Month: October 2019

Don’t Worry – God’s in Control

October 25, 2019 / stevenj777

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #141 ~

You look out at the world and, at times, it seems like a big mess. You may wonder what is going on, and what God is up to. But do not wonder or worry or fear, for our God is in complete control. He is sovereign over every person, every activity, every accident, every calamity, every fish, bird, animal and plant, every speck of dust, every drop of water, and every single atom in the entire universe. That’s the way it has been, and that’s the way it will always be. We see God’s sovereignty from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Esther to Mary to Jesus to Peter to Paul, during this church age, now at this present hour, and to the end of this age, and in the ages to come. Without question, God is sovereign over everyone, everything, and every event.

Here are some examples from the Bible: God is sovereign over the earth (Psalm 93:1-2), over the nations (Psalm 33:10-11), over rulers (Isaiah 40:23), over childbirth (Genesis 18:14), over animals (Isaiah 34:11-17), over the weather (Psalm 135:6), over prosperity and disaster (Isaiah 45:7), over war (Psalm 46:9-10), over sin (2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1), over Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-7), over Joseph (Genesis 50:19-20), over Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-13), over Jonah (Jonah 1:4, 4:6-7), over Christ’s birth (Matthew 1:1-25), over Christ’s death (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28), over Paul (Acts 9:15), over angels and people (Daniel 4:34-35), over His word (Isaiah 55:11), over judgment (Isaiah 14:24-27), over evangelism (Acts 18:9-10), over a person’s salvation (Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:4), over your time and place of birth (Acts 17:26), over the length of your life (Psalm 139:16), over your plans, (Proverbs 16:9, 20:24), over your job (James 4:13-15), over your spiritual growth (Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13), over your spiritual work (Ephesians 2:10), and over physical death (Acts 12:21-23, 13:36). This is amazing, and impossible for the human mind to comprehend how God can be sovereign over all these things, and much more besides.

The fact that God is sovereign means He is God, and that He reigns, He rules, He plans, He decrees, He chooses, He ordains, He predicts, He predestines, He commands, He leads, He initiates, He decides, He directs, He controls, He governs, He works, He acts, He manages, He guides, He constrains, and He restrains. Amen!

God’s sovereignty is personal for it affects every aspect, every day of our lives. Not only that, it’s one of the most heart-changing, peace-giving, joy-producing, and God-glorifying truths there is. I think I’d go crazy if I knew I had to be in control, that life was completely up to me, but thankfully I am not. “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice.” Psalm 97:1

In all this, I’m not saying we are not responsible for our actions, that we are to sit around and watch God do all the work. Philippians 2:12-13 tells us, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you to will and to work for your good pleasure.” Yes, we are to work, but God is also working, and how His sovereignty influences our desires and efforts is truly a mystery way beyond us. We cannot figure out how God works in our lives, our families, our churches, in countries, and all over the world, but He does, and He is doing it all the time.

Now that we live in the end-times, we must realize that this world is not sitting still, but that it’s on a God-given course, traveling towards a God-planned destination. Every single day there is God-inspired direction, activity, and movement, all leading to that one point in time when Christ will appear in the clouds above us, take us to heaven, and then take over the world. Every single day is part of God’s predetermined plan to bring about the return of His Son, and not one single second, not one single minute is wasted, for it is all part of His eternal, end-time plans.

Always remember that God is sovereignly working. You need to know that –
* God’s work is global in scope, involving every person in the world, saved and unsaved.
* You are part of God’s work, and your work is a small but important part of His work.
* God’s work is described in the Bible, and specifically, that Jesus Christ is building His church. And in these end times, it directly relates to Christ’s return to rapture the church.
* The devil has a great and evil influence in the world, but God is still sovereign over him.

Don’t get discouraged by the devil’s work, for no devil or demon will ever hinder or thwart God’s work, for what He has planned to do will surely come to pass. Always be encouraged for God is faithfully working out all the details, leading this particular world to that time when it will reach its final destination. Each day brings us one day closer to that divinely-ordained time when Christ will come to take us home to heaven. How glorious that will be, to be perfect, to forever be with Christ, and to be with loved ones, as well as with other believers from all time, and from all over the world.

I pray that you know that God is purposely and wonderfully sovereign, “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), and that “He made known to us the mystery of His will… 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 also we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” Ephesians 1:9-11

P.S. This subject of God’s sovereignty is so important for you to understand, which is why this is not the first time I have written on this subject. To really get this truth in your heart, I would encourage you to read the first one I wrote – God Is In Charge of Everything.

From Earth to Heaven and Back Again

October 18, 2019 / stevenj777

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #140 ~

Do you see where you are going, where you are headed? Do you know the future God has planned for you? I am not just talking about going to heaven. If you are a Christian, it’s true that you are heading to heaven, but that’s too simplistic, for there’s much more than that. Here’s your future – you’ll be on earth until you die or are raptured, and then you will be in heaven, but only for a short while, for then you will come back to earth to reign with Jesus Christ during the millennial kingdom age. Let me explain this further:

We now live on this earth, but it’s not for long. That’s because we live in the end-times which means it won’t be that many years before the end of this age and the rapture of the church. We couldn’t say this 1000 years ago or even 200 years ago, but the fact that the Jews are back in their land gives us a whole new perspective on what God is now doing on this earth, where things are headed, and His timing in all this. No one knows exactly when Christ will come back, but with all that’s happening in the world, it’s not going to be centuries, but more like decades, whether that’s 10, 20, 30 or 50 years or so. That we live in the end-times means you may not have a normal life-span of 70-80-90 years. You may even suffer a martyr’s death or be one of the raptured saints.

God-prophesied events will be taking place, and increasingly so, and this means the Day (of Christ) is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25), and with that, the rapture and the age to come. In the meantime, there’s work for you to do, God-ordained work, eternal work, which relates to the lost, the church, and Christ’s return. And remember, you will not die, or be raptured, until all the work God wants you to do is completely done. Acts 13:22, 36

Then we will be in heaven, which will be so wonderful, being with Jesus and all the saints who have gone on before us; but we won’t be there for long. If you’re raptured, you will be in heaven for less than four years. That’s because the rapture of the church occurs sometime during the 2^nd half of Daniel’s 70^th week, a 7-year period. One half of 7 years is 3½ years, and that plus the 75 days (Daniel 12:11-12), is less than four years. I couldn’t figure in the length of the great tribulation, for it’s duration is unknown to us, but it will make it much less than four years. (This tribulation time starts soon after the midpoint of this 70^th week.) What I am saying is that raptured Christians will have a very short stay in heaven before they head back to earth for the start of Christ’s kingdom age.

The other possibility is that you will die and go to heaven before the rapture ever takes place. Because we live in the end times, you won’t be in heaven very long before this age comes to an end and the church is raptured. But you will come down to the skies above the earth for the rapture, and then immediately head back to heaven with Christ and the raptured believers, staying there for a few more years until the start of the kingdom age. But whether you die or are raptured, the fact that you live in the end-times forces you to conclude that you won’t be in heaven that long before you head back to earth to begin reigning with Christ. Think of it this way: you are not going to be in heaven that many years compared to Martin Luther (473 years as of now), Paul (~ 1950 years as of now), Abraham (~ 3900 years as of now), and billions of other believers.

Then we will be back on earth. Revelation 3:26-27, 5:10, 20:6 all tell us that we will be reigning and ruling with Christ on earth. This doesn’t mean you won’t ever head back to heaven for visits, for I believe you will. But your life during the millennial kingdom, that glorious 1000-year period, is focused on earth, worshiping Christ, and helping Him fulfill His purposes. It will be like nothing you have ever seen or imagined, having a brand-new body, enjoying fellowship with saints, perfectly doing the work God wants you to do, and seeing His plans for the Jewish people being carried out. What an amazing and incredible time that will be!

That’s your future, and a future, for many of you, that will come sooner than you think. That’s because the length of time between now and when you get to heaven, plus the length of time you will be in heaven before you head back to earth, is not as long as you may think. Let me say it this way: the time between now and the end of this age, plus the time between the end of this age and the start of the next age, is a relatively short period of time. Daniel 9:24-27 (Daniel’s 70^th week) and the book of Revelation help us to understand when all this will take place. Revelation 6:1-11 tells us what happens in the years leading up to the end of the age; Revelation 6:12-17 describes the signs that will occur immediately before the end of the age; Revelation 7:9-14 is in reference to the rapture, which takes place immediately after the end of the age; Revelation 8-9, 16, 19 tells us about the interval between the ages; and Revelation 20 gives us some information about the next age, the millennial kingdom age.

In conclusion, you need to be thinking about Christ’s coming, and being in heaven, and being back on earth, and that it won’t be long before all this takes place. A whole lot needs to happen from now to the start of the next age – wars, famines, earthquakes, global gospel preaching, the Antichrist ruling, great persecution, apostasy, abomination of desolation, the rapture, the Day of the Lord, the salvation of the Jews – and it’s all going to take place in a short time-frame. But for now, God has important work He wants you to do before Jesus Christ returns, and begins His reign over this world. “Behold, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:7, 12, 20

P.S. I don’t know if you have taken the opportunity to look at all the charts, but there’s much there that will help you better understand the timing of future prophetic events. I want to encourage you to go over them, for I am convinced they will give you more clarity about the future God has for you. The position of the person in each of the charts is to help you see that there isn’t much time left before the end of this age and the coming of Christ.

Suffering for Jesus in the End Times

October 11, 2019 / stevenj777

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #139 ~

When you study the major prophecy passages, one thing that stands out is that God talks about suffering in every single one of them. Why is that? Because God wants us to know about this suffering, this end-time’s persecution of the saints. Because Christians will be going through a lot more suffering the closer we get to Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. Because God wants us to be ready, and not be caught off guard. In this post I will summarize what these passages have to say about suffering:

Matthew 24:3-41 (Suffering – Matthew 24:9-11, 15-22, 28, 29)
* The suffering spoken of here begins at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week (when the Antichrist is revealed), and continues until the end of the age. Matthew 24:15-29
* This suffering starts with the Jewish people in Jerusalem, and then spreads out and affects Christians all over the world. Matthew 24:9-22, Revelation 12:13-17
* This suffering is related to great tribulation. It is great in scope in that it is worldwide, and in severity, for a great number of believers will be martyred. Matthew 24:9, 21, 29
* Our primary purpose during this time is to be preaching the gospel. Matthew 24:14
* Christians enduring to the end will be saved (raptured and glorified). Matthew 24:13, 31, 40-41

Luke 21:5-36 (Suffering – Luke 21:12-19, 20-24)
* The suffering that affects Christians starts at the beginning of the church age, and continues on until the redemption (rapture) of the church. Luke 21:12, 27-28
* The Jewish people will be greatly persecuted, starting around 70 AD and continuing on until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled at the end of the age. Luke 21:20-24, 19:43-44, 23:28-31
* The enemies of the Christians are religious and governmental in nature. Luke 21:12
* One of the most difficult aspects of this persecution is that Christians will be betrayed by their own parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. Luke 21:16
* This persecution will lead to opportunities for Christians to share their testimony and proclaim the gospel. God will “give you utterance and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.” Luke 21:13-15
* Remember, it’s all about Jesus, and it’s for His name’s sake that you suffer. Luke 21:12

Mark 13:1-37 (Suffering – Mark 13:9-13, 14-20)
* This prophecy passage is very similar to what we read in Matthew 24, but also contains elements from the Luke 21 passage.
* The suffering focuses on the end-times, particularly that which starts at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week, and which affects both Jews and Christians. Mark 13:9-20
* A whole world of unbelievers will hate the Christians, wanting to put them to death (Mark 13:13). We learn, like in Luke 21, that believers will be betrayed by their own family members – brother against brother, parents against children, and children against parents. Mark 13:12
* “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23). God tells us this ahead of time, for He doesn’t want us to be surprised that we will suffer greatly in the end-times, and that many will be martyred.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 (Suffering – 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7)
* This persecution, this affliction (tribulation), is what the early churches experienced and what all Christians will go through – and it will continue right up until the end of the age, when Christ is revealed and the church is raptured and glorified. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 10; Acts 14:22
* This end-time’s persecution and suffering will last only a short time, for Jesus, your Savior and King, will return and give you relief, and eternal rest. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Revelation 14:13
* These verses keep things in perspective, for you realize that you may suffer a little while on earth, but the unsaved will suffer forever in hell, paying “the penalty of eternal destruction.” Because of the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ, you will not receive the punishment you deserve, but instead, you will be blessed forever. Revelation 21-22

Revelation 6:1-17 (Suffering – Revelation 6:8-11)
* The fifth seal speaks about martyrdom, the climax and conclusion of suffering for some, for their suffering is over, and then they go to heaven to be with Jesus.
* End-times’ martyrs will be wondering how long it will be before those who murdered them will get justice. The sixth seal signals that this suffering is all over, and that it’s time for God’s wrath to be poured out upon the unbelievers still on earth. Revelation 6:12-17
* God is sovereign over suffering. He already knows who will be killed, who will die for Him. You need not worry, for your heavenly Father is in charge, and He knows what He is doing, for your eternal good, and for His eternal purposes and glory. Revelation 6:11

Revelation 13 (Suffering – Revelation 13:7, 10, 17)
* The beast, the Antichrist, will “make war with the saints,” and overcome many of them. This may sound sad and tragic, but it is God’s will, and in the end, God will crush the Antichrist, getting a complete and decisive victory over him. Revelation 13:7, 19:19-21
* Christians need to persevere, and trust in God, knowing that He is good and holy, and that Christ will return to rescue them, and then be greatly glorified. Revelation 13:10, 7:9-14, 19:1-7

What God tells you about this end-time’s suffering is the truth, what He wants you to know, and what you need to know. Remember Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” Matthew 5:10-12

P.S. As Christians, we must not sugar coat the truth. Here is what God tells us, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” Here are two more must reads on suffering: “Christians Go Through Tribulation” and “Christians Will Go Through Great Tribulation.”

The Glory of Suffering for Jesus

October 4, 2019 / stevenj777

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #138 ~

Suffering isn’t a subject most Christians want to hear about, and that’s understandable, for who wants to suffer? Who wants to be persecuted? Who wants to go through hard times? But it’s also sad, for Christians need to know what God says about suffering, for it really is a source of blessing, a means of grace, and a way to give glory to Him. To suffer for Jesus is a great privilege, as well as an opportunity to trust Him, and show Him our love.

Examples of believers suffering for the Lord are found throughout the Bible. In Hebrews 11:24-25, we read about Moses “choosing rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” It was no walk in the park for Moses, but rather 40 years of putting up with grumbling, rebellious Israelites in that hot, barren desert. Then there’s David, who testified time and time again about being persecuted, and how God delivered and comforted him. (Psalms 28, 31, 35, 55, 59, 142, 143). And don’t forget Jeremiah and the suffering he went through (Jeremiah 26:11, 32:2, 38:6). But it wasn’t just physical, it was also mental, emotional and spiritual suffering that Jeremiah patiently endured all those years, especially at the end, when Jerusalem was being destroyed, and fellow Jews were dying right before his eyes. Lamentations 1-5

In the New Testament, Jesus is our prime example of one who suffered, but it’s the Old Testament prophecy in Psalm 22 that best describes His extreme pain and sorrow, and how He sacrificed His life for us. None of us can comprehend how hard it was for Jesus to be persecuted by the Jewish leaders – “They spat in His face and beat Him with their fists and slapped Him” (Matthew 26:67), or by the Roman soldiers – “having Jesus scourged… they mocked Him… they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head” (Matthew 27:26-31). More than that, none of us can fathom the torment brought on by His Father, who caused Him to suffer the hellish wrath we should have received – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46

Then there’s Paul, who willingly and joyfully suffered for the Lord. 2 Corinthians 1, 4 and 6, all talk about his sufferings, but it’s that long litany in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 that best illustrates what he went through for God and for people – “… beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews 39 lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked…”

This subject of suffering is an untaught topic in most churches today, especially in the United States. But it needs to be taught, for many Christians are worldly and soft, not holy and strong. Many believers don’t know what the Bible teaches about suffering, and therefore, won’t be expecting it and be able to joyfully endure it when it comes – and it will come.

But what is it that God wants you to know about suffering?
* Suffering is part of God’s plan for Christians. Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 2:21
* God is sovereign over your suffering. He plans it out ahead of time, knowing it will be for your good, and for His purposes and glory. Romans 8:28-35, 1 Peter 3:17
* Suffering is momentary, lasting only a little while. 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:6, 5:10
* To patiently endure suffering, God gives you both present grace and the hope of future grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, 1 Peter 1:13
* “If the world hates you, you know it has hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18
* To get through suffering, you need God’s promises. Psalm 119:50, 154; 2 Peter 1:2-4
* God wants to use your suffering for the gospel. Luke 21:12-15, Philippians 1:12-14
* Suffering is one of God’s ways for you to grow in faith and love. James 1:2-3, 12
* The more you live for Christ, the more you’ll be persecuted for Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12
* To suffer in a godly way, you need to submit and entrust yourself to God. 1 Peter 4:19
* “Consider Him who endured such suffering by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3
* You find favor (grace) with God when you suffer. 1 Peter 2:19-20
* Never be surprised when you are faced with the fiery ordeal of suffering. 1 Peter 4:12
* When you are persecuted, your faith is being tested. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10, James 1:3
* When you suffer, be thankful that you can share in Christ’s sufferings. 1 Peter 2:10
* Remember, many other Christians around the world are also suffering. 1 Peter 5:9
* Those who suffer on earth will be greatly rewarded in heaven. Matthew 5:12
* To endure suffering, you need to “see” Jesus. Daniel 3:16-27, Hebrews 11:27
* The primary purpose of your suffering is to bring glory to God. 1 Peter 4:12-16

If you are going to rightly suffer for Jesus, you need to know these truths. Not only that, but we are living in the end-times, which means it won’t be long before we experience great tribulation – “they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9). Immediately after that, we will all be with Jesus in heaven, never to suffer again (Matthew 24:29-31). In the meantime, learn the above truths, knowing that you will need them in the years ahead. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” Matthew 5:11-12

P.S. This is such an important subject to understand. Here are two other things I would encourage you to read that relate directly to this post: “The Persecution of the Church Before the Coming of Christ,” and “A Biblical Perspective on the Trials of Life.”

Month: October 2019

Don’t Worry – God’s in Control

From Earth to Heaven and Back Again

Suffering for Jesus in the End Times

The Glory of Suffering for Jesus

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