Category: Uncategorized (Page 2 of 5)

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #362 ~

Let me be clear from the start. We do not know the exact time of Christ’s coming, but we do know the general time, the overall sequence of events leading up to His coming and the rapture of the church. This is the message of this post and what each of you need to clearly understand.

Matthew 24:32 – “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near…” A parable is a story that communicates, that illustrates a spiritual truth. This story is about a fig tree whose branches are becoming tender and are growing new leaves. When this happens, we know for certain that summer is near, that it’s coming soon.

Matthew 24:33 – “… so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” When we see the things happening that Jesus spoke about in vss. 4-30, we know His coming is near, that He is right at the door, that He will soon rapture the church. It’s not saying Israel is the fig tree and that becoming a nation in 1948 is the sign that Jesus’ coming is near, but it’s a lesson about how we can know the general time, the season of His return.

Likewise, Luke 21:28-33 tells us the parable of the fig tree, but its lessons are more specific. First, we learn that our redemption is near, for it is at Christ’s coming that we are redeemed, that we are delivered from our fleshly body and are glorified. Second, we learn that the kingdom is near, for Christ is the King, and it is at His coming that He begins His kingdom on earth. Rev. 11:15

Here is a list of the things from Matt. 24:4-30 that must occur before Jesus’ coming. There’s deception, false Christs, wars, rumors of war, famines, earthquakes, great tribulation, martyrdom, hate, apostasy, betrayal, lawlessness, an unloving world, Christians persevering, preaching the gospel, the abomination of desolation (Antichrist is revealed), Jews fleeing from Judea, false prophets, signs and wonders, great tribulation shortened, the sign of the end of the age, and the sign of Christ’s coming.

These 22 things must take place before Christ returns to rapture the church. Christians need to know that there’s this sequence of end-times’ events – that this one thing happens, and then this next thing happens, and so on. And Christians should expect them to happen, look for them to happen, see them happen, and be encouraged when they do happen, for each of them is a signpost pointing to Christ’s coming.

I need to remind you of Daniel’s 70^th week, a 7-year timetable of prophetic events (Dan. 9:24-27). It starts with the confirming of a treaty between the Antichrist and Israel; at its midpoint, the 3½ year mark, the abomination of desolation occurs and the Antichrist is revealed; at its endpoint, a large remnant of Jews is saved. The 22 things listed in Matt. 24 take place during this week. I believe that wars, famines, etc. begin sometime before Dan. 70^th week and continue into the first half of that week (Matt. 24:4-8). I also believe that the building of the Jewish temple occurs during the first half of this week. Most importantly, Christ returns to rapture the church sometime during the last half, the last 3 1/2 years of this week, a time known only to God the Father. Matt. 24:36

Matthew 24:34 – “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” We read about all these things taking place, and now we learn that there will be a select, special group of people living during a certain period of time who will not pass away until they see all these things happen. When they see them happen, they know they won’t have to wait long to be with Jesus, for they see “the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25), that “their redemption is drawing near” (Lk. 21:28), that “the kingdom of God is near” (Lk. 21:31), and that “He (Christ) is near” (Matt. 24:33).

When Jesus said these things, He was speaking like a prophet. He was talking to the apostles, to His disciples, but He was also speaking to a future generation of disciples who needed to be alerted, who needed to know these things would be taking place, and who were to be watchman (1 Chr. 12:32, Ex. 3:17). So Jesus is talking to a future “you”, and this is us, and our children, grandchildren, and great-children. As I look at God’s eschatological word and observe the world around us, I believe it is in the coming decades that Christ will return to rapture His church. This is an amazing and astounding truth, a sobering but exciting reality that a future generation of Christians will, not long from now, see, not just a few of these things take place, but “all these things take place.” Matt. 24:34

This is what Jesus tells you in Matt. 24: “See to it that no one misleads you” (vs. 4); “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened” (vs. 6). “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations” (vs. 9); “When you see the abomination of desolation… “(vs. 15); “If anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’… do not believe him” (vs. 23); “Behold, I have told you in advance” (vs. 25); “when you see all these things, recognize that He is near” (vs. 33); “be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (vs. 42).

Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” That heaven and earth, as we now know it, will pass away, will not exist forever, is a momentous, unfathomable event. This is contrasted with the ultimate truth, that God’s holy, eternal, perfect, personal, prophetic word will never pass away. God is emphasizing the power, the supremacy, the certainty, the necessity of His word, specifically, in this area of eschatological truth.  

Matt. 24:35b, in its immediate context, is reinforcing the truths of vss. 33-35a, that all these things are going to take place because God’s word said they would (vss. 4-30), including the fact that heaven and earth will pass away (Ps. 102:25-26, Rev. 21:1). God also said they would occur before Christ’s return to rapture the church, and that there’s a generation of believers who will see them happen. Not only that, but all these things will happen because God will cause them to happen. Is. 46:9-11, Eph. 1:9-11

We must also see Matt. 24:35 in its larger context, for God placed it right in the middle of this critical end-times’ chapter. But why did God do it? To convince you that His eschatological word is true, absolutely, 1000% true; to stress the extreme importance of end-times’ truth at this time in history; to help you see that the prophetic truth in Dan. 9; Matt. 24; Mk. 13; Lk. 17, 21; Rom. 8, 11, 15; Eph. 1; Phil. 3; 1 Th. 4-5; 2 Th. 1-2; Tit. 2; James 5; 1 Pet. 1; 2 Pet. 3; 1 Jn. 2-3; and Rev 1-22 is no small thing, no minor doctrine, but a major doctrine, and must be seen and taught as such, especially for those living in these last years before Christ’s coming, and specifically for that generation who will be watching all these end-times’ events. 2 Tim. 4:1-2

I hope you are realizing that Christ’s coming is not imminent, that it can’t happen at any moment, that it can’t happen today, tomorrow, or next year. Nothing in God’s word says that no signs or prophesied events need to occur before the rapture. In fact, it says just the opposite. It’s telling you that all these things listed in Matt. 24 must take place before Christ’s coming and the rapture. And I hope you understand that the rapture is the 1^st event at His coming. All these things spoken of in vss. 4-30a take place before Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church which do not happen until vss. 30b-31. This truth is also taught in 1 Cor. 15:22-23; 1 Thess. 4:15, 17; 2 Thess. 2:1-9; 2; and Rev. 6:1 – Rev. 7:14.

As I just said, Matt. 24 explicitly says that “all these things” will occur before Christ’s coming and the rapture, and that we will see them happen. Heb. 10:25 tells us that we will “see the day drawing near”, which means we will be literally seeing these events happening in the world that Matt. 24 says are leading to Christ’s returns to rapture the church. 2 Thess. 2:1-10 says that Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church take place after Antichrist’s coming. Christians living on earth at this time will see the Antichrist before they see Jesus and before they are raptured.

Many Christians believe that the rapture of the church is imminent. But that is not true, for nothing in God’s word says it is true, and many verses tell us that it is false. The imminency of Christ’s coming must be recognized as error. And it is not without harm, for it causes Christians to think they won’t be here when the Antichrist is revealed, and that they won’t experience great persecution. Our loving Father wants us to know what will be happening and not be surprised.

Matthew 24:36 – “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” I am amazed that some people set a specific date for Christ’s return when Matt. 24:36 makes it clear that no one but the Father knows the exact time. No date is given to us in Matt. 24 or any other place in the Bible. What we do understand, what is clearly explained in vss. 32-34, is that we can know the season, the general time period of Christ’s return. Again, that’s because Christians living on earth in the very last years of this age will witness all these Biblically identified events leading up to Christ’s coming.

We have spent a lot of time in this and recent posts talking about different events that are happening before Christ’s coming. Some of these events, like more wars, increasing lawlessness, and great tribulation, are general in nature. But some are specific, like the abomination of desolation by the Antichrist, for this is a singular event occurring at a precise time, the 3½ year mark of Dan. 70^th week. Those who are here when this happens know that Christ’s coming is less than 37 months away (Rev. 9:5 — 42 months – 5 months = 37 months) – but we don’t know the exact time.

2 Thess. 2:4 refers to a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, but there’s no temple at this time. When we see this temple being built, we can say that Christ is coming very soon. But we can never say we know the day or the hour of His coming. As time goes on, we will be getting closer to Christ’s return and more Matt. 24-described events will be happening, giving us more and more certainty and confidence that “He is near.” Finally, we will see the sign of the end of the age and the sign of Christ’s coming, and we will say that He is “right at the door.” Matt. 24:33

What an exciting time to be alive, for Christ is returning soon to rapture the church. God gives us a needed and sufficient outline of what will be taking place before that happens. That’s because He loves you and really wants you to know the general time and sequence of end-times’ events. He doesn’t want you to be ignorant, worldly, afraid, confused, in error, or sleeping, but to be knowledgable, holy, courageous, discerning, wise, and wide awake when Christ comes back. And God wants there to be watchman in every family and church, ones who know His prophetic word and how it relates to events in the world. Might you be one!!! “Consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Heb. 10:24-25

P.S. Here are some important posts about the timing of Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church: “When Does the Rapture Take Place?”, “Antichrist Revealed, and Then the Rapture – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4”, “When is Christ Returning to Rapture the Church?”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #359 ~

The coming of the Antichrist is before the coming of Jesus Christ. Now God’s word has much to say about the Antichrist, the most devilish man to ever live on earth. This wicked man hates all people, especially Christians and Jews. And he is called the Antichrist (1 Jn. 2:14) because he is against Christ and wants to take His place, to be in charge. He is also called the little horn (Dan. 7:13), a king (Dan. 8:23), the prince (Dan. 9:26), the Assyrian (Mic. 5:5), the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction (2 Th. 2:4), and the beast (Rev. 13:3-4).

God’s word has much more to say about Christ, and His coming. And Matt. 24 contains critical information about what happens before His coming – and you need to know these things. There are “birth pains” affecting people in various parts of the world – deception, earthquakes, wars, famines, plagues, and hyperinflation (vss. 4-8). This describes the present condition of our world, this end-times’ stage that leads to the end of this age and Christ’s coming. These “birth pains” are to wake us up, to alert us to the fact that Christ will be coming soon. Then there is great tribulation, the world-wide hate, persecution, and martyrdom of Jews and Christians. Vss. 9-14

Today we are looking at Matt. 24:15-22, which focuses on the Jews. This is one of five side-by-side passages of Jews and Christians (Lk. 21:12-24, 2 Th. 2:1-10, Rev. 7:4-17, Rev. 12:13 – Rev. 13), evidence that God’s end-times’ work with the Jews coincides and is in conjunction with His end-times’ work with the church. And what happens to the Jews, as described in vss. 15-22, leads to, precipitates the great, global persecution of Christians that is described in vss. 9-14.

Matt. 24:15 – “Therefore when you see the Abomination of Desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)…” Jesus is referring to Daniel’s prophecy in Dan. 9:24-27, and the prince, the person in vss. 26-27, is the Antichrist. It’s at the beginning of what we call Dan. 70^th week that this prince confirms a 7-year treaty with the Jews. Then there’s the “Abomination of Desolation” and it occurs at the midpoint, at the 3½ year mark of this significant, prophecy-packed 70^th week. That the Antichrist desolates the temple means that he has broken the treaty with the Jews, and that is very bad news for the Jews.

At this point in time, there is no temple in Jerusalem, and that it will be desolated tells us that a new one will be built in the near future, another sign that Christ is coming soon. I believe the holy place is referring to the most sacred part of the temple, the place of God’s presence. Now an “abomination” is an object of disgust, of abhorrence and, Biblically, it means ungodly, idolatrous. And this “Abomination” causes “Desolation”, the devastation, the desecration, the defilement of this holy place.

2 Thess. 2:3-4, speaking of the same event, says it this way, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” So the Antichrist is revealed and discerning Jews and Christians realize that this proud, godless person in the Jewish temple is this great enemy of God who had been prophesied by the prophets. They see that the Antichrist is strongly opposed to God, so much so that he openly defies God, and exalts himself above God, acting and speaking like he is God. “He opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle.” Rev. 13:6

2 Thess. 2:1-4 also tells us that the Antichrist must be revealed and must desolate the temple before Christ’s coming and the day of the Lord. That is, the coming and revealing of the Antichrist must occur before the coming and revealing of Christ. The phrase, “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together with Him” (vs. 1), states that the rapture of the church occurs at Christ’s coming. Since the Antichrist is revealed before His coming, then he desolates the temple and is persecuting Jews and Christians before the rapture. Many Christians don’t want to hear this, but it’s true. And Paul emphasizes this truth by saying, “let no one in any way deceive you.”

Here are two more points from Matt. 24:15. We are informed that we will see the “Abomination of Desolation.” This doesn’t mean we will be in Jerusalem and be watching it happen but because of our present technology, we will see it on our TV’s, the internet, or our phones. And God wants us to see it for He wants to warn us that the Antichrist is alive and about to begin ruling this world, and about to begin persecuting and killing Jews, and then Christians.

Then there’s the phrase, “Let the reader understand.” The conclusion to vs. 15 exhorts us to not just read it but to understand it. Throughout history Christians have read this verse, but now that we are in the end-times, it’s imperative to understand the present-day relevance of these words. And it’s not just saying the Antichrist is alive but that he has been revealed for who he really is, and that he will be going on the warpath, he will be persecuting and murdering the elect (vss. 21-22). Do you see that God is alerting His people to the fact that life on earth will soon be extremely difficult? (Rev. 12:13, 13:3-10). The good news is that this tribulation won’t last long before Christ returns to rapture the church, which will happen within three years after the Antichrist is revealed.

Matt. 24:16-21 – “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains…” What happens after the devil possesses this wicked man, this Antichrist? This devil, this God-hater, uses this evil man to do his devilish work. This godless Antichrist also hates God and His people, both Jews and Christians. Full of rage and wrath, he sends his armies after some of the Jews, those who are god-fearing and expecting the Messiah to come. But they are not yet true believers, ones who recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, and who repent of their sins and believe in Him.

Now most Jews are ungodly and deceived and stay in Israel, for they don’t realize that this sharply dressed, smooth talking, “super” man is the Antichrist. But he is a fake, the most evil man to ever live on earth. These Jews may even think he is the Messiah, but he can’t be, for he is a Gentile and not a true Jew, not a descendant of Abraham. And his desire is to usurp the throne of the rightful King, and be worshiped by the world. Matt. 4:8-9, Rev. 13:4-5

So God instructs the Jews to run for their lives, and to not go back home, for that would mean certain death at the hands of the enemy. Rev. 12:12-13 describes this time of terror: “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time. And when the devil saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman (the Jews)who gave birth to the male child (Jesus).”

God tells us that the flight of the Jews will be extremely difficult, especially for women and children, and some will die. But a good-sized remnant will escape and be protected from this great tribulation, a persecution “such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Matt. 24:21, Zech. 13:7-9). And those who escape, those whom God physically saves from the Antichrist will be spiritually saved at the end of Daniel’s 70^th week. Is. 45:17, Jer. 31:31-34, Dan. 9:24, Rom. 11:25-27

I must say it again – this persecution of Jews leads to the persecution of Christians. The great tribulation we learn about in Matt. 24:21-22 is followed by the great tribulation of Christians that we read about in Matt. 24:9. Rev. 12:17 tells us the exact same thing – “The dragon was enraged with the woman (the Jews), and went to make war with the rest of her children (the Christians),who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

In summary, the coming of the Antichrist (vs. 15) and great tribulation (vss. 9, 21-22) take place before the coming of Christ (vss. 27: 30-31). Now Matt. 24:22 tells us that this great tribulation caused by the Antichrist is cut short, and Matt. 24:29-31 then states that Christ comes after this tribulation is cut short, at which time He raptures the church. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened… the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky… they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds… and 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 the other.” Amen! Amen! Amen!

P.S. This Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the victory of God over sin, death, and hell. And it is the resurrection power of God that results in our justification, sanctification, and glorification. Here are three posts on this most important subject: “Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come”, “The Answer to Death is Christ’s Resurrection”, and “The Life-and-Death-Changing Results of the Resurrection.”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #358 ~

Most of you have seen a movie about an existential threat that could result in the annihilation of this planet – a nuclear war, a massive meteor, an invasion from aliens. This may be interesting and entertaining to watch, but it’s fiction. But God speaks the truth, and He has told you all you need to know about what will happen on this earth in the years leading up to Christ’s return and immediately after, and it’s catastrophic and apocalyptic, and all part of God’s pre-determined and perfect plan. And Matt. 24 gives you more vital information about the end-times and Christ’s coming than any other chapter in the Bible.

The disciples ask Jesus for signs about the end of this age and His coming (Matt. 24:3), and He answers them in Matt. 24:29-30. But Jesus shares many other things that need to take place before that happens. In the last post we learned there will be deception, wars, earthquakes, and famines – and that all “these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” Matt. 24:4-8

Then there’s vss. 9-14, an extremely weighty passage describing what Christians will experience in the last few years before Christ’s return to rapture the church. Let me summarize what it says: so-called Christians are falling away from the faith, and there’s more deception, and lawlessness like never before, and true Christians are being betrayed, persecuted, and martyred on a global scale. The Christians are to preach the gospel until the end of the age, and those who persevere, who survive, are saved, are raptured into heaven to be with Christ. Let’s now look carefully at this extremely important end-times’ passage.

Matt. 24:9 – “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” I cannot think of a more sobering, more challenging, more intense verse in all of Scripture. The word “Then” tells us that what is written in vss. 9-14 comes after the birth pains (vss. 4-8). The specific timing of these vss. is clarified by the next section (vss. 15-22), which is about the Antichrist desolating the temple at the midpoint (3½ yrs.) of Dan. 70^th week. Shortly after this unholy desecration, the devil, working through the Antichrist, goes after the Jews and greatly persecutes them, and this is great tribulation (vss. 21-22). As explained in Rev. 12:13-17, this is followed by the persecution of Christians. Since believers are being martyred and since it’s on a global scale, then we must conclude that vs. 9 is also speaking of great tribulation.

The enemy’s motivation to murder is fueled by the hate they have for God. Jesus told us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you… all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake” (Jn. 15:18, 21). It’s obvious that increasing numbers of sinners aren’t holding back in their disgust, their disdain for believers, and it’s leading not just to hate speech, but to physical violence. We can see that this hate for Christians is getting worse and worse in this world, and will eventually lead to believers being killed all over all this earth (Rev. 6:9-11, 12:17, 13:4-8). “Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36

The next three verses give more reasons for this unbridled, unrestrained hate of Christians.
Matt. 24:10 – “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.” In this world there are weak churches, churches that don’t faithfully teach the whole counsel of God. There are also so-called churches, and these aren’t real churches for they don’t preach the gospel, that people are sinners whose only hope is to repent, and believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for their sins, and rose again. Rom. 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-13

When there are birth pains (Matt. 24:4-8), deceptive signs (2 Th. 2:9-12), people being forced to worship the Antichrist or die (Rev. 13:15), people having to decide whether to take the mark of the Beast or not be able to buy or sell (Rev. 13:16-17), then so-called believers, people who think they are Christians but are not, will fall away, will apostatize, will leave their weak or so-called churches and begin following the Antichrist (1 Jn. 2:18-19, Rev. 13:4). The polarization, the division in this world in the last few years of this age will be stark, be black and white – people will be for Christ or against Christ, for Christians or against Christians, for the Antichrist or against the Antichrist.  

One of the most difficult things in the end-times will be when your own family members spew out hate, and turn against you, and turn you in to the authorities. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death” (Matt. 10:21). “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matt. 10:34-36). This may even happen to you. But God will give you the grace to keep following Christ, to love and forgive, and to keep sharing the gospel.

Matt. 24:11 – “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” Another reason for so much hate against Christians is that so-called religious leaders will be misleading and deceiving people. Out of utter hate for God, these fakes, these hypocrites, will be speaking lies about Jesus Christ and the gospel, and they will be defaming, will be slandering God and His children. The result is that a great many naïve and foolish people will believe their lies and betray true Christians, even their own family members.

Matt. 24:12 – “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” Like never before, we are seeing lawlessness in our country. Leaders and all kinds of people are breaking the law, and it’s getting much worse. 2 Tim. 3:14 tells us, “Evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse.” We are witnessing the beginning years of depravity, people with no conscience, people who have lost their minds, who are crazy, who have totally rejected God. Without question, many wicked people are calling “evil good, and good evil.” Is. 5:20

The result is that “most people’s love will grow cold” which means there will be little to no kindness, or patience, or forgiveness, or gentleness, or empathy, but instead hate, anger, selfishness, abuse, slander, malice, and just plain meanness. This will be seen in families, in relationships, in the work place, and out on the street. And when the Antichrist is revealed and ruling the world, it will be much worse for he is the “the man of lawlessness” (2 Th. 2:3), the chief perpetrator and promoter of lawlessness, the one who enforces laws that are lawless.

Matt. 24:13 – “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” All over the world believers will be dying for the Lord, be martyred for their faith, but a large remnant will endure, will persevere to the end. By means of God’s Spirit, word, love, power, by means of the church, and by means of their faith, hope, and obedience, they will continue on until the end of the age, at which time they are saved, are glorified. “He will keep you strong to the end so that you are blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful.” 1 Cor. 1:8-9

We usually think of “save” in a spiritual sense, that God spiritually saves a person from sin, death, and hell. In this context, it means physical salvation, that God enables a person to survive, to make it through this tough, intense great tribulation and therefore, is alive on earth when Christ returns, and he is saved, he is raptured and becomes like Christ (Rom. 8:29, 1 Jn. 3:2). So vs. 13, along with vss. 31, 41-42, are rapture verses. “We who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” 1 Th. 5:17, Rev. 7:14

In view of what Jesus says in vss. 9-13, what should Christians do? Vs. 9 would indicate that we need to know God’s love, and be battling, be overcoming for Him (Rom. 8:35-39, Eph. 6:10-18). Vs. 10 suggests that we must not be naïve, but wise, and be praying for our enemies. Vs. 11 is saying that we need to counter the lies of the devil with the truth of God’s word. Vs. 12 is telling us to be holy, to not live like the world, but to love both the saved and the lost. Vs. 13 instructs us to not grow weary, to not give up, but to keep going, to endure, to persevere to the very end of this age. Finally, there’s vs. 14, the conclusion to this most critical passage for Christians.

Matt. 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Your primary job in these last years is to preach the gospel, to tell people the good news, the message of salvation, how they can be saved from sin, death, and God’s wrath on earth and a fiery, eternal punishment in hell (Rev. 8-9, 16, 20:15). So do your part, and as God gives you opportunities, tell people this kingdom message about their entire life, their eternal life, and that it means loving and serving the King of kings, and being blessed forever and ever. Ps. 23:6; Lk. 21:12-15; Jn. 3:5, 3:16; Col. 4:2-6

Jesus Christ is leading churches, believers, and mission teams in this final global evangelistic effort – and it’s encouraging that the gospel is being proclaimed all over the world. It won’t be long before that last person hears the gospel and is saved, and it’s the end of this age and the church is fully grown (Matt. 16:18, Eph. 2:19-22). At this point, Jesus Christ returns for His bride and raptures her from the earth, and all believers from all time will be gathered to Him, and together, they will be taken home, will go to heaven. Jn. 14:1-3

Here are some concluding thoughts:
* You don’t want to ignore, or hope this message goes away, or believe it isn’t relevant to you, your family, and the church, or think that you will be raptured before this happens. Jesus Christ clearly states: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35
* God knows everything and is sovereign over all who will be on earth in these last years. Rom. 8:28

* Christ personally trains all believers who are on earth in the end-times. Ps. 18:30-36, 144:1
* This passage is God’s warning to you about these final years, and to be forewarned, to know what will happen, is to be forearmed, to be truly ready for that time. “Take heed, behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:23, Ezek. 33:7, Rom. 13:11-14

* Throughout history, believers have undergone great tribulation, but in the end-times it won’t be local but global, unlike anything we have ever seen before. Acts 8:1 (Act 11:19), 2 Cor. 11:21-29
* Those of you on earth in these last days must see this as a great privilege, a great honor to be here to love, to serve, to suffer, and to survive or be martyred for the Lord. And remember that God will give you all the grace you need and that the Holy Spirit is in you. Matt. 28:19-20, Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Cor. 6:19, 2 Cor. 9:8, 1 Pet. 2:21

* I can’t emphasize, I can’t stress enough the importance of taking to heart all that Jesus tells you about the future. Know and understand these things, and share them with your friends, fellow church members, and family – especially your children and grandchildren. 2 Tim. 4:1-2
* “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. Amen.” Jude 24-25

P.S. I spoke about great tribulation, and many Christians believe they will not experience it, but that’s not true. Here are two posts that clearly explain why Christians will go through this severe persecution in the end times: “Christians Will Go Through Great Tribulation” and “The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching is False.”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #356 ~

I believe Matthew 24 is the most important prophecy passage in the Bible, and my favorite, and why? Because it tells us so much about Christ’s coming. I have read this chapter more than any other with the exception of Ps. 23, and I love it. It’s so instructive, clear, and necessary for you to know in the last years of this age, in these final years before Christ’s return. And it’s very sobering.

This post is the first in a series of posts I am planning on writing in the coming weeks on Matt. 24. Let me share with you why I believe it’s essential to read and understand it:
* It is chronological. It gives the order of major end-time events that God wants all Christians to know.
* It covers the basics. It talks about birth pains, great tribulation, the end of the age, Christ’s coming, and the rapture of the church.
* It is comprehensive. It tells you much more than the basics, and much more than any other end-times’ chapter. You learn about deception, preaching the gospel, lawlessness, the Antichrist, persecution, perseverance, the general time of Christ’s coming, death, and hell.  

* It doesn’t sugar coat the future, it speaks of difficult subjects, of what will surely be taking place, and of what you and other believers must know. Now’s the time, in the calm before the storm, to learn these things.  
* It tells you what you need to do, that you need to learn and understand these end-time truths, and be alert, ready, and telling these truths to others.
* It gives information that relates to all groups of people, for those in the world (vss. 4-8), for Christians (vss. 9-14, vss. 29-31), for Jewish people (vss. 15-27), and for unbelievers (vss. 37-39).
* It gives you hope, for it focuses on the future, on Christ and His coming, on One who loves you, prays for you, and can’t wait to take you home to heaven so you can be with Him, and so He can then bless you and show you His glory like never before. John 17:24

The title says, “Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Passage”, and this is my opinion, my strong opinion. I believe it’s most important because of what I just told you. If you could have just one chapter about end-times’ prophecy, this is the one you need to study and understand. I will never forget what my mentor and friend, Marv Rosenthal, told me, that I need to know this subject like the back of my hand and for me, that means Matthew 24.

My plan in the weeks ahead is to cover what is most relevant in Matt. 24, not necessarily verse by verse, but section by section – vss. 1-8, vss. 9-14, vss. 15-28, vss. 29-31, vss. 32-36, vss. 37-41, and vss. 42-51. I want to encourage you to read Matt. 24 ahead of time, and let me suggest, again and again. Think of the words, the phrases, the meaning, the chronology, the relevance, your purpose, and that Jesus is personally telling this to you, for you are one of His disciples.

Not long ago, I had a vivid dream, and I can’t ever remember having a dream like this. It wasn’t a dream or vision about something related to prophecy that might happen in the future. In this dream, I was talking to a pastor, and we were talking about the subject of Christ’s coming, and the need to teach Christians the truth about the future. And in it, I made it clear to him that we need to tell our children.

I said “children” because this is how I think, and this is what I tell my wife. We are both in our 70’s and I don’t believe we will be alive on earth when Christ comes back. As I study God’s word and am watching what’s going on in the world, I feel strongly that it will be our children and feel very strongly that it will be our grandchildren who are here on earth when Christ returns to rapture the church. So now’s the time to understand what Jesus is telling us, and the time to tell this to our children, to help them know it, to help them not be afraid, to help them be spiritually strong and looking forward to seeing and being with Jesus.

Jesus, in the context of what I believe is the most important prophecy passage, asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matt. 24:45). Might you tell Jesus that you want to be faithful and wise, that you desire to feed these truths to your household, to your family and your church. “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Rev. 22:7

P.S. The most read post or article in this whole blog site is this article, “Matthew 24 – the Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.” It would do you well to read this. What I am writing in these coming posts will have similar information, but more thoughts, insights, and arguments. Also, I appreciate your prayers for my wife and I as we continue to write about Christ’s coming and the kingdom ages, in this spiritual battle for the truth.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post # 337 ~

Hope is a major doctrine, a most important subject in God’s word. When a believer studies the New Testament, he will find several long and instructive passages about the end times and his hope, Christ’s coming and his glorious future. He will discover that Matt. 24, Luke 21, 1 Th. 4-5, 2 Th. 1-2, Rev. 6-7, 20-21, and other passages go into great detail about these encouraging, relevant, and eternal truths.  

Then he will come across several verses and short passages that not only confirm, but further describe what God has planned for him, the big picture of his life. He will see God succinctly summarizing the totality of his life. In these verses it’s crystal clear that God wants a Christian to continually have the entirety of his eternal life in his heart. There are many of these verses and it’s going to take three weeks to look at them all. So let’s get started.

* Romans 5:1-3 – “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… and we also exult in hope of the glory of God.” You were saved by faith resulting in peace with God. And you are to have hope, you are to be excited about seeing God’s glory in Jesus Christ, believers, His works, and on this earth. Ps. 72:9, Ps. 98:7-8, Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14

* Romans 8:30 – “These whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” God is giving you an overview of your salvation, that you were predestined in eternity past, justified in the recent past, and will be glorified in the future, which occurs at Christ’s coming. In the present, He is sanctifying you in that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.” Rom. 8:28

* 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 – “… so that you…, awaiting eagerly the revelation of Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son.” You were given a relationship with Jesus at the moment of your salvation, and you are now being confirmed, being kept until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, the day when He is revealed and you are glorified. Phil. 3:20-21

* 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Taking communion is a present celebration of a past event, the death of Christ, and you’re to keep doing it until He comes. You are to remember and proclaim that Christ spiritually saved you by His death at His 1^st coming, and will physically save you, will glorify you, at His 2^nd coming.  

* 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – “Christ has been raised from the dead… since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Christ became alive, He was raised from the dead, and through Christ you were spiritually made alive – and when He comes back, you will physically be made alive, you will be resurrected.

* Ephesians 1:7-12 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses… with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” When we were saved, we were redeemed and forgiven – and God gave us hope, and so we believe that Christ will be Lord of all, the King over all the earth, and we will reign with Him. Phil. 1:9-11

* Ephesians 1:13-14 – “You also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of your inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” This is another overview of your life, that God spiritually saves you and then physically saves you, that God spiritually redeems you (vs. 7) and then physically redeems you. And the indwelling Holy Spirit is your guarantee that this will happen, and that you will receive a glorious and unbelievable inheritance. Eph. 4:30

* Philippians 1:6 – “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God began His work in you, He justified you, and will finish His work, He will glorify you on the day of Christ, which is at His coming. 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* Colossians 1:4-5 – “We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel…” God wants you to have His perspective of your entire eternal life: you had faith in Jesus Christ and He saved you, and now you have hope, you believe that God has a great and glorious future in store for you. You know that you will worship Christ and have fellowship with believers, and you will be in heaven with a powerful new body. Heb. 12:22-24

* Colossians 3:3-4 – “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” In the past, you died, you were crucified with Christ with the result that you were spiritually saved from sin. In the present, your life is hidden with Christ – it is not you who live but Christ who lives in you. In the future, when Christ is revealed, when He appears, you will be glorified and be seen with Him.  

* 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 – “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” So what do we learn? 1) By God’s grace, you turned to God from idols and were saved. 2) Now you are serving God and waiting for Christ’s return. 3) In a very little while, Christ will come back to rescue you from the coming wrath and take you home to heaven to be with Him. Indeed, this is a wonderful way to summarize a key part of your Christian life.

We understand the gospel, that Christ suffered, died, and rose again, and that a person needs to repent of his sins and believe in Christ to be justified and forgiven. We know that a believer must be sanctified, must spiritually grow as a Christian. He must also have hope, he must look forward to being glorified, and to a perfect future that God has planned for him. These verses we have looked at today keep repeating and reminding us of the entirety of our salvation, and of our eternal life, from the moment we were saved to the end of this age to being glorified to being with Christ to the millennial kingdom to the eternal kingdom. “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

P.S. God gives us a big picture of our eternal life, and that’s because He wants us to know our past, present, and future – He wants us to understand God’s purpose and plans for our life, now and forever. Please read “An Overview of Your Christian Life” and look at these charts – “The Kingdom of God” and “Your Kingdom Come”.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #333 ~

In real estate, it is often said that location is the number one selling point. You want to live in a climate you like, an attractive area, a clean neighborhood, a location close to family, work, stores, church, etc. This was true in our recent move to our new home. But as a Christian, you must understand the truth about your location not just in a physical way, but as it relates to living for the Lord. Phil. 1 speaks a lot about this.

Last time we talked about your spiritual location, about being “in Christ” (Phil. 1:1). The phrase “in Christ” is a loaded, power-packed phrase that has much to say about your relationship with Christ and your Christian life. We learned that being “in Christ” is spiritual, constant, and glorious. And it results in being loved, blessed, protected, purposeful, seated with God, eternal security, and a perfect future.

Then we talked about your physical location. Paul wrote to believers “in Philippi”. So too God has located you, positioned you in a particular place for His purposes. Your physical location – your home, neighborhood, city, or church – is your base of operation, your physical and spiritual headquarters. It’s the place where you love and serve God and others, the place from which you witness to the lost and disciple the saved.

God has always had His people in physical places. That’s the way it has been and will be for the Jews. That’s the way it has been and will be for the Christians – we live in our physical home and, in the future, we will live in an eternal home, a place Christ is preparing for us (Jn. 14:1-3). And God is sovereign over our physical location – where we live in these final years before Christ’s return has already been determined by God. Acts 17:26

Then we briefly talked about your relational location, that you have relationships with believers, and you are to be spiritually connected and close to them. These relationships, especially in our day, aren’t limited to a physical location, but can happen with anyone anyplace on earth. It can be with your spouse, a church member, or a missionary, someone in your home, half way down the street, or half way around the world.

Phil. 1 talks extensively about Paul’s relational location, how he was spiritually and intimately connected to other believers. Paul had relationships with believers who were physically located with him in a jail, but he was also relationally located with the believers in Philippi and, as we know, with those in other churches and cities. Let’s learn more about Paul’s relational location with believers and apply this to our lives. 

Phil. 1:3-5. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (vs. 3). The Christians in Philippi were on Paul’s mind – he had not forgotten them, he remembered them, he was thinking about them. But Paul was not just thinking about them, he loved them and was thanking God for them. More than that, he was praying for them, and it was a joyful, emotional prayer. The reason Paul gladly prayed for them was because he knew they loved Christ, and they loved him, and were united with him in this most important work, preaching the gospel of Christ. But there’s much more:

Phil. 1:6. “… He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Paul understood God’s overall purpose and plan for these believers. He saw the big picture, that God Himself had begun His divine work in them, and would keep working in them until the day of Christ, that day when their salvation would be complete, when they would be physically saved. Paul’s love for them and his knowledge of salvation motivated him to express to them his confidence – he wanted them to be convinced of God’s glorious and eternal work in their lives.

Phil. 1:7-11. “God is my witness how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (vs. 8). Paul continues to talk about the reason for his relational connection with these Christians. It says he felt for them, he thought deeply of them, they were in his heart. Paul and these Philippians truly loved God and loved each other. Though physically apart, they had the same spiritual Father, Savior, and Spirit. They were supernaturally related, were sharing in God’s grace, and were united in the work of the church.

Paul loved these believers with affection and feeling, the compassion of Christ. The love he had for these saints moved him to pray for them, specifically that their love for God would be shown by their holy lives and wise decisions with the result that they would do His will, be fruitful, and be God-glorifying.

Phil. 1:12-20. “Christ will now, as always, be exalted in my body” (vs. 20). Paul was spiritually connected to many believers, some physically nearby and others faraway. And their relationship was for Christ, motivated by Christ, and centered on Christ. It was Christ being preached, believers growing and becoming mature in Christ, and Christ being exalted. No matter his physical location, whether he was at home, in a jail, in a synagogue, or out in public, Paul’s message and life was always Jesus Christ.

What were some of the keys to Paul’s close relationship with Christians?
* Paul greatly loved the believers in both words and actions.
* He was open with them – he told them how he was doing and what he was doing.
* He told them the works of God, and that God was sovereignly working all things together for good, and even though he was in jail, he was still preaching the gospel.
* He told them they were part of his life, for God would answer their prayers for him.  
* He reminded these believers that they were on the same team, had the same goal, and were united in their work for Christ and His glory.

Phil. 1:21-26. “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… (vs. 21). Paul was summing up life in the simplest, most powerful way possible. And for Paul, “to live is Christ” meant living for Christ which meant living for people. Paul knew it would be better for him to be in heaven, but knew God wanted him to stay on earth and sacrifice his life for others. Paul was humble and put the interests of others first (Ph. 2:3-4), seen in that he loved them, served them, prayed for them, and shared Christ with them, which resulted in them experiencing real “progress and joy in the faith.”

No matter where you live (physical location), you are in Christ (spiritual location), and you are to love and live for others (relational location). In this post, we have focused on your relational location, that you are to be relationally connected to and close to other Christians, whether they live near or far. As you are in Christ and active in your relationship with Christ, then you will be active in your relationships with others. You will be praying for them, loving them, spending time with them, worshiping God with them, serving them, serving with them, and sharing God’s word with them.

I often wonder what our relationships will look like in the last years of the end-times. What I do know is that God is sovereign over all our relationships – He chooses who we are with, when we will be living, where we will live, and why. And Christ is in charge of the church, its relational configuration and the purpose of its members. “God has placed the members of the body, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (1 Cor. 12:18; Eph. 2:19-22, 4:12-16). What I also know is that your relationship with others is essential, is critically important for the end-times’ work and glory of Christ.

Jesus Christ is building the church, and the gates of hell, the work of the devil, and the demons, and the Antichrist will not stop it. The church will continue to grow and will complete all the work Christ has for her in these last years leading up to His return to rapture the church and judge the world (Matt. 24:9-14, 24:31, 28:19-20). “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:19-20

P.S. I want to remind you of Matthew 24, what I believe is the most important prophecy chapter in the Bible. I would encourage you to read Matt. 24, along with this article, “Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible,” which is being read by more people than anything else this past week on this blog site.

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #327 ~

A key part of God’s plan for a Christian is suffering, and it relates to God’s purposes and glory, and results in his spiritual growth and receiving God’s blessings. Suffering, that is, trials, difficulties, hardships, and persecution, is a major subject in God’s word. In this post, you will learn many things about suffering, and how it’s vital for your life. 

* Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” In this favorite Psalm, we read about trials – and what do we learn? 1) The “valley” means you are experiencing a dark and difficult time in your life. 2) You are not stuck in this trial, you are going “through the valley”, you are making progress, and soon enough, whether it’s a day or a year or ten years, this trial will end. 3) You need “fear no evil”, for God is with you, His Spirit is in you, and He will never leave you. 4) God’s “rod” and “staff” is to comfort you. His rod, His hand of discipline, is to teach and train you. And His staff is referring to the mercy, kindness, and consolation of God. 5) The rest of the Psalm is relevant in your trial. Vs. 6 says God loves you every day of your life, and then you will live forever in “the house of the Lord”.

* Psalm 119:50 – “My comfort in my suffering is this – Your word revives my life.” God’s word is to comfort you when you suffer. God has given you many truths and promises that, when believed and held in your heart, will encourage you, strengthen you, and help you to keep living for Him, to persevere until Christ takes you home.

* Psalm 119:67 – “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” A Christian going “astray” is “afflicted”, which should to motivate him to “keep” God’s word. A purpose of suffering, of trials, is to get you back on track, back on the road to obedience. If you are in sin, God will often afflict you so that you turn to Him and do what He wants you to do.

* John 15:18, 20 – “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it has hated you… If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” Always remember that Christ was hated and persecuted, and greatly so. And if you are to be like Christ, then you too will be persecuted. So don’t be surprised when you suffer, and greatly so.

* Acts 14:22 – “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” The life of a godly Christian is often filled with trials and tribulations. That’s the way it was for Paul and to some degree, by God’s sovereign decree, will be the way it is for you. 

* Romans 8:28-37 – “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword… in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Christians suffer in all kinds of ways, and some are greatly persecuted, especially when the Antichrist is ruling the world. But your wise, powerful, and loving Father is sovereign, is causing all things to work together for His purposes and glory, and for your present and eternal good.

* Philippians 1:12-14 – “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known…” Paul suffered in prison and it resulted in people hearing the gospel and getting saved. It is usually true that the darker the night, the greater the light, the harder the trial, the more Christ’s life will be seen in you and His word spoken through you.

* Philippians 1:29 – “For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe In Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Consider it an honor to live and suffer for Christ. It is for His sake, for His purposes on earth and for His eternal glory that you suffer.

* 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body. For we who are alive are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake.” When you suffer, you share in Christ’s death, not that you are dying to pay for your sins, but you are identifying with Christ. You are sacrificing and suffering for Christ and His work in the church. Suffering also results in sharing in Christ’s life, in His life being revealed in and through your life. Gal. 2:20 says the same thing – “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

*2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 6 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Suffering results in experiencing God’s comfort. It also results in being able to share with others who are suffering the comfort you received from God. “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort.”

* 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” Your suffering, your trials, is momentary – it does not last long compared to the eternal glory you will receive. And your suffering is not severe, not that difficult, compared to the incredible amount of glory you will receive.

* 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will boast about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Trials and suffering reveal your weakness so that you look to Christ and experience His grace, His power. Only as you learn this principle of being weak in yourself and strong in Christ can you truly live for Him. So boast about and be content with your weakness, for then you are living for God and giving glory to Him.

* Hebrews 12:3 – “Consider Him who has endured such suffering by Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” You are in a spiritual war, and the battles you face are fierce and can make you weary. Think about Christ and all that He did for you, for this will help you have the spiritual strength and stamina to keep going for Him.

* 1 Peter 1:6-7 – “You greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so 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.” From this, we learn many things about trials and suffering. 1. There are “various” trials, all kinds of ways a believer suffers. 2. Trials are “distressing”, are hard, and sometimes extremely difficult. 3. Trials are “necessary” for your life and God’s purposes. 4. Going through trials builds your faith, which is most important, more “precious than gold”. 5. Trials only last a “little while” – they don’t last long compared to eternity. 6. A believer can “greatly rejoice” because he has hope, he knows he will be glorified in “the last time”, at the “revelation of Christ.”

* 1 Peter 2:19 – “This finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.” As a Christian you will suffer “unjustly”, but God sees you when you suffer – He knows what is going on. And He is pleased when you trust Him and are strengthened by Him, and continue on for Him.

* 1 Peter 2:21 – “You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” Christ suffered for you, and this should motivate you to be willing and glad to suffer for Him. When it comes to suffering, Christ is your primary example, and so look to Him and learn from Him.

* 1 Peter 4:12 – “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” Don’t be surprised by trials and by very hard trials. Learn from Paul who said, “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” 2 Cor. 1:8-9

* 1 Peter 4:19 – “Those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” Don’t suffer for doing what is wrong, suffer for doing what is right, for doing the will of God. As you suffer, look to God and trust Him, and He will greatly bless you, He will give you present grace and future glory.

* 1 Peter 5:8 – “Resist him (the devil), firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” Don’t think you are the only one who is suffering for Christ – Christians all over the world are going through hard times. And to suffer honorably, you must trust God, you must believe that He will give you the grace to persevere, to stand firm against the devil.

* James 1:2-3 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Your faith is being tested and tried when you go through trials, and it results in endurance, which is a mark of a Christian, and is necessary to do God’s work. Knowing the godly outcome of trials will cause you to rejoice, to be filled with joy of the Lord.

* Matthew 24:9 – “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This refers to the end-times when the Antichrist is persecuting and killing Christians all over the world. If you are living during this time of great tribulation, be assured that God will give you an abundance of grace and peace, and great eternal rewards. Keep living for Christ, keep witnessing to the lost, and soon enough, the end will come, the trumpet will sound, Christ will return, and you will see Him and be glorified, and forever be in heaven with Him and all the believers.  

As you can see, there is much said in God’s word about trials and suffering, and that’s because it’s a critically important part of God’s plans for you, for being a godly Christian and being able to fulfill His eternal purposes. “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. Amen.” Jude 24-25

P.S. A person who knows how to suffer in a godly way is a mature Christian. Might you “consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance… so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-5). If you have not yet read it, I encourage you to read my last post – “Present Suffering and Future Glory.”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #322 ~

You must have hope! You must have hope for both this life and the ages to come! We’ve talked extensively about having hope for the coming ages, specifically that we’ll be in heaven with Jesus Christ and all the believers and in a new body. To live rightly for God in this life, you must have hope for the next life, you must know the infinite and eternal value of living all out for God, you must realize “that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58b, 1 Cor. 3:8

You also need hope for this time on earth. If you don’t have hope during this life, then why would you want to keep living? You must have a godly hope for your present life if you are to be motivated to keep going serving Him until the end of your stay on earth. What does it mean to have hope? What are some principles that will enable you to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord?” 1 Cor. 15:58a

* Having hope means you have faith in God, you are trusting Him and not trusting yourself. If you have hope, then you have faith, and if you have faith, then you will have hope; they are closely connected. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” Heb. 11:1
* Having hope means believing that God has a good and clear purpose for your life, good things stored up for you, good works for you to do. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Eph. 2:10, Ps. 31:19

* Having hope does not mean having a fleshly purpose, a worldly goal, or personal ambition. We are talking about God’s will for your life, about moving ahead, not in a worldly way but in a godly way. “Understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 1:17-18
* Having hope means trusting God for the future no matter how you feel, whether your circumstances are good or bad. “We had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” 2 Cor. 1:8-10

* Having hope means you are putting your hope in God’s word, you are believing the truths of God’s word. “I have put my hope in Your word.” Ps. 119:114, 43, 74, 81; Ps. 119:1-8
* Having hope means you are a forward-looking person, and you are looking forward to tomorrow, to next week, to all the days of this year, and all the years of your life. “…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Having hope means you understand that “to live is Christ.” You know that living in, for, and through Christ is why you are now on earth and not in heaven, that living in this way is “fruitful labor… is more necessary” for others. Soon enough, God will take you home to heaven, and then you will understand that “to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21-24
* Having hope means you are living by God’s commands – and it’s this that puts you on a holy highway. Obeying God’s commands is an essential key to having a godly future, for they keep you going in the right way, on the straight and narrow, in the direction God has planned out for you. “I shall run the way of Your commandments.” Ps. 119:32

* Having hope means knowing that God will lead you in the plans He has for you, that by His word, Spirit, and wise counsel, you will know and be able to do what He wants you to do. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Ps. 143:10; Ps. 32:8; Prov. 12:15b, 24:14; Phil. 4:13
* Having hope means having promises, for they tell you that it’s worth it to trust and obey God, and encourage you to keep living for God in this life. “Trust also in Him and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light.” Ps. 37:3-6

* Having hope means believing that God is with you, that you are not alone, and that He will never leave or forsake you. “My presence will go with you.” Ex. 33:14, Heb. 13:5b
* Having hope means knowing God’s name, His character, that He is good, powerful, wise, holy, righteous, truthful, loving, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, patient, faithful, and sovereign. “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You.” Ps. 9:10
* Having hope means knowing that God is forgiving. You know you will sin but you know God is merciful, and if you confess and forget your sins then you can get up and keep moving ahead. “A righteous man falls seven times and rises again.” Prov. 24:16

* Having hope means knowing that God is sovereign. No matter what has happened in the past or will happen in the future, you believe God will work it out for your good and His glory. “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” Gen. 50:20, Rom. 8:28-29
* Having hope means you are excited about the life God has for you. You are not blasé about the days ahead, and you are not dreading the future, but you are looking forward to all the days that God has for you on this earth. “She smiles at the future.” Prov. 31:25 

* Having hope means knowing the great love of God. Being satisfied, strengthened, and motivated by God’s love is essential to joyfully going on for Him during your time on earth. “Satisfy us in the morning with Your love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Ps. 90:14
* Having hope means knowing what it means to be weak in yourself, but strong in Christ. You understand being sick, tired, weary, in pain, persecuted, or in distress, but continuing on by God’s grace. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness… for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10

* Having hope means knowing that you will have all the strength you need as you live out your days for God, even as you get close to that time when He takes you home. “Your strength will equal your days.” Deut. 33:25b
* Having hope results in working, fighting, and winning for God. It means laboring on in spite of sin, trials, fear, loneliness, physical tiredness, emotional weariness, gossip, slander, discouragement, and devilish attacks. “… tribulation, distress, persecution… in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us…” Rom. 8:35-39

* Having hope means knowing the Holy Spirit is in you, and will lead you, empower you, teach you, help you be holy, and be with you forever. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you?” 1 Cor. 6:19; John 14:16-18, 25-2
* Having hope means knowing that God sees your future, and that He goes ahead of you, and clears the way for you. “The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8

* Having hope means having no fear, for you are trusting God and His word, and are confident and courageous, not dismayed or discouraged by anyone or anything. “… This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night… be strong and courageous… the Lord is with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:7-9
* Having hope means knowing that God will deliver you from evil and will take you to heaven. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever.” 2 Tim. 4:18, Ps. 18, Ps. 121:7

Life isn’t easy – it has many dangers, toils, and snares. Some of you might be here during the great tribulation, when the Antichrist is ruling the earth and greatly persecuting Christians and Jews. But no matter what happens in this life, you have a future and a hope. What God told Jeremiah is true for you – “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Jer. 29:11

This godly hope enables you to live in the present and look to the future. If you don’t have hope, you will get stuck, stagnate, and won’t be very useful to God. You need this kind of hope as long as you are living on this earth. It is motivating, encouraging, and empowering. It gives you a reason to keep loving and serving God, to go strong to the end of your life. “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Prov. 23:18, 24:14

I have spoken of the hope that God wants you to have in this life. As I said earlier, there is a hope that speaks of the ages to come, and this hope must also be in your heart. This hope talks of being in heaven, being with Jesus, being glorified, being with believers, and being rewarded for your work. And you should be looking forward to all these hopes being fulfilled. Heb. 12:22-24; 1 Thess. 4:18; 1 Cor. 15:42-44; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; Rev. 22:12

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.” Rom. 15:13

P.S. What a blessing that God has given us hope for this life and the next. Here are more posts about the hope that God has given us for the next life, the ages to come: “You Need Hope to Get Through Life”, “Your Great Hope and Most Glorious Future”, “The Best is Yet to Come.”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #321 ~

It was 30 years ago, Dec. 2-4, 1994, that my wife and I went to a prophecy conference on the book of Revelation given by Marvin Rosenthal. Talk about changing our lives! That weekend of Bible study and interacting with Marv set in motion 30 years of learning, hope, and excitement about Christ’s coming and the 1000-year kingdom age!

After going home, I could not stop thinking about Christmas and Christ’s 1^st coming in conjunction with His 2^nd coming. And I was wondering why many churches were just focused on Jesus’ birth. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not dismissing the necessity of His birth, the Incarnation, for it’s vital to the gospel and God’s purposes. But I was learning that there was so much more, that Jesus’ birth was part of a much larger picture.

Hearing Marv’s excellent end-times’ Bible teaching, being immersed in God’s prophetic word for three days, was helping me to fully see God’s plan for Christians, Christianity, and the world. That weekend started me on a journey of understanding the connection between Christ’s 1^st advent and His 2^nd advent, of seeing the big picture, of knowing the entirety of God’s purpose for His people and planet earth.

There was Christ’s birth, and His life, death, resurrection, ascension, the church, and His return to rapture the church, punish the sinners, and reign over this world. And for the first time ever, I had a panoramic view of my own life, that I was chosen, foreknown, predestined, called, that I was justified because of what Christ did at His 1^st coming, that I am now being sanctified, and that I will be glorified at His 2^nd coming. Rom. 8:28-30

Let’s now look at Matt. 1-2 and Luke 1-2 for it helps us see the big picture – it speaks of Christ’s 1^st coming and 2^nd coming, of Christ being both a Savior and a King.
– Matt. 2:1-12. The magi were searching for the King, for they wanted to worship Him and give Him gifts. They ask, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we… have come to worship Him” (vs. 2). Vs. 5 is based on the Mic. 5:2-5 prophecy predicting that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and be a ruler. “Bethlehem, land of Judah…out of you shall come forth a ruler.” Rev. 12:5 confirms this truth about Jesus – “She gave birth to a Son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations.”

Luke 1:26-35. The angel Gabriel, on a surprise visit to Mary, told her that she would miraculously give birth to a baby, the son of man, and that He would be the Son of God. Not only that, but He would be a King, the fulfillment of God’s promise to David – “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Lk. 1:32-33, 2 Sam. 7:12-13). That Jesus is a King and will be the King of this earth is a major theme of the Christmas story.

Luke 1:54-55. “He (God) has given help to Israel His servant… as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” Mary knew the Davidic Covenant, God’s promise to David, and the Abrahamic Covenant, God’s promise to Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-3). She believed this promise, that Abraham would be greatly blessed, that his descendants (Jewish people) would become a great nation, inherit a special piece of land (Israel), and that they and all the people of the earth (Gentiles) would be greatly blessed.

Luke 1:67-75. Zacharias also spoke about the Abrahamic Covenant, “… His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father” (Lk. 1:72-73). And he understood redemption and salvation, the New Covenant, that God would forgive people their sins. “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel… I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.” Jer. 31:31, 34; Lk. 2:68-69, 77-79

Luke 2:25-35. Simeon, knowing God’s promises to the Jewish people, was expecting the Messiah to fulfill them, knowing this would result in Israel being comforted (Is. 40:1, 61:1-2). Simeon was convinced that the Messiah would deliver the Jews from their sins, bless them with land, and be a great and glorious King who would rule over them and the entire world. “I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Ezek. 37:21-28

Simeon then saw Jesus, the Messiah, and actually held Him. Praising God, he said, “Mine eyes have seen Your salvation” (Lk. 2:30). Simeon knew that the Messiah, a descendant of Jews, didn’t just come for Jews but also for Gentiles. He then prophesied, “this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel” (Lk. 2:34). The “fall” tells us that many Jews would reject Christ as their Savior, and since His 1^st coming this has been true. The “rise” is saying that a few Jews will be saved during this church age, but moreso at Christ’s 2^nd coming and in the kingdom ages. Ps. 96, Is. 45:17, Rom. 11:25-27

Luke 2:36-38. Anna, believing God’s promises to the Jews, was expecting, was waiting for the Messiah, was “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna knew that God had promised spiritual and physical blessings to the Jewish people – salvation, land, and a King who would rule over Jerusalem, Israel, and the whole world.

Do you see what God is saying? God is telling us that the key players in the 1^st coming of Christ knew ahead of time about His birth, and that He would fulfill His promises to the Jews, the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants. They understood the overall plan that God had for His people. But they did not know the timing, that Christ would go back to heaven, and much later come back as a King and then begin His rule on earth. Psalm 2, 47

During this Advent season, might you see the big picture. Might you understand what Matt. 1-2 and Luke 1-2, in conjunction with God’s prophetic word, is saying. Let me summarize some key thoughts and takeaways from these passages:
* God’s promise of salvation is already being realized all over this world by a great many Jews and Gentiles.

* God’s promises to the Jews about land and a King were not fulfilled at Christ’s 1^st coming but will be fulfilled at His 2^nd coming. These promises also relate to Christians, for we too will inherit the earth, and reign with Christ as King. Matt. 5:5, 24:30; Rev. 5:10
* We’re much closer to Christ’s 2^nd coming than His 1^st coming. Since we live in the end-times, we know Christ’s return is not a matter of millennia or centuries but decades, not hundreds of years away, but years away. “Behold, I am coming soon.” Rev. 22:7, 12

* Be like Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, etc. They were excited about the coming Christ and were expecting Him to live on earth and fulfill His promises to them. They were praying (Matt. 6:9-10 – “Your kingdom come”). And like them, might we also tell others about Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King.
* Being glorified, being fully saved, is the first thing to happen at Christ’s 2^nd coming, and is in conjunction with God’s renewed work with the Jews and the fulfillment of His promises to them. Matt. 24:9-31, 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 2 Thess. 2:1-9

I am so grateful that God opened my eyes to these important and relevant truths about God’s plans for the end-times, Christ’s coming, and the millennial kingdom. It’s imperative that Christians, and now at this Christmas time, clearly understand that Christ came to be a Savior, and that He is coming again, and soon, to be a Judge and a King. “Even a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us (1^st coming); 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… (2^nd coming).” Isaiah 9:6-7

Here are some previous posts about the real meaning of Christmas: “First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming”, “The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming”, “Christmas is More than Baby Jesus”, and “The True Meaning of Christmas.”

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #319 ~

I am thankful that close to 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth and died to pay for all my sins and then rose again, this resulting in me being forgiven, being a child of God, being greatly loved by Him, and receiving eternal life. And I will keep being thankful until Christ comes again, and then forever and ever. “Do this in remembrance of Me… As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Cor. 11:25-26

I am also thankful for the wonderful future God has planned out for me and all His people: 
– I am thankful that Jesus Christ is coming again. Matt. 24:30
– I am thankful that Jesus Christ is coming again, and soon. Rev. 22:7, Heb. 10:37
– I am thankful that God told me what will be taking place in the end-times. Matt. 24:3-31, Luke 21:7-31, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Thess. 2:1-11
– I am thankful that God told me all we need to know before Christ’s return. Mark 13:23
– I am thankful that God’s word tells me how to live and what to do in the final years of this age. Rom. 13:11-14,1 Thess. 5:4-11, Rev. 12:11, Rev. 13:9-10
– I am thankful that by observing world events and knowing God’s word, I can see that Christ’s coming is drawing closer. 1 Chron. 12:32, Luke 12:54-56, Heb. 10:25

I am thankful that God powerfully, purposefully, and precisely “works all things after the counsel of His will” so as to bring about the return of His Son, and “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:9-11
– I am thankful that God is sovereign, that He is working all things together for good during the final years of this dark, difficult, and evil age. Rom. 8:28-30
– I am thankful that God wanted me to be alive “for such a time as this“, to be living for Him in the last years leading up to Christ’s return. Esth. 4:14, Ps. 31:15a
– I am thankful that God carefully planned out my life, that He knows exactly what He wants me to do in these last days of the church age. Ps. 23:3b, Eph. 2:10
– I am thankful that Christ will keep growing the church during these end-times, and will help me do my part in seeking Him, proclaiming the gospel, and making disciples. Matt. 6:33, 24:14, 28:19

I am thankful that my earthly work results in God being glorified. 1 Cor. 10:31
– I am thankful that my earthly work has eternal value in believer’s lives, in this age and in the ages to come. Eph. 1:21, 2:6; Phil. 1:21-25
– I am thankful that my earthly work results in being eternally rewarded and in having eternal friendships. Luke 16:9, 1 Cor. 3:8, Rev. 22:12
– I am thankful that during my life on this earth, God will never leave me, is with me to the end of my physical life or to the end of this age. Matt. 28:20, John 14:16-17
– I am thankful that it won’t be long before God takes me home to heaven, whether by death or by rapture. 1 Cor. 15:51, James 4:14, Heb. 10:37

I am thankful for God’s love, power, wisdom, holiness, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion, for I need these to successfully live for God. Ps. 9:10, Eph. 1:3
– I am thankful for God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and the church, for I need these to live for Him in the end-times and when that devilish Antichrist is ruling this world Acts 2:24; Rev. 12:7-17, 13:3-18
– I am thankful that God will protect and deliver me from evil and the evil one and bring me safely and triumphantly to heaven. Ps. 121:7, Matt. 6:13, 2 Tim. 4:18
– I am thankful that if God’s plan is for me to be raptured, then He will enable me to endure to the end of this age and Christ’s coming. Matt. 24:13, 1 Cor. 1:8-9
– I am thankful to be in a church with believing and loyal friends who also understand the future God has planned out for us. 1 Cor. 12:18, 2 Thess. 2:1-12
– I am thankful that it won’t be long before I see Jesus face to face. Job 19:25-27
– I am thankful that I will see my loved ones in heaven. 1 Thess. 2:19-20, 4:13-14

I am thankful that this evil age, this age when Satan is ruling the world, will soon come to a just and glorious end. Ps. 37, Matt. 24:29-31, 1 John 5:19, Rev. 11:15
– I am thankful that the Antichrist and the false prophet will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire. 2 Thess. 2:8-9, Rev. 19:20
– I am thankful that Satan will be locked up during the 1000-year kingdom age, and then cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10

I am thankful that God continues to show His love and faithfulness to the Jewish people, and that His prophecies about them and promises to them are being fulfilled in the end-times and the age to come. Gen. 12:1-3, Is. 60-61, Luke 21:24
– I am thankful that Christ is returning to rapture the church. 1 Thess. 4:17
– I am thankful that Christ will return to judge an evil world. Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 8-9
– I am thankful that Christ is returning to save a Jewish remnant. Is. 45:17, Rom. 11:26
– I am thankful that Christ is returning to reign over this world. Ps. 47, Zech. 14:9
– I am thankful that God has my eternal life all planned out, now and forever. Jer. 29:11, Luke 19:16-19, John 3:16, Eph. 2:10
– I am thankful that God will be giving me a brand-new body – a powerful, immortal, spiritual, and glorious body, one perfectly fit for God and for all eternity. 1 Cor. 15:42-44, Phil. 3:20-21

I am thankful that in the kingdom age, the world will be filled with the knowledge and glory of God. Ps. 72:18-19, Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14, Rev. 5:13, Rev. 7:12
– I am thankful that in the kingdom age Christ will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. Ps. 46:10
– I am thankful that the kingdom age is a good age, a time when we will say, “Your will be done, on earth as it is heaven.” Matt. 6:10- I am thankful that in the kingdom age, God’s holiness, truth, power, love, mercy, wisdom, and justice will be on display in the world like never before. Ps. 67, Is. 12
– I am thankful that in the kingdom age I will see Christ showing mercy to those who are afflicted and hurting. Ps. 72:12-14
– I am thankful that in the kingdom age, Christ will be carying out perfect justice. Ps. 72:4
– I am thankful that in the kingdom age, I will be reigning with Christ. Rev. 20:6
– I am thankful that in the kingdom age, I will be perfectly loving, serving, and glorifying God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Ps. 145:1-2, Mark 12:30

I am thankful that at the end of the kingdom age, “death and hades” will be “thrown into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:14
– I am thankful that after the 1000-year kingdom age, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes… there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” Rev. 21:4
– I am thankful that after the 1000-year kingdom age, “then comes the end, when He (Christ) hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and all power.” 1 Cor. 15:24

I am thankful God has given me hope, that I have many things to look forward to. Rom. 5:2, 8:18-25, 8:29-30, 8:38-39, 11:25-27, 13:11-14, 15:8-13, 16:27
– I am thankful that the best is yet to come, being with Jesus, being in a new body, being with believers, being rewarded, and being in my heavenly home on a perfect earth. John 14:1-3; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Thess. 5:9-11; Heb. 12:22-24; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 21:1, 10-23

Believers should be thankful for the past, present, and future. And my focus today is on your glorious future. Being thankful will help you understand the immense and eternal love God has for you. It will help you be more excited about the hope God has given you. And it will be a glory to God and a blessing to your soul.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart” (Ps. 9:1). “I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Ps. 69:30). “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good, His love is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 100:4-5). “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God” (Col. 3:17). “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:17

P.S. What a glorious future that God has given to all His children. Might we be ever thankful to God and for all that He has done and will do for us. To Him be all the glory!!! Here are three good articles to read – “Being Thankful, the Character of a Christian”, and “Thinking of Jesus Christ”, and “Over 100 New Testament Verses on Christ’s Second Coming.”