Imminent Return of Christ

Taking God At His Word

Ken

In 1940, Theodore Geisel, under the pen name of Dr. Seuss, published an illustrated children’s book, Horton Hatches the Egg. The nonsense of an elephant by the name of Horton being tricked into sitting on an egg in a nest in a tree to give Mayzie, the mother bird, a break, where she finds herself traveling down to Palm Beach, is the fanciful humor of the story. Horton must undergo ridicule, privation, and capture by humans to fulfill his promise to sit on the egg. Horton repeatedly asserts, “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent!” Without the ridiculousness of the storyline, you can easily see this depicting God’s integrity.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4 NKJV).

What does it mean to take God at His Word?

God means what He says.

This goes beyond a debate between a figurative versus literal interpretation of Scripture. Classic conservative Christianity is inclined to take Scripture more literally, while typical liberal theology is compelled to receive Scripture more figuratively, both firmly believing they promote obedience to God. “I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18).

It is a question of God’s integrity.

Taking God at His Word emphasizes His integrity. Can God be trusted as seeking our highest good, while we seek His kingdom first? We tend to compare God to the people we know, but we sense the awkwardness of limiting the Almighty to such a low standard. Admitting the integrity of God keeping His Word compared to our difficulty of doing what we say, Does not the creation of man in His image guarantee the possibility of a similar integrity in humanity? “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

Taking God at His Word is our necessity.

Taking God at His Word is required by His Law, because it is our necessity and would demonstrate our integrity. God’s Law promotes the highest good of His being and the good of our neighbor as ourself. Our prosperity and success depend upon it. Meditating upon this day and night must be an integral part of our very existence. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Our repeated failure to demonstrate the integrity of taking God at His Word is the very reason for the New Covenant.

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah” (Jeremiah 31:31).

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).

Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to further implement the plan which had been in place from the very beginning. An All Wise God knows our capabilities as well as our shortcomings, which we would manifest throughout the Garden, the Flood, the Tower, the Patriarchs, Egypt, the Wilderness, the Conquest, the Judges, the Kings, the Prophets, the Captivity, the Second Temple, the Silent Years, the Apostles, the Early Church, the Persecuted Church, the Institutional Church, the Missionary Church, the Lukewarm Church, the Tribulational Saints, and the Final Spiritual Rebirth of the Nation of Israel at His Second Coming. The history of the Saints is a carefully orchestrated program of an All Wise God marshaling His resources in the Unseen Realm against the Adversary and his hordes, while masterfully moving throughout time and space to produce a people, who will magnify Him throughout eternity.

“6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, Know the LORD, for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. 13 In that He says, A new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:6-13 NKJV).

Taking God at His Word becomes Spirit-inspired obedience, when understood correctly, in this New Testament Age.

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

“He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).

“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

From the beginning, man was created with the ability to reflect and obey God, but we have been inconsistent at best. After the first sin, humanity experienced the continual death of the physical creation, both of our mortal body, as well as our physical environment, i.e., Second Law of Thermodynamics (Romans 8:22). We retain the ability and necessity of obedience, which is pointedly, taking God at His Word. God said, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Physically, they were still alive, though their bodies began to experience the degenerating effects of physical death, but they were already spiritually dead. Just as physical death is separation of the soul from the body, spiritual death is separation of the soul from God. They “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8), separated from the life of God and “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Spiritual regeneration must be restoring our separation from God through Christ. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1Corinthians 15:22).

Taking God at His Word is a restoration to obedience.

How does God affect such a change in us?

The New Covenant or New Testament inspires us to walk in obedience.

Confirmation of His covenant with us is by the sealing of the Blood of Jesus. It shouldn’t surprise us, but we should advocate before the Courts of Heaven, which is prayer, that the shed Blood of Jesus from His sacrificial, substitutionary death, is the only foundation for restoring our obedience. And, we commemorate this when we take Communion. “This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20). The Blood of Jesus is God’s antidote for sin, and it is received by faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Ours is not a natural progression to obedience, but it is the response to the pervasive influence of God throughout our life and the whole of human history, not to force us to obedience, but by a gentle persuasion, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to cause us to walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27), which means we are taking God at His Word. “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16). Whether referring to obedience under the Old Covenant or New, only the influence of the Spirit of Almighty God can secure our obedience. No formula, creed, or tradition is capable of breathing life into any people. Trust in no man. If God comforts us with His Word, we are saved. If God comforts us not, we are lost. “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert” (43:19). Active faith alone is able to receive the promise of Scripture. If we cannot take God at His Word, how can we trust or obey Him?

Taking God at His Word is to rely upon the integrity of God to keep His law, Gospel, promises, and prophecies.

From the outset, ONLY Jesus can save us. Love alone can secure our heart, but a people without understanding knows not whom to trust or from whom to flee. Secure the promise. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Understanding is built a little at a time until it is a refuge to which even others desire to flee.

God’s Moral Law: is and always will be: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Jesus repeated the essence of this irrevocable law: “Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If taking God at His Word is not keeping the Moral Law, then of what value is it to take God at His Word? And remember, Jesus saves us from our not having kept that law, but the gift of His Spirit now is available “both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Now we will successfully take God at His Word by walking in obedience.

God’s Gospel: is the Good News of a Second Chance, which the devil never had. Remember, God never owed anyone a Second Chance, so rejoice in His mercy. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is only significant, if we believe, repent, and obey the Gospel. Peter instructed his listeners at Pentecost: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Obeying the Gospel is doing whatever Jesus said you are supposed to do, which is consistent with your faith in Him. Because the rich young ruler had such an attachment to his wealth, Jesus told him he couldn’t go to heaven without giving up his wealth. “17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me” (Mark 10:17, 21).

God’s promises: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2Corinthians 1:20). If we take God at His Word, then we will believe His promises, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). The sanctifying effect of God’s promises must be evident in our present hope of salvation, our conduct in this world, and in our hope of heaven. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

God’s prophecies: are part of His promise of imminent return. The Jews of Christ’s day acknowledged the idea of a coming Messiah, but they were not spiritually ready for Jesus, or they would have understood the prophecies that foretold His coming. This indictment of their lack of spiritual walk, as well as, their lack of Scriptural understanding of the OT prophecies should motivate us to balance both in light of His Second Coming and Rapture of the Church. Paul indicted the Thessalonians for their lack of employing themselves in the daily process of feeding themselves and their families through secular employment. “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2Thessalonians 3:10). This same Paul had just instructed the same Thessalonians about the Antichrist. “5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he [Antichrist] may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He [Holy Spirit] who now restrains will do so until He [Holy Spirit] is taken out of the way [at the Rapture of the Church]” (2Thessalonians 2:5-7). Taking God at His Word is believing the prophecies of Jesus’ return. “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Father, we ask that You would make us to be a people, who take You at Your Word. May we not be those who claim to know You, but do not walk in obedience. Help us to build Your kingdom in the smallest act of faith to the largest ambition of taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force of Your Spirit. Cause us to magnify Your integrity. May we never tire of offering You praise for Your faithfulness. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Inevitability of God

Ken

“From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psalm 90:2 KJV). True religion starts and ends with God. That is the inevitability of God. There is none like Him. Any attempt to build the Kingdom of God on any other foundation will “frustrate the grace of God” (Galatians 2:21) and aid the enemy in the delay of the return of our True King to take His place on the Messianic Millennial Throne of David. Herein is the seeming paradox of Christianity. Is our goal to fulfill the Great Commission of evangelizing the world with the saving grace of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20), which requires more time; or, is it to warn the Church to be ready for imminent departure at the Rapture or Harpazō (1Thessalonians 4:17)? 

Both are true, but it is only the Holy Spirit, who will blend both goals for their appointed time fulfillment. Remember, all of the events of Acts 2 and the subsequent Church Age were directed by the Spirit of Christ to engage in the Great Commission, though the disciples were correctly awaiting the establishment of the Davidic Throne. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Holy Spirit managed the disciples by preparing them to direct their immediate attention on evangelism (1:8). But, our secret is we need not account for how the world will deal with all the world ending issues of human existence— though we are not oblivious nor insensitive to accomplishing the little we can — our emphasis must be upon keeping our hand on the Gospel Plow (Luke 9:62), strengthening the saints (Jude 1:20), and literally hastening our Lord’s return, i.e., “while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2Peter 3:12 NET). 

Apparent delay will only use the enemy’s wrath to praise God’s name (Psalm 76:10) in the salvation of those previously unreachable. Jesus Christ is Yeshua the Anointed One, who will return not as a lowly sacrifice for our sins but as the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords (Revelation 19:16) to reign over us in an earthly kingdom. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

To end as we started, our LORD is the Inevitable God. He will win the battle. “The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). Righteous energy belongs only to the Almighty. The saints of God participate in the LORD’s inevitability only so far as we walk righteously. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11). What inspires us to right action? God’s Spirit. “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne” (Revelation 1:4). 


Father, You are the “high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; [You] dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). May Your Spirit direct us to keep our eyes upon Jesus that all will be done until it is the appointed time for our departure and Your Son’s return. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen. 

Confessions: Why Did the Church Decline?

Ken

Why has church attendance dropped so dramatically in America, if the Bible is the most read book in the world? Faith comes from the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). Hearing or reading the Word of God is essential for faith. But, unless loving obedience is required for one to wear the name of Christian, then Christianity will become a hollow shell of itself and the churches will become abandoned. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Romans 2:13). The solution to the desertion of the churches is to bring back the practice of Christianity that requires the Holy Spirit to be obeyed, in order to claim you have faith. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). 

Christianity has been so rapidly absorbed by the secular community that no longer does the world become more like the Church, but the Church has become more like the world. The youth of the Church will not notice this transformation, but the older members can remember the difference. Unfortunately, we, the older members, were responsible for the Church losing ground. “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). 

(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)

What Happened for the Church to Decline? 

First, may God forgive us for the shipwreck of the Church. It would be dishonest to blame anyone other than self. Claiming not to know what happened is like the captain blaming the crew or passengers for a shipwreck. Just as you dare not take your hands off the steering wheel of your car and expect it to drive itself home (2024), we must assume responsibility for the Church’s catastrophe. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14). 

Second, we extinguished the collective influence of the Holy Spirit by dissipating Him, like momentum lost when a rolling object comes to a halt. “Quench not the Spirit” (1Thessalonians 5:19). We underestimated how crucial obedience to the smallest Spirit led action is for the progress of the Church, so we look back longingly to yesterday, when we saw “great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). 

Third, we abandoned our First Love, which is Jesus. If we love Jesus first and foremost, then we would rightly love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:37-39). We would not have allowed ourselves so easily to dissipate our energy and resources supporting actions, where Jesus is not the central focus. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5). 

Fourth, we allowed ourselves to be drawn into unequal unions or illicit relationships with the world, because our fleshly desires were stronger than our attraction to the Lord Jesus. This was Balaam’s advice to Balak to corrupt Israel by encouraging Moabite women to attract Israelite men. He deviously understood, Israel’s set apartness to Jehovah is the secret of their success. Moabites had no such limitations. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods” (Numbers 25:1-2). Balaam rightly concluded, The best way to defeat Israel is to use Jehovah’s faithfulness in blessing friends and cursing enemies, by promoting Moabite women to attract Israelite men, thereby causing Israel to become the LORD’s enemy. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). 

Fifth, we quit looking for Jesus to return at any moment. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Failed estimates and predictions of His appearing have made us practical skeptics about His imminent return. “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). “For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). 

Sixth, we delayed His speedy return by not promoting it. “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12 KJV). Converting the world, discipling all nations, teaching them to observe everything He commanded us, would be fulfilled, if we prayed, and He answered the prayer to come quickly. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). 

Seventh, we practiced lukewarmness by devoting ourselves to the Lord, only to turn around and lose all our ground to coldness, legalism, or worldliness (Revelation 3:16). Back and forth in a lukewarm dance. We did not rightly handle our spirituality with the affairs of the world, riches, and prosperity. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). We did not continually consult the Spirit’s guidance in the smallest things. 

In conclusion, we have a door opened to us, Repent or Else! “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20). Accept accountability for aiding the decline of the Church. Embrace the solution that everything is our responsibility, so Spirit filled action can be the only solution. Expect to be overwhelmed by the LORD with His response. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). 

Return Quickly, Lord Jesus

Ken

The godly can receive no better answer to all their prayers than the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed us to continually pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10 KJV), as well as, His last promise to us was, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20). We have much to do in building His Kingdom in the meantime, because we know how important accomplishing all things He commanded us — “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13) —  prepares for His soon return. Both our growth in grace, as well as the increase of those brought into His Kingdom, justifies our God’s purpose in seeking His soon return, for the “LORD hath made all things for Himself” (Proverbs 16:4), which is always the wisest, most glorifying motivation for doing anything. LORD, grant us the wisdom of knowing how to keep ourselves occupied for good and for You in this world, while keeping our hearts and eyes wide open for Your imminent coming. Even so, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Don’t Look Back

Ken

Looking back is yearning for calmer, simpler days before all the troubles that came with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 KJV). Why so harsh? Jesus was speaking to someone, who had just said, “Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house” (9:61). Instead of rejoicing about another potential convert, Jesus warned him about turning back— even for the slightest or greatest reason. Why? Because God knows better that we are either all or nothing at all for Him. Trifle not with your decisions. We will not be caught unawares, when the LORD blows His Trump to call us up hither into His Presence. We are not madmen to think this world is falling apart under our feet, unless we are at home in Sodom. LORD, come quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Happiness Promised From Revelation (Revelation 1:3)

Ken

Happiness is promised to those who read, hear, and obey the Book of Revelation, because its timing is now, at any moment. It must be understandable to be obeyed. “Blessed [Greek, makarios, blessed, happy] is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV). It cannot be simply historical, or it would have little, but allegorical value at best. Take Jesus at His word, and expect happiness to result from reading, hearing, and keeping the Book of Revelation. LORD, You are the source of our happiness. How could Your future plans not bring us happiness? Return quickly, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Eagerly Awaiting His Return

Ken

Unapologetically, we eagerly await our Lord’s return, for how can we be and do otherwise? After all, only those will be raptured. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28 KJV). What salvation is spoken of? The salvation of your physical body at the Rapture. Remember, the Rapture is the Catching Up to meet the Lord in the air before He returns. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Listen to Amir Tsarfati: Like Those Who Dream (2:30) preach on the word “eagerly”: (1) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV), (2) “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope” (Galatians 5:5 NIV), (3) “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed” (1Corinthians 1:7 NIV), and (4) “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:25 NKJV). LORD, we eagerly await Your return, but we do not want to be lazy about Your business of reaching this world. We desire to know You better and the power of Your resurrection. As we watch the events unfold in Israel, may we lift up our heads, for our redemption draws near. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

Help Wanted: Hiring Immediately

Ken

Picture a home owner looking for day laborers to help with a project on their property, recruiting at their local home improvement store. But, instead of a home owner, Jesus described a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard. Beginning early in the morning, he contracted with workers for the standard wage of a “denarius” (Matthew 20:2 ESV). The employer returned at nine o’clock, noon, three o’clock, and five o’clock with the offer, “Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you” (20:4 KJV). The “eleventh hour” (20:9) was five o’clock. At the end of the day, the landowner paid everyone the same wage, to the chagrin of those who had worked the longest and hardest. Consider: (1) availability of employment: matches the willingness of the workers, (2) immediacy of employment: now, (3) scope of employment: vineyard of God’s kingdom, (4) wages of employment: agreed upon by both parties, (5) dissension of the employees: fairness based solely upon consideration of self, (6) character of employer: “generous” (20:26 NET), and (7) sovereignty of the employer: “the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (20:16 KJV). LORD, we could not ask for a better employer than You, since we are that Eleventh Hour Laborer at the end. But, help us not to grumble, if You should tarry Your return. May we be found with our hand on the plow not looking back. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Fear of Prophecy

Ken

The fear that prophecy will do more harm than good seems to be an often found position in Christendom rather than comforting friends about how to act consistently with their Father’s future plans. “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matthew 13:11 KJV). Preterists (prophecy has already been fulfilled) are afraid the dispensationalsts (rapture is imminent) will confuse the Church about a rapture non-event, while taking away from or neglecting to relieve the poor until the New Heavens and New Earth are ushered in. Post-Tribulationists (rapture at end of Tribulation Week) are afraid the faith of the Pre-Tribulationists (rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation Week) will be overthrown, when they are required to go through the Tribulation. And, the Pre-Tribulationalists are afraid the Body of Christ will not understand how to act as the world rapidly advances toward the Tribulation Week. What’s the solution? Love the LORD, and love His appearing. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2Timothy 4:8).

 

Power of the Resurrection

Ken

Humanity dreams of the potential of harnessing fusion or orbiting solar power plants to power the world, but Christianity yearns for a similar empowerment for the Church. The Father has already provided the foundation for that transformation through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We all know it is easy to die, but to come back from the dead by an act of indomitable will is the sole capacity of God alone. “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10 KJV). What God resurrects is forever. Settle for no substitutes! Unless we receive this miracle from the Almighty, the entire world is hopelessly lost! Unless the Church learns to carefully and prayerfully lean upon the Holy Spirit, we are holding back the LORD from unleashing His Resurrection power and transforming this earth into a Restored Eden. Good news: Resurrection power comes through intimate knowledge with Christ. However, a warning to the Church: Resurrection power also comes with suffering! We look forward to New Heavens and a New Earth, but how can we expect Him to return to reward us, unless our hand is on the plow laboring to build His Kingdom now — with Resurrection power? Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.