The Second Coming of the Messiah

July 25, 2021 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Second Coming of the King

Book of Matthew Chapter 24

The most anticipated day in all of Christianity is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know the Lord will return in two stages.

1) The Lord will return first to get His Church out of this world before the Tribulation years, the time of Jacob’s Trouble.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

He will meet His Church in the clouds!

Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Jer 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Jer 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

The Tribulation years are a time of Jacob’s Trouble not a time of trouble for the Church.

All the persecution of the church will take place during the Church Age, the Age we are now in.

2) The Lord will return to end the time of Jacob’s Trouble by claiming the throne of David where He will rule this world for 1000 years.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6 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.

The Lord Jesus is still coming, and it may not be very much longer!

Many things will take place in this time period of when the Lord Jesus ascended back to Heaven and when He will return!

The Book of Matthew teaches us many of these things by the Lord Himself.

*Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

This Second Temple was a marvelous structure that King Herod had been restoring for more than 40 years.

*Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this prophecy was fulfilled just as the Lord Jesus had said.

Josephus a Jewish historian testified of this destruction by Titus in 70 AD.

Josephus wrote that passersby would have supposed that the place of the Temple had never been inhabited if they did not know the truth.

Titus, the Roman general, ordered the very foundations of it to be dug up; after which the ground on which it stood was ploughed up by Turnus Rufus and planted.

As beautiful as this Temple was, it was the actions of the priests that changed the function of God’s House.

It is not the outward appearance of any Church that makes it truly acceptable, it is what is happening within.

The disciples were aroused to ask questions:

1) When would this Temple be destroyed.
2) When would the Lord return.

What should we then believe? We should expect a literal fulfillment of these words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must also understand that Our Lord Jesus is preparing these disciples for His departure!

*Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Just how will the Lord answer these questions, let us listen to what our Savior says.

The very first thing we see is that there will be great deceptions told to God’s people.

The very first sign would be the rise of false prophets!

If we cannot see the truth of this statement, then we are totally blind!

We should also see what is described as the ending of an Age.

We know the Church Age is coming to an end and another sign is that falling away.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

There is a great falling away from the Church because of all the false prophets in the pulpits and in the secular world.

*Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Most all the world is aware that the Lord Jesus has said He would return, and He will.

Many do not understand that Our Savior and Redeemer will return in two stages.

These 12 men with the Lord understood that all these things might happen all at one time, and this is not what the Lord Jesus was teaching them.

Many today think these things have already taken place and this also is not what our Lord Jesus was teaching.

The Church has been around long enough for most all the world to know that by the teaching of the true Church, the only way to Heaven is through and by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

All those people and all those nations know that the Bible says they are doomed to Hell whether they believe it or not.

Psa 9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
Psa 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Much of the Church is hated for these reasons.

Most all politicians use these things for their own glory, some the righteousness, and most against what we know is the truth.

In reality lies and liars dominate the language of this world today!

Another reality is that we should be very careful when we are quoting the prophecies of the end times.

The Lord says take heed less we are deceived.

*Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

There will be false Christs and there will be false prophets.

We see and we have seen both of these, and we will continue to do so.

These represent not only those who say they are the Christ, but also those who claim to be Christians and are not.

If this was not true then, our Lord Jesus would not have said these words and He has said them before He said all these other things.

The Lord said there would be many, not just a few.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

These false Christ have existed since the beginning of the Church and are multiplying today.

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Yet, there are many more signs.

*Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

The Lord said for sure there would be many wars and many more rumors of wars. These things must come to pass.

Saying these things meant these things would happen over a long period of time, but the end of which these disciples asked is not yet.

The thing we must remember the most is, that the fulfillment of the Scriptures requires a long time for its completion.

We need only look at the time that has already past yet, many prophecies have reached their fulfillment and many more will do so in the time that remains.

If the Lord returned for His Church today, we know there would be more than a thousand years that would remain for complete Biblical fulfillment.

The Lord Jesus could actually return for His Church today! There is nothing yet to be fulfilled before the “Rapture of the Church”.

Most all remaining prophecies concern the promises made to the Children of Israel.

The only thing lacking to be fulfilled is the patience of the Lord!

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We must never assume that all these things have all already taken place.

I believe if we look at all the things happening in our world today, it would be obvious that time is running out in the Church Age.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Nations will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom.

*Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Today our nation is more divided than it has ever been, and it is intentional by factions in our own government.

It is the same in other nations who have given in to the status quo and political correctness.

Today famines are not mentioned enough though they still exist because of so-called extreme weather, the heavy rains that trouble nations who have built too close to waterways for centuries, crying because they have something else to blame the flooding on.

Nations, cities, states, and homeowners and resort areas have always built too close to our waterways and the Lord says there will be flooding but not like the world wide flood in the days of Noah.

Jer 47:2 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

Amo 8:8 Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.

Nah 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nah 1:8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

Maybe flooding has increased in some places.
Maybe famines have increased in some places.
Maybe earthquakes have increased and in places where they should not be happening.
Maybe buildings are collapsing for no reason.
Maybe pestilences (plagues) are increasing around the world as we have seen with Covid-19.

Oh, guess what, this is just what the Lord has said, and if you investigate, you will see the decisions that governments make every day are at fault and they had rather destroy history rather than preserve history and learn from their mistakes.

All these things that the world is so concerned about are only the beginning of the sorrows that are still in the future!

*Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

We should clearly understand that none of these things had anything to do with the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by Titus in 70AD.

The Jews brought that on themselves.

Mat 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Mat 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

When the Lord is rejected, He will leave and take His hand of protection with Him!

These are not things that the Church will see except for that statement of the Lord made right here.

The Church will see the beginning of sorrows as we see them today!

It only gets worse!

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

All these things we can see happening in our world today and at my age I have seen these things get worse.

This is why history is being erased.

Oh, did I say persecution was going to increase.

*Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

What is persecution? Persecution is when Christians are forbidden to seek the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by the use of force!

This is the main job the Lord Jesus gave us to do!

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The other job of the Body of Christ is to make disciples who are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ, and they then go forth with the “Gospel”.

In America, it is hard to say we are persecuted when we see the persecution of the Body of Christ in many nations, but we can state in fact the even in America persecution has increased dramatically.

It really does not make sense as Christians are some of the best citizens of every nation by that same Word of God.

The one thing all Christians are to stand against is sin and that sin is based on that same Word of God.

So by this, we know that all governments in this world promote sin and refuse to stop promoting sin.

Who can figure that one out!

Most all sinners, all those without the love of Christ, promote murder, promote theft, promote immorality, and promote the defiance of authority.

Most all nations survive by taxes and Christians pay their taxes as demanded yet, all these involved in sin for the most part refuse to pay their taxes and become a burden upon those governments.

Most all Christians respect the authority of the government, yet most all sinners reject the authority of the government.

Yet, it is the Christian that is persecuted, and the sinner is praised by the government where no amount of sin is considered to be punishable.

The sinner who has not given their life to Christ and been Born Again by the “Grace” of God, remains a sinner who is sold out to the Devil!

These are also the Words of Jesus Christ:

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are persecuted, just because they agree with the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

This world opposes believers!

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

The world opposes the message of a Holy God, and will deliver up His disciples to be afflicted and many of them will just be murdered to keep them silent.

The world has become the greatest murderer that think they go unpunished, but this same Holy God says this is not true because the world will be held accountable!

So what is the greatest cause of death in our world? The governments of this world!

Hatred has finally found its true place in the world we live in now, and this is a sign that the end is very near!

*Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

We can ask ourselves just what is apostasy?

Apostasy is the forsaking and the renouncing of the things you say you believe.

How did the Lord Jesus put it?

Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

We have seen far too many so-called Christians, duck and run when they find out they have to take a stand on the Word of God to be a true Christian!

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Though every generation has some apostacy now, near the end, we have seen a great falling away from the truth of God!

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

What is another great sign we are in the last days?

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The truth of God cannot be denied!

The false prophets have come out of the closet, and they speak boldly because they are allowed to!

*Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

What do we see?

We see false leaders offering false hope!

There is no hope for this world!

The Lord has already determined to destroy this world in the end, but He will first save it from those who are determined to destroy this world themselves.

This is true because this to is written in what we Christians call the Bible.

Every false prophet will have his or her own message about how to save the world.

There have always been some false prophets, but now they have taken over the pulpits of many denominations and some of all denominations, and the world has jumped inside the Church and the Church is sinking to new lows abandoning the truth of God.

This my friends is another sign of the end times that we are facing!

We should never say the end times for God’s people for this wrong, but the end times for the world as it now exist is what we are seeing.

1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

We must understand that only the genuine believer knows how to pray and talk with God!

By this, we will get the help we need to live through these difficult circumstances that we are facing, and we will be facing until the Lord Jesus completes our “Redemption”!

We are redeemed, the Lord just has not taken us home yet!

Until we leave this world we will see and are seeing hatred dominate in this world!

Love has grown cold by the actions of sin that has no feelings.

Sin is a destructive flame that burns until all it all has been consumed!

The Christian on the other hand is to fan the flames of truth and be brighter, in fact hotter.

Again a sign of the end times.

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

We cannot be lukewarm and say we love the Lord Jesus!

*Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 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.

Maybe what we lack the most as Christians today is, endurance!

It may not can be said in many places on this earth, but in America we Christians have not been tested.

This may be why there is such a falling away from the Church.

This Covid-19 has closed the doors of many places of worship.

We have allowed the government to step in and violate our own constitution and the Democratic Party would do away with our Constitution if they get the opportunity.

Our freedoms are being eroded!

Our nation is headed toward Socialism or better said Communism like a freight train running out of track.

We had better learn to endure these things and remain steadfast with the Lord Jesus!

With today’s technology there remains very few places that have not been reached with the “Gospel”.

Those very few places that civilization has not touched, will be touched and they too will suffer the destruction of sin, but maybe they first can be reached with the truth of God, but if not, they will still have no excuse because we need only look around and we can know that only a wise Creator could have made all the things in this Cosmos.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Its far better to know the Lord Jesus Christ that it is reject Him!

The greatest of all sin is to be ignorant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is He who will return first to take His Church home and then eradicate sin from this world by extreme force!

Amen

God Confirmed His Messiah

June 20, 2021 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

God Affirmed That Jesus Is King

Book of Matthew Chapter 17

Today we look at the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can just imagine what was in the minds of the three men who were with Jesus.

The Lord Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to be with Him as this great event took place.

I think it would be good if we just took a look at what Peter has written to us by the Holy Spirit much time after this event:

2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

There were certainly fables being taught to the Jews at this time. Peter said the “transfiguration” of Christ was not a fable but an event that took place and was true.

Peter was not alone but with James and John making 3 eyewitnesses with the exact same story of truth.

There was a fourth witness, that being the voice of God who spoke in an audible voice.

No doubt that the disciples needed unusual strength for the task that Jesus was giving them, and they needed strength to face the future.

The cross was just a few days away and the hopes of the disciples would be tested, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures, would convince these men of the sure truth.

Then Peter said even as true as this event was, the greatest truth we have is the written Word of God which means what it says, and it says what it means.

*Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

It had been six days since Peter had claimed that the Lord Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Luke wrote that it was eight days, but this was the way the Jews counted days with any part of a day counting as a whole day.

In numerology 6 being the number of man and 8 being the number of the resurrection.

The Lord Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him as witnesses to tell the other disciples but also seal up their doubts.

Many believe that this mountain was Mount Hermon because it was near Caesarea Philippi their last recorded location.

Mount Hermon is a natural landmark that can be seen from the plains of Moab and from the Dead Sea.

It was probably on one of the southern peaks of Mount Hermon where Jesus transfigured before these 3 men.

No other mountain was more appropriate than Hermon with its snowcapped peaks.

Our Lord and his disciples climbed this “high mountain at least a part of it” one day, and remained on its summit all night, “weary after their long and toilsome ascent.”

During the night “He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun.”

The next day they descended to Caesarea Philippi.

The word “transfigured” means Jesus was changed in form.

Matthew wrote: “His face did shine as the Sun” “His clothes were as white as sunlight”.

He is the Sun, the Sun of Righteousness.

Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Mark wrote:

Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

This gives us an idea for Mount Hermon with its year round snow covered peaks.

Luke wrote:

Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

It was the Holy Spirit who gave these words to Mark and Luke so there were 6 witnesses on Mount Hermon.

Peter, James, John, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit!

One day every child of God will witness the glory of the Lord and obtain a similar glorified body!

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

I also like this one:

Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

We should also understand that when the Lord returns, the Sun as we see it will be pale in comparison to our glorified Savior:

Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

The Lord Jesus had gone to pray to His Heavenly Father and all these other things happened for the benefit of Peter, James, and John and for all those who study to show themselves approved of God.

But these disciples saw some other men.

*Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

These are two of the departed Saints of God that were revealed.

They came to talk with the Lord Jesus about His death:

Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

They came to show that the Lord Jesus Christ is superior to the Law and all the Prophets!

Moses represents the Law. The ones who had passed through death by the Law.

Elijah represents the Prophets and those who will never see death.

They came to show that the Lord Jesus is indeed the true Messiah!

It is Jesus Christ that all the Law pointed to!
It is Jesus Christ that all the prophets spoke of!
It is Jesus Christ that has fulfilled the Old Covenant and is the beginning and end of the New Covenant!

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

One thing we should clearly see is that all believers who are now in Heaven are more alive than they ever were upon this earth.

Moses and Elijah are proof of this truth!

They live in a dimension that is not of this world!

If we look from a standpoint of the Lord’s coming Kingdom, Moses would, represent in type those saints who died in Christ who are said to be asleep through Jesus and will return with the Lord when He returns.

Elijah then in type would represent the “Raptured Saints” who are alive through Christ and will be changed in a twinkling of an eye.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Then our favorite Apostle speaks up again.

*Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

It appears that Peter had no idea what was taking place and he was right, it was good for Peter, James, and John to be there.

It was an amazing sight by our Amazing God!

In reality this event in typology represents the remnant of Israel looking up to see the Lord return as He promised to end the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Second Coming of the Messiah.

Rev 19:11 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.

We can be sure the Lord Jesus has met His Church in the clouds because He will bring His Church with Him before this take place.

Peter did not realize what any of these things meant until he had been filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, after the Lords’ resurrection from His death and His ascension back to Heaven.

By these words that Peter spoke, he lowered the dignity of the Lord down to the same level of Moses and Elijah who were surely great men of the Bibles, but they were just men.

Peter was not alone in his thinking process as he says “let us make here three tabernacles” as if he had talked these things over with James and John.

This is the same thing that is happening to the Lord Jesus today.

Much of corrupt so-called Christianity have placed the Lord Jesus alongside men such as the Pope who is considered the only one who can decide what God has said and there are many others who claim to these things attempting to rob the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory.

When the Lord Jesus is not first in our lives, we are robbing Him of His glory!

Peter was still babbling away when God the Father spoke up.

The bright light of God’s Glory suddenly appeared in the in the heavens and these three men knew what this cloud meant.

This is the same cloud which had been withdrawn from Israel for centuries and had now appeared again.

These three men knew they were in the presence of Jehovah God.

God directs there attention away from Moses and Elijah because neither the Law nor the Prophets can make you acceptable to be in the presence of a Holy God.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ can do this thing!

The truth is God must be heard and He will be heard!

If Jehovah God said this is my Son, a third part of the Holy Trinity, then who are we to challenge Him!

Peter, James, and John could not hide their fear!

*Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Jesus touched them, just as He will near the end of the Great Tribulation!
Jesus touched them, just as He will touch anyone who calls upon Him!

Just by the words of our Heavenly Father, we know that Jesus Christ is truly the Messiah come down from Heaven.

Just by the words of our Heavenly Father we know that the Lord Jesus is the Anointed One of God.

Then the Lord Jesus stood there alone because He alone is responsible for the Church.

Jesus came to die which was the discussion He had with Moses and Elijah.

As Christians we will experience the full Glory of God called the Shekinah Glory.

We will clearly hear the voice of God we can read what He has said now!

We will fall upon our faces in fear just as these disciples because we will realize just how unworthy we really are.

We will feel the Lord’s hand along with His personal touch and we will then live in His Glory all throughout eternity.

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We should realize by now that though prayer, we can experience the presence of God today!

There was another lesson to be learned.

*Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

We must understand these disciples did not yet have a clear meaning as to what the resurrection Jesus was talking about, they did not yet understand what Jesus meant and they would not until it happened.

Mar 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

We are never clear on Godly things until we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and been filled with the Holy Spirit!

We must understand the response Jesus gave them.

What did the resurrection prove?

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ proved without a doubt that Jesus was indeed the Messiah the Son of God!
The resurrection of the Lord proved that the “transfiguration” actually happened and foreshadowed the beginning of the New Covenant!

It is not the Law that will get you Heaven.
It is not any prophet that will get you to Heaven.

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can get you to Heaven!

God said this is my Son!

So why must Elijah first come before the return of Christ Jesus?

*Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Just what did the prophecy of Elijah say?

Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

These disciples had just seen Elijah in glory.

Certainly, their question was fair.

The land of Israel was still in darkness ruled by the tyrannical government of Rome.

There was no restoration, there was no turning of the hearts of the fathers nor the children.

The only thing they had seen was the rejection of God’s Messiah!

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

John the Baptist had surely come in the power and the spirit of Elijah.

John was that loud voice in the wilderness.

Reminds us that no matter what we do, one thing is sure we do not speak loud enough for the things of God.

The rejection of John the Baptist was the preclude to the rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This still does not fulfill the prophecy of Malachi!

God’s Word must be accurate, and God’s prophets must speak of things to come.

Before the Lord returns in Glory, another forerunner, an Elijah, or the Elijah, will come and his testimony will not be rejected.

He will restore all things and he will be followed by King Jesus to set up His Kingdom!

He will come near the end of the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s Trouble.

It is at this time that any Jewish believer and any stranger among them that believe are to reject all deceivers, and join the family of God.

Elijah will return to Israel because this prophecy is aimed at Israel!

Elijah will witness only to the remnant of the Children of Israel!

What is going on in the world at that time will be of no concern to Elijah!

He will accomplish what is written by the prophet Malachi!

The Church will already be in Heaven before this takes place!

Amen

The Victory of the Lamb of God

July 12, 2020 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Victory of the Lamb

Book of Revelation Chapter 17

We should understand that Jesus is coming back to this earth for three reasons.

1) To get His church and take her home as His bride.

2) To rid this earth of wickedness and sin.

3) He is returning to reclaim this earth and rule for 1000 years from Jerusalem and again Jerusalem will be the center of all His creation.

Eze 5:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.

Jerusalem has been the place the Lord has designed to be a godly influence on all nations and has been a failure to do so until King Jesus sits on His throne in that city.

One man wrote: “Jerusalem was set in the midst of the nations, to be as the heart in the body, to invigorate the dead world with a divine life, as well as to enlighten the dark world with a divine light”.

Jesus Christ is not coming back riding a donkey this time but a white Heavenly Stallion.

Jesus Christ is coming back to bring righteousness to this earth, and we(the Bride, the Church) will be coming back with Him!

Jesus is coming back to fulfill the promise He made to Abraham.

Jesus is coming back to fulfill the promise He made to King David.

First, upon returning Jesus will destroy false religion forever.

It is false religion that has caused most all the problems in our world since the time of Nimrod and the city of Babel!

*Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

False religion has caused more harm to this world than any other thing including all wars, all diseases, all plagues and all other things.

False religion had its beginning in Babel by Nimrod, and it has flourished ever since.

Gen 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Gen 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
Gen 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

We know that the “Church” is the “Bride of Christ”!

Well the Antichrist has his own bride and it is the false church.

The Bride of Christ.

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

We are now reading about the bride of the Antichrist, this woman who sits upon this Beast who we know by this description.

We know that Satan is a master counterfeiter. Everything that the Lord proclaims to be good, Satan has a duplicate that is wicked and evil!

God has His Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Satan has his false trinity. The Dragon who is the murderer Satan, the Beast (Antichrist) and the false Prophet.

Jehovah calls and ordains His preachers and pastors and other men.

Satan does the same.

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

All these years Satan has had his false church and they are gaining in strength!

Satan not only has his false church, but he sends out many of his followers to infiltrate the true church and many churches have lost their way and have forgotten our Savior.

In a previous lesson, we saw how Israel had brought forth a Son to be the Messiah and Satan immediately tried to murder that Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The church is built upon that Rock. That Rock is the Lord Jesus Christ and His loving bride is the Church that stands upon the Rock of Jesus Christ.

Here we see the false church built upon that evil, vile, Devil.

*Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

This woman is described as a “whore” because of her “Spiritual Adultery”. She is a “prostitute” of evil and wickedness!

She is a harlot and the mother of all harlots, this to referring to “Spiritual Harlotry”.

All those who deal with her, have to sell out their purity to serve the Devil!

Many without even realizing they work for the Devil!

What does God say to the Church?

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

We already see that most of the entire world is given over to the false church.

This false church is given over to the Beast!

We know her by the seven heads and the ten horns and how she is arrayed.

You know all those churches that spend all their money on buildings and neglect the mission of the church, are already caught up in this work of false religion!

The Church does not need great ornate buildings!
The Church needs a people who are dedicated to the mission of the Church given by the Lord Jesus Christ

The truth of the church is, we cannot allow the world to get inside the church.

Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We already know that by this time, the True Church will be in Heaven.

The “rapture” of the Church will be explained away by some means, so that it is not a good thing and people will be driven to the false church by the actions of the Antichrist, when both he and the false prophet are energized by Satan.

We can just imagine this false church sitting upon riches galore while the remainder of the world sits in poverty.

We already know that money is the root of “all” evil!

Feeding lines will be enormous but the doctrine of the false church will be all lies!

Just as it is today.

During the time of Nimrod, he had all the world convinced that they did not have to obey Jehovah God.

It is believed by many that he was building the Tower of Babel to be high enough to withstand another flood.

Many foolish people think they can defy God! Many others say there is no God to defy!

This is the same message of the false church today!

The mystery spoken of here is the mystery of iniquity.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

It is only those who are lost that are caught up in this mystery!

The Church is aware of the source of sin! (Satan)

Those who are lost will be even more energized once the Church is removed and the Antichrist steps out onto the scene.

He will not make his ways known until the church is gone because the true church will know him and who he is!

Again “Babylon the Great” means the false religion began by Nimrod who was influenced by Satan. She is this false church.

That word Babylon means confusion and Satan instills confusion upon all his followers.

Satan intends to cause confusion and destruction throughout this world!

I think back and I am so glad I am no longer confused about my Creator and my Savior.

Today the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and the Federal Council of Churches, are still trying to build a new Tower of Babel.

What are the goals of the NCC?

Ultimately, “a world government of delegated powers.” (One World Government)
Complete abandonment of United States. Total Isolationism. (A New World Order)
Strong immediate limitations on national sovereignty.
International control of all armies and navies.
“A universal system of money, so planned as to prevent inflation and deflation.” (Cashless society)
Worldwide freedom of immigration.
Progressive elimination of all tariff and quota restrictions on world trade.
“Autonomy for all subject and colonial peoples” (with much better treatment for Afro-Americans in the US.).
“No punitive reparations, no humiliating decrees of war guilt, no arbitrary dismemberment of nations.” (No police force)
A “democratically controlled” international bank “to make development capital available in all parts of the world without the predatory and imperialistic after-math so characteristic of large-scale private and governmental loans.”

These goals are reworded but essentially have remained the same since its beginning in 1908.

Nowhere do you read about spreading the “Gospel”!

These are enemies of God’s Church.

It is about man-made religion.
It is about false unity.
It has an earthly city in its center.
It has some man as an earthly representative. (We know this one man is the Antichrist)

She is the Mother of Harlots. In other words there will be one denomination at the forefront of the world church.

Many believe this to be the Roman Catholic Church.

This does not mean the true believers in the Roman Catholic Church but the Doctrine of the Church in general.

There could also be some other group who is this Mother of Harlots.

We should keep in mind that all denominations, but one, had there beginning in the Roman Catholic Church beginning with the Protestants at the time of Luther.

Today Rome looks at the Protestants as brothers and no longer heretics.

There is a great movement to bring all those denominations back under one roof so in this sense back to the Mother Church.

Everyone has feelings about all these things but the true Church, the Christians will all be in Heaven before the Tribulation and all these churches will continue on doing what they do which is not promoting the ”Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

It is this false church that has murdered the Saints and the Prophets of God throughout its beginning.

More Saints have died by the actions of the false church than in any other way!

*Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

A look from the outside at the beautiful buildings and the ornate tapestries, and the regal services and great rituals, would seem to be something to be admired, but on the inside a wickedness that surpasses even the Antichrist.

It is the false church that will assist the Antichrist in causing the holocaust and the slaughter of all those who reject the sign of the Beast, and do their best to wipe out the Jews who will at this time reject the false church.

*Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

What is the mystery of this woman?

We see it today!

If you walk the streets of America about 7 out of 10 will claim to know God and claim to be Christians.

To be Christian now has nothing to do with Jesus Christ.

Most of these people do not even know the “Doctrine of Salvation”!

The mystery is, that these same people will put leaders, and governments, and laws, and doctrines, and rituals in place, that do not honor God but actually go against God in every way.

They reject the authority of the Word of God!

They are hypocrites and counterfeits who hold to a false religion, and it is these that have allowed our nation to get in such bad shape as it is today, and they encourage even more rebellion against the Lord.

How can anyone who claims to be saved by Jesus Christ then go against everything He has taught us?

This is why John marveled at what he saw.

We should all take a step back and look at our church, to see if we are even coming close to serving the Lord the way He commanded us.

People think the Bible is a book of guidelines but in fact the Bible is a Book of Commandments!

Every time we put someone in place that does not honor the truth of the “Gospel”, we jeopardize our children and grandchildren, those who follow after we are gone home to be with the Lord.

We have not left a good legacy for our children and grandchildren!

John marveled that the church no longer existed to serve the Lord, but they served a counterfeit wholeheartedly.

What did Jesus teach?

Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Joh 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

This describes our world today and it is only going to get worse!

This Beast is the Antichrist.

Verse 8 speaks of a resurrection or at least what will seem to be a resurrection.

This false religion will be resurrected from the bottomless pit.

This again points us back to Babel in the time of Nimrod.

The Greek Word used for “Bottomless Pit” is Abyss, which means without bottom.

In reality because of the rotation of the earth, someone could fall into the center of the earth and never reach the other side. A bottomless pit!

The word “perdition” comes from the Greek word “Apolia” which means a place where the death of the soul occurs as described in this Scripture from the Book of Hebrews.

Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; “but of them that believe to the saving of the soul”.

As Christians, our faith leads to the saving of the soul.

As non-believers, they are those who draw back into the destruction of the soul.

All those who have followed the Antichrist will wonder about their own destination when they see the Antichrist, the Beast tossed into the “Burning Lake of Fire” the place of death to the soul, created specifically for Satan and his angels!

*Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

There may be more than one interpretation for this text.

Literally speaking, Rome is known as the city of seven hills. The Vatican sits on one side of the Tiber River, facing those seven hills.

In ancient times, hills were sacred high places, used to worship and offer sacrifices to deities.

The systems of worship were based on salvation by works, and also included a counterfeit savior or Messiah and mediators of both sexes.

The gods that were worshipped in these places were manifestations of the sun god who was androgenic in that he/she could manifest himself/herself in the male or the female form.

One further reason why the end-time religious confederacy, under the leadership of the Papacy, is called “Babylon”, is that the Babylonian system of worship has been passed down through history.

Its rituals and doctrines are present in Catholicism, as well as religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, earth religions, and even Islam.

So we see that spiritual Babylon is actually Rome. We have the false religious systems of Babylon joined with the revised Roman Empire!

The five great empires were probably Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece.

The Roman Empire existed in the time of John and it has ceased to exist but will be revived in the later days.

The Roman Empire was never defeated!

The one that is not yet come is the eighth empire of the Antichrist which will last only 7 years, or actually only 3 and a half years.

What is the truth? Here is the mind that hath wisdom – Only those who are wise will understand this. The seven heads are seven hills.

*Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

The Antichrist is the leader of the eighth empire, but he will come from one of these seven empires. Many say he will come from Rome.

I believe we can get a picture of this empire from these Scriptures of Daniel.

Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

The ten horns on this Beast represent ten kingdoms which represent the revived Roman Empire!

These ten kings will be no more than puppets who will follow the lead of the Beast.

*Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

These 10 kings will follow the Beast in everything he does. This Beast, the Antichrist will be the very last world dictator.

You know not one of the followers of Satan believe him to be a dictator, he has so deceived them.

We can just imagine the wickedness of this dictatorship.

Many say this will be the revived Roman Empire and most of those Caesars were cruel and wicked people who thought they were gods, and this kingdom of the Beast will be far worse.

In fact every follower of the Antichrist will be no more than puppets under his direct control, and he will send them all to their death.

How foolish will they be? They will try to attack God.

*Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

They will see Jesus only as their enemy when He has always only been a Savior but even our Savior has had enough of sin.

Why will Jesus win this war? He is God!

He is the greatest King of all kings of the past. He is Lord of all His Creation.

There has never been a lord as our Lord. Lord meaning He has Supreme Authority as He has had since He first made Heaven and Earth!

He has brought someone with Him. Soldiers of the Cross who will not have to draw a sword because our God will fight for us!

He brings with Him those He has called and who answered His call. Not all did answer.
He brings with Him those who have chosen to live for Him after He called them.
He brings with Him those who have been faithful to serve Him after He called.

Psa 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psa 149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Psa 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Psa 149:7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
Psa 149:8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
Psa 149:9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Again one of the angels spoke to John.

*Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

We now see that the Beast did not actually rise up out of the Sea, but in actuality he rose up out of the people. The Antichrist is just a man!

The term “waters” used in many places means multitudes of people.

The Beast is the world of wickedness that has come to power and at its head is the Antichrist.

This is the world that will give their power to the Apostate church, raise by the “false prophet”.

The “rapture” of the true Church will be talked about as fools lost forever, while this false Church will claim all the glories and riches of the world to serve the Antichrist.

She can only lead her followers to death, and that death eternal in the Burning Lake of Fire.

At first the false Church was riding upon the Antichrist, but here we see that the Antichrist is now riding upon the false Church.

All of a sudden, the Antichrist and his ten kings turn upon the false church to destroy her.

This will be the destruction of false religion and the Antichrist will claim to be God, the god of power!

*Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

God has put into the heart of these already wicked people to stop what they are doing and destroy false religion from off the face of the earth.

Here we see that Religious Babylon is destroyed by Political Babylon.

False religion was used by the Antichrist to gain control of the political world and no more being needed false religion, it will be destroyed with the Antichrist having total control of all the resources of this earth.

This is the end of all state religions.

We can just imagine the resources that a world church would have at its disposal and the Antichrist will not rest until he has all things under his direct control.

God had said He would put a stop to false religion, and He will use the Antichrist to fulfill this purpose!

It should be obvious that politicians will never allow religion to dictate their actions. Not now and not in the future!

It should also be obvious that the Lord never intended for the Church to accumulate riches!

The riches of the Church are always to be used to promote the Gospel and beautiful ornate buildings are not necessary.

This does not mean we are not to have comfortable places to worship!

We can just imagine what could be done if all the money given to God was used in the work of the Lord in being good stewards of God’s riches.

When a politician sees riches, they immediately have a desire for it as they do today.

The harlot church will be hated and hated by those who at one time worshipped her.
The harlot church will be made desolate. All her riches confiscated.
The harlot will be made naked. Stripped of her rich ornate possessions and abandoned.
The enemies of the harlot church will eat her flesh and all her glory will be gone.
The harlot church will be burned with fire. Ruined, doomed to everlasting destruction.

In truth once the apostate church falls, the other Babylon will also fall!

*Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

We already know that this political Babylon refers to the city that sits on seven hills which can only be Rome.

The Antichrist will run his course thinking all the time he is in control, when all the time he is fulfilling the will of God.

He may read the Bible, but he does not understand the power of a Holy God!

The ten kings will now have their kingdoms but even they will not be able to please the Antichrist who is now so full of hate that he hates himself!

It can truly be said that God works in mysterious ways!

In reality we will understand all these things once we have the mind of Christ after we reach the “Glory World”!

Amen!

The Book of Revelation the Seven Last Plagues

July 5, 2020 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Seven Last Plagues

Chapters 15 and 16

Just as most of the people who remain have sworn an oath to the Beast (Antichrist) and received the “Mark of The Beast” believing the Beast, will make things better.

Just when things are so bad that the people are in need of relief and the Antichrist promises that relief, but He is a liar.

Just when the people of earth that remain believe that things just cannot get worse, they get much worse.

The Lord God Jehovah is just getting started.

There are still some who did not take the “Mark of the Beast” and they will also go through these terrible things, but they will be saved out of them.

Many of them already martyrs for refusing the “Mark of the Beast”.

We should clearly understand that nothing is over, till the Lord says they are over.

Just as the Lord was about to take His last breath as He hung on the Cross on Mount Calvary, He said it is finished.

Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Joh 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What was accomplished? The plan of salvation for all believers was “finished” on that cross.

There is no other method to appease God beyond accepting the “work” that the Lord Jesus Christ did to provide our salvation, by paying the sin debt that was required for every human being that has lived since the time of Adam.

Even all those that were held in Abraham’s Bosom had to believe the work that the Lord did for the salvation of all those of the world.

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

There is only one hope for salvation and this hope is even extended into the Great Tribulation!

Jesus Christ did all the work and our only requirement is faith in that work.

In these Scriptures Jesus will say it is over. He will use the words “it is done”.

What will be done? The full wrath of God will have reached its fulfillment!

*Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Rev 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Rev 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

The seven last plagues.

In case we miss it, there is a Temple in Heaven and guess what, my home and your home and every believers home are built around the Heavenly Temple.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Every believer will live in the Father’s House, in His Holy Temple.

But this day our Heavenly Father will show His wrath to those who have taken the “Mark of the Beast” who will live their final days in misery at the wrath of God.

Then in Hell, and then in the Burning Lake of Fire.

They are already in misery. They will see and feel and live in even more misery before they die and be sent to Hell for even more misery and after the “White Throne Judgment” into the Burning Lake of Fire, where they will endure everlasting misery in a place they cannot die to avoid it, just because they rejected their Creator.

This word wrath does not just mean they will endure God’s anger until His anger does not exist.

This word wrath means they will endure God’s never-ending anger upon them!

These angels come out of the Temple because their orders can come only from God Himself.

God’s “Two Witnesses” have finished their work and they are back in Heaven, their work complete.

Remember it takes two witness before God will allow death.

The angels assigned to deliver the Gospel to the entire world have finished their work as Jesus had commanded, and have returned to Heaven and their place.

Mat_24:14 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.

With all things accomplished as written then Jehovah would do just as He said He would do!

*Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Notice those vials full of the wrath of God were not inside the Temple because anger should never be inside the House of God.

We did not use it, but in verse three in the Song of Moses, we see that all the acts of God are “just and true”!

Verse four says these “judgments” are made manifest.

The “judgments” of God are justified, and they will be according to His written Word!

These things in these vials must be completed before the Millennial Kingdom on earth can begin! All these things that written in the Word of God.

The Antichrist will be put down forever!

The False Prophet will be put down forever!

Satan will be chained up for 1000 years then released, for a very short season, and then sentenced to the Burning Lake of Fire!

To those who have questions, Satan will not be king of the Burning Lake of Fire, it is just his eternal home of misery just as it will be for all those who reject Jesus Christ.

It was in fact designed and created for him and the angels that followed him!

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

God never intended to have to send humans to this place, but they have chosen this fate themselves!

We must not forget the number seven used here can be said to be the complete nature of the “Wrath of God”!

God has no other alternative left for sin except to completely destroy it!

Once God has commanded this action, Jehovah stood in all His glory and no man was able to enter the Temple of God.

To be sure there are no men in Heaven!

The Lord Jesus will come to this earth in all His glory and just His glory, being so powerful that sin will be eradicated wherever the Lord places His feet upon this earth.

Sin cannot stand before the Glory of God in any form or fashion!

God is long-suffering.
God is patient.
God is good.
God is kind.
God is love.

But God is also a consuming fire!

Deu 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

God deals with sin with blood and fire.

If you are not covered by the blood of Jesus, you will be consumed by His glory!

Isa 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

This strange thing is about to take place!

*Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Rev 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

What we need to clearly understand is when Jehovah pours out these vials (bowls), His wrath will flow without mercy.

At no time in the Scriptures has Jehovah showed His wrath without it being tempered with “Mercy”.

God will show no mercy at this time!

He was warned and warned and warned again. There will be no more warnings! There will be no escape!

God takes no pleasure in showing His wrath.

God will eradicate ungodliness and wickedness and immorality from the face of the earth, just as He warned and just as He promised!

We have just been through a time of pestilence (plague) throughout the world so we now realize that a plague can affect the entire world.

Plague number one:

That word “noisome” means terribly destructive.

That word “sore” means boils or ulcers.

It will be similar to leprosy but far worse.

It will be a cancer outside the body that is incurable.

It will be sin exposed to the pure liquids from Heaven that will eat them like an acid.

I cannot imagine someone with running boils and running ulcers, still falling down to worship the Antichrist (the Beast).

I am sure they will also be begging for him to help them, but he cannot, nor will he be able to.

Some of these plagues actually happened on a smaller scale in Egypt in the days of Moses.

Exo 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
Exo 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exo 9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
Exo 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
In reality “boils” are caused by “bad blood”!

“Boils” reveal “corruption” in the body!

These things will only happen to those who have the Mark of the Beast!

“Judgment” in all its bitterness had finally began.

The “fury” of the Lord that He would have rather not used, will no less be used on all those have the “Mark of the beast!

Not just in Jerusalem, not just in Israel, but all across the earth where men dwell!

*Rev 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Remember we are seeing the wrath of God without mercy and its best just to understand this Scripture just as it is written.

We need to go back to the Book of Genesis.

Gen 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Gen 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Gen 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

What we should understand from our verse three, is that those seas are no longer water but blood not because of the blood of the sea creatures but because it is the blood that killed all the sea creatures because the Seas could no longer sustain life.

This is not just the Mediterranean Sea but just as in Genesis it is all the Seas as they are one Sea.

We should probably also understand that these bowls (vials) were probably poured out in rapid succession.

*Rev 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
Rev 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
Rev 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Rev 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

The Seas as we know are Salt Waters, now we see that the fresh waters are also affected because in reality all the waters on our planet are connected.

Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
Job 28:24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
Job 28:25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
Job 28:26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
Job 28:27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

Job 36:27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
Job 36:28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

Without water there is no life and drinking blood will only cause death.

All, freshwater species, will die because of the blood.

Again this to has happened on a much smaller scale.

Exo 7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
Exo 7:21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

God’s warnings are over, “death” is the key word during this time near the end of the Great Tribulation.

The prophets, the preachers, the saints of God have been murdered for centuries on end, just because of faith and the Word of God.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood for all the world if the world would just show a little faith.

That blood that has been in the soil and the seas all these years would now surface in the Seas, and the Lakes and the Streams and the Springs and the waters of the earth would be blood and that blood would no longer sustain life because it is the blood of death.

The Lord God Jehovah is right to do these things, because of the injustice the world has caused to His children.

And Christ Jesus is not yet through.

*Rev 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
Rev 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

I just wonder sometimes if all those who claim “Climate Change” are just afraid that what God says is true, but they still have some notion that they can defeat Jehovah.

They forget that Jesus Christ laid down His life and He then pick His life back up and the truth is He can never die!

I for one do hot handle the hot weather as well as I did when I was young, but this fourth bowl (vial) is pour directly on the Sun.

The Sun will have enough power to scorch the skin of those it reaches, who are unprotected.

Just what will protect you from the Sun that sends our fiery flames? Not much, and fire will break out everywhere with no means to extinguish its flame!

There will be a heat wave around this world, one such that has never been seen!

These people who can stay alive will not feel sorrow for their wickedness, they will only blaspheme and curse the Lord even more.

They still do not realize they are going to die.

How any could survive is only in the hands of the Lord.

We know the true Jews are in a place protected by the Lord, possibly the caves of Edom.

What had the Lord said?

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Over and over the Lord has warned of this day.

Old Testament

Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
Psa 21:10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

Zep 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

New Testament

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

The world is ready for the coming of the Lord today! For they will not repent!

*Rev 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Rev 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Some may say “well finally some relief”, but this darkness will not bring relief!

In fact this darkness is just a little taste of Hell.

So dark that you can feel it.

In so much pain but cannot find relief nor even see enough even to move.

Even then those hot flames will still burn but be invisible to the eye, such as the burning of the petrol in a formula one race car.

The pain of God’s Wrath cannot be avoided, and there will be no relief!

They will curse God even more!

Isaiah wrote that this would be a “gross” darkness.

Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

But the Lord is not yet through.

All the world that remains hate the Lord so much, along with the Antichrist it is time for them to be gathered for one final battle, so the Lord makes a way for them to be gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat.

Nah 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
Nah 1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Nah 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nah 1:8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Nah 1:9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

The Antichrist, The Beast does not even realize what is taking place.

Psa_2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

*Rev 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14 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.

At first glance it would seem that this sixth vial (bowl) does not seem to be much.

If we look closely, it not only says the way of the kings of the east is made clear, but the final preparations of the Great War called Armageddon have already been completed.

We know the Euphrates River has existed since the time of Creation and more or less has kept its tract even after the great flood just for the reason we read about in this chapter.

For those who do not know, there is a great dam built on the Euphrates today and it is possible to almost stop the flow of this great river that has supplied water to many people for a long time.

Nearly 2000 years ago Jehovah said He would dry up this river basin to allow a great army to come to Jerusalem from the East.

Say what we will and guess if we must, but the largest army in existence is the Chinese Army and it lies to the East.

In earlier studies we already know that the great armies of the North will also converge on Israel, which the great armies of the North would be the Russian and the Turkish armies.

The armies of the West would be the revived Roman Empire, which by the way I would hope would not include the USA, but there is little doubt that this is true, except the Scripture that mentions “on the wings of a Great Eagle”.

It is a fact that God has cursed every nation that goes against Israel, so they all will serve their purpose in this Great War that can only end one way.

The Antichrist has now the means to march all the armies of the world to Israel in an attempt destroy her, simply because the Lord has said that this is His land.

Hatred, we are fools if we do not see hatred growing today throughout the world.

What are these unclean spirits (like frogs)? The means to instill even more hatred!

Isa_11:15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.

All the world has given in to the Antichrist, (the Beast) and he has total control of all the great armies of this world.

God does not redo things He has not already done!

1Ki 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
1Ki 22:22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

The Lord used one lying spirit to convince Ahab to go to his death.

Jehovah will use three unclean spirits, to convince the Antichrist to go to his defeat along with all these great armies.

They are “spirits of devils”!

Notice they have the power to perform miracles to show the mighty (perceived) power of the Beast.

It takes a fool to challenge the Almighty God and Satan has been defeated at every turn, and now he will lead most of the remaining people of this earth to their death because of his great hatred for God’s creation.

That war, Armageddon, is used by many men and women, but this is not really a war.

God says it is a slaughter! Armageddon means “slaughter” and it will be a slaughter!

Why would King Jesus speak at this time to John? It is just a reminder!

*Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Jesus will come as a thief to carry the Church away.

In fact the departure of the Church will be explained away by the Antichrist and the only ones who will take notice will be the Hebrew Children.

They will become jealous!

Rom_10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Rom_11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

What will happen to true Israel?

Rev_12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

The Lord has come again as a thief and moved the intended victims of the Antichrist to safety.

Those who die in the war of Armageddon die for nothing and it will be a slaughter!

*Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Let us review:

The Trumpet Judgments.

Hail, fire, and blood cast upon THE EARTH; one third trees, and one third of all living things burnt.
One third of SEA made blood; one third of creatures therein and of ships destroyed.
One third of the RIVERS made bitter; many men destroyed.
One third of the SUN smitten; one third of the day darkened.
Star from heaven falls into the ABYSS; he sends forth locusts; men seek death; Hebrew name of their king is Abaddon.
Armies from the EUPHRATES destroy one third part of men; men repent not.
The two witnesses of God WITNESS for him and work MIRACLES; WAR against them by the beast.
VOICES in heaven; the JUDGMENT; earthquake, lightning and HAIL weighing over hundred pounds.

The Vial Judgments.

Vial poured ON THE EARTH; sores upon the followers of the beast.
The SEA made blood as of a dead man; every soul therein destroyed.
RIVERS made blood; declared to be God’s vengeance upon [ALL] men.
SUN smitten; men scorched; men blaspheme, men repent not.
The THRONE and kingdom of the beast smitten; men, in pain, blaspheme God; men repent not.
The way prepared for kings beyond the EUPHRATES. Three unclean spirits of the dragon WITNESS for him and work MIRACLES; WAR by the world at (the Hebrew) Armageddon.
VOICES in heaven; the FALL of Babylon; EARTHQUAKE lightning and HAIL.,

We may from this comparison notice:

(1) The vials form a series of visions announcing God’s judgments against the wicked.
(2) The number seven as well as their character indicates the universal and complete nature of these judgments.
(3) The events portrayed occupy the same period in time as the seals and trumpets; that is to say, the period of the world’s history terminating with the last judgment day.
(4) As in the uses of the seals and trumpets, they are general indications of God’s judgments; and though particular events may be partial fulfillment, the complete fulfillment is in our time.
(5) In comparison with the seals and trumpets, we may observe some points in common and some in which the visions differ.
(a) Like the former visions, these may be divided into two groups of four and three.
(b) The structure of the vial visions is almost exactly parallel to that of the seals.
(c) The visions all terminate with the same events portrayed in similar language, though, as the three sets of visions proceed, more stress is laid upon the judgment of the wicked, and less on the victory of the redeemed.
(d) An episode occurs after the sixth vial of almost identical nature with, though much shorter than that after the sixth trumpet.
(e) The severity of the nature of the vial judgments is conspicuous. Whereas under the seals one fourth was afflicted, and under the trumpets one third, there is nothing to indicate any exemption in the vial visions.
(6) The reason of the employment of the term “vial,” or “bowl,” is most likely to be found in the expression, “cup of God’s anger,” in Rev_14:10.

It indicates the pouring out of God’s wrath in an overwhelming and irresistible flood.

It is, therefore, significant of retribution more dire than that symbolized by the trumpet, just as the trumpet indicated greater severity than the seals.

When we read where so many of this world died during these “vial” judgments what we see is a world under total confusion.

The Antichrist, the beast has proven to be a total lie!

The Lord Jesus Christ has proven to be the truth!

Never has this world seen so much confusion, so much chaos, and so much discord.

All these people are at a loss to explain what is happening to them!

They had rejected the Word of God, but the Word of God had been true all along!

Psa 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
Psa 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Psa 102:27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The kingdom of Satan is crumbling, and he has no power to stop it!

Only ruin can be seen wherever eyes can see.

Jer 4:23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
Jer 4:24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
Jer 4:25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
Jer 4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

Jehovah in His “great anger” had accomplished what He said He would do!

The remaining chapters give us greater detail of all these things, but the truth is King Jesus has just stepped out upon the world stage.

Amen

Counting the Years Until the Messiah

January 12, 2020 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Number of the Years

Book of Daniel Chapter 9

Focus Daniel 9:1-3, 19-27

Most people avoid the Book of Daniel but if you base your beliefs on facts, most of what God’s Prophet Daniel has written down for us has already become the truth and those things written in our future will also come to be true.

The Book of Daniel deals with facts!

Daniel was in constant contact with our Heavenly Father all the days of his life!

We already know that Daniel always prayed 3 times each day but the truth is every time Daniel had a thought or if he learned something he did not quite understand, Daniel always went to the Lord in prayer. A great example for us all.

Paul said we are to pray without ceasing and the Prophet Daniel was one of God’s children who did so.

Another thing we should remember is, that no matter that Daniel was taken away from his homeland and knew of the destruction of Jerusalem, Daniel remained faithful to Jehovah all his days.

When have studied the Word of God enough to know the Lord always does everything the right way because His Heavenly Father insisted on it, then we will know that our Heavenly Father will never do things that are wrong for His children!

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Even when threatened with death, Daniel remained faithful to Jehovah, the One True God!

What did we learn from the Book of Ezekiel? God rewards faithfulness!

Daniel was always one who would give us a timeframe, so we do not have to guess.

*Dan 9:1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

It is this Darius who conceived a plan to secretly enter into Babylon, while the Babylon army was unprepared, killed King Belshazzar and took over the rule of the Chaldean nations.

Some say he was a viceroy of Cyrus and this may be true, but he ruled Babylon for short period of time.

We should understand that this was prophesy being fulfilled.

Daniel had interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and this was the beginning of the fulfillment of that dream and that prophesy.

Prophesy is such a fascinating subject that most of us love to hear about our future.

I have to admit that I am not studied enough to give good lessons on this subject, there is only just so much material that can included in 30 minute lessons.

For those who do not know these are the same lessons I teach in Sunday School.

The greatest future is available to only those who have their name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

We should not miss the fact that Daniel was studying the Scriptures and came across the written Book of Jeremiah and the prophesy that the Jews would return to their homeland at the end of 70 years and Daniel was trying to see in his mind how these things would take place.

Daniel himself, with Jehovah’s help, had interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and right before his own eyes he was seeing this thing take place.

*Dan 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

What did Daniel see in the Book of Jeremiah?

Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
Jer 25:12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
Jer 25:13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.

Daniel realized that part of these words of Jeremiah had become the truth. We should understand that the Word of God contains only the truth!

The King of Babylon had been punished. The nation of the Chaldees were being punished by the foreign power, that that was the silver of the statue of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Some say the two arms of that statue represent one Darius and two Cyrus.

We can be sure that Daniel was also familiar with the Scriptures of Isaiah.

Isa 44:21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

We can say that this is still true today.

And another great prophesy would be soon in the making, which again left Daniel in amazement. The omnipotence of God. The All-Knowing Jehovah God!

Isa 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Isa 44:23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
Isa 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Isa 44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
Isa 44:26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
Isa 44:27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
Isa 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

We can just imagine the thrill of Daniel as he heard that Cyrus had united the Medo-Persian Empire and was the supreme rule of a big part of the world. Even larger than that of Nebuchadnezzar.

There was really only one thing to do and that was to pray.

*Dan 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Dan 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
Dan 9:5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
Dan 9:6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

You if we would just look at what is going on in the world today as we live, we would see the Word of God being fulfilled right before our eyes, but we will never know unless we study the Scriptures and the Prophets, as did the Prophet Daniel.

How can we ever know the truth of our world if we refuse to read and study the Word of God?

There is so much in our future to look forward to when your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

We could leave the doom and gloom of our world behind in our thoughts of the delightful things of living with our Savior.

Rememeber Jesus said, I go to prepare “you” a mansion, in my Father’s House.

When we know the truth of God, why in the world do we not claim that truth and quit worrying over the lies of this world!

Our world is not coming to an end, it is the Lord who is in control, not the so-called powerful men in our world.

We do abuse our world, but we are not the cause of climate change, it is the Lord who is in control.

We just need to make daily contact with our Heavenly Father!

Daniel saw the fulfillment of promises made to his people.

We are blind if we do not see those same promises then and now.

The world is moving along according to the plan of God! Nothing can change this!

The Church needs to quit belly aching and get busy about the work the Lord has given to us to do. This is what our world lacks the most!

We have always seen where that the Lord’s rewards come according to our faithfulness! He is always faithful to fulfill His own Words!

Our faithfulness begins with our prayers!

We show our faithfulness by accepting the Word of God just as it is written!

We need to live as though the Lord could return at any time because He could.

There are no more prophecies that need be fulfilled in the Church Age except the Lord’s return!

All other prophecies concern Israel and the promises made to Israel.

1) We must clearly understand that disaster comes to those who refuse to repent and turn away from their sin, and to all those who reject the Word of God!

2) Disaster comes to those because the Lord is a righteous God and to be true to those who love Him, He must execute justice upon all those who are disobedient!

The Lord knows those who Love Him!

Those who love the Lord pray!
Those who love the Lord call upon His Holy Name!
Those who love the Lord will confess that they are sinners!

How does the Lord know we love Him?

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

If we truly believe these things, what is wrong with us?
Why do we not claim the truth of God?
Why do we not own our faith and our faithfulness?

If, we pray with the truth in our heart, God will answer our prayers!

Now we may not get a visit from the angel Gabriel, but even this is not impossible!

When we pray, we must know what we are asking God to do, and we must know He will only do according to the Word He has given to us!

*Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

When Daniel prayed this prayer, Jerusalem was a city of ruins and the Temple of Solomon was completely destroyed and the Jews were scattered all over the empire of Babylon, which had just been taken over by the Medes.

Daniel was not praying because these Jews had become righteous because they had not, and we will never be righteous in these bodies of flesh.

No matter, our righteousness the Lord is always righteous.

Daniel was praying for God’s mercy!

We know God is love and His mercy is based upon His love. If we show mercy, then we can receive the mercy of God!

Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Mercy is compassion shown to those who are miserable!

Most all these Jews were miserable in captivity. Misery is great unhappiness.

Without the Lord we will never know true happiness!

Our happiness is based upon our faithfulness to the Lord!

Mat_25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

The truth is the Lord has sworn an oath that He would never forsake Israel.

The truth is the Lord will always be merciful to those who repent from the heart!

Today we live in a world where most people and a lot of the Church, have forgotten that there is a penalty for violating God’s commandments and that penalty is death!

Without repentance that penalty of death will hold true!

Should we plead with God in our prayers? In some cases we may need to be almost like a pest.

The Lord wants to know if we are serious!

We see that Daniel did and Daniel pleaded that God would do exactly like He said He would.

Luk 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luk 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

After 70 years these Jews had learned a valuable lesson, which was, you do not go against the Word of God and win!

Our world has not learned this lesson as of yet!

God did not have to look at Jerusalem to see the devastation left by Nebuchadnezzar.

God makes things out of nothing, so things that are destroyed in the world, including terrible damage, are nothing compared to His awesome power of life.

If God can make the Sun and the stars then a city or a Temple is nothing to Him!

But the Lord God will not do things we can build ourselves but He will help us even in these things.

After those 70 years the Lord did allow many of these Jews to return to Jerusalem and Jehovah even caused the enemy to pay for the reconstruction of the City of Jerusalem and the Temple and then the City Walls.

When the time is right, the Lord will even cause the enemies of the Jews to pay for the building of the third temple and even endorse it.

*Dan 9:20 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;
Dan 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

We might ask, why was Daniel so much more important than we to get his prayer so quickly.

1) The Lord loved Daniel.
2) Daniel had been faithful all his days.
3) Daniel did not ask anything for himself. After the Jews returned home, Daniel stayed where he was all his remaining days.
4) Daniel prayed according to the revealed will of God.
5) God had more work for Daniel to do while he remained in Babylon.

We can see the phrase “being cause to fly swift” to mean that God answered this prayer of Daniel even while he was still praying.

God did not want Daniel to be too concerned about the war that was happening around him, and he only needed to concern himself with the answer to his prayer.

God had already given Daniel the prophecies concerning the rule of all nations. This was not going to change and there was no need of asking for these things to change.

The Babylon Empire had ended, and the Mede-Persian Empire was in place.

Soon the armies of Alexander would come and after this the Roman Empire would begin. Even this empire is gone as it was and we are now left with the resuts. The ten toes of iron mixed with miry clay.

Even though Daniel could not live long enough to see all these things come to be, he did know what the Lord said is always true.

In the end that “Rock” that “Stone” cut out by the hands of God would rule this world!

Now Jehovah would give Daniel the approximate times this would take place.

Daniel had seen that a “prayer of faith” is the most powerful tool we have as those who love God.
Daniel had seen that, he had sin in his life, and he confessed his sin.
Daniel was also asking the Lord to forgive the sin of his nation. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Daniel was praying for the Lord to come as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Daniel did not realize that the Lord would certainly come twice and most all the Jews had missed that the Lord would first come to establish His Church and then return to rule this world.

We know that Gabriel did not just drop in to check on Daniel. Gabriel was sent by Jehovah. The angels are first and foremost God’s messengers!

By the way, in this Scripture is written, Gabriel could have come in the glory of an angel when in most cases angels come as humans.

Remember Daniel is having another vision, this vision more like a dream or being in a trance, rather than a Supernatural vision.

Daniel had seen Gabriel before:

Dan 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
Dan 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

This time Gabriel had a more specific mission!

*Dan 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
Dan 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Gabriel had left Heaven from the face of God, coming directly to Daniel to cause Daniel to understand a great message.

The message concerned the first and the second coming of the Messiah. (Yeshua Ha Meshia)

What had Daniel seen? The Word of God is intended to encourage our prayers! When we see with our own eyes the fulfillment of a prophesy of God, or we see it approaching, we need to be more earnest in our prayers and the confessing of our sin.

We should concentrate not only on speaking to the Lord but also on listening to what the Lord has to say.

At the very beginning of Daniel’s prayer God already knew what Daniel would pray and the Lord sent Gabriel.

He first told Daniel the he was greatly loved, and this is true of every child of God and certainly true of Daniel who had remained faithful to his God all his days, even if he was a captive in a foreign land.

We must never forget, we are the adopted children of God. He chose us and He loves us!

When we are looking to see what God is telling us, the best place to look is in the message of a true pastor!

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

So what was the message given to Gabriel for Daniel?

*Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

So how do we explain those 70 weeks.

This space of “seventy” weeks is not to be understood of weeks of days; which is too short a time for the fulfilment of so many events as are mentioned; nor were they fulfilled within such a space of time; but of weeks of years, and make up four hundred and ninety years; within which time, beginning from a date after mentioned, all the things prophesied of were accomplished; and this way of reckoning of years by days is not unusual in the sacred writings.

Gen 29:26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Gen 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
Gen 29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Jacobs week of 7 days was a period of 7 years he served to Rachel his wife he desired so much.

Seventy years according to the Bible is our prime years and any years beyond those 70 requires so much extra strength they are hard to live.

Psa 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Notice the days of our years.

Jeremiah prophesied Judah would serve 70 years in Babylon.

Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

2 Chronicles saw the completion of those 70 years as the coming of Cyrus.

2Ch 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
2Ch 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Notice the “Sabbath Year”.

In every seventh year it was God’s commandment the land would receive one year of rest.

The prophet Zechariah saw the ending of those 70 years as the rebuilding of the Temple.

Zec 1:12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

For most Bible Scholars these references to sabbath years are to be sabbatical years and to be 490 years according to the Book of Leviticus.

Lev 25:8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

Since Israel had not kept the “sabbatical year” since the time of the Judges, then God would give the Promised Land 70 consecutive sabbatical years during their exile again 490 years.

Back to Daniel 24:

1) The first part of God’s plan is to stop the transgression of the Jews. This will only fully take place at the Second Coming of the Lord. The end of those 490 years.

2) The second part of God’s plan is to put an end to sin in this world. This will take place during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ.

3) The third part of God’s plan is to atone for all wickedness. This took place on Mount Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ made atonement for all our sin. ALL the Sin of All the People since Jesus died on the Cross.

4) The fourth part of God’s plan is to establish righteousness upon this earth. Again during the Millennial Reign of Christ.

5) The fifth part of God’s plan is to fulfill all prophesy. Takes place when we have reached the New Earth and the New Jerusalem.

6) The sixth part of God’s plan is to anoint the Most Holy. This is the anointing of the Lord Jesus Christ. King of kings and Lord of lords!

So when would these things begin?

*Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

The starting point of God’s plan would be the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple and that completion, would not happen till the walls of the city were also complete. This would take 49 years.

The first decree was issued buy Cyrus in 538 BC but stressed the rebuilding of the Temple.

Ezr 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Ezr 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezr 1:3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

The second decree went out from Artaxerxes I, and given to Ezra in 458 BC and this time it was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

Ezr 7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
Ezr 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
Ezr 7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

Sometime later a third decree issued in 445 BC finally caused the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Neh 2:3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

Neh 2:5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

This was the 49 years of the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Then began the 62 weeks or the 434 years to the first coming of the Messiah.

Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

What was not revealed to Daniel was the Church Age, which began when the Messiah was cut off.

*Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

What do we know? We know that Jesus Christ did not die for Himself. He died for me and He died for you, and He died for everyone else who have sin to their account!

To the world of that day, it seemed that Jesus died for nothing.

To the world of that day, it seemed that Jesus did not accomplish anything with His life.

What the world rejects is that Jesus, God in the flesh, came to this earth to die. He died so that we may live!

Jesus Christ is everything to all those who trust Him!

Just a few short years after Jesus died and then rose from that death to live 40 more days and had many more witnesses and then went back to Heaven, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple but this did not end the suffering for Israel because they made one more tremendous mistake.

Mat 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Mat 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

As it stands right now the Jews will continue to be punished until the Lord returns for the second time.

Between then and now, it what is called the Church Age!

This is the gap between the 69nth and the 70th week.

This leaves one 7.

*Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This new covenant is the covenant of “Grace”.

What did Jesus say of this time period?

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 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.

We need to pay attention to the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles, including the Apostle Paul, and we will know all these things and miss out on the wrath of god shown to all unbelievers!

Amen

Let’s Pray!

Looking For the Return of Christ

August 18, 2019 / Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

Looking For the Coming of Jesus

Book of 2 Peter 3:1-18

There are some doctrines of the Bible that are disputed by Bible scholars, but the return of Jesus Christ is not one of them.

The return of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than 300 times in the Scriptures.

There are even whole chapters devoted to the Second Coming of our Lord.

Jesus Christ Himself that He would return, and He will return the exact same way He left this world!

Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Act 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

You see this is what the Second Coming is all about, restoring again the kingdom of Israel.

The Church will already be in Heaven before this takes place!

So how does Peter describe these things?

*2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The return of Jesus Christ will be an actual physical event that takes place after the Holy Spirit has taken the Church to Heaven.

Remember the Holy Ghost could not come until Jesus returned to Heaven!

Joh_16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

This thing works in reverse, the Lord will not return until the Comforter takes the Church home!

2Th_2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Before the Lord touches down upon this earth, He will meet His church in the clouds!

We of the Church can say that this will be the greatest day we have to look forward to, of course besides the day we invited the Lord into our hearts!

Peter says we need to remember these things!

We are called to be rememberers!

The Second Coming of Christ to this earth, is all about the Jews!

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Isa 62:7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

There are a lot of great things going on in Israel, but Jerusalem is not yet become the praise of this earth!

We must stir up our minds to the truth of God.

As I have gotten older it seems that my memory suffers in day to day things and this bothers me more than I ever realized.

We must stir up our minds to remember those things that are just too important to forget!

Our minds are so complicated that doctors have not yet been able to understand the workings of them.

The power of memory maybe the most amazing part of our mental equipment!

Our memory uses the power of recollection to recall things as far back as when we were toddlers and these things are precious.

Most everyone of us can recall that day we got saved and if not the exact day then the month. Something we will never forget.

Well there is something else that we need to implant in our memories.

The Lord Jesus is coming back first to get His Church and then to make a Second Appearance upon this earth!

We must be mindful of all the prophecies of the Old Testament because they are the voice of God!

When we see those words “thus saith the Lord” then our minds need to perk up and the doors of memory need to remain open because to read the prophets is to see the words of truth!

A man once asked, “what is truth”? Truth is the things that conform to reality. Things that have already been and things that will be.

The absolute truths are in the Words of God!

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We cannot grow in the grace of God, if we do not grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and then keep these things in active memory!

Why are these things so important?

Because we are in the last days!

Scoffers are all those who mock the truth of God!

These are people who speak the loudest. They are so full of malice and pride, they have reached a point where they will not be silenced, and they will not even listen to anything described as the truth!

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

God knows those who will never turn from their wicked ways, but we do not!

We must understand the Christ Jesus demands our total dedication, the total commitment of our mind, and our life to His teachings.

We are to have no room in our minds to listen to scoffers or anyone else who denies the truth of our being!

Scoffers walk like they want to and do what they want to and will attempt to deny you your way of life.

They want the right to things they have not earned.
They want to right to live in any way they choose.
They want the right to dictate all these things to the world.

They say, “where is the promise of His coming”?

It has been about 1975 years since Jesus first walked upon this earth but without being date setters, it has not yet been 2000 years.

We will not know the day nor the time, but we should know that we are in the last days!

What did Jesus teach?

Mat 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Mat 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

This is what the Holy Spirit is teaching us. It does not matter how much time goes by, we must keep our minds wrapped around the truth of the Bible.

We are certainly in the last days because the scoffers are making their voice heard all around this world!

They are willingly ignorant of prophesies that have already been fulfilled, and the promises of God that have been completed!

*2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

For instance all this talk about climate change. We as Christians do not doubt that the climate is changing. We do disagree that man has a great influence on those changes.

Every day we see where cities and islands will soon be underwater when there are lands and cities and pyramids and roads and many great things that are under water now, that happened when there were no great power plants and no automobiles everywhere.

It is God who is in control of our climate and one of the best proofs is the fact that God flooded this whole earth in the days of Noah.

The proof exists yet all those clamoring about climate change ignore these truths because it does not fit into their agenda.

We should ask ourselves, just what do they want the world to do? Just what power over the climate can we use to stop what they say is in our future?

I have not seen much honest things that we can do as human beings to stop anything that is in the hands of God!

For sure we need to do a better job in taking care of our environment and in my opinion, it should start with cleaning up the trash that is everywhere!

God destroyed all humans and land animals in the time of Noah for the same things that are going on right now in our world!

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for the exact same things that are going on in America today!

Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

These are all signs of the Second Coming of the Lord, and we need to wrap our minds around the truth and reject these things going on in our world!

God is still in control of our world and maybe all these changes we see are just God preparing to send His Son one more time back to this planet!

*2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

We need to wrap our minds around the fact that it is the Lord who sits at the right hand of God, the hand of power, and he has reserved the things necessary to burn this planet into non-existence.

Yes this earth will be restored as in the days of Adam because God made certain promises to the Jews and He will keep those promises but in the end there will be a totally new Earth and a totally New Heaven because those old places were places of sin and sin will not be allowed in God’s new Creations.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Now we can accept the truth of God or we can reject the Word of God, but we cannot in any way change the plan of God.

God will rid this earth of ungodly men!

Ungodly meaning, wicked men who reject the truth of God!

Thank God for His patience because He really wants everyone to accept His truths and be saved from His coming wrath.

*2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The truth is God does not depend on some clock to tell Him it is time to do something.

In fact God’s plan is in place and nothing and no one can alter the time frame the Lord chooses to abide by!

We must consider that the Lord has allowed a time frame that everyone who will receive Him will get that opportunity.

The Lord knows those who will never receive Him.

What did God say to Abraham before the destruction of Sodom?

Gen 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Gen 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
Gen 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
Gen 18:26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
Gen 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
Gen 18:28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
Gen 18:29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.
Gen 18:30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
Gen 18:31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.
Gen 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.
Gen 18:33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

We can be sure when the Lord returns to this earth, the church will have been taken to Heaven and all those left behind have rejected the truth of God!

This day may not be too far into the future.

Praise the Lord for His patience!

We need to ignore the mockers and realize the truth of what God says!

*2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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.

Jesus made a promise that He will return in His person and He will keep that promise!

It does not matter how much time has passed God will do what God said He will do!

Time means nothing to God He dwells in eternity!

We must not be discouraged because of the time that has passed.

God does not want anyone to perish. God wants everyone to get the opportunity to meet our Savior!

The truth is, God is slow to give into the punishment He has also promised.

God’s love will not allow Him to feel good about judgment, but judgment is a necessary thing or God would not be God.

He could not explain His actions to those of the day of Noah when they come before Him at the White Throne Judgment.

He could not explain His actions to those of the day of Sodom when they face Him at the White Throne Judgment.

Judgment must come because this is also a promise that cannot be broken.

God does not want any of His created beings cut off from Him, but this will be something they have chosen.

When you choose judgment rather than salvation, then it is judgment that you will receive.

God has promised to allow us to choose!

God wants us all to walk away from sin and walk in righteousness!

So the Lord will return.

The Lord will stop in the clouds and call out His Church:

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

It is only after this event will the Lord return to plant His feet on Gethsemane.

He has already announced His return so He will return unannounced just as that thief who comes to rob you comes without your knowledge!

The evil world that remains after the Church is in Heaven, will continue to go about its evil and immoral business until all of a sudden, they will realize the what God said was true and destruction and mayhem will be going on all around them!

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

You see it is because we know all these things, that we need to be busy reaching out to our family and friends and the lost!

*2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

It is a fact that these words have more meaning today than they ever have. The world is hunting an excuse to all the catastrophes that are going on but are rejecting the true answer.

The lost world still believes that the stability of our world can be solved with science and technology yet there are no answers to what is going on now called climate change, except to blame man for bad practices.

There have been bad practices pushed by the lusts of wealth and that same lusts for wealth is the driving force behind what is called climate change.

In the end the guilty nations will be expected to pay for the damage they are accused of. My question is to whom will they pay? Surely not the UN.

The truth is our world is changing around us just like it always has, and we need to take notice because the Lord could return in the next moment.

What will those who are alive see then and who will they blame it on?

The heavens will be on fire!
The heavens will be dissolved!
All the elements that we see every day will melt in the extreme heat!

Who would want to be here to witness these things before their eternal death?

They will leave this inferno to go to and even hotter place called Hell, to even leave that place to go to an even hotter place called the Burning Lake of Fire.

Rev 20:11 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.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and 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.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Why do those who see the beginnings of these things think they can stop what God has said is going to happen.

The Lord is going to return to this earth!

What does that “Born Again child of God expect in his or her future?

*2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Why will the Church miss out on these things? Because God promised we would not see His wrath!

1Th_5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1Th_1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

It is only those who reject the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” who will witness the wrath of God!

This is also a promise! Do not let those false teachers deceive you!

Eph_5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

There will be and entirely New Heaven and an entirely New Earth and the most precious city will be an entirely New Jerusalem!

Rev 21:1 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.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

These are the reasons we are foolish not to believe the absolute truth of God!

*2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Who are the beloved of God? All those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God!

1Jn_2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

We must diligently prepare for the coming of the Lord by being busy in the work the Lord has given us to do and this work will not prosper until we live a life of righteousness ourselves!

We are to be at peace with the promises of God!
We are to be without spot, which means we need to live cleans lives according to the Word of God.
We are to be blameless, which means we are to innocent of any wrongdoing, according to the Word of God! Also obeying the laws of man that do not conflict with the Word of God!

Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

We may suffer in this world because we have given our life to the Lord, but that suffering has an ending when the promises of God reach perfection!

*2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

You see those that see the wrath of God and face Him at the White Throne of Judgment, will have reach that point because of their own actions.

The Lord came to save but it requires our faith in Him and the work He has done for our salvation!

Peter the Apostle to the Jews and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles had the same exact message!

Heb_10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And our faith must show in the things the Lord has ask us all to do!

Jas_2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

These are all things that we should know if we have left the “milk” of the Word and are feasting on the “meat” of the Word of God!

*2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Again who are the beloved?

We see another warning of the false teachers that are filling the pulpits of today because we have no excuse not to know the truth of all these things today!

What is another part of our job until the Lord takes us home? We are to offer to all others the same “GRACE” the Lord has given to us and then we are all to grow in that grace!

We are to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior! We do this in personal Bible Study with the Holy Spirit and then truthful Preaching and truthful Sunday Schools and in any other way we can gain the knowledge of the truth, remembering we are to ask God Himself when we need that little bit more of understanding!

Amen!

Let’s pray!

We Can Be Certain Of The Return Of Jesus Christ

July 17, 2016 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Certainty Of Christ’s Return To Earth

Book of Luke 21

Although many believe in different details, the doctrine of the return of Jesus Christ is something all Christians have in common.

The return of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than 300 times in the Scriptures of the New Testament.

Entire chapters in Matthew and Mark and Luke teach us of the return of Jesus Christ.

The biggest part of First and Second Thessalonians and the Book of Revelation are all about the return of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ taught that His return would be literal and according to the Scriptures.

Jesus Christ taught that His return would be a physical event and not some spirit happening.

In fact the Book of Acts says Jesus would return in the very same way that He departed.

Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Those that look for Jesus to return in any other way are wrong.

Jesus’ return will first be felt by all those He has promised to take to His Father’s home, as we will meet Him in the clouds before He sets foot on Gethsemane.

All those who have been strangers and pilgrims on this earth will finally return to Heaven the place of our true citizenship with our new glorified bodies.

If we did not believe these things we could not have true peace on this earth.

Those that believe in less than this do not believe the Scriptures!

We cannot know the exact time of the Lord’s return but when He comes He will be quick to get here.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

These things should encourage us all to be busy about the work of the Lord.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The passage we look at today is now known as the Olivet Discourse.

This passage deals with the destruction of Jerusalem. the return of Christ, and the end of the world.

Let’s begin:

*****Luk 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
Luk 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

As Jesus spends His last days before He faces the cross, He never stopped teaching His disciples. If these were so important then, they surely remain important now to us that know Him.

The most important job for these disciples lay ahead after Christ had given His life and after He had risen and then after He had ascended back to Heaven.

After what some would describe as a shaky start, the 12 Apostles when we include the Apostle Paul, turned this world upside down, began the Church of Jesus Christ, and this world has not been the same since.

What is the purpose of the Holy Ghost filled Church?

In the words of Jesus:

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

We can see how far the church has drifted away from this, because the church is no longer filled with Holy Ghost power.

The Apostles of Jesus Christ faced some terrible times and many in the church still do today!

Jesus Christ gave these men a glimpse into the future.

These men would face things they never realized until they were all martyrs, except John who died of old age, the only one.

When Jesus speaks of the “last days” in most cases He speaks of the “last days of the Church”, before the rapture of the saints.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

**By explaining these certain things to these men, they would know that God is never caught off guard.

Someone uses this phrase “Has it dawned on you that nothing has ever dawned on Christ”.

Our God is still “Omniscient”, which means He has a universal knowledge of all things that have happened, that are happening, and that will happen, and He knows all these things at the same time.

Nothing happens in this world that God does not know about.

Nothing happens in this world that God could not stop if He so chose to do so.

BUT, God does not ever do evil!

EVEN, the wrath of God is justified!

God will never go against His Written Word!

By knowing all these things, these Apostles would not be caught off guard living in this cruel world.

By having the complete Word of God, we should never be caught off guard by what is happening in our world at any time.

These disciples would realize that their strength would have to come from the Lord.

They could not do as Jesus instructed, if their hope had not been in God!

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

**Now lets see how Jesus dealt with these two questions.

We must not forget there is only one thing that brings the “judgment of God” and “it is sin”.

It is the same for every person and it is the same for every nation!

It was certain that the Temple would be destroyed. We know this as fact.

It was certain that the Jews would be dispersed throughout this world. We know this as fact.

It is certain that the Church Age will come to an end when Jesus meets the Church in the clouds.

It is certain that the Tribulation period will then begin and it will come to an end seven years later at the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev 19:11 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.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

What will happen during that time? We get a preview of the future of our world by what happened to the Temple and to Jerusalem.

It would pay for this world to clearly understood, that the institutions and systems that govern this world, will be destroyed by the coming of the Lord.

And it should also be very clear that the institutions and the systems of religion that are opposed to the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter how splendid, nor how strong, are doomed for destruction at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The disciples really only had two concerns, WHEN, and What Will Be The Warning Signs!

*****Luk 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

All of Israel was expecting to see the glory of Israel when the Messiah came, yet Jesus, The Messiah was speaking of utter destruction.

They could hardly believe what they were hearing.

We to must listen carefully to the words of the Lord, because there is so much deception in this world.

Satan is dedicated to the downfall of Christianity and will use every method available to him.

*****Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

The first sign will be false messiahs.

Jesus said that there would be many false messiahs who declared that they could save this world.

We should also consider that there will be many false Christians.

Jesus said they would come in His name. If you walk in the name of Christ then you are Christian.

There is a great danger in deception! Jesus said to take heed. To watch for these things very carefully.

There message would be that the end time is near.

We should consider that this is the message of all those predicting the “Climate Change” in our world today.

The wars in the Middle East have a lot to do with the promise of a false messiah.

There are those who claim to be Jesus, who has returned.

And of course there are those claiming to be Christian and are deceivers.

There may also be others.

The Lord Jesus said “go not after them”. Pay no attention to the things they say, because they are all deceivers.

Jesus was teaching His disciples and if you love the Lord, He is speaking to you!

Disciples can be misled by false preachers and false teachers and the lies of this world.

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

This sign is evident in many ways in our world today, just as Jesus said, “there will be many”.

*****Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

The next sign is the conflicts that go on between nations.

Everyone knows the meaning of wars and our world has never seen one day of world-wide peace since the days of Adam.

That word “commotions”, means these are uproars, riots, terrorism, insurrection, treasons, and confusions of governments.

If there is anyone who cannot say that these things have not increased already and continue to increase, then are already deceived.

There are uprisings within governments. Even in America we are more divided politically than we have ever been.

There are governments over thrown in our world almost everyday.

It is a fact that to see all these things on the news constantlym, even true believers can become disturbed.

The truth is Jesus said to not be terrified by these things.

We are to not let our hearts be troubled.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

If we remain centered upon God, we can trust in His presence, trust in His care, and we certainly can trust in His eternal security.

If this world is destroyed, “it was not our home to begin with”!

We will be in our new home before this world is destroyed!

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

World wide violence must come to pass, until it reaches it’s peak.

It is not God that brings these things about though He gets most of the blame.

These things come about because they come from the hearts of evil men.

It is a fact, that we would destroy our own world if God gave us the chance.

It is passion, lust, greed, and evil that dominates this world today.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Not only these signs but there will be great signs in nature.

*****Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Most of us don’t realize it, but there may be at least 1 million earthquakes each year with 130 or more of them strong and 20 of them being called major earthquakes.

There are about 600 deaths each year attributed to earthquakes and 67,000 people were killed in China in 2014 due to just one earthquake.

Earthquakes occur along the fault lines throughout our globe constantly.

Earthquakes are one of the most feared and destructive things, in what is referred to as natural disasters.

Jesus mentions earthquakes but He also mentions 4 more disasters that happen in the natural world.

Earthquakes will occur in many places and many at the same time during the last days.

**Famines.

It could be said that famines are sometimes sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people.

Jer 42:17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

Psa 105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

There will be terrible famine in the last days!

In fact the Black Horse of the Book of Revelation indicates terrible famine.

Terrible things happen in a time of famine.

Lam 4:9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
Lam 4:10 The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Even God says it is better to die by the sword, than to starve to death and who can imagine eating their own children.

The last days on this earth will be a terrible thing but these days can be missed be accepting the Lord Jesus Christ before the end of the Church Age.

But that is not all that will happen in the last days.

The result of earthquakes and famine is the onslaught of disease (pestilence).

Not only do earthquakes and famine bring disease and pestilences, but so does war.

Pestilence shows no partiality!

The rich may be able to buy food to survive a famine, but they cannot buy their way out of an epidemic of disease.

Part of the results of the Pale Horse of the Book of Revelation includes pestilences.

Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

But that is not all.

**There will be great astronomical happenings.

There will be fearful sights and great signs that can be seen in the skies.

There will a darkening from all the ash of volcanos, the wind storms, the smoke from the many land fires.

Whatever darkens the Sun also will also distort the night sky and the Moon will disappear or change colors.

And we should not forget the untold number of UFO sightings and things associated with those things.

Even our own government spends untold millions of dollars in search of such things.

There will be meteorites that fall to earth at an ever increasing rate.

Astronomical happenings will be world-wide.

Mar 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Jesus says that these are sure signs of His return to this earth.

Mar 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

It is obvious that the worst lies ahead for this world.

Because man will continue to be more evil.

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

We are still in that period that is before those days and Jesus says in this period, it is the Church that will suffer persecution.

*****Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

It is obvious that Jesus was answering a direct question of those chosen disciples but many of these same things pertain to each and every disciple since that day.

It is true that Christians have been persecuted since the founding of the Church. The truth is persecution will become greatly intensified before the Church Age comes to an end.

It is obvious that Jesus has separated the Church Age from the 7 year Tribulation Period that begins at the end of the Church Age.

Persecution will not only come from the less than civil society, but also from the religious system and also the governments of this world and we have already seen these things increase dramatically in just the last few years.

It had already began in the time of Paul.

Act 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

And why will such persecution take place?

*****Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

It is only those that know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior that will be persecuted to such an extent.

This world we live in will continue to try to stamp out all references to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why? Because Jesus Christ reminds them just how sinful they really are!

Jesus Christ is the standard of true godliness!

The Christian has Jesus as his standard.

Those that have already rejected Jesus Christ will also reject those that have accepted Jesus Christ!

Those that reject the standards of Jesus Christ and accept the standards of the world, will reject everything Christian.

God says therefore:

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Why? Because Jesus lived a life of purity and those that follow the Lord Jesus Christ will seek a life of moral purity, while the world lives by immoral standards.

This world lives to fulfill all the lust of their flesh!

This world is driven to be materialistic even if that takes away from others.

There is no natural affection shown to fellow human beings!

There is no message of repentance in our world today.

There is no message of denial of the flesh in our world today.

Though there be millions of people in need throughout our world, very few people are willing to give up there own things to help them.

Therefore the Lord said He would also send a famine of the Word of God.

Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Why? Because persecution is a glorious witness for the Lord.

There is increasing persecution as this world tries to silence the Word of God.

Even in America the Word of God is being considered to be “hate speech”.

There is hardly a day goes by, that we do not see this prophecy of the Lord being fulfilled and we wonder if we are in the “last days”.

If you take a stand on the Word of God you will suffer persecution!

Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

**There is one marvelous thing that Christians do not have to worry about.

*****Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

When the believer has to stand in defence of his or her beliefs, God will fill our hearts and our mouths with a reply.

Jesus did not promise that we would be made free.

Jesus did not even promise that we would not die, there are already many martyrs for Christ everyday.

Jesus promised we could have no fear!

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

We live in a world where all non-believers are beginning to hate the Christian.

In fact more and more of the Church are going against the Word of God, in order to please those of the world in an attempt to survive.

These things cause strife in the Church and the Church forgets it’s purpose, which is to reach out to the lost without compromising on the Word of God.

There can be only one truth!

Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

If we truly trust the Lord with our eternal soul, why then do we not trust Him with our lives!

If we allow God to be in control of our lives we will certainly have “Spiritual Security”.

1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

God says we must be patient in these end times!

We must not fear persecution, we must absorb it!

When we are already in the arms of Jesus, death just puts us there a moment quicker.

Life on this earth is just too short in comparison to an eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Then Jesus returns to the coming destruction of Jerusalem of 70 AD but we should not forget that this Scripture also points toward the last days.

*****Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

History tells us of the terrible destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of God’s people Israel.

The key to understanding this passage is that we are to be prepared at all times for the judgment of God!

Except for peace with Egypt, Jerusalem is now today already surrounded by the enemy armies of evil.

When Jerusalem is totally surrounded near the very end it will be time to flee just as it was for the remaining Apostles in 70 AD.

*****Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

The truth is that most Christians did flee before Titus destroyed Jerusalem.

Many of them fled to Pelia(Pella) a city in Decapolis.

Matthew wrote to forget all the comforts of home and personal belongings, because the danger was just to close and too terrible.

We should never be so attached to our personal belongings so much that we forget about the coming judgment!

We have only one place to flee to, and that is to Jesus Christ!

We must also remember that the destruction of Jerusalem was due to sin.

The future destruction of Jerusalem will also be due to sin.

Sin results in total destruction!

The only sin that cannot be forgiven is to reject the Lord Jesus Christ, and this sin requires payment and the wages of sin is still death!

It will be a terrible time.

*****Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Those women with young children, especially those without husbands will find it very difficult to flee.

They may even move to slow to escape.

Not only will the people be in great distress but the lands will also be in great distress.

This is the truth of 70 AD and it will be the truth in the future.

In 70 AD the wrath of Rome and the wrath of God fell on Jerusalem!

We can see the growing wrath of this world toward Israel and God will still punish sin.

Over 1 million died in Jerusalem in 70 AD and there will be even more in the judgment of God.

It is a fact that during the Tribulation Period, this world will experience great tribulations especially in the last 3 and 1/2 years of that 7 year period.

The Book of Revelation is full of this truth.

What is the “time of the Gentiles”?

We should immediately see that it is God who is in control of all the times of this earth.

God is in control of written history, but God does not cause the evil that goes on in this world, He just allows people the freedom to choose.

The time of the Gentiles means “that there will come a time when the Gentiles can no longer cause harm to Jerusalem”.

There is coming a time when the Jews will no longer be persecuted because God will simply not allow it!

There is coming a time when God will rule this world from the city of Jerusalem and there is nothing this world can do to stop these things from happening!

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

It’s important that we believe these things.

And yet there will be more signs of the coming judgment of God and the greatest sign of all, the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.

*****Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

We have already discussed the great signs in the heavens but another thing should be considered.

Our world hovers on the brink of Nuclear War everyday.

World-wide atomic warfare could cause all this distress on this earth and completely hide the Sun for a long period of time.

These are just facts!

But even these things cannot affect the heavens.

The logical conclusion then, is that God who created all the heavenly-host will then cause these things to happen.

It is the wrath of God, that in just a moment, or just a breath, or just with His Word, He can change what goes on in His created world!

We must accept the Word of God as the literal truth!

Every part of God’s creation will be affected that day the Lord Jesus Christ appears!

Rev 19:11 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.

We can just imagine the governments of this world gathering to see if there is anything that can be done to stop the return of Our Lord.

But for the believer it will be a grand and glorious day!

*****Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

The first thing we see in the return of Christ is that it is the Son of Man who will return, “God in the flesh”.

This world will have no doubt who He is!

Next we see, that all those that have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ will see Him with their own eyes and they will acknowledge that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Then we see that the Lord Jesus is coming in the clouds in all His glory.

Once again the Shekinah Glory of God will appear on this earth.

We know that true believers know this truth of the Lord.

We also know that Hell is full of believers who now know the truth.

On that day everyone who has ever lived will know the truth of God.

There will be no more mysteries for anyone to discuss and ridicule!

So as we see, the signs that Jesus has taught us to look for, we should not discard nor devalue them, we need to look up, lift our heads, because our redemption draws nearer than it has ever been before!

Nations will be perplexed, we do not have to be.

Mankind will be full of fear, enough that many hearts will just fail, we should have no fear at all.

How should we spend our time?

Telling someone about Jesus and looking for that Blessed Hope!

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

We are going home one day soon.

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

Proclaiming The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

July 6, 2014August 2, 2014 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Proclaiming Diligently

1 Thessalonians 1

Last week we ended our study of the Book of James. We certainly did not spend enough time to learn all that is in this great Book of the Bible but we did learn many things about living like Christ.

If we are not living like Christ Jesus, the Messiah that has come, then how can we be known as Christians?

A Christian is not for us to decide but it is for others to see!

We should be very clear, God will never force any of us to trust Him!

God tells us what sin really is and how sin leads to eternal spiritual death.

God’s Word will convict us of our sin!

Once we realize that we are all sinners then we will also realize the need for a Savior!

This is the beginning of a life of prayer!

That first prayer for salvation is the beginning of our faith and the first step in drawing nigh to God!

Today we will leave the writings of James and begin a short study into the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Thessalonica.

We already know that the Book of James was the earliest of the Church Epistles.

We already know that though the Book of James was written to Christians most of them were converted Jews at that time.

We already know that by the Apostle Peter, it had been established that God deals with “whosoever” will believe upon Him and salvation is for all believers, even the Gentiles.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God “by faith in Christ Jesus”.

1Co 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Today we will begin with the earliest of writings of the Apostle Paul to the Christian Church.

The city of Thessalonica still exist today simply called Salonika.

The theme of this first book to the Thessalonians is “the return of Jesus Christ”.

Thessalonica was at the time of Paul the principle city but also the Capitol city of Macedonia.

Thessalonica is named after the sister of Alexander the Great.

The city of Thessalonica was the crossroads of where the East met the West at the time of the Apostles.

Paul had been in the East when he received the call of God to spread the “Gospel” to Europe which eventually came to America.

Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the early church for many reasons.

Paul wrote to assure his new friends of his love and his concern for them.

Paul writes to all believers to ground us in the “Doctrines” of the Christian faith!

Paul writes to us all to assure us of the return of Jesus Christ to get His Church!

All the letters of Paul were inspired by the Holy Spirit to correct the weaknesses “that come from inside the Church” just as James had done!

Confusion about prophecy exist today because there are so many preachers and teachers who contradict each other upsetting the saints.

Many ask, is the coming of the Lord near?

Many ask, what are the signs of Christ coming soon?

Many ask, will God’s people go through the Tribulation Period?

The Apostle Paul answered these questions and much more in the two letters to the Thessalonians.

Above all the Apostle Paul teaches us how to live holy lives in this sin-filled world and respect the Church that Christ built with His own blood!

Faith, Hope and Charity are the best evidence of being Christians with Charity being the greatest.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

So let’s begin:

*****1Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because the preaching of the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ had stirred up a turmoil in Thessalonica, Paul had to leave and was now in the city of Corinth.

He had left Timothy and Silas behind and a Church had been established.

At the time of this letter both of them had rejoined Paul and had brought with them many questions from the believers.

In our area there are more churches per square mile than probably any other place on this earth but we always seem to have these same old questions!

We have questions because we refuse to study the Word of God as He commands us all to do!

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

We may all accept that we need to study more but at the same time we always seem to seem to listen to vain teaching which causes confusion.

Babblings are fruitless discussions that lead to confusion!

Paul was deeply concerned with these young converts and knowing that he could not return to them at this time, he did the next best thing, he gave them the written Word of God.

We do not have the Apostles with us today!

We do not have the eyewitnesses of Jesus with us today!

We do not have as many great instructors of the “Gospel” with us today!

But we do have something much greater!

We have something that the early Church did not have, we have the Complete Holy Inspired Word of God!

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

No matter how many so called prophets come.

No matter how many preachers come.

The most sure thing we can have in our possession is the complete, Holy Ghost Inspired Word of God!

2Pe 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy”; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And according to the Holy Inspired Word of God, the Church is only a Church if it is established in God the Father, “through” the Lord Jesus Christ!

All other so-called religions are cults!

As we go through these letters to the Thessalonian Christians we will find that the Second Coming of Christ Jesus will be referred to in some way in every chapter.

The Apostle Paul realized that every believer needs clear and precise instructions because we all begin as babes in Christ!

Many today are taught that the Second Coming of Christ is not so important to the Church, because the Church will already be in Heaven because of the “Rapture” when Christ first returns in the clouds like a thief.

But, the Apostle Paul gives us much teaching on this subject and we need to know these things!

These new, mostly Gentile believers, were now linked to the infinite ‘Grace” of God and it was important for them to know that this “Grace” can come only through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God!

It is important for us all to have this same understanding!

The “Grace” that saves from judgment was already known to these new believers.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, “to them who are the called according to his purpose”.

The “peace” that comes from salvation was already known to these new believers.

It was now time to learn of the “Grace” that sustains each of us from day to day!

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

It was time to learn of the “peace” that comes from a daily walk with the Lord Jesus Christ!

It was now time to pick up their own cross and walk with the Lord Jesus!

The Apostle Paul now introduces them to these things.

*****1Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

That “we” of course was Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

We should not forget, Paul was a Church Planting Missionary and was very busy about the work of God.

If Paul was not preaching, he was visiting house to house.

If Paul was not doing these things, he was busy as a “tent maker” to meet his personal needs.

But Paul always found the time to pray for the Body Of Christ, the New Testament Church.

As we saw in the Book of James, faith without works is dead faith!

Without men such as Paul, who interceded in behalf of the Church, the “Gospel” would not have spread very far.

Eze 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

We will reach that point in our lives when we cannot be the feet and legs of the “Gospel” but until we reach the grave we need to always pray for the Church to succeed!

*****1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

“Without ceasing” means continuously more than it does continually!

Faith, love and hope are the foundations of Christianity!

***What is the “work of faith”?

Our foundation must be set on the solid ground of “Faith”!

Faith is the only way man can approach God!

But that faith must be based upon the work of Jesus Christ!

We must remove faith in ourselves and fill that void with faith in Jesus Christ!

Then there is the “gift of faith”.

We cannot be Christians without “saving faith”!

This “saving faith” will sustain each of us through our daily walk with the Lord.

The “gift of faith” is not possessed by all believers. The “gift of faith” comes from the Holy Spirit and has the capacity to see something that needs to be done and the belief that God will provide all the things needed to accomplish that thing.

Our Pastor, Preacher Sam, had the “gift of faith” to begin this Church we now call Gethsemane.

This is stepping out in the call of God, knowing that God will provide!

In our study of the Book of James we learned that there is a work of faith after salvation.

This Church in Thessalonica had a true work of faith but they also had this “gift of faith” and it showed.

Faith is the key that opens the door to do the Work of the Lord!

Faith is the key to touching the Heart of God which leads to the labor of Love!

***What is the “labor of love”?

Out of “faith” rises love.

No one can love God unless they believe that God loves them!

God is love!

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

When those times come when our “faith” seems to fail us, if we will continue because we love the Lord, we will find that God’s love will never fail us!

When we are saved we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

If God did not possess love then He could not produce love in each believer!

God has proved to us that He loves us and for this same reason we need to love one another.

1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

To be “Born Again” is to be born of God and therefore to resemble God.

The Church in Thessalonica knew the love of God and had love for one another, and had a labor of love for the lost and it showed in their personal lives.

***What is “patience of hope”?

Patience of hope is the endurance of hope!

The is the persevering endurance of the trials that all Christians go through.

We can only have this patience when we look to the end of our faith and not just linger at the beginning of out faith!

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Hope is looking to the future and not in the now!

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

This Church in Thessalonica was looking forward to the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ and it showed!

Their faith, love, and hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ because they realized there was no other way to Heaven.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

They also realized that God is always watching because He truly cares!

When we realize that we are under the watchful eye of God while we yet live, we will not have to concern ourselves with appearing before God at the White Throne of Judgment.

Pro 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

*****1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

When all our faith, all our love, and that love is in the Lord Jesus Christ then we can become the elect of God.

To believe on the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be the chosen of God!

Jesus had these words:

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me”, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Elected means God has elected each individual believer.

This does not mean that God has already preselected those that He will save as some teach!

The key to being the elect of God is being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is the choice we all must make!

Every elect of God must accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the Savior!

*****1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

It is the job of each one of us, after we are saved, to proclaim the “Gospel” to this lost world we live in!

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

We should realize that without the Holy Spirit there would be no results from this preaching.

What did Jesus say to the Apostles?

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, “after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Without speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit there will be no results!

Paul did not mean that the “Gospel” originated with him, or Silas, or Timothy, but that it was they who had delivered to them the “Gospel” by the Holy Spirit.

***For the Word of God to be effective, it must be preached:

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

***The Word of God must be bathed with the power of God’s “Grace”:

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

***The Word of God must be preached with the assistance of the Holy Ghost:

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

***The Word of God must be preached in assurance:

It is a fact that that most preaching today does not give much assurance.

We are truly blessed here at Gethsemane.

But this is not the assurance of the speaker!

The “Gospel” must produce assurance in the believer!

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Paul said: just as you know what manner of men we are by the way we conducted ourselves and we know what manner of people you are by the way you are conducting yourselves, after receiving the “Gospel”

Jesus said:

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

***The “Gospel” must be preached for only one purpose:

2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The salvation that is in Christ Jesus will not only save us from the wrath to come but brings with it the glory of being with the Lord Jesus Christ.

***Glorification is the fullest expansion of salvation:

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Knowing all these things will make followers of Christ.

A follower is therefore an imitator of Christ and therefore a Christian!

*****1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

It is truly important that we walk before God in holiness of life and righteousness before all others!

Righteousness means, to do all things right according to the Word of God.

Each believer then becomes a weapon that God can use in this sin-filled world!

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

More and more people in our world have never even heard of the “Gospel” nor Of Jesus Christ, but they see what the world looks like everyday.

If they cannot see Jesus in us, then our words will have no meaning to them!

Paul said if you see us(Paul, Silas, Timothy) you are seeing the ways of Jesus!

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

We will receive the Word of God in affliction because the Word of God cuts:

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God will reach deep into our flesh to separate us from the desires of this world and cause much affliction within us, until we feel the joy that comes from its freedom.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

There is great joy in being free from the wages of sin!

This change was so great in these Thessalonians that most all others soon noticed.

*****1Th 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Shortly after 146 BC all Greece south of Macedonia was formed into a Roman province named Achaia.

There was then the province of Macedonia and the Province of Achaia.

The Church in Philippi had been established previous to this one in Thessalonica, both in Macedonia.

The Apostle Paul was in Corinth where a Church had been started in Achaia but those of Thessalonica were setting the example for all the Churches in Europe at this time.

*****1Th 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Thessalonica was a great commercial and political center but these saved of God, had no problem spreading the “Gospel” of the Lord Jesus Christ even to all the strangers that passed through this great city.

They not only witnessed in Achaia and Macedonia but to anyone who would listen no matter what part of the world they called home.

They lived in a nation of false gods and Greek folklore, but now their faith was directed toward the One True God!

They did not need for the Pastor to encourage them to go out on visitation.

They did these things on their own and allowed their Pastor to be about the business of the Lord.

These people evangelized!

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, “do the work of an evangelist”, make full proof of thy ministry.

It was evident by the change in their lives, that these of the Church of Thessalonica were in touch with God!

It was even more evident to the Apostle Paul who had endured much, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

These people were evidence of the truth of the Word of God to the Apostle Paul and to the world around them.

*****1Th 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols “to serve” the living and true God;
1Th 1:10 And “to wait” for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

What is the job of the Christian after salvation?

To serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to wait on His return!

To repent is a complete change of mind which leads to a complete change of ways!

All those in Thessalonica could noticeably see the change in these that were “Born Again” of God!

They had completely turned from idols to worship the True and Living God!

These people were busy about the Master’s Work, because they fully believed that the Lord Jesus Could return at any moment!

The more we believe this truth, the more we should telling others about the salvation that comes by the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

Surely we love our families this much!

This wrath that is coming, is not to those that love the Lord Jesus but to those that will not accept the Lord Jesus.

Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

This wrath is still in the future but the opportunity to miss this wrath of God, will run out when the Lord returns to get His Saints, which could happen at any moment!

When we are not looking for the Lord to return at any moment, we do not believe the truth of the “Gospel” and it will show up in our lack of “Good Works”!

This is our message to the world we live in!

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

We know that Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels.

But we also know that Heaven is prepared for the people of God!

Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. “I go to prepare a place for you”.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

When we do not believe the Words of Jesus, how can we say we love Him!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

LESSONS IN GOD'S WORD

Taking time to read the Bible

The Return of Christ

The Second Coming of the Messiah

God Confirmed His Messiah

The Victory of the Lamb of God

The Book of Revelation the Seven Last Plagues

Counting the Years Until the Messiah

Looking For the Return of Christ

We Can Be Certain Of The Return Of Jesus Christ

Proclaiming The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

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