Articles

Here we go again. We hear it over and over. “Happy New Year.” That’s something we all want, but how do you define it? Wouldn’t it be better to wish others the joy of the Lord? That joy isn’t dependent upon material possessions.

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Psalm 146:5).

Quite often, we choose to be happy or choose to be unhappy. Our happiness depends a lot on how we view the world around us. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a heartache or two or who isn’t facing challenges in life. If we focus our attention on all that’s wrong, we choose to be unhappy. A pessimist is a person who only sees the problems. Too often, we forget to look for joy in life. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!!! If our joy and happiness depend upon our material possessions or our personal health, then we tend to forget that Jesus Christ came to save us from our sin and bring eternal life. That fact should bring us great joy and happiness in each new day.

What do you seek? What would make you happy? I can think of lots of things that “if I only had” I would be very happy. The interesting thing is that all those “things” are temporary. Would good health make me happy? I do have a few health issues but nothing major. I could stand to lose about ten pounds, and I’m sure I’d be happy if I lost them. But, in order to lose 10 pounds, I need to stop eating all those wonderful goodies, and that doesn’t make me happy. Such a dilemma. Maybe a new car would make me happy. My car is getting old, and there are a few things that I should get repaired. It still looks nice, but a new one would look so much better. Of course, my car is paid for and the insurance is lower than on a new one. I guess it would be wiser to be happy with the car I have.

It seems that unhappiness in life comes from looking at what other people have and coveting it. What does Jesus say?

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

How do you interpret that verse? Do you think that if you seek God first, He will give you everything you desire? Wrong. That interpretation comes from taking a verse out of context. We need to read all the verses in order to get the full meaning. Jesus was talking to a crowd about being content and trusting God to provide for our needs, not our wants.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25).

Television commercials and magazine ads would have us believe otherwise. They make us believe we need a new car or name-brand clothing from expensive stores.

Jesus says, “Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

We need to learn to be content with what we have and not chase after things that will wear out and rust.

“Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

If we look for material things and base our happiness on having these things, we will never be happy, content, or have true joy and peace.

What should we seek after? What will truly bring a happy new year?

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Seek God and His ways. Seek to draw closer to our Lord and His righteousness. It might surprise you to see that seeking a closer walk with Christ will bring much happiness. Maybe the new year will be happier if you re-think what it takes to make you happy. Tradition tells us to make resolutions at this time of year. How long do your resolutions last? A week? A month? Diets get old after a few days, and resolving to get the bills paid doesn’t last long either. Why not resolve that for today you will delight yourself in the Lord, make time to study Scripture, and apply it to your life. Instead of racing through the Bible in a year, stop and study verses and see how you can apply them to your life.

Find out what Scripture says about marriage. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians tells us about how the marriage between a man and a woman is like the love that Christ has for His church.

What’s the difference between judging and discernment? You can learn the difference by studying God’s word.

Here’s an important study… prophecy. The world seems to be in great turmoil with no peace in sight. Didn’t Christ come to bring peace on earth? When the heavenly host praised God and met with the shepherds at Christ’s birth, they said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). There has never been peace between human enemies, but Christ’s birth meant peace with God. Instead of the gulf of separation caused by Adam’s sin, we have reconciliation with God when we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then repent and turn to Him for forgiveness of our sin. No matter what the world throws our way, we have peace with God.

The Apostle Paul had lots of turmoil in his life but wrote, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Paul chose the peace that comes from Christ.

Jesus entered His creation at a time when there was much turmoil in Israel. The Romans ruled, and they weren’t very peaceful rulers. How could anybody be happy living under the Roman tyrants? Jesus knew He was going to be crucified, and He wanted His disciples to find peace that only comes from knowing Christ.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

We can only have a happy New Year if we find peace that only comes from knowing Christ and trusting Him. We have a choice. We can love the world and all the treasures found there, which will all be left behind when we die, or we can choose to seek the eternal happiness that comes from seeking the eternal treasures found in Christ.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Treasure stored in Heaven will bring much happiness for eternity.

We do have a choice. A new year filled with pursuing earthly treasure for selfish gain or seeking the Kingdom of God. One choice will always bring disappointment and never satisfy, but seeking the treasures of God will bring peace and happiness for eternity. Treasure gained in this world is usually hoarded and never enough, but much joy and happiness is gained when we share the Heavenly truth with others.

Choose to have a happy new year by choosing to serve Christ.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.rapture ready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

As we approach this New Year, our world is weighted down with manifold troubles. Yet believers in Christ need not succumb to despair. God’s Word gives us the capacity to discern God’s work in history—in light of the prophetic Scriptures. Jesus, in fact, entreated His followers to engage in this exercise and chided those who were unable to “discern the signs of the times” (Matt. 16:3).

Surely, the terror attacks that Hamas inflicted upon Israel on October 7, 2023—along with all that has unfolded since that time—give us much food for thought in this regard as we turn our calendars over to 2024. But how can we evaluate these things? To put it simply, what’s ahead for Israel—and what does it mean for us?

In the prophetic future—once the church is taken by Christ in the pretribulational rapture (see Rev. 3:10)—Israel will once again become the focus of God’s work in the world (see Ezek. 5:5; 38:12). Temple worship will be reestablished under the direction of the two witnesses (see Dan. 9:27; Rev. 11:1), who will lead a worldwide revival (see Rev. 7:9-17) and oversee the launch of the final restoration of Israel (see Isa. 4:3; Rom. 11:26). The fulfillment of prophecy revolves around Israel—all based in God’s gracious, unilateral, unconditional covenant, which He gave to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3.

So how is the current conflict in Israel related to all that lies ahead? As we strive to answer that question, we will gain insights to help us act wisely now. Let me state up front that the attacks of October 7 did not directly fulfill any prophecy. They do, however, work toward setting the stage for the future fulfillment of prophecy. I offer the following six areas in which I believe the current conflict is indeed setting the prophetic stage.

The next occurrence on the prophetic timetable is the sudden disappearance of all believers at the rapture, which will end the church age. Since there are no signs of the rapture (as there are for Christ’s final return in glory [see Matt. 24:30]), there is no direct connection between the war in Israel and the timing of the rapture. However, as we look at our globe in turmoil, this conflict is clearly setting the stage for the whole world to experience the devastation that will follow the rapture, with all its concomitant events.

Following the rapture, Israel will be placed under the ministry of her sages of divinity—the two witnesses (see Rev. 11:1-12). It appears that this conflict is setting the stage for Israel to accept God’s revelation through these men and their disciples, the 144,000 witnesses (see Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5). In this time of tragedy, we are hearing reports that the Jewish people are becoming more receptive to the gospel of their own Messiah.

The tribulation will officially begin by a signing with death (see Isa. 28:15)—that is, the ratification of a covenant between Israel (reconstituted as a nation, in unbelief, in her land) and the antichrist (see Dan. 9:27). In so many ways, this war is certainly setting the stage for Israel to be in a state of such desperation that she will eagerly seek out any such covenant, as long as it provides a realistic promise of lasting peace.

Then, the Bible warns us that the tribulation—and even the days leading up to it—will be a time of spiritual delusion (see Matt. 24:4-5; 2 Thess. 2:3, 9-11). Do we not see a deluded mentality evidenced by the protesters who chant mindlessly in favor of Hamas, as well as in the growing worldwide antisemitism? Sadly, even many in Israel will be deceived into trusting the antichrist instead of their own Messiah (see Matt. 24:24; John 5:43). This conflict is setting the stage for the whole world to fall into deception—believing lies regarding the true God of Israel and His chosen people.

The tribulation will also be a period of Satanic desolation—” the abomination of desolation” (Dan. 12:11 [see 9:27]; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14). The antichrist, energized by Satan himself, will commit atrocities in the Temple (reminiscent of Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes [see Dan. 11:31]; see 2 Thess. 2:4). Satan, through the antichrist, will also persecute the Jewish people mercilessly (see Rev. 12:3-6). We know, additionally, that “all the nations” will be set “to battle against Jerusalem” (Zech. 14:2). We can see how current trends are setting the stage for Israel to be targeted for annihilation—hated and hunted by Satan and his demonic and human forces, especially in the second half of the tribulation.

Praise God, before the world ends, the Lord will undertake a supernatural deliverance of His chosen people (see Zech. 12:10; 13:8-9; Isa. 4:3; Matt. 24:13; Rom. 11:26). Today, many Jewish people are returning to their land in unbelief. God will use the tribulation to bring them to repentance—to receive their King and His kingdom. They will finally return in belief! Surely, the Lord is directing events Today to set the stage for Israel to receive restoration—physical deliverance and spiritual salvation through the one true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and His Son, the Messiah, Jesus.

God has ordained a glorious future for Israel, but there will be many more heartaches until the nation finally embraces Christ. How amazing that we are here to witness these incredible signposts pointing toward the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

May we become faithful and wise to “discern the signs of the times” (Matt. 16:3). And may we always stand with Israel, and “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6).

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Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.

Choose a Happy New Year :: By Nathele Graham

Signs Intensifying: What’s Ahead for Israel? :: By Paul J. Scharf