In God We Trust-Or Do We?*

 

As we see the signs of the end times as prophesied in scripture, manifesting around us, it is important to heed God's repeated warning to His people. We say that we trust in God, but there are many indications, even among believers, that we are relying and trusting in the wrong things in these challenging times. This is the admonition of the LORD:

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee...in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD or God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright..."  Psalm 20 (excerpt)

This psalm of David tells us that the name of the LORD is a greater defense and power than the military might of men and nations. Military strength, alliances and defensive walls do not guarantee safety and security. Our trust and hope cannot rely upon them. There is a warning associated with this kind of dependence on natural strength. Again the LORD says:

"Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen because they are very strong; but they look not unto the holy one of Israel, neither seek the LORD."   Isa. 31:1

At the time, Egypt was the strongest military might on earth, much as the United States is today. Israel would make alliances with Egypt, depending upon Egypt to protect them from attack. If we are looking to "Egypt" for protection, we are not looking to the LORD.

 Often we in the church depend upon political leadership, or political parties, to solve the terrible problems that are plaguing our nation. The LORD warns against this false reliance:

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all therein is: which keepeth truth for ever...the way of the wicked he turneth upside down."  Ps. 146:3-6, 9

Jeremiah elaborates on the curse associated with trusting men for safety and prosperity in this fashion, and the contrasting blessing for those whose trust is in God:

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land (ruined, permanently barren land which cannot support life) and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious, concerned, fearful) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."  
                                                                                                      Jer. 17:5-8

We must guard against the trusting of men rather than God. When we do this, we are departing from our relationship with God. It is an easy trap to fall into, because Jeremiah tells us that our hearts, being wicked, can deceive us in this matter, but the LORD sees exactly where we have placed our trust (v. 9-10).

While we may understand the pitfalls of placing our trust in man and his words and might, there is another danger we may not consider. Man places trust in his religious systems. The LORD placed Jeremiah at the door of the house of the LORD to proclaim to those who were entering to worship:

"Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these."   Jer. 7:4

The LORD said that only if the people thoroughly amended their ways and their doings, could they continue to dwell in their place (v. 3, 5). The people of Judea and Jerusalem depended on the fact that the temple of God being there in their city would protect them from the threatening enemy. However, they continued to live in whatever fashion they chose. A building, even one dedicated to God, cannot save. A religious system, and religious traditions and rituals, cannot save. Salvation is received through a personal relationship with God by the atoning blood of Christ. God had this relationship with man in the beginning before sin destroyed it, and He gave His Son in order to provide a way of restoring this broken personal relationship. Recently, at a conference of leaders representing the various world religions, the Pope made the statement that all of the religions represented there worship the same God. This is not the truth. There is only one way and one name, Jesus Christ, Yeshua haMashiach, by which we may be saved. The Church is not a building. It is the living body of Christ, the "ekklesia", the called out assembly of God's people: called out from darkness and into His light, called out from death into life. The LORD is calling His people to thoroughly amend their ways. Jeremiah wept over the condition of the people of God, calling them an adulterous assembly of treacherous men (Jer. 9:2). The LORD said:

"...they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me...through deceit, they refuse to know me."  Jer. 9:3-6 (excerpt)

The LORD is calling His people to return to him, because He is merciful:

"Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."   Jer. 3:13-14

The LORD promised that He will provide pastors, according to His heart, which shall feed His people with knowledge and understanding (v. 15).

This pastor has had the same message for many years. That message is from 2 Chron. 7:14:

"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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

In God we trust - or do we? We are being called by God to search, and thoroughly amend our hearts.

 

*The above is based upon the 2/10 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scoffers Beware*

 

This is a follow up on the theme we discussed last week. We discussed the new abortion law that New York State has enacted that reaches a new level of wickedness. Scripture teaches that man is encouraged in this kind of wickedness because they think that the judgment of God has not come, and will not come. Peter warned that these are scoffers who will come in the last days:
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."  2 Pet. 3:3-4
Peter wrote that these scoffers of judgment deliberately ignore that fact that God had indeed sent devastating judgment previously in the form of the flood, and Peter assured that fire is now reserved for the judgment that will come against ungodly men (v. 7).
Though some mock the idea of the universal flood, physical evidence, including the fossil record, is abundant indicating that large land masses were indeed flooded by water.
Jesus also warned that in the last days, it would be as the time of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah in regard to judgment of mass destruction (Lk. 17:26-30).
Peter taught that those who scoff at the judgment of wickedness do so in pursuit of their own lusts (desire/craving for what is forbidden, of those who seek forbidden things). New York State, and the United States have become these scoffers of which Peter warned as they enacted these wicked statutes because of the lusts of men, and because they feel falsely secure in the belief that there will be no judgment from God. For this, these scoffers should beware of the warnings of scripture.
Peter went on to warn as we have noted previously, that God is slow to judge, not because He is slack in performing His word, but because He desires to give men the time and opportunity to repent, not willing that any should perish in judgment (2 Pet. 3:9).  
We have an excellent example in scripture of this patience regarding judgment. After God entered into a solemn covenant with Abraham and his promised future descendants, He spoke to Abraham prophetically regarding the land which would be given to Abraham's seed. The habitation of the promised land would be delayed until the fourth generation of Abraham's seed. This delay would be because "the iniquity (perversity, depravity, crimes, great guilt) of the Amorites ("prominence, publicity") is not yet full." (Gen. 15:13-16). The judgment against the tribes of Canaanites for their iniquities, would be delayed until it had grown so great, that it could be wait no longer.
What was involved in the iniquity of these Canaanite tribes? We get a detailed description from the book of the Apocrypha, The Wisdom of Solomon, Chapter 12. We do not treat the books of the Apocrypha with the same weight as scripture, but as they line up with the scriptures and bear witness to the scriptures, we can gain insight from them. These books were written during the time of the Old Testament, before the birth of Christ, and at one time they were included in the King James Bible. As an example of the value of the information these books can contribute, this is a quote from 2 Esdras 7:28 (KJV):
"For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that shall be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within 400 years."
Regarding the Amorites mentioned by God to Abraham, and their iniquity before God, The Wisdom of Solomon says, in part:

"Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious workes of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;
And also those mercilesse murderers of children, & deuourers of mans flesh, and the feasts of blood;
With their Priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents that killed with their owne hands, soules destitute of helpe:
That the land which thou esteemedst aboue all other, might receiue a worthy colonie of Gods children.
Neuerthelesse, euen those thou sparedst as men, and didst send waspes forerunners of thine hoste, to destroy them by little and little.
Not that thou wast vnable to bring the vngodly vnder the hand of the righteous in battell, or to destroy them at once with cruel beastes, or with one rough word:
But executing thy iudgements vpon them by little and little, thou gauest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughtie generation, and that their malice, was bred in them, and that their cogitation would neuer be changed....
But they that would not bee refourmed by that correction wherein he dallied with them, shall feele a iudgement worthy of God.
For looke, for what things they grudged when they were punished, (that is) for them whom they thought to be gods, now being punished in them; when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whome before they denyed to know: and therefore came extreme damnation vpon them."

The iniquity of the Amorites, for which judgment came, though delayed for the chance for repentance, included very much the same iniquity that we see practiced in our land now, including the "merciless murderers of children". The above excerpt from The Wisdom of Solomon confirms scripture in that the judgment would come little by little in order to provide an opportunity to repent.  However, in a warning to be taken today also for the scoffers of these last days, judgment would not be delayed indefinitely, and would surely come.
An important truth for the people of God to know and understand in all of this, the LORD strongly expressed to that fourth generation of the children of Israel when it was time for this judgment to fall on the Amorites, that they would prevail over the Amorites not because of their own righteousness, but because God was righteous in His judgment against the "odious" iniquity of the Amorites:
"Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying,  For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth not this good land to posses it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people."   Deut. 9:3-6
In The Wisdom of Solomon, the murder of the children, whether sanctioned by those in authority, or by the parents themselves, was odious. In Scripture it is called an abomination (Prov. 6:16-19). Judgment, though delayed, should not be mocked or scoffed upon, but the longsuffering of the LORD towards us should be used as the opportunity it is-the merciful opportunity extended to us for repentance for ourselves, our state, and our nation before it is too late. "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."


*The above is based upon the 2/3 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.

God Is Not Mocked*

 

This past week, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the New York State Legislature passed a new sweeping abortion bill expanding the availability and term allowed for abortions in New York State. This has surely opened God's floodgate of judgment. The provisions of the new law allow midwives, as well as doctors, to perform abortion procedures, and those procedures may take place up to the moment of birth, and even beyond the birth.Though it was applauded and cheered by those present as a great victory, it is an egregious evil against the Word and Spirit of God, and therefore carries a grave warning, and exhortation:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."   Gal. 6:7-9
Abortion and child murder has not just been around for decades in America, but for thousands of years.Satan has used the murder of children many times in an effort to prevent the birth of vitally important people in the purpose of God, and in order to destroy a people.
As Moses, the deliverer of Israel from slavery, was about to be born, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all male children of the Hebrew women that were coming to birth:
"But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive...Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses."   Ex. 1:17-21
The midwives resisted the evil command, most certainly at the risk of their lives, but the LORD blessed them. Pharaoh persisted in his desire to kill the Hebrew children, and commanded that all Hebrew male children born should be cast into the river. When Moses was born, his mother indeed placed him in the river, but placed the child in a protective ark sealed against the waters of death. Moses was miraculously found and spared by Pharaoh's own daughter, and raised in his own household! Pharaoh's daughter even unknowingly called upon Moses' mother to nurse the child she had found.
As Jesus was born, Herod the king, feeling threatened by the birth of the prophesied Messiah, or King, ordered all of the children of Bethlehem and the nearby areas that were two years old and under to be killed. Joseph ("Jehovah has added") was warned in a dream by the angel of God to take his wife and new child and flee to Egypt to escape Herod's murderous plan (Mt. 2:13).
Who has Satan been trying to prevent from appearing in his efforts to abort and kill millions of children in our time by causing humans to destroy their own seed? A single life can impact many. God's word is emphatic in its condemnation in the strongest terms of this practice:
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren."  Prov. 6:16-19
There exists no more innocent blood than the blood of an unborn child, and no imagination of greater wickedness than the heart that seeks the destruction of that child, regardless of the celebrations and applause of men.
Margaret Sanger, founder of the organization that promoted eugenics (controlled, selective breeding of the human population, often by excluding certain genetic groups considered to be "less desirable") in America, which became "Planned Parenthood", was conceived in racism. Her quotes leave no doubt of the racist foundation of her beliefs. Early efforts at this population control was targeted at African-American communities, often seeking to recruit community leaders and even ministers, in its efforts to achieve this racist agenda. Adolf Hitler was also a notorious proponent of eugenics, as we know from history. The people of God are not meant to join hands with this agenda, but to pray in repentance:
"Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished.: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."  Prov. 11:21
Because judgment has not fallen (at least not as it would be expected), many think there will be no judgment at all, and they become encouraged in their ungodly plans:
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."   Eccle. 8:11
Many mockingly say they will not believe in the judgment of the LORD until they see it (Isa. 5:19).Though judgment delays, it is nonetheless relentless. We see today the pervasive belief that if man denies the truth of the evil nature of his desires and plans, as in the case of child murder, that it is no longer evil, but good. There are those who make heroes of practitioners of evil, and make villains of those who cry out against that evil. There are those who make money, or receive gain from the practice of evil, or are supporters for gain of those who do. God has foreseen this and has prophesied against it:
"Woe (passionate cry of grief and despair) unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!...Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him....therefore...their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."   Isa. 5:20-24
The people of God are called to know and speak the truth of God's Word. Like Lot ("covering"), our hearts should be vexed and troubled in sorrow by this great tragedy. We can bring our grieving hearts to the Lord, repent and seek His forgiveness and healing for ourselves and our land (2 Chron. 7:14-15).

*The above is based upon the 1/27 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.

.


End Time Knowledge - Pt. 2*

As we continue last week's study of 2 Peter concerning the end times, this verse from Lamentations applies to what we discussed as revealed in Peter's epistle:

"Your prophets have seen (imagined) for you
False and foolish visions;
And they have not exposed your wickedness
To restore you from captivity [by teaching you to repent],
But they have seen (imagined) and declared to you false and misleading oracles."

                                                                             Lamentations 2:14 (Amplified Version)

 

Peter made clear that false teachers and false prophets would be enticing believers. Their unrighteous agenda comes from covetousness and the desire for gain, as they intend to make merchandise from their followers. Peter compares these false prophets and teachers to Balaam, a prophet of God, who compromised his relationship with God for the promise of gain from an earthly king:

..."these...speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam ("Not of the people/compatriots") the son of Bosor (Beor: "burning, to feed upon, stupid, brutish, barbarous, dull-hearted, unreceptive"), who loved the wages of unrighteousness."   2 Pet. 2:12-15 (excerpt) (see also Jude v. 4-16)

These false teachers promise liberty, but they themselves, and those whom they deceive, have become instead slaves of corruption (2 Pet. 2:19). Jesus corrected the lie of finding liberty in sin as He spoke to His believers who thought they were free because they were descendants of Abraham:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."   see Jn. 8:31-36

What happens to those who know Christ in this way, but choose to follow the unrighteous teaching of the false prophets and teachers instead, because of their false teachings appeal to their lusts (desire/coveting for what is forbidden)? Peter wrote that "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning", like a dog returning to its vomit, or a washed sow returning to wallow again in the mire (2 Pet. 2:20-22, see also Heb. 6:4-6, 8)). This is a warning for all of us, as we see the corruption and lusts that are drawing men, including believers, all around us today.

Peter wrote this epistle as a reminder to the Church, to stir up our pure minds, so that we are mindful of both the Word of God, and the commandments of the apostles of Christ:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his (Christ's) coming?...all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation..."  2 Pet. 3:3-4 (see also Jude v. 17-19)

They are promoting the thought that Jesus is not returning, and there is no need to fear judgment, because God has not judged men or the earth to this point. However, as Peter pointed out, God has indeed judged cataclysmically during the flood of Noah. That same word which precipitated that judgment is still active:

"Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  2 Pet. 3:6-7

There are indeed those today who mock and jeer at the promise of judgment, and the return of Christ to rule and reign on earth. There was even a declaration from the son of a respected President who proclaimed that he is not afraid of burning in hell. There are indeed many scoffers who hold that false assurance against the judgment. Peter warned not to take God's patience and forbearance as slackness to keep His word regarding the judgment of the wicked. The Lord is patiently giving the opportunity for repentance and salvation:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  2 Pet. 3:9

However, when that day of judgment does come, Peter warned, it will come suddenly, without warning and unexpectedly for some, "like a thief in the night":

"...the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up."  2 Pet. 3:10

Keeping these things in mind, especially in the light of the end time falsehoods, scoffing, and the misrepresentation of scripture (2 Pet. 3:15-16) that can lure many away from the faith, Peter exhorts us, with wisdom for these end times, to be diligent, guarding and examining ourselves and our faith  "that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
                                                                      2 Pet. 3:14, 18 (see also 2 Cor. 13:5-8)

 

 *The above is based upon the 1/20 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.

 

 

 



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.

 







2019- A New Preparation*

 

The new year has begun, and with it the Church should begin a new preparation for the prophesied events that we are seeing fulfilled even now. World events are lining up with scripture, and wickedness grows greater. This also means for those in Christ, that the marriage supper of the Lamb is drawing near, and the marriage supper requires preparation from us:

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) has 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, Write, 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. 19:7-9

The verses above assure us that the call to make ready as the Bride by preparing ourselves for the marriage supper, and the call to righteousness represented by the wedding apparel of fine, clean, white linen, are the true sayings of God, Himself.

Jesus also sounded His Father's call as He told the parable of the king who prepared a marriage supper for his son (Mt. 22:1-14). Servants were sent out with invitations to the marriage feast, but those invited refused to come. Again servants were sent, and were commanded to say to those bidden, "Behold, I have prepared (make ready, prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and receive His blessings) my dinner: my oxen (root word: "alpha") and my fatlings are killed (sacrifice and immolation of the pascal lamb), and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."
Again, not only did the invited guests decline with the excuse of other, unimportant things to do, but also made light of the king's invitation and treated his servants with violence. The wrath of the king fell upon those who had refused in such a way. The servants were then sent out to invite anyone they could find along the streets to come to the royal wedding. Of those who came, it was still expected of them to be dressed appropriately in a wedding garment. About the one guest not properly attired, and who had no excuse, the king said:
"...Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Jesus concluded by saying, "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Many are called and given the opportunity to attend the marriage of Christ and His Bride, but it is still a matter of free choice for man to accept. Only a few recognize the great importance of the event, and prepare appropriately. There are factors that enter into who accepts and who does not: who is prepared and who is not.
All things have been made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. We must make sure that we have made our preparations as well. As we resolve to make ourselves ready in this new year, Jesus gave us the principle by which we can begin. As the religious leaders of various types began to test and question Him regarding controversial topics of the Torah that had caused division and debate among the experts, Jesus broke down the law and expectation of God to an irrefutable principle, and to the place where we all can begin our preparation:
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Mt. 22:35-40
The Church needs to hear and heed this.
The prophet Micah revealed that even considering the obedience to temple sacrifices, the true beginning point of our renewal and preparation in God was found in this way:
"Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God?...He hath shewed thee O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:6-8
True, effective preparation begins in the heart, and we will see that the preparation of the heart begins in the Word of God.
Paul's second letter to Timothy points out the challenge to Timothy and the Church in the midst of a last days spiritual condition of men that is the opposite of all that Jesus and Micah discussed above. Paul gives a complete description of that condition that is very much evident today, beginning with the fact that men have become "lovers of selves", and goes on from there until finally "...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:1-7, 13). However, we are to love God with all that we are, and our neighbor in the same manner, rather than ourselves. Paul exhorted Timothy in the face of this prevailing worldly condition, to stand firm in the doctrine that he has learned from Paul, as a spiritual example, and from the scriptures themselves, that prepare a man in perfection, or completeness in God, being sustained even through the inevitable persecution that will come to the Godly (v. 12, 14-17).
In our wedding parable from Jesus, there is a complete disregard for the king. His invitation is unimportant to those who received it. This is another factor that affects the choice and preparation of men. When questioned directly by Pontius Pilate, Jesus confirmed His kingship- not of an earthly kingdom, but of a heavenly kingdom, and Pilate even agreed crucifying Christ as "King of the Jews". However, the people would not have Christ as their King. They were invited to a royal wedding banquet prepared for them by God, but they received the invitation with belittling and violence. As men reject and lose the kingship of Christ in their lives, this is the moment when they become "lovers of self", and descend into the spiritual condition of which Paul warned Timothy. Scripture also bears witness to this in various places:
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6, 21:25, Deut. 12:8-9, Prov. 12:15
Also in Proverbs we see these same contrasting spiritual conditions:
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."  Prov. 21:2-3
This is what the Prophet Micah had shown us earlier as well, and this is the same beginning point to which Jesus also pointed us in our complete and total love for God, and our neighbor. This is also where the Church's new preparations for the coming marriage supper of the Lamb begins.

*The above is based upon the 1/6 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.



Whose Report - Pt. 2

v

 

Last week, we studied the prophetic promises in scripture pertaining to the coming of Christ, and His birth. We will continue that study as we look at His promised return. As His disciples asked Him what the signs and timing of events would be concerning the destruction of the temple and His return, Jesus began to give a specific prophetic description of those events that would occur in Matthew 24 and 25. We are seeing these prophetic events being fulfilled today. One essential component of those prophetic events that Jesus described, but that the Church often overlooks, deals with Israel, Jerusalem, and the Jewish people:

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains."  Mt. 24:15-16 (Dan. 11:31, 12:11)

By referring to Daniel's prophecies, Jesus revealed that the abomination of desolation that would occur in the temple in Jerusalem had not yet been fulfilled, and would be fulfilled as an event related to His return. In citing this scripture, we can conclude that there must be a third temple in Jerusalem to be built, in order for the desecration by the antichrist to take place. Scripture also teaches that Jerusalem will be a central focus of the world in the latter days, as we are seeing even now. Jesus prophesied that the gospel would be preached in all the world, and unto all nations, and then the end (of the age) would come. While the Gentile nations have received the gospel, God has never finished with the Jewish people, or Israel. The LORD described in several scriptures the everlasting covenant that He had established, and many of those scriptures are regarding all of the descendants of Abraham, but principally Israel, and Jacob. In these last days, we have seen Israel miraculously restored as a nation, as well as the revival of the once dead Hebrew language. God also prophetically promised that Israel would be spiritually revived and restored, and would see Messiah revealed to them, as they look upon Him who was pierced (Zech. 12:10). The apostle Paul also confirmed the prophetic promise from Isaiah of this everlasting covenant sworn to by God concerning Israel:

"...blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."   Rom. 11:25-27 (Isa. 52:7-10, and 59:20-21)

As Paul promised in Romans, there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: "For whosever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Rom. 10:10, 12-13

Isaiah prophesied how this salvation and redemption would be accomplished. The Servant from God would be stricken and killed for the "transgression of my people." (Isa. 53:8). The LORD was even pleased to do it because it would result in salvation for His people, and many others (Isa. 53:9-10). The LORD describes this Servant as One who would "sprinkle ("NAZAH"- spurt, spatter, startle, besprinkle especially in expiation) many nations" (Isa. 52:15).

The Book of Hebrews, written to Jewish readers, referring continually to the Law of Moses and the worship of the tabernacle and temple, further describes the accomplishment of this High Priest, Jesus Christ, as the "sprinkler" with His own blood of atonement and expiation both for the Jew and the Gentile as the fulfillment of a promise:

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)...and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant (Jer. 31:31), and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."   Heb. 10:22-23, Heb. 12:24

To find out even more about the "sprinkling of expiation", and the fulfillment of the prophetic promises of salvation to Israel and the Jew first, and then also the Greek (Gentile), and the remarkable physical evidence of it, please order the new book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", written by Dr. Kenneth Stevenson, and now available (see below).

As we read and study the prophetic promises in scripture regarding the return of Christ, we must not forget that God will perform everything He has promised in His everlasting covenant regarding the restoration and salvation of Israel, the Jewish people, and all of the nations of the earth.

 

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.