Willingly Ignorant*

Each week there are alarming headlines that seem to be pointing towards Armageddon. Hostilities with Russia, Iran, and other nations are escalating. In addition, we are seeing an increase in injustice, wickedness, racism and ethnic hatreds. These are all signs of the end times as prophesied by Christ. The apostle Peter wanted the church to be reminded of these signs and others as the Word written by the prophets in the Torah, and by the commandments of the apostles (2 Peter 3:1-2). Peter also wanted to bring to our minds another condition of the last days: "...knowing this first: that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking in their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his (Christ's) coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." (v. 3-6). The scoffers who deny the possibility of Christ's return, and the judgment to come, do so to justify continuing in their lusts. They are described not as ignorant, but willingly (thelo - intend, resolve, determined, desire, love, take delight and pleasure in) ignorant (lanthano - to be hidden, to lie hidden). The scoffers don't want to see the truth themselves, and delight in hiding the truth from others. Peter wrote that the same Word of judgment is now stored up as fire for the days of destruction of ungodly men (v. 7). However, God is not arbitrarily delaying that day of judgment: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (v. 9). That day wll oome however, and it will come like a thief in the night, with fervent heat that will melt the elements of the heavens and the earth. This knowledge should have an effect on how we live - living lives of holiness and godliness, and with diligence, to be found by Christ to be without spot and blameless (v. 10-11, 14). We who know these signs are to look forward to new heavens and a new earth "wherein dwelleth righteousness" (v. 13), and be watchful "...lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness."(v. 17). Theses last days are a time when even the believers in Christ may fall into the same errors of the wicked, if we are not diligent. The "error of the wicked" is that willful ignorance of the truth: "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and for ever. Amen (v. 18). We have learned that both grace and knowledge are contained in the Torah and the prophets. Jesus warned that the last days would be like the days of Noah, and like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, when life went in as usual, with people choosing to be willingly ignorant of the warning of the judgment of destruction about to come (Lk. 17:26-30). In the days of Noah, while all men were filled with corruption and violence continually, God found Noah to be perfect, whole and complete, in his generation. Noah found grace in the eyes of God, and he walked with God. God told Noah that He would destroy wicked men with the earth (Gen. 6:9-12). God then instructed Noah to build an ark. This ark was the witness of a coming judgment by water to that generation, but only Noah and his family heeded that warning and were saved. In the same manner, the violent perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah was before God. He sent two of His angels to see the cities for themselves, and to bring the judgment of brimstone and fire to the cities. Lot, who was Abraham's nephew, lived in Sodom with his wife and daughters. He saw the angels of God come into the city and pressed them to stay at his house, because he feared for their safety. The men of the city, both young and old, and from every walk of life, came to Lot's house, and demanded that Lot send the two "men" out to them that they might do what they wanted with them. Lot offered his daughters to the mob instead, but they wanted the visiting men. Lot warned them: "I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly." The mob ignored Lot's warning, and grew angry at Lot for "judging" their desires and deeds to be wicked, and they sought to harm him. The angels pulled Lot back into his house, and struck the mob blind, so they could not find Lot's door (Gen. 19:4-11). The angels then told Lot to warn any other family that he had in the city to get out: "For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it." (v. 12-13). Lot went out to warn his sons-in-law, "...but he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law." (v. 14). Like the sons-in-law of Lot, the world often treats the warnings of those who believe God's Word as if they are crazy, yet God's Word is proven true time after time, even to physical evidence found that supports Biblical accounts, such as the utter destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, with ash being all that's left of them. These examples from Noah's flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were the warnings of Jesus regarding the time of His return, and it is willful ignorance to ignore them, or mock them. These warnings were not given by Jesus in an act of hate, but of love. As we read above, God desires none to perish, but for all to come to Him in repentance for salvation. Peter gave his warnings in love in order to remind the church of the words of the prophets and apostles, so that they would be prepared, and found living in holiness and godliness by Christ. Paul also wrote that our walk must be one of love: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us...But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints...but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolator, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Eph. 5:1-5). As Jesus said, all of the Torah and the prophets reflect love. All of the law and the prophets are summed up in two commandments according to Jesus: Love God, and love your neighbor. Paul wrote that he who loves another fulfills the law, and that the Ten Commandments, with which we are so familiar, are contained in the one phrase, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Love will never do harm to a neighbor, therefore, Paul repeats, love fulfills the law (Rom. 13:8-10). It is a deception, however, to believe that because God loves, He will not judge: "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them." (Eph. 5:6-7, see also Isa. 61:1-2). We are to walk as children of light in the fruit of the Spirit, which is all goodness, righteousness and truth, proving with our lives what is acceptable to the Lord (v. 8-10). Rather than having fellowship with the works of darkness, we should reprove those shameful things which are done in secret. By doing so, we are being the manifestation of light (v. 8-13). Paul also wrote the following based upon what the prophet Isaiah said: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (v. 14, Isa. 60:1). It's not about reproving people, but reproving sin and darkness. Resurrection from the dead brings the light of life that is found in Christ, and has no part in the works of darkness (Jn. 8:12). Finally, Paul warned here for us not to walk as fools but as the wise. Don't waste the time given to us, but redeem the time in these evil days (v. 15-16). In another place, Paul wrote: "...knowing the time, ...it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed...the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Rom. 13:11-12). In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. That armor is an armor of light. This is our purpose: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." (Isa. 60:1-3). Are we just going along with the crowd, or are we redeeming the time with spiritual light? Paul also wrote: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Col. 4:5-6). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/19/23 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.

A Remnant By Grace*

A lot of things have been going on this week that should be causing the Body of Christ to think and consider. Jesus scolded the people saying that they could interpret the signs and anticipate the day's weather by the appearance of the sky, but they could not interpret the signs of the times (Mt. 16:3). Men may debate interpretations concerning the day of the return of Christ, or the timing of the rapture, but truth is found by comparing scripture with scripture, not by man's interpretation. Regarding these events, there will be a remnant by grace, so believers need to know how that remnant is spared throughout these prophesied events. Jude wrote of the dangers ahead by looking at past events from the history between God and the ungodly in scripture: "...it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith (pistis - in the New Testament: of a conviction of the truth or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things) which was once delivered to the saints...certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude v. 3-4). The work of the ungodly turns the grace of God into lasciviousness. The Church of England, and other Christian denominations have approved same-sex marriage, rather than believing and teaching the Word of God. The apostle Jude wrote examples from scripture of those who chose ungodliness, and contended against the Lord, and the inevitable consequences of it: Although the LORD saved the people out of Egypt, Jude wrote, He destroyed those among them who did not believe. WWhen the angels left their first estate and habitation, and sinned against God, He placed them in everlasting chains under darkness until the day of judgment. When Sodom and Gomorrha, chose strange flesh and fornication against the law of God, they suffered eternal fire as an example to others (v. 5-7). These examples given by Jude are for the purpose of a warning to all. In Numbers 26:9-10, a sign is provided to us as a warning regarding those who rebelled and strove (struggled, laid waste, made desolate) against both Moses and God, in this case, respected men in authority among God's people: "The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together...the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men...". The men who strove with Moses and God were in positions of respect and authority among God's people. Men in authority, especially in the Church, should not go against God's law, which is to love God, and to love their neighbor. Our nation is also continuing to be plagued by injustice with cruelty. There is a denial of its existence as books are banned that deal with racism, like biographies of Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson. Jesus warned: "And shall God not avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith (the conviction and belief regarding the relationship between men and God, and divine things) in the earth?" (Lk. 18:7-9). There are those who turn away from the idea of God, because they believe that the truth of His judgment is cruel. However, even as He commands His people to carry out justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly before Him (Micah 6:8), He also does so, and He will not let the cries of the abused and oppressed of His elect go unheard, as Jesus said. Jesus also described terrible signs that would appear before His return, such as ethnic groups and kingdoms rising up against each other, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights and great signs from heaven (Lk. 21:10-11). We have seen those signs occurring this week! His warning to those who look to be part of the remnant by grace: "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 shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Lk. 21:34-36). There is a remnant by grace. There is a snare that is coming upon all who dwell on the earth, including the cares of life that draw us away from our watch and prayers. We are not meant to be caught unprepared and without faith, and not walking in the grace that fulfills the law and the prophets: to love God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul wrote regarding the watchfulness of the remnant: "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 the 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...But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:1-10). There is a remnant by grace, not meant for wrath, who are of light, and not darkness, of faith and love, sober and watching with hope in our salvation through Christ. The prophets brought the warning Word of the LORD to His people who mistakenly believed that they were righteously walking with Him, and in His law. However, all that became left of His people was a small remnant: "#xcept the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD....I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats....Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths...it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa. 1:9-19). Empty religious observances, even of the law of Moses, means nothing when our hearts and souls are full of sin, being unrepentant before God. Where is justice among God's people, especially towards those who are powerless? The two commandments that incorporate all the law and the prophets are to love God, and to love our neighbor (Mt. 22:36-40). The LORD said that because of these things, God's people would be reduced to a "very small remnant". The prophet Amos similarly said: "Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it (see also 1 Thess. 5 above)? I hate, I despise your feast days...Though you offer me burnt offerings...I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take...away from me the noise of thy songs...But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." (Amos 5:20-24). Amos also added: "But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore I will cause you to go into captivity..." (v. 26-27). His people, while practicing ritualistic and vain observances of God's law, really dwelled within a different spiritual "tabernacle". They were worshipping false gods like Moloch, who was worshipped with child sacrifice, as we also practice today in child murder, and Chiun, involving astrology and the worship of the heavens. However, God was in the beginning, before the demon Moloch, and before the stars in the heavens, having created them: "B'reshiet (meaning 'the Son crushed, His hand on the cross') Elohim aleph-tav (Alpha and Omega)", and His name is The LORD, YHWH: "Behold the hand, Behold the nail". The prophet Ezekiel also wrote that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in the land, when God sends His judgment against the sinful land that has trespassed against Him, they would only be able to deliver themselves by their righteousness. All others would be cut off, both man and beast. When God sends the the sword, the beasts, the famine, and the pestilence in His judgment, even these three righteous servants would be able to deliver none but themselves - "Yet behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters...and ye shall see their ways and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought forth upon it." (Ezek. 14:12-22). Jeremiah wrote saying that even Moses and Samuel, if present in the land, would not be able to save anyone from the judgment of God (Jer. 15:1). Our nation, like Israel, is consumed in sin. Men have crept in, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness. We have made public prayer illegal, removed the Bible from our schools, while our leaders strive against God. Instead of the grace found in the law and the prophets: loving God with our whole hearts, and loving our neighbors as ourselves, and doing as the LORD requires of us: to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God, this nation is concerned with the cares of this life, and the corrupting gods that we have made for ourselves. There is a remnant by grace, however. The LORD is calling for a remnant that has washed and made themselves clean. This remnant is called to be watching, praying, being the children of light, and not the children of darkness, being the children of the day, and not the children of the night. This also is the law and the prophets. This is the gift of grace. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 2/12/23 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.

Tabernacles and the Day of the LORD*

This evening begins the Feast of Tabernacles. There is a direct connection in scripture between the Feast of Tabernacles and "the day of the LORD'. This is the commandment of the LORD regarding the Feast of Tabernacles: "And the LORD spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD...every thing upon his day." (Lev. 23:33-37). The word "tabernacles" is the Hebrew word sukkah, meaning "booth, pavilion, lair (of a lion), cover". (A root word, sakak, means "fence about, protect, defence, shut in, overshadow, stop the approach, weave together, cover with armor".) The pictographic ancient Hebrew letters form the meaning "Behold, a hand to cover, supply, lift up, or suppress". In Deuteronomy, the LORD explained the Feast of Tabernacles further through Moses: "Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine. And thou shalt rejoice...thou...thy son...thy daughter...thy manservant...thy maidservant...the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates." (Deut. 16:13-14). The Feast of Tabernacles was to include all with rejoicing after the fall harvest that God had provided them. In the same spirit of tabernacles, the LORD commanded Moses to appoint just judges and officers throughout all of the tribes, who will not practice favoritism, nor receive bribes nor falsely accuse the righteous. This just treatment of all is so that they may live in the land that God has given them (v. 18-20). We see a lack of justice everywhere today, while God is calling His people to be just and righteous. We discover that the neaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is also revealed in scriptures regarding the coming day of the LORD: "He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion (sukkah) round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail-stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens...he sent out his arrows, and scattered them...Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me." (Ps. 18:11-17). Just as Noah was drawn out of many waters, the LORD's pavilion draws us out of the hands of our enemies. What looks to the enemies like a covering of thick dark clouds, to us is the pavilion or tabernacle of the LORD. It is "the hand that covers, supplies, lifts up and suppresses". As Psalm 31 declares the greatness and goodness of God towards those who trust Him, it says: "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (sukkah) from the strife of tongues." (v. 19-20). Those who walk in the righteousness of God, and in His Word, are continually judged in this world by the strife of tongues of accusation. However, God has provided a pavilion in which to hide us. As Isaiah prophesied the blessings of God under the Messiah, he wrote of beautiful fruitful branches, excellent and comely fruit of the earth for the remnant who escape. Those that remain will be called holy - every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. The LORD will wash them of filth, purged by the spirit of judgment and burning (Isa. 4:2-4). "...and the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle (sukkah) for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." (v. 5-6). There is a hand to cover and provide our pasture in the tabernacle, but it is shadow, darkness, and clouds to others. The prophet Zephaniah describes the day of the LORD as a day of wrath, of trouble, distress, wasteness and desolation, "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm...and I will bring distress among men...because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust...Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy..." (Zeph. 1:14-18). The prophet Amos also spoke of the darkness of the day of the LORD, saying, "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD!" (Amos 5:1-18-20). In this case, the very people who were looking for the day of the LORD would be the first to experience the darkness rather than the sukkah tabernacle. The LORD condemned them because He said that He hated their feasts and offerings, "But ye have born the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun, your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves." (v. 21-26). Their tabernacle was a tabernacle to false demonic gods, who demanded child sacrifices, and were filled with worthless idols. The LORD holds His people to a different standard than the standard that the world practices and values. His standard is the righteousness of God. Joel also wrote about the day of the LORD as being "a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness", and of a fire that devours and a flame that burns. (Joel 2:2-3, 30-31). He called the people of God to sound the trumpet of alarm, to call an assembly of all the people, from the youngest to the oldest, because "the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand." (2:1, 16). The people must repent with fasting and weeping and consecrate themselves: "...rent your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." (v. 12-13). The priests especially, as those who were the spiritual leaders of the people, were called upon to lead the congregation in repentance by repenting themselves, crying, 'Spare thy people, O LORD." The LORD has not destined His people for His wrath, but providing them instead a tabernacle, a pavilion, a hand that covers if they will set themselves apart to enter into it. If the people will repent in their hearts, the LORD says that He will pity His people: "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things...he hath given you the former rain moderately...and the latter rain in the first month." (v. 21,23). The LORD promises to remove the attacking northern (hidden, secret, covered over) army, and to add the blessing of abundance in their land, restoring all that the devouring locusts have destroyed (v. 20-26). One of the celebrations associated with the Feast of Tabernacles is the abundant harvest, the fruit of the land, like the fruit of trees and the vine, as we see here (v. 22). "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed". As part of this blessing, the LORD promises to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, regardless of age or status. (v. 27-29). In Nehemiah, Ezra the scribe caused the Word of God to be read and taught before all of the people. Then they obeyed the Word that they had heard by building their booths from beautiful branches to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, as had been commanded by God (Neh. 8:13-15). When we honor God and His Word, He honors and blesses us. Zechariah prophesied about a plague that comes upon the people in which their flesh is consumed away: "...in that day,...a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them." (Zech. 14:12-13). It is a day when the LORD has gone to fight against the nations that have come against Jerusalem. Those among the nations who survive this terrible day of destruction, will have to come to Jerusalem yearly : "...to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." (v. 16). This prophecy is talking about the rule of Messiah, Jesus Christ, on earth. Those nations that refuse to tabernacle with the LORD in Jerusalem will receive no rain, and will be smitten by the plague. In Jerusalem there shall be found the things that are HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, "and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (v. 16-21). The Word of God says to keep His feasts in "all your generations". There is a place where the hand of God covers, supplies, lifts up, and suppresses, especially in connection with the day of the LORD, as we have seen. This place is found in His tabernacle (sukkah). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/9/2022 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.

Light Be!*

The first thing that God created in Genesis was light, and He created it by command of His Word: "And God said, Let there be (meaning "to become, become like, come into being") light: and there was light.And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Geb. 1:3-5). On the sixth day of creation, God created man. He created man in His own image: "So God created man in His own image...male and female created he them. So God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over...every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (see Gen. 1:26-28). We can note that when God instructed the man created in His image to "replenish" the earth, it must mean that the earth had been filled previously. Jesus also discussed His identity as Light:"...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (Jn. 8:12). Jesus was saying that if we have Him, we hve light. There are those who call themselves Christians, but their acts are acts of darkness. Many involved in the Capitol riot of Jan. 6th carried Christian flags, and called on the name of Jesus. At the same time, policemen were assaulted with those flags, and death threats were shouted against the politicians inside the Capitol building, including the Vice-President. As we saw in Genesis 1, a division was set between Night (darkness) and Day (light). Jesus remarked upon that division: "I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (Jn. 9:4-5). The night is coming when no man can work. Jesus also said, "And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." Once we believe on Jesus, the Light, we should not be remaining in darkness. This is a turning of the Church out of their doctrines and traditions to what the Word of God says instead. We should no longer abide in darkness. Where are you abiding? After His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to His disciples about being salt and light. As He told them "Ye are the salt of the earth...", Jesus also warned that if the salt has lost its savor, and no longer contributes as a preservative, it then becomes good for nothing, and thrown away. It is the same with us being light. Jesus said: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 5:13-16). As the light of the world, we are expected to be light, not just for ourselves, but to the whole house, to all the earth. Jesus inc;udes in His teaching our mistreatment and unjust anger and judgment towards one another. Those who do so are in danger of judgment themselves and possibly hellfire (v. 22). As we will see, love towards others is connected to being light: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Eph. 5:1-2). Paul also wrote to avoid partaking in the works of darkness, or with the people who practice them: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, idolatry. These things are subject to the wrath of God (v. 4-5). "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (v. 6-8). We are called to be as one who worships the Lamb, who is the Light of heaven, not needing any natural source of light, where there is no darkness nor night (Rev. 21:22, 22:1-5). The Apostle Peter also wrote to call us to lay aside the habits of those in darkness, malice, hypocrisy and evil speaking. We are a spiritual house in which we offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God, and as babes who have been nourished and raised on the Word of God. (1 Pet. 2:1-5). Rather than being like those who are disobedient, and disregarding of the sacrifice and authority of Christ, "...ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (v. 9-10). These things are not a suggestion, but a command of God. From the beginning, God has wanted His people to live, not by laws written on stone, but with His Word and His ways written in our hearts. John wrote that we are to try or test the spirits whether they are of God. Many false prophets are in the world (1 Jn. 4:1). The true Spirit of God confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ, sent by God and having come in the flesh. Because we are of God, John wrote, we have overcome the world, and the spirit of antichrist already in the world, which denies Christ: "...because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world." (v. 2-6). As we saw above the connection of our being light and loving others, John also wrote of the importance of love: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love...Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another...God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.(v. 7-17, excerpt). Again, John wrote as Paul did above, that if we hate our brother, yet say that we love God, we are liars: "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (v. 21). We are called to be salt and light. It is the command of God. What are we doing with the glory that we have been given? (Jn. 17). Let us stop walking and talking in darkness. Night is coming where no man can work - let us be light. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 2/6/2022 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.

Understanding the Root and Not the Symptoms*

Passover is twenty days away, and eight days later, is Resurrection Sunday. Seldom are these two important days so close together. The divine congruence of these two holy days this year, should cause the Church to prepare themselves in a special way. These days should bring to mind the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and His resurrection from the dead. Much of what we see in the world today is very concerning. However, we need to understand that those things we are seeing are the symptoms of a much deeper root problem. That root problem is sin, and it applies to us all: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back, they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."(Ps. 53:1-3). Sin is not someone else's problem, but everyone's problem. The sin nature of man passed from Adam like a gene. If we deny it, we are not dealing with reality, we are only dealing with the symptoms. How deeply is sin imbedded in our nature? The prophet Jeremiah wrote: "Thus saith the LORD; cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD...Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters...her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who shall know it." (Jer. 17:5-9). Many in the Church have been trusting in politicians to cure the ills of society rather than the LORD. Many trust in pharmaceuticals to heal us of the latest deadly outbreak. We should keep in mind that the Greek word for sorcerer is pharmakeus. Our hearts convince us that our hope is in man rather than God. Our hearts deceivingly convince us that there is hope in self-help, rather than God. Scripture explains the division between heart and Spirit, and the respective results from each. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh...these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, forniction, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like...they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit..." (Gal. 5:15-25). Jesus came under criticism because He did not keep the traditions of men that had become more important to the people than the Word of God. However, the traditions of men would not keep them clean and undefiled. Jesus quoted Isaiah: "This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mk. 7:5-9). Jesus continued, "Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man..." (v. 14-15). Even His own disciples did not understand this principle, and asked for an explanation. Jesus was surprised that they couldn't understand. He then explained, "That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mk. 7:20-23). As we read above in Jeremiah, Jesus said that it is from the evils of our own hearts that we are defiled. We often look at the outward appearance in judging whether we and others are righteous. However, Paul wrote that the outward appearance has no importance in the Spirit. The Jews valued physical circumcision as signifying their covenant with God. Paul said, however, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Rom. 2:28-29). Paul went on to say that whether Jew or Gentile, all are under sin (Rom. 3:9). "As it is written", Paul said quoting the Psalm we read above, "There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God...There is none that doeth good, no, not one...There is no fear of God before their eyes." (v. 10-18). People who don't fear God will do anything. They will latch onto a lie, like Darwinism, as an excuse not to believe. However, this condition is not without remedy! Paul wrote, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (v. 23-26). 1 John 1:8 says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." He then writes that if we walk in the light, as God IS light, with no darkness in Him, the blood of His Son, Jesus, will cleanse us of all sin (v. 7). If we confess our sins to Him, "he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (v.9). For Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 Jn. 2:2). That word used by both Paul and John regarding Jesus as the "propitiation", refers to the sprinkling of the atoning blood of the sacrifice by the high priest on the mercy seat of God. Passover is coming soon. Resurrection Sunday follows immediately after. As the Bride, we need to make ourselves ready. We need to deal with the root of the problem, and not just the outward symptoms. And the root of the problem is found within each of our own hearts. *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 3/7/21 message to the Church. To contact: Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com or P.O. Box 154221 You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimesschool.com

Except Those Days*

Jesus' disciples presented Him with some questions after He prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (meaning "age")?(Mt. 24:1-3). The first thing that Jesus gave as an answer was the warning, "Take heed that no man deceive you." The times and conditions surrounding the events addressed by Jesus with His disciples would be be surrounded by deception. This deception will include those who claim to be Christ, and the rise of false prophets. We have seen examples of this in recent history. However, those who follow Christ are expected to know the truth, and be aware of the signs. Jesus continued to describe the events that lead up to the great tribulation, and His return. They include: wars, ethnic violence, famines, pestilences, earthquakes (we have seen the increase in the number and severity of earthquakes, and we are in the middle of a worldwide pestilence, the pandemic). Hatred and persecution to death and betrayal involving all nations would be directed towards those who believe in Christ, because of His name's sake. Iniquity will abound, and many will turn away from faith because of it. Atheism and agnosticism, even among those who used to believe, have increased in our time. In the face of all of these signs and events, Jesus told His disciples, and us, to endure unto the end, and be saved. Even during these calamitous events, the Gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness, Jesus said, and then the end comes. One of the defining signs of the imminent approach of the end will be the abomination that causes desolation, which will stand in the holy place, spoken about by Daniel the prophet (v.15). It is then mentioned: "Whoso readeth, let him understand." When they see this happen, those in Jerusalem should flee: "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). Can repentance change prophecy? The Book of Jonah tells us that repentance can play a piivotal role in the judgment of God. Jonah delivered the prophetic Word of the LORD to Nineveh that they were about to be destroyed in God's judgment. The whole city, from the king, down, repented sincerely, and God turned the judgment away from them. This made Jonah angry but God taught him that it is better that the people who are to die in judgment repent and many lives be saved. Peter wrote the same. God is patient and longsuffering regarding His judgment, because He would rather provide people every opportunity to repent. In the case above, the days of the Great Tribulation are shortened, saving many. The prophetic model tells us that repentance could play a major role in this mercy in the midst of judgment. Jesus referred to the event in Daniel that He called the abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 12:11). Up to the fulfillment of this desolating event, according to Daniel's prophecy, the people of God will have been busy in wisdom, spreading and teaching the delivering truth of God to many: "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." (Dan. 12:3). Daniel also described this time in the same manner as Jesus: "...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (v. 1). In the last verse in Daniel, the LORD told the prophet, "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (v. 13). As Jesus told His disciples, these events are associated with "the end of days", or at the end of an age, not the end of the world. Daniel was to "...shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end." (v. 4). We know that the time of the end refers to our time, because the words of Daniel are no longer sealed and shut up, but are understandable to us. They are now revealed to us, and we are those who can understand the words of Daniel, as Jesus said. The New Testament continues to give clarity to Daniel's and Jesus' words. Paul writes that "...of the times and the seasons, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thess. 5:1-3). We are to know, understand, and be aware. Paul went on to write that God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvtion through Christ (v.9). Therefore, we should act like those who live in that light of understanding and salvtion, not like those who are still in darkness (v. 5-8). We are not to sleep, but to be awake, keep watch and be sober (v.6). We are to warn, comfort, uphold, and be patient (v. 14). We are to rejoice, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every thing, proving all things and keeping those things that are good, not quenching the Holy Spirit, but abstaining from even the appearance of evil. We should not despise the prophetic word (v.16-22). Paul prayed that God "...sanctify you wholly;...and... your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 23). In Romans, Paul also wrote, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed...let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Rom. 13:11-14). In Mt. 25, Jesus told the parable of those who were prepared for His return, and those who were not. Though all slept, the wise woke up ready when the alarm went out. The foolish had not prepared, and were not ready. The event happened so quickly, that the foolish unprepared ones could not get ready in time, and the door was shut to them. They were not allowed to enter. Why had the foolish been unprepared? The Lord said to them "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." (v. 12). "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (v. 13, see also Lk. 21:34-36). We do not know the day nor the hour, but those who are wise and understand, those whom the Lord knows, see the signs as they have been prophesied in scripture, and are determined to be awake and watchful. *Based upon Dr. Stevenson's 11/25/20 message to the Church. To contact this ministry, or to obtain the new book "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling": PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com If you would like to know Jesus Christ, and receive His salvation, believe and confess that He died for your sins, and was raised from the dead (Rom. 10:9-10). Pray "Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that You are coming again to rule and to reign. Forgive my sins. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to lead me, teach me, and enpower me to live righteously in You. I believe that You have cleansed me, saved me, and given me eternal life. I pray these things in Your great name, Jesus. Amen.

Redeeming the Time, Redeeming the Land

 

We are living in a time of great darkness, with the darkness seeming to grow deeper every day. That darkness manifests in many different ways, but it is all of the same darkness. It is the spiritual darkness that rejects truth and life. It rejects the Word of God, and rebels against His LORDship. In recent days, as in the past, the darkness has taken the form of racial hatred and violence, terrorism, perversions, child murder, murder in general, and other forms that we are seeing on the news every day. Sometimes, we are tempted to forget the plan of God in the midst of this darkness. Even as we see this darkness seeming to spread further and further over our nation and the whole earth, scripture tells us that God foresaw it happening and prophesied about it:

"Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you."

Isa. 60:1-2

The same (kabode) glory that the LORD, Himself, possesses, He has given to us, as well as the same (ore) light as is Jesus, who said, "I am the light of the world." (Jn. 8:12, 9:5). This is the same light that Jesus spoke of when He told us that we also were the light of the world (Mt. 5:14).

It is the way of the LORD, that when darkness tries to reign, He pours out His glory light upon us and tells us to shine with it. As we know in the natural, the darker the surroundings, the greater effect light has upon it. So it is also in the spiritual realm.

The prophet Daniel told us that when the darkness of wickedness would flourish, "...the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." (Dan. 11:32).

The call and purpose for God's people in these troubling dark times is clear. This is when the light of the Gospel in us should appear at its greatest. This is the time when the light of the uncompromised truth of God's Word is needed to save lives and souls, to deliver them out of that darkness and into His marvelous light, even as we were delivered.

The Apostle Paul instructs us, when dealing with those outside the faith, to let our speech "always be with grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:5-6). We are always to speak the grace of God, but also with the salt of truth that preserves and cleanses. He says by doing this, we "redeem the time". What a deep concept. It means to recover from the power of another the epoch waited for, the fixed time when things are brought to crisis. We can possibly say then that the darkness is trying to have power over the timing, or delay the timing, of the return of Christ, the awaited epoch. However, one reason that God has poured out His own glory, and His Son's light upon us, is for the purpose of taking back that time. It requires us to be the fullness of that light.

Why is it so important that we not compromise the truth we know with the darkness around us? The light that the darkness cannot destroy from the outside (Jn. 1:5), it will try to destroy from the inside. Jesus warned:

"The light of the body is the eye; therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness....If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light."

Lk. 11:34-36

Even a small compromise with darkness, destroys the whole light within, according to Jesus.
Similarly, the Apostle Paul tells us in Eph. 5:1-27 to be imitators of God, avoiding the works of darkness, and to walk as children of light. He says that these dark works and behaviors are even shameful to talk about. These behaviors come from fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, and idolatry. Do not be partakers with them. While we once shared in these dark works, we are now light in the Lord, proving (giving evidence) of what is acceptable to the Lord, rather than the abominations of darkness. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, he tells us, but rather expose them, making them manifest out of hiding by the light of Christ.

He concludes these thoughts by saying in v. 16:

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Again, he talks about the concept of "redeeming the time".  While we are redeeming the time from the power of the darkness, we are also redeeming our land from that darkness. If we care about the spiritual condition of our land, God has given us His own glory to bring to it, if we will walk in that glory and light.

Let us understand, above all, that "Christ is head of the church; and Savior of the body." (v.23).  A church that compromises with darkness, though it pleases the world, has removed Christ from its headship. For by His headship, He is presenting to Himself a "glorious (kabode) church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (v.27).

 

 

Recommended reading: "Redeeming the Land", by Gwen Shaw, 1987 (see links below)

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