Family and Friends
Introduction
A heartfelt message from one of our senior brothers in Christ, Peter, who has since passed on, presented here in honour of him.
Preamble – Prayer for Revival (from Peter)
“We were looking at the best evidence we have from the bible, having looked at these things for 40 years waiting on it, that we have about 10 years or so to go until the Church’s participation is finished, as God then looks to the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel and two witnesses to bring in the last great multitude of believers during the time of greatest tribulation on earth. As per the words from Dutch Sheets of recent times, (the reader may search his content on the Internet) God will not just simply extend the time we have on this just because we pray or ask for extension. Rather, to have that extension we will need to pray and are required to do so as a Nation for revival – in order to receive additional time, (to bring in loved ones before the great tribulation.) It is that additional time that is purposed to bring in more people into the Kingdom of God through revival. If we do not do what God requires for this to happen, we will not see it and the Church will be removed as per the timing and plan in the message given below – to the best we understand it. God will not just extend the time. It will have to come through revival. To the prayer leaders in Australia, who would marshal all the prayer leaders they know in Australia, for the Nation to pray for revival through our prayer groups? Who will take authority to get the prayer groups in Australia together?”
“This message, to pray for revival, must go out to the Body of Christ in Australia.”
We believe the Church needs to be serious to pray for revival as this is what God is waiting for.
End Time Message
Muster My People to Pray
Our aforementioned friend has further content we would like to share here.
“We pray over the State Parliament, the Reserve Bank, the Law Courts, the Banking and Commercial houses, the Media and other centers of influence.”
Martin Place is at the very heart of the Nation in its Remembrance of its Anzac heroes.
Richard Johnston preached the first gospel message in Australia, eight days after arriving in Sydney Cove with the First Fleet in 1788 – he took as his text Psalm 116:13 for Sydney:
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
A prophecy from 1995:
“Muster My people to pray; call a solemn fast; I AM visiting My children”.
“May we be found Spiritually prepared as the wise ones in that parable … ready for our call to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Lord be praised!”
From 1995 onward, there has been corresponding focus from this ministry for the leading of corporate prayer among intercessors in fellowships, cities, people, groups and nations. The central message could be expressed in the song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”, the nothingness of self and the All in the all-ness of God.
Sydney Prayer History
From our archives, a letter from July 2006:
Sydney Prayer History
[Person’s names have been abbreviated for privacy]
The Lord commissioned prayer meetings in Sydney Square for five months during 2000, and seemed to be preparing the spiritual climate of the city centre to withstand something of the onslaught of the Olympic Games’ coming in later that year. (Sons of Zion against the sons of Greece!) He sent some prayer warriors on adventures like getting down deep under the Town Hall to carry the communion elements into the very ground which had been used as a grave yard in the early days of settlement, and various other acts of cleansing the ground in and around the Anglican Cathedral that were commanded works at that time. In 2001-2002, St. Stephen’s Uniting Church on Macquarie Street gave permission for lunchtime prayer meetings. Intercessors gathered weekly, & from this base, many public, cultural, institutional & commercial buildings from the Opera House right up Macquarie Street and into Martin Place were among the places which drew the Lord’s attention. It’s worth mentioning the colossal struggle in the Spirit that took place to see the NSW Lands Title Office yield up true title to the Lord & Owner of all Creation!! Praise the Lord.
Members of praying groups have had continuous & glorious revelation from the Lord in various meetings in the CBD – including:
• The Schin – or letter representing the Name of the Lord – has been discerned in the layout of the underground tunnels under the CBD (Psalm 119:161 to 168 bears the superscription of that name “Schin”.
• The Crackling of God’s spiritual fire has been discerned in the CBD.
• The Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ has been discerned up & down Martin Place.
• On the last National Day of Thanksgiving gathering of intercessors in Martin Place, a vision of a huge Loaf of Bread coming down from heaven was given. How gracious, long suffering and merciful our Lord is! We have no doubt that He will bring the promised outpouring of His Spirit and the great revival Fire that He has spoken of. Praise to the Lord.
We touched on the February 1990 “battle for Sydney” in the Sept/Oct 2004 newsletter. [K S] & [N] and [BB] were supported there by the diligent work of spiritual mappers, and much focused prayer from 70/90 prayer warriors in a one week prayer gathering. A major revelation was given by the Lord to brother [S] of the RULING SPIRITS over the city of Sydney at that time. Three were identified:
• Nimrod. “Making a name for himself”. You’ll remember the tower of Babel! Seen to be the ruling spirit over freemasonry. Nine of the early governors, I believe, were Freemasons, & regalia were sown into the cornerstones of many of the public buildings. Many major meetings of early governors were Freemasons meetings in boats out on the harbour – so there’s been need for much cleansing. Freemasonry influence in the city has been so widespread that a silver mason’s trowel was recently found in St Mary’s Cathedral!
• Bacchus. “The party spirit” – the grog – entered into the early colony through the use of rum as currency.
• Mammon. “The love of Money”. Sydney’s hard commercial heart. The Lord says he will take many of the finely honed financial talents of those who have been raised up under mammon & turn them to His worldwide purposes in the Kingdom of God. (As you may know, brother [S] & the [B]s had previously been mightily engaged with groups warring for the nation of Australia in Canberra, where the ruling spirits over the nation were seen to be:
• Jezebel
• Antichrist
• Hell & Death
The FGBMFI members in Martin Place were an instrument in the Hand of the Lord for CBD prayer through the 1980s, & the late 80s saw tremendous clean-up work done in the nation through the nationwide Ministries of Ten Thousand Men, in which we played a part in the CBD & the eastern suburbs of Sydney. As a result of that latter work 450 “prophets of Baal” were toppled by God from public office & celebrity, often being warned that God’s people were praying and that the re would be consequences! Only our Lord Himself could review what He has done to prepare the city from 1788 to the present day. Surely many great men & women of God will have been used over the years to keep the Lord’s witness alive and hold back the darkness. Even in recent times, who could calculate the impact upon our spiritual environment of lives like [FN]s, [GM]s, and the late [CJG]?
Who could assess the contribution of the prayer & outreach ministries of the great city churches, under [PP], [H], & others? Who knows the value of the steadfast work of some of the embattled pastors, indigenous & others, people like [RYP] & [LL] & others who have carried such burdens for the Lord… and the wonderful prayer intercessory prayer groups who’ve been used on the cutting edge?
The individual and often unknown devoted saints? Who could measure the value to the body of Christ here, of the ministries of overseas speakers reaching into our community in person and through the Lord’s early morning TV programs over recent years? No one could tell how our Lord Jesus Christ has done and is doing His great and mighty work of saving this city and this nation, but may He receive honour and glory and praise, thanksgiving and worship. Through Him be Glory be to God our Father for ever.
[RJ] said in September 2004:
Sydney is already a beautiful and remarkable world-class city. If it humbles itself, and will turn to the morality and integrity of the Lord, it will become one of the most powerful business centers of the world. Great companies that will arise in Australia will be based in Sydney and many others will move their headquarters there. Then Sydney will become the gateway city of the South Pacific and major door to Southern Asia.
There are many true worshipers in Sydney and their worship is touching the Father in a special way. They are getting heaven’s attention. For this reason some of the great prayer ministries will also be raised up in Sydney that will give birth to powerful spiritual change throughout the region and make the way of the Australian missionaries victorious. Through them Sydney can become a city of power that stands with the great and influential cities of the earth.
Praise the Lord!
Conversations in the Marketplace
From our archives, 2012:
Conversations in the Marketplace – “Knowing God” 2012
This Conversation today can help people in any walk of life who are looking for God or want to know Him better. It is particularly for men and women in the marketplace; as we shall be discussing our role out there. Relationship with God enhances every facet of life and work. As He adopts us into His Kingdom, everything takes on new meaning, and we know the joy of promised Reward!
In this our generation, most of the world has drifted away from the knowledge of the true and living God, our Creator. Few would even realise that God is vitally interested in our everyday lives; wanting to bring good to us, desiring to help us in every way we ask Him; GOD IS LOVE!
In our sharing today, we desire that you may know the Truth; to be Free to live life as God intended; to fulfill your potential. If you are willing, let us listen with our hearts as we take a walk through the Bible together- It is God’s Word; His Word is Truth; It’s His Love-letter to man; His Heart for us, revealed By His Spirit.
It was never intended that man should walk alone, apart from God. All the problems of the world stem from an encounter in a garden long ago, where fellowship with God was lost. They are all resolved for us through another Man’s transaction with God on our behalf, in another garden many years later. There , God’s Son, Jesus, chose to go to the cross for us that His Divine Life could come to man, for all who believe and receive Him.
Religious tradition often has us in church for weddings and funerals; perhaps Easter and Christmas; attending Sunday meetings, etc. That’s good, but God’s idea is much bigger than that! He wants us to really become one with Him, that it may go well with us at home and at work; and in all of life; looking out for others. In short, He wants through His believing people to reveal Himself on Earth.
Sadly, as a result of mankind’s falling away from God, we all start life with an incurable terminal disease which is actually sin and death; it’s in all of us from birth! Jesus came to return us to God. He said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no-one comes to the Father except by Me.”
As He hung on that cross outside Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, His Blood bore away all sin and death forever, for all who believe! GOD WAITS FOR MAN’S RESPONSE! … Can you hear His Voice?
The steps you take today and from now on are important, and there is particular urgency in all our decisions right now; the end of the Age approaches. It will be your choice; Choose God’s Way and you will be accepted. If we go on in our own way alone, we are lost. If we wake up to the truth that we need Jesus as our Saviour, and declare Him Lord, He will be our Good Shepherd; He will come into our hearts by His Spirit, and we shall be passed from Death to Life! GOD be praised!
We hope to leave you at the end of our Conversation with an awakened interest in the things of God and how to live for Him in the Marketplace and every sphere of life. We hope you will turn to God’s Word for yourself, perhaps initially using the Scripture and Book references given, and find your new life going in the Right Direction. With God’s help, Iet us then follow on to know the LORD!
One New Man
From our archives, a letter 4th December, 2013
TO THE GLORY OF GOD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
ONE NEW MAN
Ephesians 2. I have been invited to share some of my experiences of how the Lord has worked with me to reveal His Heart in this matter.
Ephesians 2 AMP:
Made Alive in Christ
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
I desire not at all to offend against Truth nor against any views held by others to be Truth, of which I may as yet have limited knowledge.
It is evident from scriptures that God has purposed to gather all things together into Christ.
(Eph 1:10; 1 Cor 15:28)
Years ago the Lord began to show me another way to look at the parable in Luke 15, “The Prodigal Son”. A number of brethren around the world are more inclined these days to refer to this as the parable of “The Gracious Father”. In 1995 I was invited by the late Dr. Stalls in Madisonville, Kentucky, to share my views on this with local television, to about 40,000 households.
Recently there is a growing awareness that the Lord is speaking through the Body of Christ, a great deal about “The One New Man”.
Around 2005, the late [AK], a Messianic Jew from Minnesota, held a meeting in [L], NSW. He expressed how conflict had arisen for him with other major figures in the USA, over his call in the ministry on the importance of the Restoration of the Jews. He was confronted, “[A], it is not about the Restoration of the Jews. It is about getting souls saved.”
After [A] left, the Lord spoke to me in a strong dream, saying, “Do not neglect this matter of the Restoration of the Jews”. I recalled the emphasis [A] placed in his message on Romans 11:25.
Romans 11:25-32 NIV:
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Since that time I view Romans 9-10 in a new way. A number of television ministries, I notice, are now inviting us to do that. PTL! Years ago when my wife and had intercessory prayer meetings for about 3 years, we would usually wait quietly before the Lord. We were often lead to make a proclamation into the Heavens, that His Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
At the last of these meetings, a number expressed conviction that the vital concern upon the Lord’s Heart that day was the Bringing Forth of the One New Man – both Jews and Gentiles together.
The Presence of God in that meeting was so strong, we took hold of worship flags that were lying around the room, to shield our eyes as we stood in God’s Glory. People began to fall in the Presence of God – lying upon the floor, kneeling, in various positions. Some discerned the Lord had effectively shaped our group into a prophetic statement of a Tree and His Branches – the Tree of Life. (Genesis 1-3; John 15; Revelation 22)
It was a profound moment. Our hearts set to a better understanding of this importance to God.
The Lord brought me from England to Australia in 1964, to the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, where there is a prominence of the Jewish community. In recent prayer gatherings there is an expectancy for a “Bondi Wave” flowing into the City of Sydney, with one of our brethren having impression of jubilant, worshiping Jewish believers visiting churches – Catholic and Anglican included. Lord, we pray You will Glorify Your Name. There is fresh awareness of other groups praying in the Eastern Suburbs, and a new prayer initiative in Bondi Junction among Messianic believers. Wonderful! PTL!
May I close this topic with God’s Word in Romans 2:28-29 (NIV):
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Father, again we ask reverently in Jesus’ Name, in the name of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Summon Your Power O God! Show us Your Strength as you have done before! Fulfil all Your Divine Purpose we pray. Shine, Jesus, Shine! Glorify Thy Name O Lord, we pray!!
BLESSINGS TO ALL. GLORY BE TO GOD.
Helpful Scriptures for New Christians
From our archives, 2012
Here are some references to portions of scripture that can be particularly helpful.
If you have the patience to work through them, meditate on them, and begin applying them in your own life over a period of time. They will help you to get settled in your walk with the Lord.
• In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth … as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name. (Gospel of John, Chapter 10 verses 1 to 4, 14 and 12.)
• Jesus said … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” “If anyone loves Me he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” (Gospel of John, Chapter 14. verses 6,21 and 23 to 27.)
• “It is the Spirit who give live; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life”. (Gospel of John, Chapter 6, verse 63.)
• All Scripture is given by inspiration of Cod, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every god work. (The 2nd book of Timothy, Chapter 3, verses l6 and 17.)
• So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (The book of Romans, Chapter 10, verse 17.)
We have written out these particular scriptures in full because of their vital importance. For new Christians who are not used to navigating around the bible, we hope that writing out their references, with the book and chapter and verse in full, will also help you. From here on, we will just follow the normal Christian practice of quoting references by giving only the name of the book and the numbers referring to chapter and verse.
If you are a new Christian just starting out, you can’t do better, really, than to major on the book of John in the New Testament … perhaps reading it through about once a month in the early days.
• Matthew chapters 5 to 7 – Vital reading in this season and always will be the Lord’s teaching for His people in what we call “the Sermon on the Mount”.
• John chapters 12 to 17 – Some of the Lord’s last words before the Cross are particularly important.
• Luke chapters 1 to 6 – Uniquely describes some of the events surrounding our Lord’s coming to the earth, and more.
• The book of Acts – This is a good introduction to the life of the early church.
• The books of Romans, Ephesians and Hebrews – Together give us a good grasp on New Testament teaching.
KNOWING GOD
“COME UNTO ME”
Scriptures that particularly emphasise our need of knowing the Lord include:
• Matthew I 1: 28-30
• Philippians 3: 8-12 (with Jeremiah 9:23,24)
• 1Corinthians 3: 17,18; and 11 Corinthians 4: 6
• Isaiah 45: l8-22
• Isaiah 55: 6-11
• Amos 5:4
• Matthew 6: 33
• Chapter 53 of the book of Isaiah is outstanding … foreshadowing Jesus’ sacrificial work upon the cross for the salvation of mankind. God’s prophet wrote these words for us some 700-odd years or more before the event.
• Chapter 22 of the Book of Psalms, … given to King David about a thousand years before the event gives us a graphic picture of Jesus’ suffering on the cross for us.
• Colossians 1: 9 to29 speaks of the Pre-Eminence of Christ, and the mystery of His indwelling in the believer today.
• Philippians Chapter 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 teach us some very helpful things about the way of victory in the Christian life. Verses 16 to 18 of this passage in Thessalonians were marked by John Wesley as the evident behaviour of people who have come into the right place with God.
OUR CALLING
“GO YE!”
• Mark 16: 15-20
• Matthew 28: 16-20
• Acts 26: 13-20
• 1 Corinthians 5: 17-21
• 1 Corinthians 1:2-10
Remember that the word of God is our daily bread; it is given us to feed upon each and every day.
There are two great commands of God:
Come Unto Me!
See Isaiah 50:4; Exodus 25:22; and Mark 11:22-26; and the scriptures mentioned above under the heading “Knowing God”.
Go Ye!
The scriptures listed under Our Calling” are good examples, as is this passage from Paul’s writings: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.” (2 Tim 4: 1,2)
It is not for us here to go on much further. We have simply put these few notes together as a help to exploring the bible for those who are not familiar with it.
The Bible is a Spiritual book in which God reveals Himself. As we approach God’s Word prayerfully, with a desire to learn from Him, and listen to His Spirit, we will hear Him and know His heart: “My sheep hear My Voice”. He will guide us in the Way of Life. As we are obedient we will know His blessing.
Our Lord Jesus told us that the Father seeks worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The chief duty of man is really to become a praise to Him in the earth and to enjoy Him forever. He wants us to really seek Him, develop relationship with Him, be willing to be obedient … and really come to know Him experientially, In this way the life of Christ is imparted to us, we come to fully Know His Presence and enjoy the victory He has purposed for us. We then know in the Spirit the peace, joy and power that comes from a life established in the righteousness that of Christ. God’s purpose is the very life of Christ manifest. (John 6:35-40; John 14:6; John 11: 25,26; John 10: 10) All this is for His Kingdom and for His Glory.
Remember Hebrews 1 1:6 and 7:25, and l0:35. Never give up! The Christian life is a daily walk; some days are bright and glorious, some are hard and troublesome. The Lord is always the same; He is our Rock and is ever there for us. We may grieve His Holy Spirit but we do not grieve Him AWAY FROM US! He is always there, with us: waiting and watching for us to deal with the blockage, to ask Him for help and return to Him. Even though we might not be aware of His Presence at times, we must hold to the belief that He is always there, for that is the truth. (2 Timothy 2: 13; Hebrews 13: 5-6) Always turn back to Him. Find the problem; be reconciled: “The righteous run into the name of the Lord”. Our goal is ongoing transformation. (Romans 12:2) Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life: first, we come to know Him as the Way; then, filled with His Word and walking in it, we know the Truth and the Truth sets us free. Then His Life can be manifest though ours. In this way God’s Kingdom is furthered and God is glorified in His Son. Let us go on to know the Lord!
Bibles
Many older established bible scholars would use the Authorised Version (the King James Version, KJV – published 1611) as their standard for accuracy, and would always return there whatever other versions they may use from time to time. There are many modern versions of the bible which are easier to read in this generation. We have chosen the New King James Version (NKJV) for these scripture references. It is wise to search through a few versions, and settle on the bible that suits us best for our daily use.
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3: 16)
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
“May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. and the Love of Cod our Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with you … evermore“.
Helpful Book List
A helpful book list for New Christians.
Your views may differ concerning End Times. The message given here we believe is valid to present, based on love and concern.
Concerning interpretation of scriptures, there is less confusion if we consider that the scriptures refer to Jewish people and Israel as a Nation, the Church of believers who give testimony to Jesus Christ (as per the Gospel) and the Nations of the Earth.
Added to this is revelation with knowledge and prophecy, and wisdom. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) do not reveal ongoing details that were given directly by Jesus before leaving His disciples, or by the Holy Spirit to the Church as seen in the book of Acts and so on, which being through diverse gifts of the Spirit with members of the Body of Christ, such as Apostles. The letters of the New Testament describe God’s purposes for mankind and each person.
If you look at Luke Chapter 21, as an example, this is not a fully laid out explanation of End Times. It is as if the writer put together a few distinct sections as recalled, but not with the view of time order between the sections, or correlation between them. The content is very minimal. This way of writing is not how we write today. However, the content itself is entirely relevant. Further, if we read Matthew’s account of End Times, we need to realise such terminology was not used then. Matthew makes sense in its own right. If we try to intertwine details from Revelations, Peter and Paul’s letters, as a matter of logic, in my view it will not work. We do not have control over God’s plans, but God may give grace for the unexpected, especially through prayer. The central point is made in Luke, do not fall into the trap, but ensure you head in the direction of wanting to stand before the Son of Man.
We believe God’s Word historically has been presented through substantial witness and more than one “method”. Confusion does not help. The early Church knew this message crystal clear, that Jesus will return and our state of heart is in readiness for meeting the Lord and His angels with the glory of God. In the Gospels passages the Lord says he will return in great power and glory with his Holy Angels. There is no mention of the Saints, so why do people rack their brains to formulate and vainly calculate such matters? If the Saints return with Jesus in an army of white horses, it will happen and be for wonderful purpose, but these passages do not say so. I believe we need to keep what the Gospels say, kind of like a vault, and not mess around with them. This may be a better attitude, and then one can examine and search what the scriptures elsewhere may be saying. And if someone finds clear knowledge from the Lord of certain events, then it should be helpful, not pointing the finger at others who disagree or who are unsure, elevating one’s own position and squashing others. These sorts of things are entangling people in endless hours and distress. Reality is, people form views that have points of failure, being unwilling to note those points in their dissertation.
If someone places themself as an authority equal to or above the bible, this is of course gross error. The same applies for those who give the appearance of being Christian, who say they are, who are only religious, who deny the return of Christ, the Messiah, additionally providing meaningless theories on Jesus in attempts to develop some kind of substance around who Jesus is.
Revelation is expressly through the Holy Spirit among those whose hearts have received Christ as their substitution for sin, as opposed to intellect or religious imaginations on such topics. Man’s mind is too self-imaginative and focused on its own pleasure to have responsibility for divine revelation by and of itself.
If anything, the letter presented here asks us to think. There is no point drawing battle lines, but we understand there are a set of extremely hot topics in Christianity that trigger strong responses around the Lord’s return and if that is a rapture followed later by a final return. As far as you and I go, we will return to the Lord once, and if He comes at any time before that happens, we are advised not to be mixed up in the world’s matters but Christ’s matters so we do not fall into the trap. There is an additional thought that at some point a spirit of deception, and loss of love in the world will become so strong, that it poses extremely harsh consequences and burdens of darkness to blind people from the Gospel.
I think we feel at times the spiritual understanding that there are those who have decided to walk away from the Gospel, that God will not give revelation to such, as they are truly outside of his flock. There is nothing we can do. I believe we feel that more and more.
The end time message talks of a catching up of the Church to be with Christ – first fruits of His salvation and resurrection work before the earth is the scene of extreme rejection of God and intentional rebellion towards Him. After this “Church” time, the focus moves to Israel as part of the covenant of God to Abraham. Often people present materials on the END TIMES that are like a mathematical treatise, ignoring scriptures that are in conflict, as that is the only way to present the content. Most investigations into End Times stirs up drama, theater, excitement, but we are called to be in Christ’s rest and wisdom. We have no support for fortune telling, but this is way too common in the church membership. Every now and then, it is God who says it is time to reveal more. Lovers of money, drama, and so forth, jump the gun for some other reality. End Times content is serious, but so is today. We are taught to look to our needs for today and under God’s hand prepare for what needs to be done for tomorrow. A significant number of folks panic, deploying their own guidance in extreme views and end of the world scenarios and actions. If we stay away from this, various scriptures and thoughts do come to us over time that we would not otherwise have expected that surprise and sit well.
