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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Hope (Page 1 of 8)

Blog posts about hope.

Loving Jesus Now, in the Future, and Forever

December 7, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Satuday Morning Post #320 ~

About 50 years ago I met an older and godly man named Abe. He was my Sunday School teacher in a small Baptist church in a small NE Iowa town. Never have I met anyone so filled love with love for God, who just beamed with joy, and who spoke so excitedly about being in heaven with Jesus. His example has truly encouraged and motivated me through the years.

There is a clear connection between loving Jesus Christ now and loving Him in the future. As a Christian, you should be looking forward to seeing Jesus in person, and loving the One who loves you far more than anyone else. If you don’t have a close relationship with Jesus, if you are not actively loving Him now, then you are probably not excited about seeing Him and being with Him in heaven. 

So how is your relationship with Jesus? Is He #1 in your life? Is He your best friend? Are you getting good alone-time with Him? Are you telling Him how much you love Him? Do you praise Him and sing to Him with all your heart? Are you like Mary, “seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word?” Remember, “only one thing is necessary” (Lk. 10:39, 42), and that’s being with Jesus, and loving Him and learning from Him.

If Jesus is first in your life, then you will know His love for you; you will be filled with joy; you will be at peace; you will be perfectly satisfied; you will be loving others; you will be helping Jesus make disciples “to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20); and you will be wanting Him and waiting for Him to take you to Himself and home to heaven.

If you don’t have a strong love for Jesus, if you aren’t doing what He wants you to do, if you aren’t excited that He’s coming again to be with you, then consider these questions:
* Are there sins that have captured your heart, that have taken hold in your life, sins you need to confess to God and Christ? Ps. 32:1-5, 1 John 1:5-9
* Are you fleshly, are you loving the things of the world? 1 Cor. 3:1-4, 1 Jn. 2:15-17
* Are you remembering what Christ did for you at His 1st coming? Do you know what He did for you on the cross, that He died to pay for all your sins? Are you regularly taking communion? Do you realize how much God has forgiven you? Do you think often about Christ’s love for you? Ps. 86:12-13; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Jn. 4:10,19

* Do you understand the truths about God redeeming you, justifying you, forgiving you, reconciling you, adopting you, and sealing you with the Spirit? Eph. 1:3-14
* Are you in a solid church, in a good, Christ-is-coming, Bible-preaching church? 2 Tim. 4:1-2 – “In view of His appearing and His kingdom… preach the word.” 1-2 Thess.
* Are you having good fellowship with other Christians? Heb. 10:24-25
* Do you have good Christian friends that you are accountable to and that are an encouragement to you? Prov. 18:24b, Rom. 16:3-16, Col. 4:7-15
* Do you know what Christ will do for you at His 2nd coming? Are you filled with hope? Do you understand the glorious future God has planned out for you? Do you realize that “to live is Christ” but “to die is gain,” that being with Jesus in heaven is better than being with Jesus on earth? Rom. 8:18-25, Rom. 15:13

* Do you realize how much Jesus wants to be with you, how much He wants to show you His love in the future and for all eternity? Jesus told you, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:3). Jesus prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (Jn. 17:24). Jesus “died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.” 1 Thess. 5:11

The most important thing in life is knowing God’s love and loving Him! That’s it! And Jesus does not hesitate to correct Christians – “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Rev. 2:4). O, may this not be true of you! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mk. 12:30, 1 Cor. 16:22

Looking forward to loving Jesus in the future is an important sign that you love Him in the present. So are you wholeheartedly loving Jesus now and excited about loving Him in the future? If you are not sure, then go over the questions I listed, and get some answers; ask God to search you, cleanse you, and instruct you (Ps. 139:23-24); and He will surely revive you. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:19-20

Finally, remember what Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me” (Job 19:25-27). And say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20

P.S. During this Christmas season are we emphasizing the importance of our relationship with Jesus? As you know, this is what is most important. Here are three posts that speak of your love for Jesus and your relationship with Him: “The Rapture, a Love Story”, “Loving the Lord and Longing to See Him”, “Loving God Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.”

The King and His Kingdom

November 16, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #318 ~

We live in a world divided into all these different countries, and each one has its own leader. But it won’t be long before we see Jesus Christ, the King of kings, return to earth, and He will be its sole leader, and be visibly and powerfully ruling over the entire world. God repeatedly promised that His Son Jesus would be a great King with a glorious Kingdom. Here are some Old Testament verses that are predictive and descriptive of Christ and His kingdom.

2 Sam. 7:12-13 – “I will raise up your descendant… He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever.” God told us that the coming King would be a descendant of David, and Matt. 1 proves this to be true. We also learn that Jesus’ kingdom will forever display God’s name – His character, purposes, and glory.

Psalm 47:2-3 – “The Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth…” The coming King is God, the Lord Most High, and He will be more loving and powerful than any other being in history. He will be the most glorious King ever, and be greatly respected and praised. And He will subdue and rule over every nation on earth.

Isaiah 9:6-7 – “A child will be born to us… The government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…” The coming King is both God and man. And He’s wise, powerful, holy, just, eternal, and fatherly. And He will bring real peace to the whole world.

Psalm 2 – “… As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain…” The leaders of this world are strongly opposed to God and Jesus Christ, and are being warned by Christ that they need to worship Him, or else. But they won’t, and so at the end of this age, Christ will defeat and judge these evil kings and their kingdoms, and then establish His glorious kingdom on this earth.

Many other Old Testament passages speak of the coming King and His Kingdom: Psalm 10:16; Psalm 22:27-28; Psalm 24:7-10; Psalm 29:10-11; Psalm 45:6; Psalm 48:1-3; Psalm 65:8-13; Psalm 67; Psalm 72; Psalm 89:27-29; Psalm 98; Psalm 102:12-22; Psalm 132:10-18; Psalm 145:1-2, 10-13; Isaiah 2:1-4; Jeremiah 10:10; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14, 23-27; Micah 5:2-5a; Zeph. 3:14-17; Zech. 14:1-9

The New Testament also tells us about Christ the King and His Kingdom.
* Matthew 1-2 speaks about the ancestry of the King, the birth of the King, the birthplace of the King, the mother of the King, the name of the King, the purpose of the King, the worship of the King, the enemies of the King, and the escape of the King. 
* Luke 1-2 talks about Jewish believers who were excitedly looking forward to seeing the King and His blessing upon Israel. There were Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, and Anna.

* Luke 19:32-38 – Many Jews were saying this as Christ entered Jerusalem – “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” They hoped He would set up His earthly kingdom but they were mistaken, for His primary purpose at His 1st coming was to die to save people from their sins. At His 2nd coming, Christ will rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and establish Himself as King over this earth. 
* John 19:37 – Jesus told Pilate, “You say correctly that I am a King.” Jesus admitted to Pilate that He was a King, but His goal at that time was not to rule as a King but to be a Savior, to die on a cross and be raised again to save people from sin and from death. 

* Matthew 24:3-31 describes in detail what has to happen before the coming of the King. He tells His disciples that there will be wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, increasing lawlessness, false teaching, betrayal, the desecration of the Jewish temple, the revealing and rule of the Antichrist, great persecution of Jews and Christians, preaching the gospel to the nations, and signs in the heavens. Lk. 21:7-24; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 6:1-17, 13:3-18
* Matthew 19:27-28 tells us that in the “regeneration”, the rebirth of the earth in the coming age, Jesus’ disciples will reign with Him over the nation of Israel.

So what do you need to know and do before Christ returns?
1. Learn from God’s word what needs to happen before Christ returns. Mark 13:23
2. Pray for the coming of Christ and His kingdom. Matt. 6:9-10 – “Our Father, who are in heaven, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
3. Be diligently doing the work God wants you to do. Eph. 2:10
4. Be alert for you don’t know when Christ is coming. And be ready for Christ, watching for Christ, and looking forward to being with Christ. Matt. 24:42-51

Here is a summary of the millennial kingdom age:
1. Jesus Christ will reign over the entire earth, over all the nations. Ps. 72:8
2. Christ will reign from the city of Jerusalem. Ps. 48:1-2, Zech. 14:9
3. The earth will be restored, be renewed, be remodeled. Acts 3:21, Rom. 8:20-21
4. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Isaiah 11:9
5. The earth will be filled with the glory of God. Ps. 72:19
6. This part of Christ’s kingdom will exist for exactly 1,000 years. Rev. 20:1-7

7. The heavens will be glad and the earth will rejoice during this kingdom age. Ps. 96:11
8. The gospel will be preached to all nations, and many will be saved. Ps. 96:2, 98:2-3
9. Israel will be greatly blessed as a nation, and God’s blessing on them will result in the entire world being blessed. Is. 12, Is. 60
10. Every knee will bow to Christ, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Phil. 2:9-11
11. The kings and the nations of the world will serve Christ. Ps. 72:11
12. The millennial kingdom will not be an evil age, but a good age. Hab. 2:14

13. Agriculturally, the earth will be extremely fruitful and productive. Ps. 65:9-13
14. The apostles will rule with Christ over the nation of Israel. Matt. 19:27-29
15. Believers will reign with Christ. 1 Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 5:12, 20:6
16. Believers will be gifted and empowered to carry out Christ’s work. Luke 19:16-19
17. Jerusalem will be a holy city, and no one will be weeping or crying. Is. 65:19
18. Christ will have mercy on the poor and needy, and help them. Ps. 72:13

19. People on earth during the kingdom age will live a very long time. “The one who does not reach the age of 100 will be thought accursed.” Is. 65:20
20. Animals will get along, for the “wolf will dwell with the lamb.” Is. 11:6-9
21. Even children and snakes will get along, for “the weaned child will put his hand in the viper’s den.” Is. 11:8
22. Satan will be released at the end of this age, gather sinners to himself, lead a rebellion against Christ, be quickly defeated, and then be cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:7-10
23. Christ will abolish all rule, authority, and power; all things will be subject to Him; and He will cast death and Hades into the lake of fire. 1 Cor. 15:24-28, Rev. 20:11-15
24. The millennial kingdom will be followed by the eternal kingdom. Rev. 21:1

Do you see where we are now at and where we are going? We are living in the end-times and God wants you to be fully informed about these last years before Christ’s coming and His 1000-year kingdom. He wants you to be encouraged, to have hope, to be looking forward to seeing and being with Christ and worshiping and serving Him in the coming kingdom age.

“Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and 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 and released us from our sins by His blood – and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him.” Revelation 1:4-7a

P.S. One of my favorite subjects is the coming kingdom age. I like it and I need it because it gives me hope, and you need hope too. Here are two other posts on this important subject of the millennial kingdom age: “The Coming Kingdom Age – 1000 Years of Glory”, “The KING of Kings is Coming.”

Prophetic Psalms About the King and His Kingdom

September 7, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #312 ~

It’s obvious that we live in the end-times and, therefore, it is essential to learn what God wants us to know about the coming of Christ and the future He has in store for us. God has given us a good outline of what will be taking place along with instructions as to how we are to live – and He has given us hope.

One book that is often overlooked when it comes to studying the future is the Psalms. (Yes, the Psalms was written to the Jews, but it’s also written to you.) My purpose in this post, and in the related article, “The Psalms and Prophecy”, is to give you an extensive list of prophecy verses from the Psalms that I am convinced will be very helpful to you. I encourage you to read them, share them with others, and use them as a basis for more extensive study.

Here are the subjects that are covered: 1) The Salvation of the Jews; 2) The Judgment of the Wicked; 3) The King and His Kingdom; 4) The Land; 5) The Millennial Kingdom; 6) Your Future Relationship with God. In this post, I have listed out only some of the verses. Article 55 is much longer and more detailed for it contains my complete list of verses. 

1) The Salvation of the Jews: God promised to save a remnant of Jews at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. This chosen race, this royal priesthood, this holy nation will be living in Israel, helping repopulate the earth, and worshiping and serving Christ the King. (Is. 45:17, Jer. 31:31-34, Dan. 9:24, Rom. 11:25-27). Ps. 98:2-3 – “The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel.” Ps. 111:9 – “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.” Ps. 130:7-8 – “For with the Lord is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption, and He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

2) The Judgment of the Wicked: God is most holy, and He will not let the guilty go free. All the wicked who have ever dwelt on this earth, those who have not repented of their sins and turned to God for mercy, will perish, will be righteously and eternally punished. (Is. 24; Matt. 24:41, 46; Rev. 7-8, 16, 20:15). Psalm 1:6 – “The way of the wicked will perish” (6). Ps. 9:5 – “You have destroyed the wicked, You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” Ps. 11:6 – “Upon the wicked He will rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.” Ps. 81:15 – “Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him, and their time of punishment would be forever.” Ps. 83:17-18 – “Those who hate You have exalted themselves” (2). Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever.” Ps. 92:7-8 – “When the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.”

3) The King and His Kingdom: In a world filled with evil and evil rulers, we must be convinced that the King will be coming soon, and that He will establish His kingdom on this earth. The Psalms doesn’t clearly differentiate the two future kingdoms, the 1000-year kingdom and the eternal kingdom, but we do know that He will be perfectly reigning over a world filled with His glory. (2 Sam. 7:16, Is. 42:1-4, Ez. 27:21-28, Dan. 7:13-14, Zech. 14:9, Rev. 20). Psalm 2:6 – “As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Ps. 10:16 – “The Lord is King forever and ever.” Ps. 22:28 – “The kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” Ps. 45:6 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Ps. 47:2 – “The Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.” Ps. 67 – “Let all the peoples praise You, O God” (3). “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth” (4). Ps. 102:15-16 – “The nations will fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth Your glory. For the Lord has built up Zion. He has appeared in His glory.”

4) The Land: God promised to Abraham and to all believing Jews the land from the River to the Sea. But more than that, it will be the entire earth. And Christians, as coheirs with Christ, as part of this chosen race, will also inherit the earth. (Gen. 12:1-3; Jer. 32:40-41; Ez. 37:21-22; Matt. 5:5). Psalm 37:29 – “The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever” (29). Ps. 85:1 – “You showed favor to Your land, You restored the captivity of Jacob.” Ps. 105:8-11 – “He has remembered His covenant forever…the covenant… to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘To you will I will give the land of Caanan as the portion of your inheritance.’” Ps. 136:16, 21-22 – “To Him… who gave their land as a heritage, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, even a heritage to Israel His servant.”

5) The Millennial Kingdom: We live in a devil-ruled, sin-corrupted world. Not long from now we will live in a Christ-ruled and restored world. There will be justice, peace, love, and glory like we have not seen since the beginning days of this earth. Both the people and the land of this glorious kingdom will be blessed. And believers will be reigning with Christ the King. (Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14, Acts 3:20-21; Rom. 8:19-22, Phil. 2:9-11, 1 John 5:19, Rev 20:6). Psalm 22:27-28 – “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s.” Ps. 47:7-8 – “God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations.” Ps. 65:8-9 – “They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. You visit the earth and cause it to overflow.” Ps. 72 – “May He judge Your people with righteousness” (2-3). “May He also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth” (7-8). “He will have compassion on the poor and needy” (13). “… may the whole earth be filled with His glory” (17-19). Ps. 96 – “Sing to the Lord, all the earth” (1). “Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations” (2-3). Ps. 98 – “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (3-4). “With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar and all it contains” (5-8).Ps. 102 – “You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to be gracious to her” (13). “The nations will fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth Your glory” (15-16). Ps. 145:12 – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

6) Your Future Relationship with God: Having a loving, continual, never-ending relationship with Jesus Christ is, without question, the best part of your future. Dwelling in His house, seeing His face, being perfectly satisfied, learning from Him, loving Him and being loved by Him – it can’t get any better than this. (Lk. 10:42; Jn. 17:3; Eph. 1:17, 3:18-19; 2 Pet. 1:2.) Psalm 11:7 – “The Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” Ps. 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Ps. 17:15 – “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.” Ps. 23:6 – “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps. 63:2-3 – “Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.”

What a glorious hope! And you must know this hope, what God has planned out for you in the future, if you are to live rightly for Him in the present. I say this with utmost earnestness, sobriety, and conviction. Way too many Christians are asleep – and they need to know God’s prophetic word and wake up to the times we live in. “You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky but why do you not analyze this present time?” (Lk. 12:56). “The night is almost gone, and the day is near” (Rom. 13:12). “Therefore, be on the alert” (Matt. 24:42). “… encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Heb. 10:25

Please look at the related article. You will be amazed and excited by how many prophecy verses are found in the book of Psalms!!!

I strongly suggest that you read my three-part series on this subject in the articles section – Prophecy Psalms for You and the Jew – “Part 1“, “Part 2”, “Part 3”. You will find them very instructive and encouraging.

Kingdom Prophecies from the Psalms

August 24, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #311 ~

The purpose of this post is to get you thinking about the future that God has in store for you, and to give you hope. In the past few weeks, we’ve focused on the book of Psalms, especially as it describes your relationship with God. There’s no question that having a close walk with God is what’s most important in life. That means in your day to day life, and in these end-times when we “feel” the birth pains, and when we are going through great tribulation. Matt. 24:4-9

What many Christians don’t realize is the enormous amount of truth in the Psalms about the hope God has given them. I’m convinced you will find it to be an invaluable source of information about your future. In this post, I am sharing five critical points about prophecy in the Psalms, and then summarizing some key prophetic passages. 

1. The primary themes in the Psalms are: a) God – His being, character, and purpose; b) the history of the Jewish people; c) the Lord, Savior, and Judge; d) God’s past, present, and future relationship with His people; e) the end-times; f) the coming King; g) the kingdom age; h) persecution, suffering, and deliverance; i) the judgment of the wicked; j) worshiping the Lord God Almighty.

2. The primary prophecy themes in the Psalms are: a) the coming King; b) the judgment of the wicked; c) the kingdom age. You will see these themes repeated many times, which means that we need to know them, and be encouraged by them. For example, Psalm 2 covers all three of these subjects.

3. Jesus wants you to know the prophecies in these Psalms: “All things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Lk. 24:44). Jesus was stressing the importance of the Psalms as they relate to the future. Prophecies in the Psalms about Jesus’ 1st coming have already been fulfilled, but prophecies about His 2nd coming and the kingdom age will be fulfilled in the future.

4. The Psalms are for Jews, and also for Christians, for we share in their blessings. Truths about Christ the King, the millennial kingdom, and the land of Israel are a very important part of the future we have as Christians. Along with believing Jews, you will worship the King (Ps. 47:6 – Rom. 15:10-11), reign with the King (Ps. 47:8 – Rev. 5:10), and inherit the land. Ps. 37:22 – Matt. 5:5

5. To understand the prophecy portions of Psalms, you must know three key covenants God made to the Jewish people: the Abrahamic Covenant – the promise of land (Gen. 13:14-17 – Ps. 37:29); the Davidic Covenant – the promise of the King (2 Sam.7:12-16 – Ps. 89:28-29); and the New Covenant – the promise of salvation. Jer. 31:31-34 – Ps. 111:9

6. The fact that we live in the end-times means that many 2nd coming prophecies in the Psalms will soon be fulfilled. These prophetic portions in the Psalms are critically important for Christians living at this time in history – more than ever before, you need to read and understand them. God knows that you must be instructed, encouraged, hopeful, and ready to meet your Lord and King.

Here is a list of some important 2nd coming prophecy passages from the Psalms:
* Psalm 2 – This is about the enemy’s global opposition to God, His judgment of these evildoers, and Christ’s reign as King over the world. 
* Psalm 22:22-31 – This speaks of believing Israelites glorifying the King, the nations of the world worshiping Him, and believers being satisfied by Him.
* Psalm 37 – This encouraging Psalm keeps repeating the truth that the wicked will soon be taken away and judged, but the righteous will remain and inherit the land of Israel and the entire world.

* Psalm 46 – Earthquakes and wars will soon devastate the earth but you are not to be afraid, for God will make them cease, at which time He will be exalted in the earth and among the nations.
* Psalm 47 – The main point of this Psalm is that Christ the King will rule over the world and be worshiped by all those who live on this earth.
* Psalm 48 – We learn about Christ the King being praised, and about the “city of our God… Mount Zion… the city of the great King”, names for His earthly dwelling place, for the city of Jerusalem.

* Psalm 72 – This prophetic Psalm gives us details about the millennial kingdom. The kings are bringing tribute to Christ the King, the needy are blessed by Christ, the land is producing an abundance of grain, and the whole earth is filled with God’s glory.
* Psalm 96 – Christ is reigning, He is physically blessing the earth, the gospel is being proclaimed all over the world, and God is being glorified.
* Psalm 98 – During the kingdom age, the world will understand the gospel with the result that people will be worshiping the Lord, and nature will be “singing” to Him.
* Psalm 102:12-28 – We read of a future generation living during the kingdom age. Christ will appear in His glory; nations will fear the Lord; men will praise the Lord, and tell of the name of the Lord; and the earth will be physically restored.  

These verses as well as many others in the Psalms give us a great deal of information about our glorious future. It’s no small subject which means it’s a critical book in our study of prophecy. And it’s especially relevant in these end-times for we are now witnessing all this moral evil and social upheaval in this country and all over the world. But be assured that God is reigning, and that all His purposes and promises will be fulfilled.

It won’t be long before we see “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, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:9-12). Hallelujah!!!

“All the nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:17-19

P.S. Again, I must say that you need hope. And to have hope, you must know God’s prophetic word. Don’t be like many Christians who are ignorant of the glorious future that God has in store for us. I encourage you to read the article, “You Have to Have Hope”, and the post, “In a Wicked World, You Have to Have Hope.”

God Will Richly Reward Your Work for Him

July 22, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #281 ~

Did you know that God wants to greatly and eternally reward you for the work you do for Him? Sadly, most Christians don’t know much about rewards because most churches don’t teach on them. But why is it so important that you learn about them? Because knowing that God wants to wonderfully reward you in the coming ages will profoundly affect how you live for him during this church age.  

Here are some key verses on rewards and, as you will see, this is no small subject. 
* “The law of the Lord… the precepts of the Lord… the commandment of the Lord… by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them, there is great reward.” Psalm 19:11
* “Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.” Isaiah 40:10
* “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5

* “Blessed are you when people insult and persecute you… rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” Matt. 5:11-12
* “When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matt. 6:6
* “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither most nor rust destroys, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:19-21

* “The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to His deeds.” Matt. 16:27
* “There is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or farms for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:28-30
* “Blessed are you who are poor… who hunger now… who weep now… be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven.” Luke 6:20-23

* “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great…” Luke 6:35
* “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven.” Luke 12:33
* “He called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back’… The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made 10 minas more.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be over 10 cities.’” Luke 19:12-19

* “Make friends by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9-10
* “He who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal.” John 4:36
* “He who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Cor. 3:8

* “Each man’s work will become evident; the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as through fire.” 1 Cor. 3:10-15
* “Momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” 2 Cor. 4:17
* “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done…” 2 Cor. 5:10

* “Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.” Col. 3:23-24
* “There is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” 2 Tim. 4:8
* “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” Heb. 10:35

* “By faith Moses… choosing rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Heb. 11:24-26
* “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” 2 John 2:8
* “The time came… to reward Your bondservants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great.” Rev. 11:18
* “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what He has done.” Rev. 22:12

Here are some thoughts about rewards, and how they relate to your present life on earth, your future in the coming ages, and your relationship with the Lord.
1. God is a very giving and generous Father, and He wants to richly reward you, far more than you can ever imagine, and far more than you deserve. Luke 6:20-26
2. God will reward you for “whatever you do” for Him, whether that’s making a meal, working at a job, praying for someone, sharing the gospel, etc. Col. 3:23-24
3. God will reward each believer “according to his own labor.” Never compare your work and the result of your work with that of another believer. 1 Cor. 3:8

4. God will reward you for faithfully using the money, time, abilities, and gifts He gives you. Matt. 25:14-23
5. Rewards don’t depend on your status, gifts, or abilities – they depend on you being a good steward and faithfully using them for His purposes and glory. A seemingly “small” Christian may receive more rewards than a seemingly “great” Christian. Matt. 25:21
6. Some believers won’t receive many rewards because of their unfaithfulness. “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved.” 1 Cor. 3:14-15

7. The rewards each believer receives from God will be different than what others receive. Yet each believer will be blessed and fully satisfied in heaven. Rev. 21:4
8. We don’t know exactly what these rewards will be, but it seems that they relate to your relationships with God and people, your work for Him in the future, and other special blessings. Psalm 16:11; Luke 16:9; Luke 19:15-18; John 14:21, 23
9. God will reward you at the end of this age, at the coming of Christ. Rev. 22:12
10. Your most important reward is eternal life, which is your relationship with Jesus Christ (Mark 10:30). All specific rewards that you receive have to do with your relationship with Christ, whether it relates to worshiping Him, serving Him, or being specifically blessed by Him. “The Lord is my portion” (Ps. 119:57). “… so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17

God really wants to reward you. And if He wants to reward you, then you should want to be rewarded – and you are not being proud or selfish for desiring to be rewarded. You see, receiving rewards signifies that you were God-glorifying, for they result from loving, trusting, obeying, and humbly and faithfully serving God while you lived on earth. If you aren’t rewarded in the future, then that can only mean you weren’t loving God and living for Him, and weren’t bringing Him glory – and your work was “burned up.” That would be very, very sad. 1 Cor. 3:14-15

Unbelievers work for themselves, for money, fame, needs, and wants, but as a Christian, you must work for God, not to make money, but to meet your needs and to please Him. If you heartily work for God and His glory, you will be truly blessed in this life and greatly rewarded in the future, infinitely more than earthly wages, investments, or retirement plans. Investing your life in the work of God will result in unimaginable, unbelievable, and astonishing rewards.

The message for you is that every moment of your life is relevant, is a way to please God and receive rewards which relate directly to the coming ages. How you live your life for God will dramatically and eternally impact your future and the future of others. So make the most of it! May the Lord say to you, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21

P.S. I can’t stress enough this subject of rewards – that’s why I have written a number of posts about them. I encourage you to read them if you haven’t read them already. “God Really Wants to Reward You”, “Earthly Work Results in Heavenly Rewards”, “Your Reward is the Lord!!!”, “The Truth About Rewards, the Heavenly Prize”, “Winning the Gold for the Glory of God.”

Hope is Having Faith For the Future

July 8, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #280 ~

When it comes to the truths about Christ’s 2nd coming, many Christians don’t know them, or are confused, or have a simplistic view, or just don’t believe them. Some aren’t even interested in what God has clearly told us in His word about the return of our Lord. This should not be! Christ Himself repeatedly told us that He’s coming back to earth, along with many other things that need to happen before and after His return. Luke 21:27

Luke 18:8 addresses this issue of knowing and believing these truths with a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” This word “faith” is a noun. And a person who knows and believes the truths of God’s word has faith, has convictions, is convinced that what God says is true. Hebrews 11:1

God’s word is filled with truths that we must believe. Most doctrinal statements list a set of foundational truths, ones about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, man, salvation, the word, the church, and hope (Eph. 4:4-6). In Luke 18:8, Christ emphasizes the need for us to have faith when He comes, the need to believe these basic truths. Having a complete, comprehensive faith is essential if we are to be mature Christians, if we are to live strongly and effectively for God in the final, most difficult years of the end-times.

Since the faith spoken of in Luke 18:8 is in the context of Christ’s coming, then it must include the truths about our hope. On this blog site we’ve talked extensively about this hope: Christ is coming back, there will be true justice, we will be given new bodies, we will be in heaven with Christ and fellow believers, we will receive rewards, we will reign with Christ over this earth, a large remnant of Jews will be saved and ruling with Christ from Jerusalem, etc.

So how about you? Will you have a solid faith when Christ returns? Do you know and believe all these basic truths, including hope? If you do, then you will be excitedly loving Christ, living for Christ, and looking forward to seeing Him. You won’t be worldly, you will be living a holy, godly life, you will “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:12-14

Do you also know what will be happening before Christ comes back? Do you know about the birth pains, the false Christs, Daniel’s 70th week, the Antichrist, great tribulation, and the signs in the heavens? Do you know that they precede Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church? The faith of a good Christian soldier must include these timely truths. It’s vital that you learn all God’s word, including eschatology – God’s truths, plans, and promises about the last years of this earth. How can you successfully keep going for God if you don’t realize we are in the end-times, if you are scarcely schooled in these truths about the future, if you don’t understand what will be taking place in the years ahead?

A problem for many Christians is that they’re not in a good, end-times’ teaching church, they’re not being taught by a hope-full pastor, one who is teaching the word in view of Christ’s appearing and kingdom (2 Tim. 4:1-2). A pastor’s preaching must be centered on the gospel of Christ and in light of the fact that Christ is returning to rapture the church and establish His kingdom on earth. Bible preaching has more power and relevance when it’s done in view of Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming. Hebrews 9:27-28

I can’t overstate the importance of being in a solid, big-picture, hope-preaching church. But it’s not just the teaching – it’s relationships, it’s having good fellowship, it’s “encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). It’s also working together, making disciples with Jesus’ promise in mind – “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Some Christians say they are not premillennial, that they don’t believe Christ is coming back to set up His 1000-year kingdom on earth. They say they’re amillennial, and that what I’m saying is wrong. If you believe this way, I encourage you to read my articles that address this error of amillennialism. It’s titled, “Replacement Theology: It’s Not True – Part One”, and there’s Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

Faith has been the primary subject of these past three posts – faith that prays for justice, faith that trusts God, and today, faith that believes the foundational truths of God, including the truths about, about the glorious future God has for you. I cannot stress enough your need for a strong, vibrant faith, a key ingredient in your Christian life, now and until the end. Remember what Paul said before he died – “I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, and I have finished the course.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Hear what Jesus told us in Matthew 24 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Do you see what Jesus said? He’s strongly and unequivocally stating the enduring, eternal authority of God’s word. He’s reminding us of its critical importance, for it’s the basis of our faith. Do you also see that He purposely placed this verse in the middle of what I believe is the most important end-times’ chapter in the Bible? Why? Because He wants you to know that all truth is extremely important, including the truth about our hope. God knew that many people would be doubters and deniers when it comes to the truth about end-times’ prophecy. So He gave us Matt. 24:35, a huge exclamation point warning us to wake up, to take heed, to study and believe these truths about Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. To emphasize this even further, two other eschatological chapters contain the exact same verse – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31

Now’s the time to learn what God wants you to know about the future. Why wait? I encourage you to study Dan. 7, Dan. 9:24-27, Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 17:22-37, Luke 21:5-36, 1 Thess. 4:13 – 5:11, 2 Thess. 1:5-10, 2 Thess. 2:1-12, 2 Peter 3:3-13, and Revelation. Because we live in the end-times, this truth is no longer a secondary doctrine – it’s a primary doctrine. I can’t overstate the significance of God’s prophetic word at this time in history. Finally, hear Jesus’ admonition – “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23). Do you want to know everything Christ wants you to know about the end-times, His coming, the rapture, and the 1000-year kingdom age? I pray that you say yes!

P.S. Whether you physically die before Christ’s return or are raptured, God wants you to have faith. Jesus commands us, “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Here are two articles that also talk about the kind of Christian God wants you to be: “Your Spiritual Service: a Member of the Special Forces”, and “The Excellent End-Times’ Worker.”

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.

the machine-enhanced body or THE GOD-GLORIFIED BODY

February 18, 2023 /

~ A Saturday Morning Post #269 ~

By Steven J. Hogan

In the last 20 years or so, scientists have been trying to develop a machine-enhanced body. I’m talking about transhumanism, the use of nanotechnology, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, etc. to augment a person’s physical and mental capabilities. Many scientists, humanists, and philosophers believe that improving people in this way is the answer to many of their problems. While I’m not dismissing some of these developments, I must say that I’m extremely concerned about the overall direction of transhumanism.

You see, unbelievers involved in this technology have turned away from God, have rejected His creation of man, and have little to no understanding of the human soul. Their definition of life is terribly messed up and eternally flawed. It seems these people are trying to postpone death by creating a new man in their own image, their own superman or, might I say, their own god.

They fail to see that a person’s real problem is his sin, resulting in physical and spiritual death. And the answer is not found in enhancing the physical and mental capabilities of a person. Sin is a problem of the soul, and no person can solve that problem. Only God can, and He already did, and it was through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Those who repent of their sins and believe that Christ paid for their sins and rose again are saved, are given eternal life. This salvation, this eternal life, means they received a new spirit, and will receive a new body. (Rom. 8:30). And believers won’t have this new body until Jesus Christ returns to earth at the end of this age. 1 Corinthians 15:23

These last three posts have been all about a believer’s new body. But why is it so important that you know about this glorious body that God will be giving you?
1. Because God wants you to know all about it – it’s in His word, and it’s a huge subject.
2. Because your salvation is only complete when you receive your brand-new body. Phil. 1:6
3. Because there’s confusion about why, when, where, and how you receive your new body.
4. Because people are fixated on their weak, decaying human bodies, and God wants to make sure you know what He says about the powerful and immortal body that He will be giving you.

5. Because your temporal, earthly body is growing old and wearing out, and you need hope, you need to look forward to the eternal, heavenly body that you will be getting from God. Rev. 21:4
6. Because it won’t be long before you receive your new body. Christ is returning soon, and it’s at His coming that you will be given your perfect, Christ-like body. 1 Corinthians 15:23, 42-44
7. Because God wants you to know that He has a wonderful, glorious future for you, and your new body is absolutely necessary if you’re to eternally worship and serve Him in the way that He has planned out for you. Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6

8. Because you can be too occupied with your own body, specifically as that relates to food, health, exercise, and clothes. Spending some time on these things is necessary, but too much time is a selfish and fruitless endeavor. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:25-33). “Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). “Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:13). God has given you a body so that you can now use it for His eternal purposes and glory, and then you will be forever blessed and glorified.

God gives us a great number of verses on your new glorified body, and here are most of them:
* Job 19:25-27 – “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.”
* Luke 20:34-36 – “Jesus said to them, ‘The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.’”
* John 5:21 – “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
* John 11:25-26 – “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.”
* Romans 8:19 – “The anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God… we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoptions as sons, the redemption of our body.”

* Romans 8:29 – “Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
* Romans 8:30 – “These whom He predestined, He also called, and these whom He called, He also justified, and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
* 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that just as it is written, ‘Let Him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”
* 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 – “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
* 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 – “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

* 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 – “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed… for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality.”
* 2 Corinthians 5:1 – “If the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven… while we are in this tent we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.”
– Ephesians 1:14 – “You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession.”
* Philippians 1:10 – “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

* Philippians 3:10 – “… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection… in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
* Philippians 3:20-21 – “Our citizenship is in heaven from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
* 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord Himself 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, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
* 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

* 2 Thessalonians 2:10 – “… when He (Lord Jesus) comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.”
* 1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”
* Revelation 7:9-10 – “Behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robles, and palm branches were in their hands, and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

P.S. What’s the extent of your salvation? It’s being justified, it’s being sanctified during this life, and then being glorified at Christ’s coming. I hope you are excited about all that God has in store for you. If you haven’t done it already, I encourage you to read the two previous posts: “Your New Body – Immortal, Powerful, Glorious, and Spiritual”, and “Absent from the Body and At Home with the Lord.”

Your New Body – Immortal, Powerful, Glorious, and Spiritual

February 4, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #268 ~

Why is it so important to know about your brand-new glorified body? Because it’s really good news!!! Because you live in a body that’s sin-prone, that gets sick, tired, and is getting old, and you need hope of a brand new body. Because we live in a world that is fixated on our mortal body, and God wants you to be thinking about the immortal body He will be giving you. Because your salvation is not complete until you receive your new body. Because there’s so much in the Bible on this subject. And because it won’t be long before it happens.

Today, we are looking at 1 Corinthians 15, gleaning several truths from it about your glorified body. To summarize: 1) We are reminded of the primacy of the gospel message, and that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, the first person to receive a glorified body. 2) We learn that all believers, those who have already died and those alive at the coming of Christ, will be given a new body at that time. 3) We get a glimpse of our Christ-like body, that it is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. 4) We learn that we need a perfect body that is fit for the future, that can fully worship and serve the Lord in the coming ages. 5) We are instructed how we are to live on this earth in view of the glorious future God has in store for us.

1) 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 states the essential truth of the gospel, that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins, and was raised from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death. 1 Cor. 15:20 tells us that Christ is the first fruits, the first person to be raised from the dead and glorified, to be given an immortal and imperishable body. This took place about 2000 years ago.

2) 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 teaches that all believers are Christs and are in Christ, and will be made alive, will be glorified at His coming. That the resurrection and glorification of believers takes place at His coming is an extremely important point, shown by the fact that three other prophecy passages, Matt. 24:27-31, 1 Thess. 4:15-17, and 2 Thess. 2:1, tell us that believers are gathered to Christ at His coming, which again, is when we will be given our new glorified bodies. 

1 Corinthians 15:22-23 speaks of believers who are asleep, those who have already died and gone to heaven. God wants you to know that believers who die before Christ’s coming will not be getting their new body until that time. And Christ’s coming does not begin until sometime after the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, and after the coming of the Antichrist. Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 29-31

1 Corinthians 15:51 talks about those believers who never physically die, who don’t fall asleep, who are alive on earth at the coming of Christ. It says, “we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.” As 1 Cor. 15:22 told us, “All will be made alive.” All believers from all time, those living on earth at the end of this age, along with all those who have physically died and gone to heaven, will be glorified, will be made alive, will be changed at Christ’s coming, which occurs just after the “last trumpet.” 1 Corinthians 15:52

That there will be the sound of a trumpet before we are glorified is also stated in 1 Thess. 4:16 which calls it the “trumpet of God” and in Matt. 24:31 which says it is the “great trumpet.” At that time Christ descends from heaven, and “coming in clouds with great power and glory”, He quickly glorifies the believers, lovingly and immediately gathering them to Himself “from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.” Mark 13:26-27

There’s another point I want to mention as to when believers are glorified. 1 Thess. 4:15-16 states, “we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep… the dead in Christ will rise first.” Do you see what will happen? The believers who have physically died, those “who have fallen asleep”, the “dead in Christ”, will be glorified a split second before the believers who are still alive on earth at the end of this age, at Christ’s coming. Then together they will all “meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17

3) 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 gives a short summary of what our new bodies will be like. a) Our earthly body is perishable, but it will be raised imperishable. It will never get tired or old, and will not be subject to disease, decay, or death. It is immortal and incorruptible, living on forever. b) Now you live in a dishonorable body, but you will receive a glorious body. Our present body is imperfect, unable to be all that God desires. In the future, you will have a glorified mind, soul, body, and personality, one that will be ideal, excellent, faultless, impeccable, beautiful, out-of-this-world, altogether perfect, and always pleasing to God. c) You live in a body that is weak in every way, but it will be raised in power. The strength of our present-day superheroes, Superman, Ironman, and Captain America, etc., is nothing compared to the power and capabilities of your new body. Soon enough you will be able to do everything God wants you to do. d) Now you have a natural body, one able only to live on this earth, but in the near future, you will receive a body that is both spiritual and physical in nature, one perfectly suited to worship and serve God in heaven and on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ “will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:21

4) 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 speaks of the coming kingdom ages, and this helps us see why we need to be glorified. We know that all believers will be glorified, will be made alive at Christ’s coming (1 Cor. 15:22-23). Then begins the millennial kingdom, which is when Jesus Christ reigns on earth and abolishes all rule and authority, and death too. Rev. 2:26-27, 5:10, 20:6 tells us that we will reign with Christ during this 1000-year period, assisting Him in His promised and glorious rule over the nations (Psalms 47, 67, 72). This is when our prayer, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” will be answered. Having a brand-new body will enable us to fully experience eternal life and to perfectly live for Jesus Christ during the ages to come.

5) 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 10, 31-34, 42-44, 57-58 instructs you how you are to live in the end-times, in these last years leading up to Christ’s coming. You are to remember the truth of the gospel (3-5), live by God’s grace (10), die daily (31), not live in a worldly way (32), not be deceived and associate with bad people (33), be sober minded and stop sinning (34), have hope by understanding the truth about your Christ-like body (42-44), be thankful for the amazing victory Christ has given you (57), and “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (58).

The good news is that we will soon be in heaven with our Lord and all the believers and in a new glorified body. “Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” Eliza E. Hewitt, Emily Wilson

P.S. No believers are fully saved – that won’t happen until Christ comes back and He gives us our new glorified bodies. This is something we should really be excited about. Here are two posts on this subject that I encourage you to read: “The Best Is Yet to Come”, and “The Believer’s Brand-New Body – Amen!”

Absent From the Body and At Home with the Lord

January 24, 2023 /

By Steve Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #267 ~

You are going to physically die – unless you are raptured. Either way, that’s wonderful news for the Christian, because he will be in heaven with Jesus, and will receive a brand-new body! People often see death as a bad thing, as something they don’t want to think about or talk about, as that which they even try to postpone. But if you are a Christian, you should be longing for it, for it’s a good thing – it means you have left your fleshly body and this evil world and are with the Lord.

The apostle Paul had the right perspective on life for he knew what happened after death. Life was very difficult, was extremely challenging for Paul. He wrote, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9). How could Paul say this? Because he understood the present “is Christ” and the future “is gain”, that death immediately led to an infinitely better life. (Phil. 1:21). Paul was convinced of this glorious truth, that “momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

What follows is 2 Cor. 5:1-10, verses that continue this theme, that sum up Paul’s thinking about life and death. Paul was groaning, was burdened, was tired and weak, but he persevered, he patiently and joyfully kept going. How did he do it? Paul knew he was living in a mortal body, an earthly tent, that his outer man was growing old, was decaying (2 Cor. 4:16; 5:1, 4), but he also knew he would be living in a heavenly and immortal body, and he was really looking forward to that.

Paul also knew that God had purposed and planned out both his life on earth and his eternity in heaven. (2 Cor. 5:5). He understood that “these whom He (God) predestined, He also called, and these whom He called, He also justified, and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). Paul saw the outline of his life, the big picture, what God had already drawn up. Even though he experienced severe hardships, he was convinced that God “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… for those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:28-29). For Paul, the best was yet to come, for he was certain that he would be transformed and conformed, that he would receive a glorified body, like that of Jesus. “We eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:20-21

Paul was at home in his earthly body, but he knew where he was going, that he would soon be at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8). Surely, he was encouraged by the truth that death was not a stopping point, but a sending point, for it would result in the angels immediately taking him into Jesus’ presence. Paul was a godly man, a man of faith, a man of courage and good cheer, and a man of hope, and if you asked Paul whether he wanted to live or die, he’d say, “die!”, for that meant being with Jesus, which is what he wanted more than anything else – “having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Phil. 1:23). I “prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8

Paul kept walking by faith, kept believing God’s truth and obeying His commands. Like Abraham, he trusted God for his future – he too “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). Paul’s singular ambition, his ultimate and eternal goal, whether on earth or in heaven, was to please God, was to live for Him, to only do that which would glorify His Father. “To Him be the glory forever.” Romans 11:36

Something that motivated Paul to please his Lord was that he knew he would appear before the judgment seat of Christ. At the end of this age, he knew he would be judged by Christ for what he had done on earth, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10). That’s when Christ would present rewards, for “each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Cor. 3:8), and Paul wanted to be rewarded, to be recompensed, for that would mean he had pleased His Savior. He wanted to hear Christ tell him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21

So what does your life look like? How are you living for the Lord?
* Do you love the Lord and have a desire to please Him, to do all that He wants you to do?
* Are you walking by faith, are you trusting God’s word and obeying His commands? 
* Do you see death as a good thing? Do you long to be at home with your Lord, to literally be with your Creator, Savior, Friend, Husband, King, the One who loves you far more than anyone else?
* Do you know that your burdens are to cause you to think about your future, when you’ll be out of your weak body and this wicked world, and with the Lord Jesus?
* Do you realize that the trials you go through, the aches, pains, tears, conflicts, weakness, tiredness, mourning, heartaches, struggles, suffering, difficulties, disappointments, and spiritual battles, are nothing compared to the eternal weight of glory you will receive in the future?
* Do you think about that time when you will appear before the judgment seat of Christ? Are you looking forward to receiving your rewards, and giving God all the glory, and being with Him forever? “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4

P.S. My good friend just left this earth and went to heaven, and is now “at home with the Lord.” God gave him a good life, a wonderful family, and many special friends. And now he’s in the best place – and I am so happy for him. I do look forward to joining him someday. Here are two encouraging articles that relate to this: “Being in Heaven with Jesus, and the Believers, and in a New Glorified Body”, and “‘Why Do Believers Die?’ – A Memorial Service Message”.

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