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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: End-times (Page 8 of 9)

Blog posts about the end times.

END TIMES.(Rapture, Wrath, Redemption).MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

April 27, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #65 ~

I picture a huge, cosmic stop sign, and it’s just a little way down the road. When we get to that stop sign, it means this age is over, that this world as we know it has come to a sudden end, to a screeching halt. When we get to that stop sign (“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” – Matthew 24:29), we know God has put on the brakes, and that everyone will be stopped in their tracks! But then what? To Christians on earth it means the rapture and going to heaven. To non-Christians, it means God’s wrath and “hell” on earth. For many Jews, it’s a sign that their promised redemption is right around the corner.

The first thing to take place at the end of this age is the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church. All Christians living on earth will be caught up and gathered together with all the other believers, and meet Jesus, their Savior, in the air. For these raptured saints, this will be their most exciting moment ever, for they will immediately be rescued from the wrath to come, given relief from great tribulation, redeemed from this wicked world, glorified by God, reunited with friends and loved ones, rewarded for their labors, and most importantly, received by Jesus Christ. To His disciples, Jesus said, “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Shortly after the rapture, God’s wrath will be poured out upon the non-Christians. This wrath is the Day of the Lord, that “hell” on earth I just mentioned. All over the world, unbelievers will be “fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world” (Luke 21:26). They will be running and trying to hide, but it’s no use, for they won’t get away from God. Revelation 8-9, 16 speaks about this wrath, summarizing the catastrophic and deadly consequences for all the unrepentant unbelievers still on earth. These godless sinners deserve this judgment, for they persecuted Christians, and repeatedly rejected God and His offer of mercy. There will be unrelenting fire, scorching heat, tormenting locusts, utter darkness, billions of people killed, and the utter devastation of this planet.  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty… who is to come.” Revelation 4:8

Then there’s the salvation of a remnant of Jews, which God promised thousands of years ago, and will bring to pass. Ezekiel 36-37 describes the gathering of the Jews from the nations, how these dry bones of Israel are physically coming to life, which we have been seeing for the past 130 years. But they will spiritually come to life, for we read that “they will be My people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 37:23). Luke 21:24 tells us the timing of God’s miraculous redemption of His chosen people for “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” This great number of Jews will be saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24). Romans 11:25-26 says it this way, “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved.”

In the near future, there will be three major events, the rapture of the Christians, the wrath of God upon the unbelievers, and the redemption of the Jews. These will all occur after the end of this age, but before the start of the next age. Then Christ will begin His reign on earth, a reign which will last exactly one-thousand years. All the believers who have lived during this present age will be glorified at the time of the rapture, and will be joyfully reigning with Christ during this next age, this millennial kingdom age. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:10

The rapture, wrath, and redemption are major prophesied events which will take place, and will dramatically, wonderfully and eternally affect you and this whole world. Let me also say:
– These God-ordained events, the rapture, the wrath and the redemption will take place, transitioning us from this present age to the next age.
– The book of Revelation focuses on this transition, with the main events being the rapture, the wrath and the redemption. Revelation 2-19 covers the end-times (2-6, 12-13), the rapture (7), God’s wrath (8-9, 15-18), the redemption of the Jews (7, 10-12), all leading to Christ’s millennial kingdom (20). Many details about this short transition time are given in these chapters, and will be looked at later; but for now, remember the big picture, God’s glorious working with the Christians, the Jews and the unbelievers.
– The total time for the rapture, wrath and redemption will be only a year or two or three (we don’t know the exact time). Therefore, all raptured Christians will only be in heaven a short time, and then return to earth with the other believers, to begin reigning with Jesus Christ over this world. Revelation 19:11-19, 20:4

Right now, we are all traveling down this road of life, heading straight to the end of this age, and soon we will see that huge stop sign in the sky. Be thankful that God is faithfully moving you along, that He is sovereignly working all things after the counsel of His will, “with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens, and things upon the earth… to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:9-12). Amen!

P.S. There have been many posts and articles about Jesus Christ coming back to earth. But specifically, why is He coming back? I encourage you to read this article, Why is Jesus Coming Back to Earth?, for it gives many Biblical reasons why Christ is returning, and needs to return.

This Age is Coming to an End, and Then a New Age Will Begin

April 13, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #63 ~

We live in an age that will soon come to an end, and then the next age, a new age, will begin. But when will this happen? That’s what the apostles asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). These Jewish disciples were finally realizing Jesus would be leaving them, but they were convinced He would come back and set up His kingdom on earth. They believed God’s promises about the Messiah reigning as King over Israel, and over the world, and they wanted a sign to let them know when this would begin to happen. In last week’s post we looked at Matthew 24, and discovered a number of events that will occur before the end of this age. This week I want to focus on the present age, and the age to come. Ephesians 1:21 speaks of Jesus Christ “…not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.”

First, let’s get some perspective. Since that first sin of Adam thousands of years ago, we have been living in “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). The clear-thinking Christian can see Biblically, historically, and at the present time, that people living on this planet are exceedingly sinful. But it’s not just that there are sinful people, it’s that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). There’s no doubt that we live in an evil age, at a time and in a place, controlled by the devil.

But we can gladly say that God has been sovereignly ruling over the world during this entire evil age. “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Psalm 145:13). During this time, God has been working through both the Jews and the church, and His work has not been thwarted, and will not be thwarted. With respect to the Jews, “The Lord nullifies the plans of the nations… the plans of the Lord stand firm forever… blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose” (Psalm 33:10-12). With respect to the church, Jesus says, “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18). Yes, we live on an evil earth in an evil age, but we know that God has chosen His people, and He will keep them “strong to the end.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

Many people think this church age will keep going for a long, long time. But they are mistaken, for now we live in the end times, evidenced by the fact that the Jews are, once again, living in their land. Many also believe this age is going to get better and better, and then Christ will return. This also, is not true, for the Bible says this world will be getting worse and worse, and then Christ will come back. It tells us, “lawlessness is increased” (Matthew 24:12); “the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37); and “in the last days, difficult times will come.” 2 Timothy 3:1

Let’s look briefly at Matthew 24, for it has lots to tell us about the end of the age:
1. Many prophesied events have been and will be fulfilled, signifying that the end of this age, Christ’s coming, and the rapture is getting closer and closer. Matthew 24:3-44
2. “Birth pain” events are taking place, “but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6). Famines, wars, earthquakes, etc. that are occurring now do not mean the end of this age is imminent, that it can occur at any time, and that the rapture could even happen today. Many more things need to take place before this age will come to an end.
3. Christians are exhorted to persevere “to the end” (Matthew 24:13). Many Christians living on earth in the end-times will experience great tribulation, and will need to endure to the end, to Christ’s coming, and then they will be saved, that is, be raptured.
4. The gospel will be “preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). A big part of serving God is to keep telling people about their need for Christ, right up to the end of this age and the rapture.
5. The specific and obvious sign that this age has come to an end is when the “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give it’s light…” (Matthew 24:29). All believers living on earth will know this evil age is over when they see this heavenly sign, and immediately they will be raptured, be rapidly taken from this earth to be with Jesus Christ.

What does God want you to know? What does He want you to be looking for? The end of this age, the coming of Christ, and the rapture of the church (Matthew 24:29-31). Then after the end of this age and the rapture, God will pour out His wrath on earth, a great remnant of Jews will be saved, and Christ will begin His glorious thousand-year reign. That’s when the next age begins, and it will be a new and good age, a time when all believers will reign with Christ, a time when we will see the holiness, power, wisdom, love and dominion of God like never before. It will be a time when “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him” (Psalm 67), and “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14

I can’t say it strong enough – this present evil age is coming to an end, and soon!!! Now in these last years of this age, it’s our time to serve the Lord, to work hard for Him, to help bring about the return of Christ and the rapture of the church! “Make disciples of all the nations… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

P.S.  I encourage you to read The Return of the King,  an article that helps us to see the big picture and how that relates to the end of this age.

We Will See the Day of Christ Drawing Near

March 23, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #60 ~

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If you are going to visit a friend or family member, you usually don’t surprise them – you let them know ahead of time that you’re coming to see them. God has done just that, for there are over 100 verses telling us about Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. But does God also give us a heads up, an advance notice or signs that Christ’s coming is getting closer and closer? Yes, He does. Now some Christians believe the rapture is imminent, that no signs or prophesied events need to occur before this important end-times’ event. They think the rapture could occur at any time, at any moment. But this is not true. Not only are there over 100  verses telling us Christ is coming back, but there are over 100 more verses describing what needs to happen before He comes back.

The most extensive list of signs and events taking place before the rapture is given in Matthew 24:3-30 (false christs, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, apostasy, great tribulation… and the sign of Christ’s coming). It’s in Matthew 24:31 that we read about the rapture. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus confirms that these signs and events will occur before the rapture. “Truly I say to you, this generation (the generation being raptured) will not pass away until all these things take place.” “All these things” is referring to the signs and events Jesus just talked about in Matthew 24:3-30. There’s no question that Jesus wants that generation of believers alive in the end times to see and know that His return and the rapture of the church is getting closer.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.” Yes, it’s true that Jesus is coming as a thief in the night for the unbelievers, but not for the believers. This means Christians are not to be surprised or caught off guard by Christ’s return. In His Word, God is giving us advance notice about Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. Why does God do this? Because He wants us to be working hard for Him, to be preaching the gospel in the time leading up to His Son’s return (Luke 19:13, Matthew 24:14). Yes, we should always work hard for God, but He wants us to be highly motivated and diligent as we get closer to the end of the age. Why else does God want to alert us to the soon return of His Son? Because He wants our hearts to be overjoyed about seeing our loving Savior, to be excitedly expecting and looking for the return of our Lord and King. “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Let me ask you a question: If Christ’s return is imminent, why would God give us all these signs and events that need to precede Christ’s coming? It doesn’t make sense for these end-time details to be in the New Testament if they are not relevant to the church. There are those who say all this information about upcoming signs and events is for unbelievers, or for the Jews, but that is not true. Matthew 24:15 says, “Let the reader understand”, and the “reader” is the Christian. God wants you and me, and other believers, to know what needs to occur before His Son appears in the skies above us. God has planned the return of Christ, promised the return of Christ, and predicted what will be taking place before the return of Christ. And He did this for us, for the Christians.

I know many will say, “Don’t you see that Christians are not here during Daniel’s 70th week, that this seven-year period is just for the Jews?” But that’s not true, that’s a false presupposition. Just because Daniel’s 70th week was originally written for Jews, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant for Christians. Revelation 12:11, 12:17, 13:7, 13:10 and 13:18 all have to do with Christians who are alive during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 also tells us that Christians will be alive during this time. It talks about the rapture of the church occurring at the coming of Christ, which is after the coming of the Antichrist. Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), we know Christians are raptured sometime after the midpoint, after this 3½ year point in Daniel’s 70th week. Therefore, all raptured Christians will see, hear about, or experience these prophesied signs and events spoken of in Matthew 24 and other prophecy passages. Again we see that the rapture of the church is not imminent.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Christians will “see the day drawing near.” That is, we will know and discern by the events occurring in the world that the day, that is, the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church, is getting closer and closer. We don’t know the exact day or hour of the rapture, but we can know the season (Matthew 24:32-35). As we see and hear about these prophesied signs and events taking place, we will have a greater confidence that Christ’s return is near. Can you imagine how excited, how thrilled we will be, knowing that Jesus will be coming soon to take us to be with Him, and then take us home to heaven? “Behold, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. As you know, I love charting out the prophetic future God has given us.  I recently added all my charts to this blog site so that you can look at them, study them and use them for your own ministry or church.  I really do believe these charts will greatly help you understand what the Bible says about the end times and the kingdom of God.  The charts are listed in two ways:  by number or by subject.

The Timing of the Rapture

February 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #55 ~

When is the rapture going to take place? I don’t know. In fact, no man knows. No one but God knows the exact time of the rapture, when His Son will return to earth to gather all the believers to Himself, and then take them home to heaven. But we can know the timing of the rapture, and particularly where it occurs in relationship to the 70 Weeks of Daniel, a 7-year prophecy packed timetable. Knowing what God says about the 70th week is the key to discerning the timing of the rapture. “Give me understanding…” Psalm 119:169

Let me remind you that we live in the end times, that time period leading up to the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Right now, we are in the “beginning of birth pains” stage, but sometime in the near future Daniel’s 70th week is going to start. It is Daniel 9:24-27 that states some of the main events, some definitive markers in this divine time frame. The first event taking place is the signing or confirming of a peace treaty between Israel and other countries. Then 3½ years later, at the midpoint of this 70th week, the Antichrist is revealed. Finally, at the very end of these 7 momentous years, a great remnant of Jews will be saved. Now don’t forget the key years, 0, 3½ and 7, and the main event associated with each year. “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people… to make an end of sin… to bring in everlasting righteousness.” Daniel 9:24

Again, we can’t know the exact time of the rapture, but we can know the general time, where the rapture is at in relationship to the three events I just mentioned. And so when is the rapture? It’s after the midpoint, the 3½ year mark of Daniel’s 70th week, and before the end of this week, the 7 year mark. That’s it – the rapture of the church occurs at an unknown time to us, sometime during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week.

Let me explain. First, we know that the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, at which time he desecrates the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15). Then he unleashes this great tribulation which is directed at both Jews and Christians (Matthew 24:9, 21). But after a little while, this tribulation is cut short by God (verse 22), marked by these great signs in the skies (verse 29). Immediately after that, Christ comes in the clouds to rapture the Christians (verse 31).

Let me say it again. After the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of the 70th week, he begins great tribulation, but it is cut short (meaning it doesn’t last the entire 3½ years), and then the church is raptured. Since the salvation of the Jews takes place at the very end of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24), then we know the rapture happens sometime during the last 3½ years. Matthew 24:9-31 lays out the order of events in the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, and therefore, the timing of the rapture. First, there’s the revealing of the Antichrist (verse 15), then great tribulation (verse 21), then signs in the heavens (verse 29), and then the rapture (verse 31). “He (Jesus) will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.”

What about God’s wrath? It’s after the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says, “Jesus… rescues us from the wrath to come.” The rapture, believers being taken off this earth, is the means by which we are rescued from God’s wrath. The rapture of the church then is after the tribulation of the Antichrist but before the wrath of God. It is after the persecution of the church but before the punishment of the unbelievers. Therefore, the rapture of the church is post-tribulation and pre-wrath. Thanks be to God that, for a little while, we can suffer great tribulation for Him – but Hallelujah, for then we will be delivered from His great wrath on earth and from His eternal wrath in hell. “Momentary, light tribulation is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

God clearly tells us the timing of the rapture in Matthew 24, but also in Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Thessalonians 1-2, and Revelation 6-7. He repeatedly tells us that the rapture takes place sometime in the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week, and that’s because He wants us to know where it fits, because it’s important to know this, and because He will be wanting us to see that it’s getting closer and closer. “… but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day (rapture) drawing nearer.” Hebrews 10:25

God greatly loves us, and wants us to greatly love Him. He wants us to be excitedly serving Him in these days, to be willing to suffer for Him, and to be enduring to the end of the age. In Matthew 24:9, 13, Jesus tells us, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you… but the one who endures to the end will be saved (raptured).” Jesus encourages us, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

P.S. One of the most important things for your life is knowing the love of God. I strongly encourage you to read the article that I just finished, “Keep Yourself in the Love of God.”  I would also suggest reading my article on the “The Rapture of the Church.” It gives you much greater detail about the rapture.

God Will Keep You Strong to the End

December 8, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #47 ~

Have you ever wondered if you are going to make it to the end? And when I say “make it”, I mean, continuing on, staying the course, persevering, serving the Lord to the very end, whether that means to the end of your life, or to the end of this age. I will admit that sometimes I wonder. As you know, the Christian life can be extremely difficult, for there are spiritual battles and Satanic attacks, and times when you are discouraged, overwhelmed, physically exhausted, or just weary of the fight.

In the past two months we have been looking at what will be taking place before the coming of Christ – the birth pains, increasing lawlessness, the downfall of the United States, apostasy and betrayal, that evil Antichrist, etc. Then you add this to the above mentioned everyday struggles, and you realize it’s a rough road leading up to the rapture of the church. But isn’t this what God has planned for the church, and for you, too? And if this is what God wants, then surely He will give you all the grace you need. Never forget that God is your heavenly Father, you are His cherished child, and He loves you much, much more than you can ever imagine. Surely He will keep you, strengthening and sustaining you, helping and holding you, and if need be, carrying you across the finish line. Your heavenly Father will never leave you, but will be with you always, and make sure you are safe and sound, all the way from earth to heaven.

Let me share some promises to assure you of your great and glorious victory:
– Philippians 1:6 – “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ.” Do you see this, and do you believe this, that God began His good work in you, and will make sure He completes it on the day of Christ, at the return of Christ and the rapture of the church?
– 1 Corinthians 1:8 – “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Never forget that God will keep you strong, keeping you going to the end of your life or to the end of this age, whatever He has planned for you.
– 2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly Kingdom.” Here’s this great promise of protection, that God will rescue you from all the human and devilish evils of life, and then bring you safely to heaven.
– Jude 24-25 – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority…” Here is a heart-assuring promise, that God will keep you from stumbling, and will literally and supernaturally bring you from earth to heaven and into the very presence of God.
– Romans 8:30 – “And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.” This “Golden Chain”, as some call it, from predestined, to called, to justified, to glorified, cannot be broken. What God planned for your life in eternity past, that you be glorified, will finally be fulfilled at the coming of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

How does this happen? What are the means by which God will make sure you keep persevering as a Christian, then are taken off this evil earth, and into the wonderful presence of Jesus? Yes, it is by these promises. But it is also by God’s grace, by the teaching of God’s Word, by Christ interceding for you, by the Spirit working in you, by the church helping you, by Christians encouraging you, and by angels ministering to you. Matthew 24:13

But you also need to look to Jesus. “Consider Him who endured such hostility by sinners against Himself so you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). Remember Jesus and all that He went through just for you, which shows you how much He loves you. Remember that He died for you, was raised again for you, now lives for you, and prays for you – He loves you so, so much. I think of Moses and how “He endured as seeing Him who is unseen” (Hebrews 11:27). There’s no doubt that God will enable you to endure all the way to the end, and then, “We shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

As you can tell, I am not going to sugarcoat your future on earth. Yes, it is going to get very hard. As Paul said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of heaven” (Acts 14:22).  At this time there is tribulation, and in the coming years, there will be great tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22). But isn’t this our time to live for the Lord, and do the work He has called us to do? What an honor and privilege to be picked by Him to be part of the end times’ team that’s ushering in the return of Christ. Remember these promises, and fix your eyes on Jesus, being convinced of His love for you and that He is with you all the way to heaven. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress, or persecution, or nakedness, or peril, or sword… But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37

P.S.  An encouraging article that you will want to read, which is related to today’s post, is You Have to Have Hope!

From Many Religions to the Antichrist and One World Religion

November 24, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #45 ~

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In the Bible, God has told us many things that will be occurring before the coming of Christ. One significant thing He wants us to know, is that the Antichrist will be ruling over this whole world, politically, militarily and economically, but also spiritually. It will be the Antichrist and a one world religion. “The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast (Antichrist)… they worshiped the beast.” Revelation 13:3-4

How do we get to the point where there are no more religions, no more Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims or Buddhists, etc., where everyone is worshiping the Antichrist? That seems impossible! People now go to churches, mosques, temples and synagogues; and many don’t attend any place of worship, but rather stay at home and watch football or soccer, or go out to eat, or go shopping, or go to the movies, or whatever. Every person is a worshiper, and always worships someone or something.

Let me share how we will get to that time when the world is worshiping the Antichrist:
1. Globalism. Everything on this earth is moving towards globalism. You see it with an increasing desire for one world government. You see it with travel, that you can go anyplace in the world. You see it with the economy, with foreign-made goods being sold in every country. You see it with the English language being spoken all over the world. You see it with communication, with the internet and smart phones. You see it with globally shared music and movies. You see it with currency. You see it with open borders. When you put it all together, you can see how we are getting closer to global unity and a global dictator, to one devilish man ruling the whole world.

2. Birth pains. Problems in the world, specifically the birth pains, earthquakes, famines and wars, will necessitate global solutions (Matthew 24:4-8). Eventually, a smart, sharp, strong and charismatic leader will take charge, solve our problems and bring “peace” to the world.

3. False prophets. False prophets and antichrists will increasingly be teaching that God’s word isn’t true, Christ isn’t God, man isn’t sinful, salvation isn’t through Christ alone, and that there’s no heaven and hell. (Matthew 24:11, 1 John 3:18). False teachers will be emphasizing “peace” and “love”, but diminishing truth and holiness. Popes will be pushing for unity, but it’s a fake unity. Churches and religion, in general, will be getting less popular, and attendance at places of worship will be decreasing.

4. Apostasy. There will be an apostasy, a falling away, a turning away, a huge defection from the church. “Many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:10-11, 21). But these defectors were never true Christians in the first place. They will turn from the Lord, turn against Christians, and turn them in to the authorities. It will be very evident that there are just Christians and non-Christians, believers and non-believers. “The apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

5. Deception. “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12). Unbelievers in the world won’t be believing the truth, and so God will permit these unrighteous people to be deceived even more by all these Satan inspired signs and wonders. From the context of these verses, you can easily see how these sinners will be worshiping the Antichrist. Revelation 13:11-14

6. “Resurrection” of the beast. The Bible isn’t completely clear on the details, but some kind of seeming miracle takes place with regards to the beast, and people all over the world will be so amazed, and in awe, that they’ll worship this Antichrist. Revelation 13:3

7. Religions destroyed. Revelation 17:1-7 says that this harlot, this wicked woman symbolizing the false religions, will be destroyed, for the devil will have no more use for them. Revelation 17:16 says, “The ten horns you saw, and the beast (Antichrist), will hate the harlot and make her desolate and naked.” At this time, the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, the world will be so deceived that they will think this Antichrist is God, and will then worship him. “The man of lawlessness is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

All this, the globalism, birth pains, false prophets, apostasy, deception, “resurrection”, and destruction of religions, will be the means and motivation by which unbelievers in the world will worship this beast, this Antichrist. Right before Christ’s return there will be either the false religion of the Antichrist or Christianity. People will be worshiping God or worshiping the devil. But don’t be afraid, for God is in charge. And don’t forget, Christ will build His church, and we’ll be working with Him, preaching the gospel and making disciples right up to the end of the age. By God’s grace we will overcome, and then Christ will return to rapture the church, pour out His wrath on the unbelievers, defeat the Antichrist, and then rule over the world. Revelation 1:4-8

P.S.  Please email me at: stevehogan@christskingdom.org if you would like a free copy of Marvin Rosenthal’s  instructive and encouraging pamphlet entitled: “As a Thief in the Night”.   If you haven’t read my Thanksgiving  article, which I recently posted, you can check it out here: Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.

The Downfall of The United States Before the Return of Christ

October 13, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #39 ~

Image result for united states

Jesus Christ cannot come back until the United States declines in power. That’s the truth, and on one hand I hate to say the U.S. is going down, for I like living in this country that’s been greatly blessed by God. But it’s going to happen, sooner or later – it has to. That’s because the Antichrist needs to be in power just before the coming of Christ. Therefore, the United States can’t be number one in the world at the same time the Antichrist and his ten-nation kingdom is ruling the world. The U.S. has to go down before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church.

The Bible tells us in great detail what happens when nations reject God. “The nations have sunk down in the pit in which they have made… Let the nations be judged before You.” (Psalm 9:15-20). “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone” (Hosea 4:17). “I have cut off nations, their strongholds are demolished” (Zephaniah 3:6). “In the generations gone by God permitted all the nations to go their own ways” (Acts 14:16). But it’s Romans 1:18-32 that outlines the downward moral progression of a person or a country that rejects God and His truth. Three times it says, “God gave them over.” When people abandon God, then God abandons them and lets them alone in their sin. Their sin is the reason why they are judged, and more sin results, and that increasing sin becomes the actual judgment of their sin.

One of the first visible signs of God abandoning the United States to her sin was seen in the open sexual immorality that began in the 1960’s. The second sign was when homosexuality was accepted, lawful and promoted in society, which has been taking place in the past 15-20 years. The third sign of a country’s decline is when God gives the people over to a depraved mind “to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife… haters of God… disobedient to parents… unloving” (Romans 1:28-32). Sad to say, but this list of sins increasingly describes our country. More and more people are totally disregarding the truth of God’s Word, consciences aren’t functioning rightly, there’s open rebellion against authority, and lawlessness is becoming more rampant. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” Isaiah 5:20, Ezekiel 16:48-50

For many years, this moral and spiritual decay has been affecting the character of our country, and like a cancer it has been spreading, resulting in the educational, political, economic and entertainment sectors of our nation becoming terribly sick. Not only that, but we’re gradually becoming more anti-Semitic – “the one who curses you (Israel), I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). Then there’s the severe financial indebtedness of this country, which could result in a nationwide economic collapse. Add to that, the significant societal and political divisions we see in this nation (which I believe is irreversible) – “any kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). Yes, it is true that there is some good in the United States, and that she is still being used by God for His purposes. But the fact remains that she is now in decline, paving the way for other world powers to arise, unless the Antichrist and his kingdom are the next in line to take over, and if so, then they will rule the world.

Most countries gradually go down in power; the decline doesn’t usually happen in a day, a month or a year – it takes place over decades and sometimes centuries. When will the United States no longer be the number one power in the world? No one but God knows, but her downturn, along with all the other events signaling Christ’s return, indicate to me that it will be sometime in the near future. There could even be catastrophic events accelerating the downfall of this nation – more terrorist attacks, a great California earthquake, a super-volcano, electromagnetic pulse weapons, etc. This country is in serious decay, and any major cataclysmic event could be “the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” that which quickly weakens her beyond repair.

For a number of years, this world has been trending towards globalism, which needs to take place before the Antichrist can come to power. As you know, this country recently elected a nationalistic and populist President. But this is only a temporary shift, for it won’t be long before globalism becomes the great desire and cry of this and most every country. People will be desperate for a world leader to solve global problems, like war, famine, plagues, earthquakes, the economy, and yes, putting a stop to Christianity, too.

The main point of all this is that the United States will lose her first place status in the world, and become subservient to the power structures that are being raised up in Europe and the Middle East, and eventually to the Antichrist himself. Daniel 2:31-45, 7:15-28, 9:24-27 and Revelation 13 explain this more fully. As Christians, we must not be overly concerned with the politics and policies of this country. Our real goal is not to have a moral majority, or get dominion over this country, or to make America great – it is to preach Christ crucified, to make disciples of all the nations until the end of this age and the return of Christ, and to pray – “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10

P.S. I would encourage you to read another post I have done called “That Evil Antichrist and His Short Rule on Earth.”

How Do We Know We are Living in the End Times?

July 21, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #27 ~

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Everything I’ve talked about so far isn’t that relevant if we can’t clearly and convincingly answer this one question: “How do we know we’re living in the end times?” God’s Word tells us that the Jews would return to Israel, and that’s exactly what has taken place in the past 130 years. The fact that the Jews are back in their own land is the main reason we know we’re in the end times, that time period leading up to the 2nd coming of Christ, the rapture of the church and the redemption of the Jews. Let me explain more fully:

From 750BC-490 BC, many Old Testament prophets predicted that the Jews would be gathered back to their land. Isaiah 11:11 – “In that day the Lord will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of His people…” (Note this is the second time – the first gathering took place between 530BC-440BC). Jeremiah 32:37-38 – “I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in My furious anger and great wrath. I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be My people and I will be their God.” Zechariah 8:7-8 – “I will save My people from the countries of the east and the west and bring them back to Jerusalem, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.” Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land… I will give you a new heart and spirit.” Hosea 1:11, Amos 9:14-15, Micah 4:6-7 and Zephaniah 3:14-20 also speak of this great gathering.

It was around 1880 that all these predictions started coming true, for that was the beginning of this gathering of Jews back to Israel. First there were thousands, then tens of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, then millions, and finally 6.5 million strong in May 2017 (Jewish Virtual Library). This is an amazing miracle of God! For a people group to be gone from their land for so long, and then to return with their same identity, same language, same culture, and same religion is absolutely phenomenal. Nothing like this has ever happened before! God’s promise about the Jews has been coming true, just like He said, and no one can deny it. Indeed, we are seeing a miraculous and glorious work of God!

But you say, “This is about the Jews, but what about the church?” Let me make the connection. Matthew 24:9-26, Mark 13:9-23, Luke 21:12-24, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 and Revelation 7:1-17 are all prophecy passages, and in each of them there’s a section about the Jews adjacent to a section about the church. By examining these passages, it’s obvious that God’s work with the Jews in the end times is coinciding with, and in conjunction with, His work with the church. Therefore, we know that God will not do His prophetic work with the Jews apart from His prophetic work with the church. And since the Jews are back in their land, then we know this age is coming to an end – it won’t be long before Christ returns to carry out this work, fulfilling God’s promises for the church and the Jews.

Do you see this? Over 2500 years ago, God predicted that the Jews would come back to their land. The fact that God has gathered them back to Israel is a clear and obvious sign that we are now living in the end times. (Daniel 12:4 – “Seal up the book until the end time.” The book has now been unsealed, for the Jews are back in their land). “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land… and one King will be king for all of them… and they will be My people and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 37:21-22 (Emphasis mine). The first part of this verse has come true for the Jews, and now the last part about God’s three promises for them, will also come true. They will be saved from their sins, will have Jesus as their King, and will then be blessed in their land.

But now that we’re in the end times, all the other prophecies with regards to Christ’s 2nd coming will soon be taking place – there will be birth pains, a peace treaty, a new Jewish temple, the Antichrist, the mark of the beast, the great persecution, the rapture of the church, the Day of the Lord, the salvation of the Jews, and then Christ will begin His reign over the earth. Hallelujah!!!

It was only 150 years ago that the Jews weren’t in their land, but now they are. The prophetic alarm clock is now ringing, and God is telling us to wake up, for Christ’s coming is right around the corner. Be encouraged, be excited, learn what you need to learn, do what you need to do, and look forward to seeing your Lord, Savior and King!

P.S.  I have just published a new article: Replacement Theology: It’s Not True – Part 4.  This is a very helpful supplement to today’s post.  Please check it out and especially note point #3 which talks about the gathering of the Jews to Israel.

 

 

Daniel’s 70th Week, One of the Keys to Unlocking the End Times

June 30, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #24 ~

For the past five months we’ve looked extensively at the end times, but there’s one thing you need to understand, and that’s Daniel’s 70th week, a prophecy-packed, 7-year timetable. Once this 70th week makes sense to you, then you’ll be able to clearly see how, when and where specific events fit in with regard to the end of this age, the return of Christ, and the rapture of the church.

About 2600 years ago, the prophet Daniel wrote about 70 weeks, a 490-year time period. “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city…” (Daniel 9:24). This time frame began in 445BC, but in 30AD, after 69 weeks, after 483 years, Jesus Christ was “cut off”, was crucified, was buried and raised from the dead, and He ascended into heaven. Since that time, Christ has been building His church. But in 70AD, 40 years after the church age began, the Jews were defeated by the Romans and were then scattered all over the world. But since the 1880’s, the Jews have miraculously regathered back to their land, this being the sign that this final and climactic 70th week is soon to begin.

The event taking place at the very start of this 70th week is the Jews signing a peace treaty, and it is the Antichrist to come (probably unknown to us at that time) who will be a key player in making this deal. It’s debatable whether we will even know when this signing is actually taking place. But it is at this point that God’s end time prophetic work will be in full swing for both the Jews and the church, and for the entire world.

The birth pains, that is, wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues, will be growing in intensity. People, desperate for a strong leader, will be desiring peace. Nations will be forging new alliances. Jews will be sacrificing at their temple in Jerusalem. Unbelievers will be increasingly sinful. Jews and Christians will be greatly hated. And the coming Antichrist will be growing in power.

Then the Antichrist is revealed to the world, a huge earth changing event occurring at the midpoint of this 70th week. Unbelievers will love this devilish man, actually worshiping him like he’s God. But Christians and discerning Jews will know he’s really the Beast, the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist. Then persecution will break out against Jews and Christians, but there’s “peace” for the non-Christians. The Antichrist lovers will gladly be taking his mark and worshiping his image. They are so happy, for life is now “normal” – they are eating and drinking, buying and selling, but are totally oblivious that God’s wrath is soon to be poured out on the world.

What about the rapture of the church? 2 Thessalonians 2 and Matthew 24 make it clear that Christ’s coming is after Antichrist’s coming. Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, then we know that the rapture of the church is after the midpoint, but at a time completely unknown to us, for we don’t know the day or the hour. Then sometime during the 2nd half of this 70th week, Christ will return to rapture the church, redeem us from our bodies, and rescue us from this coming wrath.

The great Day of the Lord, the wrath of God, will take place after the rapture, during the last part of Daniel’s 70th week. Then at the end of this week, at exactly the 7-year mark, a great remnant of Jews will be saved, at which time “the kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He will reign forever.” (Revelation 11:15). Let me sum it up this way – Christ was cut off at the end of 69 weeks to be our Savior, but will be crowned at the end of the 70th week to be our King.

For you to truly make sense of end times prophecy, you need to understand Daniel’s 70th week, inside and out. You have to look at it like a divine time frame, for it will help you to see when key events will occur. My sincere desire for each of you is to be able to read prophecy passages (Matthew 24, Luke 21, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, 2 Thessalonians 1-2, Revelation, etc.), and then using Daniel’s 70th week, be able to figure out where everything fits. And if you happen to be living during Daniel’s 70th week, then you’will be seeing all kinds of prophesied events taking place, but you won’t be surprised – you will know God is carrying out His plans – and by God’s grace, you’ll be enduring, and looking forward to see Christ coming in the clouds to take you home to heaven.

P.S. I’ve just posted my second article on the error of replacement theology: Replacement Theology – It’s Not True – Part 2.

The Day of the LORD: The Wrath of God on Earth

April 28, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #15 ~

In Love with the Wrath of God

The great majority of people in this world have no clue, no concept of the devastating destruction that will soon be affecting this entire earth, what God calls the “Day of the Lord.” They are ignorant of God’s fiery wrath that will be directed towards all the sinners on earth at that time. But God’s wrath is nothing new, for God has been judging guilty sinners ever since Adam and Eve. He has given us many examples in the Bible to warn us that He does not excuse, tolerate or put up with sin. He punishes those who reject Him, hate Him or ignore Him, whether it’s individuals, families, cities, countries or the whole world. “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18. “The Lord is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness.” Psalm 98:9.

We are living in the end times, and it is obvious that this world is spiritually and morally going downhill – that most people are not lovers of God, but lovers of sin and self. Pride, lying, hate, violence, anger, selfishness, immorality and rebellion are seen all over the world, and it’s getting worse and worse. Then in God’s time, the Antichrist, the “man of lawlessness” will be revealed, promoting sin and fueling this judgment all the more. Seeing all the people who have rejected His offer of mercy, and have taken the mark of the beast, God will have no choice but to judge the entire earth, but this time it won’t be with a flood, but with fire. Revelation 14:9-13

This is so sad that the sinners on earth are ignorant of what will soon be taking place. They are and will be mocking us, laughing at us, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” But they have no idea of this coming wrath, and how catastrophic and deadly it will be. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31. “Destruction will come upon them suddenly.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3

You might ask, “What about the Christians?” In the not too distant future, all people living on earth will see the skies suddenly become dark – this is the sign of the end of this age, the sign right before the day of the Lord. Acts 2:20. Then Christ will appear and will gather, glorify, and bring all the believers to Himself, and then to heaven. “One will be taken, the other left.” Luke 17:36. But the unbelievers who are left behind are “fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the earth.” Luke 21:21-26. These sinners are scared to death and say to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us … from the wrath of the Lamb.” Revelation 6:12-17. For about 30 minutes these trapped sinners will be worrying about what’s going to happen, and then the first trumpet will blast, signalling that God’s wrath has begun on earth. Revelation 8:1-7

This wrath of God, this day of the Lord, is the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments of Revelation 8-9, 16. But this “day” is not referring to a 24 hour day but to a time period starting during Daniel’s 70th week. It will not be quick like the Noahic flood, but  painfully prolonged and altogether righteous – a series of “hell” on earth type judgments that will afflict all the unbelievers. A third of the earth will be destroyed by fire; all unbelievers will be tormented by demonic locusts for five months; a third of mankind will be suddenly killed; all people will be covered with sickening sores and then scorched with fierce heat; a great earthquake will flatten the cities; and 100 pound hailstones will pound the people. And there is much more. “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 8:13. “The day of the Lord is near… I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.” Isaiah 13:6-11

The day of the Lord has been promised by God – it is certain to come. The day of the Lord is the righteous judgment of God – don’t complain. The day of the Lord will be totally unexpected by the unbelievers – “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. The day of the Lord will devastate the earth – this world, as we know it, will come to an end. Zephaniah 1:2

How should you be affected by the wrath of God that is coming upon this earth?  1) Never think God is wrong in these judgments. “Righteous are You, …O Holy One, because you judged these things.” Revelation 16:5.  2) Be thankful. It is only because of Christ’s mercy, because Christ suffered the wrath you deserved that you will escape God’s wrath on earth, and His wrath in hell.  3) Fear God. Be holy. Why do sinful things for which God’s wrath is coming upon this world? “Come out of her so that you will not participate in her sins.” Revelation 18:4. 4) Warn people about this wrath, this bad news, and tell them the good news about Jesus Christ. Tell them that forgiveness of sins can be granted when they repent of their sins and believe that Christ died for them. Tell them to turn from their sin and to trust in Christ before it’s too late.

P.S.  The audio messages from our April 1-2, 2017 Florida Biblical Prophecy Conference are now all available at  Hope Bible Church of Tampa at Sermon Audio.  The speakers were: Alan Kurschner, of Eschatos Ministeries; Marv Rosenthal, of Zion’s Hope; and I, Steve Hogan.   We were grateful to host this conference for God’s glory and the good of His people!

 

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