Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

Luke 14:15-33 He paid it all

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 But he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper; and he bade many: 17 and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Look, all things have been made ready. Have you been praying for the Lord’s will to be done, for His kingdom to come? Well everything is ready, stand up against the corruption, stand up to stop the steal, bring these giants down, they will be your food. Can we use a little common sense here? I don’t need Twitter, but Twitter needs me. I don’t need Facebook but Facebook needs me. I don’t need Google, I don’t need Apple, I don’t need Amazon.com. What we do need is the internet, Google doesn’t own that, we do need search engines, don’t have to be Google. We do want to be able to buy online, but doesn’t have to be with Amazon.com, we do want to receive our news but doesn’t have to be Twitter and we do want social media for our friends, but doesn’t have to be Facebook.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuses. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 And the servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame.

I would be angry to. If they simply obeyed the Lord we would roll through this corruption like it is the paper tiger the football teams run through when they run on the field. So now, these rich, complacent, apathetic believers will be fully shamed by the deplorables. It is too much trouble, just a lot easier to make excuses for these tech giants.

22 And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Do you know who is blessed? The servant of the Lord who has his loins girded, his lamp lit and who opens straightway to the Lord when He comes (Luke 12:35-38). The Lord will serve him! Who is the faithful and wise steward? Blessed is that servant if the Lord finds him giving them their portion of food in due season. The Lord is inviting us to His feast, just like Caleb said, these giants are a feast for us.

25 Now there went with him great multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

This must be connected with Luke 12:52-53. What is stopping you from giving your surplus money to the poor? Perhaps your family will oppose you. Can you imagine someone wanting to give a feast to the poor before the dollar becomes worthless, their family will think they have gone nuts. There will be a sharp divide between those who desire to be rich in this age and those who desire to be rich with God. Imagine the billionaire that wants to give $400 million to the poor, his wife and kids might be screaming at him “why do you hate us”? Likewise those that don’t want to use Amazon.com or Apple -- “why do you hate us?” I posted online that I was no longer using Amazon.com, I had cancelled my Prime membership and all my subscriptions. My sister in law responded that she was cancelling me? Does she really care that much about Amazon.com? She doesn’t work for them and to my knowledge she doesn’t own their stock. What is wrong with people?

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? 29 Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him, 30 saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

There is a cost to following Jesus. You must give up the best seat, take the despised seat of a “Jesus Freak”. There will be a cost to your family and to your bank account. The Lord knows how much we don’t want to be mocked or humiliated. So He is advising us on how to avoid that. The cross of Christ is not just about being killed it is also about being mocked. “He saved others but He can’t save Himself”, “prophesy who is hitting you”, “He said destroy this temple and in three days He would raise it up”. Being mocked is part of the cost. If you desire to follow the Lord take the mind of Christ. At this point, once you enter the battle there is no going back. There are those who are standing for free speech, for a free and fair election, for Jesus as Lord. If we do not hold the line all the way to victory we will be mocked and ridiculed. AOC was mocked and ridiculed when she called for a boycott of Goya and sales doubled. Cancel culture was mocked and ridiculed when they called for Chick Fil A to be cancelled and the next day the lines go out the door at these restaurants. They attacked Mike Lindell and we need to step up to not only support him but have Mike replace Bed Bath and Beyond and all these other stores that tried to cancel him. But all of that is secondary, we need to take down Twitter. When Twitter falls everyone will realize that Facebook and Google can also fall. Courage is contagious. If these three giants fall you can be sure companies like Apple and Amazon.com will be quaking in their boots. They have smaller margins, more competition, and are even easier to replace.

31 Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace. 33 So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Paul describes all that he is and says he counts it all as dung. The goal is a city of peace, so do you know the conditions of peace? It requires that we forgive others just as Jesus forgave us. That is the condition of peace. We are at war, once you wake up you will know that. It is not good for son’s of God, brothers of the king, to be ruled by slaves of sin. Jesus forgave us by paying the full price for our sin, He "paid it all".

Luke 14:34-35 If you want to be part of the Lord's ministry you need to be salt


34 Salt therefore is good:

Strange conclusion to this chapter. To renounce all that we are is to renounce our ego, our family heritage, whatever we count as gain to us. What salt does is it causes all the water to come out of the fish or the meat that it is preserving. Without any water it can’t rot. This chapter is telling us that we need to be salted. We will be attacked, just like microbes will attack the fish or the meat. Before refrigeration this was the only way to preserve meat and fish. This section began with a warning to beware the leaven of the pharisees, but it ends with the conclusion that “salt therefore is good”. Salt tells the water to “come out of her my people”. This is what we are telling the saints concerning these tech giants that want to control what you can and cannot say, what you can and cannot think. Come out of her my people. They are controlling you through public humiliation, mocking, branding you a "Jesus Freak".

but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

My senior year in college our gospel was very effective on campus. We had a solid core of four or five brothers who would meet every day at lunch and during lunch we would preach the gospel in the cafeteria. My university had five colleges with cafeterias that we would eat at, every day we would eat at a different one. During my last semester I was eating at one of these cafeterias, it might have held 400 and this was way before social distancing. It was packed, wall to wall college kids eating lunch. Each table held ten people and I was sitting at this table in the center of the cafeteria and the other nine seats were empty. At other tables you would see two people sharing a chair, or an eleventh person standing and eating at the table or people heading to the elevators to eat their lunch in their room. It was like one of those western movies where the gunslinger comes in, and everyone else clears out. Don’t get me wrong, for three years there was a lot of mocking, a lot of insults, a lot of friends and family that opposed my stand. There were also many others on the campus that did believe, but they kept it to themselves, and you couldn’t tell them from anyone else. It must have been hard, kind of like Lot “sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked”. The Lord said His yoke was easy and His burden was light, is this really easy? Let’s compare. In the world they are struggling to get to the top of the heap. There are many people who give it everything they have and yet the world still finds issues. These debates about who the greatest of all time is for the various sports is one example. Why isn’t it good enough that they gave it everything they had? Second, what about those who get injured. The Lord asks us to give it everything we have, if we get injured it doesn’t stop us from doing that. But in the world they judge you by the ugly metric of idolatry. In the world you can be an ox working hard, but if you fall into a pit they can have all kinds of reasons why they can’t pull you out. In the world you sit down to build a tower all kinds of things can happen, calamities that are completely beyond your control. Suppose you come to a team and you want to make them into one of the all time great teams whose name is respected and then they trade you? You have no control over that, but in the New Testament we have a covenant, we don’t get traded. It is up to you, you can give 100%, that is your choice. Our being salt indicates that we have a relationship with Jesus and with God. Salt had to be added to all the offerings, it was required. God requires that Jesus have this relationship with us. Also it is not up to you to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. All you need to do is follow the Lord, everything is ultimately on Him. He is the one that is coming with an army. We saw Him coming and the gospel was all about the conditions of peace with God. For the last two thousand years millions, hundreds of millions, even billions of Christians have received Jesus as their peace offering. The peace that we make with God requires that we renounce everything that we are and count it as dung. This is the road we take to the Lord’s second coming. At the time of Jesus the Roman roads were built to transport salt. From the moment Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem you see this process, He is salting the disciples. “He that is least among you shall be great” dealing with their ego. “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”. Jesus Christ is our offering to God. However we are the salt: “You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of your covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.” (Lev 2:13). We are added to these offerings. Jesus is our peace offering, but you need to add salt to the peace offering and we are the salt. Jesus is the burnt offering, but you need to add salt to the burnt offering and we are the salt. If you have lost your saltiness then you won’t be added. If you want to be part of the Lord’s ministry then you need to be salt.

Luke 15 -- How do you prepare for the Lord’s return?

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

This is a valid point. The Lord has made a very definite point of the need to hear his word and obey. How is it that the servants of the Lord who do not obey His word will be judged strictly and yet he is welcoming sinners and eating with them when they don’t pay any attention to God’s word?

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

The Lord is comparing them to a lost sheep. The 99 are doing what they are supposed to, that is good, but one gets lost it is the shepherd’s duty to find it. The Lord is doing what he is supposed to do. Remember, Jesus is setting a pattern for the 12, for the 70 others and for the 500 witnesses. As a disciple we need to listen and obey. However, if you are put in the position of a shepherd then you have greater responsibility to seek out a lost sheep.

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Why include this? Have you ever noticed that many testimonies and many meetings concerning evangelism focus on this experience of finding a lost sheep and bringing them home? Maybe the saints who were born into Christian homes and who were never “lost” may mutter a little. Why are the meetings always about former drug addicts and gang members? The Lord is explaining why.

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

What is going on in this age? The Lord is seeking the lost sheep, He is getting his flock of sheep together. We are not sitting in judgement over lost sheep, instead we are rejoicing with each one that repents and returns to the flock. Five years ago people may have felt they didn’t need the church, now they see how powerless and puny they are without the church. We are seeing people repent and return as the church is the only counterweight to the Satanic system. Over and over again I am continually bothered by the Lord’s charge to “watch” and to “prepare”. He says we don’t know the day or the hour so therefore we need to watch, we need to prepare. What does He mean? When you find these lost sheep you are preparing. We need every member for this battle. If you watch football you know the name David Tyree. He was a lost sheep, the coach rescued him, and when they needed it most it was David Tyree who delivered.

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Right now we are praying for the Lord to shine His light. Yes, it will expose corruption but it will also enlighten the lost coin, that one who is in a position to take a stand for the Lord. If an elected official or election official or judge repents we will all rejoice. This is what it means to prepare, we need that coin, the storm is about to hit, so right now while there is still a chance find it.

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

I am reminded of Hunter Biden. Can you imagine if he comes to his senses? Suppose he takes a sober look at his life, the way his dad and the rest of the family used and abused him. Suppose he repents, confesses his sins, and turns to the Lord! It would be stunning, millions would be rejoicing. This is the difference between keeping in power through the fear of death and having a kingdom built on righteousness where we all stand on the blood of Jesus Christ. These ones that we are seeking they are not just “sheep” in the Lord’s flock, they are not just “coins” with a like precious faith, they are sons. What we need in order to watch are “sons” of God. What we need to be doing to prepare for the coming storm are sons of God. Sons who have repented of their sins, confessed, and rededicated themselves to the Lord. If you are a shepherd, or a woman over a household or a father, you will be held accountable for how you took care of that which was entrusted to you.

Are we really "supposed to be" surprised at the Lord's coming?

I recently watched a message on Youtube from a preacher who had "88 reasons why we don't know the date or time". He began his message with references from 9 different chapters in the Bible showing that the rapture is Biblical. It was a great introduction that had me really looking forward to the "88 reasons". However, it fizzled after that. The 88 reasons for why we don't know the date and time became one reason inferred from illustration of the rapture as the bridegroom coming for his bride. His point was "it is supposed to be a surprise". That was the most sexist teaching I ever heard.

The bride is "supposed" to be beholding and reflecting the groom. If the two were dancing the groom is leading but the bride is not supposed to be tripping all over his feet, she is supposed to seemlessly follow his lead so the two move as one. I had an experience once, I was at this big training in the Bible, Christians from the entire country were there. Each of us was going to be tested by the trainer, it was "supposed to be" a surprise. There was this very pretty sister that I liked and after a meeting I was standing in a group waiting on something. I was looking at her from across the room. She knew I was watching her, she made sure I had a very clear view of her, yet her head was buried in her Bible diligently studying it. From that I was able to discern that I was going to be tested, this was a message that I would be tested that night. So I studied and sure enough I was tested that night. It has always been my experience that women are much more in the know about what is going on. They may pretend to be surprised when the bridegroom comes but that is just so they don't hurt his feelings.

Luke 12:39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

Understand what? Is he supposed to know? If I was in the home security business I think I would be tuned in to when thieves come, what they are looking for, and when there is a thief in the neighborhood.

John 16:4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,

This is what the Lord is saying, we have been warned about what to look out for.

John 12:42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;

It was shocking to people that the Democrats were accusing 75 million Americans who voted for Trump of "insurrection" and wanting to "reeducate their children". But we were warned this would happen.

Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

Again, we were warned about cancel culture as well.

Luke 19:44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

We were told specifically that we are supposed to recognize the time of the Lord's coming to us. We are told specifically that we will see "the day approaching". Imagine you were the betrothed and your fiance is preparing a "mansion" (a bridal suite) for you. I would bring him lemonade and notice that the shingles were just delivered. Later I'd bring dinner and notice the carpet is being installed. I would see the day approaching. Enough with the "ding bat" jokes and "dumb blond" jokes, I am not a fool.

Matthew 16:3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

There are signs of the times that we are supposed to be able to interpret and we will be rebuked if we can't.

Revelation 3:3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

If you are oblivious to what the bridegroom is doing do you really love him? You love sleep more than Him?

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

This is a direct contradiction of what this brother taught. You are not supposed to be surprised, you are supposed to be in the light.

A servant should be like his master. Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

The Lord knew when the time approached, so if you are a servant like the master then why wouldn't you?

John 16:21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world

The Lord's second coming is not only likened to a bridegroom coming for His bride, it is also likened to a woman giving birth to a child. The woman does not know the day nor the hour that she will give birth, that doesn't mean that giving birth "is supposed to be a surprise". Surely she knows she is nine months pregnant.

Luke 12:42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?

This is another analogy given to the Lord's return. The faithful servants are supposed to know the "proper time". Who wants a cook that is surprised when it is lunch time or dinner time?

Luke 14:17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

The Lord's coming is also likened to a great banquet that we have been invited to. If you are the Lord's servant what are you saying? Come, for everything is now ready. It isn't a surprise for you.

Matthew 21:34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

The Lord's coming is also likened to harvest time. Are farmers supposed to be surprised that it is harvest time? A real farmer is walking through the field every day inspecting the crops.

Luke 16:1-12 -- Say what?

Luke 15 has three stories that are very familiar topics to preachers. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Everyone “knows” those stories, but then you come to Luke 16 and it is “say what?” When I come to a chapter like this I have to wonder if I really understood what I was reading because if I did why is this chapter so mind boggling? In chapter 15 we are rejoicing over finding something that was lost. This chapter is about a manager who is about to lose his job because the owner has not been getting a good return on his investment. Secondly, I very much dislike the tendency of expositors to refer to “additional teachings'' because they didn’t know how they fit in. To me that is like rebuilding an engine, you took it apart, then rebuilt it, and now you are left with a few extra parts and you are trying to tell me these are “extra”. They aren’t extra, you just don’t understand how they fit in! Finally, I love chapters and verses of the Bible that I do not understand because I have something to pray over and I know when the Lord opens up the verse to me it will be a new revelation that I didn’t have before. That is what I hope to see here in chapter 16.

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

The context is the manager is being audited with the threat that he very likely will lose his job. The analogy here is the manager of a business like Best Buy is being audited, but the greater context is that Jesus is the owner of this business, He is building His church, and this person is one of His servants. For comparison we should consider the verse where He says He gives one servant 5 talents, another 2 and another 1 and tells them to trade while He goes into a far country and then when He returns they each need to give account of what they have done with that talent. If you are the manager of a BestBuy nothing in that store belongs to you, everything belongs to the owner, and it is your job to sell it to the people in that city. Likewise, if you are a Christian nothing belongs to you, every experience and gift you have has been given to you from the Lord and if you don’t share that gift it is a waste. When I was first saved I met with a church that had the practice of giving testimonies during every meeting. The message might go for an hour but then they would reserve another 30 minutes for all the members to share testimonies. Generally there was a time limit, definitely don’t speak for more than five minutes, but usually the time limit would be shorter. It can be terrifying to stand up in front of hundreds of people and share your poor little pathetic experience. So for months I was struggling, the Spirit was bothering me to share some experience, but in my mind it was too trivial. The meeting would end and I would go home defeated. Then I read this verse and it really terrified me. I felt the Lord was speaking to me, I have given you many experiences and what have you done with them? I am hearing that these experiences are wasted on you!

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

There is a verse in Proverbs that says a word spoken in season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. To have that perfect testimony that exactly hits the point, it is like a beautiful treasure. I knew I had many experiences I wanted to share, but you want that perfect time. But once I thought I could get fired my thought was it is time to have a “going out of business sale”. Better to get something rather than nothing. I started to share my testimonies, didn’t worry if they were perfect, everything was being marked down.

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.

This word “dishonest” is also translated as “unjust” and “unrighteous”. A hard word to swallow, but true. Everyone wants to have a “perfect” testimony. Sorry, if your testimony is “perfect” then you are being dishonest. The truth is that you are unrighteous and unjust and are in the process of being transformed. You aren’t there yet. Why is it that we think we can be street smart when we are in the street, but the minute you step into the church you can’t do that?

For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

Most Chistians sit dumbly in the meeting hall. Why? They are afraid to share a testimony that reveals they are dishonest, unrighteous or unjust. Yet, look at all these prevailing ministries of people who once were in gangs or on drugs. They begin by sharing the testimony of how they were unrighteous.

9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Everyone loves to quote the verse that “money is the root of all evil”. Of course, there is no such verse in the Bible. The real verse says that “the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil”. It isn’t money that is the root, it is the love of money, and it isn’t the root of all evil, but rather all sorts of evil. The Lord just threw in a side teaching here, you can use money in this age to help you get welcomed into eternity. Money is temporary, it is a vapor, it will disappear, but as long as it is here you can use it to get something eternal. There is no way to save money eternally, or to put money away so that your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren will all be rich. But the one thing you can do with money that will last for eternity is to “gain friends for yourself that will welcome you into eternity”. The same is true of that talent the Lord gave you to use in this age. There are many Christians who have helped me on my path and I intend to welcome each and every one of them into the eternal habitations. My cousin was extremely diligent to raise money to help a hospital for the disabled (his daughter was paralyzed in an accident) and also to raise money for the local lacrosse team. At his funeral it was standing room only in a church that must have held at least a thousand people.

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

I sure hope you just caught that. How many people ask “if there is a God why does He allow this?” referring to all kinds of corruption and unrighteousness. God is not about to trust you with true riches until He knows how you will handle worldly wealth. In this age your behavior will prove whether or not you can be trusted with true wealth. Did you waste the experiences the Lord gave you? Did you waste the gift God gave you? If so, at the judgement seat of Christ you will lose your job as a manager, I suspect there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Or, were you honest about being dishonest? Did you share your testimonies of being unrighteous, how the Lord saved you, redeemed you, and sanctified you? Did you make friends with money that would welcome you into eternal habitations? If so there might be a thousand people cheering you as you appear before the Lord, just like my cousin. All those people who were so corrupt, robbing widows of their houses during the mortgage crisis, that will surely be a key piece of evidence as they appear before the Great White Throne as to whether they are cast into the Lake of fire or not. In the grand scheme of eternity our life is a blip on a screen, but it is enough for the Lord to know whether or not to give us the true riches, and it is enough to judge beyond a reasonable doubt if someone should be tossed into the Lake of fire.

Luke 16:13-31 You need to force your way into it

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

There are many reasons why someone is not faithful to the Lord. Maybe you just need a push, or maybe the real problem is that you love money and have become a servant to money. In that case your pretense at serving the Lord is only lip service and not genuine.

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

We need this vision. We have had many examples of those who justify themselves in the eyes of others. That is a terrible example for someone trying to learn how to minister. To elevate yourself above others is detestable in God’s sight, but all too common.

16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

This is another one of those “say what?” verses. If you want to serve the Lord you need to “force your way into it”. There is going to be resistance. Your family will resist, your friends will resist, maybe even the government will resist. No one serves the Lord without having to deal with persecution. Not only so but Satan is the “accuser of the brethren”. Imagine Paul forcing himself into ministry after having aided in the stoning of Stephen and also in the arrest of the saints. Imagine Peter forcing himself into ministry after denying the Lord three times. Satan wants to sift us as wheat. We are sinners, we are dishonest, we are unrighteous. But, we overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our testimony.

18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

This is simply one tiny example of the law that is not going to disappear. The word of God convicts us of sin. But the same word confirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that His blood washes us as white as snow. So then if you believe you are a sinner you also need to believe that you have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb.

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

In this story you are that rich man. It is so easy for us to point our finger at some other person, condemning others. This chapter is not about others. We are the unjust manager of the Lord’s business. We are the ones who need to make friends with the gifts the Lord has given us while we were on this earth. We are the ones who need to force our way into ministry despite the accuser of the brethren holding up all our sins. And yes, we are the rich man. Dressed in purple means we are royalty, son of the king. Fine linen indicates we are clothed in righteousness. Lived in luxury means we had all the riches of the word, and the Holy Spirit every day. At our gate is laid a beggar means the Lord has sovereignly arranged that a person in need of our help is right there, at our front door. The dogs licked the sores indicates that even the dogs are helping this beggar, where are you?

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham,have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

Say what? We are born again Christians, redeemed by the blood of the lamb. This cannot possibly refer to us! First of all Hades is not Hell. Hades is where you go when you die. Second of all I have experienced something similar to heartburn every time I missed an opportunity to help someone. There is a regret in the pit of my stomach, and I am in agony. That was my experience for months till I finally decided to start speaking in the meetings regardless of whether or not it was perfect.

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

Abraham calls him “son”, so he is a child of Abraham. He received good things in this life, don’t many Christians teach that “receiving good things” means you are blessed? Why would you think this person does not depict a Christian, of the household of faith, a person who was “blessed”?

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

OK, fair enough, this chasm is a pretty good indication. There is a very clear separation between the two. But I don’t see any reason to conclude that he depicts an unbeliever.

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

The gospel of Luke is not a hodgepodge of disconnected stories. Within the context of chapter 15 this refers to a believer who has received the treasure of eternal salvation. It is our job, like the manager who is being audited, to share this gift with others. You will have to force yourself into this because we all are sinners, and yes, Satan desires to sift us like wheat. But there will not be room for any excuses. You cannot claim you didn’t have an opportunity because when you appear before the Lord you will learn that there was a person right at your gate who needed salvation.

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Ouch. We often think “if I saw this” or “I saw that” then I would believe. If I saw the Red Sea parted, or if I saw Jesus rise from the dead. But it turns out that is not true. There were lots of people who saw each of those events yet they didn’t believe. The good news is this, you can get all the faith you need from the Bible. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God.

Acts 11:1-17 -- The word of God

1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

We are in a very momentous time. I saw one brother explain that the Jewish new year in 2020 is exactly 2050 years according to the Jewish calendar from 3 BC. He picked that date because the alignment of the stars on Rosh Hoshanna in that year appears to have the astrological alignment that was described in the book of Matthew for the star of Bethlehem. That means that this year would be the very first year of the jubilee of the third millennium after Jesus' birth. People want to get ready for the Lord’s return, what can they do? Well, first and foremost you can “receive the word of God”.

2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

Isn’t that interesting? All the brothers and apostles in Judea heard this and they all were Jews. Yet not all of them were “of the circumcision”. Already the church is breaking into sects. If you think about this, it is a funny name for the sect. Can you imagine a political group whose platform included being pro circumcision? So I don’t think that was what it meant, instead the circumcision points to our covenant with God. Today we have “covenant Christians” who emphasize the New Testament is a covenant with God. These ones were emphasizing the covenant we had with God, but talking about the Old Testament, not the new. It probably wasn’t that clear yet since we hadn’t had the ministry of Paul. Notice the issue was not that the uncircumcised came into his house. That was OK, the issue was that he went into their house and ate with them. This would mean that the food was prepared in a kitchen that was not kosher. I don’t have to serve bacon to you, if I simply serve something you can eat but use pans that are also used to cook bacon it would be a violation of the Old Covenant.

4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

This dream has become part of the word of God. It has become part of the fellowship of the apostles. God very clearly can and does speak through dreams.

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Cornelius dream and testimony have also become part of the word of God and part of the New Testament.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

The dream of Peter, the dream of Cornelius, and the word of God are all in agreement. Peter listened to his dream and considered it, but it was the word that the Lord spoke which was authoritative.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

This is a very big point. This doesn’t become the word of God because Peter said so, it is not based on him being “an apostle”. Rather, it was based on the Holy Spirit testifying that they had received Jesus Christ. Peter was an apostle, the Lord Jesus said He would give him the keys to the kingdom, yet Peter isn’t here saying “hey, I have the keys to the kingdom and I have just opened the door for the Gentiles”. No, it is based on the word of the Lord Jesus and of the prophets in the Old Testament.

Acts 11:18-30 All he can do the foe is just release the flow

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Isn’t this wonderful? This is how things used to be done. You disagree with someone, you contend with them, they treat you with respect, they tell you the full story, you listen carefully and realize, wow, God is doing something new that I didn’t know about. Can you imagine such a thing happening today on Social media, or between political parties? Today you are not allowed to question them. In January of 2020 Steve Bannon saw the virus in China and felt it had the potential to become a pandemic in the US. As a result he started a podcast called “War Room Pandemic”. He was ridiculed and mocked as being some kind of Tin foil hat conspiracy theorist. Not only so but he had scientist on the program claiming the virus was made in a bioweapons lab. The mainstream media depicted him as looney tunes and fringe right, yet twelve months later we know it did become a pandemic, and the US State department has released their official position that this was made in a bioweapons lab. I don’t mind that people strongly disagreed with this 12 months ago, but the slander and ridicule, that I object to.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

There is a verse in a song I used to sing “all he could do, the foe, was just release the flow”. Killing Stephen caused the saints to be dispersed which in turn caused the gospel to spread among the gentiles. Dispersing the believers happened before Peter’s preaching to Cornelius, so hearing that the Gentiles had received the word of God probably spread all the more. This was the move of God in the church when the Apostle Paul was just a new brother. There is a persecution going on today. They are “cancelling” anyone who supported Trump like Mike Lindell. People are getting fired from their jobs because they used Parler and not just Facebook. They aren’t fired for anything they said or did other than having an account on Parler. Trump is being impeached with the express purpose of removing him from office, yet he was already removed from office the previous month. Others want to make Washington DC a state even though the constitution is clear that it is not to be made a state. Ignoring the constitution, persecuting those who are standing for free and fair elections, we have seen this before. What is different this time around is there are 75 million people being attacked, rather than just 500. We have seen cops go into a church and arrest people for not wearing a mask. We have seen corporations boycott states like Georgia because they require an ID to vote. Delta airlines requires an ID to use their airline yet they view it as "racist", Coca Cola requires an ID to buy their stock or attend their stockholders meetings, yet they view it as racist, MLB moved the all star game even though they require ID's to pick up tickets for the all star game.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Barnabas was a key brother at this time. He brought Paul into the church and he came to encourage the new believers in this move.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

This is where the ministry of the apostle Paul was born. He was at the very forefront of this move. Those of the “circumcision” didn’t just disappear, we see them again later in Acts and also in the book of Galatians. They played a major role in Paul digging into this matter of the New Testament. He teaches that we were circumcised with the cross of Christ, not on our flesh, but on our heart. That teaching comes straight from Peter’s dream.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Once again we see there were “prophets” who spoke to the church as well. To tell people that a famine is going to come to Judaea is to be a prophet. But this raises some questions about the word of God. At the end of the New Testament in the book of Revelation we are told that we cannot add to or take away from this revelation. Meanwhile at the end of the book of Acts it is very clear that this book is not over and you could add all the acts of the Spirit moving in the believers and the church throughout the age. So if you look at this story carefully you will see that the apostles did not regard themselves as being anything compared to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Nor did they know anything other than what was revealed to them by the Spirit. This became part of the word of God because all of the apostles had a yes, and an amen in their spirit when they heard it. Everyone of us can experience the speaking of the Lord, and that speaking is our experience of the acts of the apostles. However, the New Testament has been written and enacted in the blood of Christ. It is a contract that has been signed and sealed. That cannot change. No one can have an experience of the Lord that will be in direct contradiction to this covenant. It may seem to contradict it superficially, as was the case here, but then the Lord will shine His light on His word, which is what happened with Peter. He remembered the Lord saying “ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit”. He realized this was a fulfillment of that word and since the Holy Spirit had baptized them who was he to forbid them from being baptized in water?

Colossians 1:1-14 What is the Perfect work that is wanting nothing?

When I read the Bible there are several key questions that need to be answered immediately. First, is this the word of God? If so, what is the point, what is God telling us, what is the covenant? These questions are answered in skeleton form in James and in much more detail in Galatians. Then when I hear what the covenant is I want to know how I can do that, it is impossible. How could I speak to this mountain to be taken up and cast into the sea and have it done? This is also dealt with in a skeleton form in James but elaborated on in detail in Ephesians. James tells us about our blessings, putting them into two big categories, Paul breaks down all seven in detail pointing us towards the first six books of the Bible for even more on this. My next big question is “how can I count it all joy?” Trials and sorrows take place in our life. People are arrested unrighteously, put in prison, even killed by corrupt leaders. How can I count it all joy? James gives us the charge and Paul expounds in Philippians on this. But, if you have gotten this far and are still pressing on towards the mark, the next big question is “what does the bullseye look like?” What is the “perfect work that is wanting nothing” described by James. Paul gives us a beautiful view of the goal that we are pressing towards in Colossians. This is very scientific, in science we need to define precisely what the standard units are by which we can make all of our measurements. Otherwise everyone has their own opinion about what a “perfect work is”. I saw an atheist wrote an article saying that it was possible to be good without God. Obviously a reference to Jesus saying only God is good. So I asked some atheists to tell me what they understand “good” to be, what is their definition. They couldn’t, instead they told me that every atheist has their own definition. Obviously it is easy to be “good” if you get to define what that means. They also told me that their definition was essentially the same as a Christians! Our definition of good is the work that Jesus did on the cross. All Christians will agree that is a “perfect” work lacking nothing. The four gospels present Jesus Christ and the work He did as the standard by which we should measure all works of faith. These gospels present Jesus as four basic measurements: a king, a servant, a man, and the incarnated son of God. This is made clear in the book of Colossians.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

Before you would be concerned about doing a work of faith you would certainly need to receive the gospel first.

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

We have covered these points, this was a quick summary. Patience and longsuffering with joy was covered in Phillipians, being qualified to be partakers of the inheritance was covered in Galatians, all the blessings we have received in the kingdom of the son of His love was covered in Ephesians. These points were elaborated on questions from the book of James. Is this really the word of God, what are the blessings we have received, and how can I count it all joy. But now we come to this next question, what is it to walk worthily of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work? What does James mean by a “perfect work that is wanting nothing”?

Colossians 1:15-29 The Image of the Invisible God

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

God made man in His image. Jesus is that image. You cannot do a perfect work that is pleasing to Him unless it is in that same image. Jesus is the standard by which we measure all Christian works.

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

If you are doing a work of faith it must be “by Him”. Jesus is the Lord, you are the servant. No work will be perfect unless the Master says “well done thou good and faithful servant”.

All things were created through Him and for Him.

You need this revelation in your work. I have heard people complain that they have removed God from the schools. The public schools were created through Jesus and for Jesus. If you lack that vision then your work is lacking.

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Very often we get carried away, thinking that this or that issue is so important. Jesus is the most important issue. Everything exists in Jesus. This everything includes that thing you think is an issue.

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

We saw this in the book of James. God will be glorified in Jesus, and Jesus will be manifested in His body, the church. James likens a work of faith to “the firstborn from the dead”. If you want to be fully pleasing to the Lord then you must do a work of faith, and the book of Colossians is giving you the standard by which that work will be defined.

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

When I talked about the work in the public school based on the book of James I mentioned the fact that many think it is impossible. They think poverty is an issue that can’t be overcome, they think that being an immigrant whose parents didn’t go to college is an issue that can’t be overcome. But what you have to see is that it pleased the Father that in Him, in Jesus Christ, all the fullness should dwell. Not in the expensive private school, not in the suburban school in the fancy neighborhood. What are we doing in our ministry? We are reconciling all things to God and we are making peace.

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

This is our testimony. “After you have returned, strengthen your brothers”. Peter’s ministry was built up after his fall, James’ ministry was built up after his fall, Paul’s ministry was built up after his fall. Our experience is a crucial component of our ministry. The only way that we will be presented holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight is if our work reconciles others and makes peace with God and man.

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the [h]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Isn’t this amazing? How generous God is to give us this portion. Jesus work on the cross was perfect, lacking nothing. Yet the afflictions of Christ are lacking. Our ministry involves our suffering, and that suffering is a filling up of the afflictions of Christ. When we think of the image of the invisible God we think of glory, power and dominion. But it also includes the afflictions. Your afflictions have to be conformed to the image of the invisible God, if so your suffering will fill up in your flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ. Not only so, but then your ministry will “fulfill the word”. Jesus work of redemption fulfilled many, many words. Your ministry might only fulfill one. I would be happy if my ministry fulfilled one word “if you have faith as a grain of mustard you will speak to this mountain to be taken up and cast into the sea and it will be done”.

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

This is the point of the book, this is truly what a “perfect work” is that is lacking nothing. It pleased the Father that all the fulness would dwell in Jesus, and it also was God’s will that this Christ would be in you, the hope of glory. That is what it means to present every man “perfect” in Christ Jesus. If you see this you would not say that it is impossible for my students, the ones that the builders rejected, to be the head of the corner.

Colossians 2:1-23 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

2 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James said if we lacked wisdom we should pray. Here we discover that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in this Christ. When you see this you can understand why there are so many issues that need to be overcome. How else can these treasures of wisdom and knowledge be revealed. When I look at my students I see kids who are very different from the ones others see. I see a team of kids, that in the hands of Jesus, the one in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden could be the head and not the tail. There is a hope of glory because of these treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Once again I am reminded of James who said that we are stooping down and looking into the perfect law of liberty. I ask myself how did I receive Christ, and that guides me so that I can walk in Him. I like these words “steadfast” and “rooted”. Absolutely my experience. In James the image is of waves crashing over the boat as you hold fast to your goal, here the image is very similar, all kinds of things trying to push you off course or uproot you.

8 Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all [g]principality and power.

The attempts to cheat you are incredible. For example, every teacher is supposed to use data to inform their instruction, yet when they push all the different fads they never use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the latest fad. There are scientifically analyzed approaches to teaching, there are methods that are proven to work most effectively, there is nothing empty or deceitful about these approaches. But the basic principles of the world are that people give money to help get a politician elected and this politician in turn sends government contracts their way. 200,000 dollars in tables and chairs is simply one example of the basic principle of the world at our school. How do they justify this expense? Empty deceit.

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body [h]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the [i]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

This reminds me of James' word that we all make mistakes in our words. There is an empathy in the book of James and here in Colossians Paul is saying that we also were once part of the basic principle of the world prior to being circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands. Our salvation was also a cutting off of the flesh.

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

This book is presenting Jesus Christ as the standard by which you should judge a work of faith. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Jesus work on the cross is a perfect work of faith, lacking nothing. All the fullness dwells in Him. So why would you allow someone to judge your work based on shadows rather than the real thing? If you are going to have a perfect work you have to be able judge it based on something and that something is the perfect work of Jesus Christ, not shadows of things to come.

20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Jesus work on the cross didn’t simply pay the price for our sins. We died with Christ from the basic principles of the world. There are commandments and doctrines of men that have the appearance of wisdom but are of no value against the flesh. I have seen this very thing in teaching. There are teachers who become totally frustrated because the instructions on how to teach change every few years. Every new fad has the appearance of wisdom but is ineffective. This is covered in James and we have seen this over and over. False prophets, deceitful workers, selling snake oil to politicians who then force feed the schools with commandments and doctrines of men. These changes are self imposed, they are false, and they are of no value. So then, you have two choices, walk by faith, praying for wisdom from the Lord, or else subject yourself to the regulations that are simply for show with no true value.

Colossians 3:1-25 We serve the Lord and will receive a reward from the Lord

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

The world would have you believe it is all very complicated, but in reality it is quite simple. Seek the things that are above. Since I have died with Christ and been raised with Christ I don’t need to worry about what the world will do. They are now beneath my feet. My focus is on Christ who is sitting at the right hand of God. He is the one I am serving.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

The people in the world don’t walk by faith, they don’t have the hope of our calling, they do not have Christ in them, the hope of Glory. So instead they settle for being sons of disobedience. They have given themselves over to sin. It could be fornication, covetousness, idolatry, it could be blasphemy, filthy language, and anger. So don’t be surprised that this mission is not in all, let it be in you. Be an example to others, put on the new man, live a life where Christ is all and in all.

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Do you know who you are? You are the elect of God, you are holy and beloved. You should be fully aware of who you are, and with this awareness put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, as Christ behaved towards you so you must behave towards others. When you go to work you put all these things on and above all you put on love. Meanwhile you let the peace of God rule in your heart. When you are doing a perfect work you can’t be lacking in any of these things. They are all necessary.

16 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. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Once again, this book explains what it is to do a perfect work.

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Whatever you do. James makes this clear when he talks about businessmen contemplating the business they will do in another town. Here Paul makes it clear that being a wife can be a work of faith, being a husband can be a work of faith, being a child can be a work of faith.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

This is a real temptation to teachers. They feel that “provoking” the kids is a way to motivate them. One teacher was telling me how she likes to get them in trouble with their parents. So there is a difficult tightrope you have to walk. You want the kids to study and do the work, some won’t do that on their own, so you will contact the parents to advise them and to enlist their help. This has to be done in a way that does not provoke the kids, rather they need to agree that it was fair and reasonable. For example, I will tell kids on Monday that this is what they need to do by Saturday morning, otherwise I will be calling parents. Sometimes I give them a two week heads up. Then when you call they are not provoked, you don’t come across as mean but rather caring. We recently had a one week vacation. On the very first day I called all those students who were failing with instructions on what needed to be done. Several kids did it and I took their names off the list. Then two days later I called again. A few more kids did it, I took their name off the list. The next day I called again and I persisted in doing this for the entire week. No one was provoked, no one was discouraged, rather they were in disbelief.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

When people read about slavery in the Bible they confuse that with the slavery in the South two hundred years ago. Biblical slavery is nothing like that evil practice. Biblical slavery is what we currently know as a “job”. Teachers are bond servants.

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Once again, our job can be a ministry. Our job can be done as service to the Lord. We will literally receive the reward of inheritance for doing this job unto the Lord.

Colossians 4 take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it

4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

It works both ways. You can serve the Lord as the servant, you can also serve the Lord as the Master.

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

The New Testament is the speaking of the mystery of Christ. The book of James speaks this mystery and Paul’s ministry elaborates on this in extraordinary detail. If you see this vision then every single life can become an adventure of experiencing and expressing Christ, the hope of glory.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Sometimes we get so excited by what we see in the Bible that we act like fools in the world. We need to walk in wisdom when we are in the world. Redeem the time, make sure you are “on top of your game”. You need to not just know the mystery of Christ, but the mystery of how to answer each person you deal with on a daily basis.

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

This is a very nice conclusion, just like the great conclusion to James’ letter. The book is telling us what it is to have a “perfect work of faith” and he concludes with this charge “take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it”. He tells us this after talking about wives, husbands, children, slaves, masters, and after giving us a list of ministers, brothers, fellow prisoners, fellow workers, a physician, and a faithful saint who has the church meet in his house.

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

I like how Colossians ends with all these different fellow workers and ministers. Paul's ministry is so high, so amazing, and yet without all the other brothers and sisters what would be the point? Paul was the match, but all these others throughout this age they were the logs, they were part of the bonfire.

Luke 17:1-21 -- Surprise! The kingdom of God is in your midst!

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.

We just saw a video of police shooting a man walking away from them 7 times in the back. As a result there were protests that resulted in a lot of damaged property. This video of the man being shot in the back is certainly a “thing that will cause people to stumble”. I have no issue with you saying that they should not have responded by smashing windows. But they talked to a woman on the street and she said it very clearly, if you want people to stop destroying property stop shooting black men for no reason. That said, it turns out there was a reason to shoot him. A few months later in the trial it came out that this man had attacked police previously with a knife and he had a knife in this incident as well. There was a warrant out for his arrest at the time and he was violating a restraining order when the police were apprehending him and he was resisting arrest. Add to that there were three kids in the back seat of the car that could have become kidnap victims. So this rush to judgement by Lebron and the NBA was an example of this video causing people to stumble. It led to riots and looting. Anyone responsible for stoking the fire of these riots, you caused people to stumble.

2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.

The Lord will take into account the events that provoked the outrage. If you cause someone to stumble you will be guilty of that. Who caused them to stumble? Without a doubt the video being shown on the mainstream media without context, without background information was the most egregious. I don’t blame someone for videotaping the incident and posting it to a platform like Youtube. But journalists need to exercise responsibility in presenting a story like this. I think Lebron and the NBA should also share responsibility, not as much as the media because technically it isn’t their job to investigate, but if you are going to incite violent riots and looting then you should be sure you know what you are talking about first. How hard would it have been for Lebron who has agents and lawyers to ask one of them to look into this, talk to the police and get their side even if you agree to keep it off the record. I can imagine lawsuits against the NBA for their role in inciting riots.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them;and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

This is a very tough word. Only Jesus is qualified to say this, I think anyone else would be ashamed to say this. The media needs to publicly repent, if they don’t they will simply continue this irresponsible behavior. Lebron and the NBA need to repent. The police need to publicly repent when they are at fault. The looters and rioters need to publicly repent. In the last year we had 2,000 blacks killed with handguns in the US, not by police but by criminals and gang violence. This man that sparked this incident, Jacob Blake, was not killed and shooting him may have actually saved lives. Therefore I think that the repentance by the Media and the NBA needs to include money paid to the police and inner cities to reduce this violence. After school programs and gang task forces.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

What is the meaning of the protestors when they want to defund the police? They want this mulberry tree uprooted and planted in the sea. The thought that these protests are not having the desired effect and you need to become violent and destructive is a lack of faith. I heard someone say that they tried peaceful protests with Kaepernick, but they treated him like “excrement”. So let’s make sure we are clear on the facts. Kaepernick opted out of a contract that would have paid him $14 million, presumably because he felt he was worth more than that. There are very few people on this planet, much less the US, that would say a job offer of $14 million is an insult. Saying he was treated like excrement is only valid if there are actually people out there offering $14 million to pay for excrement. Instead of Kaepernick I would use Gandhi as the example of how faith like a mustard seed can see a mulberry tree uprooted and cast into the sea. He once was asked by the British “what exactly do you think is going to happen? Do you think we will just pack up and leave?” He said, “yes, that is exactly what will happen” and that is exactly what did happen. The response of many people seems to overwhelmingly support a just and equitable treatment of all by the police. You have complete and total popular support for justice and righteousness. However, claiming injustice exists when it doesn’t and ignoring injustice that does exist undermines any legitimacy this move has. I have heard that the BLM movement has received billions of dollars in donations. Yes, billions of dollars. Have they spent one dollar on the inner city? I and others have looked for evidence that they have and have not found any. If you care about justice one of the worst things that can happen is to have a phony movement raise billions of dollars that they scam off of people. No one will trust them after this.

7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

People are upset that Kaepernick didn’t get hired by any other teams to play quarterback. I guess he was expecting a pat on the back and a thank you. If we are servants of righteousness then he was simply doing what he was supposed to do. At the judgement seat of Christ you will be very happy if you can say you were faithful to do your duty.

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This is the way it is today. The Lord has shown us the way of faith, how many receive this with thanksgiving? I also am quite disgusted by those who don’t return. Lebron was very vocal and prominent about condemning the police in the entire country as being racist after seeing the Jacob Blake shooting. Has he apologized? Has he returned to say he was wrong? What about the Milwaukee Basketball team, have they? What about the NBA, have they? The ratings of the NBA has tanked because of this. If they do not return, repent and apologize they will continue to appear leprous.

20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Wow! This is so true. I remember people saying that Christians needed a “crutch”. That our faith in the Lord was a “crutch” indicating that we were somehow weaker than those in the world. Well, let’s see how that works out now. These “great and powerful” kingdoms are turning into a big joke. I saw a video of people in a restaurant in China during these floods. The water in the restaurant was about a foot deep, yet it was packed. China recently required churches to put a big portrait of Xi JinPing up in the sanctuary. It would be hilarious to see all these various photos of this horrific flood in China with people sitting and standing beneath a portrait of Xi JinPing. California was very progressive. According to many in California hell is simply a myth. A very famous native of California is Ron Reagan, President Reagan’s son. He famously said he wasn’t afraid to burn in hell. Well, that is definitely the attitude you need if you want to live in California today with their apocalyptic fires. Portland and Seattle are supposed to be very progressive cities, tell that to the protesters. There is going to be a very clear distinction made between the church, the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of man. Their house is on fire, they are in a panic, and all those weak Christians who needed the Lord for a crutch are the only ones they can lean on for support.

Luke 17:22- God's megaphone

22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.

CS Lewis said that suffering is God’s megaphone. The suffering we are seeing is God calling out to repent and seek Him.

25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

First He must suffer and be rejected. I know many were disappointed with Trump being rejected, with Stop the Steal rallies being rejected, with calls for justice being rejected, but this has to happen first. At the end of the age those that are following the Lord to take up their cross and follow Him must also “first be rejected” and suffer many things.

26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

It is amazing how so many people all over the earth are able to tune out what is going on. Pandemic, no big deal, we’ve seen these before. Hurricanes and floods happen every year. Fires in California, that is old news. Climate change, it isn’t real, nothing to see here. The ice is melting, happened before, besides now we can sail through the North pole, saving money. So yes, a judgement is coming, only this time it will be by fire and not flood. Just because you don’t see people getting ready doesn’t mean that Noah and his family aren’t preparing. It just means you don’t see it. In the last few months I have seen China preparing for war with Taiwan, US bombers threatening Iran, and a massive cyber attack by China on our infrastructure. Meanwhile Biden’s focus has been on reversing an Executive order to prevent China from having access to our power grid, opening the border to immigrants during the pandemic, and on destroying women’s sports. The order that men can use the women’s locker room, bathroom, and compete against women is not just going to destroy women’s sports, it will also destroy public school. Will Christians really put up with this and not pull their kids? Noah was a preacher of righteousness right up until he entered the ark. This age we have had preachers of righteousness and will have them right up until the rapture.

28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Why hasn’t God judged us already? Because Abraham is praying that his cousin Lot would be saved. God wants to rescue the very last person that He can before the fire falls. These are the two types of the rapture that the Lord gives us. You have Noah whose focus and labor was on building a boat that would make it through the flood. His entering that boat with his family is a type of the rapture. Imagine you are Noah, you have flocks and herds of every kind of domesticated animal and you have built a huge barn that is an ark. When the flood is over you inherit the entire world. It may seem terrible but it is also the way in which the Lord’s kingdom comes to the earth. We heard the warning and we heeded the warning. In contrast to that Lot also is saved, but what a pathetic salvation. Don’t think that just because you are righteous you can ignore the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, you will pay the price if you don’t come out from their midst today.

30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything.

There are two raptures, the one at the beginning of the tribulation is compared to Noah, the one at the end is compared to Lot. If you have forgotten, Lot is pulled out of Sodom right before the fire and brimstone falls and destroys it. But that was in the cities. If you are there at the end of the tribulation you need to flee the cities. Getting prepared means just that, you are ready to go the minute you hear the word. If you need a go bag you better be carrying that with you. Believers need their lamps to be lit and their vessels to be full of oil. That is what it is to be prepared. If you don’t realize something is about to happen then you are asleep. Xi has stated clearly to the world that the entire world will be under one government, a government that is controlled by China and other totalitarian states. However, to accomplish that they will need to take out the US and it will happen so fast that you will have to run. It will be almost instantaneous. Shock and awe. Like a blackout where in an instant nothing works.

32 Remember Lot’s wife!

She looked back at Sodom. She actually longed for that sinful world. She almost made it out. To be prepared is to set your mind for the Lord, looking for a kingdom of righteousness. The Lord’s warning is you can’t go back, you can’t even look back. Either you are longing for a world in which righteousness dwells or you aren’t. No middle ground.

33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

This is referring to the rapture. The Lord is comparing the day Noah entered the ark with the day people all over the world are raptured. For those that think the story of Noah is a myth you haven’t been paying attention to the major archaeological discoveries made over the last 40 years. This is a very clear reference to the fact that the Earth is a sphere and that at the same moment someone is working in the field or grinding grain, others are sleeping in bed. This tells us something else which is almost a contradiction. People are not in the fields or grinding grain during a holy day. This verse indicates the Lord does not return during a Holy feast day. However, Paul told us that the feast days are a shadow of things to come and all the major events in the Christian faith (crucifixion, resurrection and outpouring of the Spirit) all occurred on a feast day. There is even an interesting theory that Jesus' birth was on a feast day, possibly the festival of trumpets. One would think that the rapture of the saints would therefore be on a feast day. The only day that both of these things could be true would be on the second Passover. I have already discussed this feast previously on this blog (see Post #326 and other posts around it)

37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

Where? He was telling them when, not where. If the rapture is worldwide the question about “where” doesn’t make sense. So I think this question goes all the way back to “first the Son of man must be rejected by this generation and suffer many things”. During the first Gulf war you had the coalition forces arrayed against Iraq. A huge airforce in the desert, they were like vultures and they had gathered where the dead body, Iraq, was. When the bombs began to drop it was lightning lighting up the sky. CNN was beaming this from one end of the sky to the other. That was like a dress rehearsal for the Lord’s return. Where was Jesus crucified -- that was in Jerusalem. Who were the vultures? The Romans and the Jewish leaders dividing up the empire. I don’t doubt that during the Great Tribulation we will also return to Jerusalem in Israel. But that is the depiction in the book of Matthew and the end of the Great Tribulation, Luke appears to present the situation at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. In my opinion based on my reading of the Old and New Testaments and world history Jerusalem today is not the “light on the hill” nor is it “salt and light” to the nations. I believe that was what the New world was dedicated to be 400 years ago with the Mayflower compact. I believe you will see the vultures in the US along with the dead body. A dead body cannot stand up for righteousness, it cannot speak the truth, it cannot uphold justice. It is dead and simply something for the vultures to pick at and eat. The last three months the response from our elected officials to calls for transparency, righteousness and justice have gone unheeded. It is as though the body of our government is dead, surrounded by vultures ready to devour it.

Luke 18:1-8 -- Becoming men of faith who don't faint

1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

When you look at these historical figures like Paul, or Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela that is what stands out. They didn’t faint. Their faith and perseverance is a glorious testimony. It isn’t just the destination that is important but the journey. This journey is how God refines and purifies his people. This is how we become a people of faith.

2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:

It doesn’t say the name of the city, I wonder if He was referring to Belarus? Maybe Hong Kong? Beirut? Portland? Kenosha? This is what people are protesting, judges who don’t fear God and don’t regard man. Probably He was talking about Washington DC.

3 and there was a widow in that city;

This should be the face of the protestors, not a teenager with a mask. A widow, a woman who has been bereaved. She isn’t going to terrify people in a restaurant, she isn’t going to torch some business. This is a powerful face that unrighteous judges fear. You can meet a group of teenagers with masks with cops in riot gear and tear gas. But do that to a widow coming to ask you to do your job and the optics are terrible. There is no way to win that battle. It is like two big old cops arresting Rosa Parks for sitting on a bus. The unrighteous judge can not win that fight. This woman might have lost her husband in a war over phony WMD’s, maybe she lost her house in the mortgage meltdown. Maybe her child was killed due to gang violence in the inner city.

and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

That is his job! She isn’t calling for him to be fired. She isn’t calling to defund the judiciary. She is just asking him to “do your job”. Many are now mocking the NBA telling them to “just do your job”. Flip the script, go to these responsible to deliver justice and tell them “just do your job”. Also, come often. Why has Washington DC set up barbed wire and 25,000 troops. Is this to keep this widow from coming to them?

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.

This is a marathon, it isn’t a sprint. This battle has been going on for 2,000 years. We have gotten rid of Caesars whose idea of a fire sale was to burn down the city and keep the fire department from helping put out the fire. They fed their enemies to lions or simply impaled them on stakes and listened to their moans as they died. For centuries kings could throw people in jail without even admitting they were there. We got “habeas corpus” passed so that if you want to do that you must make it public. We got rid of slavery, got rid of apartheid, got rid of Jim Crow, and passed a whole list of laws. This was because of persistent prayer, faith, and perseverance.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them? 8 I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The unrighteous judge is the “universal machine” where you can build your faith. We know we need to go to the gym three times a week just to keep healthy, well spiritually we need the unrighteous judge to build a healthy life of faith. Also, please note, when the Lord comes this situation will be taking place and He is asking, will I find the Bride of Christ, who lost their husband due to injustice and a monkey trial, appealing for justice? Will she be coming oft? Will she be praying and not fainting?

Luke 18:9- self exalting wokeism

9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:

Wow, what a beautiful juxtaposition. When you hear the debate about racism it is so clear that those on either side of the debate “trust in themselves that they are righteous”. It is clear that they are “setting all others at nought.”

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

What is a “pharisee” and what is a “publican”. Forget that, let's use terms we can understand. A BLM protestor went up to the temple and prayed “God I thank you that I am not as the rest of men, slave holders, redliners, abusive police, or even this right winger with a MAGA hat on. I protest twice a week, I tweet everyday”. Or, a talk show pundit went up to the temple and prayed “God I thank you that I am not as the rest of men, millionaire athletes pretending to be activists, people who should just shut up and dribble, I post two shows a week, I tweet everyday.”

14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The message hear is that every single one of us needs to humble ourselves. Stop boasting that your ancestors were slaves. There are alot of people who have descended from slaves. Stop boasting in how hard you worked to get where you are. You were fortunate to be born in this country, you were fortunate in so many ways, give thanks to the Lord, humble yourself.

Luke 18:15-17 What is holding you back?

15 And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

I think it is great that these kids are getting “woke”. You don’t need to wait until you won’t make a mistake before coming to the Lord. This is how we grow and learn. So what if you stumble, all those who have gone before you have also stumbled and yet the kingdom of God belongs to them. Let me illustrate what the Lord is saying here. Suppose you were in a church meeting with two hundred people. You have every age, even young children with their parents are sitting in the meeting. Then unexpectedly the worship leader asks those who don’t know how to play the piano to stand up. To those who are standing “who wants to come up here and learn how to play the piano?” The seven year old shoots their hand up. That is what "to such belongeth the kingdom of God" means, you have to receive the kingdom like a little child, otherwise you will never enter in.

What happened to everyone else, do you really think they never wanted to learn the piano? So what was stopping them?

Luke 18:18-43 Blind beggars

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God.

Big trap. When you go to learn karate everyone wants to learn how to punch but the first thing you learn is how to protect yourself from getting punched. You are not standing on your goodness, the minute you do that you open yourself up to attack. I was touched by something Michael Jordan said. He said if he had known in the beginning what he knows now he would never have allowed him to be set up as an example in the “Be like Mike” campaign. They attacked him for going to Atlantic city. He didn’t break any laws. He didn’t violate his team's curfew. His gambling was legal and he paid his debts. What was the basis to attack him? Because he had set himself up as an example to young kids and some parents didn’t like his gambling. You will never succeed in gaining the kingdom based on your goodness. Don’t let anyone call you good. There is none good, only God. I am but a worm and an unprofitable servant. The best I can do is what I am supposed to do.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother. 21 And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up. 22 And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.

Many people are worried, how can I have the assurance of salvation. You need a revelation that Jesus is your righteousness. As long as we are depending on our own righteousness we’ll fall short. "Sell what you have" that is what Paul talked about in Philippians where he said he counted everything as dung. All your achievements, all your accolades, all the nice things people say about you is dung. Because if you think that means something then when they attack you, insult you and vilify you that will also have to mean something.

24 And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

How is it that Christians lose all common sense. You sit in a meeting listening to a gang member who committed adultery, stole, killed and lied but who has since repented and been forgiven. He has given up all his money and is following the Lord as a faithful servant called to minister. He isn’t trusting in his righteousness. He has humbled himself, confessed his sins, doesn’t pretend to be good, and the Lord’s grace pours through him. Wake up. As long as you think you are “rich” or “righteous” you will fall short. The difference between you and him is that he is fully aware that he is not entering the kingdom based on his righteousness.

25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Much of the kingdom is a matter of threading the needle. To walk the narrow road that few find is to thread that needle. To stand for righteousness but not in your own strength, to return again and again to an unrighteous judge asking him to “do his job” despite his insults is to thread the needle. To be the little seven year old with their hand up, I want to do it even though you make mistake after mistake.

26 And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved? 27 But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

The point is you can never win this battle unless you are one with God. Rioting and looting is not one with God. To not worry about what men say but to just follow the Lord by faith, that is what it means to be one with God.

28 And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.

Our life is a time of sowing, we reap in the next age. This is the fundamental issue with the prosperity gospel, they base their “faith” in what they have reaped in this age. That is foolish. The apostles are our examples, they were beaten, imprisoned, stoned, excommunicated and killed.

31 And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man. 32 For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: 33 and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, Jesus is the author of our faith. He was mocked, shamefully treated, spit upon, scourged and killed. Anyone who wants to follow Him needs to also take up their cross. Did you all notice the Lord said "we go up to Jerusalem"? I was always taught that the work the Lord did on the cross was accomplished by Him alone, we had no part in it, and yet here He says "we go up to Jerusalem". I believe that the Lord went to the cross 2,000 years ago and accomplished redemption for us, and that at the end of the age you will see His people as one follow Him and complete that work.

35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Jericho was a cursed city. If these protestors would humble themselves to be one with this blind man then the Lord could heal them so that they could receive their sight. You want to be made whole, well the healing is right here in the word of God. BLM protestors asking for reparations, they are blind beggars.