The Missed Passover Connection*

Passover is approaching in a few days. John the Baptist identified Jesus directly with the Passover by saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (Jn. 1:29, 36). He also identified Jesus as the Son of God (v. 34). Jesus said clearly that He was the bread that comes from heaven, that when eaten, brings eternal life: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." The crowd wanted that bread, and asked Jesus to give it to them. Jesus answered: "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst...and this is the will of him (meaning the Father) that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jn. 6:30-40, excerpt). Resurrection is the core of our Christian faith. We will see later on that Jesus connects this bread of resurrection with the Passover bread. While still slaves in Egypt, Passover also delivered from the power of death the Israelites who had obediently applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts and lintels as Moses had commanded them from God. The Jews who were listening to Jesus, however, had trouble accepting the comment that He had come down from heaven. They knew His birth family, they reasoned, so how could He have come down from heaven? They were missing the Passover connection through unbelief. Jesus, knowing their murmurings said, "No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God (see Isa. 54:13-14, Jer. 31:33-34). Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me...Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life...that a man may eat thereof and not die." In the wilderness, the Israelites ate the manna that God had miraculously given to them, but they did eventually die. This bread, however, of which Jesus spoke, if a man ate of it, he would not die (Jn. 6:41-50). Then Jesus revealed the nature of this bread of eternal life come down from heaven: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of theworld...Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."" (v.51-53). Those listening were repulsed by the idea of eating this Man's flesh, and drinking His blood, as they received this with their natural understanding, rather than by the Spirit (v. 63), and being "taught of God", as Jesus had mentioned. These were the same people who had witnessed Jesus multiply the fish and the bread to feed thousands, and had travelled around the Sea of Galilee to follow Him. Now He was telling them about the living bread of everlasting life, and they couldn't accept it. Jesus had also told them that His flesh as the living bread was given for the life of the world. He repeated again the truth of the living bread of His flesh, and His blood, sent by the Father, given for them: "...he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." (v. 54-59). Many who had been His disciples up to this point, could no longer walk with Jesus because of this revelation. Only the twelve, including the betrayer, Judas, continued with Jesus. When Jesus remarked on this, Peter said, "...Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." (v. 60-71). Jesus Himself connected this living bread of eternal life, which was His own flesh, with the Passover. The Lord was sharing the Passover meal with His disciples (Mt. 26:17-18), and He took the two main elements from that meal: "And as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Mt. 26:26-28). The account of this same Passover event in Luke 22 tells us that the cup that Jesus took was the cup after supper (Lk. 22:20). This cup, taken after the Passover supper, has special significance here because it is called "the cup of redemption" by those who observe the Passover. Jesus also said that He would not partake of the wine again until He drinks it new with them in His Father's kingdom. Jesus knew that this would be His last Passover on earth, and be the night of His arrest, and then death (see Lk. 22:7), and that His betrayer was at the table with Him at that moment, and about to act (v. 21-25, see also Mk. 14:22-25). Jesus said that He would not be shedding that blood of the new testament for few, but for many, even in fact for the world - those who believe and have partaken of the Passover connection. He also revealed by this statement that we will be keeping the Passover with Him in His reign as King. When the Passover was first given to Israel by Moses for their deliverance from the last plague of death, they were told to select a male lamb without blemish (Ex. 12:5): "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover...And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." (v. 11, 14, also see Num. 9). The Hebrew word used here for "it", referring to the Passover and the lamb, has the root word made up of the Hebrew letters aleph, tav, which are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus referred to Himself as "The Aleph Tav", or "the Alpha and the Omega" when translated into the Greek. In the verses from Exodus and Numbers, a third Hebrew letter, the vaw, has been added to make up the word "it". This is the same spelling as used for the word meaning "sign", and the individual meanings of the three letters together mean "God nailed to the cross". This word is also used in Isa. 7:10-14, when the king is ordered to ask God for a "sign". The LORD provided the prophetic sign Himself in that passage in the form of a prophetic promise of a virgin giving birth to a son, and the child's name being called Immanuel, meaning "God with us". The aleph-tav sign of Passover, "God nailed to the cross", is to be a guide to the Church. Paul wrote to the church of Corinth for overlooking fornication within its congregation. The nature of the fornication was extreme, and Paul instructed them to turn the offender over to Satan. (The man would later repent and Paul then instructed the church that the man should be accepted back.) Paul warned the church about the tolerance of sin in their midst: "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven (meaning sin) leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." (1 Cor. 5:1-7). As the church today, like the Corinthian church long ago, ignores the destruction and death caused by sin, they are also missing the Passover connection. Both Jesus and Paul spoke of the Passover connection two thousand years ago. All who have received this truth since then have also received the promise of eternal life. Can anyone afford to ignore this? All believers are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb of God, but don't try to sneak in without your wedding garment, which is eternal life. As Passover approaches, we must examine our lives and remove the leaven, which is sin, while we reflect on Who our Passover is. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/26/23 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, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.TheShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

Press Toward the Mark*

What does the Gospel mean to you, and to your life? Paul wrote urgently to the Church about the power, and the value of the Gospel to all who will receive it. He wrote of his own discovery of the difference between worship in the flesh, and worship in the Spirit, and what real circumcision means. It is an inward circumcision that changes us, and we become the circumcision (Phil. 3:1-3). Concerning who was "qualified" in the worship of God according to man's religious thinking, Paul filled all of those outward requirements. However, Paul found out that what he had once valued so highly, and in which he had put his confidence, which was his identity and background as a Jew, a learned Pharisee, and having attained the righteousness of the law, was really "dung" compared to what he had gained in Christ (v. 4-8): "...and I count all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord...I have suffered the loss of all things...that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (v. 8-11). Paul wrote further that the Gospel was not done with him. He had not yet fully attained, or been perfected, "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (v. 11-14). Paul said that this is the same mind that we should all have, joining together in this pursuit of the high calling (v. 15-17). Paul wrote that he weeps over many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ- "whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (v. 18-19). There are those who think they have attained Christ, yet they walk after things that are of the world, which destroy, and not of heaven. Pul called them "enemies of the cross". How many fall into this sad category? Our continuing walk in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in that upward calling, are those who "look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (v. 20-21). The Gospel of Christ surpasses the world, and all religion in its excellence and ongoing transformative power, and yet it is extremely simple:. The Gospel that Paul received, and gave up all in order to preach, is the following: "...Christ died for our sins acording to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (1 Cor. 15:1-4). In fact, Paul wrote, if, as some say, Christ is not resurrected from the dead then our faith is in vain, and we are yet in our sins (v. 12-17). However He is indeed raised from the dead, and has become first fruits of them that have died (v. 20). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and we must be changed. Paul described this change: "In a moment...at the last trump...the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (v. 50-52).In this moment of change through Christ, death is swallowed up in victory, as it is written, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 54-58). Sin, death, and the grave have been overcome. Even our own corruptible bodies of flesh have been overcome in a moment through Christ. Paul concludes saying, "...be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." What are you working for - the things of this world? Whatever you are called to do by the Lord, do it with diligence. As we press toward the mark of the high calling established by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we see the power the Gospel has regarding resurrection and physical change over death. However, the change does not end there. Paul wrote of a mental and spiritual transformation as well: "I beseech you...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (spiritual worship). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul said that there is a choice we make - either to be conformed to the world, or transformed into a person who proves the will of God in himself. This transformation must begin in the renewal and washing of the mind in God's Word. We are not to think as the world thinks. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we should, keeping in mind that we are each members of a greater whole, which is the Body of Christ. Each member has been equipped to edify that Body (v. 3-8). No one of us is the complete Body by ourselves, but each contributes a part according to the gifts given by grace to each member. Part of pressing toward the mark is not just about how we treat our friends, but even more importantly about how we treat those whom others do not value, or those who mean us harm: "Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not...condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible...live peaceably with all men...avenge not yourselves...be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (v. 14-21). As we can see, these things above are not the way of the world, but they are the way of the high calling in Christ, and the will of God for us. Paul pointed out that, according to scripture, if we take vengeance for ourselves against an enemy, we remove vengeance out of the hands of the Lord, with Whom it belongs. As Jesus prayed to His Father regarding His disciples (and us, the future believers) just before He went to the cross, He prayed for the ones whom His Father had given to Him from out of the world, that they have kept the Father's Word (Jn. 17:5-6). Jesus had brought the Father's Word to them, and they had believed it, and had also believed on Him, as the One Whom the the Father had sent to them (v. 8). Jesus said, which may surprise some, that He wasn't praying for the world, but for those that had been given to Him from out of the world, and that He is glorified in them (v. 9-10). Jesus asked His Father to keep these disciples from evil through His name, because the world hated them, (v. 9-15). He prayed: "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one...that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me...I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one..." (v. 16-23). Jesus is praying for a unity here. The unity between His current disciples, and the believers who would believe at a later date. A unity with Him, and, as a result, a unity with the Father: One Body, One hope, One faith, One Spirit. This also is pressing toward the mark of the high calling in Christ. As Paul pointed out in Hebrews 11, each one, including Noah, with the building of the ark, and Abraham, who was looking for the city whose builder and maker was God, pressed toward the mark of the high calling by faith, and the resulting obedience to God's Word. God is preparing an ark in these last days also. Will we enter in, or be left outside knocking? Jesus said of these in His parable in Mt. 25 about the wise and foolish virgins, "Depart from Me. I never knew you." However, God is able to send revival to both the Jew and the Gentile. Keep pressing toward the mark and maturity in Him. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/23/2022 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, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook.

Search the Scriptures*

In Acts 17, a special group of people in Berea were mentioned as those to whom Paul preached the Gospel. They were commended in this regard: "These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed...". (Acts 17:11-12). The Bereans looked through what we call the Old Testament scriptures to verify what Paul was telling them about Christ and His suffering and resurrection (see v. 2-3). These scriptures caused them to believe. Jesus also said: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (Jn. 5:39). If we search the scriptures, we will find Jesus. On this same occasion, Jesus spoke of His unbreakable connection to His Father in heaven: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth who he will...Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." (v. 21-27). Jesus also spoke of the two parts of judgment: "...the hour is coming, in 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." (v. 28-29). There is a judgment for all. For those who believe in Christ, and live according to that belief and do good, eternal life awaits them. If we will search the scriptures, we will find that David spoke about this in Psalm 23. He spoke of experiencing the "shadow of death" without fear. Death has become just a shadow, rather than the reality, for those who believe and know the LORD as their Shepherd. Paul wrote, referring to the prophecy of Isaiah (64:4), that man has not seen, heard, nor understood the wonderful things that God has prepared for them that love Him. These things are revealed to us only by His Spirit: "...for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God." (1 Cor. 2:9-11). As we search the scriptures, the Spirit of God also searches on our behalf, to reveal to us those things that only God knows. Peter gives us an interesting look into how this mystery of Christ is revealed by the Spirit. He wrote to those who had never seen Jesus Christ, yet believed, and connected this to the prophets: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (1 Peter 1:8-11). It was the Spirit of God that revealed Christ to the prophets, not for their sakes alone, but to benefit us later. The very things that the prophets saw ahead by their diligent search of the Spirit of God, are the things that were revealed to us many centuries later for our salvation. We received this revealed Word by the same Holy Spirit sent from heaven for that purpose (v. 12). David, searching the Spirit of God, was given a prophetic revelation in Psalm 22, of Christ's suffering and crucifixion, a form of execution not invented until seven hundred years later by the Persians. Search the scriptures, and search the Holy Spirit as the prophets, the Bereans, and David did, and you will also find the Person of Jesus Christ, as Jesus said. This kind of revelation is to keep our minds, our soberness, and our hope, until the appearance of Jesus again (v. 13). Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:25-31) the prophetic revelation of the resurrected Jesus given to David. David wrote this revelation in Psalm 16: "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (v. 8-11). Peter said that David was both dead and buried (the Upper Room of Acts 2 is located above the Tomb of David), but, speaking to us as a prophet, and according to the promise which God had sworn to him, David was speaking of the Messiah to come, who would be the fruit of his loins, of his flesh, in a future generation of David's, to be raised from the dead incorruptible, and seated on David's throne (Acts 2:29-31). Those who search the scriptures are kept and made strong in the discovery of the prophetic promises and their sovereign fulfillment. Ezekiel prophesied of this same King and Shepherd, whom he called "David", even though David was dead long before this prophetic word came forth: "...Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen...and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation...; and one king shall be king to them all...I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them." (Ezek. 37:21-24). The LORD also prophesied the everlasting covenant of peace that He will make with His people, and of His sanctuary that will be in the midst of them forever (v. 26). This refers to the millennial reign of Christ. The prophecy regarding David as their King and Shepherd immediately follows a prophecy shown to Ezekiel in which God will unite as one, Ephraim, the son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel, and Judah, another tribe of Israel. Joseph's son Ephraim, meaning "doubly fruitful", was born of a Gentile mother in Egypt. The name's feminine form, Ephratah, refers to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, and the place where the Passover lambs are pastured during the year. The Book of Revelation confirms the prophecy of Ezekiel, and David as well: "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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:3-5). Serch the scriptures, for His Word is indeed true and faithful. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 8/28/2022 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, theshroudofturin.org, and endtimeschool, also on Facebook.

The Resurrection And The Life*

Back in 1966, The New York Times had a headline that read, "God is Dead...". Just this Passover and Resurrection weekend, the same newspaper ran an op-ed piece suggesting, "Lets get rid of God". We live in times when we are witnessing the end time signs prophesied in scripture, such as wars and pestilence, causing such great damage to the human race. The resurrection of Christ is not only the central truth of Christianity, but of the Bible in its entirety. Paul wrote: "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins...But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become firstfruits of them that slept." (1 Cor. 15:17, 20). Scripture holds that not only did Christ rise, but His rising causes all who believe to rise with Him. From the beginning, in Gen. 1:1, scripture has borne witness to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Genesis 1 begins with the expression, "In the beginning God...". The Hebrew word for "beginning" is Bareshiet. In the pictographic Hebrew letters used to construct this word, bareshiet means: "the Son crushed, His hand upon the cross". "God" as translated in this same verse is written as Elohim Aleph-Tav in Hebrew, or "God, the beginning and the end, the first and the last". This is how Jesus refers to Himself in the Book of Revelation (see Rev. 1:8, 17, Rev. 22:13), and also as translated into the Greek letters, Alpha and Omega. The LORD revealed His unpronounceable name to Moses as YHWH, or I AM THAT I AM (Ex. 3:13-14). Again, the pictographic letters of the Name in the ancient Hebrew would have the meaning: "Behold the hand, behold the nail". The Lord has brought back the pure language (Zeph. 3:9), Hebrew, for a reason in these end times. There are clear prophecies that specifically point us not only to Messiah, but Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. His prophesied suffering and death are identifiers to us. Psalm 22, written by David, gives the details of crucifixion, specifically Christ's crucifixion as described in the gospel accounts, many hundreds of years before crucifixion was invented as a means of execution. Isaiah 50:6, and 53:9 not only describe the purpose and details of Christ's death, but in Isa. 52, a prophecy is given regarding physical evidence of the event that would survive afterwards: "As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. So shall he sprinkle (Nazah) many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider." (Isa. 52:14-15). Paul was involved in an example of this very thing several years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, as he testified before a king (Acts 26:1-28). As the scriptures prophesy about Judah and Jerusalem being the center of turmoil, the Prophet Zehariah also wrote: "...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 that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zech. 12:10). I am convinced that the physical evidence that people are prophesied to see is the Shroud of Turin. All of the details found on the Shroud confirm the gospel accounts of the physical injuries suffered by Jesus, as well as His condition just after death. Having personally examined the Shroud, and also having participated in the many tests that were done on the Shroud as part of the original STURP team that traveled to Turin, Italy, I am very familiar with the results and observations. While there is blood on the Shroud, there is no evidence of paint or dyes present. No brush strokes exist on the Shroud. Only the very top fibers of the threads of the linen Shroud are dehydrated and discolored, creating the image of a scourged, beaten and crucified Middle-Eastern Jewish Man between the ages of 30-35. The evidence is on the Shroud that the Man wore phylacteries on His head and arm, in accordance with Jewish practice. It was not Jewish burial custom to wrap a body like a mummy, as was done by the Egyptians, but to lay the body on a length of fabric, and then fold and lay the fabric over the head and top of the body. The position of the image on the Shroud reflects this Jewish burial custom. The pollen on the Shroud reflects plants found in Jerusalem, and from plants found where the Shroud was later known to have been transported. The image threads of the Shroud are stable both in water, and chemicals. The image on the Shroud is a negative image, and can only be seen as a positive image when a photo is taken of it. The image is a three dimensional image. Although Carbon-14 tests done afterward by a different group purported to show that the Shroud dated from the middle ages, later examination of the results by experts (Ray Rogers and others) showed that the fibers that were initially C-14 tested were cotton fibers, and not linen. It was then concluded that the fibers taken for the original testing were taken from an area of the Shroud that had been repaired later in history using cotton thread. For these reasons and more, I believe that the Shroud is genuine evidence of the resurrection, and I would be remiss not to tell others, especially in these end times. The Shroud, as someone once said, is "God's love letter in linen to all mankind". There is a link on my Facebook page (see Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr) to a Shroud presentation I conducted, and you can also find the video on You Tube (see eagleeye1015 channel). As I have said many times, the Shroud of Turin is not the basis of my faith in Jesus Christ, but it is a confirmation of the truth of the gospels, particularly the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My prayer concerning all who see or hear this message is that you not let this day pass before searching the scriptures, and that you call out to the Lord who died for you. I pray that blind eyes are opened that all might see, in Jesus' name, AMEN. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 4/17/2022 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.

The Worth of a Soul*

The world today does not value, or even consider the value of the human soul, or the human being created in the image of God. The world also doesn't value the redemption of the soul, accomplished by Christ, in those who have believed and received Him. When the religious experts tempted and challenged Jesus to show them a sign from heaven, He told them that they were unable to discern the most obvious spiritual signs. He said, "O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?...A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas (Jonah)." (Mt. 16:1-4). By referring to the sign of Jonas, Jesus was referring to His resurrection, in the same manner that Jonah was delivered from the bonds of death in the belly of the great fish. Not only is the resurrection of Christ a miraculous deliverance that rescues all who believe in Him from death, but it is a sign pointing man to the worth of a human soul to God. The Shroud of Turin, evidence of the resurrection, is an enduring statement to man of what it cost Jesus to redeem the soul of each one of us. However, as Isaiah asked, "Who will believe our report...?", the Shroud is often viewed with skepticism and rejection. Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?". Men could not discern Him, and believed that Jesus was a prophet, and even John the Baptist returned to life (v. 13-14). Then He asked His disciples whom they say that He is. Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (v. 15-16). Jesus told Peter that this is a revelation that he did not receive from men, but from the Father in heaven. This is how Jesus is discerned, and this revelation is the rock that forms the foundation of the Christian faith, and upon which the church is built. Built in this revelation, not even the devil and all hell can prevail against the church (v. 17-18). Not only does this revelation from the Father build the church of believers, but to these believers, Jesus gives the authority of the keys of the kingdom of heaven. He told His disciples to tell no one what He had told them, because these things are revealed by the Father. Later, as Jesus revealed that He would suffer and die in Jerusalem, Peter tried to rebuke Him for saying such a thing. Jesus told Peter that he was not treasuring the revelation of heaven that Jesus was speaking, but rather the understanding of men. This Jesus found to be offensive, and He identified it as the work and spirit of Satan (v. 21-23). Man cannot discern the worth of his own soul by his understanding. It is received by revelation. Jesus said that it is more important to lose one's self and life and gain one's soul by taking each taking up our cross, and following after Him: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (v. 24-26). The soul is infinitely valuable - more than attaining the whole world, though men throughout history have spent their lives trying to attain the things of the world. When the Son of Man returns, He will reward those who walked, and whose lives were led, in this revelation (v. 27). An additional thought from Jesus is recorded in the Gospel of Mark regarding this: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mk. 8:36-38). Can our present generation be described as anything other than adulterous and sinful? Has the Church, instead of being the rock of revelation truth, been ashamed of the Words of Jesus? The Church has compromised and taught that sin is acceptable and tolerable, therefore not teaching the worth of a soul. The Lord said that the lawless and those who do iniquity would be gathered by the angels, and thrown into the fire, and have great suffering. Those who were righteous, however, would shine in the kingdom of the Father. He concluded by saying, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mt. 13:41-43). Not all have ears to hear, as we will see. In parables, Jesus compared the kingdom of God as something so valuable and worthy to attain that a man would sell everything he has in order to acquire it. Have we sold out all to attain the most worthy and precious thing in the world - the kingdom of God? Earlier, Jesus was asked by His disciples why He spoke in parables. He told them that it fulfilled what Isaiah wrote (see Isa. 6). It was for His disciples only to "know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (other hearers) it is not given...Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand...For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." (Mt. 13:9-15). "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables...That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Mt. 13:34-35). The mystery from before the foundation of the world is the Lamb slain (see Rev. 13:8). It is the mystery hidden in the Hebrew language used in Gen. 1:1: "In the beginning, God...". The expression "In the beginning" is bareshiet in Hebrew. The individual pictographic Hebrew letters in this word also form a meaning: "The Son of God crushed, His hand on the cross". This is an indictment of their time, and our time: people do not want to hear, and the foolish crowd does not understand the worth of a soul, their soul, to God. Many in Church do not want to hear of miracles, but the redemption of a human soul from death and hell is the greatest miracle of all. Jesus said that He spoke in parables as Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 6:8-10). Isaiah asked the LORD, "How long?" would this continue? The LORD answered, "Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate...and there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return...". (v. 11-13). Israel had been left desolate, and had ceased to be a nation, but in our time, the nation and the languge was restored, and the people began to return. God's people were instructed, "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the word of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us." (Ps. 78:1-3). God commands His people to hear His words. Paul, in the Book of Romans, says of Jesus: "...declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead..." (Rom. 1:1-4). Paul continued to write that this is the Gospel that he came to Rome to preach, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith..." (v. 15-17). For those who will understand the worth of a soul, we preach the Gospel without compromise, and without shame or partiality. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who restrain the truth in unrighteousness (v. 18). It is not a matter of ignorance, but deliberate choice made by men to restrain the truth of God regarding the worth and provision that He has made for the human soul. God, although He is invisible, has made Himself evident, and can be seen, in the visible things that He has made. There is no excuse for those who know of God because of this, but do not glorify or thank Him. Their hearts have become darkened as a result (Rom. 1:18-21). We see this darkening of hearts in the world today. While many in and out of the Church suffer divisions and debates over doctrines, accepting false doctrines to please their own flesh, and to deceive others, it is the obedience of the hearts of those who keep the truth concerning the worth of a soul that causes the God of peace to bruise Satan under our feet (Rom. 16:17-20). Do you know the worth of a soul? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 2/20/2022 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.

Psalms for Today*

The Book of Psalms, in the Hebrew language, is The Book of Praises. Many were written by King David. They fall into categories such as instructional, prophetic, the punishment of the wicked, repentance and cleansing, worship and those songs sung when traveling to Jerusalem, and atonement and covering. Today's date is 1/2/2022, so we will be looking at the Psalms that are numerically represented by this date. We will find that there is a very powerful, pertinent and timely message for us in these times. As we begin with Psalm 1, we read the difference between the way of the godly and the ungodly: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful..." (v. 1). Today we see the scorn and scoffing of the truth of the Word of God in all media. There is rejection of God and His Word. The Psalm continues regarding the godly: "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (v. 2-3). Joshua 1:8 is an instruction from God to Joshua regarding success. The LORD tells Joshua that the law is not to depart from Joshua's mouth, and that he should meditate upon it day and night. He is to DO what is written in it, not merely read it. Then, his way will be prosperous with good success. The Psalm says of the ungodly: "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (v. 4-6). The LORD is returning, and there shall be judgment of the ungodly in that day, even wrath. God will separate the sheep from the goats. Malachi 3:2 asks the question, "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope." Even His own people will go through the refining and purifying process of the LORD (v. 3). As the time of Christ's return draws near, this Psalm reminds us of our eternal destiny. Are we considering it? The next number in today's date corresponds to Psalm 2. This Psalm reflects the rebellion of the nations against the LORD as we are seeing today: "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." (v. 2-3). The nations want to break God's rulership over themselves. They reject the kingship of God, and wish to rule according to their own will. However, the Psalmist wrote that God laughs at this idea, and holds them in derision. They will experience His wrath for their foolishness (v. 4-5). God has appointed His Ruler over all nations: "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee...Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: blessed are all they that put their trust in him." (v. 6-7, 11-12). The LORD has set His Son as Ruler over the nations. Today, we indeed see in the nations, especially in our own nation, that the bands and cords of righteousness with God have been willfully and purposefully broken and cut. In Gen. 11, the inhabitants of the earth also rebelled against the rulership of God, and sought to establish their own rulership. They were not successful. Those nations that cut the cord with God, treat Jesus as if He is a myth. However, Jesus' existence, His power, rulership and Sonship are confirmed by the Spirit, and by His resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:1-4). Proverbs 30:4 asks: "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in his garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" As we see disasters happening to this nation that has cut the cords of righteousness with God, God calls His people to DO something: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14). For those who are joined with His Son, God says, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (8). Are we praying for the salvation of others? The LORD will answer those prayers. In Psalm 20, this Psalm of David talks about the day of trouble, and we surely are currently experiencing days of trouble. David wrote: "The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah." David wrote for us to "Selah", or consider, our offerings to God. God looks upon the intents of the heart, not the outward appearance. With what intent do we bring our offerings to God? David continued, "Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel..." (v. 1-4). In this Psalm, David wrote that some may trust and depend upon military might, but David said, "...we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Those who depend on the their own might are fallen, he said, "...but we are risen and stand upright." He concluded, "Save LORD: let the king hear us when we call." David was the king, and he was not calling upon himself as king here, or any other earthly king for help. He was calling upon the LORD, the only King, the King of the universe. In our trust in Him, He will grant us the desires in our hearts. Again from today's date, we will look at Psalm 22. This Psalm of David is the most prophetic of the Psalms. David writes of an anguish that precisely prophesies the events of the crucifixion of Christ as told in the Gospels, and provides the accurate details of crucifixion many hundreds of years before that type of execution began to be practiced. This prophetic account begins, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?...Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee and were delivered...But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." (see v. 1-6). The prophet Isaiah also saw the Servant of God, who was despised: "He is despised and rejected of men...we hid as it were our faces from him, and he was despised, and we esteemed him not." Isaiah prophesied that this Servant who was despised by others was wounded, bruised and striped for our sins and transgressions, not His own. In Psalm 22, David prophesied, "They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up...and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death...the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet...They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." There was a book written, and the false rumor had been spread from the beginning, that Jesus and His disciples plotted or conspired to stage the crucifixion and resurrection. However, Jesus could not have plotted beforehand that Roman soldiers would take His clothes and gamble for them, as David prophesied here, and as the Gospel accounts confirm. Jesus could not have orchestrated the actions of Pontius Pilate. David's Psalm 22, which begins in a cry of anguish, then becomes a song of praise: "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him all ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard...The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations...A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come and declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this." What started as a cry of anguish became a work of victory that all the world would know. David prophesied this, and now we are here 2000 years later declaring Jesus as the Messiah, who was hung on the cross to restore mankind to fellowship with the King of the universe. We didn't make up a fable, or a strange phenomenon to believe in, but this was prophesied beforehand, recorded, and fulfilled, and the evidence that it is so is among us today. This evidence, the Shroud of Turin, has been described this way: "The Shroud of Turin is God's love letter in linen, written for all mankind." Psalm 21, also written by David, tells us that the king shall rejoice greatly in the LORD's salvation. The LORD has given him his heart's desire. Blessings of goodness, a crown of pure gold, life and length of days for ever: "His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever." (see v. 1-6). For those who hate him, they will be as a fiery oven, swallowed up in the LORD's wrath. Their fruit and their seed will be destroyed from the whole earth. Those who hate the LORD are destroyed in their own choice. The Psalm ends: "Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so we will sing, and praise thy power." (v. 13). The Psalms related to today's date, 1/2/2022, reflect a message for today, as we have seen. God's Word for our time, and for all time, is clearly laid out here. We would do well to heed it. We pray for all those who see this message, and who read my books written on the Shroud of Turin, to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is the desire of my heart. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/2/2022 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.

Starting Back at One*

As we put 2020 behind us, there are two songs that put me in mind of the message for today. One song is by Andre Crouch and is titled, "Take Me Back to the Place Where I First Received You". The second song is by Brian McKnight, and part of the lyrics say, "...If ever I believe my work is done, I'll start back at one...". This past year was a year of testing, and it's possible that we might have failed the test badly. The Christian walk does not finish where it starts, at the moment we receive Christ as our salvation, but it is a progressive walk: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:12-14). It is time to "go back to one", and examine the truth that we believe, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and go forward from that critical point. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, "goes back to one" to describe not only his calling as an apostle, but the Gospel to which he was separated in order to bring it to others. He first pointed out that the priciples of the Gospel had been given by God as a promise through the prophets in scripture before. The Old Testament, as we call it, is not irrelevant to our Christian faith, but is the foundation for it. Christ said that those scriptures testify of Him. The coming of Jesus the Messiah, and His return, are prophesied throughout those scriptures, as we will see. This is how Paul described Jesus: "...Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead." (Rom. 1:1-6). It is both His birth from the natural seed of David as well as His resurrection from the dead in the power of the Spirit that identifies Jesus as the Son of God. Not only was Paul called to be an apostle through this grace, but we also were called to Christ by the same grace. ("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", Eph. 2:8-9). The Gospel, Paul wrote, is the power of God: "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:16-17). Many in the Church do not accept that apostles and prophets are still part of the government of the Body of Christ, but by definition of their purpose, they are as much still present in the Body as are pastors, teachers, and evangelists: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evngelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." (Eph. 4:11-13). Until we have attained those spiritual perfections mentioned, apostles and prophets are still given and functioning as gifts from God to the Body. Do we perhaps wish to disregard these gifts to the Body because they come in the power of the Word of God to the Church and the nations? Paul the Apostle wrote and preached that the resurrection of Christ from the dead is an essential part of the Gospel by which we are saved: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (see Isa. 53); and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (see Jonah 1:17, Ps. 16:10, etc.): ...Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." (1 Cor. 15:1-14). Paul also noted that many saw Jesus after His death and resurrection, including at a later time, himself. It is essential to salvation, to believe in the resurrection, otherwise, we believe the rest of the Godpel uselessly. The resurrection was a stumbling block to faith in Paul's time, and it is still a stubling block for many. Evidence of the resurrection, like the Shroud of Turin, is rejected out of hand because it bears witness to the truth of resurrection. The Shroud of Turin, which contains a reversed or mirror image of a crucified man, is also referred to in scripture: Isa. 52:13-15, Zech. 12:9-10, 1 Cor. 13:12, Jn. 20:8, Gal. 3:1 and the following: "But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:18). The Shroud is not the basis for our faith, nor should it be. It is not to be made an idol to be worshipped. However, it is a visual image of the price that was paid by Christ for our sins. The image acurately portrays the wounds of Christ exactly as recorded in the Gospels. The Shroud's image cannot be reproduced successfully using any known method. Scientiifically, scripturally, and spiritually, it testifies to our spirits as a gift of witness that still speaks thousands of years later. According to the prophet Zechariah (12:9-10), Judah will come to faith "seeing" Him whom they have pierced, and will mourn for Him as an only son. The Shroud, bearing the image of the One pierced, could very well play a key role in bringing the Gospel "to the Jew first". Paul wrote that it is necessary for the dead to be raised and changed, because we cannot enter into the presence of God as corrupted flesh: "As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption...but we shall all be changed...and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed..." (1 Cor. 15:49-52). In this way, Christ prepared the way of resurrection for us, by being the firstfruits of resurrection. Paul wrote that even as a seed doesn't look like the full plant that it will become, and must die first in the earth to become that full plant, we also in our present earthly form do not look like what we shall become, but we shall be like Him, our Firstfruit of the resurrection. While many Christians believe that we are saved and then "out of here" in a rapture, according to scripture there is more to consider. The rapture is promised but Jesus told His disciples, "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be acounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Lk. 21:36). There is a warning spoken by Jesus to those who, like the scribes and Pharisees, refuse to receive Him or, in this case, the truth of the resurrection (or evidence for the resurrection of Christ, such as the Shroud of Turin), and speak against it: "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Mt. 23:13). With our spoken unbelief, have we blocked the way of others who have been seeking the resurrected Christ, and the kingdom of God? Are you ready to start back at one? Are you ready to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ? Are you ready to take the Gospel truth to the Jews, who should be the first to receive the message and the evidence? *Based on Dr. Stevenson's 1/3/21 message to the Church. Look for us on Facebook and Twitter as well. To contact this ministry: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 or email: Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com

Feed My Sheep*

This month of October is a month reserved to honor pastors. It is also a time to bring forth an important message for the Body of Christ. It is becoming more and more obvious in media and on the internet that there are many who are unbelievers. How have the pastors been bringing forth God's Word? The prophet Ezekiel brought forth a sobering prophetic word from the LORD regarding the pastors, or spiritual shepherds, of the sheep: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the LORD God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered...Thus saith the LORD God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them." (Ezek. 34:1-10, excerpt). The foundational truth of any pastor's calling is not a "religiousity", but the transforming truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain...And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Cor. 15:13-14,17). As with Christ's own disciples at the time, there are those who struggle with unbelief, who require visible evidence. Jesus understood this need with some, and provided them with evidence that they could see. In John 20, Mary Magdalene found Christ's tomb empty after His death. She ran to tell the disciples that someone had taken the Lord's body from the tomb. Both Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. John got there first, looked into the tomb from the outside and saw the linen burial clothes lying there. Peter, upon arriving, went into the tomb and also saw the burial clothes. John then went into the tomb also, "...and he saw, and believed." John believed based upon what he saw, because they did not yet know the scriptures pertaining to His resurrection (v. 8-9). What did they see that convinced them? Was it just the empty burial clothes, or could they have seen an image on those linen clothes that convinced them? I believe they saw an image. Mary was outside the tomb weeping, but saw two angels in the tomb positioned where Jesus' head and feet had been. They asked why she was weeping. Still distraught, she turned and saw a man, who asked her why she wept, and for whom was she seeking? Mary asked the man if he knew where Jesus' body had been taken. The man spoke her name, "Mary", and she knew immediately that this was Jesus who was speaking to her. She later ran to tell the other disciples that she had seen and spoken to the Lord (v. 11-18). Later that same day, Jesus appeared to the disciples, except for Thomas, who was not there, and showed Himself: "And when he had said so, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (v. 20). Later, when Thomas arrived, the disciples told Thomas that the Lord had appeared to them. Thomas replied that he would not be able to believe until he saw and touched the Lord for himself (v.25). Eight days later, the Lord agin appeared in the midst of where the disciples were gathered. Jesus singled Thomas out and showed him His hands and pierced side, and even offered for Thomas to touch Him in these places. Thomas immediately believed (v.26-28). While Jesus understood His disciple's need to see in order to believe, He also said to Thomas, "...because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (v. 29). The belief in His resurrection is so vital to our Christian faith, that Jesus was willing to provide physical, visible evidence for those who needed to see in order to believe. Pastor's must provide the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Shroud of Turin may well be a piece of physical evidence left behind by Christ that we can utilize to convince unbelievers to "see and believe". In any case, with atheism and agnosticism becoming widespread, and unbelief spreading even in the Church, pastors will be held accountable if they do not shepherd and feed their flocks responsibly, according to Ezekiel. After His resurrection, and after presenting Himself three times as physical, visible proof to His disciples, Jesus spoke of the kind of pastoring He expected of them to Peter. After asking Peter three times if Peter loved Him, and receiving Peter's affirmtive response, the Lord then commanded Peter, "Feed my sheep", and "Feed my lambs" (Jn. 21:15-17). Though Jesus told Peter that this love of Christ, and the pastoring feeding and keeping of the sheep would impact Peter's life in a most sober manner, He commanded Peter nonetheless, "Follow me" (v. 18-19). In Matthew 28, the scriptures reveal a conspiracy through bribery to keep the truth of the resurrection of Christ from the people. The conspiracy was engaged in between the religious leaders of the day, and the forces of the world, Roman soldiers, who had been ordered to keep watch over the tomb that had held the body of Jesus. The scriptures say that this conspiracy of lies continued "to this day" (Mt. 28:11-15). This is indeed true to this day as books are still being written continuing to support this lie that was conceived to cover up the resurrection. Even some of the disciples who saw and met with Jesus after His resurrection continued to doubt (v. 16-17). Doubt and unbelief is a stubborn force, but Jesus said that His power is greater, commanding His disciples: "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (meaning age)." (v. 18-20). This month is Pastor Appreciation Month. I have dedicated myself, since the Lord called me, to feed His sheep the Bread of life, the Word of truth to the best of my ability, and as led by the Spirit of God. It is a blessing when the flock appreciates and blesses a shepherd who has been faithful to feed and keep the sheep. This month should also serve as a warning from the prophet Ezekiel to those shepherds who have not fed the sheep, and properly tended to them, but have fed and kept themselves instead. *The above is based upon Dr. Stevenson's 10/11/20 message to the Church. To contact this ministry, or to order the book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 or Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com

Mothers and Life*

 

Mother's Day has always been a special day to this ministry. We have seen the birth of miracle babies from the anointing present on Mother's Day.

Mothers play a huge role in our lives. Many can testify that they were saved through the faithful prayers of their mothers and grandmothers. We cannot underestimate the influence in our lives of mothers.

There is a special connection, both spiritually and naturally, between mothers and life. After the fall of man, even before children were born, the woman was identified as having this special purpose:

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve (chavvah: life, living, life-giver; root: to be restored to life; revive (from sickness, discouragement, death); because she was the mother of all living."  Gen 3:20

As we can see from the meaning of Eve's name, not only is it associated with life-giving, but with revival, even resurrection. Only women can bring forth life. There are many instances in scripture of God miraculously bringing forth life through a woman, even when it would seem impossible (Gen. 18:9-15).

Most societies throughout history have been patriarchal, but a few, including Native Americans, have had a matriarchal society. These matriarchal societies understood the life-giving purpose of women, which also indicated to them a woman's special relationship with God. The special life-giving and life-changing relationship a mother has with her child is reflective of the life-giving relationship that the Father has with His children, and that which His Son, Jesus has with all living:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."  Jn. 1:1-5

"Life" described above as originating in Christ is the Greek word "zoe". It means "life, the absolute fullness of life...which belongs to God; life, real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed...those who put their trust in Christ, including the more perfect everlasting body attained after resurrection". This kind of life cannot be overtaken by darkness. Again, as with the Hebrew meaning of the name "Eve", the concept of life is associated with present life, revived spiritual life, and resurrection life. And both, therefore, must be directly associated with God and Christ. It is the LORD who "maketh alive", even from the grave (1 Sam. 2:6), and it is the woman who is called "the life giver".

Scripture makes clear the concept of the new life found in Christ, a resurrection life, "zoe" life, even while we are still living in the world.

"...Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?...so many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death...like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life...in the likeness of his resurrection."  Rom. 6:1-5

The kind of life, both through the woman, Eve, and through the work of Christ in us, which is revived, resurrection life, carries with it the quality of separation from sin. The kind of "zoe" life spoken of here is not compatible, nor co-existent, with sin, which is death (Rom. 6:21-23). This kind of life causes us to be freed from sin, becoming servants of righteousness, bearing fruit unto holiness and everlasting life (v. 18, 22).

Considering this connection that exists between the life-giving, life-reviving, life-changing purpose in a mother's identity, and the original life-giving, life-reviving, and life-changing power in God and Christ, mothers have a special responsibility in prayer, especially in these times in which we are living. Pray for this nation to humble itself, repent, and turn back to God (2 Chron. 7:14). Pray for the men. Pray for the children. Let an army of life-givers, mothers, be raised up to fulfill this purpose.

 

*The above is based upon the 5/10/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

everlastingcovenant@ymail.com

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/ 

To send testimonies for the Book of Remembrance to be published in the memory of Sean Stevenson:
 

You can send your testimonies to:

everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.

 





To Save Much People*

 

We have suffered a terrible loss in the murder of our son, Sean. In dealing with this loss, we have an understanding that is given to us from the Word of God:

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to being to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."   Gen. 50:20

The apostle Paul assured us and confirmed this truth by writing:

"And we know that all things work together for good  to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose...What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"   Rom. 8:28-32 (excerpt)

The Lord will take what happened to our son, Sean, and turn it for souls to come into the kingdom.

The Judeo-Christian faiths, but especially the Christian faith, are the only faiths in the world to stand on the truth presented by God in His Word of the resurrection of the dead. All men will face an eternity: the resurrection of the just, the first resurrection, to an eternity with God in heaven, and the resurrection of the unjust, the second resurrection, to an eternity without the light, love, and presence of God in hell. For all men, there is a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun. It is written:

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."  Rev. 20:6

In Job, one of the oldest books of the Torah, Job cries out in Job 19:23-26 that he wishes his words could be printed in a book, engraved in a rock forever. The words he wanted all generations to know were these:

"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

Paul witnessed before king and governor that his life was on the line because he was being judged for the promise of God that He raises the dead. Yet, even though this imperiled him, he wished that all men would be the same as himself, except for the suffering of being chained as he was (Acts 26:6-11). Paul went on to say that this resurrection is the very thing promised by God through Moses and the prophets. Christ was the first to fulfill this prophetic promise, but He would not be the last. His light of resurrection would be shined upon many people, including the Gentiles (v. 22-23). Even facing imprisonment and death, Paul would not deny the truth that he knew: Through Jesus, God raises the dead.

We do not believe the resurrection promise and Christ's fulfillment of it for ourselves only, but we believe it for many people, for all who believe on His name.

Paul guarantees as the word of the Lord, that at the sound of the trumpet, the dead in Christ are raised first, and then we who are still alive, will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, ever being with Him. Because of this assurance, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope, but we comfort one another continually with the truth of the resurrection of the dead (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

In another place Paul wrote of the resurrection for our assurance:

"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...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"   1 Cor. 15:51-55

The way in which we want to turn for good what the enemy meant for evil in the death of our son, Sean, is with a book of remembrance of the miracles and goodness we have seen through God during these many years of ministry. Sean was so proud of his parents and the ministry, and spoke of them. Malachi provided a model for us in argument with people who might be tempted to believe that those who serve God are wasting their time:

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."   Mal. 3:14-17 (excerpt)

As with the champion Samson in scripture, who even in the moment of his death, took more lives of the enemy than he had taken throughout his life up until that moment (Judges 16:28-30), we want Sean's death to be miraculously productive for the Kingdom of God. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it for good. We want you to be a part of this book of remembrance we are creating. We plan to hold a memorial for Sean on his birthday in July 2020, and we would like to have this book finished and available by then. We request that you send to us your testimonies of miracles that you have witnessed through this ministry. We will incorporate those testimonies into the book of remembrance. All who contribute in any way, including financial gifts towards the project, will be mentioned by name in the book.

You can send your testimonies to:

everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or PO Box 154221, Waco, TX  76705.

 



Sean Stevenson

 

*The above is based upon the 1/26/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/