Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

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End-Time Lessons from 1st Thessalonians

September 18, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #188 ~

Two questions come to mind when I think about the end-times – what’s going to happen, and how are we to live. 1 Thessalonians answers both these questions, for the truths of this epistle are given in the context of Christ’s 2nd coming. Written in the 1st century, this epistle is instructive to Christians during the entire church age, but it’s especially important for those living in the 21st century. That’s because we now live in the end-times which means Jesus Christ will soon return to rapture the church. As you go over these lessons from 1 Thessalonians, think of how they apply to you at this time, but also if you happen to be alive during Daniel’s 70th week, in those last few difficult years before the coming of Christ.

1. Be filled with God’s grace (1 Thess. 1:1, 5:28). Every day of your life on earth you need grace, that Spirit-given ability and strength to be and do all that God wants. You need God’s grace in every situation, every relationship, and every trial. You need His grace to love others, to work at a job, to share the gospel, to serve the saints, to suffer for the Lord, and to endure to the end – and God will give you all the grace you need. 2 Cor. 9:8, Heb. 4:16, James 4:6

2. Share the gospel (1 Thess. 1:4-7). The gospel message, that everlasting truth of God’s mercy and love, that Christ died and rose again to pay for all your sins, must be fixed in your mind and heart, for it is a spiritual spring bringing forth living water, enabling you to live fully for Him. As you are transformed by the power of the Spirit, you will be a witness for Christ to the world around you, even in times of tribulation. Matt. 24:9-14, 28:19-20

3. Work for God (1 Thess. 1:9, 4:11-12). Don’t be lazy, but use the abilities God has given you to meet your needs and help meet the needs of others. As a member of the church, you have a special gift that you are to employ in serving one another, and in carrying out God’s plans on earth. He has work for you to do, whether it relates to a secular job, doing your part in the church, sharing the gospel, or just praying. “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:13, Eph. 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11

4. Wait for Jesus. Hope is an essential ingredient for spiritual growth, and perseverance, especially in the end-times. What is hope? It’s looking forward to the future blessings God has in store for you. Four aspects of your hope are described in this epistle: being with Jesus (1 Thess. 1:9, 4:17), being with loved ones who are Christians (1 Thess. 2:19-20, 4:13-17), being delivered from wrath (1 Thess. 5:8-9), and being glorified (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

5. Learn from believers (1 Thess. 2:1-14, 5:12-13, 5:25). God has lovingly and sovereignly placed Christians in your life so as to help you “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” You can’t make it on your own! You need to learn from the words and examples of others, in areas of love, faith, holiness, gentleness, and suffering. Don’t forget to show your appreciation to those who are leading you, and pray for them.

6. Suffer for God (1 Thess. 1:6, 2:14, 3:1-5). Jesus Christ suffered for you, and what a privilege that you can now suffer for Him. Your suffering may relate to trials, conflicts, sharing the word, work situations, persecution, or health issues. In those last few years before Christ’s return, Christians will experience great tribulation, but this will last only a short time, and then your Savior will return to take you to Himself and then on to heaven. Acts 14:2, 2 Thess. 1:5-10

7. Have faith (1 Thess. 2:13, 3:1-10, 5:8). True faith is not trusting your own wisdom or feelings, but trusting the Lord and His word, depending on Him and His promises. To fulfill God’s will and live successfully for Him, you have to have faith, for it’s the means of grace, growth, and godliness. As times get harder, as you go through tribulation, your faith will be tested, but God will help you to keep trusting Him. Luke 18:8, 2 Cor. 5:7, Heb. 11:6

8. Love God and one another (1 Thess. 1:3, 2:7-8, 3:6, 3:12, 4:9-10, 5:8). The divine love God puts in your heart keeps you laboring for Him, enables you to be close to others, and motivates you to share the gospel. This agape love for others is seen when you are giving, forgiving, forbearing, patient, kind, compassionate, and committed. “May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another.” John 15:17, Col. 3:12-13, 1 John 4:19 

9. Be holy (1 Thess. 4:1-8). “This is the will of God, your sanctification.” Now that you are saved from the penalty of sin, might you be saved from the power of sin, and soon enough, by death or by rapture, you will be saved from the presence of sin. By faith and by grace, fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Live holy and wholly for the Lord, and then you will “see” Jesus and be a powerful witness for Him. Heb. 11:24-27, James 4:1-10, 1 Peter 1:16

10. Know the truth of the rapture (1 Thess. 4:14-17 – 5:1-7). God wants you to know some of the details about Christ’s coming, and what happens when Christians are raptured. Here is what you learn: a) The rapture occurs at Christ’s coming. b) Christ will bring with Him the believers who have already died. c) Just before the rapture, you will hear the shout of the Lord, the voice of the archangel, and the sound of the trumpet. d) The dead in Christ, believers who have already died, will be glorified a split second before the raptured saints are glorified. e) The raptured saints will be caught up with the dead in Christ, and together, they will meet the Lord in the air. f) Believers who are alert and sober won’t be surprised by Christ’s coming, but unbelievers will be completely caught off guard. g) The rapture takes place just before the day of the Lord, which is the outpouring of God’s wrath upon the unbelievers. Matt. 24:29-31

11. Rejoice, pray, and give thanks (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Being glad in the Lord, asking for help, and being grateful in all things, proves that you really know Him and His character, and are trusting Him. These godly qualities, essential for your own peace of mind, your witness, and the Lord’s work, should be in your life today and for the rest of your life on earth, and especially when the Antichrist is ruling this world. Phil. 4:4-7, Rom. 5:3, Rev. 13

12. Know that God is faithful. This means you are confident that God is with you and will keep you going for Him, and then at the end of this age, will rescue you from this world, glorify you, bring you to Himself, and then take you to heaven. “Faithful Is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thess. 5:23-24, 1 Cor. 1:8-9, Jude 24-25

I love this epistle, for it tells us how we are to be living for the Lord now, and at all times, and especially if we are on earth during Daniel’s 70th week, those last few years before the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church. If you are not living according to the truths in 1st Thessalonians, you won’t be a strong soldier for Christ – you’ll be weak, sad, selfish, proud, tired, fearful, angry, discouraged, and ineffective. Remember, you are in training so you can be a good servant and soldier for Christ, your Commander in Chief. “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness… since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Might you please the One who enlisted you in His service. 2 Timothy 2:4

P.S. My desire is to do all I can to make sure you are ready to live for the Lord at all times, but especially in the end-times, and in particular, during the time of great tribulation and suffering. Here are two detailed articles that give you lots of good instruction about how to be living for the Lord. “Your Spiritual Service: A Member of the Special Forces” and “Spiritual Survival Food for the Coming Tough Times.”

What Keeps Me Going To The End

September 11, 2020 /

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WE HAVE NOW ADDED THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD ALL BLOG POSTS, ALL ARTICLES, AND / OR PROPHECY CHARTS AT ONCE! I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THIS! FOR DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK: DOWNLOADS

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #187 ~

How do you keep going for the Lord? How do you persevere? What enables you to get through the tough times of life? If you are one of the raptured saints, how will you make it through the great tribulation? These are extremely important questions, and the answer is simple – by having a close relationship with God. I became a Christian in the early 1970’s, and I give God all the credit for keeping me going since that time, for those 48 plus years. Today I want to tell you how God has helped me to stay close to Him and keep living for Christ.

* Getting time alone with God. Every morning, after I get up and get awake, I go to a quiet place and read something from the Psalms, the Old Testament, and the New Testament, and then I pray. “She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word… only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part.” Luke 10:39-42

* Being in God’s word. My main priority in life is God’s word – I couldn’t make it without Him teaching me from His word, whether it’s truths I need to know, promises I need to believe, or commands I need to obey. “O how I love Your law!” (Ps. 119:97). “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

* Crying out to God. To me this means being open with God and telling Him when I am sad, tired, anxious, confused, or discouraged. It also means asking God to meet my needs or the needs of others. I am so glad I can go to God for all the grace, wisdom, and peace that I need. “I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.” Psalms 57:2, 62:8

* Walking by faith. I have learned not to live by feelings, circumstances, relationships, or how our church is doing, but to rely and depend on God, on His word and strength. “Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock” (Isaiah 26:4). “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 11:6

* Being satisfied by God. Only by seeking and seeing God have I been truly satisfied. Food, pleasures, games, people, and possessions have not satisfied me, but Christ has, for He is the bread of life. “Whom have I in heaven but You, and besides You, I desire nothing on earth?” (Ps. 73:25). “The Lord is my portion” (Ps. 119:57). “To live is Christ.” Phil. 1:21

* Being satisfied by God’s love. I don’t look for the love of people, but the love of God. His love has been wonderful, continual, and perfect, and has satisfied me like nothing else. “Your love is better than life” (Ps. 63:3). “Satisfy me in the morning with Your unfailing love” (Ps. 90:14). “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.” 1 John 4:16

* Knowing the living God. When I say knowing God, I mean knowing in my mind and believing in my heart that He is my Creator, Lord, Savior, and King, and that He is holy, wise, loving, good, patient, forgiving, powerful, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and sovereign. What a tremendous blessing to actually know God! “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God” (John 17:3). “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.” 2 Peter 3:18

* Staying away from sin. By no means am I perfect, but God has helped me to say no to sin, to not listen to or give in to worldly and fleshly temptations. I know that I can’t be close to sin and close to God at the same time. “Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity” (Ps. 119:37). “Like the Holy One who called you, be holy in all your behavior.” 1 Peter 1:15

* Loving, worshiping, and thanking God. I love God, and that’s because He first loved me (1 John 4:19). His Son Jesus died and paid for my sins and now I’m righteous, forgiven, a child of God, and will be forever with Christ and all the angels and saints. Loving God is heart-satisfying and soul-warming, the most important thing I do. “Praise the Lord… for it is pleasant and praise is becoming” (Ps. 147:1). “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.” Psalm 103:2

* Obeying God. Obeying God’s commands is how I have carried out His plans, how I have fulfilled His purpose for my life. When I obey God, I usually feel close to Him, and know His love in a much fuller way. “I obey Your statutes for I love them greatly” (Ps. 119:167). “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and disclose Myself to Him…” John 14:21, 23

* Going through trials. Trials are not fun, are not enjoyable. But in these times, God has revealed Himself to me in a special way, showed me His love, and comforted me with His word. Here’s my favorite trial passage – “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant… In the day of my trouble, I call to You, for You will answer me.” Psalm 86:3-7

* Seeking Him. By this I mean getting extra time with God, usually once a month. For many years now, I’ve been going to a camp or motel room with my Bible, a few books, and some pen and paper. Getting away from the world and from people, and having this special, alone time with God is one of the best things He has helped me to do. “I love those who love Me and those who seek Me will find Me” (Prov. 8:16). “Come with Me by yourself to a quiet place.” Mark 6:31

* Being shepherded by the Lord. The Lord is my shepherd, and He knows me perfectly, and through the years He has made me lie down in green pastures, led me besides still waters, restored my soul, guided me in paths of righteousness, has always been with me, and has loved me every single day. That my Shepherd does these things keeps me strong and keeps me going for Him. “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know me.” John 10:14, Psalm 23:1

* Drawing near to God. God wants me to be close to Him, and I want to be close to Him. As I seek Him, as I go after Him, as I spend time with Him, He draws near to me, and is close to me, and loves me all the more, and He teaches me, encourages me, and makes Himself known to me. “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8, James 4:8

* Learning from the Psalms. My favorite book in the Bible is the Psalms. It has helped me immensely in my relationship with God, and I believe will greatly help you in your relationship with God. The following verses I have memorized, personalized, and say often to the Lord, for they help me to think rightly, stay strong, and be close to Him – Psalms 9:2, 20:7, 23:1, 23:6, 26:3, 27:14, 31:19, 40:8, 46:10, 56:3, 57:5, 63:2-3, 86:11, 90:14, 105:4, 115:1, 118:14, 119:32, 119:67, 119:76, 119:92, 119:112, 139:23-24, 143:10, 145:1-2.

May God help you to stay close to Him. Without question, your relationship with God is the single most important thing in your life, for it affects you and everything you do. Being close to the Lord is the only way you can truly love the Lord and live for Him, in these days, and in times of tribulation, and let me add, in times of great tribulation. “I love You, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 

P.S. I cannot stress enough the importance of your relationship with God. As you keep loving and seeking Him, you will stay close to Him, and know that He is not only your Lord, but your best friend. Here are two posts that tell you a little more about my life and my relationship with Him: “The Rapture, A Love Story”, and “God’s Time Frame For Your Life.”

Clear and Compelling Evidence for the Coming Kingdom

September 4, 2020 /

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WE HAVE NOW ADDED THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD ALL BLOG POSTS, ALL ARTICLES, AND / OR PROPHECY CHARTS AT ONCE! I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THIS! FOR DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK: DOWNLOADS

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #186 ~

There’s a great deal of information in the Old Testament about God’s plans for the Jewish people. Yet, many believe these plans are null and void, and have been invalidated because of the Jews’ rejection of Christ in the 1st century. But when you examine the New Testament, you discover all these verses that do not deny but rather confirm God’s plans for the Jews. You can’t miss them, you can’t skip over them, you can’t redefine them, and you sure can’t say they have already been fulfilled. And as a Christian, you need to know them, for they relate to the great and glorious future God has for you and the church. In today’s post we will look at many verses that speak about the coming kingdom age, when Jesus Christ is ruling the world.

1) Acts 1:6-7 – “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed…” The disciples want to know from Jesus if He was going to start the kingdom at that time. By what Jesus says, He assures them that there would be a future kingdom on earth, one in which He would be King of the Jewish people, and King over the entire world. But first, they had a job to do, for they, which means the church, were to be Jesus’ witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (vs. 8). As Jesus ascends into heaven, two angels tell the disciples that He would be coming back, and it would be then that He would bring into being His earthly kingdom.

2) Acts 3:20-21 – “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away… and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things…” People repenting and returning, and being forgiven of their sins, is referring to the church age, after which time God would send Jesus from heaven to restore, to renovate all things on earth. The Jews had learned from the Old Testament prophets about this kingdom age, and that the Messiah, the Christ, would be King, but now they knew when this would take place, that it would be at the end of this church age.

3) Acts 15:16 – “After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild it’s ruins, and I will restore it.” James was talking to Jewish leaders about Gentiles being saved, and how it would be after “these things,” after this church age, that Christ would return to rebuild and restore the tabernacle and other ruins, referring to the temple and Israel. This message about the future kingdom age is being repeated in the book of Acts, and why? To convince you that Christ will return to set up His kingdom on earth after this church age is over.

4) Acts 28:23 – “He was solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus…” Eight times in the book of Acts, there’s the word “kingdom.” (Acts 1:3, 1:6, 8:12, 14:22, 9:18, 20:25, 28:23, 28:31). The apostles weren’t just preaching the gospel, they were also testifying about the kingdom of God, the entirety of God’s plan for His people, which would include the coming millennial kingdom. As Paul said in Acts 20:27, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” The book of Acts is the history of the early church, and here in the beginning days of the church age, God wanted both believing Jews and Gentiles to know with certainty that Christ’s kingdom would be established on earth.

5) Luke 19:11-27 – “They supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately… Do business with this until I come back.” During Jesus’ ministry, some believed that the kingdom of God would soon be set up on earth. To help people understand what would be happening, Jesus shared a parable. This is the meaning: Jesus, the king, was going away (to heaven), and from there He would be given a kingdom (on earth). His slaves on earth were to be working, doing business with the money He had given them during the time He was gone (the church age). Then He would come back and reward them for their work, and start up His kingdom on earth. We now live in the end-times of this church age, and it won’t be long before Christ returns to rapture the church and reign as King of this world.

6) Luke 20:34-36. “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God.” The “resurrection” is referring to believers being glorified, receiving bodies like the angels, which occurs at Christ’s coming. The “age” is speaking of the next age, the millennial kingdom age, when Christ is ruling the world and believers are reigning with Him.

7) Luke 21:31 – “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” This chapter lists a number of events taking place in the end-times before Christ’s return. Those who actually see these events things taking place will know that the redemption (rapture) is drawing near (vs. 28), and that the kingdom is drawing near (vs. 31). This kingdom can only be referring to Christ’s 1000-year kingdom on earth.

8) Luke 22:18 – “I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” The night before His death, Jesus was with His disciples and instituting the ordinance of communion. Jesus made this statement to reassure His disciples that He would rise from the dead, and also return to establish His earthly kingdom, at which time He would once again celebrate the Passover with them. Ezekiel 45:21, 1 Cor. 11:26

9) Matthew 19:28 – “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit on upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Jesus’ disciples knew He would be the King of this world, but they wanted to know how they would be rewarded for their work on earth. Jesus refers to the regeneration which is the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21), and this occurs when He returns, sits on His throne, and sets up His kingdom. That’s when these disciples would be given their own throne and be reigning with Him.

10) Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. And the twenty four elders… fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, ‘We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who are, and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.’” It’s at the end of Daniel’s 70th week that Christ will become King on this earth. We should extremely excited and looking forward to this time when there will be righteousness, peace, and love on this earth like never before!

11) Revelation 20:6 – “They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6). “… Satan, and bound him for a thousand years” (vs. 2). “… he (Satan) would not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were completed” (vs. 3). “They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (vs. 4). “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (vs. 5). “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released…” (vs 7). We learn some important information about this coming kingdom age – and one thing we know for sure is that it will last exactly one thousand years.

12) 1 Corinthians 15:24 – “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.”1 Cor. 15:20-28 covers a time period that, I believe, will be close to 3000 years. Let me summarize what has happened and will be happening. 1) Jesus was raised from the dead. 2) At Christ’s coming, at the end of this age, believers will be made alive, will be glorified. 3) Christ will set up His kingdom on earth, one that will last for 1000 years. 4) During this millennial kingdom age, Christ will be the supreme King, abolishing all rule and authority. 5) At the end of this age, Christ will finally and forever defeat death (“Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire” – Rev. 20:14). 6) “Then comes the end (of the millennial kingdom age) when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father.” 7) “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” Revelation 22:1

God has given us clear and compelling evidence that this coming kingdom age is not fantasy or fiction, but a future reality. In a very little while, everything will change, and Christ will begin His 1000-year reign over this earth. Then we will be wholeheartedly worshiping and serving Jesus, our King, and O, how wonderful and glorious this will be! Let’s keep praying: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10

P.S. I am very thankful that God has told us all about this coming kingdom age. Yes, we should focus on our work for God at this time, but we also need to see ahead to what He has in store for us. Here are two other posts that give us more valuable information about the kingdom of God. “Kingdom Instructions for the Church” and “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

The Coming Kingdom Age, 1000 Years of Glory

August 28, 2020 /

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WE HAVE NOW ADDED THE ABILITY TO DOWNLOAD ALL BLOG POSTS, ALL ARTICLES, AND / OR PROPHECY CHARTS AT ONCE! I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THIS! FOR DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK: DOWNLOADS

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #185 ~

This famous prayer will soon be answered by God, and that’s because we now live in the end-times! It won’t be long before we see “the summing up of all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:9-10) during the millennial kingdom, when Christ will righteously, powerfully, and lovingly be ruling this world – and as Christians, we will be reigning with Him. The New Testament gives us a little information about this kingdom age, but the Old Testament goes into great detail about what will be taking place. Though the Old Testament prophecies focus on God’s plans for the Jews, Christians need to know what they say, for our future is directly related to the future of the Jews (Psalm 37:29 – Matt. 5:3). Today I want to summarize some of the key features of this glorious kingdom, what you can expect, and what you can be looking forward to. 

1. Jesus Christ will return to earth to establish His kingdom! “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Rev. 11:15; Dan. 7:27, 9:24). The millennial kingdom is soon to begin, a new and magnificent age, a 1000-year period when Christ is King over the entire world. “The Lord will be King over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only One” (Zech. 14:9). “God is the King of all the earth” (Ps. 47:7). Then Christ’s home will be in Jerusalem. “The Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35). “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised… in the city of our God… the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:1-2

2. Jesus Christ will be greatly feared! “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods” (Ps. 96:4). “Let them fear You while the sun endures…” (Ps. 72:5). “The Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over the earth” (Ps. 47:2). Jesus Christ will be an awesome, majestic, and powerful King! “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You” (Ps. 66:3). “The nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.” Psalm 102:15

3. A large remnant of Jews will be saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week! “Israel has been saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation” (Is. 45:17). “There is forgiveness with You… He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Ps. 130:8). “They will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity” (Jer. 31:33-35). “All Israel will be saved… the Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from them” (Rom. 11:25-27). During this kingdom age, all Jewish believers will be with Jesus and will live in Israel. Ezek. 37:27-28

4. The Jewish people will be the most blessed people in the world! “His lovingkindness is great towards us” (Ps. 117:1). “He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel” (Ps. 98:3). “He subdues people under us and nations under our feet” (Ps. 47:3-4). “God blesses us so that all the ends of the earth may fear Him” (Ps. 67:7). “The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever” (Ps. 37:29). “How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts” (Ps. 65:4). The promises God made to Abraham will all come true! “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so shall you be a blessing… in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Gen. 12:2-3

5. Jesus Christ will lovingly, wisely, and righteously be ruling over the world! “The Lord reigns.” (Ps. 97:1). “You will judge the people with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth” (Ps. 67:4). “He will have compassion on the poor and needy… He will rescue their lives from oppression and violence” (Ps. 72:12-14). “The Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations” (Is. 61:11). The world will be ruled perfectly by the King of kings and the Prince of Peace. “There will be no end to the increase of His government, or of peace… over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice…” Isaiah 9:6-7

6. The whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord! “Indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Numb. 14:21). “Blessed be His glorious name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory” (Ps. 72:19). “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). Can you imagine what it will be like when God’s glory is beautifully displayed and seen all over the world? “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

7. The truth about God and salvation through Christ will be proclaimed to all the earth! “Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples” (Ps. 96:3-4). “God be gracious to us and bless us… that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations” (Ps. 67:1-2). Yes, the church is to preach the gospel to all the nations, but in the kingdom age there will be the proclaiming of the gospel and the salvation of souls like never before! “God has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God” (Is. 52:9-10). “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:3

8. The whole earth will worship the Lord! “All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name” (Ps. 86:9-10). “All the earth will worship You and will sing praises to You” (Ps. 66:4). This is amazing and so wonderful, to think that the whole world will be praising God! Even the unsaved will be bowing down to Christ. “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). “All the families of the nations will worship before You” (Ps. 22:27). “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people… Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, let all the peoples praise Him” (Rom. 15:10-11). “O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy.” Psalm 47:1

Jesus told His disciples, and us, “all things which are written about Me in the Law and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). I hope you now realize that many of the prophesies about Jesus, and the Jews, will be fulfilled during the millennial kingdom – you should be encouraged by this for it relates to your future as a Christian. Picture this magnificent kingdom age, when Christ is ruling, and you are reigning with Him, and helping Him and the Jews to carry out God’s purposes and plans. More than ever before, there will be peace on earth, love for one another, joy in people’s hearts, and true justice, for Christ will be a perfect and powerful King, and all to the glory of God. “Then comes the end, when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Cor. 15:24). “To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

P.S. There is not that much being said or written about the coming kingdom age, but might you be learning about it and tell others about it. I just put up a new post (9/4/2020) on this subject – “Clear and Compelling Evidence For God’s Kingdom.” And here’s another good one to read – “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”.

Jews and Gentiles Unitedly Glorifying God

August 21, 2020 /

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By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #184 ~

What is your primary purpose in life, and that of all the Jews and Gentiles in this world? It’s glorifying God, worshiping Him, loving Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Indeed, this is a God-centered and soul-satisfying purpose, one that’s found throughout the Bible. “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name.” This Old Testament verse, Psalm 86:9, is prophesying about the future. Today I want to look at Romans 15:4-13, a New Testament passage that takes this theme of worship from the past to the present to the future.

In verse 4, Paul is instructing the Christians, telling them that the Old Testament Scriptures (past) were written to encourage us (present), and to help us to persevere (present), so that we have hope (future). This passage starts and ends with hope (vss. 4, 13), which means it’s a very important point. And it’s God who gives us encouragement and perseverance so we might have hope (vs. 5). This hope, the expectation of good and glorious things to come, had been mentioned by Paul in Rom. 5:3, when he said, “We exult in hope of the glory of God.” This hope is looking ahead to that time when Jesus Christ will return and fill the earth with His glory. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

In verse 5, we learn that God wants to unite Jewish and Gentile believers, and why? So “with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 6). There had been open hostility between Jews and Gentiles in the first century, and to some degree there still is, and so Paul addresses this issue by saying, “Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, to the glory of God” (vs. 7, Eph. 2:11-18). Since Christ accepted Gentile believers, they needed to accept Jewish believers, and vice versa. Why? It is “to the glory of God.” Again, your primary purpose and ultimate priority in this age and in the ages to come is giving glory and praise to God with both Jews and Gentiles. Rev. 5:13, 22:10-14

Paul continues to explain God’s plan for both Jews and Gentiles (vs. 8). We learn that Christ was serving the “circumcision,” the Jews, for He was “to confirm the promises given to the fathers.” How did this happen? When Christ came to earth, He died on a cross and rose from the dead so as to save sinners. This was part of God’s plan to fulfill the promises He had given to Abraham, Isaac, Judah, and all Jewish believers, to “those who are of the faith of Abraham” (Rom. 4:9-16). These verses explain that Christ also came for Gentiles for He wanted them to experience His mercy too, and why? Again, so they would “glorify God” (vs. 9). To further expound on this point, Paul shares four Old Testament verses about both Jews and Gentiles praising God.

Romans 15:9 – “I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name.” (Ps. 18:49). This is directed to the Jews, that they are to openly praise God among the Gentiles, the nations. The Jews’ public worship of God is also to be evangelistic in nature, with the result that some Gentiles will be saved and will worship God with these Jewish believers. “Sing to the Lord, bless His name. Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations” (Pss. 96:2-3, 98:1-4). To a small degree this happened in the past, before Christ’s 1st coming. To a small degree it is occurring now, in this present church age, in that time before Christ’s 2nd coming. But to a much greater degree, it will be taking place in the future, during the millennial kingdom age, when Christ is reigning over the earth.

Romans 15:10 – “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people” (Deut. 32:43). This command to the Gentiles, to the nations, is that they are to be glad, to be exulting, to be rejoicing in the Lord. And surely they are not to be Antisemitic, but are to be rejoicing with Jewish believers. In a limited way this rejoicing occurred in the past; in a limited way it is happening during this church age; and in a much greater and more glorious way, it will be taking place in the ages to come.

Romans 15:11 – “Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him” (Ps. 117:1). Like vss. 9-10, this too is an eternal command. Now it is similar to vs. 10, but here it is a command to Gentiles that they are to praise the Lord, and let me say, regardless of how Jewish people may now be hardening their hearts during this church age. At this present time, two things are obvious: a minority of Gentiles are being saved (Matt. 7:13-14), and the vast majority of God-worshiping believers are Gentiles. Romans 11

Romans 15:12 – “There shall come the root of Jesse, and He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope” (Isaiah 11:10). This is referring to Christ’s 1st and 2nd comings. Jesus Christ came the 1st time to save sinners and to set up His church, a spiritual kingdom. Again, we see that word hope, and it can refer to the Gentile’s hopes during this church age, but I believe it also, and more so, speaks of their hopes for the future. We know Christ is coming a 2nd time to earth to establish both a spiritual and physical kingdom, when He is ruling in our hearts, but also ruling over the world, over both Jews and Gentiles. Now that we live in the end-times, we know this hope will soon be a reality, that it won’t be long before Jesus is King over this world, and we are glorifying God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Psalm 67:4-5 also confirms this Isaiah 11:10 prophecy – “May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You.”  

Romans 15:13. “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.” The conclusion of this important big-picture passage is that God wants us to abound in hope! This hope is referring to the return of Christ and the age to come, when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Hab. 2:14). Life can be distressing and difficult (Acts 14:22), and so you need this hope, this realization of a most glorious future. Believing the truth, that Christ is coming, that you will be glorified, and that you will be glorifying God like never before, will result in your heart being filled with joy and peace. Might you be excited about our great God and Father, who loves you so much, the Holy Spirit who is always with you, and Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who is coming soon to take you home to heaven, and then set up His kingdom on earth. “I will extol You, my God, O King. And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1-2

P.S. There is no more important thing than glorifying God, and we all know that. Might God give us the grace to be excitedly and wholeheartedly praising Him like never before. Two other posts I would encourage you to read on this God-glorifying subject are: “The Most Important Thing for You!” and “The Glory of God – The Most Important of All!!!”

The New Testament Tells Us God’s Plans for the Jews

August 14, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #183 ~

There’s no question that God has special plans for the Jewish people during this church age and in the ages to come. Now it’s true that God’s plans for the Jews were put on hold around 70 AD when, for rejecting Christ, they were punished, scattered all over the world, and since then, have been greatly persecuted (Luke 21:20-24). Last week we looked at five New Testament passages that prove God’s plans for the Jews are still valid and will be fulfilled in the near future. What is both striking and instructive is that these verses about the Jews are sitting next to verses about the church. As I stated last week, this means that God’s end-time plans for the Jews are somehow connected and related to His end-time plans for the church. 

Here are several more passages which contain end-time verses about the Jews and the church.
1. Matthew 24:9-27. Verses 9-14 give an important summary of what the church needs to know in the end-times: 1) Christians will be going through great tribulation. 2) There will be false prophets, apostasy, and increasing lawlessness. 3) We are to persevere until the end of the age. 4) We are to keep preaching the gospel until Christ returns to rapture the church. Verses 15-27 are about the Jews, but notice what Jesus says, “let the reader understand.” It’s Christians who are reading this, and they need to know that the temple in Jerusalem will be desecrated by the Antichrist and that he will then chase after the Jews. Seeing what’s happening to the Jews will be a signal to the church that great persecution will soon begin, as also told us in Rev. 12:17, and then described in Matt. 24:9. “They deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”

2. Mark 13:9-23. Verses 9-13 describe the persecution that Christians have been and will be experiencing during this church age. Again, we are instructed to preach the gospel and persevere to the end of this age, at which time we will see Christ and be raptured by Him (vss. 26-27). Verses 14-23 are about the Jews, and similar to what we read in Matt. 24:15-27, tell us about the Antichrist’s desolation of the temple and his pursuit of the Jews. But notice what Jesus says, “Behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Jesus is alerting Christians, for He wants us to know that He has told us everything we need to know about His end-time’s work with the Jews and the church. Might we be good students and learn all these things. Rev. 1:3     

3. Luke 21:12-32. Verses 12-19, similar to Mark 13:9-13, describe the suffering the church has been going through since her beginning days. And again, she is instructed to share the gospel during this church age. Verses 20-24 summarize God’s plans for the Jews, and how she has been trampled upon since Jerusalem’s destruction (~ 70 AD), and which will continue until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Verse 28 gives us hope, for it says, “your redemption is drawing near” which refers to the rapture of the church. Verse 32 then says, “the kingdom of God is near,” which speaks of the physical and millennial kingdom Christ will establish on earth at the end of Daniel’s 70th week, and which will be a great blessing to believing Jews and the church! Psalm 37:11; Matt. 5:3, 6:10; Rev. 5:10, 11:15

4. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9. This is a critically important end-time’s passage for the church. We learn that this man is revealed as the “man of lawlessness” (the Antichrist) when he arrogantly acts like he is God and takes his seat in the temple of the Jews (Matt. 24:15). This happens in Jerusalem at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27), and before the Day of the Lord, during which time God pours out His wrath upon the world (vs 2). Since Christ’s coming is after the Antichrist’s coming (vs 9), and since Christians are gathered (raptured) to Christ at His coming (vs. 1), then we can conclude that the rapture occurs after the midpoint, sometime during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, but before the Day of the Lord. From this passage Christians can see that the rapture is not at the beginning or end of Daniel’s 70th week, but sometime after the midpoint. Matt. 24:36, Rev. 13

5. Revelation 7:1-17. Two momentous events are described in this chapter. Verses 1-8 talk about the sealing, the setting apart and protecting of 144,000 Jews. Verses 9-17 tell us about the church on earth coming out of the great tribulation (being raptured), and then standing before and worshiping God (the Father) and the Lamb (the Son) in heaven. Both of these events occur after the 6th seal is broken, the signs in the heavens (Rev. 6:12-16), but before the 7th seal is broken (Rev. 8:1) which results in the blowing of seven trumpets and God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth (Rev. 8-9). These two dramatic, back to back, God-directed events, the sealing of the Jews and the rapture of the church, take place at the end of this age.

6. Revelation 12:6-17 – 13:1-17. Rev. 12:6-16 focuses on Satan and his attempts to capture a number of Jews, but God miraculously enables them to physically escape his devilish wrath (Matt. 24:15-26); and later, at the end of Daniel’s 70th week, He spiritually saves them. (Dan. 9:24). The dragon (Satan), seeing that he can’t catch the Jews, chases after the church (vs.17), which leads to Rev. 13. This dark chapter tells us, “It was also given to him (the beast – the Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” Christians will need to be wise and to persevere, and to remember that God is sovereign over everything that happens, even the death of fellow believers (Rev. 6:9-11, 17). Then there is another beast, the Antichrist’s evil partner, and he uses the technology of the time to deceive and control the unbelievers (vss. 11-17). Thankfully, the efforts of this 2nd beast will not harm the church.

What can we conclude?
1. In the New Testament, there are many side-by side, end-time’s passages about the Jews and the church – Matt. 24:9-27; Mark 13:9-23; Luke 21:12-33; Acts 1:6-11, 2:17-21, 3:18-21, 15:14-17; Rom. 11, 15:7-13; 2 Thess. 2:1-9; and Rev. 7:1-17, 12:6-17 – 13:1-17, 21:10-14.
2. These verses give us solid, super-strong evidence that God has not reneged on His Old Testament promises to the Jews, but that His plans for them will be completely fulfilled.
3. It’s important for Christians to see that God’s end-time’s work with the Jews is connected to and in conjunction with His end-time’s work with the church. We need to understand these passages and know how they relate to us. “Let the reader understand.” Matt. 24:15
4. Take the time to study these passages so you can be convinced about God’s plans for the Jews and the church in the end-times, and can then share this truth with others. 2 Tim. 2:15
5. Seeing God’s plans for the Jews being fulfilled will result in being filled with joy and peace, for it means realizing that we are getting closer to the end of this age. Rom. 15:13
6. “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” Romans 15:10. (We will look at this next week).

P.S. I hope you are learning how how all these New Testament Jewish verses are relevant to the church. There are many excellent charts that will help you to more clearly see God’s plans for His chosen people. Here are three: “70 Weeks of Daniel,” “God’s Plan for the Jews in the End Times,” and “Promises for the Jewish Remnant.”

God’s Plans for the Jews According to the New Testament

August 7, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #182 ~

Despite Reports, Egypt Not Spending $71 Million To Restore Jewish ...

The Old Testament is primarily about the Jewish people. From Genesis 12 to Malachi 4, its primary theme is God’s work with this special group of people, a chosen race, a treasured possession. We read about their birth, their growth, their worship, their leaders and kings, their victories, their sins, their defeats, God’s judgment of them, and His plans for their future.

We come to the New Testament and it’s about Jesus Christ, His disciples, the church, and the future that God has both for the church and the Jewish people. Now some may say God has forsaken and forgotten the Jews, that His promises to them have been reneged and rescinded and are no longer valid. But that is not true! An honest study of the New Testament reveals over 100 different verses that not only corroborate God’s Old Testament plans for the Jews, but further explain and expand on them. All Christians, need to understand God’s past, present, and future work with the Jews. Today, and again next week, I will be looking at New Testament Jewish verses that speak of their future, and relate to the future of the church.

As we examine these verses that describe God’s plans for the Jews, we will learn:
1. Verses in the New Testament about the Jews are not hidden, obscure, or hard to see – they stand out, are obvious, and easy to see. 
2. These verses are clearly for the Jews, and in no way can be construed to be for the church.
3. These verses about the Jews are in the context of God’s work with the church. They are not isolated, sitting by themselves, but are adjacent and connected to passages about the church.
4. These verses show us God’s plans for the Jews in this age and in the age to come. 
5. These verses help us see the entire sequence of events, from God’s work with the Jews in the past to God’s work with the church in the past (church age) to God’s work with the Jews and the church in the present (the end-times) to Christ coming back to carry out His plans for the Jews and the church in the future.
6. Knowing the chronology of prophesied end-time events, and then seeing God fulfill His prophecies for the Jews, will help the church know where she is at, timing wise, with regards to Christ’s coming.    
7. These New Testament verses about the Jews complement God’s Old Testament promises to them, and enable us to see the whole picture, God’s overall plan for the Jews.  
8. Now that we live in the end-times, it’s essential that we understand the true meaning of these verses, and how they relate to the church.

Let’s look at these New Testament Jewish verses in the context of the church. 
1. Acts 1:6-11. This speaks of the apostles’ time with Jesus right before His ascension into heaven. They ask Him when He is going to restore the kingdom to Israel, for they want to know when He will begin His reign on earth and when they will be ruling with Him. Jesus tells them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem… to the remotest part of the earth…” Christ wanted them to know that He must first build the church, and then, at the end of this age, He would return to earth to set up His kingdom. We are now living in the end-times, and it won’t be long before Christ comes back to set up His kingdom, a kingdom for believing Jews and Gentiles. Acts 28:20-23, 30-31

2. Acts 2:17-21. These verses, taken from Joel 2:28-32, are for the Jews, but there is a dual fulfillment, for they are also for church. Now the “last days” is a reference to the church age. The beginning of this age is depicted by the outpouring of the Spirit, and the end of this age is marked by the signs in the heavens. During this age, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). Whereas Acts 2:21 speaks of the salvation of the church before these heavenly signs, Joel 3:32 speaks of the salvation of the Jews after these signs – “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape…  in those days and at that time when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem…” This refers to the great escape and salvation of a remnant of Jews and the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. (Rev. 11-12). These first century Jews did not understand the church age, but now we have 2020 vision, and looking back we can clearly see the dual fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, and that a chosen remnant of Jews will soon be saved.    

3. Acts 3:18-21. These verses show the chronology of God’s work with His people. There’s the suffering of Christ, which is followed by His resurrection and ascension, after which there’s the church age, during which time people repent of their sins, turn to Jesus Christ, and are saved. At the end of this age, Christ, who is now in heaven, will come back and restore the earth, which is what the Jews wanted to hear, for it meant God’s plans for them would be fulfilled.

4. Acts 15:14-17. These verses, from Amos 9:11-13, speak of God’s work with both Jewish and Gentile believers. Like the previous verses, we read about the church age, and vs. 14 speaks of this, a time period during which God is focusing on the Gentiles. “After these things, I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David…” This is referring to Christ’s return to earth after this age is over to rebuild Jerusalem and establish His reign over the earth, a time when both Jews and Gentiles will be greatly blessed. “God blesses us…” Psalm 67

5. Romans 11. This New Testament chapter, better than any other, tells us about the salvation of Jews during this church age, and at the end of this age. Most Jews, during this age, harden their hearts and do not believe in the Messiah, but some, a select few, believe and are saved. But God, after this age, after the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled, and in accordance with His promises and mercy, will save a remnant of Jews – “This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins... To Him be the glory forever.” Romans 11:26-27, 36

All these verses, in addition to ones we will look at next week, prove to us that God has not forsaken the Jewish people during this church age. He has kept the Jews alive, has kept saving a remnant of them, and now in the end times, and in view of the church, is renewing His work with them. Once this age is over, God will fulfill His three main promises to the Jewish people, for He will redeem a remnant of them (salvation), renovate the earth (land), and begin ruling over the earth (King). “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” Romans 15:10, Ezekiel 37:21-28

P.S. I hope you are excited to learn about these New Testament Jewish verses and how they relate to the church. Make sure you read next week’s post to find out the other verses that speak of the Jewish people and their future. In the meantime, I would encourage you to read the article, “A Summary of the Prophetic Work of God, From the Time of Abraham to Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.”

1950 Years of Jewish History – Luke 21:20-24

July 24, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #180 ~

In the Old Testament, God’s promises to the Jews have been spelled out in hundreds of verses, many of which have not yet been fulfilled. In the New Testament, God continues to communicate His plans for His people. Then in the past 140 years, God’s prophecy that He would bring the Jews back to their land has miraculously been taking place (Ezekiel 36-37), giving us proof that He has not nullified His promises to them, and that we are now living in the end-times. That’s why, at this time in history, at the very end of this church age, we need to study God’s prophetic word, for it reveals to us God’s plans for the Jews, and for the church,

One of my favorite passages is Luke 21:20-24. Sitting next to God’s plans for the church (vss 12-19), it summarizes what happens to the Jews from the time they were driven from their land around 70 AD until the “times of the Gentiles” are fulfilled. In these verses, Jesus predicts the future, for He really wants us to know His big-picture plans for the Jews, a time span that we now know covers over 1950 years.

First (vs 20), Jesus tells His disciples that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies, and that her desolation, her destruction, would happen soon thereafter. We know this took place in the 1st century because verse 24 goes on to say that these persecuted Jews “will be led captive into all the nations,” and from history, we know this happened after Jerusalem’s desolation in 70 AD. And it will never happen again, for God has told us it would never happen again.

Second (vs 21), Jesus says that the Jews living at the time of this desolation would need to flee from Judea and Jerusalem, to get out of there fast, for that entire area would be a deadly danger zone, for it would soon be run over and ransacked by the ruthless Roman soldiers.

Third (vs 22), Jesus explains that this will occur because these are days of vengeance. God is holy, and since the Jews did not believe He was the Messiah, the One who could save them from their sins, then He had no choice but to punish those who rejected Jesus, who did not recognize the time of His visitation. But Jesus greatly loved His people, and so He kept warning them about what would be taking place in the future. Luke 13:34-35, 23:27-31, 19:41-44 – “The days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you.”  

Fourth (vs 23), Jesus pronounces a “woe”, a solemn expression of their coming judgment and destruction. Again, we see that Jesus cared deeply for His people, for though He was just, He was also compassionate, knowing how bad it would be, particularly for the most vulnerable, the pregnant women and nursing mothers. He knew it would be absolutely devastating, that there would be “great distress upon the land,” and great “wrath to this people,” the Jewish people.

Fifth (vs 24), Jesus continues this prophesy by telling them three specific things:
1. “They will fall by the edge of the sword.” Thousands and thousands of Jews would lose their lives during that time – multitudes would be killed, and many others would die of starvation.
2. They would “be led captive into all the nations.” From history we know that, at that time, Jews were scattered all over the world and, in fact, are now in over 100 different countries, with the great majority of them living in Israel and the United States.
3. The Jewish people would be “trampled underfoot,” be treated like dirt, meaning they would be greatly hated and persecuted. Antisemitism, this extreme hate for Jews, has been tragically and sadly taking place for the past 20 centuries, the worst of it coming at the hands of Hitler, the one responsible for the murder of nearly 6 million Jews. This Antisemitism will continue in the years ahead, and increasingly so, climaxing during the rule of that most devilish man, the Antichrist.

Jesus then gives the Jews some hope. He says this “trampling” will keep going “until.” This word “until,” a timing word, means there’s a limit to this persecution, that it will not keep going, that it will someday come to an end. The “times of the Gentiles,” that period of time when there is no divinely appointed king over Israel, began in 586 BC with the defeat of King Zedekiah, and will continue until the end of Daniel’s 70th week, at which time Jesus Christ, the King of kings, will begin His glorious reign over this earth. Dan. 9:24, Zech. 14:9, Rev. 11:15

It’s 2020, which means this passage, Luke 21:20-24, covers close to 1950 years. That the Jews are now back in their land means we are living in the end-times, and that God is presently and actively carrying out His plans for them. But what’s next? Here is what God has told us will happen:
* Daniel’s 70th week, the final seven years of the “times of the Gentiles,” and a prophetically most-important period of time, will begin in the near future. Dan. 12:4, Rev. 13
* At the beginning point of this week, the Jews will sign a covenant, but it will be a very bad deal, for though it will be a treaty with the coming Antichrist, it will really be a treaty with the devil himself. Dan. 9:27
* At the midpoint, this wicked Jew-hating Antichrist, will be revealed, and then begin his lawless dictatorship. Dan 9:27, Matt. 24:15-26, Rev. 13
* Christians are raptured sometime between the midpoint and endpoint – Matt. 24:31-36, 2 Thess. 2:1-9
* At the endpoint of this 70th week, Jesus Christ will return to save a large remnant of Jews, and this is when the “times of the Gentiles” will be fulfilled. Daniel 9:24, Luke 21:24, Rev. 10:7, Rev. 11:15
* God will pour out His wrath upon the unbelieving world, and then capture the Antichrist and the false prophet, and cast them into the lake of fire. Rev. 16, 19:20
*Jesus Christ will begin His 1000-year reign over the earth, a most amazing, righteous, and God-glorifying time. The newly-saved Jewish people will be in Jerusalem, and they, along with all believers (Christians included), will be reigning with Christ. Psalm 47, Hab. 2:14, Rev. 5:10, Rev. 20:1-7

This is the future! Without question, this is going to happen! As a Christians, you should be so excited, for in the years ahead, you will literally see the unfolding of God’s prophetic word. That’s why this is the time for you to understand end-times’ prophecy, how it relates to both Jews and Christians, and how it is now being fulfilled in the world. “Your redemption is drawing near” and “the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:28, 31

P.S. In these end-times, you need to know how God is working with the Jews if you are to understand how God is working with the church. That’s why it’s important for you to take the time to learn about God’s plans for the Jews. Here are two helpful posts – “The Suspension of God’s Plan for the Jews, and the Church Age,” and “A Short Summary of God’s Working With the Jews.”

“If the Foundations are Destroyed…” – Psalm 11

July 17, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #179 ~

This has been a very difficult year for the United States – I can’t believe all that has happened so far! I am wondering if God’s patience with US is coming to an end and if, in fact, He has withdrawn His sin-restraining hand from US. Of course, we don’t know all that God is doing, but His word does tell us what we are to know and do. For example, there’s Psalm 11, which is most enlightening, and essential in helping us understand the present condition of our country, as well as learn how God deals with both good and bad people, the righteous and the unrighteous.  

Verse 1 tells you that you need to take refuge in the Lord. At times, you may feel like you need physical refuge, that you need to get away from your problems by escaping to a safe place. But no, your biggest problem is not physical, but spiritual – it’s your sin, and the answer is to take refuge in the Lord, to trust in Him. Only because of Jesus’ death and resurrection can you find spiritual safety, salvation from your sins, this merciful and eternal deliverance from God’s wrath. “His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 2:12

Verse 2 talks about our enemies, those who are unrighteous and wicked. These unbelievers don’t fear God (Psalm 36:1), hate God and hate us (John 15:8), love to do evil (John 3:19), and don’t think God sees them. And they don’t want to be seen by people, and so they “shoot in darkness at the upright.” They work behind the scenes, try to stay hidden, and embed themselves with other people, for they do not want to be exposed (Eph. 5:11), stopped, and arrested for their evil activity. Psalm 10:8-11

The result, the cumulative effect of the enemies’ work is summed up in verse 3 – “the foundations are destroyed.” This is sobering and shocking, and is describing the present state of our country, that our spiritual foundations are being torn down. We may not have seen this coming, but this devastating work is clearly obvious. It’s now seen in our churches, families, schools, businesses, government, media, and music. Our laws, rules, morals, and values, that which hold us together, are being changed and replaced with that which is just plain godless, evil, and of the devil. “The mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2 Thess. 2:7). This should grieve and sadden our souls for, at this time in history, we are actually witnessing the foundations of our country being destroyed. “They know nothing… They walk about in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.” Psalm 82:5-8

The question I have, and assume most of you have, is then stated: “What can the righteous do?” What do we do about all the problems taking place, the pride, lies, hate, crime, violence, disrespect, and lawlessness in our country? What do we do when people say evil is good and good is evil? (Isaiah 5:20). Thankfully, God gives us the answers in vss. 4-6, and it’s not what the righteous are to do, but what God is doing. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of these few verses, for they will help you think rightly as you observe this evil on earth. And this evil will not just continue, but will increase, and then the Antichrist, that most lawless man, will come and rule the world, after which Christ will come to rapture the church, and then begin His 1000-year rule on this earth. Matt. 24:12, 2 Thess. 2:1-10

What are the answers? What do we need to know, understand, and believe? That God is not oblivious, ignorant, and just going “to sit on His hands” when it comes to the evil now being seen on these earth.
* 1st, God is in His holy temple, which means He is holy, supreme, and altogether different than those living on earth. He is pure, righteous, and hates man’s sin.
* 2nd, God is on His throne, which means He is sovereign, and that nothing happens that He does not allow or authorize. Man cannot do just what he wants, for God is in control and, by His power and wisdom, predestines the actions of man. Dan. 4:35
* 3rd, “His eyes behold.” God is omniscient, and sees and knows every single thing that the righteous and wicked are doing on this earth. Proverbs 15:3
* 4th, God doesn’t just see, but He tests, He examines both the wicked and the righteous, and this is for the purpose of judging, and then punishing or rewarding (Eccl. 12:14). And God hates those who love violence. This is strong language, but it’s the truth. Because God is holy, He hates those whom He knows will not turn from their sin and turn to Him for mercy and forgiveness.

But it’s not just that God hates sinful man but, because He is just, His punishing wrath must be poured out upon these unrighteous, unrepenting, unsaved sinners of the world. The language speaks of fire, the kind of fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, that will be seen during the day of the Lord, and that sinners will feel for all eternity. “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire… these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matt. 25:41,46

Finally, there’s verse 7, my favorite. “The Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” God is righteous, and He loves you, His righteous one, and the righteous things you do. Then there’s that encouraging and wonderful truth, that you “will behold His face.” As Christians, you know the Lord and have a relationship with Him, and by faith, you see Him now, but by sight, you will literally see Him in the future. It cannot get any better than this! Job 19:25-27, Psalm 17:15

These are powerful, life changing, grace and peace giving truths, and you need them today, and for your entire life, up until that time when you physically die, or are raptured, and taken to heaven. You shouldn’t be confused, upset, worried, sad, angry, or feel defeated about what’s going on in our country. Believe the truths of this little Psalm, that God is on His throne, that He is holy, sovereign, omniscient, righteous, and judges, and will punish the wicked, those who “freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men” (Psalm 12:8). Whether the enemy is attacking you or the foundations are being destroyed, always remember that God gives you refuge (vs. 1), and a relationship with Him that lasts forever (vs. 7).

P.S. I am not one to give you false hopes. I am compelled to tell you the truth about the last years of this church age, for God wants you to know what is going to happen, and to be ready for it. Here are two other posts that speak about our future – “It’s Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better” and “Christians Go Through Tribulation.”

Your Hope, Your Future, Your Reward

July 10, 2020 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #178 ~

THE SHORT VERSION:

1. It’s being with Jesus Christ.
2. It’s not being affected by any fleshly, worldly, or devilish thing.
3. It’s having a brand-new body.
4. It’s perfectly loving God and Jesus Christ.
5. It’s having a heavenly home.
6. It’s being with loved ones and others who are believers.
7. It’s receiving an incredible inheritance.
8. It’s being greatly rewarded.
9. It’s having a satisfying and God-glorifying purpose.
10. It’s seeing the glory of God displayed in heaven and on earth.
11. It’s having fullness of joy and experiencing pleasures forever.
12. It’s knowing God and Jesus Christ more fully.

THE LONG VERSION:

Do you want to be all that God wants you to be? Do you want to be a growing and godly Christian? Do you want to be a positive, forward-looking person? Do you want more joy and peace? Do you want to love God more? If so, one thing that will help is having hope. Many Christians are lacking in hope, and don’t even know what they are missing. They are focused on the present, on what is happening today, but they are not thinking about the future God has planned out for them. And they don’t see that having this hope, that being excited about God’s plans for their future, will help them be more fruitful and successful in the present.

How do we define hope? Hope is not a present reality but an expectation of a future reality. Hope, as a noun, is what you need to know about your future and, as a verb, it’s what you need to believe about your future. It’s knowing and seeing, by faith, God’s plans for your future. It’s what you don’t have now but are confident God will give you in the ages to come. It’s believing that God will continually show you His great love after you leave earth and are in heaven. 

What exactly is this hope?
1. It’s being with Jesus Christ. “… thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). Jesus, like no one else, has loved you and will always love you. He died for you and rose again, saving you from your sins, from the clutches of Satan, and from death itself. He’s your Savior and Redeemer, Lord and King, Brother and Friend. He can’t wait to be with you, and show His love and glory to you, and in ways you could never imagine – it won’t be long before you are literally with Him. Just think what it will be like when you first see Him, and He talks to you, and you talk to Him, and He tells you that He loves you. Job 19:25-27; John 14:3, 15:9, 17:24

2. It’s not being affected by any fleshly, worldly, or devilish thing. “He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning or crying or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). There will be no more sin, sorrow, sickness, death, trials, conflicts, worries, enemies, or persecution – how freeing and wonderful to not be affected by these things! Life can be hard, stressful and painful, but your hope is that everything and everyone in the future will be good, loving, and a blessing. Yes, there will be sin and evil during the millennial kingdom but it won’t personally affect you. Rev. 7:15-17

3. It’s having a brand-new body. “… the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:20-21). Your body is weak, sinful and mortal. Yes, it’s good enough for your life on earth, but it’s not at all adequate for your life in heaven and for eternity. Therefore, God will give every believer a new body, a powerful, immortal, glorious and spiritual body – and this will happen when Christ returns to rapture the church. Then you will be physically saved, and your salvation will be complete, and you will be fully able to eternally worship and serve the Lord, and give Him great glory. 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 2 Cor 5:1-8, 1 Thess. 5:23

4. It’s perfectly loving God and Jesus Christ. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). This is the great commandment! But now your love for God is sporadic, it’s not always wholehearted, it’s interrupted by sin, it’s definitely not what it should be. But not long from now you will be glorified, and with rapturous joy, you will more fully know and be filled up with His love for you. Then and forever, you will perfectly and continually love the Lord in a personal way and with others, and how God-exalting and soul-satisfying that will be! Psalm 145:1-2, 1 John 4:19, Rev. 5:13

5. It’s having a heavenly home. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). You now live in an earthly dwelling. It may be small or big, plain or lavish, cluttered or neat, but it’s temporal and wears out, and has to be cleaned, kept and maintained. But Jesus has made a home perfectly suited for you. It’s beautiful, spotless, furnished, practical, the most comfortable and relaxing place you could ever imagine. There you will be able to worship the Lord, fellowship with saints, have a meal, and live forever. Your home will be part of the new city, the heavenly city, one that will bring eternal glory to God and Jesus Christ. Psalm 84:1-4, Heb. 12:22-24, Rev. 21:10-23

6. It’s being with loved ones and others who are believers. “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exaltation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” (1 Thess. 2:19). One of the great blessings on earth is being with other Christians, especially ones you love and who love you. One of the great blessings of heaven is being with them again, and for all eternity. And so, don’t grieve too much when loved ones and friends leave this earth and go to heaven, for you will soon see them again. Your relationships with believers on earth continue in heaven, but then they will be perfect, with perfect love, communication, and fellowship, and all centered around Christ. You will also meet and enjoy the company of millions and millions of believers, like Moses, David, Esther, Nehemiah, Mary, Paul, Luther, Edwards, Spurgeon, etc. How wonderful and encouraging this will be! 2 Sam. 12:22-23, 2 Cor. 4:14, 1 Thess. 4:13-14

7. It’s receiving an incredible inheritance. “… to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away…” (1 Peter 1:3-4). None of us can fathom how much God wants to bless us in the future. Good parents give good things to their children, but that’s nothing compared to what God will give you in the future. Money, land, jewelry, and keepsakes are earthly inheritances, but our heavenly inheritance is infinitely better (1 Cor. 2:9). This inheritance, guaranteed to all God’s children, cannot be destroyed, is perfect, and will never lose its magnificence. We don’t know the exact nature of our inheritance, but it will be an expression of God’s gracious and perfect love for us. Not only that, but it’s “reserved in heaven for you.” Our inheritance, now kept safely in heaven, will be given to us at Christ’s coming. What a kind and generous Father we have! 

8. It’s being greatly rewarded. “He who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Cor. 3:8). God gives each believer an inheritance just because he is His child. But your reward is more than an inheritance, for it relates to your work for Him. Jesus tells us the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), that God gives you money and abilities you are to use to serve Him. This reward in heaven, your heavenly pay, relates directly to the quality of your work on earth, and how you faithfully used what God gave you. Do not forget, God will reward you for everything you say or do for Him. Part of this reward is the actual work you will be doing in the future. Hear what the master told his slave – “Do business with this until I come back… Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing – be in authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:13-17, Col. 3:23, Rev. 22:12

9. It’s having a satisfying and God-glorifying purpose. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” (Eph. 2:10). You won’t be just sitting in heaven playing a harp. God has specific plans for your life in the ages to come. You will be working for God, serving Him, doing what He wants you to do, and what you love to do. During the millennial kingdom, your work directly relates to reigning with Jesus Christ over this world. Exactly what this will look like, we don’t know, but it will be perfect, satisfying, and effortless work, that which will be good for others and a glory to God. Rev. 2:26, 5:10, 20:6

10. It’s seeing the glory of God displayed on earth. “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Habakkuk 2:14). We now live in an evil world controlled by the evil one. But the next age, the millennial kingdom age, will be one in which Jesus Christ will reign over the world. Then, with great satisfaction and joy, you will see the righteousness, peace, and glory of God. “God is the King of all the earth… God reigns over the nations” (Ps. 47:7-8). “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for Thou will judge the nations with uprightness, and guide the nations on the earth” (Ps. 67:4). “In His days, may the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon is no more” (Ps. 72:7). “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy” (Ps.  98:8). This is a small sampling of what the future, and your future, will look like. Just think – we will soon be reigning with Christ, and seeing His glory on earth! Psalm 150, Isaiah 6:3

11. It’s having fullness of joy and experiencing pleasures forever. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). Your heavenly Father will make sure you are always full of joy and gladness. Every day, and for all eternity, you will experience God’s goodness, be with Jesus, see His glory, have fellowship with the saints, and enjoy the beauty and pleasures of the world. You will never feel sad or down or lonely. Every day will be a good day, a delightful day, a perfect day, a most wonderful day. Jesus said, “I came that you might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In the future, you will always experience Jesus’ life to the full – and you will be rejoicing with gladness, exulting before God, and giving Him the glory He deserves. Ps. 68:3-4, John 7:38, 1 Thess. 5:16

12. It’s knowing God more fully. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life is knowing God, having an eternal relationship with Him. In the ages to come, you will keep growing in your knowledge of God, for He will continue to reveal Himself to you. You will increasingly know more about His love, wisdom, power, goodness, holiness, sovereignty, etc. (You will also be able to look back at your time on earth and see how God was specifically working in and through your life). You will learn more from God’s word, the word we have now, but don’t fully understand. You will learn more about Jesus, more about the angels and saints, and more about the world we live in. You will never grow tired of spending time with Jesus and seeing His glory, for your soul will be fully and always satisfied by Him. As a result, you will keep growing in your love and affection for Jesus. John 17:24, Rom. 11:33

This is a detailed summary of your hope, of God’s great and glorious plans for your life, which will begin to be realized at Christ’s return and then continue for all eternity. Your life on earth is usually 70, 80, 90 years or so, but eternity is forever and ever. It’s vitally important for you to see the big picture, that God’s hope for you will be fulfilled after your time on this earth, and during your everlastingly-long heavenly life, covering billions and billions and billions and billions of years, etc., etc., etc. We spend so much time thinking about this life, but you must understand the details of your incredible future, this eternal life that God will give you. 1 Thess. 1:1:9-10 tells you, “serve a living and true God,” and “wait for His Son.” You are to work for God now but you are to also be looking forward, and excitedly so, to that time when your God-planned and perfect future will be fulfilled. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13     

P.S. This written post was my Sunday morning message for July 12, 2020. If you get time, I would suggest that you listen to it, for it was quite expanded, and I believe you will find it most encouraging and motivating.

P.P.S. One of my greatest desires with this blog site is that you would grow in hope, that you would be super-excited about the incredible future God has planned out for you. If you have not yet done so, I would encourage you to read the last two posts – “Important Lessons on the Hope God Has For You,” and “When Life Is Hard, You Need Hope.”

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