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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Big Picture (Page 4 of 7)

Blog posts about the Big Picture.

The Pandemic, the U.S. Decline, and the End-Times

May 15, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #170 ~

What’s been taking place in our country these past two months is unlike anything I have ever seen before. People’s lives have been dramatically changed, and some, forever so. Major sectors of our country have been terribly devastated, and some permanently so. It’s important to take a step back and think about God wants to teach each of us. 

* This pandemic is but one of many “birth pains” (plagues, wars, earthquakes, and famines) that will be taking place before Christ’s return to rapture the church. Matthew 24:4-8, 31
* This pandemic gives us an idea of what these “birth pains” feel like – there has been, and will be, a lot of fear, anxiety, unrest, anger, confusion, discomfort, and death. “In those days it was not safe to travel about… God was troubling them with every kind of distress.” 2 Chronicles 15:5-6
* God wants to use these “pains” to teach us lessons of faith, hope, love, and perseverance. “As for you be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

* God wants us to know that there’s a much more dangerous and deadly plague, and it’s sin – it’s pride, greed, hate, idolatry, and immorality, and it’s corrupting individuals and this entire country. This sin has been increasingly prevalent in the United States these past 50-60 years. Because God is holy, He can’t ignore this sin, and let US do whatever we want – He must judge US. I strongly believe this present damage, this national devastation occurring in our country, is His judgment of our sins. And God will continue to judge US and we will continue to decline in power, which means that the U.S. won’t be the world’s #1 superpower much longer. To be honest, we are beginning to see the end of American greatness. (But as Christians, let’s ask God to show US some mercy, to hold back the full force of His punishing hand.)

Let me sum up what’s been recently taking place in our country:
We see what’s happening physically. We have been focused on this pandemic, and rightly so, for tens of thousands have died from COVID-19, and there will be thousands more in the coming months. In addition, there are the increasing addictions, suicides, cases of domestic violence, as well as tens of thousands of health problems that have been going undiagnosed and untreated. “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23

We see what’s happening governmentally. The political divide is severe and is getting worse and worse. The anger, hate, lying, deception, and extreme partisanship, is unlike anything I have ever witnessed; and many in the media are helping foment this division. Then, and sadly so, there’s the politicization of this pandemic. Not only that, we are seeing authoritarian and heavy-handed orders by some governors and other leaders, resulting in people protesting against them. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” Mark 3:24

You see what’s happening economically. You have heard about millions who have lost their jobs, about businesses temporarily and permanently closing, and the disruption of supply chains. Now the government is printing trillions of dollars out of thin air, and just giving it away. Yes, this may help us a little bit in the short run, but it will surely and greatly hurt us in the long run. Sooner or later there will be inflation, causing even more economic problems and financial hardship. “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius.” Revelation 6:6

You see what’s happening spiritually. In the past two months, most church buildings in this country have closed their doors. Many churches have decided not to meet, and others have been told not to meet. Yes, pastors and church leaders are adapting, but it has been quite challenging. And think how many churches must be hurting financially. All this, I believe, is a sign of things to come. “You will be hated by all nations because of My name.” Matthew 24:9

I have written about this coronavirus for the past 2 months, and that’s because it’s a major calamity with disastrous and deadly consequences. And no one knows if we will ever get back to normal, or if there will be a new normal. We have looked at this pandemic from a human perspective, but what is the spiritual perspective, what does God want us to know and do?

* God is sovereign. This pandemic did not catch God by surprise and, in fact, is part of His plan in the end-times. God knew and ordained exactly how this virus would affect every person, family, church, city, and country in the world. Not only that, God is sovereign over every single thing that needs to happen in your life and on this earth before the coming of Christ. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” Psalm 46:10

* Know that Jesus Christ is still building the church. Yes, most church doors have been closed during this pandemic, but not the hearts of people. Do not be discouraged, for Christ did not take time off – He has been continually working in the lives of people. The gospel is being preached, people are being saved, disciples are being made, and the one true church is still growing. “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18

* Do not be afraid, do not fret, do not get angry, do not be discouraged. We often react wrongly when there are difficult trials, but we must learn to respond in a Christ-like way. As God’s child, know that He is always in control, and trust Him, and then you will be filled with His grace and peace. Do not live according to your experiences, circumstances or emotions, but be led by God’s word and God’s Spirit. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

* Trust God’s word, believe His promises, and obey His commands. The way to stay on the path God has planned for you is by loving His word and having it abide in you. By His Word, He can lead, protect, and strengthen you, and enable you to do what He wants you to do. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4

* Stay in fellowship. God made you to have a relationship with Himself and with others. You need other Christians and they need you. During this difficult time, keep having fellowship with believers, “… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Heb. 10:25

* Fulfill God’s plans for your life. God placed you on this earth at this time in history to carry out certain tasks. During stressful times, like this pandemic, don’t be distracted, but stay the course, be part of a good church, and keep using the time, money, and gifts God has given you for His purposes and glory. “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:13

Without question, this is a unique, strange, and challenging time in our history, and let’s not forget, a time of intense spiritual warfare. Be thankful that Jesus Christ is always working and fighting, and that nothing will ever thwart Him. Though there are and will be great struggles and seeming defeats, His plans will always be carried out, and we, with Him, will be victorious. “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

P.S. A super-big problem has affected our world these past two months, which means God wants to use it to teach us some important lessons. Let’s be good learners! “God’s Time Frame For Your Life” shares my story in learning about prophecy. “Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End-times” summarizes what needs to take place before the rapture of the church.

Thinking Correctly About COVID-19 and Christ’s Coming

April 24, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #167 ~

How are you thinking and feeling about what’s been happening with regard to COVID-19, the coronavirus? These past 6 weeks have been like none I have ever seen before, and I am 66 years old. There’s talk about sickness, death, mitigation, masks, ventilators, vaccines, and herd immunity. There’s talk about jobs, unemployment, financial stimulus, protests, and inflation. There are the different thoughts and emotions of people trying to deal with this. Anxious, frightened, nervous, scared, unsettled, worried. Aggravated, angry, annoyed, mad, upset. Alarming, difficult, disruptive, frustrating, inconvenient, stressful. Bored. Confused. Depressed. Lonely. Questioning. Tired. There is no doubt that people have been affected by this sickening little virus that has spread to 184 different countries. But how are you feeling? How are you thinking? How are you doing?

I cannot help but think that you have been tested by this most unusual trial. I hope you are not thinking and feeling like the people I described in the previous paragraph. As a Christian, God is your heavenly Father, the only One who perfectly loves and cares for you. At times like this, it’s important to look to Him and stay close to Him. Think how He is sovereign and in complete control. Think how He is holy, loving, merciful, faithful, wise, good, compassionate, purposeful, righteous, and truthful. Only as you truly know God will you be delivered from fear, loneliness, anger, stress, and boredom, and be given all the grace and peace you need. Ephesians 1:2 

Now that we live in the end-times, you will continue to need this grace and peace. As Christians, we are blessed and privileged to be alive at this time, in the last years of this church age. It is a period marked by “birth pains,” by events and conditions occurring around the world, God-ordained signs designed to wake us up to the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And this plague, this pandemic, is one of the birth pains, along with wars, famines, great earthquakes, and financial problems. Matt. 24:4-8, Luke 21:8-11, Rev. 6:1-8

I must admit, this pandemic, this present birth pain, has personally affected me. For the first time ever, I feel like I have an idea of what it’s like to go through an end-times’ birth pain. Like an expectant mother literally experiences and feels her birth pains, I am literally experiencing and feeling the effects of this pandemic. Here in Florida, we have not had wars, great earthquakes, or famines. But now there is this pandemic, this plague, affecting our country, my county, my church, and my wife and I – and God is using it to sober us up, to get our attention. These birth pains, these earthly problems, are planned by God to get our attention, to get our eyes off ourselves, and to be living for Him. 2 Chron. 15:1-12, Phil. 1:21

What can we say about these birth-pains, which include this pandemic?
1. These birth pains will continue and will increase in frequency and intensity. This present pandemic will come to an end, but there will be more of them. As much as we would like to say this won’t happen again, Christians must know that these plagues, along with wars, famines, and earthquakes, will continue to take place in the years ahead, leading to the end of this age and the “birth” of Christ, which means the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church.

2. These birth pains will not continually be taking place, just like a mother does not have continuous birth pains, one right after another. They will be happening now and then.

3. These birth pains occur in various places around the world. For example, wars won’t be taking place in every single country. Great earthquakes usually happen in certain areas (“The Ring of Fire”). Famines most often occur in poorer parts of the world. Matt. 24:6 tells us we will be hearing that these birth pains are happening. For example, I do not know anyone who has died from this coronavirus, but I have heard that many have died.

4. We are living in the beginning stages of the end-times (Matt 24:6, 8; Luke 21:9), a time during which these birth pains are occurring, but not intensely so. I personally believe they will go on for about 10, 20, 30 years or more, and then Christ will return to rapture His church.

5. I do not believe, as some say, that the birth pains start at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. I cannot see how you can fit all these famines, wars, earthquakes, and plagues into a few short years. The very nature of these events, with the exception of earthquakes, is that they occur over an elongated period of time. I believe they have been going on for many years.

6. These birth pains will affect both believers and unbelievers, the saved and the lost.

7. These birth pains will be distressing, disruptive, and death-producing. Revelation 6:8 says that up to one-fourth of the world will die because of them. This sad and sobering state of the world is also described in Matt. 24:28 – “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

8. These birth pains are distinct from God’s wrath, for His wrath will only be poured out upon the unbelievers. Rev. 6:1-8 – birth pains; Rev. 7:9-14 – rapture; Rev 8-9 – God’s wrath.

I have written a number of blogs instructing us how we need to live during these end-times when this pandemic, in particular, and these birth pains, in general, are taking place. Take time to read them if you have not yet done so. Here is a summary of the main themes:
– You are not to be afraid or worried but are to trust God and keep doing His work. Psalm 37:3
– This pandemic is a spiritual alarm clock, and is to wake up Christians so they draw close to God, and realize that His Son is returning soon. Rom. 13:11-12, Heb. 10:37
– This pandemic is designed by God to teach you, but is also part of His plan to reconfigure countries and economies, leading us to globalism and the coming of the Antichrist. Dan. 2:21
– It is important for you to see how this pandemic fits in with the big picture, and will be followed by more birth pains, Daniel’s 70th week, and the coming of Christ. Matt. 24:4-14
– As a Christian, don’t love the fun, food, and games of the world, especially now that we are living in the end-times and can see that Christ is coming soon. Use your spiritual gift, work with your church, help “make disciples of all the nations,” and remember Jesus’s promise, “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 24:14, 25:14-23, 28:19-20

P.S. I wrote this post because many Christians don’t think right and, therefore, don’t feel right. (“As a man thinks, so he is” – Prov. 23:7). Your response to this Coronvirus Pandemic relates directly to your thinking about God and your understanding of the end-times. The article (#45) I just put up is an expansion of this post. Also, make sure you read my recent posts on this subject, particularly “From the Coronvirus to Christ’s Coming and the Rapture,” and “The Coronavirus – Fear and Panic, or Faith and Peace.”

From the Coronavirus to Christ’s Coming and the Rapture

April 1, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #163 ~

In a number of recent posts, we have focused on the Coronavirus Pandemic, and that’s because it’s a major, global problem, one that relates to your life and the lives of people all over this planet. But it’s vitally important that we see how this God-ordained plague is part of God’s plan in the end-times. My goal in this post is to summarize what will be happening from this present pandemic up to the coming of Christ, and how then you should live.

* This coronavirus, this present plague, is a sign given by God to wake us up, to alert us to the fact that we live in the end-times, and that it won’t be long before Jesus Christ returns to rapture the church. Luke 21:11, Rom. 13:11, Heb. 10:37

* This coronavirus will be followed by more plagues in the future. These plagues are one aspect of what Christ calls “birth pains” – others being false christs, earthquakes, wars and famines that will also be taking place in the years leading up to Christ’s coming. Matt. 24:4-8

* Jesus told us ahead of time that these birth pains would occur. That’s because He doesn’t want us to be surprised or fearful when these things happen, but to be at peace, and to be encouraged by the fact that He will soon appear to rapture the church. Mark 13:23, 1 John 3:2

* These birth pains will not be taking place all over the planet but will be happening in various parts of the world. For example, COVID-19 will not affect every single person on this earth, and neither will any of the other birth pains. Matt. 24:7, Luke 21:11, Rev. 6:8

* One result of these birth pains is that many people will die. Jesus soberly says, “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (Matt. 24:28). Rev. 6:8 sadly states, “It’s rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind, and they were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague.”

* These signs and events are beginning birth pains. They are just the beginning of great difficulties this world will experience before the coming of Christ. (Matt. 24:6, 8; Luke 21:9). There will also be a great apostasy, a falling away of so-called believers from so-called churches. We will see increasing sin, evil and lawlessness. False christs and false prophets will mislead many. The Antichrist will be revealed, desecrating the temple in Jerusalem. There will be a great persecution of both Christians and Jews. All over the world, Christians will be hated, betrayed, and even martyred. Matt. 24:9-26, 2 Thess. 1-9

* Preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth should be uppermost in our minds. Even now, in the midst of this pandemic, God will give you opportunities to be a light to the lost, to proclaim the gospel, to tell people how they can escape God’s wrath, be forgiven of their sins, and become children of God. Matt. 24:14, Luke 21:12-15, Acts 1:8

* God’s end-time work with the church is in conjunction with and coinciding with His end-times’ work with the Jewish people. Side by side passages in Matt. 24:9-26, Luke 21:12-24 and Rev. 7, 10-13 show how God’s work with both these groups will culminate in Christ coming to rapture the church and then redeem a large remnant of Jewish people.

* Daniel’s 70th week, a 7-year prophecy-filled time-frame, is marked by five major events, the signing or confirming of a peace treaty at the beginning of this week, the revealing of the Antichrist at its mid-point, the rapture of the church happening during the 2nd half of the week, God’s wrath being poured out on the earth during the very last part of the week, and the salvation of the Jews taking place at the end of this week. It’s important to see that the rapture occurs after the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, after the Antichrist is revealed, and before God’s wrath. Dan. 9:24-27; 2 Thess. 1:5-10, 2:1-10; Rev. 8-9, 13

* Thinking about the difficult, dangerous and death-darkened days ahead might cause you to be afraid. But God has commanded you to not fear the coronavirus or any enemy, but to fear Him, to be strong and courageous, and to be an overcomer. Call out to God, trust Him, believe His promises, and do His work, always remembering what Christ told you, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20, Psalm 91, Luke 12:1-8, Rev. 12:11

* All things now taking place in the world are leading to the restructuring and realigning of countries and economies (United States included), leading to a God-ordained future global order that must be in place before the Antichrist begins his rule. God has predestined all of history, and even this present pandemic is part of God’s divine plan, leading to the coming of Christ, the day of the Lord, and His reign over the earth. Dan. 2, 7-12; Eph. 1:9-12

* Some people, even Christians, believe in conspiracy theories regarding the occurrence of world events at this present time. I am not dismissing man’s attempts to conspire, deceive and kill so as to gain power and control over people and countries, but we must know that God is always sovereign. Everything that happens in this world is ordained by God, leading to that point in time when Christ will appear in the clouds to rapture and glorify the church and then take her home to heaven. Eph. 1:9-12; Ps. 2:1-2, 33:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* God gives you all you need to live for Him in these days and years leading to the coming of Christ. He gives you His Word so you know what to think, say and do. He gives you His Spirit, who leads, comforts and encourages you. He gives you grace, the power and ability to do all that He wants you to do. He gives you His peace when there are problems. He gives you His joy, a gladness in your soul, even when life is hard. He gives you hope, a guarantee that you will be perfect, and in heaven with Jesus and all the other believers. 2 Cor. 9:8, 12:9-10, 13:14

We are in the midst of this global pandemic and what’s most important is knowing you are saved, are forgiven, are children of God (John 3:16). It is essential that you have a good relationship with God and are daily walking with Him (John 17:3). During your life on earth, you are to be living, not for yourself, but for Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:20). You must know what God says about the end-times we live in, and how He is sovereignly directing all leaders, all countries, and all people, in accordance with His eternal purpose, leading to that time when Jesus, His Son, will return at the end of this age to rapture the saints, pour out His wrath, and begin His 1000-year reign over this world. Phil. 2:9-11, Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14

P.S. In the middle of this pandemic, you need perspective, you need to see where we are at in history, and where God is taking us. Be encouraged for God, in general, tells us in His word what will be happening. Read these posts for they will also give you the big picture of our lives as Christians – “What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return” and “Bible Prophecy Enables Us to See the Future.”

Hebrews 11 – By Faith and Hope We See Jesus

January 10, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #152 ~

Living for God must be by faith, and a great place to learn about this is in Hebrews 11. Called the hall of faith, it describes the lives of godly people who were living by faith. These holy men and women had faith in God for the present and for the future, for today and for eternity. Faith in God for the future is what we call hope, that which is based on God’s promises. These Old Testament saints had both faith and hope, which is exactly what Christians in this church age need to have. But what specifically does God want us to learn from Hebrews 11, this faith and hope-focused chapter?

The way to have a relationship with God is by faith. By faith, Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24) which means he was close to Him. By faith, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). By faith, Abraham was a friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7). By faith, Moses saw “Him who is unseen” (Hebrews 11:27). All the saints in Hebrews 11 had a relationship with God as they were sinners who, by faith, experienced His grace, mercy and love. This resulted in them loving God, seeking God, and obeying God.

The way to please God is by faith. Whether it was Noah building an ark, Abraham leaving his homeland, or Sarah believing she would have a child, it was by faith. This phrase “by faith” is repeated 19 times, example after example being given of believers trusting God, waiting on Him, and doing what He said. And God was pleased by their faith, by their obedience, and this is the only way you and I can please God and gain His approval.

The way to be rewarded is by faith. God wants to bless our lives now and forever. But it’s not by our works, not by what we do, but by believing what God wants to graciously do for us, and through us. This chapter illustrates that God blesses His people, and the key is to have faith in Him, to believe He wants to bless us. By faith Noah constructed the ark, a huge building project that took 60-70 years, and God blessed his obedience, hard work and perseverance, saving him from the flood and His wrath. And by faith, Enoch was taken to heaven, Abraham was given a child, and Moses escaped Egypt.  

The way to be resurrected, and live forever, is by faith. Abraham believed that God could raise his son from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Women received back their dead by resurrection (Hebrews 11:35), and these who were raised from the dead died again. But there is a “better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35), and this is still future, a “resurrection of life” (John 5:29) when we “will be made alive… at His coming,” when we will all be given glorified bodies, when we will be made perfect. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 42-44, 51-53

The way to persevere is by faith, and by hope. Life was extremely difficult for these saints of God. Noah, no doubt, was harassed and laughed at as he built the ark. Abraham lived in tents, and admitted he was a stranger on this earth. Moses gave up the riches of Egypt and the passing pleasures of sin. Some “experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, chains and imprisonments…” Others were “wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:36-38). How did they endure and keep going? Why were they willing to suffer? It was by faith in God’s promises, faith that gave them hope, a confidence about a wonderful future. Enoch wanted to be with God in heaven. Abraham was “looking for the city which has foundations” (Hebrews 11:10). Moses was “looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:26). All these Jewish believers were hope-filled and forward-looking – “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and aliens on this earth… they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” Hebrews 11:13, 16

The way we live for God is by faith. By faith, we walk with God, we serve, we obey, we sacrifice, and we fellowship. And we persevere because we have hope, for we believe it’s worth it to live for God in the present because we know He will reward us in the future. This hope-based perseverance, a major theme in Hebrews 11, is what everyone of us need. God is kind to us for He gives us His word, His glorious promises, and we can only endure and keep going for Him because we are looking forward to when they will be fulfilled. (Note: there are short-term promises, those fulfilled during this life, and long-term promises, those fulfilled after we have gone to heaven).

It all comes together in the last two verses, the conclusion of Hebrews 11. “All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us (Christians) they (saints of old) would not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Do you see this? The saints of old did not then and, nor have even today, received all that was promised them, and neither have Christians. But these verses mean that many of God’s promises for Old Testament believers and for Christians, will be fulfilled at the same time. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 says that all believers from all time will be glorified at Christ’s coming, when the church is raptured. At that moment, God’s work with the saints of old will be coinciding with His work with the church, and all of us will be glorified, be made perfect.

We live in the end-times and it won’t be long before God’s work with the saints of old and the saints of this age will converge and climax at Christ’s coming. At that time and in the ages to come, all God’s promises for His people will be fulfilled. For now, let’s be like Abraham who “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Know that “God is not ashamed to be called their (our) God; for He has prepared a city for them (us)” (Hebrews 11:16, John 14:1-3). Think about when you go to heaven – “You have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.” Hebrews 12:22-24, Revelation 21. Amen!!!

P.S. I can’t overstate the importance of having hope, godly hope. There is a previous post and a previous article I encourage you to to read – “You Need Hope to Get Through Life,” and “You Have to Have Hope!” One more thing: just last Sunday I taught on Hebrews 11 at my church – if you get time, I would encourage you to listen to it.

Forecasting the Future of the World

January 3, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #151 ~

Meteorologists forecast the weather, predicting temperatures, precipitation, humidity, highs, lows, etc., but rarely do they get it all right. And forecasting the weather is what people have been doing for thousands of years. In fact, Jesus said, “You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?” (Luke 12:56). With these words, Jesus was rebuking unbelievers for they didn’t believe He was the Christ, the Messiah and, therefore, didn’t understand His 1st coming. And sad to say, most people today, including many Christians, don’t understand the times we now live in, and that Christ’s 2nd coming is drawing near.

In these days, God wants Christians to know all about Christ’s 2nd coming and events preceding it, and be accurately forecasting it. But what does God say that enables us to forecast, to predict the future, and with 100% certainty? And why do we know that Christ will be coming back soon? Here is what God’s word says:

* Jesus Christ is coming again. Luke 21:27; Hebrews 10:37; Revelation 22:7, 12, 20
* Jesus Christ is returning soon, for we now live in the end-times, the last years of this church age, that time period during which the Jewish people are once again living in Israel. Ezekiel 36-37, Daniel 12:4, Matthew 24:15-27, Revelation 10-12
* In the coming years, there will be a seven-year period called Daniel’s 70th week, a God-ordained time during which many prophesied events will take place. Daniel 9:24-27
* In the years leading up to Daniel’s 70th week, there will be “birth pains” (earthquakes, wars, plagues, famines and poverty) occurring in various parts of the world, signaling Christ’s return is getting closer. Matthew 24:4-8, Hebrews 10:25, Revelation 6:1-8
* Lawlessness will be increasing in the world before Christ’s return. Matthew 24:12, 37
* There will be a growing persecution of both Christians and Jews before Christ’s 2nd coming. Matthew 24:9, Revelation 12:17; Zechariah 14:2, Matthew 24:15-22
* The Antichrist will be revealed at the 3½ year mark of Daniel’s 70th week. Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15
* People will be saved and disciples will be raised up, and Christ’s work in building the church will be completed at the end of this age. Matthew 16:18, 24:14, 28:19-20
* There will be great disturbances in the heavens and a great earthquake on the earth, signs indicating that this age has come to an end. Matthew 24:29, Revelation 6:12-14
* At a time unknown to us, after the Antichrist is revealed and at the end of this age, Christ will return to rapture the church. Matthew 24:15-36, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9
* God will pour out His righteous wrath on a wicked world. Psalm 98:9; Revelation 8-9, 16
* God will redeem a large remnant of Jews at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Ezekiel 27:23, Daniel 9:24-27, Romans 11:25-27
* Jesus Christ will begin His 1000-year reign over the earth. Psalm 67, Revelation 20

This is amazing! This is so encouraging that God tells us what will be taking place in the future! And because it’s God’s word, it’s guaranteed to happen. To emphasize this point, Jesus, in the middle of a great prophecy passage, says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Jesus wants us to be completely convinced that His prophetic word is an accurate forecast of the future. He gives us a perfect outline, not all the details, but just what He wants us to know.

Now how does God want you to live in these last, important years of this church age?
* He wants you to study and believe His prophetic word so you can tell others what God wants them to know about Christ’s 2nd coming. Luke 24:25-26, 44-45; 2 Timothy 2:15
* He wants you to be a holy vessel who is useful to Himself, the Master. 2 Timothy 2:21
* He wants you to pray for Christ’s kingdom to be established on earth. Matthew 6:9-10
* He wants you to do His work, using the grace and gifts He gives you. 1 Peter 4:10-11
* He wants you to know that He is sovereign and faithful, and will fully accomplish His work in you and in the church. Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. Ephesians 1:9-12
* He does not want you to be asleep or worldly, but to be awake, alert, and aware of what God is doing in the world around you. Matthew 16:2-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
* He wants you to love Him, and love one another. Mark 12:30-31, John 15:7
* He wants you to have faith, to depend on Him and be trusting His word. Luke 18:8
* He wants you to have hope – that you will be glorified, in heaven, and with Jesus and other believers. John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 14:42-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
* He wants you to share the gospel with the lost, explaining to them the purpose of Christ’s 1st coming, and how they can be forgiven of their sins and receive eternal life. Luke 21:12-15
* He wants you to be in a church with a good pastor, and with people who love God, love His word, and love one another. Acts 2:42, Ephesians, Revelation 2-3
* He wants you to be excited about His Son’s return, to be looking forward to seeing Jesus, and being with Him. Job 19:25-27, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Revelation 22:20

What a time to be alive! This subject of prophecy shouldn’t be cloudy, but clear to us, for God has told us everything we need to know about Christ’s 2nd coming, the events preceding it, and how to live. Make it your goal this year to know the future He has planned for us. Be like the sons of Issachar, who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32), like Ezekiel who was a “watchman” (Ezekiel 3:17), and like John the Baptist who made “ready the way of the Lord.” Luke 3:4

P.S. Here is a post that gives a short but good explanation of prophecy – “Prophecy Is Predicting the Future.” This article is most appropriate and instructive as you think about time, your life, and the new year – “The Time of My Life.”

Micah – The Prophet Predicts the Future

December 13, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #148 ~

I love the prophets, the God-exalting, Spirit-filled, sin-declaring, judgment-speaking, future-telling, hope-inspiring prophets. What a blessing that God raised them up, godly men for their day, for our day, and for our future. Their writings are not outdated; they are not to be allegorized; they are not too hard to understand; they are not to be skipped over and ignored; and they are for both the Jewish people and the church.

Micah, like many of the prophets, focused on the sin and judgment of the Jews, but he also spoke about the coming Messiah, the Christ, and the hope He would bring. We see in this short book, like diamonds shining in the dark, a number of verses speaking about the Christ, one predicting that He would be born in that little town of Bethlehem. “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you, One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2). This comprehensive, 1st coming – 2nd coming prophecy does not talk about this eternal One being the Savior, but points to Him being the King, the ruler in Israel. And that Christ will be ruling over the Jews and the world in the kingdom ages to come is a major theme in the rest of Micah’s 2nd coming prophecies. Here is what we learn from Micah:

* Micah 2:12-13 predicts, “I will surely assemble all of you Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together like sheep… so their King goes on before them, and the Lord at their head.” In the future, Jesus will visibly be the King of the Jews. 

* Micah 4:1 tells us, “It will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as chief among the mountains… and the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of Jacob, that He may teach us about His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.’ For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Christ the King will reign from Jerusalem, but He will also be a Teacher, declaring to people from all over the world the truth they need to know and live by.

* Micah 4:5 declares, “He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares… nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war.” In this rebellious and war-torn world, there is no real peace, but rejoice, for Jesus Christ will come and be the Judge, and bring true peace. Micah 4:6-8 gives more valuable information about Christ’s coming kingdom and, in particular, that it will be an eternal kingdom. “The Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on and forever.”

* Micah 5:3-4 goes on to say, “He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has born a Child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel, and He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God… at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth.” This prophesy, that the Jews would be given up, also stated in Luke 21:20-24, means they would be scattered all over the world, and this happened around 70 AD. But since 1880 AD, over 6 million Jews have returned to their land, and now Israel is in labor, for her birth pains are taking place. (Matthew 24:4-8, Revelation 12:1-5). That the Jews are back in their land means we are living in the end times, and so it won’t be long before we see Christ coming in a cloud to rapture the church from the earth, pour out His wrath on this world, and then be a Shepherd over this remnant of newly-saved Jews.

* Micah 7:18-20 concludes, “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity… He will again have compassion on us… You will give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham, which You swore to our forefathers from the days of old.” Here is God, the Christ, being a Savior, showing love, forgiveness and compassion. And we are reminded of His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that they would have a great multitude of descendants, a large portion of land, and world-wide blessing. Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17, 17:1-8

The Messiah, the Christ is coming, and He will be a King, a Teacher, a Judge, a Shepherd, and a Savior. You can only fully understand God’s plans for the church if you understand the prophets, and their description of His plans for the Jews. God’s work with the church is now coinciding with His work with the Jews. What an honor to be living in the last years of this church age, for we read the prophets and look back and see what has been fulfilled, and look forward to see plans of His that will be fulfilled. Christ will soon return, and then we will see these Micah prophecies, along with many more, all come true. And these prophecies for the Jews will directly affect the church, for Christ will be our King, and we will reign with Him, and with Jewish believers, forever and ever.  

I encourage you to read the prophets, and find the verses that speak of the future of the Jews, for they now relate to Christians. Hebrews 11:39-40 explains it this way, “All these (Old Testament believers), having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us (church age Christians), so that apart from us they (Old Testament believers) should not be made be perfect.” God’s work with the Jews and the Christians will come together, converging in the age to come. The conclusion is given at the end of Romans 11, that chapter to the church that tells us about the salvation of the Jewish remnant, “To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

P.S. During this Christmas season, it’s good to be reminded of the Old Testament prophets, for they told us so much about Christ’s first coming, and birth, and His second coming. Here are two posts that will help you understand how God’s past working relates to the future God has for us. “Why the Jews Are Important for You and the Church” and “Prophecy Predicts the Future.”

1 Peter 1:3-13 – Living Today in Light of the Future

December 6, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #147 ~

God wants you to see the end from the beginning, from that time when you were saved until that time when you see Jesus Christ and are glorified and in heaven. It’s so easy to get stuck in our own little world, in the here and now, and that’s why it’s imperative for you to see where you have come from and where you are going. A passage that explains this better than any I know is 1 Peter 1:3-13. What you see is that the future is spoken of in 8 of these 11 verses, using words like “living hope” (3), “inheritance” (4), “heaven” (4), “last time” (5), “revelation of Jesus Christ” (7, 13), “salvation” (5, 9, 10), “grace” (10, 13), and “glories to follow” (11). What God is telling you is clear and convincing, that the only way to live today is in view of the future that He has already planned out for you.

1 Peter 1:3-5 sums up your Christian life, the past, present and future, from when you were born again to your life today to that time when you will receive your heavenly inheritance. There’s direction and movement in these verses, for they are not just focused on being born again, but on the fact that you now have a living hope, that which is to excite you and point you to your future in heaven. Your life isn’t just sitting still, but is going someplace, and God Himself is moving you along and taking you to glory, to a “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” And God’s power will keep protecting you until that time when you will be fully saved, when you will be glorified. Jude 24-25

1 Peter 1:6-9 talks about your present life, but again in light of the future. Right away you read about trials, and it tells you there are various kinds of them, they last only a little while, they are distressing, and they only happen if God says they are necessary. And these trials are for your faith, which is extremely valuable, for it is a means to know God, to experience His grace, and to spiritual growth. Most importantly, it results in “praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” At the end of this age, there will be one grand celebration, for all believers will be gathered together to see Jesus, and will be excitedly and wholeheartedly worshiping Him. Revelation 7:9-12

These verses also instruct us how to live at this present time. First, we are to love God, and with all our heart. And we are to have faith in this One we cannot see, but soon will see, trusting Him, believing His word, knowing that He is fulfilling His plans for us. And we are to greatly rejoice, for we know what’s coming, “the salvation of our souls” and the glorification of our bodies. Do you see this, that your faith, hope, love and joy in the present are in light of the future, in view of that time when this age will come to an end, and Jesus Christ will be revealed for the entire world to see? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

1 Peter 1:10-12 is an encouraging and motivating parenthetical. It tells us about the Old Testament prophets, men writing about 2400-2900 years ago, and they wanted to know more about the Messiah to come. They knew He would suffer, and that His glory would be revealed to the whole world, but they didn’t know the specifics, they didn’t know when, and they really wanted to find out, and so they “made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time…” And these prophets did this for us – they were searching and seeking and writing for Christians, for those of us living in this church age. I must say, I get very excited, knowing that what the prophets wrote, along with the New Testament writers, is for us, especially since we now live in the end times.

Here we are, thousands of years later, and we can look back and see that part of what the prophets predicted has already taken place. We all know that Jesus Christ came to earth, and that He suffered, died, rose again, ascended into heaven, and that He will soon come back to fulfill the 2nd part of these predictions. But unlike the prophets, we now know there’s a 2nd coming, at which time Christ will return to earth with “great glory” (Luke 21:27), and then glorify us, and after that, the world will be full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3). Another amazing truth is that the angels long to look into these matters about Christ’s 1st and 2nd comings. Just think, if the prophets wrote this for us, and the angels are looking into these things, shouldn’t we be super-motivated to study and learn and tell others what God wants us to know about our glorious future? Mark 13:23

1 Peter 1:13 starts with “therefore,” which means it’s the conclusion to this prophetic passage for Christians. In view of Christ being revealed, in view of being glorified and being in heaven, in view of receiving an incredible inheritance, how should you live on earth? You are to prepare your mind for action. You are to be spiritually awake, aware of what God’s word says, alert to what He’s doing in the world, and actively working for Christ, helping to carry out His end-time plans for the church. And you are to “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Don’t get distracted by worldly things, but be focused on the fact that Christ is coming soon, and be looking forward to seeing Him, knowing that He will then “transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:21 

You can’t miss the future in this present day, 1 Peter passage for Christians. Don’t skip over it, make light of it, or think it’s not relevant for your life, and especially at this time in history, with the return of Jesus Christ right around the corner. Might 1 Peter 1:3-13, this big-picture passage, help you to love Jesus all the more, and to live today in light of the fantastic future that God has “reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:4

P.S. I love this subject, the big picture of our lives. Having this perspective is a must if we are to be able to rightly and wholeheartedly live for the Lord. Here are two previous posts that address this same subject: “God’s Time Frame for Your Life,” and “An Overview of Your Christian Life.”

Luke 21 – What You Need to Know About the End Times

November 15, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #144 ~

One of my favorite prophecy passages is Luke 21:5-36. Similar to Matthew 24, it gives a great deal of information about the end-times and Christ’s coming. But there’s one thing you need to know before you can understand this key prophetic portion of Scripture, and that’s the sequence, the order of end-time events. What you need to realize is that the last phrase of Luke 21:11 and the first phrase of Luke 21:25 are both talking about the same thing, these signs in the heavens. Knowing that, plus seeing that Luke 21:12 starts with “But before all these things…” means that verses 12-24 is a parenthetical, telling us related and important information that takes place before these end-of-the-age signs. With that in mind, here’s a summary of Luke 21:5-36.

Luke 21:5-8. The disciples are happily talking to Jesus about the magnificent Jewish temple, but surprisingly, He informs them that it will be destroyed. Surely in shock, the disciples want to know when it’s going to happen. Jesus then gives a long and thorough answer to their question, instructing them about the future, that which is especially relevant and useful to us Christians who are now living in the end-times.

Luke 21:9-11. First and foremost, the true Christ warns them about false Christs. Then He mentions the birth pains – the wars, plagues, famines and great earthquakes, events which take place over a long period of time (Matthew 24:4-8, Revelation 6:1-8). Next He tells them about these aforementioned signs in the heavens, these heart-stopping cosmic disturbances signaling the end of the age and the return of Christ (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:12-14). That leads to this important parenthetical, two distinct passages between verse 11 and verse 25. And what do they say?

Luke 21:12-19. This parenthetical tells us what begins before all the things spoken of in verses 9-11. Right away we realize this passage is about Christians being persecuted. From history, we know this persecution started at the beginning of the church age, has continued since that time, and will keep going until the end of this age. This persecution, fueled by extreme hate, is religious and political in nature but, sadly, is also brought on by a person’s own family members. This end-times’ great suffering will be extremely difficult for Christians, but Jesus says it “will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.” And as He tells us in Matthew 24:14, this “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Luke 21:20-24. This parenthetical continues by summing up Jewish history during this church age. It starts with Jesus’ prediction about God’s punishing wrath upon the Jews, which historians tell us took place around 70 AD. Jesus then predicts that the Jews would be “led captive into all the nations,” and this happened, for Jews were scattered all over the world. But about 140 years ago they miraculously began returning to their homeland, to Israel. From 1880 to the present, the Jewish population has grown from about 10,000 to 6.6 million people, thus fulfilling God’s promise to regather the Jews. That the Jews are now back in their land is the number one reason we can say we are living in the end-times. This is relevant for the church, shown by the fact that these passages about Christians (Luke 21:12-19) and Jews (Luke 21:20-24) sit side by side, which means that God’s work with the Jews is in conjunction with His work with the Christians. This great work of God is leading us to the end of this age when Christ will return to rapture the Christians, and then set up His earthly kingdom for the Jews.

Luke 21:25-28. The first phrase in this passage speaks about these signs in the heavens, picking up from where we left off in verse 11. But notice, there’s a great earthquake, for we read about “the roaring of the sea.” What a terrifying event for unbelievers – they are scared to death, “fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the earth” (Revelation 6:16-17). But what a glorious time for Christians, for they see their Savior coming to rescue them from the earth, bring them to Himself, and then to heaven. This rapture event results in their redemption, a word that means deliverance, for believers will be completely delivered from sin, Satan and an evil world.

Luke 21:29-33. Jesus tells the disciples a parable, but clearly it’s for Christians living in the end-times, that whoever sees all the things He had just talked about will be part of that generation who will witness Christ’s return. How exciting for Christians living on earth at that time, for they will suddenly be snatched off the earth to be with Jesus! But there’s something else, for just as the redemption is near (verse 28), so too the kingdom of God is near (verse 31), referring to when Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth, of special interest to Jews, and also to Christians, for we too will be reigning with Christ for 1000 glorious years. Jesus emphatically proclaims that this passage is true, for He says that His words, which are God’s words, will not pass away, which means all that He had just talked about is surely going to happen!

Luke 21:34. Christ concludes with instructions for Christians. We are to guard and watch our hearts, and not be worried, worldly and fleshly in these end-time years. We are to be awake and alert, aware of what’s going on in the world around us. Now is the time to have faith, to be praying and serving, and looking for our Lord’s soon return, to that time when we will literally “stand before the Son of Man.” How sweet and satisfying to finally see and be with our Lord and Savior. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

P.S. Luke 21 and Matthew 24 are my two most favorite chapters on prophecy. I have a blog post on Matthew 24 (Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times), a short but good summary, and a longer, much more detailed article (Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible). I would encourage you to read Matthew 24, and then read what I have written, for I believe it will help you understand what God has in store for the future.

God is in Charge of Your Life

November 1, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #142 ~

From Iowa to Arizona to Nevada to Iowa to Maryland to Florida – geographically speaking, this sums up my life for the past 66 years. Much has happened through all that time – growing up in a family of 8, my father dying when I was 7, going to Catholic schools for 13 years, becoming a Christian in college, serving in the church, finding an excellent wife, helping raise 4 children, teaching God’s word, and having many good friends. There have been personal struggles, spiritual battles, many victories, untold blessings, and with that, God-given patience, perseverance, grace and mercy. In all this, the foundational factor and force has been my relationship with God, and consistently experiencing His unconditional love. Without God, I wouldn’t have made it, which leads to the main point of this blogpost, God’s sovereignty in my life.

That God is sovereign is an absolute truth, but to see it be true in my own life has been miraculous and encouraging. Since I am older, I have the advantage of being able to look back over all the years, and see a great many examples of His divine working in my life. In many ways, situations and relationships, God has been purposely and strategically sovereign – when I was born, where I lived, what people I was with, being born again, and so much more. Knowing that God has been lovingly, wisely, and faithfully sovereign, has been extremely humbling and comforting. Now more than ever, it’s obvious to me that God is God, and I am but a man, and that all the credit goes to Him for all the good and wonderful things that have happened in my life.   

That God is sovereign has come to mean many things to me:
* God is in charge of my life, and I am glad that I am not. Daniel 4:35
* I am still responsible for my actions, which means my sin is all my fault. Yet, God has been working it all out for my growth, my good, and for His glory. Ephesians 1:9-14
* I can’t do whatever I want, for God is my Lord and He is in charge. James 4:13-15
* There have been no accidents in my life, even when I broke my arm. Lamentations 3:38
* God is working in me and through me so as to fulfill His purposes. Acts 13:22, 36
* That God has work for me to do motivates me to pray and look for His leading, confident that He will show me what He wants me to do. Ephesians 2:10
* I am not going to sit still and watch God do the work. I will make plans every day, knowing that He can change them, and then redirect my steps. Proverbs 16:9
* Sometimes, life is confusing to me, but not to God, for being sovereign means He knows exactly what He is doing, and why He is doing it. Proverbs 20:24
* My life is a puzzle piece. All the people in the world make up the puzzle pieces, and God is purposefully and wisely fitting us together in just the way that He wants. As a puzzle piece, my life is closely connected, interlocking with a few other puzzle pieces, a few other people. This puzzle will be fully put together and finished when Jesus Christ returns to rapture the church. Only then will we be able to see the big picture, what our holy God has been doing throughout HisStory. “The whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-22

Here’s one way I refresh myself with the truth of God’s sovereignty: about every month, I take 20-30 minutes to mentally and spiritually review my life, going over all the decades from the 1950’s to the present. As I think about some of the big things God has done for me, I get very encouraged and thankful, and am even more fired up to live for Him. I strongly recommend that you do the same, that you regularly take the time to look back over your years, or even your past week or month. “I will meditate on all your work and muse on all your deeds. Your way, O God, is holy” (Psalm 77:11-13). When you see God’s work in your life, then you will see God’s ways (sovereignty and holiness) in your life (Psalm 103:7). The truth of God’s sovereignty needs to be real to you, embedded in your heart. I cannot stress enough how necessary it is for you to know and believe that God is sovereign in your life, especially at this time in history.

That the Jews are back in their land means we’re getting close to the end of this age and the coming of Christ. But Christ can only come back if God continues to be completely sovereign over everyone and everything in this world. And yes, God is faithfully putting every puzzle piece in its proper place. He is personally working in all the people, cities and countries in this world. He will be sovereign over all the wars, famines, diseases, earthquakes, and the coming Antichrist, too. At times, you may think this world is off course, but from God’s point of view and by His providence, it is racing in a straight line to the finish line, to the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Matthew 24:4-32

I get excited knowing that my time to live is in these end-times, and I hope you feel the same. God has important work for you to do, work that is directly related to what He needs to accomplish in the years leading up to Christ’s coming. I encourage you to read God’s word, be praying, and be doing your part, remembering that God is sovereignly working all things together for your good and for His glory (Romans 8:28-30). I pray that you continue to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

P.S. I have a new article, and it is about this subject, The Sovereignty of God. There are a great number of verses listed, ones that I believe will be very helpful to you in learning more about this most important topic.

From Earth to Heaven and Back Again

October 18, 2019 /

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 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th 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 70th 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 70th 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.

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