Matthew 24 - Are We in the End Times?

In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the signs of the end times.  So lets take a look and see what will happen in the end times.
"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
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.
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?
⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."
--From this we can see that in the end time there will be deception.   That has definitely come true.  Everywhere we turn there is deception.  People are deceived by people who are pushing their views and propaganda.
"⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
--This has also happened.  Throughout history there have been people coming and saying that they speak for God.  Some have said that they are the "Messiah". 
"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."
--Throughout history there have been many wars.   However, it seems like since World War II the world has been almost continually at war.
"⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows."
--Almost every month we hear of a famine, and earthquake or some awful thing happening somewhere in the world.
"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."
--This is another that has been almost continual throughout history.  However, more Christians are being martyred for their faith now, than ever in history.  
"¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
--This may be debatable.  However, it seems like people are very easily offended at this time.   I believe the news bear witness that there is a lot of hate as well
"¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
--The list of false prophets in recent history is long.  To name a few:  Jim Jones, Rev. Moon etc
"¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
--Sin is definitely on the rise.  It seems at times that people do not have love that should come naturally.  An example would be a parents love for their children.
"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."
--This has not happened as the end has not come.  However, the gospel has been preached in much of the world. 
"¹⁵ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
¹⁶ Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
¹⁷ Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁸ Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
¹⁹ And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
²⁰ But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:"
--There is debate amongst theologians as to whether or not this has taken place.  Some say this will take place in the future.  Others believe that it was when Antiochus Epiphanes interrupted temple sacrifices between 168 and 165 B.C. The abomination would be when he sacrificed a pig on the altar in the temple complex.
 ^"21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
²³ Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
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."
--Great troubles in the world, like there never have been before.  Trouble so bad that unless God shortened the time, no flesh would be left on earth.  People saying they are the Christ and all other false things.  These false prophets will do signs an wonders. I believe we are at the beginning of this time.
"²⁵ Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
²⁸ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
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:"
--This has not happened yet in my opinion.
"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.
³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
--This also has not happened yet.  The Son of man has not been seen in the clouds of heaven.
"³² Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
³³ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
³⁴ Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
--Here I believe Jesus is saying that like one looks to nature to see what the season is, we can look for these signs to know that the end of the age is near.
"³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
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,
³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
--It will be as in the days of Noah that people will be only concerned with pleasure.  There is much more in this verse that we will cover in a future blog. But for this discussion, our world is getting very close to meeting this requirement.
"⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
--This is a goal.  We want to be told by God on that day that we were a good and faithful servant.






So we see in the end times there will be:
* Deception
*Many coming in the name of God saying "I am he", deceiving many
*Wars and rumours of wars
*Famines, pestilences and earthquakes
*Being killed and hated for Christ's name sake.
*Many are offended and betrayal and filled with hate.
*False prophets
*Sin abounds, love grows cold
*Gospel preached to all the world.
*Abomination of desolation
*Tribulation and deception so great that even the saints could be deceived.
*The sun is darkened and moon shall not give her light, stars fall, and the heavens are shaken.
*sign of Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, earth mourns, angels with a great sound of a trumpet and gather his elect
*It will be like it was in the days of Noah.

Not all of these have been fulfilled, but most have or are happening in our world right now.   I believe we can accurately conclude we are in the end times.

Why People Do Not Prepare

I believe that there are several reaons why people will not listen to or heed the warnings regarding the coming troubles about to befall our country and the world.
1)  They do not want to hear anything negative.  Our nation has become so entertainment oriented that if it isnt fun they close their ears.
2)  They understand that if they hear of suffering, they would be responsible to do something about it.  Many do not want to spend time in prayer about social injustice, let alone support monetarily those working in the fields.
3)  Some don't believe that such evil exists.  To which I say, read your Bible.  Or just watch the news.
4)  Some cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality.  Often in movies, the characters escape the evil things that happen to them.  

5) Then there is the idea that "it won't happen to me"  or " it can't happen in  the USA".  Well it can happen here.

6). They do not want to do the research themselves to see if the person who they are listening to is right or wrong?  It is easier to just dismiss it all as a conspiracy theory.  Unfortunately, they open themselves to deception.  

How I Know My Heart is Cold

Before I continue with my story, I want to tell you another story.  I am putting in an excerpt of a story of a young man's life.   I first heard of this story on a conference I was streaming.   By that I mean I was watching it online.   A young teenager was telling this story.  She told it with conviction.  It was easy to see that she was very moved regarding the content.  She had been deeply affected for days.  The man in the story was a Welsh revivalist born in 1878.  His name was Evan Roberts.  Here was a man who loved God with more passion than most of us can even imagine.
After his conversion, the leaders of his church wanted Evan to go to school to learn to be a minister.  He did not want to go because he was afraid that he would lose the "communion"  In other words, he was afraid that he would "backslide" or lose the closeness he had with God.   Here is the excerpt:  "“I got up Sunday. The Rev. Seth Joshua was there. Tuesday evening there was a prayer meeting, and Sydney Evans and others came to see me, and asked if I would go to the meeting. At that moment I felt the Spirit coming upon me, and so irresistible did He come that I rushed to the chapel without my topcoat. The influence began. I was ready to pray - to pray for power to the young women who were there from New Quay, lest the people should wait upon them. I had prayed for them in the house on Monday night. I was not allowed to pray publicly on Tuesday evening. That day I had asked where the devil was. I was hard. I could look at the Cross without feeling. I wept for the hardness of my heart, but could not weep for Christ. I loved the Father and the Spirit, but I did not love the Son."
How amazing is this.  How many people enter churches every day, look at the cross and have no feeling.  Perhaps they do not even notice it is there.  This is something to ponder.  It is time to search our hearts.   How much of our day do we devote to God?
Here is how I know my heart has grown cold.
#1)  The above.   I do not weep when I see the cross.  To some the very idea may seem repugnant.  But I believe my heart and the hearts of my fellow Americans have grown cold.
#2)  When I hear of Christians being martyred, I pause, but go on with my life.  I don't cry out for God to protect them.  I don't pray for those doing the killing.
#3)  Regarding #2 - do I believe that God answers prayer?  That He hears me and cares when I pray?  If so, why don't I pray more?  Why don't I pray more for my friends, family, co-workers, and people I pass by.
#4)  I don't care enough about people to tell them the truth about God.  I'm not talking about what we called "Bible Thumpers" in the 80s.   I'm talking about sharing with people how God has changed my life.
#5)  Excusing myself for sin, instead of dealing with it.  For me, eating healthy and exercising are areas that I know I must heed the Lord.
#6)  Hardening my heart against people that I interact with.  This would include brushing someone off that wants to talk with me, or monopolizing a conversation instead of listening to what the other person has to say.
#7)  Harboring unforgiveness.  This isn't as much of a problem as it has been in the past.  However, I felt it is a way that does show if my heart is cold.
#8)  Denying that my heart has gone cold.

These are just a few ways that I have found upon self-examination.  Other people may have a completely different list.  I daresay that #8 is a problem for most Christians.  I understand as I was there for many years.  It is easier to think everything is ok with me and God than to face the areas that need change.   I hope you and I will let God into our hearts and obey what He says.

Church: Open Letter to Church Leadership

I heard a heartbreaking statistic today.  It crushed me, I knew that it is true.   I don't like statistics because they can and often are manipulated.  I believe they are often used to manipulate people.   Nevertheless when I heard this one, it cut right to my heart.  A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.
A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.   The Barna Group is one of the most trusted organizations for statistics.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2012/01/the-church-has-no-effect-on-your-life/#ixzz3R4WRXnbg

This is appalling.   However, I believe that I understand why this is true.

First of all, the church has become a form of entertainment.   The un-churched are not interested in entertainment.  They have real entertainment.  They don't need to go be entertained on Sunday, because they have football, NASCAR,  TV, movies etc.
I believe that C.H. Spurgeon had it right when he said,  "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"Secondly, the church has largely turned it's back on the problems of the country and the world.  Sure we may pick one or two areas we talk about here and there but we don't talk about the economy that is about to collapse, we don't talk about the Islamic infiltration of our country.   We don't seem to care that villages in Niger were recently burnt, killing many Christians.  Or that Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith.  How about how we are sacrificing our infants on the altars of Baal and Molech?   How the film industry is so filthy that the Christians should be appalled.  But no, we go watch their movies, paying our money to the very people we should be denouncing.    As if this is not bad enough, we export our sins to the world.  No wonder Islam calls us (the USA) the whore of the world.Yet, the very fact that shariah law is creeping into the laws of this nation should make us wake up.The real tragedy is that Christians are not being prepared for what is taking place in this nation and the world.   If you study history, can you see how our nation has changed?  How we are becoming apostate? 

What is happening is a spiritual problem.  If the church does not step up and take action, someone else will.  The church will be judged for what we allowed to happen on our watch.

The answer is repentance.  Pure and simply, it must start with the church.  Repentance means turning away.   It is not enough to says "Sorry" and go on with the same lifestyle.   It is almost impossible to tell the church from the world.  Perhaps we don't use the same swearwords, but we dress the same, go to the same movies, use those movies inside the church.  Instead we should be like the 7 wise virgins who were preparing and prepared for the return of the bridegroom.

I believe that in the near future you will see a division between what Jesus called the sheep and the goats.   It is the pastor's (shepherd) job to protect and disciple the sheep.   God considers this an important job with dire consequences for failure.

One final quote from Spurgeon:
Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Repentance is not raising your hand during an altar call (shouldn't be called altar calls anymore) or by saying a prayer.   Repentance is turning away from sin.  As was in the case of Jacob/Israel, this often involves wrestling.
If anyone reading this needs more information on how to repent of your sins and put Jesus in charge of your life, please leave a comment with your email and I will email you with more information and attempt to answer any questions you may have.   I want you to know upfront that being a Christian (Christ-like one) is not easy.   It is worth it, but not easy.

Of course, if this doesn't apply to you, please disregard.

Sources:
http://www.acommonword.com/
http://apprising.org/2012/02/28/john-piper-on-rick-warrens-chrislam/

Church: Why I Hate Statistics...and Manipulation

Have you even been listening to a speaker and they start spitting out statistics like a copier produces copies?
It is disconcerting when you are listening to someone you trust and they start talking in statistics.   To me, that makes me suspicious of whatever it is they are trying to convey. Generally speaking, people start with the statistics to make their viewpoint look credible. I am a bit different than most churchgoers, but you probably already knew that.
I took a statistics class many years ago. Most of what I learned I have forgotten. One thing has stayed with me throughout the years. Our class was told that one can take any set of statistics and make them support your supposition. Isn't that very interesting. Statistics can be manipulated, just as they can be used to manipulate people. I understand there are reputable firms that do studies and are careful to use statistics wisely. However, when people are trying to influence others, they tend to utilize the tools they have or think they have.
It seems to me that the very ones who are suppose to protect their congregations are instead using manipulation. Unfortunately this happens a lot in the church.   I think most everyone knows when they are being manipulated.   There are times when we don't realize what is happening until it's too late.  Christians must be discerning without being suspicious.  This is something that we can pray and ask God to give us.  He promises that He will not withhold any good thing from us.
I had a situation recently, when I didn't realize what was happening until after the fact.  This person literally attacked, accusing me of something untrue.   Others that were there told me that they know that what the other person said was not true.  Yet I was troubled inside.  It was some time later I realized that the person foisted off on me her opinion.  She did it in such a way, that I knew I did not do what I was accused of, yet I had this huge need to bring clarity to all around me.   This is one way that people can manipulate you. 
Another happened one day when I got drawn into another persons drama.  As a result, I lost time that I couldn't afford to lose.
My suggestion is to ask God for protection and discernment.   And do not believe every statistic you hear.

Church: Sunday is Coming

It's Thursday evening and the thought of Sunday makes me tense.  I can't keep making excuses for missing a lot of church services.  I have a good friend to whom I am accountable.   I know that she is beginning to wonder about my commitment to the church we both attend.  Before I joined this church, I prayed a lot.  I wanted to be completely certain that I was doing the right thing.   I truly believed I was doing the right thing.  Even now, I believe that I was acting in faith.  I was trying to do what I believed God wanted me to do.
Some time later, I wondered if I misheard God.  I felt like God told me that I was not sent there for myself, but sent for the people.
It would be some time before I began to understand what this meant.  I began to forge friendships with new people.  I had an exchange of ideas with other church goers.  After some time I was an assistant connect group leader.  I felt like I was a good influence. 
The main place I believe I was useful to God was through prayer.  I began to pray for a friend and the ministry she is involved in.   I found such a joy through prayer.   Prayer is rewarding in many ways; but at times the results of prayer are not known in this life.  There were many answers to prayer as well during this time.
Where I differ from the 'average' churchgoer is that I have been a student of the Bible for years.  A shallow sermon makes little impact on my life.  For a time I thought that it was okay that I was not being challenged at my church.   I thought that I could listen to pod casts to forage for what I was not being fed at my own church.   For time I also thought that it was enough that others seemed to listen to what I had to say.  However, those closer to me, kept telling me that I had something to say, and that it was my time.  But opportunities were few.
Still, I remained.
I have written all the above to show that going to church is not enough.  It is about a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.   I wasn't trying to live my life without a relationship with God.  But going to church is not what God requires of you.  God is concerned with every day of your life, not just Sunday.  Hebrews 10:25 is often quoted by church leaders to keep people going to church.  It says, "do not forget the assembling of believers as is the manner of some."  However, in the early church, the believers went to synagogue, but mostly met in each others homes.  There reason for gathering together was to study and listen to the apostle's doctrine.  They did not gather for entertainment.  They met to hear the meat of the word of God.  At most churches today, the congregation is lucky to get milk.   It is impossible to grow spiritually with only milk.
Please note I said most churches.  There are some wonderful churches out there.  Places where the pastors are shepherds.  I am not anti-church.

To be continued ....

Forgetting:  The rules and regulations of the religious.  Leaving behind the things that try to keep me down.

Remembering:  I live to please God.  I attempt to do all that He asks of me.  This may mean saying no to good so that I can do the best.

Church: Part 2

If you haven't read part 1 of this series, I encourage you to do so.
I want to make a few things clear.  I realize and understand that by writing this blog, I will likely encounter persecution and may even lose friends.   However, as the Apostle Paul stated, "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.    I hear someone gasping.  When you said the 'sinners prayer' to accept Jesus, did you understand that you would suffer persecution?  Perhaps that is not what you thought you signed up for.   Maybe you were told that accepting Jesus as your Saviour you would have a "happy ever after ending".   Maybe you thought God would give you a Rolls Royce and a condo in the Florida Keys?
Let's take a look at some of the disciples of Jesus Christ.  Peter, John and some of the other Apostles were beaten and jailed for spreading the Gospel. (Acts 4).  Afterwards, they prayed that God would grant them even more boldness to preach the Gospel of Christ.   This is a far cry from the gospel preached today that you can accept Christ today and tomorrow have a glorious life without pain.
History tells us that Peter was crucified by the Emperor Nero.  Tradition says that he was crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.  James was put to death by Herod Agrippa.  Paul also died as a martyr.   
If you think that martyrs only existed in Bible times, you should visit the Voice of the Martyrs website.  http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx  Christians all over the world are being martyred today.
I believe that persecution is coming to the USA.  It's time to make sure you are right with God.  The God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.

Forgetting:  The idea that my life will always be a bowl of cherries.

Remembering:  Jesus is the reason for life.  I may end up a martyr for Christ.  I must prepare for the day I meet my Saviour face to face.