Who has understanding of the signs and times and know what to do? 1 Chronicles 12:32
With fires in Australia, locusts in Africa, earthquake(s) in Utah (and other nations) & coronavirus everywhere,...
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Christians need to study the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) to see that all these things are leading up to the reign of the Antichrist, and the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation. But here is where the focus of Christians should be:
MATTHEW
And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
MARK
And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.
According to this Christians should not be focused on the disasters (which have already been prophesied) but on the GOSPEL. Is every Christian and every church propagating the TRUE GOSPEL vigorously, or wasting time discussing end-time events? There are hundreds of thousands (or more accurately millions) worldwide who need the Gospel of Christ, and the Bible (which contains the Gospel) in their own language . So is our focus on souls who need to be saved from Hell? And if not, why not? Then we have very needy as well as persecuted Christians who need our prayers as well as our assistance.
MATTHEW
And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
MARK
And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.
According to this Christians should not be focused on the disasters (which have already been prophesied) but on the GOSPEL. Is every Christian and every church propagating the TRUE GOSPEL vigorously, or wasting time discussing end-time events? There are hundreds of thousands (or more accurately millions) worldwide who need the Gospel of Christ, and the Bible (which contains the Gospel) in their own language . So is our focus on souls who need to be saved from Hell? And if not, why not? Then we have very needy as well as persecuted Christians who need our prayers as well as our assistance.
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The gospel of the d,b,r has been preached in all the world.
Colossians 1
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
The gospel of the kingdom will be preached unto all the world in the tribulation, for the kingdom and the King is at hand.
Colossians 1
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
The gospel of the kingdom will be preached unto all the world in the tribulation, for the kingdom and the King is at hand.
Check the Olivet Discourse for the proper sequence of events:
FIRST
14 And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
NEXT
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand...
NEXT
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
FIRST
14 And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
NEXT
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand...
NEXT
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
As God shakes the Earth (idolatry of sports and the Babylonian stock market), He closes the Church doors for being asleep; as the spirit of infirmity throughout every nation brings death.
If we reject Christ and the Cross, Judgement is sure! Only Faith in Christ and the Cross cannot be shaken. It will remain!
Hebrews 12:29 says, "For our God is a consuming fire. (The fire of God will consume everything that is not Faith in Christ and the Cross (1 Cor. 3:10-17).
If My People, who are called by My Name (Believers), shall humble themselves (humility), and pray, and seek My Face (the prayer of Repentance), and turn from their wicked ways (which proclaims the manner of true Repentance); then will I hear from Heaven (but not otherwise), and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (God’s Prescription for spiritual sickness). 2 Chronicles 7:14
Exodus 12:13
“13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are (the blood applied to the door posts meant that their Faith and trust were in the Pascal Lamb; the blood then applied was only a “token,” meaning that it was then but a symbol of One Who was to come, Who would redeem mankind by the shedding of His Life’s Blood): and when I see the blood, I will pass over you (this is, without a doubt, one of the single most important Scriptures in the entirety of the Word of God; the lamb had taken the fatal blow; and because it had taken the blow, those in the house would be spared; it was not a question of personal worthiness, self had nothing whatever to do in the matter; it was a matter of faith; all under the cover of the blood were safe, just as all presently under the cover of the Blood are safe; this means that they were not merely in a savable state, but rather that they were “saved”; as well, they were not partly saved and partly exposed to judgment, they were wholly saved, and because there is no such thing as partial Justification; the Lord didn’t say, “When I see you,” or, “When I see your good works,” etc., but, “When I see the blood”; this speaks of Christ and what He would do at the Cross in order that we might be saved, which pertained to Him giving Himself in Sacrifice, which necessitated the shedding of His Precious Blood [I Pet. 1:18-19]), and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Salvation from the “plague” of Judgment is afforded only by the shed Blood of the Lamb, and Faith in that shed Blood.)
1 Peter 4:17-18
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of God (Judgment always begins with Believers, and pertains to their Faith, whether in the Cross or otherwise; the Cross alone is spared Judgment, for there Jesus was judged in our place): and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them who obey not the Gospel of God? (If God will Judge His Own, how much more will He Judge the unredeemed? The Cross alone stays the Judgment of God. Let that ever be understood.)
18 And if the Righteous scarcely be saved (can be saved only by trusting Christ and the Cross, and nothing else), where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (If the great Sacrifice of Christ is rejected and spurned, where does that leave those who do such a thing? There is no hope for their Salvation.)
If we reject Christ and the Cross, Judgement is sure! Only Faith in Christ and the Cross cannot be shaken. It will remain!
Hebrews 12:29 says, "For our God is a consuming fire. (The fire of God will consume everything that is not Faith in Christ and the Cross (1 Cor. 3:10-17).
If My People, who are called by My Name (Believers), shall humble themselves (humility), and pray, and seek My Face (the prayer of Repentance), and turn from their wicked ways (which proclaims the manner of true Repentance); then will I hear from Heaven (but not otherwise), and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (God’s Prescription for spiritual sickness). 2 Chronicles 7:14
Exodus 12:13
“13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are (the blood applied to the door posts meant that their Faith and trust were in the Pascal Lamb; the blood then applied was only a “token,” meaning that it was then but a symbol of One Who was to come, Who would redeem mankind by the shedding of His Life’s Blood): and when I see the blood, I will pass over you (this is, without a doubt, one of the single most important Scriptures in the entirety of the Word of God; the lamb had taken the fatal blow; and because it had taken the blow, those in the house would be spared; it was not a question of personal worthiness, self had nothing whatever to do in the matter; it was a matter of faith; all under the cover of the blood were safe, just as all presently under the cover of the Blood are safe; this means that they were not merely in a savable state, but rather that they were “saved”; as well, they were not partly saved and partly exposed to judgment, they were wholly saved, and because there is no such thing as partial Justification; the Lord didn’t say, “When I see you,” or, “When I see your good works,” etc., but, “When I see the blood”; this speaks of Christ and what He would do at the Cross in order that we might be saved, which pertained to Him giving Himself in Sacrifice, which necessitated the shedding of His Precious Blood [I Pet. 1:18-19]), and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Salvation from the “plague” of Judgment is afforded only by the shed Blood of the Lamb, and Faith in that shed Blood.)
1 Peter 4:17-18
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of God (Judgment always begins with Believers, and pertains to their Faith, whether in the Cross or otherwise; the Cross alone is spared Judgment, for there Jesus was judged in our place): and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them who obey not the Gospel of God? (If God will Judge His Own, how much more will He Judge the unredeemed? The Cross alone stays the Judgment of God. Let that ever be understood.)
18 And if the Righteous scarcely be saved (can be saved only by trusting Christ and the Cross, and nothing else), where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (If the great Sacrifice of Christ is rejected and spurned, where does that leave those who do such a thing? There is no hope for their Salvation.)
WISDOM SPEAKS - Proverbs 1
20 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets (in Lk. 7:35, the Lord Jesus says, “Wisdom is justified of all her children”; the Wisdom who speaks here to Solomon and to all men invites them to become her sons):
21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying (although Righteousness is not nearly as proliferated as evil, still, the crying of Wisdom which God gives is ample enough that it will appeal even to the “simple”),
22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? (The terms, “simple,” “scorner,” and “fool,” mark regression. The man who treats Wisdom with good humor and polite inattention presently becomes a mocker and finally a hater.
So it was with the Pharisees and the rulers of the Synagogue. At first, they politely permitted the Lord to read the Scriptures in the Synagogue and to preach; but very soon they began to mock Him; and, finally, they hated and crucified Him.)
23 Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My Words unto you. (Wisdom speaks and pleads with the frivolous, the mockers, and the hostile, promising them that if they would “turn,” she would abundantly enrich them with her own spirit and with understanding. But such is conditional upon conversion, and conversion is repugnant to man, because it humbles him.)
24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded (the whole of humanity is set apart in two camps: those who follow God-given Wisdom, i.e., the Bible, and those who reject God-given Wisdom);
25 But you have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof (the implication is that man willingly and deliberately sets aside “God’s counsel”; then the “reproofs” come; they are but signposts directing our attention to the coming catastrophe; most mock and continue on):
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes (this Verse does not mean that Wisdom will actually deride her rejecters; it is the language of idiomatic argument; the rejecters laughed and mocked at Wisdom; when, therefore, calamities came upon them, which Wisdom predicted, their laughter and mocking turned upon themselves, and so Wisdom may be justly said to deride their calamity);
27 When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you. (Some may argue that such does not come to all who ignore God; however, they are only looking at the physical and the material. Spiritually, it is definite.)
28 Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me (while it is certainly true that God will hear any and all who earnestly cry out to Him, still, the sense of this Passage is that a late call cannot undo the irreparable harm done in a misspent life):
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD (there is a “choice” that everyone has to make; those who “choose” the wrong path do so because they “hate knowledge,” i.e., “the Bible”):
30 They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. (The almost identical repetition of this Passage from Verse 25 is not by accident, but by design. If men reject the “counsel” of God and “despise His reproof,” then the following Passage must come to pass.)
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (Man’s problem is “his own way” and “his own devices.” It is either God’s Way, which brings life, or our way, which brings death.)
32 For the turning away of the simple shall kill them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. (The “simple” turns away from God and is, thereby, destroyed. Likewise, the “prosperity of fools” does not bring the gain that they anticipated in Verse 19, but instead destruction.)
33 But whoso hearkens unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (In this First Chapter of Proverbs, written by Solomon, we are given the blueprint for living: God’s Way versus our way. Those who listen to Him shall “dwell safely” and shall have no “fear.”)
JSM
20 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets (in Lk. 7:35, the Lord Jesus says, “Wisdom is justified of all her children”; the Wisdom who speaks here to Solomon and to all men invites them to become her sons):
21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying (although Righteousness is not nearly as proliferated as evil, still, the crying of Wisdom which God gives is ample enough that it will appeal even to the “simple”),
22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? (The terms, “simple,” “scorner,” and “fool,” mark regression. The man who treats Wisdom with good humor and polite inattention presently becomes a mocker and finally a hater.
So it was with the Pharisees and the rulers of the Synagogue. At first, they politely permitted the Lord to read the Scriptures in the Synagogue and to preach; but very soon they began to mock Him; and, finally, they hated and crucified Him.)
23 Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My Words unto you. (Wisdom speaks and pleads with the frivolous, the mockers, and the hostile, promising them that if they would “turn,” she would abundantly enrich them with her own spirit and with understanding. But such is conditional upon conversion, and conversion is repugnant to man, because it humbles him.)
24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded (the whole of humanity is set apart in two camps: those who follow God-given Wisdom, i.e., the Bible, and those who reject God-given Wisdom);
25 But you have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof (the implication is that man willingly and deliberately sets aside “God’s counsel”; then the “reproofs” come; they are but signposts directing our attention to the coming catastrophe; most mock and continue on):
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes (this Verse does not mean that Wisdom will actually deride her rejecters; it is the language of idiomatic argument; the rejecters laughed and mocked at Wisdom; when, therefore, calamities came upon them, which Wisdom predicted, their laughter and mocking turned upon themselves, and so Wisdom may be justly said to deride their calamity);
27 When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you. (Some may argue that such does not come to all who ignore God; however, they are only looking at the physical and the material. Spiritually, it is definite.)
28 Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me (while it is certainly true that God will hear any and all who earnestly cry out to Him, still, the sense of this Passage is that a late call cannot undo the irreparable harm done in a misspent life):
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD (there is a “choice” that everyone has to make; those who “choose” the wrong path do so because they “hate knowledge,” i.e., “the Bible”):
30 They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. (The almost identical repetition of this Passage from Verse 25 is not by accident, but by design. If men reject the “counsel” of God and “despise His reproof,” then the following Passage must come to pass.)
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (Man’s problem is “his own way” and “his own devices.” It is either God’s Way, which brings life, or our way, which brings death.)
32 For the turning away of the simple shall kill them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. (The “simple” turns away from God and is, thereby, destroyed. Likewise, the “prosperity of fools” does not bring the gain that they anticipated in Verse 19, but instead destruction.)
33 But whoso hearkens unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (In this First Chapter of Proverbs, written by Solomon, we are given the blueprint for living: God’s Way versus our way. Those who listen to Him shall “dwell safely” and shall have no “fear.”)
JSM
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (II Tim. 3:1-5).
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us in these Passages what the condition of the world will be in the “last days,” actually in the days in which we presently live. These are the last days of the Church, meaning that its Dispensation is about over, with the righteous soon to be raptured. The world will then be plunged into a cataclysmic judgment such as it has never known before. Jesus said so! (Mat. 24:21). The Second Coming will then usher in the Kingdom Age, and the Restoration of Israel. So we are presently living in the last of the last days of the Church Age.
Paul’s statements here completely eliminate the fallacious thinking of some who claim that the world is getting better and better, and that Christianity is going to come to terms with the other religions of the world and usher in the Kingdom Age, which will then bring Jesus back. Such thinking completely disavows the coming Great Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, etc.
The Bible doesn’t teach that the situation is going to get better and better, but, as stated here, worse and worse. It also teaches, as we see from Verse 5, that the Church will go into total apostasy. It will have, and presently has, “a form of Godliness, but denies the power thereof.”
What does “denying the power thereof” mean?
Paul said, “For the preaching of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the Power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).
How is the preaching of the Cross the Power of God?
In truth, there is no power in the Cross, per se, and there certainly isn’t any power in the fact of death. The Power is actually in the Holy Spirit; however, He works exclusively within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ, and, in fact, will work no other way (Rom. 8:2). When the Believer expresses Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross, the Holy Spirit will then manifest His Almighty Power on behalf of such an individual. The Holy Spirit’s Work on behalf of the Believer is the Power of which Paul speaks.
However, the modern Church, at least as a whole, is denying the Cross. And when the Cross is denied, ignored, ridiculed, or set aside, then the Holy Spirit refuses to work in such an atmosphere. So the Power is denied as well!
How many Churches presently are preaching the Cross? The answer is simple: precious few!
Why aren’t they preaching the Cross?
There are many reasons, but the greatest reason of all, sadly, is “unbelief.”
Let me, however, quickly add:
Even though the situation isn’t good, and, as far as the general direction of the Church is concerned, it’s not going to get any better, still, the Lord, I believe, in these last days, is going to do a great thing, something so great that it will eclipse anything done in the past. While most of the Church will continue to go deeper into apostasy, still, even as Daniel prophesied: “
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:3, 10).”
JSM
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us in these Passages what the condition of the world will be in the “last days,” actually in the days in which we presently live. These are the last days of the Church, meaning that its Dispensation is about over, with the righteous soon to be raptured. The world will then be plunged into a cataclysmic judgment such as it has never known before. Jesus said so! (Mat. 24:21). The Second Coming will then usher in the Kingdom Age, and the Restoration of Israel. So we are presently living in the last of the last days of the Church Age.
Paul’s statements here completely eliminate the fallacious thinking of some who claim that the world is getting better and better, and that Christianity is going to come to terms with the other religions of the world and usher in the Kingdom Age, which will then bring Jesus back. Such thinking completely disavows the coming Great Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, etc.
The Bible doesn’t teach that the situation is going to get better and better, but, as stated here, worse and worse. It also teaches, as we see from Verse 5, that the Church will go into total apostasy. It will have, and presently has, “a form of Godliness, but denies the power thereof.”
What does “denying the power thereof” mean?
Paul said, “For the preaching of the Cross is to them who perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the Power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).
How is the preaching of the Cross the Power of God?
In truth, there is no power in the Cross, per se, and there certainly isn’t any power in the fact of death. The Power is actually in the Holy Spirit; however, He works exclusively within the parameters of the Finished Work of Christ, and, in fact, will work no other way (Rom. 8:2). When the Believer expresses Faith in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross, the Holy Spirit will then manifest His Almighty Power on behalf of such an individual. The Holy Spirit’s Work on behalf of the Believer is the Power of which Paul speaks.
However, the modern Church, at least as a whole, is denying the Cross. And when the Cross is denied, ignored, ridiculed, or set aside, then the Holy Spirit refuses to work in such an atmosphere. So the Power is denied as well!
How many Churches presently are preaching the Cross? The answer is simple: precious few!
Why aren’t they preaching the Cross?
There are many reasons, but the greatest reason of all, sadly, is “unbelief.”
Let me, however, quickly add:
Even though the situation isn’t good, and, as far as the general direction of the Church is concerned, it’s not going to get any better, still, the Lord, I believe, in these last days, is going to do a great thing, something so great that it will eclipse anything done in the past. While most of the Church will continue to go deeper into apostasy, still, even as Daniel prophesied: “
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:3, 10).”
JSM
The gospel WAS preached in "all the world" during Paul's ministry:
(Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.)
(Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister)
Paul specifically used Jesus' words to indicate that the end was very near and that the gospel had be pronounced unto the nations.
(Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world)
(Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.)
(Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister)
Paul specifically used Jesus' words to indicate that the end was very near and that the gospel had be pronounced unto the nations.
(Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world)
Apostasy
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul said, concerning the times in which we now live, the last of the last days:
“1 Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaks expressly (pointedly), that in the latter times (the times in which we now live, the last of the last days, which begin the fulfillment of Endtime Prophecies) some shall depart from the Faith (anytime Paul uses the term “the Faith,” in short he is referring to the Cross; so, we are told here that some will depart from the Cross as the means of Salvation and Victory), giving heed to seducing spirits (evil spirits, i.e., “religious spirits,” making something seem like what it isn’t), and doctrines of devils (should have been translated, “doctrines of demons”; the “seducing spirits” entice Believers away from the true Faith, causing them to believe “doctrines inspired by demon spirits”);”
The great apostle also said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine (“sound Doctrine” pertains to overriding principles: the Salvation of the sinner, and the Sanctification of the Saint; the Cross is the answer for both, and is the only answer for both); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (refers to the people who have ears that “itch” for the smooth and comfortable word, and are willing to reward handsomely the man who is sufficiently compromising to speak it; hearers of this type have rejected the Truth and prefer to hear the lie);
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the Truth (those who follow false teachers not only turn away their ears from the Truth, but see to it that the ears are always in a position such that they will never come in contact with the Truth), and shall be turned unto fables. (If it’s not the “Message of the Cross,” then it is “fables” [I Cor. 1:18].) 2 Timothy 4:3-4
All of these are signs of the times proving that we're down to the very close of the church age. In other words, the world is speedily heading toward the Antichrist and the coming great tribulation. All of that means that the rapture of the church could take place at any time.
I Believe the cross is the dividing line in these last days as in regards truth. In a sense, it has always been the dividing line. Those who ignore the cross or downplay its veracity will depart from the faith.
With "the faith" and "the cross" being synonymous, it can be no other way.
JSM
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul said, concerning the times in which we now live, the last of the last days:
“1 Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaks expressly (pointedly), that in the latter times (the times in which we now live, the last of the last days, which begin the fulfillment of Endtime Prophecies) some shall depart from the Faith (anytime Paul uses the term “the Faith,” in short he is referring to the Cross; so, we are told here that some will depart from the Cross as the means of Salvation and Victory), giving heed to seducing spirits (evil spirits, i.e., “religious spirits,” making something seem like what it isn’t), and doctrines of devils (should have been translated, “doctrines of demons”; the “seducing spirits” entice Believers away from the true Faith, causing them to believe “doctrines inspired by demon spirits”);”
The great apostle also said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine (“sound Doctrine” pertains to overriding principles: the Salvation of the sinner, and the Sanctification of the Saint; the Cross is the answer for both, and is the only answer for both); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (refers to the people who have ears that “itch” for the smooth and comfortable word, and are willing to reward handsomely the man who is sufficiently compromising to speak it; hearers of this type have rejected the Truth and prefer to hear the lie);
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the Truth (those who follow false teachers not only turn away their ears from the Truth, but see to it that the ears are always in a position such that they will never come in contact with the Truth), and shall be turned unto fables. (If it’s not the “Message of the Cross,” then it is “fables” [I Cor. 1:18].) 2 Timothy 4:3-4
All of these are signs of the times proving that we're down to the very close of the church age. In other words, the world is speedily heading toward the Antichrist and the coming great tribulation. All of that means that the rapture of the church could take place at any time.
I Believe the cross is the dividing line in these last days as in regards truth. In a sense, it has always been the dividing line. Those who ignore the cross or downplay its veracity will depart from the faith.
With "the faith" and "the cross" being synonymous, it can be no other way.
JSM
Are you in the Remnant?
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul said, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s Righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God (Rom. 10:1-3).
The main purpose of the Holy Spirit giving us, through Paul, Chapters 9 through 11 of Romans was not, as stated, for Prophetical analysis, even though that, in measure, was given, but rather to warn the Church. If the Church follows in Israel’s footsteps by being ignorant of God’s Righteousness or by refusing God’s Righteousness, attempting, as Israel, to establish its own righteousness, the Church will be cut off just as Israel was cut off.
Concerning this, Paul said, “For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest He also spare not you (refers to the Church, as is obvious). Behold, therefore the goodness and severity of God (don’t mistake the Goodness of God for license): on them which fell, severity (speaks of Judgment which came on Israel, God’s chosen People); but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His Goodness (proclaims the conditions; the continuing of that “Goodness” pertains to continued Faith in Christ and the Cross): otherwise you also shall be cut off” (Rom. 11:21-22).
“God’s Righteousness” is that which is afforded by Jesus Christ, gained by and through the Cross. The only way that God’s Righteousness can be given to anyone is by virtue of the Cross, which demands Faith on the part of the recipient. If one attempts to gain righteousness by any other manner, the Lord refers to it as “self-righteousness,” and it is unacceptable — totally unacceptable!
I ask the following question:
How much is the modern Church preaching the Cross? The answer screams back at us, “Precious little!”
The Church has already apostatized. The Church Age opened with Christ standing in the midst of the candlesticks, in which the candlesticks represent the Church (Rev. 1:12-13). At the close of the Church Age, which pertains to the present time, we no longer find Christ in the midst of the Church, but rather outside, knocking on the door, trying to get in (Rev. 3:17-20). The Lord is, in fact, no longer dealing with the institutionalized Church as a whole, but rather with individuals only.
To be sure, the Lord has always dealt with individuals, but now it is only individuals.
“If any man hear My Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). So, who presently is saved?
It is the same now as it was with Israel of old.
Paul said, “Even so then at this present time (Paul’s day) also there is a Remnant according to the election of Grace (definitely speaks of Predestination, but not as many think; it is the “Remnant” that is elected or predestined, not who will be in the Remnant).
“And if by Grace (the Goodness of God, all made possible by the Cross), then is it no more of works (no one can point to their works as grounds for Salvation): otherwise Grace is no more Grace (if works are mixed with Grace, they nullify Grace). But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace (works can never produce Grace): otherwise work is no more work” (for example, Water Baptism, if acted upon wrongly, nullifies its true meaning; this also holds true for all other great Ordinances of the Lord) (Rom. 11:5-6).
As there was a “Remnant” in Israel who were saved, meaning that most were lost, likewise, there also is a “Remnant” in the modern Church who are saved, but only a Remnant. Israel had rejected much of that which was of the Lord, but when they rejected the Cross, there was nothing left. They were cut off. The modern Church has done the same thing. It has rejected much which is of the Lord, but now it is rejecting the Cross. As with Israel, if the Cross is rejected, that means the Righteousness of God is rejected, and that means the Church is also cut off — except for the “Remnant.”
Are you in the Remnant?
The only way that anyone can be in the Remnant is by accepting Christ and what Christ did at the Cross. There is no other way!"’
JSM
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul said, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s Righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God (Rom. 10:1-3).
The main purpose of the Holy Spirit giving us, through Paul, Chapters 9 through 11 of Romans was not, as stated, for Prophetical analysis, even though that, in measure, was given, but rather to warn the Church. If the Church follows in Israel’s footsteps by being ignorant of God’s Righteousness or by refusing God’s Righteousness, attempting, as Israel, to establish its own righteousness, the Church will be cut off just as Israel was cut off.
Concerning this, Paul said, “For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest He also spare not you (refers to the Church, as is obvious). Behold, therefore the goodness and severity of God (don’t mistake the Goodness of God for license): on them which fell, severity (speaks of Judgment which came on Israel, God’s chosen People); but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His Goodness (proclaims the conditions; the continuing of that “Goodness” pertains to continued Faith in Christ and the Cross): otherwise you also shall be cut off” (Rom. 11:21-22).
“God’s Righteousness” is that which is afforded by Jesus Christ, gained by and through the Cross. The only way that God’s Righteousness can be given to anyone is by virtue of the Cross, which demands Faith on the part of the recipient. If one attempts to gain righteousness by any other manner, the Lord refers to it as “self-righteousness,” and it is unacceptable — totally unacceptable!
I ask the following question:
How much is the modern Church preaching the Cross? The answer screams back at us, “Precious little!”
The Church has already apostatized. The Church Age opened with Christ standing in the midst of the candlesticks, in which the candlesticks represent the Church (Rev. 1:12-13). At the close of the Church Age, which pertains to the present time, we no longer find Christ in the midst of the Church, but rather outside, knocking on the door, trying to get in (Rev. 3:17-20). The Lord is, in fact, no longer dealing with the institutionalized Church as a whole, but rather with individuals only.
To be sure, the Lord has always dealt with individuals, but now it is only individuals.
“If any man hear My Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). So, who presently is saved?
It is the same now as it was with Israel of old.
Paul said, “Even so then at this present time (Paul’s day) also there is a Remnant according to the election of Grace (definitely speaks of Predestination, but not as many think; it is the “Remnant” that is elected or predestined, not who will be in the Remnant).
“And if by Grace (the Goodness of God, all made possible by the Cross), then is it no more of works (no one can point to their works as grounds for Salvation): otherwise Grace is no more Grace (if works are mixed with Grace, they nullify Grace). But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace (works can never produce Grace): otherwise work is no more work” (for example, Water Baptism, if acted upon wrongly, nullifies its true meaning; this also holds true for all other great Ordinances of the Lord) (Rom. 11:5-6).
As there was a “Remnant” in Israel who were saved, meaning that most were lost, likewise, there also is a “Remnant” in the modern Church who are saved, but only a Remnant. Israel had rejected much of that which was of the Lord, but when they rejected the Cross, there was nothing left. They were cut off. The modern Church has done the same thing. It has rejected much which is of the Lord, but now it is rejecting the Cross. As with Israel, if the Cross is rejected, that means the Righteousness of God is rejected, and that means the Church is also cut off — except for the “Remnant.”
Are you in the Remnant?
The only way that anyone can be in the Remnant is by accepting Christ and what Christ did at the Cross. There is no other way!"’
JSM
Signs of Christ's coming:
Beginnings of sorrows (approximate order; only God knows):
1. Many to come in Jesus' name to deceive many.
2. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.
3. There shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
4. Abomination of Desolation in the holy place/Great Tribulation.
5. Believers will be hated of all nations and will be turned over to be afflicted and killed.
6. Many will offended and betray one another, and hate one another/falling away.
7. Many false Christs/prophets shall rise and deceive many, showing great signs and wonders (Man of sin revealed).
8. The love of many grows cold because of growing iniquity/Mark of the beast enforcement.
9. Inhabitants of earth declare world peace and safety are achieved.
10.. Seven seals/Seven trumpet events/144,000 servants of God sealed in their foreheads.
11. The Gospel will be proclaimed in all nations.
12. Christ comes in the clouds of heaven/consumes the man of sin and false prophet.
13. Angels gather (rapture) the elect (dead and living) and leave the lost to face the wrath of God.
14. He that endures to the end will be saved and lives and reigns with Christ 1,000 years on earth/Satan bound concurrently.
15. 1,000 years expires, Satan loosed, wages final battle, is cast into lake of fire.
16. Rest of the dead are brought up to face judgment out of the books (including the book of life).
17. New heaven and new earth comes down from heaven.
(A man made tradition called "Dispensationalism" would radically disagree with this order of events)
Beginnings of sorrows (approximate order; only God knows):
1. Many to come in Jesus' name to deceive many.
2. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.
3. There shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
4. Abomination of Desolation in the holy place/Great Tribulation.
5. Believers will be hated of all nations and will be turned over to be afflicted and killed.
6. Many will offended and betray one another, and hate one another/falling away.
7. Many false Christs/prophets shall rise and deceive many, showing great signs and wonders (Man of sin revealed).
8. The love of many grows cold because of growing iniquity/Mark of the beast enforcement.
9. Inhabitants of earth declare world peace and safety are achieved.
10.. Seven seals/Seven trumpet events/144,000 servants of God sealed in their foreheads.
11. The Gospel will be proclaimed in all nations.
12. Christ comes in the clouds of heaven/consumes the man of sin and false prophet.
13. Angels gather (rapture) the elect (dead and living) and leave the lost to face the wrath of God.
14. He that endures to the end will be saved and lives and reigns with Christ 1,000 years on earth/Satan bound concurrently.
15. 1,000 years expires, Satan loosed, wages final battle, is cast into lake of fire.
16. Rest of the dead are brought up to face judgment out of the books (including the book of life).
17. New heaven and new earth comes down from heaven.
(A man made tradition called "Dispensationalism" would radically disagree with this order of events)
1 Cor. 10:13
“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (refers to the limitations God has placed upon Satan respecting that which he can or cannot do): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able (we have His Promise; all temptation is overcome by our Faith remaining constant in Christ and the Cross, which gives the Power of the Holy Spirit to help us [Rom. 8:2]); but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. (As stated, the “way of escape” is always the Cross [Eph. 6:10-18].)”
JSM
“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (refers to the limitations God has placed upon Satan respecting that which he can or cannot do): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able (we have His Promise; all temptation is overcome by our Faith remaining constant in Christ and the Cross, which gives the Power of the Holy Spirit to help us [Rom. 8:2]); but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. (As stated, the “way of escape” is always the Cross [Eph. 6:10-18].)”
JSM
The story of Martha and Mary teaches the Believer that His Voice makes the difference (the Lamb of God). I believe their brother Lazarus will agree.
His Disciples said, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (The Disciples were right! The wind and sea did obey Him, and so does everything else. So why should we fear?) His Voice makes the difference!
Just remember that the Lord's Grace is greater, His Blood is stronger, and His Name is higher, than anything in life. Apply the Cross to the problem and receive all the benefits of this resurrection life.
His Disciples said, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (The Disciples were right! The wind and sea did obey Him, and so does everything else. So why should we fear?) His Voice makes the difference!
Just remember that the Lord's Grace is greater, His Blood is stronger, and His Name is higher, than anything in life. Apply the Cross to the problem and receive all the benefits of this resurrection life.
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