ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO JESUS SECOND COMING WITH GREAT JOY AND EXPECTATION?

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The phrase, “come like a thief,” occurs only 5 times and always refers to the return of Jesus at the arrival of the Day of the Lord. Check them out – 1 Thes. 5:2, 4; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; Rev. 16:15. The use of this term originated based on the parable Jesus taught: 

“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. “For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect it.”( Matt. 24:43-44)

This exhortation and warning follows upon His teaching that when you see the “signs” of the great tribulation, you will know that His coming is right at the door, just like we know that summer is near when we see leaves on the trees. (Luke 21:29).

But He immediately tells us that no one knows the day or hour of His coming. In other words, we can know the “season” of His coming, when He will be “right at the door,” but we cannot know the exact day of His coming. Thus the exhortation for watchfulness so we might be prepared when God brings that arrival of Jesus “in His own timing” (1 Tim. 6:15).

Jesus did not teach imminence here. He taught that the events of the tribulation would precede His coming and that once those events transpire, we should know that He is right at the door and we should “be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming,” (Mat. 24:42).

But our watchfulness should not be out of fear or sorrow, but out of great joy and expectation, knowing that at His arrival He will take us to Himself so that then we shall ever be with the Lord. That is why Paul calls this “the blessed hope” (Lit: the HAPPY confidence, Titus 2:13)).

King is Coming

He will come like a thief, only to those who are unprepared. But for the believer, walking in fellowship with God, they “are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief,” (1 Thes. 5:4). Accordingly, Paul immediately follows that up with an exhortation to all believers including himself, to “not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and balanced,” (2 Thes. 5:6).

The exhortation then is to watchfulness and preparedness, not in view of an “any moment” coming of Jesus, but in view of the DANGER of not being ready when “the signs” come on the scene.

All the words used to encourage our watchfulness communicate the attitude of “expectation” and the strong emotion of longing, in view of His promised arrival, not in view of an “any moment” arrival.

No, Jesus did not teach imminence at Matthew 24. Instead, He taught that specific events had to occur first. Peter knew and understood this. And he even knew that the Lord would not come during his lifetime.

Thus, he exhorts the recipients of his letter, to be diligent to maintain holy conduct and godliness (2 Pet. 3:11) and to be found in Him, in peace, spotless and blameless,” (v.14) so that just like John warns, “we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming,” (1 John 2:28).

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him {be} the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet. 3:17-18)

Peter did not teach imminence in chapter three. He taught the need for growth, preparation and watchfulness,

“looking for and promoting the coming of the day of God,”

Imminence is only a valid concept once the SEASON that Jesus taught about arrives. Once that season is here; once the events of the tribulation have begun, it is then and only then, that He can come as a thief at some unknown day and hour. Accordingly, the promises for watchfulness teach that the Lord could come in ANY generation as long as the prerequisite “signs of summer” occur.

Pretribbers fail to separate the arrival of Jesus TO the earth in the clouds of the sky, which IS the second coming, from the descent of Jesus ONTO the earth sometime later after the wrath of God is poured out in the trumpet and bowl judgements, which is NOT the second coming, but an event that occurs DURING the second advent.

And what we are looking for is the GLORIOUS appearing of Jesus, which is the SECOND COMING. The second coming and the rapture are NOT two different “events” – unless one wants to list the various things that happen after Jesus arrives in the clouds of the sky as several different events. But then, one must recognise that the second coming is the ONE ARRIVAL of Jesus, which begins a time period known as His parousia or His presence in this earthly arena, which is also known as The Day of The Lord. And that during that parousia, there are several events that will occur. The first event is the rapture and his return with the Saints to win the battle of Armageddon is an event down the list, and not even the final event, for the separation of the sheep and the goats is the final event prior to the official start of the millennial kingdom.

IN THE CHAOS, THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINES BRIGHTLY

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Brandon Sanders, assistant pastor at Powerhouse Church in Katy, Texas reports on how their church responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Epic Flooding Inundates Houston After Hurricane Harvey

Our whole region has been devastated by the lingering rains and flooding of Hurricane Harvey, but the response of our people has been amazing. Powerhouse Church is built on the foundation of a Gospel lived, not just a Gospel preached. For 21 years we have been in Katy, Texas and any time there has been a need we have answered the call, Hurricane Harvey is no different. Members of our church and community made sure their families were okay and then sprung into action to make sure others were safe as well. With over 20 inches of rain, 9 straight hours of down pour, the water rose swiftly and many were overtaken in moments. Calls overwhelmed the emergency lines and we jumped into action via social media and text mobilizing teams alongside the City of Katy officials for shelter and evacuation. We housed over 200 people in our facilities overnight and mobilized rescue teams for high water evacuations. We are now a resource center working hand in hand with other local Pastors, churches, and government agencies to provide resources and relief for all those in need. From bass boats, diapers, dry clothes, high risk rescues or just simple prayers and words of encouragement.

It is a beautiful thing to watch the heart of God in action as his people selflessly put their lives aside for the sake of others. This how we witness for our King; we stand strong in perilous times, we remain faithful in times of fear, we are courageous in the face of danger, and we allow love for our fellow man to move us into action and watch ordinary people do extraordinary things.

ONLY A RADICAL CHURCH WILL SURVIVE THE COMING TRIBULATION

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The Coming Church: article by John Burton – see bio below. I suggest you reread these posts for further confirmation – Are our churches making disciples, July 16th – Church as God intended, July 26th – Wake up church, Aug 3rd – Church in the last days, Aug 9th – Building church God’s way, Aug 17th.

“The book that I’m currently writing will address some of the spiritual and practical changes that will come to the structure and expression of the church. Trust me, it will shock our nation severely.

Those who hold on to a structure or a ministry instead of Jesus Himself will not be willing to go where God is leading.

The coming church will be rooted in scripture. The biblical structure has been largely forsaken in traditional churches. What will the emerging church look like? Here’s just a small peek into a grand shift in the structure of the church:

1. Services will become more like prayer meetings. One of the greatest indictments on the church today is that prayer is not the driving force. Today, people tend to choose churches based on the appeal of the teaching and the worship instead of the fervency of prayer. If the church was a house of teaching or a house of worship, that would make sense, but it’s not. The church is a house of prayer for all nations. Every person in the church will function as a burning intercessor and the services will be marked by this unified groan of fiery prayer.

2. Personal need will give way to personal mission. Today, churches are often more like organic, socially driven hospitals. People tend to use the church as a way to meet their personal needs instead of serving it as a minister of God. This is going to change. Of course, there will still be personal ministry and true needs will be addressed.

However, instead of the church functioning as a hospital, it will once again function as a mission-driven military. The mission will take precedence. The saints will be equipped for service, not for personal survival. In this ancient and emerging model, there will be MASH units that will take very good care of the wounded with the primary purpose of getting the soldier back into battle. Apostles will again lead with governmental authority and pastors will be seen as the main leader less and less as they focus more on shepherding and less on primary leadership.

3. Teaching will be minimized while instruction is emphasized. Teaching is mostly for personal edification while instruction is mostly for corporate assignments. Today, most churches focus on teaching principles of Scripture, providing truths that will help believers navigate through their lives and giving nuggets of biblical info. While there will still be important Bible teaching, apostolic instruction will emerge as a necessary new ministry.

There is enough Bible teaching online, on CDs, in books and on video to turn every one of us into personal spiritual giants. We need to take it upon ourselves to grow. What is lacking, however, is apostolic leaders, military commanders who give instruction and assignments to a ready army. Teaching is personal growth-based while instruction is a call to corporate action for the sake of mission fulfillment.

An example of apostolic instruction is this: The apostolic leader gives a corporate assignment for everybody in the church to fast for a week and then show up together to prayer walk through the city streets. It’s a corporate call to action versus biblical study. It’s mission focused versus personal growth focused. Personal growth will be largely our responsibility between services so we can be ready to respond to the corporate instruction where we will receive our assignments.

4. We will gather together most days of the week. The 24/7 church will again emerge as the church drives culture instead of reacting to culture. Cares of life will lose their power as we simplify our lives and put corporate prayer and mission ahead of most everything else.

This may be the most challenging change for Christians. Today, Sundays are the days to set aside for corporate worship while we give precedence to our ‘normal lives.’ In the Coming Church, the very reason we live will be to pray on fire together every day, receive apostolic assignments and then move out into our lives as kingdom ambassadors. It wouldn’t be surprising if a tithe of our time is what became the standard. Two to three hours a day, whether it’s in the morning, afternoon or evening, or even in the late night hours, will be given by every believer to praying on site together with others, ministering and giving ourselves to intercession-fueled kingdom ministry. Of course, much of what we have been giving ourselves to will have to be eliminated so we have the time necessary to devote.

5. Worship will be supernaturally driven. There is a new sound coming to worship, and it’s not simply a new style. There is a supernatural, otherworldly groan of intercessory worship that will explode out of the entire body as a new breed of trembling worship leaders lead the way into the shock and awe of the glory of God. We will no longer simply sit in a pew or stand with a raised hand while a familiar worship song is sung.

The prophetic, groaning sounds of Holy Spirit facilitated worship will make it normal to shake and fall to our faces as we cry Holy! The natural, logical sing-a-longs will be no more. We will have a hard time standing as God’s Shekinah and Kabod glory resides in His church. Worship teams will practice less and pray in the Spirit with tears in their eyes more.

Of course, this is an extremely limited glance into the many, many changes that are coming. I wanted to share this to provoke you to preparation. There is much that you and I enjoy in the church, or that is comfortable to us, that we will have to let go. Again, the coming church will be troubling and shocking, but it will result in the power and life that we have been crying out for.

God is about to answer that cry.

I strongly recommend that you read my book 20 Elements of Revival. That book reveals much of the shift that we must embrace right now. If you truly take in all that it has to say, you’ll never participate in the church the same way again.”

John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 20 years and is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. John’s mandate is to call the church in the nations to repentance from casual Christianity and to burn in a manner worthy of the King of kings. He is equipping people to confront the enemies of God (established religion, Jezebel, etc.) that hinder an extreme, sold-out level of true worship. He planted two churches, has initiated two city prayer movements and is currently directing a prayer and revival focused ministry school in Detroit called thelabuniverstity.com.

THE TEMPLE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT BEFORE JESUS SECOND COMING

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When the third Jewish Temple is rebuilt it will be a definite end times sign. This video shows that the historical evidence supports the Jewish Temple was built in the old city of David above the Gihon Spring so that water could be drawn up for purification purposes. The Western wall therefore is not the wall of the Herodian Temple but part of Fort Antonio built by Herod to house the Roman soldiers.

Image result for picture of fort antonio and jerusalem temple

This picture shows that the Temple is connected to Fort of Antonio (it housed 10,000 soldiers) by a Causeway. The Fort is enormous whereas the Temple was by comparison small (600 ft square) The temple was built in the old city of David which is south of the so called Temple Mount.

The Dome of the Rock and the Aqsa Mosque sit on the site of the Fort Antonio not the Temple Mount.

Hence there is nothing stopping Israel rebuilding the Temple on its original site except tradition. Israeli Temple Institute has already made the altar, tools and clothing required. It also operates an educational centre and a preparatory training programme for members of the priestly family who want to be ready to serve as soon as the temple is rebuilt. Watch to see what triggers the rebuild for it will happen.

 

WHAT’S NEXT IN END TIMES BIBLE PROPHECY?

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As the signature event of Jesus Second Coming, as He outlined in the Olivet Discourse, has already occurred – Israel reborn as a nation in 1948 (Parable of the Fig Tree Matthew 24:32-35) then I believe we need to be Bereans and we will see other prophesied “end times” events unfold.

What better proof do we have that the Bible is God’s inerrant Word than fulfilled prophecies. It should be convincing to even the staunch sceptic.

As both OT and NT prophets reveal that Israel and its surrounding nations are at the centre of God’s plans for His return, then keep watch on events in the Middle East.

Daniel 8 provides us with end times events that happen before the Rapture event given by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse. It is certainly clear from the following three verses that what was given to Daniel refers to the end times.

“Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” Daniel 8:17  

“Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.” Daniel 8:19

“Therefore seal up the vision for it refers to many days in the future.” Daniel 8:26

Mark Davidson author of Daniel Revisited says, in his latest book Iran’s Great Invasion – And Why It’s Next in Biblical Prophecy, that the next event on the Biblical “end times” calendar is the invasion by Iran (Shia) of the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, perhaps Eastern Turkey where there are some Shia and the Kurds). I met up with Mark at a recent conference in Tyler, Texas – Understanding the Times: Israel, Islam and The Gospel. Two important Scriptures in support of his thesis are Daniel 8:4 and 20, but I suggest you get his book for the full story.  

“The two horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia (Iran encompasses both of these prior kingdoms). Daniel 8:20.

“I watched the ram as he charged towards the west (Iraq and Syria), and the north (Eastern Turkey and Kurds) and the south (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE).” Daniel 8:4

The event after this one is when Turkey leading three other Sunni nations (the Goat in Daniel 8) responds and defeats Iran thereby establishing a renewed but divided Ottoman Empire.

The dream Nebuchadnezzar had in Daniel 2 revealed that there would be four Kingdoms that replace his. This prophecy has proved correct for the next two Medo-Persia and Greece. The third is not named, but we can now see that it is the Ottoman Empire. It is the only Empire that fits the description that it would crush all the Kingdoms that preceded it, (Roman Empire does not fit). The Final Empire is a revived but divided fourth Empire – an Islamic Caliphate which the Antichrist will rule, partially overcoming the Sunni/Shia divide. The Daniel 7 dream of four great beasts coming up out of the sea confirms the Empires identified in the Daniel 2 dream. Moreover, it all fits with the events we see unfolding in the Middle East at this time

Could this latest report by World Israel News Staff , be a prelude to this Iran invasion:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Russia on Wednesday to meet with President Vladimir Putin regarding the threatening situation in Syria, fuelled by Iran.

“Tomorrow I will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I will be joined by the head the Mossad and the head of the National Security Council. I will discuss with him Iran’s accelerated attempt to establish a military presence in Syria,” Netanyahu announced Tuesday evening through his media adviser.

“This attests, of course, to Iran’s aggression which has not lessened in the wake of the nuclear agreement. This also presents a problem not only to Israel, but rather to all the nations of the Middle East and the entire world,” he declared.

Netanyahu held a security consultation earlier in the day regarding the trip.

“Israel has no objection to a (peace) agreement in Syria, but we are firmly opposed to such an agreement in which Iran and its proxies will be left with a military presence in Syria,” Netanyahu told Putin in a previous meeting.

We live in exciting times. We know the final outcome: Jesus will rule and reign in the Millennium from His throne in a rebuilt Jerusalem and we get to reign with Him.

 

 

SIN DESTROYS BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT

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When we are silent about our sin and shortcomings, our bodies and souls suffer. What begins as intentional minimising of sin turns into blindness to both the sin and its effects. Our view of ourselves is skewed. We begin to say, “This is just who I am.”

Sin not only damages our connection to God, but our connection to others.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. Psalm 32:3

David learned this firsthand when he tried to cover up his sin with Bathsheba. When the prophet Nathan confronted David, the cure for sin’s poison was revealed. As we confess and repent, God welcomes us back. Although the consequences of our choices remain, God’s forgiveness and the penetrating light of His truth bring life and restoration to our souls and relationships.

God’s arrows of affliction are sharp and painful so He can get our attention. He won’t let His beloved children get away with sin because He knows it robs us of blessings, opportunities, and even character refinement.
Charles Stanley

Sadly, the world increasingly, by denying the existence of God, has no concept of the eternal consequences of SIN – separation from their Creator forever, i.e. HELL. Likewise, they don’t recognise that God has provided the solution to the SIN problem (rebellion against God and His Commandments) i.e. JESUS, God’s own Son. Nor will they repent of their SIN, acknowledge His sacrifice on their behalf and let Him be Lord of their life.

The Bible provides the only history of this universe that makes sense of what we see in the world today. The initial SIN of Adam and Eve brought death, pain and suffering into what once was a perfect world. God has provided one way back into a renewed relationship with our heavenly Father – JESUS.

“Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24

Will you reconsider? Your eternal destiny hangs in the balance.

WANT PEACE IN YOUR LIFE?

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Great message from Jonathan on taking your sins, your problems to God, on taking everything to God, on how to live in peace. The peace of Shabbat in the Messiah. It is a 35 minute sermon, so schedule it for a time when you can give it your total attention.

BUILDING CHURCH GOD’S WAY

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Church do you love your community? How is that expressed? Are you truly serving Jesus with your resources?

Build buildings that don’t load your church with debt and can serve your community. Is this what we see happening today?

God has raised up Dan Cook, architect and construction company owner and founder of Building God’s Way  to serve the church in these last days. Listen to several pastors talk about  church buildings that will serve Christ and the community.

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES: ISRAEL, ISLAM AND THE GOSPEL

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Hi Brothers & Sisters, I mentioned in a previous post, I was attending a Conference in Tyler Texas, August 4th and 5th – Understanding the Times: Israel, Islam & The Gospel. My main reason for attending was to meet up with Dr Nelson Walters who was a speaker at the Conference. Nelson has agreed to be on the Board of an “End Times” Ministry I am setting up, to provide pastors and Christian leaders with Power Point Sermons and Video Sermons to equip the church in these “last days” to make disciples to complete the great commission – website http://www.powerpointsermons.net.  As well, I hoped to connect with some of the speakers at the conference who would become partners in the ministry. Two great connections were Joel Richardson and Mark Davidson.

Joel is author of many books but two I can recommend are Mideast Beast: The Scriptural Case for an Islamic Antichrist and Mystery Babylon: Unlocking the Bible’s Greatest Prophetic Mystery.

Mark is author of several books but as with Joel I can recommend two – Daniel Revisited: Discovering the Four Mideast Signs Leading to the Antichrist and Iran’s Great Invasion  and Why it’s next in Bible Prophecy.

If you want to get up to speed on what end time events the Bible has prophesied for the near future, then listen to Mark being interviewed on Wings of the Eagle. They were also active at the conference and a website to watch.

 

IS THIS PROPHECY FOR YOU?

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Take a look at this prophecy by Jason Tanksley of Jason Tanksley Ministries, it resonated with me, I hope it also does with you.

Several days ago, while I (Jason) was studying the Word, the Holy Spirit arrested me on this verse. I knew He was speaking and wanted to tell me something, so I read it again.

“He was very thirsty, and he called out to the Lord, ‘You gave this great deliverance through Your servant, but now may I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?’

“So God split open the basin at Lehi, and water flowed out of it. He drank, was refreshed, and revived. Because of this he called the place En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day” (Judges 15:18–19).

Three verses earlier, the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord had come upon Samson, and he grabbed the jawbone of a donkey, striking down a thousand Philistines.

“You gave me this great deliverance … but now may I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” (Judg. 15:18).

Samson was weary after this intense battle, and now it seemed that a dehydrated death was his fate. He had no strength left, but he did have a prayer: “… he called out to the Lord …”

“So God split open the basin at Lehi, and water flowed out of it. He drank, was refreshed, and revived. Because of this, he called the place En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day” (Judg. 15:19).

A war-weary Samson called out to God in a moment of desperation, and God split open the very ground Samson stood on, causing refreshing water to flow!

En Hakkore means “the fountain of the crier,” or “the spring of one who prays.”

As I read this, my spirit leapt within me! I began to receive a word from the Lord that I must share! To the worn out, war-weary ones, those who have fought and maybe even seen great victory but now it looks like a dehydrated death in the dust is your portion, I am here to tell you, there is an En Hakkore for you.

I believe many are beginning to step into a realm of groundbreaking refreshing and revival. Your prayers have come up before the Lord, and He is answering with a well in a dry place—a spiritual En Hakkore, the fountain of the crier, the spring of one who prays!

The same Spirit of God that came upon Samson in verse 14, giving him supernatural strength and skill to slay a thousand Philistines, is the same Spirit of God that broke open the ground beneath him to bring refreshing at a time of certain demise.

The ground is breaking open beneath you.

This same Spirit of God that broke open the ground to release refreshing water is the same Holy Spirit that is causing tremors in the dry ground beneath you. These tremors are cracking open the dusty places, the dead soil and the parched earth to release waters of revival that will bring a supernatural restoration to you.

“So God split open the basin at Lehi, and water flowed out of it. He drank, was refreshed, and revived …” (Judges 15:19).

The dust is not your portion; the ground is breaking open, and I hear the Lord say, “Drink deep!” He did not bring you through the battle for you to die in the dust. He did not bring you this far to leave you in the hands of the adversary. I charge you to begin to decree En Hakkore to the dry areas. Prophesy over the dust and see God release a supernatural stream of restoration, refreshing and revival. This supernatural stream may be a filling of His Spirit that will invigorate you. For some it will be an unexpected stream of finances that will not just meet needs but exceed needs. For others, the glory of God will settle on you in an unprecedented way, bringing revival to the dry places.

In fact, I have already experienced this spiritual En Hakkore in my life since the Lord began to speak to me about it.

As we have just stepped into the second half of this year, I believe there are many who need refreshing to not just finish but to finish strong. God doesn’t want to just carry you through the remainder of this year; He wants you to ride a river of glory into 2018. God is releasing the stream. Now you must drink and drink deep.

The ground is breaking open; there is an En Hakkore for you!