By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Special Post ~
I am thankful that God has given me a love for His word and wants me to share it with others. What people need more than anything else is God’s word, His truth; and now that we are in the end times, it’s critical that we also learn His prophetic word, what God tells us about the end-times, the return of Christ, and the ages to come. There’s no doubt that God’s plans for the church and for this world will surely and soon come to pass. “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.’” Isaiah 46:9-10
Here are a few thoughts to think about:
* Jesus Christ is coming soon. We don’t know exactly when, that is, the day or hour, but we do know the general time, and that’s because God’s word tells us many events that will occur before Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. (Matthew 24:32-36). In fact, the timing of the rapture is the subject of next week’s post, entitled, “When Is Christ Returning to Rapture the Church?”
* My purpose in writing these blog posts is to help people prepare for the future. Down in Florida, where I live, we have hurricanes. In recent years, meteorologists’ forecasts have become more accurate, usually giving us many days notice as to when and where a hurricane will be coming; and they do this because they want us to prepare. Most people take heed, not waiting until they hear the wind howling and the rain pouring down, for then it would be too late. And so too, in the calm before the “storm,” you need to be prepared and ready. Don’t wait, don’t procrastinate. Now’s the time to know what God says about His plans for you, this world, and the return of His Son. Learn from these posts, and from others who have studied this important and relevant subject. I personally believe Christ’s coming is quite a few years away, and whether that’s 10, 20, 30 years or more, I don’t know. I encourage you, while the “world’s weather” is not too stormy, to read and study prophecy, for you need to be ready. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” Luke 12:35-40
* When you read these posts you may think all I do is teach on prophecy, but that is far from the truth. As a pastor in a local church, my main job is caring for the church, and feeding her the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). I teach God’s word every Sunday, sometimes topically, but usually from a book. And teaching on prophecy is a part of that, what I do in two different ways. First, I teach God’s word Sunday after Sunday in the context of Christ’s coming. This is what God tells all pastors to do: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and kingdom, I solemnly charge you, preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). In fact, this Sunday I am teaching 1 Peter 1, which is all about how to live in the present in view of the future. God’s word is not to be taught void of prophetic truth but in view of it. Second, once a month on a Wednesday evening, I teach on prophecy, covering passages like Matthew 24, Luke 21, Revelation, and other related end-time’s subjects.
* When you look at Christianity today, you realize that most people rarely think about prophecy, let alone study it. But don’t be negatively affected by their neglect, lack of interest or unbelief. Do what God wants you to do, not what man is doing, for you will give an account to Him of how you handled His prophetic word at this time in history. Learn about Christ’s coming for your own life, but also for your family, friends and fellow church members. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:23
* Everything on this blog site is for you to read, give to others, and use in your church or Bible study. Remember, you can download the posts, articles and charts, and print them out, or put them on a flash drive. And don’t wait, for there may come a time when, for whatever reason, they may not be available on the internet.
* You have probably seen that the posts are also in Spanish, thanks to a good friend who has faithfully been translating them. Tell your Spanish friends, near and far, about this site. It’s interesting and encouraging to note that a recent analysis of the blog post data revealed that about 70% of all viewers are from Spanish-speaking countries. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Keep praying!
I am very thankful to be alive at this time in history, in the last years leading up to Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. It won’t be long before, one way or another, we will have all left this planet and are up in heaven with Jesus. But for now, let’s be loving Him, living for Him, and looking for His soon return. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20
P.S. I mentioned learning from others. I encourage you to check out Eschatos Ministries (Alan Kurschner). Alan is a godly scholar, one who has a good understanding of the end times and the coming of Christ.