Spiritual Warfare

Rapture Is Part of the Second Coming

Ken

If we believe Christ came the First Time as a Savior in a Bethlehem manger, then we must believe He will come a Second Time as a Judge and King. As the angel said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11 KJV). Paul (I believe to be the writer of the Book of Hebrews) said, “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). 

Though some disagree that the concept of the Rapture of the Church is unfounded, I would ask, Do you believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? So do I. But, notice that Paul describes with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Living Saints are raptured or caught up to Him. “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up [Greek, harpazō, snatched up, i.e., raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1Thessalonians 4:13-17 NIV). 

If we agree that we are raptured, then any disagreement would be over what happens after the Rapture. Immediately, we are “present with the Lord” (2Corinthians 5:8). We are in another dimension, outside the dimension of earth time and tribulation events, and have an infinite of time for an awards banquet and dinner — Bema Seat Judgment (Romans 14:10) and Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10) — before we return with the Lord. Then, will be the final, visible part of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7). 

All we need to do is occupy till He comes (Luke 19:13) and watch for Him (21:36). Help us, Lord, to do that, but He will do the rest!

Father, cause us to be faithful to You. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Occupy Till I Come

Ken

“Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13 KJV). Our Master has given His instructions to us. Like the NT parable, He expects us to exercise our abilities and circumstances for His Kingdom. No one but a wicked servant has the right to a retirement of doing nothing, or worse, to live a life of self-pleasing. Occupying for the LORD is to be filled with “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2Peter 1:3). Our Lord expects us to walk obediently, sensitive to His Spirit, but more importantly, as though we loved Him for the wonder filled works He has performed for us. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:15).

Life Is A Vapor

Ken

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14 KJV). Here today, gone tomorrow. Our existence is fleeting. Look at so many who have died at relatively young ages throughout history. Jesus of Nazareth died on a Cross at the age of 33. Alexander the Great died at age 32. Robert Murray M’Cheyne (age 29): “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likenesses to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.” Jim Elliot (age 29): “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Imminence is the likelihood of occurring at any time. Though death may not come so early without accident, war, or plagues, would we be considered wise to consider death or departure from this life as imminent and long life as more of a bonus? If we would live our life as fleeting, would we better serve Christ? “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Though we could depart this life at any moment, we would certainly return with Christ. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (1Thessalonians 4:14). As far as our fleeting life is concerned, could we say we believed in a Doctrine of Imminence? “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:7-8 NIV).

All Things Through Christ

Ken

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Proving the truth of God’s Word in our life is the reality of our relationship to Christ. We have the opportunity to moment-by-moment demonstrate the reality of this promise. We must lean on our Spirit mentor and helper, even when we think we can handle it, since His help will especially be appreciated, when we know we’re in over our head. We can do whatever we’re commanded to do. We can do whatever God’s Spirit inspires us to do. But, to thoughtlessly commit to acting without God’s leading, we can’t claim this promise. We are at war, attempting to demonstrate the truth of this promise, against an adversary, who wants to prove our faith is unfounded. Resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). LORD, may You give us the wisdom to understand Your will and the strength to do it. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Arise, Shine!

Ken

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1 KJV). Grab all of that meaning to light up your understanding for the burdens of today! You cannot handle or overcome present circumstances without God’s light. God’s Word is the Language of the Heart. We, who know Him, rejoice in such language. Isaiah also prophesied of a future time for Israel consistent with the upcoming Millennium. This would be preceded by the Messiah’s Second Coming and Israel’s sudden, miraculous spiritual rebirth — a transformation eclipsing its secular rebirth of 1948. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (66:8). Our Light is Messiah Jesus, who is the “light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5), which Isaiah had earlier predicted for the Gentiles. “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it” (Isaiah 40:5). So much packed into a Good Morning Reveille! Father, we are so blessed to have been chosen to become part of Your people! Truly, may Your Kingdom come quickly! And, may Your will be done on this earth, in the meantime. Cause all that to be so. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Way of Thy Testimonies (Psalm 119:14)

Ken

“I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14 KJV). Have you noticed so far, the number of ways the Psalmist uses legal language to describe God’s Word? Virtually all of Psalm 119 gives testimony that the “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) is the weapon of choice for the Saints to employ in the Unseen Realm of the Courts of Heaven. 

“Law of the LORD” (119:1). 

“Testimonies” (119:3, 14). 

“Precepts” (119:4). 

“Statutes” (119:5, 8, 12).

“Commandments” (119:6, 10). 

“Judgments” (119:7, 13). 

We are to be Lawyers of the Heart, for the Psalmist said, “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches” (119:14), indicating: (1) our employment causes us to rejoice, for it involves matters of the heart, and (2) our occupation with God’s Law must be more valuable than all riches. 

Advocate (1John 2:1)   

Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) 

Attorney (Acts 25:11) 

Barrister (Daniel 6)

Defender (1Thessalonians 5:23) 

Mouthpiece (Romans 8:26) 

Solicitor (Romans 8:34) 

Adviser (Acts 18:10)

OT Israel had Solomon’s Temple until destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It was rebuilt by Ezra about 70 years later, then the Romans destroyed it in 70 AD. However, the physical Temple always was representative of Jehovah’s Heavenly Temple. “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount” (Hebrews 8:5 KJV). References made by the Psalmist are more representative of the Courts of Heaven above than simply the Jerusalem Temple below. 

“Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, even of Thy holy temple” (Psalm 65:4 ). Yahweh has always desired more than a temporary relationship with His people. “For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).

Father, make us to be Lawyers of the Heart and not those who would strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Cause us to recognize our NT inheritance of Your Blessed Spirit that we would finally understand how to keep Your Laws with all of our heart, mind, and soul. Cause us to be successful litigators in the Courts of Heaven. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen. 

Declared All Thy Judgments (Psalm 119:13)

Ken

“With my lips have I declared all the judgments [Hebrew, mishpât, act of deciding a legal case] of Thy mouth” (Psalm 119:13 KJV). No wonder our NT conception of the pharisees and their preoccupation with the Law — it was because the nature of the Law is legal. They merely had forgotten the real nature of the Law was to “love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18). We need to beware of their same pitfall, since even the Apostolic Ephesian Church was already reprimanded for having “left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). Cases decided in the Courts of Heaven will play out “in Earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). That is the crucial point. The verdicts of the Courts of Heaven are binding on us below. And, to our amazement, Jesus has covenanted, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (18:18). As if we would be given status in the Courts of Heaven to present cases, which the Judge of All the Earth would consider binding upon all concerned. If an earthly, unjust judge would pass judgment for a widow crying out against her adversary in a human court, “Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?” (Luke 18:7). God’s judgments then are more than His complaints against humanity, but they represent our right to petition Him for redress for the injustices not simply of humanity against humanity, but of our Adversary’s unjust holding of the people of this world in spiritual ignorance and the Church in our ignorance of what the Messiah Jesus has come to accomplish. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (Isaiah 61:1-2). Father, cause us to walk in understanding of Your Law, that we would not stumble, where teachers more intelligent than ourselves have fallen, when they beheld with their eyes Your Son. Have mercy upon Israel, and have mercy upon us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Are We Born Dying?

Ken

Scripture cites the beginning of death with God’s promise: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17 KJV). And, the “last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1Corinthians 15:26), when our Sovereign God, in the end, announces that “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3).

Some may question our Creator’s promise of death, since Adam and Eve were still physically alive after they sinned, but the first genealogy of Genesis is accompanied by the words, “and he died” (Genesis 5:5), eight times. Physical death is a process, which ends when the spirit of man finally departs our physical body. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2Corinthians 5:1-2).

The NT further reveals, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). So, physical death passed upon all humanity, and spiritual death, likewise, reigns wherever humanity sins. “Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

Question: Was there any kind of physical death in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned? Was the biological process, apoptosis (PCD, “programmed cell death”) active? 

Answer: Yes, actually apoptosis is necessary for cell maintenance and growth. Though the early genealogies of Scripture speak of unusually long Pre-Flood lifespans, e.g., Adam, 930 years (Genesis 5:5), Methuselah, 969 years (5:27), none but Enoch was exempted from death (5:24). All cells must die. Cells must be removed or deleted from the body. Apoptosis is not the death promised by Jehovah, as His curse upon humanity’s sin (2:17). Sin’s curse is physical disability, physical deterioration, passing on physical death to subsequent generations, final physical death, but worst of all, separation from God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

Are we born dying? Yes, in a manner of speaking. Especially since the Fall of Man, all have the physical necessity to die. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Infants grow by maturing faster than they are dying; while, the older generation is dying faster than it is growing. Red blood cells die after 120 days, and humans typically die before the end of 120 years. 

Unless we are like Elijah, who was given the understanding the LORD would shortly take him up to Heaven (2Kings 2), we must momentarily be ready to meet the LORD, by physical death or Rapture. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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 4:16-17). 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). 

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).  

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). 

LORD, may we be prepared to meet You. Make us to be ready. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Why the Holy Spirit Was Given

Ken

Without speculation, Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7 NASB). For what purpose did Jesus send the Holy Spirit? “And He [the Helper or Holy Spirit], when He comes, will convict [Greek, elegchō, reprove] the world concerning [1] sin and [2] righteousness and [3] judgment” (16:8). Notice, the Holy Spirit is reproving or convicting, as if in a legal courtroom sense, God is demonstrating the justness and rightness of all His actions toward us. We could envision the Courts of Heaven open with the Judge of All the Earth presiding, and Christ as our Heavenly Advocate, both answering the arguments of the Adversary and demonstrating the fitness of all His actions on our behalf. 

First, our unbelief is essentially not believing Jesus to be who He reveals Himself to be, i.e., “concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me” (16:9). “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness” (12:46). 

Second, our righteousness is rightly relating to Jesus Christ, i.e., “concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me” (16:10). “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1Corinthians 1:30). 

Third, all the legal work of Jesus accomplished on our behalf must be taken and presented in the Courts of Heaven for our salvation and sanctification, then we are helped and Satan is judged, robbing our Adversary of tying up our help with false litigation, i.e., “concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged” (John 16:11). “Therefore He [Jesus] is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

Father, You have given us Your Son, who has given us Your Spirit. May we embrace all the riches of Your heavenly gift. Help us to see our poverty to be our lack of understanding of what Your Spirit makes available to us. Let us labor in the power of Your Spirit until You come for us. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Teach Me Thy Statutes (Psalm 119:12)

Ken

“Blessed art Thou, O LORD: teach me Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:12 KJV). This is God’s teachable moment for His children. It starts with the LORD’s happiness, for blessed means happy in both the OT and NT. In a right relationship with God, our righteousness is to seek to make God happy, for right relationship and righteousness are interchangeable. When our goal is to make the Teacher happy, then we best are able to learn the curriculum of His Word. And, unlocking the power of God’s Word is valuable for every situation of our life. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Timothy 3:16-17). It is never too late to learn! Blessed Father, make today my day to learn of Your Word and its application to every situation of my life. May my children and their children learn the righteousness of making You happy, for when You are happy, then we are happy. Lord Jesus, return quickly and deliver us. Amen and amen.