Just because you can do something, doesn’t necessarily mean you should do it. You might have the disposable income to afford a new smartphone, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you should purchase one. Impulse purchasing is why manufacturers compete for space next to the cash register at the supermarket, hoping you’ll do something simply because you can. But, if you actually need a smartphone, should you purchase the least expensive? “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48 KJV). If God has not given you other necessities demanding your resources, then the smartphone that fulfills your legitimate needs, represents the one God would have you purchase. Spirit filled action is Scripture justified action, and it flows from the heart attitude, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6), in expectation of the necessary guidance, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). LORD, may our daily walk with You always be in light of Your Word, but acutely sensitive to the choosing of Your Spirit. May we develop a sensitivity to Spirit filled direction that answers not simply what You require of us, but how we can best serve You. In Jesus’ name, we pray it. And, do return quickly. Amen.
Promises
Antichrist: Leopard, Bear, Lion (Revelation 13:2)
Antichrist, the villain of this story, is illuminated by the imagery of the leopard, bear, and lion. “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2 KJV). The swiftness of the leopard, ferocity of the bear, and domination of the lion are all empowered by the dragon, who is the “god of this world” (2Corinthians 4:4). If disciples do not fully appreciate they are “not of this world” (John 8:23), they will become confused by the gatekeepers of the world system represented by the leopard, bear, and lion, whose master said (without Christ’s contradiction), “All the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” (Matthew 4:8) are his. Though we are “in this world” (12:25), God’s “kingdom is not of this world” (18:36). Our “citizenship is in heaven – and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NET). As “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13 KJV). this status only troubles the world, if they do not understand we pray for the peace of wherever God sends us (Jeremiah 29:7). Our power is the recognition, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
Just as John outlined a story concerning a leopard, bear, and lion, similarly, the Old Testament prophet Daniel was given a vision of “four great beasts [of prey, which] came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). Daniel described the Babylonian Empire as a “lion, [that] had eagle’s wings” (7:4). A second kingdom, the Medo-Persian Empire, was represented as a bear, i.e., “And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs [i.e., dominating Media, Persia, Babylonia] in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh [i.e., subduing Lydia, Egypt, etc.]” (7:5). A third world empire, Greece, was depicted as a leopard, which speaks of the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s conquests, i.e., “After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it” (7:6). Finally, the Roman Empire was likened to a dreadful beast with ten horns, i.e., “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns” (7:7). And so, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a “great image” (2:31) agrees with both Daniel’s vision of “four great beasts” (7:3) and John’s vision of the “beast which… was like unto a leopard… a bear… [and] a lion” (Revelation 13:2).
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1John 2:18). Understanding the Antichrist as being a man, yet he embodies the history of world systems of many antichrists building up to his emergence on the world stage. Christ’s First Coming was initially noticed only by humble shepherds, but at His Second Coming, “every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:7). How will the Devil so effectively position the Antichrist to be received by all? Conquering, war, famine, death, martyrdom (Revelation 6), prepare for the Temple to be built in Jerusalem, where three major monotheistic religions worship. The most noticeable and acutely felt event in the world, since the Flood or the Tower of Babel, would be the removal of the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit through the Rapture of the Church. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV).
LORD, we do not pretend to have answered all the questions You must answer to bring this grand story to its conclusion. As much as we desire understanding of Yourself and these End Times, we know the Kingdom of God is not simply “in word, but in power” (1Corinthians 4:20 KJV). May that power rest on the presentation of Your story in the Gospel message (1Thessalonians 1:5). Magnify Yourself in the salvation of sinners and sanctification of saints. In Jesus’ name, we pray, come quickly. Amen.
Explanation: Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus is powerful because Jesus saves us from the sin separating us from God, whose holiness frees us from the sin separating us from Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). The adversary hates the name of Jesus both because he loses followers, and he can no longer be saved from his own sins. Jesus, meaning ‘Jehovah is salvation,’ seeks to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). OT Israel had a limited view of salvation for the gentile world, just as the NT church has a limited view of salvation as only delivering us from the penalty of sin, but not from the necessity of having to sin. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23). The “name of Jesus”: (1) is essential to “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38), (2) was used for a lame man to “rise up and walk” (3:6), (3) was proclaimed, taught, spoken, and “preached boldly” by early disciples (4:10, 18; 5:40; 8:12; 9:27), and (4) was used to command a demon out of a fortune teller, “in the name of” (16:18). Why such critical importance for the “name of Jesus”? Because Jesus is the tip of the spear, the point of the arrow, the edge of the knife that defeats our true “adversary the devil” (1Peter 5:8), who tempts us to sin. But, of more importance, Jesus has promised to save us from ourselves. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Either sin separates us from God or God separates us from sin. LORD, You are the God of Salvation, who is able to save “to the uttermost” them that come to You through the name of Jesus (Hebrews 7:25). We do not want to waste our time with gods many and lords many, but only You. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). In Jesus name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Opinion: Another Lone Gunman
“For loners, they sure are a big group,” observed Wall Street Journal columnist, Peggy Noonan (July 14, 2024). Thomas Matthew Crooks (20-years-old) joined the fraternity of loners to attempt an assassination of a US President, then he was killed by the US Secret Service after wounding former President Donald Trump (R) at a campaign appearance in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13th. Sadly, one other was killed, and two others were injured by the gunman. Freedom to choose does not guarantee the right choice. Why did he act? It is not certain. Not requiring a conspiracy or even a clear political statement to explain the assassination attempt; it is only clear, God cannot always wisely prevent sin.
Why did Crooks act? “Having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12 KJV). A generation set adrift without hope will lash out against any authority, which to them represents God in their lives. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). Only the “power of God” (1:16) could change that negative outcome.
Unless the Church embraces doctrine: (1) requiring “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), (2) understanding you cannot be holy and sinful at the same time, since “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24) and “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” (James 3:11), and (3) promising the Holy Spirit’s assistance “which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13), then we will be powerless to prevent more lawlessness. No more assuring anyone of Heaven, while pulling a trigger to assassinate a President.
LORD, the world is turned upside down, when the Church does not have the understanding or influence to keep us from consuming ourselves, our families, our churches, the nation, or the world. Let understanding start with us and spread to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Antichrist: Seven Heads, Ten Horns, and Ten Crowns (Revelation 13:1)
Antichrist is this arch blasphemer against God. Going beyond simple disobedience or impious actions; but, “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Where did this blasphemer originate? “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Revelation 13:1). The Gentile nations are represented by the “seas” (13:1). John draws upon Daniel to explain the beast. Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a “great image” (Daniel 2:31), whose “head was of fine gold [Babylon], his breast and his arms of silver [Medo-Persia], his belly and his thighs of brass [Greece], 33 His legs of iron [Rome], his feet part of iron and part of clay [the Revived Roman Empire]. 38 Thou [Nebuchadnezzar] art this head of gold [the Babylonian Empire]. 39 And after thee [Nebuchadnezzar] shall arise another kingdom [the Medo-Persian Empire of Darius and Cyrus] inferior to thee, and another third kingdom [the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great] of brass, which shall bear rule over all the Earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom [the Roman Empire] shall be strong as iron” (2:32-33, 38-40).
To this initial interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel had a subsequent vision, which John uses to describe Antichrist’s “ten horns” (Revelation 13:1). A governmental system and its head, here, are interchangeable. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast [the Roman Empire], dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another Little Horn [the Antichrist], before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things” (Daniel 7:7-8).
Of the seven stages of Gentile world power, six are historical, and the seventh is a revived form of the sixth (the Roman Empire):
(1) Egypt (1600-1200 BC),
(2) Assyria (900-600 BC),
(3) Babylon (606-536 BC),
(4) Medo-Persia (536-330 BC),
(5) Greece (330-146 BC),
(6) Rome (200 BC-400 AD), and
(7) the Revived Roman Empire, which seems to be the European Union, that was formed from the older European Economic Community (1957-1958) through the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), which was enacted on November 1st 1993.
What Daniel’s interpretations and visions teach us is God has a discernible succession of governments and empires defining world history. The LORD would not reveal this unless He expected us to understand it, i.e., “whoso readeth, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15), acquiesce to His will being done through them, i.e., “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” (6:10), and pray for the fulfillment of His prophecies by them, i.e., “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Since “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2Peter 1:20), the fulfillment of any discussed prophecies is subject to your estimation of whether they have been, are, or will be fulfilled, but most of all, whether the “Spirit of Prophecy” (Revelation 19:10) agrees they have fulfilled their purpose. If you listen to the preaching or teaching of God’s Word, then you are listening to a human opinion. Your job is to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21). Remember, agreeing with the interpretation of any scholar, teacher, commentator does not mean accepting man’s opinion over God’s, since any good thought first had to come from the mind of God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Pray only to be receptive to the thoughts coming from Him. “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
LORD, give Your servants understanding of Your prophecies that we may labor with You in praying for the fulfillment of those prophecies. Hasten Your return to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Suggestion: For a coherent opinion about Bible Prophecy, I recommend Every Prophecy of the Bible: Clear Explanations for Uncertain Times by John Walvoord.
Antichrist: Beast Out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1)
Blessing not conceit, God motivates us to explore the labyrinth concerning the antichrist. “Blessed 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). Antichrist is both against Christ and in the place of Christ, but he also embodies what humanity already believes is their best and necessary choice of all worlds. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Revelation 13:1 KJV). The “sea” represents the “isles of the Gentiles” (Genesis 10:5) or the nations of the world (Isaiah 42:10). The early church already had perceived a connection beyond the immediate circumstances of the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, as witnessed by the 3rd-4th century comment on the “beast” (Revelation 13:1) by Victorinus: “This signifies the kingdom of that time of Antichrist, and the people mingled with the variety of nations.” Though John had already written about “many antichrists” (1John 2:18), he now focuses upon the one Daniel identities as the “little horn,” which had “a mouth speaking great things” (Daniel 7:8), NT commentators identify this as the antichrist. Father, bless us with the desire to understand Your Revelation of Jesus Christ. May our comprehension of the character of Christ and the antichrist motivate us in laboring with You in praying for the fulfillment of prophecy. May Your Kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Does Recycling Work?
Certainly, we should recycle, but only God can “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5 KJV). Microplastic proliferation and diminishing numbers of recycling centers is not encouraging. The great objection of the humanists has always been the raping and pillaging of the planet by unbridled capitalism. But, from the beginning, it was not so. God’s creation of man was not just to “be fruitful, and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), but to “replenish the earth” (1:28 KJV). The LORD repeated the command to Noah after the Flood (9:1). Walking gently upon the earth is not just a pagan tradition, but it was incorporated into the Mosaic law of giving the land a sabbath’s rest. “But in the seventh year you must let it [the land] lie fallow and leave it alone so that the poor of your people may eat, and what they leave any animal in the field may eat; you must do likewise with your vineyard and your olive grove” (Exodus 23:11 NET). Since the earth is not an unlimited resource, it is apparent we need Divine Intervention, not just in the End, but to maintain it in the meantime. Remember the widow’s meal flour and oil, which were miraculously replenished by the LORD (1Kings 17:14)? God will bless the individual and land, who honor Him by healing for their land that science and government regulation alone can never accomplish. “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). LORD, cause the focus of our hearts to be upon You, not simply upon our frail efforts to accomplish Your work. Help us to do all we can to cooperate with You, but cause us to know only You can make all things new. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Why Was the Holy Spirit Given?
Jesus said He would send the Comforter to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8 KJV). How does reproving us for sin, righteousness, and judgment give us comfort? Of course, when we repent we have comfort, but that is only a remedy for the iniquity that had already occurred. What if the Holy Spirit was able also to prevent sin by guaranteeing our obedience; thus, fulfilling Christ’s words about the Comforter, but graciously giving more? “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). The OT prophets prophesied of such a gracious gift from Yahweh (Ezekiel 36:27; Micah 7:19). And, Paul wrote by inspiration, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). LORD, You are our help from ages past and our hope for years to come, teach us to value Your comfort and appreciate Your Spirit vouching our obedience that we may rejoice Your heart this day. Overcome the wicked one. Return quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver us. In Your All Powerful Name, we pray. Amen.
Explanation: Blood of Jesus
The blood of Jesus is powerful because it represents the forgiveness of sins. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [literally, forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). What is the significance of blood? Life given by God must be taken for blood to be offered in sacrifice for sin against life taken from God. “Now where remission [literally, forgiveness] of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (10:18-19). What is the significance of a sacrifice by Jesus? The perfect sacrifice of Jesus takes away the need of any further sacrifice. “10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:10, 14, 16-18). Why does the devil hate the blood of Jesus, which represents the forgiveness of our sins? Not only does it rob him of sinners subject to him, but it represents the forgiveness or freedom from judgment for rebellion, which Yahweh could never wisely give the first heavenly rebels without preparing Heaven’s inhabitants for another uprising. The Ancient of Days would never allow this, for He has sworn by Himself no one will ever again enter into His realm, “whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15). Stand firm in this understanding and the devil “will flee from you” (James 4:7). LORD, may we better appreciate the forgiveness of our sins that we may better share Your gift with others. And, as we cast out demons may we understand the power of Your blood in taking away the enemy’s rights to claim and hold his prey. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
Subdue Our Iniquities
To subdue our iniquities before entering Heaven is a metaphysical feat worthy of God Only Wise. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19 KJV). Subduing means conquering or overpowering but not removing the capacity or ability to produce the iniquity. In other words, God does not remove our moral ability to choose or reject iniquity; rather, He divinely manages or shepherds us so as to cause us to reject iniquity. Why would the Almighty bother with such a delicate distinction, if He could overpower all of His creation and force His will upon all? Because He created us in His image, so He could commune with us. LORD, may we treasure You, as much as You treasure us. May we give our utmost to You in response to the utmost You have given to us. And, may we hate and reject iniquity as much as You do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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