Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A Wake Up Call for Israel and the Church Part III

A TRUMPET CALL FOR ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH: Understanding the Book of Joel — Part Three
‎Yesterday, ‎14 ‎June, ‎2011, ‏‎2:49:17 AM | joelcrosenberg  
Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament teach that in the “last days,” severe military threats will mount against the State of Israel, yet the Jewish state will become more and more isolated internationally. Ultimately, the Bible indicates that no country will come to the defense of the Jewish people when the major prophetic battles unfold and Israel’s enemies attack. Rather, Israel will find herself all alone in the world. This makes recent headlines all the more troubling, for international pressure against — and isolation of — the modern State of Israel seems to be intensifying this year. Consider the latest key stories from the epicenter from just the past few days and weeks:


In light of such disturbing trends, I am posting some of my notes covering chapter two of the “Book of Joel.” In his second chapter, the Hebrew prophet gives us so much vital information about the future of Israel and how to live in the last days that I won’t be able to cover it all in one posting. But I hope you will find these notes helpful as you study the writings of this important minor prophet and teach them to others.
Chapter Two: “A Trumpet Call for Israel and the Church”
  1. As the “Day of the Lord” approaches in the last days, those who know the Lord, follow the Lord, listen to the Lord, study the Word of the Lord, and teach the Word of the Lord are supposed to do a series of things:
  2. Understand that danger is coming and thus ”blow a trumpet in Zion” and ”sound an alarm” on God’s holy mountain — that is, call people to action ( Joel 2:1)
  3. We are to alert “all” the inhabitants of the land of Israel that the “Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near” ( Joel 2:1)
  4. We are to let Israel know that the “Day of the Lord” will be a day of judgment, “a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness”
  5. We are to let Israel know that that the Day of the Lord will be historic….”there has never been anything like it” – even the previous apocalyptic plagues of locusts described in Joel chapter one – “nor will there ever be again after it” ( Joel 2:2)
  6. We are to explain that the Day of the Lord will come with devastating fire that consumes everything in its path ( Joel 2:3)
  7. We are to explain that the run up to the Day of the Lord will be traumatic — the land of Israel will suffer an invasion unlike anything in its history….the text indicates that the land of Israel will be completely overrun and will suffer serious devastation, far beyond the locust invasion that described in chapter one.
  8. What’s interesting is that in the first 24 verses of chapter two, the word “locust” is never mentioned. Rather, we have images that are similar to a classic locust invasion, but far more devastating.
  9. The appearance of the invaders is “like” the appearance of horses ( Joel 2:4)
  10. And “like” war horses ( Joel 2:4)
  11. They run “like” mighty men ( Joel 2:5)
  12. They climb the wall “like” soldiers ( Joel 2:7)
  13. So the invaders aren’t exactly locusts – they’re “like” locusts
  14. The invaders aren’t human soldiers – they’re “like” human soldiers
  15. Over the years, some Bible expositors have suggested that what we are seeing play out in the Book of Joel is the “War of Gog and Magog,” as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39. There are several reasons for teachers to suggest this:
  16. The Hebrew Prophet Joel describes events that will happen in the last days, as does Ezekiel
  17. Joel seems to describe a land of Israel that is fertile and fruitful, like a Garden of Eden (Joel 2:3), and Ezekiel describes a land that has essentially recovered from devastating wars and is secure and prosperous (Ezekiel 38:8, 12)
  18. Joel describes a threat to Israel that is unprecedented in her history, as does Ezekiel
  19. Joel describes the Lord saying, “I will remove the northern army far from you” (Joel 2:20), and Ezekiel 38-39 describes the main threat to Israel coming from the north but destroyed by the Lord
  20. Joel describes the Lord pouring out His Spirit after defeat of the enemy (Joel 2:28-29), as does Ezekiel (Ezekiel 39:29)
  21. I certainly believe that the”War of Gog and Magog” described in Ezekiel 38-39 is real, serious, and coming sooner that many people think. That said, despite some similarities, I do not see the primary prophetic events described in the Book of Joel as being focused on Ezekiel’s ”War of Gog and Magog.” I say this for several reasons:
  22. The Hebrew Prophet Joel describes Israel as being fully invaded and completely overrun by enemy forces, like a locust invasion; this is not, however, what is described in Ezekiel 38-39 where the enemy comes against the mountains of Israel but is then supernaturally destroyed, unable to completely invade and overrun the land.
  23. Joel describes the land of Israel being devastated by fire (from the enemies), whereas Ezekiel describes the enemies of Israel being devastated by fire (from heaven)
  24. Joel describes the judgment of “all the nations” (Joel 3:2) occurring after the enemy is defeated, whereas Ezekiel describes a limited coalition of nations being judged during their defeat.
  25. Joel singles out Egypt for such severe judgment that the text says “Egypt will become a waste” (Joel 3:19), whereas mention of Egypt is noticeably absent from Ezekiel 38-39.
  26. Joel also singles out Edom for such severe judgment that the text says “Edom will become a desolate wilderness because of the violence done to the sons of Judah in whose land they have shed innocent blood” (Joel 3:19), whereas mention of Edom is noticeably absent from Ezekiel 38-39.
  27. To understand the End Times events that the Hebrew Prophet Joel is foretelling, we need to study the prophecies of Revelation 9:1-12 and the events that occur after the 5th of 7 trumpets are blown during the Great Tribulation. Consider the following points:
  28. In the Book of Revelation,we read that out of Hell (“a bottomless pit filled with the smoke of a great furnace”) “came locusts upon the earth” (Revelation 9:2)
  29. But the Bible indicates that these are not ordinary locusts — they have power like scorpions to injure with their tails (Revelation 9:2, 5,6,10)
  30. These creatures are “told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree” (Revelation 9:4)
  31. These creatures are designed to attack mankind “who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads,” that is, those who are not born again followers of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 9:4)
  32. These creatures cannot kill but rather torment men for five months (Revelation 9:5)
  33. Their appearance is “like” horses (Revelation 9:7)
  34. They have faces “like” men (Revelation 9:7)
  35. They have hair “like” the hair of women (Revelation 9:8)
  36. They have teeth “like” the teeth of lions (Revelation 9:8)
  37. They have armor “like” soldiers who have breastplates of iron (Revelation 9:9)
  38. They sound “like” many horses rushing to battle (Revelation 9:9)
  39. They have a king over them, “the angel of the abyss” whose name in Hebrew is “Abaddon,” and in Greek is “Apollyon”
  40. These are not really locusts, or human soldiers, though they are like both – these are demonic creatures ruled by a Satanic king
  41. They will come “upon the earth” with “power” (Revelation 9:3)
  42. The Book of Revelation does not say these creatures will exclusively attack those in Israel – their attack will be global
  43. But the Book of Joel does indicate that such creatures will specifically invade Israel and bring great trauma and devastation — as Joel 2:11 says: “the Day of the Lord is indeed great and very terrible; who can endure it?”
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Tribulation

By Apostolic Lighthouse
I. The Tribulation

The endtime is portrayed in an awesome way in the Scripture. Paul said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). The judgment of God is revealed in the closing lesson of our Home Bible Study. Daniel, the great prophet during the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews, records a period of seven years at the endtime. This period of time will bring terrible calamity on the earth. He describes 70 weeks (or 490 years) that would relate to Jewish history. Daniel in his prophecy did not see the church age. Thus his prophecy concerns the state of the Jews in God's plan.

A. Daniel's Seventieth Week
To understand the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy, it is necessary to have an understanding of how the Scripture describes the seventy weeks. Daniel was told in Daniel 9:24, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city" Sixty-nine of these weeks were to take place between the decree to restore Jerusalem, and the crucifixion of the Messiah the Prince (Jesus Christ) (Daniel 9:25-26). Seven (7) weeks or (49 years) were used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. There were sixty-two (62) weeks (or 434 years) from the rebuilding of the walls until the crucifixion of the Messiah. Using the scriptural year of 360 days each, there were exactly 69 weeks or 483 years between 445 B.C. and 32 A.D. This would leave one week remaining of the 70. Verse 27 tells of this week of years when the Antichrist system (the prince that shall come in verse 26) shall break the covenant with the Jewish nation and thus bring much havoc on the earth. There is an interval of time between the 69th week and the 70th week, during which time the church age exists. The church age will continue until the time of the rapture. The 70th week that follows is the Tribulation Period.
B. The Tribulation judgments
During the seven years of tribulation God will pour out severe and drastic judgment on the earth. These judgments are introduced by the Seals, the Trumpets, and the Vials (Revelation 6, 8, 9, 15, and 16). During this time, the people of the earth will go through a time of suffering and death such as the world has never known.
1. The Seals (Revelation 6, 8:1)
The Seals judgment will bring a promise of peace:
- The Anti-Christ will be able to win the world to himself.
- Terrible war shall follow death and famine.
- One fourth of the world's population will die.
- There shall be much persecution of believing Jews.
- Catastrophies will disturb the earth with earthquakes.
- The moon will become as blood and people will hide in the mountains for fear (Revelation 6).
2. The Trumpets (Revelation 8, 9)
- During these judgments hail will fall and fire will burn over a third of the earth.
- A falling meteor will destroy one third of the shipping.
- The fish of the sea will die.
- One third of the sea will become blood.
- Poisons will contaminate one third of the water supply and many will die.
- Great darkness will come over the earth.
- Five (5) months of scorpions stinging men on the earth.
- A 200,000 man army will kill one third of the population (Revelation 8, 9).
3. The Vials (Revelation 16) - The Vials are the final showdown of God's judgments for the tribulation:
a. Awful sores will afflict those with the mark of the beast.
b. Everything in the ocean will die.
c. All the water will turn to blood.
d. The sun will burn hotter than usual and will scorch men.
e. The earth will be thrown into darkness and great pain will come upon men.
f. The river Euphrates will be dried up so the armies of the east can come to Armageddon.
g. Hail, 100 Ibs. in weight will fall destroying whole cities (Revelation 16).
4. The Terrible Death
In the fourth (4th) Seal, one fourth of the earth's population will die. With over four (4) billion people living today, that would be over one billion people dying in a short time. In the sixth (6th) Trumpet, one third of the remaining population will die in the short period of the tribulation. The population of the U.S. is a little less than one fourth of a billion, and from this you can see that eight (8) times the U.S. population will die. Death brings misery and heartaches. All the world will feel this heartache over and over again.
The Reign of the Anti-Christ
II. The Reign of the Antichrist

A forceful political leader will come forth to dominate world leadership during the tribulation period. He will have much help in the person of the False Prophet, who will be the World Religious Leader. A world system of government, under one head, will envelop the political, religious and the economic areas of life.
A. The Antichrist
"The son of perdition, that man of sin will be revealed" (II Thessalonians 2:3).
* He will oppose God (II Thessalonians 2:4).
* He will exhalt himself above God (II Thessalonians 2:4).
* He will sit in the temple showing himself as God (II Thessalonians 2:4).
* He will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus at Armageddon (II Thessalonians 2:8).
* Satan will empower him with signs and lying wonders (II Thessalonians 2:9).
* He will deceive those that love not the truth (II Thessalonians 2:10).
* God will allow those who love not the truth, and are deceived by the Antichrist, to believe a lie and be damned (II Thessalonians 2:11,12).
* Revelation 13 describes the Anti-Christ as a beast rising up out of the sea.
* The dragon (or Satan, Revelation 12:9) will give him his power and authority (Revelation 13:2).
* The one world system of government is to be a revival of the old Roman Empire which has been dormant but will be restored (Revelation 13:3).
* The people will worship the beast (Revelation 13:4). "He will have total power the last 3 1/2 years of Tribulation (Revelation 13:5).
* He will blaspheme God; His name and the heavenly dwellers (Revelation 13:6).
* He will make war against the believing Jews (Revelation 13:7).
* He will cause all to receive a mark in the right hand or forehead, in order to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16,17).
* His number is 666 (Revelation 13:18).
B. The False Prophet (Religious Government)
Revelation 13 also describes the religious leader of this time of tribulation who works closely with the Antichrist. He will assist the Antichrist to attain world supremacy. The False Prophet is mentioned three times (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
* He will exercise great power (Revelation 13:12).
* He will cause the people to worship the Antichrist and the world system (Revelation 13:12).
* He will perform miracles by the power of Satan (Revelation 13:14).
* He will be a deceiver (Revelation 13:14).
* He will have an image of the Antichrist made (Revelation 13:14).
* He will give life to the image and cause the image to speak (Revelation 13:15).
* He will put to death all that will not worship the image of the beast (Revelation 13:15).
C. The Anti-Christ System of Political Government
The ten toes of the image of Nebuchadnezzar and the ten horns of the beast of Revelation 13:1 and Revelation 17:12 and of Daniel 7:7,24, are a confederation of ten nations that will constitute a world power in the last days. These nations will help the Antichrist come to power and sustain that power for some years. Their authority will be lessened by the Antichrist after he has used them to gain world power. The strong Common Market Nations of Europe could possibly be the means of this support. The Common Market will probably develop into a very powerful economic block for the western world of nations. This economic block will give them great influence in the making of a world leader. This block will be highly dominated by the world religion. Revelation 17 introduces the great harlot, drunk with the saints and martyrs. This harlot will ride the beast until the beast kills her. This will be the end of the false world church, which will give its power and wealth to the beast.

The Battle of Armageddon

III. The Battle of Armageddon


The valley of Jezreel and the Plain of Esdraelon are located west of the Jordan River and east of the Mediterranean Sea. The battle of Armageddon will be fought in this area. The name Armageddon is taken from the strategic military city of Megiddo, which is the rebuilt and fortified chariot city of Solomon. Armageddon, it has been said, "will be the battle ground for the greatest blood bath the world has ever seen."
A. 144,000 Sealed
The Anti-Christ, (with the False Prophet) will rule the whole world with an iron hand for years. He will extend total control over the political, religious and economic life of all the world. One hundred forty four thousand (144,000) Jews will be miraculously preserved by the Lord Himself. The Lord will deliver this remnant which has been hidden from the destructive powers of the Anti-Christ. As in the days of sojourning (in the wilderness) God will again protect His people from being destroyed. These shall be the Jews which will fight against the Anti-Christ at the battle of Armageddon.
B. Preparation for Armageddon
The righteousness of the protected Jews will be a thorn in the flesh of this world leader. He will be able to break the will of all others except them. He will be determined to destroy them. He will gather his leaders and armies together for this purpose. "And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army" (Revelation 19:19). . .out of the mouth of the beast and the mouth of the false prophet, For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. . .and he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Revelation 16:13, 14, 16).
C. Armageddon Closes Out the Tribulation
This battle will be the end of the tribulation period. It is the final attack of the Anti-Christ against God and His people. The cup of God's wrath will be full at this time, and He will personally come to end the wild and savage earthly reign of the beast and his system. After this battle Jesus will set up the Millennial (1000 years of peace) reign on earth.
D. The Rider on the White Horse (Revelation 19:11, 14, 16)
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war" (Revelation 19:11).
"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation 19:14).
"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:16).
This is Jesus coming with His church (Revelation 19:8), to end the reign of the beast and destroy his world system.
E. The Judgment of the Beast and False Prophet

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet . . . These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation 19:20).

The Return of Christ and the Millennium

IV. The Return of Christ and the Millennium

A. Mount of Olives Change
When Jesus Christ comes with His armies to Armageddon and destroys the Anti-Christ system. He will then stand on the Mount of Olives; "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mt. of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mt. of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley. . ." (Zechariah 14:4). The landscape around Jerusalem will never be the same again after He comes in glory to set up His kingdom. The mount will be divided as a monument to the deliverance of the Lord.
B. Characteristics of the Kingdom Age
1. Jesus Christ will be King of the Earth
"And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9).
2. He Will Rule on the Earth for 1,000 Years
For one thousand years Jesus will reign on the earth.
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).
3. Judgment of the Nations
The nations of the world that have blessed or persecuted the Jews over the centuries, (and especially during the tribulation) will then be judged at that time (Matthew 25:31-46).
4. The Predominance of the Jews
The Jews will be the ruling people of the millennium (Zechariah 9:11-17; 12:10-14; 13:1).
5. The Church will rule with Christ (Luke 19:19, Revelation 20:1-6).
6. The world capital will be Jerusalem
The nations will come to Jerusalem annually to worship the Lord (Zechariah 14:16, 17).
7. The Jews will do evangelistic work (Zechariah 8:14-23).

8. Satan will be bound during the 1,000 years (Revelation 20:2-3).

The Great White Throne Judgment
V. The Great White Throne Judgment
After one thousand years reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth, the Great White Throne Judgment will take place. This will be a judgment of all the dead from the beginning of man's existence on the earth. The only people who will not be there to be judged will be the redeemed church (both dead and the living) which arose to meet the Lord at the rapture.
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened" (Revelation 20:11-12).
A. Elements in this judgment
1. The Throne
John saw an impressive large white throne.
2. The Judge
Jesus Christ will sit upon the throne.
3. The Judged
The Dead from all walks of life.
"And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them" (Revelation 20:13).
4. The Evidence
"The books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works" (Revelation 20:12). Those books are:
- The Bible God's plan for mankind.
- The recorded history of mankind.
- The Book of Life, the book with the names of the righteous of all ages.
5. The Witnesses
The Saints of the church who will be there with Jesus judging the world (I Corinthians 6:2).
6. The Judged

Those whose names were not in the book of life were cast in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
Time Ends—Then Eternity
VI. Time Ends—Then Eternity

The times after the White Throne Judgment are not described in detail but the Bible does give us some insights that are very interesting.
A. Earth Aflame
II Peter 3:10 tells us, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up." The whole earth and space around it will be aflame. Everything man has made on the earth will be burned and destroyed. Everything man has sent into space and outer space will be totally done away with! The earth and the heavens around it will be completely purged.
B. New Heaven and New Earth
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea" (Revelation 21:1).
This is what John saw after the White Throne Judgment. Peter said, "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter 3:13). Most scholars believe there will be a renovated heavens and earth because of what Peter said in verse 6 about Noah's world, "being overflowed with water, perished." The earth was totally changed by the water but was not destroyed.
C. The New Jerusalem
John saw a beautiful city coming down from God.
"And I, John, saw the holy city. New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2).

There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a new city. Jesus said, "In my father's house are many mansions. . .I go to prepare a place for you. . .that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). Revelation 21:16, John saw the angel measure the new city. It was 12,000 furlongs or 1,500 miles square. The Holy City could reach from the east coast to West Texas and from Canada to Florida. It would take in over half of the United States. The city was also 1,500 miles high. What a city! What a place to look forward to visiting. The city was made of pure gold like clear glass, (Revelation 21:18) with walls of jasper and gates of pearl (Revelation 21:21). It will not need any power plant, or sun, neither moon to shine for Jesus will be the light (Revelation 21:23). Here time and eternity meet. The temporal will cease forever and the dreams of the righteous from all ages shall be fulfilled.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Who will left behind?

Who will left behind

Mat 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23]  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Question 1: When the Rapture of the saints take place, as is prophesied in the Scripture, will some Christians be left behind?
Yes, unfortunately not some, there are many will left behind.


Question 2: Will I be left behind? It depends… Let me explain.
There Is a Barrier Of Entry To Rapture
A lot of us are probably not going to make it to the Rapture. This is going to be a huge surprise for those who won’t make it, because many of us still live in ignorance, and many have the assumption that everybody in the Church is going to be raptured. It is not we saw a few will left behind in the video clips as above, in the contrary many will left behind. I can assure you why?
Another reason why they are ignorant because many Christians haven’t really read the Bible closely enough and simply carry on their daily life as usual, taking for granted that we are going to heaven for what Christ had done on the cross. Salvation is free is true but we require to walk the path of righteousness.
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. When a person is truly converted, there is a new direction in the life. The converted person loves things that he disliked before, and hates the things he once loved. A person who doesn't love being in church at every opportunity has never been converted. A person who doesn't hate his old way of loose living has never been converted. After the rapture, people who love to sin and live loose lives will suddenly realize what fools they have been. How about you?
Second, the "church" that is left behind will be made up of people who resist the truth. "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith" (II Timothy 3:6-8).
Jannes and Jambres were the two Egyptian magicians and priests who were against Moses in Pharaoh's court, in Egypt. These men refused to listen to Moses and rejected God. Those in the church that is left behind are like them, "So do these also resist the truth" (II Timothy 3:8).
Mat 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
If we all read Jesus’ words very carefully, then we will know that there is a tough barrier to entry for the Rapture.
Where In The Bible Does It Say That The Rapture Is Conditional?
Below is a list of Bible passages that say the Rapture is conditional, though this is not the entire list.
The Days Of Noah – Matthew 24:36-51, [36]  "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37] For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. [45] "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. [47] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. [48] But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' [49] and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, [50] the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know [51] and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
V36-38 Talks about the end of Church age when the Rapture is about to happen. These are the days like the days of Noah, when people were eating, drinking, and business as usual, right before the flood came. Likewise, our age is similar to the days of Noah, when people are thinking everything is ok, and then Jesus suddenly come and bring in the Rapture.
V42 was speaking to Christian. We have to be ready for the Rapture. What if we don’t? If Rapture is going to include all Christians, then why did Jesus ask us to keep watch and be ready?
If you happen to think that a Christian who commits serious sins isn’t a true Christian to begin with, then I would say you are probably doing fine, because you are too innocent to know that a genuine Christian can indeed commit serious sins, and that many have already committed them, and some are continuously, actively sinning. 1Co 6:9-10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revellers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
V 45-48. Jesus was speaking to Christians because He was talking about His servants
V42. “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come!” If Jesus is coming to take every Christians during the Rapture, then whether we know He is coming or not isn’t relevant, and Jesus didn’t need to tell His disciples to keep watch so many times. Jesus wasn’t a man of many words, so if He says something more than once, it must be important.
That Day Will Close On You Unexpectedly – Luke 21:34-36, [34] "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 21 and Matthew 24 are both sides of the same coin. They addressed the same speech that Jesus delivered, which talked about the Tribulation, and the time that comes before it.
V34, “that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” means the day when Jesus comes at the Rapture (Matt 24:42)
V36, Again, Jesus warned us to “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place”. Note that He used the words “may have“, which indicate there are prerequisite conditions to be met.
One of the prerequisite to escape the Tribulation is to be always on watch and pray.
This means if we are not always on the watch, we can miss the Rapture. If the Lord finds us being weighed down with dissipation (pleasures of sin), drunkenness (addictions, undisciplined life), and the anxieties of life (fame, wealth, success, career), then the day Rapture takes place it will be like a trap, rather than deliverance.
The Foolish and Wise Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13, [1] "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. [3] For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, [4] but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. [5] As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. [6] But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' [7] Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' [9] But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' [10] And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. [11] Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' [12] But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' [13] Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Speaking of the Jewish marriage in Matt 25:1-13, the Lord mentioned about a “bridal chamber/heavenly mansion” (John 14:1-3), which, according to Jewish tradition, is where a Jewish bride will enter at the start of the bridal week.
This “bridal chamber/heavenly mansion” is the one that Jesus promised He would prepare for us in heaven. (John 14:1-3)
V 12-13 Those who are unprepared are not allowed into this chamber/heavenly mansion.
What is this chamber/heavenly mansion’s for?
Isa 26:20-21 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. [21] For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.
This chamber is for us to hide ourselves “for a little while until his wrath has passed by“. How long is this little while? 7 years of Tribulation!
2Ti 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2Ti 3:5  form — outward semblance. godliness — piety. denying — rather as Greek, “having denied,” that is, renounced. the power — the living, regenerating, sanctifying influence of it. turn away — implying that some of such characters, forerunners of the last days, were already in the Church.)
Rom 2:5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
True religion is our inevitable personal relationship between yourself and Christ. It will not save your soul to be an outward member of any church whatever, however sound that body may be. Such membership will not wash away one sin, or give you confidence in the Day of Judgment. There must be personal faith in Christ, personal dealings between yourself and God, personal felt communion between your own heart and the Holy Spirit. Have you this personal faith? Have you this felt work of the Spirit in your soul? This is the grand question. If not you will be lost.
In every epistle the Lord Jesus says to the seven churches, "I know your works…”
That repeated expression is very striking. It is not for nothing that we read these words seven times over.
To one church the Lord Jesus says, ‘I know your labor and patience’, to another, ‘your tribulation and poverty’, to a third, ‘your charity and service and faith’. But to all He uses the words I now dwell on ‘I know your works’. It is not ‘I know your profession, your desires, your resolutions, your wishes’, but ‘your works’. ‘I know your works’.
The works of a professing Christian are of great importance. They cannot save your soul. They cannot justify you. They cannot wipe out your sins. They cannot deliver you from the wrath of God. But it does not follow because they cannot save you, that they are of no importance. Take heed and beware of such a notion. The man who thinks so is fearfully deceived.
If you call yourself a Christian, you must show it in your daily ways and daily behaviour. Call to mind that the faith of Abraham and of Rahab was proved by their works (James 2:21–26). Remember it avails you and me nothing to profess we know God, if in works we deny Him (Titus 1:16). Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘Every tree is known by its own fruit’ (Luke 6:44).
But whatever the works of a professing Christian may be, Jesus says, ‘I know them!’ His eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3). You never did an action, however private, but Jesus saw it. You never spoke a word, no, not even in a whisper, but Jesus heard it. You never wrote a letter, even to your dearest friend, but Jesus read it. You never thought a thought, however secret, but Jesus was familiar with it. His eyes are as a flaming fire. The darkness is no darkness with Him. All things are open and manifest before Him. He says to every one, ‘I know your works’.
Jas 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Jesus wrote letters to seven first century churches, as recorded in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation. He intended for believers throughout the centuries to understand these letters. Jesus emphatically urged us seven times - hear the message to these churches.
1.      To the church of Ephesus, in Rev 2:4-5 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

2.      To the church of Smyrnah, in Rev 2:10  … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. [11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'

3.      To the church in Pergammun, in Rev 2:14-17 it refer to those who practice sexual immorality and spiritual idols worship. [16] Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

4.      To the church in Thyatira, in Rev 2:21-22  [21]  I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. [22] Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, [25] Only hold fast what you have until I come. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

5.      To the church in Sardis, in Rev 3:2-3 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

6.      To the church in Philadelphia a faithful and true church in Rev 3:8  "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Rev 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Rev 3:13  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

7.      To the church in Laodicea, a lukewarm church in Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (similar to the church of Thyatira, I will throw you into great tribulation)
Rev 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Think what a solemn warning there is here to all worldly and hypocritical professors of religion. Let all such read, mark and digest these words. Jesus says to you, ‘I know your works’. You may deceive me or any other minister; it is easy to do so. You may receive the bread and wine (holy communion), and yet be cleaving to iniquity in your hearts. You may sit under the pulpit of an evangelical preacher, week after week, and hear his words with a serious face, but no conviction. But, remember this, you cannot deceive Christ. He who discovered the deadness of Sardis and the lukewarmness of Laodicea, sees you through and through, and will expose you at the last day, except you repent.
Hypocrisy is a losing game. It will never answer to seem one thing and be another; to have the name of Christian, and not the reality. Be sure, if your conscience smites you and condemns you in this matter, be sure your sin will find you out. The eye that saw Achan steal the golden wedge and hide it is upon you. The book that recorded the deeds of Gehazi and Ananias and Sapphira is recording your ways. Jesus mercifully sends you a word of warning today. He says, ‘I know your works’.
Every professing Christian is the soldier of Christ. He is bound by his baptism to fight Christ’s battle against sin, the world and the devil. The man that does not do this breaks his vow. He is a spiritual defaulter. He does not fulfill the engagements made for him. The man that does not do this is practically renouncing his Christianity.
Armor is provided for the professing Christian, if he will only use it. ‘Take unto you’, says Paul to the Ephesians, ‘the whole armor of God’. ‘Stand, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness’. ‘Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’. ‘Above all, take the shield of faith’ (Eph. 6:13–17). And, not least, the professing Christian has the best of leaders: Jesus the Captain of salvation, through whom he may be more than conqueror; the best of provisions, the bread and water of life, and the best of pay promised to him, an eternal weight of glory.
Now this is one grand distinguishing mark of true Christians. Other men, perhaps, like to be numbered in the ranks of Christ’s army. Other men may have lazy wishes and languid desires after the crown of glory. But it is the true Christian alone who does the work of a soldier. He alone fairly meets the enemies of his soul, really fights with them and in that fight overcomes them.
One great lesson from these seven epistles is this, that if you would prove you are born again and going to heaven, you must be a victorious soldier of Christ. If you would make it clear that you have any title to Christ’s precious promises, you must fight the good fight in Christ’s cause, and in that fight you must conquer.
You must fight the good fight of faith and endure hardships if you would lay hold of eternal life. You must make up your mind to a daily struggle if you would reach heaven. There may be short roads to heaven invented by man, but ancient Christianity, the good old way, is the way of the cross, the way of conflict. Sin, the world and the devil must be actually mortified, resisted and overcome.
This is the road that saints of old have trodden in, and left their record on high.
a. When Moses refused the pleasures of sin in Egypt, and chose affliction with the people of God, this was overcoming he overcame the love of pleasure.
b. When Micaiah refused to prophesy smooth things to king Ahab, though he knew he would be persecuted if he spoke the truth, this was overcoming he overcame the love of ease.
c. When Daniel refused to give up praying, though he knew the den of lions was prepared for him, this was overcoming he overcame the fear of death.
d. When Matthew rose from the receipt of custom at our Lord’s bidding, left all and followed Him, this was overcoming he overcame the love of money.
e. When Peter and John stood up boldly before the council and said, ‘We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard,’ this was overcoming; they overcame the fear of man.
f. When Saul the Pharisee gave up all his prospects of preferment among the Jews, and preached that very Jesus whom he had once persecuted, this was overcoming he overcame the love of man’s praise.
The same kind of thing which these men did you must also do if you would be saved. They were men of like passions with yourself, and yet they overcame. They had as many trials as you can possibly have, and yet they overcame. They fought. They wrestled. They struggled. You must do the same.
What was the secret of their victory? Their faith. They believed on Jesus, they believe His every words and act upon it. In all their battles, they kept their eyes on Jesus, and He never left them nor forsook them. ‘They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony,’ and so may you (Rev. 12:11).
I fear much for many professing Christians. I see no sign of fighting in them, much less of victory. They never strike one stroke on the side of Christ. They are at peace with His enemies. They have no quarrel with sin. I warn you, this is not Christianity. This is not the way to heaven.
I often fear much for those who hear the gospel regularly. I fear, lest you become so familiar with the sound of its doctrines, that insensibly you become dead to its power. I fear, lest your religion should sink down into a little vague talk about your own weakness and corruption, and a few sentimental expressions about Christ, while real practical fighting on Christ’s side is altogether neglected. Oh, beware of this state of mind. ‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only’. No victory—no crown! Fight and overcome! (James 1:22).
Considering the relevancy of this whole subject, let us look into how this whole doctrine touches upon us in practical terms:
1. For one thing, let me warn all who are living only for the world, to take heed what they are doing. You are enemies to Christ, though you may not know it. He marks your ways, though you turn your back on Him and refuse to give Him your hearts. He is observing your daily life, and reading your daily ways. There will yet be a resurrection of all your thoughts, words and actions. You may forget them, but God does not. You may be careless about them, but they are carefully marked down in the book of remembrance. Oh, worldly man, think of this! Tremble, tremble and repent.
2. Let me warn all formalists and self–righteous people to take heed that they are not deceived. You fancy you will go to heaven because you go regularly to church. You indulge an expectation of eternal life, because you are always at the Lord’s table, and are never missing in your pew. But where is your repentance? Where is your faith? Where are your evidences of a new heart? Where is the work of the Spirit? Where are your evidences of regeneration? Oh, formal Christian, consider these questions! Tremble, tremble and repent.
3. Let me warn all careless members of churches to beware lest they trifle their souls into hell. You live on year after year as if there was no battle to be fought with sin, the world and the devil. You pass through life a smiling, laughing, gentleman–like, or lady–like person, and behave as if there was no devil, no heaven and no hell. Oh, careless churchman, or careless Dissenter, careless Episcopalian, careless Presbyterian, careless Independent, careless Baptist, awake to see eternal realities in their true light! Awake and put on the armor of God! Awake and fight hard for life! Tremble, tremble and repent.
4. Let me warn everyone who wants to be saved, not to be content with the world’s standard of religion. Surely no man with his eyes open can fail to see that the Christianity of the New Testament is something far higher and deeper than the Christianity of most professing Christians. That formal, easy–going, do–little thing, which most people call ‘religion’, is evidently not the religion of the Lord Jesus. The things that He praises in these seven epistles are not praised by the world. The things that He blames are not things in which the world sees any harm. Oh, if you would follow Christ, be not content with the world’s Christianity! Tremble, tremble and repent.
5. Lastly, let me warn everyone who professes to be a believer in the Lord Jesus, not to be content with a little religion.
Of all sights in the church of Christ, I know none more painful to my own eyes, than a Christian contented and satisfied with a little grace, a little repentance, a little faith, a little knowledge, a little charity and a little holiness. I do beseech and entreat every believing soul that reads this tract not to be that kind of man. If you have any desires after usefulness, if you have any wishes to promote your Lord’s glory, if you have any longings after much inward peace, be not content with a little religion.
Let us rather seek, every year we live, to make more spiritual progress than we have done, to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus; to grow in humility and self–acquaintance; to grow in spirituality and heavenly–mindedness; to grow in conformity to the image of our Lord.
Let us beware of leaving our first love like Ephesus, of becoming lukewarm like Laodicea, of tolerating false practices like Pergamos, of tampering with false doctrine like Thyatira, of becoming half dead, ready to die, Like Sardis.
Let us rather covet the best gifts. Let us aim at eminent holiness Let us endeavor to be like Smyrna and Philadelphia. Let us hold fast what we have already, and continually seek to have more. Let us labor to be unmistakable Christians. Let it not be our distinctive character, that we are men of science, or men of literary attainments, or men of the world, or men of pleasure, or men of business, but ‘men of God’. Let us so live that all may see that to us the things of God are the first things, and the glory of God the first aim in our lives, to follow Christ our grand object in time present, to be with Christ our grand desire in time to come.
Let us live in this way, and we shall be happy. Let us live in this way, and we shall do good to the world. Let us live in this way, and we shall leave good evidence behind us when we are buried. Let us live in this way, and the Spirit’s word to the churches will not have been spoken to us in vain.
Be Careful, Be Always On The Watch, And Pray – Luke 21:34-36
34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
If we are always on watch for Christ’s sudden visit, will we watch cable TV that has graphical, violent content? Will we be watching porn thinking no one will knows? Will we be holding grudges against someone as if Christ isn’t going to mind when He comes? Will we be dating casually and play the marriage game outside of marriage (kissing and touching are moral only within marriage)? Will we be allowing ourselves to do shameful things so when He comes He may catch us unaware?
Rev 16:15  ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!")
Encourage One Another
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Obey, Repent, and Wake Up – Rev 3:3
3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, 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.
Sin makes one asleep. Sin is deceiving. Once we commit any sin, it can deceive us and numb our sensitivity to it. It’s very easy for those of us who have been to Church for many years to become complacent. Think of what Jesus had warned us in the Book of Revelations to all the churches. (As above)
Experiences and knowledge won’t save a Christian from the Tribulation, only consistent and constant obedience and repentance do. This is going back to the basic.
See also: Rapture Alert! Make Sure You don't Left Behind

                 What Will You Do If You Are Left Behind?
                 After the Rapture

                 The Tribulation
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

View My Stats