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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Month: September 2018

In a Wicked World, You Have to Have Hope

September 28, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #87 ~

No matter what country you live in, there’s sin and evil, liars and thieves, hate and racism, and corrupt politicians. That’s the way it has been for this entire evil age, and the way it’s going to be, right up until the return of Jesus Christ. That’s why you need hope, why you need to be “looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10), and for that time when “the Lord will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

But for now, we look around the world and we see sin and Satan in every place – in Russia, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, Poland, Ukraine, North Korea, Haiti, China, and in every country and, yes, in the United States. What’s this world coming to? Is not your soul grieved by the sin that affects every square inch of this planet, and yes, still remains in your own life? I have to admit, I get tired of it, for this evil flesh and wicked world weigh heavy on my soul. I think of Lot, who was “oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men,” and who “felt his righteous soul tormented day after day” (2 Peter 2:7-9). What are we to think? What are we to do about it? What does God’s Word say?

1. God is sovereign. Yes, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), but God is ultimately in charge, in control. Don’t forget, the devil is like a dog on a leash, and he can only do what God allows him to do. Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:17
2. God leaves you in this sinful world to teach you to be holy, to “let your light shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). He is also teaching you to be a soldier, a warrior, to stand firm against the devil’s schemes, to fight “against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness.” Judges 3:2, Nehemiah 4, Ephesians 6:10-18
3. Don’t focus on the evil things going on around you, whether it’s in your family, your city, or the world. You are going to get very discouraged if you keep thinking about the corruption that’s out there. Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2
4. Focus on the work you are to do. When you play sports, you don’t stare at your opponent, you play your position and do your part. God has given you a job to do, so do it. And when your work is done, Christ will take you home to heaven. Luke 19:13, Acts 13:36
5. Don’t put your hope in this world, or in people, and that means leaders, too. A prime minister, a president, or a king, isn’t God. I hope you know by now that you can’t trust human leaders to make this world a truly better place. Trust in God, not in man. Psalm 146:3-5
6. As a Christian, your goal should never be a political objective, but a spiritual objective. It’s not to win elections, to get your person in power, but to win souls, to preach the gospel to all the nations. Our gospel is the only real answer, and it has no borders and no bounds, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
7. Pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Pray for Christ to return, to begin His righteous reign over the world, and to establish His glorious kingdom on earth. Habakkuk 2:14, Revelation 11:15

Don’t you get tired of your sin-prone flesh and this sinful, saint-hating world? Don’t you wish you could leave it? I know I do, but I have to remind myself that this is my time, my one opportunity on this earth, to be a worker and a warrior for the Lord. Just think, God has planned out your entire life, placing you on this planet at this time in history. It’s by the grace He gives you now, and the hope of future grace that you can live for the Lord. Think about this hope you have, that Christ is coming, that you will be raptured and glorified, that Satan will be defeated, and that the kingdom age will begin. “God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us – that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.” Psalm 67:1-2

One of the main ways I am motivated to live for God during this present evil age is thinking about the future kingdom of Christ. It will be a good age, a great age, a glorious age, when God will brighten up and beautify this old earth, when there will be true justice, love, mercy, peace on earth, and good will toward men. I encourage you to think about being in your glorified body, living on this newly renovated planet, fellow-shipping with dear friends, and serving Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King. This is the truth, this is your hope, and it is this hope that will help you to live strong for the Lord during your short time on earth. Soon you will be gone from here, and after a short stay in heaven, you will head back to earth, where you will serve and reign with Christ your King for 1000 glorious years (Revelation 20:6). “Let the peoples praise You, O God… Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.” Psalm 67:3-4

P.S. We must know the Bible says will be taking place on this earth. I encourage you to read my posts on the present Ukraine situation – “Russia at War Against Ukraine”, “God, You, and the War in Ukraine“, “Death and Life in the End-Times”. And read this article on hope – “You Have to Have Hope.”

The Return of Christ and the Rapture of the Church

September 21, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #86 ~

As a Christian living on this earth, you will either physically die and go to heaven, or you will be raptured and go to heaven. Either way, it will be very, very good, the best thing to ever happen to you. Since we live in the end-times, the rapture, this climactic, dramatic, power-packed, devil-stopping, Christ-glorifying event, may occur during your lifetime. God tells you a lot about it in His Word, and that’s because it’s such an important truth for Christians to understand, especially at this time in history. Let me share with you the main things God wants you to know about the rapture.

At the end of this age, Jesus Christ will be seen coming on the clouds of the sky. Our Savior’s return to earth will be a global event, visible to the entire world. As soon as Christ arrives, Christians will be raptured, suddenly and rapidly taken from this earth to be with Him. As they are caught up in the air, that is, raptured, they will be joined by believers from all of history, all those who have already died and gone to heaven. This gathering together the believers will happen in a split-second, in the twinkling of an eye, at which time they will be given a brand-new glorified body, one that is perfect, powerful, spiritual and immortal, one that is like the body of Jesus Christ Himself. Matthew 24:29-31, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:42-57, 1 John 3:2

When will Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the King of kings, the Savior of sinners, and the Judge of all the earth, return to rapture the believers living on earth? It will occur after the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, not at the beginning, like many Christians mistakenly believe. It will take place after the coming of the Antichrist, after great tribulation and the persecution of Jews and Christians, and after great signs in the heavens, “when the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” (Matthew 24:29-31). “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

In the near future, Christians will be raptured, will be rapidly taken and transported from the earth to meet the Lord in the air, to be received by Christ Himself. But why else will Christians be raptured? To be given relief from tribulation! To be rescued from God’s wrath on earth! To be redeemed from their body! To be reunited with loved ones! To rest from their labors! Can you see why this is one of the most important events in all of history? I can’t wait!!! I’m telling you, this age will soon and suddenly come to an end, and Christians will be raptured, taken to Christ, and then taken up to heaven. 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-14; Luke 21:28; Revelation 14:13

Once Christians have made this two-leg journey, from earth to the clouds, and then from the clouds to heaven, they will literally stand before Jesus Christ and God the Father, excitedly, joyously and wholeheartedly, giving Them praise. “They cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.’” Jesus’ promise to us will finally and wonderfully come true: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be.” John 14:3

Right after the rapture, once all the believers are in heaven, comes the Day of the Lord, God’s just punishment of unrepentant unbelievers living on earth (Revelation 8-9). I hope you see what’s coming, for the sake of the saved and the lost. As for the saved, tell them all about the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Remind them to be loving Christ, to be living for Christ, and to be looking for His return, “encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25, 37

As for the lost, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11). Now is the time to tell the unsaved the good news about Christ’s 1st coming. Tell them that they need to repent of their sins before it’s too late. Tell them to believe that Jesus Christ died for them, so they can be forgiven of their sins, become children of God, and receive eternal life. Warn them that it won’t be long before Christ’s 2nd coming, and if they don’t get saved, they will miss the rapture, be left behind and severely punished on earth during the day of the Lord, and then punished forever in hell. Matthew 25:30,41,46

As for you, look forward to the end of this age, when Jesus Christ returns for His church, His bride, rapturing her, and you, into heaven. Your heart should be so happy, and deeply moved, as you think of that moment when you will first see Jesus, who loves you so much more than anyone else in the world, who can’t wait to see you, and be with you forever. “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:26-27). “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth… I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27

P.S. The rapture of the church – what an important and heart-warming subject for you and me, and for all believers. Here is an encouraging post that talks about our relationship with Jesus, The Rapture, A Love Story. Also here is a very detailed and instructive article about the rapture, 50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture.

Christ is Coming for Both the Church and the Jews

September 14, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #85 ~

I have talked about the Jews in detail in many previous posts, and that’s because they are a central and important subject in prophecy. But many Christians say there’s no future, no God-promised plans for the ethnic Jews. They tell you that hundreds of Old Testament prophesies for the Jews have been cancelled, are null and void. But that’s not true, for God does not change His mind. Yes, His plans for the Jews were suspended, but they sure weren’t cancelled. You read the New Testament, which is about the church, and you can’t miss the many verses about the Jews, ones that prove there’s a future for Israel, but are also relevant to the church. Let’s look at some of these verses, and see why:

Matthew 24:15-27 takes us from the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week to the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. During this short time period, the Antichrist desecrates the temple in Jerusalem (“when you see the abomination of desolation… standing in the holy place”), chases after the Jews, and attempts to persecute them.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-6 further describes this end-times’ Jewish scene, when the Antichrist, “the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” This is a most abominable and blasphemous act of the Antichrist, for he is stopping Jews from sacrificing, and setting himself up as God. It’s written in this letter to the church, for when it occurs, it will be a signal to the Christians that Christ’s return and the rapture will soon be taking place.

Revelation 7:1-8 gives us more information about God’s end-time work with Israel, and that is the sealing of 144,000 Jews. “I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 7:4). Those sealed are not Gentiles, and are not saved during the church age, but are specially chosen Jews, ones who will be saved to worship and follow Jesus Christ. Revelation 14:1-5

Then there’s Luke 21:20-24, five verses that summarize the history of the Jews from the first century until the end of the still-future 70th week of Daniel. They describe the desolation of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and the death of many Jews. Those who don’t die are “led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Since the Jews are now back in their land, we know it won’t be long before the coming of Christ, the rapture of the church, and the “times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” and a remnant of Jews will be saved.

These are just some New Testament verses about the future of the Jews, and here are some more: Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 1:31-33, 54-55; Acts 3:20-21; Romans 11:25-27; Hebrews 8:7-13, 11:10-16, 11:39-40; Revelation 11:1-16, 12:1-16. All the verses I have referenced in this post are about the Jews, for they talk about “Judea”, “temple”, “Jerusalem”, “Sabbath”, “Judah”, “holy city” and “Israel”. You can’t say these verses are no longer relevant, and you can’t spiritualize them, saying they are now for the church. There’s no doubt God wants to instruct and remind the church about His future plans for the Jews, as it also relates to her future, the plans He has for her.

Why is that? Why are these verses important for the church? Matthew 24:15, tucked in a key prophecy passage, says, “Let the reader understand.” What does the church need to understand?
1. That God is faithful, and is still working with the Jews and is, at this time, fulfilling His plans for them.
2. That Christ is not just coming back to carry out His plans for the church, but to also carry out His plans for the Jews.
3.  That God’s work with the Jews in the end-times is in conjunction with His work with the church, and will be taking place in the same time frame. I say this because many New Testament passages about the future of the Jews are sitting right next to passages about the future of the church. Look at this: Matthew 24:9-14 (church) – Matthew 24:15-24 (Jews); Luke 21:12-19 (church) – Luke 21:20-24 (Jews); 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2a, 5-9 (church) – 2 Thessalonians 2:2b-4 (Jews); Revelation 7:1-8 (Jews) – Revelation 7:9-17 (church). These side-by-side passages about Jews and Christians make it clear that God’s end-times’ work with the church coincides with His end-times’ work with the Jews.
4. That the fulfillment of end-time prophesied events for the Jews are signals to the church, alerting her to the fact that Christ is coming soon to rapture her, and take her home to heaven.

Once we get to Daniel’s 70th week, God’s work with the Jews and the church really gets Revved up. Jewish events taking place, the peace treaty with Israel, the temple built in Jerusalem, and the Antichrist desolating the temple, will be siren-sounding signs to the church that Christ is returning soon, and that she will be raptured and heading to heaven. Soon after this, a remnant of Jews will be saved and the glorious kingdom age will begin. Then all believers, both Jews and Gentiles, will reign with Jesus Christ over this world. “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great… Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.” Revelation 19:5-6

P.S. Hurricane Florence: The Perfect Storm – I say that because our God is sovereign over this major storm that has been hitting the east coast of the United States, and He knows exactly what He is doing. Might we continue to pray for all the people affected, for their physical safety, but also for their spiritual safety in Christ, the salvation of their souls. I wrote a number of posts concerning hurricanes last year at this time, particularly relating them to the end-times and the coming of Christ. I encourage you to read them – “A Hurricane is Coming – Be Ready, Watching and Working”, “The Alarm is Ringing – Wake Up America! The Storm is Coming”, “A Big Storm is Coming and I Don’t Mean Hurricane Irma”, and one more to calm your soul, to give you peace, “When the Storms Come, Don’t Be Afraid.”

Revelation 12: The Jews, The Devil and Our Victorious God

September 7, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #84 ~

There is a God-promised, God-glorifying future for the Jews. Revelation 12 is a key passage confirming this, for it summarizes God’s work with the Jews throughout their history. This chapter takes us from the birth of the Jews to the birth of Jesus, skips the church age, and then focuses on the last half of Daniel’s 70th week. In spite of Satan’s continual attacks against the Jews for over 4,000 years, God has consistently enabled them to get the victory. When we see the big picture of God’s working with the Jews, we must conclude that they are not losers, but winners, for God has, and will, fulfill His wonderful plans for them. Psalm 33:10-12

Revelation 12 starts with signs, the first being that of a woman, and she is not Mary, nor the church, but rather, is representing Israel and her twelve tribes (Genesis 37:1-11). The woman’s primary purpose was to give birth to Jesus, to bring Him into the world, but it was hard labor, a long 2000-year battle with the forces of darkness.

These evil forces are described in the next sign, that of a dragon (Revelation 12:3-4), and this is the Jew-hating devil who, with the help of 1/3 of the spirits, does all he can to devour the woman’s child, to thwart the Jews and abort the birth of Jesus. We see that Satan works through eight beast empires, the crowns on 7 heads referring to 7 devilish kingdoms who, in the past, have been opposing and oppressing the Jews: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and I believe, Hitler’s third Reich. All this is leading to the future and final ten-horned 8th kingdom, one ruled by the Antichrist.

The 6th kingdom, the Roman empire, led by Herod and Satan, was not able to stop Israel from giving birth to Jesus, and also failed in her devilish scheme to kill Him by murdering little baby boys. The first 2000 years of Jewish history were extremely difficult, but by God’s grace, the woman persevered through the labor pains, and finally, Jesus was born. But nothing is said in Revelation 12:5 about Jesus being a Savior, about His sacrificial death and resurrection, and nothing is said about the church, just the fact that He will be the King ruling all the nations, and that, as we know, is at His 2nd coming. The church age is skipped over because the focus is on the Jews and on Jesus, and that He was taken to heaven, and that at the end of His 1st coming.

Revelation 12:6 summarizes God’s dealings with the Jews during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, with verses 7-16 expanding on verse 6, giving more details about the last 3½ years of that most important week. There will be a great heavenly battle (Revelation 12:7-9), with Michael and his angels soundly defeating the devil and his demons, who will forever be cast out of heaven. This divine drama is far bigger than you can imagine, for the outworking of Christ’s crushing defeat of Satan at the cross is seen in that this deceiver, this accuser, will be thrown down to earth. Heaven will be so happy, for she will finally be done with the devil. But “woe to the earth,” for the devil will literally be on this earth, and he will be mad, full of wrath, his utter hate for God now focused now focused on both Jews and Christians.

But you must know that Satan’s time on earth will be very short. You need not fear, for God’s promise is that you will defeat the devil. By the blood of Jesus, you are saved, and forever safe in the hands of God. By the truth of God, by Jesus’ love for you and your love for Jesus, you will overwhelmingly conquer in all these things. Revelation 12:10-12

Once on earth, the devil empowers his man, and he becomes a beast, a superman, this Antichrist who pursues a remnant of Jews. But again we see God’s victory, for somehow, they miraculously get away from the Antichrist and his forces of evil, and are then nourished, taken care of for 3½ years (Revelation 12:13-16). Then that evil devil, who couldn’t get to the Jews, goes after the church (Revelation 12:17). As we know, Christians will also be victorious, for whether by death or by rapture, they will be taken up to be with Jesus. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:35

Over four thousand years ago, God’s plan for the Jews began, and they have been persecuted, murdered, and scattered throughout the earth. By the grace of God, they were successful in phase one, for 2000 years ago, they brought Jesus into the world. God’s plan for the Jews was then suspended, but has now been revived, for the Jews are back in their own land, and phase two is beginning, for now we live in the end-times.

It won’t be long before Daniel’s 70th week begins, and the Antichrist, that weakling, will again put up a fight. But at the end of that 7-year week, God will again get the victory for His people, the spiritual salvation of a Jewish remnant (Romans 11:25-27). That devilish Antichrist will finally be defeated, and cast forever into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). Then begins the millennial kingdom, when Jesus Christ will gloriously reign over the whole world with all the believing Jews and Gentiles. Hallelujah!!! Revelation 20, Psalm 47, Psalm 67, Psalm 72

P.S. Understanding God’s working with the Jews is critically important when it comes to understanding prophecy. If you haven’t read these already, I would encourage you to read A Jewish Reading Lesson  and Charting God’s Miraculous Work With the Jews .

© 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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