Many in the church today understand the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 to mean primarily the spreading of the 'Gospel of Salvation'. While this is true, it is by no means the only work God has commissioned for His church when the Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to 'make disciples of all nations' and 'teaching them to observe ALL THINGS that He has commanded them to do'.
In this blog, I would like to briefly run through FOUR keys areas which I believe are the work God has commissioned the church to do in these last days (the term 'last days' mean post June 1967 when Jerusalem was completely restored to Jewish control after the Six-Day War. It means the end of over two-and-a-half millennia of Gentile rule - 'times of the Gentiles are fulfilled', Luke 21:24 - since Jerusalem was captured by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B.C.).
The four key areas of God's Work in these last days can be summarised as follows:
1. Preaching the Gospel of Salvation
2. Proclaiming the Message of the Kingdom Of God
3. Teaching the Word Of God ('Feeding the Lamb/Sheep')
4. Warning Physical & Spiritual Israel of the Great Tribulation
The 'Gospel of Salvation' is about the love of God for mankind that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Without His death and resurrection, there is no hope for mankind. But with His death and resurrection, all human beings who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins with the hope of resurrection to a new spirit body one day at His Second Coming.
Jesus Christ first advent was on a mission sent by God the Father to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God - first to His brethren the Jews (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43). Subsequently, when they failed to repent of their disobedience and rejected His message, the Good News was given to the church to proclaim it (Matt 21:43; 1Pet 2:9). The Kingdom of God is the government God is going to install during the Millennial reign of Christ on earth upon His return (Rev 20:4-6). Its headquarters will be in Jerusalem. Christ will rule and reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16) with the true church as His bride and the saints from all ages ruling and reigning with Him. It will be the time for the marriage supper of the Lamb with the bride clothed in fine linen, representing the righteous works of the saints for all ages (Rev 19:7-9).
The disciple Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter was reinstalled by the Lord and three times told Peter that if he loves Him, then feed His lamb/sheep. Subsequently, when he wrote his first epistle, Peter instructed the church leaders in various lands to feed the flock of God (1 Pet 5:1-2) - meaning to teach the disciples the whole truth from the Word of God. This is absolutely important in these last days as all kinds of half-truths and false teachings have crept into the church (2 Thess 2: 1-12; 2 Tim 3:1-5). Those who are faithful in carrying out this command will eventually receive from the Lord a 'crown of glory that does not fade away' (1 Pet 5:4).
The prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament book that bears his name, chapter 33:1-9 sounded the warning to the house of Israel (physical Israel) about the coming cataclysm and the judgment of God during the Great Tribulation. This warning is also for the spiritual Israel (the church) when lukewarm believers will face similar ('I will vomit you out of my mouth' - Rev 3:16) punishment (2 Pet 2:9).
The disciple of Jesus Christ is called to be a 'watchman' , especially in these last days, to warn others (physical and spiritual Israel) of the coming cataclysm (initiated by Satan) and the the wrath of God (judgment from God) during the Great Tribulation (last three-and-half years). If we do so and others ignored the warning, we are free from their blood. However, if we know of the impending catastrophe to come and failed to warn our brethren, God will hold us accountable (Ezekeil 33:6). This is something we should not take lightly, for we have been told ahead of time!
Lest the reader misunderstands and concludes that all other works are wood, hay and straw, I like to stress that any work done with a pure motive that glorify the Lord will not go unrewarded. What I am talking about is the big picture for the church in these last days to channel more of their resources to fulfill all facets of the Great Commission, not just one aspect of it.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Kingdom of God (5)
I have just returned from a study cum vacation trip to Israel (December 2-14, 2007). My wife and I, together with sixty seven other church members visited places like Tiberias, Cana, Nazareth, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi, Jericho, Bethlehem, Masada, Megiddo and Jerusalem among others. In total , we spent ten nights in Israel - four in Tiberias, one in Jericho (we floated in the Dead Sea!) and five nights in Jerusalem. It was a memorable trip as we visited the sites and surroundings where Jesus walked and ministered with His miracles and healing powers, including the Sea of Galilee.
Remember that Jesus first came as a Messenger from God proclaiming the message of the Kingdom of God in the region of Galilee (Mark 1:14). This message which Jesus preached is the Millennial Kingdom to be established on earth after His Second Coming. The Kingdom of God is God's government within the Millennial Kingdom. At the synagogue in Nazareth (I was there in this trip) where He had been brought up, Jesus stood up and read Isaiah 61:1-2. He finished off with the verse, 'To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'. As one day is as one year in bible prophecy (see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6) and with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8), putting these verses in juxtaposition will reveal that Jesus was probably referring to the coming Millennial Kingdom. Because in the same context, the very same verse in Isaiah 61:2 reads, 'And the day of vengeance of our God', which obviously refers to the last one year of the Great Tribulation where the wrath of God will be poured forth upon planet earth known as the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)!
A study of God's Holy Days seems to reveal that the Almighty has two separate times to harvest mankind into His Kingdom. The first is the Feast of Pentecost, the 'spring' harvest of Christians in this church age - who will be the 'First Fruits' of the Kingdom. James 1:18 reveals that they are 'a kind of firstfruits of His creatures'. These are believers who will be 'born again' into spirit-body come the resurrection (1 Cor 15:50-54) to be rulers, priests and teachers in the Kingdom of God. They will rule and judge the world (even above the angels -1 Cor 6:2-3) in the world to come!
The 'fall' harvest will come much later when God will judge all mankind at the Great White Throne based on their works and what had been revealed to them (Revelation 20:11-15). However, in this present church age, God is judging His church first - those who are called (1 Peter 4:17) - who will later judge the world in the age to come.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:29-30 describes the five stages in the life of a Christian whom God works in him from beginning to the end of his salvation. He 'foreknew' us, because He knew us even before we knew Him. At some point in our Christian walk, God also 'predestined' us -meaning that He 'called' us and reveals Himself to us. When we respond to His call, we become converted, and that is being 'justified' with our sins forgiven and made righteous before God. Believers who are overcomers will be 'glorified' at the first resurrection upon Christ's return. Only those who are faithful and are overcomers (Rev 3:21) in their trials and tribulations in this life will be 'chosen' (Matthew 22:14) to rule and reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God. They have the image of Christlikeness to be a member of God's family as sons of God (not daughters because there is no sex in the resurrected body - Matthew 22:30) with Christ being the 'Firstborn' among many brethren (Romans 8:29).
Hence, it is clear that God planned all these even before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians chapter 1). For the last 6,000 years since the creation of Adam and Eve, God has been calling and choosing people from all nations to be part of His Family and to become rulers, priests and teachers of His coming corporeal Kingdom on planet earth. As Christians, that is your destiny. But will you believe His (Christ) message and be counted in as Christ is standing at the 'door of your heart and knocking' ? (Rev 3:20).
Remember that Jesus first came as a Messenger from God proclaiming the message of the Kingdom of God in the region of Galilee (Mark 1:14). This message which Jesus preached is the Millennial Kingdom to be established on earth after His Second Coming. The Kingdom of God is God's government within the Millennial Kingdom. At the synagogue in Nazareth (I was there in this trip) where He had been brought up, Jesus stood up and read Isaiah 61:1-2. He finished off with the verse, 'To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'. As one day is as one year in bible prophecy (see Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6) and with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8), putting these verses in juxtaposition will reveal that Jesus was probably referring to the coming Millennial Kingdom. Because in the same context, the very same verse in Isaiah 61:2 reads, 'And the day of vengeance of our God', which obviously refers to the last one year of the Great Tribulation where the wrath of God will be poured forth upon planet earth known as the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)!
A study of God's Holy Days seems to reveal that the Almighty has two separate times to harvest mankind into His Kingdom. The first is the Feast of Pentecost, the 'spring' harvest of Christians in this church age - who will be the 'First Fruits' of the Kingdom. James 1:18 reveals that they are 'a kind of firstfruits of His creatures'. These are believers who will be 'born again' into spirit-body come the resurrection (1 Cor 15:50-54) to be rulers, priests and teachers in the Kingdom of God. They will rule and judge the world (even above the angels -1 Cor 6:2-3) in the world to come!
The 'fall' harvest will come much later when God will judge all mankind at the Great White Throne based on their works and what had been revealed to them (Revelation 20:11-15). However, in this present church age, God is judging His church first - those who are called (1 Peter 4:17) - who will later judge the world in the age to come.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:29-30 describes the five stages in the life of a Christian whom God works in him from beginning to the end of his salvation. He 'foreknew' us, because He knew us even before we knew Him. At some point in our Christian walk, God also 'predestined' us -meaning that He 'called' us and reveals Himself to us. When we respond to His call, we become converted, and that is being 'justified' with our sins forgiven and made righteous before God. Believers who are overcomers will be 'glorified' at the first resurrection upon Christ's return. Only those who are faithful and are overcomers (Rev 3:21) in their trials and tribulations in this life will be 'chosen' (Matthew 22:14) to rule and reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God. They have the image of Christlikeness to be a member of God's family as sons of God (not daughters because there is no sex in the resurrected body - Matthew 22:30) with Christ being the 'Firstborn' among many brethren (Romans 8:29).
Hence, it is clear that God planned all these even before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians chapter 1). For the last 6,000 years since the creation of Adam and Eve, God has been calling and choosing people from all nations to be part of His Family and to become rulers, priests and teachers of His coming corporeal Kingdom on planet earth. As Christians, that is your destiny. But will you believe His (Christ) message and be counted in as Christ is standing at the 'door of your heart and knocking' ? (Rev 3:20).
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Kingdom Of God (4)
In this present age (church age), we do not yet see all things put under the subjection of Christ and His saints (Hebrew 2:8). But in the 'age to come' (Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30)- the Millennial Age - the earth will be free of Satan's influence as the devil will be locked up in the abyss for a thousand years (Rev 20:2-3). By then, Christ will be the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) - the seventh millennium of rest God has willed for His creation. However, to enter this Millennial Kingdom, a believer must work for it, as it is the reward of all their labours (see Hebrews 4:9-11).
A time will come when the Messiah Jesus Christ will share His authority with all the resurrected immortal children of God to rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom of God on planet earth. He is the promised ruling Seed to sit on the throne of David as God promised Abraham and David (Luke 1:31-33). Jesus promises all faithful believers who are overcomers that, 'To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne' (Rev 3:21). This promise is affirmed by God the heavenly Father in Revelation 21:7, 'He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son'.
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:4 wrote that the Lord will come to deliver us from 'this present evil age'. In the famous Olivet Discourse where Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, His disciples asked Him what will be the sign of His coming and when will be the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). They wanted to know when the 'present evil age' would end to usher in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus explained that His return will be preceded by Great Tribulation, 'For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be' (Matt 24:21). This is an awesome statement that should not be taken lightly, for when the Lord Jesus Christ said so, it will be so!
Scripture makes it clear that there will be three-and-half years of intense suffering. The first two-and-half caused by Satan and the last one year the wrath of God poured out as His judgment upon all the earth, saved those overcomers who will be spared and counted worthy to 'escape all these things' (Luke 21:36). The only consolation is that those days will pass quickly. Again the words of the Lord ring clearly, 'And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matt 24:22).
God intended the sons of Noah (representing the different tribes, races, languages and cultures of mankind) to have their own family groups and territories as an inheritance (Genesis 10:32). But the master deceiver - Satan - used an evil man named Nimrod to unite the people then and build for themselves a city of Babel (Gen 10:10), a symbol of the infamous term, Babylon. That was man's first rebellion against God's plan of government to rule over them. Instead, Nimrod and his followers wanted to have their own government in defiance against God's will (Gen 11:4).
Ever since, the term Babylon has become symbolic of Satan's influence over human government, culture and religion. This will come full circle during the end times, when Satan will rally several blocs of nations to become world powers (Rev 9:16-18; 17:12-13). Their ultimate aim is to detroy the nation of Israel and subdue the world. But God will not allow the kingdom of Babylon to prevail for long. For Christ will return to destroy His adversaries and set up His Kingdom as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:11-16) to rule during the Millennial Age. Only then, will there be perfect peace and righteousness on all the earth!
A time will come when the Messiah Jesus Christ will share His authority with all the resurrected immortal children of God to rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom of God on planet earth. He is the promised ruling Seed to sit on the throne of David as God promised Abraham and David (Luke 1:31-33). Jesus promises all faithful believers who are overcomers that, 'To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne' (Rev 3:21). This promise is affirmed by God the heavenly Father in Revelation 21:7, 'He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son'.
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:4 wrote that the Lord will come to deliver us from 'this present evil age'. In the famous Olivet Discourse where Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, His disciples asked Him what will be the sign of His coming and when will be the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). They wanted to know when the 'present evil age' would end to usher in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus explained that His return will be preceded by Great Tribulation, 'For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be' (Matt 24:21). This is an awesome statement that should not be taken lightly, for when the Lord Jesus Christ said so, it will be so!
Scripture makes it clear that there will be three-and-half years of intense suffering. The first two-and-half caused by Satan and the last one year the wrath of God poured out as His judgment upon all the earth, saved those overcomers who will be spared and counted worthy to 'escape all these things' (Luke 21:36). The only consolation is that those days will pass quickly. Again the words of the Lord ring clearly, 'And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matt 24:22).
God intended the sons of Noah (representing the different tribes, races, languages and cultures of mankind) to have their own family groups and territories as an inheritance (Genesis 10:32). But the master deceiver - Satan - used an evil man named Nimrod to unite the people then and build for themselves a city of Babel (Gen 10:10), a symbol of the infamous term, Babylon. That was man's first rebellion against God's plan of government to rule over them. Instead, Nimrod and his followers wanted to have their own government in defiance against God's will (Gen 11:4).
Ever since, the term Babylon has become symbolic of Satan's influence over human government, culture and religion. This will come full circle during the end times, when Satan will rally several blocs of nations to become world powers (Rev 9:16-18; 17:12-13). Their ultimate aim is to detroy the nation of Israel and subdue the world. But God will not allow the kingdom of Babylon to prevail for long. For Christ will return to destroy His adversaries and set up His Kingdom as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:11-16) to rule during the Millennial Age. Only then, will there be perfect peace and righteousness on all the earth!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (3)
In this blog, I would like to share why I believe the Kingdom of God is not the church of this age as some mistakenly believe. The evidence from Scripture is overwhelming in support of the fact that the Kingdom of God is also different from the gospel of grace or gospel of salvation.
In the parable of the talent (minas) recorded in Luke 19:11-27, Christ compared Himself to the Nobleman who went off to a far country (heaven) to receive for Himself a Kingdom which His Father (God) will give to Him. The Jews understood the Scriptures of the Old Testament that the Prophet will come to set up the Kingdom on earth, and they were prepared to seized Him by force to make Him King (John 6:15). But the Lord knew that His time (to set up His Kingdom) was not yet then.
The account goes on to show that there are rebellious servants who do not want the Lord Jesus Christ to reign over their lives (Luke 19:14). Those servants who are unfaithful stewards and who refused to accept the reign of Christ (those who refused to be led by the Spirit of Christ - the Holy Spirit) will be branded as the 'enemies of Christ' and will be slained before the Lord (Matt 19:27), probably at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
In the book of Daniel, chapter 2: 35, 39 & 44, the dream of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was interpreted by Daniel who had the wisdom of God upon him. The first four kingdoms - Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman Empire - were literal kingdoms to come upon the earth in succession at that time. The fifth was a stone ( refers to Christ -see Matthew 16:18) that became a mountain and filled the whole earth. This prophecy is affirmed in Daniel 7:13-14 which states that the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will be crowned with His Kingdom by the Ancient of Days, a reference to God the Father. This is not referring to His first advent to set up His church as He came through the clouds (verse 13) and that ALL peoples, nations and languages will serve Him (verse 14). His first advent was of humble beginning.
In Revelation 11:15, it states thus: ' The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever'. Since this part of prophecy was prophesied to happen after the Great Tribulation which has yet to take place, the Kingdom of God has not appeared yet.
Luke 21:31 records the words of Jesus telling His disciples that the Kingdom of God will come only after certain events have to happen. One of these is that the generation of the last days will witness 'the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) coming in a cloud with power and great glory'. Since this has yet to take place as it refers to His Second Coming, the Kingdom of God is not here yet.
The prophet Isaiah (9:6-7) prophesied that the government will be upon His (Christ) shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is the world currently experiencing peace now? A cursory glance at the news headlines of major newspapers will show us the answer is far from it. But do take heart, God's plan for mankind is to have His Son Jesus Christ to sit upon the throne of David to form a super-government ruling with His saints on planet earth after His Second Advent for one thousand years. Subsequently, after having crushed Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20), Christ and His saints will rule the universe for all of eternity (Hebrews 2:10)! Folks, that is why you and I were created for. God do indeed have a wonderful plan for our lives (Rom 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:2-5, 9-11, 21, 2:6).
When the Kingdom of God has come, the Lord will make Jerusalem His Headquarter, known as the City of Truth (Zech 8:3) and He shall be the King over all the earth (Zech 14:9). Certainly, that is not what is happening in this current church age - not by a long shot!
Just ten days before the coming of Pentecost - the founding of the church - the disciples asked the Lord Jesus, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6) His reply in the following verse 7 is obvious that the Kingdom is not coming anytime soon then, 'It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' If the church is the Kingdom of God, such a reply just do not make any sense - talking about times and seasons when Pentecost is literally close at hand!
From the passages in Acts 8:12 and Acts 28:31, the Apostle Philip and Apostle Paul respectively mentioned 'the Kingdom and God' and 'the name/teachings which concern the Lord Jesus Christ' as separate subjects, indicating that the Kingdom of God is not a reference about the church or the gospel of grace or gospel of salvation which many believers simply assumed. The Lord Jesus also categorically states in Matthew 8:11 that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be in the Kingdom of Heaven (God), together with many from the east and west - probably referring to Gentile believers of the church age from all corners of the earth. Since, the patriarchs have yet to appear as they are still sleeping in the graves, the Kingdom of God is NOT here yet.
If the Kingdom of God is here now, either as the church or in the hearts of men, why would Christ command His servants to continually pray, 'Thy Kingdom Come' (Matt 6:9-10; Luke 11:2)? Wouldn't it be more apropriate for the Lord to commandHis followers to pray 'Thy Kingdom spread, grow and prosper' or something to that effect. If church members are already in the Kingdom, why is the Lord's command to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matt 6:33)? For only perfect righteousness will lead to perfect peace in the Kingdom of God, that which even the church cannot attain in this age! Besides, we only seek that which we do not already possess.
Dear friends, my point is that every truth of the Scriptures must be proven (1 Thess 5:21; Rom 12:2c). We cannot simply assume anything that we have heard or read is the truth - including this blog. But do read and study the Scriptures for yourself, for it will pay handsome dividends for now and all of eternity!
In the parable of the talent (minas) recorded in Luke 19:11-27, Christ compared Himself to the Nobleman who went off to a far country (heaven) to receive for Himself a Kingdom which His Father (God) will give to Him. The Jews understood the Scriptures of the Old Testament that the Prophet will come to set up the Kingdom on earth, and they were prepared to seized Him by force to make Him King (John 6:15). But the Lord knew that His time (to set up His Kingdom) was not yet then.
The account goes on to show that there are rebellious servants who do not want the Lord Jesus Christ to reign over their lives (Luke 19:14). Those servants who are unfaithful stewards and who refused to accept the reign of Christ (those who refused to be led by the Spirit of Christ - the Holy Spirit) will be branded as the 'enemies of Christ' and will be slained before the Lord (Matt 19:27), probably at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
In the book of Daniel, chapter 2: 35, 39 & 44, the dream of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was interpreted by Daniel who had the wisdom of God upon him. The first four kingdoms - Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman Empire - were literal kingdoms to come upon the earth in succession at that time. The fifth was a stone ( refers to Christ -see Matthew 16:18) that became a mountain and filled the whole earth. This prophecy is affirmed in Daniel 7:13-14 which states that the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will be crowned with His Kingdom by the Ancient of Days, a reference to God the Father. This is not referring to His first advent to set up His church as He came through the clouds (verse 13) and that ALL peoples, nations and languages will serve Him (verse 14). His first advent was of humble beginning.
In Revelation 11:15, it states thus: ' The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever'. Since this part of prophecy was prophesied to happen after the Great Tribulation which has yet to take place, the Kingdom of God has not appeared yet.
Luke 21:31 records the words of Jesus telling His disciples that the Kingdom of God will come only after certain events have to happen. One of these is that the generation of the last days will witness 'the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) coming in a cloud with power and great glory'. Since this has yet to take place as it refers to His Second Coming, the Kingdom of God is not here yet.
The prophet Isaiah (9:6-7) prophesied that the government will be upon His (Christ) shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is the world currently experiencing peace now? A cursory glance at the news headlines of major newspapers will show us the answer is far from it. But do take heart, God's plan for mankind is to have His Son Jesus Christ to sit upon the throne of David to form a super-government ruling with His saints on planet earth after His Second Advent for one thousand years. Subsequently, after having crushed Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20), Christ and His saints will rule the universe for all of eternity (Hebrews 2:10)! Folks, that is why you and I were created for. God do indeed have a wonderful plan for our lives (Rom 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:2-5, 9-11, 21, 2:6).
When the Kingdom of God has come, the Lord will make Jerusalem His Headquarter, known as the City of Truth (Zech 8:3) and He shall be the King over all the earth (Zech 14:9). Certainly, that is not what is happening in this current church age - not by a long shot!
Just ten days before the coming of Pentecost - the founding of the church - the disciples asked the Lord Jesus, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6) His reply in the following verse 7 is obvious that the Kingdom is not coming anytime soon then, 'It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' If the church is the Kingdom of God, such a reply just do not make any sense - talking about times and seasons when Pentecost is literally close at hand!
From the passages in Acts 8:12 and Acts 28:31, the Apostle Philip and Apostle Paul respectively mentioned 'the Kingdom and God' and 'the name/teachings which concern the Lord Jesus Christ' as separate subjects, indicating that the Kingdom of God is not a reference about the church or the gospel of grace or gospel of salvation which many believers simply assumed. The Lord Jesus also categorically states in Matthew 8:11 that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be in the Kingdom of Heaven (God), together with many from the east and west - probably referring to Gentile believers of the church age from all corners of the earth. Since, the patriarchs have yet to appear as they are still sleeping in the graves, the Kingdom of God is NOT here yet.
If the Kingdom of God is here now, either as the church or in the hearts of men, why would Christ command His servants to continually pray, 'Thy Kingdom Come' (Matt 6:9-10; Luke 11:2)? Wouldn't it be more apropriate for the Lord to commandHis followers to pray 'Thy Kingdom spread, grow and prosper' or something to that effect. If church members are already in the Kingdom, why is the Lord's command to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matt 6:33)? For only perfect righteousness will lead to perfect peace in the Kingdom of God, that which even the church cannot attain in this age! Besides, we only seek that which we do not already possess.
Dear friends, my point is that every truth of the Scriptures must be proven (1 Thess 5:21; Rom 12:2c). We cannot simply assume anything that we have heard or read is the truth - including this blog. But do read and study the Scriptures for yourself, for it will pay handsome dividends for now and all of eternity!
Friday, November 9, 2007
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (2)
Following through my previous blog last week, I would like to share from Scripture what this coming Kingdom of God is all about. Genesis 1:1 tells us God created the heavens and the earth. But in verse 2, 'the earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep'. The Hebrew word for 'was' in Gen 1:2 may also be translated as 'became'. This is consistent with Isaiah 45:18 that God did not create the earth 'in vain'. The Hebrew word 'tohu' is the same word used in Gen 1:2 'without form'. This would indicate the passing of time (though we don't know how long) between creation in verse 1 and the condition stated in verse 2. God did not create the original state of the earth in chaos!
The condition stated in Gen 1:2 was probably due to the rebellion of Lucifer (later known as Satan) and his fallen angels. Lucifer was in a position of rulership, probably including rulership on planet earth (Isaiah 14:12-15; Rev12:4). So Gen 1:1 refers to the creation of earth and verse 2 is a process to re-create the earth (Psalm 104:30) to make it habitable for mankind.
When God created man, He desires mankind to have dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:26). But man sinned against God and by default Satan became the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), until now....but thankfully not for long! For the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to planet earth to reclaim His throne with the title deed of the whole earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
When He first came, He started His ministry to proclaim the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God to the Jews with John the Baptist paving the way. But the Jews rejected His offer of His message of the Kingdom of God, and the Lord tells us that it is then given to the church (Matthew 21:43; 1 Pet 2: 9-10). Before His Second Coming He will send Elijah (Matthew 17:11 probably points to the prophet with the spirit of Elijah as following verse in Matthew 17:13 refers to John the Baptist at His First Coming) to restore all truths lost due to the deception of the devil (Rev 12: 9-10). Once this is accomplished, the gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness to ALL the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
God's plan for mankind is to have six thousand years of dominion on planet earth and then come the Sabbath - the seventh day of rest pointing to the seventh Millennium - the period when the Kingdom of God will be established on earth. This is affirmed in Scripture that for prophecy one day is as one thousand years (Numbers 14:34; Ezek 4:6; 2 Peter 3:8). That is why the writer of Hebrews 4:11 admonishes us to 'strive to enter that rest'. Similarly, in Acts 14:22, the Apostle Paul taught his disciples that 'We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God', right after he was stoned for preaching the gospel. This is because to enter the Kingdom of God (the Sabbath day of rest) is not automatic for all believers. They must work for their rights and bear fruits worthy ( Luke 19:17-19; John 15:14-16; 2 Tim 2:12) to become rulers, priests and teachers in order to inherit the Kingdom of God. Such reward is conferred on all faithful servants of God ('well done good and faithful servant'), regardless of their status and station in this life.
Folks, the very purpose why you and I were born is so that God can beget us into His spiritual family with the Lord Jesus Christ as the First Born among many brethren (Romans 8:29), to be adopted as sons of God - to rule and reign in His soon coming Kingdom and then into the age of eternity to govern the universe! God has a wonderful plan for our lives, but it calls forth our understanding and obedience. His plan cannot be thwarted and He will reclaim the Kingdom back for His Son- the Lord Jesus Christ - who will rule the whole earth for one thousand years to restore, reclaim, refresh, redeem, return, renew, reconcile, recharge, revive, reform, repay and reward all the injustices and inequality that mankind has suffered for six millennia! (1 Cor 15: 23-28)
The wonderful world to come will be very different from what we are experiencing today. There will be righteousness, peace and abundance for ALL the peoples and nations of the world who will gladly bow their knees to King Jesus. For when there is righteousness, there will be peace - the former is the root and the latter is the fruit. The faithful saints throughout the ages will be resurrected with spirit bodies (1 Cor 15:50-54) empowered by the Spirit of God to rule and reign in God's Government in the Millennial Kingdom. Then and only then will all wars be done away with and weaponry be turned into plough-shares and miracles will be the norm (Isaiah 35:1, 5-7). It will also be the time when God's promise to patriarch Abraham in Genesis 12:3b be fulfilled 'that ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed' through him.The faithfuls will then sing the song 'What a Wonderful World this has been' - Amen.
The condition stated in Gen 1:2 was probably due to the rebellion of Lucifer (later known as Satan) and his fallen angels. Lucifer was in a position of rulership, probably including rulership on planet earth (Isaiah 14:12-15; Rev12:4). So Gen 1:1 refers to the creation of earth and verse 2 is a process to re-create the earth (Psalm 104:30) to make it habitable for mankind.
When God created man, He desires mankind to have dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:26). But man sinned against God and by default Satan became the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), until now....but thankfully not for long! For the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to planet earth to reclaim His throne with the title deed of the whole earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
When He first came, He started His ministry to proclaim the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God to the Jews with John the Baptist paving the way. But the Jews rejected His offer of His message of the Kingdom of God, and the Lord tells us that it is then given to the church (Matthew 21:43; 1 Pet 2: 9-10). Before His Second Coming He will send Elijah (Matthew 17:11 probably points to the prophet with the spirit of Elijah as following verse in Matthew 17:13 refers to John the Baptist at His First Coming) to restore all truths lost due to the deception of the devil (Rev 12: 9-10). Once this is accomplished, the gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness to ALL the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
God's plan for mankind is to have six thousand years of dominion on planet earth and then come the Sabbath - the seventh day of rest pointing to the seventh Millennium - the period when the Kingdom of God will be established on earth. This is affirmed in Scripture that for prophecy one day is as one thousand years (Numbers 14:34; Ezek 4:6; 2 Peter 3:8). That is why the writer of Hebrews 4:11 admonishes us to 'strive to enter that rest'. Similarly, in Acts 14:22, the Apostle Paul taught his disciples that 'We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God', right after he was stoned for preaching the gospel. This is because to enter the Kingdom of God (the Sabbath day of rest) is not automatic for all believers. They must work for their rights and bear fruits worthy ( Luke 19:17-19; John 15:14-16; 2 Tim 2:12) to become rulers, priests and teachers in order to inherit the Kingdom of God. Such reward is conferred on all faithful servants of God ('well done good and faithful servant'), regardless of their status and station in this life.
Folks, the very purpose why you and I were born is so that God can beget us into His spiritual family with the Lord Jesus Christ as the First Born among many brethren (Romans 8:29), to be adopted as sons of God - to rule and reign in His soon coming Kingdom and then into the age of eternity to govern the universe! God has a wonderful plan for our lives, but it calls forth our understanding and obedience. His plan cannot be thwarted and He will reclaim the Kingdom back for His Son- the Lord Jesus Christ - who will rule the whole earth for one thousand years to restore, reclaim, refresh, redeem, return, renew, reconcile, recharge, revive, reform, repay and reward all the injustices and inequality that mankind has suffered for six millennia! (1 Cor 15: 23-28)
The wonderful world to come will be very different from what we are experiencing today. There will be righteousness, peace and abundance for ALL the peoples and nations of the world who will gladly bow their knees to King Jesus. For when there is righteousness, there will be peace - the former is the root and the latter is the fruit. The faithful saints throughout the ages will be resurrected with spirit bodies (1 Cor 15:50-54) empowered by the Spirit of God to rule and reign in God's Government in the Millennial Kingdom. Then and only then will all wars be done away with and weaponry be turned into plough-shares and miracles will be the norm (Isaiah 35:1, 5-7). It will also be the time when God's promise to patriarch Abraham in Genesis 12:3b be fulfilled 'that ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed' through him.The faithfuls will then sing the song 'What a Wonderful World this has been' - Amen.
Friday, November 2, 2007
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (1)
The term 'The Kingdom of God' has appeared in many commercial mass media including Hollywood movies either with the same title or in some other pseudonyms. But what exactly does this term mean which is used frequently in the Gospel of Mark 1:14, 4:11, 4:26, 4:30; Gospel of Luke 4:43, 6:20, 8:1,8:10,9:11, 14:15, 17:21; Gospel of John 3:3, 3:5, Acts1:3, 8:12, 14:22, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23, 28:31 and many more besides?
Many Christians think that it refers to the 'gospel of salvation', some thinks it refers to the 'Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers of the here and now'. Yet others believe it refers to the 'universal church' of Jesus Christ. But is this what it is in the biblical sense of the word? Let us find out the truth from Scripture, for only the truth shall set us free (John 8:32).
While on earth, the Lord Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God wherever He went. In fact, it is also the subject of most of His parables. He commissioned His twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God, to heal the sick and cast out demons (Luke 9:1-2). Subsequently, He instructed the seventy disciples to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 10:1-9).
As Jesus had not walked the road to calvary then, He could not have preached the gospel of salvation since He had not yet died and not yet resurrected. Hence, the message of the Kingdom of God cannot be the 'Gospel of Salvation' as many claimed.
There are others who believed that it refers to the Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers of the here and now. The often cited verse is Luke 17:21b 'the Kingdom of God is within you' in support of this view. However, this is quoted out of context. The Lord Jesus was answering the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. Could Christ have meant that His Kingdom was within the Pharisees -people whom the Lord called 'hypocrites, blind guides, whitewashed tombs (Matt 23:23-27)? The answer is obviously NO!
A careful study shows the phrase 'within you' is a mistranslation. My New King James bible shows in the margin 'in your midst', the Revised Standard Version says 'in the midst of you' and the New English Bible reads 'is among you'. Basically, the Lord Jesus Christ was referring to Himself, for He represented God's Kingdom. He was born to become King, to rule in the coming Millennial Kingdom of God as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)!
Jesus is the Messenger sent by God the Father to proclaim the coming Government of God on planet earth. It will be the supergovernment headed by Christ with David and His twelve apostles ruling under the Kingship of Jesus Christ. The term 'Kingdom' and 'Kingdom of God' are found scores of times in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is referred to as 'The Kingdom of Heaven', it means the same thing. God's purpose for the Kingdom of one thousand years (Rev 11:15, 20: 4 & 6) is to restore all things that are lost to Satan due to disobedience of mankind to the laws of God (Acts 3:19-21).
In Acts 3:19-21. the Apostle Peter stated that heaven must receive Christ until the times of restoration of all things. This means that the times of restitution is NOT YET (hence the word 'until'), but it will happen after the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to planet earth. For prior to Satan's rebellion, God's government was present on earth.
Let's take a look of what the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about this coming Kingdom of God (Acts 3:21). Jude 14-15 records the preaching of Enoch -Noah's great-grandfather - about the coming of Christ with His saints to judge the earth. Mind you, this was before the Flood! Like Enoch, Daniel also understood that the Kingdom of God was a literal kingdom (see Daniel 2:28-44). It will be a Kingdom where ALL 'peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him' (Daniel 7:14). If the Kingdom is the here and now or the 'universal church' as some believed, can this happen? Looking at the conditions of the world now, it can never be as the conditions are deteriorating rapidly - heading towards Armageddon!
In Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet prophesied that Christ will rule with the Government of God upon His shoulder. He will be the Prince of Peace, sitting upon the throne of David whom God promised David through prophet Nathan ( The Davidic Covenant, see 2 Samuel 7:8-17 , 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14 and Psalm 89:27-29, 34-37). Further down in Isaiah 11:6-9, it describes the time in the Kingdom when the leopard will lie with the young goat, the cow and the bear shall graze together and the lion shall eat straw like the ox'. There will be no more enmity even among animals!
The phrase in Daniel 2:39 states unequivocably 'which shall rule OVER ALL THE EARTH' cannot refer to some vague idea of the Kingdom 'ruling in the hearts of men'. Take heart folks, the coming Kingdom is the blessed hope that will eventually save mankind currently heading towards destruction. A far better world awaits all true believers of the Kingdom of God.
Many Christians think that it refers to the 'gospel of salvation', some thinks it refers to the 'Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers of the here and now'. Yet others believe it refers to the 'universal church' of Jesus Christ. But is this what it is in the biblical sense of the word? Let us find out the truth from Scripture, for only the truth shall set us free (John 8:32).
While on earth, the Lord Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God wherever He went. In fact, it is also the subject of most of His parables. He commissioned His twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God, to heal the sick and cast out demons (Luke 9:1-2). Subsequently, He instructed the seventy disciples to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 10:1-9).
As Jesus had not walked the road to calvary then, He could not have preached the gospel of salvation since He had not yet died and not yet resurrected. Hence, the message of the Kingdom of God cannot be the 'Gospel of Salvation' as many claimed.
There are others who believed that it refers to the Holy Spirit within the hearts of believers of the here and now. The often cited verse is Luke 17:21b 'the Kingdom of God is within you' in support of this view. However, this is quoted out of context. The Lord Jesus was answering the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. Could Christ have meant that His Kingdom was within the Pharisees -people whom the Lord called 'hypocrites, blind guides, whitewashed tombs (Matt 23:23-27)? The answer is obviously NO!
A careful study shows the phrase 'within you' is a mistranslation. My New King James bible shows in the margin 'in your midst', the Revised Standard Version says 'in the midst of you' and the New English Bible reads 'is among you'. Basically, the Lord Jesus Christ was referring to Himself, for He represented God's Kingdom. He was born to become King, to rule in the coming Millennial Kingdom of God as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)!
Jesus is the Messenger sent by God the Father to proclaim the coming Government of God on planet earth. It will be the supergovernment headed by Christ with David and His twelve apostles ruling under the Kingship of Jesus Christ. The term 'Kingdom' and 'Kingdom of God' are found scores of times in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is referred to as 'The Kingdom of Heaven', it means the same thing. God's purpose for the Kingdom of one thousand years (Rev 11:15, 20: 4 & 6) is to restore all things that are lost to Satan due to disobedience of mankind to the laws of God (Acts 3:19-21).
In Acts 3:19-21. the Apostle Peter stated that heaven must receive Christ until the times of restoration of all things. This means that the times of restitution is NOT YET (hence the word 'until'), but it will happen after the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to planet earth. For prior to Satan's rebellion, God's government was present on earth.
Let's take a look of what the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about this coming Kingdom of God (Acts 3:21). Jude 14-15 records the preaching of Enoch -Noah's great-grandfather - about the coming of Christ with His saints to judge the earth. Mind you, this was before the Flood! Like Enoch, Daniel also understood that the Kingdom of God was a literal kingdom (see Daniel 2:28-44). It will be a Kingdom where ALL 'peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him' (Daniel 7:14). If the Kingdom is the here and now or the 'universal church' as some believed, can this happen? Looking at the conditions of the world now, it can never be as the conditions are deteriorating rapidly - heading towards Armageddon!
In Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet prophesied that Christ will rule with the Government of God upon His shoulder. He will be the Prince of Peace, sitting upon the throne of David whom God promised David through prophet Nathan ( The Davidic Covenant, see 2 Samuel 7:8-17 , 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14 and Psalm 89:27-29, 34-37). Further down in Isaiah 11:6-9, it describes the time in the Kingdom when the leopard will lie with the young goat, the cow and the bear shall graze together and the lion shall eat straw like the ox'. There will be no more enmity even among animals!
The phrase in Daniel 2:39 states unequivocably 'which shall rule OVER ALL THE EARTH' cannot refer to some vague idea of the Kingdom 'ruling in the hearts of men'. Take heart folks, the coming Kingdom is the blessed hope that will eventually save mankind currently heading towards destruction. A far better world awaits all true believers of the Kingdom of God.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
God's Program For The Ages
God's plan for mankind has not changed since He created Adam and Eve. His plan is to have man ruled over His creation (Genesis 1:26). God's program for mankind is divided into different time dispensations. Christian author Lewis Chafer sets forth the point succinctly as he writes:
The dispensational study of the Bible consists in the identification of certain well-defined time-periods which are divinely indicated, together with the revealed purpose of God relative to each.
The unrestrained, sovereign purpose of God is seen in the ordering of the succession of the ages. That God has a program of the ages is disclosed in many passages (see Deut.30:1-10; Dan. 2:31-45; 9:24-27; Hos.3:4,5; Acts 15:13-18; Rom.11:13-29; 2 Thess.2:1-12; Rev.2:1-22:31). Likewise, there are well-defined periods of time related to the divine purpose. The Apostle Paul writes of the period between Adam and Moses (Rom 5:14); John speaks of the law as given by Moses, but of grace and truth as coming by Christ (John 1:17). Christ also speaks of the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24), which are evidently to be distinguished from Jewish "times and seasons" (Acts 1:7; 1 Thess.5:1). Likewise, He spoke of a hitherto unannounced period between His two advents and indicated its distinctive features (Matt. 13:1-51), and predicted a yet future time of "great tribulation" and defined its character (Matt 24:9-31). There are "last days" for Israel (Isa.2:1-5)as well as "last days" for the church (2 Tim.3:1-5). The Apostle John anticipates a period of one thousand years and relates this to the reign of Christ, at which time the Church, His bride, will reign with Him (Rev.20:1-6). That Christ will sit on the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever is declared by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31-33), and that there will be an ever abiding new heaven and new earth is as clearly revealed (Isa.65:17; 66:22; 2Pet.3.13; Rev.21:1). In Hebrews 1:1-2, sharp contrast is drawn between "time past" when God spoke to the fathers by the prophets and "these last days" when He is speaking unto us by His Son. Similarly, it is clearly disclosed that there are ages past (Eph.3:5; Col.1:26), the present age (Rom.12:2; Gal.1:4) and the ages to come (Eph.2:7; Heb.6:5). In Ephesians 1:10, the future age is termed "the dispensation of the fullness of the times".
The Lord Jesus Christ is at the centre of all ages. This truth is marked out in many New Testament verses (1 Cor.2:7; Heb.9:26; 2Tim.1:9;Titus 1:2; Rom.16:25) This shows that God has planned for His Son Jesus Christ to take centre-stage in the history of mankind even before time began.
This present age is evil (Gal.1:4) as Satan has dominion over the world, and he is known as "the god of this age" (2 Cor.4:4). Hence, this age is marked by darkness and wicknesses (Eph.6:12) in which there is no light. Instead, the wisdom of the world has blinded the people to ungodliness and lusts (Titus 2:12).
In the midst of all these darkness and evil, God is calling out a group of believers to form His church - the body of believers. Such called-out people will bear the characters of Christ-likeness and be led by the Holy Spirit to bear fruits for the Kingdom of Heaven/God. They will form His family as the children of God (Rom.8:14). This coming Kingdom is the Millennial Kingdom of Christ which is the government of God upon planet earth with Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords ruling and reigning with His saints for one thousand years (Rev.20:4-6).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
The dispensational study of the Bible consists in the identification of certain well-defined time-periods which are divinely indicated, together with the revealed purpose of God relative to each.
The unrestrained, sovereign purpose of God is seen in the ordering of the succession of the ages. That God has a program of the ages is disclosed in many passages (see Deut.30:1-10; Dan. 2:31-45; 9:24-27; Hos.3:4,5; Acts 15:13-18; Rom.11:13-29; 2 Thess.2:1-12; Rev.2:1-22:31). Likewise, there are well-defined periods of time related to the divine purpose. The Apostle Paul writes of the period between Adam and Moses (Rom 5:14); John speaks of the law as given by Moses, but of grace and truth as coming by Christ (John 1:17). Christ also speaks of the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24), which are evidently to be distinguished from Jewish "times and seasons" (Acts 1:7; 1 Thess.5:1). Likewise, He spoke of a hitherto unannounced period between His two advents and indicated its distinctive features (Matt. 13:1-51), and predicted a yet future time of "great tribulation" and defined its character (Matt 24:9-31). There are "last days" for Israel (Isa.2:1-5)as well as "last days" for the church (2 Tim.3:1-5). The Apostle John anticipates a period of one thousand years and relates this to the reign of Christ, at which time the Church, His bride, will reign with Him (Rev.20:1-6). That Christ will sit on the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever is declared by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31-33), and that there will be an ever abiding new heaven and new earth is as clearly revealed (Isa.65:17; 66:22; 2Pet.3.13; Rev.21:1). In Hebrews 1:1-2, sharp contrast is drawn between "time past" when God spoke to the fathers by the prophets and "these last days" when He is speaking unto us by His Son. Similarly, it is clearly disclosed that there are ages past (Eph.3:5; Col.1:26), the present age (Rom.12:2; Gal.1:4) and the ages to come (Eph.2:7; Heb.6:5). In Ephesians 1:10, the future age is termed "the dispensation of the fullness of the times".
The Lord Jesus Christ is at the centre of all ages. This truth is marked out in many New Testament verses (1 Cor.2:7; Heb.9:26; 2Tim.1:9;Titus 1:2; Rom.16:25) This shows that God has planned for His Son Jesus Christ to take centre-stage in the history of mankind even before time began.
This present age is evil (Gal.1:4) as Satan has dominion over the world, and he is known as "the god of this age" (2 Cor.4:4). Hence, this age is marked by darkness and wicknesses (Eph.6:12) in which there is no light. Instead, the wisdom of the world has blinded the people to ungodliness and lusts (Titus 2:12).
In the midst of all these darkness and evil, God is calling out a group of believers to form His church - the body of believers. Such called-out people will bear the characters of Christ-likeness and be led by the Holy Spirit to bear fruits for the Kingdom of Heaven/God. They will form His family as the children of God (Rom.8:14). This coming Kingdom is the Millennial Kingdom of Christ which is the government of God upon planet earth with Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords ruling and reigning with His saints for one thousand years (Rev.20:4-6).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel
The story of Israel is one of tragedy, one after another. This is because the Israelites failed to fulfill God's given purpose for the chosen people to be a witness unto the nations around them.
After the reign of King Solomon, Israel was divided into two kingdoms - the northern kingdom known as Israel and Ephraim and the southern kingdom known as Judah. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom are known as the Israelites while the two tribes of the southern kingdoms are called the Jews. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom turned to idolatry and paganism right from the very start under its first King named Jeroboam 1.
Because of their disobedience, God pronounced judgment upon the northern kingdom through the prophet Ahijah, even before the death of Jeroboam 1. 'For the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their wooden images, provoking the Lord to anger (1 Kings 14:15). The River here is in reference to the River Euphrates.
God's mercy delayed the sentence for more than two hundred years, until the siege of the Assyrians that took the Israelites captive to places in Assyria and Media, over the other side of the Euphrates River. The banishment of the ten tribes of Israel beyond the Euphrates River effectively caused them to lose their Hebrew identity as it reversed God's calling of their forebear patriarch Abraham out of Ur beyond the River Euphrates into a land God will give to him and his descendants forever.
The banishment of the ten tribes of Israel caused them to lose their unique Hebrew identity until after the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Since we are now living in the times of the end (end times), the diaspora of the lost ten tribes of Israel began to make their way back to the land of Palestine.
Could the 'kings from the east' mentions in Revelation 16:12 referred to some of the descendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel? The drying up of the River Euphrates could well paved the way for easy crossing back to the motherland in large numbers for the remnant of God's chosen people who will be saved during the time of the Great Tribulation.
The Jews are direct descendants from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who are currently holding on to the land. The Apostle Paul in Romans 11 relates to Israel's future restoration. The present 'casting aside' of the nation of Israel is only temporary. This blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles (primarily Gentile church) has come in. And so all Israel (the remnant) will be saved (Romans 11:25-26).
The remnant refers to those Israelites whom God has preserved who will turn from their trangressions (Isaiah 59:20-21). These will make up of the lost ten tribes of Israel plus the two remaining tribes from the southern kingdom who will return to their homeland during these last days.
Interestingly, a book written by Steven M. Collin attempt to prove that the lost ten tribes of Israel can actually be found among the inhabitants of Britain and America -the modern descendants of the Hebrew race. He argued that the ten tribes, after being uprooted by the Assyrians, headed northward to start colonies all over the world. They eventually migrated to Britain and many move on to America, and subsequently some to Australia and New Zealand.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
After the reign of King Solomon, Israel was divided into two kingdoms - the northern kingdom known as Israel and Ephraim and the southern kingdom known as Judah. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom are known as the Israelites while the two tribes of the southern kingdoms are called the Jews. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom turned to idolatry and paganism right from the very start under its first King named Jeroboam 1.
Because of their disobedience, God pronounced judgment upon the northern kingdom through the prophet Ahijah, even before the death of Jeroboam 1. 'For the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their wooden images, provoking the Lord to anger (1 Kings 14:15). The River here is in reference to the River Euphrates.
God's mercy delayed the sentence for more than two hundred years, until the siege of the Assyrians that took the Israelites captive to places in Assyria and Media, over the other side of the Euphrates River. The banishment of the ten tribes of Israel beyond the Euphrates River effectively caused them to lose their Hebrew identity as it reversed God's calling of their forebear patriarch Abraham out of Ur beyond the River Euphrates into a land God will give to him and his descendants forever.
The banishment of the ten tribes of Israel caused them to lose their unique Hebrew identity until after the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Since we are now living in the times of the end (end times), the diaspora of the lost ten tribes of Israel began to make their way back to the land of Palestine.
Could the 'kings from the east' mentions in Revelation 16:12 referred to some of the descendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel? The drying up of the River Euphrates could well paved the way for easy crossing back to the motherland in large numbers for the remnant of God's chosen people who will be saved during the time of the Great Tribulation.
The Jews are direct descendants from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who are currently holding on to the land. The Apostle Paul in Romans 11 relates to Israel's future restoration. The present 'casting aside' of the nation of Israel is only temporary. This blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles (primarily Gentile church) has come in. And so all Israel (the remnant) will be saved (Romans 11:25-26).
The remnant refers to those Israelites whom God has preserved who will turn from their trangressions (Isaiah 59:20-21). These will make up of the lost ten tribes of Israel plus the two remaining tribes from the southern kingdom who will return to their homeland during these last days.
Interestingly, a book written by Steven M. Collin attempt to prove that the lost ten tribes of Israel can actually be found among the inhabitants of Britain and America -the modern descendants of the Hebrew race. He argued that the ten tribes, after being uprooted by the Assyrians, headed northward to start colonies all over the world. They eventually migrated to Britain and many move on to America, and subsequently some to Australia and New Zealand.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Dream Of Nebuchadnezzar
The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar laid his first siege of Jerusalem in 605/606B.C. A group of Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. Amongst them was a young nobleman named Daniel. He showed no compromise in the midst of persecution, remained faithful to the Almighty God and to the administration of three kings - Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius.
In a dream one night, Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a huge statue in human form with different type of metals, albeit of descending quality. The image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2: 32-33). Obviously shaken, Nebuchadnezzar seek the help of his wise men for answers.
After a time of 'prayer and praise' with his friends, God reveals the secret to Daniel in a vision, the dream and its intrepretation (Dan 2:19). Daniel gave glory to the God of Heaven who alone gave the dream and the meaning thereof. He intrepreted the dream as of different world empires to follow after the Babylonian Empire.
1. The head of gold was the Babylonian Empire (606-538 B.C.)
2. The chest and arms of silver was the Medo-Persian Empire (538 -333 B.C.)
3. The belly and thighs of bronze was the Greek Empire, bursting forth under Alexander the Great (333 B.C.-63 A.D.)
4. The legs of iron was the Roman Empire and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay was the revived Roman Empire (63 A.D. onwards).
Subsequent to these empires, after the times of the end (of which we are currently living in the midst of it), God will raise up His Kingdom under the rule of His chosen One -the Lord Jesus Christ. The God of Heaven would shatter all earthly kingdoms on earth with the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven through the ROCK (the Lord Jesus Christ) as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Because of the disobedience and rebellion of God's chosen people against His commandments, the Almighty God allowed the sovereignty of the world to be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, to be known in theological term as the 'times of the Gentiles' (Luke 21:24). After when this had been fulfilled (in 1948/1967), the epoch is then known as the 'times of the end', of which we are currently in.
The dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the vision of Daniel in chapter 7 seems to be similar. What Nebuchadnezzar saw in the natural, Daniel visualised in the spiritual. Though the mighty fourth beast in Daniel 7 with its ten horns (verse 7) matches with the ten toes (Dan 2:42), there is a subtle difference. There is a 'little horn' coming up from among the ten horns which plucked out the roots of the first three horns (Dan 7:8). The image of a man with proud eyes and wagging tongue projects an image of the Antichrist. This is affirmed in Daniel 7:25 when this 'little horn' shall speak pompous words against the Most High and persecute His saints.
Looking at history, the ruthless dictator Adolf Hitler subdued three countries in Europe - Austria, France and Italy - during World War II. He also massacred six million innocent Jews without any good cause other than their ethnicity. Could the coming Antichrist rise up from within Europe - the ten horns of the revived Roman Empire? It remains to be seem, as we wait with bated breath.
Whatever the interpretation, it looks like the emergence of the Antichrist whose pride and power derived from Satan himself, will one day with his followings attack the nation of Israel at Megiddo. It will be the battleground for Armageddon which finally usher in the Second Return of Christ with His saints to save Israel and mother earth from destruction. Subsequently, the government of God -The Millennial Kingdom of Heaven - will then commence to rule for one thousand years on planet earth!
Adrian Fah is the author of the book The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
In a dream one night, Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a huge statue in human form with different type of metals, albeit of descending quality. The image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2: 32-33). Obviously shaken, Nebuchadnezzar seek the help of his wise men for answers.
After a time of 'prayer and praise' with his friends, God reveals the secret to Daniel in a vision, the dream and its intrepretation (Dan 2:19). Daniel gave glory to the God of Heaven who alone gave the dream and the meaning thereof. He intrepreted the dream as of different world empires to follow after the Babylonian Empire.
1. The head of gold was the Babylonian Empire (606-538 B.C.)
2. The chest and arms of silver was the Medo-Persian Empire (538 -333 B.C.)
3. The belly and thighs of bronze was the Greek Empire, bursting forth under Alexander the Great (333 B.C.-63 A.D.)
4. The legs of iron was the Roman Empire and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay was the revived Roman Empire (63 A.D. onwards).
Subsequent to these empires, after the times of the end (of which we are currently living in the midst of it), God will raise up His Kingdom under the rule of His chosen One -the Lord Jesus Christ. The God of Heaven would shatter all earthly kingdoms on earth with the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven through the ROCK (the Lord Jesus Christ) as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Because of the disobedience and rebellion of God's chosen people against His commandments, the Almighty God allowed the sovereignty of the world to be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, to be known in theological term as the 'times of the Gentiles' (Luke 21:24). After when this had been fulfilled (in 1948/1967), the epoch is then known as the 'times of the end', of which we are currently in.
The dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the vision of Daniel in chapter 7 seems to be similar. What Nebuchadnezzar saw in the natural, Daniel visualised in the spiritual. Though the mighty fourth beast in Daniel 7 with its ten horns (verse 7) matches with the ten toes (Dan 2:42), there is a subtle difference. There is a 'little horn' coming up from among the ten horns which plucked out the roots of the first three horns (Dan 7:8). The image of a man with proud eyes and wagging tongue projects an image of the Antichrist. This is affirmed in Daniel 7:25 when this 'little horn' shall speak pompous words against the Most High and persecute His saints.
Looking at history, the ruthless dictator Adolf Hitler subdued three countries in Europe - Austria, France and Italy - during World War II. He also massacred six million innocent Jews without any good cause other than their ethnicity. Could the coming Antichrist rise up from within Europe - the ten horns of the revived Roman Empire? It remains to be seem, as we wait with bated breath.
Whatever the interpretation, it looks like the emergence of the Antichrist whose pride and power derived from Satan himself, will one day with his followings attack the nation of Israel at Megiddo. It will be the battleground for Armageddon which finally usher in the Second Return of Christ with His saints to save Israel and mother earth from destruction. Subsequently, the government of God -The Millennial Kingdom of Heaven - will then commence to rule for one thousand years on planet earth!
Adrian Fah is the author of the book The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Prophecy of Daniel's Seventy Weeks
The Old Testament prophet Daniel was a young man - probably of royal descent - when he was taken into captivity by the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar. A younger contemporary of prophet Jeremiah, Daniel read and understood the writings of Jeremaih that the Jews of the southern state of Judah would be exiled in Babylon for seventy years as God had revealed to Jeremiah.
God, however, had given Daniel a prophecy of a different kind - one of 'seventy weeks of years' and the fulfillment thereof right up to the time of tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27). Bible scholars and theologians are generally agreed on the 'one day equals one year' principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). Base on this principle, Daniel's seventy weeks is actually referring to a time period totalling 490 years, divided into three epochs of 7, 62 and 1 week (total 70) known as the 'Jewish Age' - as they revolve around God's dealing with the Israelites.
The prophetic clock starts from 444 BC when King Artaxerxes 1 issued a decree allowing Nehemiah (his cupbearer) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). The first epoch ends 49 Hebrew years (7 weeks) later when the Old Testament canon was sealed in 396 BC with the last book of Malachi. The second epoch of 62 weeks is 434 (62 x 7) Hebrew years. The total of these two epochs is 483 (49 + 434) Hebrew years which is 476 solar years (360/365.25) from 444 BC to 32 AD when the Messiah Jesus Christ was crucified.
The third epoch of 1 week is the seven-year tribulation which has yet to be fulfilled. This seven year tribulation is the time of Jacob's trouble when God will judge the unbeliving world and the remnant nation of Israel. All born again believers would have been raptured earlier at the beginning of the tribulation to face the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The tribulation will be a time of great sufferings and catastrophe as judgments came upon the earth in unprecedented measure.
Daniel 9:24 was largely fulfilled with the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. He came to earth to 'finish the transgrsssion', 'make an end of sins' and 'make reconciliation for iniquity' with His atoning Blood. In 396 BC with the closing of the Old Testament, the vision and prophecy was sealed up. The church age is the beginning of the time of righteousness which will consummate in the One Thousand Year reign of Christ during the Millennial Age.
Interestingly, bible scholars have discovered that the Ark of the Covenant - the holy place where the glory of God dwells in the Old Testament days - was hidden inside a cave right under the cross where Jesus was crucified. His Blood flowed through the fissures on the ground right into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat was, hence 'anointing the Most Holy' (Daniel 9:24).
Consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-4, Daniel 9:27 refers to the Antichrist making peace treaty with Israel at the start of the seven year tribulation but only to break it in the middle of the tribulation. There could probably be some desecration of the holy temple worship by the Antichrist which is sacrilegious to the Jews.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
For Some Useful Resource to Transform Lives, click the link below:
Teach The Bible To Change Lives.
God, however, had given Daniel a prophecy of a different kind - one of 'seventy weeks of years' and the fulfillment thereof right up to the time of tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27). Bible scholars and theologians are generally agreed on the 'one day equals one year' principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). Base on this principle, Daniel's seventy weeks is actually referring to a time period totalling 490 years, divided into three epochs of 7, 62 and 1 week (total 70) known as the 'Jewish Age' - as they revolve around God's dealing with the Israelites.
The prophetic clock starts from 444 BC when King Artaxerxes 1 issued a decree allowing Nehemiah (his cupbearer) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). The first epoch ends 49 Hebrew years (7 weeks) later when the Old Testament canon was sealed in 396 BC with the last book of Malachi. The second epoch of 62 weeks is 434 (62 x 7) Hebrew years. The total of these two epochs is 483 (49 + 434) Hebrew years which is 476 solar years (360/365.25) from 444 BC to 32 AD when the Messiah Jesus Christ was crucified.
The third epoch of 1 week is the seven-year tribulation which has yet to be fulfilled. This seven year tribulation is the time of Jacob's trouble when God will judge the unbeliving world and the remnant nation of Israel. All born again believers would have been raptured earlier at the beginning of the tribulation to face the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The tribulation will be a time of great sufferings and catastrophe as judgments came upon the earth in unprecedented measure.
Daniel 9:24 was largely fulfilled with the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. He came to earth to 'finish the transgrsssion', 'make an end of sins' and 'make reconciliation for iniquity' with His atoning Blood. In 396 BC with the closing of the Old Testament, the vision and prophecy was sealed up. The church age is the beginning of the time of righteousness which will consummate in the One Thousand Year reign of Christ during the Millennial Age.
Interestingly, bible scholars have discovered that the Ark of the Covenant - the holy place where the glory of God dwells in the Old Testament days - was hidden inside a cave right under the cross where Jesus was crucified. His Blood flowed through the fissures on the ground right into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat was, hence 'anointing the Most Holy' (Daniel 9:24).
Consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-4, Daniel 9:27 refers to the Antichrist making peace treaty with Israel at the start of the seven year tribulation but only to break it in the middle of the tribulation. There could probably be some desecration of the holy temple worship by the Antichrist which is sacrilegious to the Jews.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
For Some Useful Resource to Transform Lives, click the link below:
Teach The Bible To Change Lives.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Who Will Go Up In The Rapture?
The Battle of Armageddon will take place towards the close of the Great Tribulation. This will be the decisive battle between the forces of good and evil, when the Antichrist will rally forces from many nations to attack Israel. The battlezone will be set at Megiddo, between Mt Carmel and Mt Gilboa south of the Kishon River.
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be spared the bloodshed as His blood had already been shed for them, so theirs would not have to flow.
Rapture is the time when the Lord comes for His saints but the world shall not see Him. In fact, most of the world don't even know what happened after rapture had occurred. Some may even conclude that aliens had descended upon earth and snatched some poor souls away!
When the first seal of the title deed of the earth is opened, believers will hear the trumpet of God and be 'snatched away' to heaven, leaving behind all their personal belongings, even the very clothes they are wearing! Those who are 'asleep' in Christ will rise first, followed by those believers who are living at the time of the rapture to meet the Lord in the clouds.
All those who have missed the rapture will be given a 'second chance' to call upon the name of the Lord for help. Those who are saved during the tribulation - known as tribulation saints - will be delivered from condemnation (Daniel 12:1), every one whose name is found written in the Book of Life.
Some writers are of the view that only overcoming Christians belonging to the Philadelphia church will be in the rapture, while the lukewarm and backslidden kind found in the Laodicean church will be left behind , as they are lukewarm and indifferent to the things of God (Revelation 3:7,14). However, I am of the view that all born again believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity, will be raptured up into the heavens to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Those who are found faithful and had put their faith and trust in the Lord will yield good fruits that will attract reward to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennial Age (2 Timothy 2:12). These are the saints who will return with the Lord at His Second Coming (1 Thess 3:13). This Second Coming will occur towards the close of the tribulation.
Believers who failed to earn any reward will lose the privilege and honor of inheriting the kingdom of heaven during the Millennial Age. The Millenial Age is the one thousand year reign of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nevertheless, they are saved as their salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, they will face the grim prospect of life in chastisement at the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) so that we will not be found wanting and ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be spared the bloodshed as His blood had already been shed for them, so theirs would not have to flow.
Rapture is the time when the Lord comes for His saints but the world shall not see Him. In fact, most of the world don't even know what happened after rapture had occurred. Some may even conclude that aliens had descended upon earth and snatched some poor souls away!
When the first seal of the title deed of the earth is opened, believers will hear the trumpet of God and be 'snatched away' to heaven, leaving behind all their personal belongings, even the very clothes they are wearing! Those who are 'asleep' in Christ will rise first, followed by those believers who are living at the time of the rapture to meet the Lord in the clouds.
All those who have missed the rapture will be given a 'second chance' to call upon the name of the Lord for help. Those who are saved during the tribulation - known as tribulation saints - will be delivered from condemnation (Daniel 12:1), every one whose name is found written in the Book of Life.
Some writers are of the view that only overcoming Christians belonging to the Philadelphia church will be in the rapture, while the lukewarm and backslidden kind found in the Laodicean church will be left behind , as they are lukewarm and indifferent to the things of God (Revelation 3:7,14). However, I am of the view that all born again believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity, will be raptured up into the heavens to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Those who are found faithful and had put their faith and trust in the Lord will yield good fruits that will attract reward to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennial Age (2 Timothy 2:12). These are the saints who will return with the Lord at His Second Coming (1 Thess 3:13). This Second Coming will occur towards the close of the tribulation.
Believers who failed to earn any reward will lose the privilege and honor of inheriting the kingdom of heaven during the Millennial Age. The Millenial Age is the one thousand year reign of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nevertheless, they are saved as their salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, they will face the grim prospect of life in chastisement at the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) so that we will not be found wanting and ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The End-Time Roadmap
Every now and then, we read and hear of news about wars and rumors of wars, strife, plagues. famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Crimes and lawlessness abound with terrorist acts occurring so frequent these days that they are no longer worthy of the headline news.
The world has gone mad with all kinds of weirdos appearing on the world's stage! Satan knows that his time on earth is short and he is trying all means to extract maximum damage to mankind and planet earth before his destimy is shut hell-bound and later the lake of fire.
As Christians we should not be alarmed or disheartened because the Word of God prophesied that all these things must come to pass before restoration comes. The concluding end-time story is one of restoration - for mankind and for planet earth. Man lost the ownership of the earth due to sin. However, through the events of the Tribulation and Armageddon, God will return planet earth to the rule of man with the return of Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Planet earth could well be restored to its perpendicular axis with freak and extreme weather patterns assigned to history.
As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, man lost control of three main areas of his life.
* his spirit and soul are alienated from the Almighty God
* his body is subject to decay and death
* his dominion of the earth is lost to Satan by default
However, through the mercy and grace of God, His plan of redemption and restoration can be summarised in three areas.
* Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13). Hence, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord will have his spirit and soul redeemed from the demands of the law, whose penalty for sin is death.
* Man's physical body will be transformed at the point of rapture. Romans 8:23 tells us that we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. One day, all born again believers will be raptured with a brand new glorified body that will neither decay nor die.
* Christ will return to repossess the earth which is currently under Satan's control. Man is the rightful heir who will one day hold the title deed of the earth under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The valley of Megiddo is the assembly area where the Antichrist will gather his forces to wage war against the nation of Israel. The army of the Antichrist will march south heading towards Jerusalem. It will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat that the Battle of Armageddon will take place.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He paid the full price to redeemer us from all our sin as well as to repossess our inheritance of the earth. But before He can reclaim possession of the earth, He has to break open the seals to the title deed of the earth. Revelation 5 tells us that Christ receives the title deed of the earth. Following that in Revelation chapters 6 to 11, He opens all the seven seals and hence has the mandate to evict Satan from the face of the earth. This event will happen at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:14, 16). Satan is then cast into the pit of hell for a thousand years during the Millennial Age. He is subsequently released for a season before having his destiny sealed forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
The Battle of Armageddon will be devastating as it culminates in the wrath of God upon the sin of this world. However, God in His mercy and grace will save those will are His, who have placed their faith and trust in His Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him during the tribulation will also be saved from condemnation, just like those who believe during the church age. So be prepared and be counted as those who are His - and secured your destiny well ahead of time!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
The world has gone mad with all kinds of weirdos appearing on the world's stage! Satan knows that his time on earth is short and he is trying all means to extract maximum damage to mankind and planet earth before his destimy is shut hell-bound and later the lake of fire.
As Christians we should not be alarmed or disheartened because the Word of God prophesied that all these things must come to pass before restoration comes. The concluding end-time story is one of restoration - for mankind and for planet earth. Man lost the ownership of the earth due to sin. However, through the events of the Tribulation and Armageddon, God will return planet earth to the rule of man with the return of Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Planet earth could well be restored to its perpendicular axis with freak and extreme weather patterns assigned to history.
As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, man lost control of three main areas of his life.
* his spirit and soul are alienated from the Almighty God
* his body is subject to decay and death
* his dominion of the earth is lost to Satan by default
However, through the mercy and grace of God, His plan of redemption and restoration can be summarised in three areas.
* Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13). Hence, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord will have his spirit and soul redeemed from the demands of the law, whose penalty for sin is death.
* Man's physical body will be transformed at the point of rapture. Romans 8:23 tells us that we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. One day, all born again believers will be raptured with a brand new glorified body that will neither decay nor die.
* Christ will return to repossess the earth which is currently under Satan's control. Man is the rightful heir who will one day hold the title deed of the earth under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The valley of Megiddo is the assembly area where the Antichrist will gather his forces to wage war against the nation of Israel. The army of the Antichrist will march south heading towards Jerusalem. It will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat that the Battle of Armageddon will take place.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He paid the full price to redeemer us from all our sin as well as to repossess our inheritance of the earth. But before He can reclaim possession of the earth, He has to break open the seals to the title deed of the earth. Revelation 5 tells us that Christ receives the title deed of the earth. Following that in Revelation chapters 6 to 11, He opens all the seven seals and hence has the mandate to evict Satan from the face of the earth. This event will happen at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:14, 16). Satan is then cast into the pit of hell for a thousand years during the Millennial Age. He is subsequently released for a season before having his destiny sealed forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
The Battle of Armageddon will be devastating as it culminates in the wrath of God upon the sin of this world. However, God in His mercy and grace will save those will are His, who have placed their faith and trust in His Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him during the tribulation will also be saved from condemnation, just like those who believe during the church age. So be prepared and be counted as those who are His - and secured your destiny well ahead of time!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Major Prophetic Events To Come
As time marches on towards the calamitous close of the church age, the scripture reveals a series of events that will unfold from the rapture through to the new heavens and the new earth. Even though Satan will attempt to thwart the order of these events, however, the plan and purposes of God will prevail.
Hebrews chapter 11 reveals in typological terms, the order of events to come for Christians in regard to the consummation of the age. Let the truth be known that these events will affect everyone regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliations or status in life.
1. Crucufixion of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel (son of Adam) who offered up the blood sacrifice to God. This signifies the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for all who would place their faith and trust in Him. Hence, the beginning of the age of grace was born.
2. Rapture of the Saints
The next prophetic event that affects Christians to take place will be the rapture of the saints to heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, follow by those born-again Christians who are still living at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The translation of Enoch (Hebrew 11:5) typifies this event for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
3. God's Judgment Upon the World
After Enoch comes Noah (Hebrews 11:7), a time of flood that brought destruction to the whole world. This signifies that after rapture comes the tribulation - the time of God's judgment upon the whole world. It is a time when the age of grace is over and God is dealing with His chosen people - the nation of Israel - and the world who had rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
4. Judgment Seat of Christ
The first thing to happen to believers who are raised and translated (Christians being given new bodies) will be to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every Christians will be required to give an account of their lives to Jesus Christ from the time of their initial salvation to the time of death or rapture (Ecclesiastes12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13)
There will be crowns of rewards, honor and inheritances to positions of privileges and prestige for the faithful stewards of the Lord. For those who failed to earn any reward, there could be shame and even temporary punishment for the unfaithful believers.
5. Marriage Supper of the Lamb
After the Judgment Seat of Christ, those who are found faithful and obedient to the commandments of the Lord will form the Bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 stipulates that only those with righteous good deeds will form the Bride of Christ. Note that the marriage of the Lamb is only for the New Testament saints of the church age. The marriage of the Lamb is followed by a wedding feast. All those who are invited to the feast are blessed (Revelation 19:9).
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth probably at the time of the battle of Armageddon to save the remnant of the Jews from destruction (Rev 19: 11-16; Zechariah 13:6-9).
He will then gather all the Gentiles before Him and divide them into two groups - the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-34). The sheep are those who received the gospel of the kingdom that was preached by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the time of tribulation as prophesied in Revelation chapter 7. The goats are those Gentiles who rejected the gospel of the kingdom. The sheep had demonstrated good deeds by their kind treatment of the Israelites (the Lord's brethren - Matthew 25:35-40). These sheep who are saved will then enter the Millennial Kingdom of Christ as God's earthly people.
The New Testament saints and some of the faithful saints of the Old Testament era are God's heavenly people who will dwell in the New Jerusalem located in the heavens during the Millennial Age. During this period of one thousand years Satan will be bound in hell and unable to deceive the nations in the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20:1-3).
At the end of the Millennial Age, God will gather all the unsaved and the fallen angels to be judged at the Great White Throne, with their final destiny in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
When all these are over, the old heaven and old earth will passed away to be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21:1). Therein will dwell three groups of God's people - the New Testament saints, the redeemed nation of Israel and the redeemed Gentile nations - in perfect harmony for eternity!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Hebrews chapter 11 reveals in typological terms, the order of events to come for Christians in regard to the consummation of the age. Let the truth be known that these events will affect everyone regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliations or status in life.
1. Crucufixion of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel (son of Adam) who offered up the blood sacrifice to God. This signifies the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for all who would place their faith and trust in Him. Hence, the beginning of the age of grace was born.
2. Rapture of the Saints
The next prophetic event that affects Christians to take place will be the rapture of the saints to heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, follow by those born-again Christians who are still living at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The translation of Enoch (Hebrew 11:5) typifies this event for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
3. God's Judgment Upon the World
After Enoch comes Noah (Hebrews 11:7), a time of flood that brought destruction to the whole world. This signifies that after rapture comes the tribulation - the time of God's judgment upon the whole world. It is a time when the age of grace is over and God is dealing with His chosen people - the nation of Israel - and the world who had rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
4. Judgment Seat of Christ
The first thing to happen to believers who are raised and translated (Christians being given new bodies) will be to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every Christians will be required to give an account of their lives to Jesus Christ from the time of their initial salvation to the time of death or rapture (Ecclesiastes12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13)
There will be crowns of rewards, honor and inheritances to positions of privileges and prestige for the faithful stewards of the Lord. For those who failed to earn any reward, there could be shame and even temporary punishment for the unfaithful believers.
5. Marriage Supper of the Lamb
After the Judgment Seat of Christ, those who are found faithful and obedient to the commandments of the Lord will form the Bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 stipulates that only those with righteous good deeds will form the Bride of Christ. Note that the marriage of the Lamb is only for the New Testament saints of the church age. The marriage of the Lamb is followed by a wedding feast. All those who are invited to the feast are blessed (Revelation 19:9).
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth probably at the time of the battle of Armageddon to save the remnant of the Jews from destruction (Rev 19: 11-16; Zechariah 13:6-9).
He will then gather all the Gentiles before Him and divide them into two groups - the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-34). The sheep are those who received the gospel of the kingdom that was preached by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the time of tribulation as prophesied in Revelation chapter 7. The goats are those Gentiles who rejected the gospel of the kingdom. The sheep had demonstrated good deeds by their kind treatment of the Israelites (the Lord's brethren - Matthew 25:35-40). These sheep who are saved will then enter the Millennial Kingdom of Christ as God's earthly people.
The New Testament saints and some of the faithful saints of the Old Testament era are God's heavenly people who will dwell in the New Jerusalem located in the heavens during the Millennial Age. During this period of one thousand years Satan will be bound in hell and unable to deceive the nations in the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20:1-3).
At the end of the Millennial Age, God will gather all the unsaved and the fallen angels to be judged at the Great White Throne, with their final destiny in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
When all these are over, the old heaven and old earth will passed away to be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21:1). Therein will dwell three groups of God's people - the New Testament saints, the redeemed nation of Israel and the redeemed Gentile nations - in perfect harmony for eternity!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Blessings and Curses of Our Times
In this blog, I am going to share with the readers what I observed are three major trends that seem to grip THREE major groups of people and are being fulfilled according to end-time prophecy. Generally speaking, it may seem that one group has distinct advantages over the other two groups, but from God's perspective, this is not necessarily so.
1. The Haves vs The Haves-Not
The past couple of decades had seen the shift towards globalisation, where the world has become a global village. Such trend has resulted in unprecedented wealth creation in the history of mankind. Those with the capital - the investors/capitalists - and those with the required skills - the professionals - have greater mobility to move their funds in various capital markets and their choice of employment worldwide. However, those without the capital and or required skills are often being left behind as the world passes them by. Hence, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in relative terms.
Such dichotomy between labor (the haves-not) and the capital (the haves) is a recipe for tensions and conflicts in this divided world. James 5:1-8 warns those who are rich in this world not to heap up riches at the expense of the poor - in these last days.
"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned, you have murdered the just, he does not resist you.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (Jas 5:1-8).
2. Moral Decadence
The rich of this world are often less willing to share their riches with the poor and needy. Instead, they would rather spend their wealth on the pleasures and the material trappings of this world. That is why billions are spent on marketing campaigns targetting at the well-heeled and famous. Little wonder that businesses that cater to purchases of luxurious penthouses, branded marques, exquisite watches and exotic vacations are doing extremely well, especially in major cities of the world where the wealthy congregate.
Such observation is consistent with 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where it warns of the things to come in the last days.
" But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such peoepele turn away."
3. Mark of the Beast
In the end-time scenario prophesised in Revelation 13:15-17, there is a group of people who are under the 'spirit of domination' in almost every aspects of their lives. They lose all personal rights and civil liberties, and are being dominated by a system with the mark of the beast, with the number being 666. This could refer to a current religious system that dominates the lives of over one billion people of the earth's population.
It will rise up to challenge the democratic freedom of modern civilisation as most of the world's population is currently living under.
To have a strong Christian family foundation, check out the following link:
Save Your Christian Marriage.
1. The Haves vs The Haves-Not
The past couple of decades had seen the shift towards globalisation, where the world has become a global village. Such trend has resulted in unprecedented wealth creation in the history of mankind. Those with the capital - the investors/capitalists - and those with the required skills - the professionals - have greater mobility to move their funds in various capital markets and their choice of employment worldwide. However, those without the capital and or required skills are often being left behind as the world passes them by. Hence, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in relative terms.
Such dichotomy between labor (the haves-not) and the capital (the haves) is a recipe for tensions and conflicts in this divided world. James 5:1-8 warns those who are rich in this world not to heap up riches at the expense of the poor - in these last days.
"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned, you have murdered the just, he does not resist you.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (Jas 5:1-8).
2. Moral Decadence
The rich of this world are often less willing to share their riches with the poor and needy. Instead, they would rather spend their wealth on the pleasures and the material trappings of this world. That is why billions are spent on marketing campaigns targetting at the well-heeled and famous. Little wonder that businesses that cater to purchases of luxurious penthouses, branded marques, exquisite watches and exotic vacations are doing extremely well, especially in major cities of the world where the wealthy congregate.
Such observation is consistent with 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where it warns of the things to come in the last days.
" But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such peoepele turn away."
3. Mark of the Beast
In the end-time scenario prophesised in Revelation 13:15-17, there is a group of people who are under the 'spirit of domination' in almost every aspects of their lives. They lose all personal rights and civil liberties, and are being dominated by a system with the mark of the beast, with the number being 666. This could refer to a current religious system that dominates the lives of over one billion people of the earth's population.
It will rise up to challenge the democratic freedom of modern civilisation as most of the world's population is currently living under.
To have a strong Christian family foundation, check out the following link:
Save Your Christian Marriage.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Gospel of Grace vs Gospel of the Kingdom
And the gospel of the kingdom wll be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
Many Christians believe that the gospel of grace must be preached in all the world to all nations before the second coming of Christ will materialise. A careful reading of Matthew 24:14 will reveal two crucial facts that are often misunderstood.
1. It is the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven that must be preached and not the gospel of grace before the consumation of the end.
2. The preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is set forth as the end and not the second coming of Christ.
The 'end' as used in Matthew 24:14 comes from the Greek word 'telos' which means the final comsummate end of all things. And this only happens after the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth (known as the Millennial Kingdom). This word differs from the word 'end' used in Matthew 24:3 which is a Greek word 'sunteleios' in reference to the accomplishment of certain events before the close of the present church age.
According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthins 15:3-4, the gospel of grace refers to the good news pertaining to the grace of God. 'That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.'
The gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is the good news pertaining to the establishment on earth of a corporeal kingdom which will rule and reign for one thousand years in fulfillment of God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Paramount to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is the call upon the nation of Israel to REPENT of her disobedience to the commandments of God. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the nation was called to REPENT of their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah.
Central to the gospel of grace, individuals are called upon to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation of their spirit (Acts 19:43; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; John 3:16).
Under the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, signs, wonders and miracles were manifested to authenticate the messengers and the messages (Mark 16:16-20). While the preaching of the gospel of grace is to be accompanied by the Word of God from Scriptures, illuminated by the Holy Spirit and those who hear are to accept by faith.
In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus focused on the end of the world, rather than the end of the church age. The preaching of the kingdom will come during the millennial age to all the nations of the world before the consummation of the end of the world.
Therefore, this end of the world will not come until after the return of Christ to earth, ruled and reigned for one thousand years and put all enemies under His subjection, including death, before delivering all things to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
As Christians, our task is to preach the gospel of grace to all people. The return of the Lord Jesus is not solely dependent upon the success of the churches and missions organisations to fulfill this prophecy, though it is their mandate to disciple the nations (Matthew 28: 19-20). The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the second coming of Christ is the prerogative of God alone.
The time of our Lord's return has been set by God as given to us in Acts 15:14 and Romans 11:25, when the number of the Gentiles together with the remnant of Israel are fulfilled according to the election of grace to form the Body of Christ. When that prophecy has been fulfilled, then our Lord will return.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Many Christians believe that the gospel of grace must be preached in all the world to all nations before the second coming of Christ will materialise. A careful reading of Matthew 24:14 will reveal two crucial facts that are often misunderstood.
1. It is the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven that must be preached and not the gospel of grace before the consumation of the end.
2. The preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is set forth as the end and not the second coming of Christ.
The 'end' as used in Matthew 24:14 comes from the Greek word 'telos' which means the final comsummate end of all things. And this only happens after the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth (known as the Millennial Kingdom). This word differs from the word 'end' used in Matthew 24:3 which is a Greek word 'sunteleios' in reference to the accomplishment of certain events before the close of the present church age.
According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthins 15:3-4, the gospel of grace refers to the good news pertaining to the grace of God. 'That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.'
The gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is the good news pertaining to the establishment on earth of a corporeal kingdom which will rule and reign for one thousand years in fulfillment of God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Paramount to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is the call upon the nation of Israel to REPENT of her disobedience to the commandments of God. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the nation was called to REPENT of their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah.
Central to the gospel of grace, individuals are called upon to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation of their spirit (Acts 19:43; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; John 3:16).
Under the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, signs, wonders and miracles were manifested to authenticate the messengers and the messages (Mark 16:16-20). While the preaching of the gospel of grace is to be accompanied by the Word of God from Scriptures, illuminated by the Holy Spirit and those who hear are to accept by faith.
In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus focused on the end of the world, rather than the end of the church age. The preaching of the kingdom will come during the millennial age to all the nations of the world before the consummation of the end of the world.
Therefore, this end of the world will not come until after the return of Christ to earth, ruled and reigned for one thousand years and put all enemies under His subjection, including death, before delivering all things to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
As Christians, our task is to preach the gospel of grace to all people. The return of the Lord Jesus is not solely dependent upon the success of the churches and missions organisations to fulfill this prophecy, though it is their mandate to disciple the nations (Matthew 28: 19-20). The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the second coming of Christ is the prerogative of God alone.
The time of our Lord's return has been set by God as given to us in Acts 15:14 and Romans 11:25, when the number of the Gentiles together with the remnant of Israel are fulfilled according to the election of grace to form the Body of Christ. When that prophecy has been fulfilled, then our Lord will return.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Monday, April 23, 2007
Events Leading To Armageddon
The recent shooting massacre at Virginia Tech in America is a foreboding of extreme violence that man is capable of. The Apostle warned in Romans 1:30 that man is capable of being 'inventors of evil things'. Just two days after this disaster, some 230 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks and car bombs in Baghdad, Iraq. Could it be that violence will turn more gruesome, and God's covering of protection in general will slowly recede as we march towards the tribulation midnight hour?
During the great tribulation of three-and-half years, Israel is prophesied to face great persecutions and sufferings as a conglomerate of nations will descend upon Jerusalem to wage war against her (Zechariah 14:2). It will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). The nation from the north of Jerusalem of the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38:2), probably Russia, will lead some Middle Eastern and eastern nations to attack Israel. This scenario is set to unfold as after the rapture of the church, Israel could lose much of her politicaal and economic support as most of her supporters were no longer on planet earth! Israel's arch enemies could take full advantage of the chaos in the Western world arising after the rapture, to take full advantage of her vulnerability in a last ditch attempt to wipe her out from the land of Palestine.
The Jews living in Judea - currently the West Bank - will have to flee for their lives as warned by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:15-21. At the present time, the West Bank has been
separated from Israel proper by a stretch of high security wall, leaving the Jews living there vulnerable to attacks during the great tribulation.
Revelation 11:1-2 states that the Temple Mount (temple of God) will be shared between the Jews and the Gentiles. Though currently under Jewish control, the outer court will come under Gentile control during the great tribulation. This could well be the antichrist who will head up the proposed international community to supervise the sharing of the Temple Mount.
In recent years, there were plans to rebuild the Temple Mount by the recently formed Sanhedrin in Israel. The Temple has to be rebuilt in order that the antichrist can perform his unholy acts in the holy place as was prophesied by prophet Daniel.
On the technological front, radio frequency identification (RFID) could well be the next phase of chip technology to replace the bar codes. It looks like this is another step forward to fulfill the 'mark of the beast' as prophesied in Revelation 13. Such spychips, as they are known, is set to become pervasive in corporate and individual lives. There are reports in America and Japan where such chips had been embedded under the skin of adults and children for medical and security reasons.
The good news is that, as a pre-tribulationist, I beleieve that all born again believers will be snatched away from planet earth, to appear before the Lord Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We as Christians are to give an account of our lives to the Lord and nothing will be hidden from Him. After their works had gone through God's refining fire (1 Cor 3: 12-15), those who deserves a reward will have the privilege to rule and reign with Christ in His coming Millennial Kingdom. All these happening somewhere in heaven while planet earth is going through burning fire (nuclear fallout at Armageddon?) during the seven years of tribulation - the time of God's wrath and judgment on earth!
Will Israel be annihilated with such great numbers of forces formed against her? At the last trumpet, the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with His saints (glorified) and touchdown at the Mount of Olives, the same mountain where he gave His warnings to the Jews some two millennia ago! He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; and with the breadth of His lips He shall slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4). The enenies will be totally routed and one-third of the remnants of the land of Israel will be saved to enter the Millennial Kingdom (The promise Land)- albeit two millennia later!
Some sceptics may wonder why all these fuss about endtime prophecies when there is relative peace and prosperity in most parts of the world? In the days of Noah, there were corruption and violence (Genesis 6:11,13) that eventually brought about the Flood to judge the people of the earth. The Lord Jesus in Luke 17:26-30 warns that in the last days, just like in the days of Noah, people will go about their business as usual - eating, drinking and marrying - oblivious to what is about to happen. As Solomon penned in Ezekiel 1:9 "That which has been is what will be. That which is done is what will be done."
As bible believing Christian, it is my duty like a watchman to forewarn of the coming midnight hour. When the One (Holy Spirit) who restrains (evil forces) is taken out of the way (2 Thess 2:7), the salt and light of the earth will be no longer around. That will be the time when pandemonium strikes!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
During the great tribulation of three-and-half years, Israel is prophesied to face great persecutions and sufferings as a conglomerate of nations will descend upon Jerusalem to wage war against her (Zechariah 14:2). It will culminate in the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). The nation from the north of Jerusalem of the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38:2), probably Russia, will lead some Middle Eastern and eastern nations to attack Israel. This scenario is set to unfold as after the rapture of the church, Israel could lose much of her politicaal and economic support as most of her supporters were no longer on planet earth! Israel's arch enemies could take full advantage of the chaos in the Western world arising after the rapture, to take full advantage of her vulnerability in a last ditch attempt to wipe her out from the land of Palestine.
The Jews living in Judea - currently the West Bank - will have to flee for their lives as warned by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:15-21. At the present time, the West Bank has been
separated from Israel proper by a stretch of high security wall, leaving the Jews living there vulnerable to attacks during the great tribulation.
Revelation 11:1-2 states that the Temple Mount (temple of God) will be shared between the Jews and the Gentiles. Though currently under Jewish control, the outer court will come under Gentile control during the great tribulation. This could well be the antichrist who will head up the proposed international community to supervise the sharing of the Temple Mount.
In recent years, there were plans to rebuild the Temple Mount by the recently formed Sanhedrin in Israel. The Temple has to be rebuilt in order that the antichrist can perform his unholy acts in the holy place as was prophesied by prophet Daniel.
On the technological front, radio frequency identification (RFID) could well be the next phase of chip technology to replace the bar codes. It looks like this is another step forward to fulfill the 'mark of the beast' as prophesied in Revelation 13. Such spychips, as they are known, is set to become pervasive in corporate and individual lives. There are reports in America and Japan where such chips had been embedded under the skin of adults and children for medical and security reasons.
The good news is that, as a pre-tribulationist, I beleieve that all born again believers will be snatched away from planet earth, to appear before the Lord Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We as Christians are to give an account of our lives to the Lord and nothing will be hidden from Him. After their works had gone through God's refining fire (1 Cor 3: 12-15), those who deserves a reward will have the privilege to rule and reign with Christ in His coming Millennial Kingdom. All these happening somewhere in heaven while planet earth is going through burning fire (nuclear fallout at Armageddon?) during the seven years of tribulation - the time of God's wrath and judgment on earth!
Will Israel be annihilated with such great numbers of forces formed against her? At the last trumpet, the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with His saints (glorified) and touchdown at the Mount of Olives, the same mountain where he gave His warnings to the Jews some two millennia ago! He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; and with the breadth of His lips He shall slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4). The enenies will be totally routed and one-third of the remnants of the land of Israel will be saved to enter the Millennial Kingdom (The promise Land)- albeit two millennia later!
Some sceptics may wonder why all these fuss about endtime prophecies when there is relative peace and prosperity in most parts of the world? In the days of Noah, there were corruption and violence (Genesis 6:11,13) that eventually brought about the Flood to judge the people of the earth. The Lord Jesus in Luke 17:26-30 warns that in the last days, just like in the days of Noah, people will go about their business as usual - eating, drinking and marrying - oblivious to what is about to happen. As Solomon penned in Ezekiel 1:9 "That which has been is what will be. That which is done is what will be done."
As bible believing Christian, it is my duty like a watchman to forewarn of the coming midnight hour. When the One (Holy Spirit) who restrains (evil forces) is taken out of the way (2 Thess 2:7), the salt and light of the earth will be no longer around. That will be the time when pandemonium strikes!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Signs of the End of the World (Age)
There were three questions posed by Jesus' disciples about the end time signs and events. the first two were dealt with in my earlier articles. Now the third of the three questions was regarding the 'end of the world' (the word 'world' was used in the original King James Version of the bible). The correct translation should be the 'end of the age'. The 'end of the world' will come some one thousand years later at the close of the millennial age.
The one sign that the Lord Jesus highlighted was the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan 9:27). This refers to the image of gold that the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar erected for the people to worship him. Those who refused to do so were punished by death on the burning fiery furnace (Dan 3:1-7).
Fast forward to Revelation13:15, the 'image of the beast' is the antichrist which will be placed at the Holy of Holies (the sacred part of the temple of God) for people to bow down and worship during the period of the seven year tribulation. Those who refused will be killed. God has set the typology of the golden image to be the end time image of the antichrist. For that which has been is what will be; that which is done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl 1:9)
Besides this, there are other events that will be fulfilled to usher in the 'end of the age'.
1. The Rapture (1 Thess 4: 13-18)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1Thess 4:13-18)
The rapture (catching away of the saints to heaven) will be a worldwide event where all the born again believers will disappear from the face of the earth. Their flesh and bones (dead and alive) will be translated into heavenly bodies at the 'twinkling of an eye'. Surely, the world will wake up and take notice of the fact that all Christians have suddenly disappeared without warning or trace of their whereabout. This will be one sure case of 'abduction by aliens' for the uninitiated, except they are 'abducted' by the holy angels of God. We are all forewarned!
All saved believers in Christ who had ever lived since the cross will be transported to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). They will all be required to give an account of their lives individually before the Lord (Rom 14:10,12).
2. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists
Revelation 7 gives an account of the works of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom (different from the gospel of grace) as was done during the time when the Lord Jesus walked the earth in the first century. As a result, many will be converted as tribulation saints to enter the Millennium Kingdom of Christ after the seven year tribulation.
The world will certainly take notice of the large numbers of converts happening all over the world.
3. Rise of Antichrist (2 Thess 2)
The coming antichrist will sign a seven year peace treaty with Israel. There will be peace and prosperity in the first half of the seven year period. In the midst of it, there will be persecutions and conflicts as the antichrist will break the covenant and demanded worship and submission. It will eventually lead to the battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16) where Russia will lead her allies (Middle Eastern and Eastern bloc nations) to invade Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to save Israel from destruction.
In the mayhem, God will send prophet Elijah (who was himself translated to heaven some twenty eight centuries ago) to prophesy for 1,260 days (three-and half years) with great signs and wonders as he had done more than two millenniums earlier. (Rev 11:3) He will come to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Mal 4:6). The meaning is not just literal but also spiritual, and that is to reconcile the children of Israel back to God and the Father to accept them again.
Elijah will be killed by those who opposed his mission but he will be raised to life again after lying dead for three-and-half days. Many will witness this event and fear fell upon them. (Rev 11:11)
As Christians we are called to be watchful for the signs that are like shadows appearing on the horizon. Do make the necessary preparations for when they do occurred, it will well be too late!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
The one sign that the Lord Jesus highlighted was the 'abomination of desolation' spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan 9:27). This refers to the image of gold that the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar erected for the people to worship him. Those who refused to do so were punished by death on the burning fiery furnace (Dan 3:1-7).
Fast forward to Revelation13:15, the 'image of the beast' is the antichrist which will be placed at the Holy of Holies (the sacred part of the temple of God) for people to bow down and worship during the period of the seven year tribulation. Those who refused will be killed. God has set the typology of the golden image to be the end time image of the antichrist. For that which has been is what will be; that which is done is what will be done. And there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl 1:9)
Besides this, there are other events that will be fulfilled to usher in the 'end of the age'.
1. The Rapture (1 Thess 4: 13-18)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1Thess 4:13-18)
The rapture (catching away of the saints to heaven) will be a worldwide event where all the born again believers will disappear from the face of the earth. Their flesh and bones (dead and alive) will be translated into heavenly bodies at the 'twinkling of an eye'. Surely, the world will wake up and take notice of the fact that all Christians have suddenly disappeared without warning or trace of their whereabout. This will be one sure case of 'abduction by aliens' for the uninitiated, except they are 'abducted' by the holy angels of God. We are all forewarned!
All saved believers in Christ who had ever lived since the cross will be transported to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). They will all be required to give an account of their lives individually before the Lord (Rom 14:10,12).
2. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists
Revelation 7 gives an account of the works of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom (different from the gospel of grace) as was done during the time when the Lord Jesus walked the earth in the first century. As a result, many will be converted as tribulation saints to enter the Millennium Kingdom of Christ after the seven year tribulation.
The world will certainly take notice of the large numbers of converts happening all over the world.
3. Rise of Antichrist (2 Thess 2)
The coming antichrist will sign a seven year peace treaty with Israel. There will be peace and prosperity in the first half of the seven year period. In the midst of it, there will be persecutions and conflicts as the antichrist will break the covenant and demanded worship and submission. It will eventually lead to the battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:16) where Russia will lead her allies (Middle Eastern and Eastern bloc nations) to invade Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to save Israel from destruction.
In the mayhem, God will send prophet Elijah (who was himself translated to heaven some twenty eight centuries ago) to prophesy for 1,260 days (three-and half years) with great signs and wonders as he had done more than two millenniums earlier. (Rev 11:3) He will come to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Mal 4:6). The meaning is not just literal but also spiritual, and that is to reconcile the children of Israel back to God and the Father to accept them again.
Elijah will be killed by those who opposed his mission but he will be raised to life again after lying dead for three-and-half days. Many will witness this event and fear fell upon them. (Rev 11:11)
As Christians we are called to be watchful for the signs that are like shadows appearing on the horizon. Do make the necessary preparations for when they do occurred, it will well be too late!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Signs of The Second Coming of Christ
In my last article, I shared about the question raised by the disciples of Jesus and the answer given by our Lord on when will be the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
In this article, I will discuss the second question the disciples asked and the response of the Lord to that question.
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the Age?" (Matthew 24:3).
For prior to the time of the seven-year tribulation when conflicts and sufferings will reach its climax for the nation of Israel (Matt 24:9), there will be at least three major signs that are the harbingers of Christ Second Coming.
1) Deception (Matthew 24:4,5,11)
In these last days, deception of every kind will be prevalent. The rise and influence of the New Age movement and the cultic offshoots of almost every major religion and its denominations are some cases in point.
Some make outrages claims, other will adopt extremist practices that will ultimately lead their followers towards the path of destruction. Those who are ignorant and gullible will be easy prey as they are being persuaded by what their itching ears like to hear.
2) Wars and Rumors of Wars (Matthew 24:6,12)
There will be prevalence of wars, rumors of wars, human conflicts and strife of every kind. As the end of the age draws closer, the love for one another will draw greater apart. Greed and self-seeking agenda will dominate to create animosity and suspicion.
The stage is set for the great showdown between the forces of good and evil as the destiny of Israel and the church comes closer to fulfillment.
However, born again believers need not be alarm. For those who are faithful to the Lord Jesus and abide in Him will be raptured to heaven before the dawn of tribulation, for their redemption draws near.
3) Natural Disasters / Global Warming (Matthew 24:7)
Natural calamities like earthquakes, famines and pestilences are widespread in various places. These are signs of the 'beginning of the end'...the beginning of sorrows (verse 8).
In today's context, I would say it includes global warming. For such phenomena has resulted in tsunami, freak weather patterns like widespread flooding in some areas and drought in others. As a result, mountain snow, glaciers and icebergs are starting to melt rapidly causing a steep rise in sea-level that could threaten civilisations along the coastal regions of the world.
Perhaps the one greatest prophetic sign that has been fulfilled is the budding of the fig tree - which symbolise the restoration of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948. This happened after centuries of wandering of the Israelites among the nations of the world.
As a nation, Israel was set aside and the fig tree was cut down because of disobedience and unfruitfulness. However, the time will come during the Millennial Age when Israel will be restored to its glory as in the days of the united kingdom of David and Solomon in God's prophetic timeline.
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 24:34 that 'this generation' - the generation that witness the coming together of all these prophecies - will not pass away till all these have taken place. Assuming the starting timeline is the restoration of Israel in 1948, the question to pose is , 'how long is this generation'?
Some bible scholars are of the view that one generation is forty years, as one generation of the Israelites wandered for forty years and perished in the wilderness. Or is it three score and ten, that is seventy years, for an average lifespan according to the Psalmist? Could it be one hundred and twenty years as in the days of Noah when the Spirit of God stipulated the lifespan of man to be so? (Genesis 6:3). But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24:37).
No one really knows for sure what the period of time 'this generation' is. Even our Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth did not know the time of His return. I suppose it is the prerogative of God to keep it secret so that the church will be on her toes to keep watch and pray. All we do know is that the time of Christ Second Coming is drawing nearer now than when He first warned His disciples on the Mount of Olives, almost two thousand years ago.
The church of Jesus Christ should be prepared for His Second Coming to usher in His glorious Millennial Kingdom on earth for a thousand years, where righteousness and peace dwell. That is the blessed hope for all who long for His return (Titus 2:13).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Jerusalem and the Temple
According to Derek Prince, a well-known bible preacher and writer, one primary purpose of prophecy is to help God's people visualise their divinely appointed destiny. Without a clear vision of their destiny, they will fail to rise up to claim their rightful place of victory in the spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. That is why Proverbs 29:18 warns that the people will perish without a prophetic vision of their destiny.
The prophet Jeremiah lamented in Lamentations 1:8-9 that Jerusalem fell because of her grave sins...for she failed to consider her destiny! History records that Jerusalem fell and was totally routed by the armies of Babylon in 586 B.C. The beautiful temple of Solomon was destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon at that time.
Some six hundred years later, the Lord Jesus Christ warned His Jewish brethren in Luke 19:43-44 "For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Sitting upon the Mount of Olives, Jesus was rebuking the scribes and the Pharisees (the religious people of His days) and the people of Jerusalem for being guilty of the blood of the prophets sent by God to warn them of their sins and disobedience to the commandments of God. All these will result in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which had since been rebuilt after the demolition in 586 B.C. Though the prophecy was mainly for the Jews, the church of Jesus of Christ in the twenty first century can draw a lesson from these - that failure to understand their destiny will result in tragedy.
1) Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
When Jesus warned in Matthew 23:38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate." His disciples asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be?" (Matthew 24:3). The Lord Jesus answered, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near." (Luke 21:20)
Following through in Luke 21:21, Jesus warned the Jews in Judea to flee to the mountains and those in the country not to enter Jerusalem. True to His words, the Roman armies under Cestus Gallus surrounded the city of Jerusalem in October 66 A.D. However, about a month later, for no apparent reason, the Roman armies withdrew. That left a window of opportunity for the Christian Jews to flee Jerusalem as was advised by the Lord Jesus.
In 70 A.D. the Roman general Titus besieged the city of Jerusalem, the temple and the city were burnt to the ground. Those who failed to heed the prophetic warnings of Jesus perished and the carnage left more than a million people dead. Those who were wise and heed the sign and prophetic warnings of Jesus given decades earlier, escaped the carnage. Not a stone was left standing in the temple mount after the destruction. Hence, the prophecies of Jesus concerning the city of Jerusalem and the temple were fulfilled.
2) The Abomination of Desolation
In the book of Daniel (Old Testament prophet) chapter 9:27, it is recorded that the Antichrist will desolate the temple of God in Jerusalem sometime during the second half of the seven-year tribulation period, also known as a time of Jacob's trouble. The seven-year tribulation is the seventieth week as prophesied in Daniel 9:24, which has yet to happen. It will be a time when God will deal with the nation of Israel in accordance to the laws of the Old Testament. Second Thessalonians 2:4 states that the Antichrist will sit on the temple and showing himself to be God for people to worship him.
However, to this day, the temple of Jerusalem has yet to be rebuilt since the destruction in 70 A.D. So for this prophecy to be fulfilled the temple mount will have to be rebuilt and probably to be destroyed again during the time of the great tribulation - the last days of this age.
It looks like the destinies of Israel and the church are converging...looking forward to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. Let us not waver, but watch and pray, so that we will not be found wanting and left behind 'because you did not know the time of your visitation'.
Adrian Fah is the author of the Book The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
The prophet Jeremiah lamented in Lamentations 1:8-9 that Jerusalem fell because of her grave sins...for she failed to consider her destiny! History records that Jerusalem fell and was totally routed by the armies of Babylon in 586 B.C. The beautiful temple of Solomon was destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon at that time.
Some six hundred years later, the Lord Jesus Christ warned His Jewish brethren in Luke 19:43-44 "For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Sitting upon the Mount of Olives, Jesus was rebuking the scribes and the Pharisees (the religious people of His days) and the people of Jerusalem for being guilty of the blood of the prophets sent by God to warn them of their sins and disobedience to the commandments of God. All these will result in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which had since been rebuilt after the demolition in 586 B.C. Though the prophecy was mainly for the Jews, the church of Jesus of Christ in the twenty first century can draw a lesson from these - that failure to understand their destiny will result in tragedy.
1) Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
When Jesus warned in Matthew 23:38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate." His disciples asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be?" (Matthew 24:3). The Lord Jesus answered, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near." (Luke 21:20)
Following through in Luke 21:21, Jesus warned the Jews in Judea to flee to the mountains and those in the country not to enter Jerusalem. True to His words, the Roman armies under Cestus Gallus surrounded the city of Jerusalem in October 66 A.D. However, about a month later, for no apparent reason, the Roman armies withdrew. That left a window of opportunity for the Christian Jews to flee Jerusalem as was advised by the Lord Jesus.
In 70 A.D. the Roman general Titus besieged the city of Jerusalem, the temple and the city were burnt to the ground. Those who failed to heed the prophetic warnings of Jesus perished and the carnage left more than a million people dead. Those who were wise and heed the sign and prophetic warnings of Jesus given decades earlier, escaped the carnage. Not a stone was left standing in the temple mount after the destruction. Hence, the prophecies of Jesus concerning the city of Jerusalem and the temple were fulfilled.
2) The Abomination of Desolation
In the book of Daniel (Old Testament prophet) chapter 9:27, it is recorded that the Antichrist will desolate the temple of God in Jerusalem sometime during the second half of the seven-year tribulation period, also known as a time of Jacob's trouble. The seven-year tribulation is the seventieth week as prophesied in Daniel 9:24, which has yet to happen. It will be a time when God will deal with the nation of Israel in accordance to the laws of the Old Testament. Second Thessalonians 2:4 states that the Antichrist will sit on the temple and showing himself to be God for people to worship him.
However, to this day, the temple of Jerusalem has yet to be rebuilt since the destruction in 70 A.D. So for this prophecy to be fulfilled the temple mount will have to be rebuilt and probably to be destroyed again during the time of the great tribulation - the last days of this age.
It looks like the destinies of Israel and the church are converging...looking forward to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. Let us not waver, but watch and pray, so that we will not be found wanting and left behind 'because you did not know the time of your visitation'.
Adrian Fah is the author of the Book The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Monday, April 2, 2007
Signs of the Times
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him (Jesus) asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say,'It will be fair weather for the sky is red'; and in the morning,' It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. " (Matthew 16:1-3)
When one speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ second coming, the question that inevitably pops up is 'What are the signs that point to His return?' This is important because the Christian is specially commanded to 'watch and pray' for His second advent. For the reward of the crown of righteousness of the 'blessed hope' awaits those who long for His second coming (2 Timothy 4:8).
However, before we examine that, I would like to address the warnings and signs given through God's prophets of Old about His impending judgments well ahead of time. Yet the people in their respective generations failed to time and again heed the warning signs of their times. We need to look at these in order not to repeat the same foolish mistakes many of them made that eventually sealed their destiny. As the prophet Amos warned, " Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
1) The Flood
God instructed Noah (a righteous man of his time) to warn the people and build an ark to save himself and his family from the impending flood that God will bring to judge the earth due to evil and wickedness among the people. The people failed to heed God's warning and the great flood inundated the earth, destroying everything saved those inside Noah's ark.
2) Sodom and Gomorrah
Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God sent two angels to warn the people there of the impending destruction of the two cities due to sins and wicked deeds. The warnings were ignored and even scoffed at by the family members of Lot, Abraham's nephew. The two cities were totally destroyed and the fate of the residents sealed in history.
3) Pharaoh
Through His chosen prophet Moses, God warned Pharaoh to let the Hebrews to leave the land of Egypt so that they could gather to worship Him. However, Pharaoh constantly refused to concede to God's demands led to the unleashing of the ten plagues in the land of Egypt that resulted in untold sufferings to the Egyptians. Again, at the Red Sea, Pharaoh's army suffered total destruction as they chased God's people across the desert, despite seeing the hand of God at work for the Hebrews.
Similarly, long before the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was to come as the incarnate Son of God to dwell among men, warnings and signs were given well ahead of time. Yet they missed it all because they turned to the traditions of their fathers rather than the inspired Word of God!
Let's look at some of the signs of the times that preceeded the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years ago.
1) Daniel's Prophecy
In the book of Daniel chapter 9:24-27, it was recorded the prophecy of the 'Seventy Weeks'.
Such is a prophetic revelation from God to mankind upon which all other bible prophecy hinges.
The 'seventy weeks' mentions in Daniel 9 refers to seventy times seven years, equivalent to four hundred and ninety years. In that context, 'weeks' refers to years because Daniel was thinking in terms of the seventy years in captivity by the Babylonians after which his people will be freed as written by prophet Jeremiah.
The 490 years timeline would start from the going forth to restore and rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem given in a decree by King Artaxerxes to Nehemiah to supervise the rebuilding efforts. This is a peiod of 483 years (69 times seven) between the issue of the edict to the time of the appearance of the Anointed One (Jesus Christ) as a Prince.
The issue is when is this time in the Lord's life to be considered as having presented Himself as Priest and King? Not at birth as He came a humble babe born in a manger. Not in the prime of His ministry as He would not put forth Himself as King even though He was anointed of the Holy Spirit. But at His entry into Jerusalem, four days before His crucifixion. The crowd hailed Him as their King as recorded in Luke 19:38, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" It is also a fulfillment of Zachariah 9:9. According to the Jewish calendar of 360 days in a year, the year B.C 445 when the edict was issued by King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem to the time of Christ entry into Jerusalem in 32 A.D is 483 years.
But then is the balance of seven (7) years to make up the 490 years? The last seven years will be the time of tribulation (judgment on earth) when God will deal with the nation of Israel according to the laws of the Old Testament.
2) The Heavenly Sign
Balaam prophesied in Numbers 24:17 that a Star (the Messiah) will come out of Jacob and that a scepter (governmental authority) shall rise out of Israel. He will have power to destroy the enemies and punish the sons of lawlessness. These imply absolute power and authority which rightly belong to the King of the Jews (Jesus Christ). The wise men of the east knew this sign but not the scribes and the Pharisees.
3) The Scepter of Judah
In Genesis 49:10, Jacob told his son Judah that the scepter shall not depart from his tribe until Shiloh (Messiah) comes. As the scepter is a symbol of governmental authority, it has the power to discharge punishment for capital offence.
When Jesus was convicted of death sentence passed by the Sanhedrin, and brought before Pilate to be executed, Pilate told the crowd to judge Him according to Jewish laws. To which the Jews replied that they could not execute the death sentence as the scepter had departed from Judah since Shiloh had come. (John 18:31)
It would be obvious to anyone who had studied the Word of God that the signs all point to the presence of the Messiah. Yet they failed to see and understand the signs of the times. In like manner, it would be tragic for the church of the twenty-first century to repeat the same mistakes of our spiritual forefathers of generations passed.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
When one speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ second coming, the question that inevitably pops up is 'What are the signs that point to His return?' This is important because the Christian is specially commanded to 'watch and pray' for His second advent. For the reward of the crown of righteousness of the 'blessed hope' awaits those who long for His second coming (2 Timothy 4:8).
However, before we examine that, I would like to address the warnings and signs given through God's prophets of Old about His impending judgments well ahead of time. Yet the people in their respective generations failed to time and again heed the warning signs of their times. We need to look at these in order not to repeat the same foolish mistakes many of them made that eventually sealed their destiny. As the prophet Amos warned, " Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
1) The Flood
God instructed Noah (a righteous man of his time) to warn the people and build an ark to save himself and his family from the impending flood that God will bring to judge the earth due to evil and wickedness among the people. The people failed to heed God's warning and the great flood inundated the earth, destroying everything saved those inside Noah's ark.
2) Sodom and Gomorrah
Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God sent two angels to warn the people there of the impending destruction of the two cities due to sins and wicked deeds. The warnings were ignored and even scoffed at by the family members of Lot, Abraham's nephew. The two cities were totally destroyed and the fate of the residents sealed in history.
3) Pharaoh
Through His chosen prophet Moses, God warned Pharaoh to let the Hebrews to leave the land of Egypt so that they could gather to worship Him. However, Pharaoh constantly refused to concede to God's demands led to the unleashing of the ten plagues in the land of Egypt that resulted in untold sufferings to the Egyptians. Again, at the Red Sea, Pharaoh's army suffered total destruction as they chased God's people across the desert, despite seeing the hand of God at work for the Hebrews.
Similarly, long before the Messiah (Jesus Christ) was to come as the incarnate Son of God to dwell among men, warnings and signs were given well ahead of time. Yet they missed it all because they turned to the traditions of their fathers rather than the inspired Word of God!
Let's look at some of the signs of the times that preceeded the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years ago.
1) Daniel's Prophecy
In the book of Daniel chapter 9:24-27, it was recorded the prophecy of the 'Seventy Weeks'.
Such is a prophetic revelation from God to mankind upon which all other bible prophecy hinges.
The 'seventy weeks' mentions in Daniel 9 refers to seventy times seven years, equivalent to four hundred and ninety years. In that context, 'weeks' refers to years because Daniel was thinking in terms of the seventy years in captivity by the Babylonians after which his people will be freed as written by prophet Jeremiah.
The 490 years timeline would start from the going forth to restore and rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem given in a decree by King Artaxerxes to Nehemiah to supervise the rebuilding efforts. This is a peiod of 483 years (69 times seven) between the issue of the edict to the time of the appearance of the Anointed One (Jesus Christ) as a Prince.
The issue is when is this time in the Lord's life to be considered as having presented Himself as Priest and King? Not at birth as He came a humble babe born in a manger. Not in the prime of His ministry as He would not put forth Himself as King even though He was anointed of the Holy Spirit. But at His entry into Jerusalem, four days before His crucifixion. The crowd hailed Him as their King as recorded in Luke 19:38, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" It is also a fulfillment of Zachariah 9:9. According to the Jewish calendar of 360 days in a year, the year B.C 445 when the edict was issued by King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem to the time of Christ entry into Jerusalem in 32 A.D is 483 years.
But then is the balance of seven (7) years to make up the 490 years? The last seven years will be the time of tribulation (judgment on earth) when God will deal with the nation of Israel according to the laws of the Old Testament.
2) The Heavenly Sign
Balaam prophesied in Numbers 24:17 that a Star (the Messiah) will come out of Jacob and that a scepter (governmental authority) shall rise out of Israel. He will have power to destroy the enemies and punish the sons of lawlessness. These imply absolute power and authority which rightly belong to the King of the Jews (Jesus Christ). The wise men of the east knew this sign but not the scribes and the Pharisees.
3) The Scepter of Judah
In Genesis 49:10, Jacob told his son Judah that the scepter shall not depart from his tribe until Shiloh (Messiah) comes. As the scepter is a symbol of governmental authority, it has the power to discharge punishment for capital offence.
When Jesus was convicted of death sentence passed by the Sanhedrin, and brought before Pilate to be executed, Pilate told the crowd to judge Him according to Jewish laws. To which the Jews replied that they could not execute the death sentence as the scepter had departed from Judah since Shiloh had come. (John 18:31)
It would be obvious to anyone who had studied the Word of God that the signs all point to the presence of the Messiah. Yet they failed to see and understand the signs of the times. In like manner, it would be tragic for the church of the twenty-first century to repeat the same mistakes of our spiritual forefathers of generations passed.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Why Understand Bible Prophecy?
In simple term, bible prophecy is the study of foretold events and happenings long before they ever occurred. The Almighty God of the bible is the author who inspired His servants (notably His prophets) to pen these prophecies way in advance to educate and warn His people. Those who heed these prophecies and warnings, and take the appropriate actions and precautions were, are and will be better off than those who failed to do so.
I will list briefly some of the main reasons why we need to understand bible prophecy. There are at least three main reasons as follows:
1) The Lord Jesus said so in Matthew 4:4, when He answered the Devil when tempted to partake food to satisfy His physical hunger, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".
Man is commanded to live by the WORD OF GOD and this includes all the prophecies and commandments given by God through the writings of the Old Testament prophets, the four Gospels of the New Testament, the epistles of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. The last book of the bible - Revelation - was written by the Apostle John based on the visions given him by the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos. The book of Revelation, together with other prophectic books particularly Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, is crucial to the study and understanding of the whole tapestry of God's plan as we move nearer towards the closing of the church age.
2) In this present time and age, where false teachings surrounding the imminent return of Christ abound and often went into overdrive, a clear and proper understanding of bible prophecy is paramount to ward off deception. 1Timothy 4:1-2 read, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron."
A major problem facing many Christians today is ignorance of the Word of God. Hosea 4:6a warns, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The Lord Jesus admonishes, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Clearly, it behooves us to learn and understand the times and events unfolding before us in the light of biblical prophetic cautions and warnings. Failing which, we could end up in the wrong end of the deep!
3) A third reason for understanding bible prophecy is to help guide us (for Christian believers) in praying for the fulfillment of bible prophecies yet to materialise. Some one-third of the whole bible is prophecy and many had been fulfilled to the dot - like the first advent of the Messiah Jesus Christs and the restoration (partial) of Israelites to their land of Israel in 1948 - many prophecies remain to be fulfilled in the future.
The role of the Christian believer is to watch for the signs of the times and to pray for the consummation of this church age. To adopt a cavalier attitude towards bible prophecy is to show dishonor to God. In like manner, to doubt the fulfillment of bible prophecy is tantamount to deny the Word of God. Only by obedience to observe all that the Lord has commanded the church to do will we obtain the whole counsel of God. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus told the one of His disciples Peter, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
In working this blog, I am reminded of the verses in Ezekiel 33: 5-7, " He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me."
It is a solemn warning no doubt, but one that we would do well to take seriously. Lest we be found wanting and ashamed at His Second Coming (1 John 2:28).
About the author - Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven
I will list briefly some of the main reasons why we need to understand bible prophecy. There are at least three main reasons as follows:
1) The Lord Jesus said so in Matthew 4:4, when He answered the Devil when tempted to partake food to satisfy His physical hunger, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".
Man is commanded to live by the WORD OF GOD and this includes all the prophecies and commandments given by God through the writings of the Old Testament prophets, the four Gospels of the New Testament, the epistles of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. The last book of the bible - Revelation - was written by the Apostle John based on the visions given him by the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos. The book of Revelation, together with other prophectic books particularly Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, is crucial to the study and understanding of the whole tapestry of God's plan as we move nearer towards the closing of the church age.
2) In this present time and age, where false teachings surrounding the imminent return of Christ abound and often went into overdrive, a clear and proper understanding of bible prophecy is paramount to ward off deception. 1Timothy 4:1-2 read, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron."
A major problem facing many Christians today is ignorance of the Word of God. Hosea 4:6a warns, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The Lord Jesus admonishes, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Clearly, it behooves us to learn and understand the times and events unfolding before us in the light of biblical prophetic cautions and warnings. Failing which, we could end up in the wrong end of the deep!
3) A third reason for understanding bible prophecy is to help guide us (for Christian believers) in praying for the fulfillment of bible prophecies yet to materialise. Some one-third of the whole bible is prophecy and many had been fulfilled to the dot - like the first advent of the Messiah Jesus Christs and the restoration (partial) of Israelites to their land of Israel in 1948 - many prophecies remain to be fulfilled in the future.
The role of the Christian believer is to watch for the signs of the times and to pray for the consummation of this church age. To adopt a cavalier attitude towards bible prophecy is to show dishonor to God. In like manner, to doubt the fulfillment of bible prophecy is tantamount to deny the Word of God. Only by obedience to observe all that the Lord has commanded the church to do will we obtain the whole counsel of God. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus told the one of His disciples Peter, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
In working this blog, I am reminded of the verses in Ezekiel 33: 5-7, " He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me."
It is a solemn warning no doubt, but one that we would do well to take seriously. Lest we be found wanting and ashamed at His Second Coming (1 John 2:28).
About the author - Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Rapture
We are often bombarded with news of doomsday scenario in the newspapers and television media footage of diaster and war. All these are the 'birth-pangs' of much more to come in 'these last days'. The Lord Jesus spelt all these out when He told His disciples of the signs to watch in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 24.
Events unfolding before our eyes, like the frequent earthquakes, famines and military conflicts in different parts of the world testified to these biblical truths. When these truths are shared, most people who are not directly affected by these events are unwilling to believe what the scripture says. And even if they do, many do not see these happenings occurring in their lifetime.
The bible is unequivocal about the coming event in the prophetic timeline - the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ - in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 : "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
What is this Rapture? It is a catching away of born again Christian believers who have their spirit saved from eternal condemnation. Those believers who are already dead - biblically known as asleep in the Lord - will rise first to be followed by those who are alive at the time when the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the clouds. Both groups of born again believers will be 'caught up' in the air to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in their redeemed natural bodies in heaven. The redeemed natural body will be like the sinless body of Adam and Eve before the Fall at the Garden of Eden. It will also be like the sinless body of Jesus when he walked the earth, tempted in all ways but yet without sin.
How can one be part of this group of 'called out' people to be rescued from the calamities that will befall planet earth during the times of the seveen year tribulation? The answer is simply by believing on the saving grace of the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an act of faith which is available to all who believe, regardless of skin color, nationalities and status in life. The Word of God specifically states that the saving grace is by faith and is a free gift to all who believes (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
For further details, please click here: The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Events unfolding before our eyes, like the frequent earthquakes, famines and military conflicts in different parts of the world testified to these biblical truths. When these truths are shared, most people who are not directly affected by these events are unwilling to believe what the scripture says. And even if they do, many do not see these happenings occurring in their lifetime.
The bible is unequivocal about the coming event in the prophetic timeline - the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ - in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 : "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
What is this Rapture? It is a catching away of born again Christian believers who have their spirit saved from eternal condemnation. Those believers who are already dead - biblically known as asleep in the Lord - will rise first to be followed by those who are alive at the time when the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the clouds. Both groups of born again believers will be 'caught up' in the air to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in their redeemed natural bodies in heaven. The redeemed natural body will be like the sinless body of Adam and Eve before the Fall at the Garden of Eden. It will also be like the sinless body of Jesus when he walked the earth, tempted in all ways but yet without sin.
How can one be part of this group of 'called out' people to be rescued from the calamities that will befall planet earth during the times of the seveen year tribulation? The answer is simply by believing on the saving grace of the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an act of faith which is available to all who believe, regardless of skin color, nationalities and status in life. The Word of God specifically states that the saving grace is by faith and is a free gift to all who believes (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9).
For further details, please click here: The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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