CHAPTER 2. IS GOD REALLY THERE?

CHAPTER TWO 

IS GOD REALLY THERE? 

Often we question God why we are going through a particular trial. We may even doubt God’s love for us because we don’t understand His reasons. Is God being unfair, almost as though He should be allowing someone else to go through the trial? Why me, what have I done to deserve this, as we accuse God? Do we suppose that the Sovereign Lord of all creation is totally oblivious to our plight and that He has no idea how we are feeling in our times of despair?

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a fellow feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liabilities to the assaults of temptation, but One who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning”. (Heb. 4 verse 15)

We do have a high priest who understands all our pains and sufferings and identifies with us in them. We need to guard our hearts against complaining and murmuring when we are faced with various trials and tests, remember they come to test our quality and to perfect us. We may be able to put on a front before our brethren, but when we encounter trials, they reveal exactly what is in our hearts. What we reveal in our tribulations is what we really are inside and that is what God is after, for God looks at the inner being of a man. 

“Guard and keep your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life”.  (Proverbs 4 verse 23)

Is God really there in our difficult times, when everything seems to be going wrong and we can’t seem to take anymore? Absolutely so, know for certain in your own heart and mind with a settled peace, that He is not like us mere mortals, who may forsake each other at the drop of a hat. I pray that God may grant to us out of His deep love for us, a revelation of the depth of that love which transcends anything imaginable.

In our walk with God, we do encounter difficult times. Hardships are part and parcel of our sojourn here on this earth. There is an enemy that seeks to destroy us and tries to gain our allegiance with devious means. There are times when you want to throw your arms up in defeat and cry out to God because in frustration and despondency you feel as though God has forsaken you or He is simply just not there. There are processes that we go through, not all at once lest we be consumed, but little by little until we know how to respond in humility instead of react in anger. God’s dealings with us are as an all wise Father who knows how to train up His children in the right way.

We are so accustomed to living in a fantasy world, that in the real world we are taken off guard by the goings on of a world system that is steeped in rebellion, sin and, that is antagonistic of God. Don’t be deceived, the system of this world will no sooner chew you up and spit you out than make you feel all comfortable and at home. When all is said and done and the lines are drawn, there is a stark contrast between light and darkness. They are worlds apart and they have as their life, two totally different sources. If the world is embracing the church and the church the world then we have missed it and something is grievously wrong. Our life comes from another source, other than the spirit of this world, we are from heaven, our birthright is from heaven, that is to say from God whose way is opposed to this world system.

At the end of these times there are going to be clashes of light and darkness and there are going to be casualties. Just how intimate our relationship with the Author of Life is, will determine the outcome of our future. Our future is secure only insofar as we continue to trust Him for our very life. If you have never considered intimacy with God something to be sought after jealously and vigilantly, then think again. Now is the time to get your act together and draw near to Him with all your heart and soul. If there is anything you glean from this writing then let it be this, God must be your supreme pursuit and desire because only in Him there is safety. Anything else will not suffice. All other sources of strength are but temporal and fleeting away and so when all things will be shaken and they will, only that which is built upon the solid foundation, namely the Messiah will endure.

The stark reality facing all of us is this, thirty years ago we could dream about our future and get married, settle down have children watch them grow up and probably see our grandchildren, now we haven’t the vaguest idea where we are going to be tomorrow. That is because we are living at the time of the end and nothing is as it ‘used to be’. Does all this sound so unfair? It depends upon where our heart is. If our affections and mode of life, even as believers, centre on worldly premise then, we are most miserable and to be pitied. However, if God is the centre of our life and our firm foundation then we cannot be moved by the dictates of the world system.

“For those who are according to the flesh and controlled by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh. But those who are according to the Spirit and (controlled by the desires) of the Spirit, set their minds on and seek those things, which gratify the Spirit. Now the mind of the flesh (which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit) is death – death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter. But the mind of the (Holy) Spirit is life and soul- peace (both now and forever). That is because the mind of the flesh – with its carnal thoughts and purposes – is hostile to God; for it does not submit itself to God’s law, indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh – catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature – cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him”.(Romans 8 verses 5 – 8)

This has everything to do with our conduct now, in these end times in particular, knowing that the end is near, what manner of persons ought we to be? There is a danger of us being drawn into coldness of heart because of increased lawlessness, the more we focus on the pleasure and gratification of the carnal nature, the more we become entrenched in the mind of the flesh which is enmity with God.

“I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding up and it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none, And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything, and those who deal with this world – over using the enjoyments of this life – let them live as though they were not absorbed by it, and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world – the present world order is passing away”.  (1 Corinthians 7 verses 29 – 31)

If you have ears to hear, then listen. If you have drifted away from following after the Lord, perhaps because of the pleasures of sin or if you have stumbled along the way, then repent and return with all your heart to the Lord. If you are growing cold because things are not going your way and it seems that God is no longer with you, then repent and cry out to God with all your heart and return to Him, who will embrace you in the depths of His love; come to your senses and return to the Lord before you are ensnared any further. Don’t believe the lies of satan any more, he is the deceiver of the brethren. He wants us to throw a pity party and stay in it. He wants us to feel sorry for ourselves and woe is me with all the sorrowful rest. Know this, there are other brethren around the world who are suffering greater turmoil than we are, believers who laying down their lives for the sake of the gospel and counting it a joy to do so. We have to look beyond ourselves; this whole end time event is not just about you or me, it involves the entire body of the Messiah. Being members of one body, we need to develop relationships that go beyond anything superficial, casual and temporary. Believers are going to be thrust together in these end times like no other time before. For some it will be a matter of choice because they see the times that we are living in and for others it will be forced upon them because they have been wilfully ignorant. This present world order is passing away and that very quickly. Are we ready for that which lies ahead?

CHAPTER 1. WAKE UP THE END IS NEAR..

I would like to post a chapter by chapter booklet entitled End Time Warning I wrote just over 15 years ago. I have left out the introduction as I have shared some of that in previous posts.If you are stirred or challenged in anyway by the writings, please feel free to share with whom ever you would like. Grace be with you all.

CHAPTER ONE 

WAKE UP THE END IS NEAR!       

The end times, have always been a topic that have stirred emotions in believers. Perhaps, for reasons we may not want known. Mostly, it is due to the fact, that we equate tribulation and suffering to these times. We don’t like the idea that we might be here during the tribulation spoken of, in the book of Revelation in particular. Other Old testament prophets speak of those times. 

Yeshua, the Messiah, has forewarned us of coming catastrophic events that will take place on this earth before He returns. It has been a tragedy that certain teachings that have arisen in the church, are a cause of a lack of sobriety amongst believers. Thus, we refrain from considering the reality of the end times. It certainly is not pleasing to God that we walk in darkness as to the times and seasons we are living in. To act like we are ignorant, (ignorance is not bliss), is to do ourselves a disservice and open us to deception. To turn a blind eye, is to add to our ignorance, which can be very costly. We are at times, our own worst enemies. We are called to walk as children of the Light.

“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the light – lead the lives of those native - born to the light”. (Ephesians. 5 verse 8)

Let us look at another scripture,

“But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to take you by surprise like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day, we do not belong either to the night or to the darkness. Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected and circumspect). For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But we belong to the day, therefore let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation”. (1 Thessalonians 5 verses 4 – 8)

These scriptures reveal to us, with an authority that comes from heaven, what type of mindset we are to display in our sojourn here on this earth. It definitely is a call to sobriety, as these days can overtake us, if we are not watching and waiting as we ought. We cannot afford to be casual in our walk with God, in particular, these last days. The stratagems of the enemy have increased a hundredfold to deceive us. It is most imperative that we wake up out of any stupor that we find ourselves in, as the end is nearer than when we first believed.

“Watch therefore – give strict attention, be cautious and active – for you do not know in what kind of a day (whether a near or remote one) your Lord is coming. But understand this: that had the householder known in what part of the night or in the morning watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken through. You also must be ready therefore; for the Son of man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him”. (Matthew 24: 42 – 44)

Watching and being alert, being attentive, being prepared, are all the same descriptions of a frame of heart and mind we are required to be in during this time. Why? So that we are not taken unawares or caught being asleep, as this will be the state of many. One thing is absolutely certain, we have no excuse if, we are taken unawares as to the unfolding events of these last days. Many believers would rather not hear about these last days events. Perhaps, it is because in their own hearts, they realise their own lack of preparation or, they are confused by the so many diverse interpretations that exist. There most certainly needs to be an awakening to the reality of these end times, by the whole body of Christ. It is not a grievous thing to repeat again, the Lord God has no pleasure in our walking in darkness, we are children of the Light, and we must walk as such.

The Jews of Jesus day did not recognise Him as the Messiah of God. They were not aware of the unfolding prophetic events before their very eyes. Very God chose at an appropriate and opportune time in the history of mankind to come and visit this planet, in the Person of His Son to bring salvation to them. Because of their ignorance, they rejected Him. Read in Luke 19 verse 44 and in John 1 verse 10 and 11.

We, that have the scriptures available and taking the time to read and study them, will see events that have been foretold, which are unfolding  before our very eyes. The Spirit of God will grant understanding to those who are wise and they shall understand.

“But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Then many shall run to and fro and search anxiously (through the Book), and knowledge of God’s purposes as revealed by His prophets shall be increased and become great”. (Daniel 12 verse 4.)

The prophet Daniel being encountered by two men, (angels), was told to go his way; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. See chapter 12 and verse 9. We are living in the time of the end where, the words that were sealed up will be revealed. What those words are, will be made known and I am sure they will pertain to these end times. Are we aware of the brevity these times hold? 

The days of putting our feet up in front of the television set, drinking coke and eating whatever is available to us, are soon to be over. There is coming upon all who dwell on the entire face of the earth, a time of trouble, not yet experienced and never will be again. It will be a time of devastation and destruction, of intolerable anguish and unprecedented trouble. If those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved.

“And there shall be a time of trouble, straitening and distress; such as never was since there was a nation till that time”.   (Daniel 12 verse 1)

The Lord Jesus alludes to this time Himself.

“For then there will be great tribulation – affliction, distress and oppression – such as not been from the beginning of the world until now; no, and never will be again. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive; but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened”. (Matt. 24 verses 21 – 22)

This does not apply to the land of Israel only, although much of the goings on will be centred around Jerusalem. This will be worldwide, no nation exempt. The influence of the antichrist will be global.  

The period that is given will be for 42 months or 3.5 years. Just how intense that time will be God only knows, but one thing is for certain it is going to require faith and patience to endure to the end. Most people will be given over to the ruling system of the day and come under its authority being subject to its spirit. This spirit, is none other than satan himself. God has been and still is speaking to His people. If we have ears to hear, then we must hear what the Spirit is saying.

“And then many will be offended and repelled and begin to distrust and desert (Him whom they ought to trust and obey) and will stumble and fall away, and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold, because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. But he who endures to the end will be saved”.  (Matt. 24 verses 10 – 13)

Have you noticed recently, how cold, even lukewarm many believers are becoming? Why? Because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity that is on the increase. This condition of lawlessness has primarily to do with the forsaking of God’s laws, His instructions, His Kingdom ways. This in turn, affects the outward laws of the land and people become lawless throughout. When this condition arises, that is lawlessness increases, people become desperate, throwing off restraint and begin to think and eventually act wickedly. The same spirit of lawlessness pervades all aspects of society, even the church. We have been given an injunction directly from the Lord Himself, to watch and be ready, to be on our guard.

“But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed – weighed down - with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self indulgence, drunkenness and worldly worries and cares pertaining to (the business of) this life and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; for it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Keep awake then and watch at all times (that is, be discreet, attentive and ready); praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things (taken together) that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of man”.

(Luke 21 verses 34 – 36)

To ‘escape all these things’ does not mean to be raptured away from them, but to flee away from them so as not to be caught up by them. Make no mistake, many are being caught up by the pressures that are coming upon the whole world and are giving in to them. God’s purpose for us in tribulation and pressure, is not to make us weak and destroy us. Rather, it is to refine, purge and cleanse us, to make us strong in His strength. The testing of our faith is so that we might learn endurance and unless we have endured to the end, we have not endured.

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort, or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be (people) perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing”.  (James 1 verses 2 – 4)

What manner these trials come, is the divine will and purpose of God. Take note, God does not tempt His people. He does allow us to be tested, yet, He will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to endure. It may seem that way at times. The measurement of the trials vary according to the degree we pass the test, until we are fully developed.

Many tests will come again and again, until we have submitted to His Lordship and Headship. God is not some vindictive creator wanting to create havoc in our lives merely because He has nothing better to do. Nor is He a puppet master, that manipulates His creatures into submission.  He loves us with a love beyond the depths of our understanding. He knows exactly how to prepare us for times of trouble and difficulty. 

So saints, be prepared, tribulation will come and we will enter into it as part of God’s design to perfect us, thus bringing us individually and corporately to full maturity. Rather be prepared and it does not happen than not prepared and it does happen.

APOCALYPTIC ESCHATOLOGY.

Apocalyptic Eschatology


This is an article by Art Katz which is linked directly to his website.

SETTING THINGS IN ORDER...

There is going to be a setting in order of the House of God. These last of days are going to be the time when God will work to do this very thing. The church in its entirety has been weighed in the balance and is found wanting. There has been and still is great division amongst the people of God. There is deception and lies, there is heresy amongst His people. His name has been maligned amongst the nations because of the conduct of His people.

The final time of the end of this age will be a time of refining for God's people. The practical outworking of THE FAITH and all that is encompassed in Messiah must become a palpable reality in our lives as demonstration to the principalities and powers of the air of the wisdom of God. See Ephesians 3:10-11. 

Yeshua's high priestly prayer in John 17, noting in particular verses 21-23. That they may be one, as He and His Father are one, that the world may believe... Yes indeed, there is a setting in order that will take place. We don't consider these matters as being a part of the end times but they are most certainly so. These are big issues and are not to be dismissed with a shrug of the shoulder.

For many in the church, we have become like the Pharisees  we have transgressed the instructions and requirements of God for the sake of our traditions. Our traditions have taken the place of the teachings of our apostolic forefathers and those of the Messiah Himself. The time has come for judgement to begin in the household of God. See 1 Peter 4:17. This is the grace of God in action, He will not allow us to appear before His Son, Yeshua in a state of immaturity and spot or wrinkle or any such thing. See Ephesians 5:17.

Listen carefully, I will say it again, God is going to set things in right order within the household of faith. It shall be so. Let us then humble ourselves now and submit to His dealings, lest we find ourselves resisting and fighting against Him. Grace be with you all..

OPEN HEARTS, OPEN EARS.

If our hearts are open, our ears will be open and attentive to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to His people; it stands to reason then, if our ears are closed our hearts will be closed and we will not hear. Never in the time of history do we need to hear clearly as we do now. Many occasions have come and gone where people have been forewarned in various manners, that have been their salvation from death and disaster.

There have been many scare tactics used by the enemy of our souls, yet, at the same time, many genuine warnings that have been dismissed and unheeded that have caused great distress and untold suffering. To be labelled an alarmist always has negative connotations, yet God appoints men and women to be watchmen who are to sound the alarm and warn His people of impending danger.

The uncertainty of the Korean crisis has many on edge. The potential for war is very real, which may involve other nations backing the various North and South countries. The consequences of which can proliferate into a plausible third world war with nuclear weaponry, the result of which leaves little to the imagination.  

Will there be such a war of nuclear proportions before the end of this age? It is very possible. Keep paying attention, watch and see. Also keep an eye on the Middle East, things will escalate there too. Grace be with you all.

YOU SHALL HEAR OF WARS ....

Yeshua said. "you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars .... " Matthew 24:6 The truth is, wars have been going on for as long as man has been in rebellion against God. They will continue to go on until, the Messiah comes again. A more literal rendering of the words of Yeshua would be, in hearing of wars, you shall hear of wars, i.e. you will see wars taking place.

Some wars can be a war of words and that is all. Some take up arms and have physical conflict and lives are lost. Others have devastating consequences and involve more than two nations directly. Then, you have world wars, when multiple nations take sides against each other and go on for years with great loss of life. History proves this so.

The potential for a next world war is very real. Threats are made, next steps are taken and stupid men make stupid decisions. The result, untold misery and suffering that affects most all nations. Are we prepared for what may be a devastating war, a third world war that may result in the use of nuclear warfare? God have mercy.

UNITY IN THE END TIMES..

Ones perceptions of the events on the end times influence and dictate the type of lifestyle they will live. For those who believe in the false teaching of pre tribulation rapture, preparation for the time of great tribulation is not needed; they await a rapture that could take place at any moment. This is the next big event that they are waiting for.

There are key factors that need to be considered that relate to end time events, one of which is the issue of unity. The church current is a church of disunity and has been for generations. There is the matter of the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith. We cannot walk in the one without walking in the other, they are inextricably linked. Paul speaks of both in Ephesians 4. The unity of the Spirit is the unity the Spirit produces in and amongst the body of Messiah. This unity is already given, it is already there. We don't strive for or work to get it. We do however, strive to keep it. Keep that which is given in the peace that binds us together.

The unity of the faith is the sum total of all we believe. It is all the teaching past on by Yeshua and the apostles, either audibly or written. We are all expected to believe the same thing, think the same thing, speak the same thing, when it comes to the faith. Jude, in his letter to the saints, admonishes them to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered. Clearly, the church today, is, in such a divided state regarding both the unity of the Spirit and the unity of the faith.

Satan has had a field day with his lies and false teachings that have been believed rather than the faith. God therefore, calls all the church to repent from our divisions and believe the truth which sets us free. What has this all to do with the end times? The time of tribulation will be the time when this unity comes about in practise, in reality. God affords us now, the opportunity to repent and turn from our pride. It appears that this will not be the case; therefore, God will use this last period of time to bring about this unity of the Spirit and the faith. Because of the difficult times, hardships, mark of the beast etc.  believers are going to need each other. Denominational barriers will crumble and fall away, believers will be together not under any name or banner other than the headship of Messiah. May the grace of God be with you.

KNOW THIS WELL...

Know this... in the last days perilous times will set in. 2 Timothy 3:1 Paul wanted Timothy to understand, to perceive, to get to grips with, to have an intimate knowledge of, the fact that in the last days perilous times, that is, harsh, fierce, savage, furious times, a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for, will set in. Make no mistake saints, whatever difficult times have been will be eclipsed by what is to come upon all those who dwell on the entire earth.

Yeshua says of this time, " for then there will be great tribulation such as has never been before the beginning of the world no, nor ever will be again. And unless those days should be shortened or brought to an end, no flesh would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, those days have been shortened or brought to an end". Matthew 24:21-22. Do we comprehend the magnitude of these last days as here described by Yeshua and Paul? It will be a time for the faith and patience of the saints, that is, those of us who believe. Do not be mislead here, that the elect mentioned above only refers to the Jews and those gentiles who are saved after the church is raptured away. Yeshua says, " he that endures or holds out to the end,(of this time period i.e.  the great tribulation) that same one will be saved, delivered". Matthew 24:13.

Now is the time we should prepare, now is the time for us to wake up, now is the time to strengthen the feeble knees. The grace of the Lord Yeshua be with you all.