What Times Are These: Suffering And Looking To The Father

What times are these in which we live? Who among us saw these things coming? A disease spreading and perhaps 40 percent of the world temporarily shutting down?

Here is what times these are. 

I will tell you. 

These are times when some, who have not previously now begin to pray. Others who have prayed begin to pray more. These are times when many are forced to slow down. Either by job loss or disease or from a loved one getting sick. Perhaps only because of reading and hearing of bad news. These things are sometimes beyond our previous experiences. We learn and are unsure of what to do and how to adjust. Many are more open to God, and to learning of him at this time. And yet, unusually we must point those open to receive truth to the Bible and to council from ourselves or another we know. Unusually, most churches at present are closed.

This is a time for reflection. 

Counterintuitively this is also a time for Great Thankfulness. Thankful in part that things are not worse, but more so because all this upheaveal should cause us to realise all which we had and most which we continue to have. A decent job. Food to eat. Freedom to move about. The health to live our daily lives. Our family and our friends. Even those strangers who show kindness and concern and whose helpful acts are like the gifts of angels.

Time to slow down and be thankful for the small things in life. Catch up with family. Enjoy a good home cooked meal, a warm bed by the fireplace, sunshine, a gentle breeze.

Time to focus. 

What does God want? If Coronavirus is what it takes to bring souls that were once lost and point them toward God then Coronavirus is a blessing to those lost souls. Praise be to God if we bring these lost to God without disease so we could all be more comfortable. Sad it is that discomfort is often necessary to move forward in a society which turns its back to God. To a people which work hard to legislate away the Gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The saving grace to those who believe in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The forgiveness of sins because of his death on the cross and his ressurection from the dead. The spiritual rebirth to all who believe on Jesus Christ and call upon his name for the forgiveness of their sins for which he died. For which he suffered. Our suffering is not great. Though many times it seems to be great to us.

Let us take this time to be fully focused. Having 2020 vision seeing all through the eyes and the perspective of God the Father. In Jesus' Name this I pray. Amen. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." - John 3:16-17

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12

Have The Sign Gifts Ceased?

Has God's Word Changed? No. So the sign gifts have not ceased.

The following is based on part of a letter I have recently written to a Dispensationalist.

Now there is one thing I must point out regarding the verses you shared about the sign gifts. You argue that the sign gifts (Prophesy, Healing, Miracles, Speaking in Tongues) are no more at all, but as proof you present verses which merely give examples that at some places they will not be. There is a big difference between examples where there were no sign gifts, and saying that there are no sign gifts. Can you see the distinction I’m pointing out?

You said that there is lots of evidence that the sign gifts have been withdrawn. I am pointing out that there is no evidence that they have been withdrawn, only evidence that they are not in existence in every Christian or in every place. There is quite a big difference between the two.

It has been said “If the sign gifts are still in effect why is Luke a Physician?” (implying that doctors would not be needed because God's people would heal everyone) That point is irrelevant because of two things. First, do you remember the condition for the working of the sign gifts? One condition is Faith, or belief. For many the sign gifts are of no use as far as miracles and healings, because they do not believe such a thing is possible. Notice in Matthew 13:58 and Mark 6:5 that Jesus did not do as many miracles and healing because the people did not believe. The modern western man is conditioned to believe that these types of healings and miracles are impossible, and so they greatly are because of his unbelief. Second, not every believer has every gift. Simply because we are a true believer, it is not the will of the Holy Ghost to give each of us every gift (1 Corinthians 12:4-12). Further, when you say that the sign gifts have ceased you are putting together a false (or incomplete) church, because you are cutting off some of its members (1 Corinthians 12:13-31). This is a serious error, and is part of the reason why the church in North America is declining (as it did in Europe), and why it is reportedly growing in Asia, and Africa, and Central America (and maybe South America also?).

I agree completely that there will be (and are) many false prophets (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22, 1 John 4:1). I also agree that any prophet who teaches anything contrary to God’s word (the Holy Bible), or who makes predictions that do not come true is a false prophet. But the scriptures are so clear that the gift of prophesy will continue, to believe other wise is in contradiction to the clear word of God. Perhaps it is you who believe false Prophets and their unbiblical teachings? Perhaps the answer to the question “What is a Prophet?” would clarify this issue. A prophet is someone who hears from God and speaks and does what God has told them to say and do. Because the Prophet hears God, they can also have knowledge of things they would normally not have, because God has told them. Thus, this is their means for prophesying the future. By the scriptures we can tell a true prophet from a false prophet. True prophets lead men to repent, to turn from wickedness, and to worship God. True prophets warn of the destruction coming to sinners. There are two ways to know a false prophet as given in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 , Deuteronomy 18:9-22, Matthew 7:15-23, and 1 Corinthians 14:32, 37, 39. First, if they make a prediction which later comes true, but they also lead men away from God and teach them to worship other gods, or if they bare bad fruit, leading men in wicked ways (into sin) they are false prophets. Second, if they make predictions which do not come to pass then they are false prophets. So to be a true prophet they need to do two things 1. They need to speak according to Gods word (not teaching anything unbiblical), and 2. They need to prophesy and there prophesies must never fail to come to pass. (And of course they must have been given the gift to prophecy by the Holy Ghost.)

Some Dispensationalists have professed that "The prophetic time clock has been put on hold, Peter did not know that and was in error when he said that the last days had begun."

To which I respond...

Do you realize that you are calling the Apostle Peter a liar? Peter said that the last days had come (Acts ch. 2) (Also see Hebrews 1:2 and 2 Timothy 3:1). If your theological view leads you to disbelieve the teachings of scripture than your theological view is corrupt and is based upon false teachings. Perhaps you have a different definition of “the last days” than the Bible does, but when discussing Biblical things you should use the same definition the Bible uses.

Also, do you not realize what the Apostle Paul says in the verses below? It sums things up and really cuts right to the point.

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. - 1 Corinthians 14:37-39

Interestingly, there is a great similarity between the way God spoke to prophets through the Holy Spirit, and the way he now speaks to believers. Many verses and biblical stories attest to this fact, but one verse in particular that comes to mind is Matthew 5:12. Through the Holy Spirit in us today God communicates things which we could not know without Him, he allows us to know so that we may serve Him better and ultimately bring Glory to His name. Taking the sign gifts out of Christianity is taking the supernatural out of Christianity and turning it into nothing but a belief system. It is a belief system, but it is more, it is also a system of Revelation, Miracles, and Regeneration. For example, many answered prayers are miracles. And for myself I am convinced by the many answers to prayer I have received.

False Prophets: One Current Example

Harold Camping is one example of a false prophet. He predicted the "Rapture" of Christians to be May 21, 2011.

How do we know he is a false prophet?

The Bible guarantees it!*

In Mark 13:31-37 the scripture is clear that no one but God the Father knows the hour or the day of Christ’s coming. No one but the Father knows the day or hour this world shall end.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” - Mark 13:31-37

In Deuteronomy 18:21-22 we read how to identify a false prophet.

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

In Jeremiah we read the word of the Lord against the false prophets of Jerusalem. See Jeremiah 23:16, 25-26, 32, 36, 39, 40

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”

“I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart”

“Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”

“…for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.”

“Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.”

"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him." - Jeremiah 28:9

Many professed Christians have actually done one of the same things as Mr. Camping. They choose to ignore parts of scripture which they do not like. (He disregarded Mark 13:32) They disregard parts of the scripture because it requires them to do something to which their flesh (their carnal mind) is opposed. Many modern (unbiblical) “Christians” who mock Camping are hypocrites in this way.

Just as Camping’s ignorance (weather purposeful or not) of the scriptures resulted in lies, wasted resources, anger, and destruction (both on his part and from his followers) so too does disobedience of the scriptures result in lies, waste, anger, and destruction in the lives of all who disregard them.

But most importantly, those who disregard the Gospel message will not experience the Joy and blessings of knowing Christ their Saviour (Ephesians 1:3-14). They will suffer the consequences of a vain life, and everlasting damnation in Hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die (Ecclesiastes 11:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Daniel 12:2, Revelation 21:7-8, Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 9:48, John 3:36, John 3:18, Hebrews 10:31).

Beware the many false prophets and false Christs today!

“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. Behold, I have told you before.” - Matthew 24:24-25

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:13-23

See the following two links for more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Camping

http://www.katu.com/news/local/122235709.html

or Google "May 21 Harold Camping" or "the rapture of Christians May 21, 2011"

*(to rightly use a phrase he misused).

March 2012 Update: Harold Camping Admits Sin, Announces End to Doomsday Predictions

Paul Washer on False Prophets

A Thief In The Night: Not To Those In The Light

A thief in the night?

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” - Matthew 25:13

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” - Mark 13:35-37

We often hear of Christ coming as a thief in the night. To those who live in darkness and in sin, Christ will come as a thief, he will catch them quite unawares. As followers of Christ dwelling in the Light we will be on our guard watching and praying. We will see the trees shooting forth their tender leaves and know that the summer is “nigh at hand” (See Luke 21:29-36, Mark 13:28-37, also see Matthew 24:45-50).

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-7

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” - 1 Peter 4:7

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” - Matthew 24:37-39

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” - Matthew 24:42

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” - Luke 21:36

See the Hymn "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS"

See the related post "Tribulation? Rapture? The Second Coming of Christ?"

See the related post "The Wrath of God and the Song of Moses and of Christ"

Tribulation? Rapture? The Second Coming of Christ?

A Short Defense for the Historical Post Tribulation Rapture

First, if Church history is understood and considered regarding the rapture and the tribulation it will appear that a pretribulation rapture is a rather ridiculous idea. But I do not plan to go into history at all in this article, but merely point out that understanding the views of earlier church leaders, and history itself would alone make the common day “pretribulation rapture belief” appear foolish.

Rather, the focus will only be on the word of God, as he has spoken quite clearly on this matter which is more than evident. The fact is that whenever in scripture that the tribulation and the rapture are mentioned together the rapture ALWAYS comes after the tribulation. Those who believe a pretribulation rapture split Christ’s coming into two. They say he has one coming for the church in the rapture, and another when he comes to rule on the earth. Never in scripture does the rapture come before the tribulation. The 2nd coming of Christ is always spoken of as one occurrence in scripture. This should be simple enough to understand, but some have cleverly devised lies and wrested the scripture to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

First, consider John 17:15. Here Jesus prays to the Father that we (Christians) would not be taken out of the world, but that we may be kept from evil. This shows us a theme in the Bible that had perhaps begun with Deuteronomy 4:30-31. That theme being that we are to have faith in the Lord calling upon him to deliver us in time of tribulation. This is just as true in the tribulations we face commonly as it would be if we were to experience the great Tribulation.

There are three arguments that will be considered which revolve around four subjects; the last trumpet, the plagues of Revelation, the day of Christ, and the abomination of desolation/son of perdition. The strongest and clearest argument will be saved for last.

First, it appears that the “trump of God” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the “last trump” of 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and the trumpet in Revelation 10:7, 11:15 (see Rev. 8:2, 9:1, 9:13 for context) and Matthew 24:31 are all the same trumpet. This would fit the rapture in perfectly with the order of events in Matthew ch 24 and Revelation (and shows the rapture as after the tribulation).

Second, the plagues of revelation (of the tribulation), namely the locusts of Rev. 9:2-4, and the angels horsemen of Rev. 9:14-21 were sent to torture only those who had not received the seal of God (Rev. 6:9-11, 7:3, Eph. 1:13, 4:30, 2 Cor. 1:22; we are sealed after we believe by the Holy Spirit) . It can be clearly seen that those who are marked with the seal of God are still on the earth at this time, but they are protected by God from these plagues. I also believe that they are protected by God from the other plagues of Revelation chapter 8. So how are the servants of God harmed during this time of tribulation? They are “slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” as is seen in verse 11 and 9 of Revelation chapter 6 (Also see Matthew chapter 24).

Now from the letter’s of the Apostle Paul we are given perhaps the clearest argument, but the references to other books of scripture to which Paul refers will also be pointed out. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 we can see a number of important details. In verse 1-4 we see Paul telling the Thessalonians not to be troubled and that they should let no man deceive them. He says that the day of Christ shall not come “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be reveled, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” It should be noted that verse 4 refers to the same event as Matthew 24:15 and Daniel 11:36 (The antichrist, and when he is there is tribulation). So in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 it is said that the day of Christ shall not come until after the falling away and the antichrist comes first (Also that those who do not love the truth will be damned.) In Philippians 1:10 and 2:15-16 we can see that the day of Christ is the final, or last thing that Christians are to be blameless until, and should be able to rejoice in, unless they have failed to “hold forth the word of life.” So the order of events should be more clear by the pointing out of these verses and there relation to each other.

We see in Romans 14:8, Luke 20:38, and 1 Thessalonians 5:10 that weather we live or die (in the flesh) we are with the Lord. But when Christ returns at his second coming the dead shall be raised first and then we who are alive and remain shall also go to be with the Lord (in our new resurrected bodies, see 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Philippians 3:20-21). So to be clear, both the resurrection and the rapture take place at the same time when Christ returns after the tribulation.

Also see

http://post-triborpre-trib.blogspot.com/2007/06/end-times-bible-prophcey-conference.html