There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:28,29)
The teaching that there are two different called-out peoples, one spiritual and one earthly, is not found in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Paul taught clearly that there is only one holy olive tree, Israel, and we Gentiles have been grafted on it. In the last days the Jews by race will be joined once again to the Olive Tree, the true Vine, the one true stock of Abraham, which is Christ. There will be one Body, one fold, one Shepherd, one Israel, one holy nation of kings and priests.
There are not two kingdoms, a spiritual Gentile kingdom and a natural Jewish kingdom. There is only one Kingdom of God, of Heaven. It is the Kingdom announced by the Hebrew Prophets.
Of all the errors of current Christian theology, one of the most weakening and misleading, in terms of the spiritual strength and diligence of the believers, is the teaching that there will be a special, secret coming of Christ prior to His actual, prophesied coming to establish His Kingdom on the earth—a secret coming whose purpose is to carry the Gentile elect to Heaven while the Jewish elect are left on the earth.
Two Israels?
The scheme of biblical interpretation termed Dispensationalism chops into pieces God's dealing with men. The truth is, the entire Scriptures, the Old Testament and the New Testament, are one seamless robe of Christ. Christianity is based solidly on all that has gone before. By no means is the Christian Era a special parenthesis in God's dealings with mankind.
There are several aspects of the Dispensational model that are misleading, that prevent a coherent, straightforward interpretation of the Scriptures. One of the doctrines that proceeds from Dispensationalism maintains that during the great tribulation a special "Gentile Church" will be "raptured" into Heaven while the Jews preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a teaching more removed from or more destructive of the scriptural concept of the Kingdom of God.
Are there two Israels of God? Two kingdoms of God? Two bodies of Christ? Two wives of the Lamb? Are there two called-out peoples, one Gentile and one Jewish? If so, to which body do Paul and Peter belong—the Jewish body or the Gentile body?
If, as is taught commonly, a "Gentile Church" (are there no Jews in it?) is "raptured" into Paradise, and the Holy Spirit has left the earth and gone into Paradise with it, how are the physical Jews to preach the Kingdom of God? They cannot be born again without the Holy Spirit, and no one can see the Kingdom until he is born again.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
How, then, can the Jews preach salvation and a spiritual kingdom without the Holy Spirit?
To be continued.
Copyright © 1997-2009 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Random thoughts for the day
God has shown me some things about selfishness.
I have been very selfish in everything I do. That has led to a lot of heartache and trouble in my life. If I put myself first, then God has to be at least second. It is very hard to put yourself second. Take driving in to work today.
I was ready to put others first in my drive to work today. I let several cars cut in front of me and I thought I was doing well not speeding and tailgating the car in front. I thought, if someone wants to pull in front of me, no big deal. I will still get to work at the same time. Then someone did a normal thing, they passed me on the cut over from 71 to Mopac. For some reason ( likely that I thought she was a rude driver), this really got to me. I pulled forward and tailgated the person in front and would not let her pull back over.
I had failed at the first real test God had put in front of me after my resolve to be less selfish. I know now that I was trying to be unselfish for selfish reasons and not to obey God. The key to walking in the light is to obey the Lord and seek his council in everything I do. Being IN Christ is more important than trying to be a good person.
Trying to walk closer with Christ,
RBT
I have been very selfish in everything I do. That has led to a lot of heartache and trouble in my life. If I put myself first, then God has to be at least second. It is very hard to put yourself second. Take driving in to work today.
I was ready to put others first in my drive to work today. I let several cars cut in front of me and I thought I was doing well not speeding and tailgating the car in front. I thought, if someone wants to pull in front of me, no big deal. I will still get to work at the same time. Then someone did a normal thing, they passed me on the cut over from 71 to Mopac. For some reason ( likely that I thought she was a rude driver), this really got to me. I pulled forward and tailgated the person in front and would not let her pull back over.
I had failed at the first real test God had put in front of me after my resolve to be less selfish. I know now that I was trying to be unselfish for selfish reasons and not to obey God. The key to walking in the light is to obey the Lord and seek his council in everything I do. Being IN Christ is more important than trying to be a good person.
Trying to walk closer with Christ,
RBT
Monday, May 09, 2011
Overcoming the Saints, #5
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? (Romans 9:24)
When Daniel speaks of "the holy people" he is referring to the olive tree, to God's elect, to those who are of Christ; not to the physical nation of Israel.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25)
The saints (holy ones) of the last days, the days of Antichrist, are those who are in Christ whether they are physical Jews or Gentiles. Redemption is by promise, not by natural birth.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8)
We Gentile believers are an integral part of true, elect Israel. We need to learn how the Lord God will deal with those who belong to Him whether they are Jewish or Gentile by physical birth.
We have mentioned that the issue is one of judgment. God's saints must be obedient to Him until He is satisfied they no longer will be condemned along with Satan.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32)
We have said also that Antichrist's strategy for the last days is to cause the saints to feel so secure they do not seek the Lord as they should. One tactic that is part of his strategy is the doctrine of the pre-tribulation "rapture" of the saints.
The pre-tribulation-rapture error has spread amazingly, given its lack of scriptural foundation, and has succeeded in persuading the Christians in the wealthy nations they will not suffer-this in spite of the record of suffering of the Christian Era and the vicious persecution of the saints that continues to the present hour in some countries of the world.
Let us proceed to examine some further comments by Daniel concerning the second half of the seventieth week. The latter part of the seventieth week is, as we have stated, the time of the great tribulation, the hour of temptation, and the overcoming of the saints.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)
Antichrist will deceive people by flattery. This work of deception is taking place today as pastors and teachers are flattering and coddling the believers. Any individual who speaks of the role of suffering in the Christian redemption is not received by many Christian churches.
Here and there one may find strong saints who are warning the Christians that much suffering is ahead-suffering that will purify the Bride of the Lamb and separate her from the babylonish (manmade, man-centered, man-directed) confusion of the ecclesiastical organizations. But the majority of believers are flocking to hear smooth words, positive statements concerning how much God loves them and will never allow them to suffer. The current "positive" thinking and preaching is of Antichrist and the False Prophet.
The true Christian Gospel contains much that is positive and much that is negative. The teacher who presents only what is positive is seeking his own glory. The teacher who presents only what is negative is emotionally ill.
The believers are being corrupted by the flattery of preachers who are seeking their own profit. However, in the time of darkness those who truly know the Lord will increase in strength and perform works of faith.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
When Daniel speaks of "the holy people" he is referring to the olive tree, to God's elect, to those who are of Christ; not to the physical nation of Israel.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25)
The saints (holy ones) of the last days, the days of Antichrist, are those who are in Christ whether they are physical Jews or Gentiles. Redemption is by promise, not by natural birth.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8)
We Gentile believers are an integral part of true, elect Israel. We need to learn how the Lord God will deal with those who belong to Him whether they are Jewish or Gentile by physical birth.
We have mentioned that the issue is one of judgment. God's saints must be obedient to Him until He is satisfied they no longer will be condemned along with Satan.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (I Corinthians 11:32)
We have said also that Antichrist's strategy for the last days is to cause the saints to feel so secure they do not seek the Lord as they should. One tactic that is part of his strategy is the doctrine of the pre-tribulation "rapture" of the saints.
The pre-tribulation-rapture error has spread amazingly, given its lack of scriptural foundation, and has succeeded in persuading the Christians in the wealthy nations they will not suffer-this in spite of the record of suffering of the Christian Era and the vicious persecution of the saints that continues to the present hour in some countries of the world.
Let us proceed to examine some further comments by Daniel concerning the second half of the seventieth week. The latter part of the seventieth week is, as we have stated, the time of the great tribulation, the hour of temptation, and the overcoming of the saints.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)
Antichrist will deceive people by flattery. This work of deception is taking place today as pastors and teachers are flattering and coddling the believers. Any individual who speaks of the role of suffering in the Christian redemption is not received by many Christian churches.
Here and there one may find strong saints who are warning the Christians that much suffering is ahead-suffering that will purify the Bride of the Lamb and separate her from the babylonish (manmade, man-centered, man-directed) confusion of the ecclesiastical organizations. But the majority of believers are flocking to hear smooth words, positive statements concerning how much God loves them and will never allow them to suffer. The current "positive" thinking and preaching is of Antichrist and the False Prophet.
The true Christian Gospel contains much that is positive and much that is negative. The teacher who presents only what is positive is seeking his own glory. The teacher who presents only what is negative is emotionally ill.
The believers are being corrupted by the flattery of preachers who are seeking their own profit. However, in the time of darkness those who truly know the Lord will increase in strength and perform works of faith.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Overcoming the Saints, #4
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: . . . . (Revelation 13:7)
God will give Antichrist authority and power to overcome the saints who have borne the Kingdom testimony of the last days.
Let us turn now to the Book of Daniel.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21,22)
The issue is one of judgment. Because we saints often do the works of Satan, because we are lawless and love the world, sin, and our own will, God is not free to judge Satan. The saints must be chastised severely until the sin and rebellion have been driven from them. Only then will God be justified in casting down Satan from the heavens. The saints must overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb, by the testimony wrought in them by the Spirit, and by their obedience to the point of death.
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Corinthians 10:6)
In the last days a remnant, a Gideon's army, will be drawn from the churches. These will obey God to the point of death. Through them Satan will be thrown down, and the remainder of God's Israel (all the elect of God) will be enabled to join in the defeat and spoiling of the enemy.
The following passage reveals that the Antichrist's master plan for the end-time is to destroy the saints by making them feel secure. The Christian witness already, in our day, has been ruined in the wealthy democracies because the saints are involved in the materialistic culture and the world seems to be their friend.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace [ease; security] shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:24,25)
Bible scholars have not always recognized that the "holy people" being addressed in Daniel are God's elect, whether Jewish or Gentile by natural birth.
At one time the Jewish people, or a remnant of them, were the only members of the holy olive tree. Since the resurrection of the Lord some Gentiles have been added to the olive tree. In the last days a multitude of Jews will be grafted on their own olive tree.
Paul consistently addressed the believers as saints -holy ones.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
The nation of Israel as such is not holy today. Only those who are part of Christ are holy to the Lord, are saints.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
God will give Antichrist authority and power to overcome the saints who have borne the Kingdom testimony of the last days.
Let us turn now to the Book of Daniel.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21,22)
The issue is one of judgment. Because we saints often do the works of Satan, because we are lawless and love the world, sin, and our own will, God is not free to judge Satan. The saints must be chastised severely until the sin and rebellion have been driven from them. Only then will God be justified in casting down Satan from the heavens. The saints must overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb, by the testimony wrought in them by the Spirit, and by their obedience to the point of death.
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Corinthians 10:6)
In the last days a remnant, a Gideon's army, will be drawn from the churches. These will obey God to the point of death. Through them Satan will be thrown down, and the remainder of God's Israel (all the elect of God) will be enabled to join in the defeat and spoiling of the enemy.
The following passage reveals that the Antichrist's master plan for the end-time is to destroy the saints by making them feel secure. The Christian witness already, in our day, has been ruined in the wealthy democracies because the saints are involved in the materialistic culture and the world seems to be their friend.
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace [ease; security] shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:24,25)
Bible scholars have not always recognized that the "holy people" being addressed in Daniel are God's elect, whether Jewish or Gentile by natural birth.
At one time the Jewish people, or a remnant of them, were the only members of the holy olive tree. Since the resurrection of the Lord some Gentiles have been added to the olive tree. In the last days a multitude of Jews will be grafted on their own olive tree.
Paul consistently addressed the believers as saints -holy ones.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
The nation of Israel as such is not holy today. Only those who are part of Christ are holy to the Lord, are saints.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Friday, May 06, 2011
Overcoming the Saints, #3
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: 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. (Matthew 24:29,30)
The Lord Jesus will descend from Heaven and the light of God will shine from the saints as the lightning that comes out of the east and shines to the west.
The first half of the week will be a period of unprecedented revival-the latter rain spoken of by Joel, Hosea, Zechariah, and James.
The second half of the week will be the time of Antichrist, of the hour of temptation, and of the great tribulation. The Lord will return "immediately" after the great tribulation.
Now we come to the subject of this booklet-the overcoming of the saints.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation 11:7)
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7)
It is difficult for us to grasp how the saints can be overcome when the Lord Jesus has all power, or why God would permit the Antichrist to overcome the saints.
As we study this topic we will notice that God redeems His people by blessing and also by much tribulation.
God marches by day. During the day we follow the cloud of blessing. "Day unto day uttereth speech." We hear and speak many words during the "day" of blessing.
God marches also by night. During the night we follow the pillar of fire. We trust in the judgments written in the Scriptures when we cannot see the Lord or understand what God is doing. "Night unto night sheweth knowledge." We gain the knowledge of the Lord during our nighttime experiences.
Both the march by day and the march by night bring us closer to the land of promise, which is the rest of God. The rest of God is a position we attain after much labor and struggle. It is the position in which all worldliness, lust, and self-will have been driven from us and we are abiding in untroubled rest in the very center of God's Presence and will.
Because we will be given so much power during the latter-rain revival it will be difficult for us, during the second half of the week, to accept the fact that God has withdrawn the power and we no longer are walking in victorious faith. Rather, we are being forced to flee for our lives.
The reader may have had just such an experience. He or she has been wonderfully used by the Lord and now has seemingly been set aside. God doesn't seem to hear anymore. There is much affliction at the hands of the enemy.
Perhaps our booklet will bring an explanation so that hope and trust in God may be restored.
It requires both blessing and suffering to make us in God's image, and perfectly obedient to Him. A field of wheat must receive the latter (harvest) rain, and then the burning sun of tribulation, if a good harvest is to be reaped.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The Lord Jesus will descend from Heaven and the light of God will shine from the saints as the lightning that comes out of the east and shines to the west.
The first half of the week will be a period of unprecedented revival-the latter rain spoken of by Joel, Hosea, Zechariah, and James.
The second half of the week will be the time of Antichrist, of the hour of temptation, and of the great tribulation. The Lord will return "immediately" after the great tribulation.
Now we come to the subject of this booklet-the overcoming of the saints.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation 11:7)
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7)
It is difficult for us to grasp how the saints can be overcome when the Lord Jesus has all power, or why God would permit the Antichrist to overcome the saints.
As we study this topic we will notice that God redeems His people by blessing and also by much tribulation.
God marches by day. During the day we follow the cloud of blessing. "Day unto day uttereth speech." We hear and speak many words during the "day" of blessing.
God marches also by night. During the night we follow the pillar of fire. We trust in the judgments written in the Scriptures when we cannot see the Lord or understand what God is doing. "Night unto night sheweth knowledge." We gain the knowledge of the Lord during our nighttime experiences.
Both the march by day and the march by night bring us closer to the land of promise, which is the rest of God. The rest of God is a position we attain after much labor and struggle. It is the position in which all worldliness, lust, and self-will have been driven from us and we are abiding in untroubled rest in the very center of God's Presence and will.
Because we will be given so much power during the latter-rain revival it will be difficult for us, during the second half of the week, to accept the fact that God has withdrawn the power and we no longer are walking in victorious faith. Rather, we are being forced to flee for our lives.
The reader may have had just such an experience. He or she has been wonderfully used by the Lord and now has seemingly been set aside. God doesn't seem to hear anymore. There is much affliction at the hands of the enemy.
Perhaps our booklet will bring an explanation so that hope and trust in God may be restored.
It requires both blessing and suffering to make us in God's image, and perfectly obedient to Him. A field of wheat must receive the latter (harvest) rain, and then the burning sun of tribulation, if a good harvest is to be reaped.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Overcoming the Saints, #2
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)
From our point of view, the following sequence of events will take place:
Now, today, we are being prepared for the most powerful of all revivals-the promised latter rain.
The latter rain of the Holy Spirit will fall on the whole world during the first half of the "week."
In the middle of the week, after the witness has been borne, God will withdraw the Divine authority, thus permitting the witness to be overcome. This will enable Antichrist to attain rulership over the nations. There will be a time of temptation and of great tribulation during the second half of the week.
After the great tribulation, there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The heavens will be shaken. There will be distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring. This is the budding of "the fig tree, and all the trees" (Luke 21:29,30).
Finally, the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. He will gather His saints to Himself from one end of the heavens to the other.
The preparation for the revival is beginning today. We have much to learn. We are being brought through the Divine fire. All worldliness, all sin, and all self-will are being burned out of us.
It is a period of the most strenuous testing. A Gideon's army is being formed that is sternly obedient to the Lord. God will not allow the glory of the latter-rain outpouring to be dissipated by self-seeking believers who do not know the Lord.
The latter-rain revival itself, described in the eleventh chapter of Revelation as the testimony borne by the two witnesses, will be worldwide. It will be so powerful that current economic and political forces will be brought to a standstill.
The Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to every nation for a witness and each nation will be compelled to listen. The authority given to the end-time witness will be a foretaste of the thousand-year Kingdom Age in which the nations of the saved will be forced, by the rod of iron of the Holy Spirit, to obey the laws coming from Zion.
The saints of the Lord will bring plagues on the whole earth. They will direct every nation to be baptized and to obey the Lord's commandments, in obedience to the Great Commission of the last chapter of the Book of Matthew.
We think the majority of people on the earth will become Christians, even if only nominally.
Then, in the middle of the "week," God will withdraw the authority of the last revival. The saints will be overcome by Antichrist. There will be sin on the earth until the love of most of the believers grows cold. The Jews and the true saints will suffer persecution. It will be the time of Jacob's trouble.
After the great tribulation has created a remnant without spot or wrinkle (a firstfruits of the whole Church), the end of the age will be here. The Divine signs will be seen in the heavens. The generation living at that time will not pass away until all events have been concluded. The saints then are to look up for their redemption draws near. The Kingdom of God will be at hand.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From our point of view, the following sequence of events will take place:
Now, today, we are being prepared for the most powerful of all revivals-the promised latter rain.
The latter rain of the Holy Spirit will fall on the whole world during the first half of the "week."
In the middle of the week, after the witness has been borne, God will withdraw the Divine authority, thus permitting the witness to be overcome. This will enable Antichrist to attain rulership over the nations. There will be a time of temptation and of great tribulation during the second half of the week.
After the great tribulation, there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The heavens will be shaken. There will be distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring. This is the budding of "the fig tree, and all the trees" (Luke 21:29,30).
Finally, the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. He will gather His saints to Himself from one end of the heavens to the other.
The preparation for the revival is beginning today. We have much to learn. We are being brought through the Divine fire. All worldliness, all sin, and all self-will are being burned out of us.
It is a period of the most strenuous testing. A Gideon's army is being formed that is sternly obedient to the Lord. God will not allow the glory of the latter-rain outpouring to be dissipated by self-seeking believers who do not know the Lord.
The latter-rain revival itself, described in the eleventh chapter of Revelation as the testimony borne by the two witnesses, will be worldwide. It will be so powerful that current economic and political forces will be brought to a standstill.
The Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to every nation for a witness and each nation will be compelled to listen. The authority given to the end-time witness will be a foretaste of the thousand-year Kingdom Age in which the nations of the saved will be forced, by the rod of iron of the Holy Spirit, to obey the laws coming from Zion.
The saints of the Lord will bring plagues on the whole earth. They will direct every nation to be baptized and to obey the Lord's commandments, in obedience to the Great Commission of the last chapter of the Book of Matthew.
We think the majority of people on the earth will become Christians, even if only nominally.
Then, in the middle of the "week," God will withdraw the authority of the last revival. The saints will be overcome by Antichrist. There will be sin on the earth until the love of most of the believers grows cold. The Jews and the true saints will suffer persecution. It will be the time of Jacob's trouble.
After the great tribulation has created a remnant without spot or wrinkle (a firstfruits of the whole Church), the end of the age will be here. The Divine signs will be seen in the heavens. The generation living at that time will not pass away until all events have been concluded. The saints then are to look up for their redemption draws near. The Kingdom of God will be at hand.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Overcoming the Saints
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation 11:7)
It requires both blessing and suffering to make a Christian disciple in God's image and perfectly obedient to Him. The fiery trials that come upon the saints result in their perfection as the firstfruits of the Bride of the Lamb.
The Scriptures teach that many of God's people will be overcome in the last days. They will fall by deception-the result of maintaining their sin and self-will.
It is the writer's point of view that there is coming a Divine intervention in the affairs of men and that this intervention will take place before the return of the Lord in the clouds of glory.
The period of which we speak is Daniel's seventieth week.
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. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Christ the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks : the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Christ 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. 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. (Daniel 9:24-27)
Seventy "weeks" are required in order to make an end of sins and to bring in "everlasting righteousness," to bring to the earth the Kingdom of God.
Notice in the passage above that there are seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and then a seventieth week. A "week" represents seven years, although a week, particularly the seventieth week, may not refer to a literal seven-year period.
It is the opinion of some Bible scholars that the sixty-nine weeks (seven weeks plus sixty-two weeks) brought us to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Then, it is felt, the Kingdom clock stopped ticking while God created the Church. The seventieth week will take place in the last days-the clock will start ticking again.
From the above passage we see that the seventieth week will be divided into two parts: the first part will be a confirming of the covenant; during the second part the sacrifice and offering will cease and there will be abominations.
We think the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation describes Daniel's seventieth week. During the first half of the week there will take place the latter-rain revival, symbolized by the two witnesses. During the second half of the week, the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom will be driven from the cities of the earth. The Christian witness will be overcome.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It requires both blessing and suffering to make a Christian disciple in God's image and perfectly obedient to Him. The fiery trials that come upon the saints result in their perfection as the firstfruits of the Bride of the Lamb.
The Scriptures teach that many of God's people will be overcome in the last days. They will fall by deception-the result of maintaining their sin and self-will.
It is the writer's point of view that there is coming a Divine intervention in the affairs of men and that this intervention will take place before the return of the Lord in the clouds of glory.
The period of which we speak is Daniel's seventieth week.
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. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Christ the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks : the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Christ 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. 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. (Daniel 9:24-27)
Seventy "weeks" are required in order to make an end of sins and to bring in "everlasting righteousness," to bring to the earth the Kingdom of God.
Notice in the passage above that there are seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and then a seventieth week. A "week" represents seven years, although a week, particularly the seventieth week, may not refer to a literal seven-year period.
It is the opinion of some Bible scholars that the sixty-nine weeks (seven weeks plus sixty-two weeks) brought us to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Then, it is felt, the Kingdom clock stopped ticking while God created the Church. The seventieth week will take place in the last days-the clock will start ticking again.
From the above passage we see that the seventieth week will be divided into two parts: the first part will be a confirming of the covenant; during the second part the sacrifice and offering will cease and there will be abominations.
We think the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation describes Daniel's seventieth week. During the first half of the week there will take place the latter-rain revival, symbolized by the two witnesses. During the second half of the week, the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom will be driven from the cities of the earth. The Christian witness will be overcome.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright � 1997-2011 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
