Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Jesus Christ (Page 1 of 6)

Blog posts about Jesus Christ.

I Will Praise YOU Forever and Ever

January 24, 2026 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #351 ~

As a Christian, you are to see and know God for who He is, what He is like, and what He does. When you do, you will thank Him and praise Him. You will give Him the honor only He deserves. You will give Him the glory for the good things He does. You will tell Him you love Him. You will sing to Him and shout to Him with a joyful heart. You will worship God alone. And you will praise God in these end-times, in these tough times, when life is extremely difficult. 

So how are you doing in praising God? Most days, there are tens of thousands of thoughts and words on your mind and your lips – but are you praising God? Without question, praising God is the single most important thing you can do. “Praise God for His mighty deeds, praise Him for His excellent greatness… Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Ps. 150:2, 6

All creation is made to praise God, to worship Him. And if you are not worshiping God, you are worshiping someone or something else. It may be yourself, a friend, a celebrity, or it may be money, music, work, food, sports, a car, or some other idol. To not worship God, to not praise God, is sin, the most basic sin, a sin that is at the root of, that leads to every other sin. “I am the Lord your God… you shall have no other gods before Me.” Ex. 20:2-3; Jer. 2:5, 13; Rom. 1:20-25

The book in the Bible that speaks most about praising God is the Psalms. Last time we looked at a number of “praise” verses from the Psalms. Today we talk more about what it means to praise God and what motivates us to praise Him.

What are some keys to praising God? First, you learn who God is, that He is God, the only God, the supreme being, the One who has infinite value, and who is holy, holy, holy! You see that He is the Creator, that He made you and everyone and everything else in the world. You recognize that He is Lord, that there is no other, that He is in charge of all things, and that He does what He wants. You believe that God is the Savior, the only One who can save people from sin, death, hell, and the devil. You understand that God is the Judge, that He decides what is right and wrong and then rewards or punishes accordingly. You realize that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that He is a Trinity. You know that He is the King over the whole world, and that in a little while, you will be reigning with Him. So praise God for who He is. But there’s much more.

Second, you know what God is like, His character, His attributes, His name. You learn that He is holy, just, loving, good, gracious, great, kind, patient, forgiving, sovereign, wise, compassionate, gentle, etc. You understand that God is unique, eternal, self-sufficient, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, immutable, etc. This is amazing, wonderful, unbelievable! You conclude that infinite worth and value must be given to God alone, and that only He deserves to be praised. “Praise the name of the Lord” (Ps. 113:1b). And there’s still more.

Third, you learn what God is doing. By studying God’s word, and by watching, thinking, praying, reading, and talking to others, you discover God’s works, you learn what He is doing in your life, your family, your friends, the church, and in the world. You learn that God is working in the lives of the lost and saving them. You see that He is working in the lives of the saved, and is loving, teaching, leading, correcting, forgiving, and changing them. You learn about His work in this country and around the world. You see His miraculous work, power, mercy, greatness, blessings, goodness, holiness, wrath, and glory. Observing and thinking about these things results in you giving God glory, praise, and honor, and in you being filled with His joy and peace.

To sum up, the keys to praising God are knowing who He is, what He is like, and what He is doing. I separated these three to help you understand what they mean, but they go together. Here are two examples: 1) “God (who)saved (what He did) us because He loved (what He is like)us.” 2) “God (who), by His power (what He is like), will take us to heaven (what He will do).”

Here are several other important truths about praising God:
1) Only a true Christian can praise the true God. Ps. 113:1, Phil. 3:2-3
2) Praising God is a big word, for exulting in Him, singing to Him, and exalting, extolling, worshiping, blessing, thanking, adoring, honoring, celebrating, appreciating, and loving Him, can also be defined as praising God. Ps. 96
3) God commands you to praise Him because it’s the right thing to do. But praising God should not be something you feel you have to do, but what you want to do and are excited to do.  
4) Praising God gives Him glory, and results in His blessing in your life, now and forever.
5) Praising God is personal, between you and God – and it can be done in private or in public.

6) When there’s a problem, praise God. You’ll see that it’s often the key to solving the problem. 2 Chr. 20:20-23
7) Thanking God usually leads to praising Him. For example, thanking God for a specific thing, like a meal, often leads to praising Him for a general truth, like His love. Ps. 100:4
8) Praising God isn’t just what you do on Sunday, but what you are to do all week long. Ps. 145:2
9) Reading God’s word helps you know what specific work God is doing in your life which helps you to praise Him when you see this work. Ps 119:15
10) When you praise God, you recognize that He is your Lord – and you’re humble, you’re not proud.

11) If you are not praising God, it’s because of sin. You are focused on yourself and on worldly and fleshly things instead of thinking about God and loving Him.
12) Being with other believers who are praising God motivates you to praise Him. Rom. 12:10
13) Thinking about and thanking God for your salvation results in praising God. 1 Cor. 11:23-26
14) Praising God may or may not be emotional. You need to learn to praise God when you don’t feel like it, which often leads to praising Him with great feeling. Ps. 13:5-6
15) Praising God causes you to be united with God, and increases your intimacy with Him. Ps. 63:1-5

16) Praising God is foundational for all aspects of your spiritual growth. It’s heart-purifying, joy-filling, soul-strengthening, faith-increasing, peace-producing, and God-glorifying.
17) Be part of a church that is committed to praising God. Acts 2:42
18) Praising God has a positive and godly effect on the lives of other Christians.
19) Take the time to think about what God is doing in your life, the church, the lives of others, and the world around you. Ps. 77:12-15, 92:2, 111:1-2
20) Praise shows who you value, who you feel most strongly about – might it always be of God.

We live in the end-times, in a very sinful and troubled world – and as we get closer to Christ’s return, it will only get worse. I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping God front and center in your life, of praising Him at all times and in all situations. Expressing your love to God by praising Him is a priority, is practical, is a stabilizing and energizing force in your life. And in the coming kingdom ages, you will be praising God more and more and more. “Every day I will bless you, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.” Ps. 145:2

P.S. Here is a link to a number of excellent, God-glorifying Scripture Songs (Scripture Songs – Our Legacy – Volume 1 and Volume 2) that our church music team recorded when I was in Tampa. And here is another post about praising the Lord – “Worshiping the King, the Greatest Celebration Ever.”

Praise the Lord, From This Time and Forever!!

January 10, 2026 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #350 ~

The most important thing you can do as a Christian is to praise the Lord! When you read the Psalms, the longest book in the Bible, the book that has the most to say about your relationship with God, you learn that praising Him is the #1 subject. In today’s post, I write out a number of verses that speak about praising the Lord.  

First, let me summarize some things we learn from the Psalms about praising the Lord:
* Praising the Lord brings you into His presence.
* Praising the Lord gets your eyes off yourself and your problems and onto Him.
* The word “praise” is comprehensive, encompassing many aspects of what it means to worship God. Other words describing different facets of praise are sing, thanks, bless, extol, exalt, shout, ascribe, boast, glory, love, laud, and honor.
* An excellent way to praise God is by singing praises to Him. As you know, the Psalms are songs.
* Praising the Lord is always personal, and can be done in private or in public.

* Praise God for His work, and for His name, His character, whether it’s His truth, love, power, greatness, goodness, righteousness, justice, or faithfulness.
* Praising the Lord results in you being close to Him, and being blessed by Him.
* Praising the Lord is what you are to do all day long, day after day, and forever.
* Praising the Lord is a good measure of your spiritual health, a sign to you and others of how you are doing as a Christian.
* Jesus Christ reigns over the world during the millennial kingdom, and your primary duty will be praising Him. During this kingdom age, the whole world will be praising Christ. The focal center of praise during that time will be Jerusalem.

Here are 81 verses from the book of Psalms that talk about praise. I encourage you to read through the entire list – you will find it instructive and motivating.
9:2 – I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 9:13 – Be gracious to me, O Lord… that I may tell of all Your praises. 18:49 – I will give thanks to You among the nations, O Lord, and I will sing praises to Your name. 18.13 – I call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised. 21:13 – Be exalted, O Lord in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power. 22:26 – The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord. 30:4 – Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. 30:11-12 – You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. 33:1-2 – Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre, sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. 34:1 – I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 35:18 – I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng. 35:28 – My tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long. 42:5 – Why are you in despair, O my soul?… Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

47:6 – Sing praise to God, sing praises; sing praise to our King, sing praises, for God is the King of all the earth. 48:1 – Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. 48:10 – As is Your name O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. 56:4 – In God whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. 57:7-10 – My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises… I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. 59:17 – O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness. 63:3-5 – Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You… My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. 66:1-2 – Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. 66:4 – All the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You; they will sing praises to Your name.

69:30 – I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. 69:34 – Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. 71:6 – By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; My praise is continually of You. 70:8 – My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long. 71:14 – As for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. 71:23 – My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; and my soul which You have redeemed. 76:10 – The wrath of man shall praise You. 84:4 – How blessed are those who dwell in Your house. They are ever praising You. 89:5 – The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. 96:4 – Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 98:4-5 – Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. 99:3 – Let them praise Your great and awesome name; holy is He.

100:4 – Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. 101:1 – I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to You, O Lord, I will sing praises. 102:18, 21 – This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord… that men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion and His praises in Jerusalem. 104:33 – I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 104:35 – Let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord! 105:42-45 – He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant… He gave them all the lands of the nations… praise the Lord! 106:1 – Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praises? 106:47 – Gather us from among the nations to give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord!

108:1, 3 – My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul… I will sing praises to You among the nations. 111:1 – Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly. 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. 113:1 – Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord… from the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised. 113:9 – He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! 117:1 – Praise the Lord all nations; laud Him all peoples, for His lovingkindness is great toward us and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. 119:164 – Seven times a day I praise You because of Your righteous ordinances. 135:3-4 – Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely, for the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself. 145:1-2 – I will extol You, my God, O King… Every day I will bless You. And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

145:21 – My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. 146:1-2 – Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord while I live, I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Ps 146:10 – The Lord will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord! 147:1 – Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. 147:12 – Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. 148:1, 7, 11, 12, 13 – Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise Him in the heights… Praise the Lord from the earth… let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted. 149:1 – Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. 149:3 – Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. 149:9 – To execute on them the judgment written, this is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord! 150:1, 2, 6 – Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds. Praise Him for His excellent greatness… Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! 

We live in the end-times, the last years leading up to Christ’s return to rapture the church. In this post, we have focused on the supreme importance of praising the Lord. So does it not make sense that praising the Lord needs to be your #1 priority during these final years of your life on earth? And is it not true that God deserves all your praise? And do you not see that praising God is central, is critical to His glory, your work, and your success and joy as a Christian?

Revelation 4-5 describes a heavenly scene, the awesome, powerful prelude to God’s holy and victorious work on earth – and the principal theme is that the four living creatures, the 24 elders, the angels, and the believers are praising God the Father and Jesus Christ. Rev. 4:8, Rev. 4:11, Rev. 5:9, Rev. 5:11. Rev. 5:13 – “Every created thing which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’ And the four living creatures kept saying, ‘Amen’. And the elders fell down and worshiped.”

P.S. When I was in our church in Tampa, we sang a number of Scripture songs, songs that were straight from the Bible, and many of them from the Psalms. Our music team recorded many of these encouraging, God-glorifying songs, and here are the links to them: Scripture Songs – Our Legacy, Volume 1 and Scripture Songs – Our Legacy, Volume 2

Christmas – A Crucial Part of the Big Picture, of God’s Eternal Purposes

December 24, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #348 ~

During this time of the year we focus on Christmas, a celebration of God becoming man and being with us, of the incarnation and of Immanuel. In this post, we look at God’s word to see how Christmas fits into the broader picture, in God’s eternal plan, from the past to the present to the future. I examine key events and people leading to Jesus’ birth and up to the present day and then to the glorious future God has in store for His children.

John 1:1-2. In the beginning, in eternity past, was the Word, the One who is the Son of God, and He was with God, and He is God. That Jesus is the Word means He is a communicator, and His purpose is to tell the world the truth of God through His life and His words. Heb. 1:1-3

John 1:3. The Son of God is the Creator, for by Him all things are made and are sustained, spiritual beings and physical beings, things you see and cannot see, things animate and inanimate. His most important creation are humans, for only we are made in the image of God. Gen. 1:26

Genesis 3:1-10. The 1st humans were Adam and Eve and they were perfect, but they sinned against God, resulting in them and this entire earth being cursed by God. And their sin was passed on to all their descendants, to all mankind (Rom. 5:12). Since God is holy, then He must punish a person’s sin, for He cannot let the guilty go unpunished. Exod. 34:7

Genesis 3:15. The first one to sin against God was Lucifer, who tempted Eve to sin. That he rebelled like this means he is an enemy of both God and man. This “1st gospel” predicts that a descendant of Eve, One we know as Jesus Christ, would defeat this devil. That Jesus would descend from Eve means He would be a man. That the devil would bruise Jesus’ heel means that He would be wounded. That Jesus would bruise the devil’s head means that he would be defeated.

Genesis 3:21. The garments of skin worn by Adam and Eve signifies that an animal was sacrificed and blood was shed, symbolizing the fact that God would kill a substitute to atone for man’s sin – and this is Jesus Christ, God the Son, One who would be God and man, and a mediator between God the Father and man.

Genesis 12:1-3. God wants to bless the families of the earth, even though people sin against Him. Gen. 3:15, 21 hints as to how this would happen, but there’s more. Abram is the father of the Jewish people, and God wanted Jesus Christ to descend from him. That is, Jesus would be a Jew. The rest of the Old Testament describes the history of the Jews and of Israel. Matt. 1 and Luke 3 give us Jesus’ genealogy, the names of His human ancestors. So it was through Jesus, Abram’s descendant, that the world would be delivered from its curse and then forever blessed.

Isaiah 7:14. God gave a sign to the Jews so they would know the identity of the Savior. The sign was that Jesus would miraculously be born of a virgin. So Jesus would not come into the world as a grown-up man, but would be born, be a child, and be a Son. We also learn that He is called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” That God wanted to do this shows His great, amazing love for us – and only since Jesus is both God and man could this happen and would it happen. That Jesus becomes a man means He is like us, can relate to us, talk to us, and love us, and that we can see Him, be with Him, talk to Him, and love Him.

Isaiah 9:6-7. This prophecy, like Is. 7:14, says that the coming Savior would be a child, a son, one born of a woman. We also discover that He would be a descendant of David, that He would be a wise, loving, and powerful King over the whole world, One who would bring peace and rule forever and ever.

Isaiah 52:13-15–53:1-12. This speaks about Jesus Christ and that He would be God’s servant, and would suffer and sacrifice His life for the sins of people, and then be greatly exalted, and greatly influence all the kings of this world. More than any other Old Testament passage, Is. 53 explains the gospel, that Jesus, at His 1st coming, would suffer and die to forgive the sins of all the people who would repent of their sins and believe that He died on the cross to be punished for their sins. Rom. 5:8, Rom. 6:23, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Pet. 3:18

Micah 5:2-5. This prophecy is precise, for it tells us exactly where Jesus would be born, the little town of Bethlehem Ephrathah. It also makes it clear that Jesus will be a ruler, that He “will be great to the ends of the earth”, that He will shepherd His people, and that He will bring peace to the world.

Revelation 12:3-4. This sums up the life and death struggle between the Jewish people, who were to bring forth Jesus into the world, and the dragon, the devil, whose goal was to wipe out the Jews to prevent the birth of Jesus. The Old Testament describes in great detail this battle between the Jews and the devil. The 7 heads and 10 horns represent 8 empires the devil works through so as to defeat the Jewish kingdom. Vs. 4b refers to the Roman empire, specifically to Herod’s failed attempt to kill baby Jesus, for God foiled him. Lk. 2:1-8, 16-18

Galatians 4:4. Since eternity past, God had planned out the perfect time for His Son to be born of a woman, to be the God-man, to be God and man at the same time, which is an increible miracle, what we call the Incarnation (John 1:14-18). The Old Testament times of the Jews and about 400 “silent years”, along with all the other events and people in the Gentile world during that period, led to the birth day of Jesus. Not only that, but the Savior would come into this world at the right time, when the rulers, languages, roads, and nation of Israel were just what God wanted and had already planned them to be. Is. 46:9-11

Luke 1:26-35. The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is the “favored one”, for she would be the mother of the Savior, the Son of the Most High. He also informs her that her son would be a King, and that He would “reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Mary was surprised but thrilled to know that as a virgin, she would bear a son, who we know to be Jesus Christ, and that He was the son of man but also the “Son of God”, the Savior, her Savior, and the Judge and King of the world. Luke 1:46-55

Matthew 1:18-25. An angel tells Joseph that Mary, his future wife, would give birth to a son, and that would be a miracle for she was a virgin. So her son would be the Son of God, be both God and man (“For in Him, all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form” – Col. 2:9, John 1:14, Phil. 2:5-7). He also tells Joseph that her son’s name would be Jesus, and that’s because His purpose was to be a Savoir, for He would “save His people from their sins.”  Not only that, but Jesus would be “Immanuel”, which means “God with us.” Put together, these three powerful and unbelievable truths sum up the main message of Christmas, that God wanted His Son (1) to be a man (2) so that He would save us (3) and we would be with Him forever (3). To know that the great and perfect God wants to be with us and have an intimate and wonderful relationship with us for all eternity is amazing, astonishing, the best and greatest gift and blessing imaginable.

Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2. The central message of Christmas is summed up in the previous point, but there’s much more to this story, and it’s found by examining the entire Matt. 1-2, Luke 1-2 narratives. Let me sum it up: 1) Jesus Christ is Immanuel, Lord, Savior, Judge, King, the Son of God, and son of man. 2) Jesus is the main character but there’s a supporting cast: the righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents; Mary, Jesus’ mother, and Joseph, her husband; Simeon and Anna, two godly believers who were expecting the coming of the Messiah; lowly and humble shepherds; three wise men worshiping the King; the angels; and that evil king Herod. Apart from Herod, all of these characters are godly, righteous, humble, devoted, faithful believers.

What else do we learn? 3) There are the ancestors of Jesus. 4) A huge spiritual battle was taking place, for enemy forces, the devil along with Herod, tried to kill Jesus. 5) Prophecies relating to the birth of Jesus were fulfilled – about Him being King over His kingdom, Abraham and his descendants receiving land, and the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. 6) Both people and angels worshiped Jesus. 7) Glory was given to God. 8) God’s character, His wisdom, power, love, joy, holiness, faithfulness, greatness, humility, sovereignty, etc., was manifested. 9) God’s plans and purposes were perfectly carried out and fulfilled. All this big-picture information is part of the larger Christmas story, taking us from long before the birth of Jesus up to His birth over 2,000 years ago, and then up to the present day, and then to the eternal future when, with His Father, He is reigning as King over the world, and being worshiped by all.

Mattthew, Mark, Luke, and John. From these four gospels, we read about Jesus’ life, how He was both God and man. We see examples of His perfect character, His love, compassion, zeal, patience, forgiveness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, diligence, and perseverance. We learn about His purpose: He was preaching the gospel, teaching the people, discipling believers, and predicting the future. We read about His suffering and death, that He died on a cross for us, that He was punished for our sins, and thus paid for all the sins of those who would believe in Him. We know that Jesus was raised from the dead, thereby proving His victory over sin and death. We find out that there were many witnesses to His death and resurrection, which is historical proof of these most important events.

Matthew 16:18. There is the church age, beginning on the day of Pentecost and ending with signs in the heavens and the world going dark (Acts 2:17-21). During this age, Jesus is building His church, working through His word, the Spirit, and believers. The gospel is preached, His word is obeyed, disciples are made, the church is growing, and Christ is victorious, defeating sin and death in those who believe in Him. That the Jews have returned to Israel, to their homeland, is the #1 sign that we now live in the end-times, and that we are fast approaching the end of this age, that time when Christ the King returns to rapture the church, judge the world, save a Jewish remnant, and begin His 1000-year reign over the world.

Matthew 24. This outlines what occurs in the end-times, what happens before the end of this age and Christ’s coming. We read of birth pains, wars, famines, and earthquakes. We learn about the great persecution of the church, that Christians are betrayed and killed, and that they are to persevere and keep preaching the gospel of the kingdom until the end of this age. There’s the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:27), the abomination of desolation, when the Antichrist desecrates the temple, and then greatly persecutes the Jews.

All this persecution of Jews and Christians is suddenly cut short and, at a time unknown to us, Christ returns to rapture the church. As believers, we should be excited about Christ’s coming, be watching and waiting for our Savior and King to come back to rapture the church and punish the world. The information in this chapter is extremely important at this present time, along with Dan. 7, 9; Luke 21; 1 Thess. 4-5; 2 Thess. 1-2; and the book of Revelation.

Revelation 12:5. This, as well as Isaiah 9:6-7, are the perfect end-times’ Christmas verses. Rev. 12:5 tells us that the woman gave birth to a male child, referring to the birth of Jesus 2,000 years before this time. But it does not talk about His life on earth at His 1st coming, or about Him being born to be a Savior, or about His death and resurrection. It does talk about His ascension into heaven, and that Jesus was born to be a King – and that He will rule the nations of the earth with force, with a rod of iron, which happens at Jesus’ 2nd coming.

The Christmas story about Jesus being born is only fully complete when we realize that it’s about Jesus being a Savior (Ps. 22) at His 1st coming, a Shepherd (Ps. 23) during this church age, and a Sovereign at His 2nd coming (Ps. 24). This true story about Jesus being born, becoming a man, and being Immanuel, God with us, is not the beginning or end of God’s working on this earth, but a key part, a continuation of the story of Jesus, the story of man, the story of our eternal life and eternal reign with Jesus Christ in His eternal kingdom. Rev. 1:4-8, 5:10

Isaiah 9:6-7. “A child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders, and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”

P.S. Indeed, Christ always lives for us, and may we always live for Him. To read the rest of my Christmas posts, go to the search bar and enter the word Christmas. May the Lord Jesus greatly bless you this Christmas season, and in the years to come, and forever and ever.

Why Do Christians Die?

September 13, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #340 ~

When someone dies, there’s always the “why” question? Why did the person die, what was the cause of death? If it was homicide, they ask why did the killer murder him, what was his motive? But why do Christians die? This is a such an important question. And I am not talking about physical reasons, like sickness, old age, an accident, drugs, war, murder, or assassination. I am talking about spiritual reasons. That is, why does God want His children to die? What are His reasons for the death of a believer? What does God tell us in His word?

His time on earth was finished. “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Ps. 139:17). “His days are determined… his limits You have set” (Job 14:5). God had decided in eternity past the exact number of days the believer was to live on this earth. They had been predetermined by God and they had come to an end. This believer’s time on earth was over, and God had to bring him home, not one day sooner or one day later.

His work on earth was finished. “I brought You glory on earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do” (Jn. 17:4). “David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36). All the work God wanted the believer to do was done. When a believer leaves earth and goes to heaven, then we must conclude that his work on earth was completed and there was nothing more for him to do. The believer went through death’s door to get to heaven, and there his eternal work for God continues in a greater, more glorious way.

To be at home in heaven with His Father. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones” (Ps. 116:15). God the Father wanted His child to come home, for He knew it was better that he be with Him in heaven than with us on earth. It’s imperative that we see a believer’s death from God’s perspective, for while we may have wanted the believer to stay, God wanted him to go, and to be with Him in heaven. And who are we to argue with God?

To be with Jesus and see His glory. “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” (Jn. 17:24). On earth, the believer is not physically with Jesus, but now he is in heaven and is literally with Him. The believer’s eyes are opened wide and he can clearly see Jesus’ great glory, which is on full display. Like never before, the believer experiences His love, joy, holiness, power, kindness, wisdom, and majesty. Why would we not be glad that he is in heaven? Why would we not want the believer to be with Jesus and know the wonderful joys and pleasures of heaven? “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11

To be with other believers in heaven. “Aaron will be gathered to his people” (Num. 20:24). A believer has family and friends on earth, but his death results in him being with them and others who had gone to heaven before him. This believer is now with ones in heaven who love him and whom he loves, and whom he has missed. Think about the intimate and perfect fellowship this believer is now having with other Christians. “Who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus?” 1 Thess. 2:19

To be taken away from evil. “The righteous man perishes, and no one takes it to heart; and devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from evil, He enters into peace” (Is. 57:1-2). This world, led by the devil and evildoers, is a very wicked place, and it’s filled with pride, hate, greed, war, crime, corruption, racism, immorality, injustice, persecution, and much more. To die is a great blessing for the believer, for he is finally and forever freed from the devil, this evil world, and from all temptation and sin.

To be free from physical pain. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain” (Rev. 21:4). What a comforting truth – the believer who just went to heaven is totally free from physical ailments, from aches, pains, sickness, tiredness, and weakness. On earth he lived in an earthly tent, in a physical body afflicted and scourged with physical struggles (2 Cor. 5:1-5). Jonathan Edwards said it this way, “When a godly man dies, he rises from all remains of spiritual death, and comes into a state of perfect life. This body is like a prison to the soul, it exceedingly clogs, and hinders, and cramps it in its spiritual exercisers and comfort. When a saint dies, the soul is released from this prison, this grave and comes into a state of glorious freedom and happiness.”

To rest from his labors on earth. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on, so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them” (Rev. 14:13). The believer was on earth working for the Lord and this was good work, and it was hard, tiring, wearing, but rewarding (Col. 3:23-24). Now he is in heaven, and he is still working for the Lord, but it’s no sweat, no stress, no aches, and he never gets tired. His deeds follow him in that his heavenly work is related to his rewarding earthly work, and more than ever, it’s productive, fulfilling, and God-glorifying. Luke 19:11-19

To be able to perfectly worship the Lord. “How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You” (Ps. 84:4). The believer in heaven is finally, fully, and always able to love God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. Since he sins no more, since his relationship with God is perfect, than he perfectly knows God’s love, perfectly loves God, and is joyfully and wholeheartedly worshiping Him. “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” 1 Cor. 13:12

To be in heaven with Jesus is gain. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain… to be with Christ is very much better” (Phil. 1:21-23). It is much better for the believer to be in heaven than on earth. In heaven, he has no pain, sin, sickness, sadness, tiredness, weakness, worries, fears, conflicts, difficulties, or trials. His character is pure and holy; he is able to wholly love and worship God; he is full of goodness and joy; he is with friends he knew on earth. Most importantly, the believer is with Jesus, his best friend, and as they are together, there is great joy and love and fellowship. Just think, the believer you know, the believer you spent time with on earth, is now in the very presence of Jesus, “blameless with great joy.” Jude 24-25

To instruct believers still living on earth. “The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Eccl. 7:2-4). A believer’s death is to instruct us that life on earth is short, is but a vapor (James 4:14). It is to remind us that while we are alive, God has work for us to do, and now’s the time to do it. And it is to wake us up, to alert us to the fact that our last day on earth is coming soon, and then we will be with Jesus.  

To instruct unbelievers living on earth. “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish” (Lk. 13:2-3). The death of a person is to sober up the sinner. It is to remind and warn him that he will die, and if he doesn’t repent, then when he dies, he will perish, he will be punished in the everlasting lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). He must realize his need to turn from his sin before it’s too late, before he dies and has no more time to repent and be saved. He must believe that Jesus is the only answer, that only He died to pay for his sins, was punished by His Father for his sins, and then rose again. “Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring you to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but will have eternal life.” John 3:16

To be in the house of the Lord. “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. 23:6). The believer that died is in the best place in the universe, the house of the Lord. And he’s not a guest, not just passing through, but is living there in his heavenly home – and it’s infinitely better than his earthly home. The Lord’s home is holy, joyful, peaceful, beautiful, clean, comfortable, and the perfect temperature – it’s the perfect place. The recently relocated believer is not in some far off corner of the universe, but in heaven with Jesus Himself. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3

To bring glory to God!!! “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever” (Rev. 7:12). This is what all these angels are saying when they see all these believers before the throne worshiping and glorifying God. Believers in heaven will be glorifying God like never before, along with all the angels. “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart and will glorify Your name forever.” Psalm 86:12

Consider these truths that convey God’s perspective about the death and future of a believer. You may be grieving and have strong feelings about his death, and understandably so, especially a loved one. But God does not want your grieving to be overwhelmed with sadness – there must be a gladness from God that is mixed in, that sweetens your tears, that flavors your soul with joy, and stirs you to praise your precious Lord. These truths give you hope about the future and, in particular, that you will again and forever see and be with loved ones and friends. 

That we live in the end-times means Christ is coming soon, and there may be many people now living on earth who are alive when He returns. Those still alive is that remnant of God’s people who won’t physically die but “will be caught up together with them (believers who physically died) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Th. 4:17-18). These raptured believers will likely know many believers who died because of birth pains (wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues) and the great tribulation (Matt. 24:28). All these truths are especially relevant for last-days’ believers who survive the Antichrist’s great persecution. “The one who endures to the end (of this age), he will be saved (raptured and glorified).” Matthew 24:13

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

P.S. I have been to many memorial services, and most pastors focus on the past, on the life of the believer. Yes “the memory of the righteous is a blessing,” but the pastor’s job is to also give hope, to share with the people what God says in His word about our glorious future. Here are two articles to read: “Heavenly Verses That Speak About Your Glorious Future”, and “You Have to Have Hope!”

Preaching Christ and His Kingdom

August 30, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #339 ~

The writers of the New Testament epistles thought about and taught the totality of our salvation. They focused on justification, sanctification, and glorification (Rom. 3-4, 6-8:1-17, 8:18-25), and as we saw in the previous post, they often summed up our 3-part salvation in a few verses or less (Ph. 3:8-11, Tit. 2:11-14, 1 Pet. 1:3-4, 1 Jn.3:1-3). They knew it was important for us to see the future in light of the past and present, to know that our life is not static, but that our past justification and present sanctification is leading to our future glorification.

Today we will look at the gospel of the kingdom, which speaks about the entirety of our eternal life, including this 3-part salvation. It tells us of being born again and entering God’s kingdom with the result that we are members of the church, a spiritual kingdom, and in the future, of His physical kingdom. It talks of Christ dying to pay for our sins and our need to believe in Him to be spiritually saved and then physically saved with the result that we will be able to wholly and perfectly live for Him in the ages to come. Let’s look at the gospel of the kingdom:

* Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”  The “gospel of the kingdom” is good news about Jesus being Savior, Lord, and King. This is shown in that He saves people from their sins, is Lord in their lives, and is head of the church, a spiritual kingdom. In the coming ages, He will be King over this whole wide world, over a spiritual, physical, glorious, God-glorifying kingdom.

The gospel of the kingdom was evident during Jesus’ ministry years when He displayed His power over diseases, demons, and storms, and when He defeated sin and death. In the kingdom ages, His power will be absolute, universal, and always visible. This gospel of the kingdom is supreme and comprehensive, embodied in our lives and encompassing the entirety of our eternal life from being justified to being glorified to perfectly worshiping and serving God in the millennial and eternal kingdoms.

* Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Again, Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, and it was at hand because He, as God in the flesh, was with people, and was revealing to them His holiness, love, power, and purpose. A primary goal of His teaching during His 1st coming was telling people their need to repent of their sins and believe the gospel, the good news that He was Lord and Savior, that only He could save them from their sins and open the door to His eternal kingdom.

* Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” A person has to be poor in spirit, he has to be humble to be saved from sin and death and become a member of God’s kingdom. He must see his spiritual poverty, his need for salvation, his need for God to show him mercy. A person poor in spirit is desperate, like a beggar. Once he is humble and believes in Christ to save him, then he is supremely blessed, immediately becoming a member of the kingdom of heaven, one that is forever holy, loving, joyful, and peaceful.  

* John 3:5 – “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” A person becomes a member of God’s kingdom by being born again, by being born of the Spirit, a supernatural work of God in his soul. Once a person is saved, he can spiritually see Christ, and he knows he is a member of His kingdom. In the coming ages he will physically see Christ and the kingdom of God. “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:13-14

* Acts 1:6-8, 11 – “He… appearing to them over a period of 40 days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God... They were asking Jesus, saying, ‘Lord is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs… but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem… and to the remotest part of the earth.’… He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out their sight… This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Jesus had just been resurrected from the dead, and He wanted to be with His disciples and teach them, for He knew He would soon be leaving them. And what was the main subject? It was “the kingdom of God”! Jesus wanted them to see the big picture, from the present to the future. But the disciples didn’t really understand the full gospel, the good news of the kingdom from the church age to eternity future – they were thinking about prophecies that stated that Christ would be King over a physical kingdom. Jesus, by not denying or dismissing there would be an earthly kingdom, was confirming it was true. But He told them they didn’t need to know the “times or epochs” as to when His kingdom would be established on earth. Matt. 24:32-36

The disciples were to concern themselves with being witnesses to the world, with working with Christ in building the church, a spiritual kingdom (Matt. 16:18). He had already instructed them, “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” (Matt. 24:14). And He had commanded them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20

After Jesus ascends into heaven on a cloud, two angels tell His disciples that He would come back in the same way. Jesus had previously told them He would come back on a cloud, and it was at that time they would be redeemed and gathered to Himself, and after that He would come back to earth and set up His physical kingdom. Matt. 24:31; Luke 21:27-28, 31; Rev. 11:15

One of the main lessons of Acts 1, this introductory chapter to the early history of the church, is the kingdom of God. And it was the whole kingdom of God that was being proclaimed, from the present spiritual kingdom to the eternal physical kingdom, from the good news about our salvation in Christ to the good news about Christ eternally reigning over His kingdom. Dan. 7:27

The book of Acts clearly tells us that the primary message being proclaimed to the masses, the disciples, and us was Christ and the kingdom of God. “… Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ…” (Acts 8:12). “He (Paul) entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God”(Acts 19:8). “… solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ… I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself… to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face…” (Acts 20:20-25). “Paul… testifying solemnly about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus…” (Acts 28:23). “He stayed two full years… preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31

Might we realize the importance of Jesus Christ and the truth of the kingdom of God in our own lives, and of preaching Jesus Christ and the truth of the kingdom of God to others. Let’s also “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33). Let’s pray, “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10). Let’s “speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. Our kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Ps. 145:1-3). Let’s long for that day when we say, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15

P.S. I can’t stress enough the importance of understanding the entirety of our salvation, from justification to glorification to the kingdom ages. Here are more posts that tell us about God’s kingdom how it relates to us: “The Kingdom of God”, “The King in Your Heart, and His Kingdom on Earth”, and “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

Romans – Christ’s Coming and God’s Glory

February 15, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #325 ~

In the epistles, we find all this spiritual gold relating to our present life on earth. But we also discover spiritual gems describing our hope. The book of Romans, for example, has much to say about justification, but it also speaks about Christ’s return and the future glory of God. Today I will look at eight glorious gems that are found in this book – Rom. 5:2, Rom. 8:18-25, Rom. 8:28-31, Rom. 11, Rom. 13:11-14, Rom. 14:10-12, Rom. 15:8-13, and Rom. 16:25-27.

Romans 5:2 – “We exult in hope of the glory of God.” I get tired of this evil, people-exalting, devil-controlled world. Don’t you? But God gave us this important example instructing us to be excited about His coming glory – His truth, power, holiness, justice, wisdom, love, mercy, goodness, majesty, etc. It won’t be long before God’s glory is on display all over the world, in the creation, in the lives of Jews, Gentiles, and glorified saints, and most importantly, in the life and work of Jesus Christ the King. Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14, Ps. 72:18-19

Romans 8:18-25 – “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Vs. 18). Life can be hard – we hurt, we suffer, we get sick, we are persecuted. We live in a world that is groaning and in a body that is groaning. But our hope is that this physical world will be set free from sin – be restored, and that our physical body will be set free from sin – be glorified. “The creation will be set free from its slavery to corruption… we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Rom. 8:21, 23; Phil. 3:20-21

Romans 8:28-30 – “These whom He predestined, He also called, and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (vs. 30). This is an excellent summary of God’s overall plan of salvation, climaxing in God’s ultimate goal for us, that we be glorified. It’s at Christ’s coming that our salvation will be complete, for that’s when we will be glorified, “be conformed to the image of God’s Son”, and when we will be able to love and live for God like He purposed and planned in eternity past.

Romans 11 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (vs. 36). One of the biggest ways God receives glory is through His plan of salvation with regards to Jews and Gentiles. In His wisdom, God first focused on the Jews, but during this church age, their hearts being partially hardened, God has focused on the Gentiles. After the end of this age, when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (25), a remnant of Jews will be redeemed. God’s saving work with both Jews and Gentiles will result in Him being greatly and eternally glorified. 

Romans 13:11-13 – “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Do you know what time it is? Do you know that we are very close to the end of this age? That’s when Christ returns to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and begin reigning over the world? So don’t be asleep! Wake up! And be holy and lively for the Lord Jesus Christ, for this is how you glorify God!

Romans 14:10-12 – “Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” A person’s primary purpose is to serve God and give Him glory. Knowing that we are in the end-times and that it won’t be long before we see Christ and give an account of how we have lived our life (our “work will become evident” – 1 Cor. 3:13-15), should motivate us to be holy and wholly loving God and living for Him.

Romans 15:8-13 – “Christ has become a servant… to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy.” God’s prophetic word promises a coming age when Christ is ruling over both Jews and Gentiles who are unitedly glorifying Him. This passage concludes with an encouraging, forward-looking prayer, that all believers would be looking forward to God’s glory – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 16:25-27 – “To Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ… to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” God Himself will keep us going to the end of our life or the end of this age, and for all eternity. The gospel and the truths of Christ are the basis by which we are established and become strong and give glory to God during this life and forever.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.” Jude 24-25

P.S. God has much to say about our future, about Christ’s coming, and God’s glory, and so much more than we realize. The most well read article is about Matthew 24, what I consider to be the single most important prophecy chapter for Christians.

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 New Testament Tells Us the Future of Israel

April 20, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #302 ~

View of Jerusalem with calanit – red poppy flowers, national flower of Israel

The 4,000-year history of Israel has been an up and down journey and, at times, very dangerous and deadly. She has been in her land, out of her land, in her land, out of her land, and now back in her land. The devil has continually fought against Israel, but God has always been for her – He has mercifully and faithfully kept her going through all the years. There’s no doubt that God will carry out and complete all His plans for Israel. Psalm 33:10-12

As you know, Israel is again in the middle of another difficult conflict, and you may be wondering what will happen next. But don’t believe what politicians and news people say, for they don’t know. Look to God and His word. The Old Testament gives 100’s of verses about the future of the Jewish people. But what does the New Testament say?

I have discovered 21 New Testament passages that speak about God’s plans for the Jews in these end-times and in the ages to come. So what do they say?  
* Matthew 5:17-19. “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets… but to fulfill.” Jesus is telling us that everything God told us in the Law and the Prophets about the future will come to pass. That includes everything that He said about the Jewish people. Is. 46:9-11
* Matthew 5:35. “Jerusalem… is the city of the great King.” When Christ came the 1st time as the Messiah, Jerusalem was not the city of the great King, but it will be when He comes the 2nd time. Then He will be The King of the Jews and will reign over the whole world. Ps. 48:1-2

* Matthew 19:27-28. “You shall sit upon 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” Jesus Christ will sit on His throne in Jerusalem during the coming kingdom age, and His disciples will reign with Him over the tribes of Israel. Matt. 25:31
* Matthew 23:37-39. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Most of the Jews rejected Christ at His first coming and, therefore, were left desolate and were punished. But a Jewish remnant will be glad to see Him at His 2nd coming and will repent, and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53

* Matthew 24:15-27. “… the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel…” This describes the Antichrist’s desecration of the Jewish temple, his pursuit of the Jews, the great tribulation he brings upon them, and the coming of Christ for them and the Christians. This occurs sometime during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week. Daniel 9:27
* Luke 21:20-24. “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot… until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Christ predicted that the Jews would be punished, scattered, and gathered back to Israel, all of which has been fulfilled. We also learn that the Gentiles’ influence over Israel will come to a complete end. Then Christ will judge the world, save a remnant of Jews and, from Jerusalem, begin reigning over this earth. Luke 19:41-44

* Acts 3:21. “… the period of restoration of all things…” When Christ returns to rule the world, all things on earth will be physically renewed and restored as was promised by the prophets. (Is. 35, 65:17-25). This restoration happens during the millennial kingdom.
* Acts 15:16-18. “… so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord…” In the age to come, the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, Israel will be a fruitful and glorious place, Christ will reign over the world, and the Jews will be a godly witness to the Gentiles. Pss. 72, 96

* Romans 8:18-21. “… the creation itself will be delivered from its bondage to decay.” The sons of God, both Jews and Gentiles, will be revealed, the creation will be set free from sin, and God’s glory will be displayed on earth like never before. Is. 6:3
* Romans 9:27-29. “Isaiah cries out,… ‘though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved…’” An important promise that God will fulfill is the salvation of a remnant of Jewish people. Is. 45:17, Dan. 9:24

* Romans 11:25-27. “… all Israel will be saved…” This important promise, that a Jewish remnant will be saved, is repeated. This will take place at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. These Jews will live in Israel and will assist Jesus Christ in His reign over Israel and the entire world. Jer. 31:31-34
* Romans 15:8-13. “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him.” Our hope is that in the coming ages, Jesus Christ will rule over the world, and all people, Jewish and Gentile believers, will be unitedly worshiping Him. Ps. 117

* 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9. “… the man of lawlessness… exalts himself above every so-called god.” The Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. He takes his seat in the Jewish temple and displays himself as God, for he wants to be worshiped by the world. Soon after that, Jesus Christ comes and soundly defeats the Antichrist, and it is Christ who is worshiped by the world. Rev. 19
* Hebrews 8:7-12. “I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” God made a special covenant with Israel, that through Christ, both Jews and Gentiles would be forgiven and know Him. This covenant is being fulfilled during this church age, and when a large remnant of Jews is saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. 

* Hebrews 11:1, 8-16, 39-40. “God is not ashamed to be called their God for He has prepared a city for them.” God promised spiritual and physical blessings (salvation and land) to all true descendants of Abraham, all those justified by faith in Christ. These blessings will be realized in the kingdom ages. You will see that the hope of Abraham and the Jews is related to the hope of all believers. Ps. 37:11 – Matt. 5:5
* Revelation 7:4-8. “…we have sealed the bond-servants of our God.” During Daniel’s 70th week, before the church is raptured into heaven, 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel, will be sealed and kept for Christ. They will be Christ’s special servants. Rev. 14:1-5

* Revelation 10:1-7. “… the mystery of God is finished” at the sound of the trumpet of the 7th angel. This occurs at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Then a remnant of Jews will be saved, the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of God, the nations will be judged, and all things will be summed up in Christ. Eph. 1:9-11, Rev. 11:15
* Revelation 11:1-15. “I will grant authority to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days.” During the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, we see this focus on the temple, Jerusalem, the powerful preaching of two godly witnesses, and the glory of God.

* Revelation 12. “She gave birth to a son… who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron.” Rev. 12 tells us key elements of the Jews’ history. We read of her birth as a nation, her purpose in giving birth to Jesus the King, her lifelong battle with the devil, being persecuted in the end-times, her great escape, and God’s protection of her.
* Revelation 20.1-10. “… The thousand years…” refer to the millennial kingdom and is vividly described in the prophets and Psalms. Christ rules the world during this time, and believers, both Jew and Gentile, reign with Him. At the end of these 1,000 years, Christ will cast the devil and the dead, all unbelievers, into the lake of fire. Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 5:10

* Revelation 21:10-13. “… the new Jerusalem… with 12 gates… names were written on them… the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel.” This glorious city comes down out of heaven at the end of the 1,000-year kingdom age. Then Jewish and Gentile believers will live forever with Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, Husband, and King.

In conclusion, here are several important thoughts to remember:
1. These NT verses about the Jewish people confirm and complement many of God’s OT promises to them. Dan. 9:27 – Matt. 24:15
2. These NT verses about the Jews is overwhelming proof that God did not forget His promises to them, that He won’t go back on His word, that He hasn’t given up on them, and that He will carry out all His plans for them. Is. 46:9-11

3. Reading these NT verses makes it clear that the Jews are back in their land, the land of Israel, and that it’s a special place, a God given and glorious land.
4. The main themes of these NT verses focus on God’s working with the Jews. Primarily, they describe what happens to them during the end-times, their salvation, and the kingdom ages to come.

5. These NT verses say nothing about another country occupying the land God promised to the Jews. Not only that, but there will be no permanent two-state solution. The land of Israel will be occupied by the Jewish people and ruled by Jesus Christ. Gen. 13:15, 15:18-21; Zech. 14:9
6. These NT verses make it clear that God is simultaneously working with both Jews and Christians in these end-times and in the kingdom ages to come.

7. These NT verses tell us that these years before the end of this age will be a very difficult time for the Jews. They will not experience any great blessings and glory until the millennial kingdom when Christ is reigning over them and the earth.
8. Be excited and thankful that you are alive at this time in history, and that you can witness God’s working with both Gentile and Jewish believers. And remember, it won’t be long before Christ comes back to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and begin His reign over the world.

“All 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. There’s so much going on in the world and, as a Christian, you will be lost and confused if you don’t know what God says about the Jewish people and the end-times we live in. I encourage you to read these previous posts: “A Jewish Reading Lesson”, “Converging Hopes for Jewish and Gentile Believers”, and “Jews and Gentiles Unitedly Glorifiying God.”

It’s True! Christ is Coming Again!

March 23, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #300 ~

There’s an enormous volume of verses about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. Obviously, God wants you to be convinced of this most important truth. It’s imperative that you realize its relevance, especially now that we are living in the end-times. Christ’s coming is not a minor, secondary truth, but a major, primary truth. Just think, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, could come back in your lifetime. You may actually see Him return on the clouds to rapture you and the church.

That God gives us so many verses about Christ’s coming means that it must be a subject He really wants you to know and understand. My purpose in this post is not to address all the details in these 2nd coming verses, but to impress you with this singular message, that Jesus Christ is coming again!

The verses I have written out are those containing the word coming, appearing, and revealing. The word coming is in both a noun form, speaking of Christ’s arrival and presence, and a verb form, referring only to the fact that Christ will arrive. Appearing means to shine forth, telling us that Christ will be visibly evident to the whole world – no one will miss Him. Revealing speaks of the uncovering, the unveiling of our coming Lord and King. Jesus Christ is very much alive, and for Christians, He is spiritually in our hearts, but now He is physically in heaven and hidden from view. Soon enough, Christ will physically come, physically appear, and physically be revealed, and the entire world will see Him in all His glory. What a day that will be!!!

Here are 54 verses about the coming of Jesus Christ:
Matthew 23:39 – “I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Matthew 24:3 – “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:27 – “Just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Matthew 24:30-31 – “The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.”
Matthew 24:37-38 – “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away. So will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Matthew 24:42 – “Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 26:64 – “Hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 8:38 – “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Luke 12:37-38 – “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when He comes; truly I say to you, that He will gird himself to serve and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them…”
Luke 12:40 – “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
Luke 17:29-30 – “On the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.”
Luke 18:8 – “However when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
John 14:3 – “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.”
Acts 1:11 – “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
1 Corinthians 1:8 – “You are not lacking any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will keep you strong to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:22-23 – “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.”

Colossians 3:4 – “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
1 Thessalonians 2:19 – “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?”
1 Thessalonians 3:13 – “… so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 – “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not proceed those who fall asleep. 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 your spirit and soul and body be persevered complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 – “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 – “We request you brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…”
2 Thessalonians 2:8 – “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.”

1 Timothy 6:13-14 – “… keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will being about at the proper time.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2 – “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort…”
Titus 2:12-13 – “… live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 9:28 – “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation, without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
Hebrews 10:37 – “In a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.”
James 5:7 – “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it.”
James 5:8 – “Be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
1 Peter 1:7 – “… so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 5:4 – “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

2 Peter 3:3-4a – “In the last days, mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’”
1 John 2:28 – “Now little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
1 John 3:2 – “We are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be… when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”
Revelation 1:7 – “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him.”
Revelation 22:7 – “Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is He who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what He has done.”
Revelation 22:20 – “Behold, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Here are 49 more verses about Christ’s coming, ones that are either duplicates, Old Testament verses, or do not have the words coming, appearing, or revealing in them. Job 19:25-27; Ps. 2:6, 98:9; Is. 40:10; Joel 2:30-32; Zech. 14:4:9; Mal. 4:5; Matt. 16:28; Mark 13:26-27, 13:33-35; Luke 12:42-46, 17:24, 21:27-28, 34-36; Acts 3:20-21; Rom. 8:22-25; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 1:6, 1:10, 2:16, 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 1:9-10; 2 Thess. 1:6-7; Jude 21.

I encourage you to read and reread all the above verses. Study them, and study them in their context. And share them with others. May they encourage your soul and give you hope. Now more than ever before, be looking forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, your Savior, Lord, and King.

P.S. In my opinion, the truth that Christ is coming back is the single most important subject about the future. Here are four other posts about Christ’s coming: “The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ”, “When is Christ Coming Back?”, “What Will Happen When Christ Comes Back?”, “Why is Jesus Christ Coming Back?”

Jesus Christ – Living in Israel Doing the Work of God

February 24, 2024 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #298 ~

To truly know where things are headed in this world, you must understand God’s purpose and plans for Israel. It started about 4,000 years ago when God promised to Abraham and his descendants that they were to be His people, that He would give them a special piece of land, and that He would greatly and eternally bless them. Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-16, 17:1-8

It was around 1845 BC when Israel was born in the nation of Egypt. She grew to be about 2,000,000 people, and then in 1445 BC, Moses miraculously led her out of Egypt. And 40 years later, Joshua led her into the promised land. For about 800 years, she lived in this good land, but God drove her out because of all her sins. In 538 BC, exactly 70 years after she was exiled, God sovereignly brought a Jewish remnant back to Israel. Indeed, God kept His promise to His people – “When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place,” Jeremiah 29:10-14

What was the main reason God brought some Israelites back to their land? Because He wanted His Son to save people from their sins. And for that to happen, His Son, Jesus, needed to be the Son of man, a descendant of Jewish people, and be born in this land of Israel. For the next 500+ years, God was getting everyone and everything in place, and it all went according to His plans. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12

The 2000-year history of the Israelites was culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ, of God’s Son to earth. And Jesus came to the land of Israel, not to Persia, Magog, Edom, Italy, Greece, Assyria, Egypt, Ethiopia, or any other place. It was in Israel that God would accomplish His most important work, the suffering, death, and resurrection of His own Son, so as to save souls from sin, death, and hell. Matthew 26-28; Romans 3:23, 6:23

Finally, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4). The Son of God was born of a woman and, thus, was also the Son of man, and He had to be God and Man to fulfill His most important work. The last 3 years of Jesus’ 33-year life were the most critical, for He was completely focused on the people and carrying out God’s work. “I brought You glory by completing the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:1-4

During those last few years of His earthly life, Jesus was crisscrossing the land of Israel, going from villages to cities, to places like Nazareth, Capernaum, Cana, Bethany, Jericho, Bethsaida, Bethesda, Chorazin, and Jerusalem. Jesus dearly loved the people; He was always gentle, patient, and kind; He worked extremely hard; He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead; He was continually teaching the truth; He was devoted to training disciples; and He “would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16

Jesus was also fulfilling prophecy, predictions about His life when He was in the land of Israel, ones God had made 100’s of years earlier. Mic. 5:2 said Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Is. 9:1-2 told us He would be a great light in the land of Galilee. Is. 35:5-6 spoke of miracles being performed in Israel, which Jesus did. Zech. 9:9 predicted that that this Messiah would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey. These prophecies and many others came true, confirming Jesus’ identity, and the plans God had for His Son. Matthew 1:18-2:6

By all He said and did, Jesus proved that He was God in the flesh. Jesus made it clear that He was and is the greatest man ever, not just in Israel, but in all the world. Yet, for loving people and sharing the truth, He was mocked, slandered, beaten, flogged, and killed. In all this, Jesus wasn’t thinking about Himself but others – He was humbly, willingly, and lovingly sacrificing His life for the lives of others. Philippians 2:1, 5-8

It was just outside the city of Jerusalem where Jesus Christ, a perfect man, died on a cross to pay for the sins of all those who would repent and believe in Him. Shortly after He died, He was buried, and three days later He was raised from the dead, proof that He had gained the victory over man’s sin by satisfying God’s demands for justice. Rom. 3:21-26, 4:24-25, 5:6-11, 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18

Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, He lifted off from Israel and went to heaven to be with His Father. His work to save people’s souls was completely finished. Ten days after His ascension, Jesus, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, began building the church. (Matt. 16:18, Eph. 2:19-22). It’s now close to 2000 years later, and Jesus is still in heaven and the church is still growing. But is He returning to earth and to Israel? Yes, He is! Jesus kept telling us He would come back, and He will definitely keep His word! Matt. 24:27, 30-31, 37-42; John 14:1-3; Rev. 22:12

Why is Jesus Christ coming back? He’s coming back to rapture the church, those on earth at the end of this age, and take them to Himself and then home to heaven. “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” (John 14:3). “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another” Matthew 24:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Jesus is coming back to judge an unbelieving world, those on earth after the church is raptured. “The Lord will go forth and fight against those nations” (Zech. 14:3). “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, He judges and wages war… From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations… and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.” Revelation 19:11-21

Jesus is coming back to Israel so as to reign over her and the entire earth. “… In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem… the Lord will be King over the whole earth” (Zech. 9:4, 9). “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.” Psalm 67:4. Psalm 2:7-9, Psalm 47:2-4, Matthew 19:28

What a great time to be alive! Now we can look back over the last 4000+ years and see all that God has done with the nation of Israel and with the church. And now we live in the end-times, the final years before Christ returns to rapture the church, judge the world, and begin reigning over this earth. Be excited and rejoicing! Be worshiping Christ, working for Him, and waiting for His coming! “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57:11

P.S. Jesus Christ came to the land of Israel, the land where He would do the work to save us from our sins, and the land He will return to in the near future. The following post will help you see the importance of the land of Israel in the past, present, and future – “God Promised ‘The Land’ to Israel.”

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