The Signs of the Times*

 

After the miracle of the loaves and the fishes by which Jesus fed thousands, Jesus traveled to another area where the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were seldom united in anything, both came to Jesus and demanded that He show them a sign from heaven (Mt. 16:1, Mk. 8:11). The meaning of "heaven" used here pertained to the stars and planets set in the heavens. Jesus sighed at their hypocrisy. They could discern signs of impending conditions that would affect their everyday lives, but they could not discern the greatest sign of all-Himself, sent by God to them. There was to be no other sign for them, but this sign of Jonah, a living warning call to repentance and the salvation of God before the destroying judgment. One who would be dead three days and returned, like Jonah from the belly of the fish. And the destroying judgment did come to Israel, to Jerusalem, and to the Temple of God at the hands of the Romans in 70 AD, on the same date, the 17th of Tammuz, as a similar destruction had come hundreds of years earlier at the hands of the Babylonians in 586 BC. The stars, sun and moon were set in the sky by God, not to be worshipped as in astrology, but for the purpose of dividing the day from the night, the light from the darkness, and "for signs, seasons, days and years" (Gen. 1:14-19). The Hebrew calendar reflects this principle. According to the Mishnah, five calamities have occurred on this same date, the 17th of Tammuz. The 17th day of Tammuz occurs today, July 21, for this year. The Jews observe this date with three weeks of mourning, understanding the ongoing ramifications of God's significant dates and times. The constancy of math and days in the scriptures is an awesome act of God.

We also have signs all around us in these times. As our nation has turned way from God, floods, storms, tornadoes, as well as racial and ethnic divisions, have ripped our land. Have the people of God discerned these signs, and if so, have they changed their lives accordingly? As the signs mount up, what is important to God's people: the things and kingdoms of this world, or the kingdom of God?

The prophet Daniel wrote the word of the LORD concerning the end times, and what was to be the role of the people of God in them:

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know (know by experience, to ascertain by seeing, to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess, to know intimately, to be revealed) their God shall be strong (strengthened, sustained, encouraged, made bold, made firm, to press, be urgent), and do (accomplish, produce, act with effect, bring about, appoint, ordain, institute) exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil many days...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed."   Dan. 11:32-35 (excerpt)

Those who have an intimate knowledge of God are called to accomplish great things during these times of the end. It will not be without cost to them, however, as Daniel revealed.

Jesus described in parables the conditions challenging the kingdom of God, and what should be the driving focus of the people of God.
Concerning the challenges to the kingdom of God, Jesus told the parable of the man who sowed good seed in his field (Mt. 13:24-30). As the crop grew, it was noticed that worthless plants called tares, which initially look like wheat but never grow the head of useful grain at maturity, had been sown among the good wheat seed. The man knew immediately that this was the work of an enemy during the night. His servant asked if the worthless plants should be removed immediately, but the wise owner said to let them continue to grow together, otherwise the good wheat might be pulled out with them. "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."
The matured worthless tares without the developed grain head would be easily identified and separated out at harvest time to be destroyed, while the good wheat, having produced the fruit of grain, would also be easily identified and harvested into the barn.
John the Baptist also spoke to the religious hypocrites who recognized the warnings of the wrath to come, but failed to produce fruit worthy of repentance, which is the fruit the LORD was looking for. Again, these fruitless hypocrites would experience the cut of the ax, and the casting into the fire by the One coming who would baptize with fire (Mt. 3:7-12).
Jesus warned not to put importance and effort into material and corruptible things as the world does. Those things will be consumed, destroyed and stolen. Make effort instead to value and accumulate the heavenly treasures, which are indestructible. As you so labor, your heart and soul will be fixed on those things. In the case of those who covet the corruptible things, the light they do have will be darkened into great darkness (Mt. 6:19-23).
Those heavenly treasures are described in parables by Jesus:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
                                                                                                         Mt. 13:44-46
Have you discerned the signs of the times? Will the expected fruit and grain be found in you at the time of the coming harvest? Where are you laying up your treasure? In the corruptible things of this world, or in the eternal, incorruptible things of heaven, the things of the kingdom of God? The signs tell us that time is growing short.

We hope to soon be able to bring to you and many others an End Time School, instructing and preparing as many as possible regarding the end of this age, and the events marking the soon return of Christ. We hope that you will support this work of the kingdom of God. More details will soon be forthcoming.

 *The above is based upon the 7/21/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

 



Destroyed or Awakened?*

 

The prophet Hosea received the word of the LORD regarding the spiritual condition of His people, Israel:

"...the LORD hath a controversy (quarrel, contention, strife, dispute, case of law, a forensic cause) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and committing adultery, they break out (to break away, burst out, breach, break up, break in pieces, violence), and blood toucheth (to strike, smite, reach onto) blood."  Hos. 4:1-2

Hosea could be describing the condition of our people and our land today in these verses: no truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God. The LORD tells the prophet that this woeful condition of the inhabitants also affects the land which they inhabit:

"Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth within shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away....Therefore, shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother." (v. 3, 5).

We are seeing the land in which we dwell violently try to vomit us out with great storms, winds, earthquakes, floods, because of the sinful condition of its inhabitants (Lev. 18:24-28). God gives the cause of the inhabitants' corrupt condition:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." (v.6-7).

The priests of God made gain over the people's sins, instead of ministering God's delivering Word of truth. This is also the condition of the Church today. Numbers and prosperity are more important than truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God. Sin is agreed with and condoned for the sake of "peace" and "relevance". The apostle Paul also warned about the spiritual consequences for those who wilfully ignore the truth, and reject the knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18-32). We are seeing those consequences in our land and people. Will we be destroyed or awakened? It depends upon how we receive the knowledge of God.

Jesus also gave the Word of truth to His own disciples who were self-satisfied with their spiritual condition as natural sons of Abraham, and therefore rejected the merciful Word of deliverance:

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave, bondman, serving another with disregard to one's own interests, fasten with chains) of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth for ever. If the son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."   Jn. 8:31-36

Though these Jews who believed in Jesus thought they were connected to Abraham's righteousness because they were his descendants, Jesus told them that they were not like Abraham, whom they called "father", because they would not receive the One, the works, and the Word that God had sent, which was Himself, as Abraham would have done. Instead their father was the one who rejected the knowledge of God from the beginning: Satan, the father of lust, murder and lies (v. 37-47).

Jesus also warned that He and His Word would not bring peace but fire and division among men, even among households (Lk. 12:49-56). He remarked at His listeners' failure to receive the truth, and asked a question:

"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?(v.56-57).

Is the Church discerning the time of His soon return? Are we judging ourselves according to what we know as right? Are we judging others wrongly instead?
Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief publican, or tax collector, and he had become rich from his position because he was corrupt. He had run to see Jesus, and even climbed a tree to see above the press of people around Jesus, because he was a very short man, but he had to see Jesus. Jesus spotted him, and called him by name, "Zacchaeus (pure, innocent, bright, clean, shining, justified, purify or cleanse one's self), make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Lk. 19:5). Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy (v.6), and immediately reformed his life. Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek (seek in order to find (out), require, demand something from someone)and to save that which is lost (to destroy, to put an end to, to declare that one must be put to death, to perish, be lost, ruined)."  (v. 9-10).
Though known by others as a corrupt publican, Zacchaeus discerned the time of the visitation of Jesus, and joyfully received the knowledge of God, and the Word of salvation. He "awakened" and was saved by the One who sought him by name. Zacchaeus changed his life, and WAS changed.
At the time of His visitation, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, as the prophets had foretold, His disciples rejoicing, and declaring His kingship (Lk. 19:28-44). However, as Jesus viewed the city of God, Jerusalem, which was to reject Him, it was for Him an occasion for weeping. Some of those who rejected the Knowledge of God come in the flesh, demanded that He rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."  Because Jerusalem did not "know the things which belong unto thy peace", those things would now be hidden from it, and it would be destroyed by its enemies. He said, "...thou knowest not the time of thy visitation."
As Hosea told us at the beginning, not knowing, or refusing the knowledge of God, results in destruction:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."

 *The above is based upon the 7/14/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

 

 



The Marriage of the Lamb*

 

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

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

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

The Church doesn't understand the maturity, unity, and the fullness of the stature of Christ expected of us as taught by those who have been given to us by God to prepare us and make us ready for Jesus' soon coming. If we are all to have "oil", and be doing the work of ministry, why are some content to live however they want? Jesus warned not to let life, and the cares of life catch us unaware in the snare that is meant for all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. He warned again, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Lk. 21:34-36).

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

The prophet Malachi asks this same question:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."  Mal. 3:1-3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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

 

A Legend Unlocked- The Holy Grail

A recent episode of “Mysteries At The Museum” revealed by historical research that the famous literary work “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was actually based on facts from a nearby battle. The following day, I noticed a billboard for the Texas Ranger Museum with LEGENDS emblazoned across the top. The real life history of the “Lone Ranger” is recounted there for all visitors to see. Most are shocked to learn that he was Black and a true to life legendary hero. Perhaps that’s why Hollywood portrayed him wearing a black mask. The two separate events stirred in me the need to revisit a legend that is directly related to my forty-two years of research into the Shroud of Turin. The Legend I refer to is: The Holy Grail.

     It is most important to begin with Webster’s definition of the word itself. “Legend: a story coming down from the past especially: one popularly regarded as historical (emphasis added) although not verifiable…Arthurian legends.” Of course one of the most important Arthurian legends is the Legend of the Holy Grail. While several have authored detailed books on the subject, my purpose here is to take a more simplistic historical approach to the main facts.

     In short, the Grail Legend involves the following key points:

a) an artifact which contained the very “blood” of Christ as referred to in the Gospels, when Yeshua lifted the Passover Cup of Redemption and declared, “ …This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20 KJV)

b) The artifact is connected with Joseph of Arimathea

c) the artifact was part of the treasure of the Templar Knights.

      Now let’s begin to connect the dots. First of all, the origin of the Grail Legend itself is mysterious at best. According to Britannica while even the “etymology” of the word itself is “uncertain” it “denoted a wide-mouth or shallow vessel.” Citing Robert de Borons poem about the Grail Legend, Britannica goes on to state that the Grail was “…(linked) with the cup used by Christ at the last supper and afterward by Joseph of Arimathea to catch the blood flowing  from Christ’s wounds as he hung on the cross.” That interpretation of the Gospel accounts of the Passover and the crucifixion led to the incorrect conclusion that the Grail was a chalice or cup used by Yeshua. However, the key points to ponder are Joseph of Arimathea and catching the blood from the wounds. The simple historical fact is that Joseph of Arimathea according to Scripture purchased “fine linen” (fine, costly, and bleached) (Mk 15:46) and laid the body of Christ in “his own new tomb”(Mt 27:60)

     Next according to historical accounts which are now confirmed by archaeological and botanical evidence, the linen burial garment now known as the Shroud of Turin is first accurately described by Crusader Knight Robert di Clari before the Knights plundered Constantinople. Secondly the Shroud is first displayed in Lirey, France by Crusader Knight, Geoffrey de Charny who was killed in battle before he could tell how he acquired it. His family could only say it was a “spoil of war.” In what is most certainly more than just coincidence, his possible namesake Geoffrey de Charnay a Templar Knight was burned at the stake by France’s King Philip the Fair along side Jacque DeMolay. Accused of “idol worship” based on the description of their homage to a “bearded male image”, they recanted confessions obtained by torture and called for God’s judgment upon the King and the Pope both of whom died within the year. Philip with the support of the Pope was after the “treasure” of the Templars. 

        So here is the summation of what we now can confirm through Scripture, medical science, history and archaeology: Joseph of Arimathea purchased a costly linen garment to wrap the body of Yeshua before he placed it in the tomb. That linen garment now known the world over as the Shroud of Turin, caught the post-mortem blood that seeped from all the wounds in Christ’s body. Wounds that fulfill prophecy written by David in Psalm 22 some 700 years before the Persians first used crucifixion as a death form. The very wounds recorded in the Gospels. That same linen described accurately by French Crusader Knights before they sacked the city of Constantinople taking the cloth and other artifacts. The burial garment is first displayed in Europe in the possession of a French Crusader Knight whose likely namesake was burned at the stake having been accused of idol worship by a King bent on acquiring their “priceless treasures”. That linen garment has gone on to both baffle and fascinate scientific minds determined to uncover the source of its mind-boggling image but able only to conclude as follows: Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) ”We can conclude for now that the Shroud image is that of a real human form of a scourged, crucified man. It is NOT the product of an artist. The bloodstains are composed of hemoglobin, and also give a positive test for serum albumin. The image  is an ongoing mystery…”     

     So, we are left with the three-dimensional, photographically negative image of a Sephardic Jewish man, an estimated 30-35 years of age whose dead body left the cloth without evidence of rot or decay; an image that resides solely in the upper curved surface fibers of the threads themselves and to this day defies reproduction even with space age technology. Conclusion: Grail legend unlocked: The Holy Grail is the burial garment of Christ. 

 
Author: Dr. Kenneth Stevenson

The Importance of the Pure Language*

 

 

 

Not only does the Hebrew language give us a depth in scripture containing infinite layers, but its restoration in our generation is also a sign of the End Times, and the approaching judgment of God according to scripture. All of God's creation was centered around the Word, and language. God Himself, and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, describe Themselves  in the unique and deep Hebrew language used in Their holy names. Jesus referred to the completed work and plan of God in terms of the Hebrew "Aleph-beth", or alphabet. Let's take a look.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."  Jn. 1:1-5

The gospel of John reveals that the beginning work of creation contained the Word,  Who was God, and with God, inseparable. All things were made by this Word. Life was composed of this Word, and became the light in men. John later identifies this powerful Word as Jesus, who became flesh, and dwelt among us. Here John reveals the depth of the Hebrew language used in the Genesis 1 account of the beginning of creation:

"In the beginning (Baresheit: translated from each pictographic early Hebrew letter -the son  crushed, his hand on the cross), God (Elohim Aleph-Tav- plural character of God from the first letter of the Hebrew Aleph-beth, aleph, to the last letter, tav) created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."  Gen 1:1-4

God spoke the Word, and created everything from it. By the use of the Hebrew language, we can understand the truth of the presence all three members of the Trinity from the very beginning of the creation. Jesus also referred to the Hebrew aleph-beth alphabet when He described Himself in the Book of Revelation as the Alpha and Omega, which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, into which the New Testament was translated. In Hebrew, He would be describing Himself as the Aleph-Tav, as Elohim is described in Genesis. The Church's unfortunate separation from its Jewish roots meant the loss of the Hebrew language for us as well, deeply impacting our understanding of scripture in all of its beauty and power. However, God would not let this loss stand forever.

As the prophets of God (Zeph. 1, 2, 3), describe the corrupt, defiled, polluted, sinful, rebellious, unrepentant, shameless condition of God's own people, which we see today, and the coming day of judgment by fire, God also makes promises that will be signs for us of this approaching time of judgment. Though God brought destruction to other nations as a warning to His people, they still did not return to Him from fear of seeing these things, nor seek His instruction (Zeph. 3:6-7). It is the same today. We see terrible destruction, but people do not turn back to God. It is vital that we recognize these signs, and know the times.
The first sign of coming judgment that we will discuss, is one in which the LORD prophesies that He will gather His people and bring them back to the land:
"...ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria (success), and the outcasts in the land of Egypt (distress), and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem."   Isa. 27:12-13
"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my supplicants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering...I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out...At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD."   Zeph. 3:10, 19-20
The LORD prophesied that He will gather the humble of His people back to their land. We have seen a great fulfillment of this promise as the nation of Israel was miraculously re-established, and Jews and others from all over the world have returned to the land. This return is ongoing.
The LORD makes another interesting promise at this time of wickedness and judgment:
"For then I will turn to the people a pure (chosen, purified, proven, to polish arrows, to clarify, cleanse) language (remove, gather, be caught up, joined, to make an end or conclusion), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent....The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem."   Zeph. 3:9, 12-13
As the nation of Israel was restored as promised, so also was the Hebrew language. It is the only dead language in history that was ever resurrected. As we have already discovered, the Hebrew language as the Word of God, directly reveals God, and His Son, Jesus. The knowledge and use of this language once again, the pure language, the language of the end, or conclusion, brings yet another opportunity for people to find God, and our Savior. Jesus said:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (debauchery, drunken hangover), and drunkenness, and cares (anxiety, distraction, to be drawn in different directions) of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares (unexpected, unforeseen, sudden). For as a snare it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."   Lk. 21:33-36 (see also 2 Chron. 7:14). The candle of God's Spirit is searching His own people:
"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled (thickened, condensed, curdled, congealed) on their lees (dregs, settlings of wine, something preserved): that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil."  Zeph. 1:12
As we see these two prophesied End Time signs come to pass, are we caught up in the cares and activities of this world that ensnare the unprepared? Or are we watching and praying, as Jesus instructed?
 *The above is based upon the 6/30/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

 

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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



Our Jewish Sabbath*

 

Both men and the Church have interpreted the Sabbath, and in doing so, have separated themselves from the blessed concept and truth of God. Generally, it is considered a day of rest and perhaps, relaxation. However, the rest into which God invites us is more powerful than that understanding implies. The observance of the Sabbath is so vital that it is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God:

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thy labour and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days, the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore, the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."   Ex. 20:8-11

The sabbath is first mentioned earlier as the children of Israel murmured about their lack in the wilderness, and felt resentment towards Moses and Aaron for their condition. The LORD heard their murmurs and tested Israel in their faith in His word, and in His provision for them. In the evenings, the LORD promised that He would provide flesh (quail) for them to eat, and in the mornings, He would "rain bread from heaven" for them encompassed in the dew. As the dew evaporated, the bread was left behind. It would be "bread to the full", that would well satisfy their need for the day. Each day for six days, they could collect an omer portion per person of the bread (manna: "What is it?"). If they collected more or less than the omer commanded, when they went to measure it, it measured to be an omer anyway. If they tried to keep part of that omer portion for the next day, not believing God's promise of new provision, the bread would become wormy. On the sixth day only, they could collect a double portion to have on hand for the seventh day, when there would be no bread provided for their collection on the sabbath (Ex. 16:1-26):

"Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?"  Ex. 16:26-28

The symbolic power of the miraculous provision of the manna, and its incorporation into the sabbath blessing, was so important to God's people, that an omer of the manna was collected to be placed in the ark of the covenant. It represented covenant provision, and covenant rest in faith.

The sabbath also played a crucial role in the blessings of the Feasts of the LORD. The Day of Atonement created a sabbath, for example. "It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever." (Lev. 16:31). The Day of Atonement is a prophetic foreshadow of the atonement work of Christ on the cross, and written this way:

"And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments..."  v. 32

The priest made the atonement for the holy sanctuary, the tabernacle, the altar, the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. This was to be an everlasting statute (v. 33-34).

The Book of Hebrews tells us that Christ is our High Priest who makes the atonement for us with His own blood. This created and fulfilled a sabbath for us, as the Day of Atonement did for Israel.

Psalm 92 was written as a song for the sabbath day. In it, the psalmist thanks and praises God for all of His works: "For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands." v. 4. The works of the LORD for which the psalmist remembers and praises Him on the sabbath day, includes a personal and eternal work in the soul of the individual: "I shall be anointed with fresh oil...The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." v. 10,12-15
This is the sabbath blessing for us: the completion of God's wonderful work for us and in us, as well as in all creation. This is what makes the sabbath a holy thing in God's sight, and in ours. The prophets told us that faithfully honoring the LORD's Sabbath would complete a wonderful work in us. Isaiah wrote that we would be called "The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." (Isa. 58:12). We would be caused to ride upon the high places of the earth, and be fed with the heritage of Jacob, our father (v. 14). Honoring the Sabbath is not about relaxing in our leisure and entertainment for the day, finding our own pleasure and going our own way. Honoring the Sabbath is about understanding the honor due His Word, and calling His sabbath a delight (oneg-exquisite delight, delicate life, to be soft and pampered) (v, 13).
Jeremiah connects the honoring of the sabbath directly to the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah:
"Then there shall enter into the gates of this city (Jerusalem) kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever. And they shall come...bringing sacrifices of praise into the house of the LORD."  Jer. 17:25-26
Although religious legalists would interpret the keeping of the Sabbath in a burdensome manner, Jesus taught that this was not the intention of God for this day. The sabbath celebrates the holiness and completion of God's work, and Jesus did just this. He made it a point to heal on the sabbath. Though the religious leaders sought to persecute and even kill Jesus for "working" on the sabbath, Jesus answered: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." (Jn. 5:16-17). The true meaning and holiness of the sabbath encapsulates the Lordship of Jesus Christ: "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." (Mt. 12:8). We see Jesus elaborate on this connection: The benefit of the observance of the sabbath in Spirit and in truth, as Jesus taught, which included His Lordship as a completed work of God, was meant as a benefit to man, rather than a benefit to God: "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."  (Mk. 2:27-28).
The sabbath rest is a benefit for the land, and for man, according to the word of God. We miss our sabbath blessing when we fail to honor it as the holy day of completion of all of God's wonderful works. 

*The above is based upon the 6/23/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

 

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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



Color HIM Father*

 

The title of this Father's Day message was taken from a song by The Winstons. In it they sing about a wonderful father, saying, "Color him father, color him love".

How many of us can remember ourselves as toddlers trying to walk around in our father's adult shoes? We are also encouraged to walk in our heavenly Father's shoes!

Jesus continually taught of God as His Father, and as our Father. Speaking about the titles of honor used towards and among the religious elite, Jesus said that we should call no man our father in the earth, but only one is our Father: the One in heaven (Mt. 23:9).

In teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus taught that our prayers begin and hinge upon our understanding of, and relationship with, God as our Father:

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed (holy) be thy name..."   Mt. 6:9

However, the powerful truth of God as our Father is not limited to the New Testament, but is very much part of our Jewish faith, which we have been discussing these past weeks. The prophet Isaiah wrote in prayer:

"Look down from heaven, and behold the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies towards me? are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting....But now, O LORD, thou art our father;  we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we are the work of thine hand."   Isa. 63:15-16, 64:8

Although Israel took knowledge of their forefathers, Abraham and Israel (Jacob), Isaiah wrote in prayer that the greater Father was God, Himself. This acknowledgment of the Fatherhood of God, puts us into His hands in the same manner as common clay, that when taken into the hands of the gifted potter, then becomes a vessel of value and purpose.

David wrote of his understanding of God as his Father, which he declared before all of the congregation:

"...Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all."   1 Chron. 29:10-11

We can see that in several ways above, what we know from Jesus' teaching as "The Lord's Prayer", was revealed also to David, beginning with the understanding of God as Father.

The prophet Malachi brought the Word of the LORD in correction to the priesthood that ministered in injustice and partiality:

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?"  Mal. 2:10

The truth of God as our Father should unite all men with one another. Are we walking in this truth today? Or are we more divided than ever? In all these things, we can say, "color Him Father", as our theme song exhorts. The Winstons also say of the father in the song, "...color him love", because of all the good things that the father did for his child. We can say this even more so about our heavenly Father.

One of our most familiar scriptures tells us that God as a Father, gave His only begotten Son because He loved the world. He so loved the world (Jn. 3:16-18). The gift of His Son to us in love also brought us the gift from the Father of everlasting life for those who would receive His precious Son. Though the world deserved condemnation for their unbelief, the Father made it clear that He was giving a gift of saving love instead. Can there be a greater gift than everlasting life that delivers us from the darkness of death forever? This gift doesn't flow from a religious deity, but it flows from a Father Who loves. In the same manner, the Church is not to condemn, but to point others to our Father Who loves, to show this truth like the vessel molded by the Potter becomes the work of the Potter's hand.

Jesus said the works that He did were done in His Father's name. His miraculous works could not be separated from His Father, who sent Him. Jesus also described those who received Him as sheep who hear their Shepherd's voice and follow Him (see video here). He revealed that the One who put those sheep into His hand was His Father:

"...neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one."  Jn. 10:24-30

The religious people who challenged Jesus to reveal Himself as Messiah sought to stone Him, accusing Him of blasphemy. They claimed that Jesus made Himself to be God by His statement above. Jesus brought them to the scripture that proclaimed "ye are gods" (Ps. 82:6). Those scriptures proclaimed that we are all children of the Most High only as we "walk in His great shoes", according to His word, in His likeness, in the stature of His Son. We only accomplish this as we walk one with Him as our Father, as Jesus walked. This oneness with Himself and our Father was also the prayer of Jesus for His disciples (Jn. 17:20-23). It is also the witness to the world of our Father's love for us (v. 23).

Not accepting the gift of love from our heavenly Father of His only begotten Son, not believing the name and the works of the Son, also means rejecting the Father Who sent Him (Jn. 8:31-47). He sent His son to set us free indeed from the slavery of sin, and the penalty of death that accompanies it.

We often see today, as in Jesus' time, that many prefer to bless what God has cursed: sin and death, and curse what He has blessed: everlasting life found in the name of His Son.

This Father's Day, if you will hear His voice, then "color Him Father, color Him love".

 

*The above is based upon the 6/16/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

 

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

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

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

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

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

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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