End Time Study--Pt.6

The end-time church that is revealed to us next is the church of Sardis, the dead church (Rev.3:1-6). Sardis is the picture of the church that has maintained its profession without possession and its reputation with no works to support it. It possesses a great tradition but its present task is unfinished. A few faithful souls are in it, to them the Lord comes with a challenge.

As we read verses one through six we find something missing that was given to the churches prior to Sardis --this letter does not start out with pleasantries. This is a dying church and Jesus goes straight to the problem in an attempt to resuscitate it. Along with the church of the Laodiceans, this church receives the most blame brought against it from Jesus. He begins this letter with His accusation against the church. "You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." He is saying here to the church, "You have the reputation of being Christians and are thought to be alive in Me and spiritual things, but you are spiritually dead. You do not have the life that I give to souls. You have not walked consistantly with Me before man. You have not been steady in your lifestyle of Christlikeness. You have grieved My Spirit and I have withdrawn from you most of My light and power. You're not dead yet, but you are dying."

As I read these scriptures I must ask myself, "Am I more dead than alive, spiritually?" We all should ask ourselves this question in order to examine our relationship with God. I believe it is very easy for us to fall into a state of complacency and not even realize it. We need to make sure that Jesus is in complete control of our lives 24/7. It is easy to claim Jesus as our Saviour and to go through the motions of serving Him while all along we have grieved the Holy Spirit and He has departed. We may have a form of godliness but we deny the power of God that changes lives inside out. Unfortunately, this is the state of the church today, the end-time church.

In most churches today the Holy Spirit is no longer in charge. Man has his programs, plans, agendas and the best of the business minds to run the church. He is so busy having church that he is failing to be the church. Man has lost the power over sin, flesh and the world. He has lost his love for one-another, for the lost and for God and His Word. Man no longer fears God but treats Him as a "Big Sugar Daddy." Man serves God as long as He serves him. Man claims to be alive in Christ while all along he is dead in his treaspasses.

Should we get quiet before the throne of God we just may hear Him crying out to the church today as He did in verse two to the church at Sardis, "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." Jesus is saying to His end-time church, "You have lost ground by carelessness, inattention and complacency. Wake up! And stay awake! Strengthen your convictions and desire for Holy things, your zeal and love for God. These attributes are barely noticeable and are becoming weaker to the point of dying completely." I have often wondered how a born-again person full of His Spirit can be a participant in things that are known to be sinful and yet feel no conviction for his actions. If one is participating in known sin and feels no conviction or remorse then his claim of being a christian would be somewhat questionable. Our works are not "perfect before God," they do not measure up to His standards. Man may view us as being saintly while God looks upon us with disdain.

The church today, as with Sardis, needs to repent at once for departing from our zeal and love for God. If we do not wake up from our complacant slumber then He will come upon us as a theif. Just as a theif comes unexpectantly, so Jesus will come to His church. He will come in judgement and cut us off from His abundant life. He is sounding the alarm through His 5-fold ministers that we must make ourselves ready for His soon return. We will either repent or be cast off and blotted out of His book of life.(Ex.32:32,33;Deut.29:20;Ps.69:28;Ps.109:13;Ps.139:16;Rev.3:5;Rev.22:19). No one can claim ignorance when he stands before God if he has heard the messages delivered by God through His preachers or even if he owns a Bible or has access to the truth but has denied it. Yet, as with the church at Sardis, God will have a holy remnant of people in His church who have not given in to this world. Those who have deliberately chosen holiness as a lifestyle. Those who walk in purity now will receive white raiment to wear for eternity. Only the righteous and pure will have their names remain in the Book of Life (vs.5).

Jesus concludes this letter by giving the church the promise that He will confess the overcomer's name before His Father and angels. He who overcomes this world and its sin shall be represented by Jesus on judgement day, He will be our Advocate(I John2:1). If we have confessed Him before man by living a life that reflects His holy presence while on this earth, then we can rest assured that He will confess us as His own before the Father. But if while professing His name on earth , yet not walking in His holiness and reflecting His image before man, He will deny us before the Father(Luke12:8,9). This is the warning of Jesus to the end-time Sardis church.

End Time Study--Pt.5

The next church in our study of the end times, that is reflected in the church today, is the church of Thyatira, the corrupt church (Rev.2:18-29). Jesus, as with the other letters to the churches, begins by pointing out the commendable things about this church. He acknowledges that they do have a love for God and each other. He lifts them up by referring to their faith in Jesus for salvation resulting in good works such as aiding the poor. They persevered while under persecutions and afflictions and continued in good works. Jesus recognizes that they have not only retained what they had received at first but they also grew in grace, faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet with all this good they had issues in their ranks that needed to be addressed; namely, they allowed a woman with a Jezebel spirit, who called herself a prophetess, to teach in their services. This resulted in the people of the church being lead into spiritual adultery and a lackadaisical attitude toward sin.

As the church enters the last of the last days she too will have many good works for which she is to be commended. However, this end-time church shall also have in it a spirit of Jezebel. As Jesus uses the name Jezebel He is referring to a spirit of manipulation. He gives it the name Jezebel because she was the ideal personification of a person controlled by a spirit of manipulation to be found in scripture. So when the name Jezebel is used when referring to someone it means that the person's character is likened to that of Jezebel, a manipulator.

Jezebel was an idol worshipper who induced her weak husband, Ahab, into her idol worship. She manipulated him to establish idol worship throughout his kingdom instead of the worship of the true God Jehovah. The name Jezebel implies one that is highly persuasive, gifted and artful. He is characterized as being determined and firm in the accomplishments of his purpose. One with a Jezebel spirit will even proudly flaunt his power to manipulate. The name here in verse twenty of chapter two is applied to a person who is capable of exerting a wide and persuasive influence over others. He is one who has talents of a high order. One who is a thorough advocate of error. He is unscrupulous in the means by which he employs for accomplishing his end. He has his way at any cost.

This was the condition of the church at Thyatira. There was a woman there who corrupted the true religion and harassed the followers of Christ in that city. And so it is in the end time church. Those under the influence of a Jezebel spirit, a spirit of manipulation (found in both male and female), will rise to positions of power and influence in the church. Whether they be found in the pulpit or the pew, they will corrupt the church. They will replace the gospel with a watered-down compromise version of the truth. They will replace the emphasis of prayer and the leading of the Spirit with programs and the plans of man. They, like Saul of Tarsus before his conversion, will believe themselves to be doing the will of God while all along they are deceived and deceiving others.

This Jezebel of Thyatira went so far as to call herself a prophetess. She actually thought that she was speaking on behalf of God to reveal His plan, purpose, will and design for His people, while all along she was deceived. She was instructing others in an erroneous understanding of Biblical truths. She manipulated the servants of God, His ministers, in order to pervert their religion. She promoted a spirit of the religion of man instead of the true religion of Christ.

The true religion of the Bible has nearly disappeared from our churches in these last days. It has been replaced by the humanistic religion of the world's mindset. The modern religion does not call for repentance. It flaunts its right to determine right from wrong based on man's intelligence, emotions and feelings. There are no absolutes. The Bible is open to whatever interpretation the one reading it determines. Even when in error one will persuade others that they have no right to tell them they are wrong.

This spirit of manipulation is not only in the church today, but it is growing. We have many self-appointed prophets, prophetesses, apostles, teachers, bishops, etc. Our televisions are full of "ministers" with big titles and full of the spirit of Jezebel. I heard one recently call herself Bishop, Apostle, Prophetess, Pastor, Doctor, Reverend so and so. I thought this woman needed a reality check. How could one address an envelope to her, for that BIG donation, when a standard envelope would not be large enough to print her titles on? Plus, how can one person fill all these offices and titles? I believe someone has a pride issue.

I often admonish people that if they are going to seek any of the nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit they should seek the gift of discernment. The followers of Christ need to discern what spirit is speaking when someone is preaching, teaching or giving a word of prophecy, wisdom or knowledge. Many false prophets, teachers, preachers, etc., have been sown into the church, the weeds with the wheat (Matt.13), the goats with the sheep (Matt.25). The only way of not being deceived is by the gift of discernment, knowledge of the scriptures and a father-child relationship with God, through prayer. Remember, there will be a great falling away from the truth in the end times and for this to happen there must be a deception that so resembles the true church that even the very elect may be deceived (Mark 13:22).

But even those who are controlled by the spirit of Jezebel have the mercy and grace of God extended to them. Even the false prophetess of Thyatira, as well as Jezebel of the Old Testament, were given a season of time in which they could repent. With Jezebel of the Old Testament, God sent a prophet to pronounce a severe judgement upon her and Ahab. Ahab showed tokens of repentance so God put off the punishment which also spared Jezebel temporarily. Thus, God gave Jezebel a space of time to repent, but instead of repenting she seduced even her sons into the same sin. She had no remorse for her actions. She was content to continue in her manipulative ways and her relentless attack upon those who stood for truth. She refused to see her wrong and to repent. Her punishment was declared in verses twenty-two and twenty- three. "Indeed I will cast her into a sick bed---I will kill her children." Ahaziah, one of Jezebel's sons, followed his mother's teachings. He fell from a terrace and became bedridden in great pain. Jezebel's other sons, along with her husband Ahab and his seventy sons, were slain by God's hand.

And so it will be to the Thyatira end-time church. God will bring His judgements and expose the spirit of manipulation and the sins of the church. Those who have been lead away from truth by the spirit of manipulation into spiritual adultery will pay a price. For these reason I believe many in the church today are afflicted, diseased, suffering and being tortured in their souls. They have followed the deceived and no longer follow truth. The Lord searches the innermost being and heart of man and He allows punishment to come to those who break His laws of purity. If our hearts are set on Him then we shall receive the rewards of power and the morning star. To those who overcome shall power be given to confute, confound and conquer the false doctrines and the powers of darkness. We become the rod of iron, Jesus' scepter, the instrument He uses for destroying false doctrines, false teachings and false teachers by exposing them.

As end-time overcomers we will destroy, pull down and break to pieces the works of the devil. We will operate in the same power that was given unto Jesus by the Father(Matt.28:18). This power is given only to the overcoming church. The one who will cast out the Jezebel spirit and sin. We then shall receive the Morning Star. Jesus said, "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star" (Rev.22:16). We get to be with Jesus for eternity. Aren't you glad to be living in the most exciting times for the church---the end times?

End Time Study--Pt.4

Before getting into our study for this week I feel compelled to admonish you to get your finances in order. Our economy is about to implode and only those who have prepared will survive the fallout from the economic storm that is coming.

Now, on to our study of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation. The next example of the end-time church is the church at Pergamos, the compromising church (Rev.2:12-17). This church was surrounded by sin and the powers of darkness. There were temples erected there to honor Zeus, Athena, Dionysas, and Asklepios (the god of healing, called the god of Pergamos). The liberal and laxidaical beliefs of the Nicolaitans flourished there as well. The place was so full of paganism and idol worship that Jesus calls it the place where Satan's throne was and where Satan himself dwelled. Any place where Satan dwells, where sin abounds, where idol worship flourishes, is Satan's throne where he is king.

Does this not describe the world setting in which today's church is existing? The church (the body of Christ) is surrounded by sin and the powers of darkness. Just as it was in the days of Noah so it is in these last days. Violence, evil, wickedness and sin abound worldwide. No place is immune. Mankind, as a whole, has become worshippers of idols. We worship sports, leisure, recreation, pleasure, success, etc., etc.(II Tim.3:1-5). Some have made idols out of their churches, denominations, and even their ministers. We erect temples that glorify man's achievements and programs and call them christian churches. We have in the midst of most churches those who are liberal and laxidaical when it comes to moral issues (Nicolaitans). Truly the church at Pergamos is a picture of the end-time church of today.

Jesus seems to be upset by the fact that the church allowed people to serve in it while they held to the doctrine of Balaam. This was a people, though believing upon Jesus as the Christ, still wanted the things of the world. (To better understand who Balaam was and his "doctrine", read Numbers chapters 22,24,and 31). Being like Balaam means you want to serve God yet you want the pleasures and successes of the world around you. Balaam was influenced by his surroundings. He wanted the honor, fame, wealth and power that had been offered to him. Yet, he feared God. So he devised a plan whereby he could obey God by blessing Israel and yet receive what Balak offered him if he would have cursed Israel. Balak was simply afraid of Israel and wanted them cursed so he and his kingdom would not be destroyed. Balaam, while blessing Israel, gave Balak a plan that would result in God's anger being stirred up against Israel, which would ultimately bring them into subjection to Balak, thus sparing him and his kingdom.

So the doctrine of Balaam is where a preacher or minister in the church attempts to promote the cause of God by using an unholy partnership with the ungodly and the worldly, thus producing in the church a lifestyle of the world through the pleasing of the flesh. It's using worldly means to accomplish godly results. This would be like a church that is built upon the marketing and business plans of the world. It may be large and prosperous but is it holy? Some churches use the world's music, dress, language and Hollywood approach to influence their communities in order to attract them to their churches. This is the doctrine of Balaam. Mingling the world with the church. While society is doing all it can to separate the church from the state, it seems the church is doing all it can to marry the church to the state or, to say, the world. The church seems willing to compromise in the areas of holiness, righteousness and doctrinal purity in order to be people friendly. The message in today's modern church seems to be, "Whatever you deem right for you, do it. After all who am I to tell you that you are wrong or, worse still, committing sin?" This is the mindset of the doctrine of Balaam. You can have your cake and eat it too. You can go to heaven without giving up the world and the lust of the flesh. This the Pergamos end-time church.

Because the church at Pergamos did not take a strong stand against loose morals in the church, worldliness, idolatry and fornication were abundant in the church. There were no restraints to prevent a person from doing their own thing, in or out of the church. Jesus is announcing to this church that He hates anything that allows men to be taught to do their own thing which is what a compromising church does whether directly or indirectly. Jesus knew that when worldly things are allowed in the church they tend to rub off on the saints. Have you ever considered that when a person takes a good shower and puts on brand new clothes then goes outside and rolls in the mud, the mud does not become clean. Just the opposite occurs, the clean person becomes dirty. So it is with the church. It can be full of clean saints but when the mud of worldliness is allowed in, and embraced, the clean becomes defiled (I Cor.5:5-7). This desensitizes the church or dulls its sin conscience. We soon learn to live with sin instead of rebuking it because we are taught not to offend anyone.

The sin found in Pergamos, the end-time church, is that of allowing human understanding and feelings to dictate the standards of the church instead of the Word of God. The Word of God is the plumb line by which everything is to be measured, especially in the church. To this church Jesus says, Turn right now!! I'm coming soon to judge you. I will fight against those who uphold or tolerate the doctrine of humanism in My church that I died for."

The church today, for the most part, is living out the conditions found in the churches of Pergamos. By this we can realize that we truly are in the last of the last days. But the true church will be purged and cleansed from her whoredoms with this world by the Word of God. We shall see a return to purity and boldness to not only declare the absolute truth of God's Word, but also to live it. The churches finest hour is quickly approaching!!!

If you are enjoying this study of the end times, please let us know. E-mail us at bljames1947.yahoo.com or simply add a comment to this blog.

End Time Study--Pt. 3

Let us continue our look at the seven churches of Revelation. The next letter to the churches with its message to the end-time church is written to the church of Smyrna (Rev.2:8-11). This church was in a region that was very hostile toward Christianity. Many martyrs would die here. The majority of the believers here were from the lower classes of people. They were poor by the world's standards but were rich in grace. Christianity held on here better than any where else in Asia. This church is the only church that survived among the seven churches of Asia. They may have been economically poor, and even persecuted, yet they had a strong faith. As it was then, so it is always, when it cost something to serve Him it proves our love for Him and strengthens our faith.

It would appear that today's church is largely prosperious economically, yet it is poor in spirit, holiness and righteousness. But as the church enters a time of persecution, tribulation and judgement, I believe we will see a call for and a return to holiness and a right relationship with God. Peter expressed this mindset in his first letter in chapter four verses sixteen through nineteen which states, "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end to those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." When persecution comes to the church in the U.S., as it has already come in some other nations of the world, will we bring glory to the Lord by our faith or will we dishonor Him by our murmuring and complaining? Rest assured judgement is coming to the church. In fact I believe that it has already begun. God has already begun to expose the hidden sins of the church. It is as though God is drawing an imaginary line in the sand of time to see where the church will stand when sin is exposed. God is allowing ministers and their families to be sifted by the enemy that they may see what He sees--their hearts. Ministers are being exposed as adulterers, fornicators, frauds and thieves, not only that they may have the opportunity to repent and be restored, but also to see how the church will react to the sins of the ministers. Unfortunatly, for the most part, churches are failing miserably. Ministers can stand in their pulpits one Sunday and confess adultery, fraud, divorce, or any other sin, and be right back in their pulpits the next Sunday. The ministers have disregarded what the Bible says about sin and the congregations have lost their sin consciousness.

Many ministers no longer speak out against sin because they want the congregation to be programmed to overlook, or at best, excuse sin so that when the minister's sins are revealed the people will overlook them. The money keeps coming in. The requests for speaking engagements continue pouring in. The numbers increase as people realize that this minister is just "one of the guys;" he is just like them. Everyone is happy! Yet all the while God is grieved as His ministers and His people fail the test of loyalty to God and His Word. Judgement will reveal the phony ministers and the compromising congregations.

We are not only ill-equipped for the suffering of the end times but we have bought into the doctrine that we will be raptured before anything bad begins to happen. The church will go through the majority of the Great Tribulaton, but the true church will at the same time be like the church of Smyrna. It will be full of faith while being persecuted. God is bringing judgement to His church to test us. The hard times that await us will prove our faith. If our faith is in man or the things of this world, it will fail. If we are trusting in religion, denominations, the doctrines of man,the traditions of man or programs of man we will fail. Suffering for Christ is a privilege. If standing up for the gospel's sake brings persecution to us, then so be it. We will not be ashamed of the gospel. After all Jesus has already said here in this letter that the believers will be persecuted, put in prison and go through tribulation, yet if they remain faithful a crown of life awaits them. The church is growing up and maturing through the chastening rod of trials and persecutions that she may be ready for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. A glorious church refined by fire(ICor.3:9-15).

One other observation in this letter deserves our attention for the subject matter of our study, that being verse ten of chapter two which says, "---and you will have tribulation ten days---." These are prophetic days like the days spoken of in the Book of Daniel. Prophetic days stand for years. With this knowledge we understand that this verse means that the end-time church will endure ten years (ten days) of tribulation. This would imply that the church will begin to experience persecution at an accelerated rate three years before the Great Tribulation even begins. There is coming a time in the very near future when being called a Christian will expose you to excessive abuse. All of this will be setting the stage for the anti-christ to rise to power.

Historically, the churches of Asia suffered grievious affliction for ten years while under the reign of Diocletian. One Hebrew meaning of the number ten is frequency. For a decade the Christians of Asia frequently suffered persecution and abuse. And so it will be with the end-time church. For a decade the true church will suffer persecution and abuse with these ending at the last trumpet of God and the church being gathered in the clouds. Thus we see another Hebrew meaning for the number ten, that being completeness in divine order or fulness of time. God has a plan and He is working His plan. When the fulness of time is complete, according to God's plan and timetable, God will gather the saints of all the ages and then pour out His wrath upon the earth. But if the true church continues in faith and overcomes the trials of this life, she will not only receive a crown of life, she will "not be hurt by the second death," the lake of fire(Rev.20:14,15). Let's be overcomers.

Rescue the Perishing

On Monday, May 31,2010, I received a vision from God that I believe is important enough to warrant interrupting our study of the end times to present it to you. I was awakened at 5:00AM and could not return to sleep. It was at this time that I saw the vision. I saw a young father standing along a street with his family. His six children were lined up beside him with his lovely wife at the end of the line. His children ranged in age from sixteen down to eight years of age. This family appeared to be a clean-cut, church going, normal all-American family except the entire family was nude. As I passed by, the father called to me saying, "Sir, for a dollar you can have sex with one of my children or for ten dollars you can have all of us, including my wife and myself, for one hour for your sexual pleasures. We are starving. We will do anything for food." I then got out of bed and headed for my living room. As I walked down the hall I began to cry and by the time I reached my living room I was crying harder than I have cried in years. I cried this way for over two hours as I prayed unto God for clarity on what I had seen.

I asked God if what I was seeing was real. He put it in my spirit that what I saw was real and that it would soon come to pass. He said that there is coming an economic crash "very soon" accompanied by a great famine. Parents will become so desperate to feed their children and to survive themselves that they will be willing to do anything for food. I said, "Lord, this can't be. What parent would do such a vile thing?" Then I was reminded of some current news stories where parents were trying to sell their children for sex on the Internet. A mother offered her six year old daughter. Another mother offered herself and her ten year old daughter for sex. A teen girl offered her younger sister to a group of boys for money and they raped the younger sister. Parents offer their children for money that they might support their addictions. Child abuse is rampant. Priest abusing young boys is on the rise. Ministers having sex with teenage girls is on the rise. This is becoming "normal." This isn't new. In chapter nineteen of the Book of Genesis we see where Lot was willing to give his two virgin daughters to a lustful gang of sodomites in order to save his male visitors. There seems to be a mindset that children are dispensable. We abandon them in divorce. We father them out of wedlock and walk away. We sacrifice them to this world because we are too busy to give them quality time. And worst of all, we murder them in the womb because they are an inconvenience. So it isn't beyond belief that as the economy crashes and food will be next to impossible to buy, parents will do the unthinkable. Desperate times call for desperate actions.

I was lead to read II Kings 6:24-29 and Rev.6:6. God said that this will soon take place here in the U.S. as well as the rest of the world. Jer.19:9 prophesied that we will become so desperate that we will even eat the flesh of other people. Eze.5:10 and Zec. 11:9 also refer to this being done. God showed me that this will all take place before the Great Tribulation. It will be this economic crash, as well the great famine and upheaval in the world, that will set the stage for the rise of the anti-christ. Man will be ready for a saviour. A man that promises change for the better. Man will do the unthinkable. Desperate times call for desperate actions.

God then began to show me the role of the true church in these desperate times. The church will be experiencing a time of miraculous provision. We are no longer to send out evangelistic teams, but Rescue Teams. We are to rescue the perishing!! God is going to give the true church equipping centers (cities of refuge) where we will equip the saints to go forth and gather the harvest of souls in these last days. We will lead the family I saw in my vision, as well as a great multitude of others, to Christ and then we will bring them in to are "cities of refuge" where we will feed them, clothe them and shelter them. We are to offer them the love of Christ then show them the love of Christ. We will prove to them Phil.4:19 and Matt.6:25-34 by the supernatural supply of God. We will have warehouses full of food and clothes. We will have shelters for all who come to Christ. We may have to acquire a taste for manna and water from a rock, but God will supply every need. Like the widow of Zarephath, our meal and oil (food) will not run out.

Then God spoke something into my heart that goes against all that I had been taught about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and sheltering the homeless. "We are NOT the world's guardian but its salvation!" The church has for years been pouring monies and work into countries and people that will never accept Jesus as their saviour, while all along we are ignoring those suffering in the shadow of the steeple. We are to meet the needs of the saints first and foremost. While we are giving our time and money to those who will never serve God, those that we are to rescue are perishing. "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."(Matt.7:6) We need discernment of the Spirit in these last days like never before. The very people we reach out to may be the very ones sent to destroy us. We must be lead by the Spirit as to whom we are to feed, clothe and shelter otherwise we may be using the goods for the body of Christ wastefully. Read Matt.25:34-46. As you read this you will see that Jesus is referring to saints (brethren) when He is speaking of feeding,clothing,etc. We are to take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ that are in need. James 2:15-16 tells us the same thing. In Acts 4 we see where the saints sold everything they had in order to see to it that there were no needs among the saints.

The meaning of this vision is very simply this, we are to rescue the perishing! We are to meet the needs of the saints by storing up food, clothing and preparing shelter. No more church as usual! Any church that does not have God's heart for the perishing in these last days will have His Spirit removed and Icabod written over it. We are to go into the highways and byways and compel whosoever to come to Jesus. If they accept the invitation to receive Jesus as their Saviour, then we are to rescue them not only from hell but from their plight.

End Time Study-Pt. 2

Truly if we are in the last of last days we must look at the church to see if she is prepared for the end-time events. Look at your own church , is it ready for the end-time events and harvest? Is the church at large equipped to answer the world's questions as end-time events are now unfolding? Do we know and understand the seasons and signs of the last days? I believe the seven churches of the Book of Revelation, among other things, are a picture of the end-time churches. This is why the end-time prophetic book begins by describing the churches. Yes, it is true that these were actual church regions in John's day, but they also hold the key to what the end-time church will look like. Most prophecy is given not just for the present time of the prophet, but also for the near and far future, thus it is recorded in our Bibles. If it were just for a one time event then it would not have been recorded for us today, except maybe for an example or historical significance.

We will begin our scriptural look at the end times by examining the churches of Revelation chapters two and three. Followed by dovetailing scriptures from Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, Matthew and others, in order to bring us into the current knowledge that God is revealing to His church.

Jesus begins His letters to the churches in chapter two verses one through seven with His letter to the church at Ephesus. As in all seven letters, this one is addressed to "the angel of the church." The term angel means the messenger or person sent or set by God to preside over His church. The Greek word used here is equivalent to the Hebrew "Sheliach Tsibbur" which means the messenger of the temple whose duties were to read, pray and teach in the synagogue. Today these letters would be addressed to the Senior Pastor or Minister of the church.

Jesus makes it clear in this verse that it is He who holds the true ministers of His Word in His right hand or, to say, by His power. He walks in the midst of the true churches of Jesus Christ, the candlesticks. Those churches bearing His light are those that He upholds in His right hand, or power. Unfortunately, today many ministers and churches are functioning without the light of Jesus. Many churches have become social bless me clubs while all the time believing that they are the true church. Yet, Ichabod (the Spirit has departed) has not only been written over the church but has labeled its minister. This will be the condition of some churches in the end time.

Some churches in the end times, like the church at Ephesus, will be known for their good works, labor and patience. They will not grow weary in well doing. They will be clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. They will be applauded by their communities for all their good works. They will be known as a church that opposes error in doctrine and never given to compromising the Word of God. They will have the reputation of being a church that will not tolerate evil and wicked people in their midst. They will not drop the standards of holiness. Plus, they will have great knowledge of the Word.

Because of their knowledge of the scriptures they test those claiming to be apostles. They know if the messages spoken are truly from God or merely a fabrication of the one delivering it. If the messengers do not measure up to the Word's requirements for his office and message, he is cast out as a liar. This is a church that rejects worldly music, immodest dress and lifestyles, false doctrine and anything forbidden by scripture. They have all the appearances of a New Testament church.

Like the church of Ephesus in verse three, the end-time church will be known as a church that perseveres through trials, persecutions and continues in good works. They will withstand the attempts of the false teachers to pull them away from the truth. Even though they will be keeping the faith, they will be found guilty of one thing by Jesus; namely, they have lost their first love.

An entire generation had elapsed since the founding of the church at Ephesus. With the passing of the first Ephesian converts came the inevitable cooling of spiritual zeal. The victories that the pioneers had won were taken for granted by the next generation of the church. They remained religious but had become unloving, self-righteous and proud. The church had become void of spiritual life. It did not retain its strong passion and affection for God which is present in a church that is in love with Jesus. But they had quit, forsaken, remitted, let down and lost their first love.

What is first love? It is much like the love between a man and a woman when they realize that they want to spend the rest of their lives together. This is first love. They act upon it and get married. But if they do not build upon their first love experience it will begin to grow cold and stagnate, especially during hard times. So it is with our first love experience with Jesus, our Bridegroom, we come to Him and we fall in love with Him; but if we do not build upon that first love experience, our love will grow cold and stagnate. We may continue going through the motions of being in love. We will testify of our love for Jesus. We will sing the songs of praise and worship. We will do all the things that a good bride is to do and all the while our love has grown cold, complacent and indifferent.

Our first love has another facet about it. When we have a first for anything or anyone it means that they are of the greatest value to us. Nothing else compares. No one else compares. The Ephesians had lost their first love for Jesus. Jesus was no longer their top priority. No matter how religious they appeared they no longer had the relationship with Jesus that they once had. The cares of life and the persecution of the saints had taken their toll. They were losing sight of the soon return of Jesus as decades past. They began to lose their relationship with God., through Jesus, and they did not even realize it.

Does this not happen in the church today? We too have persevered through trials and persecutions and have continued in good works. Yet our relationship with the Father, through Jesus, has turned into a religious lifestyle not the father-child relationship that it once was. The church today has become unloving, self-righteous and proud just like the Ephesian church. We have, for the most part, lost our zeal for spiritual things, holiness, righteousness, fear of God, and a strong passion and desire for a father-child relationship with God. In essence, we have lost our first love for Jesus. He is no longer our top priority. No longer does He occupy the number one spot in our hearts, desires and passions. We love Him for what He can give us or what He can do for us but not for who He is.

If the church is going to endure to the end of the tribulation, she must rediscover her first love experience. We must place supreme value on our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. We must have our total affections and trust set upon Him. To fall in love all over again with Jesus and to rekindle the passion for His presence will sustain us through every circumstance of life and equip us for His appearing. We then can expect to "eat from the tree of life."(v.7)

End Time Study-Pt. I

Jesus said, "Behold, I come quickly---; And, behold, I come quickly---; surely I come quickly---" (Rev. 22:7,12,20). I believe Jesus wanted His followers to understand that He is coming quickly. He even promised His followers in John 14:1-3, before His death and subsequent resurrection and ascension, that He would go away and prepare a place for them. And if He would go then He would return for them so that they could forever be with Him. Even the angels promised those who witnessed the ascension of Jesus that, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Throughout the New Testament and even in portions of the Old Testament we find scriptures dealing with the end times, the rapture or the gathering of the saints and the return of Jesus. Yet no one knows the day or the hour that He will return. But throughout scripture God has given us clues as to when the season of the return of Christ will be.

Many have given their predictions as to exactly when Jesus would return, and they have all been wrong. We must understand all the scriptures pertaining to Jesus' return, as well as all the predicted events of the end time occurring, before we can draw any concrete conclusions as to when the season of His return will be.

Although no man knows the day or hour of Jesus' return, the Bible makes it very clear that that day will not take the saints by surprise (I Thes. 5:1-11). God wants to equip the saints with the knowledge they need to be prepared for what is about to break loose in the earth and the heavenlies.

Some of the events that must take place during the generation that will witness the return of Jesus are Israel, the Jews, would gather to their homeland and would become a nation again. This occurred on May 15,1948. Also, the temple is to be rebuilt in Jerusalem where the sacrifices will be offered up again. It has been reported that the Sanhedrin have reformed in Israel and are currently looking for direct descendants from the tribe of Levi in order to train them as priests to do the daily sacrifices. There are also reports of them doing a worldwide search for a red heifer whose sacrifice is needed for the dedication and purification of a temple. These events are some of the events that must happen to Israel, in one generation, before Jesus' return. Another event leading up to the return of Jesus is found in II Peter 3:3, 4, that being, "in the last days there will be those, who walking in their own lust, will scoff and mockingly proclaim, 'where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'" I believe that even those within the confines of most churches are now, if not saying this are at least, believing it. This is easily substantiated by simply observing the lifestyles of the average church attendee today. Do their lifestyles reflect holiness and righteousness? Are they more earthly focused than eternally focused? Do they bear a burden for the lost? Do they make the effort to clothe the naked and feed the hungry? If the answer is no to these questions, then sadly we must say, we are not looking for or hastening the coming of the Lord.

Another sign or event to be fulfilled before Jesus returns is the characteristics and lifestyles of the people toward the end of the history of mankind. The Modern Language Bible states it this way, "But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, avaricious, boasters, haughty, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreverent, without natural affection, relentless, slanderers, uncontrolled, brutal, with no love for the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. While retaining a form of piety, they are strangers to its power." (II Tim.3:1-5). I believe we all would agree that these scriptures are definitely being fulfilled worldwide.

If there was ever evidence of end-time scriptures being fulfilled, it is the fulfillment of II Tim. 4:3, 4 that is taking place today. Paul warns us here, "For there is going to come a time when people won't listen to the truth, but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won't listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas." (TLB). Many of our mega churches today are evidence of people going where their ears are being tickled or hearing the things that make them feel good about themselves. People do not want to hear anyone pointing out sins that they may be comfortably living in. And God forbid if a minister would call them to repentance. Instead our churches must be people friendly and, by all means, nothing should ever be said that may cause embarrassment or discomfort to the attendees. Everyone, regardless of their lifestyles, are to be made to feel welcomed, received, blessed and saved because after all they are in "our" church. I stand amazed at the arrogance of people today. Even when I quote nothing but scriptures, they still disagree with what I say when pointing out their shortcomings. They are determined to follow their own misguided ideas. It's as though everyone has their own plan of salvation all worked out and no one can tell them that they are wrong.

Then there are the signs spoken by Jesus recorded in Matthew twenty-four. He says in the end times there shall be wars and rumors of wars(v.6); famine, pestilences and earthquakes(v.7); christians will be hated(v.9); we shall betray one another and hate one another(v.10); false teachers and preachers shall arise(v.11); and sin will abound, lawlessness will prevail and the love of many will wax cold(v.12). I would dare say that each of these signs are prevalent in our world today.

II Thes. 2:3 tells us that before Jesus comes back there must first be a great falling away from the faith and the anti-Christ must be revealed . The falling away has and is occurring and it will be magnified during the Great Tribulation. And the anti-Christ will not be revealed until the mid-point of the Tribulation.

All of these things must occur before Jesus returns. Are we close? I say definitely, factually and scripturally--YES! We shall look at these signs and events more in depth as we look at the end time scriptures further to prove that we are in the last of the last days. But for now I must reiterate that no man knows the day or the hour of our Lord's return, but the body of Christ shall know the season of His return. We are not the children of darkness, so the day of His return will not surprise us like a thief in the night. God is increasing revelation knowledge about the end times as never before in order to prepare His people to be able to persevere to the end. Even Jesus told us in Matthew twenty-four to observe the fig tree. He stated that just as we can tell by the tenderness of the branches and the budding of leaves that summer is near, so it will be before He returns. We will know the season by the signs and events foretold in scripture.

Daniel tells us that in the last days, during the Great Tribulation, "---that the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many." (Dan.11:32, 33). The true church, those who understand the seasons, signs, events and scriptures dealing with the end times, will be strong and will be able to instruct the masses as to what is occurring in the world around them. I believe this wisdom of the end-time events along with the exploits of the believers is what will cause many to believe upon Jesus Christ as the Messiah, a great harvest of souls as it were.

So we must be wise pertaining to the end times. This wisdom will be brought about by increased knowledge (Dan.12:4) from God. The world will be asking questions about the events occurring in the world and the church will have the answers. Nothing will take us by surprise. We must realize that the words of John in Rev. 1:3, "---for the time is near," is upon this generation and we must make ready for "the Bridegroom cometh."(Matt. 25:6)

Why doesn't God use me?

Have you ever asked yourself the question,"Why doesn't God use me?" Do you feel that you are destined to be used of God? If so, why aren't you being used? I admonish you to ask yourself another question, "Is there anything in my life that is defiling me?" I was asking God why He isn't using me on the level that He called me to and I heard that voice within tell me that I was defiled. It was as if God spoke into my heart,"I cannot use you until that which defiles you is removed." To say the least this surprised me. I thought everything between me and God was right on. His Holy Spirit then began to reveal to me the things that are defiling me. Needless to say I had some serious repenting to do which lead to a sense of freedom that I have not felt for a long time. In fact God has been using me since this prayer time to speak into other people's lives and to minister to people at a new level.

If you have been called to minister at any level, from cleaning the church, to counseling, to teaching, to preaching to thousands, and yet it seems that you simply can not obtain the call on your life, you may be defiled; if so rest assured,"...Your sin will find you out."(Num.32:23) Jesus put it this way,"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."(Luke 8:17) Our secrets, our defilements, will be made known. Over the last few decades God has been using the media and other means to expose the defilement in the pulpits of America. Judgement has begun in the house of God.(I Peter 4:17)

I know that we are in the last of the last days. The true believers will be blamed for most of the world's problems and will be treated as criminals. As such we will be under constant surveillance. What we watch on T.V. is already being monitored to rate shows. Our computer use is monitored. This is how they catch child porn users. If we have any defilements it will be made known to discredit us. In this,the end times, God is looking for a people who are seeking Him, His kingdom, His righteousness; not defiling themselves; pure and holy; above reproach. God will no longer entrust His ministry to those who are defiled. He is ready for harvest! The defiled can not be used for harvest because the "whosoever will" that God wants to save are looking for the Truth--Jesus. The Jesus that changes lives. If we are defiled, they will not see the Jesus they need. Our defilements destroy our ministry, our testimony, and the witness we had to the "whosoever will" who has been listening to and watching us.

As God was revealing my defilements, He showed me just how we get defiled. He gave me Psalm 101:2-4. He had me focus on verse three, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes." David, a man after God's heart, set before his eyes a young woman bathing; he began to lust for her which led to adultry, murder and the death of a child. Samson set before his eyes Delilah and lost his ability to be used of God. Herod set before his eyes the daughter of Herodias and it caused him to behead John the Baptist. Just what do we set before our eyes that defiles us? God showed me four areas that Satan uses to defile us thus rendering us unsuitable for God's use.

The first of these is television. What do we watch in the hidden place of our homes? If we watch programs that show violence, this defiles us. We may have outbursts of anger. We may develop a get-even mentality. If we set before us programs that use profanity, this defiles us. In the heat of the moment we too may use profanity because our minds have absorbed this and it will express itself through us. This destroys our witness to the "whosoever will." If we set before us programs containing sex and seduction, this defiles us. This produces lust, an improper attitude toward sex, a means to manipulate the opposite sex, an attitude that says our spouses do not measure up; and it encourages multiple partners. Remember our T.V. program selection is being monitored and can be used to expose our sins that will destroy our witness.

The second means that Satan uses to defile us is our misuse of our computers. What do we click on? Porn? This defiles us. Our computer activity is also monitored. If we are viewing anything that defiles it will be revealed.

The third thing used by Satan to defile us are movies. What movies do we set before us that defiles us? It ceases to amaze me how professing christians can come up with so many lame reasons that it is okay to go to movies that show nudity, sex, violence and use profanity, especially God's name in vain, while all along they are being desensitized to accept the world's ways. They pay big bucks to Hollywood so they can keep on producing more defilement. Most will say ,"I am free to do whatever as long as it does not convict me." For those of this ill-informed mindset may I suggest that you read I Cor.8:3-13. This pertains to more than our eating meats, it applies to every aspect of our lives. "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."(vs.9) Remember we are being watched by non-believers, new converts (the weak), christians (who will lose confidence in our ability to lead), and Big Brother who will use everything they can to destroy our witness.

The fourth, but I'm sure not the last, thing that Satan sets before us that defiles us is our thoughts. What do we meditate on? If our thoughts are not pure, then they will defile us. If we are envious, jealous, covetous, lusting, etc. in our minds --we are defiled.

"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure: But even their mind and conscience are DEFILED, they profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and DISQUALIFIED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK."(Titus 1:15,16)When we set wicked things before our eyes, we become defiled and disqualified to be used by God. The Message Bible states,"They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words." What are your actions (your language,what you watch on T.V., movies and on the computer) saying to those around you and more importantly to God?

We are the end-time church. We will suffer persecution. We will be followed and monitored. God is looking for laborers for the harvest. But He cannot and will not use the defiled. Are you still asking,"Why doesn't God use me?" Are you called out, gifted, talented, annointed, destined, yet there you sit? Be sure of this, "your sin will find you out," "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." The very reason that you may not be where God wants to use you may be because you are defiling yourself, rendering yourself unusable.You may think that it is all hidden thus not hurting anyone but God sees and He will expose the defilements for all to see. Nothing in secret will stay hidden.

What can you do to make yourself usable? Start by repenting for allowing the enemy of your soul to set before you that which is considered wicked in God's sight.Pray Psalm 139:23,24, and be sincere. Then follow Paul's advice in Romans 12:1,2, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Make up your mind that you "will set nothing wicked before my (your) eyes."

Women Are Awesome

In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to deviate from our endtime focus and share with you an excerpt about women from my book,"Nothing But The Blood--How Christ's Passion Reversd the Curses of Sin."

When God decided to create a helpmate for man, Adam, He did not form her from the dust of the ground as He had done in creating man. He brought her forth from something already created and living, man. When God created Adam, man, He created him both male and female. “So God Created man (singular) in his own image, in the image of God created he him; (singular) male and female created he them. (plural)” (Gen. 1:27, emphasis added) “Male and female created he them; (plural) and blessed them, (plural) and called their (plural) name Adam, (singular, man) in the day when they (plural) were created.” (Gen. 5:2, emphasis added) Eve was already created in Adam; she just had not been “birthed” yet. God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and He then performed a cesarean section on him and woman, Eve, was “birthed.” (Gen. 2:21-25) From the side of the first Adam God “birthed” woman and brought into being that which would allow Him to have a people that He could have a Father-child relationship with.

When Adam “birthed” Eve she was to be a helpmate to him. Just what is a “helpmate” or “helpmeet?” Its definition is simply a helper or partner. But help to do what or partner to what? Man was destined by God to “…be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:…” (Gen. 1:28) In order for man to multiply he needed a partner, a helper. This was one task he could not do alone, thus came Eve “…the mother of all living…” (Gen. 3:20), to make him complete for the task of multiplying and filling the earth. But man was also to have dominion “…over every living thing that moveth upon the earth…” (Gen. 1:28, emphasis added). Man was to take the lead in all things, especially in maintaining the Father-child relationship with Jehovah.

Man was created to follow God. He was to be the spiritual leader of the family, the high priest of his home. He brings strength, security, supply and spiritual relationship to the family. His helpmate brings emotion, balance and guidance to the family. Women have the most important and privileged position on earth. They are “helpmates.” How many of you know that woman can make man do just about anything. Ask Sampson about his Delilah or King Ahab about his Jezebel or John the Baptist about the daughter of Herodias. Though man has dominion, woman can so easily conquer him. God has given woman this ability to guide man. She can either use it for good or for evil. She is the rudder on the ship called man. She can steer him toward a Father-child relationship with Jehovah or she can steer him away from God for her own selfish desires. The old quote “Behind every successful man is a good woman,” is oh so true. Who do most young boys turn to when they have a question about life – mom. Why? Because she guides, encourages and steers him toward high and lofty goals.

So a helpmate is one who steers her husband and family towards God. She encourages them to be in such a close relationship with God that He can use them for what He purposed for their lives before the foundation of the earth. A godly woman can be so mightily used of God to mold godly character, to instruct, to guide, to encourage her mate to reach all his potential for God. When a woman is in her rightful place of helpmate, she will receive a mate who will love her “as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Eph. 5:25) When a man is in a right relationship with God, his wife receives a husband who will lay down his life, his self will and desires in order to show her the Father’s unconditional love. She has a mate that she can trust and know that he will always be faithful to her because of his love for God. This meets the most common needs of a woman; i.e., security, a feeling of safety, confidence in who she is and in her relationship with her husband. When a wife is supporting and encouraging (not nagging) her husband in his walk with God, their life together will be long, loving, peaceful and will produce a family after God’s heart.

This was God’s intention for woman, not a subservient position, but a partnership to make one complete person following God’s plan for their lives. A husband and wife in love with and flowing in their godly roles will cause the devils to tremble. When mom and dad are in unity, there will be unity in the home. This is one of the worst enemies Satan has – a unified body of believers. This is why Satan has attacked women so violently. He wants them independent, have no need of man, use their God-given powers to manipulate man towards evil. If you don’t believe this, all you have to do is watch anything on television and you’ll see the appeal to one of man’s strongest appetites – sex. Satan is devouring our men, including our ministers and other Christian leaders, through the manipulating power of a sensual woman. It’s time for men to rise up and become the warriors God intended them to be. They should fight for their wives, not fight with them. Men should be so in love with God and His word that there is no weapon that the enemy can form against him that will prosper.

God had originally planned for man and woman to be one in every area of life, especially in their Father-child relationship with Jehovah. Eve was to help Adam be all that God wanted him to be. Together they were to be fruitful and multiply. They were to subdue the earth and have dominion over it. They were to fill the earth with their seed being in relationship with Jehovah. But the first Adam failed when his helpmate steered him in the wrong direction, that being disobedience to the Father.

But now we have the second Adam, Jesus, who has finished the blood sacrifice making a way for a new, pure, helpmate to be “birthed.” One made in the image of God Jehovah -- pure, holy, glorious without spot or wrinkle or blemish or any such thing. One who would be a helpmate to her mate the second Adam, Jesus. One who would be fruitful and multiply His seed and replenish the earth with His offspring. Jesus had a cesarean section and the womb of His heart opened up and spilled out the birth fluids of blood and water and He “birthed” a bride, a church. One that was just like Himself, bone of His bones, flesh of His flesh, spirit of His Spirit, one unified body born perfect. One can see this in Ephesians 5:25-27.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Emphasis added) Here Paul commands the husbands to love their wives, just as Jesus loves His wife, His bride, the church. He died to give birth to her. He sanctified her, set her apart to be His, to bring forth His seed, to fill the earth with His children. He keeps her holy, pure and clean, undefiled by this sinful world by His living word and Spirit so that when the Bridegroom comes to receive His bride, the church, she will be glorious, without spot, or wrinkle or any such thing, holy without blemish.

He did not birth a harlot. One who goes whoring after her lovers of worldliness. One who would be an adulteress and cheat on him. One who would only love Him when she can see Him. One who would only love Him for His wealth. One who would love Him only in the good times. One who would love Him only for the goose bumps He makes her feel at times. One who would love Him only for His gifts or abilities to do miracles. One Who Loves Him Period! No Questions Asked! Unconditionally! His Forever No Matter What!!!

His blood sacrifice made the way for her birth, and He sealed her with the water of the Holy Spirit. “…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."” (Eph. 1:13) He put His engagement ring of the Holy Spirit on her, His mark of ownership. Is it any wonder that the church is admonished to “…be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18b) It’s His seal of ownership. We belong to a Holy King. He has gone to prepare a place for us; and He is coming back for His beautiful, holy, pure, undefiled, unblemished and spot-free bride to take her to the place He has prepared. There to ever be with her Holy Husband. (John 14:1-3) By Him giving the Holy Spirit is proof that the atonement for sin was complete, that a bride had been “birthed,” and that He is coming back for her soon.

I want to wish all of our mothers a very happy and blessed Mothers Day!! Remember, you have the great task of keeping us men on a highway called holy. WOMEN--YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

Are we in the last days?

Are we in the last days? As Jesus hung on the cross and cried out, "It is finished," the prophetic clock to the return of Christ began to tick. All things needed for the salvation, peace and hope of man was fulfilled. With nothing else needed, the last days could begin. We have been in he last days ever since Jesus said, "It is finished," and the prophecies dealing with the end times have been fulfilling themselves as though on a time table. God is counting down to the end and only He knows the day and hour of that return. He is escalating the fulfillment of these end-time events and prophetic utterances; thus, we are now in what I call the last of the last days.

Even the secular world believes that the world is coming to an end. It's no secret that the world seems to be running out of natural resources. The weather patterns have gone so awry that the meteorologists have no explanation of the erratic weather events. Of course some are crying that man made global warming is to blame, although this can not be scientifically substantiated. We are seeing the increase of floods, drought, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wild fires, as well as other natural disasters. Thousands are starving to death daily. There are wars and rumors of war. Terrorism and violence are increasing. Lawlessness abounds. Economies are in jeopardy of total collapse. The political arena has gone morally and ethically bankrupt. All the evidence seems to point to the fact that something catastrophic is about to happen.

With all the signs of the times pointing to the end of the history of mankind, what should the church be doing? The church should be studying to show itself approved, able to give an account of what it believes. We should be able to point at the news events and say, "This is that which the prophets foretold." The church has been lulled to sleep concerning the end times with the arousing words of some preachers insuring the believers that they do not have to be concerned about the last days because the church will be raptured before the going really gets rough or, to say, before the Great Tribulation begins. As a result of this traditional, yet erroneous teaching, the church will be ill-equipped to face the end times with faith, power and confidence. The church needs to respond to the end-time events occurring around the world by equipping the saints to not only be ready for the tribulation, but also be ready to stand as pillars of strength proclaiming the Word of God. The saints need to be equipped for the great harvest that will come at the end of the age. As long as believers have an escapist mindset they will not be about the Father's business, winning the lost.

In the weeks ahead we shall not only prove that pre-trib and mid-trib theologies are not scriptural, but we shall also endeavor to equip the saints with the tools needed to be ready for the Great Tribulation and for the great harvest of souls. The world is going to be looking for solutions to all of the chaos that engulfs them and the church will have the answers. This can only be done when we become equipped with biblical truth and the unction of the Holy Ghost.

This is the purpose of this blog, equipping the saints. This will be done by bringing clarity and understanding to the scriptures pertaining to the end times. I hope to bring you, the reader, to the fresh revelation of the times in which we live that we may better comprehend the events that surround us. As you follow this blog pray for an open mind and for understanding. If you disagree make sure it is done with scripture and not by personal biases developed through the religions and traditions of man. The material that I will be sharing in this blog on the end times has come from years of study and prayer, and its time is now.

May God enhance your understanding and add wisdom to you as you received this revelation knowledge.

Want to see a miracle

What will the end time church look like? I believe it will mirror the first century church. It will be "strong and doing great exploits" (Dan.11:32). Signs, miracles and wonders will be the norm. Which begs the question, where are the signs, miracles and wonders at in today's church? God gave me a dream on March 13,2002, that brought to me great insight as to why we rarely see signs, miracles and wonders in the modern-day church. The dream has been shared with many people in church settings and has been received with a very positive response.

In the dream I was coming out of a church with my family. As we were coming out we saw the pastor (who looked like Oral Roberts, although it wasn't him), on his knees in some mud beside a church bus; even his suit was soiled with the mud, and he was crying very loudly. I went to him and asked what was burdening him so badly. All he could say was "where are the signs, miracles and wonders?" I replied to him, we no longer see them because of: 1)a lack of faith; 2)a lack of a spirit of anticipation; and 3)sin in the camp. Then God gave me Duet.23:14. The pastor looked like Oral Roberts although it was not him. Then I awoke and received the interpretation.

Why is it in the New Testament we read about the lame walking; the dumb speaking; the deaf hearing; the dead rising up to life; and many other miracles, yet today we see very little of this in the church? Where is it to be found in scripture that God was going to remove signs, miracles and wonders from His people? Nowhere!!

The first reason for our not seeing signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." For example, when we get sick, what do we generally do? We take medicine. If it is bad enough we go to the doctor. If it is a sickness unto death, we pray. We then will go to the elders of the church and ask to be anointed and prayed for that we may receive a miracle healing. What's wrong with this picture? Its all done backwards. If we are a people of faith why did we not go to God first? This should be the normal response of a person of faith, we trust God first. If we desire to see signs, miracles and wonders we must increase our faith.

The second reason that we no longer see signs, miracles and wonders is our lack of a spirit of anticipation. Do we come to church expecting to see God show up? Judging by the fact that so many come to church late and desire to be seated in the rear of the sanctuary and dressed like they are going to a picnic instead of anticipating a King to show up,I would say we aren't expecting to see anything out of the ordinary. If we were anticipating God showing up to do great things among us, we would be sure to arrive plenty early to secure a front row seat so we would not miss seeing a sign, miracle or wonder or whatever God would choose to do. I remember attending World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio, with my family back in the late 1980's. We arrived about an hour early for the morning service and we still had to sit in the very back of the church. After the service we asked an usher how early we should arrive for the evening service in order to secure a good seat. He told us to be sure to be in line by 3PM. The doors did not open until 5PM with the service starting at 6PM. We arrived at 3PM and there were already a few hundred people in line . These people were anticipating a holy visitation and they did not want to miss it.I wonder how we would worship and praise God in our church services if we were expecting a holy visitation? If you want to see signs, miracles and wonders in your church, as well as in your life, start having a spirit of anticipation.

The third reason that we do not see signs, miracles and wonders is there is sin in the camp. Duet.23:14 states, "For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your CAMP, to DELIVER (signs,miracles,wonders) you and give your enemies over to you; therefore, your CAMP shall be HOLY, that He may see no unclean thing among you,and turn away from you." Nowhere in scripture do we read that we are to bring sinners into the church. In fact the bible tells us just the opposite. But the bible does say that we are to GO into the highways and byways, into every nation, to the sinners and present them with the gospel. The church should be the last place that we should find the unsaved. The very presence of God would cause them to come under conviction to the point that they would either have to repent and get saved or run out of His presences. Maybe sinners are comfortable in our churches because there is no Holy Spirit present. It seems that the church today goes out of its way to make sinners comfortable in our services. We use the world's music so they will feel comfortable with a music they are used to. We avoided using words like sin, hell, judgement,etc. We will avoid naming sins. We would not even thing of calling people to an open altar (we don't want to embarrass anyone). We pray their pray for salvation for them, then tell them that they are saved and loved. They leave without repentance and confession with no change in their life, deceived with a false hope of salvation.

The Holy Spirit will not co-habitate with sin. If we want to see signs, miracles and wonders we will have to have faith, have a spirit of anticipation and get rid of the sin in our lives.

The bus in the dream represents our programs used to attract people to our churches. Just as the buses are used to bring people to our churches, so our programs are designed to do the same. Many times we use our programs in place of the presence of God because He departed or isn't made to feel welcome.

The pastor looked like Oral Roberts meant that this was a pastor who had known what it was like to experience signs, miracles and wonders. The mud represents the sin that the church was sitting in. The fact that his suit was soiled with mud indicated that he himself had sin in his life, thus quenching the move the Holy Spirit in his life and the church.

The end time church will be flowing in signs, miracles and wonders, doing great exploits. But first God will have to clean His house, and He has started!

Do you need a miracle? Do you want to witness them in your church? You must have faith! You must develop a spirit of anticipation! And most importantly, you must get the sin out of your life and your churches.

Has Judgement Started?

"For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: And if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God."(I Peter 4:17)

During the mid 1980's, as world renowned televangelist were confessing sins, losing their ministries and even being arrested for criminal behavior, I felt that God's judgment of His house had begun. I recall attending a pastor's breakfast with James Robison about this same time and he said that God was going to use the secular media to expose the sin in our pulpits. Has this statement ever been any more true than it is today?

Are we, as a church, and especially ministers, in need of accountability? Sin is running rampant in pew and pulpit alike. God is using the media to expose the sins of many in the hierarchy of the christian church. Yet the church seems unrepentant. Oh, we may go on national television with tears flowing and ask for forgiveness of our "failures" while all along about the only thing that we are sorry for is that we got caught.

We have internationally known ministers confessing to going to Paris to frequent strip clubs and to even committing adultery as they carry on long distance affairs. They may lose their families but they keep their pulpits, their television programs, their "fan" base, their support and their speaking engagements outside their own church. There are pastors divorcing over "irreconcilable differences"(not biblical grounds), yet they keep right on going as if nothing has happened. Divorce and remarriage in the pulpit and pew alike, have reached epidemic proportions.

Church leaders having moral failures with no consequences is a sad indictment against the moral climate of the church. When those in the pew no longer demand integrity, accountability, purity, holiness, righteousness of those in leadership then that church is ready for God's judgment. He allows those in leadership to get caught in their sins in order to not only cause the sinner to examine himself and hopefully repent, but to also test those in the pew. Do those in the pew have the relationship with God; the knowledge of His Word; and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to demand sin be dealt with or do they overlook the sins of the leaders hoping they will overlook their sins and not "preach" against their sins. By overlooking one anothers sins we can be "happy." We may have a false sense of security, but we can all sing our songs of victory as the Titanic of our souls is sinking in the sea of darkness.

Churches have now gone so far into imitating the world's way of doing things that they now will pay people to attend their churches or offer gifts for to those who will attend. According to Ministry Today online from fall of '09, there are churches throughout the nation that use such marketing gimmicks. One church in Alsip, IL, advertised that "We will pay you to come." They pay out cash and gifts to first time visitors. They even use the theme song from The Price Is Right during the praise and worship when preparing to announce the week's winners. Other churches offer big screen televisions, vacations, cars, etc., to one lucky visitor. One ministry in Beloit, WI, brags of meeting with a group of non-church goers at a local bar every Sunday to talk about Jesus over cocktails, cigarettes and chicken wings.

Now I can understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem--He was grieved over their rejection of and rebellion to the Truth. The church no longer holds to the Truths of God's Word. Instead we think our programs and "modern" way of doing things is far better than the "old-fashioned" way. Several months ago God revealed to me that the church needs to come back to the simplicity of the cross, the blood and a resurrected Savior. I recall back in 1987, as I was complaining to God about the dry wilderness place that I found myself in, I was "telling" God what I needed when it was like God spoke very clearly to me. "I have given you Jesus and I owe you nothing else." I realized then that in Jesus I have everything I'll ever need. Knowing Him is all that matters!! Yet instead of preaching Jesus crucified, resurrected and coming again, we resort to clever marketing devices, programs, entertainment and people-pleasing sermons. We preach ear-tickling sermonetts and produce little christianettes, not disciples of Jesus.

Many of our proven prophetic voices in the church today are not only prophesying pending judgment, but they are praying for it. As God brings judgment to the church, as it was when His judgments came to Isreal in the O.T., repentance will come and a genuine sorrow over sin will permeate the people. We will experience a revival in the church and an awakening in the nation. The result will be a great harvest of souls as the people gaze upon the true church, seeing Jesus alive and changing lives.

Do we need judgment as a nation, a church, a people? YES!! I believe it has begun. Let's repent and cease our rebellion against God. Let's present to the world a life- changing Jesus not a socializing "good ole boy" who promotes a "let's eat, drink and be merry" mentality as so many of our churches do today. Let His righteousness be seen in us and through us as we face first judgment, then tribulation and finally His return.

Joseph's Seven Years

While I was preaching a message about Joseph and his dreams, God spoke revelation knowledge into my spirit and I shared it with our congregation. God showed me that as it was with Pharaoh’s dreams of the seven fat cows and seven skinny cows, the seven good heads of grain and seven lean heads of grain, so it would be in the very last days. We know that the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams by Joseph lead to the salvation of Egypt as well as Jacob (Israel) from drought and famine. God told Pharaoh, through Joseph’s interpretation, that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine or leanness. The first seven years were given that they should make ready for the seven lean years by storing up the grain that would sustain them through the lean years.

God showed me that this event from the life of Joseph was given as an example for the end-time church. Like Joseph, the church was destined for greatness. But just as Joseph was cast into a pit, sold into slavery and even imprisoned, so goes the church. When Jesus birthed the church on the cross, she was destined for greatness, but she too was cast into the pit, the slavery and the prison of religion. Instead of following the simplicity of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, man began to add to and take away from the original intent of the word. We divided and called ourselves denominations. We split over misunderstandings of scripture. The church was never called to divide and subtract, as is the case today, but to be fruitful and to multiply, as well as to be added to daily. But God is going to use the pitfalls of the church to position it for its finest hour just as Joseph was brought into his finest hour by his pitfalls.

The true church is going to grow weary and even nauseated by the condition in which she finds herself. She is going to begin to cry out for truth and will no longer be content with the ear-tickling messages of the people-friendly pulpits. Programs will no longer pacify the saint of God. There will be a longing in the heart of the saint to be in a deep, loving relationship with God the Father. There will be a willingness to do whatever is necessary to draw in close to God. Denominational brand names will be meaningless. Being the groupie of certain preachers will lose its luster. Names, reputation and the opinions of others will no longer concern the saint. There will be a great hunger and thirst for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. There will be a genuine revival start that will have no end until the end. The last and greatest awakening will take place. We shall see seven years of plenty.

As with Joseph’s story, the church shall experience seven years of revival, awakening, outpourin of the Holy Spirit, revelation knowledge, holy visitation, dreams, visions, signs, miracles and wonders following the proclamation of the Word. The church will grow spiritually fat. She shall be given equipping centers from which the well-equipped saints shall be sent out to accomplish the great commission. Missionary teams will be sent around the world. Evangelistic teams will go into the highways and byways to compel whosoever will to come to Christ. Pioneers will go forth to establish new equipping centers. The wealth of the wicked has been stored up for the righteous and we shall possess it. We shall cloth the naked, feed the hungry, care for the widow and orphaned. Revelation knowledge will be poured out through the five-fold ministers to equip the saints for the coming seven years of leanness, or to say, the seven years of the Tribulation. The church will be equipped to make disciples not just converts. We will see the harvest of souls during the seven years of fatness and especially during the seven years of leanness at a magnitude that has never been witnessed before in the history of mankind. The church will rise from the ash heap of cold, dead religion to do great exploits as Daniel chapter eleven verse thirty-two says about the tribulation church. The church will enter the Great Tribulation well equipped to endure to the end, doing great exploits.

May God richly bless you as you go forth in His name to equip the saints and gather the harvest.

Received by B. L. James This word was given to me on June 8, 1991, at 4:10 in the morning. I had been in a season of prayer and fasting for several days when it came. I was awakened by a voice saying awake, wake up, wake up, wake up! I tried to return to sleep but again the voice said wake up, wake up, wake up! I went to the table, got out my pad and pen and said, “Okay Lord, if this is you speak to me what you want me to hear and I will write it down.” I began to write and when I was finished I realized the God had given me a word for the church.

“Wake up Church”

Wake up church! Wake up! Wake up! Church of the Living God awaken! Wake up! Wake up!

You have been asleep in your traditions; in your comfortable doctrines; in your beds of self-righteousness while all the time the devil, as a roaring lion, has been roaming around devouring, killing, destroying, possessing and controlling whomever he desires – practically unopposed.

Church, where were you when the courts decided to legalize the murder of My infants? Where were you when I was removed from your schools and the education of My children? Where were you when the homosexuals came out of their closets and began to devour My young men? Where were you when the false religion of humanism began to seep into My people? Where were you when the New Age doctrine began to devour My world? Asleep – asleep – asleep!!!

You are asleep at my altars! You are asleep in my sanctuary! You are asleep in My Word! You’re asleep – you’re asleep! Awaken church of the Living God! Arise! “Trim your lamps.” Remove everything that is not holy from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary and My world.

Come unto me with a godly sorrow. Repent! Repent! Repent! I, your God, call My people to repentance. You call a world of sin to repentance without offering them a place to turn to that is different from where they are. “Remove the beam out of thine own eye.” Remove the sins of complacency, luke-warmness, self-righteousness, worldliness, humanism and spiritual laziness from your lives (My temples), My sanctuary, and My world. These things cannot enter My kingdom.

You pray “Thy kingdom come,” yet I cannot build My kingdom upon the foundation that you are laying. Repent! Repent! Repent! Lay a foundation not made by hand. One where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. One that My apostles and prophets have laid (and are laying). “Not by might, nor by power (human effort), but by My Spirit,” is how My kingdom shall be built.

Sound the alarm! “The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.” Make ready the Church of the Living God! Repent! Repent! Repent! Come unto Me with a godly sorrow.

The blood of many cry out to Me, “Where was Your church? Where was Your body? Where were Your people? Where was Your power? I needed to see the ‘Real Thing.’ Many professed to know You but none reflected Your holiness, Your power, Your love, Your presence.”

The world is dying and going to hell. “Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.” Who will say as Isaiah, “Here am I; send me,” when I ask, “Whom shall I send?” “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” You must repent! The flesh (self will) must be crucified daily. Take up your cross (My purpose and plan) daily. Come after Me with the whole heart. Hold back nothing from Me and I’ll hold nothing back from you. “ You’ll lack no good thing.”

I soon will return, but first you must awaken and make yourself ready, Church of the Living God. I do not come for a half dressed, drowsy, lazy, indifferent, lukewarm bride robed in the rags of worldly pleasure, self-indulgence, self-pleasing and self-serving. But I’m, coming for a bride robed in My glory, My righteousness, My love, My faith, and My power. One yoked to Me, intimate with Me, in step with Me, at one with Me. Loving what I love and hating what I hate.

Who is on My side? Who will dare to lay down his life (self-will) for Me? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” You call Me your friend – true I died for you – but you must die (death of self-will) for Me in order for Me to call you My friend. As with Abraham you must offer up your Isaacs (your goals, your ambitions, your plans, your ways of doing My “good works,” your traditions) then I will call you my friends.

Awaken Church of the Living God. Go forth and take that which is mine. Set captives free; destroy the works of the devil; take back that which you have surrendered (your intimacy with Me, your joy, your power, your first love, your holiness, your separateness, your faith, and your unity), then go forth as My army. Storm the gates of hell. Pull down strongholds that put people in bondage. Tell the enemy to “let my people go.” Then “go ye into all the world” with power, love and a sound mind and take what is Mine, saith the Lord.

“Arise shine for your light is come.” If you will receive it (the light of Christ and My word), then My glory shall be seen upon you. This will draw people – the lost, the hopeless, the down-trodden – unto Me.

Wake up Church of the Living God! Repent! For I come quickly – hasten My return, saith the Lord.