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Christ’s Coming

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The Last Generation of Christians on This Earth

The Last Generation of Christians on This Earth

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #374 ~

Who is Matthew 24 written to? It is for all Christians, especially the final “you”, the last generation of Christians on this earth. To help you understand what I mean, here are the verses using the word “you” in Matt. 24.“See to it that no one misleads you” (vs. 4).“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened” (vs. 6).“They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all generations” (vs. 9). “When you see the abomination of desolation…” (vs. 15).“If anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ…’” (vs. 23).“Behold, I have told you in advance.” Vs. 25

“If they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out” (vs. 26). “When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.” (vs. 32).“So you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near” (vs. 33).“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place (vs. 34).“Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (vs. 42).“For this reason, you must also be ready…” (vs. 44).“Truly I say to you that He will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Vs. 47

That’s 17 different times! And that’s just the verses using the word “you”. Several other verses imply that Matt. 24 is for this “you”, this last generation of Christians. Then there is Mark 13:9-13, a similar prophecy passage, and in these five verses, “you” appears nine times. For example: “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.” Vs. 11

But who is this “you”? First, this “you” is all believers. All Christians must know there is an end to this age, that Christ is coming again to carry out His Father’s will (Matt. 6:10) in our lives and on this earth. All Christians must know that Matt. 24 contains many of His end-times’ plans that tell us what will be happening before He comes. And all Christians need hope, must know that God is working out an incredibly wonderful future for them.

Second, this“you” is believers living on earth when the Jewish people are back in their land, during what we call the end-times. This 2nd point describes our present condition as a church, and is applicable to every believer in this world. Christians alive at this time in history should know that Christ is coming very soon, and that the God-planned events of the end-times listed in Matt. 24 could take place during their lifetime. Knowing these events should excite and enlarge the hope of every Christian now living on earth. Eph. 1:18

Third, this“you” is believers living on earth during the birth pains, and when the Antichrist is revealed, and when there is great persecution, and when this age comes to an end, and when Christ comes back to rapture the church. So this “you” is most relevant for that last generation of Christians on earth. Because this is such an extremely important point, I will again state the verses that tell us this:“So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Matt. 24:33-34

Here are several thoughts relating specifically to this last generation of Christians:
* This last generation of Christians has already been selected by God. It is a special group of believers that God chose and planned to be here for this momentous time in history. God knows exactly who they are, their names, ages, countries, purpose, and whether they will be raptured, martyred, or die due to natural causes.“I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, 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… I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-10

* God saves those belonging to this last generation at just the right time, raises them up for this moment in history, gives them spiritual gifts, and trains them for the specific purposes He has planned out for them.“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you” (Jer. 1:4).“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 1:4).“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for battle.” Ps. 144:1  

* This last generation needs to know all these things we have been talking about in Matt. 24, for they are the final“you”, believers living on earth in the last years before the end of this age and Christ’s coming. They also need to know the general time of His coming, that it’s not pre-trib but pre-wrath, that Christ is returning to rapture the church sometime during the 2nd half of Dan. 70th week. I really believe God has determined that a large number of Christians will be “special-ops”, mature and spiritually strong during this time, and will clearly understand the major tenets of Matt. 24. 1 Cor. 16:13-14

* It is the duty of believers living on earth to know all these things listed in Matt. 24, and be telling and teaching them to the next generation(s). We must be convinced of the need to train younger believers for what will be the greatest spiritual warfare anyone has every experienced on earth (Matt. 24:9-13; Eph. 6:10-18; Rev. 12:7-17, 13:3-18). I believe that teaching the church these 2nd coming truths should be one of the top priorities of our spiritual leaders. “… God commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children” (Ps. 78:7-9).“Make them known to your sons and your grandsons” (Deut. 4:9).“Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.” Ps. 71:18, Matt. 24:45, 2 Tim. 4:1-2

* This last generation will see that the day of Christ is drawing near (Heb. 10:25). These last days’ saints will hear of and / or experience wars, famines, earthquakes, and economic calamity. They will hear that the Jewish temple has been built. They will know that the Antichrist is alive and ruling on earth. They will be living in a depraved and degenerate world. They will hear that Jews are being greatly persecuted. They will be betrayed, turned in to the authorities, and experience great persecution. They will not take the mark of the beast or worship his image. They will see a blackened sun and moon and a darkened earth and know that this age has come to an end. They will see the skies burst with light and Jesus Christ coming on the clouds (Matt. 24:3-30).“This generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Matt. 24:34

* I believe that the vast majority of this last generation of Christians will have strong faith, will be trusting God, loving God, and living for Him. They will love the saved and encourage them as they see the day of Christ drawing near. They will be making disciples. They will be sharing the gospel with the lost. They will be overcomers.“In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). They will have hope, and will endure to the end of this age. And yes, many of these believers will be martyred for their faith (Rev. 6:9-11). But those who persevere, who are kept alive, will be super excited about seeing Christ and being with Him, and being with all their loved ones who went before them. 1 Thess. 2:19-20, 4:13-18

* I am 72, and I personally believe this last generation may be that of our children, more likely that of our grandchildren, and possibly that of our great grandchildren. Knowing that Christ is coming soon, and could come to a generation of people we personally know should greatly motivate us to learn all we can about the end-times and Christ’s coming (Matt. 24, Luke 21, 1 Th. 4-5 – 2 Th. 1-2, and Rev. 6-7), and then share these truths with them. Truly, this is one of the most loving things we can do!

* The absolute certainty that there will be a generation of believers who witness all these things is clearly and unequivocally stated in Matt. 24:35.“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words (about this last generation) will not pass away.” Without a doubt, a special, select group of believers, the very last Christians on earth, the very last Christians of this age and of the church age, will soon witness all these things, and be living and waiting for Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and King.“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58

* To the last generation: Be thankful that God has chosen you to be part of this last generation. Be glad that He wants you to love and serve Him in these last years before He sends His Son back to earth and then takes you to heaven. Always remember that Jesus Christ is in charge of the church. So keep looking to Him and trusting Him, and do exactly what He tells you to do. And yes, you may be afraid, and feel inadequate and weak, but be strong in the Lord. Remember that Jesus is with you to the end, and that He will give you all the grace and peace you need, enabling you to overcome the enemy and endure to that time when you see Him coming in the clouds. And don’t forget the hope God has given you, and that it won’t be long before you will be with Jesus, be glorified, be with loved ones, be in heaven, and be greatly and infinitely blessed. Heb. 12:22-24, Rev. 22:12

* These truths about this last generation should wake you up, should excite you, should motivate you to live all out for our Lord at this time, to tell those who are saved these truths about Christ’s 2nd coming, and to tell those who are lost these truths about Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming, about how they can receive Christ’s mercy, be saved from their sins, and how they will experience His wrath, this“unquenchable fire”, if they don’t receive Him, if they don’t repent and believe that Christ died and rose again. Is this not what John the Baptist did? Luke 3:3-18

For all of us, we must know who God has made us to be, for this enables us to know how we are to live for Him. In the next post, I will talk about how as a church, we are to be worshipers, students, servants, workers, warriors, teachers, preachers, evangelists, overcomers, and watchman.“It is like a man (Jesus Christ) away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert” (Mark 13:34).“You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:9-10

P.S. Always remember that God has you alive at this time in history, and that He has special plans for you! Here are two very helpful posts – “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?” (12), and “Your Journey to the End – A Straight Road to Glory” (54).

The End of the Age, Christ’s Coming, and the Rapture

The End of the Age, Christ’s Coming, and the Rapture

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #372 ~ 
 

God has given us a great deal of information about Christ’s 2nd coming, which means it’s extremely important. Therefore, we must study it, believe it, and teach it. In the past three posts we have looked at the timing of Christ’s return to rapture the church, and determined that the rapture is pre-wrath and not pre-trib. We learned that Christ is coming to rapture the church at the end of this age, after she goes through great tribulation but before God’s wrath is poured out on the unbelievers. We also learned that the rapture takes place sometime during the 2nd half of Dan. 70th week. Dan. 9:24-27, Matt. 24:3-31 

Today we are carefully examining the end of this age, for it is at this time that Christ returns to rapture the church. Understanding this age and what happens when it ends helps us to discern the timing of the rapture, that it occurs at an unknown time during the last half of Dan. 70th week. 

What is the age we live in? We live in an evil age, one ruled by Satan, one that began with the sin of Adam and ends with the coming of Christ. “(Christ) gave Himself for our sins so that that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). “We speak God’s wisdom… wisdom which God predestined before the ages… which none of the rulers of this age has understood” (1 Cor. 2:7-8). “We know that we are of God and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19 

What are the other ages? The 1st age is when Adam and Eve were perfect, and were perfectly ruling in the garden of Eden. The 2nd age is this present evil age. The 3rd age, the age to come, is the millennial kingdom age, when Christ is reigning on earth. This is followed by the 4th age, the eternal kingdom age. “… He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Eph. 1:20-21, 2:6-7 

How do we know this age is coming to an end? The fact that we are to make disciples until the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20), that the church is raptured at the end of the age (Matt. 24:29-31), that God keeps us strong to the end of the age (1 Cor. 1:8), and that this age is followed by the millennial kingdom (Rev. 20), makes it quite clear that this age is coming to an end. 1 Cor. 15:20-28 

What do people think about this present age? Most people do not understand that this present age must come to an end. They believe this world, apart from rulers, technology, and a few other things, continues on and on and on. During the recent July 4th weekend, many politicians and news people spoke about the possibility of this country going on for another 250 years. Then there are those who speculate that this world can keep going for 1,000’s of years. People who say such things do not know what they are talking about. They do not understand God’s end-times’ purposes and plans, they do not know this world is coming to a sudden and shocking end, and that Christ is returning soon. 1 Thess. 5:1-9 

What is the significance of the end of this age? The end of this age marks the end of this world as we know it. Everything and everyone will change, be dramatically different – believers, unbelievers, Jews, rulers, governments, the economy, music, etc. It will be obvious that man is not in charge, but that Jesus Christ is in complete control, that He is reigning over this earth in a glorious and powerful way. God’s plans, as carried out by Christ, will be evident. “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is heaven.” Matt. 6:9-10; Psalms 47, 67, 72 

 

What do Jewish people think about this age? They believe this age comes to an end. Daniel was told to “seal up the book until the end of time” (Dan. 12:4, 9). Psalmists and Prophets wrote that this age would end with the day of the Lord, with eschatological wrath, with God judging the world, followed by the earthly, eternal reign of the Messiah (Ps. 2; Joel 2:1-11; Is. 2:10-22, 13:6-13; Ob. 1:15; Zeph. 1:1-3, 14-18). They did not know that Christ would first build His church and then, at the end of this age and before the day of the Lord, return to take her to heaven. Matt. 16:18; Rev. 2-3, 6-9 

What is the relevance of the disciples’ questions concerning the end of the age and Christ’s coming (Matt. 24:3)? The disciples knew that the end of this age and Christ’s coming were back-to-back events, that this age would end and be followed by Christ coming to judge the world. But they did not expect Jesus to give them a long list of events preceding the end of this age (vss. 4-28), and then answer their questions with these two signs (vss. 29-30). And they had no idea that Christ would ascend into heaven, build His church, and then return to earth to rapture the church, judge the world, and set up His kingdom. Acts 1:1-11 

 

How are you to live in the years leading up to the end of this age? You are to love the Lord, to rejoice, be humble, pray, sing, trust Him, and obey Him. You are to love people, to forgive, be kind, compassionate, patient, and hospitable. You are to be strong in the Lord, to serve, to use your gifts. Specifically, you are to “make disciples… to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20), to endure “to the end” (Matt. 24:13), to preach the gospel “and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14), and to be “encouraging one another… as you see the day (the end of the age) drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). The fact that Christians are to do these things until the end of the age is unmistakable, undeniable evidence that they will be living on earth at the end of the age. 1 Cor. 1:8-9 

What is the sign of the end of the age? “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light… and the powers of the earth will be shaken” (Matt. 24:29) before the end of this age, before “the great and glorious day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20). Heavenly lights go out and the earth goes dark, and it’s witnessed by the whole world, by believers and unbelievers. Joel, Amos, and Isaiah spoke of this darkness, as did Matthew (Matt. 24:29), Mark (Mark 13:24), Luke (Acts 2:20, Luke 21:25), and John (Rev. 6:12). Why the repetition, why the emphasis? Because God is declaring, is crying out, is loudly proclaiming the truth that this age has come to an end, and that the world needs to wake up, to wise up, to know that Christ, the Savior, Judge, and King, is right at the door. 

What is the significance of Matt. 24:6 and Matt. 24:13-14? Matt. 24:6 states, “Those things (birth pains) must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Just because birth pains are happening on earth does not mean the end of the age and the rapture are imminent, that these events occur right away. Matt. 24:13-14 states, “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Vss. 13-14 are in the context of great tribulation (vss. 9), which begins just after the midpoint of Dan. 70th week. These verses tell us two things: 1) preaching the gospel and enduring keep going until the end of the age and Christ coming to rapture the church; 2) the rapture of the church must occur after the 3½ year mark. 

When is the end of the age, Christ’s coming, and the rapture? Simply stated, it takes place during the 2nd half of Dan. 70th week. Let’s now go over the order of events as given in Rev. 6-9, for this will help you understand this critical point about the timing of the rapture.

* Rev. 6:9-11 is the breaking of the 5th seal which is great tribulation. Immediately after this tribulation is cut short, there is the 6th seal signaling the end of this age (Matt. 24:22, 29; Rev. 6:12-17). Both believers and unbelievers know that God’s wrath is coming very soon.  
* Rev. 7 speaks of two major events taking place between the 6th and 7th seals. The first is the sealing of 144,000 Jews, and the second is Christians being raptured, being delivered out of great tribulation, and then standing in heaven before Jesus Christ. Rev. 7:1-8, 7:9-14
* Rev. 8:1 is the breaking of the 7th seal, resulting in the opening of the scroll, one describing the trumpet judgments, the pouring out of God’s wrath from that point until the end of Dan. 70th week. Rev. 8:1-13 – 9:1-21; Rev. 10:7, 11:15, 12:6 

So here is the pre-wrath rapture position: Great tribulation begins just after the midpoint of Dan. 70th week, goes on for a little while, and then is cut short, immediately followed by the end of the age, the coming of Christ, and the rapture of the church. This occurs before God’s trumpet-judgment wrath on earth, wrath that goes to the end of Dan. 70th week. All these facts force us to conclude that the rapture is not before great tribulation, but before God’s wrath, and that it occurs at the end of this age, sometime during the last half of Dan. 70th week (Matt. 24:15-34, Rev. 6:9-17, Rev. 7:9-14, Rev 8-9).

Yes, there are a lot of details, but I am glad God told us so much. He wants all Christians, especially pastors (2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:1-2), to clearly understand the end of the age, Christ’s coming, the rapture, and the timing of the rapture. He does not want any believer to be naïve, ignorant, or misled with regard to any of these end-times’ truths.  

“After these things I looked, and 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 robes, 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.’” Revelation 7:9-10 

P.S. Just think, you, your children, grandchildren, or friends may be alive when this age comes to an end. Here are two more posts about the future – “The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching is False” and “This Age is Coming to an End and Then a New Age Will Begin.”

Talking to a Christian About Christ’s Coming (353)

Talking to a Christian About Christ's Coming

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #353 ~

You are talking to a Christian and they are interested in prophesy. They want to know what will be happening in the future, they want to know God’s plans for them and this world. What do you tell them? As you know, this is a huge subject, and there is much God tells us in His Word, much He wants you to learn, and much you need to share with interested believers. Let me summarize a number of things you need to tell them about the future of a Christian and of this world:

You tell them that Christ is coming again, that this is the first and most important thing they need to know. You tell them that when He returns, the lives of everyone, both saved and lost, will be dramatically changed. You tell them that Christ is coming soon, and that’s because we live in the end-times, and we know this because the Jews are back in the promised land. You tell them that Christ is returning to rescue Christians from an evil world, to judge unrepentant sinners, to redeem a remnant of Jews, to reign over a restored earth, and to bring glory to God. Rev. 22:7, Rev. 7-9, Luke 21:24, Is. 57:1, 1 Cor. 15:42-44, Ps. 47, Hab. 2:14

You tell them that many difficult and trying things will occur before Christ’s coming. You tell them that this world will become a more wicked place, that lawlessness will get much worse in the years leading up to Christ’s return. You tell them that Christians will be greatly hated and persecuted, and that many will be martyred. You tell them that there will be an increase in false teaching, and only by knowing God’s word can they escape error and the lies of the devil. Matt. 24:32-34, Matt. 24:12, Matt. 24:9, Matt. 24:4-5

You tell them about “birth pains”, about earthquakes, wars, famines, plagues and economic problems afflicting people in various parts of this earth. You tell them that the United States is in decline and being judged by God because of her sin. One result is that the Antichrist, sometime in the future, will be raised up and rule over this world, and be seen as a savior. You tell them that God is actively working with the Jews, and how they need to be watching what’s happening in Israel so they can see how God is fulfilling His prophetic word in this world. You tell them that the Jews will confirm a treaty with the Antichrist in the near future, and then be able to build a temple and offer sacrifices. Matt. 24:6-8, Rev. 6:1-8, Rom. 1:20-32, Rev. 13:4-8, Matt. 24:9-26; Luke 21:20-24, Dan. 9:27, 2 Thess. 2:4

You tell them about a great, global earthquake and the sun and moon going dark, that these are signs of the end of this age, and that unbelievers will be shocked and scared to death. You tell them that immediately after this, a brilliant bright light will appear in the sky, and this is the sign of Christ’s coming. You tell them that the whole world will see Christ, but believers will be glorified and raptured, and then be with Him forever. Rev. 6:12-17; Matt. 24:27, 29-31; 1 Th. 4:17

You tell them that God will justly judge all unbelievers still on earth, and this is the day of the Lord, a dreadful but deserved punishment for those who have rejected Christ and not repented of their sins. You tell them that God will rightly judge the Jews, but that a large remnant, one-third of them, will be saved, will become believers. Rev. 8-9, 16; Zech. 13:8-9; Rom. 11:25-26

You tell them that the Christians who were raptured, along with those resurrected, will be in heaven only a short time, and then return with Christ to defeat the Antichrist and his evil kingdom. You tell them that Christ will gloriously, powerfully, and righteously rule for 1,000 years with both Jewish and Gentile believers. Then Christ will subject Himself to the Father, and God will be all in all, and we will forever be worshiping and serving Him in the eternal kingdom. Rev. 7:9-12, 19:11-21, 20:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:23-28

This is a short summary of what will be taking place, and it’s important to study these verses so you have convictions and so you can clearly and confidently tell others what God has taught you. God does not want any of His people to be surprised and fearful when there are calamities and great persecution in the end times. Instead, He wants them to be ready, watching, and waiting for Christ to return and to be working for Him while they wait. Might God use you to tell others about their future, about what God has in store for them and this world.

“Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mk. 13:23). “They themselves report… how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess. 1:9-10

P.S. I have many posts detailing the future. Here are some of them: “What the Bible Says About the Future”, “Filling in the End-Times’ Outline”, and “Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End-Times.”

P.P.S. For more encouragement for everyone, including some of our new friends we met at the airport in Charlotte (Wendall, Carolyn, and Andrew!) – here are the two links to a number of excellent, God-glorifying Scripture Songs (Scripture Songs – Our Legacy – Volume 1 and Volume 2) that our church music team recorded when I was in Tampa. 

Christmas – A Crucial Part of the Big Picture, of God’s Eternal Purposes (348)

Christmas - A Crucial Part of the Big Picture, of God's Eternal Purposes

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #348 ~

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, The Whole Counsel of God (341)

Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, The Whole Counsel of God

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #341 ~

The gospel message is a kingdom message and you can’t separate the two. Understanding the gospel is understanding the truth of an eternal life and the truth of an everlasting kingdom. Look at how God says it in Rev. 1:5-7 – “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood – and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father – to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds…”

The gospel message describes the entirety of your Christian life, from the moment you are saved and enter His kingdom (John 3:5) through all eternity, from this church age, this spiritual kingdom, to the kingdom ages (Rev. 20-22). And this is how Jesus taught. “Jesus was… teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 4:23). We previously saw from the book of Acts that Paul and others taught the same way. In this post we will continue to learn about the gospel of the kingdom, a relevant and essential subject.

Jesus was with His disciples, and “speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). That’s quite the statement, that the summary of Jesus’ teaching during those 40 days was the kingdom of God. And it wasn’t just the spiritual kingdom, the church, it was more than that. The text goes on to say that Jesus’ disciples, who knew God’s promises to Israel about a physical kingdom, ask Jesus if He was “restoring the kingdom to Israel” at that time. (Acts 1:6). It’s obvious that the disciples really wanted Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel.

If there was to be no kingdom, if God’s promises to the Jews were canceled, then this would have been the perfect time for Jesus to say so. But He doesn’t do that! Jesus’ answer is that they didn’t need to know when it was going to happen, followed by His instruction to focus on being His witnesses to the world (Acts 1:8), on building the spiritual kingdom of God. Matt. 16:18

During those 40 days, Jesus’ purpose was to help His disciples understand the gospel of the kingdom, to teach them about the entirety of the kingdom age, from the spiritual kingdom to the physical kingdom. God further assures them of its reality in the future by sending two angels to tell them that His Son would be coming back (Acts 1:11-12). And it is at that time that Jesus raptures the church, judges the world, and begins His 1000-year kingdom. Rev. 11:15, Rev. 20

What else do we learn in Acts and other passages about the kingdom of God?
* Acts 8:12 – “… when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ…” Philip was one of the apostles who heard Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, and was now himself preaching this gospel. He was sharing the truth about Christ, sin, salvation, and the church, the spiritual kingdom (Rom. 14:17). And he surely told them about Christ returning to set up His physical kingdom on earth.

* Acts 19:8 – “He entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.” The truth of God’s kingdom was on Paul’s heart and lips. For three months, he communicated this comprehensive, big-picture message. He was powerfully proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom in the synagogue, reasoning with the Jews about the good news concerning the present and future reign of Christ in our lives, and His future reign over this world. After that, and for two more years, Paul focused on His disciples, continuing to teach them the transforming truth of God’s kingdom.

* Acts 20:24-25 – “… that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom…” Paul preached the gospel of God’s grace and he was “preaching the kingdom.” He taught people the necessity of God’s grace during this church age and the kingdom ages. God’s grace is His power, and is what we need if we are to be active and fruitful members of His holy, eternal, God-glorifying kingdom.

* Acts 28:23 – “Paul… was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus.” Acts 28:31 – “He stayed two full years… preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” The gospel message preached by Paul was not two separate messages, about Jesus and about the kingdom. It was a unified message that Jesus, as Lord and King, is to spiritually rule in our hearts and over the church during this present age, and to physically rule over the world in the coming kingdom ages. Paul knew the overarching importance of this kingdom message and he kept preaching it.  

* Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Our work on earth is to seek God’s kingdom, to work with Christ in building His spiritual and internal kingdom during this church age. And we should all have an eternal perspective, that our present-day kingdom work relates to and results in a visible, everlasting kingdom. In this future kingdom, we will wholeheartedly worship and serve the King and have intimate fellowship with the believers. “They will receive you into the eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9

* Matthew 6:9-10 – “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” A major theme in this well-known prayer is that we are to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, which means both the present spiritual kingdom and the future physical kingdom. We are to pray for Christ to be King in people’s hearts during this church age and in the kingdom ages. We are now seeing God’s “will being done on earth as it is in heaven” in the church in a limited way. But in the kingdom ages, His will is always and fully carried out all over the world. Phil. 2:9-11

* Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” What are we to do when the Antichrist is ruling the earth and persecuting Christians? We are to preach “the gospel of the kingdom… to all the nations.” We are to proclaim the entirety of the gospel. We are to tell people how they can be part of God’s eternal kingdom, how they can be saved, sanctified, glorified, and reign with Christ during the kingdom ages. 

* Luke 21:28, 31 – “Lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near… so also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” In this prophetic passage about the end-times, Jesus tells the disciples that redemption is near, redemption referring to being glorified at His coming. Then Christ says that the kingdom of God is near, this referring to a short time later when He begins reigning over this renovated earth. That we now live in the end times means that two life-changing, world-changing events will soon take place, the completion of our salvation, and the beginning of Christ’s kingdom on earth.

We have been talking about the gospel of the kingdom, the good news that speaks of the entirety of our eternal life. We have talked about Christ dying for our sins and our need to believe in Him to be spiritually and physically saved with the result that we will be fit and ready to live with Him and for Him in the coming kingdom ages.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word…” (2 Tim. 4:1-2). What do we learn from Paul’s final words to Timothy and to all preachers of God’s word? Pastors are to preach God’s word in view of, in light of Christ’s appearing and His kingdom.

At His appearing we will be judged, be rewarded for our work on earth. We will also be glorified, be completely saved, able to wholly live for Christ from that point through the kingdom ages, through eternity future. From Sunday to Sunday, pastors are to keep the big picture in mind and teach believers all the truths of God’s word. They are to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God. Living for Christ in hopes of a glorious future must be repeatedly taught and fixed in the hearts of all God’s people. “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable… I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:20, 27

Might we all have this eternal perspective of the kingdom of God. Knowing these truths will definitely and positively affect your relationship with God and how you live for Him. Here are two more posts on the kingdom of God: “Kingdom Instructions for the Church” and “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age.”

Why It’s Important to Preach on Prophecy (336)

Why It's Important to Preach on Prophecy

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #336 ~


We live in a world where true churches teach the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose again from the dead, and all who repent of their sins and believe that He died and rose again for them receive eternal life, are forgiven, are God’s children – and this is most important. But some of these churches don’t adequately and accurately teach about the end-times, Christ’s 2nd coming, and the kingdom ages. A pastor’s message is often lacking for it does not match the width and depth of God’s prophetic word, and therefore, is imbalanced, is not strong in hope. (2 Tim. 4:1-2). Not only that, errors are often taught or are allowed to be taught.

It’s not good, it’s not right for Christians to inadequately know or be mistaken about the incredible future God has in store for them. So why is there a lack of solid teaching on this essential subject? Why are believers uninformed? Why is there naivety, confusion, and a lack of interest? It’s the devil, the flesh, pride, unbelief, worldliness, and laziness, not diligently studying these significant portions of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:1-2). Christians, especially the pastors, ought to be excited and hungry to know the truth about Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge the sinners, and reign over this world.

Today I want to share some specific reasons why it’s necessary to teach these prophetic truths.
* Christ taught extensively on prophecy, and if He taught it, then we must teach what He taught, just what He taught, and what He commands us to teach. “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name… you will be hearing of wars… just as the light comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:4-27, 28:19-20

* Prophecy consists of major doctrines and these must be taught. Being with Jesus Christ and being glorified are major doctrines. The millennial kingdom, reigning with Christ, and the future of the Jews are major doctrines. Eternal life, having a personal relationship with Christ for an infinite number of years, is also a major doctrine. “… we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17b, Heb. 12:22-24

* Thousands of prophecy verses in God’s word demand that it be taught. The sheer volume of unfulfilled prophecy found in Genesis, the law of Moses, the Psalms, the major and minor Prophets, the four gospels, Romans, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Peter, Revelation, and other books, makes it crystal clear that it’s a major, major subject in God’s word, and must be taught, is waiting to be taught, and needs to be understood and believed by the church. Luke 24:44

* Only by understanding prophecy can you see the big picture, can you have an eternal perspective, can you know the beginning from the end, can you see that the past and the present is leading to a God-glorious future. “I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end form the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9b-10

* Prophecy needs to be taught because we live in the end-times. More than ever before, now is the time to teach on prophecy. God wants us to be knowledgeable, grown-up Christians at this time in history and have a clear understanding about what will be taking place in these last years leading up to Christ’s coming and the kingdom ages to follow. “These words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (Dan. 12:9), and now in these end-times they are unsealed. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:23; Eph. 1:20-21, 2:7

* Prophecy must be taught because the Old Testament talks extensively and primarily about the Jewish people and God’s eternal plans for them. And His purposes and promises for the Jews, His chosen people, have not and, I repeat, have not been changed or canceled. In these end-times and in the coming ages, God will surely carry out His plans for them with regards to their land, their King, and their salvation (Ezek. 37:21-23). “The Lord will be the King over all the earth.” Zech. 14:9

* Knowing prophetic truth about the Jews is necessary to knowing prophetic truth about the church. We now know that many Old Testament prophecies about the Jews include God’s plans for Christians, specifically those referring to the kingdom ages. Ps. 37:11, speaking of Jews, says, “the humble will inherit the earth”, and Matt. 5:5, speaking of Christians, states, “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.” These verses about Jews and Christians are related, and they refer to the earth during the millennial kingdom, a time when believers will “reign upon the earth.” Rev. 5:10

* Prophecy warns you about the calamitous last years of this church age, about lawlessness, birth pains, the Antichrist, great persecution, the most difficult time on earth for Christians – and God wants you to hear and heed His warnings so that you are not surprised or confused when there’s danger and great tribulation. You must be awake and alert, and understand what God wants you to know and do. “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6

* Prophecy makes it clear that the Christian life is not boring, directionless, or meaningless. Prophecy helps you see where you are and where you are going in these end-times, and that you are always moving ahead and going in the path God planned for you. Knowing that your life is being directed by God and is making progress is invigorating and motivating for it helps you see that you are an integral part of His divine purpose on earth. Every day is a new day, an exciting day, one day closer to completing God’s plans, one day closer to home. “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Prophecy needs to be understood so you can teach, warn, and encourage others, whether that’s your wife, children, grand-children, friends, those in the church, or those out in the street. “He… appointed a law in Israel which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children.” Ps. 78:5

* Prophecy must be taught because it tells you about the completion of your salvation. The gospel speaks of Christ’s death and resurrection which is the basis, the foundation of your salvation. And salvation is explained in 3 parts: justification (past – freed from the penalty of sin), sanctification (present – being freed from the power of sin), and glorification (future – freed from the presence of sin). A Christian’s salvation is continuing in the present and will be completed in the future, not at his death, but at Christ’s coming. Matt. 24:27, 31; 1 John 3:2-3

You can’t separate what God did in the past from what He will do in the future. God began His work in you and will finish His work in you. “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” (Phil. 1:6). God justified you and will glorify you. “These whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). God spiritually united you with Christ and will physically unite you with Christ. The gospel is foundational to the completion of your salvation, to being physically resurrected, to receiving a new body, one that is powerful, immortal, spiritual, and glorious. 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* The book of Revelation, 22 chapters long, the last book in God’s word, focuses on prophecy, and must be understood. It’s not optional. You don’t skip the last chapter when you read a book, so why would you skip the final book in the Bible? Revelation is a needed book, one that ties everything together, that bridges the end of this church age to the coming kingdom age – and it must be clearly and rightly taught in conjunction with all of prophecy. It communicates God’s plans for believers, unbelievers, and the whole world, and you need to know it, believe it, and teach it. And by God’s illuminating Spirit, you can know what it says – it makes sense, it’s not too hard to understand. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place… Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it for the time is near.” Rev. 1:1, 3, John 14:26

It’s sad that many Christians know little about God’s plans for their future and therefore, aren’t looking forward to being with Jesus. In these end-times, let’s pray that God gives more and more Christians the desire to study this critically important subject. Let’s ask God to revolutionize the thinking and understanding of churches with regards to their hope, Christ’s coming, and the glorious years we will have with Him in heaven and on earth. “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:9-10

P.S. I am encouraging all Christians, especially the leaders, to be teaching on prophecy. Now is the time to move full speed ahead in telling the church about the glorious future God has for us, most importantly being with Jesus our Lord. Here are two good posts that relate to this: “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times”, and “For Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers.”

Present Suffering and Future Glory (326)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #326 ~


Suffering – this is not what the world or your flesh wants, but it is definitely part of God’s plan for Christians. Suffering is for God’s eternal purposes and glory and results in a believer’s eternal glory. I share this with you because it’s true and it’s personal, and because you need to know that we are living in the end-times, and that the persecution of Christians will increase as we get closer to Christ’s coming.

Today, I want to look at some key passages that speak about suffering and glory:
Psalm 22 is about Jesus Christ, that He suffered and died for us and then will be glorified, and the whole world will see His glory. He suffered at His 1st coming – “A band of evildoers has encompassed Me; they pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones…”, but He will be glorified at His 2nd coming – “You who fear the Lord, praise Him, all you descendants of Jacob glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him.” Vss. 16-17, 23

Philippians 2:7-11 tells us that Jesus Christ humbled Himself, that He “became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Then “God highly exalted and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name… so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Christ is our #1 example – and He suffered extremely so, and will be supremely glorified. Hebrews 12:2-3

1 Peter 1:10-12 speaks of the “sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.” 1 Pet. 5:1 tells us that Peter was a “witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glories to follow.” Christ will be greatly glorified and all believers will share in that glory. Col. 3:4 elaborates on this – “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” This is so encouraging, for we will soon be with Christ, and will join Him in experiencing the wonderful glory of God.

Matthew 5:10-12 wants us to know that all believers who suffer, who are insulted, maligned, and “persecuted for the sake of righteousness”, will inherit the kingdom of heaven and be greatly rewarded. So it’s suffering first and then receiving and experiencing God’s amazing grace and glory.

Romans 5:2-3 instructs us to rejoice in two things – we are to “exult in hope of the glory of God” and we are to “exult in our tribulations”. Tribulation and suffering come first, occurring during our life on earth. And in heaven and in the ages to come, we will share in God’s incredible glory. All of us should have this hope, this expectation of glory, “because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 5:5

Romans 8:18-39 – The first verse sums up the main message: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Life may be extremely difficult, but our temporary sufferings are nothing compared to the eternal glory we will experience after our life on this earth. Vss. 19-39 give more details about God’s sovereign working with regards to our suffering, and that we can “overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us”, and that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God.” Vss. 37, 39

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “Momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” This theme is repeated, that our suffering, our problems, troubles, and trials result in receiving God’s glory. But our suffering is momentary, lasting only a short time compared to an eternity of glory. And our suffering isn’t that difficult compared to the weight, the greatness of the glory God gives us. Without question, it’s really worth it to suffer for God, for Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:4-10. As Christians, we suffer, we go through afflictions, even great afflictions, for God’s glory and our glory. Not long from now, “He (Christ) comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.” This happens at Christ’s return, and is when our salvation is complete, for Christ is “glorified in His saints,” meaning that we receive new bodies, ones like Christ’s, ones that are powerful, immortal, glorious, and spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44). Suffering for Christ results in being spiritually and physically glorified, which is what God planned for us in eternity past. Romans 8:28-30

1 Peter 1:3-9 is one of the best big picture passages in the Bible. It says that a necessary part of life is suffering, is going through various and distressing trials, is being “tested by fire” – but it’s only for a little while. And we have hope, for we know we will get through it and receive an unbelievable inheritance. Indeed, suffering for Christ will “result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). Two keys to having hope and receiving this glory are loving God, and faith, believing God and His promises. 1 Peter 1:8

1 Peter 5:10 again communicates this truth of suffering and glory. “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Yes, you will suffer, but you will also witness and experience God’s eternal glory. In the meantime, God is sanctifying you, strengthening, perfecting, and molding you into Christ’s image. All of this is by God’s grace, and by His promises and power working in your life. 2 Peter 1:2-4

The Christian life is knowing God and His truth, power, love, goodness, and much more. It’s also being humble, seen by serving, sacrificing, and suffering for Him. Living for God like this results in God being greatly glorified, you being glorified, and you receiving His never-ending glory. 

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

As you truly live for Christ, you will suffer for Him. And that’s a good thing, good for God and His glory, and good for you and receiving His glory. Here are two previous posts about suffering and glory – “The Glory of Suffering for Jesus” and “Suffering for Jesus in the End-Times”.

Romans – Christ’s Coming and God’s Glory (325)

Romans - Christ's Coming and God's Glory

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #325 ~


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Troubling Times Are Leading to Christ’s Coming and Great Glory (315)

Troubling Times Are Leading to Christ's Coming and Great Glory

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #315 ~

Many conflicts, tragedies, and calamities are presently afflicting this earth. In times like these many people become unsettled and afraid, wondering what’s happening, or even if the world is coming to an end. I understand why non-Christians may think like this, but confusion, fear, error, and hopelessness should never be true of Christians. That’s because God has told you all you need to know about the future. Jesus said, “Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mk. 13:23). “He made know to us the mystery of His will” (Eph. 1:9). God has told you exactly what He wants you to know – He has told you what you need to know – He has told you the key players and parts of His end-times’ plan for you, the church, Israel, and the world.

God also wants you to know that He is in complete control of all that is and will be happening on this earth. In churches, in the lives of both saved and lost, in states and countries, in governors and presidents, in Israel and Iran, and in you and your family, God is sovereignly, powerfully, righteously, and lovingly working. And He’s not just overseeing the affairs of this world, He is intimately involved in everything that happens. Every single second, God is precisely and wisely carrying out His plans for planet earth and for every person on this earth.

God is continually leading, moving, and bringing you and this entire world closer to the end of this age and the coming of Christ. From God’s perspective, what’s occurring from now to Christ’s coming is like a trillion-piece puzzle, and God is putting all the pieces together. He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Eph. 1:11). And this global puzzle, God’s plan for this world, for this present age, will be completed at Christ’s coming.

At this time in history, Rom. 8:28 and Rom. 8:29 is truer than ever before. Rom. 8:28 says, “We know that God causes all thing to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” And what is God’s purpose for you? Rom. 8:29 tells us, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son?” His purpose for you is to be like Jesus, to be perfect, to be powerful, to be immortal, to be glorious. 1 Cor. 15:42-44, Phil. 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2

We often look at Rom. 8:28 microscopically, thinking about the small events of our daily life. But you must see the big picture, you must know where your life is headed, that you will see Jesus, and be like Jesus, that you will be glorified. You must understand Rom. 8:28 in its context, you must connect it to Rom. 8:29 and Rom. 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.” Do you realize the everlasting , life-changing truth of this last verse? It’s one of the best, big-picture verses in the Bible. In eternity past, God planned out the entirety of your life, your eternal life, from justification to glorification to eternity future. Rom. 11:33-36

Next to knowing and growing in Christ, next to understanding the truth and eternal value of His first coming, you need to understand the truth and eternal value of His 2nd coming, and what’s leading up to Christ’s return to earth. No Christian should be naïve, ignorant, speculating, or worrying about the end-times and the truth of Christ’s 2nd coming. God has told you everything He wants you to know about the future, for He’s convinced it will increase your hope, and your faith, love, and peace (Col. 1:3-5). I pray that you want to know these truths, and then tell others, encouraging the saved and warning the lost. 2 Tim. 4:1-8 

So read, pray, study, and learn what God has planned out for you, the church, Israel, and the world. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it, for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3). I encourage you to take all the time you need to read and understand the book of Revelation, as well as Matt. 24, and Mark 13, and Luke 17:22-37, and Luke 21:5-36, and Rom. 8:18-25, and Rom. 11, and Rom. 13:11-14, and Rom. 15:8-13, and 1 Cor. 15:20-28, and 1 Cor. 15:50-58, and 1 Thess. 4:13-18, and 1 Thess. 5:1-11, and 2 Thess 1:3-12, and 2 Thess. 2:1-12, and Heb. 10:25-31, and Heb. 12:22-29, and James 5:3-11, and 1 Peter 1:3-16, and 2 Peter 3:3-13, and 1 John 2:28-3:3.

In the next post, I will talk about eschatological prophecy, I will describe the key players and parts of God’s plan from now until the millennial kingdom. I will briefly talk about the Jewish people, the nations, the end-times, the birth pains, increasing evil, technology, the peace treaty, the Jewish temple, the Antichrist, great tribulation, the rapture, the day of the Lord, the salvation of the Jews, and the millennial kingdom. Each of these are key parts of God’s perfect plan as it relates to Christ’s coming and to you, the church, Israel, and the world.

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:11-12). “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7

P.S. It’s vitally important that you know what will be taking place before Christ’s coming – and I have talked about it at great length on this blog site. Here are a few other posts on this subject: “Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End-Times”, “When Is Christ Coming Back?”, and “What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return?”

GOD’S PROPHETIC WORD IS TRUE, AND WILL BE FULFILLED! (306)

GOD’S PROPHETIC WORD IS TRUE, AND WILL BE FULFILLED!

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #306 ~

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). This is an extremely significant verse about God’s Word and prophecy. That it’s in the middle of an important prophecy chapter is God’s way of emphatically stating that this entire passage is true. That Matt. 24 is true means it must be believed and understood, especially now that we live in the end-times. (When I use “God’s prophetic word” in this post, I am referring to the end-times, to eschatological prophecy.)

What can be said about the nature and character of God’s prophetic word?
* God’s prophetic word is true, just like the rest of His word is true. Matt. 4:4, 5:17-18
* God’s prophetic word is entirely accurate and inerrant. There are no errors, there is nothing false, nothing wrong with what God has said. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
* God’s prophetic word is absolute, final, and cannot be deleted, altered, or added to. What Christ has prophesied is completely true, and unlike man’s opinions, needs to be accepted and applied. Jeremiah 23:9-40

* God’s prophetic truth is authoritative, powerful, reliable, and commanding, and will be carried out. What God declares to us must and will take place. “Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it – surely, I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11
* God’s prophetic word is sufficient. God has not told us everything about the end-times, but He has told us everything we need to know. Might we be motivated to learn what God has told us about the future. Mark 13:23

* God’s prophetic word is clear. By this, I mean major truths about the future. For example, Christ is returning to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and reign over the earth. And yes, there are minor points about the future that are debatable and not clearly understood at this time.
* God’s prophetic word is relevant. More than any other time in history, it’s imperative that we know what God has written in Matt. 24 and other prophecy passages. The “day is near”, and God is alerting us about what will be happening in the future, and instructing us how we are to live. Rom. 13:11-14

* God’s prophetic word is essential. Without it, we will be surprised, unprepared, and afraid. God doesn’t want us to be sleeping when Christ comes back – He wants us to be awake, waiting, and working in these last years before Christ’s return. 1 Thess. 1:9-10
* God’s powerful and prophetic word must be our focus and guide, and not this sinful and temporary world, or our flesh. God’s word is future-telling, life-changing, soul satisfying, and God glorifying.

We have talked about the 2nd part of Matt. 24:35, “My words will not pass away”, but what about the 1st part – “Heaven and earth will pass away”? There are several things I believe God wants us to know about this:
* Heaven and earth will pass away. This is a major event and hard to imagine, but it will take place, and that’s because God’s clear-speaking word tells us so. The physical heaven we see and the physical earth we live on will disappear, will no longer exist in the future. “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.” Rev. 21:1

* That the physical heaven and earth will pass away but that God’s word will not is proof of its primacy, that it is infinitely more important than anything physical, and especially a world which is cursed by sin. Gen. 3:17-19, Rom. 8:21-22
* Most people think this earth will generally stay the same and will not pass away. They mistakenly believe, but for some cataclysmic event like a nuclear holocaust, that this earth will exist for thousands if not millions of years. 2 Peter 3:3-7

* Sinners living on earth at the time of Christ’s coming will be greatly shocked and saddened when they begin to see its destruction. Rev. 18:9, 19
* Most unbelievers do not believe that it’s by God’s word that this world was created and will be destroyed. Gen. 1 – “Then God said”; Ps. 33:6-9; 2 Pet. 3:5-7, 10-13

* One reason Jesus talks about heaven and earth passing away is to make us realize that this evil world will exist only a little while longer, and then there will be a new heaven and earth, and that in two phases, the millennial and eternal kingdoms. Rev. 20-21
* This present earth will be restored at Christ’s coming. It is on this renovated earth that Christ will reign for 1,000 glorious years. Ps. 102:25-26, Is. 65:17-25, Matt. 19:28, Acts 3:20-21
* The brand new earth will replace this restored earth at the end of the millennial kingdom, at the end of Christ’s 1000-year reign. 1 Cor. 15:20-28, Rev 20 – Rev. 21:1

* What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, a world that will pass away, but lose his soul to the devil, and then be sent to the “lake of fire”. Rev. 20:14-15, Matt. 16:36, 2 Thess. 2:9
* Many people are more concerned for this planet that’s passing away than they are for their soul which will live forever, either in heaven or hell. They don’t understand the deadly ramifications of rejecting Christ and the gospel. “These will go away into eternal punishment (‘into the eternal fire’ – Matt. 24:41), but the righteous into eternal life.” Matt. 24:46

Aren’t you glad that God gave us His prophetic word? Aren’t you thankful that He told us all we need to know about the future, what will be happening on this planet, specifically as it relates to Christ’s return to rapture us and take us to heaven. Acts 13:23

What I have a hard time understanding is why so many Christians, including pastors, do not truly know what the Bible teaches about Christ’s 2nd coming and the age to come. Is it that they are worldly? Is it that they are too lazy to study God’s prophetic word? Is it that they don’t believe the clear teaching of His prophetic word? Is it that they are believing some ill-founded error? Is it that they think it is confusing or controversial, and just ignore it? Is it that they don’t think it’s important or relevant?

Most pastors teach extensively on Christ’s 1st coming, about the secret birth of Jesus and how He grows up to be our Savior, but scarcely at all about His visible and glorious 2nd coming, when He returns to be Judge and King of the entire world. Lets pray that Christians have an increased interest in God’s prophetic word in these coming years. And might they be awakened, educated, and excited about the incredible and spectacular future that God has in store for us.

I strongly encourage you to take time to read, study, and learn God’s prophetic truth. Here are several New Testament passages that describe our glorious and God-glorifying future: Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:3-36; John 13:1-3; Rom. 8:18-25; Rom. 11; Rom. 15:8-13; 1 Cor. 15:20-28, 42-44, 50-58; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Eph. 1:9-14; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Heb. 11:8-16, 39-40; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 10-16; 2 Peter 3:3-13; 1 John 2:28 – 3:3; Jude 21-25; and Revelation. “‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20

P.S. We are so blessed to have God’s word, which includes His prophetic word. I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing what God wants us to know about the future at this time in history. Here are some related posts – “Prophecy is Predicting the Future”, “What the Bible Says About the Future”, “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times.”