The Resurrection IS the Gospel!

The Shroud of Turin-Frontal View

 

"...I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you...wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved...unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures...how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are all men most miserable."  1 Cor. 15:1-4, 12-19

The gospel is identified here by Paul as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is what he received from the Lord, and this is what he preached to all others. The resurrection is an essential truth of the gospel of Christ. By His resurrection, Christ accomplished great things for all men. Without the resurrection, Christ would not have accomplished the very thing that His Father sent Him to do. There would be no point in the Christian faith, as Paul wrote. Even our sins would still remain, though He died on the cross, without the overcoming power of the resurrection. Paul goes on to say:

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  v. 20-22

Because of Christ's resurrection first, all who are in Him, also share in resurrection, escaping the hold of death that came through Adam.

The resurrection of Christ also became the necessary foundational event to His rule and reign in heaven and on earth:

"...Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."  v. 23-26

While we view the resurrection as a New Testament event, included in what Paul wrote regarding the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, is the fact that all of these things happened "according to the scriptures". By that Paul is referring to what we call the Old Testament. Jesus also taught that the promise of that resurrection event and its deliverance from death, can be found in "Moses and the prophets" (Lk. 16:19-31).

Christ came in the flesh so He could die, and be raised again. Not only did his death, burial and resurrection destroy death, but also the fear of death, which enslaves men. His resurrection also accomplished the destruction of Satan:

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them that through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."   Heb. 2:14-15

Jesus identifies Himself as One who was dead, and then alive, with the authority over death:

"...Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for  ever-more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."   Rev. 1:17-18

We have had many first-hand reports from those who experienced death, and miraculously returned from it. The Apostle Paul also related his own return from death. Yet there are may who still do not listen to the message. On the other hand, there are many who, as with the treasure hidden in a field, as with the pearl of great price, have given all that they have to posses this gospel (Mt. 13:44-46), and others who have given all to preach this gospel, and bring it to us. We are also called to be witnesses to the gospel: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If men are quiet, even inanimate objects are ordained to spread the gospel. The stones cry out, the mountains and hills sing. All of the trees of the field clap their hands. Though man clings to unbelief, and his own understanding, God warns that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. He sends those witnesses to bring us the glorious gospel, to tell us to forsake wickedness and unrighteousness. Regardless of man's thoughts, God has assured that His Word and His Truth shall not return to Him empty, but will accomplish and prosper in all that He pleases (Isa. 55:4-12).

In the same vein, Paul wrote to the Galatians of the evidence of the crucifixion that they have seen with their own eyes (Gal. 3:1). Since the Galatian church was founded in another country years after the crucifixion, to what visible evidence could Paul be referring? In another place, Paul describes a dim, mirror image, as written in the Greek, that we presently see (1 Cor. 13:12). The visible evidence of the resurrection that fits these descriptions from Paul, and found in other scriptures as well, is the Shroud of Turin. Not only has it been given to us to see with our own eyes, but it accurately recorded in its fibers all that the scriptures relate pertaining to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ.

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson, a witness to this evidence, has given all that he has, and devoted decades of his life to personally handle, research, and study the Shroud, and record the findings in several books, as a testimony to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

We can receive his witness and the witness of many others, and become witnesses ourselves to the gospel of Christ. If we are silent, the stones will cry out in our place.

 

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and

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

 

 

 



Be Thankful in the Midst of the Storm

 

 



Prayer in the Middle of Fire

 

I the link above, we witness a family escaping in their vehicle through the fire in California, where many have lost their lives, and many are still missing. In the video, while the husband drives, the wife is praying to God for safety through the midst of the fire that surrounds their car. Prayer and thanks to God can deliver us out of every calamity.

Scripture tells us to be thankful to God in and through every circumstance. We are in the Thanksgiving season, and it is a time of year that reminds us of this spiritual truth that we often neglect as we are caught up in the day to day problems of life:

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thess. 5:16-18

The apostle Paul identifies rejoicing, prayer, and thanks in every circumstance as the specific will of God for each of us. Thanksgiving is an essential element in our relationship with our Father, Creator, and Savior.

 

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

It is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100, a psalm of praise

 

Embedded into our praise and thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of the LORD God as our Creator, our Shepherd through all, and His enduring, eternal mercy towards us. It is by thanksgiving that we enter through the gates of His courts, and into His presence, and leave behind all things that would attempt to overcome us. He promises to be there for us in our praise and thanks. He is enthroned upon the praises of His people. Psalm 106 begins: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. We rely upon His promise of unending mercy that flows to us through our praise and thanksgiving to Him.

Thanks and praise to our God have become rare in the times in which we live. In fact, it is discouraged by secular society. However, as man turns away from acknowledging God, and giving Him the thanks that He has instructed us to give, the thanks that should be in our hearts towards Him, the very heart of man becomes darkened:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to become wise, they became fools."   Rom. 1:21-22

We are clearly seeing this effect of thanklessness all around us. Those who belong to Christ, however, are to be changed inwardly, not conforming to the attitudes of the world around us, but putting on "as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do...do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father by him."  Col. 3:12-17 (pt.)

Since the body of Christ is called to be "one body", as scripture tells us above, why aren't we praying and praising, and thanking God until that peace of God rules in our hearts and overflows to fill the whole earth? If you want to be filled with that promised peace, begin to praise Him, begin to thank Him, especially in the midst of the fire, in the midst of the storms of life.

In heaven, praises, glory, blessing, honor and thanksgiving are given to the Lamb Who sits on the throne. The praise is so powerful in the Spirit, that all creation hears it, and joins in (Rev. 5). This is the worship to which we are called and to which we are to be conformed. This is the new song that we are to hear in our spirits, and sing ourselves. Let us join the holy praise (click the link below):

 

"TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE"

 

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To order the book, "NAZAH":

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

 

The Kingdom Purpose of Unity

 

Our nation is deeply divided, and we see destructive effect of that disunity daily. We formed a union of diverse states in our beginning, because we knew that a union was the only hope for our strength, prosperity, and our future. Our nation's motto reflects this determination to be unified: EPLURIBUS UNUM, "Out of many, one".
We can easily see that the Church is divided also. We are divided over social issues, politics, doctrines, denominations. However, Christ taught this truth: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mt. 12:25). The Lord called the Church to unity, not just for unity's sake, but for a specific purpose, which we shall see.
The apostle Paul taught the role that unity plays in our maturing in Christ:
"And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (completeness, maturity) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."   Eph. 4:11-13
Our knowledge of God, our perfecting, and our growth into the fullness of Christ must come out of a unity of faith. Each individual member of the Body of Christ supplies something that is needed for completion, and unity brings all of the individual members together (v. 16). The Body achieves this by speaking the truth in love. Jesus spoke of this truth also, and defined the truth this way: "Thy word is truth." (Jn 17:17). Speaking, teaching and preaching the truth, which is the Word of God, unifies us in that truth.
Too often, the Church unites itself with the world, instead of with the Word. In Genesis, the world unified itself in wickedness and rebellion against God. In seeing this unity in purpose, God said, "Behold, the people is one...and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Gen. 11:6). God had to confuse their language, and physically scatter them in order to break apart their destructive unity in rebellion. The unity of the world created a powerful rebellion against God, but the unity of the Church in Christ accomplishes the exact opposite even more powerfully. Jesus brought this revelation in His final prayer to His Father for His disciples before His crucifixion:
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."   Jn. 17:16-23 (excerpt)
In Jesus' prayer above, we see again, the perfecting that results from the Church's unity in Him and the Father. This unity is so important that Christ gave us the glory that He had received from His Father in order to achieve it. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27)- not only our own hope, but the world's hope in glory also. The importance of our unity, besides our own perfecting in him, is that the result of that unity or oneness in Christ, attests to the world the truth of God, and the purpose of His kingdom. Jesus knew that the unity of the Father, Son, and the believers impacts the world, and its salvation.
The purpose of the kingdom of God is not for us to be united with the world, but for the world to receive the saving knowledge of Christ though our unity with each other in Him. For this reason, Jesus has called the Church to be "one".

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


Esse Non Videri

The meaning of the Latin words used in the title of this entry is, "To be, not to seem". It was the motto of a US Air Force Academy class. The cadets of that class felt that it was not enough just to have the outward appearance of an officer, but to also exercise the honorable behavior expected in an officer of the US Air Force. The Air force academy embraced this "whole man" concept of an officer, and enforced an honor system of behavior, after noting the behavior of Nazi officers in WWII, who thought their duty began and ended in obeying all orders, even those orders that were evil and immoral.
In the same manner, the LORD, and His living Word, expect us not to have an outward appearance of Christianity only, but the inward reality as well. We read in scripture that in these last days,there will be those who will not be genuine in their faith, those who will teach false doctrine, and those who will be eager to accept that false doctrine. We see this increasingly in the Church now as the return of Christ draws near. More and more, those who call themselves Christians are rejecting the truth of God's word, and embracing those things that God has called unacceptable. Paul warned that the day of Christ's return "shall not come, except there be a falling away (apostasy, defection from truth, repudiation, divorcement, cause to withdraw, incite to revolt) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition..." (2 Thess. 2:3). Those who had once seemingly embraced the gospel, will abandon it, and incite others to do so also. Paul explained why this would happen:
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion (wandering, straying, error, leading into error, wrong opinion), that they should believe a (the) lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."   v. 10-12
These who had seemed to be in the faith will fall away because they do not value the truth, and the lie is more appealing to them. This lie challenges the truth of God's Word, as Satan did originally in Gen. 2. Choosing to believe the lie leads them into continuing in the pleasure they find in unrighteousness. Because of that choice to believe the lie, God will send strong delusion upon them. Isaiah also prophesies of a delusion sent by God:
"I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."  Isa. 66:4
Our choices determine our destiny in God. Even now, there are those in the Body of Christ who encourage, teach, and celebrate unrighteousness as being acceptable to God. However, we are not called to just seem to be followers of Christ, but to BE followers of Christ and His Word.
Paul exhorts us to be genuine in faith and in righteousness, to stand fast by the Word: "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."   2 Thess. 2:13-15
Our sanctification is a transforming work, a renewing of the mind, by the Holy Spirit through the Word of Truth, as we offer ourselves sacrificially to the proving of the will of God in our spiritual service and worship (Rom. 12:1-2). It is a continuing process of sanctification resulting in a perfect man, a unity of faith, and the growing into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:11-13,15). Not only is the individual believer perfected in this spiritual transformation, but the whole Body of Christ is also perfected by its members. Those who refuse this transforming and renewing process by the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth "walk in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ...have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ...put off (cast off, lay aside)...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 (sink into like a garment) the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."  v. 17-24
This process of "being, rather than just seeming" requires us to put away lying and lies, receive truth for ourselves, and speak the truth to others (v. 25). Put on the whole armor of God, which defends every part of our body, soul, and spirit in the truth of God's Word and His salvation, righteousness, and peace, against the spiritual wickedness that would try to cause men to fall away from truth and life to their destruction and damnation (Eph. 6:10-17).
Pray always and diligently, for yourself, and for all the saints of God, especially in these days of lies and strong delusions. It is time to be, and not to seem.

To Contact/Submit Prayer Request/Support the Ministry/To Order the book, "NAZAH":
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Exciting to be sharing my recently launched book, NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling Thursday Nov 8th at 2 PM CST with @Morgan JamesPub ! Register to join us here : http://www.MorganJamesBookLaunch.com .

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.

The Midnight Cry

!967: Israeli Army Enters Jerusalem

 

Recently, there has been an increase in both anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence throughout the nations. We have just witnessed the worst act of violence against Jews in this nation's history with the mass murder of 11 Sabbath worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These evil events should immediately bring to mind the prophetic words of scripture, especially pertaining to these last days.

There was an unshakeable, unbreakable covenant promise given to Israel by the LORD which we have seen fulfilled in our generation. God repeatedly promised through His prophets that Israel, despite seemingly impossible circumstances, would one day be restored as a nation, and the people would live in the land once again. Not only would the LORD physically restore the land of Israel and its people, but He would also spiritually restore the people of Israel, and their relationship with Him. The Church has often embraced the false teaching that it has replaced Israel, and has become this spiritual Israel, but the scriptures are very clear that God has never abandoned His promises for the nation and people of Israel:

"Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captives of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it....Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger...and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. And they shall be my people, and I shall be their God...And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them...Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul."   Jer. 30:2-3, 32:37-38, 40-41

The LORD swore this promise even though the nations and heathen people had taken Israel as a prey, and had made it desolate (Ez. 36:1-5). Not only did God promise to restore the nation of Israel, but to make it multiply and prosper like never before:

"And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."   Ez. 36:11

This has been an ongoing, eternal, living promise to Israel, which the LORD has kept repeatedly despite numerous historical destructions of Israel and the Jewish people by enemy nations and heathens. Men and nations would be wise to keep this promise in mind, because God also promised to pour His wrath upon all who would come against His land and people. Those who think that they do God a favor by persecuting His land, or the Jewish people, are deceived and in danger of judgment. Though God has carried out this judgment wrath against these persecutors throughout history, He specifically promises this for the latter days:

"Behold, the whirlwind (hurricane, storm, rage, to be violently shaken) of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing (to catch, chew, and chew again) whirlwind : it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it."   Jer. 30:23-24

Along with the physical restoration of Israel, comes the prophetic promise of a spiritual restoration and revival:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah...I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people...I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more."   Jer. 31:31-34 (excerpt)

The above is a promise that can never end. It is assured for as long as the sun, moon, stars, seas and waves exist (v. 35). This promise is directly connected to the promise regarding the land:

"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh...And I will put my spirit within you...And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I shall be your God."

                                                                                                Ez. 36:24-28 (excerpt)

God has indeed brought Jews out of all the nations of the earth, and returned them to a miraculously restored nation of Israel in our time. He will also initiate a new covenant with its spiritual revival in them. He promises the kingship of the Messiah, like the kingship of David, upon His restored nation (Jer. 30:9, Ez. 37:24-25), and His tabernacle in their midst forever (Ez. 37:26). The Messianic kingship promise is joined with the restoration of the land. As we have seen Israel restored as a nation, this is a sign that we will see the return of our Messiah, Jesus, soon.
The LORD also promises Israel the resurrection from the dead in connection with His promise concerning the restoration of the land (Ez. 37:12-14), and the miraculous joining of two separate sticks, or branches of faith, together into a single stick (stalk, tree, branch, carpenter, root meaning: to shut, firm) in the hand of the prophet. One stick represents the Gentiles of faith, and the other represents the Jewish branch of faith (v. 15-20). Those days are indeed ahead in the near future.

The LORD has also prophesied the terrible persecution that His people and nation will see in the future. He calls it "the time of Jacob's trouble". After the restoration of the land, it will be a time so terrible, that nothing like it has ever existed before - a time of terror and fear. However, God promises that they shall be saved out of it (Jer. 30:3-8):

"...again there shall be heard in this place....The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good, and his mercy endureth for ever...Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah...In those days...will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days, shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness."  

                                                                                          Jer. 33:10-11, 14-16 (excerpt)

As we see the prophesied restoration of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem being fulfilled, the midnight hour has come when the friend of the bridegroom must be crying out, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him."

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

 

 



The Voice of God

 

There are those today who mock faith in God. Those who believe are openly ridiculed for their belief. Many also scoff at the idea that the LORD speaks. He spoke in the past, and He still speaks today. To His prophet, Jeremiah, He said:

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD...I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them...but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me."    Jer. 35:12-15 (excerpt)

Perhaps man mocks the concept that God has a voice, and speaks, in order to relieve ourselves of the responsibility of hearing and obeying:

"Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us...because we have sinned against him."   Dan. 9:10-11

Because of their unbelief, man has looked upon prophets with great skepticism. However, the Word of God says, "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 prophesy?"   Amos 3:7-8

We are often stunned at the enormous calamities that have come upon the earth in recent times, but as Amos told us above, all of these things have been spoken by the LORD beforehand to His prophets. We have just refused to heed it. Many also choose to believe that the voice of God as spoken to His prophets remains in, and applies only to the past. However, the prophetic word is applicable especially to our current time:

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swear by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time (delay) no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."   Rev. 10:5-6

The words spoken to the prophets, recorded long ago, are appointed for even this present time. As the Word says, God does nothing without having declared it to His prophets. It has been further prophesied:

"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."   Rev. 22:10-13

The above words of prophecy written around 70 A.D., are not sealed, or hidden, any longer, but revealed for all men to know and understand now, for this time.
The apostle Peter also identified the connection of the written words of the prophets to our present time:
"...I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 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. 3:1-4
Peter reminds the Church that it was said by the prophets that scoffers would mock the promise of the return of Christ, just as we see today. Peter taught that these scoffers would be ignorant by choice of the knowledge of the previous judgment by flood that destroyed the earth after the creation, and its continuing prophetic significance for the future. By the same word that brought that judgment by flood of water, the heavens and earth are now storing up fire for judgment. In choosing to ignore the truth regarding the past world-wide judgment by flood, the scoffers do not have to face the prospect of the prophesied world-wide judgment by fire. According to Peter, they also choose to believe that because God has waited this long to carry out that prophesied judgment, despite the prevalence of wickedness, that it will not come. Peter, however, warns against this kind of unbelief of the scoffers referring to both the heart of God, and His timing (v. 8). He warns us not to mistake the kindness and patience of God for weakness, or a failing to keep His word:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...?"   2 Pet. 3:9-11
Peter said that this prophetic word has been given to us so that we may be prepared for the coming events. The prophetic word, the voice of God, requires us to stir up our pure minds, not being conformed to the world's scoffing and unbelief, but transformed by that word, the voice of God, that we would walk in holy and Godly character. God, in His mercy, has provided more time also for those who have not yet been transformed by repentance in the face of His warning word given to the prophets.

There are prophets still prophesying the voice of the Lord today. They are not often accepted even by the Church, yet they, along with apostles and other ministers to the Church, have been provided by Christ, who is the Spirit of prophecy, to equip the Church, and to perfect the saints into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). They are especially crucial to us in these last days. Will we hearken to the voice of God?

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

Know the Signs!

 

Jesus expected those who were knowledgeable in the scriptures to recognize the signs of the times. Those who considered themselves to be knowledgeable kept demanding that He show them "a sign from heaven" (Mt. 16:1-3). Jesus had just performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes that fed thousands, and the healing of great multitudes who had come to Him, but these experts sought a sign. Jesus called them hypocrites saying, "...can ye not discern the signs of the times?" The greatest "sign" of all was standing right in front of them, but they couldn't discern Him.

Knowing the signs of the end times in which we live is not enough, however. There is a purpose for the people of God to accomplish that follows the signs. It is not about knowledge only, but about "doing" as well. We will see this as we follow one of the signs that is revealed prophetically in both the Old and New Testaments.

Paul wrote about a sign that would precede the return of Christ, and the gathering of the believers unto Him, also called The Rapture:

"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. 2:3-4

There are three signs mentioned in the above verses to alert the believer of the return of Christ, and the Rapture of the Church. First, there is a falling away from the faith. Paul also wrote a detailed description of this falling away in 2 Tim 3. He identified it specifically with a deception associated with "the last days". Everything that he described in detail regarding this falling away from the faith, we are seeing even now. Secondly, the person of the antichrist is revealed as he sits in the temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Thirdly, there is a third temple that must exist before the antichrist can sit in it. We know that there are groups in Jerusalem, the Temple Institute and the Temple Mount Faithful, that have dedicated themselves for decades to gathering and preparing the items necessary to build that third temple.

The prophet Daniel also gave a description of the individual that we call the antichrist and his connection to the temple:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time...and they (the antichrist and his forces) shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate...and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every God, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done..."  
                                                                                           Dan. 7:25, 11:31, 36, 12:7

Although some believe that the abomination to occur in the temple according to Daniel's prophecy has been fulfilled by a past historic event, the LORD makes clear to Daniel that He is revealing things that are to be sealed even to "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:4,9).

Daniel also revealed a time line involved with this sign of the person of the antichrist, and the temple:

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (3 1/2 years)."  Dan. 12:11

The Book of Revelation, written well past the historic event that many claim fulfilled Daniel's prophecy, also confirms what Daniel had written and sealed:

"And there was given unto him (the beast, the antichrist) a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (3 1/2 years). And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."   Rev. 13:5-6

As the Book of Revelation describes the temple of God, it describes an outer court for the Gentiles, and the fact that the holy city would be trodden by the Gentiles for "forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2). The two witnesses who will be prophesying in sackcloth, which represents repentance, during this time, will continue for "a thousand two hundred and three score days" (v. 3).

While Daniel and the New Testament writers prophesied the revealing of the antichrist and his activities associated with third temple in the last days, or time of the end, we are also given a description of what the people of God are to be doing.

Daniel described the time of the end as a time when "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4). We have seen an advancement of knowledge like never before in history. However, while worldly knowledge increases, the knowledge of the people of God increases also. During this time, Daniel describes the fulfilled purpose of the people who know their God in this manner:
"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...And they that understand among the people shall instruct many...and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do (accomplish, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to prepare, ordain, bring about) exploits...And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."   from Dan. 7, 11, 12
Daniel describes this time of the end as being  a time of trials for the people of God, and judgment for the wicked. For the people of God, Daniel prophetically writes, "...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."  Dan. 12:1
Reflecting this same promise, during the fall feast of the LORD, Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, the blessing is said, "May you be inscribed in the book." Revealed further in the New Testament, this book is described as "the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."   Rev. 13:8
The names written in the book of life have been inscribed because of the blood of the Lamb,  the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus, who died to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Has your name been written in the book? If you have been inscribed in the Lamb's book of life, do you know and discern the signs of the times, as Jesus expected? Are you doing the purpose of God for His people that accompanies these signs? Signs require a response, an action. Let us respond accordingly to the signs we are seeing now, and will see very soon.

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