Rooted or Booted? Why Do People Fall Away? [podcast]
Warnings in the Book of Jude [podcast]
“The worse storms test the strength of our anchor.” unknown
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
If Christ’s light, the light of Christ is truly in us, we must let it shine to others in this dark world – as we joyfully anticipate the return of Heaven’s KING!
All who are truly rooted and grounded in Christ, have good Gospel works to prove it. All others are counterfeits.
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:41-46
HELL IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO GOT SAVED ON EARTH BUT DIDN’T ENDURE TO THE END – did not continue to walk with Christ. Walking with Christ always brings forth the fruit of good works (Revelation 2:26, etc.).
Here’s a Bible truth, a verse the gutless cowards called “pastor” today will never visit:
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
Any man painting the picture that salvation is a “one and done” is a great deceiver! The Bible teaches that salvation is conditional and not un-conditional and that there’s initial and final salvation. Irrefutably “eternal security” is a lie from hell. It’s the first lie Satan ever told and it caused the fall of mankind! (Genesis 2:17; 3:4)
These ear-tickling false prophets don’t tell people God’s naked truth because if they did, the people wouldn’t patronize their church business enterprises (2 Timothy 4:2-4). PAY-tronize.
If you haven’t gotten over, gotten past yourself, it’s because you’ve not truly repented, which Jesus says is a must, an essential to salvation. There will be not one person in Heaven who didn’t repent before God. Oh and true repentance always, with no exceptions, brings about the fruit of a changed life – one that serves God, not self (Matthew 3:7-10).
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3,5
The Pristine State of the Garden of God’s Creation – Before and After Sin was Committed
Were Adam and Eve in perfect communion, perfect standing with the LORD? Yes. What changed? Sin. Did God then remove them from His presence? Yes. Why? He’s “Holy, holy, holy,” and therefore “the wages of sin is death” which means separation from God because He’s holy (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8). Has He changed? No (Hebrews 13:8).
“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
All who vainly believe they can live in sin and still be Heaven bound are serving themselves. They view things from their own selfish-perspective because they have never truly repented and are serving the god of self – are living according to a self-serving agenda. Their “god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:18-19) In contrast, those who truly serve the LORD honor Him for being who He told us He is – “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) And, in doing so they conform to HIS will, and do HIS thing, not their own thing. They live on HIS stated terms, and not their own. This is in contrast to the many who claim to be Christ’s but live according to their own selfish agenda, on their own terms and not God’s. These are the ones Jesus foretold He’s going to declare to them “Depart from me.”
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Today, most people preaching have not sought God in His Word for themselves, are not honest with Him. No, they are simply perpetuating half-truths and lies that were peddled to them – just like the hell bound pharisees (false religious leaders) of Christ’s day (Matthew 23:15).
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
ARE YOU preaching the original Gospel OR some other version, “another gospel”? (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9) All who preach “ANY other gospel” other than the pure, original Gospel of Christ and His holy apostles, is “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).
Jesus wants a relationship with you! DO YOU CARE? OR, are you just attempting to use the Son of God to get your eternal soul out of hell? No one can fake God out.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9
God requires that you go on with Jesus – that you truly worship, trust, love, and obey Him!
Is Your Wife a Legalist for Wanting You to Love and be Faithful to Her? [podcast]
How God is Building His Foundation in the Lives of His People
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
The LORD set Jeremiah to prophecy over the nations, the kingdoms… And this is the pattern of the LORD in the lives of His people.
- “to root out”
- “to pull down”
- “to destroy”
- “to throw down”
- “to build”
- “to plant.”
Read that again please and not – first, by divine priority, the first 4 things God does is DE-structive (rooting the bad out) and the following 2 things are CON-structive (building up).
“Oh yes! What a fabulous verse. Jeremiah 1:10. The only way to be built up in Him is to be torn down. Our old selves (flesh) plucked out and thrown down! Taken to the cross and crucified! Nailed door nail dead! It hurts! But it is the only way the glory of God and the face of Jesus Christ will shine through us into the darkness of the world! 2 Corinthians 4:6.” Karen Cochran
Jesus teaches that to be rooted and grounded in Him, the only way to escape the coming judgment, one must dig deep – must remove all the dirt between the foundation of his house and the rock down below!
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49
Everyone desires assurance but only those who truly obey Christ will be possessed by it.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4
The LORD only grants the heart assurance of His saving grace to those who are literally walking with Him.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
It’s only those who love and obey the Word of God who have divine peace in their hearts.
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
The reason we all know so many “Christians” who live no differently than the world, who still have all kinds of sin and heartbreaks ailing them is because they are not continuing on with Christ (John 15). They are not abiding in Him on HIS stated terms – which are seldom taught in the apostate modern church world. The only way to walk with Christ is the cross! Learn it. | The Daily Cross
Any person who has been born again and yet is not in God’s Word daily, has already backslidden, is outside of the will of God and in need of repentance before it’s too late.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
Jesus says that if He’s not our “first love” (our very first priority), we must repent or we shall perish.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 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
What does it look like in our lives when Jesus is our “first love”? Well, HE is first, not us! We get up, we begin our days with HIM, not us. We are crucified with Christ. HE reigns. Get militant!
Although 90% of the frauds who pretend to represent Christ in this late hour will never mention this, here’s what it looks like to follow Christ – on HIS stated terms:
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
How can you learn these divine truths for which you are personally accountable, if you don’t get into God’s Word for yourself?
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
How can God’s Word get into you if you don’t get into it?
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
All who are truly saved by divine grace, have the fruit of good works. And, those professing to know God and yet have not the fruit of good works, prove they have no saving relationship with Christ.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
The fruit of good works saves no one – only Jesus saves. Yet, according to the whole counsel of Scripture, it’s clear that all whom Christ saves, have His goodness, His good fruit shining in and through their lives!
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Isn’t it interesting and telling that those who boast to be “grace teachers” herald the glories of God’s grace and yet refuse to acknowledge that if He saves someone by His grace, that it WILL gloriously effect the way those saved by it live?
Those saved by God’s amazing grace are His “workmanship.”
The true saving grace of God changes a man!
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:11-12
Read that passage above and ask: What does the saving grace of God teach those who truly have it? And, you will begin to see that many who claim to be saved by the grace of God do not have the fruit to prove it and are in need of returning to Christ.
A relationship with the Alpha and the Omega Himself always, with no exception, has evidence.
“If you were accused of being a disciple of Christ, would there be evidence enough to prove it?” unknown
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: … And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:8-10
Jesus says that repentance is an essential to being saved (Luke 13:3), and all who repent, truly, will have the good works of the LORD present in their daily lives.
If you want divine assurance of salvation in your heart, obey the God who saved you! All other “assurance” is a farce peddled by the “eternal security” devils! Run.
Assurance of heart does not happen without literal obedience.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19
So many seek for the assurance of their salvation. Many of them are being told by wolves in sheep’s clothing that because they had that one moment of saving faith in the past that they are “eternally secure” in Christ [eternal security] – no matter how they live. These are the very “ungodly men” Jude warned us about who are “ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4).
The book of Jude assures via biblically historical accounts that fallen angels and men who once knew the LORD can be later vanquished into eternal hell for their rebellion. Anyone who doesn’t know that salvation is CONDITIONAL and not unconditional and that those saved must “endure to the end” to be saved into eternal glory, is ignorant of God’s Word (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.).
Examples of Apostates
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Jude 3-7
Believing in vain by not keeping the Gospel in mind and heart.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
So, Jesus has saved you? You are born again….
“If a man abide (remain, continue) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6
If remaining, abiding in Christ were not possible, WHY would the Son of God have said it is possible, here and in other places? Read the words of Jesus above again.
You’ve been born again? Are you presently abiding, continuing, walking with Jesus, OR, are you going to hell? See John 15:6; 2 Peter 2:20-21. The doctrine, the necessity of perseverance!
The original Gospel message of Jesus and His holy apostles did not and does not include the divine guarantee that once saved the saved person can live any way he wishes and still be “eternally secure” or going to Heaven. In fact, the promise, the guarantee of the Word of God is that anyone who is saved and then falls away will suffer “worse” in hell than if he were never saved
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
False prophets preach that “because Jesus came and died, Christians have a license to sin, Christians are not accountable to ‘be holy’ because Jesus’ blood covers and justifies them no matter how they live.” Total heresy. Does that sound like what the Bible actually teaches? Read this:
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer (more severe) punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:26-29
Because Jesus has come and died for us we are MORE accountable, not less responsible.
SAY THESE WORDS OF JESUS 5 TIMES ALOUD RIGHT NOW. MEMORIZE:
“In your patience (perseverance) possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19
Endure to the end or perish:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13
Of this verse, this truth, Pulpit Commentary notes:
“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. These represent natures at once impressionable and excitable; impulsive men and women who, charmed with the beauty, perhaps (to them) the novelty, of the gospel message, receive the Word, take up the Master’s yoke with joy, but without thought. These hastily make a religious profession, but they forget altogether to count what the real cost of such a profession amounts to. Upon these superficial but kindly natures come trouble, perplexity, discouragement, perhaps persecution; then quickly the once-loved religion withers away like corn growing on rocky places beneath the burning summer sun. John Mark, the would-be missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas, was one of this impulsive but little-enduring class; and Demas, once the friend of Paul, but who loved too well the present world. Another instance would be the man who offered to follow Jesus “whithersoever thou goest,” as he phrased it, till he found, by the Lord’s grave answer, that the Master he offered to follow had neither home nor resting-place; then he seems quickly to have turned back.”
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
REPLY:
“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have NO ROOT, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13
“Rooted and Built Up in Him”
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:6-10
Those who are just looking to get out of hell, to not be accountable for the sins that make them guilty, and yet do not go on to love, worship, know, and serve the LORD, will “fall away” (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4, etc.).
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: …” Hosea 6:3
God’s will is not only to save but then to bring His children to the knowledge of His truth – and such requires a humble, teachable student.
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4
Any man pretending to represent Christ and yet is not telling you the whole of His truth – including that after being saved you must abide, you must continue with, you must endure to the end to be saved into Heaven, is a fraud! Run!
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Articles
What Does it Mean to Follow Christ? [podcast]
“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3
THE LORD is calling for an immediate release of the WHOLE counsel of HIS WORD!
DO you have a 20/20 vision? Read Acts 20:20 and get it!
Just like fake news TV, wolves only give you a small part of the whole story – in order to manipulate you! Half truths kill!
YOU know when you are right with God when you are running TO the cross message and not AWAY from it! “Enemies of the cross” of Christ “mind earthly things” and not the things the LORD commanded (Philippians 3:18-19).
The cross is a dethroning, unseating of self and the enthroning of Christ!
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Abiding
“I Desire Fruit that May Abound to Your Account” [podcast]
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17
Did you realize that as a born again disciple of Jesus, that you have an “account” in Heaven?
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Laying up treasure in Heaven and not wasting it on this fleeting life, is the command and the wisdom of God.
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
To some I would say:
“So let me get this straight…. you attributed your own earnings for your whole life to yourself and so now, how dare someone suggest you allow other saints to help fund God’s work, to lay up treasure in Heaven …..”
“But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
Some seem to take offense to anyone receiving help from God’s people… which is 100% selfish and pride filled…. in more than one way:
1. The work is expanded with greater funding;
2. God’s people are laying up treasure in Heaven when they choose to give.
This all seems to indicate that you are far too involved in the “ministry” you are doing. It’s all about you, not Christ.
Think about how Jesus and Paul and John had numerous “fellowhelpers to the truth.” Every member was free and able to function fully in our LORD’s work.
“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” 3 John 8
Apparently some bogusly believe, pretend to be more righteous than Jesus and the apostle Paul by denying love offerings to do the work of God.
These men are actually preventing God’s people from laying up treasure in heaven and acting self-righteous about it.
Apparently you seek to be the hero who serves yourself in many ways instead of Christ and others and therefore you wish all of your labor be attributed to your own account in Heaven. Philippians 4:17 says: “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
We give the Gospel “without charge”…. and yet that does not in any way negate all that the Bible says about giving and laying up treasure in Heaven: “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). This would mean that he doesn’t ask for money and yet that doesn’t mean he didn’t receive such help nor that what he taught in verses 1-14 are negated.
Regrettably, there are men doing ministry who are babes in understanding this Bible 101 doctrine of giving, of stewardship.
Isn’t it time we get out of the way and let those sitting on the bench get on the field, participate, lay up treasure in Heaven?
Do we not understand how Christ told us His kingdom works…. that when we give, it connects our hearts closer to Christ and His work? See Matthew 6:21.
Following our heretical beliefs instead of the Bible on this topic of stewardship would have thus far resulted in the deprivation of so very many beloved needy people here in Mexico. It would have cheated them out of many blessings…. food and the Word, salvation, etc.
Remember, such as was the case with the few loaves and fishes. Jesus takes what we give to Him, to His work, and multiplies it. Do the math. John 6. Five thousand men were fed out of 5 loaves and 2 fishes and yet there was much food (more than they began with) left over, surplus (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20).
“Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” John 6:13
Regrettably, we have novices who are abandoning the truth of God due to others perverting it….(2 Corinthians 2:17).
Are they making excuse for not giving?
The LORD “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”
Every good and every perfect gift on this earth is from God and is a mere foretaste of glory divine!
“The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Does God’s Word not warn us that God’s people are to “behold” both “the goodness and the SEVERITY of God” lest we be “cut off”?
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22
LORD, we thank You now for EVERY good and perfect blessing You alone have provided—beginning with the ultimate, the unspeakable, the unfathomable gift of Your only begotten Son who died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to justify us (Romans 4:25)! We love You LORD Jesus!
“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
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Abiding
Hostile Watching vs Grounded Readiness for Christ’s Return [podcast]
So let me get this straight…. we are frantic about the timing of the most anticipated event in human history, the return of Heaven’s King …. yet we don’t love that coming King enough to diligently seek His face and be preoccupied, consumed with serving Him – as we obey Him by daily denying self, taking up the cross, worshipping and executing His Great Commission mandate that He gave us? If this is the case, does it not prove that we are all about ourselves and not the LORD we feign to follow – as in we don’t truly love Him but rather seek to self-preservingly keep ourselves out of hell?
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (hostile watching): 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21
Are we frantic about the WHEN and not fervent about seeking, knowing, worshipping, and obeying the WHO? Should we be crying “WHEN?!” OR “WHAT do You want me to do LORD, HOW do You want to use me?!”
The Coming of the Kingdom
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, WHEN the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.”
In this passage it seems to fit that “observation” refers to hostile, anxious watching. Notice the setting. The Pharisee enemies are demanding “WHEN the kingdom of God should come.” Jesus then answers them and seems to communicate that we are not to seek to determine by physical evidence “WHEN” He’s returning and that “the kingdom of God is within you.” (v21)
Of Jesus’s words in Luke 17:20, the Pulpit commentary notes:
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. This answer of our Lord’s may be paraphrased: “The kingdom of God cometh not in conjunction with such observation and watching for external glorious things as now exist among you here. Lo, it will burst upon you suddenly, unawares.” The English word “observation” answers to the signification of the Greek as meaning a singularly anxious watching.”
Our preoccupation should not be with the timing, the exact day or hour of His coming but rather in knowing Him, being rooted and grounded in our abiding relationship with the Savior. Living in readiness (Luke 12:40; 21:34-36). Our relationship with Him, moment by moment is what is most important and determines our present abiding fruitfulness (John 15:1-16) and future place with our coming King.
“Help me Jesus to keep my eye on the prize. You are my exceedingly great reward! And there is none upon the earth I desire more than thee. Those that are yours are preparing their hearts to be with you in glory for ever and ever! Behold Lord you are the God of our salvation!” Karen Cochran
Jesus came and died to give us a relationship with the Father and Himself.
“And this is life eternal (the whole divine reason for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
We must let God be God, letting Him determine the orchestrating and timing of His coming and rather be preoccupied with seeking, loving, knowing, and obeying our coming King.
“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
When lightening strikes “EVERY EYE” sees it (Revelation 1:7). Speaks of … He is coming with such force that lights of the whole sky escapes no one. So shall it be when the Author of lightening splits the eastern sky beloved! When Jesus Christ splits the eastern sky no one will miss it.
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:21-27
God knows and is in control of the end of all things, the return of the Son of God.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36
We need not run around frantically looking for the coming of the KING and His kingdom because “the kingdom of God is within you.” The domain of the KING is in us—KING-dom! That’s what it means.
The preoccupation of the Heaven bound saint of Christ should be his relationship with King Jesus.
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Some people are so busy trying to figure out exactly when Jesus is coming back and how the end time events are going to unfold that they aren’t preparing themselves to meet Him! They live in unwarranted anxiety, in hostile watching instead of settling down to know Him and therefore they aren’t ready to meet Jesus nor helping others to be prepared for the soon return of Christ. Fruitfulness comes from an abiding relationship with Christ.
Living in hostility, anxiety and fear destroys present abiding and fruitfulness. Many today jump from one end times ministry to another, fueling their anxiety with speculations. They are perpetually incapacitated from the daily abiding and fruitfulness Jesus ordains (John 15:1-16).
I’ve seen many who spend more time worrying, monitoring and trying in vain to determine what month or day Jesus would return. It seems that those same people are not fervently seeking the face of the LORD, are not evangelizing, do not have their hand to the plow of the Great Commission work of Christ. Rather they are foolishly seeking to play God by frantically attempting to figure out the exact or approximate timing of Jesus’ second coming. And yet they don’t have an heart after God and are therefore not ready for when Jesus returns (Matthew 26:41; Luke 12:40; Ephesians 5:25-27).
God is calling us to settle down and seek His face.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:8
God is calling us to be anchored in Christ, our “blessed hope.” Titus 2:13
Titus 2 seems to be speaking of our lives, our spiritual state in light of Jesus’ coming.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15
Hope in Christ, as we truly abide in Him, in the crucified life He ordained, is the “anchor of the soul” of the remnant disciple.
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:19
“Love this podcast! And the word you used was hysteria. That is exactly what I am seeing. Many want to escape the tribulation out of fear! So if they can somehow figure out when Jesus is coming then maybe they will be able to escape the difficult times ahead! But we know the Bible says we must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of heaven. Acts 14:22. So there is no escape. Our job is to continue in the faith, eye on the prize which is Jesus! Always keeping in view the Kingdom of God. Like the 5 wise virgins.” Karen Cochran
The reason people live in fear is that they don’t have the love of God in them, through oneness with, through abiding relationship with Christ, which otherwise cast out all fear.
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18
Prayer: Father, please ground me in You, establish Your kingdom and fruitfulness in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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