Is Your Testimony Really an “Obituary?”

(Galatians 2:19-21 NKJV) For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

An obituary is a brief testimony regarding the life of someone who has died. A believer’s testimony also attests to one who has died, but to their old sin nature. The Christian has been spiritually buried and resurrected in Christ, and now possesses eternal life obtained through faith in Jesus’ finished work of redemption. A disciple’s life is, in effect, a declared obituary to the world.

Yet, for many believers, what is declared to the world isn’t a crucified and resurrected life in Christ, but rather a life that attempts and fails to serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). Consequently, these believer’s lead carnal (fleshly, worldly) lives. Lives that fail to follow Christ by attempting to live in their own strength. Lives that are compromised with the very worldly culture to which they are supposed to be dead. Weak, spiritually defeated lives that make them wonder if they have been saved at all. Their doubts could be well founded. (2 Cor. 13:5). Better to examine and correct one’s doubts than to suffer eternal consequences for spiritual delusions. After all, a love affair with the world is deadly (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Such conflicted believers lead nearly Christless lives in the world that are fearfully mute, socially isolated, willfully uninvolved, and estranged from their mission to make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20) that challenge the culture, not cooperating with it by seeking “relevance” or acceptance.

No Death, No Testimony, No Obituary

As mentioned before, eternal life begins with a death of the “old man.” A God-breathed (Jn. 6:44) call from Christ, as Diethrich Bonhoeffer said, to “come and die”:

“The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.” (The Cost of Discipleship, 99)

Putting the “Old Man” to Death

For a true believer, the “old man” is the old master of one’s life along with his cursed bondage and condemnation that bears the wrath of God (Eph. 2:3-6). Let that sink in a bit. We are neither all created “children of God,” nor is there a complete “brotherhood of man.” These are lies that deceive millions into complacency and seal their doom. Those apart from salvation in Christ are children of wrath. They do not belong to God. Only those who are in Christ are children of God (Jn. 1:12; 1 Jn. 3:1-2, 10). The “brotherhood of man” applies only to mankind united through their fallen, sinful nature. Once saved, believers become brothers and sisters in God’s kingdom, and leave the kingdom of darkness.

It is not enough to merely know that Jesus calls believers to Himself, or to understand what the results of His call should be. His call demands a personal response.

Conviction of Sin

Christ Jesus’ call begins with the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin (Jn. 16:8-11). Sin is not softened by calling it “mistakes,” “problems,” or “issues.” Each of us has these (whether we are honest enough to admit it is another matter). Sin here has a divine object: God, who is perfectly holy and without any sin. The comparison of our sinfulness is not against each other, but against God. With that high standard, we are all condemned sinners (Jn. 3:18-20; Rom. 3:10, 23), and deserving death (Rom. 6:23). Admitting you are a sinner is an important first step, but it is not enough. One can resist the Holy Spirit’s merciful call.

Contrition Because of Sin

Conviction of sin, and its eternal consequence, should lead to contrition, i.e. humble brokenness over a condition that not only offends God, but invites His righteous wrath. It is here that pride and selfishness are shattered by seeing himself as an offender of God, and in himself has no remedy. He must turn elsewhere for there is nothing within himself that can help. Contrition is often emotional, but it is more important that it leads to looking to Christ, and no longer within (2 Cor. 7:9-10). It is here, at one’s deepest depravity, that Jesus calls sinners to see what He has done for them, and what they cannot do for themselves (Rom. 5:8-10).

Delaying a decision to seek Christ does not obligate God to extend mercy for a more “convenient” time which may never come, or may be gone in a moment without warning. Delay imperils at every moment. For a fuller treatment of the subject, read Jonathan Edward’s sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

Repentance from Sin

Repentance is changing of mind resulting in a change of direction – turning around, turning away, or doing an “about face” from one’s previously sinful path and turning to Christ. It is not a one-time act, but will for the believer become a continual, lifelong process of cleansing from sin. We are to live in a state of continual repentance, giving no occasion for careless sin, always seeking to walk in the light of Christ (1 Jn. 1:9), and allowing repentance to bear fruit (Matt. 3:8). Genuine repentance will take effort and feel like a sacrifice – because it is. The continual sacrifices will have to be allowed to die on the altar.

Mercy and Grace for the Sinner

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins perfectly embodies this. Grace is getting what you do not deserve. Christ’s offer of salvation and eternal life perfectly embodies this. The plan of redemption is a work entirely of God. We add nothing worthy of merit toward salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) except to believe in Christ by faith (Jn. 6:28-29). No works will ever earn salvation, and are not able to add anything to what Christ has already accomplished in our behalf.

Regeneration by the Holy Spirit – Raised to Newness of Life

Regeneration is the miracle in which eternal life, the righteousness of Christ, and right standing (justification) is imputed to the believer once and forever by faith. The believer is quickened from spiritual death (Rom. 8:11; Rom. 6:1-11) and is given the earnest (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5) and seal of the Holy Spirit until final redemption at death (Eph. 4:30).

It is disheartening to me that Christians who still feed the old, dead man (Rom. 6:12-14) believe that they can lose their salvation even though Christ promises that no one can be taken from Him (Jn. 6:39: Jn. 10:27-29), even from themselves. How is it possible for anyone to undo the seal of the Holy Spirit, and take someone out of the Lord Jesus’ hand and the Father’s hand? I don’t believe it is possible. Salvation is not based on a “hope so” faith based on feeling saved, but a “know so” faith that endures based on the integrity and truth of God’s Word (1 Jn. 5:13). The “old man” is certainly dead (2 Cor. 5:17), no longer has rightful rule over the believer, and cannot force one freed from its curse to continue obeying a dead master. Sin still may happen, but it becomes a choice, not an obligation (Rom. 6:12, 16).

Is the phrase “once saved always saved” true or false? I think it could be both depending upon the circumstances. It is true for those who are truly converted because they will persevere lifelong in their faith for Christ, and will produce spiritual fruit as evidence. It is false for false converts who exhibit no conviction for sin, no repentance, and have no fruitful Christian life. Reciting a “sinner’s prayer,” “walking an aisle,” joining a church, being baptized, financially supporting the church, giving to charities, taking communion, living a “moral life,” etc. are all commendable, but if one’s life is unchanged and unconverted, then it may be safe to say that the person never became a true Christian.

Some will point to Hebrews 6:4-8 as scriptural evidence of someone losing their salvation and becoming apostate. I agree with John MacArthur’s commentary on the passage:

“Enlightened” (Heb. 6:4) – they received instruction in biblical truth, but that is not equivalent to regeneration and salvation

“Tasted the heavenly gift” (Heb. 6:4) – they experienced the goodness (and blessings) of God, but that doesn’t mean they are all saved

“Partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 6:4) – they participated in the ministry, perhaps even validating miracles, but could still resist the Holy Spirit as to not be saved

It seems more likely that those who are addressed here are those who have received spiritual instruction, experienced God’s blessings, and have witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit, but still have not ever become saved rather than lose their salvation.

The Battle Between the Flesh and Spirit

If the “old man” is dead, then how is it that battles between the flesh and spirit still occur daily? One simply way to explain it is that your spirit has been made new, and even though the old master is dead, you are still resident within a body of flesh with its fleshly desires until you go home to Heaven. You are not in bondage to fleshly desires, but you are still subject to its influences. As a believer in Christ, you are not going to sidestep the battle between spirit and flesh as long as you are alive in this world. It is through Christ that you overcome, not from human effort (Rom. 8:37)

The battle confuses immature Christians who believe this ongoing struggle as something a saved person would overcome and not have to endure. All of us still sin (we deceive ourselves otherwise), but we no longer naturally practice continual sin as we did before being saved. The indwelling Holy Spirit convicts our hearts otherwise. We are no longer “professional” sinners, but have become forgiven occasional, confessional sinners (1 Jn. 3:9; 1 Jn. 5:18).

What is Your Testimony?

Are you one who has died to your old sin nature, been spiritually buried, and resurrected in Christ, and now walking in newness of life?

You have today an invitation to come and die to self – to fully surrender to God. D.L. Moody said of this full surrender:

“If we make a full surrender, God will give us something better than we have ever known before. We will get a new vision of Jesus Christ, and will tank God not only in this life but in the life to come.”

Do you hunger for a new vision of Jesus Christ? He bids you come.

 

The Sign of Jonah

(Matthew 12:38-41 NASB) Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 “The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Of all the Old Testament prophetic fulfillments of Jesus during His first coming – and there were over 300 of them (https://firmisrael.org/learn/how-many-prophecies-did-jesus-fulfill/) – one of the most curious, and yet most powerful, fulfillments is His resurrection from the dead. This distinctive prophetic sign, referring to His death, burial for three days and nights, and resurrection – and He spoke of it several times (Matt. 26:61; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 9:31; Mk. 10:34; Lk. 11:29-30; Jn. 2:19-22) – is the unmistakable sign that confirms His deity as the Son of God, and Him being the long-awaited Messiah.

Jesus’ reference to Jonah in His discussion with the scribes and Pharisees was regarded as a literal, historical fact, not a myth, pious fiction, or an allegorical narrative. If it were not so, the Jewish leaders would have no doubt dismissed Jesus’ comparison to Jonah’s ministry. Not only did the Jewish leaders regard Jesus’ comparison, they later used it to discredit and condemn Him (Mk. 14:57-58), even going so far as to insult Him while suffering on the cross (Matt. 27:40; Mk. 15:29-30).

What were the scribes and Pharisees really asking Jesus to do? Perform a miracle for their amusement, or something more profound? Warren Wiersbe’s commentary furnishes an insightful clue:

“The word translated sign means much more than simply a miracle or a demonstration of power. It means ‘a wonder by which one may recognize a person or confirm who he is.'”

They were not interested in a miracle performed on demand, as many may suppose. They had no doubt heard many testimonies about Jesus’ miraculous healing the blind, deaf, mute, restoring diseased limbs, healing lepers, raising people from the dead, and much more. What they wanted was actually diabolical. They were interested in Him confirming before them His claims to being the Messiah, and the Son of God – and then use it against Him to have Him killed so that He would not disrupt their status quo (Jn. 11:46-48). Jesus saw through their schemes and walked away from them.

How, then, could the experience of the prophet Jonah correlate convincingly as a sign of Jesus’ future death, burial, and resurrection?

Consider Jonah’s “survival” in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). People most often assume the “great fish” was a whale because it is the largest marine creature that readily comes to mind. Even though whales are air-breathing mammals, and surface at intervals to breathe, someone living inside a whale for three days and nights would still be a miraculous feat. Fish, on the other hand, run water continuously across their gill plates to extract oxygen from the water. Their bellies do not contain air pockets. The only air in their bodies is in their swim bladders which are separate from their gut. Living in the belly of a great fish would indeed be a miracle.

Jonah chapter 2 doesn’t portray a picture of survival in the belly of the great fish prepared by God to swallow Jonah. The “depth (or belly) of Sheol” (Jonah 2:2), “water encompassing…to the point (or soul) of death” (Jonah 2:5), and “fainting away” (Jonah 2:7) do not describe miraculous survival, rather someone being brought to calling upon God at the point of death. I contend that Jonah actually died in the belly of the great fish, was there for three days and three nights, and God miraculously resurrected him to start his journey to Nineveh. The comparison with Jesus’ burial in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights before resurrection with Jonah’s burial in the heart of the seas (Jonah 2:3) for three days and three nights before resurrection rings truer to me. Who knows, this may become a future Resurrection Sunday message. But I digress.

The sign of Jonah, though seemingly obscure, portended future resurrection hope through the resurrection life found by faith only through Christ Jesus, the risen Savior.

Saved, or Self-Deceived?

 

2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

Imagine what a sobering and frightful prospect it would be to stand before Christ in eternity expecting to be welcomed by Him as a “good and faithful servant,” but receiving His rejection “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” It’s not just a possibility, but a reality for many so-called believers as Christ warns in Matthew 7:21-27. The horror scene of Is it possible to be so misguided and self-deceived about salvation for this to be a reality for many?

 

Since salvation is not based on religious practices, but on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Him living His life in and through believers, none of these “check the box” spiritually to merit salvation:

 

• Reciting a “Sinner’s Prayer” without repentance and faith
  
• Church membership
  
• Regular church attendance
  
• Participation in church activities
  
• Living a moral life
  
• Performing good/charitable works
  
• Relying on one’s spiritual heritage (family members are saved, grew up in church)
  
• Reading the Bible every day
  

 

No one will ever earn salvation through religious works. No one will be saved in any other way than through Jesus. Our church fellowships may not be filled with these religious observers, but there are likely some. The point here is not to judge others, but for YOU to genuinely judge and examine YOURSELF and YOUR relationship with Christ.

 

In the lead verse, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers (and each of us by extension) to take a hard, inward look at the evidence of and for our faith. As the often-challenging question asks, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Do you measure up to God’s standard of salvation by faith alone, in Christ alone, and by His Word alone? When, if ever, was the last time you did a self-exam?

 

To understand our lead verse above, to examine (peirazo) means to try like in a trial with evidence offered as proof. To prove (dokimazo) means to discern by disciplined testing. Both of these imply a rigorous, thorough exercise, not just a simple, casual assessment. Your eternal destiny is in the balance with no chance of changing in the afterlife. One’s faith either stands the test, or it doesn’t. There is no in between, no shades of gray, and no appeals. One who fails the test is reprobate (adokimos) – rejected and castaway based on the lack of evidence by trial.

 

Similarly, the Apostle Peter challenges believers in 2 Peter 1:8-11 that spiritual fruitfulness is evidence of knowledge (epignosis) of Christ – precise knowledge of Him by virtue of experience, and recognition that the spiritual fruit is His through us as believers. Believers are admonished to exercise diligence (sproudazo), or prompt, earnest effort, to make their calling and election sure (bebaios) – meaning firm and steadfast.

 

I have found the late Dr. Adrian Rogers’ statement, “a faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted” to be very true in my walk with Christ. There are numerous and persistent tests to every believer’s faith day by day. Willfully untested faith tends toward ignorance, atrophy, and eventually uselessness. I can think of three general types of tests that believers encounter regularly (you may think of some more):

 

• Intellectual test – characterized by knowing, or being known by acknowledgment of and/or agreement with truth (Jn. 8:32; Phil 3:12-14; 1 Jn. 5:13)
  
• Experiential test – characterized by doing, known through experience, evidence, and spiritual fruit (Matt. 7:17-19; Lk. 6:43-44; Jn. 15:1-10; Gal. 5:22-23)
  
• Confessional test – characterized by saying, proclaiming or testifying of faith before others. This is also true of God’s proclamation of a believer as His before Heaven – not just to know God, but also to be known by Him (Matt. 10:32; Lk. 12:8; Rom. 8:16-17; Rom. 10:9; Rev. 3:5)
  

 

We must keep in mind that salvation, although involving a choice on our part, is firstly and gloriously His pursuit of us: lost sinners unable to save ourselves and in bondage to sin. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place to reconcile us to Him. In His sovereign election God, of course, knows ahead of time who will come to Christ for salvation. Since God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), it is my belief that the call to repentance is universal. The whole godhead is involved in salvation: the Father draws and gives those to the Son to be saved, and the Holy Spirit regenerates the lost, indwells, imparts new, eternal life, and bestows spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ, the church.

 

We must also keep in mind that despite God’s mercy, grace and longsuffering patience, not all will respond to His invitation of salvation. Some will not pursue understanding the gospel at all. Satan will blind their minds to the truth, and steal away what was freshly sown. Some will come only so far, but not far enough to enter in to eternal life when trouble comes for the sake of the Word, and becomes offended and falls away. Many will stubbornly wait too late and be doomed because they love their sin too much. They care more for their worldly life and its attainments, and the Word is choked and unfruitful.

 

 

In his message “Saved or Self-Deceived. Part 1,” Dr. John MacArthur presents six features of those who are self-deceived about their salvation:

 

1. Superficial understanding of the gospel – the gospel is trivialized and emotionalized; cannot express what it means to be saved, or cannot say what saving faith means
   
2. False sense of assurance – reliance upon emotions, faithful attendance, must feel “good or OK” with God
   
3. Failure at self-examination – avoids confrontation, seeks wrongful assurance, desires grace to be extended wrongfully
   
4. Fixation on religious activity – high focus on church activities and experiences, emphasis on reading Christian literature/music over scripture, emphasize feeling like a Christian over knowing they’re a Christian
   
5. Fair exchange effect – good person vs. bad person (I’m basically a good person), spiritual balancing off of sin (I do more good than bad)
   
6. Familiarity with biblical morality – supported but not internalized, and not a basis for salvation
   

 

I hope you take the time to watch and listen to the sermon in its entirety. If you do, please pay attention to the audience’s reactions. Some seem shocked and challenged by the message

 

He also offers six ways to identify a self-deceived religious person:

 

1. Looking for feelings, blessings, spiritual experiences, healings, prosperity, angels, etc. Looking for the byproducts of faith, but not Christ Himself.
   
2. More committed to churches than to scripture – more social than scriptural
   
3. More involved in theology as academic interest rather than personal holiness and worship
   
4. Always stuck on one point of theology (overemphasis) – a platform for the ego
   
5. Over indulgent in sin in the name of grace – lack penitence, no ongoing brokenness even when realizing one falls short
   
6. Look for people who seek God as a means to their own ends – as a genie to give you what you want
   

 

Please understand that the purpose of this post is NOT to get you to DOUBT your salvation, but for you to be SURE of it. It is not intended to tear down your faith, but to ensure your faith is built on the right foundation. Are you ready to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith?

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 

Saved or Self-Deceived, Part 2 (Matthew 7:21-27)

Religion or Jesus? | Pastor Jim Cymbala | The Brooklyn Tabernacle

Adrian Rogers: Counterfeit Christianity

The Only Road to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14)

The Falling Away – A Theological Prophecy | Dr. David Jeremiah

 

Revelation Unveiled

 

If you have an interest in studying the book of Revelation, but feel that it might be a daunting undertaking, take courage! It’s easier to understand than you think, and will be a great blessing to you. I presented a free guided study of Revelation to our church using Dr. Tim LaHaye’s book Revelation Unveiled which you may find helpful and informative. Here is a brief overview of the study’s twelve sessions:

 

Session 1 – Introduction: Why study Revelation? Viewpoints of Interpretation; Rapture, Tribulation, and Millennial Kingdom Viewpoints; Outline of the Book; Key Verse of the Book (1:19)

Session 2 – The Subject, Scribe, and Source of Revelation; The Christ of the Churches (1:9-20); The Seven Churches of Revelation; Four Reasons Why We Should Not Fear; The Churches of Ephesus (2:1-7) and Smyrna (2:8-11)

Session 3 – The Church of Pergamum [Pergamos] (2:12=17); The Church of Thyatira (2:18-29); The Church of Sardis (3:1-6)

Session 4 – The Church of Philadelphia (3:7-13); The Church of Laodicea (3:14-22)

Session 5 – Rapture Before Tribulation (4:1-2); The Throne of God (chapters 4-5); The Seven-Sealed Scroll (chapter 5)

Session 6 – The Tribulation Period (Dan. 9:24-27); The Seal Judgments (6:1-17; 7:1-8; 8:1-4)

Session 7 – The 144,000 Servants of God; The Seven Trumpet Judgments of God (8:7-12; 9:1-15)

Session 8 – The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll; The Two Super Witnesses; The Seventh Trumpet Judgment; Satan vs. Israel; The Antichrist

Session 9 – The Beast Out of the Sea; The False Prophet; 144,000 Servants; Another Glimpse of Heaven; The Seven Bowl Judgments

Session 10 – Religious Babylon Destroyed; Commercial Babylon Destroyed; The Heavenly Hallelujah Chorus; The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; The Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ (Second Coming)

Session 11 – The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty (Battle of Armageddon); Satan Bound in the Abyss; The First Resurrection; The Millennium and Church History; The Coming Kingdom of Christ

Session 12 – The Great White Throne; The New Heaven and New Earth; The New Jerusalem; Heaven on Earth

 

Each YouTube session includes downloadable links to the respective study outlines, additional notes, charts, and PowerPoint slides in the banner comments. You can also download directly from this shared folder link.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Revelation Unveiled (Amazon paperback)

Revelation Unveiled (Amazon Kindle)

Revelation Unveiled (Barnes and Noble paperback and Nook)

Revelation Unveiled (Rakuten Kobo)

The Restrainer

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 KJV Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) 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. (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

We live in times today where evil, corruption, depravity, and lawlessness are progressively worsening day by day with no end in sight. As bad as these are, and are worsening still, believe it or not, they are not out of control. God is actively, graciously, and mercifully restraining their course to:

 

• Permit the fullness of the Gentile nations to come to salvation through Christ (Rom. 11:11-12, 25)
  
• Complete and close the Church Age (Eph. 1:10) after the Rapture (v. 1-2)
  
• Prepare both end-time Israel and the nations of the world for God’s unprecedented tribulation judgments to come
  

 

What would be the end of unrestrained evil? The doom for all who would be prevented from hearing the gospel (2 Cor. 4:3-4). The deceit (Matt. 13:19) and destruction of mankind (Jn. 10:10). If it were not for the Restrainer, the Evil One would prevail even more than he has already.

 

Who is the Restrainer?

 

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, has many roles and responsibilities among believers, and also in the world. His twofold role as Restrainer to allow people to come to saving faith as the Father wishes (2 Pet. 3:9), and to withhold manifestation of the Antichrist’s identity is what is being addressed here. The “what” in verse 6 is not an impersonal force, but a Person. In the original language, the definitive article is used in a context-dependent form, thus the “what” is the “he” that will be taken out of the way. The Holy Spirit, the Restrainer, will continue to do so until the Father decides the correct time.

 

How is He Presently Restraining?

 

There are three main ways the Holy Spirit is presently restraining the release of end time judgments:

 

• The Spirit’s restraint is in accord with the Father’s sovereign control. Understanding that the resurrection and rapture of believers will occur only at the Father’s command (Matt. 24:36), so must also the restraint be at the Father’s command.
  
• The Spirit’s restraining presence through individual believers.
  
• The Spirit’s presence in the church presently on earth has some restraining influence in spiritual warfare
  

 

The Father, ordering the Son to remove the church (both dead and living believers), will also order the Holy Spirit to remove His restraint of evil upon the earth so that His judgments may proceed.

 

The Rapture Will Precede the Tribulation

 

All of these are preparations before the Rapture. The Lord’s “coming” (parousia), or His appearing, presence, or arrival, results in believers, both dead and living from the start of the church, being gathered together completely (episunagoge) in one place – in the air (1 Thess. 4:17), and also before the Tribulation starts. The “day of Christ” (v. 2) is the physical return of Christ to the earth at the end of the Tribulation – the Second Coming.

 

Two things will precede the Second Coming

 

We have been in the “end times” since the church was started, but there are many social, political, economic, and religious signs that help us understand that we are living near the end of the end times. According to our passage, there are two distinct things that will happen after the Rapture, and before Jesus’ second coming:

 

• First, the falling away, apostasy, rebellion (apostasia)
  

 

• Second, revealing of the Antichrist (son of perdition, son of destruction, man of lawlessness, the Wicked)
  

 

We have always had apostasy in various places and times from the church. This is nothing new in itself. The description here doesn’t concern the presence of apostasy so much as it does the primacy of it. After the Rapture, the universal body of believers will have suddenly been removed, and those who remain (even in churches) will not be true believers in Christ. In fact, for some brief period just after the Rapture, there will be no believers remaining on earth! There will be no one to mentor them except those left behind who may possess some knowledge of how to be saved. The majority of people will depart, or fall away, from what they thought would save them to a universal worldwide false religion, and succumb to demonic deception. That is already happening on a limited scale, but will be global after the Rapture. As an encouragement, however, there will be millions (I believe most will not be affiliated with churches) who will come to saving faith in Christ during the Tribulation. Many will be persecuted and killed because of the intense evil of those days.

 

While it is true that over the past two millennia there has been a continual antichrist spirit (opposing Christ) in the world (1 Jn. 2:18), and Satan has prepared an evil antichrist “candidate” in every generation, we are assured that there will be a singular person, the final Antichrist who is also supported by a person known as the False Prophet. These two will deceive, persecute, and destroy millions of people, but will be destroyed by Christ at His second coming (v. 8).

 

When the Restrainer is Taken Out of the Way, Will His Presence Still Be Available During the Tribulation?

 

Yes, or else the possibility of salvation for those going through the Tribulation would not be possible. In fact, the largest revival on earth will occur then. Millions will come to faith in Christ, but at great, mortal cost. The Holy Spirit will also be at work in the ministry and resurrection of the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11), and during the ministry of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Rev. 14).

What If?

Prophetically Clueless Years

The depth of my understanding of Bible prophecy has changed a lot over the past 40 years. For the first 12 years of my relationship with Christ (1969 to 1981), I had no understanding of Bible prophecy because I was part of church fellowships that did not teach on Bible prophecy at all. Their focus was, as it should have been, on gospel proclamation, missions and evangelism, church body life, and strengthening our relationship with Christ, but it should also have included eschatology. I was not even aware that there was 27% more of the Bible that would put everything else I had learned and experienced into a new dimension with new motivations and a deeper spiritual understanding of, well, everything.

After high school (graduated 1977), I irregularly attended church, but did often listen to religious broadcasting while commuting to and from work and occasionally while working. The most notable program that taught anything about Bible prophecy was on David Webber and Noah Hutchings’ Southwest Radio Church on AM KSKY 660 out of Dallas.

My Introduction to Bible Prophecy

My introduction to Bible prophecy teaching came in 1981, while newly-stationed as a medical specialist at my first duty station, Carswell AFB in Fort Worth (it is today Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth). I befriended a Christian airman there who was really on fire for the Lord. As we often had lunch together, he unfolded Bible prophecy for me like I had never heard or thought seriously about beforehand. I became very interested, and in short order I was reading suggested books like Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth, Satan Is Alive and Well on Planet Earth, and The 1980’s: Countdown to Armageddon. I began listening to Mal Couch’s radio Bible prophecy teachings on KWJS 94.9. He authored a great number of books as well. I also received teachings from Dr. Jack Van Impe and Zola Levitt.

The Next Big Prophetic Event on God’s Calendar is the Rapture

Convinced from study of end time events, and believing that the Rapture (Greek harpazo) and the Second Coming (Greek parousia) are distinctly different events, my assumption has been that the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18) would be an unknowable, unpredictable, and signless. It would come like “a thief in the night,” and without warning. To those who are unprepared, that is true, but to the prepared, different conclusions about the Rapture are assured:

1. It is knowable – a certain event promised to occur
2. It is predictable and has pre-emergent signs – signs occurring like “birth pangs,” or sorrows (see Matt. 24:8, being more frequent, intense, and lasting longer) and with convergence (coming closer together merging toward an event) of end-time signs forming a season near its fulfillment
3. It will come suddenly, and at an unexpected time – meaning that believers need to be prepared for it to happen at any moment
4. Readiness for Jesus’ return includes expectation and motivation toward personal purity.

Could the Rapture Also Be Coincidentally Connected to a Jewish Feasts?

There are many Bible scholars and students who suggest that the Resurrection (departed believers) and Rapture (living believers) occurring prior to the Tribulation may coincide with one of the Jewish feasts, or God’s appointed times described in Leviticus 23. Why? As I hope to demonstrate, the purpose of this coincidence would be to continue the progression of Jesus’ redemptive purposes already achieved in the first four Jewish feasts that point to Him specifically as the Messiah. I have heard for years that the Feast of Trumpets is the most likely “candidate,” beginning with Zola Levitt. The main premises being that the feast occurs at an “unknown hour and date” (it’s celebrated over two days), and signals the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Even though it is a commanded feast, and is performed in hope of the return of Messiah and King, it signals the beginning of the civil and agricultural new year, not the religious new year as commanded by scripture. It is also not the only feast “candidate.” The Feast of Pentecost, or Shavuot, which occurs after the start of the religious new year (on Nissan 1), presents many clues that, if the Rapture were to occur during a Jewish feast, it would still be on an unknown date and hour, and also unexpectedly for those not prepared for its arrival.

The Pentecost Possibility

Let me assert emphatically that I’m not a “date setter,” as no one can or should be. Proposing a possibility is nothing more than informed musings or, at best, a reasoned opinion. You’ll have to do your own scriptural investigation, and come to your own conclusions. I have shared before that the scriptures are very clear that the day and hour of the Lord’s return is unknown, and that His return will also be at an unexpected time. As alluded to earlier, Jesus’ redemptive activities have thus far been tied to the Jewish feasts (called moedim, or “appointed times”). I describe these in this post. Given the pattern, it would seem that the remaining three feasts still unfulfilled by Jesus (Feast of Trumpets [Rosh Hashanah, or Yom Teruah], Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur], and Tabernacles [Sukkoth, or Sukkot]) are more appropriately tied to the Jews and the nation of Israel rather than the church. This makes even more sense for premillennialists and dispensationalists who believe that the church (both Gentile and Jewish believers) will already have been raptured before the Tribulation Period starts. The Tribulation Period is not about the church, and the church will not be on the earth as the Tribulation judgments occur. The Church Age will have concluded, and God’s judgments and redemptive focus will be on the Jewish people until Christ physically returns at the end of the Tribulation.

To Messianic Believers and Observant Jews, 2023 is a Very Special Prophetic Year

From a Jewish perspective, 2023 (Jewish year 5783) has ominous implications. Although the civil and agricultural year began with the Feast of Trumpets on September 25^th, 2022 (Tishri 1), the religious year (the ordering of reckoning the year according to scripture) did not begin until April 5^th, 2023 (Nissan 1). It began a new shemitah (seven year division, meaning “release”), and also began a new jubilee (50^th year after a 49-year cycle of seven shemitahs). A very unusual combination of events. For a greater understanding of the timing of the Jewish year, watch this video. Both are viewed as new beginnings and changes for the nation of Israel. The biggest general implication of these is that Israel is likely to experience unprecedented changes and challenges during this particular year, both geopolitically and spiritually. While there are a comparatively small number of orthodox Jews in Israel, and an even smaller number of messianic Christian believers, the majority of Jews (both in Israel and among the nations, called the “diaspora”) are ethnic and humanistic, are not enthusiastically seeking the return of their Messiah, and are particularly not inclined to view Jesus as their Messiah. Only messianic believers are awaiting the Messiah, Yeshua Mashiach, Jesus Christ. So, to the majority of Jews, the return of the Lord will certainly occur on an “unknown day and hour,” and also at an “unexpected time.” We will see later, however, that Jesus’ return at the end of the Tribulation (a seven-year period still to come) can be precisely timed from an initiatory event.

Much of the Church Today Is Not Watchful

The church (the universal body of Christ on earth) also is chiefly unaware or inattentive to possible appointed times for the Lord’s return. For the first 300 years of church history, the churches still understood and taught connections to the Jewish feast because the Lord was Jewish, but that was later opposed and driven from churches with the pagan emperor Constantine’s Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. So, for the past 1700 years, the church’s awareness of Jewish feast connections to Christ have been obscured and forgotten. To make matters worse, the Roman Catholic Church began teaching the church replaced the covenants, blessings, and eternal destiny of Israel, much of which continues to this day. The majority of believers today are preterists, amillennialists, and promote supercessionism or replacement theology. This trend appeared around the 5^th century AD when the Roman Catholic Church officially adopted the allegorical
eschatological views of Augustine of Hippo, and was carried forward through the Protestant Reformation. Since that time, Christian churches are mainly not looking for Jesus’ return, or if they are, they typically cut the conversation short and say that since the day and hour are unknown, there is nothing further to discuss.

But there is much to discuss! While we cannot know the day and hour of Jesus’ return, and He will come unexpectedly to those who are not watching, we can know the season, and the signs of His near return are all about us:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (KJV) ¹But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  3For 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.  4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. [emphasis mine].

Many Christians (and unbelievers too), having been told for generations that Jesus’ return is “soon,” are not only unreceptive to this admonition, but have become scoffers, which is in itself prophetic – the closer we get to the Lord’s return, the greater the amount of disbelief and scoffing:

2 Peter 3:4 (KJV) ⁴And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The signs given in scripture point to the nearness, or the “when” of Jesus’ return, but the Lord has said through all generations that the “how” of His return will be quick or sudden. To those who ignore the signs, and those who are inattentive and not watching, His return will overtake them to their peril. There are millions of people who presume upon God’s grace and mercy that they will have opportunity to repent of their sinful lives and turn to Christ in the fleeting moments of His return. That foolishness is not going to be possible (1 Cor. 15:52).  

Connecting the Feasts to Christ

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Jews often requested signs (Matt. 12:38-40; Matt. 16:1-4; 1 Cor. 1:22-24) to affirm His claims of being the Messiah. Tragically, Jesus’ testimony, miracles, and literal fulfillment of over 300 prophecies were insufficient to quicken the unbelieving hearts of the religious leaders. Even so, the 69^th week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:25-26) which could be precisely calculated to the day to coincide with Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem as God’s perfect sacrificial Lamb. The religious leaders of the day ignored and resisted this as it put their positions at risk. by the religious leaders. Four days later, Jesus was crucified on Passover (Pesach). He was buried in the tomb for three days and three nights (Matt. 12:40) during Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot). Jesus was resurrected early in the morning of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim). He then sent the promised Holy Spirit after His ascension at Pentecost (Hag Shavuot, or Shavuot).

It is interesting that Pentecost/Shavuot which is numbered 50 days after Firstfruits, dedicates the early firstfruits of the barley harvest, but still holds the latter unharvested wheat crop in view through the long late spring, summer, and early autumn seasons. The wheat is harvested until it is all gathered in. Since the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost and added 3000 souls to the church, the early firstfruits were harvested, but there would be a much greater number harvested later. Prophetically symbolic of the Church Age, the Holy Spirit opened the age, and will close the age with Himself as Restrainer (2 Thess. 2:6-7) being taken out of the way to allow the Tribulation to progress.

Connecting the Rapture to Pentecost

Are there sufficient clues, or elements, within the observance of Shavuot that point to it as a possible time for the Rapture? Indeed, there are. Here are just a few:

Pentecost/Shavuot	Resurrection/Rapture
Jesus was resurrected on the Feast of Harvest of Firstfruits, and beginning the 50-day count of the grain bundles (omer) toward Pentecost (1 Cor. 15:20-23)	The New Grain Offering of two loaves of bread at Pentecost completes the Wave-Sheaf Offering given at Firstfruits to symbolize the complete ingathering of the grain (Lev. 23:15-21)
The disciples were gathered in one place and in once accord (Acts 2:1-2)	The dead in Christ will rise first, and then living believers will be gathered in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:16-17)
Sometimes referred to as a “mystery” feast because its name doesn’t describe its defining purpose for Israel	The church is described as a “mystery” body (Eph. 3:2-6) in which Gentiles and Jews are made heirs together in Christ, and as believers will be resurrected/raptured together.
Not connected to any Jewish historical event as the other feasts are.	Resurrection/rapture may be connected to a feast which precedes God’s Tribulation judgments of Israel, and concern mostly Gentile believers and a faithful remnant of Israel.
The only feast which does not have a specified calendar date	The date and hour of the resurrection/rapture is unknown, and particularly so for those who are not watching for it.

 

Connecting Pentecost to the Tribulation

If the resurrection and rapture occur on or near a Pentecost/Shavuot, then that implies that the final three feasts (Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) will occur during the Tribulation. Since the Tribulation will last for seven years, or one shemitah, then that suggests that Jesus will fulfill the last feast, Tabernacles, upon His Second Coming which will end the Tribulation. That leaves the other two feasts, Trumpets and Day of Atonement to be fulfilled. I will explore a few possibilities about the remaining three feasts.

I mentioned earlier that the Tribulation Period is a literal seven-year period, or shemitah (Jewish year is based on lunar months with the year being 360 days in length, so 2520 days total). The 69^th week of the prophecy given to Daniel in the 70-week prophecy, stopped after Jesus’ crucifixion. The final week, or “seven,” doesn’t begin with a feast, but with an initiatory act: the Antichrist confirming or strengthening a covenant between Israel and many nations, presumably for peace (and likely commerce). Although there are many “antichrists,” or ones who oppose Christ or wish to replace Him, there is a specific person who will fulfill this role in the near future. Some claim to know his identity, but it is all speculation until the covenant is made. I personally believe the Antichrist is already an adult “waiting in the wings” so to speak, and is some influential person we might recognize.

What if?

Here is the disclaimer again so we’re clear where this is headed. I’m not a “date setter,” as no one can or should be. Proposing a possibility is nothing more than informed musings or, at best, a reasoned opinion (which happens to be mine at the moment). You’ll have to do your own scriptural investigation, and come to your own conclusions.

Remember that I said that the Tribulation Period lasts precisely 2520 days based upon the Jewish 360-day calendar system.

What if 2023, a most unusual year that both began a new shemitah on April 5^th, 2023 and also a once-every-fifty-year jubilee is the last seven-year shemitah before Christ returns? What would that look like on our calendar with possible dates for the chronology of the remaining three feasts? Check this out:

Tribulation Start	Mid-Point (1260 days)	Trumpets	Day of Atonement	Tabernacles (2520 days)
Nov 4, 2023	Apr 17, 2027*	Sep 28-29, 2030
Nov 13, 2023	Apr 22, 2027**		Oct 7, 2030
Nov 17, 2023	Apr 30, 2027***			Oct 11-18, 2030

 

*Nissan 10, the day Passover Lambs are selected

**Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzah)

***Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim)

Keep in mind that at the mid-point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist defiles the Third Temple (which currently is not built yet) and causes the daily sacrifices to cease.

So, if Pentecost/Shavuot is before the Tribulation, and it may possibly be associated with the resurrection/rapture of the church, then when is Pentecost/Shavuot this year? May 25-26, 2023. A sobering possibility.

Are you ready?

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Pentecost Rapture, Sivan, Gary Stearman YouTube (28:30)

Gary Stearman: The Pentecost Prophecy YouTube (28:30)

The Pentecostal Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ Amazon

Pentecost and the Rapture Prophecy Watchers

The Pentecost Prophecy Prophecy Watchers

Christ in the Feast of Pentecost Amazon

John G. Hall Ministries web site

The Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ web site

The Rapture – Part 1 (Chuck Missler) YouTube (45:02)

The Rapture – Part 2 (Chuck Missler) YouTube (1:08:01)

After the Rapture: An End Times Guide to Survival Amazon

Where Are the Missing People?: The Sudden Disappearance of Millions and What Happens Next Amazon

The Disappearing: Future Events That Will Rock the World Amazon

Rapture Ready web site

Don’t Be Deceived

Colossians 2:1-8 (NASB) ¹For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,  2that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 
3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  4I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.  5For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. 6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 

Introduction

There are several striking parallels with the spiritual battles experienced by the young first century Asia Minor church of Colossae and the body of Christ in today’s post-modern and post-Christian America. Both have been embattled with worldly, compromised “pick and choose” syncretism; both have been surrounded with pagan (and demonic) cult worship; and both have warred against worldly anti-Christian and humanistic philosophies that sought to dilute, deceive, and destroy the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). The early Colossian church, dispensationally existing at the start of the Church Age or Age of Grace, was surrounded by satanic strongholds, but prevailed because they were new points of light in the darkness that was forced to flee. The collective body of Christ in America today, dispensationally near the end of the Church Age, also has warred against emboldened satanic strongholds, but is now experiencing different outcomes. The light she has had for centuries is not any less powerful and effective, but her light is fading from increasing apathy, worldly compromise, and apostasy. The Colossian church identified with Christ as a fellowship of believers – the people were the church. The early churches didn’t even meet in dedicated structures built as churches until the early 4^th century, or until almost three centuries had passed. Churches today still identify with Christ as a fellowship of believers, but to a greater extent regard themselves as a location, a denominational or nondenominational building, a collection of programs and outreaches – the place being considered the church.

The Colossian church was exposed to several false religious systems and teachings that warred against the young church. There were those who attempted to blend beliefs of the local pagan deities (Cybele and Sabazios), worship of angels as spiritual intermediaries between God and man, and attempts were made to infiltrate the church with vain Gnostic teachings that challenged Jesus’ deity, atonement, and claims of special revelation and knowledge not available to “unenlightened” believers. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossian church cautioned them to be vigilant against attempts to seduce and deceive them with beliefs against Christ. Churches is surrounding cities in the region experienced similar challenges. We can see the later effects of this spiritual warfare going on within some of the Seven Churches of Revelation, particularly in the nearby churches of Pergamum [or Pergamos] (Rev. 2:12-17) and Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22).

NOTE: Don’t think the American church hasn’t dealt with fetish-like fascination and even adoration of angels because she has promoted both in popular television entertainment (see here and here) and in many books over the past 50 years or so (see here, here, here and here). As humanism and apostasy away from Christianity have progress since the 1960s, generations have progressively taken on and promoted satanism and occult practices, mysticism, and neopaganism (see here, here, and here). Some have even “Christianized” pagan divining tools and new age practices such as horoscopes and astrology, “contemplative” tarot cards, “destiny” cards, Ouija boards, yoga, enneagrams, transcendental meditation, astral projection, remote viewing, seances, mediums, and CE5 encounters or events. Additionally, the church has been increasingly deceived by Kundalini Shakti (“Serpent Power”), an eastern yogi mystery demonic spirit that manifests itself in false charismatic experiences (even with physical dangers), false revival and healing services (see article). The point is that the spiritual landscape today is replete with deceptive religious practices and manifestations that require careful discernment and prayer for guidance.

The most prominent lesson from these verses is that isolation and being out of fellowship with other believers places believers at great risk for spiritual deception and attack. Lone sheep are a certain target for spiritual predators. Satan delights in deceiving and destroying the divided. Believers are not perfect, but the need for ministry from each other still remains. We are all in a daily spiritual battle, but we are not intended to fight our battles alone. The purpose of spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit is to edify the church, not just ourselves individually. Our greatest defense against deception will be experienced together in Spirit-filled fellowship.

We Must Face the Battle Together (v. 2)

Even though the spiritually-embattled Colossians were disciplined and stable in their faith, their ability to stand strong depended upon their integrity as a body of believers loving and caring for one another. All believers need and benefit from mutual encouragement, i.e. giving encouragement to others and also receiving encouragement from others. Keep in mind that their access to scripture was limited to the Old Testament, and a few letters written by Paul. Their mutual encouragement was largely limited to affirmations, wise counsel, prayers, trusted support from other believers in the fellowship, and living out their faith. Today, we have all of those plus the blessings of personal Bible study, living out the Word, and largely free ability to publicly worship. Believers that are living their walk solo as solo Christians not only deprive themselves of vital spiritual strength, but also put themselves at risk for deception. On the other hand, believers in fellowship are knit together in love, meaning that their lives are interwoven, interconnected, and difficult to divide. Believers who battle together may have a full assurance of understanding, meaning that believers may be completely sure or convinced, without doubt or division of their beliefs. They may be unable to be swayed or seduced away from the truth. One may have assurance on their own, but a fuller assurance may be realized in fellowship with other believers.

The Holy Spirit Will Reveal Christ (v. 3)

Given the limited access to scripture, the Colossian church depended, to a greater extent, upon teaching, preaching, fellowship, prayer, and exercise of Holy Spirit given spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). This is not inadequate in any sense given the role and ministries of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. For a full description of the Holy Spirit’s roles and ministries, review my August 2022 blog post here. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to believers, taking what He hears from the Father and revealing the Son to us (Jn. 16:13-14). The implications of this are immense and also instructive. What the Holy Spirit reveals will always be in agreement with God’s Word, glorifying to the Son, and a great blessing to us. Through His ministries we may possess all-sufficient knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and guidance that is revealed through the Word. Believers must not accept extra-Biblical “revelations,” new unscriptural teachings, or mysterious “discoveries,” all of which are attempting to blend worldly compromise, lead believers astray in the wars against Christ and His bride, and both deceive and distract with false religious enthusiasm. You are to judge spiritual claims by their fruit (Matt. 7:15-20).

Persuasive Arguments Will Come (v. 4)

Adrian Rogers once said, “A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.” A very true sentiment. True faith is not blind, but reasoned. Faith believes, but knows why it believes what it believes. Faith examines its object before imparting belief and acceptance. The process of this examination involves conviction and convincing that claims are truthful, and they found truthful by being carefully tested. Just because an argument sounds reasonable doesn’t make it right or worthy of acceptance. Unseasoned believers, too often these days, blindly accept what they are told by preachers, teachers, and ministry leaders based upon reputation and “herd” popularity without ever testing what is offered as biblical truth. Listen critically, but do your own homework of testing arguments with prayer, scripture, and with counsel of experienced believers. A stable faith (v. 5) is unlikely to accept attempts to persuade believers away from what scripture has clearly revealed, but it may also draw criticism, if not opposition, from others (Acts 17:10-13).

The Stable Walk in Christ (v. 6-7)

The Apostle Paul used three descriptions to illustrate a stable walk in Christ. First, he described a stable walk as being firmly rooted, meaning that it had developed a root system of its own, and had already experienced growth. A newly planted shrub, even though thriving, may be removed easily with a month or so, but a firmly rooted shrub will be difficult to remove because of its developed root system. The same can be said of an experienced believer when his or her faith has experienced growth and maturity, and is abiding faithfully with the Lord. Keep in mind that firm rooting rarely progresses without challenge. My father once had an area in one of his flower beds that would permit ornamental shrubs and ground cover to grow in the back yard, but not like other areas in the front yard. He kept fertilizing and watering it, but it just would not improve. Thinking the underlying soil might be at fault, he completely dug up the area of anemic growth and discovered about four inches down the realtor’s “For Sale” sign for the house that was removed a decade earlier. It had just been covered up with topsoil. The plants could not firmly root because they could not penetrate the underground obstruction. We, as believers, may have some stubborn obstructing areas in our lives that need to be dealt with so that we may become firmly rooted and stable Christians. Second, he described a stable walk as being built up, meaning that it possesses a strong foundation upon which a structure may be founded. The stability of the structure depends greatly upon its solid foundation. Our solid Rock who never changes, of course, is Christ, and our stability does not depend upon the teachings and traditions of men. Third, a stable walk is established, meaning that it is firm, secure, immovable, and able to withstand offenses to its integrity. Jesus doesn’t change (Heb. 13:8-9). God’s Word is settled forever (Ps. 119:89). The Spirit’s power and counsel is forever above mankind (Isa. 40:13-14). There is nothing that will ever make the Bible or its teachings irrelevant, outdated, or no longer applicable. God has done and will do His part, but we must do ours as well. A stable walk means that we must exercise our “spiritual muscles” so that they will not atrophy or wither away. Our walk must exceed our talk, i.e. our profession, and remain in consistent practice.

See to It That No One Take You Captive (v. 8)

The admonition here is to “beware” (KJV, NKJV) or “see to it” (NIV, NASB) that no one take you captive (literally “carried off,” or “stolen away from” by worldly temptations and influences that war against one’s faith. To beware implies a deliberate and purposeful level of vigilance and discernment for the false that opposes the true. There is never laurel resting. The anointing oil must always be fresh. We all suffer from some degree of prayerlessness and shrinking from devotion. While it is less likely for seasoned Christians to be taken captive from peculiar and blatant teachings and philosophies, they are more likely to be tempted with familiar, reasonable “elementary principles of the world” that we know in the flesh. The currently familiar and popular promotions in churches of social gospel, intersectionality, homosexual affirmation and inclusion, reproductive rights, feminism, BLM activism, and now demands of reparations for slavery are all not scripturally supported and, having captured the hearts and minds of many believers, I believe the effects of these will lead to deeper apostasy and defection from the church, and will further divide the nation.

Additional Resources:

Counterfeit Christianity (Adrian Rogers)

Jesus – The One and Only (Adrian Rogers)

Jesus Plus Nothing Equals Everything (John MacArthur)

Colossians 2 (Chuck Smith)

Spirits of Baal, Astaroth, and Moloch (Charles Lawson)

The Master of Deception (Charles Lawson)

 

Today is the Day

Timing of events can be critically important for many reasons. We see them all around us in creation: seasons, tides, migrations, the precise courses of stars and planets in the sky, and much more. All of these are ordained by God so we may know we have a wise and knowable Creator (Romans 1:20). Appreciating the timing of events can be key to pulling together understanding, applying meaning, attributing purpose, and assigning implications of events.

This is especially true from a biblical perspective. God is a God of order and precision. He sovereignly accomplishes what He wills in His time, in His way, and for His purposes.

Timing is Critical to God

Today is Nisan 10 on the Jewish calendar, and is a very special day in preparation for Passover (Pesach) four days later on Nisan 14. Since the Nicene Council in 325 AD, Christian churches progressively obscured the importance of this date, the remembrance of Passover as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, the timing of His resurrection, and remembrance of the remaining feasts (appointed times) of the Jewish calendar. God instituted His appointed times to be “annual dress rehearsals” for the Jews to recognize and accept their promised Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua). With respect to the feasts, Jesus:

• Was crucified on Passover (Pesach)
  
• Was buried during Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot)
  
• Was resurrected on Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim)
  
• Gave the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Hag Shavout, or Shavout)
  

There are three remaining fall feasts on the Jewish calendar:

• Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah, or Yom Teruah)
  
• Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
  
• Tabernacles (Sukkoth, or Sukkot)
  

Although there is an apparent connection of redemptive events in Jesus’ earthly ministry, how the last three feasts (appointed times) will be manifested is speculative. Many Christians who believe in a future rapture hope that Jesus will either come some year for the departed and living believers on or near the time of the Feast of Trumpets or, since the day and hour of His return cannot be known, it will be at least be a shocking event when believers (both Jew and Gentile) in great number disappear.

But, we’re way ahead of ourselves. Nisan 10 is vitally important for several other reasons. This year, it happens to be the day before what many Christians recognize as “Palm Sunday,” and Palm Sunday is the event which starts what is commonly known as “Holy Week.” On this specific day, Jesus made his “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem. We will see that this specific, critical event was perfectly timed to demonstrate and declare Jesus as:

• The rightful Messiah and King of Israel
  
• The sinless Lamb of God soon to be crucified for all mankind
  
• The One who literally fulfilled several Bible prophecies and confirmed those truths
  

Behold You King – Who is the Messiah for All Nations

As stated before, God’s timing is critically important, and it’s always perfect. His timing often teaches us His sovereign control, but it also declares and demonstrates His mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. The gospel of John speaks the most about the critical timing of events in Jesus’ earthly ministry (Jn. 2:3-4; Jn. 6:15; Jn. 7:6-8; Jn. 12:23-36). Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples and others about His death and resurrection to come resurrection (Matt. 12:40; Matt. 17:9-13; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 9:9-13; Jn. 2:19-22; Jn. 3:14; Jn. 8:28; Jn. 12:32-33), and the gospel of Matthew also connected Passover with the Lord’s crucifixion (Matt. 26:17-19).

Jerusalem was becoming increasingly crowded as Passover neared. Most began their pilgrimage weeks in advance to get there. Passover was the first of three annual feasts that families were required to attend (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). It was on this day, Nisan 10, that the sacrificial lambs were selected and brought to the Temple 4 days prior to Passover (Ex. 12:3-6). The priests would place a placard ahead of time with the family name for which the lambs would be sacrificed. The lambs would all be sacrificed on Passover from noon (6^th hour) and ending at 3 pm (9^th hour).

The day pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God arriving for sacrifice, but there were several signs pointing to Him as King:

• Zech. 9:9-10 – a symbol of humility and peace
  
• Ps. 118:25-26 – Hosanna! (“save us”) to the Son of David
  
• 2 Ki. 9:13 – a popular sign to recognize a King
  
• Deut 18:15, 19 – recognized as a prophet from among His people
  

Nothing would be permitted to stop this recognition (Lk. 19:38-40), but even so, Israel was not looking for a Savior, but only for a Sovereign, and to become an independent nation free from Roman rule.

Behold Your King – Who is the Lamb of God

We know of many prophecies and signs that speak of Jesus being the Messiah, but there are also ones that specifically point to Jesus as the Lamb of God:

• • John the Baptist’s declaration under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!…” (Jn. 1:29)
    
  • The references to Jesus in the book of Revelation as the Lamb of God who was slain (Rev. 5:6-14; 7:17)
    
  • Caiaphas’ (misguided) prophecy that Jesus must die for the nation (Jn. 11:46-53)
    

In Daniel’s prophecy of the “Seventy Weeks,” Daniel is given a precise revelation by the angel Gabriel about the appearance of Jesus as Messiah the Prince, and also His death (Dan. 9:25-26):

• • “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself…”
    

• • This refers precisely to the day when Jesus presented Himself as Prince and Messiah – Nisan 10, March 30, 33 AD, 483 years to the day. We know he was crucified (“cut off, but not for Himself”) 4 days later on Passover, April 3, 33 AD.
    

Even Jewish tradition has something to say about a suffering Messiah. The tradition is called the “Four Horns and the Four Craftsmen” and refers to Zechariah 1:21. The four craftsmen are:

• Elijah – the herald of the end of days.
  
• Messiah ben Joseph – will give His life to combat God’s enemies and defend Israel, and will rebuild the Temple.
  
• Righteous Priest – Melchizedek.
  
• Messiah ben David – the righteous Redeemer of Israel and the nations.
  

We see the fulfillment of Elijah preceding the arrival of Jesus in the person of John the Baptist, the forerunner before the Messiah. Christ explicitly says this (Matt. 11:14; Matt. 17:10-12). We also know that during the first half of the Tribulation, there will be Two Witnesses (Rev. 11) that will precede Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation. Many believe that Elijah will be one of those witnesses.

Jesus is clearly represented as the three remaining craftsmen in His functions as Messiah, Priest, and King. As Messiah ben Joseph, Jesus is the suffering Lamb, giving His life as a ransom for many as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 clearly point out. As the Righteous Priest, Jesus is our eternally righteous Priest, our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:8-10). As Messiah ben David Jesus, as a descendent of David, and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, will rule eternally as King from Jerusalem in the Millennial Kingdom and afterward. This is the Messiah the Jews were looking for, and are still looking for to this day.

Behold Your King – Who is Returning

Jesus’ return will no doubt be a great surprise to many, including some Christians as well. Some are excited and watchful, some are fearful and gloomy, and some just simply ignore the Lord’s promise to return. But return He will. When He returns, He will not arrive again on a donkey, but on a white horse prepared for battle (Rev. 19:11). He will not return as a Lamb, but as a Lion, the conquering King of all nations and the Righteous Judge over all the earth. Jesus will vanquish all evil and its depraved consequences, and will usher in a thousand-year period of peace, safety, and security (Millennial Kingdom) which the world craves.

Is He Your King?

Who sits on the throne of your life? Are you prepared to meet Him? Each of us will stand before Him and give an account of our life. When we close our eyes in death, Jesus will be to you the Lamb who has already saved you, or He’ll be the Lion who will sentence you. The decision will already have been made at that appointed time.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept because many would not recognize their day of visitation (Lk. 19:41-44). It’s not that they could not, but that they would not. Today is the day of visitation. The King is here, and the Lamb is here. Will you recognize Him?

Never Again is Now Global

The Holocaust (Shoah) that began 90 years ago, as seen through the eyes, experiences, and warnings of its surviving generations, draw compelling parallels to our recent times of progressive globalist aspirations of control of the world. In its wake have been, and will continue to be, millions of deaths as part of a depopulation agenda. This may or may not be shocking to you, but the agenda never stopped and continues to this day.

Never Again is Now Global – Episode 1 of 5 – Here We Go Again on Steroids

Never Again is Now Global – Episode 2 of 5 – Anyone Who Wants to Start a War Has to Lie

Never Again is Now Global – Episode 3 of 5 – Breaking the Veil of the Real Conspirators

Never Again is Now Global – Episode 4 of 5 – This Time Around We’re All Jews

Never Again is Now Global – Episode 5 of 5 – Never Give In – Never Give Up

Does This Upset You?

It should shock and anger our American citizens who so blithely trusted that our government had our best interests in mind when it not only deceived a trusting public, but jackboot promoted a poorly tested (or in some cases no human testing), unsafe, and ineffective DNA-altering treatment (it cannot be a vaccine if it does not prevent future disease) that has since caused thousands of deaths.

Many Now Live in Fear and Confusion

Many have since regretted receiving the state-approved DNA therapy. Some who have strongly urged others to receive the injections are now silenced un fear because at least a quarter of those who received the shots have knowledge of someone whose death may be likely attributable to the injections. Now, they themselves, their children, their parents and other loved ones will continue to be at future risk for sudden death or permanent disability. And there is talk of continued boosters, and warnings of a future, potentially more deadly pandemic. Fear on top of fear.

It is astonishing that American citizens could so easily dismiss government overreach, bureaucratic intimidation, suppression of free speech and assembly, succumbing into silence over media gaslighting, fear of rejection, social ostracization as a “spreader,” being classified as a “science denier,” (science is never “settled” according to the scientific process, and can ALWAYS be called into question), labeled a “tinfoil hat right-wing conspiracy theorist” (better that than being governmentally blindfolded and hoodwinked). There are definitely agendas in play if one cares to educate themselves (most sheeple don’t).

This is Not a New Government Strategy

Psychological manipulation is nothing new to our government. Social pressure is a very powerful motivator and has been studied and validated for decades by several of our “three letter” organizations. Just a few examples would include the Solomon Asch Conformity Study in the 1950s, and a more recent Gregory Berns Conformity Study in 2005. Time and again people succumb to a prescribed narrative overriding their own conscience or previously-held strong beliefs.

It takes boldness and temerity to stick with an opposing narrative that is being aggressively promoted and enforced, but it is potentially lifesaving to never let anyone tell you what you personally witness or experience is incorrect. These are uniquely your own.

From those whose generations have proclaimed, “Never Again!” the call rises again as a warning to those to wake up and strengthen their resolve to remain free citizens while the opportunity still exists.

O Worship the King

The lyrics of one of the church’s well-known hymns were written nearly 200 years ago. Many of the church’s “old timers” will recognize the lyrics and perhaps even the tune. For Millennials, the lyrics are more recognizable with a rerelease about a decade ago. Either way, the lyrics are timeless because they proclaim timeless truths about King Jesus who is worthy of worship and praise. Inspired by Psalm 104, Robert Grant penned the beautiful lyrics of O Worship the King to accompany a tune that was already a century old at that time. The lyrics offer majestic praise to the Lord and, in our current day, are even more needed and precious.

We live in a time of increasing uncertainty, demonic deception, and are systematically being prepared and propelled along a path toward a global government of unelected elites. These elites may succeed in part initially, but will eventually accede to a single leader in charge of much of the world’s economy, government, and even a universal religion. Even though that leader, the Antichrist, is still to come, the true and worthy King is already here in our hearts and lives, and will vanquish him at His physical return and set up His earthly kingdom.

Lat’s take some time today to reflect on why we worship the Lord. What has He done that merits our worship? Perhaps we should ponder God at His best. I love Dr. E.V. Hill’s sermon entitled “God at Hs Best.” Suffice it to say that creation surrounding us is a witness of His glory, but there are even more “bests,” if you will.

The heart of Dr. Hill’s message is shared by another great pastor, S.M. Lockridge, entitled “World’s Greatest Love Story.” We so easily defer to and depend on the expectation of God’s grace and mercy that we forget what our King has done, and why is so rightfully fitted to rule over us. It’s easy to get selfish and neglect to worship Him for His selflessness on our behalf.

One of my favorite S.M. Lockridge sermons is probably familiar to many of you. “That’s My King” is simple, but profound. I listen to it most often near Resurrection Sunday, but also at other times when I need a boost. Even though he marvelously described some of Jesus’ kingly credentials and His great attributes, he still felt inadequate and wished for more. Does that describe your feelings about the Master? As words are inadequate to describe our King and what He means to us, even the disciples who were with Him every day felt inadequate to describe Him as well.

Psalms 22 is heartbreaking to read because it prophetically speaks of the horror and suffering of Jesus’ crucifixion. But at the end of His sacrifice for us, we know while Mary, John and others were at the foot of the cross, the three hour darkness ended, a great earthquake occurred and rent the veil of the Temple in half, some dead saints were raised to life, and the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion detail declared that Jesus was the Son of God. The closing verses of the Psalm declare His victory over death and sin, and His reign still future.

Does that cause you to worship the King?

 

Praise and Worship Selections

I Worship You, Almighty God

Praise Adonai

Yeshua Yeshua

Jesus, We Enthrone You