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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Month: December 2018

Loving the Lord and Longing to See Him

December 28, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #100 ~

When we talk about the rapture, we need to think of it as a love story. You see, the truth about the end-times and Christ’s return is not some cold truth devoid of feeling, but a truth filled with warmth, love and affection. “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). This is the gospel. The heart of the gospel is the fact that Jesus loved us and wanted to die for us so we could be His eternal bride. And the heart of the rapture is the fact that Jesus wants to complete our salvation by taking us off this earth, glorifying us, and bringing us to heaven so we can forever be with Him. Then He will love us like never before (John 17:24). Now this is the perspective of Christ, that He dearly, deeply and eternally, loves us.

What is our perspective? It too, is about love. We see our sin and our need for Jesus to save us. By God’s grace, we respond to His love and believe the gospel, by which we are miraculously saved. With this salvation comes eternal life, this most wondrous relationship with God, our Father, and Jesus, our Savior. Christianity is this relationship, this eternal life, that has at its center, at its core, this love for God and Jesus. And our service for God is founded and grounded in our love for Him. If not, there is no relationship, just heartless rituals and useless routines that are empty and worthless. Our Christian life is defined by love, by knowing the love of God, and by loving Him. And this divine love relationship, showing forth God’s love for us, and our love for Him, is both present and future.

It is the prophetic portion of Scripture that explains God’s plans for the future of this present evil age, that which started with the sin of Adam and ends with the coming of Christ. It says that Christ will return at the end of this age, rapture the church and then reign over the world. But now that we are in the end-times, it won’t be long before all these things take place. It’s vital that we understand the facts of Christ’s return, and the rapture, that time when Christians are suddenly, gently and quickly taken up from this earth, brought to Jesus, and taken to heaven.

This is where you need to see that you are the bride, and that Jesus, your bridegroom, is coming to rescue you, as well as all believers still alive on this world at the end of the age. This is where you need to see that Jesus is coming back because He greatly loves you, and wants to show you His love by saving you from this evil earth, by glorifying you, and by bringing you to heaven to be with Himself. Aren’t you glad Jesus loves you, and wants to show you His love like this? Might this truth of Jesus’ coming thrill your heart, and fill you with a deep and genuine love for Him.

Should you not be so in love with Jesus that you can’t wait to see Him, that you can’t wait to be with Him, that you can’t wait to personally tell Him that you love Him? Should you not be overflowing with love for Jesus, and with heart-throbbing anticipation, be eagerly looking forward to that first time when you will see His face and His smile, and hear His words of love for you? Jesus is your wonderful Savior and glorious King, the One who loves you more than anyone else in the world. Because of His love for you, you ought to be filled up with love for Him. Because of your love for Him, you ought to be looking forward to that time when He will leave His Father’s side, speed down to earth, and snatch you up to heaven.

Our Savior, Lord, Shepherd, King, Friend and Bridegroom is coming to get you so you can be with Him, so you can experience His love and see His glory like never before. If you are not excited and longing for that time when you will first see Jesus, then what’s wrong? What is going on in your heart if you are not wanting to see Jesus, if you are not watching and waiting for Him? Have you lost your first love? Are you loving the world or some person more than you love Jesus? That would be terrible. That would be sad. I fear that many Christians have forgotten their first love for Jesus. If there’s a sin that keeps you from loving Jesus, and from longing to see Him, then it must be confessed. You must repent, and show Jesus that you love Him, and tell Him that you love Him and can’t wait to see Him, whether that be by death or by rapture. “To live is Christ, and to die (or be raptured) is gain.” Philippians 1:21

We are most blessed to be alive at this time in history, in the last years of this present age. I cannot help but think that many of you reading this will not physically die and go to heaven, but will be raptured and go to heaven. In either case, might you, with great passion and excitement, be loving Jesus and looking forward to seeing Him, and being with Him. “Behold, I am coming soon…. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. The Rapture, A Love Story is another encouraging post that conveys a similar message as does this one. Also, as we look forward to the new year, I would suggest that you read this article, The Time of My Life.

The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming

December 21, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #99 ~

It’s the Christmas season, that glorious and wonderful time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And we must, for that’s when God became man, and therefore, was with man, a necessary and most-amazing miracle for mankind. But understanding the meaning of the Christmas story is more than just learning about Jesus’ birth – it’s learning about Jesus our Savior, and Jesus our King and His reign on earth.

The Christmas story, found in Luke 1-2, tells us about Joseph and Mary, the birth of Jesus, and some key details about what happened that winter night. We also learn why Jesus was born. Now God tells us why by providing witnesses who speak about the purpose of Mary’s Son, of God’s Son. Knowing their testimony is vital to comprehending the whole truth of the Christmas story, for they give us critical information about Jesus being both Savior and King, that which relates to both Jews and Christians. These witnesses, the angels, Mary, Zechariah, Simeon and Anna, all knew the God-given prophecies, the promises concerning the Messiah. Their testimony centered on three of these promises, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant and the New Covenant.

First, there’s the Abrahamic Covenant, which is national, focusing for the most part, on the nation of Israel. Mary said, “He has given help to Israel, His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and His descendants forever” (Luke 1:54-55). Zechariah affirmed this, “… Salvation from our enemies… and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father” (Luke 1:71-73). It was said of Simeon that he “was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). Then there’s Anna, who “continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). These faithful witnesses knew this covenant related to Israel and Jerusalem, and that God’s promise to Abraham would result in a great nation, a vast amount of land, many descendants, and God’s blessing to the entire world (Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17, 15, 17:1-8). We have seen some of these physical blessings in the past and now again in the present, but it’s in the future, at Christ’s coming, that we will see this covenant completely fulfilled. It must also be said that all believers are spiritual descendants of Abraham. Romans 4:16-17

Second, there’s the Davidic covenant, which is universal, for it tells us about the reign of Jesus Christ over Israel, and of course, over the entire world. The angel explains this when he says to Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33). Now that we live in the end-times, we know Christ’s reign over this earth is about to begin.

Third, there’s the New Covenant, which is personal, for it speaks of the salvation of an individual sinner before God. Jesus was born to live a perfect life, and then die for sinners. This covenant applies to all people who repent of their sins and turn to Jesus for mercy, believing that He died to pay the penalty for their sins, resulting in complete forgiveness. Mary joyfully shared, “My soul exalts in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46). Zechariah spoke of this when he said, “To give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:77). The angel declared, “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). This is the key and central covenant, for the person who is saved from his sins will also, fully and forever, enjoy the blessings and benefits of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.

Do you see what these witnesses were saying, that Jesus would be the One to fulfill God’s promises to His people, those given in the Abrahamic, Davidic and New Covenants? The Christmas story tells us about Jesus’ birth, but more than that, it tells us that He came to keep God’s promises. At His first coming, Jesus was born, died for sinners, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, which all relates to the New Covenant. But He has to come again, He must come again, and He will come again, to finish the work that relates to the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.

I hope you see the relevance and the importance of the Christmas story for those of us living at this time in history, for much of what these witnesses said will soon come true. Yes, their testimony reminds us of Christ being born to die for our sins, but it also relates to His second coming, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to believing Jews and Gentiles. Unbeknownst to them, these witnesses are speaking to us today. Might we be listening to them!

There’s no doubt that Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna, were overflowing with joy when Jesus came the first time, for they knew what His presence on earth would mean for the Jews, for all believers, and for the entire world! Might we be just as excited about seeing Jesus! Might we be praying for His kingdom to come, be telling others about Him, and be looking forward to seeing Him come in the clouds, and then begin His reign over the earth! “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.” Luke 2:14

P.S. Here is the Christmas post from last year that I would encourage you to read – First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming. Our focus, as Christians, is to always be on Christ, and here is an article that will help direct your attention to Him – Thinking of Jesus Christ.

Make Ready the Way of the Lord

December 14, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #98 ~

As Christians, is it not our duty, our responsibility, to tell others about Jesus Christ, specifically, the truths of both His 1st coming and His 2nd coming? Now that we live in the end-times, and are seeing God’s prophetic word being fulfilled in the world around us, are we not even more obligated to tell people about Christ’s 2nd coming, and that He’s coming soon to rapture the church, and begin His reign over this earth?

Look at the example of John the Baptist. When he was here, he was fired up, telling people about the coming of Jesus Christ. He was a fearless man, filled with zeal, courage and love for Christ. “He preached the gospel to the people” (Luke 3:18). He told the lost they needed to repent of their sins so they could be made right with God. He made it clear that Christ would baptize people with the Spirit, speaking of salvation, and with fire, referring to God’s wrath. John, unlike the religious establishment of the day, was telling the people what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.

Not long after John began his ministry, Jesus came, “preaching the gospel of God, and saying,‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15). As we know, Jesus spoke to the masses, discipled twelve apostles, did all kinds of miracles, died for the sins of people, and then rose from the dead. But the Jews rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and in so doing, rejected Him as their King. Therefore, Jesus didn’t stay to be their King, but left them and went back to His Father in heaven. Since then, He has been building His church. But John didn’t know there would be two comings of Christ, and didn’t know about the church age, and that Christ would come back after it was over, then establish His kingdom on earth.

But now we have the whole word of God, enabling us to know the truth of Christ’s 1st coming and to see ahead to His 2nd coming. Since the Jews are back in their land, we know this church age will soon come to an end. As Christians, what are we to do? Luke 3:4 tells us to “make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” This verse, more than any other, motivates me to tell people about the return of Jesus Christ! Just think, the Lord of all, the Savior of sinners, the King of kings, will soon return and be revealed to the whole world! Doesn’t that get you excited, doesn’t that fire you up, doesn’t that get your spiritual adrenaline flowing? The One who loves you so much, the One who will judge this world, the One who will reign as King over this earth, is coming back to stay, and He will change everything, and it will be glorious!

What are we to do? We are to be like John the Baptist. Now we don’t need to wear a garment of camel’s hair, and eat locusts and wild honey, but we are, like him, to have love and zeal for Christ. And we are to preach the gospel to the lost! We are to tell them about Christ’s 1st coming, that He came to die for people’s sins, then rose again. We are to exhort them to repent and believe in Christ’s payment for their sins, so as to be born again, to be forgiven, and to enter into the kingdom of God. “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 

We are to also tell the unsaved about Christ’s 2nd coming, and warn them that if they don’t repent of their sins, they will experience God’s wrath on earth, and then experience His wrath in hell. This is the truth, the message we must share with the lost, and now is the time, since “the coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:8), since “the Judge is standing right at the door” (James 5:9), since it won’t be long before “the Lord will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

What do we tell those who are saved, who are already Christians?
* Remind them of Jesus Christ’s 1st coming, and that we are now living in the end-times, the last years of this church age, and that His 2nd coming is right around the corner.
* Make sure they know about the evil Antichrist and the great tribulation that will affect both Christians and Jews.
* Tell them about the rapture, God’s rescue plan for us, and that we will then be glorified, perfected forever. 
* Tell them about the Day of the Lord, God’s punishing wrath upon the unbelievers still living on earth at the return of Christ.
* Let them know that a remnant of Jews will be saved, that Christ will reign as King over the world for 1000 glorious years, and that the believers will reign with Him.
* Tell them about the eternal kingdom, the new heavens and new earth, that God will actually dwell among us, that we will be His people and He will be our God.

But don’t just tell them what will happen. Encourage them to be living a holy life, the most blessed, rewarding and satisfying life there is. Encourage them to be loving Christ, living for Him and looking for His coming. Encourage them to read passages in the Word that explain these truths so they themselves will have strong convictions, and can then tell others all about the 2nd coming of Christ. 

One more thing – I really believe that God, in these days, is raising up a large number of Christians who dearly love His Son, Jesus Christ, and are excited about His soon return, and see it as their sacred duty to “Make ready the way of the Lord.” Might you be one of them!

P.S. Here are two previous posts that summarize specific things that need to take place before the return of Christ. Knowing these things will help you more effectively witness to others about Christ’s 2nd coming. When Is Christ Coming Back? and What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return?

Revelation, The Bridge from This Age to the Next Age

December 7, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #97 ~

I cannot think of a more relevant book to read at this time in history than the book of Revelation. It takes us from the end-times, which we are now living in, to the end of this age, to the rapture of the church, to the Day of the Lord, to the salvation of the Jews, to Christ’s takeover of the world, to the millennial kingdom, and finally, to the eternal kingdom. It’s about the Christians, the Jews, the unbelievers, Satan, the Antichrist, but most importantly it’s about Jesus Christ, for it is The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1 gives us an awesome and powerful description of the main character, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Priest and King. Revelation 2-3 records Jesus’ letters to seven churches, vital instructions for those churches, and for all churches since that time, including those now existing in these end-times. Then there’s Revelation 4, the heavenly chapter, for it speaks about our Creator God and His glorious holiness, that which is foundational and central to this entire end-times book, to all God is, and to all He will do.

Revelation 5 is about our Savior God, Jesus Christ, and His epic victory over sin and death, His key to taking back the world from that most-evil devil. On to Revelation 6, where we see Christ breaking six seals, the first four resulting in a series of end-time conditions, fake religion, wars, famine and death (Matthew 24:4-8). It won’t be long now before the fifth seal is broken, resulting in the great persecution of Christians. That time of suffering, and yes, serving the Lord, will suddenly be stopped by the sixth seal, the signs in the heavens, dramatically marking the end of this church age. What then?

Revelation 7 speaks about the sealing of 144,000 Jews, a sign to us that God’s plans for them are being fulfilled. This chapter is also about Christians, their rapture from the earth, their appearance before God, along with a multitude of other believers, and they are all crying out, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” This is followed by 30 minutes of pure silence in heaven, for the holy Day of the Lord is about to begin. Revelation 8-9 vividly describes this “Day,” these trumpet judgments, God’s devastating wrath being poured out upon a wicked and deserving world.

Revelation 10-11 tells us much more about God’s plans for the Jews. There’s talk about the temple, two wonder-working witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet, at which time the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of Christ. This is one of the most critical and climactic moments in all of history, for Jesus Christ, as Lord and King, takes back control of this world from Satan, and mercifully saves a remnant of Jews.

What about Satan and the Antichrist, our worst enemies? Revelation 12-13 is a two-chapter interlude, where we see that diabolical Satan trying to stop Christ, the Antichrist being worshiped by the world, Jews and Christians being persecuted, and unbelievers taking the mark of the beast. This spiritual warfare may seem to be “scary stuff,” but what you must see is that Satan gets beat, for he is the loser, and Christ is the King of the world, the Winner, the reigning Champion. Revelation 14 gives many more details, telling us about these 144,000 Jews, Babylon the great, global evangelism, the rapture, and the punishing wrath of God.

Revelation 15-16 focuses on the second phase of the Day of the Lord, God’s judgment of His evil enemies, specifically that of the Antichrist’s kingdoms. Seven bowls of wrath are rapidly poured out upon the earth, lasting for 30 merciless days. Finally, there’s the great battle of Armageddon, at which time, Jesus Christ crushes the wicked kingdoms of the world. Revelation 17-18, another two-chapter interlude, tells us more about the Antichrist’s 10-nation devilish empire. It also talks about Babylon the Great, which is Satan’s counterfeit religious system and seductive economic system, his deceptive means of controlling the world. But God’s righteous wrath cleanses the world from all such contaminants, so that Christ, with a clean slate, can establish His kingdom on earth.

Revelation 19 describes this huge victory celebration in heaven, for Satan is defeated, and the Antichrist is cast into the lake of fire. Most importantly, there’s the magnificent and beautiful marriage supper of the Lamb. Just imagine being gloriously perfect, inside and out, and being with Jesus Christ, your wonderful Husband, and with all the other believers! Revelation 20 tells us about Christ’s 1000-year kingdom, as well as the most sobering scene of all, when all sinners are judged and cast into the lake of fire, where they will remain forever. Finally, we come to Revelation 21-22 and the new heavens and new earth, our beautiful, brand new home, and the eternal kingdom of God.

I have mentioned many important details about the future, but I hope you see the big picture, that Revelation is a bridge that takes us from the end-times of this church age to the kingdom ages. Revelation may be the end of the book, but it’s surely not the end of the story, but is what God gives us so we can know what takes place between this age and the next age. Might God give you the grace to understand it, and to share it with your family, friends and fellow church members. “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7

P.S. Here is a post, Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times, and an article, An Introduction to the Book of Revelation, that go along with this post, and which I am convinced will be most helpful in understanding what God has in store for you and this world.

© 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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