beasts), when Luke tells them about their impending death, there is panic. After an immediate response by the prisoners to this announcement about the Games taking place the next day, Luke gathers the fearful Christians in the prison and insightfully brings this response to their panic: He says, "It will be a moment of pain ... but only a moment ... [ then, in a calm, peaceful way, again says, ] o n l y a m o m e n t ... then we shall be Home in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ forever!"
PRETTY COOL !
In light of a biblical wordview perspective, we, today, NEED to develop this mindset, for it is one MAJOR means our Lord gives us toward fulfilling His crucial mandate that we "endure to the end."
Again, it is CRUCIAL we further build this perspective personally.
If we could send you another DVD which highlights so many perspectival examples of past proper life-in-Christ mindsets so very appropriate for today, please send us $5 to help us cover shipping costs when you ask for your gift - the movie, Polycarp. Snail-mail us at:
Endurance Ministries P.O. Box 92098 Portland, OR 97292-2098
Please allow 3 weeks to process your request for this excellent discipleship (and Gospel) tool.
In closing ...
RE: the Homegoing of some members of our Family in Christ - even TODAY - REMEMBER:
"... It will be a moment of pain ... but only a moment - only a moment - then we shall be Home in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ forever!" For great encourage- ment, read Mt. 5:10-12 and Romans 8:18 ... thank YOU, precious LORD Jesus!
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CB8C;18
Counting It All JOY *
The following is taken from Spurgeon's Morning By Morning (revised and updated by Alistair Begg ; Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL 2007) ; pg. 205 ; bold emphasis in the middle of the article and [ bracket ] below are ours.
After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace ... will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. I Peter 5:10
You have seen the arch of heaven as it spans the plain: Glorious are its colors, and rare its hues. It is beautiful, but, sadly, it passes away, and the rainbow is no more. The fair colors give way to the fleecy clouds, and the sky is no longer brilliant with the tints of heaven. It is not established. How can it be? A glorious show made up of transitory sunbeams and passing raindrops - how can it remain? The graces of the Christian character must not resemble the rainbow in its transitory beauty but, on the contrary, must be established, settled, abiding. Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing. May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be built of material able to endure that awful fire that shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite. May you be rooted and grounded in love. May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires sincere. May your whole life be so settled and established that all the blasts of hell and all the stroms of earth will never be able to remove you. But notice how this blessing of being established in the faith is gained. The apostle's words point us to suffering as the means deployed - "After you have suffered a little while." It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree and those strange twistings of the branches all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way. So the Christian is made strong and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Do not shrink then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but [ instead, endureand ] take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.
* "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4 ; NKJV)
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CB8D;18
[ The following is the July 11th devotional read in The One Year Book of Bible Prayers ; 2000 ]
A Prayer For Discernment
I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles. Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your decrees. Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have broken your law. Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Truly, each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate very false way. Psalm 119:124-128 ; NLT
The trials and struggles in our lives often force us to turn some- where for help. Too often, however, we anxiously seek out any listening ear when we're confronted with a troublesome situation. The psalmist knew to turn to the Lord first for wisdom and discernment. He asked God, "Teach me your principles," and "Give discernment to me." He knew that living God's way would keep him from foolish actions and the path of destruction. That is why he committed himself to learning God's principles in the Scriptures and applying them to his life. What difficult situation are you facing? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it (James 1:5), so pray for God's discernment in your struggle and ask him to show you how to apply his wisdom to your situation.
Dear Lord, as your servant I ask you to give me discernment ...
May we abide in His mercies which endure forever - Psalm 136.
September's Commentary Blogs
CB9A;18
Responding To Matthew 24:9, 10
The information in this passage once again testifies to the accuracy of Bible prophecy. Please CLICK HERE for our specific message in this commentary blog.
May we better come under our Shepherd's protective care by heeding His Counsel to us! Amen
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CB9B;18
Where Are We ?
Let's set our present cultural context using this question:
Where Aren't We ?
We are not :
1. in the millennial reign of Christ on earth (which begins at His 2nd Advent) 2. in the period of the Bowls of Wrath 3. in the era of the Trumpet Blasts 4. currently experiencing the heavenly signs of Mt. 24:29, 30 or Revelation 6:12-17 5. living in the Great Tribulation (and please note what follows the Great Tribulation period: Mt. 24:23ff and Mk. 13:24ff) and, we are not 6. in the period of Daniel's 70th Week
So what comes before the final week of human experience prior to our Lord Jesus Christ's reign on earth?
Where Are We ?
We are currently living in the period of time when ongoing effects of the early end-time signs continue to unfold - see I Tim. 4:1 ; II Tim. 3:1-5 & 4:1-4 and Luke 21:8-11.
We are living in a unique moment, in the early part of the end-time period described in Matthew 24:9-14.
In light of our Lord's Counsel in Mk. 13:37 and Mt. 24:44-51, we are called to be ready in specific ways:
See our past posts for pertinent help: B15;16 & B17;16
God Counsels us to be materially, mentally and spiritually ready. His mandate that we be watchful and prepared needs to be better acted upon today.
Here are a few practical steps to take whereby we love and honor God by obedient action:
A. Promote a biblical mindset
(Note our modeling example [using a scene in the film, Paul: Apostle of Christ] as to building a mindset which better fosters resolve to say "NO" to compromise - see CB8B;18.)
Examples toward building a biblical mindset:
1. Take in pertinent data - revelation like Daniel 1, 3, 6 2. Establish your personal line which you are not willing to cross (To view our suggested minimal "cannot do" list, CLICK HERE.) 3. Meditate on Bible readings, especially fostering perspectival preparedness which is appropriate for our day 4. See some of our thematic blogs: Don't Blame God I Cor. 10:13
B. Promote love for God (John 14 - 16) by obedient action in response to His call to be materially prepared
Examples promoting love for God
1. Build a food closet for yourself and for others so as to meet upcoming opportunities in challenging days - e.g., food shortage - whereby Gospel and Discipleship actions are able to be better taken (because, for example, we have food when others become hungry) 2. Prepare for other challenging circumstances/experiences which are better met through acts of prior preparations 3. Keep reading God's Word - e.g., discern the many passages in God's Word which provide His Counsel as to how we, His Church, are to respond when false teachers, false christs and false prophets work their dark deeds 4. Other loving responses to His general Counsel might include what ?
C. Promote God-honoring fruits of Christ-enabled obedience by guarding our own personal spiritual walk with God
Examples toward action steps which foster the above
1. Spend time in His Word 2. Pray continually 3. Abide in God's Vine ; Walk in God's Spirit 4. Live consistently - be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves - James 1:22 ; Revelation 1:3.
May we love God through our grace-based walk of obedience. May we do so unto His glory and praise, unto our neighbor's best interests and even unto our best good. May we redeem the time, for the days are indeed evil in the face of Almighty Holy God.
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CB9C;18
I Wish ... I WISH ! (An in-today's-news blog)
I sure wish Christians had the resolve to endure in faithful commitment to Jesus Christ and biblical Truth ... but I confess, I'm skeptical. Let me clarify, please:
I am doubtful that many Christians-by-name will remain true ( assuming they ever were really born again when they first began professing Jesus ) given what I've heard and seen the past 10 years of front-line ministry in both college/university and church settings.
Brett Kavanaugh is an example (in a secular context) to those who have waffled and/or who are considering compromise of faith today. In spite of the warfare which he has experienced the past couple months ... in spite of the cultural pressures bearing down upon him, his commitment to sound judicial purity - in the context of commitment to our USA Constitution - is MOST commendable indeed. Continue standing tall, Brett Kavanaugh !
Christian-by-name only, listen carefully, for your eternal state is hanging in the balance ...
YOU need to cease conforming to this world and desist acting like satan's pawn!
Our Lord said, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46 ; NKJV) God calls TRUE Christians to be just that: Christ-like, NOT like the "another Jesus[es]" of apostate churches today!
May we bow to the Truths in God's Word which clearly warn about wolves in sheep's clothing. As He teaches in the same context of Luke 6, a tree is known by its fruit. God help us better discern the (satan-like) false accusers and false teachers of our day. May we mark these dark instruments. May we do so for our protection, for the sake of the lost-world members who are still reachable, and ultimately for the purpose of God's glory and praise.
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CB9D;18
Our Beloved Position In Jesus Christ
My wife and I have, in our TV stand, a large ceramic cross which quotes Romans 4:25 - 5:11. In the middle of the cross is a heart, on which, "FORGIVEN" has been written.
We, His Church, are graced with the imputed righteousness of Christ Jesus our LORD. AMAZING! Thanks be to YHVH God.
In honor of God and His full Counsel, we affirm these glorious Truths from the book of Romans. We also affirm His other revelation, revelation which includes these imperatives from Galatians 6:
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:7-10 ; NKJV ; emphasis ours)
JESUS CHRIST's "I have this against you" Counsel to much of today's church: Be DOERS of My Word and ABIDE consistently in your right- eous state. If you will not love Me through obedient walk, I will spit you out of My mouth and you will hear from Me on that great day of accounting, "Depart from Me you workers of iniquity."
We once again encourage the reading of Matthew 13, John 14 - 16, Romans 6 - 8 and Revelation 1 - 3.
Let's further ponder these Truths in a day where there is indeed much apostasy unto great sorrow. We are in harm's way at this very hour so let's continue to look to our Shepherd, the Author and Finisher of our faith, for the protective Counsel He's so kindly extended to His sheep.
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CB9E;18
Costly Unperceived NEEDS
We're NOT addressing perceived needs of individuals in this blog.
Instead, we're touching upon eternal matters tied to unperceived needs. Because so many do not discern their spiritual needs, most don't even seek after solutions which are readily available from Creator God, Jesus Christ.
This deception - namely, that folks don't need to address eternally consequential matters due to a Divine standard (one above their own limited worldview opinions) - will bring weeping and gnashing of teeth or, cast in more contemporary language, will bring great groaning on the day of accounting.
We wish to remind folks that we (at Endurance Ministries) have, by God's leading, lovingly informed our global community about both eternal concerns and spiritual matters pertinent for today. But we can only do so much in our ministry efforts. Our appeals need to be acted upon. In other words, the readers of His Word and our informative blogs need to respond to the Truths presented so as to bring solutions to present matters which are both temporal and eternal.
But honestly ...
Due to faulty perspectives, many don't even care about the cloaked ( but clear and present ) dangers. Allow us to tell a related story:
Years ago we featured Charles Stanley's, Confronting Casual Christianity book in a 6-week study we were offering at one of the college campuses we served. We actually decided against bringing the study because no one came to our introductory gatherings. Folks didn't even discern their limited opinions - which affect their daily living - whereby the needed corrections weren't even given a fair hearing. How sad!
In like manner, satan has, through a variety of deceiving voices, blinded the eyes of those who are in bondage to him. In fact, many mock those who call them to deal with crucial but unperceived needs. Many are so short-sighted they fail to show any interest in eternally significant matters. Again, this is so very sad, for eternity is a l o n g time. Yet, our Savior, Jesus Christ, has foreseen this - read Matthew 7:13-29.
In contrast to those who reject spiritual reality as graciously outlined by the Eternal One, those who say "YES" to His big-picture reality share this testimony:
Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, and sing thy great Redeemer's praise; He justly claims a song from me, His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
He saw me ruined by the fall, yet loved me not-with-standing all; He saved me from my lost estate, His loving-kindness, oh, how great!
Tho' num'rous hosts of mighty foes, tho' earth and hell my way oppose, He safely leads my soul along, His loving-kindness, oh, how strong!
When trouble, like a gloomy cloud, has gathered thick and thundered loud, He near my soul has always stood, His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale, soon all my mortal pow'rs must fail; Oh, may my last expiring breath, His loving-kindness sing in death.
Then let me mount and soar away to the bright world of endless day; And sing with raptures and surprise, His loving-kindness in the skies.
(Song title: His Loving-Kindness by Samuel Medley ; 1782)
May we - God's sheep in need - continue in the reading of His Word in this day when Truth has become offensive to much of the in- bondage-to-satan world. And may sincere truth seekers be willing to read God's love message to them. (We encourage you, if you're open-minded, to begin your reading in the Gospel of John.)
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CB9F;18
Squeaky Clean ?
This is yet another "THUMBS -UP," common-sense evidence citing for a YHVH- and Bible-centered worldview ... AND a strong "THUMBS-DOWN" response to the spiritually dark and secular one.
In a recent blog we contrasted God's beauties with the uglies of darkness - what a difference! CLICK HERE
We also have made reference to the world being a very satanic place - CLICK HERE for those details.
Here's our "THUMBS DOWN!!" appeal:
Common-sense folks, let's better discern the evil of some who make accusations (and some who support those who make these incomplete accusations) but who show NO mercy or grace to those who have changed and no longer walk in ways that are ungodly, hurtful or socially unacceptable. May the progressives be consistent and show kindness to others who have also reformed!
THUMBS DOWN to mercy-less accusers who contradict their very claims to be kind people. Let's call a spade a "spade."
NO, we don't want the way of life which these folks are calling for! It's the way of darkness; it's the way of the ungodly who show little to no mercy or grace to those with whom they disagree.
We don't want the fruits of rebellion which has, of late, so further divided our country!
Common-sense discerners: Satan is known to be an accuser and a rebel against light and truth. Some worldly voices are manifesting these very dark qualities today. Mark them and say "NO!" We don't want this darkness.
INSTEAD, we want mercy when we confess and repent. We value forgiveness when we need it - and believe you me, we ALL need it!
While God's ways are not our ways - Isaiah 55:8-10 - we do so appeciate His loving mercies which He graciously extends to those who would confess failure, receive pardon and seek change.
Indeed, God's worldview in Jesus Christ offers light, peace, joy, truth and love - THUMBS UP!
And, indeed, the worldview of darkness offers just that: darkness, accusatory unrest, despair, binding deception and hate.
Squeaky clean? No one is!
We face a crossroad today.
Will we embrace light, loving mercy, grace and truth - found only in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God - CLICK HERE for crucial details - OR will we choose deception, bondage to darkness, ugly (and, at times, false) accusation and judgment?
We have freedom to make choices and say no to darkness. Let's choose the right ones as we venture closer to the war against the Saints and Jesus Christ's glorious initial appearing.
October's Commentary Blogs
CB10A;18
Understanding I Corinthians 15:50-52
Please view THIS LINK for this commentary blog article.
May God be praised as we affirm His Word!
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CB10B;18
An Early WARNING To God's Church In Jesus Christ
We wish to go on record now so as to communicate years
before the event whereby folks can be adequately prepared
for a specific portion of the days of the end before our glorious
I Thes. 4 rapture gathering takes place. Because we genuinely
care for God's special creation (mankind), here's our passionate
warning:
There is a growing end-time view which teaches the Church
will be rapture taken after the sixth seal and just before the
seventh one - the final seal that comprises the trumpets of
Revelation 8 - 11. Here are three major problems (among
others) tied to this "Pre Wrath" teaching:
RE: Mental and Emotional preparedness ...
1. The view fails to discern the teaching from I Thes. 5 that we, the Church, it seems, are still on the earth as the Day of the Lord begins - at the initial appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. While we, the Church, do not incur the wrath of God as it is poured out through the bowls due to our Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering (at the seventh trump of Rev. 11:15ff), we believe the Church will be present on the earth during the first part of the Day of the Lord - when the trumpets of Rev. 8 - 11 take place. Because our Lord Jesus calls us to be ready and watch- ful, it is crucial we maintain the mindset we have been assigned: We are to endure to the end - enduring either until our death (Home-going) or until our gathering together to Him.
MANY will be greatly discouraged (if they have held the Pre Wrath view in a dogmatic way) when the rapture fails to take place immediately after the sign of the Son of Man in the sky. Sincerely, some will even despair when the rapture does not take place at the time the Pre Wrath folks teach. PLEASE read I Thes. 5 for necessary insights once the Day of the Lord begins.
RE: Discerning the seasonallylate false teachings ...
2. Our Lord Jesus calls His people to disregard the false appeals of the false christs and false prophets who rise up after the tribulation and great tribulation come to a close. Recall Matt. 24:23-26 which forewarns about the degree of deception these miraculous sign workers perform as they say, "Look, he is in the desert!" or "Look, he is in the inner rooms!" Our Lord clearly states we are not to believe their lies. Please read Matthew 24 and especially note the explicit end-time chronology our Lord brings! This round of false christs and false prophets takes place AFTER ("then") the close of the tribulation of Matthew 24:9-22.
The Pre Wrath folks' chronological time frame does not suffi- ciently allow for this period of false christs and false prophets. ( CLICK HERE and scroll down to blog B31;17 for further details.) The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering view, on the other hand, teaches these false christs and false prophets begin their false teachings shortly after the sign of the Son of Man (see Matthew 24:30 - an event which is also highlighted somewhat differently in Rev. 6:14-17). Note this initial appearing of our Lord takes place after the astronomical signs of Mt. 24:29 and Rev. 6:12, 13 - that which Joel 2 and Acts 2 also describe. Also note this fair appeal: The initial appearing of our Lord (Mt. 24:30; Rev. 6:14-17) in the sky - an appearing only - is a major reason why the false christs and false prophets can make the appeals they do! Read through our book ( The Final Trumpet Rapture Gathering: An Introduction ) which more thoroughly outlines this Bible-affirming chronology.
RE: Preparedness for the trumpet season ...
3. Given the Pre Wrath position rejects the "final" trumpet of I Cor. 15 as being the last trumpet of the Revelation trumpets, the Pre Wrath view does not accept the teaching that the Church is present on the earth during the trumpet blasts. BUT if this unsub- stantiated tenet of theirs - that is, the rapture takes place prior to the trumpet blasts - is incorrect, then absolutely: Mental, material and spiritual watchfulness / preparedness / readiness are also important during the trumpet period. Yes, this period of time is also included in the Mt. 24:23-26, 32-51 Counsel from our Lord Jesus.
The Pre Wrath Rapture view, IF wrong concerning the timing of our rapture gathering, fosters dangerous ill-preparedness during a time when deception is HUGE - Mt. 24:24.
And yet, there are other concerns TODAY which are just as pressing as the period of time between the intial appearing of our Lord and His gathering us together to Him. Because we care, we ask:
Are you prepared for the soon-coming war against the Saints - a three-and-a-half year war which the Bible teaches will take place prior to the period of time when the trumpets are sounding? CLICK HERE for helpful clarity on this crucial topic.
Is your resolve such that you will not fall away as II Thes. 2 pre- dicts many will? Recall, two things take place before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him: 1) the apostasy (in progress) ; 2) the revealing of the man of sin/lawlessness (yet future to the posting of this blog).
As we have stated in many past blogs,* Bible-affirming perspective is so crucial today.
May we take full advantage of the Counsel our Lord has so graciously provided. Please use our end-time read through post (blog B40;18) for help second to none!
* To list only a small sampling: B9;15 ; B31;15 ; B36;15 B19;16 ; B26;16 B50;17
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CB10C;18
Spiritual WARfare
I assume most of us know warfare takes place in settings other than actual battle fields. Many of us know the battle fields include various battle fronts.
One front, given modern warfare tactics, is behind-the-scenes activity. So allow us to once again call a spade a spade and use a present-day warfare example as an illustration of the spiritual warfare taking place today.
Frankly, the majority of the passionate and outspoken ultra- radical Democrats, in THEIR OWN ACTIONS [ NB: We have not asked them to discredit themselves in suggesting the actions they, personally, have chosen to take! ], are burying themselves. They have boxed themselves into a corner that will be most difficult to work out of due, in part, to their commitment to bring the USA under the domination of a secular, socialistic society.
Please listen carefully ...
IF these socialists continue to press their agenda further, many more common-sense folks will, in light of recent shameful acts, take further note of the extreme measures taken. Thinking folks will discern the rule of these radicals is not a good one. IF, on the other hand, the extremists lighten up and withdraw for a period - to let the dust settle so to speak - then good-for-USA actions will continue to take place - e.g., the recent appointment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court - for which we praise YHVH God!
In similar manner, darkness, through its OWN EFFORTS, is exposing its ugly fruits. Unrest, hateful expression, physical per- secution (including words and actions) against folks who have a different (i.e., godly) perspective than the viewpoints they hold, discriminiation against those in opposition, etc. are only some of the fruits of this unrighteous effort.
IF it (darkness) continues to press its agenda, some common- sense folks will, 1) further ask: "What's going on here!? Be consistent in allowing tolerant freedom and STOP harassing these more conservative folks - allow then their own opinions!" and, 2) go on to better discern the actual spiritual battles presently raging. IF, on the other hand, darkness lightens up, due to the time being short, it will not take opportunity to most effectively promote its ungodly plan - to bring the world under its heavy bondage. (And never forget: The bondage is both now and through eternity!)
SO will we do what freedom fighters have always done through the course of human history? Will we stand tall and say "NO" to oppression? Or will we choose to shrink back and surrender to the evil effort? We do have a choice in all this.
[ Are you sitting down? Another example of heightened wisdom through God's Word ... ]
Sadly, a big-picture Source has predicted great deception (and unusual states of being deceived) during the days just prior to the initial appearing of God's Son, Jesus Christ. In this setting, many, though they know something's amiss, will persist in their deceived state because they will refuse to accept the freeing provision found only in Christ Jesus - eyes opened to the dark- ness being only one of the fruits of saying "YES" to the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.
Care to get out of the pit (if you're not already a sincere follower of Christ Jesus) ? CLICK HERE
May we better discern the warfare taking place today. We need God's help to do so. As the song goes, "trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey." (See John 14 - 16 as to expressions of loving our Creator, Savior and soon-coming King; see John 21:15-19 as to one means of showing love to mankind. Indeed, God's two great commandments - love God and love humanity - are indeed expressed through a faith-based lifestyle which testifies to a trusting, obedient walk in Jesus Christ - Son of God, Savior.)
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CB10D;18
On "Definitions" ... Because They Matter
Last month (September) this article appeared on Fox News.com: Meet the new Air Force helicopters that can 'defy Armageddon.'
It's interesting to note just how, as the article goes, the author defines "Armageddon." Care to discern yet another false definition? Here's a quote from the article:
"Ever wonder what would happen to the U.S. leadership and the nuclear missile arsenal if the nation was under attack? New helicopters [ the one highlighted in this article being "the U.S. Air Force's new MH-139 helicopter" ] will take on these two highly dangerous - and incredibly important - missions."
Did you catch the faulty definition? The article defines "Armageddon," in part, as an attack on the nation of the U.S. Biblically speaking, this is incorrect. Please read the Book of Revelation for actual details about "Armageddon." Other mis-definitions of the word can be found HERE.
"Why bother" over this matter? It's important given GOD has addressed this concern in His Word. Sincerely, there are a lot of false teachings tied to the word Armageddon today. Definitions matter!
May we His Church in Jesus Christ look to His Word for True definitions of important end-time words. And let's better discern the many human-opinion-based definitions which speak contrary to His correct insights on these crucial matters.
