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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Good News (Page 2 of 3)

Blog posts about the Good News.

When Life is Hard, You Need Hope

June 26, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #176 ~

When a runner runs his race, he needs to know there’s a reason to run the race, that it has purpose. He needs to know the race will come to an end, that it will soon be over. He needs to know that it’s worth it to run the race, that he will be rewarded for his efforts. That is, a runner needs hope, which is what each and every Christian needs. To run the “race that is set before us,” the race God has given you, you need hope – you can’t live life without it. You will get sick and suffer pain. You will have spiritual battles, personal struggles and be persecuted. You will get tired, feel defeated, be discouraged, and at times want to give up. And now there’s this present crisis in our country, with all the riots, violence, destruction, anarchy, etc. In all this, you have to have hope if you are going to be able to run and win the race God has for you. Hebrews 12:1-3

How do we define hope? It’s a reason to live. It’s what you don’t have now but believe God will give you in the ages to come. It’s expecting God to bless you in the future for your work for Him in the present. More specifically, hope is God’s promise to you that you will be in heaven with Jesus, with believers, in a glorified body, and that you will be eternally rewarded. Hebrews 12:22-24

There’s something else you need to know, which is that your hope as a Christian relates directly to God’s promises to the Jewish people. In the Old Testament you read extensively about God’s future plans for Jewish believers, and these plans relate directly to what God has in store for Christians. Specifically, there are three key promises or covenants God gave the Jewish people. There’s the promise of land, described as the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 13:14-17, Psalm 105:8-11), the promise of salvation, called the New Covenant (Jer. 31:33-34, Psalm 98:2-3), and the promise of a King, which is the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-13, Zech. 14:9).

Literally hundreds of verses in the Old Testament further confirm and describe these promises. As you read your Bible, be looking for them, for they will give you confidence that God will do just what He promised. Sadly, many in today’s churches believe God has cancelled and nullified these promises to the Jews because of their sin and unbelief, but this is just not true. God is faithful, and will be forever true to His word. Psalm 89, Matthew 24:35

As I said, many verses speak of these promises, but my favorites are Ezekiel 37:21-23, for here you see all three of them in one single passage. There’s the land promise – “I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land, and I will make them one nation in the land” (vss 21-22); there’s the promise of the King, which we know is Jesus Christ – “There will be one King over all of them” (vs 22); and there’s the promise of salvation – “I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be My people, and I will be their God” (vs 23). Do you see the word “will?” It’s God’s guarantee to His people that He will carry out His promises, that they will definitely come to pass.

But how does this relate to you? First, there’s salvation, and of course as a Christian, you have been saved. “He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy” (Titus 3:5). Second, there’s the land. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:3). This is from Psalm 37:11, which says, “The meek will inherit the land,” which is true for the Jews, but now is true for you as well. Third, there’s the King, and in Rev. 19:16, we read, “On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’” Jesus Christ will return as the King, and will rule perfectly over this world and, in fact, we will be reigning with Him. Revelation 5:10

The verses, in my opinion, that best connect the future of the Jewish believer with the future of the Christian, are Rom. 15:8-13. There we read that the promises God gave to the fathers (Old Testament Jews), are in conjunction with His promises to church-age Christians – “I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Thy name… Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” In the coming kingdom age, all saved people will be in Jerusalem worshiping the King. Psalm 47:1,6 and Psalm 48:1 also talk about this – “O clap your hands, all peoples, shout to God with the voice of joy… Sing praises to our King… Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.”

Do you see that your hope relates directly to the hope of the Jewish people? Though we don’t know all the details of our future, we do know that all God’s people will be together, worshiping and serving Him. As a Christian, you need this hope, you need to know it’s worth it serve the Lord and suffer for Him, that the future blessing you will receive from God far outweighs any troubles or struggles you will ever experience in this life. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

P.S. Might you continue to be filled with godly hope, for you need it. Here are two posts that will increase your understanding of this wonderful hope that God wants you to have: “Your Great Hope and Most Glorious Future” and “Converging Hopes for Jewish and Gentile Believers.”

The Life-and-Death-Changing Results of the Resurrection

April 10, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #165 ~

1 Corinthians 15 talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the believers. In the 1st part of this chapter (1 Cor. 15:3-4), we are told that the gospel message, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, is the most important message in the Bible. That Christ was resurrected shows He was victorious over sin and death, and that God was satisfied with His sacrifice for the sins of people. This is great news for all who repent of their sins and believe that Christ died for them, thereby, paying the penalty for their sins. If you have turned from your sin and trusted in Christ, then you have been forgiven, have victory over death, a relationship with God, and a purpose in life. You will also be given a new body, a perfect home in heaven, and a wonderful future with friends. Most importantly, you will be with Jesus Christ forever and ever. 1 Thess. 5:18

In the 2nd part of the chapter (1 Cor. 15:12-19), we read that some had questioned whether the dead were raised at all. If that is true that the dead are not raised, then Christ was not raised. How utterly sad and depressing to even think that Christ was not raised from the dead. If Christ stayed in the grave, then your faith is worthless, you are a condemned sinner, your life has no meaning, and living for Christ makes no sense. How hopelessly and hellishly lost you would be.“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20). “God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:24, Rev. 1:17-18). Indeed, all is truly and forever good for those in Christ, for those who have embraced Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Rom. 10:8-13

In the 3rd part of the chapter (1 Cor. 15:20-28), we see the big picture, God’s eternal plans, and how it relates to the resurrection. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead about 2000 years ago, but when will believers, Old Testament and church-age saints, be raised again? Verse 23 definitively tells us that our resurrection happens at Christ’s coming. It’s critical that you know this, that you will be resurrected, be glorified, be given a new and perfect body at Christ’s 2nd coming, specifically at that time when the church is raptured. 1 Thess. 4:15-17, 2 Thess. 2:1

Then God succinctly sums up the ages to come. During the millennial kingdom, Christ will rule the world from Jerusalem, with believers in their resurrected bodies helping Him carry out His plans (Rev. 5:10). Christ will bring peace to this earth, subdue His enemies, and defeat death, the greatest enemy. Then this glorious 1000-year kingdom age will come to an end, when Christ “hands over the kingdom to the Father… then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:24, 28), and the most-glorious eternal kingdom age will begin.

In the 4th part of this chapter (1 Cor. 15:29-34), with this eternal perspective in mind, we are instructed how to live for God during our short lives on earth. Like Paul, we are to “die daily,” and not be afraid of “danger.” About the Christian, Jesus said, “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Paul also tells us to live holy lives and have godly relationships, not like non-Christians who believe this life is all there is, who say, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” But we know Christ and the truth of the resurrection – “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21

In the 5th part of the chapter (1 Cor. 15:35-49), we learn about our glorified body. First, we learn that the old body must die before there is a new body. Second, we see that the new body will be radically and amazingly different than the old body. A plant is different than the grain of seed it came from and, so too, our heavenly body will be different than our earthly body (Rom. 8:21). Third, we learn that, though there will be differences, there will be similarities. Humans will be humans, birds will be birds, and stars will be stars. Fourth, there will be the new body: it won’t be perishable but imperishable, won’t be dishonorable but honorable, won’t be weak but powerful, won’t be natural but spiritual, won’t be earthly but heavenly. We have this wonderful description of our brand-new body, but we still cannot fathom how glorious it will be. Might you thank Jesus “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Cor. 15:57

In the 6th part of this chapter (1 Cor 15:50-57), we learn how long it will take to be glorified, and when it will happen. As to the first point, it will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” quicker than lightning. As to when it will happen, we know it will occur at Christ’s coming (1 Cor. 15:23), but here we learn that it is at “the last trumpet” which is just what Jesus said – “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet.” Matt. 24:31

It is then said that “we will not all sleep,” that not all believers will physically die. When Christ comes back in the clouds, many Christians will still be on earth, and they will be raptured, and immediately be changed and glorified. But believers who had already fallen asleep, had already physically died, will be glorified first, a split second before those still on earth. “The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess. 4:15-17

It is at this time, when “this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” that you will say, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:53-55). Finally, you will be fully and completely saved – body, mind and spirit. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

In the 7th part of this chapter, you are told how you are to live. In view of the truth of Christ’s resurrection and your resurrection, in view of the fact that you have a most wonderful Savior and a living hope, you are to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:58

P.S. At this time of the Coronavirus Pandemic, when there is all this reporting and sadness about people getting sick and dying, we need hope, we need to know that we have a glorious future. Here is my Easter Sunday message – “The Glorious Resurrection of Christ and Believers in Christ,” a post about the resurrection – “The Resurrection and Rapture of the Believers,” and an article about hope – “You Have to Have Hope.”

How to Defeat Death and Live Forever

April 19, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #114 ~

Death isn’t a popular subject. Who likes to think or talk about it? But it’s a reality that most people have to grapple with, and eventually face. I was 7 years old when my father died, and in the next 18 years, three grandparents and three uncles also passed away. Those were difficult times, both mentally and emotionally, having an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, and wondering where they had gone. When I was a freshman at college, God enabled me to see what life, and death, are all about. I realized that sin is the root problem and that death is the result. “The soul who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). I saw that death is physical in nature, but first and foremost, is spiritual in nature, in that people are spiritually cut off from God, and can’t experience and enjoy His life and love.

What is the answer to this problem of sin and death? God made it clear to me that either I pay for my own sins by being punished forever in hell, or that I believe His Son, Jesus Christ, died to pay for my sins, and then was raised from the dead. “Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  I understood that Christ’s death and resurrection was the only answer, the only way I could get victory over my greatest problem, over sin and death. By God’s grace, I repented of my sins, and put my trust in Christ, believing that He died for me, that He personally paid the penalty for my all sins. Romans 5:8, Mark 1:15, Ephesians 2:8-9

Now if Jesus Christ hadn’t died, there’d be no forgiveness; and if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, there’d be no hope for the future, no life after death. But Jesus did die and rise again from the dead, and that was the best news I had ever heard. I knew I was no longer guilty, but was forgiven and holy in the sight of God, for my problem of sin had been forever dealt with by Christ. My problem of death was also solved, for Christ, by rising from the dead, had defeated and obliterated death. Not only were my sins taken away, but I didn’t have to worry about dying and what came after it. Amazingly, I had been given eternal life, a personal and permanent relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. I had a brand new life on earth, I had hope for the future, and soon enough, I’d be in heaven with Jesus and all the other believers. God “has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

During my early years as a Christian, I knew I was forgiven and going to heaven. As time went on, I realized there was much more than just going to heaven after I died. God was increasing my hope, and I could say: I can’t wait to be with Jesus; I really want to be with loved ones who have already gone through death’s door and are in heaven; I’m excited about seeing Christ reign perfectly over this earth and reigning with Him; and now that I am older, and am feeling more aches and pains, I am looking forward to getting that brand new, perfect, immortal body! 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

But if the future is so good, and God loves us so much, then why are we still here? Philippians 1:21-27 tells us why. We are to live on earth for the Lord, which means we are not to live for ourselves, but for others. In particular, we are to reach out to those who aren’t saved. Think about the lost, about all those who live for sin, self and Satan, who love worldly things, who have no hope, and are without God in the world. Oh, they have food, a job, a home, a car, pets, games, sports, movies, video games, and a few friends. But they are in a sad and sorry state if this is all they are living for, if they have nothing more than this to look forward to. People and things may give a little happiness and satisfaction, but they do nothing to save a person’s soul, make him right with God, and enable him to escape death and get to heaven. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). People need the Lord!

Might you see that the lost are harassed and helpless, distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. Might you pray for them, love them, and share the good news with them. Tell them about Christ’s 1st coming, that He died to pay for people’s sins and rose again, defeating both sin and death. Encourage them to repent of their sins, to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness and a future in heaven. “Deliver those who are being taken away to death” (Proverbs 24:11). Tell them that only Jesus can give them real love, joy and peace, in this life and in the ages to come. Warn them, that if they don’t trust in Christ to pay for their sins, they themselves will have to pay for them by being punished forever in hell. “These will go into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matthew 25:41, 45). Tell them it won’t be long before Christ’s 2nd coming, and if they don’t repent, they will miss the rapture of the church, and greatly suffer when God’s righteous wrath is being poured out upon this earth.

What a needed and wonderful message is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t know the Lord, if you are not saved and on your way to heaven, then turn from your sin, and trust in Jesus to forgive you of your sins and give you eternal life. If you do know Jesus, then thank Him, love Him, live for Him, and look forward to seeing Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). I pray you do!

P.S. We are celebrating Easter this weekend, or as some say, Resurrection Sunday. Might we all thank the Lord for His incredible and eternal victory over sin and death. Two previous posts that also speak of this amazing victory we have through Christ are: The Resurrection and Rapture of the Church, and Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come.

A Sin-Wrecked World and the Coming of Christ

March 29, 2019 /

By Steven J. Hogan

A Saturday Morning Post #111 ~

Our real problem, our #1 problem, is sin, and it severely sickens every single person in this world. Like a spiritual cancer, it is a global plague that is spiritually and physically deadly. The only answer is Jesus Christ, for He has dealt with it, and will deal with it, “one way” or the other, and that’s the good news, the best news there is. “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Romans 6:23

When I think about the spiritual condition of our world, I think of Ephesians 4:17-19, which says unbelievers are “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God… and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.” Similarly, Psalm 82:4 says, “They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are being shaken.” Since the sin of Adam and Eve, the world has continually been hating God and trampling on His truth. At this time, in the beginning years of the 21st century, it’s obvious that the majority of the people living on this planet are sinners who don’t love God, don’t know God and don’t understand His truth. Our spiritual foundations are crumbling around us, resulting in damaged and destroyed lives, morals, families, schools, cultures, businesses, governments, and yes, churches too.

For close to 50 years now, I’ve been watching our sinful world get worse and worse. I am spiritually sickened as I see this world flooded with sin. There’s love of self, love of money, and love of pleasure. There’s an increased lack of respect for those in authority, whether it’s parents, teachers, policemen, or government leaders. There’s a growing disregard for the young, the old, and the unborn. There’s a sharp increase in sexual sin, in unmarried people living together, and in divorce. All kinds of people are liars, in big ways and little ways. Personal and public speech is more crude, filthy, obscene and hateful. All over the world, there are lawbreakers, many who have no conscience, and many who receive no consequences. Much of our music, movies and video games is unholy. People say things are good when they are evil, and say things are evil when they are good. People do what is right in their own eyes, but not in the eyes of God. There’s crime, theft, corruption, murder and all kinds of devilish deeds. There are many people whose thinking is depraved, who are out of their minds, don’t make sense, and aren’t rational. The bottom line is that people don’t fear God, don’t love God, and therefore, reject His truth. Mark 7:20-21; John 8:31-47; Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

And it’s going to get a lot worse. That’s what Matthew 24, the end-times prophecy chapter tells us: “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” God is saying that lawlessness will increase in the years leading up to Christ’s return. Paul substantiates this sad truth when he talks about the Antichrist, this “man of lawlessness… the son of destruction… the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). The unrestrained sinful flesh of man, along with Satan and his devilish Antichrist inciting them to sin against God, will result in this world becoming more lawless and corrupt the closer we get to the end of this age. Now that we live in the end-times, it’s clear that our sinful world is on an irreversible collision course with the Day of the Lord, the dreadful wrath of God. Nothing can stop God from carrying out His predetermined plan to judge sinful people and this sinful world. Psalm 98:9

It’s sobering and somewhat depressing talking about all this sin in the world, but always remember that God is sovereign (Daniel 4:35), God is merciful, and God is holy.
* God is merciful, for Jesus Christ, at His 1st coming, died to pay for the sins of people, and then rose again. If you aren’t saved, if you don’t know Christ, then now’s the time to repent of your sins, and ask God for mercy, for forgiveness, for eternal life. Then expect to be perfected, to be glorified at Christ’s 2nd coming, during the rapture. Hebrews 9:28
* God is holy, which is seen in 3 ways. 1) Individual sinners who reject Christ’s offer of mercy, will perish, will be cast into hell and punished forever. 2) Jesus Christ will defeat the Antichrist: “that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearing of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). 3) This sinful world will be judged by Christ after the end of this age, during the Day of the Lord, but not before He raptures the church, rescuing the Christians who live on this earth from the wrath He will pour out upon this wicked world. Revelation 8-9, 16

Let’s go back to Matthew 24, which instructs us how we are to live in the end-times.
* Verse 12 warns us, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” It’s important for you to know that this world will spiritually and morally get worse and worse.
– Verse 13 says, “The one who endures to the end will get saved.” There will be increasing lawlessness, but Christians need to endure. Some will die and go to heaven, and others will persevere to the end of the age and be saved, that is, be raptured and go to heaven.
– Verse 14 tells us to preach the gospel “to all the nations, and then the end will come.” No matter how difficult it gets, remember to tell people about Christ and how they can be forgiven of their sins and escape God’s wrath. What a great privilege to be alive for Christ in these last years before His return to rapture the church. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14). “Go make disciples of all the nations… surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

P.S. The increasing sin of the world is such an important subject to understand. I encourage you to read two other posts related to this one: “It’s Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better,” and “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”

Loving the Lord and Longing to See Him

December 28, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #100 ~

When we talk about the rapture, we need to think of it as a love story. You see, the truth about the end-times and Christ’s return is not some cold truth devoid of feeling, but a truth filled with warmth, love and affection. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the gospel. The heart of the gospel is the fact that Jesus loved us and wanted to die for us so we could be His eternal bride. And the heart of the rapture is the fact that Jesus wants to complete our salvation by taking us off this earth, glorifying us, and bringing us to heaven so we can forever be with Him. Then He will love us like never before (John 17:24). Now this is the perspective of Christ, that He dearly, deeply and eternally, loves us.

What is our perspective? It too, is about love. We see our sin and our need for Jesus to save us. By God’s grace, we respond to His love and believe the gospel, by which we are miraculously saved. With this salvation comes eternal life, this most wondrous relationship with God, our Father, and Jesus, our Savior. Christianity is this relationship, this eternal life, that has at its center, at its core, this love for God and Jesus. And our service for God is founded and grounded in our love for Him. If not, there is no relationship, just heartless rituals and useless routines that are empty and worthless. Our Christian life is defined by love, by knowing the love of God, and by loving Him. And this divine love relationship, showing forth God’s love for us, and our love for Him, is both present and future.

It is the prophetic portion of Scripture that explains God’s plans for the future of this present evil age, that which started with the sin of Adam and ends with the coming of Christ. It says that Christ will return at the end of this age, rapture the church and then reign over the world. But now that we are in the end-times, it won’t be long before all these things take place. It’s vital that we understand the facts of Christ’s return, and the rapture, that time when Christians are suddenly, gently and quickly taken up from this earth, brought to Jesus, and taken to heaven.

This is where you need to see that you are the bride, and that Jesus, your bridegroom, is coming to rescue you, as well as all believers still alive on this world at the end of the age. This is where you need to see that Jesus is coming back because He greatly loves you, and wants to show you His love by saving you from this evil earth, by glorifying you, and by bringing you to heaven to be with Himself. Aren’t you glad Jesus loves you, and wants to show you His love like this? Might this truth of Jesus’ coming thrill your heart, and fill you with a deep and genuine love for Him.

Should you not be so in love with Jesus that you can’t wait to see Him, that you can’t wait to be with Him, that you can’t wait to personally tell Him that you love Him? Should you not be overflowing with love for Jesus, and with heart-throbbing anticipation, be eagerly looking forward to that first time when you will see His face and His smile, and hear His words of love for you? Jesus is your wonderful Savior and glorious King, the One who loves you more than anyone else in the world. Because of His love for you, you ought to be filled up with love for Him. Because of your love for Him, you ought to be looking forward to that time when He will leave His Father’s side, speed down to earth, and snatch you up to heaven.

Our Savior, Lord, Shepherd, King, Friend and Bridegroom is coming to get you so you can be with Him, so you can experience His love and see His glory like never before. If you are not excited and longing for that time when you will first see Jesus, then what’s wrong? What is going on in your heart if you are not wanting to see Jesus, if you are not watching and waiting for Him? Have you lost your first love? Are you loving the world or some person more than you love Jesus? That would be terrible. That would be sad. I fear that many Christians have forgotten their first love for Jesus. If there’s a sin that keeps you from loving Jesus, and from longing to see Him, then it must be confessed. You must repent, and show Jesus that you love Him, and tell Him that you love Him and can’t wait to see Him, whether that be by death or by rapture. “To live is Christ, and to die (or be raptured) is gain.” Philippians 1:21

We are most blessed to be alive at this time in history, in the last years of this present age. I cannot help but think that many of you reading this will not physically die and go to heaven, but will be raptured and go to heaven. In either case, might you, with great passion and excitement, be loving Jesus and looking forward to seeing Him, and being with Him. “Behold, I am coming soon…. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. The Rapture, A Love Story is another encouraging post that conveys a similar message as does this one. Also, as we look forward to the new year, I would suggest that you read this article, The Time of My Life.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

November 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #94 ~

Matthew 4: 23

What was the main message preached by Jesus and the apostles in the first century? It was the gospel! This gospel, this good news, explains that people are sinners, but that Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of man, died on the cross to pay for peoples’ sins, and all those who repent and believe in Him, are justified, forgiven, and will go to heaven (Romans 1:18-32, 3:21-25, 4:4-8, 5:6-10, 6:23, 10:9-13). But it wasn’t just the gospel they preached, it was the gospel of the kingdom of God! Now I am not saying that you need to do more than repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ to be saved. What I am saying is that believing the gospel results in being forgiven of your sins and going to heaven, and also becoming a member of the kingdom of God!

Look at all these verses that talk about the gospel and the kingdom of God:
* Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee… proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.”
* Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
* Mark 1:14-15 – “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
* Luke 4:43 – “But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.’”
* John 3:5 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
* Acts 8:12 – “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized.”
* Acts 19:8 – “He continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”
* Acts 20:24-25 – “to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God… I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.”
* Acts 28:23 – “He was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus…” Acts 28:31
* Colossians 1:13 – “He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

What was being preached in the first century? It was the gospel of the kingdom of God! Clearly, the emphasis of gospel preaching is being saved, and becoming a member, not just of the church, but also of the kingdom of God. And this kingdom goes on forever, including all future ages, as well as incredible blessings and benefits. When we talk to people about Jesus Christ and salvation, we need to also share with them God’s kingdom perspective, for God wants them to see the big picture. People need to know that once they are born again, they enter into God’s kingdom, a spiritual kingdom, where Christ inwardly rules in their hearts. (Luke 17:21). Then when Christ returns, He will rapture the believers, pour out His wrath, redeem a remnant of Jews, and set up His physical kingdom on earth, at which time He will still be ruling in believers’ lives, but also, outwardly ruling over the entire world.

But now, close to 2000 years after Christ’s first coming, I sense that many believers think this church age will just keep going, failing to realize that it will soon come to an end, and that the next phase of God’s kingdom will then be established on earth. That’s why it’s critical to understand what God’s word is telling us about the kingdom of God. At this time, we are living in the church age, what I call, Phase one. At the end of this age, there’s a short transition time (Revelation 7-10, 15-19), then there’s Phase two, when we will reign with Christ for 1000 years (Revelation 20). “Then comes the end (of the millennial kingdom), when He (Christ) hands over the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Corinthians 15:24), which begins Phase three, the eternal kingdom. Revelation 21-22

I hope you are beginning to understand God’s kingdom plans, that He’s faithfully carrying them out, that He is now leading you, together with the entire world, to that point when He will send His Son back to establish His kingdom on earth. So what does God want you to do?
– You are to be 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
– You are to be “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.” Matthew 4:23, 24:14
– You are to serve Him: “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:11-27
– You are to preach rightly: “In view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). To have real purpose and power in your preaching, you need to connect it to Christ’s return and His coming kingdom on earth.

I must say, I get very excited and encouraged when I think of who God has made us to be, and what He has in store for us: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). In conclusion, “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (church age). When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (kingdom ages). Colossians 3:3-4

P.S.  Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian. Thanksgiving Day will be here soon, but as you know, we are to be thankful every day of the year. Here is an article that I believe  will help you to see the value and blessing of being thankful.

Immigration: “As It Is, They Desire a Better Country.”

June 29, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #74 ~

Immigration has been a huge subject in our country for quite a while now. But don’t worry, this is not a political post. I’m not going to talk about coyotes, MS-13 gangs, drug smugglers, children, human trafficking, a wall, and tell you what I think the government should do. As you know, people get way too heated, hung up, and emotionally embroiled in policy debates. I’m not saying we don’t need some good answers  with regards to immigration. We do. But as Christians we need to have perspective, be calm, and stay focused on the work God wants us to do. “Do business until I come back.” Luke 19:13

Remember, you are a heavenly citizen, and are not to be worldly, but are to set your mind on things above, not on things earthly and temporary. The most important issue is not whether a person is legal or illegal in this country. It’s not what is physically happening on our border, but what is spiritually taking place in a person’s heart. The thing that matters most is that a person can be born again and enter into the kingdom of God, can cross the spiritual border and pass from death to life. John 3:1-8, John 3:16, John 5:24

So how is a person born again? How is a person forgiven of his or her sins? What is the port of entry? How does one enter a “better country”, the heavenly country? In John 10:7-9, Jesus tells us, “I say to you, I am the door of the sheep… if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved,” meaning saved from sin, death and hell. This is very good news! This is what we really need to be talking about! Our #1 problem is sin and the only answer is Jesus Christ. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

Why Jesus Christ? Because either you forever pay for your own sins, or you believe Jesus did it for you when He died on the cross 2000 years ago. All you need to do is repent of your sins, and by faith, receive the provision of forgiveness offered to you by God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not at all by your “good works”, but by what Christ did for you. If you have not yet turned to Christ, and trusted in Him alone for mercy, then now’s the time. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

But you still wonder and worry about our porous southern border. Okay, let me share some spiritual truths to help you know how God wants you to think about this:

1. Faith. You need to trust God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Know that God is sovereign, that He is in charge of this whole situation, and is working things out for all the people involved, both immigrants and citizens, both now and in the future. I think of a related story, the Islamification of most of Europe, a much bigger immigration problem than what we have here. Don’t you think God knows what He’s doing over there? This too, relates to having faith in Him and in His end-time purposes, and in particular, that He is presently remaking and realigning those countries. (Daniel 2:36-45). But no matter what happens in the years ahead, whether in this country or around the world, you need to be still, to trust God, and know that He “works all things after the counsel of His will.” Ephesians 1:9-11

2. Hope. “He was looking for the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God… But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:10, 16). The main message of Hebrews 11 is hope, faith in God for the future, for the saints of old were desiring and looking forward to a better country. This heavenly country they were longing for, and that we ought to long for, is infinitely better than the United States ever was or ever will be. As Christians, “we are strangers and exiles on earth” (Hebrews 11:13). Our real hope, and what we can be certain of, is that we will be in our heavenly home some day (John 14:1-3). Let’s pray for all people, including those wanting to come to this country, that God saves their souls, and gives them true hope, a deep longing to be with Jesus in a heavenly home. Hebrews 12:22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-5

3. Love. Your primary purpose in life is to love God and people. It’s not to persuade people with regards to political issues. Whether it’s people in your family, at work, or on the border, you need to see their souls, not their age, their sex, their skin color, their nationality, or their political party. People are distressed, discouraged, and hurting inside, and God wants you to have compassion on them, knowing their greatest need is forgiveness, is being a child of God, is having a heavenly Father. When I hear of close to 300 children crossing the border per day, then it makes sense that we pray for their safety, welfare, and salvation. “Do not hinder the children from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Faith, hope and love. That’s it. 1. Faith – trust God for this whole immigration problem. Pray for His kingdom to come, for people to be saved, and to enter into the “better country.” 2. Hope – look forward to being with Jesus and with one another in your heavenly home. 3. Love – have a heart of compassion, forgiveness and kindness for everyone, both saved and lost, people here and people there. This is how you will make a real difference in peoples’ lives, be blessed forever, and give glory to God. Psalm 104:47-48

P.S. This post, in essence, is about the gospel, the most important message of all. Two other posts that also talk about this saving message of Christ are “The Resurrection and Rapture of the Believers,” and “The Most Important Thing for You.”

Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come

March 30, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #61 ~

“I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised again on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, then without question, this is the greatest news, that Christ died for your sins, and was raised again! Might this gospel message bring great joy, blessing and hope to your heart. Though you were dead in your sins and unable to save yourself, God intervened and forgave you, made you His child, and gave you eternal life. Hallelujah!

During this time of the year, we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s essential that you know what Christ did for you, by His death and resurrection, justified you. Now you are now being sanctified and you will be glorified. A lot could be said about your past justification and present sanctification, but the primary purpose of this blog site is to help you understand the future, and particularly, that you will be glorified and live forever with Christ and all the saints.

One of the best Bible passages to explain this is 1 Corinthians 15. Starting with verse 23, we read about the order of the resurrection. “But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Jesus Christ was the first person to be resurrected, to be raised from the dead and never to die again, to be glorified and immortal. That was about 2000 years ago. But when will we be resurrected? It is at Christ’s coming. It is not before Christ’s coming, but in fact, is the first event at His coming. When Christ returns in the clouds, all believers, all those living on earth, and all those who have already died, will be resurrected, will be glorified, will be physically saved and forever transformed. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the humble state of our body into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:20-21

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 describes this resurrection body with four words: imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual. Our brand new body will be imperishable and immortal, one that will never perish, wear out, morally decay or die again. It will be glorious – it will be amazing, beautiful and spectacular, perfect inside and out, infinitely better than your present body. It will be powerful, invincible, indestructible, incredibly strong, much stronger than Superman, Iron Man, Tron, Captain America, etc., and able to do all God wants you to do. It will be a spiritual body. Though it is physical in nature, it is also spiritual in nature, perfectly suited to worship God, to love and serve the saints, to have fellowship, and to wonderfully enjoy God and the pleasures of life. Psalm 16:11

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 gives us more information about believers being glorified. “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” This means that not all believers are going to physically die, but all believers will be changed, or glorified. Think about this, that all believers from all time will be glorified at the coming of Christ, those who have already died and are in heaven, and those who still remain on earth. This is what 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 is explaining, that “the dead in Christ (those who have already died) will rise first,” and then “we who are alive and remain (until the coming of the Lord) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” This last verse is referring to the rapture, when Christians who are alive at the coming of Christ will be rapidly taken off this earth and then be glorified. This will happen “in a moment,” quickly, suddenly, instantly, and immediately after the sound of a trumpet and the sighting of Christ in the clouds.

In the world there’s lots of talk about victory, success, winning, and being first. But by far, your greatest success is your victory over death; and by death, I mean spiritual death and physical death. So what if you have problems, trials or sickness. So what if you get old and die. “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory, where is your sting?… Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Might you be super-excited! Might you be extremely happy in Christ, filled with His joy and peace, knowing that through Him, you are a winner, you are victorious, and you have a future and a hope!

What is the conclusion to this truth about the resurrection of Christ and our coming resurrection in Christ? How are we to live? “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are to love God, be filled with the Spirit, and do the work of Christ until we physically die and are taken to heaven, or until the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. “God will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:8

P.S.  There are a couple of articles that relate directly to this most important subject of the resurrection.  When you get time, I would encourage you to read them:  Heavenly Verses That Speak About Your Glorious Future!  Being in Heaven with Jesus, and the Believers, and in a New Glorified Body!

The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the Nations – Then Christ Will Return!

October 27, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #41 ~

 

The gospel, that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, suffered and died to pay the penalty for man’s sin, and was raised from the dead, is by far the most important message in the world! When a person repents and believes that Christ died for his sins, he’s forgiven and becomes a child of God. He is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and is given eternal life, a personal relationship with God. He doesn’t go to hell when he dies, but instead goes to heaven (unless he is raptured). Satan is no longer his master, but Jesus is Lord of his life. And during his time on earth he experiences real love, joy and peace, and has a reason for living. He has grace for the present and hope for the future. There’s no doubt about it, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news in the world! Mark 1:15, John 5:24, 1 Peter 3:18

The direction of these posts for the past few weeks and for the next few months is about what needs to take place before Christ’s 2nd coming. One thing that’s crystal clear is that the church’s primary objective is to reach the world with the gospel, and then Christ will return to rapture the church and reign over this earth. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs the disciples that they were to “go and make disciples of all the nations… even to the end of the age.” In Acts 1:6, the disciples asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would be restored to Israel. But first things first, for Jesus tells them, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Then in Acts 3:19-21, Peter concludes his gospel message by saying, “Therefore, repent and return so that 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, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration.”

You see these instructions about preaching the gospel repeated in all these end time passages. “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony” (Luke 21:13). “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations” (Mark 13:10). “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end shall come.” (Matthew 24:14). Then look at Revelation 14:6-7. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. This gospel will be preached to the whole world until the end of this age, and then Christ will return and take the believers still on earth home to heaven.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only answer to man’s problem, the only way to be saved from sin – it’s what people desperately need to hear. We can so easily worry about our own lives, but we need to be concerned for the lost, and seek first the kingdom of God. We should be excited to know we can serve the Lord in these days leading up to the coming of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:5 says, “each one has received his task. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” I tell you, this verse really motivates me. God has given each one of us a key role to play in reaching the world with the gospel. It may primarily be prayer, it may be sharing your testimony, explaining the gospel or passing out a tract, but for all of us it means loving the lost and being a good example to them. I encourage you to do your part, to use your gifts, abilities, time and money for the sake of the gospel.

Don’t forget that Jesus Christ is in charge of world missions – He is heading up this global, evangelistic outreach. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, He oversees every church, works with every mission agency and Christian ministry, and directs every believer in fulfilling their gospel-related task. Christ will keep working until He gets the job done, until that last person to be saved, is saved. And mark my words, Christ’s worldwide campaign to get His message out is close to being completed.

I can’t tell you how encouraged I am when I hear specific stories about God’s people being sent out into His harvest, the gospel being shared and heard on radios and smart phones, and read in Bibles and tracts. This Christ-directed effort to reach the world is succeeding. People are getting saved, disciples are being made, and the church is growing. But what does it mean to reach the world with the gospel? I don’t have a specific answer – there are unreached peoples, the 10-40 window, and all kinds of stats. But we do know we’re not there yet, otherwise Christ would already be back on earth. The fact that we are in the end times means this age will soon come to an end and the church will be raptured, and then believers will be in heaven from “every nation and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.’” Revelation 7:9-10

P.S. A related article that specifically explains the Gospel is found in this previous post: The Most Important Thing for You!

The Alarm is Ringing! Wake Up America! The Storm is Coming!

September 1, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #33 ~

My son lives in Houston, and so for the past week, I was closely following Harvey, this slow motion tragedy, this epic catastrophe, this 1000 year flood event. Watching what’s been taking place has been surreal, unbelievable, the continued rain resulting in massive flooding, untold heartache, uprooted lives, unspeakable and unimaginable devastation, and also death. What are we to think? What are we to do? This is a time to be like the good Samaritan and love your neighbor. This is a time for compassion and kindness, a time to serve if you are able, a time to give financially to reputable charity organizations. But most importantly, this is a time to pray and ask God to pour out His grace and mercy upon the millions who are so needy.

This is also a time to consider what God has been doing. Do you see that every drop of water from the heavens above is from the hand of God? “God says to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone He has made may know His work, He stops all people from their work” (Job 37:6-7). Do you realize this storm is to get your attention, to get you to stop what you’re doing so you look to Him, and to put the fear of God in you? Do you see that God is sounding the alarm, trying to wake you up from your sleep, to jolt you out of your slumber? God is calling on all Americans to wake up!

“The clouds change direction, turning around by His guidance, that they may do whatever He commands them on the face of the earth. Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen… stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:12-14). “The voice of the Lord is over the waters… The Lord sits enthroned over the flood. The Lord is King forever” (Psalm 29:3, 10). We get so occupied and distracted by school, work, sports, games, TV, texts and tweets, but might we hear the voice of the Lord. Listen up! God is telling us that He is God and we are but men, and that He is holy, supreme and powerful, and that He can do whatever He wants. Daniel 4:35

But what is God saying to those who don’t know Him? He wants them to know about His mercy, but it’s not just a temporal mercy by helping them through a physical problem, like a flood, but an eternal mercy by offering salvation from their sins, from their greatest spiritual problem. Yes, God wants to physically save people out of the rain and the flood and all the destruction that goes with it, but He’s more concerned about showing mercy to people by saving them from an eternal hell. 1 Timothy 2:3-6

How can a person be saved from his sins and from hell? He needs to know he’s a sinner in need of a Savior. He needs to know he has not loved God, but has loved himself and pleasure and money, or that he’s been proud, or that he has ignored and disobeyed God, or that he’s been angry, covetous or immoral. A person then needs to genuinely repent of his sins, and truly believe that Christ actually died for him, and was punished by God for all his sins. Those who repent and believe, who call out to God for mercy, will be forgiven, and be given eternal life, and become children of God. Christ can save you from your sins, from the spiritual cancer that’s killing you, and this is the best and most important news in the world. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Ephesians 2:8-9, John 5:24

What is God saying to the person who’s already a true Christian? That if he is spiritually sleeping, then by God’s grace, he needs to wake up. If he is sinning, then he needs to repent and be holy. If he is loving the world, then he needs to love God. If he is proud, then he needs to be humble. If he is worried, then he needs to see that God is sovereign. If he is disobedient, then he needs to obey God. If he is churchless, then he needs to get in a good Bible church, faithfully loving and serving the saints. Finally, he is to tell others the good news about how Christ can save them from sin, death and hell. I must say that there’s no greater joy than knowing the Lord, worshiping Him, working for Him, and waiting for His glorious return and the rapture of the church.

Let me ask again, do you see what God is doing? He ordains little trials as well as these massive storms, these super-natural disasters. And He wants you to know Him as the One who meets both your physical and spiritual needs “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2

P.S. – All kinds of calamities will continue on up to the return of Christ. Next week, I am planning on looking at the birth pains – the wars, famines, plagues and earthquakes that are and will be taking place in the end times.

P.P.S. – I have just posted a very informative and important article about the coming of Jesus Christ. (By the way, my son is safe and encouraged).

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