A SOLEMN WARNING FOR AMERICA

As I was reading in Isaiah this morning, a few verses jumped out at me.  These are the first two:

Isaiah 3:8–9 “For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.  The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.”

Yes, the LORD is talking about Jerusalem and Judah and the people of Israel, but the principles He used in dealing with them have not changed because He has not changed.  They still apply to His people today.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not….”

The LORD is declaring judgment against them because “their tongue and their doings are against the LORD.”  The speech and actions that dominate their land are against the LORD.  They are blatantly rebellious to His word that specifies what is acceptable in word and deed before Him.  Their words and actions boldly declare their sin; they act without shame in defiance of God’s word.

Say what you will, America’s roots grew in a foundation that was formed using the standard of God’s word.  Many of the early settlers came to America for religious freedom.  The schools of our land began as institutions of training up young men to honor the LORD.  Honoring God was the accepted norm.

How far we have strayed from those beginnings!  The verses above from Isaiah would read just as true if we substituted the words Washington D.C. for Jerusalem and America for Judah. 

It is obvious to me that the LORD has declared His judgment against our land.  We should fear for our lives because our actions, our rebellion against God will culminate in evil against us.  In our nation as a whole, things that were once universally recognized as sin have now become accepted—even in our churches.  The blatant disregard of God’s word is at an all-time high.  It has gotten to the point that those who stand for the truth of God’s word are being persecuted, and I believe such persecution is only going to get worse as time goes on.  Our only hope is that a national revival breaks out in the land, and we repent of our sins before God.  Personally, I don’t see this happening because I believe we are firmly enmeshed in the season of the final countdown to the LORD’s return as revealed by the prophets.

People of faith that have accepted Jesus as their Savior need not despair.  The next two verses provide hope for the righteous and emphasize that the wicked can expect to reap what he sows.

Isaiah 3:10–11 “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.”

It is important to be able to identify who are the righteous and who are the wicked according to God’s word.  I think that Paul sums it up well in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 8:1–9 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

The righteous are those that possess the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and strive to live according to the leading of that Spirit in accordance to God’s word.  The wicked are those who “mind the things of the flesh” that lead to spiritual death.  To act according to the flesh testifies to a carnal mind, a mind that is against God, and results in refusing to live according to His laws.  Paul made the point in a previous chapter that those who choose to serve the LORD are servants of righteousness; all others are servants of sin.  It’s either/or; there is no middle ground in God’s eyes.

Romans 6:16–18 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

Now that we have identified the righteous, we can understand Isaiah when he declared that the righteous will do well; their future will reveal God’s favor and blessing when they reap the reward of their actions.  The wicked will also reap the rewards of their actions.  Sadly, that “reward” will result in death and an existence devoid of the presence of the LORD.

John 5:28–29 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

In which camp do you fall?  God has graciously provided for every single person to be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

PEACE IS COMING TO THE MIDDLE EAST

I am going through Isaiah again, and the following verses stood out to me once again in light of today’s new headlines.

Isaiah 19:23–25 “In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.”

In these verses Isaiah foretells of a time yet to come when Egypt, Assyria and Israel will dwell in unity before the LORD.  Biblical Assyria included a great portion of what now are parts of the nations of Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq.  That would seem almost impossible considering that this area is completely Moslem and would love nothing more than to see Israel wiped off the face of the map. 

Before this peace is brought about, however, the scripture also speaks of great judgment to come upon each of these nations.  I believe this judgment will culminate during the seven years that precede the return of Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Peace in the middle east will not be possible until the LORD Jesus is on the throne of David in Israel as King of a true and righteous one-world government.

You reject this truth to your peril.  Please, if you have not already, place your trust in Jesus as your Savior before it is too late.  The time is short.

Romans 10:9–10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Yes, the LORD has been patient, but that patience is because He is waiting for His bride to be complete.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

God treasures the life of every person, but He will not force Himself upon you.  The time is coming soon when He will once again turn His focus upon Israel to produce a purified remnant of believers through whom He will fulfill His promises to Abraham and David, a time during which He will exact vengeance upon those who align themselves with Satan.  You belong to one of only two groups in the eyes of God—those who choose God as their LORD and those who choose to follow Satan.

Don't ignore the testimony of fulfilled prophecy recorded in scripture.  Choose the LORD Jesus!

Thoughts for the New Year

I still can hardly believe that we are in the year 2016.  As I reflect back over my lifetime, I am truly amazed at how my world has changed over the years.  I was born in 1951 and remember party lines on the rotary dial telephone and only three black and white channels on the TV.  I remember being thrilled with getting a transistor radio that I could carry around and listen to music without being plugged in. 

Sadly, I also remember a time when morality based on the biblical standard was pretty much the readily accepted standard.  It seems that we in the United States have finally chosen to totally reject God and His word as a whole—at least as it pertains to government and the laws of our land. 

This truth saddens me greatly, but it was to be expected.  The scripture foretold that such would become predominant in the last days. 

2 Timothy 3:1–13 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away….Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he added more detail to what it means for evil to wax worse and worse.

Romans 1:18–32 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness….Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

It stands to reason that as the time draws nearer for Satan to rule this world through Antichrist, his false messiah, that the morality of our world will be more reflective of him and his rebellion against God. 

Thankfully, the LORD has determined that Satan will only be allowed a period of seven years to rule on planet earth before Jesus returns to destroy the Antichrist and imprison Satan for 1000 years.  During that time the LORD Jesus will rule the world from the throne of David in Jerusalem, and mankind will get to experience a truly righteous and just dictatorship.  Sounds contradictory doesn’t it?  But it will be wonderful!

I believe that the scripture teaches that the LORD will come to take His children home to heaven to be with the Father before those last seven years.  The prophecies recorded in God’s word that have been fulfilled have been 100% accurate, so why should we doubt those that await final fulfillment?

Are you a child of God?  Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?  ONLY through faith in Jesus can one receive the gift of salvation.   Please don’t wait until it’s too late to repent of your sin and turn to Him in faith as your LORD.

If you are a fellow believer, I urge you to stay immersed in God’s word.  The LORD has promised that He is sufficient to help us overcome every temptation.  He has promised that He is always with us.  We have nothing to fear since we only have heaven to gain.

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TRENDING TOWARD THE RETURN OF JESUS

Hard to believe, but 2015 is almost in the past and a new year is upon us once again.  As I keep up with the news headlines, it is just amazing to me how quickly things seem to be falling into place according to bible prophecy in connection with the end times that precede the return of Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom.  Key to identifying that we are in that time is the prophesied rebirth of the nation of Israel.

Isaiah 66:8 “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

The rebirth of the state of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948.

Ezekiel 37:11–14 “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.”

The rebirth of the nation of Israel is key because other end time prophecies are predicated on its existence.

Scripture declares that Jerusalem will be a burden of concern to all nations that will eventually result in all the people of the earth gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:2–3 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”

The news headlines consistently testify to the truth of that prophecy.  The control over the temple mount in Jerusalem, the determination of Jerusalem’s status as the capital city of Israel, and the continual disagreement over Israel’s borders are constants in the news.  The UN bias against Israel has resulted in a far greater number of resolutions against Israel than any other nation in the world.  Muslim countries in particular are loudly outspoken on their determination to destroy the nation of Israel.  Anti-Semitism is again on the rise throughout the world.  In April of last year USA Today recorded a 40% increase in anti-Semistism throughout the world in 2014.

Bible prophecy also predicts that a coalition of nations led by Russia and including Persia/Iran, Turkey and others will make a future attack on Israel motivated by the desire to “spoil” or make a profit.

Ezekiel 38:1–12 “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee….in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations….To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.”

For more detailed information concerning this scripture see my website.  The point is that current headlines in the news seem to show the foundations for this attack being laid.  Russia has aligned with Iran and joined the fight against ISIS in defense of Syria.  This has positioned the Russian military right on Israel’s northern border.  There is much that Israel possesses that would provide “spoil” to a conquering enemy.  Research indicates that the mineral content alone of the Dead Sea is worth over $14 trillion.  Add to that the recent gas and oil findings in Israel, and I think there is more than enough to provide incentive for this attack on the economic front.

I have to admit that the recent tension between Russia and Turkey doesn’t fit the biblical narrative.  I am confident, however, that future news headlines will show the prophetic scenario playing out as foretold.

Another prophecy that appears to be closely connected to the previous one concerns the destruction of Damascus in Syria.

Isaiah 17:1 “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.”

Damascus is noted as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and has never experienced the type of destruction prophesied by Isaiah.  I admit that this is the first prophecy that came to mind once I knew ISIS had set its sights on taking control of Syria.  I tend to think that this may be the next major headline we see in fulfillment of bible prophecy.

Much to the consternation of the Muslim world, the bible also foretells the rebuilding of the Jewish temple.  It is noted by Paul that the coming Antichrist, the man of sin, will actually establish himself in the temple of God claiming to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

Obviously, a temple has to exist for this event to occur.

These verses in Thessalonians make reference to the rapture, the time when Jesus gathers His followers to Him, to deliver them from the coming wrath of God that has been designated for the years preceding the return of Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom.  There is coming a day when the news headlines will be dominated by an event in which millions of the true followers of Jesus will disappear “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–53 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

More detail concerning these prophecies can also be found on my website.  My purpose now is to identify future headlines that proclaim the soon return of Jesus as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”  (Revelation 19:16) 

As reason would dictate, the future rebuilding of the temple would require some type of peace treaty with the Muslim world.  According to bible prophecy, just such a treaty will be announced in headlines across the world, marking the beginning of the last seven years preceding the return of Jesus.

Daniel 9:26–27 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

Once again, further explanation of this scripture can be found at my website.  I believe “the prince that shall come” is a reference to the Antichrist.  He will “confirm” (prevail and/or strengthen) a covenant between Israel and “the many,” possibly a reference to the Muslim world.  The covenant will be established for “one week,” a reference to seven years.  In the “midst of the week,” or 3.5 years into the covenant period, the headlines will declare that the Antichrist has broken the covenant and stopped Jewish sacrifices and offerings at the temple.  I believe it is then that he will establish his throne in the temple.  Jesus references this very prophecy as recorded in Matthew.

Matthew 24:15–16 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:”

By the way, in my study of Daniel 8, I conclude that it will take Israel just over seven months to build the temple after signing the peace treaty.  The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has already prepared all the necessary furnishings for the temple.  They have also identified men qualified to serve as priests and prepared their garments as well.  The temple could be up and running in well less than a year.  This would surely create more news headlines across the world.

There are and will continue to be many other headlines in the news related to bible prophecy—for example, increase in frequency and intensity of earthquakes, famines, diseases, and the continued decay of morals on a worldwide scale.  I have just chosen to highlight some of the more specific future headlines that will testify to any right thinking individual the truth of scripture. 

Personally, I am looking forward to the rapture at any time.  It could be today or still a few years away; I don’t know.  I do know that the prophecies of scripture will be fulfilled to the tiniest detail. 

If you have placed your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will not have to experience the horrors that those on earth will experience those last seven years before the return of Jesus.  Neither do we have to fear whatever we may have to face during whatever time remains before He comes to take us to the Father.

John 14:1–3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience tribulation and trouble.

John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

But the joy of heaven in the presence of the Savior will prove to be worth it all.  Paul stated it this way:  Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Keep looking up…….He’s coming soon!

JESUS--THE REASON WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

What comes to mind first when you think of Christmas?  If we are honest, I think most of us would have to admit that we get caught up in the preparation for the celebration.  Some of us look forward to this time of year with joy, while others not so much for different reasons—it’s associated with the loss of a loved one, the stress on finances, etc. 

The first thing we should think about is the true reason for the season.  The birth of a baby boy in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, the Son of God choosing to become human so that man could be redeemed and once again enjoy fellowship with his/her Creator.  That choice was made with full knowledge of the sacrifice that it would require of Him—the most important being that He would experience a time of broken fellowship with His Father, Almighty God, as He took upon Himself the judgment for our sin. 

I can read about it, tell you about it and tell the LORD over and over how thankful I am for that truth—still, I don’t believe I will truly understand the cost of that sacrifice until I get to heaven.  Even then, I may not fully grasp the truth; but I will know without a doubt how precious a relationship with Father God is and how the joys associated with that relationship are so worth any type of disappointment, sorrow or suffering we may endure in this lifetime as we wait to enjoy our inheritance in His presence for eternity.

I truly hope that you will take the time to thank God for the gift of His Son this Christmas.  The signs of the times foretold in scripture so long ago are so conspicuous, that I won’t be surprised if this is the last Christmas we experience before the LORD comes to take His family home.  Are you part of His family?  If not, all you have to do is accept God’s gift of salvation in the person of Jesus.  You just have to admit your sin and accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

You cannot earn your way to heaven.  The best that you have to offer—no matter how rich you are or how good you think you are—is not enough.  Nothing you have done will keep you out of heaven if you seek God’s forgiveness.  It’s not about who you are; it’s all about what He’s done.  The scripture record includes many people that did the most evil and wicked things who turned to the LORD in faith and repentance—men and women that I know I will see in heaven.  Don’t let the enemy deceive you into believing a lie.

If you are part of my spiritual family in Jesus, I pray that you will set some time aside in your celebration to worship our LORD and thank Him for the amazing gift of His Son.  Look for opportunities to share His love with others.  Sometimes it’s the little things we do that speak the loudest.

MERRY CHRISTMAS…..AND KEEP LOOKING UP…..HE’S COMING SOON!