Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: God’s Kingdom (Page 2 of 6)

Blog posts about God’s Kingdom.

The Suffering and Glory of Jesus – Psalm 22

April 6, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #273 ~

The chapter in the Bible that best talks about the suffering and glory of Jesus Christ is Psalm 22. It was written by David, and there’s no doubt he experienced some of what he wrote in this Psalm, but its primary focus is Jesus. Psalm 22 vividly tells us what Jesus was thinking and feeling when He was suffering on the cross, but it also shares His hope, a glorious future that centers on Him and directly affects us. And so, it’s unique for it describes aspects of both Jesus’ first coming and second coming. Let’s go through this Psalm and see what it says about Jesus’ suffering and glory.

Psalm 22:1. Shortly before Jesus died, He cried out to His Father – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). Jesus feels absolutely terrible, worse than He had ever felt before. Jesus is physically suffering. Every inch of His body is hurting; He’s in great pain; and He’s exhausted. Jesus is emotionally hurting. He, the Son of God, is being mocked and laughed at; He, an innocent man, is being punished for our sins; surely, He feels guilty; and He’s all alone. Jesus is relationally separated from His Father. They had been perfectly united since eternity past, but now His Father rejects Him and isn’t talking to Him because He’s bearing our sin. Jesus is spiritually separated from His Father. He’s experiencing and feeling the holy wrath of God. But Jesus’ suffering and death is the only way a person can be saved. “Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh.” 1 Peter 3:18, John 14:6

Psalm 22:2. Jesus keeps crying out to His Father, but to no avail. His Father is completely silent – He could not answer Jesus because He’s treating Him like a sinner – He has to be just, He has to punish His own Son. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Psalm 22:3-5. Jesus knows He’s bearing the guilt of sinners and that His Father is doing the right thing by punishing Him. So what does He do? He thinks about the saints of old, many who were persecuted, and yet they trusted God. Here is Jesus in extreme physical, emotional, and spiritual anguish, and He too is trusting God, for He’s convinced that He will be delivered and be greatly blessed. “I trust in You, O Lord… How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for those who fear You.” Psalm 31:14-19

Psalm 22:6-8. Jesus is hated and so He’s persecuted – He’s taunted and ridiculed. “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross… He saved others, He cannot save Himself” (Matt. 27:39-44). But Jesus knows He’s doing the right thing, that He’s dying for sinners so they can be saved from their sins. And He knew the plan and power of His Father, that He would miraculously raise Him from the dead. “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You allow Your holy One to undergo decay” (Psalm 16:10). “God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death.” Acts 2:23-24

Psalm 22:9-10. Jesus trusted in His Father His entire life, as a fetus, a baby, a toddler, a boy, a youth, a teenager, a young man, during His ministry years, and now on the cross. Jesus’ faith, His complete and total reliance on His Father is critical, for it enabled Him to live a perfect life, have a successful ministry, and die on the cross to pay for all the sins of all the people who would ever believe in Him.

Psalm 22:11-13. Jesus again prays to His Father. Big time trouble is near, for Jesus’ enemies are like animals, like mad bulls and roaring lions. They hate Him with a passion, they can’t wait until He’s dead.

Psalm 22:14-18. Jesus pours out His heart to His Father – He tells Him that all His bones are out of joint. Can you imagine how excruciatingly painful this must have been? The physical stress Jesus is experiencing is putting incredible pressure, an unbelievable strain on His heart, so much so that His heart feels like wax. Jesus is so dehydrated that His tongue cleaves to His mouth. And He feels extreme pain in His hands and feet, for they had been pierced through by huge spikes. Every time Jesus pushes up to get some air, this screaming pain shoots through His hands and feet.

All these evildoers are around Jesus, staring at Him and making fun of Him – and they are gambling for His clothes. Trouble is upon Jesus in every way imaginable, and only by faith, by trusting His heavenly Father can He make it through these horrendous and hellish six hours. What helps Jesus is knowing that this is His Father’s will – “You lay Me in the dust of death.” And He knows it won’t be long before He dies and His work on the cross to pay for our sins is finished. John 19:30

Psalm 22:19-21. Again, Jesus prays to His Father, and He calls Him Lord, the One who directs His life. Jesus asks Him for help, and to hurry up, to bring this unbelievably difficult ordeal to an end. He wants to be rescued from His enemies, ones who are like lions, oxen, and dogs, like wild animals.

Then there’s a dramatic change in the direction of this Psalm. The first 21 verses describe Jesus’ suffering on the cross. But 9 of the last 10 verses speak of Jesus’ hope, of His future (“will” is stated 11 times), and this hope helps Him endure to the end, to finish the work of paying for our sins. But it’s verse 24 that explains why this sudden change in the Psalm.

Psalm 22:24. Jesus knows His Father has not looked down upon Him, detested Him, or disregarded what He’s going through. He knows His Father deeply loves and cares for Him and has not forgotten Him, and that He will answer His prayer. And this is what vs. 24 tells us – “when He (Jesus) cried to Him (God the Father) for help, He heard.” That Jesus’ Father heard Him and was satisfied that He paid for our sins is the reason He had hope and is looking forward to the future.

Jesus knows the plan and promise of His Father, that He would physically die and immediately be with Him, and then 3 days later, be raised from the dead, be given a glorified body. He understood that His victory on the cross was the basis, the reason for a glorious future, for the coming church and kingdom ages. He realized His death and resurrection would bring eternal glory to Him and His Father, and would greatly, powerfully, and eternally affect every person who would ever live, resulting in incredible blessings for a great multitude of people, ones who would be His spiritual brothers and sisters. Jesus has hope – He knows the future is extremely bright for Him and all who put their faith in Him.

So what is this hope? Hundreds of Old Testament verses describe the hope God has given to His people, and these last verses of Psalm 22 give us a glimpse of what is soon to come. And in my understanding, these are fulfilled during the kingdom age, but some may also be referring to the church age.

Psalm 22:22-23, 25. God is being praised, and it’s the main theme in these “hope” verses that are primarily speaking about the kingdom age. We read, “In the midst of the assembly I will praise You,” and who is the “I”? It could be referring to David, but there’s no doubt that Jesus, who is in Jerusalem at this time, is honoring His Father. In John 17:2, Jesus prays, “Glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.” Phil. 2:10-11 says, “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus wanted His Father glorified and the Father wanted Jesus glorified. Speaking of Jesus, Psalm 47:6 says, “Sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

Then we read, “all you descendants of Israel” – all these Jewish people are praising the Lord and standing in awe of Him. That it says “all” means this is not taking place during this church age for not “all” descendants of Israel are worshiping the Lord at this time, but they will be during the kingdom age.

Psalm 22:26. The afflicted are the poor, the needy, the humble, and they are seeking God, and He’s helping them, saving them, and they live forever, they have eternal life, and He’s forever satisfying and blessing them. “He will deliver the needy when he cries for help… He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy He will save.” (Ps. 72:12-13). This could be speaking of both church age and kingdom age believers, for people are turning to Christ and getting saved during both these times.

Psalm 22:27. Everyone on earth, all nations and all peoples, and all Jews and Gentiles, including unbelievers, will be worshiping the Lord. Again, Phil. 2:10-11 predicts this – “that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” – and this sure isn’t occurring now, which means it must happen during the coming kingdom age. Psalm 67:3

Psalm 22:28. There will be a kingdom, and this is Christ’s kingdom, and He’ll be reigning over the world and ruling with a rod of iron. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Rev. 11:15). “The Lord will be the King over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9). Psalm 2:9, Matthew 6:10

Psalm 22:29. All those who are rich, whether they’re saved or not, are not just eating good food but are worshiping the Lord. This must take place during the kingdom age because there’s no way all rich people are worshiping Christ during this age. Not only that, but all those who die, who go down to the dust, will bow to the Lord. God makes His point loud and clear that all people, whether they live or die, whether they are rich or poor, will worship Jesus Christ. Again, we’re seeing the truth of Phil. 2:10-11, that “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

Psalm 22:30-31. Our posterity, our spiritual descendants, will worship and serve the Lord, in this age and the next (Matt. 4:10). And how? By telling people that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, by proclaiming His righteousness and their unrighteousness, by telling them that Jesus died on the cross to pay for their sins (“He has done it” – He finished the work to pay for people’s sins), and if they repent of their sins and believe Jesus died for them and rose again, they’ll be forgiven and be given eternal life.

This big-picture Psalm is all about Jesus’ suffering and glory. Be very thankful that He suffered and died to save your soul and give you eternal life. But now’s our time to serve our Lord and suffer for Him. Rom. 8:18 tells us, “suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” 2 Cor. 4:16-17 says, “momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.” Now we suffer, but in the future, we will be glorified, and be blessed forever, and worship and serve the Lord forever! Hallelujah, what a Savior! “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” Psalm 86:12-13

P.S. This is what’s most important, that Jesus Christ died and rose again to save our souls, to give us His life, to bless us forever that we might worship and glorify Him forever. Keep thinking about what He did for you so that you might love Him all the more. Here are three posts about Christ’s resurrection: “The Resurrection and the Rapture of Believers”, “Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come”, and “The Resurrection: Death to Life in Body – and Spirit.”

The Coming Kingdom Age – 1000 Years of Glory

March 25, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #272 ~

Here’s how I think about the future: we’re in the end-times and we’re running the last lap of this church-age race, which means it won’t be long before Christ returns to rapture the church and we’re glorified and in heaven. A few years after that, the kingdom age will begin, a 1000-year period during which Christ is perfectly reigning over this earth – and we’re all reigning with Him! God has much to say about this millennial kingdom, and that’s because He wants you to know what it will be like, and to be excited and looking forward to this unprecedented and most amazing time of justice, peace, love, and God getting glory like never before. Here are several things God wants you to know about this glorious kingdom age.

1. The millennial-kingdom age lasts exactly 1000 years. Revelation 20:2-7
2. The kingdom of God is in two parts, the millennial kingdom and the eternal kingdom. 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:21, 2:7; Rev. 20-21
3. The kingdom age is a good age, for Christ is reigning, compared to this present evil age when the devil is ruling. And the eternal kingdom will be a perfect age. Ps. 72, Gal. 1:4, 1 John 5:19
4. This cursed earth is restored and renewed in the kingdom age. Ps. 102:26, Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:19-22
5. Jesus Christ, the greatest King the world has ever seen, rules over all the earth and all the nations during His 1000-year reign. Psalm 2:6, 22:28, 47:2, 72:8; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 11:15
6. Satan, bound and thrown into the abyss for the entire millennial kingdom, is not influencing or affecting anyone or anything on the earth during this time. Revelation 20:2-3

7. Jesus Christ lives in Jerusalem, the capital of the world. Psalm 48:1-3, Zechariah 14:4-9
8. Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord, Shepherd, Judge, and King, is continually and wonderfully fulfilling all His duties, and believers are assisting Him. Is. 33:22, 43:3; Jer. 10:10; Ez. 34; Rev. 5:10
9. Jesus Christ, during His reign on earth, destroys all enemy authority, rule, and power, and He abolishes death. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 54-57
10. Jesus Christ rules with a rod of iron resulting in justice and peace. Psalm 2:9, 72:9; Isaiah 2:4
11. Jesus Christ is perfectly guiding the nations of the earth. His purpose, character, and work are known all over the world, and therefore He is praised by the people. Psalm 46:10, 67:3
12. Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher ever, is teaching people His word and His ways. Isaiah 2:3
13. Jesus Christ has mercy and compassion on the poor and needy, unlike anything we have ever seen before, except when He was here the first time. Psalm 72:4, 12-14
14. Jesus Christ, working for the cause of truth, humility, and justice, is always victorious. People and nations are being subdued and ruled by Him. Psalm 45:3-7, 47:3

15. Believers are co-heirs with Christ. He inherits the earth, and believers share that inheritance with Him, and together, they possess it forever. Ps. 2:8, 37:11; Dan. 7:18; Matt. 5:5; Rom. 8:17
16. At Christ’s coming, all believers are given brand-new, immortal, glorious, powerful, and spiritual bodies. They are perfect, and are helping Christ rule and reign over the whole world. Luke 19:17, 19; 1 Cor. 15:40-42; Rev. 5:10, 20:6
17. All believers, both Jew and Gentile, those from both Old and New Testament times and those born during this kingdom age, are unitedly worshiping and serving Jesus Christ. Ps. 37:9 – Matt. 5:5, Rom. 15:8-13, Heb. 11:39-40
18. During the church age, Christians are relatively unknown, but they are revealed with Jesus Christ during the kingdom age and, therefore, are seen and widely known. Colossians 3:3-4
19. The work that Christians do for Christ during the kingdom age is to a large degree based on the work they did for Christ during the church age. Matt. 25:19-21, Luke 19:15-19, Rev. 2:26-27

20. There are unbelievers, that is, sinners, living on earth during the kingdom age. Rev. 20:7-10
21. Every single person bows to Jesus Christ during the millennial kingdom. This includes unbelievers, but for them, it’s worship that is feigned and half-hearted. Psalm 22:27-29, Phil. 2:9-11
22. During the kingdom age, the gospel is being preached all over the world, and many people are turning to Christ and being saved. Psalm 96:1-3, 98:1-3
23. The mighty and wonderful deeds of God are proclaimed to all the earth, and therefore, God and Christ are known and glorified like never before. Psalms 46:10, 98:1-3, 145:1-7; Hab. 2:14
24. Many peoples and nations come to Jerusalem, for they are hearing amazing things about Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings. And they see Him, bless Him, bow to Him, learn from Him, and bring gifts to Him. Psalm 68:9, 72:15; Isaiah 49:11-13, 60:5-6; Micah 4:2-4

25. During the kingdom age, God’s will is carried out on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
26. The earth is increasingly seeing and experiencing the glory of God during Christ’s 1000-year reign. Psalm 72:19, Isaiah 6:3, Habakkuk 2:14
27. There is no war during the millennial kingdom – there is peace on earth and good will toward men. Psalm 46:9-10, Isaiah 2:4, Luke 2:14
28. Even the wild animals are living together in peace. Isaiah 11:7, 65:24-25
29. God is greatly blessing the world agriculturally during this 1000-year period. There is an abundance of food for the people living on earth. Psalms 65:9-13,
7:6, 72:16, 85:12
30. Some people die during this kingdom age, but at a much older age than now. Isaiah 65:20

31. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, are shouting for joy, for Jesus Christ, the One who loves them and has blessed them more than anyone else, is in their midst. Ps. 100, Is. 12:6, Zeph. 3:17
32. The boundary lines for Israel are different than today, for they are those God promised to Abraham close to 4,000 years ago, from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. Genesis 15:18, Exodus 23:31
33. The twelve apostles, working in Jerusalem with Christ, are judging and ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:28-30
34. The Jewish people are the most respected, well-known, blessed people on the face of the earth. Isaiah 54, Isaiah 61:6-9
35. The Jewish people are most noticeably seen in Israel, for God planted them in their land, not to be uprooted again. They rebuild the cities, make gardens and eat its fruit, have sweet fellowship, and help Jesus rule over the promised land. Ezek. 37:15-28, Amos 9:13-15, Joel 3:18
36. The Lord of hosts has a lavish banquet for His people. Isaiah 25:6
37. Jewish priests offer gifts and carry out sacrifices in the temple. Ezekiel 45:13-25, 46:1-20
38. Those living in Jerusalem and those visiting there will see the love, splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty of the Lord Jesus. Psalm 48:9, 96:6-8 
39. Jerusalem, the city of the great King, is the greatest, most important, most holy, most blessed city in the world, the joy of the whole earth. Ps. 48:2, Is. 2:2-3, Zech. 14:9-11
40. What happens during the kingdom age is based on promises God made to His people a long time ago (Gen. 12:2-3, 15:18-21, 17:3-8). And God keeps all His promises.

This world is in a mess, for we live in an evil age, and it’s getting worse. And yes, this is our time to live for the Lord and be a light to the people around us, but the struggles with sin, the flesh, our enemies, and the devil make life very difficult. This is why we need to keep looking to Christ, and why we need hope, why we need to look forward to the end of this evil age and the rapture and reigning with Him during the millennial kingdom age, where there will be justice, joy, peace, and more love than you have ever experienced, and God and Christ getting glory like never before. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

P.S. The naysayers are numerous – they say there’s no 1000-year kingdom age, that the church in many respects has replaced the Jewish people, but they are wrong. We must be convinced and excited about what God has planned for us, what will be taking place sooner than we think. That’s why I have written a number of articles about the truth of the millennial kingdom age. I would encourage you to read them all: “Replacement Theology: It’s Not True – Part 1”, “… Part 2″, “… Part 3″, “… Part 4″, “… Part 5″. In the near future, I will be writing an article, the purpose being to include many of the verses that I listed in this post. I want you to read them for yourself.

There’s Hope for the World

March 4, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #270 ~

I was encouraged by a recent study in the Psalms that showed God working in the lives of Jewish believers. We learn that they had hope, they believed the Messiah was coming to rule and reign on this earth – and having this hope helped them live a godly life. God is now working in the lives of Christians, and we too are to have hope, to be looking forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, coming back to rapture the church and establish His kingdom on earth.

Let me look at these Psalms as it relates to hope:
Psalms 1-2 – There’s the juxtaposition of God working with individuals (Ps. 1) and God working with nations (Ps. 2). He blesses the righteous and punishes the unrighteous, both individuals and the entire world. And God gives us hope – “As for Me, I have installed My King on Zion, My holy mountain” (Ps. 2:6-8). In the near future, we will see the realization of our hope, for Jesus Christ will return to judge the wicked, and then reign over this world for 1,000 glorious years.

Psalm 9 – This is all about a rejoicing Psalmist and wicked nations. The Psalmist is thankful that God justly dealt with his own enemies, but he is also hopeful, for he knows that God will judge the nations, and then punish them by casting them into Sheol. “You have sat on the throne judging righteously… You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked… You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” Psalm 9:1-6

Psalm 11 – David is being chased by the wicked, and so he takes refuge in the Lord, knowing he will be delivered by Him. But he also has hope and it’s our hope too, that our holy God will rain fire, brimstone, and burning wind upon a world of sinners, and that He will forever bless us. “The Lord is righteous, and He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” Psalm 11:7

Psalm 22 – Jesus Christ endured humiliation, great affliction, terrible pain, and then died on a cross. He knew that was the only way He could save millions and millions of sinners, and take back the world from Satan. So Jesus had hope. “All the families of the nations will worship before You. The kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:27-28

Psalm 33 – The Psalmist sings praises and gives thanks to God because His word is right and His work is being done. It was God’s work of creation, His work of watching over the world, His hope of God’s work with Israel (Ps. 33:11-12), and His work in his life and the lives of other believers. “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for your lovingkindness… our heart rejoices in Him because we trust in His holy name.” Psalm 33:18-22

Psalm 37 – David knew that believers were not to be afraid of the enemy but were to trust in God and do good, for He would rescue them. They also needed to know that God will judge the wicked (Ps. 37:12-15) and bless the righteous, which is in the future – “The humble will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity” (Ps 37:11). This is true for Christians too.

Psalm 46 – Whenever we have problems, whether big or small, we are not to be afraid but are to trust God and take refuge in Him. We can do this because God is loving, powerful, sovereign, and He is always with us. Soon enough, He will put an end to wars and earthquakes, and Christ will return to rapture the church, judge His enemies, and reign over the world – and this is our hope! “Cease striving and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations.” Psalm 46:10

Psalm 67 – “Let the peoples praise You, O God… God blesses us that all the ends of the earth may fear Him” (Ps. 67:5-7). This promise is for both the Jewish people and the church. God blessed the Jews in the past and is blessing the church in the present, and our hope is that Christ will be ruling the world in the future, during the millennial kingdom. Then all believers, both Jews and Gentiles, will be supremely blessed, resulting in all the ends of the earth fearing and praising God.

Psalm 86 – David, a godly man, is being persecuted and he cries out to God, and experiences His grace, goodness, love, and comfort, for which he is very thankful. But David, seeing the future, has hope, knows better days are ahead. He says, “All nations… shall come and worship before You, O Lord,” which we now know takes place during the millennial kingdom. Psalm 86:9, Isaiah 2:1-4

Psalm 102 – A sad and severely afflicted Psalmist is praying to God. The answer is hope, for God enables the Psalmist to get his eyes off himself and on His plans for the future, when He has mercy on Israel, when the Lord appears and builds up Zion. This occurs during the kingdom age, when “the peoples and kingdoms are gathered together to serve the Lord.” Psalm 102:18-22

Psalm 105 – The characters in this chapter are involved in God’s plan to fulfill His promise to Israel – “He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘to you I will give the land of Canaan.’” (Ps. 105:10-11). Like the Israelites of old, God has given you your own part and place in history, and He has given you hope. In the ages to come, you will share in God’s promise to Israel. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:3

Psalm 121 – The Psalmist is thinking about how God is keeping and protecting him. He’s also thinking about God’s greater purposes, His plans for Israel, and that God will keep and bless them in the future, which he knows includes himself. “The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (Ps. 121:8). This hope is for all believers. John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Psalm 125 – God’s goodness and protection is upon individual believers, those who trust in the Lord, but it’s also upon Jerusalem, upon Mount Zion, “which cannot be moved but abides forever” (Ps. 125:1). The promises in this Psalm pertain to the city of God and the people of God and will be fulfilled in the kingdom age to come. “The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” Psalm 125:1-2

Psalm 131 – God was working in the life of a believer and in the nation of Israel. Just as a believer is to be humble and trust in the Lord, so too, the nation of Israel is to trust, is to hope in the Lord. “O Israel, hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forever” (Ps. 121:3). Hebrews 11:39-40 makes it clear that this hope for the future is for both Jewish believers and the church.

Psalm 138 – King David is thankful for God’s love, truth, and strength. But he knows life is not just about him, for the time will come when “all the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord (Psalm 138:4). God works in the lives of the lowly and the kings, and His purpose, and our hope is for all people to glorify Him forever. “Your lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 138:8

Psalm 145 – David is committed to praising his gracious and loving Lord forever, but he also knows that all believers will be blessing His name forever. This is the kingdom work of God and is our hope and our future. “I will praise Your name forever and ever” (Ps. 145:2). “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Ps. 145:13). “All flesh will bless His name forever.” Psalm 145:21

Here are some take-aways from these Psalms:
* These Psalms talk about God’s work in individual lives, ones who were afflicted, persecuted, struggling, and fearful. But they cried out to God, trusted God, rejoiced, and were thankful. And we can all relate, for God is now at work in our lives, helping us to live wholeheartedly for Him.

* The people in these Psalms lived for God and had hope, and their hope helped them to live for Him. We too need hope if we are to live rightly and strongly for God – we need to look forward to Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge His enemies, and set up His kingdom on earth. 

* God’s work in these believers was related to His work in the world at large. The same is true for you – like a puzzle piece, you are an important part of the big picture. God’s present-day work in you is part of His comprehensive plan to bring about Christ’s return. Be glad that you are part of God’s plan to send Christ to rapture the church and then reign over the world.

* We looked at all these Psalms that talked about hope, but you need to realize that there are many more passages, hundreds of verses in the Old and New Testaments that describe our hope, that clearly tell us our future.

* While the believers in these Psalms lived over 2500 years ago and had hope, we live in the end-times and we also have hope, knowing that it won’t be that long – 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years??!! – before our hopes are realized, before we see Jesus Christ coming back to take us to Himself and to heaven.

So how should you live? Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30). Have faith in God (Luke 18:8). Pray for the coming of Christ and His kingdom (Matt. 6:10). Seek first the kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:33). Be involved in a church that is making disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Be filled with hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Spirit.” Romans 15:13

P.S. This past Sunday our church was greatly blessed and sobered to hear Bob Hunt from Zion’s Hope speak about “The Collapse of a Nation.” Bob’s text was Isaiah 9-10, and these passages along with many examples from the United States of America, make it very clear that this country is in severe moral decline, is in grave danger. I strongly encourage you to listen to this message.

THE KING of kings IS COMING!

November 22, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #262 ~

We live in a world where there are all kinds of wicked and evil rulers. “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed” (Ps. 2:2). But how are you to live in view of this? And what does God tell you about the age to come, and how His Son, Jesus Christ, will be the greatest King ever?

What God says about living in the present age:
* Know that God will give you all the grace, peace, and wisdom you need to live in this world, even when the Antichrist is ruling over this earth. Revelation 1:4, 13:18, 22:21
* Remember that God is sovereign, that He selects the rulers (Ps. 75:6-7), that they can only do what He allows them to do (Pr. 21:1), and that He raises them up for His purposes. Romans 9:17
* Know that during this evil age, Satan has a limited rule under the sovereign hand of God (1 Jn. 5:19), but in the coming age, Christ will have absolute rule over this world. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
* Don’t focus on the kingdoms of men, but seek first the kingdom of God, a spiritual kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Join with Jesus Christ in building the church, in making disciples. Matthew 16:18, 24:14, 28:19
* Yes, you can vote and help elect rulers but, most importantly, pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
* Have hope! Live life in light of the future! Be excited about what God has in store for you! Yes, life can be difficult, but it won’t be long before Jesus Christ, the King of kings, will come back and make everything better. Philippians 2:10-11 

What God says about the KING and living in the coming kingdom age:
* The coming of the KING and His kingdom: 2 Samuel 7:16 – “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall   be established forever.” Psalm 2:6-8 – “As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain… I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” Psalm 89:27-28 – “I shall also make Him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth… I will establish His descendants forever and His throne as the days of heaven.” Isaiah 9:6-7 – “The government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.” Jeremiah 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and He will reign as King and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.” Micah 5:2, 4-5 – “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel… at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace.”

* The establishment of the KING’S kingdom: Ezekiel 37:21-28, 22 – “I will make them one nation in the land… one King will be king for all of them, and they will no longer be two nations… My servant David will be King over them.” Daniel 2:44-46 – “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all those kingdoms, but it will endure forever.” Daniel 7:14 – “… one like a Son of Man was coming… His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Zechariah 14:9 – “The Lord will be King over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only One.” Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 19:15-16 – “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron… on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.’”

* The KING will reign: Psalm 10:16a – “The Lord is King forever and ever.” Psalm 22:27-28 – “All the families of the nations worship before You. For the Kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 29:10 – “The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes, the Lord sits as King forever.” Psalm 45:6 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Psalm 47:6-8 – “God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations.” Psalm 48:1-2 – “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 93:1-2 – “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty… Your throne is established from of old, You are from everlasting.” Psalm 95:5 – “The Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 145:13 – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” Isaiah 43:15 – “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” Jeremiah 10:10 – “The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”

* The nature of the KING’S kingdom: Psalm 67:4-5 – “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the people with uprightness and guide the nations of the earth.” Psalm 72:6-13, 19 – “In His days, may the righteous flourish… May He also rule from sea to sea… let all the kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him… He will have compassion on the poor and needy.” Psalm 102:21-22 – “That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” Isaiah 2:2-4 – “The law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations and will render decisions for many peoples… Nations will not lift up sword against nation and never again will they learn war.” Isaiah 61:11 – “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” Joel 3:17-18 – “I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, so Jerusalem will be holy… and in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk…” Zephaniah 3:15-17 – “The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst… a victorious warrior, He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Malachi 1:11 – “From the rising of the sun to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to My name…” 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 – “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and authority. He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” Revelation 1:5-6 – “… from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us… He has made us to be a kingdom.”

* Glory to the KING: Psalm 72:19 – “Blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.” Habakkuk 2:14 – “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” 1 Timothy 1:17 – “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

* O Worship the KING: Psalm 98:4-6 – “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth and sing for joy… With trumpets and the sound of the horn, shout joyfully before the King.” Psalm 145:1-2 – “I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.” Isaiah 12:6 – “Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in Your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Keep loving God and living for Him. Keep waiting and looking for Jesus, the coming KING. And keep praying, “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. We can get too concerned about politics and rulers, and we need to focus on Jesus Christ, His present purpose with the church and His future rule over the world. Here are two good posts about the kingdom – “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, and “Kingdom Instructions for the Church.” And here’s an important article on thankfulness – “Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.”

God’s Plans for the Jewish People Have NOT Been Cancelled

October 22, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #260 ~

The Old Testament talks extensively about the Jewish people – and it’s both historical and prophetical. But some say His promises and plans for them are null and void, that God cancelled them, and that because of the Jew’s rejection of Christ, God rejected them. But that’s not true! Here are three reasons why God’s plans for the Jews are still valid. First, God keeps His promises, He doesn’t go back on His word. “Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it” (Is. 46:11). Second, the Jewish people have regathered to Israel just as God predicted, which means He still has plans for them. (Ezek. 36-37). Third, 20 different passages in the New Testament directly and indirectly refer to the Jews. The mere fact that there are all these passages in the New Testament about the Jews must mean something – and they need to be examined and understood. My purpose in this post and the next one is to look at all these verses.

* Matthew 5:17-19 – “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill… not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished…” The Law and the Prophets are primarily about Jesus and the Jewish people. Jesus wants us to know that all that is said about Himself will come true, and that He will accomplish all His promises to the Jews. And some of these have been fulfilled in the past and the rest will be fulfilled in the future.

* Luke 1:31-33 – “You shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will have no end.” The angel is referring to and reminding Mary of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-13, 16), and telling her that God’s Son will be her Son, One who will rule forever over the Jewish people, His chosen ones, and as we know now, over all believers in Christ. Psalm 89:1-4, 19-29, 34-37

* Luke 1:54-55 – “He (God) has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our Fathers, to Abraham and His descendants forever.” God tells Mary, and us too, that He will fulfill His promises to Abraham and to Israel, some of which have already come to pass, and others which will be carried out in the future, ones that will affect all His descendants, both Jewish people and Gentiles. And you see that these promises are eternal, that they will last forever, which means they cannot and will not be revoked. Gen. 12:1-3, Gen. 13:14-17, Gen. 15:4, and Gen. 17:1-8

* Acts 3:20-21 – “… that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” The prophets made many predictions about the Jewish people, which have been and will be coming true. One in particular is the “restoration of all things”, which will be an incredible blessing to both Jews and Gentiles who are living on this earth during the millennial kingdom. Psalm 98, Isaiah 65:17-23, Matthew 19:28, Romans 8:21

* Luke 24:25-27 – “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken… Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44 – “All things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures to prove to His Jewish disciples that He was the Messiah, both Savior and King. But note that it says, “All things which are written about Me.” Christ wanted them to know that all the prophecies about Himself were valid, some of which they had already seen come true. The rest will be fulfilled in the future, many of which speak of Christ’s reign over the Jewish people, and over the entire world. Look at Psalms 22:27-31, 47, 48, 67, 72 and 102:18-28.

* 2 Thess. 2:3-4, 8-9 – “The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 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, displaying himself as being God… that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” This prophecy predicted that the Jewish people would be in Jerusalem, which has now come true, and that they need to build a temple, which will happen soon. Not long after the Jews begin to offer sacrifices, this man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, will desolate their temple. Then that most devilish man will meet his Maker and be thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 19:20

* Acts 28:17, 20, 23, 30-31 – “Paul called together… the leading men of the Jews… for the sake of the hope of Israel… He was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets… he stayed two full years… preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was in Rome talking to the Jewish leaders about Jesus, the Kingdom of God, and the hope, the future of Israel. He explained that Jesus was Lord and Savior of all who believed in Him, both Jewish people and Gentiles, and that in the future, He would be King over the whole world. (Is. 2:1-4, 9:6-7; Ezek. 40-48; Zech. 14:9). Paul’s time in Rome occurred about 10 years after he had written his prophecy-laden letters to the Thessalonian church, where He spoke of the Antichrist, the desolation of the temple, Christ’s coming, the rapture and the day of the Lord. I’m sure he explained to them how this related to the salvation of a remnant of Jews, and Jesus Christ ruling from the city of Jerusalem and establishing His kingdom on this earth.

* Matthew 23:37-39 – “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets… Behold, your house is being left to you desolate. For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.’” Jesus tells the Jewish people the bad news, that their city is being destroyed and left desolate, which happened in 70 AD. Then He tells them the good news, that in the future they will recognize Him as their Lord and Savior, which occurs at Christ’s 2nd coming, at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Psalm 118:22-29, Daniel 9:24-27

* Matthew 24:15-26 – “When you see the abomination of desolation… standing in the holy place… then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains… pray that your flight will not be in the winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation… just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” This too tells us that the Antichrist will desolate the temple, the holy place. That most evil man will then go after the Jewish people and bring great tribulation but, mercifully for them, Christ will cut it short. Then everyone on earth will see Christ coming in the clouds, at which time He will rapture the Christians, and a short while later, redeem a remnant of Jews. Matt. 24:27, 30-31

* Revelation 12:5-6, 13-17 – “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness …” Rev. 12:13-17 – “The dragon… persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (3½ years), away from the presence of the serpent… the dragon was enraged with the woman…”

The woman is referring to the Jewish people, who brought Jesus into the world (vs. 5). You realize that there’s close to a 2000-year gap between vs. 5 and vs. 6, and now we’re in the end-times, the last years of the church age. Not long from now, the Jews will be fleeing into the wilderness (vs. 6). As 2 Thess. 2 and Matt. 24 tell us, the Jews will be persecuted by the Antichrist. But she will miraculously escape, be physically saved by the power of God. Shortly after her escape, she will be spiritually saved by Christ and, in fulfillment of God’s promise to David, He will become their King and rule over them and all the nations. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Think about all these verses, all these prophecies and promises, and they all relate to the Jewish people. You can’t just skip over and ignore these verses, or take them allegorically – they are true, and are relevant to the present day, to the 21st century, and to both Jewish people and Christians. Next week, we’ll look at ten more passages. Surely, the Jews have not been forsaken and forgotten, for God has a future for them, a future that relates directly to His plans for the church. “None of them (Old Testament believers) had received what was promised. God had planned something better for us (Christians) so that only together with us (Christians) would they (Old Testament believers) be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40

P.S. There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the Jewish people and prophecy, and it’s vitally important for you, the Christian, to know what God has clearly told us in His Word. I strongly encourage you to read these previous posts about the Jewish people – “A Short Summary of God’s Working With the Jews”, “A Jewish Reading Lesson”, and “Clear New Testament Confirmation of God’s Plans for the Jews.”

The Truth About Rewards, The Heavenly Prize

July 26, 2021 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #222 ~

My plan was to write a post and list out a number of verses about rewards and the incredibly glorious future God has in store for us. But I discovered there are many more verses than I thought, close to 150 of them. And so, I wrote an article – “Your Lord, Your Hope, Your Reward.” I encourage you to take the time to read and think about these eternal truths for, without question, they will help to spiritually strengthen your life. I have no doubt that they will give you a heartfelt hope about your future which will increase your love for God in the present, resulting in a more blessed, fruitful, and successful Christian life.

Many of you are watching the Olympics. Might these earthly games be a motivation to you to win heavenly prizes, eternally satisfying and God-glorifying rewards. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win! Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Take the time to go through “Your Lord, Your Hope, Your Reward.”

The Fierce and Deadly Day of the Lord

June 3, 2021 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #217 ~

1. God is a perfectly righteous judge. Because God is holy and hates sin, then He must judge sin. Throughout history, whether it’s in individuals, families, cities, countries, or the entire world, God has judged sin. Then there’s God’s eschatological wrath, also called the day of the Lord, His just judgment of the entire world, which will happen soon. What’s so amazing is that the holy God judged His own Son, Jesus Christ, who took our sins and paid for them by dying on a cross so all who repent of their sins and believe in Christ are forgiven and receive eternal life – and they will never be judged for their sins. Mark 1:14-15; John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:21

2. The eschatological day of the Lord, the climactic judgment of this world, takes place at the end of this present evil age, which won’t be long from now. This awesome and righteous judgment will devastate the entire planet as well as human life, the greatest global demonstration of justice since the Noahic flood. Revelation 8-9, 16

3. God’s holiness is the reason for His wrath during the day of the Lord. God is perfectly just in unleashing His wrath upon an unjust world, which will be a vivid display of His righteousness and will bring Him great glory. Rom. 3:4-6, Rev. 4:8 – “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

4. The day of the Lord results in the exaltation of Christ, the vindication of the saints, the punishment of unbelievers, the defeat of the Antichrist, the end of Satan’s rule on earth, and the beginning of Christ’s rule. Rev. 1:4-7, Rev. 8-9, Rev. 19:20-21, Rev. 20:1-6

5. A scroll written by God contains instructions for the day of the Lord. This scroll has seven seals, and Jesus Christ is the only One who can break these seals. Once He does, then the scroll is opened, and there is the blowing of the seven trumpets, the outpouring of God’s wrath, resulting in Christ reclaiming the earth and receiving power and great glory. Rev. 5:12-13

6. The events associated with the first six seals are not part of this “day of the Lord” wrath, but are judgments happening here and there, and they are also wake-up calls, signs that Christ is coming soon. The first four seals are the “birth pains.” The fifth seal is great tribulation which affects both Christians and Jews. The sixth seal speaks of signs in heaven and a massive earthquake, and is announcing to the world that the day of the Lord is at hand. Matthew 24:4-9, 29; Rev. 6:1-17

7. Christ’s coming will be like a “thief in the night” to non-Christians. Unbelievers will not know and / or not believe what will soon be hitting the world. Suddenly they will see these heavenly signs and feel this huge earthquake, and be shocked, scared to death, and try to escape, for they know God’s wrath will soon be poured out upon them. 1 Thess. 5:1-9

8. The coming of Christ and His wrath will not be like a “thief in the night” to Christians. Most Christians “are not in darkness” and are not surprised by these cosmic signs announcing the outpouring of God’s wrath upon a wicked world. They know that the signs are not just signaling the wrath of God, but also the imminent rapture of the church. Matt. 24:29-31

9. A vast number of Jews will be protected during the day of the Lord and not experience God’s wrath. Between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seals there will be the sealing of 144,000 Jews. There will also be a remnant of Jews who escape from the devil (the Antichrist) when he comes chasing after them. Matt 24:15-20; Rev. 7:1-8, 12:13-16

10. At Christ’s coming the church is raptured, which happens before the day of the Lord. Thus, all Christians will escape these fierce judgments, for “Jesus… rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9). The rapture occurs between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seals, and at a time completely unknown to us. Matt. 24:36, Rev. 7:9-14  

11. The day of the Lord begins right after the rapture and on the same day. Luke 17:26-35

12. The day of the Lord is comprised of the trumpet and bowl judgments. The trumpet judgments (Rev. 8-9) begin after the rapture, after the breaking of the seventh seal, and during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week. The bowl judgments (Rev. 15-16) begin after the blowing of the 7th trumpet, and after the end of this 70th week.

13. The breaking of the 7th seal results in the scroll being completely opened. Once this seal is opened, there will be exactly 30 minutes of silence before God’s wrath begins on earth. This will be a most sobering and suspenseful time for unbelievers, for they will be in utter agony, dreading the destructive and deadly day of the Lord. Zeph. 1:7, Zech. 2:13, Rev. 8:1

14. Just before the trumpet judgments, the pleasing smell of incense mixed with our prayers arises up to God. Then this censer, filled with incense, prayers, and fire, is thrown down to earth, a signal to the world that God’s wrath is starting. Rev. 8:1-5

15. Seven angels, standing before God, prepare themselves to sound their trumpets. These angels are carrying out His righteous work. They know that the trumpet blasts are a battle cry for God’s justice, for His wrath to be poured out upon a very wicked world. Psalm 103:20-21

16. The blowing of the seven trumpets happens consecutively, one after another, the first, then the second, and all the way to the seventh. After the blowing of the seventh trumpet, there is the outpouring of the seven bowls, and these too do not happen simultaneously, but are consecutive, each one occurring after the previous one. Rev. 16

17. The fact that the judgments are sequential, and take place over a period of time, tells us that the entire day of the Lord is not quick and sudden. The effect on the unrepentant unbelievers will be tormenting and torturing, mentally, emotionally, and physically, resulting in great fear, great pain, and death – and rightfully so. Rev. 16:9-10

18. We do not know how long the trumpet judgments will last. They begin after the rapture, at an unknown time during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week. The fifth judgment goes on for five months, and they conclude with the seventh, at the end of the 70th week. They will last at least five months, but less than 42 months, and I’d say, much less, for the great tribulation, I believe, will go on for quite a while. Dan. 12:11; Matt. 24:36

19. The first three trumpet judgments are cataclysmic, destroying plants, animals, rivers, and seas. The fourth judgment impacts the sun, stars, and moon, darkening the earth. The fifth one results in unbelievers being tormented by scorpion-like-locust stings for five months. The sixth one is the worst, for 200 million horsemen go out and kill one third of mankind. 

20. Three things result from the blowing of the seventh trumpet: 1. Daniel’s 70th week comes to an end (Dan. 9:27). 2. The mystery of God is finished, and many Jews are saved. (Rev. 10:7). 3. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ” (Rev. 11:15). This important point in history enables Jesus Christ to establish His reign on earth.

21. The Antichrist is present on earth during the day of the Lord. He is given authority to rule for 42 months, lasting from the midpoint to the end of Daniel’s 70th week. At the sound of the seventh trumpet his role as world ruler is over. The bowl judgments are a transitional phase from the Antichrist’s rule to Christ’s rule. Rev. 13:4-5, 16:12-16, 17:14, 19:20-21

22. The bowl judgments are the final phase of God’s wrath on this earth. These bowls, being wide and shallow, are quickly poured out, meaning this aspect of God’s justice happens fast, for only 30 days, yet it’s terribly destructive, wiping out the Antichrist’s kingdom. Rev. 16

23. The bowl judgments are extremely painful and deadly. The first bowl judgment results in unbelievers receiving “loathsome and malignant” sores. The second one causes the seas to become blood, resulting in the death of all sea creatures. The third turns the rivers into blood. The fourth causes the unbelievers to be “scorched with fierce heat.” The fifth results in the Antichrist’s kingdom being darkened. And the result is that the unbelievers “gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven…” Rev. 16:11

24. No one repents of their sins. It is incredibly sad that after all these hard-hitting judgments there are still all these hard-hearted sinners who won’t repent of their sins. Not only did they not repent but they were angry and blamed God – “they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.” Rev. 16:1-11

25. The battle of Armageddon. The pouring of the sixth bowl prepares the world for the battle of Armageddon. But there’s no battle. God’s enemies don’t have a chance, not against the “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” The Antichrist and false prophet are quickly seized and thrown into the lake of fire, and “the rest were killed with the sword” of the Lord. Rev. 19:11-21

26. “A loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” The most destructive bowl judgment is saved for last. There is a mighty earthquake, and all the cities collapse. Hundred-pound hailstones rain down from the sky, killing millions of sinners. Indeed, God’s righteous wrath will be poured out upon a most wicked world. Rev. 16:17

27. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” (Rev. 18:2). There’s Rev. 17-18, which give more detail about the devil’s world system and the Antichrist’s kingdom. We read about Babylon the Great, which refers to the religious and economic systems of the world. And we learn about the Antichrist’s evil and ungodly empire. These are all destroyed by God’s catastrophic judgments.

28. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God’s wrath is completed. The Antichrist’s authority comes to an end at the blast of the 7th trumpet, but it is by the pouring of the 7th bowl that the Antichrist is fully defeated, the world system is destroyed, and Christ’s authority is finally established on earth. The saints and angels in heaven will wholeheartedly praise God for His awesome victory over the enemy. “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.” Rev. 19:1-6

29. The greatest world war is between God and Satan, and God is the winner. Since the sin of Adam, there has been a great battle, raging between the seed of the woman and the seed of Satan, between the forces of God and the forces of the devil (Gen. 3:15, Eph. 6:10-13). We are now close to that time when God’s plans for believers and planet earth will be completely carried out, and we will see the “summing up of all things in Christ.” Eph. 1:9-11

Let me summarize what we can expect in the years ahead: we will see this spiritual battle intensify, from the birth pains to the Antichrist to the great tribulation to the rapture (Matt. 24:4-31) to the outpouring of God’s wrath (Rev. 8-9) to the salvation of a remnant of Jews (Rom. 11:25-26) to the defeat of the Antichrist (Rev. 16, Rev. 19:20) to Christ reigning over the earth – “The Lord will be King over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9). You are wonderfully blessed to be part of God’s eternal plans, and to be on earth at this momentous time in history. Rev. 1:6-7

30. “The Lord is coming to judge the earth” (Psalm 98:9). Be excited and thankful, for we are close to the end of this age and Christ’s return to rapture the church. Don’t be fleshly or worldly, and don’t be ignorant of what will be happening on earth (Rom. 13:11-14). This is our time to live for God and do the work He wants us to do. Tell sinners to turn from their sin to Christ. Warn them that if they don’t, then they may be here for that dreadful day of the Lord, and from there, descend to a fiery hell (2 Thess. 1:9). “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58

Note: This post is a shorter version of an article I just posted. When you get time, I strongly encourage you to read this article, entitled: “God’s Wrath on Earth at the End of This Age.”

P.S. As a pastor, I teach from the Bible every Sunday. I have been going through 1 Peter, one of the most important epistles on suffering – which makes it extremely relevant for Christians living at this time. I encourage you to go to Sermon Audio, and there you will find and be able to listen to these messages and download my notes. The last three messages are on the importance of humility, and how to get victory over anxiety.

P.P. S. I would encourage you to look the charts that are linked in points 2, 3, 6, 7 & 30. They will be very helpful to you in seeing the big picture in regards to the wrath of God.

Processing the Present Tough Times

January 15, 2021 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #204 ~

These are extremely tough times, very difficult days for those living in the United States. There’s the Covid virus, children still not in school, the election controversy, the Capitol riot, the impeachment, freedoms being taken away, and the greatest political division since the Civil War. These things can lead to worry, anger, and being overwhelmed, unless you look to the Lord and are trusting Him. But how does God want you to process what’s presently happening in our country? What does He want you to do?

* Fix your eyes on Jesus. Look to Jesus and cast your cares on Him instead of trying to figure everything out. Love Him and stay close to Him. And ask God to give you the peace He wants you to have. “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations.” Ps. 46:10, Phil. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 5:7

* Know that God is sovereign. When troubles abound, know that God is still in control, that He reigns, that His will is being carried out, that all things are going according to His plan. “He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’” Dan. 4:35, Is. 46:9-11

* See the big picture. “God changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding” (Dan. 2:21). What’s been going on in our country these past 50-60 years has been ordained by God. A humanistic educational system, a rapid decline in morality, a growing socialistic government, increasing globalism, technological advancements, and super-quick communication – God is sovereign over it all. All the leaders we have had, and now the new President – God is sovereign over this as well. And God wants to give you wisdom, which means He wants you to know where all this is headed, that His Son, Jesus Christ, is coming back and will establish His kingdom on this earth. “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed” (Dan. 2:44). “His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him.” Dan. 7:27, Rev. 11:15

* Know where it all leads. Everything that’s been taking place, whether it has to do with the past 50-60 years, 2020, or what’s been happening in the past few weeks, relates to God’s plans for the future. It may be puzzling to you, but not to God, for all things, all people, all events, all problems, all countries, all the puzzle pieces, are fitting together in just the way He has planned, and are all leading to that time when Christ returns, raptures the church, judges the world, and sets up His kingdom on this earth. “… with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” Eph. 1:9-11

* Don’t worry about evil people. Don’t fret, for God will deal with those who are wicked, and if they don’t repent, will judge them. “Evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land” (Ps. 37:9-15, 11:5-7). While rulers may think they have all this power and can do whatever they want, God knows they are but fools. He is laughing at them, scoffing at them, and warning them to repent or else. God wants them, and us, to know that He has already installed His Son as the true and future King over this entire world. Psalm 2

* Understand Biblical prophecy. God has already told you everything you need to know about the future. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mark 13:23). All that God wants you to know about what will be happening before Christ’s coming is found in His word, in Matt. 24, Luke 21, 1-2 Thess., Daniel, and Revelation. In these years leading up to Christ’s return, there will be birth pains, false teachers, increasing lawlessness, the signing of a treaty, the building of a Jewish temple, that devilish Antichrist, great tribulation, and finally, signs in the heavens signaling the end of this age. And all that is now taking place and will take place in our world must be seen in the context of these end-times’ Bible prophecies. Don’t worry, be at peace, for God is working all things together for your good, and for His purposes and glory. Rom. 8:28-29

* Don’t get caught up in conspiracy thinking. Isaiah 8:12-13 warns us, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy, and He shall be your fear.” Many people are speculating, saying things that may or may not be true, but you don’t know for sure. Be very careful to what you listen to, things political or spiritual, things that may sound interesting, but oftentimes are far-fetched, and seem un-believable. In these days, do not waste your time on fantastical theories, do not be led astray by worldly ideas. May God’s prophetic word give you the right perspective, a proper framework by which you can know what is right and wrong, can discern what is true and false. Trust the Lord, and not men. Focus on God’s word, and not human words. 2 Tim. 2:14-18, 1 John 4:6

* Christ is building the church. “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18). When you think about this country and the world we live in, you may get discouraged and wonder if God is winning, if His work is really being carried out. This verse is to remind and encourage you that God, through Jesus Christ, is doing exactly what He wants to do. His plans for the church are precisely and perfectly being carried out, and will never be thwarted by the devil or anyone else. Prov. 21:30, Is. 46:9-11,

* Do the work God gives you to do. “Do business with this until I come back” (Luke 19:13). It’s easy to be distracted and think too much about what’s going on in the world. But be thinking about what God wants you to do, and keep building your part of the wall. This means loving Christ, living for Christ, being in a good church, using your spiritual gift, and being united with others in making disciples. Neh. 4; Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 2:10  

* God’s word is not chained. “I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not chained” (2 Tim. 2:9). There is no doubt that the devil is at work, and wants to prevent you and all Christians from preaching the word. When you see and hear of his evil activity, don’t fret or fear, but remember that God is the Lord God Almighty and the Chief Communicator, and that His word, His gospel message, will be preached and will bear fruit. But be wise, keep praying, and persevere in getting God’s word out to the lost, to the unsaved. Mark 13:9-11, Phil. 1:12-18

What a time to be alive! The church age will soon come to an end, but lots needs to happen and much work still needs to be done. Stay close to God and to Christians, keep the big picture in mind, be led by the Spirit, and keep doing the work God has assigned you to do. And it may be that Christ’s return and the rapture of the church is much closer than you think. “Do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11-12

P.S. I hope and pray that you are excited to be living in the end-times, and that you are learning what God wants you to know, and are doing what He wants you to do. “What the Bible Says About the Future” is a great summary of God’s plans for these years leading up to Christ’s return, and what comes after that.

The True Meaning of Christmas

December 21, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #201 ~

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

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

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

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

Luke 1-2 says the same thing. First, there’s an angel telling Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:26-33). Mary, a holy and humble young woman, was surprised but excited to hear that her baby would not just be her son, the son of man, but also the Son of God, and that He would be a King, fulfilling the promise given to David. (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Then there’s the angel bringing “good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions and Answers About the Coming Kingdom Age

November 6, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #195 ~

1. What is the coming kingdom age? In the near future, after this present evil age comes to an end, there will be a good age. This age will last exactly 1000 years, during which time there will be one king ruling the entire world. Jer. 10:10a, Gal. 1:4, Rev. 20:3-7

2. Who will be the king during this kingdom age? Jesus Christ will be the King, the King of kings. “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus will be holy, righteous, loving, merciful, good, and wise, a most excellent and perfect King. Psalm 67, Zech. 14:9, Rev. 19:16

3. What will Jesus Christ be doing during the kingdom age? He will be reigning over all the nations of the world. He will be perfectly leading, guiding, judging, and governing, resulting in awesome deeds of righteousness, abundant blessings, soul-satisfying goodness, and peace to those who live on this earth. Psalms 47:7-8, 65, 72; Dan. 7:14

4. When does the kingdom age start? The millennial kingdom age will begin at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which happens soon after the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Rev. 10:7, Rev. 11:15

5. What is the general nature of this age? The earth will be full of the glory of the Lord. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (Is. 6:3). Compared to our present evil age, it will be a good, holy, and peaceful age. It will be a time when Jesus Christ is feared and worshiped by all who live on the earth. Ps. 72:18-19, Hab. 2:14, Gal. 1:4, Phil. 2:9-11

6. What are some of Christ’s objectives during this age? During Christ’s reign, He will abolish all rule, authority, and power, and He will defeat death, the last of His enemies. His ultimate goal is to be worshiped so that His Father is glorified. John 17:4-5, 1 Cor. 15:25, Phil. 2:9-11

7. What will the devil do during this time? Nothing. The devil will be chained up for the entirety of this 1000-year period. At the end of this time, the devil will be released, and then deceive the nations, gathering them together to fight against Christ. But Christ will quickly and easily defeat the devil, and then cast him into the lake of fire, where he will be severely and eternally tormented and punished. 1 Cor. 15:25-28, Rev. 14:9-11, Rev. 20:7-9

8. What will Old Testament and church age believers be doing during this age? First, know that they will have been glorified, will possess immortal, powerful, and spiritual bodies. Therefore, they will be able to perfectly worship Jesus Christ, reign with Him, and serve Him, using their talents to carry out His work on earth. They will also spend time with Christ and other believers, having intimate fellowship with them. Psalm 145:1-2, Luke 19:16-17, 1 Cor. 15:40-42, 1 Thess. 4:13-15

9. What will the newly saved Jewish people be doing during this kingdom age? A remnant of Jewish people, those saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week, will be worshiping Christ, learning from Him, and having fellowshipping with Him. Many of the Jews will be serving Him by carrying out various duties that specifically relate to Jerusalem, Israel, and the new temple. Psalms 65:1-4, 96; Isaiah 2:1-5, 12; Ezekiel 40-48; Romans 8:25-26

10. How will the Jewish people be blessed? They will be blessed in physical, spiritual, societal, and relational ways, and therefore, be a wonderful witness to unbelievers, with the result that God and Christ will be greatly feared and glorified all over the world. Gen. 12:1-3, Psalm 67, Psalm 98:1-3, Psalm 117, Isaiah 4:2-6, Isaiah 12

11. What do we understand about the unbelievers during this time? Though the devil is chained and there is no world system, the unsaved will still be sinning, proving that a person’s core problem is the evil in his own heart. Yet, many unbelievers will travel to Jerusalem to learn from Jesus Christ, bring Him gifts, and worship Him. Psalms 68:29, 98:1-3; Isaiah 2:1-3; Isaiah 12

12. Will people be getting saved during the millennial kingdom? Yes, an enormous number of people will be affected by the lives of the Jews during this age and be saved by Jesus Christ. Psalm 67:1-2 says, “God be gracious to us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.” Psalm 96:2 instructs us, “Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.” Psalm 98:2-3 tells us, “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”

13. Will there be a Jewish temple during the millennial kingdom? Yes, there will be a Jewish temple, and it will be in Jerusalem. As Christians, we have the Lord’s supper to remind us what Christ did for us, and during the kingdom age the Jews will offer memorial sacrifices, not to take away sin, for Christ’s death already did that. These sacrifices will remind them that Christ the King is also Christ the Savior, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29, Ezek. 40-48

14. What will the physical earth be like? The earth will be in a restored and renovated condition, and that’s because the curse of sin will be removed. Magnificent and most beautiful this creation will be, for the stars, birds, fish, animals, plants, etc., will be set free from their slavery to corruption. And yes, even the animals will be at peace with one another. Psalm 98:7-8, Isaiah 65:25, Acts 3:21, Romans 8:23-25

15. What happens to unbelievers at the end of this kingdom age? The devil will be thrown into the lake of fire. Then Jesus Christ, sitting on His great white throne, will judge all unbelievers, and then cast them into the lake of fire, “the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels”, a place where there will be “eternal punishment,” and “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24:51, 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:7-15

16. What will happen at the conclusion of this kingdom age? Jesus Christ will hand “over the kingdom to the God and Father… then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Himself, so that God may be God in all” (1 Cor. 15:24, 28). That Jesus humbles Himself before His Father shows His love for His Father, and their perfect unity. Then “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first earth passed away.” Rev. 21:1-7

17. Will Jesus Christ reign forever and ever? Yes, Jesus Christ will reign forever and ever! “I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever and ever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13). “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (Psalm 45:6). “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Psalm 145:13). Jesus Christ will be perfectly and powerfully reigning over the world during the millennial kingdom, and then He and His Father will be reigning together forever and ever.

18. What should be one of our prayers at this time? “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9-10). We should have hope, be looking forward to the next age when we will be with Christ and reign with Him over this world, but we should also be praying and asking Our Father to send His Son to rapture the church, pour out His wrath, and then set up His kingdom. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

19. Why does God want there to be a 1000-year kingdom age? God wants this age to be a glorious display of His Son in action. We live in an evil age with imperfect people ruling this world, with the result that there are all these problems, all this corruption, and all this grief and sadness. But God wants us to see Jesus Christ executing perfect justice, caring for the poor, blessing the earth, and bringing peace. Not only that, but He wants us to be reigning with Christ, helping Him carry out His purposes. What a joy to be able to reign with Christ during the 1000-year kingdom age and see His glory and goodness on display all over the world. Rev. 5:10, 20:6

20. Why do I spend time thinking about the millennial kingdom? Because it motivates me to keep living for the Lord, and to finish the work He has given me to do. I must say that I am super excited about this kingdom age. I get tired of continually struggling with the world, the flesh, and the devil. I get so tired of imperfect leaders and corrupt governments. And I get very tired of seeing and hearing about all the crime, hate, murder, conflict, and war. I really want to see God’s promises and plans fulfilled for all His people (Psalm 33:10-12). I can’t wait to be glorified, to be with Jesus, and be able to perfectly worship and serve Him during this new kingdom age. And I am really looking forward to spending quality time with friends I knew on earth. “Sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth.” Psalm 47

P.S. There is a lot of important things said about the kingdom age in the Bible, and it would do you good to study them out. Here are two very helpful posts to read on this subject: “Christ the King is Coming,” and “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age.”

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