Why I Still Believe*

In these times when we are seeing wars, a pandemic, extreme weather, and other events take their toll on lives, often the question is asked, "Why did God allow this?" and "Where is God?". In fact, many tragic events are called "acts of God". Unbelievers justify their unbelief with the idea that if God really existed as He is portrayed, then He would intervene in these matters. Jesus was confronted by unbelievers in the temple on a feast day, and they said to Him: "How long dost thou make us doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24). Jesus answered, "I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (v. 25-30). At this statement, the crowd picked up stones to stone Jesus for identifying God as His Father. Jesus then told them that if He does not do the works of His Father, don't believe Him, but if does His Father's works, then believe the works. They sought to kill Him again, but He escaped from them. The works of Christ speak for themselves, and for the Father who sent Him. Many did believe in Christ because John the Baptist, a respected prophet among them, publicly identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." (Jn. 10:40-42, Jn. 1:29). The fulfilled scriptures, the miraculous works, and the prophet among them all verified the identity of Christ, yet some would still not believe. The Prophet Isaiah referred back to the promise that God made to Abraham regarding Abraham's seed that the LORD was, and is, still keeping: a promise to strengthen, uphold, help and redeem the seed of His friend, Abraham, and deliver them from their enemies (Isa. 41:8-14). In my own life, and I'm sure, in your lives, we can look back and see when God intervened supernaturally, directing the events in our lives, and even delivering us from grave situations. He is still keeping that promise to Abraham. The kept promises of God is another reason why I still believe. Paul wrote about this: "But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us...was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in him, Amen (meaning firm, faithful, of a truth), unto the glory of God by us." (2 Cor. 1:19-20). Paul wrote that God had anointed and sealed them, and given them the guarantee in the Holy Spirit (v. 21-22). By this same anointing and guarantee, we have seen for ourselves how God answers prayers in our lives. Our personal experience convinces us in our belief that God is true and real, just as He says He is. Jude, the brother of Jesus, wrote unbelief and belief. He wrote that it is the person of disobedience, lustfulness and greed that is ordained for condemnation, "...ungody men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord, Jesus Christ", that he warns have come among us. (v. 4, 8, 11, 16). Jude reminded the Church of the consequences in the scriptures to those who had denied God in this same manner in past generations, which was sure judgment (v. 6, 7, 11). Be careful what we allow, and "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (v. 21). Jesus, wrote Jude, is able to keep us from falling, and to preserve us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy..." (v. 24). Do not be caught up in the unbelief of this age, but, as Paul wrote, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. 7:1). It is exactly because we believe the promises of God that we should not be conformed to this world, but transformed (Rom. 12:2). Paul also wrote of the sins and sinners of the world who shall not inherit the kingdom of God, and said, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:9-11). These promises of God in His Word wash us and transform us, as we believe and apply them to ourselves. His promises toward us are yea, and Amen: "For ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek...bond nor free...male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:26-29). Here we are brought back again to the promise that God made to Abraham. That same promise carries all the way through to the end of scripture, in the promise to those who belong to Him through faith in His Son. He promises to redeem them out of every kind of people, having made them kings and priests to God (Rev. 5:8-10). It is the same promise that brings the believers out of great tribulation, being dressed in white robes dipped in the blood of the Lamb, and being led by the Lamb to the living fountain of waters (Rev.7:9-17). It is the same yea and Amen promise that says to us, especially in these times of suffering: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21:3-4). All of these things are why I still believe. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/27/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

A Matter of Days*

Each day of our lives has a purpose, and the choices we make today will impact the rest of our lives. Yesterday has passed, and tomorrow is not guaranteed to us, so what we accomplish is contained within today. A day can take us either further into the Kingdom of God, or can be used by the devil to take us further away from the Kingdom. God has put a great importance into the measure of a day: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." (Gen. 1:14). The Hebrew word for "day" used in this verse is yom, which means "day, time, year, division of time, life time, time period". The Hebrew people also use it to refer to sesons, times, and perpetual time. The Greek word for "day" used in the New Testament is Hemera, which means "day, time in general, day of life, period of time, age, years". David wrote in music form about the importance of a day in our lives: "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me...while I was musing, the fire (in my heart) burned: then spake I with my tongue, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." (Ps. 39:1-5). David wrote that part of the vanity, or emptiness, in which men spend the short number of days given to them is in the heaping up of riches. However, David fills his days with the substance of the Lord instead: "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." (v. 7). The Apostle James also wrote about how easily vanity, or emptiness, enters into our days. He said that we assume that we will have many days ahead of us, and we waste them by planning ahead how we will fill each day with activities and travels in order to get gain. He said that we should instead surrender our own planned days to the Lord's will for those days of our lives (James 4:12-16). Our plans for the day will not stay the hand or timing of God. He is the lawgiver, and He has set the days. He is the One who is able to save or destroy. David understood that each of our beginnings was not our own to determine: "...thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth...and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (Ps. 139:13-16). Abortion is the exact opposite of this truth revealed by David. Abortion did not begin as a tool of freedom, but out of the racist eugenics of Margaret Sanger. Her agenda was to rid society of "mongrel" races and "undesirables". It was even stressed that the efforts begin in black communities, preferably recruiting black pastors and community leaders, in order to gain cooperation among the people there. However, the days of a person's life, even before he is born, is determined by God. Every part of us was written in His book before we were even formed. The Prophet Amos wrote the Word of the LORD saying "...it is an evil time", and telling His people to "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live...Hate evil and love the good, and establish judgment (justice) in the gate: it may be that the LORD of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:13-15). He said that it would be a time of mourning and wailing: "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...even very dark and no brightness in it." (v. 18-20). The LORD said He despised how His people made their offerings, and kept His feasts, which they turned into tabernacles of Moloch and Chiun, images and idols representing the most abominable practices, including the burning of their children (v. 22-26). The LORD commanded, "...let judgment (justice) run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." (v. 24). The day of the LORD is set, and our days should be conducted as those who love good, justice, and righteousness, having no part in the evil of the day. We are not to live taking for granted that we will automatically escape that day, as some in the Church believe. We are to pray, Jesus said, to be accounted worthy to escape, and to stand before the Son of man (Lk. 21:36). The LORD promised in His Word to Amos, "In that day, will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." (Amos 9:11). In another prophecy to Zechariah, the LORD spoke about the day He has assigned to deal with those who were going to besiege Judah and 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 against it...In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem..." (Zech. 12:2-8). It won't matter that all the world has come against Jerusalem, On that day, the LORD will defeat them, and defend Jerusalem. Not only that, but the LORD will pour out a spirit of grace and supplication upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and "...they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zech. 12:10). That day will be a day when eyes are opened to see their Messiah, Jesus. In addition, "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1). The day is set and established in the LORD. The Prophet Hosea wrote: "Come and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days, will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." (Hos. 6:1-2). Return to the LORD, because He has already set the days. All of the significant events of my life can be pinpointed to specific days. Those days also presented choices to me, and determined how my life would be turned as a result. It is the same for each of us. Each day of a life has a significant purpose assigned for us by the LORD. All else is vanity. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/20/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Who Are You Meditating?*

With what kind of thoughts are we occupied, and what kind of words are we speaking throughout the course of our day? God's Word teaches us the importance of these things. Jesus said, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned." (Mt. 12:34-37). There is careless and idle speaking in the Church. Jesus said that it is out of an evil heart that we are speaking these things. After giving the warning above, Jesus asked why those who call Him "Lord" don't do the things that He says to do? (Lk. 6:45-47). Paul calls us living epistles for others to read. What is the world reading out of your "book"? Paul wrote for us to let no corrupt communications proceed out of our mouths. We are to speak "what is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. He adds, "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Eph. 4:29-30). Our words can grieve the Holy Spirit, who is within us to keep us. Though the world is full of words of anger, wrath, and evil speaking, these things should not be coming out of our mouths, but rather kindness and forgiveness (v. 31-32). Who are you listening to, and what therefore becomes the word out of your mouth? Are you listening to political pundits? Do you meditate upon what is said by Fox News, or some other source? The wisdom of the Word of God is to dwell in us richly, expressing itself in teaching and admonishing (cautioning, reminding, correcting), and even come out of our mouths in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Whatever we do in word or deed, we are to do in the name of Jesus, thereby expressing thanksgiving to God (Col. 3:16-17). Is this what is coming out of our hearts and mouths? If not, why not? Scripture gives us the practical application of the Word of God in our lives: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate (haga - meditate, utter, mutter, muse, imagine, study) therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8). What we "meditate" upon affects our words, our deeds, and even our success. Hebrew scholars compare meditation to a cow chewing its cud, regurgitating it, and chewing upon it again. Upon what and whom are you meditating? We hear negative things coming out of the mouths of believers, but the Word of God says, "I am healed", and "I can have whatever I say." Paul said for us to be transformed by having our hearts, and minds washed in the Word of God. David wrote in a Psalm for singing: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:14). In this verse, the word meditation is higayon, which means "resounding music". It doesn't surprise us then to know that David's music could cause demons to flee! The prophet Isaiah brought correction to God's people for their unrighteous acts, but also for their corrupt speech. The result was that they became separated from God to the point that He would not hear them: "...your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered (haga - meditate, mutter, utter) perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity...lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood." (Isa. 59:2-4, 13). Because of the words and actions of God's people, Isaiah said that justice and truth had fallen, and equity could not enter, and righteous men became prey. This displeased the LORD (v. 14-15). When the people of God begin to meditate and speak anything that is not the truth of God, it is a lie, and they cause truth and justice to leave the land. The covenant of God with His people is very different: "...this is my covenant with them; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." (Isa. 59:21). God's covenant with us is for HIS Word to be in our mouths. As it says in 2 Chron. 7:14, when the people of God, called by His name, pray, repent and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, and heal their land. While our careless words may bring harm to our land, when God's people turn back to loving and speaking His truth, healing can come to our land. Paul wrote, "...yea, let God be true, and every man a liar; as it is written; That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom. 3:4). The lying words of men will increase in these last days in order to deceive men, even the elect, but God's Word in our hearts, and in our mouths, remains truth. Jesus said to Pontius Pilate that everyone of the truth hears His voice. Pilate then asked Jesus, "What is truth?". However, Pilate sought to release Jesus after his discussion with Him, and tried to convince the crowd also, saying, "Behold your King...Shall I crucify your King?". However, the religious leaders rejected Jesus as their King, and answered, "We have no king but Cesar." (Jn. 18 and 19). God's people, who should be those of the truth who hear His voice, are instead meditating on earthly kings and earthly things in place of Jesus, and are speaking them. Upon what and whom are you meditating and speaking? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/13/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

If You Knew...*

In Matthew 24:3, Jesus was asked two questions by His disciples when He told them that the stones of the temple in Jerusalem would be thrown down: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (aion - "age, period of time")? The Greek used here indicates that Jesus is being asked about the end of the age, rather than the end of the world, as found in some translations. Jesus described many events that would come to pass and added: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (v. 21-22). Jesus also warned of something we have seen. He said that there would be those who would say that Christ was in a certain physical location, but Jesus told us not to believe it. He said false Christs and false prophets would come, even showing great signs and wonders, that would deceive even the elect. Jesus said not to believe these false Christs and their sightings. In describing the true nature of His return, Jesus said that the Son of Man would come suddenly like lightning crossing the whole sky.(v. 23-27). As the signs come to pass, Jesus said that He would send His angels to gather the elect "with the great sound of a trumpet" (v. 31). Then He told His disciples to learn a parable of the fig tree: "When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled...But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only...Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (32-42, see also Mk. 13:28-37, and Lk. 21:29-36). The corresponding verses in Luke end, "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare it shall come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Lk. 21:34-36). In these verses from Matthew and Luke, there are several things of which to be aware. First, as all of the signs manifest, the angels will gather the elect with a great sound of a trumpet. This is what we call the rapture, and we will read about it again later in this message. Luke says to watch and pray that we may be found worthy to escape the things coming. Again, another mention of a rapture, or catching away, of believers. Then Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to add to His comments about His return, and the end of the age, as He was originally asked. The fig tree of Jesus' parable is just beginning to sprout its leaves from tender branches. The fig tree in scripture represents Israel. Israel was conceived as a restored nation in 1948. Jesus said that "this generation" that sees these things shall not pass until all of these things are fulfilled. We will consider the number of years in a generation as we continue in this study. Jesus also said above that of that day and hour we know not, only the Father knows. "Of" that day and hour, means about that day. He then indicates that the day comes unawares to those who are involved in life's cares and fleshly pursuits, and warns us to watch and pray instead. Is it possible that we may be able to know the day of the Lord then? It is the hour that will remain unknown according to Jesus, above. Paul will also speak about this same thing, the knowing of the day, which we will read. First, regarding the rapture, or catching away of the believers, Paul wrote that it is connected to the resurrection of the dead in Christ: "...I would not have you to be ignorant...concerning them which are asleep (referring to those who have died in Christ), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope...For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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...comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Here Paul has given us more details on the resurrection of the dead and the catching away of those believers who remain alive. Next, Paul wrote about knowing "the day": "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night...But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and...are drunken in the night." (1 Thess. 5:1-7). The ones who are overtaken and unprepared for the day of the Lord are those who are of darkness, and drink and sleep in darkness. Not so of us, who are of the day, and the light. Let those of us who are of the day be sober, Paul wrote, and clothed in the armor of love and the hope of salvation, which is resurrection, and therefore includes the catching away, or rapture also (v. 8). "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 9). That day of the Lord is not to surprise us like a thief in the night, because we are not of the night. We are to be aware, knowing, sober, awake, and watching. What would you do, and how would you act if you knew the day of His coming? Would you act any differently than you do now? The knowledge of those of the day and the light is different from those of the night and darkness. Paul again wrote about the difference between those who are the saints of light, and those who are held in the power of darkness (Col. 1:12-13). Paul also described the destruction surrounding the coming of the Lord to be like a woman with child in travail, suffering birth pangs. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, and the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:15-20). There is a specific knowledge of timing involved in this comparison to conception, travail and birth, which we hope to get into in more detail at another time. Going back to the discourse of Jesus in Mt. 24 regarding the signs of His return and the end of the age, we can discuss "this generation", mentioned after the parable of the fig tree (Israel), which will not pass until all of these things are fulfilled. How long is this generation of which Jesus spoke? In Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, Moses is writing about the destruction that has come upon man, and God's invitation to them to return to Him (v. 3). We also read a precept in v.4, that is mentioned again in 2 Peter 3:8, that also deals with the timing of the day of the Lord for those who understand: "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." About a generation, Moses wrote: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore (80) years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (v. 10). If strength is added to us, then 80 years are given as the length of our years. Note: Paul prayed that we be "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Col. 1:11), and in another mention, Sarah received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child. If we add 80 years (which were extended from 70 because of strength) to the first greening of the fig tree in Jesus' parable, which is the conception of a reborn nation of Israel in 1948-49, we are brought to the year 2028. However, our timing must include another consideration. Year 2028-29 is a Shemitah year, just as 1948-49 was also, which is a special 7th year Sabbath in the Lord. However, there is a period of labor and sorrow, the birthing travail that Paul mentioned, and the tribulation that Christ mentioned, as is also a final seven year period according to the prophet Daniel. If we count back 7 years from that 80th year of 2028-29, it brings us to this year, 2021-22, again another Shemitah year, that began on The Feast of Trumpets (the sound of a trumpet). The Shemitah years between 1948-49 and 2021-22, and the additional Shemitah year of 2028-29, also correspond to a pregnancy analogy involving length of term, which we perhaps will be able to discuss in the future. This is not about setting dates for the return of Christ, but we are presenting some interesting and important considerations for the body of Christ. We believe that the scriptures indicate that we, the believers in Christ, CAN know the day, as children of the day and the light. In any case, the additional information serves to remind us that the time may be very short, as the signs also confirm to us. Considering the possibility of all of this, if you knew the day of His coming, what would you do differently? Would you prepare more earnestly than before? Instead of being caught in the snare of the cares of this life, would you instead be awake, sober, praying, and watching for Christ's return? It is our prayer that the body of Christ seriously awake and prepare. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/6/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

War is Hell*

The phrase "War is Hell" is attributed to something similar said by Gen. William Sherman, who carried out campaigns during the Civil War. The Chicago Tribune, in 2004, wrote "War is hell, and everyone loses". President Putin of Russia is currently bringing warfare to the nation of Ukraine. He has even now placed his nuclear readiness forces on alert. Jesus prophesied about the increased warfare activity of the times before His return: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Mt. 24:7-8). The word "kingdom" used in this verse is the Greek word basileia, meaning "royal power, kingship, dominion, rule; not an actual kingdom but the right or authority to rule over a kingdom". In this case, Putin wants to subject the Ukraine to his kingdom. While this conflict does not directly involve Israel at this moment, Jesus warned that a certain abomination of desolation in the Holy Place of the temple, mentioned in the Book of Daniel will be the signal for all Judea to flee into the mountains. The destruction will be so widespread and consuming, Jesus said, that unless those days be shortened, no flesh would remain. For the sake of the elect, those days would be shortened. It would be a time of great tribulation. (v. 15-22). Jesus said about the prophecy of Daniel regarding the abomination of desolation that would trigger this widespread calamity, "whoso readeth, let him understand". We are to understand this prophecy of Daniel. The LORD told Daniel to seal the prophecy until the time of the end (Dan. 12:4, 9). Because we can read and understand the prophecies of Daniel, we can know that we are indeed in the last days. The spiritual and natural timing of events was shown to Daniel: "Seventy weeks (of years) are determined upon thy people...to make an end of sins...And after three score and two weeks (62) 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." (Dan. 9:24, 26). Of the 70 weeks of years spoken of by Daniel, the Messiah dies in week 62. Then, regarding the one who commits the abomination spoken of by Daniel and Jesus: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years); and in the midst of the week (that is 3 1/2 years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate...and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." (v. 26-27). This ruler will break the covenant that he had agreed to, and he will stop the daily sacrifices and offerings, and instead, commit an abomination. From Dan. 12:11: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (3 1/2 years). This requires that a third temple be built, (Ezekiel prophesied of this temple), for which the Israelis have already prepared plans, and the required utensils and robes for priestly service. Daniel continued to prophesy about a time of great trouble, the likes of which had never before been experienced by the nation. This trouble or warfare shall extend into the heavenlies as Michael, the great angelic prince over Israel, shall become involved (Dan. 12:1). Daniel wrote: "...at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (v. 2). There is a Book of Life in which to be written. We read in Revelation about the Lamb's Book of Life. As we see in the above verse, resurrection of the dead will follow this terrible time on earth. The time of the end, of which Daniel wrote, is also described as a time when "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (v. 4). Knowledge has increased in a way and at a speed that we have never seen before in history. We are seeing this now as technology, research, and developments have accelerated in our time in a way that we could never have imagined just a few years ago. During this tumultuous time prophesied by Daniel, he also wrote about the people of God: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (v. 3). This is the time for the people of God to shine because of their understanding and knowledge of God, and His Word. "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (v. 10). The people of God are to understand, and bring righteousness to many. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied details concerning specific warfare involving a "kingdom" which we now know as Russia, which we will see. However, first, he prophesied of a miraculous spiritual and natural restoration. Ezekiel was taken in the Spirit to a valley of very dry bones. The LORD asked the prophet if these dry bones could live. Ezekiel deferred to the LORD saying, "LORD, You know." The LORD told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, and the bones began to re-assemble themselves together, and flesh began to cover the bones. The wind or breath of the Holy Spirit blew upon these, and they came alive, and rose up into a great army (Ezek. 37:1-10). The LORD said that the dry bones were the whole house of Israel, who had been without hope and cut off. Then the LORD told Ezekiel to prophesy further: "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 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." (v. 12-14). The LORD fulfilled this prophecy when He caused what seemed like a hopelessly scattered people to be able to return to the land which became the re-established nation of Israel. This was not an end to the miracle, however. The LORD also promised through His prophet that He would unite the whole house of Israel, as He united two separate sticks in Ezekiel's hands into one. The two separate sticks represented Judah and his companions of Israel, and Joseph/Ephraim (half-gentile tribe) and his companions of Israel. These two formerly separate kingdoms and people would become one kingdom under one king and shepherd, His servaant David (Messiah), and walk in God's statutes and judgments. God will be their God aand they shall be His people: "And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob...and my servant David shall be their prince for ever." (see Ezek. 37:15-25). Then, the LORD prophesied regarding a prince who would come against this same land "in the latter years". This prince, named Magog, will come from an area called Gog. He is the prince of Meshech and Tubal (areas of current day Russia). This prince and his army will join with other nations, Persia (now Iran/Iraq), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah (Eastern Europe/Western Asia and Asia Minor regions). God is against this prince, and will ccompel him to come against this restored nation of Israel, and God will cause a great shaking in the land. (Ezek. 38:1-19). Areas currently within the nation of Russia are mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy as bringing great warfare to this region in the latter years. We are seeing the rise of this militant Russia against its neighbor today. Another example of warfare involving kingdoms is given in 1 Kings 22. King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel wished to go to war against the Assyrians. He wanted Jehoshaphat, the King of southern kingdom of Judah to join him as an ally. The LORD sent a spirit of false prophecy onto Ahab's prophets in order to assure him of victory in his planned attack against the Assyrians. One true prophet of God told Ahab that the people would be left without a shepherd if Ahab continued with his plans. This true prophet even revealed to Ahab that a lying spirit had been sent to the other prophets, but Ahab chose to believe those prophets, because their lying prophecy favored his plans. Ahab, even though he was disguised in an effort to hide his identity from the enemy, was still killed in the battle by a random arrow shot into the air (1 Kings 22:5-28). As Jesus told His disciples, in these last days of signs that point us to His return and the end of the age, kingdoms will rise against kingdoms. There will be wars and rumors of wars. War is hell. All of Europe is on the brink of hell. We care and pray for those in the Ukraine experiencing it now. There are members of the body of Christ, however, who care more for their prosperity, not realizing how quickly it can be lost. However, God calls to a peaople who will humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, and pray (2 Chron. 7:14). The church needs to come out of its graves, having ears to hear and eyes to see the truth, and to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 2/27/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.