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.

Proper Prior Prayer*

 

 

There is a saying: "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

I would like to amend that proverb this way: "Proper Prior PRAYER Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

As Jesus and the Apostles taught about the events or signs of the end times, which we are seeing every day now, and the return of Christ, they warned that prayer was a vital ingredient in our preparation, and for our survival through those things to come. As Jesus discussed specifically the events before His return, He concluded:

"...take heed to yourselves...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 accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." 

                                                                                                        Lk. 21:34-36

Scripture says that we are not appointed unto wrath, however, we are not assured escape from the tribulation, those earth-churning events, except by the possibility provided through prayer. The Apostle Paul also taught regarding the times of the end, and our preparation for them:

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief...Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."   1 Thess. 5:4, 17-18

Apostle Peter similarly wrote:

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 

                                                                                                           1 Pet. 4:7

Something is very wrong if we do not have a constant attitude of prayer, especially in these times of signs. The latest sign to us is the world wide spread of the Corona Virus, or Covid19. Many are acting foolishly tempting God by the assembling of themselves carelessly. Others are being careful and sober to observe all physical precautions, but are we including the prayerfulness that Jesus and the Apostles urged?

Paul wrote:

"...The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   Phil. 4:5-7

Many are anxious and fearful at this time. Enter into prayer with thanksgiving, and through it, the peace of God found in Christ will be available to you.

As Paul wrote about the spiritual preparation necessary and available to all saints daily (Eph. 6:10-17), he included in his final instructions:

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints."  v. 18

As Solomon completed the building of the temple in Jerusalem, which is a house of prayer for all nations, he prayed to the LORD concerning it, and the LORD answered him. Solomon asked the LORD that in the case of catastrophic events and circumstances, which would include famine, pestilence, locusts, and attacking enemies, brought about by the sins of God's people, if the people of God, and also the stranger in the midst, return to Him, confess, and pray towards that special place of prayer, the house of God, that God would then forgive His people and maintain their cause (2 Chron. 6, 7). Even as Solomon ended his prayer at the altar, fire from heaven came down and consumed the offering being made, and the glory of God filled the temple. The LORD then made this solemn promise in answer to Solomon's humble prayer on behalf of God's people:

"...I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 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.. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."  2 Chron. 7:11-16 (excerpt)

This physical house of God spoken of above, held His presence and glory. It was a house of sacrifice. Each item of furnishing within it testified prophetically of His Son, the Messiah Jesus who would come. Now Jesus has built that same house, or temple, within each of us who call upon His name, and are filled with His Holy Spirit. Jesus was zealous for this precious "temple" of prayer, forcefully cleansing it of thieves and merchandisers, and would allow nothing to defile it.

Even as Israel prepares to rebuild the physical temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as is also prophesied in scripture, we, the believers in Christ, have a special responsibility as God's most holy spiritual temples. We have been called to be a house of prayer for all nations.

"Proper Prior Prayer Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance".

 

*The above is based upon the 4/19/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

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

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

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

You can send your testimonies to:

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

 



Sean Stevenson

 





Will You Look on Him? Will You Mourn For Him?*





 

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson has a message for you. It is the truth, and brings a challenge to each of us. As the author of four books on this subject, and as a teacher of scripture for many years, Dr. Stevenson brings insight into the Shroud of Turin, the signs of the end times, and his suggestion of how each of us can be part of a nation-wide ministry to spread the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these last days, and how we can bring healing to our deeply divided nation.

We encourage you to listen to his message at the link below, and join in this important opportunity to minister regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to both the Jew and to the Gentile.

Before our eyes, we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah who wrote:

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."   Zech 12:9-10

Dr. Stevenson's Message for You


*The above is based upon the 3/8/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

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

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

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

You can send your testimonies to:

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

 



Sean Stevenson

Rise, Shine, and Redeem the Time*

RISE, SHINE, AND REDEEM THE TIME!

 

 

When we were children, our parents might have awakened us in the morning by saying, "Rise and shine, time to get up!". As we see the end time signs pointing to the return of Christ, the Word of God also cries out the same thing to the Church, because the Church is sleeping. Jesus spoke a parable of ten virgins who were sleeping when the sudden call of the bridegroom came (Mt. 25:1-10). Five of the virgins were wise: they had lamps filled with oil. They had vessels of extra oil, and the lamp wicks were trimmed and ready for lighting. They had properly prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom, though they did not know exactly when that would be. Five of the virgins were foolish: they had lamps, but they had no oil for their lamps. All ten had something in common though. They were all asleep when the call that the bridegroom had arrived went forth at midnight. The wise virgins awoke and being prepared, were able to go immediately to meet the bridegroom and to enter the wedding with him, and the door was shut. The five foolish tried to borrow oil from the wise ones, but were told that they must go out and buy their own oil at this last minute. By the time the five foolish virgins returned with the necessary oil for their lamps, the bridegroom had come and left. When they tried to get into the wedding, asking the bridegroom to open for them, He answered,"Verily I say unto you, I know you not." Jesus concluded the parable by warning, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Scripture tells us that after this prophetically timed point, the only way to enter will be as martyrs.

As Jesus was able to identify those whom He knows by their readiness and preparation for His coming, Paul taught that we can identify the readiness of the Church by their "shine" of preparation also, as the wrath of God becomes imminent for those who are the "children of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6-17). He even tells us not to walk as fools but as wise. The children of disobedience are those who fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. However, he says, we are light in the Lord: walk as children of light. Walking in the light means that not only do we not fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but we reprove them:

"But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."  (v. 13-14).

Paul wrote that by shining as light in this manner, we are "redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (v. 16-17). In teaching this wisdom concerning being light in darkness, Paul was referring to the prophecy of Isaiah which said,

"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 the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."   Isa. 60:1-3

Jesus prayed to the Father that we would have the same glory that He had in the Father from the beginning. We can understand then why Jesus said that He, as the Bridegroom, did not know those who did not possess this light which is with those who love Him, and are prepared, waiting and looking for His appearing. It is not a light that you can obtain from others. It must come with the preparedness found in the relationship we have with the Light of the World, Jesus. This glory light in us is at its most important when the darkness has come to cover the earth, as we are seeing now. Knowing these signs of the times, Paul urges:

"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. The night is far spent, 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

Jesus told His generation that they did not know the signs of the times. Is the Church the same way? If not, then it is time to wake up, rise, and shine. Paul wrote that he should not have to tell the Church of the times and the seasons, because they should already know this (1 Thess. 5:1-6). He wrote again:

"Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night..."  v. 4-7

Paul wrote again of "redeeming the time"  by our speech and walk of wisdom toward them that are without (Col. 4:2-6):

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  v. 6

Shining as light, and redeeming the time requires us to speak.

Peter wrote that Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" placed in the middle of corruption and evil before the bringing of the flood upon the world of the ungodly. Noah and his family were delivered out before the destruction. In the same manner, Lot was living in Sodom, vexed in his soul by the unlawful deeds of those around him. The LORD delivered him out of the area before the overthrow with ashes of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. The overthrow of these cities continues to serve Him as an example to those who follow after wickedness, and the deliverance of Noah and Lot, and their families, continues to serve as an example of the preservation of those of light who shined in the midst of the works of darkness. Peter warned not to accept the false teachings that would try to convince you otherwise (2 Pet. 2:1-9).

Again and again, the Word of God calls to the Church to rise, shine, and redeem the time, especially as we see the signs of the times all around us.

 

*The above is based upon the 2/16/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 

To contact/Support this ministry, to submit prayer requests, to order the new book, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", to submit a miracle testimony regarding this ministry for the memorial book of remembrance for Sean Stevenson:

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

Sermon.net/EverlastingCovenant
 

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

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

You can send your testimonies to:

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

 



Sean Stevenson