Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

_Looking into the Word
Jun 16th, 2020
CommentaryArt Sadlier
Categories: Prophecy

Ridiculing the Trumpet Blowers

Over the years we have studied Bible prophecy concerning end time events. We have often wondered about those who reject the teaching of God’s Word about end time events. The question that has frequently arisen in our minds is “How will they react when the signs of the end time begin to multiply?”

We need no longer wonder; we have arrived at that place. In a recent article we have the reaction of one who is exposed to the multiplication of end time signs. That reaction is to ridicule the ones who are warning of the coming Day of the Lord.

The following article recently appeared in the news. It was entitled, “Armageddon Entrepreneurs: Who are Profiting from Fear?” The article went on to say, “A successful entrepreneur is someone who sees a problem as an opportunity. So who would dare capitalize on the impending end of the world? Call them Armageddon entrepreneurs: preachers who view today's headlines as crib notes signaling the world is approaching its final days.”

The writer proceeded to ridicule those who warn of the coming Day of the Lord by comparing present events with the Biblical signs of the end times.

Should we, who declare God’s Word, be intimidated by those who ridicule us? Listen to what God has to say. In Ezekiel he says, “Blow the trumpet, and warn the people.” Also Joel 2:1, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” That day is now near at hand according signs of the times all around us.

We do have the multiplication of the signs of the end times. We see storms increasing in intensity and frequency. We have the same situation with earthquakes also increasing in frequency and intensity. We have seen recent floods that have inundated whole countries. We are seeing raging wildfires and tsunamis that are unprecedented. Add to that the proliferation of nuclear weapon which is a threat to the entire world. The disaster in Japan is certainly an end time scenario, though it does not signal that those people are more sinful than any others.

We have world-wide terrorism that has taken peace from the earth. The nations are in a state of unrest, with revolutions in the Mideast. We are seeing the rise of the Revived Roman Empire in Europe and the drive for a world government as forecast for the last days. We have the threat of a world-wide economic collapse; add to that the looming world church that is foretold for the end times. We are more and more being made aware of a coming world-wide famine referred to by Jesus as a last days sign.

One of the most Prominent signs of the times is the return of Israel to the land. We have witnessed the miraculous way that God re-gathered Israel and has provided for and protected her. The nations of the world are threatening to remove Israel from the Promised Land. This is another sign of the lateness of the hour. The scriptures clearly foretell this, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead (judge) with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2).

We are also seeing the prophesied alliance against Israel now being formed. The nations of that alliance that are now coming together are named in Ezekiel 38. These same nations are openly threatening to destroy Israel just as God said they would.

All around us we see the very signs foretold in scripture being fulfilled in great detail. Those who ridicule the ones who are sounding a warning to a rebellious and sinful world are referred to by Jesus in Matthew 16:2-3, “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. So it is with the hearts of men, some will be hardened in spite of the signs of the times and turn away. Some will have hearts that will be melted and hear the Word of the Lord and turn to Christ. Is your heart clay or wax?

It is not surprising that the enemy would attempt to discredit the warnings the Lord sends out to deliver the world from judgment. We think of Noah and how those around him ridiculed him, we can almost hear them saying, “Noah, you’re a silly old fool, you have been preaching for 119 years about a coming flood and we have never seen even one drop of rain.”

My friend, compare the prophetic scriptures with present day events and be persuaded that the judgment of God is soon to fall on this world. Jesus Christ is the ark of safety, come to Him today in repentance and faith and escape the wrath to come. 

Revelation 4:5 - Exploring Revelation
Jun 16th, 2020
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

"And out of the throne proceeded Lightnings and Thunderings and Voices;" These thunderings and lightnings warn of the Coming Storm of God,s Judgment on a sinful rebellious world. Notice, it says, "out of the throne proceeded". The throne here is a Throne of Judgment.

The storm may be over for the church assembled in heaven, but for those living on earth, the terrible storm of God,s judgment is about to fall! David foresaw this awful time of judgment. "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest. This shall be the portion of their cup." (Psalm 11:6)

As we today look ahead, we see the stormclouds gathering! For over 50 years we have been taught, at every level of education that there is no God. "There is no God, things just evolved out of nothing." "We are not accountable to God because He doesn,t exist." "The Bible is not God,s Word just trample on it." "We will decide what is right and wrong."

In the last 50 years one billion babies have been murdered in their mothers wombs. The plan of God concerning marriage has been destroyed. Immorality, drug abuse, and violence have overwhelmed our soceties.

Dostoyevsky wrote "anything is permissable if there is no God". So, our society practices the "Anything-Goes Philosophy".

But, my friends, God is still on the throne and His wrath against sin is being stored up for the coming day of judgment. Like the waters backed up behind a dam - they just continue to build up until the dam breaks. There will come a time when God will pour out his wrath on sin and on sinners.

The fact that God is now withholding judgment does not indicate a weakness, but rather shows us His longsuffering for "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 11 Peter 3:9.

The throne in Revelation 4 is a Throne of Judgment. Later in the book we will see the Great Storm of Judgment as it increases in intensity. We will see the storm raging as FIRST the seals are opened: SECONDLY as the trumpets are blown" Thirdly as the vials of God,s wrath are poured out.

I urge you today,if you are not saved, to tremble before God and come to Christ, in REPENTANCE and FAITH.

And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God." The number seven is characteristicly used of the Holy Spirit. (Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5)

These are not seven different spirits, but they represent the sevenfold fullness and completeness of the Holy Spirits ommiscience and omnipotence. "Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne." Fire here is a symbol of judgment. Each member of the Trinity is seen as involved in this Divine Judgment that is about o fall.

There is an incredable contrast beween what awaits the unsaved and that which awaits those who are in Christ.

We shall come with Joy and Gladness. We shall gather round the throne, face to face with those that love us. We shall know as we are known: And the song of our redemption shall resound through endless day, when the shadows have departed, and the mists have rolled away.

And the Children of Joseph Took Their Inheritance - Joshua 16:4
Jun 16th, 2020
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

What a wonderful wealth of blessing these children of Joseph came into! There were the precious things of heaven, the dew, and the deep that couched beneath; the precious fruits of the sun and of the growth of the moons; the metals of the ancient mountains and the everlasting hills; the precious things of the earth, and the fullness thereof; and, above all, the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush (Deu 33:13-16). Surely they were blessed with all manner of bless-ings - more than they had asked or thought! The rich gifts of God's grace! An inheritance which could not have been won by their prowess or arms, but was the free gift of God's love - to be taken and enjoyed!

These things happened to them as types; the spiritual counterparts of all are ours in Christ. He is precious - nay, priceless: His promises are exceeding great and precious. The blood by which we were redeemed is precious, has meanings not yet explored; the very trial of our faith is precious as the gold taken from the everlasting hills. How much preciousness there is for us who believe! (1Pe 2:7, R. V.). But we are poor, and wretched, and miserable, and blind, and naked, because we have not taken our inheritance.

We need to do more than ask for it. He that asketh should not rest satisfied till he receiveth. We must take by a faith which claims, appropriates, employs. Open your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, that He may cause you to receive and enjoy all His precious gifts. In Christ all things are yours: go in and possess; take your inheritance; believe that you do receive; thank Him, and go on your way rejoicing