Tag Archives: End of days

God is Speaking – Are You Listening?

29 Wednesday Jul 2015

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ID-10028650Have you ever sat in silence only to be startled by the sound of an ambulance or a police siren? Usually, such vehicles are designed to alert the surrounding community or population to a dire situation that has occurred or is in progress of being addressed. Such sounds break the silence in which we were accustomed to so that we could see the greater danger or need that someone else may be experiencing. Emergency response vehicles also serve the purpose of being the mode of transportation to rescue an individual or to pinpoint the location of a disturbance.

The first goal of dispatching an emergency vehicle and personnel is to get the attention of the surrounding population as a warning of what is occurring. Secondly, it is to dispatch aid to those who are in need.  Nevertheless, there is one who is also seeking to get our attention and that is the Almighty God. When we look at the world around us, we can see various examples of God attempting to get our attention. Often times we think that our daily way of life and how our society is structured is merely the way that things are meant to be.

However, when you turn on your television and you see senseless tragedies on display, these are not just random occurrences of evil.  Much of what we are bearing witness to are the signs of the End Times, results of humanity’s sinfulness, and warnings from God to those who will listen. In the book of Ezekiel Chapter 3, the account of the Prophet Ezekiel receiving instructions from God is recorded.

In verses 1-3, you can see the impartation of God’s Word unto Ezekiel.  God gives Ezekiel a message of warning to proclaim to the nation of Israel.  As it was, the people of Israel had become disobedient and their hearts had been hardened because of their obstinance. (Verses 4-9) Ezekiel was concerned about his assignment to give God’s message to a group of people who he felt would not listen to what he had to say. Ezekiel felt similarly as Jonah did when God commanded that he go to Nineveh to preach to the sinful population.  The feeling was one of dread and an opposition to what God had given him to do.

However, God brought both Jonah and Ezekiel into submission in differing ways.  As far as Ezekiel was concerned, God led him to the people of Israel to proclaim God’s warning which made him ‘Israel’s watchman.’ In verses 16-19 the scripture reads as follows:

(NLT) “After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”

In verses 20-21, God gives Ezekiel the same charge but instead God uses the term, ‘righteous people’ rather than the term ‘the wicked.’ These were two conditions which covered those who were followers of God and those who were not which means that God is equally just with those who have committed their lives to Him and those who have not.

However, the overall point of this passage is to make it clear that God will indeed use who is available to bring a message of warning to anyone who will listen. It is also true that God will use scenarios in our world and even in our own lives to get our attention.  Just like an emergency vehicle sounds its alarm to warn those in surrounding areas, God does the same for us.

There are a couple of things to take note of as it concerns this particular passage:

1. There is a penalty that comes with living in sin – In chapter 3 of Ezekiel, the first part of verse 19 says, “If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins.” In verse 20, the same condition is given to those who are righteous individuals or those who are following God. This scripture essentially points to the fact that there is a penalty given to everyone who remains in their sin.  Even in our world today, God is speaking through various signs and unfortunate events that signify God’s displeasure with humanity.

With the constant approval of a multitude of sinful behaviors which stoke the flames of lusting after the flesh and committing self-idolatry, also comes negative consequences. Such consequences are not only a result of unrepentant nations, but it is also a warning that God gives us to repent and avoid destruction.  The great thing about God is that He doesn’t just allow you and I to sin without any warning. God loves all of us enough to not only provide Jesus Christ as an atonement for our sins but to warn us of the high cost that comes with unrepentant sin.

One prime example of such a warning to humanity was September the 11th, 2001. As tragic of a day that it was, it was also an event that served as a warning to anyone who had not yet chosen God through Jesus Christ.  Some don’t like the idea of using natural and even man-made disasters as an argument for God’s warnings, however, God will often allow things to happen to get our attention.  However, as you can see nearly 14 years later, America has grown worse morally and as a whole it has spurned the very idea of Holiness and submission unto God.

2. Those who know the truth will be held accountable for not sharing it with others – In this passage, Ezekiel is also told that if he does not warn those who are in their sin, then he will be held responsible for their deaths. For those of us who are in Christ, we have a tremendous responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our goal shouldn’t be to condemn anyone, but it is to warn and also share the Gospel in love.

In our society today, we are now living in a time in which telling someone the truth of God may not include the penalty of sin and even talking about Hell. The fact is, both Hell and the penalty of sin are actual destinies for those who refuse God’s ways. However, if we who know the truth withhold it from a dying world, then there is a price that we shall pay. Ezekiel understood that if he failed to warn those in their sin, that the blood of those not warned would be on his hands.

Our job as Christians is to warn as many people as we can about the coming of Jesus Christ, and what can happen if a life of sin is lived in unrepentance. The fact is that even those who are not Christians have been warned through various signs and occurrences. When God speaks, He does so that no man or woman is left to say that they did not know. God is speaking all around us in each phase of our lives.

America and other countries around the world are all giving us signs of humanity’s willingness to sin. God has given us plenty of signs and there will be more to come. There will be a day of judgment that comes to every nation that defies God’s decrees. However, are we willing to listen and be obedient? If you don’t know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, you have an opportunity to be saved. God is constantly speaking, but it is up to you listen and surrender to His will.  In doing so, you will be in a better position than if you remain in the condition of a hardened heart.

The Day of the Lord Is Coming – Heed the Warnings That God is Giving To Us

03 Wednesday Jun 2015

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ID-10054308Every day, there are signs that point to the End Times or the return of Jesus Christ. Various signs include wars and rumors of wars, Earthquakes in diverse places, the increase in humanity’s sinfulness, along with a whole host of other signs.  Matthew 24 is perhaps the most referred to of scriptures as it relates to the signs of the end.  In that chapter, Jesus gives His Disciples signs of what to look for as the coming of the end inches closer and closer.

However, the book of 2 Peter Chapter 3, also mentions the coming of the Lord, but it also includes how we are to respond to the adversity that results from the times that we live in. Before examining this scripture, we should look at the End Times from the perspective of Noah. In Genesis 6, we see that the wickedness or sinfulness of humanity has become burdensome in the heart of God.  In verses 5-6, it says:

(NIV) “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” So, as a result of this God decides in verse 7 that He will wipe humanity off the face of the Earth. The only one who was spared was that of Noah and his family because he found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 

As it is commonly known from scripture, Noah is instructed to create an ark which would protect all of the animals and his family from the great flood that would cover the Earth.  However, notice what it says in Matthew 24: 37-39:

(NIV) “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” 

Here, Jesus is speaking and He is suggesting to us that at the time of Noah building the ark, most were living in their sinfulness and ignoring the impending doom which was the flood.  However, as Jesus said, they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away.  How often do we see various signs and warnings today, which are meant to give us a chance to avoid disaster?

Even in today’s time, we are seeing blatant sinfulness that is paraded throughout the media and even in our own lives.  Many have chosen to reject the truth of God while a whole host of signs are being put before us which are pointing to the return of Jesus Christ. Our world structure continues to decay while, at the same time, there is a call for global unification and peace.  However, the peace that many are seeking is coming from man-made solutions instead of seeking God for the solutions that plague our world. Whenever humanity decides that in its pride that it will not seek God, then nothing but chaos and confusion occurs.

In 2 Peter, Jesus gives us a warning of what will occur in the last days.  He says in verses 3-4: (NIV) “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  Basically, what Jesus is saying is similar to what many say today.  Many of those who scoff at the coming of Jesus, say that such “signs of the times” have occurred in years past.  Many today scoff at the promise of Christ’s return and wonder why He hasn’t returned as promised.  However, look at what Jesus says in verses 5-7:

(NIV) “But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” The point is, there are many who do not take into account that God has revealed His judgment to humanity before in the form of the great flood.  The same judgment will be poured out again but in the form of fire as Jesus said in verse 7. 

Looking also at verses 9-10:

(NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

So, Jesus says that the Lord is not slow to keep His promise as some understand it to be.  The naysayers will and often do say that Christ isn’t returning and that the end times do not exist.  Yet, there are many signs that we see every single day which point to the return of Jesus Christ.  Also, God’s judgment will come to any nation or group of people who decide to openly reject Him.

Examples of blatant rejection?  Just look at the various laws that are instituting and promoting sinful behavior.  Not only in America is homosexuality being endorsed for “marriage” but countries around the world are now attempting to re-define an institution that was not created by human hands.  Even if it isn’t that particular issue, there are countless examples of lawlessness which is promoted and shown throughout our world.  Governments both domestic and worldwide operate in corruption and pass laws which have pushed God out, and welcomed sinfulness and secular humanism.

However, here is the good news and that is what Jesus referred to in verse 9, when He says “Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” God wishes that no one perish.  There are penalties for sinfulness and disobedience which many will choose to pay for.  However, Jesus Christ died and rose again so you wouldn’t have to pay the price of destruction.  God wants all of us to come to the knowledge of how good He is, and how loving He is.  However, in the midst of sin and rebellion, we cannot know God as He wants us to.

The point for all of us is to realize that our world is growing increasingly wicked.  Day after day and year after year, examples are shown of how perverse and sinful current and future generations are and will be.  The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ will return, but in His return, judgment will come to those who are in rebellion.  You don’t have to choose a life of sinfulness and a destructive end. If you haven’t accepted Christ’s gift of salvation, then you have an opportunity.

For those of us who have, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to lose sight of God’s promises by listening to those who reject God.  God will judge every human, and sinfulness will be brought to justice because God has already promised such.  So, heed the warnings and seek the Lord in repentance while you have an opportunity.

Never Giving Up On God’s Promises

20 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Have you ever experienced a season in your life that seemed as if it would never end? All of us at some point can testify to the feeling of wanting to quit on our dreams and various desires that have yet to occur.  It is the nagging feeling of throwing everything away, when you have waited and hoped for so long – and yet if you give up you will never realize the dream or the promise that God has made to you.

In Mark chapter 5, verses 25 – 32 there is a story of a woman with an issue of blood.  In this passage, a woman whose name is unknown is suffering from the illness of bleeding.  In verses 25-27 the scripture says in the NIV version: “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” The woman in question has been treated for bleeding during a 12-year span, however not only did her condition not improve but it grew worse.  

Sometimes, we endure circumstances or challenges which test our endurance.  In some cases, our situations may not improve but worsen as time goes on.  As a result, the potential to give up increases as strength begins to wane.  However, if we continue reading in Mark 5, we can see that there is hope:

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

There are a few things that we can take away from the above passage:

1. We must press forward despite the obstacles – The woman who was suffering from the issue of blood understood that she had no choice but to believe that a miracle could happen.  In verse 27 it says that when she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak.  In her mind, she knew that Jesus had the power to heal all infirmities.  So, she believed that by moving through the crowd which could have been accepted as an obstacle, that she would be that much closer to her miracle. There are various obstacles which present themselves in our lives.  However, we must move forward with the dogged determination that it takes to fight the good fight of faith. If God has promised something to you, He will perform just what He has said. Philippians 1:6 says that if God has begun a good work in you, He will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus had the supernatural power to heal – Throughout scripture there are various occurrences of men, women, and children who experienced healing at the hands of Christ.  By touching the cloak of Jesus, the woman was instantly healed.  It was the divine and supernatural power of Jesus Christ which brought healing to what seemed like an impossible situation.  Have you ever faced something that seemed impossible?  I can certainly tell you that there are at least a couple of things in my own life that seem impossible to me. However, what you and I must do is remember that all power rests in the hands of God.  If Jesus was able to heal a woman who bled for 12 years, then the very power that resides in Him is the same power that can deliver you.  We must be willing to surrender and allow God to lead us to victory.

3. Faith must be activated – Hebrews 11:6 in the King James Version says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  The woman who needed healing had great faith.  Jesus said to her in verse 32 that her faith had healed her. Basically, it was because of her faith in what Jesus could do, that it was credited to her as righteousness. As a result, she was completely healed from her suffering.  Your faith must be activated if you are going to access the miracles and promises that God has made to you.  The woman who was suffering is a great example of what faith and standing firm in what you believe is.  She chose not to give up, despite the obstacles and the amount of time she waited to be healed.  In the end, it was her faith in what God could do through Jesus that fueled her to victory.

Has God made any promises to you regarding your present and your future? Those of us who are in Christ have access to the miracles of God, but it takes faith and a willingness to move forward.  Giving up isn’t an option because to do so is tantamount to saying that God cannot perform a miracle.  By following after God through obedience and faith, you are a candidate for His blessings.

If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior, you are missing out on the very miracles and blessings that can be available to you.  By accepting Christ as your savior and confessing your sins, you are able to experience the great things that God has in store for you.  The greatest message of the Cross of Christ is not just that He died for you, but that He never gave up.  When Jesus went through the process of the crucifixion, He was burdened and undoubtedly felt like giving up.  However, His obedience to God, and knowing that His actions would save many, was what drove him to die on the cross for you and I.

Jesus never gave up on His mission, and neither should you.  Stand on the promises of God, and even when it becomes difficult, do as 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, which is to be steadfast and unmovable.  We all feel like giving up sometimes, and often times waiting for God to deliver us can be wearisome.  However, God is a promise keeper and when it is your timing for a miracle, you shall have the victory in the name of Jesus Christ.

Being Alert to the Signs of the End Times

07 Thursday May 2015

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ID-100297350The world that we live in has and continues to change constantly as each day passes. Day after day, year after year, and decade after decade, brings with it the ever closer coming of Jesus Christ.  Some call it, “The End of the World.”  While others use the phrase, “The End Times”  or “The Last Days” to describe the intensity and the actual events that are associated with the 2nd coming of Christ.  Jesus Christ came during what is known as “the first advent” which is the first coming.  The first advent signified Christ being born, his death, burial, and resurrection.

According to Acts 1: 9-12, Jesus ascends to Heaven after He gives instructions to the 12 Disciples.  However, in the entire chapter of Matthew 24, Jesus tells His Disciples of various signs of the end of time as we know it to be.  The signs given will eventually lead to “the second advent” or the second coming of Jesus Christ.  What are the signs of the times?  How do they correlate to what is happening today?  First, let’s look at key areas to determine just how critical today’s time has become:

1. The Increasing wickedness of humanity – 

2 Timothy 3: 1-7 says the following:

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

If you read that entire passage, isn’t it startling at just how true much of that is today? Certainly, we have seen perilous times in the past, but the truth is that what we are seeing from today’s generation is far worse than in years and even centuries past. There are various examples of the moral decay that has taken root in not only America but around the world. Onlookers who watch the tragedies that take place in their own neighborhood, city, and state are attempting to answer the proverbial question, “Why is this happening?” The answer lies in the scripture above, which states that the last days shall bring perilous times.

Even in America, laws have become established which are now enforcing the blatant sin that was once thought to be detestable in the eyes of God.  All around the world violence is increasing, because of how close we are to the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. Of course, the Bible makes it clear in Matthew 24 that no one knows the exact time period, but the intensity of the sinfulness is an indicator that points to just how close we are coming to the end of this age.

2. Natural disasters will grow in severity – 

In the latter part of verse 7 in Matthew 24, it says, “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” On April 25th, 2015 an Earthquake struck Nepal, killing over 7,000 individuals.  The key number is, over 7,000.  This was a tragedy that many scientists conclude that they saw coming – however, the fact that over 7,000 individuals would perish over a few days span says that we are seeing a major sign of the imminence of Jesus Christ’s return. Even as you read this, there has been recent tornado activity, flooding, and severe thunderstorms that have taken place in the state of Oklahoma.  Daily there are examples of natural disasters which intensify each time it occurs. Some would argue that we have always had severe weather, but what is known is that as each year passes, the severity increases. Part of it is also due to the damage that humanity’s sinfulness has done to the Earth.  God called humanity to have dominion or rule over the Earth, but to do so with honor and respect by being a good steward over the Earth’s resources.

3. Technology use and its influence – 

In Daniel chapter 12, there is also a scriptural reference to the end times. Daniel 12 says,

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

The key verse is verse 4 which says “Many will go here and there to increase knowledge”.  This means that in the last days as it was prophesied unto Daniel, that humanity will increase in knowledge. Over decades, we have seen technological advances that were once thought impossible.  Now, technology has inserted itself into just about every area of our lives.  However, it is this very aspect of life, that will be used to create a global system.  Mass surveillance, encrypting data, and tracking human whereabouts is a part of the plan to create a one-world order.  This is what will spur a one world currency that will be put into place so that the anti-christ will have control. (See these scriptures about the anti-christ – Revelation 13:13, 2 Thessalonians 2: 3-4, Daniel 7:5) In the book of Revelation (Revelation 13: 16-17) the number 666 is given. In some way, technology will play a role in receiving the “mark of the beast” during what is known as the Tribulation period. However, the point is that technology, as it is being used today, plays a part in the signs of the end times.

As time continues onward, we will see these signs among others not listed which will intensify.  However, the main thing to be aware of is that it isn’t too late to gain safety in Jesus Christ.  Amidst all of the chaos, the growing control that world governments are seizing over its citizens, we who are in Christ have safety from the perilous times. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is still in the Earth, is an assurance in knowing that we can be protected from the evil times that we live in. Only in Christ, will you have ultimate victory and safety.  Be prepared by having your spiritual life assured, and knowing that there isn’t a safer place to be than in the hands of God.  For, the coming of Jesus Christ is nearing every single day.