More Excellent*

Continuing this week in our series "Search the Scriptures", we will find that the Word of God teaches us of a more excellent way. The Book of Proverbs contains the counsel of godly wisdom and it says, "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them." (Prov. 12:26. The Hebrew word for "excellent" is tur, meaning to search (for righteousness). Even each Hebrew letter of the word tur, has a meaning that reflects the source of excellence. The Hebrew letters together mean "the cross/the covenant, the nail, and the Highest or the most important person". The more excellent way is to be searched out in God's Word. Proverbs also says, "A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised." (Prov. 12:8). We have also spoken these last two weeks of the condition of the heart, and its importance in our walk. Paul wrote of how the Jews rested and boasted in their knowledge of the law. He wondered why, as they taught others the law, they didn't also teach themselves. If they did, then Paul would not have to ask them: "...dost thou steal?", "...dost thou commit adultery?", "...dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written...if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision...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. 2:17-29). The more excellent way is to be transformed and circumcised inwardly, in the heart, by the Word and the Spirit of God. This was Paul's prayer for the believers as he wrote to the Philippians: "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:9-11). In the more excellent way, your love has to increase along with the fruits of righteousness by Jesus Christ. The Book of Hebrews says that by His inheritance as the Son of God, the name of Jesus is more excellent than even the angels: "...when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.". It is unto the Son that he said, "...Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." (Heb. 1:4-8). The more excellent way is the Son, and for us to follow in the righteousness of His authority and kingdom. Also in Hebrews, the more excellent priesthood of Christ, the Son, is written about: "We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." (Heb. 8:1-2). While earthly priests offered gifts according to the requirements of the law, which was only after the pattern of the heavenly things, this Priest, Jesus, also came with an offering, fulfilling the "heavenly things", rather than a pattern or shadow of them. Because of this: "...now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (v. 6). This new covenant established after the true heavenly things is not the same covenant which God had established with the fathers, which they broke, and were still breaking, as Paul mentioned above. However, the new covenant promised by God through the prophets, and established in the offering by Jesus of Himself, surpasses the old: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people...for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (v. 9-12). As we saw that Jesus established a better priesthood of the heavenly things rather than the pattern of them, He also fulfilled, and will fulfill, the Feasts of the LORD, as given by God to Moses in the law. Jesus has already fulfilled the spring feasts, but approaching immediately are the fall feasts, which the Lord shall also fulfill. Tonight begins the Feast of Trumpets. This is the way that the fall feasts are written: "...In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. Ye shall do not servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." (Lev. 23:23-25). The observing of the sabbath, itself, is the first of the LORD's feasts (Lev. 23:2-3), by the way. The Feasts of Trumpets will be fulfilled by Jesus. We know that in the Rapture, the trump shall sound, and we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The next of the fall feasts, which is also soon to arrive, is the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur (v. 26-32), a solemn feast day which comes ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, and calls all of God's people to a sabbath, with the affliction of our souls in fasting, prayer and repentance. It is prayed and hoped at this time that one's name will be written in the (Lamb's) Book of Life. Five days later, the Feast of Tabernacles, lasting seven days, will be observed (v. 33-36). All of these Feasts require a special offering to be brought before the LORD. Have you prepared your offering to Him? All of the Feasts of the LORD are commanded to be observed forever. The Feast days are upon us now. Don't be caught unaware of their meaning, and their importance in God's eyes, and to the salvation of His people. These Feasts represent Christ: the Bridegroom is coming - be ready. Although many churches do not teach these things, this is part of our preparation for the Lord's return. They are part of the more excellent way. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/25/2022 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.

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.

The Great Trumpet and the Feast of Atonement*

Yom Kippur, or the Feast of Atonement, is approaching this week. There is a great trumpet that plays a role in this feast. The Atonement is also often referred to as the "At-One-Ment", where man is reconciled with God by the blood of Atonement, which in the fulfillment of this feast, is the blood of Jesus. Adam and Eve had this "oneness" in their relationship with God in the garden, walking and talking with Him, before they disobeyed God and fell. The prophet Isaiah connected the reconciliation in man's relationship with God with the sound of a great trumpet: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river into the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem." (Isa. 27:12-13). The coming of Christ is also described with the same great trumpet: "Immediately after the tribulation...the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Mt. 24:29-31). As Isaiah referred to a threshing and gathering of Israel at the sound of the great trumpet, Jesus also taught of a gathering done at the sound of a great blast of a trumpet. The Feast of Atonement is the call to examine ourselves, and to come back into the status of righteousness in God: "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth...Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Ps. 11:3-7). We are seeing the nation's foundations being destroyed, more each day. This affects the righteousness of the nation. The LORD's temple is holy, and we read in scripture that His temple is a living temple, and that we are that living temple of God. The wicked will suffer great snares and punishments, while the countenance, or face, of the LORD is turned to the righteous. The Word of God tells us to "seek His face". This time leading up to the Day of Atonement is the time to seek the LORD's face. The verses from the Psalms above point out the important role played in the life of the righteous by "the foundations". The foundation not only establishes the steadiness and squareness of a building, but unifies the components that are being built together upon it. The apostle Paul wrote concerning the foundation of this living holy temple of God: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into a holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit." (Eph. 2:19-22, see also 1 Cor. 3:9-11). The building being constructed is the holy temple of God, and it is built upon the foundation of the Word of God established by the apostles and prophets, with Christ being the cornerstone. This holy temple cannot be constructed on any other type of foundation. The components being united in this building according to the verses above are Israel and the Gentiles. The Gentiles were strangers and aliens without the covenant of promise, and without the hope of God (v. 11-14). However, now through the blood of Jesus Christ, the barrier between the two peoples, and between the Gentiles and God, has been dissolved. From these separated parts, Jesus has made one new man, reconciled together into one body by the work of the cross (v. 15-16). This is the Atonement that reconciles and unites into One. Why then is the Church so divided? Instead of building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with the cornerstone being Christ, many churches have been built on the interpretations and doctrines of men. Ephesians 4:11-16 states that the ministers that have been supplied to the Church by Jesus, which include apostles and prophets as well as many other gifts of ministry (see 1 Cor. 12:27-28 also), cause the Body of Christ to be edified to do the work of the ministry, and perfected until the Church comes into "the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ...". This necessary foundation of the apostles and prophets has not passed away, although some in the Church erroneously believe that it has. The Church still is not unified, or perfected, nor has it attained the full stature of Christ. This foundation, as gifted to us by Christ, is to prevent us from being like children, "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (v. 14). We see this today, as so many believers are deceived into following strange and divisive doctrines. The Lord wants us to be established in truth (v. 15), if we are to grow up into our Head, and the Head of all things, Jesus Christ. This is the purpose in the Atonement. The apostle Peter urged the Church to remember their foundation, "...the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour." (2 Peter 3:1-2). Keeping this foundation is especially important to the Church in these laat days, according to Peter, as pressure mounts to follow false doctrines, and having to face the challenges to truth from scoffers. The great trumpet of the Day of Atonement, like the great trumpet that is sounded at the return of Christ, is to cause the Church, the Bride, to unite with the Holy Spirit in saying to all who hear, to all who thirst, and to the Lord Himself, "Come" (Rev. 22:17, 20). The Book of Revelation also warns that the words of prophecy in this book cannot be added to, or removed, without severe consequences from plague to removal from the book of life for the one who does so (Rev. 22:18-19). These are the consequences for those who would destroy the true foundation, and the goal of Atonement - unity with God in Christ, unity with each other in the Body as the holy temple of God, and unity of the faith: "At-One-Ment". *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 9/12/21 message to the Church. To contact us, submit a prayer request or praise report, or to support the ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

The Crux of the Faith*

Last week, we discussed the Lord's command to Peter, based on the Peter's expressed love for Christ, to "Feed My sheep". In the condition in which the Church finds itself today, do we know how the feed the sheep? As in the natural, babies in the faith need to start out with the "milk" of the Word, the basic fundamentals of the Christian faith, and as they mature, they can be fed the "meat" of the Word, those things that take us deeper and higher in the knowledge of God. The first of the basics is found in Romans 3, "...for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one...Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. But now, the righteousness of God...is manifested... Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 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;" (v. 9-25). The use of the word, "propitiation" refers to the sprinkling of the blood, in this case Christ's own blood, upon the mercy seat of God for the remission of the sin that all of us have. We do not come to this gift of righteousness through any religious works or good deeds, but by faith, not even by our own faith, that we would take crdit for it, but we come by the faith of the Son of God. And we believe in the power of His blood to cleanse us of sin by that same faith, the faith of the Son. John the Baptist declared upon seeing Jesus, "Behold the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world." It is the lamb's blood, on Passover, applied to the doorposts and lintels of their houses, that delivered God's people from the angel of death in the last plague of Egypt. Having received this saving faith of the Son of God in order to accept the gift of righteousness given to us by the Father, having our sins wiped away by the blood of Christ, what is our continuing understanding to be and teach to others? Romans 6 says, "...Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?...like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we should also walk in newness of life...our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth, we should not serve sin...Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof...For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace...Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness...For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (v. 1-23). Having been delivered from our sins, and its consequence, death, we are not to continue in sin. We have died and been raised with Christ. The dead no longer are the servants of sin. Having received the gift of the righteousness of God in Christ, and the newness of His resurrection life, we are not to continue in unrighteousness. In Isaiah 52 and 53, the prophet writes to us of the severe suffering of the Servant of God, who did not suffer this rejection and torture because of His own sin, but for the sins of others. His blood would sprinkle (NAZAH) all nations, and kings who did not see this event as it happened, still "would see" and considered it. As Paul would also write later in Romans, Isaiah saw the condition of those for whom this servant died: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all....he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter..." (Isa. 53:7-8). And, "...he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed...by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities...he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (v. 5, 11-12). Jesus interceded for us in His work on the cross. He continues to make intercession for all. Paul writes, "...God our Saviour...Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:3-6). God desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance, and to that salvation, righteousness, and everlasting life that He has provided through Jesus Christ, His Servant, and beloved Son. These things are the basic fundamentals of the faith of Christ, which we are to know for ourselves in order to be transformed, and in order to teach others. *This is based on the 10/18/20 message of Dr. Stevenson to the Church. To contact Dr. Stevenson and the ministry, write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705. By email: everlastingcovenant@ymail.com

Being Ready*

 

Last week, we discussed the truth vs. the lie, and how these things relate to the return of Christ, and the day of the Lord. Let's see what the prophets have to say concerning these events, and how we should be preparing ourselves for them:

"Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret  unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the LORD God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?"   Amos 3:6-8

The prophetic word of God is like a trumpet sounding an alert, like a lion giving his warning roar. It requires a reaction from us. A wise man takes these warnings seriously, and reacts accordingly. The LORD announces these warnings so that those who will give heed to them will have knowledge and become prepared.

In Revelation, as the Seven Vials of Wrath are released by the angels, a warning is given:

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."   Rev. 16:15

We are now in the period of tribulation spoken of in the word of God. Christians are persecuted, even to death in some places, and are blamed for everything. This is the time when God warns His people to be watching. It is not the time to be distracted by worldly things, or fleshly concerns. The warning in the Gospel of Luke says:

"Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overtaken...and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare it shall come upon 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

We are to be watching for the day, praying, and keeping our hearts unblemished in His righteousness. It is not our own righteousness that keeps us, but Christ's righteousness, paid for each one of us in His own blood. We are to keep our hearts, and our spiritual garments in this saving righteousness. It is a righteousness that does not compromise truth, and does not compromise with sin and death.

The day of the return of Christ has not yet occurred. At His coming, the dead in Christ are raised first, and then we who are still alive join them and Christ (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Paul warned the Church not to be ignorant. There are conditions and events which precede Christ's return. Paul delivered the word of the Lord regarding this event:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."   2 Thess. 2:1-4 (excerpt)

The first event that precedes the coming of Christ is a "falling away". This is the Greek word, apostasea, meaning "defection from truth". As we discovered last week, the lie that deceives man, and separates him from God and truth, questions and challenges everything in God's word. We have seen this condition today like never before. Even in the Church, apostasea is taking its toll. According to statistics, in 1972, 16% of Americans in mainstream denominations described themselves as evangelical Christians. By 1977, that number increased to 24%, and again, by 1993, the number increased to 30%, approximately one in three Americans. However, as of today's figures, that number has dropped to 24%, only 10% of whom identify themselves with a mainstream denomination. In 1972, those who then described themselves as either atheist or agnostic were 5%. Now that figure has increased to 24%. The numbers show that fewer are believing, and more are becoming unbelievers. We see daily the manifestation of these statistics in our culture, as secular humanism**, even the perverse, the demonic, and the repudiators of Christ gain more and more influence, even over our children, which has always been their declared goal. The Church seeks "peace" in this turmoil by compromising truth, and the wicked are justified for a reward. Evil is called good, and good, evil. Hell is enlarged, and scoffers jeer at the idea of God intervening in judgment. The LORD is angry with His own people as they deny the truth, and accept the lie, and are taken in captivity because of it, but His hand is stretched out still to them. Never doubt,  "... the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness." (Isa. 5:13-25).

The LORD is waiting for His people to repent, pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. He will hear from heaven, and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).

Paul wrote that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God...." (1 Thess. 4:16). These are the sounds of warning, and the sounds of warfare and victory. His coming will be sudden and when least expected, like a thief in the night. Are you ready?

 

**https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanist_Manifesto

   https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/manifesto1/

 

 

*The above is based upon the 8/11/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

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https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

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/ 

The Marriage of the Lamb*

 

As we continually see the signs all around us signaling the return of the Lord, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb has a very specific place in these things. God has always wanted to be married to His people, and in scripture He calls Himself a Husband to Israel. The same is true in regards to His Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God:

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God...And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."   Rev. 19:1-9 (excerpt)

The wife making herself ready is tied to our salvation, the kingdom, the rapture, all of these. In Mt. 25, the Lord tells a parable of five wise, and five foolish virgins. The wise virgins were prepared when they were called into the marriage supper. They had oil in their lamps. The oil here represents the Holy Spirit. The foolish virgins had not prepared adequately for the arrival of the bridegroom, and had no oil to light their lamps. The bridegroom came unexpectedly at midnight, when all slept, and the wise virgins who were ready and prepared, quickly rose and were able to go immediately with him, while the foolish virgins rushed to buy oil. By the time the foolish virgins acquired the oil they lacked, the door to the marriage feast had already been shut, and they could not enter. The Lord said to them as they cried out for Him, "I know you not." Jesus warned, "Watch (keep awake, give strict attention to, active, arouse from sleep, stir up, raise up) therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Mt. 25:1-13).

The Church doesn't understand the maturity, unity, and the fullness of the stature of Christ expected of us as taught by those who have been given to us by God to prepare us and make us ready for Jesus' soon coming. If we are all to have "oil", and be doing the work of ministry, why are some content to live however they want? Jesus warned not to let life, and the cares of life catch us unaware in the snare that is meant for all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. He warned again, "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).

Revelation describes a horrible scene where people from all walks of life, from the highest to the lowest, beg the rocks to fall on them and cover them, "and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17). This is the question for each of us to ask ourselves as the hour draws near: "Who shall be able to stand before the Son of man?"

The prophet Malachi asks this same question:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 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: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."  Mal. 3:1-3

We believers in Christ are called to a royal priesthood, as well. Malachi continues on to describe the corrupt and wicked condition of the priests (v. 5), and speaks of the necessity for this priesthood to be purified and refined in His fire, until all impurities are removed, and the face of the Refiner is reflected in the pure gold and silver that results.

The Church, Christ's royal priesthood, compromises truth, and is filled with impurities and sin, refusing to be purified and refined through repentance, the LORD's refining fire. The Church in many cases accepts what the LORD has forbidden, and encourages others to do so as well. To all of these things, the LORD says:"For I am the LORD, I change not.." (v. 6). He changes not because this is the way He has made to spare us from destruction. 

The LORD saw the hearts of men then, and now, who say to themselves that there is no advantage to the righteousness of keeping the LORD's word. The wicked are happy, prosperous and delivered out of their problems, while the people of God seem to suffer. However, God promises that there is an advantage in every way to seeking His righteousness.

As the priests of the LORD receive the refining and purifying fire of God, they and their land become blessed, and a blessing to others, recognized by all of the nations of the earth (Mal. 3:11-12). This also is the truth of the LORD that will never change.

Jesus told the parable (Mt. 22:1-14) of the king who prepared a marriage banquet for his son, and invited all the guests that one would expect to see at the royal wedding:

"Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."  (v. 4).

However, those whom the king honored with his invitation refused to come, too busy with life and business, even doing violence to the servants who brought the invitation. The king then opened the invitation to anyone who would come, regardless of station in life. One man who came, did not have on the proper wedding garments, however. When the king questioned him about it, the man had no answer for the king, and he was ordered bound and thrown "into outer darkness".

We can learn from this parable that as the invited wedding guests try to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb not properly prepared, nor attired in the linen of righteousness (Rev. 19:8), they shall not be accepted into the marriage supper. "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mt. 22:13). Jesus concludes by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen."

The Lord has made it clear as to what He expects from us. We will not enter the marriage supper in any manner that we choose. We will not enter if we have not prepared for it. We will miss the moment, if we are not watching and praying. We will not enter without the proper wedding garments of pure linen, which is the righteousness of the saints. These garments are attained by those who accept the purifying, refining fire of the LORD. If we take the invitation lightly, we will not be ready.

The question being asked of us today, and which we must search ourselves for the answer, is, "Who shall be able to stand before the Son of man? Who can abide His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?

 *The above is based upon the 7/7/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

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/ 

 

More End Time Knowledge*

 

We are going to look at the subject of the end times again, but this time, on a verse by verse basis. We will be studying the book of Second Peter, chapters 1 and 2 for this message.

At the beginning of this epistle, Peter identifies himself as an apostle. Peter makes clear that he has written to the Church, not as a believer in fables, but as an eyewitness to the majesty of Christ, and the voice of God from heaven proclaiming Him (2 Pet. 1:16-19). He is writing to those who have found faith in in the righteousness of God and Christ as Savior. He is addressing believers. He emphasizes the importance of growing in the knowledge of God. As their knowledge of God and Christ increases, grace and peace is multiplied to them as a result. The increase in knowledge of God is a growing and maturing process. All things pertaining to life and Godliness have already been provided to us through His divine power and through knowledge of Him. We have been called by nature of these things to glory and virtue (moral goodness and excellence, modesty, purity). We have been given great, precious promises including the partaking of God's divine nature. As receivers of His divinity, we have been given the escape out the corruption of the world that comes through lusts. Peter assured the Church that God knows how to deliver us from the temptations of the world around us (2 Pet. 2:9). In his letter to the Church, Peter is establishing what has taken place through our faith and through our growing knowledge of God and Christ. From the very beginning, Peter is emphasizing the difference between believers and the world as a result of this knowledge (see also Rom. 12:1-2).

Peter describes the progression of the divine nature of God and Christ in us in the transformation of our character, through diligence on our part, and its effect upon the fruitfulness and success of our Christian walk. Without this growth and progression, a believer cannot see ahead, and loses the knowledge of what he has been delivered from-his old nature, and sin. This is the progression in our growth in the knowledge of God:

faith--->virtue--->knowledge--->temperance (self control, self governance)--->patience--->godliness--->brotherly kindness--->charity/love



In the book of Ephesians, Paul also taught the goal of growing in the knowledge of God into the perfect man, which is the fullness of Christ. Paul goes on to say:

"...put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."   Eph. 4:22-24

These principles are directly related to end time conditions. Peter warned that because of covetousness, false prophets and false teachers come among us, the Church (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They teach false doctrines because of covetousness, to gain wealth from those who are deceived. In teaching about the signs of the end times, and His return, Jesus also warned about false prophets who would deceive many:

"And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 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."   Mt. 24:11-14

For the first time in history, the gospel has been carried to almost every nation on earth. Iniquity abounds through the same deception of which Jesus spoke. Many have turned from their faith. False prophets and teachers have told the Church that sin no longer matters, and they teach a false love. The love they teach is not a sacrificial love that saves, as is the love of God and Christ, but license masquerading as love that endorses sin leading to death. These are all confirming signs of the end times that we see today.

Peter opened his letter to the Church reminding believers of the purpose and privilege of God in Christ to elevate us into His divine nature: to achieve glory and virtue, to escape the corruption of the lusts of the world, and to walk in the divine nature of righteousness and true holiness in Christ. He was confronting the false teachings of his day that denied the importance of morality, and falsely taught that the gift of grace through Christ allowed men to live in whatever manner pleased them. They taught that Christians did not have to follow the Ten Commandments. In the first and second centuries of Peter's time, this was called Gnosticism, and later, Antinomianism. Scripture clearly refutes this falsehood (Rom. 3:31, 6:1-2, 15-16). As with all scripture, Peter's warnings are as relevant today as they were then. These false doctrines, and their false prophets and teachers still exist today in these end times as Jesus prophesied, and as we can all see.

Peter assured the Church then, and today, that judgment is sure to follow those who teach, believe, and practice these lies that corrupt. God did not spare the angels that embraced the lies. He did not spare the old world of Noah, which He destroyed by flood. Nor did He spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, which He destroyed by fire (2 Pet. 2:4-6). Only the righteous men, Noah and Lot, who was considered righteous because he was distressed by the wicked behavior around him, were spared in the midst of the destruction. Jesus said that in the day of His appearing, the days on earth would be the same as in the days of Noah, and also Sodom and Gomorrha, with men going about their lives until the moment that judgment hits (Lk. 17:26-30). But the judgment did come.

This wickedness being taught and practiced, and the manifesting of unclean, unnatural and reprobate behaviors as a result, arises from men who refuse to retain God in their knowledge, even though they know that their sinful behavior is worthy of death, and subject to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:24-32). They have knowledge of God because He and His works have been revealed to them, and so they are without excuse (v. 19-20). Because of this, the word of God says:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."  Rom. 1:18

As Paul describes them, they call sin, righteousness, and the truth of God, unrighteousness. This is exactly what we are seeing today. In the face of false prophets and teachers, Jesus has warned, Peter has warned, and Paul has warned about disregarding the knowledge of God. 

The people of God, instead, are to grow in knowledge of Him, and of His truth. We are purposed to share in the divine nature of God, having been called to glory and virtue.

*The above is based upon the 1/13 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

 

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.