Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persecution. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

End Times, Set Times*

 

The Apostle Peter wrote to the persecuted believers who inhabited regions in what we now call the nation of Turkey in 1 Peter Chapter 1. He wrote to them to encourage them to remain steadfast in the faith and hope that they have in Jesus Christ, even throughout the extreme trials they were experiencing for a season. Their faith, Peter wrote, was being tried by fire unto the praise, the honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." These believers, these elect, have an incorruptible inheritance waiting for them in heaven. These persecuted believers were part of the elect, wrote Peter, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling (the meaning of "nazah") of the blood of Jesus Christ....Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (v. 2, 5). The Greek word used to mean "last time" is the word kyros, meaning set time, specific time.
Those in the "last time" must expect persecution. In Lk. 21:9-36, Jesus described the signs of the last days before His return. Some of the signs He described included: wars and commotions of nations (ethnic groups), and kingdoms, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights and great signs in the heavens. Even before these signs and throughout them, there shall be persecution. Jesus also spoke that Jerusalem would be compassed about with great armies. "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (v. 22). Jesus also spoke of Jerusalem being trodden down of the Gentiles, "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (v. 24). We are seeing these signs fulfilled, and the conclusion of the times of the Gentiles regarding Jerusalem in this generation. Jesus also said:
"So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (v. 31-32).
When Jesus spoke of "this generation", He spoke of the generation living when the signs of which He spoke were coming to pass. We are this generation. Jesus went on to warn:
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 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 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." (v. 33-36).
Both Peter's letter to the persecuted believers, and Christ's prophecies regarding the signs of the last days before His return, refer to very specific and set times.
All of the events of Christ's life, His crucifixion, resurrection, the catching away of the Church, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, are foretold in the Feasts of the LORD that He commanded for Israel to keep for all of their generations. Christ has already fulfilled the three spring feasts with His first coming. He will likewise fulfill the three fall feasts with His return. All of these feasts are assigned to very specific timing and set dates, as is the meaning of the Greek kyros, which we saw above.
The fall feasts are detailed in Lev. 23:23-37. These fall feasts of the LORD begin with the Feast of Trumpets, the sounding of the shofar, calling the congregation of the Lord to assemble, calling them to days of repentance. This Feast is set at a specific time: the first day of the seventh month, at the sighting of the new moon. To many in the Church, this feast is prophetically associated with and will be fulfilled in the rapture of the Church, which is also signified by the sounding of the Great Trump, the Last Trump, according to scripture.
During the next ten days, called The Days of Awe, the congregation spends time in solemn repentance. On the tenth day of this seventh month, the Day of Atonement, the people are to afflict their souls, and the high priest applies the blood of the atonement upon the mercy seat of God in the tabernacle or temple. Jesus is our blood of atonement. We are not to take His atoning blood lightly, or for granted. The tradition of the Jews during this solemn and holy time, is to gather in small groups with friends, examining each other for sin. Sins are confessed and repented. The third feast is Tabernacles, set on the fifteenth day of this same first month. This feast continues for seven days. To the Church, the late harvest and shutting in of Tabernacles, which is a joyful feast, is to be fulfilled by a final harvest of souls, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, with His spotless Bride in heaven. These Feasts of the LORD are all designated as Sabbaths, wherein the congregation focuses their attention solely on the LORD, rather than other activities, and their offerings are made to Him by fire.
The LORD does all things by His set, specific times, as we have seen above. This same principle applies to the events of the end times as well. 
We are already seeing the signs, and many across the world are seeing the persecution that attends them, as Jesus foretold. We in this nation are not yet being persecuted to death, but we are seeing that Christians are being blamed for many of the ills being sighted by those who call themselves "Progressives", because, unfortunately, Christians seem to be supporting ungodly things. In America, we still have the liberty to practice our faith, but what are we doing with that liberty? We are not here to support either a Republican or Democratic political agenda, but a Godly, Biblical, Christ-like agenda.
Innocent people, like our son, Sean Stevenson, are being murdered, and no justice is coming forth. We, the people of God, need to call sin, sin and evil, evil, in these things. Is there a greater abomination before God than child murder? Yet many in the Church support it. The prophets and Jesus warned all, including religious leadership, regarding this compromise of truth saying, "Woe unto you...". Considering all of these things, are we shocked to see judgment and catastrophes fall?
The people of God need to pray, confess their sins, and turn from their wicked ways before God, so He will hear from heaven and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14).


*The above is based upon the 8/30/20 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, or Memorial Fund for Sean Stevenson:

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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.
 
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 Remembering:

                                                                    Sean Stevenson
 

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

God's Timetable in Our Generation

 
 
Historically speaking, 2017 marks an important milestone anniversary for several world-changing events:
  • 120th anniversary of the First Zionist Conference (1897), with the goal of seeking to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine
  • 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration (1917), announcing British government support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine
  • 70th anniversary of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine-mandating the establishment of a state of Israel
  • 50th anniversary of the re-capture of East Jerusalem by the Israeli army
In the last few years, there have also been noteworthy signs in the heavens, including full lunar eclipses and blood moons occurring on Jewish Feasts.
These unusual events, and more, should be putting us on alert to watch, and prepare for the return of Christ.
On top of all of these things, in Mt. 24:3, Jesus spoke privately, with only His disciples, about the signs of His coming, and the end of the age (not the end of the world, as translated incorrectly from the Greek KJV).  These were things He wanted not only His then disciples to know, but also His present disciples, you and me. He wanted us to have this information, in order to protect us from deception:
:And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you."  Mt. 24:4
"Deception" is most often mentioned by Jesus as a danger of this age before His return-both those who wish to deceive, and those being deceived (V. 4, 5, 11, 23, 24, 26). Christ's first instruction to us is in regard to this wide-spread deception: "Take heed" meaning in the Greek "beware (or be aware), see, perceive, discern, understand, weigh carefully, examine". The deception involved will be very seductive, and convincing, and many will fall victim to it, even those who should be the least likely to fall, the elect (V. 24). Included in the powerful deception of this age will be the arising of those who claim to be Christ (Messiah), those who falsely claim to be prophets, and those who declare Christ has returned, or will return, in a false manner (V. 5, 11, 26).
One reason the false Christs and false prophets will be so convincing to many is because they will work great signs and wonders.
In our time, we have seen this happen with news stories of false Messiahs and false "messengers" and prophets leading many to ruin, and even death. All over the world, people are following these deceptive leaders. Many are murdering in the names of false prophets.
Jesus also warns that warfare, racial, and national hatreds will dominate this age (V. 6-7). Hatred and violence in all nations against believers will escalate (V. 9-10). Racial, ethnic, and national violence rages today like never before in history, and anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-Christian hatred and persecution are on the increase around the world. The same United Nations that originally mandated a state of Israel, now officially condemns it.
Jesus tells us that in this time, before He returns, lives will be destroyed by famines and pestilences (V.7). Famines have indeed decimated many areas of the globe, and plagues of deadly diseases have spread through nations and continents.
Even the earth itself, will be in upheaval with quakes (V.7). We are now seeing more frequent, and greater intensity quakes than ever previously recorded. This turmoil is not limited to the earth, but enters the heavens also (V. 29). Stars will fall, bodies of light will dim, and heavenly powers will be shaken.
As the heavens, earth, and nations twist in violence, the individual soul will also see turmoil. The soul will be burdened by offenses and betrayals (V. 10). In droves, people have walked away from their churches, and even their faith, as real and imagined offenses and betrayals have entered in.
Jesus also warned that there would be a great increase in sin and iniquity around us. It will cause our own love of God and each other to grow cold (V. 12). In our own time, our hearts and souls have been grieved as the world has demanded that sin and perversity be considered as righteousness, and goodness, and cause for celebration. The human soul is being twisted and torn, as truth is being twisted and torn. It has now become evil in the eyes of men, to stand for righteousness, and believe the Word of God.
All of these troubles and more, will intensify as the return of Christ draws nearer.
Those who have heard and understood the words of Jesus, when they see all of these things, will know that His appearing is near, even at the doors (V. 33). Jesus gives this description of the approaching time:
"But as the days of (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that (Noah) entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be...Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."  Mt. 24:37-39, 42
What are believers to be doing as we see the time drawing nearer? Jesus tells us:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."  V. 14
Remember:
"Behold, I have told you before."  Mt. 24:25

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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

My Name's Not Job! Or is it?



 
At this time, we are seeing hatred, and even persecution, directed towards Christians across the globe. America, as a perceived Christian nation, is along with Israel, one of the most hated nations. In America itself, Bible believing Christians are finding that they are hated for the truth for which they stand. Jesus told us that this would be so, and it is recorded in all four Gospels:
"...hated of all nations {hated of all men} for My name's sake," 
                                                                        Mt. 10, Mt. 24, Mk. 13, Lk. 21, Jn. 15
Jesus said there would be persecution (Mt. 10:23). This hatred and persecution would be because of His name, and because the world not only hated Him first, but also because they hate His Father, who sent Him. Jesus said that the world hates Him because He has removed the cloak with which they hide and cover their sin, so they now have no excuse. The world would hate His believers because those believers are not of the world, just as He is not of the world (Jn. 15:18-24). If they hate the Master, and call Him Beelzebub, how much more will they hate those of His household (Mt. 10:24-25).
Sometimes, because this place of hatred in the world becomes so uncomfortable, the church begins to compromise, and give the world back that cloak to cover and excuse sins, but Jesus came to remove the cloak.
Rather than make friends with the hatred, or compromise with it, Jesus instructs us to patiently endure it (Mt. 10:22, Mk. 13:13, Lk. 21:18-19). This very patience and endurance would save us. His use of the word "patience" means cheerful endurance. He prays the Father to equip us with the joy that He has (Jn. 17:13). It seems difficult to endure hatred and persecution with cheerfulness and joy, but Jesus has prayed the Father on our behalf.
 

As we consider patience in the face of adversity, we cannot help but be reminded of Job. It should not surprise us to find that Job's name means "hated, persecuted". Where did he receive the patience to endure? The Hebrew letters of his name, aleph, yod, beth, give us a hint. The meaning of these letters form a picture of dwelling in the tent/tabernacle of God's strength and powerful hand. As Job begins to falter in the presence and counsel of his "comforters", the LORD intervenes and brings Job back to that tent of His strength in no uncertain terms in chapters 38-41. Job's dwelling place, though he is in the world, is not of this world. It is in that tabernacle of God's strength and mighty power! This was the moment of Job's deliverance - when he was brought back to that tabernacle. Job said that previously he had known God by hearing of Him, but now Job knew God by seeing and experiencing for himself God's great power (Job 42:5). What is found in this tabernacle of God's strength and power that delivers us? Hope is found there.
David found this in Psalms 42 and 43:
"When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, and with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance...for Thou art the God of my strength...why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?...let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles (tent). Then I will go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy...I praise Thee, O God my God...hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Consider God's strength and power, and stir up that hope and joy that can be found in His tent, even in the face of hatred and persecution. It is our deliverance. Look where this hope brings us:
"...we might have a strong consolation (comfort, encouragement, solace, refreshment, strengthening), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail (veil); Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."     Heb. 6:18-20
Into this tent of Job's, and David's, and Jesus, into this place within the veil, where hope brings us, there is not only comfort and consolation, but blessing and rewards as well. Jesus said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven..."      Mt. 5:10-12 


Even as Job, hated and persecuted, received a double portion (Job 42:10, 12) as he entered back into those tent of God's strength and powerful hand, and prayed for those who had not been a comfort to him (Mt. 5:44), so the prophets promise a double portion:
"For your shame you shall have double; and for confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."   Isa. 61:7   and
"Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee."     Zech. 9:12
 

As we endure with patience by entering the tent of God's strength and powerful hand, following hope through the veil, Jesus promised:
"Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth...Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple (tent) of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name."   Rev. 3:10-12
 
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope in God.