Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

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There’s Hope for the World

March 4, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #270 ~

I was encouraged by a recent study in the Psalms that showed God working in the lives of Jewish believers. We learn that they had hope, they believed the Messiah was coming to rule and reign on this earth – and having this hope helped them live a godly life. God is now working in the lives of Christians, and we too are to have hope, to be looking forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, coming back to rapture the church and establish His kingdom on earth.

Let me look at these Psalms as it relates to hope:
Psalms 1-2 – There’s the juxtaposition of God working with individuals (Ps. 1) and God working with nations (Ps. 2). He blesses the righteous and punishes the unrighteous, both individuals and the entire world. And God gives us hope – “As for Me, I have installed My King on Zion, My holy mountain” (Ps. 2:6-8). In the near future, we will see the realization of our hope, for Jesus Christ will return to judge the wicked, and then reign over this world for 1,000 glorious years.

Psalm 9 – This is all about a rejoicing Psalmist and wicked nations. The Psalmist is thankful that God justly dealt with his own enemies, but he is also hopeful, for he knows that God will judge the nations, and then punish them by casting them into Sheol. “You have sat on the throne judging righteously… You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked… You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” Psalm 9:1-6

Psalm 11 – David is being chased by the wicked, and so he takes refuge in the Lord, knowing he will be delivered by Him. But he also has hope and it’s our hope too, that our holy God will rain fire, brimstone, and burning wind upon a world of sinners, and that He will forever bless us. “The Lord is righteous, and He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.” Psalm 11:7

Psalm 22 – Jesus Christ endured humiliation, great affliction, terrible pain, and then died on a cross. He knew that was the only way He could save millions and millions of sinners, and take back the world from Satan. So Jesus had hope. “All the families of the nations will worship before You. The kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:27-28

Psalm 33 – The Psalmist sings praises and gives thanks to God because His word is right and His work is being done. It was God’s work of creation, His work of watching over the world, His hope of God’s work with Israel (Ps. 33:11-12), and His work in his life and the lives of other believers. “The eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for your lovingkindness… our heart rejoices in Him because we trust in His holy name.” Psalm 33:18-22

Psalm 37 – David knew that believers were not to be afraid of the enemy but were to trust in God and do good, for He would rescue them. They also needed to know that God will judge the wicked (Ps. 37:12-15) and bless the righteous, which is in the future – “The humble will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity” (Ps 37:11). This is true for Christians too.

Psalm 46 – Whenever we have problems, whether big or small, we are not to be afraid but are to trust God and take refuge in Him. We can do this because God is loving, powerful, sovereign, and He is always with us. Soon enough, He will put an end to wars and earthquakes, and Christ will return to rapture the church, judge His enemies, and reign over the world – and this is our hope! “Cease striving and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations.” Psalm 46:10

Psalm 67 – “Let the peoples praise You, O God… God blesses us that all the ends of the earth may fear Him” (Ps. 67:5-7). This promise is for both the Jewish people and the church. God blessed the Jews in the past and is blessing the church in the present, and our hope is that Christ will be ruling the world in the future, during the millennial kingdom. Then all believers, both Jews and Gentiles, will be supremely blessed, resulting in all the ends of the earth fearing and praising God.

Psalm 86 – David, a godly man, is being persecuted and he cries out to God, and experiences His grace, goodness, love, and comfort, for which he is very thankful. But David, seeing the future, has hope, knows better days are ahead. He says, “All nations… shall come and worship before You, O Lord,” which we now know takes place during the millennial kingdom. Psalm 86:9, Isaiah 2:1-4

Psalm 102 – A sad and severely afflicted Psalmist is praying to God. The answer is hope, for God enables the Psalmist to get his eyes off himself and on His plans for the future, when He has mercy on Israel, when the Lord appears and builds up Zion. This occurs during the kingdom age, when “the peoples and kingdoms are gathered together to serve the Lord.” Psalm 102:18-22

Psalm 105 – The characters in this chapter are involved in God’s plan to fulfill His promise to Israel – “He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘to you I will give the land of Canaan.’” (Ps. 105:10-11). Like the Israelites of old, God has given you your own part and place in history, and He has given you hope. In the ages to come, you will share in God’s promise to Israel. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:3

Psalm 121 – The Psalmist is thinking about how God is keeping and protecting him. He’s also thinking about God’s greater purposes, His plans for Israel, and that God will keep and bless them in the future, which he knows includes himself. “The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (Ps. 121:8). This hope is for all believers. John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:3-5

Psalm 125 – God’s goodness and protection is upon individual believers, those who trust in the Lord, but it’s also upon Jerusalem, upon Mount Zion, “which cannot be moved but abides forever” (Ps. 125:1). The promises in this Psalm pertain to the city of God and the people of God and will be fulfilled in the kingdom age to come. “The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” Psalm 125:1-2

Psalm 131 – God was working in the life of a believer and in the nation of Israel. Just as a believer is to be humble and trust in the Lord, so too, the nation of Israel is to trust, is to hope in the Lord. “O Israel, hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forever” (Ps. 121:3). Hebrews 11:39-40 makes it clear that this hope for the future is for both Jewish believers and the church.

Psalm 138 – King David is thankful for God’s love, truth, and strength. But he knows life is not just about him, for the time will come when “all the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord (Psalm 138:4). God works in the lives of the lowly and the kings, and His purpose, and our hope is for all people to glorify Him forever. “Your lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 138:8

Psalm 145 – David is committed to praising his gracious and loving Lord forever, but he also knows that all believers will be blessing His name forever. This is the kingdom work of God and is our hope and our future. “I will praise Your name forever and ever” (Ps. 145:2). “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Ps. 145:13). “All flesh will bless His name forever.” Psalm 145:21

Here are some take-aways from these Psalms:
* These Psalms talk about God’s work in individual lives, ones who were afflicted, persecuted, struggling, and fearful. But they cried out to God, trusted God, rejoiced, and were thankful. And we can all relate, for God is now at work in our lives, helping us to live wholeheartedly for Him.

* The people in these Psalms lived for God and had hope, and their hope helped them to live for Him. We too need hope if we are to live rightly and strongly for God – we need to look forward to Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge His enemies, and set up His kingdom on earth. 

* God’s work in these believers was related to His work in the world at large. The same is true for you – like a puzzle piece, you are an important part of the big picture. God’s present-day work in you is part of His comprehensive plan to bring about Christ’s return. Be glad that you are part of God’s plan to send Christ to rapture the church and then reign over the world.

* We looked at all these Psalms that talked about hope, but you need to realize that there are many more passages, hundreds of verses in the Old and New Testaments that describe our hope, that clearly tell us our future.

* While the believers in these Psalms lived over 2500 years ago and had hope, we live in the end-times and we also have hope, knowing that it won’t be that long – 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years??!! – before our hopes are realized, before we see Jesus Christ coming back to take us to Himself and to heaven.

So how should you live? Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30). Have faith in God (Luke 18:8). Pray for the coming of Christ and His kingdom (Matt. 6:10). Seek first the kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:33). Be involved in a church that is making disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Be filled with hope. “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 Spirit.” Romans 15:13

P.S. This past Sunday our church was greatly blessed and sobered to hear Bob Hunt from Zion’s Hope speak about “The Collapse of a Nation.” Bob’s text was Isaiah 9-10, and these passages along with many examples from the United States of America, make it very clear that this country is in severe moral decline, is in grave danger. I strongly encourage you to listen to this message.

the machine-enhanced body or THE GOD-GLORIFIED BODY

February 18, 2023 /

~ A Saturday Morning Post #269 ~

By Steven J. Hogan

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

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

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

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

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

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

God gives us a great number of verses on your new glorified body, and here are most of them:
* Job 19:25-27 – “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.”
* Luke 20:34-36 – “Jesus said to them, ‘The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.’”
* John 5:21 – “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
* John 11:25-26 – “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”
* Romans 8:19 – “The anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God… we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoptions as sons, the redemption of our body.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 4, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #268 ~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Absent From the Body and At Home with the Lord

January 24, 2023 /

By Steve Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #267 ~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subject Index for this Prophecy Blogsite

January 14, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #266 ~

This elongated post is different than all the others for it’s a site directory, an alphabetized list of 25 subjects, followed by the titles of most of the posts I’ve written on each one. There are three reasons for this post:
1. If you are new to this blog site, you may be somewhat overwhelmed by all the different blog posts. Looking at the different subjects should make it easier to decide where you want to start reading.
2. This post is designed to help those interested in studying out one particular prophecy subject, whether that it’s in the present or the future.
3. To help you grow in your personal life as a Christian. Under “Living for God in the End-Times” you will find a number of posts specifically written to help you be living a godly life in these final years leading up to Christ’s Coming.

Under the “Archives” tab, you will find another subject index, and this too will be helpful in your study of end-times’ prophecy. May the Lord continue to teach you truths from His word on this most important subject. Then you will be a better watchmen, and more equipped to pass these timely truths on to others. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.” Matthew 24:45-46

Antichrist: (42) “The Antichrist is Coming Soon, and It’s Before the Coming of Christ”, (45) “From Many Religions to the Antichrist and One-World Religion”, (78) “That Evil Antichrist and His Short Rule on Earth” , (79) “Reasons for the Rise and Rule of the Antichrist” , (80) “The Mark of the Beast” , (121) “Antichrist Revealed and Then the Rapture” , (122) “The Antichrist Tries to Take Christ’s Place” , (123) “Presidents, Prime Ministers… Antichrist and Jesus Christ”, (193) “Questions and Answers About the Antichrist”

Bible Prophecy Passages: (175) “Psalm 2”, (179) “Psalm 11”, (134) “Psalm 47”, (148) “Micah”, (10) “Matthew 24”, (62) “Matthew 24”, (144) “Luke 21”, (197) “Romans 8:17-39”, (181) “Romans 11”, (235) “Ephesians 1”, (237) “Philippians”, (104) “Colossians 3:3-4”, (188) “1 Thess.”, (118) “1 Thess. 4:13-18”, (119) “1 Thess. 5:1-11“, (120) “2 Thess. 1”, (121) “2 Thess. 2:1-4”, (122) “2 Thess. 2:3-7“, (152) “Hebrews 11”, (147) “1 Peter 1:3-13”, (145) “Revelation 2-3”, (11) “Revelation 6”, (84) “Revelation 12”

Big Picture: (23) “The Divine Time-Table – Daniel’s 70 Weeks”, (38) “World History and International Studies”, (49) “First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming”, (66) “The Big Picture – The Present Age and the Age to Come”, (140) “From Earth to Heaven and Back Again”, (232) “Four Ages and Four Earths”, (235) “Ephesians 1 – A Big Picture Prophecy Passage”

Christmas and Prophecy: (49) “First Coming to Second Coming to Church Age”, (99) “The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming”, (149) “Christmas Is More than Baby Jesus”, (201) “The True Meaning of Christmas”, (233) “It’s Not Just About Baby Jesus”, (264) “When I Think of Christmas…”

Church: (25) “Why the Jews Are Important for You and the Church”, (41) “The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the Nations – Then Christ Will Return”, (107) “Christ and the Church in the End-Times”, (128) “The World, the Church, and the King”, (143) “Why Don’t Churches Teach on Prophecy?”, (145) “End-Times’ Instructions for the Church”

Coming of Christ: (1) “Christ is Coming Again and He’s Coming Soon”, (46) “The Coming of Christ and the Triumph of the Church”, (69) “When is Christ Coming Back?”, (75) “What Will Happen When Christ Comes Back?”, (77) “Why Is Jesus Christ Coming Back?”, (85) “Christ is Coming for Both the Christians and the Jews”, (89) “Christ the King is Coming”, (174) “Christ is Coming Again, and Soon”, (192) “Questions and Answers About Christ’s Second Coming”, (200) “Is Jesus Christ Coming Again?”, (212) “Christ is Coming Back to Earth, and Soon”, (251) “Christ’s Coming – What You Need to Know”

Day of the Lord: (15) “The Day of the Lord and the Wrath of God on Earth”, (120) “Relief or Retribution – 2 Thess. 1”, (216) “Eating, Drinking, Being Merry – And Suddenly, Shockingly…”, (214) “Rescued from the Punishing Day of the Lord”, (215) “They Are Scared to Death”, (217) “The Fierce and Deadly Day of the Lord”, (254) “The Day of the Lord – God’s Righteous Wrath”, (255) “The Day of the Lord – the Destructive, Deadly Wrath of God”

End-Times: (12) “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”, (27) “How Do We Know We Live in the End-Times?”, (73)“Truths You Need to Know About the End-Times”, (125) “The Order of End-Time Events”, (126) “Earthquakes and the End-Times”, (145) “Revelation 2-3: End-Time Instructions for the Church”, (206) “Sinners and Saints in the End-Times”, (242) “The World Is Having Birth Pains”, (256) “Holy, Wholly Living in the End-Times”, (263) “Filling in the End-Times” Outline”

Glory of God: (29) “The Glory of God – The Most Important Thing of All”, (30) “More on the Glory of God, the Most Important Thing of All”, (134) “Worshiping the KING – The Greatest Celebration Ever”, (184) “Jews and Gentiles Unitedly Glorifying God”

Gospel of Jesus Christ: (28) “The Most Important Thing for You”, (41) “The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the Nations – Then Christ Will Return”, (94) “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God”, (114) “How to Defeat Death and Live Forever”, (241) “Death and Life in the End-Times”, (244) “The Answer to Death is Christ’s Resurrection”

Hope: (87) “In a Wicked World You Need Hope”, (112) “You Need Hope to Get Through Life”, (113) “Your Great Hope and Most Glorious Future”, (115) “Hope: The Who, What, When, How, and Why”, (116) “The Best Is Yet to Come”, (117) “Converging Hopes for Jewish and Gentile Believers”, (176) “When Life Is Hard, You Need Hope”, (177) “Important Lessons on the Hope God Has for You!”, (178) “Your Hope, Your Future, Your Reward”, (207) “The Believer’s Brand-New Body – Amen!”, (238) “Hope – Embedded in God’s Word, and in Your Heart”, (253) “Being in Heaven with Jesus and All the Believers”

Jewish People: (17) “The Suspension of God’s Plans for the Jews”, (19) “A Short Summary of God’s Work With the Jews”, (21) “Unfinished Business”, (22) “A Jewish Reading Lesson”, (25) “Why the Jews Are Important For You and the Church”, (37) “The Most Important Country in the World and It’s Not the United States”, (40) “The Persecution of the Jews from Pharaoh to the Antichrist”, (44) “God’s Plans for the Jews from Now to the Coming of Christ”, (83) “The Jews – Their Past, Present, and Glorious Future”, (85) “Christ is Coming for Both the Church and the Jews”, (183) “The New Testament  Tells Us God’s Plans for the Jews”, (260) “God’s Plans for the Jewish People Have NOT Been Cancelled”, (261)“God Keeps His Plans for the Jewish People”

Kingdom of God: (91) “The Kingdom of God”, (92) “The King in Your Heart and His Kingdom on Earth”, (93) “Kingdom Instructions for the Church”, (94) “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God”, (95) “God’s Kingdom Work”, (96) “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, (132) “Christ’s Kingdom is Coming”, (185) “The Coming Kingdom Age, 1000 Years of Glory”, (186) “Clear and Compelling Evidence for the Coming Kingdom”, (191) “A New Earth for the Coming Kingdom”, (195) “Questions and Answers About the Coming Kingdom”, (257) “What We Need In This World Is the King”

Living for God in the End-Times: (47) “God Will Keep You Strong to the End”, (54) Your Journey to the End – A Straight Road to Glory”, (67) “An Overview of Your Christian Life”, (71) “Journeying to the End to Be With Jesus”, (81) “Promises From a Loving Father to His Children”, (100) “Loving the Lord and Longing to See Him”, (104) “Your Entire Christian Life”, (108) “Christ-like Character God Wants You to Have”, (129) “The Right Way to Think About Your Life”, (142) “God Is in Charge of Your Life”, (150) “Loving God Today, Tomorrow, and Forever”, (169) “Being Spiritually and Emotionally Strong”, (187) “What Keeps Me Going to the End?”, (203) “Keys to Living for the Lord”, (210) “When Christ Comes, Will He Find Faith on the Earth?”, (228) “How To Keep Going for God?”, (250) “Singing – A Key to Sound Christian Living”, (256) “Holy, Wholly Living in the End-Times”

Millennial Kingdom: (96) “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, (130) “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”, (135) “A People-Blessing, God-Glorifying Kingdom”, (185) “The Coming Kingdom Age, 1000 Years of Glory”, (191) “A New Earth for the Kingdom Age”, (195) “Questions and Answers About the Coming Kingdom Age”

Persecution and Tribulation: (48) “The Persecution of the Church Before the Coming of Christ”, (57) “Christians Go Through Tribulation”, (58) “Christians Will Go Through Great Tribulation”, (120) “Relief or Retribution”, (138) “The Glory of Suffering for Jesus”, (139) “Suffering for Jesus in the End-Times”

Rapture: (5) “The Rapture of the Church at the Second Coming of Christ”, (6) “The Rapture, A Love Story”, (55) “The Timing of the Rapture”, (56) “The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ”, (64) “The Immediate and Incredible Results of the Rapture”, (76) “When Does the Rapture Take Place?”, (103) “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church”, (154) “What Happens When Christians are Raptured?”, (155) “Why the Rapture Is Not Imminent”, (156) “The Rapture Won’t Happen Until…”

Resurrection: (13) “The Resurrection and the Rapture of the Believers”, (61) “Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come”, (118) “The Resurrection and the Rapture – 1 Thess. 4:13-18”, (211) “The Resurrection: Death to Life in Spirit – and Body”, (244) “The Answer to Death is Christ’s Resurrection”

Revelation: (11) “The Seals of Revelation 6 – The Storm Before the Son”, (80) “The Mark of the Beast”, (84) “Revelation 12 – The Jews, the Devil, and Our Victorious God”, (97) “Revelation, the Bridge from This Age to the Next Age”

Rewards: (219) “God Really Wants to Reward You”, (220) “Earthly Work that Results in Heavenly Rewards”, (221) “Your Reward is the Lord”, (222) “The Truth About Rewards, the Heavenly Prize”, (223) “Winning the Gold for the Glory of God”

Sin Is the Problem: (111) “A Sin-Wrecked World and the Coming of Christ”, (173) “Murder, Looting, and Anarchy – It’s Sin”, (206) “Sinners and Saints in the End-Times”, (209) “The Worst Lies and the Most Important Truth”, (229) “What’s Wrong with the United States?” (230) “What’s Wrong with This World?”, (249) “How Can We Live in This Sinful World?”

Special End-Time Subjects: (9) “Deception or Discernment”, (24) “Daniel’s 70th Week”, (74) “Immigration: As It Is, They Desire a Better Country”, (109) “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times”, (126) “Earthquakes and the End-Times”, (136) “JC Ryle’s Prophetic Creed”, (157) “The Coronavirus, Plagues, and the End-Times”, (160) “The Coronavirus – Fear and Panic, or Faith and Peace”, (209) “The Worst Lies and the Most Important Truth”, (213) “Holy Communion – From Christ’s Cross to Christ’s Crown”, (215) “They Are Scared to Death”, (236) “Marv Rosenthal – A Servant of God”, (239) “Russia at War Against Ukraine”, (247) “Baby Formula Shortage, Food Scarcity, Famine, and Thanksgiving”, (252) “My Top Thirty Charts Help You See the Future”, (259) “For Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers”

United States: (37) “The Most Important Country in the World and It’s Not the United States”, (39) “The Downfall of the United States Before the Return of Christ”, (72) “The United States, North Korea, and Peace on Earth”, (170) “The Pandemic, the U.S. Decline, and the End-Times”, (171) “Don’t Get Mad at the Government – Trust God”, (205) “A Troubled Country”, (229) “What’s Wrong With the United States?”

When Is Christ Coming Back?: (16) “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?”, (27) “How Do We Know We Live in the End-Times?”, (36) “The World Is Now in Labor – This Means Christ Is Coming Soon”, (55) “The Timing of the Rapture”, (56) “The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ”, (68) “Reflections on the Timing of Christ’s Return”, (69) “When Is Christ Coming Back?”, (70) “What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return?”, (76) “When Does the Rapture Take Place?”, (125) “The Order of End-Time Events”, (151) “Forecasting the Future of the World”, (153) “When Is Christ Returning to Rapture the Church?”, (155) “Why the Rapture Is Not Imminent”, (156) “The Rapture Won’t Happen Until…”, (159) “Step By Step Till We See Jesus”, (198) “The Reason We Know Christ Is Coming Soon”, (212) “Christ Is Coming Back to Earth, and Soon”

Working for God in the End-Times: (12) “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”, (18) “Do Business Until I Come”, (98) “Make Ready the Way of the Lord”, (158) “Being a Watchman for the Church in the End-Times”, (227) “Working for God While Waiting for Christ”

P.S. I am very, very thankful that God told us ahead of time all that He wants to know about the end-times, the return of Christ, and the ages to come. Be a good student and learn all that God wants you to know – and then you will be more excited about the future God has for you, and more excited about telling others.

God’s Plans for 2023

January 1, 2023 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #265 ~

What will God do in 2023? He will carry out His plans for you and every person, family, church, and country in the world. He knows exactly what He’s going to do, and it relates directly to His word, and to His will, what He decreed in eternity past. “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure” (Is. 46:10). That God will do what He has planned to do is so important and extremely encouraging. We can’t trust people, but we can trust God. More than you realize, God will fulfill His plans for you, the church, Israel, and the entire world. “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations… the counsel of the Lord stands forever.” Psalm 33:10-11

What God does this year must be seen in view of the fact that we live in the end-times. The two-minute warning has already been given. All that God does, every single thing that happens, somehow relates to the end of this age and the coming of Christ. God is continually and carefully putting each piece of His global end-times’ puzzle into place, and soon enough we “will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

I am going to tell you what God will be doing in 2023, and I’m not saying I had a special vision from God, I’m not sharing something “new” that no one else knows. I’m only passing on to you what God has specifically told us in His word, or that which is a necessary prerequisite to the fulfillment of His prophetic word. Here are some of God’s plans with regards to four areas, the unsaved, the saved, the church, and the world.

The unsaved, the sinners, the unbelievers
* In eternity past, God chose who would get saved, who would become His children. This year many unbelievers, because of their repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, will be born again and become members of God’s family. John 3:1-21, Eph. 1:4-7
* Most unbelievers will continue in sin and continue to harden their hearts against God. But God is sovereign, allowing them to sin only in the way that He wants, only in a way that is part of His end-times’ plan for planet earth, and only that which results in Him being glorified. Romans 9:17 
* Sinners will be used by God to help fulfill His work on this earth. For example, they will play a key role in God’s spiritual training of the saved, for the saved will learn to love and trust God, to share His truth, and to be forgiving, patient, persevering, and hoping. Gen. 50:20, Rom. 8:28
* Some of the unsaved who remain unsaved will physically die this year and be immediately taken from this earth. They will go straight to hell, a place of indescribable pain and the blackest darkness. Matt. 25:30,41,46; Luke 16:24

The saved, the believers, the Christians
* God will be raising up worshipers and workers. Psalm 145, Matt 9:36-38
* Believers are God’s workmanship. He will daily and faithfully work in their lives, teaching and enabling them to love Him, be fruitful, and be God-glorifying. Psalm 115:1, Eph. 2:10
* God will help believers grow in faith, love, hope, holiness, and wisdom. 1 Thess. 5:8-22 
* God will teach Christians to walk with the Spirit, be filled with the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, and have fellowship with the Spirit. Gal. 5:16, Eph. 5:18, Rom. 8:17, 2 Cor. 13:14
* God will be teaching individual Christians truths from His word. John 8:32, 16:13, 17:17
* God will train Christians to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and He will open many doors for the gospel. Matt. 5:13-16, Col. 4:3
* God will ordain specific trials for believers, to discipline them, teach them His word, and provide opportunities for the gospel. Deut. 8, Ps. 119:71, Phil. 1:12-14
* God will sovereignly allow millions of believers around the world to be persecuted, and it’s all according to His plan and for His purposes and glory. 1 Peter 2:20-22, 3:14, 4:12-19, 5:10
* God will take many of His children home to heaven. Psalm 116:15, Phil. 1:21

The church, the body of Jesus Christ
* Jesus Christ will build His church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18
* Christ will raise up leaders for His churches, ones who shepherd the believers and teach them His word. Eph. 4:12-13, 2 Tim. 4:1-4, 1 Peter 5:2
* Christ will be working in His churches, teaching them to be holy, united, and loving. Eph. 4:1-24
* Christ will give His churches grace and peace, and enable them to go on in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Spirit. Acts 9:31, Ephesians 1:2
* Christ has ordained that some of His churches be greatly persecuted. 1 Peter 4:12-19
* Christ will enable churches around the world to be preaching the gospel and making disciples, resulting in the growth of the church. Matthew 16:18, 24:14, 28:19-20
* The entire church, the spiritual dwelling of God, will continue to be fitted and built together by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
* Christ will be protecting individual believers and His churches from the enemy. 2 Timothy 4:18
* By Dec. 31, 2023, we will be one year closer to the end of the age and to that time when the church is raptured from this earth and taken to Christ. Matt. 24:31, 1 Thess. 4:17

The world
* We will continue to hear about birth pains in various parts of the world – and some will experience them, these wars, earthquakes, plagues, famines, and economic distress. And many will die because of them. Matt. 24:4-8, 28; Luke 21:9-11; Rev. 6:1-8
* Lawlessness will continue to increase in countries all over the world. Matt. 24:12, 2 Tim. 3:13
* There will continue to be a reshaping, realigning, and repositioning of nations. The United States, because of all her sin, is now being judged by God and therefore, will keep declining in power. This will eventually lead to an Antichrist-led empire that will rule the entire world. Dan. 7:23-27, Rev. 13:1-8, Rev. 17:11-13
* There will be continued and increasing persecution against both Jews and Christians. But God will enable the Christians to endure, to persevere. Matt. 24:9-28, Mark 13:9-13 
* God, “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 earth”, will continue to work “all things after the counsel of His will to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:9-11, Romans 8:28-30. Notice that it says, “all things”, which means God is sovereignly working through all events, people, animals, things, leaders, and countries to the end that Christ will be glorified in the entire world. Isaiah 46:9-11

God, because He is holy, faithful, loving, powerful, and sovereign, will be fulfilling His word and His will this coming year. He will be carrying out His above stated plans in the lives of believers, unbelievers, the church, and the world around us, all leading to Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and begin His glorious reign on earth. I pray that you are excited about seeing God’s work in 2023, and that you keep working for Him, keep watching what’s He’s doing in the world, and keep waiting “for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1 Thess. 1:10, Mark 13:34

P.S. As we start a brand new year, here are a few other posts to read that talk about the future: “Prophecy is Predicting the Future”, “Bible Prophecy Enables Us to See the Future”, and “Forecasting the Future of the World.” Have a most blessed and God-glorifying year.

When I Think of Christmas…

December 20, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #264 ~

I think of Jesus Christ when I think of Christmas, not the worldly, materialistic, and made-up one. And Christmas is not just about baby Jesus – there is so much more…

I think of Christmas being about Jesus Christ, not food, family, presents, vacations, and secular songs. That “the Word became flesh” means that Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man, an amazing, wonderful, most important miracle. John 1:14

I think of a world that does not know Jesus, and does not understand the spiritual truth and relevance, the real meaning of Christmas, but instead uses this special season for physical and commercial purposes, for the fleshly desires of man instead of for the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31

I think of how Jesus was like each of us, a little baby, 7 or 8 pounds or so, with arms and legs and fingers and toes – and He was dependent on His mother and father, but much more so, on His heavenly Father. Psalm 22:9-10, Luke 2:7

I think of Jesus, and He was not like us, for He was God in the flesh. And not having a sin nature, He never sinned. As the “Holy One”, He was perfect in all He thought, said, or did. Mark 1:24

I think of Jesus existing in the “form of God” since eternity past, but on Christmas He “became flesh”, was “made in the likeness of men”, an incredible miracle we call the incarnation. And that was just the beginning, for Jesus humbled Himself and became a “bond-servant”, a slave, and in fact, the lowest of men, for He died in the worst way, as a criminal and on a cross. But it was for a reason, to save man from his sins and from eternal death, with the result that Jesus was “highly exalted” and His Father was greatly glorified. Philippians 2:5-11

I think of how Jesus was born to live with man, One we call Immanuel, “God with us”. He went from being a baby to a toddler to a young boy to a teenager to a young man to a man. For three years, Jesus ministered to people, He “dwelt among us, and we saw His glory”. Then He died for us, rose again, and ascended into heaven to be with His Father. It won’t be long before Jesus comes back to earth, and then we will see Him and be with Him forever. Hallelujah! Matt. 1:23, John 1:14, John 14:1-3

I think of God’s character being clearly displayed at Jesus’ birth and during His first coming – His love, power, holiness, goodness, wisdom, sovereignty, etc. Therefore, God was glorified and worshiped! Luke 2:9, 14, 20, 32

I think of Jesus becoming a baby, becoming human flesh, and how it shows the great and marvelous love of God for each one of us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave us His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I think of Jewish people in those days looking for a King, and they were correct in their understanding of Jesus being a King, and were excited about the prospect of Jesus being their King (Luke 19:38). But most did not recognize Jesus as their Savior, as the only One who could take away their sins. “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

I think of Satan’s strong and continued opposition to Jesus’ birth, summarized in Rev. 12:1-5. Six different evil empires over the course of 2,000 years tried to wipe out Israel, but they were all unsuccessful. God’s plans for the birth of Jesus were never thwarted, for Israel “was with child, and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth… but she gave birth to a son, a male child.” Psalm 33:10-12

I think of those God chose to be involved in Jesus’ birth and early years on earth. There were the angels, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and the Magi, and many others we don’t even know about. All were blessed to be part of the most important birth on earth – but consider this, that those of us alive at this time are also blessed, for we are God’s chosen servants in these last years leading up to Christ’s 2nd coming. Mark 13:34, John 15:16

I think of Christmas being about baby Jesus, but more than that, it led to His ministry years on earth, to His death, resurrection, and ascension, to shepherding the church – and at this time, to His return to rapture the church, judge the wicked, reign over the restored earth during the millennial kingdom, and over the new heavens and earth with His Father in the eternal kingdom. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matt. 19:28

I think how we are much, much closer to Christ’s 2nd coming than His 1st coming. But keep both in mind, remembering that Christ’s work to save souls at His 1st coming will result in their salvation being completed at His 2nd coming, at which time God will give all believers glorified bodies. Jesus was born to die, but was raised again to redeem sinful man, and “when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 40-42

I think how God had all the details of His Son’s birth planned out, the time, the place, Joseph and Mary and many others, the census, the Satanic opposition, etc. Nothing was left to chance, for it was all part of God’s wise, holy, perfect, and glorious plan. Isaiah 46:9-11, Luke 2

I think how God predicted specific aspects of His Son’s birth long before it happened, for He wanted His people to be looking forward to His coming (Gen. 9:10, Deut. 18:15, Is. 7:14, Is. 9:6a, Mic. 5:2). So too, God has predicted many aspects of Christ’s 2nd coming, for in these days, He wants all Christians to be looking forward to His return. Matt. 24:3-31, 1 Thess. 4:15-17, Rev. 7:9-14

I think how in these end-times, all true Christians rightfully and joyfully look back at Christ’s first coming and see Jesus as a Savior, but sadly, most Christians are not expecting and looking forward to His second coming, to seeing and being with Jesus the King. Might we rightfully and joyfully sing – “Joy to the World, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King… Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns; let men their songs employ… No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground… He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.” From “Joy to the World”

I think how the Son of God, as a baby and a servant, came humbly, quietly, and secretly to the little town of Bethlehem. And the Son of God will come again, as a man and a King, this time in the sky and in power and great glory, with the trumpet of God and the voice of the archangel, and “every eye will see Him” (Rev. 1:7). “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.” Rev. 12:5, Matt. 24:30-31, 1 Thess. 4:16

I think how Jesus was born to be a Savior (Psalm 22), but also to be a Shepherd (Psalm 23), a King (Psalm 24), and a Judge (John 5:22, Acts 17:31).

I think of how Christmas needs to be personal, and it is to me, for Jesus is my Savior, my Lord, my Shepherd, and my King. And I do love Him and rejoice in Him and trust Him and learn from Him and submit to Him and talk to Him and pray to Him and thank Him – and I cannot wait to see Him. “After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:26-27

Think about Christmas and Jesus Christ, and what it really means, how it should greatly affect your life, the church, and the world. And think how it won’t be long before Christ’s second coming, and all believers will forever be with Him in heaven and on earth (Rev. 21:1-7). “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among men!” Luke 2:14

P.S. Here are some Christmas posts from the past – “First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming”. “The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming”, “Christmas is More than Baby Jesus”, “The True Meaning of Christmas”. May the Lord bless you and your family during this Christmas season, in the new year, and forever more. Psalm 23:6

Filling in the End-Times’ Outline

December 10, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #263 ~

I’m so glad to be alive at this time in history, in these end-times, for we know that Jesus Christ is coming soon! Some say His coming is imminent, that He can return at any moment, but that’s not true, for God has told us many things that must occur before the end of this age and before the return of His Son (Mark 13:23). I’ve told you these things in the past, but I will share them again, for God’s plans for the future need to be firmly planted in your mind and heart.

Here is God’s end-times’ outline, what needs to happen before Christ comes back:
* There will be more false Christs, false teachers, and false prophets. Matt. 24:5, 11, 24
* Birth pains (earthquakes, famines, plagues, and wars) will be occurring. Matt. 24:4-8
* There will be a great apostasy resulting in believers being betrayed. Matt. 24:10, 2 Thess. 2:3
* Lawlessness will be increasing all over the world. Matt. 24:12, 2 Thess. 2:11-12
* A Jewish temple will be built in Jerusalem. Matt. 24:15, 2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 11:1-2
* This temple will be desecrated – there will be “the abomination of desolation.” Matt. 24:15
* The Antichrist (beast) will be revealed, worshiped, and begin ruling the world. Rev. 13:3-8
* The Antichrist will cause people to worship his image and take his mark. Rev. 13:11-17
* The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to all the nations. Matt. 24:14, 28:19-20
* Both Jews and Christians will be greatly persecuted. Matt. 24:9, 16-22; Rev. 12:14-17
* Millions will be dying because of “birth pains” and “great tribulation”. Matt. 24:28, Rev. 6:1-9
* The end of this age will be marked by a massive earthquake, and by great signs in the heavens which will result in the world going dark. Matt. 24:3, 29; Rev. 6:12-14
* The coming of Christ and the rapture of the church will happen immediately after the end of the age. Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Thess. 4:15-17

God wants you to know these prophecies that must occur before Christ’s coming. As I’ve been watching the world around us, some of these things have already been happening. And I’ve been seeing other things that relate to, connect, or must precede the above signs, events, and conditions, things that are filling in this end-time’s outline. And I’m saying, “Wow!!!” More than ever before, God’s prophetic word is being fulfilled, giving us confidence that it won’t be long before Christ appears. (Heb. 10:25, 37). Here are some things I’ve been seeing and hearing:

* “Nation will rise against nation… There will be great earthquakes and in various places plagues and famines” (Luke 21:10-11). Fuel, fertilizer, and labor shortages, along with supply chain issues are leading to food shortages and famines in various parts of the world. Wars will continue to exist and there will be more earthquakes and plagues, just like God said in His word. Matt. 24:25

* “Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). Our country has become terribly and increasingly sinful and lawless in the past 20 years. Vicious assaults occur in broad daylight. Blatant smash and grab robberies are happening. The unborn are still being killed. There are more murders. There’s a tremendous lack of respect for people. Human trafficking is increasing. Massive government corruption is occurring. Women are becoming men and men are becoming women??!! There’s hate and greed. Truth is lacking, and there are all kinds of lies. Most people don’t love God, but instead love themselves, money, food, sports, pleasure, and all kinds of idols. And it will only get worse. Is. 59:14-15, Amos 6:4-7, 1 Cor. 10:7, 2 Tim. 3:1-4

* “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power…’” (Job 1:6-12, 1 John 5:19). Seeing the escalating evil makes me think that God has given Satan more freedom to promote sin and carry out wickedness. And it’s God’s judgment upon our country, and part of His end-times’ strategy. The other day I read a flyer promoting an elementary school club in Chesapeake, Virginia. It said, “Hey kids, let’s have fun at (an) after school Satan club.” But remember, God is sovereignly and purposefully allowing Satan to do what He wants him to do. Romans 9:17

* “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity… to degrading passions… to a depraved mind” (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28). Sexual perversion of the worst sort is occurring in our country, the sodomization of our society, and our children too. This gross and grave sexual sin is accepted and applauded by many, promoted by a few, and legalized by our lawmakers. It’s clear evidence of the depravity in our country, and that we will soon be removed from our position as the world’s #1 superpower. As most of you know, the moral decline and downfall of the United States must take place before the Antichrist can come to power and begin ruling the world. 

* “He causes all… to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark” (Rev. 13:16-17). Nations are becoming more authoritative and totalitarian. And their plan is to use recent technological advances to control people, advances that have to do with artificial intelligence, smart phones, digital ID’s, vaccine passports, surveillance systems, chip implants, social credit scores, and digital currencies. (The United States recently began working on an experimental currency, the Central Bank Digital Currency). Don’t you think this technology will sooner or later lead to the development and implementation of the mark of the beast, the means by which the Antichrist will control people? Isn’t it also true that people will get use to these advances in technology, for they will seem like they are necessary, and are making life easier? As one person recently said, “The time will come when we can’t live without the mark of the beast.”

* “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matt. 24:9). In the past few years, we’ve been witnessing the arrests and jailing of political enemies, of “domestic terrorists”. It won’t be long before Christians, labeled as “Christian nationalists” or “Christian terrorists”, will be looked upon as one of the main reasons for our country’s problems. It’s obvious that the stage is being set for an open war on Christianity, for the predicted and unjust persecution of Christians. Matt. 24:9, Rev. 6:9-11

* “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another (the Antichrist) will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones” (Dan. 7:24, Rev. 13:1). In the end, there will be a kingdom of ten nations controlled by the Antichrist, the power base by which he will rule the world during Daniel’s 70th week. Bill Wilson, Koenig International Senior News Analyst, said this about our present global situation – “The G20 is a group of 19 nations plus the European Union committed to coordinating global economic, health, and travel policy… Among the G20 initiatives is the World Health Organization which at the last G20 meeting gained approval of its global authority to act as a ‘health’ control mechanism for international travel, pandemic management, food growth and distribution, and climate control. The G20 nations appear to have empowered themselves to build the vehicle that can be driven by an oligarchy of unelected leaders or a single leader to control the world and enslave its inhabitants.”

Then you read about the United Nations, the Global Reset, the World Economic Forum, and that political, financial, and tech leaders have this goal of globalization, of a one world order. I believe this kind of international coordination and control will eventually lead to the coming of the Antichrist and his dictatorial rule of the earth. No one knows exactly how and when this comes about but it will, and sometime after the United States has been dethroned from her position of power. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast (the Antichrist) for one hour.” Revelation 17:12

Never forget that God “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11) with “a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10). God is directing the affairs and activities of the world, He is causing signs and events to happen, and He’s moving the pieces, the nations, rulers, and people into place. Be awake and alert. Be working and waiting. Be like the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32). And soon enough, we “will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

In a recent Zion’s Fire article, David Rosenthal said it this way, “The Author of the Universe has already written the last chapter. The epic conclusion will take place at His appointed time, and in harmony with His Sovereign purposes. When everything is aligned in accordance with His will, He will initiate the events of the Last Days and bring all things to a just and righteous consummation. I believe we are seeing the shadows of the coming alignment taking shape in the world today. Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to remain faithful, keep watching, be discerning, and be prepared.” Amen!

P.S. I get excited knowing what needs to happen before Christ returns, but saddened knowing that many don’t have a clue as to what will be taking place. That’s why I write this blog post, to help you understand God’s plan for the future. I strongly encourage you to read “Matthew 24 – the Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.” One more thing – as you know, we live in a world of sadness, sorrow, and depression. Here is last Sunday’s message, and it’s all about rejoicing in the Lord, and receiving His heart-lifting joy.

THE KING of kings IS COMING!

November 22, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #262 ~

We live in a world where there are all kinds of wicked and evil rulers. “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed” (Ps. 2:2). But how are you to live in view of this? And what does God tell you about the age to come, and how His Son, Jesus Christ, will be the greatest King ever?

What God says about living in the present age:
* Know that God will give you all the grace, peace, and wisdom you need to live in this world, even when the Antichrist is ruling over this earth. Revelation 1:4, 13:18, 22:21
* Remember that God is sovereign, that He selects the rulers (Ps. 75:6-7), that they can only do what He allows them to do (Pr. 21:1), and that He raises them up for His purposes. Romans 9:17
* Know that during this evil age, Satan has a limited rule under the sovereign hand of God (1 Jn. 5:19), but in the coming age, Christ will have absolute rule over this world. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
* Don’t focus on the kingdoms of men, but seek first the kingdom of God, a spiritual kingdom (Matt. 6:33). Join with Jesus Christ in building the church, in making disciples. Matthew 16:18, 24:14, 28:19
* Yes, you can vote and help elect rulers but, most importantly, pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
* Have hope! Live life in light of the future! Be excited about what God has in store for you! Yes, life can be difficult, but it won’t be long before Jesus Christ, the King of kings, will come back and make everything better. Philippians 2:10-11 

What God says about the KING and living in the coming kingdom age:
* The coming of the KING and His kingdom: 2 Samuel 7:16 – “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall   be established forever.” Psalm 2:6-8 – “As for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain… I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” Psalm 89:27-28 – “I shall also make Him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth… I will establish His descendants forever and His throne as the days of heaven.” Isaiah 9:6-7 – “The government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.” Jeremiah 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and He will reign as King and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.” Micah 5:2, 4-5 – “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel… at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace.”

* The establishment of the KING’S kingdom: Ezekiel 37:21-28, 22 – “I will make them one nation in the land… one King will be king for all of them, and they will no longer be two nations… My servant David will be King over them.” Daniel 2:44-46 – “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all those kingdoms, but it will endure forever.” Daniel 7:14 – “… one like a Son of Man was coming… His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Zechariah 14:9 – “The Lord will be King over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only One.” 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.” Revelation 19:15-16 – “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron… on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, ‘King of kings, and Lord of lords.’”

* The KING will reign: Psalm 10:16a – “The Lord is King forever and ever.” Psalm 22:27-28 – “All the families of the nations worship before You. For the Kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 29:10 – “The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes, the Lord sits as King forever.” Psalm 45:6 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Psalm 47:6-8 – “God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations.” Psalm 48:1-2 – “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King.” Psalm 93:1-2 – “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty… Your throne is established from of old, You are from everlasting.” Psalm 95:5 – “The Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 145:13 – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” Isaiah 43:15 – “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” Jeremiah 10:10 – “The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.”

* The nature of the KING’S kingdom: Psalm 67:4-5 – “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the people with uprightness and guide the nations of the earth.” Psalm 72:6-13, 19 – “In His days, may the righteous flourish… May He also rule from sea to sea… let all the kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him… He will have compassion on the poor and needy.” Psalm 102:21-22 – “That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” Isaiah 2:2-4 – “The law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations and will render decisions for many peoples… Nations will not lift up sword against nation and never again will they learn war.” Isaiah 61:11 – “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” Joel 3:17-18 – “I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, so Jerusalem will be holy… and in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk…” Zephaniah 3:15-17 – “The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst… a victorious warrior, He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Malachi 1:11 – “From the rising of the sun to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to My name…” 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 – “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and authority. He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” Revelation 1:5-6 – “… from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us… He has made us to be a kingdom.”

* Glory to the KING: Psalm 72:19 – “Blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.” Habakkuk 2:14 – “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” 1 Timothy 1:17 – “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

* O Worship the KING: Psalm 98:4-6 – “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth and sing for joy… With trumpets and the sound of the horn, shout joyfully before the King.” Psalm 145:1-2 – “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.” Isaiah 12:6 – “Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in Your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Keep loving God and living for Him. Keep waiting and looking for Jesus, the coming KING. And keep praying, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10

P.S. We can get too concerned about politics and rulers, and we need to focus on Jesus Christ, His present purpose with the church and His future rule over the world. Here are two good posts about the kingdom – “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, and “Kingdom Instructions for the Church.” And here’s an important article on thankfulness – “Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian.”

God Keeps His Promises to the Jewish People

November 9, 2022 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #261 ~

Some people think God’s plans for Israel were invalidated by their crucifixion of Christ, but that’s just not true! God’s plans are still valid, and one of the primary reasons we know this is because He has already carried out His promise to bring back the Jewish people to their land, and this sets the stage for the fulfillment of the rest of His promises to them. And what happens to the Jews relates directly to what happens to the church. Matt. 24:4-22, Luke 21:10-28, 2 Thess. 2:1-19, Rev. 7:1-14, Rev. 12:13-17 all show God’s side-by-side plans with the Jews and the Christians in the end-times. 

Another reason we know God has not given up on His plans for the Jewish people is that there are at least 20 New Testament passages that talk about their future. And these passages are in the New Testament because they’re part of God’s church age / kingdom age plans. Last week we looked at 10 of them and today we will look at 10 more. These verses, in addition to a large number of other Old Testament prophecies, prove that God will fulfill His promises to the Jews. Let’s go over them:

* Luke 21:20-24 – “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near… these are days of vengeance… they will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Jesus predicted the future of the Jewish people, that Jerusalem would be destroyed, which happened in 70 AD, and that the Jews would be scattered all over the world. But in the last 140+ years, a great multitude of Jews have miraculously come back to their land. That means the times of the Gentiles will soon be fulfilled, and that a large remnant of Jews will soon be saved. Ezek. 36-37, Rom. 11:25-27

* Matthew 19:27-28 – “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 twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Jesus tells the apostles their reward for being His followers, that they will rule with Him, specifically that they will be judging the 12 tribes of Israel. This occurs during the millennial kingdom, “in the regeneration” (physical new birth – Rom. 8:20-21). This is more evidence that God has a future for Israel and the Jewish people, as was promised in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms and Prophets. Psalm 37:9, 22, 29; Psalm 105:6-11; Ezekiel 37:21-28

* Romans 11:25-27 – “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved, just as it is written ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” During this church age, the Jewish people are experiencing a partial hardening of heart and, therefore, are not as receptive to the gospel as the Gentiles. At the end of this age, “the fulness of the Gentiles” will have come in, Christ will return, the church will be raptured, the world will be judged, and a large number of Jewish people will be saved. Psalm 130:7-8, Isaiah 45:17

* Romans 15:7-13 – “Christ has become a servant to the circumcision (the Jews) on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers (Abraham, etc.), and for the Gentiles to glorify God… ‘Therefore, I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name… Rejoice O Gentiles, with His people… Let all the people’s praise Him… He (Jesus) who arises to rule over the Gentiles…’” The Jewish people have a magnificent future, and that’s because God will carry out His incredible promises for them. Vss. 7-13 speak of a very important aspect of their hope, and Gentile Christians will share in that hope, which is that all believers, both Jew and Gentile, will unitedly be worshiping the Lord Jesus in the ages to come. Might God fill your heart with this hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Hebrews 8:8-12 – “‘Days are coming’, says the Lord, ‘when I will affect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be My people… for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.’” The book of Hebrews was written to Jews, many of whom were wondering about God’s plans for them. The New Covenant, the key part of these plans, first written down in Jer. 31:31-34, is quoted here in Heb. 8. It’s true that God made this covenant with Israel, with the Jews, but during this church age, its primary beneficiaries are the Gentiles. God wanted the Jewish people back then and throughout this age to know that He has not forgotten His promise to them. And at the end of Daniel’s 70th week, which isn’t long from now, all Israel, all Jews, will share in this “new covenant” promise, and be saved, be forgiven of all their sins. Daniel 9:24-27, Isaiah 45:17, Ezekiel 37:21-28

Hebrews 11:13, 39-40 – “He (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God… All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance… all these… did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” God continues to assure the Jewish people that He has not cancelled His plans for them. Heb. 11 speaks of believers who were, and still are, expecting the fulfillment of these plans. And in this church age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are looking forward to that time when Christ comes back, when all believers will be “blessed by Him” and “will inherit the land” (Ps. 37:22, Matt. 5:5). Vss. 39-40 tell us an amazing truth, that promises to the Old Testament saints will be carried out in conjunction with His promises to the church. God wants you to know that His plans for all His people are converging, are coming together in the end-times. Matthew 24:15-31

* Revelation 7:1-8 – “I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: from the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed…” In the future, a large number of Jewish people, exactly 144,000, 12,000 from every tribe, will be sealed and set apart for Jesus Christ. This occurs during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, close to the time of the rapture. We know this because Rev. 7:9-14 goes on to talk about the rapture, how a great multitude of Christians will come out of great tribulation and then be in in heaven worshiping God and Christ. Then Rev. 14:1-5 tells us that these 144,000 Jews become devoted worshipers and servants of Christ – “The Lamb was standing on Mount Zion and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”

* Revelation 11:1-15 – “Get up and measure the temple of God… they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days.” This is another informative passage about the future of the Jewish people in the end-times. Here are the main points:
– The events talked about in this passage take place in the holy city, the city of Jerusalem.
– The Jewish temple is to be measured, which means it will be rebuilt sometime in the future.
– Two godly, God-protected witnesses, probably Moses and Elijah, are performing miracles, and are prophesying, that is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
– The beast, the Antichrist, kills the witnesses, but after 3½ days, God raises them from the dead.
– The time frame for these events is forty-two months or twelve hundred and sixty days, which is referring to the second half of Daniel’s 70th week, the last 3½ years.
– Immediately after these events, the seventh trumpet is blown, and soon after that, Jesus Christ, from the city of Jerusalem, begins His 1000-year reign upon the earth.

* Revelation 20:2,3,4,5,6 – “… a thousand years… the thousand years… a thousand years… the thousand years… a thousand years… the thousand years.” Many Old Testament promises to the Jewish people speak about the Messiah, the Christ, reigning over His kingdom. (2 Sam. 7:16, Psalm 2). These verses in Rev. 20 repeatedly and clearly tell us that the first part of Christ’s coming reign will last exactly 1,000 years. Immediately after that, there’s the eternal kingdom, when Christ and His Father reign over the world forever and ever. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

* Revelation 21:10-14 – “… the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God… it had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.” This describes the holy and eternal city, the new Jerusalem. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the twelve gates, which means the Jewish people are eternally important, and that God’s promises to them will come to pass. All believers from all time will be living together in this holy city, and be eternally worshiping and serving God.  

At least 20 New Testament passages talk about the future God has for the Jewish people. You can’t ignore them, or say they’re not important, or that they’re not true for Jews. Go back over them and study them. Might you see their relevance to both Jews and Gentiles, to believers from Old Testament times and the church age. Since we live in the end-times, we know these glorious plans for God’s people will soon come to pass. And as a believer, you will see it all happen. “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning… saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11

P.S. I have many charts that really help you see the big picture for the Jewish people and God’s plans for them. Here are four I would encourage you to look at: “God’s Plan for the Jews”, “Promises for the Jewish Remnant”, “Micah and the Millennial Kingdom”, “The Regathering of Jews to Israel”.

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