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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Month: April 2017

The Day of the LORD: The Wrath of God on Earth

April 28, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #15 ~

In Love with the Wrath of God

The great majority of people in this world have no clue, no concept of the devastating destruction that will soon be affecting this entire earth, what God calls the “Day of the Lord.” They are ignorant of God’s fiery wrath that will be directed towards all the sinners on earth at that time. But God’s wrath is nothing new, for God has been judging guilty sinners ever since Adam and Eve. He has given us many examples in the Bible to warn us that He does not excuse, tolerate or put up with sin. He punishes those who reject Him, hate Him or ignore Him, whether it’s individuals, families, cities, countries or the whole world. “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18. “The Lord is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness.” Psalm 98:9.

We are living in the end times, and it is obvious that this world is spiritually and morally going downhill – that most people are not lovers of God, but lovers of sin and self. Pride, lying, hate, violence, anger, selfishness, immorality and rebellion are seen all over the world, and it’s getting worse and worse. Then in God’s time, the Antichrist, the “man of lawlessness” will be revealed, promoting sin and fueling this judgment all the more. Seeing all the people who have rejected His offer of mercy, and have taken the mark of the beast, God will have no choice but to judge the entire earth, but this time it won’t be with a flood, but with fire. Revelation 14:9-13

This is so sad that the sinners on earth are ignorant of what will soon be taking place. They are and will be mocking us, laughing at us, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” But they have no idea of this coming wrath, and how catastrophic and deadly it will be. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31. “Destruction will come upon them suddenly.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3

You might ask, “What about the Christians?” In the not too distant future, all people living on earth will see the skies suddenly become dark – this is the sign of the end of this age, the sign right before the day of the Lord. Acts 2:20. Then Christ will appear and will gather, glorify, and bring all the believers to Himself, and then to heaven. “One will be taken, the other left.” Luke 17:36. But the unbelievers who are left behind are “fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the earth.” Luke 21:21-26. These sinners are scared to death and say to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us … from the wrath of the Lamb.” Revelation 6:12-17. For about 30 minutes these trapped sinners will be worrying about what’s going to happen, and then the first trumpet will blast, signalling that God’s wrath has begun on earth. Revelation 8:1-7

This wrath of God, this day of the Lord, is the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments of Revelation 8-9, 16. But this “day” is not referring to a 24 hour day but to a time period starting during Daniel’s 70th week. It will not be quick like the Noahic flood, but  painfully prolonged and altogether righteous – a series of “hell” on earth type judgments that will afflict all the unbelievers. A third of the earth will be destroyed by fire; all unbelievers will be tormented by demonic locusts for five months; a third of mankind will be suddenly killed; all people will be covered with sickening sores and then scorched with fierce heat; a great earthquake will flatten the cities; and 100 pound hailstones will pound the people. And there is much more. “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 8:13. “The day of the Lord is near… I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.” Isaiah 13:6-11

The day of the Lord has been promised by God – it is certain to come. The day of the Lord is the righteous judgment of God – don’t complain. The day of the Lord will be totally unexpected by the unbelievers – “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. The day of the Lord will devastate the earth – this world, as we know it, will come to an end. Zephaniah 1:2

How should you be affected by the wrath of God that is coming upon this earth?  1) Never think God is wrong in these judgments. “Righteous are You, …O Holy One, because you judged these things.” Revelation 16:5.  2) Be thankful. It is only because of Christ’s mercy, because Christ suffered the wrath you deserved that you will escape God’s wrath on earth, and His wrath in hell.  3) Fear God. Be holy. Why do sinful things for which God’s wrath is coming upon this world? “Come out of her so that you will not participate in her sins.” Revelation 18:4. 4) Warn people about this wrath, this bad news, and tell them the good news about Jesus Christ. Tell them that forgiveness of sins can be granted when they repent of their sins and believe that Christ died for them. Tell them to turn from their sin and to trust in Christ before it’s too late.

P.S.  The audio messages from our April 1-2, 2017 Florida Biblical Prophecy Conference are now all available at  Hope Bible Church of Tampa at Sermon Audio.  The speakers were: Alan Kurschner, of Eschatos Ministeries; Marv Rosenthal, of Zion’s Hope; and I, Steve Hogan.   We were grateful to host this conference for God’s glory and the good of His people!

 

Everything on this Earth is Going to Change

April 21, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #14 ~

2 Peter 3:3-4 – “In the last days, mockers will come with their mocking, … ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’” In these last days, sinners are saying that nothing will dramatically change on this earth, that everything is going to basically stay the same. But they are deceived and wrong! Peter goes on to say that they don’t realize what took place in the past, the cataclysmic flood that God used to judge sinners and destroy the world; and they do not know what is going to happen in the future, the fiery judgment of this world and the “destruction of ungodly men.” 

Don’t be deceived like the unbelievers, and don’t be sleeping. Be awake, and aware of what God’s Word clearly tells us, and alert to the events that lead up to Christ’s return to rapture the church. Today, I am listing a series of monumental, earth-shaking, life-changing, God-promised events that will be taking place when Christ comes back. Please listen up – you, your family, and your church need to know what will be occurring on this earth, for everything is going to dramatically change!

This present age will come to an end. This present age that began with Adam’s sin is an evil age, for the whole world has been in the power of the devil. But this age, and this church age (the last days), is soon coming to an end, and a glorious new age will begin. Ephesians 1:19-21

All believers will be glorified. At Christ’s coming, at the rapture, those who have died and are in heaven, along with all those who are alive and remain on earth, will become like Christ and the angels, receiving perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

All believers will be gathered together to be with Jesus Christ. “We will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18. Think of finally being with Christ and all the other believers! What love, what joy, what peace, what glory!

God will pour out His righteous wrath upon the earth after the rapture. This terrifying and fiery Day of the Lord is the righteous punishment of all the unbelievers still living on earth at Christ’s coming, ones who rejected Him and took the mark of the beast. “She (the earth) will be burned up with fire”. Revelation 8-9, 18

“The Lord will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9. The devil will no longer be in charge, for Jesus Christ will take complete control of the earth. Hallelujah! “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ; and He will reign forever.” Revelation 11:15

A great number of Jews will be saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Romans 11:26-27 – “And so, all Israel will be saved… This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” God’s glorious promise to the Jews will finally come true. Ezekiel 37:21-23; Psalms 67, 72

The Antichrist will be defeated. The most wicked man in the history of our world will be dictator over the earth in the last 2-3 years before Christ’s coming, but this “beast was seized and with him the false prophet… these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire.” Revelation 19:20-21

Satan is bound and thrown into the abyss. Our chief enemy, “the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world,” will be chained up for 1000 years, and will not be able to hurt or harm any person on the earth during that time. Then he will be thrown into the lake of fire. Amen! Revelation 20:2

All glorified believers will begin to reign with Christ. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Just think, we will worship and serve Lord and King for 1000 years – this will be so exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding! Revelation 5:10, 20:6

Each of the above events is huge in and of itself – and in the near future, starting sometime during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, they will be taking place one after another. Do you see what is going to happen? Things will not be the same. We get so used to our homes, families, church, jobs, schools, cities, leaders, and way of life. But do you see that Jesus Christ, the Lord, Savior, Judge and King, is coming back soon? And He will lovingly, powerfully, and righteously change everything on this earth! Wake up to what will be happening. And fear the Lord, love Him, serve Him, and be excitedly looking for His return. “He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new… these words are faithful and true.’” Revelation 21:5

P.S. I encourage you to read these other posts and articles – I am sure they will be helpful to you: “God, You, and the War in Ukraine”, “How Then Should We Live In the End-Times?”, “Daniel’s 70th Week, One of the Keys to Unlocking the End-Times”, and “Why is Jesus Coming Back to Earth?”

The Resurrection and the Rapture of the Believers

April 14, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #13 ~

This past week a friend of mine died. But that was a good thing, because God took her soul from her frail body and from this sinful world to heaven. Our biggest problem, as humans, is death. It is a problem in both a physical and spiritual sense, and it is a problem that every person must face. Jesus Christ is the only answer, for when He was on earth He lived a perfect life, then He suffered and died on a cross to pay for people’s sins, and then He was raised from the dead.

A person is saved, is delivered from his sins and from death, when he repents of his sins and believes that Jesus Christ actually died in his place, and paid the penalty for his sins. Spiritually speaking he has been crucified with Christ and raised from the dead, and therefore he is no longer spiritually dead but he is spiritually alive! He is forgiven of all his sins, given eternal life and will go to heaven after he dies! Ephesians 2:1-9

Once a person is saved he is transformed, and by the word of God and the power of the Spirit he is to live for Jesus Christ. I like how Philippians 3:10 sums up a person’s life on earth, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” The believer is to know Jesus Christ and His resurrection power, and is to experience His love, joy and peace, and is to fulfill God’s plans while he is living on earth.

But what happens when this person dies? Because of Christ’s resurrection, his soul is immediately and supernaturally taken to heaven. By God, by Christ, by the Spirit, he has walked through that door called death, and is still alive, still experiencing the life of God. He is in heaven, freed from all sin, all pain, all sickness and all sorrow. And he is with God and Christ, millions of angels, and a great multitude of believers who have gone on before him. But his salvation is not complete. Yes, he is spiritually alive in heaven but he has not yet been physically glorified, he has not yet received his new physical body. He was justified on earth, lived as a Christian on earth, and then died, and is in heaven, but he has not yet been glorified.

When will this person be resurrected and glorified? Remember, it was about 2000 years ago that Jesus Christ, at His 1st coming, was raised from the dead and was physically glorified, was given a perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. But understand that it is at Christ’s 2nd coming that this person will be resurrected and glorified. Therefore, it is still in the future. At the end of this present age, Jesus Christ will return in the clouds above this earth, and it is at that time that this person and all believers who have already physically died will be resurrected and physically glorified. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

What about believers who are still living on earth when Christ returns? They will not be resurrected because they did not die, but they will be raptured, will be quickly snatched from this earth, physically glorified, and immediately taken to be with Christ. This also takes place at Christ’s 2nd coming. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. At Christ’s return, all believers already in heaven, and all believers still on earth, will be glorified, will be given a perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. “We will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, … for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. We will “attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:11.

Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He died to pay for your sins and then was raised again from the dead? If you have, then you have defeated death in every way, shape or form, and you will spiritually and physically live forever with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the angels and saints. The central part of God’s eternal working in human history is Christ’s death and resurrection. This is what you must believe and should be most excited about, that Jesus Christ died for you and was raised from the dead, resulting in your past justification, your present sanctification, and your future glorification.

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’… Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

P.S. I just published a new article about being in heaven with Jesus…

How Then Should We Live in the End Times?

April 7, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #12 ~

In the past two weeks we’ve looked at Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, and I’ve talked about “what” is going to occur in the years leading up to the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church. But now we need to answer the “how” question. Since all these things are going to take place before Christ’s return, then how should we live, and how should we prepare? I hear people give all kinds of answers to these questions, but what does God say?

In His Word, God instructs us how we are to live. And I want you to see that every single one of the following instructions is given in the context of Christ’s 2nd coming. Yes, we are to always have these godly qualities, but all the more so, as we live in the end times. Those living on the earth right before Christ’s return will need to up their game, for this will be their World Cup, their World Series, their Super Bowl, their Olympics. How then should we live in the end times?

HAVE FAITH – “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8. In the years leading up to the rapture, life will be very difficult, for there will be lawlessness, wars, famines and persecution, and we are to trust God, to believe His promises, to rely on Him.

FIX YOUR HOPE ON CHRIST – “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13. When there is tribulation, you need hope – you need to think about being with Jesus, being in heaven, being with believers, and being in a new body.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER – “The end of all things is near… above all keep fervent in your love for one another.” 1 Peter 4:8. Loving one another is one of the main ways you are to live for God in the end times. Be patient, kind, gentle, humble, compassionate, forgiving, forbearing and loyal.

BE HOLY – “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” 2 Peter 3:11. This instruction is simple – don’t be fleshly or worldly. Put sin to death, be living a holy and obedient life, and all the while be looking for Christ.

BE SOBER – “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6. Don’t be sleeping – be spiritually awake and alert, untainted by fleshly desires and worldly temptations, setting your mind on Christ’s coming, and doing the work He wants you to do.

BE IN FELLOWSHIP – “Not forsaking our own assembling together, …encouraging one another… as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25. As we get closer to Christ’s return, and as times get tougher and tougher, you will need other Christians, and others will need you.

BE PRAYING – “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7. The storm will rage before the Son appears in the sky, and you will need to pray, for faith, wisdom, courage, endurance, for one another, and for His Kingdom to come.

SERVE GOD – “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9. When life gets real hard, don’t go by how you think or feel, but keep serving God, trusting Him, obeying His commands, using your gifts, doing what He wants you to do.

PREACH THE GOSPEL – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20. Right up to the end of this age you are to be winning and building, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples.

WAIT FOR CHRIST – “Wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 1:10. As the days get darker, as there is persecution and even death, keep looking for the Light, keep waiting for Christ, “for the blessed hope.” Jesus will come!!!

PERSEVERE – “Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:10. Here is another key: no matter how tough it gets, do not quit. You are to endure, to keep believing, to not grow weary, to stay the course, to keep going to the end of your life or to the end of the age.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED – “Let no one in any way deceive you.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3. In the end times the devil will lie to you like never before. It is imperative that you not be deceived, but that you discern what is true and what is false, what is of God and what is of the devil.

DO NOT FEAR – “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…Be faithful until death.” Revelation 2:10. Do not be afraid, do not worry, do not be anxious. If you die, then you will be with the Lord; and if you endure to the end of the age, then you will be with the Lord. Either way you win.

BE AN OVERCOMER – “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life.” Revelation 2:7. In the context of the end times, Christ continually instructs us to be overcomers, to be winners, to get victory over sin, fears, doubts, worldliness, our enemies, and yes, the Antichrist.

BE FIGHTING – “Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day…” Ephesians 6:10-13. The most evil days will be the end times, for the spiritual battle will be most intense. Be strong in the Lord, put on the full armor of God, and be a good soldier for Christ.

Please, do not put these instructions in a drawer and then pull them out when times get tough. Now, not later, is the time for you to be learning them and practicing them, and then you will be ready for whatever comes. If you are a designated survivor, then know that God is training you for the great tribulation days, so that you endure, so that you overcome, so that you are a champion for Christ. Psalm 144:1-2. “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

 

A Short Summary of Our Bible Prophecy Conference

April 4, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

What a great prophecy conference this past weekend in Tampa, Florida! It was on Friday, the day before it started, that I knew it would be great. I was to pick up Alan Kurschner, one of the speakers, around 3 pm, but Alan had called me earlier and told me that his flight from New Jersey was delayed. To make a long story short, after two different planes, 13 flight time departure delays, and some fervent prayer, Alan flew, not into Tampa, but into Orlando, over 100 miles to the east. I thought, “Wow, the devil sure doesn’t want Alan to speak. That means God wants Alan to speak and it is going to be a great conference.” It was a few minutes after 11 pm that Alan, after a two hour Uber drive, arrived at our home. After some food and fellowship, we headed for bed, quite tired, but excited about the next day.

Attendees for the conference, from Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, started registering at 9:15 am, and the first session began just a few minutes after 10 am. Alan was the main speaker for Saturday, primarily expounding on Matthew 24, proving that the rapture of the church is not imminent. The vast majority of Christians in this country believe that the rapture is imminent, that it can happen at any moment, that there are no signs whatsoever that need to take place before Christ returns. But that is just not true – and Alan, in four different sessions, talked about events needing to happen before the coming of Christ. And I thought how interesting, for this is what I’ve been writing about in my past two blog posts.

My turn to speak came early Saturday afternoon. I have to admit that I was revved up, for I was talking on one of my favorite subjects, the big picture of our life and how it fits in with the big picture of all that God is doing throughout human history. It just so happens, as I think you now know, that we live in the end times, at the very end of this age, that time right before Christ’s return. It won’t be long before we will “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

There were plenty of break times, a good lunch, but most of all there was great fellowship. I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that it was very encouraging talking to people we had just met, about the Lord and His soon return. One of my favorite times was the singing. I have to admit that we have an excellent music group, and we must have sung and / or heard close to 15 different songs during our conference, most of them related to prophecy. That was definitely a taste of heaven, being with one another and singing to the Lord!

Our Sunday speaker, Marv Rosenthal, and his wife Marbeth, drove in Saturday afternoon, and Marsha and I had the blessing of having a meal with them that evening. Marv and Marbeth truly love the Lord and His Word, and love our little church. What an encouraging time being with them, talking about family, the church, the state of the world, and prophecy.

It was another short night, and in the morning I took Alan to the airport – and fortunately the plane was on time. “Thank you Lord.” Then back home and Marsha and I head back to church. Again, there is good singing, and then the messages. Marv spoke with clarity and passion from 1 Thessalonians 4-5, two short, powerful chapters about the resurrection, the rapture, and the Day of the Lord, important lessons about what happens to believers and unbelievers at Christ’s coming. Then the final song of the conference – “Revelation 19.” (You have to hear this, and you can if you email me and ask for “Scripture Songs”, a double CD set.) Then the benediction from Jude 24-25, and finally, more fellowship, a lunch and many good byes. I thank God for a Christ exalting and edifying conference!

P.S. Messages will be online in the next week or so at Hope Bible Church at Sermon Audio.  The blog post for this Saturday is “How Then Should We Live in the End Times?” 

© Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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