Look Up, Lift Up Your Heads!*

Looking around at the world these days, it is difficult not to become discouraged. We have seen a pandemic, political chaos and division, and financial turmoil. However, Jesus told His disciples that when they see these things begin to come to pass, to look up, lift our heads, for our redemption draws nigh (Lk. 21:28). The writer of the Book of Hebrews, whom I believe to be Paul, said: "Wherefore seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Heb. 12:1-4). Jesus always had His eyes upward, on His Father, and therefore, was able to put all of His trust in the success of God's plan for the salvation of man, and His role as the sacrifice for it. The great warrior of God, David, faced a terrible situation when he and his men came home from war with the Philistines to find that their home city of Ziklag had been invaded by the Amalekites, and burned. Not only was their stronghold destroyed, but the women and children, including David's two wives, had been taken away captive: "Then David and the people that were with him lift up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep...And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (1 Sam. 30:1-6). As David turned his face to the LORD, he was given the assurance of victory, went in pursuit of the Amalekites, and retrieved the captives. David recovered all (v. 18-19). In Psalm 42, the psalmist had a feeling of being downcast, continually in tears, feeling forgotten and forsaken by God. Jesus experienced this same crushing separation from God on the cross. The psalmist was even looking forward to his own death in order to escape the feeling of hopelessness that overwhelmed him. However, he sought God in His holy house, following the crowds, singing the songs of joy and praise there. In the middle of this challenge to his soul, the psalmist declared in God's house, "Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life...Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Like David, the psalmist lifted up his head, and encouraged himself in the LORD. After his victorious showdown with the prophets of Ba'al before all Israel, Elijah is threatened by the king's wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-18). Elijah flees in fear as a result of this threat. We see a terrible spiritual attack here upon Elijah as he is overcome with a suicidal desire: "...it is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (v. 4). Elijah is at his lowest point. The LORD miraculously sends an angel to minister food and drink to strengthen Elijah, who travelled forty days on the strength of that food to a cave at Mt. Horeb, the mount of God. There again, Elijah, instead of looking up, and seeing the miraculous hand of God upon him, saw only his dreadful circumstances. Elijah said to the LORD: "...I have been very jealous for the LORD of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my ife to take it away." (v. 10). There were great and dramatic events before Elijah then - a great and strong wind that smasshed stone and mountains, an earthquake, and then a fire. However, the LORD was not in any of these overwhelming events. Finally, after these shaking events, there was a still, small voice, in which the LORD was found by Elijah as he came to the entrance of the cave to hear it. After experiencing all of these things, Elijah still spoke to the LORD of being the only prophet of God left in Israel, and of how others were seeking to take his life away (11-14). In answer, the LORD gave Elijah his prophetic assignments for the days ahead, and declared to Elijah, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Ba'al, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (v. 15-18). The LORD was still working, even prophetically appointing the next generation of kings and prophets. In addition, God's remnant remained in Israel to worship Him, regardless of how it had looked to Elijah's eyes. We are not alone, to be subject to fear and despondency. We have only to look up, to have our purpose renewed by God, and to be encouraged in His prophetic plans in Christ. As Jesus described the great challenges that come to the people of God, when they feel weakest and most overcome, He told them what they would see if they would just look up (Mt. 5:1-16). Those who were poor in spirit, acknowledging their total dependence on God, were really blessed, because the kingdom of God belonged to such as themselves. Those who felt loss in mourning were blessed, because they would be comforted by God. Those who were meek, quiet and humble but with stength, were blessed, because they would inherit the whole earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness as if they were were suffering starvation for it, were blessed, because they would find themselves filled with that righteousness. Those who are merciful to others despite the trying circumstanes, are blessed, because they will receive the mercy of God. Those who keep their hearts pure, perhaps in loneliness, regardless of the impurity around them, are blessed, because they shall see God. Those who are peacemakers, pursuing peace even in situations of strife and violent events, are blessed, because God shall call them His children. Those who experience persecution and false accusation for their faith, are blessed, and should rejoice exceedingly, because they have great rewards in heaven. Don't look at wickedness, but look at God. This is what keeps us as light and salt in the earth. Unless we are determined to lift our heads to seek our lives' truth in God, rather than the circumstances around us, we as spiritual salt lose our savor, and the darkness overcomes the spiritual light within us as we hold it low, and allow circumstances to cover it. This is a truth we need to know, especially in these last days that are a challenge for all believers. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/27/21 message to the church. To contact, or to purchase the new book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and at endtimeschool.com

Father's Day 2021*

Today is Father's Day. Scripture has much to say about the important role of both natural fathers, and spiritual fathers: "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days maay be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Deut. 5:16). We recognize this as one of the Ten Commandments, and it is the first commandment with a promise and a blessing connected to it. The word "honour" is used here in the treatment of parents. The Hebrew word translated as "Honour", kabad, means the glory associated with God, Himself. We see in our own country very little honoring of parents anymore. We are losing the specific promise and blessing associated with obedience to this commandment. Jesus challenged the religious leadership of His time, the scribes and Pharisees, who conveniently relied upon religious tradition, rather than the this commandment of God in regard to the treatment of their parents. They withheld financial help to their parents with the excuse that the money was set aside to give to God instead. Jesus called them hypocrites for this self-serving faithlessness to the Word of God: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the ommandments of men." (See Mt. 15:1-9). Traditions cannot replace the Word of Truth. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the importance of this commandment: "Children, obey (give ear under, to hear, learn, understand) your parents in the LORD: for this is right (righteous, observing divine laws). Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Eph. 6:1-3). Paul also included the promise of a long life as being associated with this commandment. Then Paul wrote about the responsibility of fatherhood: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (instruction, chastening, discipline) and admonition (mild rebuke, calling attention to) of the Lord." (v. 4). Fathers have a role in training their children in Godly principles, not in a manner that causes children to become angry and rebellious, but in a manner of teaching and correction that brings forth the fruits of righteousness in the child, and willing obedience. Both fathers and children have a purpose - to obey the Word of God. Paul also wrote regarding both the Church's and the world's disregarding of the fatherly role of an apostle. He wrote of the sacrifice of honor that is found in the calling of the apostle: "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised...being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day." (1 Cor. 4:9-13). In saying these things, Paul said, he is warning the Church, as beloved sons, about this prevailng attitude of disregard towards apostles, and adds: "For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." (v. 14-16). It is the heart of a father, that sacrifices all, even his own reputation, for his children in Christ. There are many teachers, but they are not called to sacrifice in the same way. Even today, the Church fails to recognize apostles and prophets. If they DO recognize them, they fail to honour their position as fathers in the Gospel who have sacrificed all so that their "children" may spiritually prosper and excel. Even though not all are called to apostleship, Paul begged the saints to "follow" him, to follow him as a father who sacrifices all so that they can benefit in Christ. As the LORD said to the priests of Israel through His prophet Malachi: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name..." (Mal. 1:6). The priests wondered at how they had dishonored God. Their dishonor of the Father was found in their insincere, inferior, and less than honorable offerings, where, as Jesus told the religious leaders above, the true honor, or lack of it, towards a father/Father is revealed. Many over the years have been birthed in the Gospel as "sons" through this apostolic ministry. You have not many fathers, but there is a spiritual father here. If you have been blessed and fed by this ministry, let your offerings to God reflect this, and help us to carry the Gospel to others. There is a great need for the Gospel of Christ, but how can we go unless we are sent? *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/20/21 message to the Church. To contact, or to purchase Dr. Stevenson's new book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com

The Coming Day of the Lord*

There seems to be a persistent feeling in the Church that the Rapture, the catching away of the Church, means that we don't have to be concerned about the coming Day of the Lord. However, scripture has some sobering prophecies concerning that day, and those prophecies are directed to God's people. When Israel, Judah and Jerusalem are mentioned in scripture, the Church also needs to pay attention, because we are not exempt from the truths being revealed. The Church does not replace Israel by any means, but we are part of "the people of praise". We are grafted into that holy root. The prophet Amos begins our look at the day of the LORD, and what it should mean to us: "Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; there is none to raise her up....For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live...Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel." (Amos. 5:1-8, excerpt). The LORD has said here that His people are fallen, and they need to seek His face if they want to live. He is calling His people to repentance (see also 2 Chron. 7:14). The LORD continues to speak through His prophet Amos: "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light...Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?" (v.18-20). Do we understand what the day of the LORD entails, and towards whom it is directed? The LORD also told His people that their feast days, their offerings, and their songs did not please Him, and would not save them from the coming day. The LORD said instead: "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." (v. 24). The LORD points to His people's idolatry, and its consequences: "But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Molech and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore, I will cause you to go into captivity..." (v. 26-27). The nature of the gods and idols mentioned, Molech and Chiun, are very much with us today as well, even amongst the people of God. Molech required the sacrifice of children, and millions of unborn children, innocent blood, today have been destroyed in the abomination of abortion. The god, Chiun, is a god of male virility and fertility. Our culture today is filled with idols representing this same type of god. The LORD spoke this prophetic word concerning the day of the LORD to His prophet Joel: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness...A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth...The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" (Joel 2:1-11, excerpt). The warning of the trumpet here is to God's people, to Zion. As He spoke to the prophet Amos, the LORD also spoke to Joel, calling His people, regardless of circumstances, age, or station, to repentance: "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly..." (v. 12-15). If His people will repent, the LORD will hear them and answer: "Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people...And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." (v. 18, 32). Another prophet, Zephaniah describes the same things regarding the day of the LORD: "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: Their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy...” (Zeph. 1:15-18). On 9/11 we saw the towers fall in New York City. We saw the dust of the devastation and ruin cover everything, including the faces and clothes of those running from the horrible event. Wicked and evil will be judged, and we are seeing it. Isaiah described a widescale execution of judgment that involved the whole world: "Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter...And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scrole: and all their hosts shall fall down...my sword...shall come down upon Idumea...For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land therof shall become burning pitch." (Isa. 34:1-10, excerpt). Again we read something that could be described in our era as a nuclear holocaust, that will involve all the nations. The apostle Peter also wrote of this total destruction involving the burning up of the elements, and the heavens (2 Peter 3). Peter also made clear that considering that we are looking to the coming events of the day of the Lord (v. 12), there is also an expectation upon the people of God" "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation...seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Pet. 3:14-18). Peter's recommendation to us in view of the coming day of the Lord was not to be looking toward a catching away of the Church, but because we know these things are coming, we are to be even more serious about being without spot, blameless, in the peace of Christ, growing in His grace and in the knowledge of Him. Without this preparation and "diligence", we come in danger of being led away with the wicked. We are seeing the pestilence of COVID, and nations of the earth lining up according to the prophecies regarding the last days. God's people, who are expected to know the signs, should be concerned about the coming day of the Lord, and turning back to Him in repentance, and bringing the Gospel and the opportunity of repentance to others: "Seek the LORD, and ye shall live." *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/13/21 message to the church. To contact: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingovenant@ymail.com You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com

The Word and Your Purpose*

Reminder: Beginning in July, Google will stop sending automatic notifications of new postings for blogs such as this one that are published under "blogspot.com". If you have been receiving notifications, or would like to receive them, please enter your email address in the box in the upper right corner of this blog page before July. Your email addresses will be retrieved, and you will be sent a notification directly when there is a new post available. Your email addresses will not be used for any other purpose. You will receive the "new blog post" notifications from "the disciple". If you choose not to enter your email address, it is recommended that after June 2021, you should check the blog regularly for new posts. Thank you for your patience and faithful readership. Isaiah 55:11 says the following: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." We will see how this promise of God brings change. A very disturbing story in the news this week concerned two children, ages twelve and fourteen, who ran away from their group home, broke into another home, assembled weapons, and shot at police who came to the site of the breakin. The older child said that the shooting was like a video game to her, "like Grand Theft Auto". One policeman was overheard on his bodycam praying or begging the children under his breath to please not make him hurt them. In another news story this week, a Texas high school graduate used her valedictorian speech to criticize her state's new restrictions to their abortion law. The teen viewed this restriction against abortion as an impediment of a woman's life plans, and a threat to her future destiny. She viewed her purpose in life as dependent upon the unlimited availability to abortion. Hillary Clinton commented with praise and congrtulations for her "brave" speech. However, God does not connect our purpose with the ability to have an abortion. Scripture makes plain that God's view of the sacrificing of our own children to the idol Molech, and the shedding of innocent blood, as an abomination in His sight. This young woman beginning her adult life, evidently has no knowledge of God's purpose in an individual's life. Do you understand God's Word and His gifts in His purpose for your life? God also prophesied in His Word that we would see this tragic corruption of our children that we are seeing now. He said that He would take away those whom He had been placed among His people to spiritually and civilly guide them, and instead: "...I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable...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...As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." (Isa. 3:1-15, excerpt). Isaiah also described the captivity that comes upon God's people because of their lack of knowledge, including the lack of knowledge of His purpose for them. Instead of standing for justice, they gather up even the poor's portion for themselves. They party and drink up and corrupt the noble vineyard that the LORD entrusted to them. Their ways have caused Hell to open and widen itself to receive them in their corruption. That corruption has caused God's people to pull sin around behind them wherever they go. Instead of keeping their purpose in God's light, His sweetness, and His goodness, they have substituted darkness, evil, and bitterness instead, and called them "good". Destruction comes upon the people of God who know their holy purpose in God, but embrace an evil purpose: "...they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." (see Isa. 5:1-24). Let's examine the Word regarding God's purpose in your life, and my life. The Word says of those who bring the good news: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isa. 52:7). Each one of us has been given spiritual gifts. The purpose of those gifts is to bring forth, individually and as part of the Body of Christ, the good news of salvation, and the news that God reigns. As Isaiah 53 describes the suffering and sacrificial purpose of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, from within that sacrifice is a satisfaction. Even as His body and soul were being made an offering for sin, it was with this knowledge: "He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servnt justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isa. 53:10-11). Within the purpose of the Messiah, we also find our purpose: the salvation and justification of many. The good news that we bring is that you don't have to be a slave of sin. You don't have to be burdened. You don't have to die without hope. As part of His purpose, Jesus promised that as the Bread of Life doing His Father's will, not even one whom the Father gives Him will be lost, but raised up on the last day in everlasting life (Jn. 6:35-51). As the prophet Isaiah described the fruit of God that will be produced as His people come back into their relationship with Him and walk in their purpose in Him: "...neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with saphires...And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isa. 54:10-13). This is a far different prophetic picture than we saw in the beginning of this message. Even our children are miraculously delivered and blessed, as the people of God return to their purpose. Seeing what has been taking place, there is no time to waste. We have good news to bring. One way to do that is to support ministries that are publishing the salvation of the Messiah, Jesus, as this ministry has faithfully done for so many years. Join us, and by doing so, fulfill your purpose in God as you help us to bring forth the Gospel. We look forward to hearing from you. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/6/21 message to the Church. To contact: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com

Do YOU Know What Time It Is?*

Reminder: Beginning in July, Google will stop sending automatic notifications of new postings for blogs such as this one that are published under "blogspot.com". If you have been receiving notifications, or would like to receive them, please enter your email address in the box in the upper right corner of this blog page before July. Your email addresses will be retrieved hopefully, and you will be sent a notification directly when there is a new post available. Your email addresses will not be used for any other purpose. You will receive the "new blog post" notifications from "the disciple". If you choose not to enter your email address, it is recommend that after June 2021, you should check the blog regularly for new posts. Thank you for your patience and faithful readership. Given recent and current events, something is wrong when we don't understand the signs of the times. We are seeing them unfold around us. Not only is the church as a whole ignoring the signs, but the question for today's message, "Do YOU Know What Time It Is?", is a personal and individual question posed to you. We have to understand that the events occurring today have been prophesied in God's Word. We have to understand that God's prophetic Word is true, and its fulfillment is assured. The prophetic Word of God is directly connected with the Person of Jesus Christ: "...worship God: for the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10). God has said that He does nothing except that He reveals His secret first to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). Regarding His prophetic revelation, the LORD said to Habakkuk: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry (mahahh-delay), wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry (ahar- be late)." (Hab. 2:3). The prophet Ezekiel was given a prophetic word to speak over nations that, in his time, would seem to have little to do with a threat to the safety of Israel. However, in our time, we see these nations, and their threatening stand against Israel in the news every day. The prophetic word given to Ezekiel was against a spiritual prince named Gog, who was over the region identified today as Russia (Magog, Meschech, Tubal). Russia, in this prophesied attack against Israel, is joined by the nations of Persia (Iran/Iraq), Ethiopia, Libya, and others. In this prophecy, Israel is described as a land that has been brought back from the sword, and as having been brought forth out of the nations, which is Israel today. The LORD says of Russia, and the spiritual prince over that land: "...It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought." (Ezek. 38:1-10). We have indeed seen the aggressive, interfering and intrusive activities of Russia here in America, and throughout the world in these last few years. The nations mentioned with Russia have expressed their enmity of Israel. When asked about the signs of the end of the age, and of His return, Jesus prophesied of conditions that sound like they come out of today's headlines: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation (ethnos) shall rise against nation (ethnos), and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places." (Mt. 24:6-7). Not only have we seen an increase in wars around the globe, but also outbreaks of violence and hatred between different racial and ethnic groups (the word "ethnos" used in these verses). We are experiencing pestilences and earthquakes. Famines have resulted as economic systems have been impacted by these other conditions. These are the rapidly increasing events that Jesus prophesied as "signs" for us to know, and watch for. Both of the prophets Ezekiel and Obadiah connected the day of the LORD with the proliferation of the "heathen": "For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen." (Ezek. 30:3, Obadiah 1:15). We are seeing today the prevalence of the "heathen", who don't know God, and seek their own interests above all else. As this nation is torn apart with racial animosity and violence, Paul wrote of the importance of loving our neighbor as we see the return of Christ drawing near: "...love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law...Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the filfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed...let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Rom. 13:8-12). All of the commandments are summed up in the commandment to love our neighbor. Paul included this principle in our "armour of light". Jesus and the apostles describe His coming as "sudden", and "like a thief in the night" (Rev. 16:15, 1 Thess. 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:10-11). Because of this, Jesus warned the church of Sardis: "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Rev. 3:3). We are expected to know the nearness of His return, and to act upon that knowledge, as those who are waiting and watching for the return of Christ. Do YOU know what time it is? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 5/30.21 message to the church. To contact: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com