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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Discernment (Page 3 of 3)

Blog posts about discernment.

The Most Important Country in the World, and It’s Not the United States

September 29, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #37 ~

Contrary to what some Christians believe, there are a number of prophesied events that need to take place before the rapture of the church. In the past few weeks we’ve been looking at the birth pains. But today, and in the next two weeks, I want to talk about Israel and the Gentile nations, the realigning and remaking of kingdoms and countries in the end times, and finally, the decline of the United States as a world power.

God works through nations, particularly, and most importantly through the nation of Israel. To have a Biblical and proper view of history, and of end times’ prophecy, it is essential to understand God’s laser-focus on Israel. My purpose is to summarize some foundational and historical truths with regards to Israel and the Gentile nations.

The origin of the nations: Genesis 10 tells us that the nations of the world came forth from Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. This chapter specifically lists nations that were, and to some degree still are, relevant for God’s purposes for the Jews and for the entire world. God’s sovereign scattering of proud and rebellious nations across the face of the earth is described in Genesis 11:1-9. The rest of Genesis 11 tells us that the nation of Israel would come from Shem’s descendants, and specifically through Abram.

The most important country: God chose Israel to be the greatest and most blessed nation (Deuteronomy 4:32-40). Genesis 11:10 to the end of the Old Testament makes it very clear that God loved Israel and had great plans for her, and that she was the most important country in the world. The Gentile nations were usually only spoken of as they related to the history and purposes of Israel. But during this church age, God is focused on the Gentiles, and in fact, for most of this time, Israel did not even exist as a nation. But things are changing, and in the next age, Jesus Christ will reign as King from Israel, and the whole world will see that she is the number one country on earth. Psalm 67

The Old Testament: Israel’s history takes us from her birth in Egypt, to 40 years of testing in the desert, to conquering the Canaanites and occupying the promised land, and to judges delivering them from evil Gentile nations. It continues with the kings, some who were good, but most who were evil; and it was David and Solomon who led Israel during their glory years. After that she went downhill. Then God used prophets to declare to Israel and Judah their sin (the nation was split), to predict judgment and exile, and to promise her hope for the future, a Christ led millennial kingdom, which will begin after this present church age. Psalm 72

During those Old Testament years, God’s people were living in an anti-God world, sometimes being holy, but usually being wicked. But most impressive, was the powerful working of God with this weak and sinful nation, and His continued mercy, kindness, love, patience and justice towards her (Nehemiah 9). And as Ezra tells us, He faithfully brought Judah back from exile to her own land. Against all odds, and by God’s sovereign grace, she continued on through all the years, both defeating and being delivered from Gentile nations, and in particular, the Satanically inspired “beast” nations – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome (Revelation 12:1-3).

The time of Christ: Then it was time for Jesus, the Son of God, to be born and come to Israel, to His people. He came as a King, but He couldn’t reign in a physical way until there was spiritual revival and He was Lord in their hearts. That would have to wait, for these Jews rejected Jesus Christ – they didn’t see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. But Jesus continued on, fulfilling His most important purpose, suffering, dying and rising again for billions of people who would put their faith in Him for salvation from sin, death and hell. Then Jesus left this earth and went back to heaven with the promise that He’d return to be King of Israel and King of the world. Matthew 24, Acts 1:4-11

The church age and the present time: In 70AD, the God forsaking nation of Israel was severely punished, being soundly defeated and scattered into all the nations, and as we see, was set aside for close to 1900 years. Now we are in the church age, the time for the salvation of many Gentiles, and for a few Jews too (Romans 11). But in the past 130 years, over 6 million Jews have supernaturally returned to their land, and the nation of Israel has miraculously been resurrected. It is obvious that God is now actively working with both Israel and Gentile nations, for their end times’ configuration and place in the world must be in line with the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, 9 and 11.

The fall of the United States and the rise of Antichrist’s kingdom. All can see that the United States is going down, her pride, greed and immorality being the principle reasons for the decline of this most powerful nation. Then sometime after she is sufficiently weakened, we will see the realigning of more nations, and the eventual rise of that evil Antichrist and his kingdom. After his short devilish rule, the Antichrist will be crushed by Christ. And from Jerusalem in Israel, Jesus Christ will gloriously reign over a Gentile world for 1000 peaceful and wonderful years. Psalm 47, Revelation 20:1-11

P.S.  For further understanding of this important subject, please check out my article: A Summary of the Work of God, from the Time of Abraham to Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.

The Rapture is NOT Going to Take Place on September 23, 2017

September 19, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

Image result for 2 thessalonians 2:3

This past Monday I listened to a number of false teachers on YouTube videos predicting what they think will take place on and after September 23, 2017. I was shocked and saddened to hear all the spectacular, sensational and nonsensical things they were saying, all their errors, these lies of the devil. For example: the rapture is going to take place on September 23, 2017 – FALSE. The world as we know it will end on September 23, 2017 – FALSE. There will be a number of signs and events taking place on September 23, 2017, that will then lead to the end of this world – FALSE.

After listening to this false teaching, I felt compelled to share the truth and give some instruction, for you need discernment, you need to know the difference between what is true and what is false when it comes to prophecy. You need to know what God says is going to take place in the future so you don’t fall prey to the end times’ errors that are so prevalent and rampant in our world today.

1. Be aware of error. Many false teachers, false prophets and false Christs are making predictions and promoting their error, and you need to know what God’s word says about prophecy – you need to be discerning. “See to it that no one misleads you…” Matthew 24:4, 11, 24-25
2. The rapture will not take place on September 23, 2017. The Bible makes it very clear that no one knows the day or hour of the rapture, and therefore no one can predict the day or hour of the rapture. “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36
3. The rapture cannot happen on September 23, 2017, and that’s because God’s word tells us many things that still need to take place before Christ’s return and the rapture. There will be an increasing number of false Christs, wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues. There will be a great apostasy, the building of the temple in Jerusalem, the United States declining in power, the realigning of nations, the revealing of the Antichrist, and people taking the mark of the beast. There will be a great persecution of Christians and Jews, global evangelization, and finally, signs in the heavens. All these things are prophesied to occur before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. God tells us these things because He wants all believers to know the general timing of Christ’s return. “… so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32-33
4. The rapture of the church is not imminent, and that’s because there are a great number of discernible prophesied events that need to take place before the rapture. We can know the general time of Christ’s return, but we cannot know the specific time. (Point #3 lists many of these prophesied events that will occur before the rapture).
5. Understand what Jesus has told us about the birth pains, the false Christs, wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues (Matthew 24:4-8). This will help you to see that the solar eclipse and hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, are not Biblically prophesied signs of Christ’s return. False teachers are misinterpreting Luke 21:25-26 – “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves.” The “signs in sun…” is referring to signs in the heavens that will take place right before the rapture of the church (Matthew 24:29), and will be seen by everyone on the earth. The “roaring of the sea and the waves” is not referring to recently occurring hurricanes that have hit the United States and its territories, but will be a result of a great earthquake occurring right before the coming of Christ (Psalm 46:2-3, Revelation 6:12). Hurricanes, catastrophic as they may be, are not spoken of as prophecy predicting events in the Bible.
6. Never add to God’s word, or subtract from God’s word. Always remember that truth + error = error. In this recent round of errors concerning September 23, 2017, many false teachers are mixing astrology (Virgo), astronomy (Jupiter) and the Bible (Revelation 12:1-2), and this is so terribly wrong. Mixing the word of God with the word of man results in error. Our understanding of eschatological, end times’ prophecy must be based solely on the Bible, for it is prophetically sufficient, it is all we need to know. “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life.” Revelation 22:18-19, Matthew 24:35
7. Be a good Bible student. Read God’s word; study the word; compare passages; don’t go beyond what is written; interpret the Bible correctly; take it literally, that is in its normal, natural, plain sense; and don’t try to make the events of the world interpret God’s word, but rather let God’s word interpret the events of the world. Saturate your mind with Biblical truth so it becomes a spiritual sieve that filters out the good from the bad, that enables you to recognize the truth and discard the error. Don’t be naive, don’t be deceived, don’t be fooled by the devil, but get discernment and wisdom from God’s word. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

When it comes to prophecy, be very careful of what you watch and who you listen to. Don’t be fooled by false teachers and the deception and lies of the devil. “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:11). I strongly encourage you to check out the following links to other posts that I have specifically written to help you understand the timing and chronology of events leading up to the rapture:  North Korea, Microchips, and the Solar Eclipse – A Hurricane is Coming – Be Ready, Watching, Working – Deception or Discernment? – Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times – The Seals of Revelation 6 – The Storm Before the Son – Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? – Daniel’s 70th Week, One of the Keys to Unlocking the End Times.

P.S. – This week’s “Saturday Morning Post” will list out a number of critically important points that will give you a lot more insight and understanding about the end times’ birth pangs.

North Korea, Microchips and the Solar Eclipse

August 18, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #31 ~

In recent weeks, you may have heard about North Korea, microchips, and a solar eclipse. But what amazes and saddens me, is when I hear people getting so worried about these things, wondering if the end of the world is right around the corner. It’s reminds me of fearful “Chicken Little” crying out, “The sky is falling!” As Christians, we shouldn’t be afraid or confused, for God has already told us what’s going to happen, and has even given us a 7-year time frame so we can see where these things fit in with His endtime plans.

First, let’s talk about North Korea. Matthew 24:6-7 tells us, “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Jesus goes on to say, “these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.” Let me explain: these birth pains are wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues taking place before the end of this age and Christ’s coming, and this includes this North Korean conflict. But it’s just the “beginning of birth pains”, meaning a lot more things, and yes, more wars, need to take place before the rapture of the church.

Second, we read about small rice-sized microchips that for years have been implanted in animals as identification and tracking devices. And now they’re putting them in people – but why is this potentially such a big deal? Because Revelation 13:16-17 tells us that “he (another beast) causes all… to be given a mark on their right hand or forehead.” Now we don’t know exactly what this “mark” is, but I believe it relates to these microchips that are presently being developed and increasingly being perfected. This beast, together with the devilish Antichrist, will be using this kind of technology, and “no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark…” This “mark” will be one of the main ways the Antichrist will control people, run the economy, and rule the world during his short dictatorship.

When will this take place? I’ve previously taught about a 7-year time period called Daniel’s 70th week, and right after the midpoint of this week, this mark will be implemented by the Antichrist and this other beast. Now Daniel’s 70th week hasn’t even started yet, for we’re still at the beginning of birth pains. But this mark, this chip, will be ready to use on a global scale, and accepted by society at large when the Antichrist steps out on the world stage. Now Christians will still be on earth at this time, what Matthew 24:21 calls the great tribulation. But be assured, that if you’re a true, born again Christian, then you will not and cannot take this mark of the beast. Only unbelievers can take the mark.

Third, there’s this coming solar eclipse. Some well-known Christians have actually said this is a sign that judgment is coming on America. And yes, the Bible tells us about “wonders in the sky” (Joel 2:31), and that the “the sun will be darkened… ” (Matthew 24:29) before the Day of the Lord, but this particular solar eclipse is not part of these end of the age cosmic disturbances. Why do we know that? Because the Bible tells us that these heavenly signs will not take place until after the Antichrist has been revealed, after the mark of the beast is implemented, immediately after the great tribulation, and right before the rapture of the church. Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 6:12-7:14

Let me sum it up: As a world, we’re now experiencing beginning birth pains, and part of that are these wars and rumors of wars. Then in the near future there’ll be a peace treaty between the coming Antichrist and Israel, and this begins Daniel’s 70th week. At the 3½ year point of that week, the Antichrist will be revealed, and he’ll make non-Christians take the mark of the beast, and also begin great tribulation against both Jews and Christians. Immediately after this great tribulation is cut short, there’ll be these warning signs in the heavens, marking the end of this age, the return of Christ, and the rapture of the church. Then God’s wrath will be poured out on all the unbelievers living on this earth.

God has told us ahead of time what’s going to take place before the return of His Son. Why? Because He wants us to know He’s in control, that He’s doing exactly what He has planned to do; and He doesn’t want us to worry – He wants us to have peace in our hearts. We need to know that Jesus Christ is coming soon, but I say “soon” in terms of all of human history. The truth is, the Bible tells us a number of things that need to take place before Christ’s coming. In the weeks ahead we will be looking closely at many of these things. Hebrews 10:23-25

P.S.  Please feel free to check out the many articles and charts here on this blog.  They are here to help ones understand more fully what the Bible teaches about the return of Christ the King.  Also, here is a post about the Good News ~ how a person can know Jesus Christ now and forever!

Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?

May 5, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #16 ~

About two months ago, I received a call from another Christian. He had been reading my posts and was wondering why I was writing things in an urgent way, making it sound like Jesus Christ was returning right away. Let me share a few things that I believe will help you understand why and how I think about end times’ prophecy and the timing of Christ’s second coming.

1. Christ’s return is an urgent matter. Two hundred years ago I wouldn’t have written articles like I’m doing now, but the fact that the Jews have been gathering back to their land for the past 130 years is a wake up call from God, a clear sign that we live in the end times. God is gearing things up, actively carrying out His final plans for this present world, and soon enough, Christ will return to rapture the church. Now is when we need to know what God’s Word says about Christ’s coming, and how then we should live. Luke 12:56, 1 Chronicles 12:32

2. Christ’s coming is very soon. In Revelation 22:20 Christ Himself said, “Behold, I’m coming soon.” If His coming was soon back in 95AD (the approximate date Revelation was written), then now it’s very soon. In Romans 13:11, Paul says, “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now, salvation is nearer to us than we believed.” If Christ’s return was near in the 1st century, then how much nearer is it today? Hebrews 10:37 says, “In a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.” Acts 2:17 describes the church age as the last days and that was about 2000 years ago, and so now we are living in the very last part of the last days.

3. When I say Christ’s coming is very soon, I don’t mean it could be tomorrow or next week, or even in the next year or two. And I don’t mean His coming is imminent, that no signs or events need to precede it, for it is not imminent, and that’s because many prophesied events need to take place before the rapture. When I say Christ’s coming is very soon, I mean it is very soon when you think about all of human history, from Adam and Eve to the present day. As Christians we need to step back and get perspective – we need to see the big picture. I like sports and I think of it this way: it’s the bottom of the ninth inning, and the baseball game will soon be over; or the two minute warning has sounded, and the football game is nearly finished.

4.  When people ask me where we’re at with regard to Christ’s return, I tell them it’s “the beginning of birth pangs” stage (Matthew 24:8). These birth pangs (false christs, earthquakes, wars, famines) have already been occurring. For example, many false religions have started since the early 1900’s. There have been wars and rumors of wars for the past 100 years, and most recently there’s been the North Korean situation. Then a few weeks ago I read, “20 million people are now threatened by famine – more than at any time since World War II.” (Tampa Bay Times – 4/14/17). And in the near future you’ll hear about some major earthquake. All these birth pangs will continue to take place as we approach Christ’s return, but with increasing intensity and frequency. Where are we at? We’re at the beginning stage of the end times, but let me add, well into the beginning stage.

5. Yes, Christ’s coming is very soon, but it’s going to be years before He comes, and whether that is five years, fifty years, or more, I don’t know. You see, many things still need to happen before Christ returns. The birth pangs will increase in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:4-8). The world will get more lawless and wicked (Matthew 24:12). Evangelism needs to continue around the world (Matthew 24:14). Persecution of Christians will get worse (Luke 21:16-19). The desire for globalism will increase before the Antichrist is revealed (Revelation 13). Nations need to be realigned and reformed; and yes, the USA needs to decline in power (Daniel 7:19-24). The peace treaty involving Israel and the Antichrist will be signed (Daniel 9:27). And there is more. I am trying to make it clear to you that Christ’s coming is very soon, but in the whole big scheme of things, we still have a little ways to go, a number of years. But we don’t know the day or the hour of Christ’s return.

As Christians we should be extremely excited to be alive at this time in history. How amazing that God has chosen these end time days to be our days to be living for Him. But many Christians are asleep, and need to be woken up. And somebody needs to wake them up and let them know that events now taking place in the world are confirming God’s prophetic Word. That “somebody” may be you. “I have appointed you a watchman.” Ezekiel 3:17

P.S.   I have written a new article for encouragement  ~  Thinking of Jesus Christ!

Deception or Discernment?

March 17, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #9 ~

There’s a particular problem I have observed during my Christian life, and it’s that there’s a lot of confusion, uncertainty, deception, error and apathy about end times prophecy. I have talked to many people, watched TV shows and You Tube, and read magazines and books on this subject, and some things that are being said are Biblical, but other things are irrelevant, strange, or just not true. I’m sure many of those who share these things are sincere and well-meaning, but sometimes they just don’t know what they are talking about. This naivety and lack of understanding on this important subject of prophecy greatly concerns me.

Let me list some things I have heard talked about with regards to prophecy in my 45 years as a Christian: the European Common Market, the European Union, wars, earthquakes, Israel, Babylon, red heifer ashes, blood red moons, Antichrist, 666, Iran, Russia, China’s 200 million man army, Fatima, Armageddon, pre-trib rapture, pan-trib rapture, Jewish temple, Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, Preterism, A-millennialism, imminence and date setting, and then there’s predictions by Nostradamus that some people think are actually coming true.

Here’s the main point: God wants you be discerning with regards to the things I just mentioned and everything else that’s being said about Christ’s coming and the end times. God wants you to know what’s Biblical. He wants you to know what His Word says on the subject of prophecy so you aren’t misinformed, doubting, afraid, or fooled by the devil’s lies.

When a cataclysmic event takes place, that evil devil wants people to worry, to be confused, or be scared out of their mind. When some “Chicken Little” erroneously cries out, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling,” that deceptive devil wants people to believe it and think they need to head for the hills. This should not be. Jesus said, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?” Mark 12:24. Many terrible things and events will take place in the years leading up to Christ’s return, but God’s people by God’s Spirit need to know God’s truth about what will be happening in the world.

Once in a while I will watch something on the Science or Discovery Channel that’s about prophecy, and I need to be Biblically sharp so I can understand what is being said, whether it’s from God or not from God, whether it’s relevant or irrelevant. In Matthew 24:3 Jesus says, “Watch out that no one deceives you.” You are to see to it that no one misleads you when it comes to prophecy, for the devil will do all he can to get you off track, to lead you astray. Your mind needs to be taught with Biblical truth so it becomes like a sieve, a spiritual filter that screens out the good from the bad, that enables you to recognize the truth and discard the error, so you can know the difference between what’s important and what’s not important. You don’t want to be deceived, you want discernment!

My desire, my prayer for you is that you grow in discernment, in wisdom, in understanding. God wants you to know what His Word says about what’s going on in the world in these end times. In his prophecy epistles, Paul says, “Examine everything carefully” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and “Let no one in any way deceive you” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In the months ahead we will be looking at many passages in the Word that give us clarity about the world we now live in, and where things will be heading as we get closer to the end of this age. Next week we will look at Matthew 24 which tells us many significant events leading up to the coming of Christ and the resurrection and rapture of the believers.

P.S. I encourage you to look at the article about hope that I just put up today. Every day we need hope –  we need to be looking forward to the great future God has for every one of His children.

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