"But before all these things, they will...persecute you....You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony." (From Luke 21:12, 13)
We are living in very uncertain times. I know; big revelation. But I hear more and more "fear" talk from the Church, which might seem "natural," especially since the '08 financial melt down, the continual spread of the ISIS plague, more and more attacks on the police of America, and, well, just the world situation in general. But our Lord Jesus gave us abundant insight into "current events."
The title in my "subject line" is from the title of the Luke 21:7-19 section of the NKJV. Jesus gives us "signs" to recognize as we approach, "the end of the Age." Notice that I did not say "be obsessed with," rather, "recognize." Sometimes we can be looking ahead so far that we stumble over what is right in front of us, ignore the great needs of others, get lost in "escapism." Nevertheless, knowledge, embracing, and recognition of, "the signs of the times," will be crucial to personal and Church "navigation" through the days ahead. People who ignore the "God-Breathed" Words, and many of them are regular church-goers, will not be able to recognize what Jesus Himself calls, "the signs of the times," and, "the end of the Age." Jack Van Impe, notwithstanding, you and I must be thoroughly equipped in Jesus and His Words if we are to work through what is coming, not only for ourselves, but also for those who know not our Lord Jesus and will ask us, "What is gong on?" Yes, our text tells us that even in the midst of persecution, "....it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."
Since this is the case, it is imperative that you and I be equipped with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Testifying just to our "experiences" will not do it. The accurate translation of Revelation 12:11 is, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word to which they bore witness...." Notice, "the Word to which they bore witness." This is true witness. This points people not to me, but to our Lord Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," and His recorded Words. And by the way, this is a great "covering" for you and me when people say, "Well, that's just your opinion." No, it is not "just [my] opinion." It is the declaration of, "The Word of God," Himself. But we should not be looking for the skeptic, the cynic, etc. We should be looking for and open to those who are genuinely open to Jesus. And when we come across them, we will be able to say with Peter at Pentecost, "This is that." It will be the response of those who are not afraid, but rather knowlegable and, hence, confident in Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, may all of my life be, "an occasion for testimony." Amen.
*************
Some have asked if I am going to the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York City; probably not. As my Czech friend, George, used to say, "big expensive." Anyway, I am giving "priority-expenses" to this Fall's "David's Tent."
We are living in very uncertain times. I know; big revelation. But I hear more and more "fear" talk from the Church, which might seem "natural," especially since the '08 financial melt down, the continual spread of the ISIS plague, more and more attacks on the police of America, and, well, just the world situation in general. But our Lord Jesus gave us abundant insight into "current events."
The title in my "subject line" is from the title of the Luke 21:7-19 section of the NKJV. Jesus gives us "signs" to recognize as we approach, "the end of the Age." Notice that I did not say "be obsessed with," rather, "recognize." Sometimes we can be looking ahead so far that we stumble over what is right in front of us, ignore the great needs of others, get lost in "escapism." Nevertheless, knowledge, embracing, and recognition of, "the signs of the times," will be crucial to personal and Church "navigation" through the days ahead. People who ignore the "God-Breathed" Words, and many of them are regular church-goers, will not be able to recognize what Jesus Himself calls, "the signs of the times," and, "the end of the Age." Jack Van Impe, notwithstanding, you and I must be thoroughly equipped in Jesus and His Words if we are to work through what is coming, not only for ourselves, but also for those who know not our Lord Jesus and will ask us, "What is gong on?" Yes, our text tells us that even in the midst of persecution, "....it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony."
Since this is the case, it is imperative that you and I be equipped with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Testifying just to our "experiences" will not do it. The accurate translation of Revelation 12:11 is, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word to which they bore witness...." Notice, "the Word to which they bore witness." This is true witness. This points people not to me, but to our Lord Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," and His recorded Words. And by the way, this is a great "covering" for you and me when people say, "Well, that's just your opinion." No, it is not "just [my] opinion." It is the declaration of, "The Word of God," Himself. But we should not be looking for the skeptic, the cynic, etc. We should be looking for and open to those who are genuinely open to Jesus. And when we come across them, we will be able to say with Peter at Pentecost, "This is that." It will be the response of those who are not afraid, but rather knowlegable and, hence, confident in Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, may all of my life be, "an occasion for testimony." Amen.
*************
Some have asked if I am going to the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York City; probably not. As my Czech friend, George, used to say, "big expensive." Anyway, I am giving "priority-expenses" to this Fall's "David's Tent."
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
