Comparing the attitudes and actions of today’s world to Matthew 24, Luke 21, Romans 1 and 2 Timothy 3, you might find all of them very similar. In fact, every evil trait and attitude that is listed there is here right now. Some have been refined to reach new levels of evil that we never thought we’d see in our lifetime. One thing can be said that is Biblically correct; we are very near to the time of the end that Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and others spoke of. (all emphasis mine)

Luke 21:25-26; “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

People today are walking in fear because of a so-called COVID pandemic, and the world leaders have the masses falling in step to whatever they say. Satan and his followers are rapidly gaining ground as evil is increasing everywhere. Nations are at odds with each other, and it’s possible there could be some major conflicts soon. Weather patterns are obviously changing to be more severe, and various places are either suffering from drought or severe flooding. In some places, record high temperatures have been noted.

If people would only seek the word of the Father, they could be assured that all the current events were prophesied to happen. His children – all who have called on Jesus to be their Savior – should be rejoicing. Why would I possibly suggest we should celebrate such events as being good?

Continuing in Luke 21:27-28, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (ESV).

The actual second coming of Jesus is at least seven years away. We do not know the day nor the hour; but before that 7-year wrath/tribulation takes place, God has a major covenant to fulfill. In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10, we’re told that all who belong to the Savior will be kept from the coming wrath. This would be the “Harpazo,” “taking up,” or “Rapture,” whichever term you would choose (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

For anyone who might say they will wait until the “trumpet of God” sounds and the shout comes from the archangel to be saved, they could never be fast enough. Paul uses the term “in the twinkling of an eye” in 1 Corinthians 15:52. Experts far beyond my capabilities have estimated this would be considerably less than one second. The best advice I can possibly give here is be prepared in advance and you won’t have to be concerned as to the “when.”

The tribulation officially starts when Jesus opens the first seal judgment, releasing the antichrist on the world (Revelation 6:2). There were “announcing trumpets” all through Israel’s history, and the one that sounds at the Rapture will announce that Jesus is taking His flock Home before the judgments ever start.

For anyone to say that satanic activity does not really exist, there’s an old saying, “There’s proof in the pudding.” Just recently, a gay men’s choir in California released a song called “We’re coming for your children.” All the “alphabet” groups that God calls abominations are out in the open and more active than ever in recruiting for their causes. Sadly, they’re aiming for the younger generations and are gaining ground all the way back to the 8- to 12-year-old children. Kids are being told they can be any gender they want, and that’s an insult to the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:27; “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Matthew 19:4; “He answered, have you not read that He who created them from the beginning, made them male and female?”

Instead of being concerned about gender identity, the youth of America and the world should be getting educated about the soon coming of our Lord and Savior to call all true believers up to meet Him. Because of a turning away from Jesus that’s taking place today, our youths are either attending unbiblical services or don’t even attend any services at all.

Statistics are showing that even in many older crowds, the true Biblical word is not being taught. False prophets are giving ear-tickling messages designed to leave everyone with a “happy” feeling. Telling people that they are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23) only causes distress and is avoided. Instead, give them heart-thumping music and light shows and messages designed to keep the seats and collection plates full.

There are those who give estimates of what percentage of Americans are truly Christian, and overall, it’s believed to be only about 10% of the total population. One report stated that of the regular churchgoers, it’s below 40% of the total that are true believers. The others apparently believe that just because they attend services one to three hours a week, that’s all they need. They’ve never truly received and accepted the gift of the Lord that was paid for in full at Calvary.

Everyone should review the ABCs of Salvation in Romans 10:9-13; John 14:6; Acts 4:12 and others. Ephesians 2:8-9 should be reviewed to show that it is only through grace that we are saved, not by any works. The hardest part of all this is to have faith and believe God’s word says what He means, and He means what He says.

For those of us that have Jesus as our Savior, there is a longing to be with Him and also anticipation that it will happen soon. A song by William Arms Fisher in 1922 is a spiritual called “Goin’ Home.” The words are plain and simple but tell of the longing to go Home at last.

Goin’ Home; goin’ Home; I’m just goin’ Home. Quiet-like, some still day, I’m just goin’ Home.

It’s not far, just close by, through an open door; Work all done, care laid by, goin’ to fear no more.

Mother’s there expecting me; Father’s waiting too; Lots of folk gathered there, all the friends I knew.

All the friends I knew, Home, I’m goin’ Home! Nothing’s lost, all’s gain; no more fret nor pain; no more stumbling on the way; no more longing for the day; goin’ to roam no more.

Morning star lights the way, restless dream all done; Shadows gone, break of day; real life just begun.

There’s no break; there’s no end, just a living on; Wide awake with a smile, goin’ on and on.

Goin’ Home, goin’ Home; I’m just goin’ Home. It’s not far, just close by, through an open door; I am goin’ Home, I’m just goin’ Home.

Goin’ Home; Goin’ Home.

There are some prophecy experts that say the Rapture is closer than we can even imagine. As a novice, I see all the signs and realize we are obviously at the time very near the end of this age. Only the Father knows the exact day, hour, minute and even second that He will send Jesus to get us. My prayer to Him daily is, “It isn’t too early, Father. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Don’t be left behind to face the worst 7 years this world will ever endure. Call on Jesus today, and become a part of His Flock that will be “Goin’ Home” soon.

Shalom! Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

Ephesians, Chapter 2:1-13, NKJV

Wondrous Grace of Christ

Before we delve further into this letter, I want to stop a moment and explain the change in format and presentation I am using now as compared to the style I have been using. In going over my past commentaries and studies of the Scriptures, I have noticed that I tend to cover and repeat certain opinions and ideas, along with objective interpretations of Scripture. I want to put less of what I think in future posts and allow the Word of God to speak for itself, using as few comments as possible. All I want to do is give the reader a basic but solid examination of God’s Word with the purpose of strengthening the faith and belief in all the brethren wherever this post is read, both here in America and around the world.

It is going to get harder to find sound doctrinal teaching as the days grow evil, and many who confess faith in Christ are, in fact, apostates (2 Timothy 3:1-8, 4:1-5; Hebrews 6:4-6). I want to preach the truth about He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and I want to approach Him on the day where we must all stand before His judgment seat and give an accounting of what we have done for Him (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) with a clear conscience and clean hands. I pray that this is the goal of every teacher and member of the body of Christ who wants to do what is right for His glory and grace (Matthew 25:21).

With that in mind, let us continue to read and learn from the Apostle Paul on the joy and mercy we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking at the Past: Our life Before Christ (vv.1-3)

“¹ And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

The Lord Jesus Christ brought life to our dead souls that had been corrupted with trespasses and sins. We in no way, shape, or form can EVER come to Christ save by the call of the Father through the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).

A corpse cannot do anything except stay dead and rot. Without Christ, we are truly the “walking dead,” existing but not living. Before Christ came to live in us, we walked and acted like everyone else in the world. We did the will of the devil, who is the “prince of the power of the air” who works his plans here on the earth. We were led by the lusts of the flesh, such as self-satisfaction and self-gratification to satisfy and fulfill the lusts of the body and our corrupt minds (Romans 3:10-18).

We were the heirs of wrath, deserving the justice and rightful punishment from God as a result of our sins. All the “self-esteem” or “self-worth” that this world offers is worthless and rubbish. Without Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, we can try to excuse or justify ourselves, but it does no good – period.

See What God Has Done (vv.4-7)

“⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

God has demonstrated His love and great mercy by desiring to save us from death and sin (v.4).

He has made us alive in Christ even though we were spiritually dead (v.5). How can a dead person on their own receive life? I have yet to see a corpse get up on its own apart from the day of resurrection, which is only possible by the power of God in the first place!

He has not only raised us up from death through the living Christ but has also given us the privilege (which we do not deserve) of being in the heavenly places with Him when all things will be made new (v.6).

For all ages, the Father will show us His grace, mercy, and eternal love. How this will be demonstrated is the wonder to come (The equivalent of a surprise party from God. Pretty awesome!) (v.7).

A Subtle Reminder of Who Saves Us (vv.8-10)

“⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

We are saved by the grace of God through faith. No priests, chants, charities, pilgrimages – nothing but God’s work alone. We add nothing to what He has already done for us. We cannot add to what Jesus did for us on the cross by dying for our sins. When He proclaimed, “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30), it settled the issue for all time. What more could He do that we can somehow improve or modify on our own? It is because we ARE fallen and hopeless sinners that Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-11).

He will not allow our pride to dictate the terms of how we approach Him. Our righteousness is no better than a rag used by a leper or by a woman on her monthly cycle (Isaiah 64:6). We are the workmanship of the LORD and Him alone. He created and redeemed us, giving us the ability to do those things that please Him (1 John 3:22). Any real improvement we face comes from the will of God to form us into the likeness of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Circumcision of the Heart (vv.11-13)

“¹¹ Therefore, remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh – who are called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision made in the flesh by hands – ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Circumcision was the physical sign of the covenant between God and His chosen people. It is the cutting away of the foreskin performed on all Jewish males eight days after birth and first mentioned in Genesis, Chapter 17.

This covenant was not given to the Gentiles, yet God has reached out to them throughout history. The mission of the reluctant prophet Jonah to the Ninevites, the witness and faith of Daniel in the court of the Babylonian despot Nebuchadnezzar, Jesus’ compassion towards the sick and dying servant of the Roman centurion, His deliverance of a demon-possessed man in the territories of the Greeks, and the woman from Phoenicia whose daughter was delivered from demons by Jesus are all examples of God’s outreach and care for all peoples, including His chosen people of Israel (Jonah 1; Daniel 4:28-37; Mark 5:1-20, 7:26; Luke 7:1-10).

Paul tells his readers that they now possess a different type of circumcision, that of the heart. Jesus Christ has taken them into His family by changing their hearts and lives (Jeremiah 31:31-34), which is the new covenant that applies to both Jew and Gentile who come to faith in Him.

This promise of forgiveness and a changed heart is yours if you will but ask Jesus to make that so in your own life today.

We will conclude the rest of the chapter in the next study.

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