By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #54 ~
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck, like there’s no forward progress, no success, like you’re just going along, but not really getting any place? Well, if you’re a Christian, that is just not true. God is always working and carrying out His purpose in you, moving you along to that time when you will be gone from this earth, and in heaven, with Jesus and all the saints. I am so thankful for God’s wonderful work in our lives, and that He’s using us for His purposes in the world. Remember what Jesus said, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17
The Lord God Almighty is purposely and sovereignly working, overseeing, directing, leading, guiding, intervening, and having His way in our lives, and in the world around us. We are on a journey, individually and collectively. But it’s not like we’re physically going someplace, for this is a journey of time, with every day bringing us one day closer to Christ’s return. It’s a journey where Christ is building the church, and taking her to the end of this age. It’s a journey where God is working in kings and countries, and bringing us to that time when we will see the return of the King. It’s a journey where God is working with us until our time on earth is up, and then He’ll take us home to heaven. It’s a journey where God-prophesied events are coming to pass, and soon there will be the rapture of the church. It’s also a journey where evil is getting worse and worse in this world, leading to that dreadful Day of the Lord. “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may also be.” John 14:3
We are not sitting still, and this world is not sitting still. We are not going backwards, we are not zigzagging along, and we are not going in circles. From God’s perspective, we are all moving ahead in a straight line, and there’s no wasted effort, no wasted day, no deviation from His preordained plans. Since God is completely in charge, then all His plans for you, the church and the world, are being perfectly carried out. God knows His “end game”, and knows exactly what He’s doing, what people need to do, and how and when to make things happen. There are only so many days left between now and the day of Christ, but be assured that God will get all His work done, and will bring this church age to a glorious end. “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure… Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.’” Isaiah 46:9-10
But where are we in our journey to the end of this age? Since the Jews are back in Israel, we know we’re in the end times, that last set of years leading up to the return of Christ, the rapture of the church and the Day of the Lord. To be specific, we are now living in a time characterized by “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), when wars, earthquakes, famines, and plagues are increasing in both frequency and intensity. But there’s more than just “birth pains.” There will also be false teachers, the aligning of nations, the downfall of the US, the Jewish peace treaty, increasing globalism, the preaching of the gospel, world-wide apostasy, that wicked Antichrist, an unloving world, and growing lawlessness. And there’s one more thing, great tribulation, which we will be looking at in the upcoming weeks.
Here’s a big picture verse that shows you how God is working and where things are headed: “With a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:10-11). What is this saying to us?
– God has predestined future events, which will definitely come to pass.
– God has an incredible, unbelievable and wonderful inheritance for you and me.
– God is working all things in accordance with His will, His purposes. “All things” means every person, family, town, city, country, leader, government, church, pastor, school, job, business, angel and demon in this world. God has specific plans to bring about His purposes, and these plans will be perfectly and precisely carried out, and no act of man or of the devil, will slow down or stop this great work of God. “God does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand.” Daniel 4:34-35
– Jesus Christ will soon be the King, reigning over us and the entire world. “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” Revelation 5:12
P.S. As you know, there have been lots of charts connected to the blog posts, and today I want you to know there are five new ones – “in kings”, “home to heaven”, “zigzagging”, “end times”, and “big picture”. I encourage you to check out the charts, for they complement the posts, and help you to more effectively understand what is written. I would also suggest that you read the articles: “Charting the Future with Prophecy Charts” and “Charting God’s Miraculous Working with the Jews”.