Jim's Eschatological Info

This will be my fourth post concerning what I called the verse most taken out of context in the entire bible. In that verse, Matthew 24:36, Jesus stated that no one knows the day or hour of His return. It is used and quoted from pulpits across the globe to minimize or avoid the importance of last-days eschatological teaching. However, the context is Jesus’s Olivet discourse where He teaches the apostles and us everything we need to know so that we can watch, make ourselves ready, and know when His coming is about to happen. One of the clearest signs He gave us with a time stamp during this discourse is recorded by Matthew. “Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation ‘ spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place…. then there will be great tribulation such has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:15, 21). If we follow Jesus’ advice and go back and read Daniels commentary along with the corresponding scriptures in Revelation, we can come to an obvious conclusion. Jesus is referring to the second half of Daniels 70th week, the “great tribulation”, a period described as “times, time, and 1/2 a time”, or 3 1/2 years, or 1260 days, or 42 months. This is the time the antichrist declares in Jerusalem that he is the one to be worshipped until Jesus destroys him with His coming precisely 42 months later. This is not an event the church will miss. All true believers who endure to the end will know exactly when their Lord is returning to set up His kingdom. Jesus’s statement that no one knows the day or hour was certainly true 2000 years ago but is not applicable as His coming nears. When Jesus told us to read Daniel, He said “let the reader understand” (Matthew 24:15). After Daniel relates this prophecy, he states: “the wise will understand” (Daniel 12:10).

Make no mistake, the closer we get to Jesus’ second coming, the more certainty we’ll have about a specific date. Jesus said: “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” (Mark 13:23). In addition, we have a terrific teacher sent by Jesus Himself. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…. and He will tell you things to come.“ (John 16:13). Don’t be dissuaded from your study of eschatology by those who take their proof texts out of context.

Maranatha, Jim

Jesus gave us another strong indication of the timing of His return In His Olivet discourse as recorded in Matthew. This again will support the conclusion that Matthew 24:36 (no one knows the day or hour) is usually quoted out of context. Jesus told us this: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14). In other words, if we can determine when this verse is fulfilled, we can then know that the end of the age and Jesus’ second coming is at hand. Notice He does not say that the gospel must be preached to every individual, but as a witness to all nations. Nations here means “ethnicities” or non-Jewish people groups. Of course, this began with Jesus’ disciples going to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth as He commanded them. The gospel continued to spread through local churches, missionaries, evangelists, and individual Christian witness. As time went on these were aided by literary sources, radio & TV, and now the internet.

So, the question we now must ask is, has the gospel of the kingdom been preached to all people groups? While there are probably small groups scattered across the globe that may not have yet heard the gospel, the speed of information dissemination is unprecedented in our day. We are likely near but not quite there yet. We do know that this will be wrapped up by the angelic proclamation of the gospel from heaven (sky) to the whole world guaranteeing the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy. “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” (Revelation 14:6). I can’t help but think of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in orbit above the earth. Might this be what the angel uses to preach the gospel to all the earth? Just saying.

At any rate, Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew gives us a timing clue to watch for so that we are ready for what’s soon to come. More proof that Matthew 24:14 needs to be read and interpreted in context. I’ll give more proofs on following posts.

Maranatha, Jim

Building on my last post that concerned taking Matthew 24:36 out of context, let’s look at one important sign Jesus gave us to help us recognize the time of His coming. Jesus’s second coming will be accompanied by Armageddon and world-wide destruction of evil. Jesus prophesied this in His Olivet discourse. Right after He uttered the verse stating that no one knows the day or hour, He said this: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:37). Though all of mankind was evil and therefore subject to destruction by the flood, God spared Noah; “because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1). God told Noah of His plans 100 years before the flood. After the ark was completed, God told Noah: “After seven more days, I will destroy all living things that I have made.” (Genesis 7:4). So, Noah, the only righteous man on the earth knew precisely when God’s judgment was coming.

In the same discourse Luke records Jesus adding this: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot….Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28-30). Abraham, righteous in God’s eyes because of his belief, was told ahead of time concerning Gods plan to destroy the cities of the plain due to their utter and complete depravity. The Lord asked this rhetorical question; “Shall I hide from Abrahm what I am doing?” (Genesis 18:17). Lot, Abraham’s nephew who lived in Sodom was also given adequate time to prepare for the coming destruction. “….and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.” (2 Peter 2:7). The righteous knew ahead of time of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and when it was to occur.

While there are several reasons Jesus used the examples of Noah and Lot to describe conditions just prior to His coming, many miss one of the most important ones: God always lets the righteous know what’s coming. Ever since Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross righteousness is a characteristic of believers. “For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21). If you are a real Christian, you’re righteous in Gods eyes because of Christ. And, if you’re righteous, God’s M.O. is to give you all you need to know to determine what’s coming next on His timetable and when.

Remember God’s promise in Amos 3:7. “Surely, the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” Again, don’t be swayed by teachers who take verses out of context to prove their point. We can and will know all the events surrounding Jesus’ return as and even before they happen. More on this topic in my next post.

Maranatha, Jim

Most Christians who read and study the bible know that to be properly understood a verse must not be interpreted out of context, or error can result. There is one verse concerning the end-times and Jesus’s return that I hear at least once per week pulled entirely out of context. It’s Matthew 24:36:“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” This verse is typically quoted to counter any attempt to scripturally discern the timing or season of Jesus’s second coming. The context of this verse is the entirety of Jesus’ Olivet discourse. This discourse is Jesus teaching His apostles all the eschatological events surrounding His return detailed in Chapter 24, followed by parabolic teaching in chapter 25. In the above verse, Jesus is simply stating that at that time, 2000 years ago in 30 AD, no one had yet determined the season of His return. But in context, He is giving us virtually everything we need to know so that we will be ready, prepared, and fully conscious of these conditions 2000 years into the future when He is about to return. Jesus said, in other words, no one other than the Father currently knows the time, but here are all the things to look for so that you will be able to know the timing before I return to set up My kingdom. It simply wouldn’t make any sense for Jesus to give us all these eschatological signs, and then imply that you should ignore them because no one can know the day or hour anyway. The word “knows” in the quoted verse is a past tense Greek verb eido which means “see” or perceive. You might use it to say, oh, I see. Its usage implies that no one had yet perceived or discerned the time of the coming kingdom when Jesus taught this. In no way does that indicate that 2000 years later no one would be able to determine the time. Even Jesus in His humanity didn’t know the timing of His coming when He taught the disciples. Do you think for a minute that He doesn’t know now 2000 years later sitting at the right hand of His Father in His glorified body? Of course He does, and He expects us, His followers, to discern the time as well especially as we see the signs He told us to watch for unfold. Don’t be swayed by those who use “proof texts” taken out of context.

Please, when considering this verse in Matthew also consider the context. In subsequent posts, I’m going to give you some concrete reasons why we need to get ready by discerning the time of Jesus’s second coming. And they are all evident in Jesus’ Olivet discourse. Context is of great importance.

Maranatha, Jim

The apostle Paul says this about the day when Jesus returns and the revealing of the antichrist. “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 3). The Greek word for falling away is apostasia, or apostasy in English, meaning a defection from the truth. Paul was echoing Jesus’s warnings about deceptions in the last days. Paul is clearly associating this final great apostasy with the unmasking of the antichrist that will occur at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. But you may be wondering, is this a singular event? Aren’t we seeing world- wide defection from traditional Christianity now, in our day? While there are a few bright spots, I would agree that Christianity seems to be in decline. I really think what Paul is saying is that this falling away that we’re currently experiencing will be crowned by the revealing of the antichrist. After all, his appearance at this time will coincide with our choice to take his mark and join in his economic system or face his death sentence. Apparently, there will be massive numbers of believers who will fall for his deception and apostatize from the truth. Jesus Himself said as much while teaching about the last days: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.“ (Matthew 24:12). The word translated “many” in Jesus’ statement is in Greek polus which actually means largely or most. And the word “love” is agape which is the Godkind of love used primarily to describe Spirit-filled Christians. So, what Jesus is actually saying is that most Christians will fall away from their faith when faced with deception in the last days. This fact should be as startling to you as it is to me. Jesus followed up with this in the next verse: “But He who endures to the end will be saved.” Make no mistake Christians, some “enduring” is involved.

Each one of us must resolve in our own hearts and minds that if we are here to face those kinds of deceptions, we will follow Jesus no matter what consequences may follow. Eternity with Christ is important above all else.

Maranatha, Jim

I’ve written a new article dating creation based on the bible alone. I’ve posted a permanent link on this website below. Comments are always welcome.

The Scriptural Case for a 6000 Year-old Creation

 The ongoing argument between old and new earthers crosses both secular and religious boundaries. Young earth creationists typically adhere to an approximate period of 6000 years since creation based primarily on genealogies presented in scripture. Old earth creationists typically redefine what a “day” means in Genesis chapter1 to bolster their old earth conclusions, while secular sources rely on scientific dating methods, archeology, geologic interpretation of earth’s layers, big bang to present cosmology, etc. Their dating hypotheses give an age for the earth of millions or even billions of years since its formation by natural causes. This article will deal with the question of just how solid is the scriptural case for a 6000 year old creation.

Yom

 First of all, let’s dispense with the question of how long a “day” is in Genesis. The word “day” in Hebrew is “yom”. Genesis 1:3-5 defines yom. “Then God said ‘let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day , and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”  Notice that there are two definitions given here by God. The warm, light portion of the cycle was called yom as well as the combination of evening and morning (the periods beginning at dusk and dawn). We use the same definitions today, referring to the light period as day as well as the entire 24 hour period including night. The use of the terms morning and evening (in all six days of creation in Genesis) clearly describe one rotation of the earth in the presence of a stable light source; one 24 hour day unchanged through today. Of course, yom can have another meaning such as a general time period. For example, we might say “computers weren’t available in our day.” This application is easily determined by the context in which it is used. That a creation day in scripture is a 24 hour period is verified by further scriptures such as Exodus 31:16-17. “Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the  earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” Obviously the seven days are one week ending on what we call Saturday or the seventh 24 hour day. The comparison of God’s creation week and the Jews Sabbath week are straight forward. The Jews were to work six 24 hour days and rest on the seventh 24 hour day. All of scripture continues in this same vein, there is no valid case to be made for yom to be longer than what we know as 24 hours. As careful interpreters of scripture we should adhere to an objective hermeneutic that will keep us from error. One overriding principle is to determine what the particular narrative would mean to its original intended audience. In the case of the above verses, Moses was addressing the literate Jews among them, present and future, and all those who would hear them read aloud. Their natural understanding would certainly be a 24 hour day for yom. Otherwise, Moses would have explained otherwise. And that is our natural understanding as well. Various old earth proponents go to great lengths to redefine yom to suit their fancies, but a 24 hour day for yom is inescapable. The use of 24 hour days for God’s six days of creation begins the genealogy of a 6000 year existence of our universe.

Genealogy

 While it’s not my intent to detail biblical chronology from creation to the present as it is beyond the scope of this article, I will make some general observations agreed to by most who study biblical chronology. First of all, the book of Genesis gives us a complete genealogy from Adam to Abraham in chapters 5,10,and 11. A careful study of these dates results in a 2000 year period from Adam to Abraham. From Abraham’s birth to the Exodus was another 500 years. From the Exodus to the decree of Cyrus to free the exiled nation of Israel was another 1000 years. Another 500 years and Jesus was crucified around 30AD. These time spans can be calculated from various events, prophecies, and the reigns of various kings. I would recommend reading books such as Tim Warner’s “Time of the End” for detailed chronology. From Jesus’ crucifixion to date is nearly another 2000 years. The total of these time spans comes to nearly 6000 years, right where we should be. Most reputable bible chronologists agree generally with this timetable.We are approaching the seventh millennium from creation, the 1000 year kingdom reign of Christ our returning Savior.  

An Eyewitness to Creation

 A most important proof of the occurrence of any event and its timing is to have the testimony of an eye witness. Concerning the six days of creation we just happen to have the eye witness of the most reliable person who ever walked on this planet, the Creator Himself. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3). Jesus was there at the beginning of the creation of all things, which includes time. In fact, He was the beginning. Jesus Himself said so four times in Revelation. “I am the Alpha (beginning) and the Omega”. (Revelation 1:8, 1:11, 21:6, 22:13). That He was the Creator of everything is supported by other scripture. “The fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 3:9). “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17). A remarkable Old Testament passage in the Book of Proverbs details Jesus’ presence at creation where He has the proper name “Wisdom”. “I Wisdom… .The Lord possessed Me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning before there was ever an earth. When there was no depths I was brought forth… .While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primal dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there… .When He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him, as a master Craftsman.” (Proverbs 8:12,22-30).  

 Jesus’ presence at creation is biblically indisputable. He’s a perfect trustworthy eyewitness.

 Jesus confirmed the accuracy of the Genesis account by quoting from it or referring to it many times. Here are some examples. Jesus was asked about divorce. “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’ and said ‘ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’ “ (Matthew 19:4-5). Asked about life in the resurrection Jesus said this: “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God saying ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ “ (Matthew 22:31-32). Several other quotes and references to Genesis by Jesus can be found in the Gospels. Evidently, Jesus considered Genesis accurate and reliable or He would not have quoted from it so freely. The six days of creation cannot be an inaccurate exception. After all, He was there.

Where Did Moses Get His Information to Write Genesis?

 This, of course, is not a problem for believers, as we know the Holy Spirit motivated the writers of scripture. We also know that wisdom was handed down to Moses from his ancestors. Using Genesis genealogies, we can calculate that Shem, who was on the ark may have lived long enough to even meet Abraham. However, Moses may have had another infallible source, Jesus Himself. We know that Jesus accompanied the children of Israel for all 40 years of desert wandering. “All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:2-4). Moses saw and met with God frequently over the course of those 40 years. “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend.” (Exodus 33:11). We know that this was not the Father meeting face to face with Moses, as He lives in “unapproachable light”and “whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). Moses met many times with Jesus. Surely, over those 40 years Moses had ample time to hear and record the Book of Genesis as related to him by Jesus, our eyewitness. We can rely on Genesis as God’s accurate word from beginning to end. Jesus certainly did.

Conclusion

 In consideration of what I have presented above, the reader of Genesis can come to one of three general conclusions. 1. Genesis is literally true in all respects, and with the rest of scripture details a nearly 6000 year old creation.(Young earth creationist).  2. Genesis is true but subject to alternate interpretations that can point to an earth much older.(Old earth creationist). 3. Genesis is mostly fiction as science describes a universe and earth billions of years old.(Subscribes to secular sources). If you believe #3 you are either not a believer, or the bible is not prominent in your religious beliefs. If you believe #2, you may be a believer, but are torn by an eisegetical approach to scripture that gives you room to compromise with secular scientific theory. That begs the question, what other biblical truths are you willing to compromise?

 If you are a true bible believer that trusts in God’s authoritative word and apply a literal, objective, and natural interpretation of scripture you cannot come to any other conclusion than that creation as presented in the bible was a mere 6000 years ago. I know that this flies in the face of all that we may have been taught from evolution to the big bang. In this modern world Christians are ridiculed for having such a position. But you’re in good company. By ridiculing you they are, to their own peril, ridiculing Jesus Himself. Though in the eyes of the world, they may seem wise, the prophet Isaiah said this as quoted by Paul: “For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall vanish.” (Isaiah 29:14). This is not to say that real science is of no value, but to say that it cannot replace biblical truth.

 Of great significance, 6000 years since creation is an important conclusion concerning eschatology as the upcoming seventh millennium is the 1000 year reign of Christ in His coming kingdom. It’s the Sabbatical rest for God’s people.

 In this article I’ve not dealt with the scientific discourse between creation scientists and secular scientists. That is an interesting and ongoing field of study. However, based on God’s Word alone, 6000 years since the creation of everything is a solid conclusion.

Maranatha. Jim

There’s a certain time coming when Christians may be denied access to modern technology. And I don’t mean just computers and smart phones. I mean anything and everything that comes into your home such as utilities from external sources that you are currently billed for. Could you cope without access to heat, air conditioning, electrical appliances, water, sewer, automobile use, loss of your job, social security, bank accounts, etc. etc.? The last 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week or what Jesus called the “great tribulation” will be marked with rule by the antichrist who will require a “mark” to buy and sell. In other words, all will be mandated to swear allegiance to him and his economic system imposed on the world. Of course, this is anathema to Christians which would cause them to forsake the salvation Jesus has provided. We all need to contemplate these things, because our bibles tell us that’s what awaits us in the near future. While many have become “preppers” in anticipation of these conditions, while somewhat prudent, it’s not how Jesus told us to prepare.

Jesus wants us to shift from our dependence on ourselves and the worlds systems completely over to Him. He wants us to cast all our cares onto Him. “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:27). I’m not bringing this up to instill fear or worry in you, but to emphasize the fact that we have an eminently capable resource to see us through these times. But, if you’re like most Christians (I’m including myself here), we’ve become so accustomed to a life dependent on technology that total reliance on Christ for all our needs is a major shift. Sure, it’s easy to conjure up all sorts of intractable difficulties that could befall us. But rest assured-He’s capable and up to the task. Do you think for a moment that He won’t care for His bride? Our bibles are filled with examples of Gods provision for His people. A prime example is His care for Israel after being set free from slavery in Egypt. They lacked nothing essential for life during forty years in an arid desert. We will need Him to sustain us for a much shorter period of three- and one- half years. And sustain us He will. In a previous post I discussed places of safety that will be available to Christians during this trying time. Will Christians Be Directed to Safety During the Great Tribulation? – Jim’s Eschatological Info (eschatontrails.com)

We need to watch and keep abreast of end-time events as they unfold. This day is surely coming. Remember what the apostle Paul said: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief.” (1Thessalonians 5:4). We must be ready to forsake all our worldly comforts and allow our Savior to meet all our needs during this brief time of trouble. We have His promise: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10).

Maranatha, Jim

When Jesus returns and gathers His elect, the bible likens it to an agricultural harvest. Of course, this refers to the resurrection of the righteous, often called the rapture of the church. When the time is right, when the full number of gentiles has come in, Jesus will commence the harvest. “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ “ (Revelation 14:15)

Jesus explained the parable of the Sower to His disciples so that they would understand what the coming Kingdom was like. The Sower (Jesus) sows good seed (His Word) in His field (the earth). However, an enemy sowed bad seed (tares) in His field. So, both grow up together. Jesus allows this to happen. “Let both grow up together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them but gather the wheat into My barn’ “ (Matthew 13:30). Jesus further explains: “The enemy who sowed them (tares) is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.” (Matthew 13:39-40). John the Baptist, using similar harvest metaphor, prophesied this about the One coming after him; “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)

When the time for harvest is fully come, the reapers will be pressed into action. The tares: “The angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” (Revelation 14:19). The wheat: “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:31). Angels have many functions related to mankind in God’s kingdom. (“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14). For a short time, at the end of the age, their main task will be as reapers.

I believe we are fast approaching the time when Jesus will command the reapers to complete the harvest. From my vantage point, I can’t help but note that it seems the tares are out pacing the growth of the wheat. If that is true, it’s another indication of just how close we are to the end of the age. The reapers are coming! Are you ready?

Maranatha, Jim

When considering this late date, the nearness of Jesus’s return, and the American election, an overriding question is: will the US be judged to be a sheep nation or a goat nation? This upcoming presidential election in November 2024 just might prove to be the deciding factor. The choice between the two candidates could not be more stark. While one candidate is overtly supportive of Christian principles and biblical values, the other is just the opposite. Examples include abortion. One candidate is demonstrably pro-life with limited exceptions who has appointed pro-life justices that resulted in overturning Roe v Wade. The other is pro death thru the entire term of pregnancy and even after. One candidate is supportive of lawlessness, such as illegal immigration and non-prosecution of rioters and looters, while defunding police. The other is for strict enforcement of existing laws. One candidate aligns with globalist goals, while the other would maintain and nurture an independent nation-state. Importantly, one candidate is consistently obstructing support for Israel in her time of need, while the other has done more for Israel than any other American leader. I could go on, but I think you get the point. The choices could not be more clear and biblically opposite.

So, what does this portend in light of biblical prophecy? Remember, God is in complete control. If the pro-Christian candidate wins in November judgment on this nation could be at least delayed. Overt support of Israel will fulfill a biblical mandate bringing blessing to the US. In fact, the US may even become a place of refuge for fleeing Jews during the last half of the tribulation (Daniel’s 70th week). If the other candidate wins, the US will surely move closer to globalist goals and ultimately align with the antichrist’s economy, bringing severe judgment.

Matthew 25 verses 31-46 describe what is referred to as the Bema seat judgment by Christ when he returns. While it contains elements of individual judgment, it is primarily a judgement of the nations. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on His throne of glory. And all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32). The rest of these verses describe the sheep as those who took care of the least of Jesus’s brethren, and the goats as those who did not. The goats are sent to eternal fire, while the sheep inherit the kingdom. Whom Jesus calls “My brethren” (verse 40) include both Christians and His fellow Jews.

I believe the outcome of November’s election will likely establish the trajectory of the US; will it be judged by Jesus to be a sheep nation or a goat nation? That consideration alone makes this election probably the most important in US history. I hope and pray we are on the right side of history. If you are an American voter, please vote your conscience in November, it may be of eternal consequence.

Maranatha, Jim

While it’s easy to become engrossed in all the myriad aspects of prophecy concerning the return of our Lord, we need to be focused on the main topic. Or should I say the main Man, Jesus. The above title is a directive to the Apostle John when he fell down in worship at the feet of the angel who was instructing him. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy‘ “ (Revelation 19:10).

The word “testimony” as used here is the judicial witness that Jesus is who our bible says He is. In fact, the entire Book of Revelation is an angelic “testimony” given to John for our consumption. “And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.” (Revelation 1:1-2). Authentic Christians in these last days will not be ashamed of this testimony concerning Christ even if the result is their own death. “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11).

The word “spirit” of prophecy is the underlying, animating force of our words of testimony. It’s the vital essence of truth making up the very nature of prophecy. The angel told John that he was a fellow servant who had this spirit of prophecy as did the apostle. He then added that all John’s brethren have it as well. This implies that we Christians all have this spirit of prophecy urging us to share our testimony of Jesus, our soon coming King.

Yes, the main topic of prophecy is Jesus. It’s all about Him. Everything He did from His acts of creation, His Old Testament appearances, His coming into the physical realm to redeem mankind from sin and death through His miraculous birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension to His Father’s throne are all part of our testimony. Of course, His second coming to judge the earth and establish His Kingdom just as the angel detailed to the apostle John in Revelation should be a major part of our witness and testimony. Of course, our personal testimony of how we came to know these things and how it has impacted our lives is a useful part of sharing with others.

If you’re a Christian who is at all interested or intrigued by biblical prophecy, don’t keep it to yourself. You have “the testimony of Jesus.” And, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Maranatha, Jim