Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Watching and waiting…

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Journal,

There is no question that we are in troublesome times. What I wish to do in this entry is to point out how the Lord God has placed a seal of security upon all His people, that no matter what the world may undergo, our future is assured and secured in Christ. 

We have this from the Lord:

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” - John 6:37-40 NASB

Notice two things in particular. First, no one who truly comes to Jesus will be lost.  Jesus loses nothing. Secondly, Jesus speaks of a‘ last day’ raising up of believers. Not only does this point to our divine destiny, but it very likely includes the last day removal of believers from the earth. The Greek term for ‘raised up’ carries the meaning of, ‘to cause to appear, to cause to exist, to make stand.’ The word itself always speaks of a change of position. 

Now lets talk about…

Where we are in redemption history..

It seems very likely that we are entering an epoch of history that was foretold by the Old Testament prophets, by the Lord Jesus, and by the apostles. This period of history is a prelude to the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is a period where believers are told to consider our redemption being near.  

Rather than overload this entry with a bulk of Scripture quotations, let me address a particular issue that is a definitive mark that serves as a prelude to the second coming of Jesus. It also serves as a prelude to the removal of the Church. It has to do with what the Bible calls ‘the man of sin.’

The Bible tells us that on the world scene there will be an emergence of a world leader who will speak to all the problems of the world, including the economic struggles of the nations, to the waring nations, and to the bringing together of all mankind for a common future. This leader will speak with such a voice of hope that all the world will wonder after him. He will literally mesmerize the world. 

In a short time this leader will be able to bring to the table the governing leaders of the most troublesome arena on our planet, that is, Israel and the middle east. He will produce a peace accord between these nations that will astonish the whole world. In this peace contract, Israel’s security is guaranteed. 

This world leader will also be able to do something that has never happened in world history. He will bring all the religions of the world under one covering, and in the doing, he will foster a one world government where all of mankind will share in brotherly love. The world will love him.

But this is just the beginning. 

What we are looking at is a picture of the antichrist. 

The term antichrist has two cooperative meanings. It means to be ‘against Christ’, but it also means ‘to take the place of Christ’. The antichrist will be looked at as Messiah. This false messiah will even take to himself the activity of Christ, including all sorts of lying wonders.  

But the apostle said that this antichrist activity will be a delusion. Not a delusion in that it won’t happen. It is a delusion in the sense that the Lord God will permit it to happen. It will even be sent forth under the express authority of God. The purpose of the delusion is to bring about a judgment for all who had no love for the truth.

Listen to how the apostle describes antichrist in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-14: 

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 

Paul sets forth a falling away from the true message of Christianity, a message that endures itself to the cross. This Scripture is an overlay of the total event of antichrist. 

“Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 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. 

The one thing that has to happen before antichrist can fully reveal himself is that the body of Christ has to be taken out of the picture. Hence we have the rapture. 

“Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 

Here is a description of antichrist’s rule and activities. 

“For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 

Notice that the ‘deluding influence’ is authorized by God. Its purpose is for judgment. 

Being chosen for ’salvation’ is a key expression.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

The term salvation in the Greek speaks both of a deliverance and of a preservation. Paul also addressed this in 1Th. 5:9, where he said, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

There are a many other indicators that we are nearing the wrap up of the age. Among the indicators are the downward spiraling morality, upheavals in nature, mounting terrorist activities, false religious movements, just to name a few.   

Another of the major indicators has to do with Jerusalem.

The work of the cross began in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where the age of the cross will complete itself.

We are watching redemption history unfold. One of the clearest testimonies is in how the Jewish peoples are beginning to turn to the Lord Jesus. It may seem like a trickle now, but it will become a massive stream in the final hours.

Hear the prophet Zechariah:

“It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” (Zech 12:3)

“In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them.

“And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” - Zech 12:8-10 nasb

God’s message to the church never changes.

How many times do we hear the greeting from heaven that includes the words, ‘Do not be afraid,’ or, ‘Fear not,’ or, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled’. 

Let me leave you with what Jesus said to us about believing:

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ‘In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” - John 14:1-6 NASB

God’s message never changes. It is written, ‘Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Just some things to think about.

And remember, Jesus really does love you.

Your brother and fellow servant in Christ.

Buddy