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Month: December 2020

The True Meaning of Christmas

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #201 ~

Most people, even many Christians, don’t understand the real meaning of Christmas. We know it’s not about presents, family, food, football, decorations, and singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but it’s not just about baby Jesus either. Yes, He is the reason for the season, but do you understand the whole story? Do you see the big picture? Do you realize that the Bible stories of Jesus’ birth are not just about Him being a baby, but about His entire, eternal purpose? What does God’s word say about Christmas and it’s true meaning?

In the Old Testament we find many prophecies about Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us, “A child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God… There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.” These are remarkable, hope-producing predictions about this baby, this child, a son, and that He would miraculously be God in the flesh, would literally be with us on this earth, and then be a King who will rule over this world forever and ever. 

Micah 5:2-5 says, “But as for you Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you one will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity… He will arise and shepherd His flock… He will be great to the ends of the earth. This one will be our peace.” This too speaks of the Messiah, this eternal one who would be born in that little town of Bethlehem, and then become a ruler, bringing peace to Israel and to the whole world during what we know to be the millennial kingdom.

The New Testament tells us that these Old Testament prophecies were and will be fulfilled, for they describe Jesus’ birth, but much more than that. In Matt. 1:20-23, we learn that Joseph found out from an angel that Mary’s child was “‘Immanuel’, which translated means, ‘God with us,’” this fulfilling Isaiah 7:14. Joseph was told that the baby’s name was to be Jesus which means Savior, for He would “save His people from their sins.” Matt. 2:1-12 goes on to tell us about the Magi worshiping this baby Jesus, for He was the King of the Jews, thus fulfilling the Micah 5:2-5 prophecy. To sum it up, the Christmas story as stated by Matthew makes it explicitly clear that Jesus wasn’t just a baby but God in the flesh, a Savior and a King.  

Luke 1-2 says the same thing. First, there’s an angel telling Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and 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 1:26-33). Mary, a holy and humble young woman, was surprised but excited to hear that her baby would not just be her son, the son of man, but also the Son of God, and that He would be a King, fulfilling the promise given to David. (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Then there’s the angel bringing “good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Zacharias, the priest, upon learning from the Holy Spirit that baby Jesus was to be the Savior, proclaimed that He would bring forgiveness of sins to His people, to both Jews and Gentiles (Luke 1:68, 77). He also knew Jesus would be the greatest King ever and would fulfill God’s promise to Abraham about his descendants being rescued from their enemies, receiving land, and living in peace. (Luke 1:71-75, 79). Finally, there’s Simeon, who actually held baby Jesus when He was in the temple with Joseph and Mary – and the ever-hopeful Anna was there too, one who had long been praying for that day. They knew this little baby was the Messiah, the Christ, and also the King who would bring lasting peace to Israel. Luke 2:25-32, 36-38

Indeed, the message of Christmas is infinitely and eternally bigger than just a story about the baby Jesus. I hope you clearly understand the meaning of the Christmas story, as told by Matthew, Luke, and the prophets, that Jesus is the Lord, God in the flesh, and that He came to this earth to be both a Savior and a King.

A little over 2000 years ago Jesus was born on this earth, and He grew up to become the most important Man, a perfect Man who died on a cross to pay the penalty for all your sins. You see, all people have sin-blackened souls and are guilty before God. And not you nor anyone else can save your soul – only Jesus Christ, the Son of God and son of man, can save you, can take away your sins. If you repent, if you tell God that you are truly sorry that you have sinned against Him, and believe that Christ, and Christ alone, satisfied God’s wrath by dying for you, then you will be born again and become a child of God. Your soul will be cleansed from all your sins, and you will receive eternal life, a needed, satisfying, and most wonderful relationship with the living God, one that will last forever and ever. “Repent and return, so your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you.” Acts 3:19-20

We are coming to the end of 2020, a year that for many has been most difficult and troubling – and so the true and timeless message of Christmas is particularly relevant at this time. While some may think this is the time to just relax, eat good food, sing songs, get presents, and be with family, let me strongly say that now is when you need to know the real meaning of Christ, that Jesus Christ is a Savior and wants to deliver you from your sins, that He is Lord and wants to use your life for God’s purposes, and that He is King, and will soon return to rule over this world during the kingdom age.

That a great many Jewish people have come back to their land means we are now in the end-times and this church age is about over. We are a lot closer to Christ’s 2nd coming than we are to His 1st coming. It won’t be long before we “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27), before we will be saying, “glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among men” (Luke 2:14), and before “the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

Let me share a truth-centered, super-encouraging, 1st and 2nd coming Christmas carol, “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
1 – “Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”
2 – “Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King; Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in our hearts alone; By Thine all-sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.”  

May the true message of Christmas live in your heart and be lived out in your life, bringing blessing to your life and great glory to God!

P.S. What a wonderful time of the year to think about Jesus Christ, our Savior and King. Here are two previous posts that tell us how the Christmas story relates to Christ’s 2nd coming and the hope that God has for every believer – “First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming” and “The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming.”

Four Good Years and Praying for More

By Steven J. Hogan

~ Special Post ~

Thankful: I am very thankful that God has stirred me and helped me to write these prophecy blog posts for the past four years. I must say, I have been extremely motivated and excited about serving the Lord and you in this way, and trust that it has been a blessing to your life. In this special post, there are a few thoughts I want to share with you.

The Plan: After the first of the new year, I am planning on writing posts on an every-other-week basis. Many more end-time’s subjects and Bible passages need to be covered and explained to you. In all this, I have three main goals: 1) to share with you the hope God gives you in His word; 2) to prepare you for the future, for what I believe will prove to be very strategic yet difficult times; 3) to equip you so you can teach others about what God has in store for us. These last years leading up to Christ’s return to rapture the church are critically important times in the life of the church. Even though this past year has been tougher than usual, I believe we are still living in the calm before the storm, before the birth pains grow stronger, and before persecution increases. Take advantage of this time to learn all you can about the future God has planned out for you and the church. “Behold, I have told you everything ahead of time.” Mark 13:23 

Download: I encourage you to download all the posts, articles, and charts. You never know when the powers that be will shut the site down. It doesn’t take that long to download this important information, and then you will have it for yourself, and also be able to share it with others. You may even want to give the downloads to friends and family members, and what could be an eternally valuable and long-lasting Christmas gift for them.

Recent messages: I continue to pastor a small church in Tampa, Florida. My weekly Sunday messages to the church can be found in two places – Sermon Audio and Facebook (Hope Bible Church). In the past two months all my sermons have related to the future, to the hope God has given us. Even my Christmas message (12/20/20) covers the big picture, that is, both the first and second comings of Christ. I also want to say that I greatly appreciate your prayers for my ministry in the church and the writing of these blogposts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the subject of end-time’s prophecy, please email them to me.

Other prophecy sites: Here are two other instructive and helpful prophecy sites that I have mentioned in the past but want to remind you of: Eschatos and Zion’s Hope. Do take the time to check them out, and I am sure you will be very encouraged by them.

One of My Favorite “Christmas” Songs: Let me conclude by sharing the words of one of my favorite Christmas songs, “Joy to the World.” What is so unusual about this song is that it doesn’t focus on Christ’s first coming. It truly is a second coming carol, containing some of the most encouraging words about the millennial kingdom age. I am sure you will find it instructive and heart-warming.  “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.   Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; let men their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.   No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.   He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.”

Christmas Post: I will post a special Christmas message this next Monday (12/21/20).

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!! Steve Hogan

Is Jesus Christ Coming Again?

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #200 ~

Yes! Yes! Yes, Christ is coming again – and He’s coming soon. Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth, God in the flesh, the Son of God and Son of Man is, without question, coming back to this world. You need to know this and be convinced of this, and be looking forward to Christ’s return to rapture the church and reign over this earth.

About 2000 years ago Jesus Christ lived on this planet for the first time. In fact, many Old Testament verses predicted His coming, and also His purpose on this earth. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 say it best, that Jesus came to suffer, die, and pay for the sins of sinners – and all those who repent of their sins and believe that He died for them will be forgiven. After Jesus died, He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, awaiting that time when His Father sends Him back to this earth. Psalm 22:27-29, Acts 3:14-21

What does God’s word say about Christ’s coming? Jesus Himself promised that He was coming back. “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah” (Matt. 24:37). “I will come again and receive you to myself” (John 14:3). “Behold, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). Peter talked about “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13). John told us, “We know that when He appears, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2). James instructed us, “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7). He went on to say, “The Judge is standing right at the door” (James 5:9). Paul spoke of “the day of Christ Jesus,” referring to His return (Phil. 1:6). Paul talked about those “who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:15). He also tells us, “Wait for His (God’s) Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:10). The angel told the apostles, “This Jesus… will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Truly, truly, Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth, and much sooner than most people think.

How is Christ coming back? Jesus is not coming back meekly or quietly like a lamb, but like a lion, with power and glory – “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). To unbelievers, Jesus is coming back suddenly and surprisingly – “The day of the Lord will come just like a thief… destruction will come upon them suddenly…” (1 Thess. 5:2-3). To all people, Jesus will come back visibly, not secretly – “Behold, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him” (Rev. 1:7). “Just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:27). Christ’s coming will be announced – “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…” 1 Thess. 4:16-17

When is Christ coming back? Heb. 10:37 tells us that it won’t be long from now, “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.” Rom. 10:11-12 says that “Salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near.” In answer to the disciples’ question, “When will these things happen, and what is the sign of your coming?” (Matt. 24:3), Christ gave them numerous signs that must occur before His return – birth pains (vss. 5-8), false prophets (vs. 11), increasing lawlessness (vs. 12), preaching the gospel to the world (vs. 14), the abomination of desolation (Antichrist – vs. 15), great tribulation (vss. 9, 21), and heavenly signs (vs. 29). End-time Christians who are waiting and watching will see that Christ’s coming is drawing near. In other words, you can know the general time of Christ’s return, but you cannot know the exact time, “For of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son of Man, but the Father alone” (Matt. 24:36). Encourage one another “as you see the day drawing near.” Heb. 10:25

Why is Christ coming back? What is His purpose in returning to earth? Here are the reasons:  
1. To rapture the church“We who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess. 4:17, Matt. 24:31
2. To give us relief from tribulation – “… to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven.” 2 Thess. 1:7; Matt. 24:21-22, 29-31
3. To deliver us from God’s wrath – “… to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:10, Rev. 6-9
4. To redeem us from our sinful bodies – “They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory… your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:27-28, Eph. 1:14
5. To glorify the believers“… in Christ all will be made alive (glorified). But each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming…” 1 Cor. 15:22-23
6. To be with us “we… 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 Thess. 4:17, 5:10
7. To take us home to heaven “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, Heb. 12:22-24
8. So believers can see Christ’s glory“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory.” John 17:24
9. To judge the world “He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness.” Psalm 98:9, 2 Thess. 1:6-10, Rev. 8-9
10. To defeat the Antichrist“That lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming, that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan.” 2 Thess. 2:8-9, Rev. 19:11-20
11. To save a remnant of Jewish people “… all Israel will be saved… ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove ungodliness from Jacob’… ‘I take away their sins.’” Rom. 11:25-27
12. To begin His reign on earth“He placed His right foot on the sea and His left on the land… in the days of the voice of the seventh angel.” (Rev. 10:2,7). “… the seventh angel sounded… The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15, Zech. 14:9
13. To be worshiped by believers “After these things I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes, peoples, and tongues… clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.’” Rev. 7:9-10, 5:13
14. To give us our inheritance “… who according to His (God’s) great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance… a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:4-5, Eph. 1:14
15. To be worshiped by the whole world – “… that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 1:10-11

The greatest event taking place in the world in the not-too-distant future is the appearing, the revealing, the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King. Might you believe in Him, love Him, tell others about Him, be waiting for Him, be saying to Him, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20), and be praying to the Father, “Thy Kingdom come.” Matt. 6:9

P.S. When it comes to end-time’s prophecy, the soon coming of Jesus Christ is the single most important subject. Many details need to be understood, but this one fact is what you need to remember. Three posts that talk specifically about Christ’s coming are: “When is Christ Coming Back?”, “Why is Jesus Christ Coming Back?”, and “What Will Happen When Christ Comes Back?”

The Prophetic Connection Between Israel and the Church

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #199 ~

Did you know that God’s future plans for Israel relate to His future plans for you and the church? Many Christians are unaware of the great blessings God has in store for the Jews, and what that means for the church. Today I want to talk about the future of Israel, and how this specifically relates to prophecy, to the church, and to God’s work in the world in these last years leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King.   

1) In the Old Testament times God focused on Israel. But since Christ’s 1st coming, God has been focusing on the church, and now, 2000 years later, we are getting close to the end of this age and Christ’s 2nd coming and the rapture of the church. After the rapture, the day of the Lord, and the salvation of a remnant of Jews, the kingdom age will begin and God will greatly bless both Jews and glorified believers (OT saints and the church) with the result that they will be a beautiful witness to the world and a glory to Jesus Christ. Psalms 67, 96, 117

2) Israel is Israel. Israel is not the church, as some wrongly say, and there is nothing in God’s word that says the church has replaced Israel, that the church is now the sole recipient of some or all God’s promises to her. God has very specific and special plans for Israel with regards to her future, and all these plans will be carried out. “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations… The counsel of the Lord stands forever… Blessed is the nation (Israel) whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12, Isaiah 60-62

3) Three key promises were given by God to Israel: a) They will inherit a vast portion of land (Gen. 13:14-17, 15:18-21). b) A large remnant of Jews will be saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week (Jer. 31:31-34). c) Jesus Christ will reign as Israel’s King during the millennial kingdom. (Ezek. 37:21-23, Zech. 14:9). Indeed, God remembers His promises to the Jewish people and will faithfully fulfill every one of them. “He has remembered His covenant forever.” Psalm 105:8-11

4) The phrase “end-time” comes from Dan. 12:9“Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.” Dan. 7-12 contains a great deal of information about God’s plans for Israel in these last days leading up to Christ’s return to become King of the world. (Dan. 7:13-14). That the Jews have returned to their land is God’s signal to the church that we are in the end-times, that He is once again actively working with Israel, that the prophecies contained in Dan. 7-12 are about to be fulfilled, and that Christ will soon return to rapture the church and set up His kingdom on this earth.

5) Luke 21:20-24 must be understood if we are to know how God has been working with the Jews during the church age. We learn that they were punished and scattered all over the world, which began around 70 AD. And they “will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” and then Christ will become King of this world. “When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:31

6) Romans 11 must also be understood if we are to know how God has been working with the Jews during this church age. “God gave them (Jews) a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, down to this very day” (vs. 8), and “they (Jews) were broken off for their unbelief” (vs. 20). During this church age, God is not focused on saving Jews, but on saving Gentiles. “By their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles… and their failure is riches for the Gentiles” (vss. 11-12). But “God has not rejected the people whom He foreknew,” for we read that “a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved… when I take away their sins” (Vss. 25-27). God will save a large number of Jewish people at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Is. 45:17, Dan. 9:24

7) The Jewish people have been gathering back to their land, the #1 sign that we are in the end-times, and that the times of the Gentiles will soon come to an end. This miraculous return, beginning in the 1880’s, has resulted in close to 6.7 million Jews presently living in Israel (Hosea 3:4-5, Amos 9:14-15). The fulfillment of end-time prophecies and promises for both Jews and Christians is contingent on the Jews being back in their land. For the Antichrist to desolate the new Jewish temple requires that the Jews be back in their land (2 Thess. 2:1-4). For the church to be raptured necessitates that the Jews are living in Israel (Matt. 24:15-31). You cannot overstate this amazing miracle that millions of Jews have returned to Israel, and what it means for them, the church, and God’s eternal purposes.

8) That many New Testament prophecy passages for the Jewish people sit next to prophecy passages for the church means that God wants you to see that His end-times’ work with the Jews is in conjunction, is coinciding with His end-times’ work with the church. God’s present and future work with the Jews should be of utmost interest to all Christians. Knowing how God is working with the Jews helps you understand the timing of His dealings with the church in the years leading up the rapture, and should motivate you to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…” (Matt. 6:10). I encourage you to read the following passages that describe God’s end-times’ work with both Jews and Christians. Matt. 24:4-31, Luke 21:7-31, Rom. 11, 2 Thess. 2:1-10, Rev. 7, Rev. 12:13-17

9) A listing of God-planned prophetic events taking place in the years ahead: a) Birth pains will be affecting people in various parts of the world. b) Both Jews and Christians will face increasing persecution. c) A peace treaty between Israel and the coming Antichrist will be signed at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. d) At the midpoint of that 7-year week, the Antichrist will be revealed, and then be recognized by Christians and discerning Jews. e) The rapture of the church will happen sometime during the last half of that 70th week. f) The day of the Lord, the outpouring of God’s wrath upon the earth, will begin after the rapture, occurring during the last part of that 70th week. g) God will save a remnant of Jewish people at the very end of that week. h) Jesus Christ will then begin His 1000-year reign over the entire world.

10) During the millennial kingdom, both Jewish and Gentile believers will be worshiping the Lord (Rom. 15:9-15). Both will inherit the land (Ps. 37:11, Matt. 5:5). Both will be blessed by the Lord (Ps. 67:7, 1 Pet. 1:4). Both will reign with the Lord (Matt. 19:28, Rev. 5:10). Both will be serving the Lord (Ez. 40-48, Matt. 25:20-21). Both will be witnessing for the Lord (Ps. 96:2-3). How encouraging and exciting it will be to see God blessing both Jewish and Gentile believers – “All these (Jewish believers), having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us (the church), so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40

At this time, with so many problems, difficulties, and conflicts, it may seem like the world is spinning out of control, as if God is ignorant of what is going on, as if God doesn’t care, or as if God is unable to do anything about it. On the contrary, our wise, loving, faithful, powerful, and purposeful God is constantly working, and sovereignly directing all things and all people towards that singular moment when He sends “Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time” (Acts 3:20, Eph. 1:9-11). It won’t be long before we “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). Be encouraged for “your redemption is drawing near” and “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:28, 31). Then we will “tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.” Psalm 96:3-4

P.S. The following will help you understand God’s working with Israel, something you need to know – “A Summary of the Prophetic Work of God, from the Time of Abraham to Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.” Here is a suggestion for an inexpensive but very valuable Christmas gift – I encourage you to download our articles, posts and/or charts to give to friends and loved ones! Downloads