Category: Uncategorized (Page 2 of 2)

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #127 ~

These are Jesus’ words, spoken in the context of His comprehensive second coming message recorded in Matthew 24. Paul, in his end-times’ epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:5), wrote something similar, “Let no one in any way deceive you.” Isn’t it instructive that in both of these passages you are warned about error? This means that the devil will lie about Christ’s coming and events leading up to it, and many people will believe his lies. But God wants you to know the truth about the end times so you won’t be deceived and misled by the devil. I hope you realize that a little error can really hurt you. It’s like poison in your food, an infection in your body, or a wrong road on a map. And so too, you don’t want to be led astray by any error in any subject, and that includes in this area of prophecy. My goal in this post is to share God’s truth to correct six different errors, specifically with regards to Daniel’s 70^th week, the coming of Christ, and the rapture of the church.

1. The rapture of the church is not imminent. Many Christians believe that the rapture can take place at any time, at any moment, and that no signs or prophesied events need to take place before it can occur, but that is not true. Matthew 24:5-30 lists a number of events that need to happen before the church is raptured (verse 31). Knowing these events will help us to “recognize that He is near” (verse 33). 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 tells us that we are not to be in darkness, surprised like the unbelievers, but we are to be awake and alert, which means we are to know what God’s word says about conditions in the world before Christ’s coming. Hebrews 10:25 further establishes this truth by saying that Christians “are to see the day drawing near.”

2. Great tribulation is not God’s wrath. Many think that the great tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24:9, 21 is God’s wrath, but that’s wrong thinking. Tribulation in the New Testament, also defined as affliction, distress, trouble and persecution, almost always refers to that which affects Christians (Romans 8:35, 2 Corinthians 4:17). Surely this distress and persecution is not God’s wrath, but Satan’s work, instigated by the Antichrist at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week. You must understand that great tribulation is persecution brought on by the Antichrist, but wrath is punishment brought on by God. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 corroborates this, for it makes it clear that tribulation directed at Christians is distinct from God’s wrath, and comes before His wrath.

3. Daniel’s 70^th week is not seven years of tribulation. Some people believe the entire 70^th week is tribulation, and therefore, is all God’s wrath, but that’s error. Let me give you an overview of Daniel’s 70^th week to help you see what will be happening. First, tribulation will occur during the first 3½ years of the 70^th week, for tribulation, believers being afflicted and persecuted, is a church-age and universal truth (Acts 14:22, John 16:33). Second, Matthew 24:15-22 informs us that great tribulation, initiated by the Antichrist, takes place during the 2^nd half of Daniel’s 70^th week, starting at the midpoint of that 7-year period. This tribulation is then cut short, meaning it is stopped by God sometime during those last 3½ years, and then Christians are raptured (verses 29-31). Third, God’s wrath (Revelation 8-9) starts immediately after the rapture, and continues to the end of Daniel’s 70^th week. This 70^th week then is comprised of tribulation and great tribulation affecting the Christians, and wrath directed at the non-Christians. (Many Jews, chosen by God to be saved, will be protected from this wrath – Revelation 7:1-8, 12:13-16).

4. The church will be on earth when the Antichrist is revealed. Many Christians think they will be raptured before the Antichrist’s coming, but that is not true. 2 Thessalonian 2:1 tells us that at Christ’s coming, Christians will be gathered to Him (this includes the rapture). But when is Christ’s coming? 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 makes it clear that His coming, and therefore, the rapture of the church, occurs after the Antichrist’s coming. Thus, it is true that the church will be on earth when the Antichrist is revealed, and is ruling. Revelation 12:6-17 helps us to understand this, for the devil, failing to catch the Jews, goes “to make war” with the Christians, which is obviously after the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week. Revelation 13:7 elaborates on this, for it says that the Antichrist is making war with the saints, and saints are Christians, which means the church is still on earth at that time. This same sequence of events is given in Matthew 24:9-31, again proving that the church, the body of Christ, will indeed be on earth during the rule of the Antichrist.

5. The church is raptured at the coming of Christ, and is the initial event at His coming. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 says, “we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “we who are alive and remain will be caught up (raptured).” These are equivalent phrases, instructing us that Christians will be caught up (raptured) at the coming of the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 confirms this truth when it says, “with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” This gathering includes believers who have already gone to heaven, and those still living on earth, who are raptured at Christ’s coming. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 also establishes this fact, for it says, “… 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.”

6. The rapture of the church does not occur at the beginning of Daniel’s 70^th week. That the rapture happens at the beginning of this 70^th week is never stated in the Bible. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 explains to us that Christ’s coming and the rapture occur after the Antichrist’s coming and desecration of the temple. Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week (Daniel 9:27), then the rapture has to take place after that point in time. Matthew 24:15-31 tells us the same thing as 2 Thessalonians 2, that the abomination of desolation, the desecration of the temple (verse 15), caused by the Antichrist, comes before the rapture of the church (verse 31), caused by Jesus Christ. We do not know the specific time of the rapture, the day or the hour, but we do know the general time, that it will happen after the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week, after the Antichrist is revealed, after great tribulation is cut short, and before the day of the Lord’s wrath. Matthew 24:29-36

I have given you some arguments and summary statements regarding truths and errors with respect to end-times’ prophecy. In particular, I have focused on pre-millennialism, which means Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church occur before His 1000-year reign on earth. As you can see, I have not fully developed these arguments, but I wanted to introduce them to you, and give you sufficient information to help you see that they are from God’s word, and are true. In the future, I plan to more fully explain them.

In the meantime, read and study the following prophecy passages, Matthew 24:3-41, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2-3, and Revelation 6-9, 12-13. These will help you grow in your convictions about what God says will be taking place in the end times, and help you learn the truth, and discern the error. Don’t forget what Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you… So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:5, 23 

P.S. There is one article that I believe is extremely important in helping you understand the truth of the end times, and that is “Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.” I also suggest that you check out the “Charts.” Take time to go over them, for I am convinced they will give you a proper overview of the future that God has in store for us.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #123 ~

We have always lived in a world where there are kings, presidents, and prime ministers leading their countries. But at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week (Daniel 9:27), we will see this man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, ruling the world. I say “we will see” because the church will still be on earth when he is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5). His divinely appointed time on earth will be the culmination of Satan’s long, age-old war against God (Revelation 12-13). As Christians, it’s essential that we understand what these prophecy passages are telling us, for this Antichrist’s zeal for evil, and super-intense hatred for God and His people, will be like nothing we have ever seen before.

2 Thessalonians 2 tells us some important things God wants us to know about this man of lawlessness. We learn that he is now restrained, and is not yet doing his most-wicked work. But the time will come when he won’t be restrained, when he will be revealed. Here are three specific things we need to know about the revealing of the Antichrist:
* First, this arrogant impostor will “take his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (verses 3-4). This deceiver will actually proclaim that he is God, which is God’s sign to true Christians and discerning Jews that the Antichrist has been revealed.
* Second, it says that “in his time he will be revealed” (verse 6). God is in charge, and He is the One who determines when the Antichrist will take his stand on earth.
* Third, this “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” (verse 8). This gives us the all-important big picture, that this son of destruction will be revealed, but will not be victorious, for he will soon come to an end, completely and forever defeated. “His dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.” Daniel 7:26

What else does Paul tell us about this evil Antichrist, this beast, this son of destruction?
* That he is Satan’s man, and that he will be motivated and energized by Satan himself, and will be doing his devilish and despicable work. Verse 9, Revelation 13:3-7
* With the help of a second beast, he will carry out many powerful signs and wonders, with a goal of deceiving everyone on earth. Revelation 13:13-14 confirms this: “He (another beast) performs great signs… and he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs…” The Antichrist, this most dangerous man, will set up a one-world religion, and sadly, most people will be fooled and believe he is God, and will worship him. “They worshiped the dragon… and they worshiped the beast.” Revelation 13:4

Paul goes on to tell us about these evil, end-time unbelievers, ones who won’t worship God, but instead will worship the Antichrist, and therefore, worship Satan himself. They will be deceived by amazing signs and wonders, and by the seductive power of wickedness. (verses 9-10). They will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). They “took pleasure in wickedness” (verse 12). “Men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Like the days of Noah, they will love their sin, and will be pleasing and satisfying their sinful flesh.

These sinners will love their sin, but won’t love the truth, which means they won’t love Jesus, and His gospel message. Because they won’t love the truth, they won’t “believe the truth” (verse 12). They will hate the Savior and won’t want to be saved from their sins. God will harden the hearts of those who harden their hearts against Him and the gospel, for He “will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false” (verse 11). These wicked people will be abandoned by God to their own sin, and the consequences of their sin, which is what Romans 1:24-28 says: “God gave them over to degrading passions… to a depraved mind.” What happens next? They will be judged, and will perish, being eternally punished for their sins (verses 10, 12). “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of God.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Do you get the picture? During this time on earth, there’s Satan, the Antichrist, and a world full of sinners – and it will be exceedingly dark. But the Christians alive on earth at this time are to be bright lights, lovingly sharing the gospel to the very end of the age (Matthew 24:14). Yes, they will be hated and persecuted during this time of great tribulation (Matthew 24:9), but God will give them abundant grace, peace, and victory. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?… In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:35-39). Then at the rapture of the church, there is relief for all the Christians who are suffering and experiencing tribulation. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7, Revelation 7:9-17

You need to know the order, the sequence of these end-time events: First, the temple in Jerusalem will be built. Then at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week, the Antichrist will be revealed, desecrating the temple. After that, great tribulation will begin, affecting both Jews and Christians. Then there’s the coming of the Lord, the initial event being the rapture of the church. Right after that, there’s the day of the Lord, the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the unbelievers. At the end of Daniel’s 70^th week, many Jews will be saved. Then the Antichrist and the other beast will be cast into the lake of fire. Finally, Jesus Christ will begin His great and glorious 1000-year reign on earth. “The Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth… Sing praises to our King.” Psalm 47:2, 6

P.S. Here is an extensive, must-read article about the Antichrist – The Coming of the Antichrist, The Devil’s Man on Earth.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #122 ~

The Thessalonian church was being greatly persecuted. Then they heard some message or read some letter making them think the Lord Jesus had already returned, and that they had missed the rapture. Paul, as an apostle and pastor, heard they were troubled, and knew he had to clear up their confusion, their error, and so he writes another letter to them, 2 Thessalonians. In chapter 1, he tells them that the relief that comes with the rapture takes place before the day of the Lord, before God’s wrath is poured out on this earth. In chapter 2, he tells them that two events must occur before the day of the Lord, and therefore, before the rapture of the church. First, there needs to be the apostasy, this defection of so-called religious and church people. Secondly, there needs to be the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist. As we look back through history, we see that neither of these events have ever happened, but they will, and not long from now.

That’s because we live in the end-times, which means this 2^nd Thessalonian epistle is especially relevant to us. But it’s not just relevant, it’s essential that we understand it. I say this because many Christians believe no events need to occur, and no conditions need to be met before the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church. But that’s not true, that’s erroneous. Right here in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul tells us two events that need to take place before the rapture. Other prophecy passages state additional conditions and events that need to happen. Matthew 24:3-30, Luke 21:7-28, Revelation 6:1-17

God gives us these signs because He wants us to have a general idea when His Son is coming back to earth. It’s true we don’t know the exact day or hour of Christ’s return, but God wants us to know many of the end-time events leading up to His return, as well as the sequence, the order of these events. We will “see the day (of Christ) drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25), and then “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud…” (Luke 21:27). Jesus Christ is coming like a thief in the night to unbelievers, but not to believers, not to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 

Let’s look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, which is about the man of lawlessness, known also as the Antichrist. What God wants us to know is that Christians will be alive on earth when the Antichrist is revealed. We may not want to hear this, but it is the truth. These verses make it clear that the Antichrist must be revealed before the day of the Lord, which means before the coming of the Lord, and therefore, before the rapture of the church and the gathering of all believers to Him. Matthew 24:31

The Antichrist, this most lawless, vile and devilish man to ever live, is described in great detail in the book of Daniel. He will be a strong and boastful speaker, extremely powerful, crushing and ruling other nations, and leading a ten-nation kingdom. He will be “waging war with the saints,” and arrogantly speaking out against them (Daniel 7:11, 19-26). He will be smart, shrewd, intimidating and destructive, and will “even oppose the Prince of princes” (Daniel 8:23-25). He will make a peace treaty with Israel, pretending to be her protector, but will then turn violently against her. Daniel 9:27

This most evil man will “do as he pleases, and will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36), which is just what 2 Thessalonian 2:3-5 tells us will happen. The time will be the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week, and the place will be the temple in Jerusalem. During the first half of this week, this 7-year time-frame, this man of lawlessness grows in power and prominence. Seemingly unstoppable, he “opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship.” He is strongly opposed to all religions, churches and God Himself, for he wants no one else in the world, but himself, to be worshiped. Revelation 13:3-8 

Then “he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” This is the “abomination of desolation,” predicted by Daniel and confirmed by Jesus (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15). It is at this time, at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70^th week, that this “man of lawlessness is revealed,” for then Christians and discerning Jews will know for certain that this devilish man is the Antichrist. He will be the greatest God-hater, Jew-hater, Christian-hater ever. “He opened his mouth in blasphemies against God… It was also given to him to make war with the saints, and overcome them.” Revelation 13:7

It’s the beginning of the 21^st century, and this son of destruction is now restrained, is kept in check, for his time has not yet come. But his father, the devil, is not restrained, for since the sin of Adam and Eve, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). In the near future, the restrainer, who I believe is Michael the archangel, will be taken out of the way, and then the Antichrist will be revealed – and we will know its him. (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:7-12). Thankfully, this Antichrist “has only a short time,” for “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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8

P.S. Here are two previous posts that go along with this one, and will help you further understand the future that God has planned for our world: That Evil Antichrist, and His Short Rule on Earth and The Timing of the Rapture.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

I love the truth and the reality of the rapture. My latest article is 50 Truths God Wants You To Know About The Rapture, a detailed listing and description of what God has in store for the church at the end of this age. I encourage you to take the time to read it, to work your way through it, and get a better picture of the future and great love that God has for us.

The Espanol tab now features a drop down menu with the first line, “Mensajes Recientes” linking you to the latest and recent posts, and the second line, “Archivos”, linking you to a chronological listing of the posts (just like the “Archives” tab), from the first post, to the last and most recent one.

Our church was so blessed this past Sunday with Marv Rosenthal as our guest speaker. He has been faithfully serving the Lord for close to 60 years, and a friend and mentor to me for over 23 years. To see his love for the Lord and for truth, and to see him persevering has been a great encouragement to my wife and me, and I’m sure to thousands of others. You can listen to his message at our Sermon Audio home page for Hope Bible Church.

Next week, February 2, I’ll be continuing with the blog posts, again focusing on the coming of Christ and the end time events that will be taking place before His return and the rapture of the church.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

It’s been exactly one year since I started this blog site, and having the opportunity to share Biblical truth about prophecy has been most encouraging to me, and I trust for you as well. But I’m taking a two-week break, and am planning on publishing posts again starting on February 3^rd. There are a few things though, that I want to mention:

* There is a new tab called “Archives.”  This is a consecutive listing of all the posts, starting with the first one written last January, continuing on up to the last one. This format will make it easier for you to find a post you haven’t read yet, or want to go back and read again. I want to say too, that I’ve written these posts in a particular order, and for maximum learning, I’d encourage you to start with number one, and go on from there. In fact, if you’ve not read all the posts, I’d encourage you to go back and start with the first one. Having the Archives set up this way, will make that much easier to do.

* The “Espanol” tab is being reworked for easier access and readability. It should be up and ready to go in the next week or two. Please pass this on to your Hispanic friends.

* I want to remind you that all posts, articles and charts are for you to use as the Lord leads. Download, print and use for your own learning, and then pass them on to your family, church members and friends.

* I have a lot more to share with you about the end times, the coming of Christ, and the millennial kingdom age to follow. I do appreciate your prayers for understanding, wisdom and protection. If you have any thoughts or questions, please write me using the email address listed. The next post will be up and ready to read in two weeks, February 3^rd, Lord willing. “To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” Jude 1-2

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

This is Thanksgiving Day, a wonderful day to enjoy family and friends, and to eat some very good food. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25). It is also a time to remember the great blessings God has bestowed on our lives, and to then reflect on His great goodness toward us. What a kind and gracious Father we have, who has blessed us so, so much, and will continue to bless us in this life on earth, and forever and ever. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

As you know this blog is about the end times and Christ’s Kingdom. Indeed, there is much that can be said, and needs to be said about what will be taking place in our future. But to live for the Lord in the way He wants we need to not just know what will be happening, but we need to possess the godly character He speaks about in His word. Over the course of the next year my desire is to write a number of articles about the character of a Christian. The first is given to you here – “Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.”

Happy Thanksgiving!  “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

What a great prophecy conference this past weekend in Tampa, Florida! It was on Friday, the day before it started, that I knew it would be great. I was to pick up Alan Kurschner, one of the speakers, around 3 pm, but Alan had called me earlier and told me that his flight from New Jersey was delayed. To make a long story short, after two different planes, 13 flight time departure delays, and some fervent prayer, Alan flew, not into Tampa, but into Orlando, over 100 miles to the east. I thought, “Wow, the devil sure doesn’t want Alan to speak. That means God wants Alan to speak and it is going to be a great conference.” It was a few minutes after 11 pm that Alan, after a two hour Uber drive, arrived at our home. After some food and fellowship, we headed for bed, quite tired, but excited about the next day.

Attendees for the conference, from Indiana, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, started registering at 9:15 am, and the first session began just a few minutes after 10 am. Alan was the main speaker for Saturday, primarily expounding on Matthew 24, proving that the rapture of the church is not imminent. The vast majority of Christians in this country believe that the rapture is imminent, that it can happen at any moment, that there are no signs whatsoever that need to take place before Christ returns. But that is just not true – and Alan, in four different sessions, talked about events needing to happen before the coming of Christ. And I thought how interesting, for this is what I’ve been writing about in my past two blog posts.

My turn to speak came early Saturday afternoon. I have to admit that I was revved up, for I was talking on one of my favorite subjects, the big picture of our life and how it fits in with the big picture of all that God is doing throughout human history. It just so happens, as I think you now know, that we live in the end times, at the very end of this age, that time right before Christ’s return. It won’t be long before we will “see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

There were plenty of break times, a good lunch, but most of all there was great fellowship. I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that it was very encouraging talking to people we had just met, about the Lord and His soon return. One of my favorite times was the singing. I have to admit that we have an excellent music group, and we must have sung and / or heard close to 15 different songs during our conference, most of them related to prophecy. That was definitely a taste of heaven, being with one another and singing to the Lord!

Our Sunday speaker, Marv Rosenthal, and his wife Marbeth, drove in Saturday afternoon, and Marsha and I had the blessing of having a meal with them that evening. Marv and Marbeth truly love the Lord and His Word, and love our little church. What an encouraging time being with them, talking about family, the church, the state of the world, and prophecy.

It was another short night, and in the morning I took Alan to the airport – and fortunately the plane was on time. “Thank you Lord.” Then back home and Marsha and I head back to church. Again, there is good singing, and then the messages. Marv spoke with clarity and passion from 1 Thessalonians 4-5, two short, powerful chapters about the resurrection, the rapture, and the Day of the Lord, important lessons about what happens to believers and unbelievers at Christ’s coming. Then the final song of the conference – “Revelation 19.” (You have to hear this, and you can if you email me and ask for “Scripture Songs”, a double CD set.) Then the benediction from Jude 24-25, and finally, more fellowship, a lunch and many good byes. I thank God for a Christ exalting and edifying conference!

P.S. Messages will be online in the next week or so at Hope Bible Church at Sermon Audio.  The blog post for this Saturday is “How Then Should We Live in the End Times?” 

Greetings and God’s blessings to you!

I am grateful you are here and interested in reading about and studying what God says in His Word, the Bible, about the future return of His Son and our Lord, Savior and King Jesus Christ!  My first weekly post is schedule to be available on January 21, 2017 so I hope you come back to read it then.  Until then please enjoy looking at and reading some of the information that is already here.

For our Lord Jesus Christ,

Steven J. Hogan

Pastor of Hope Bible Church of Tampa