General Articles

Wonderful Grace of Jesus :: By Dennis Huebshman

Published on: by RR7

As Bob Dylan sang in the 1960s, “The Times, They Are A-Changin!” Sadly for many, the changes are causing great anxiety, fear and unrest worldwide. For others, the times are signaling that this world has reached the end of this age, and the next two periods are about to start. That would be the Tribulation/Wrath and then the Millennial Reign of our Jesus. Though we are not pleased to see all the evil, violence and hatred, our Lord and Savior will be coming soon to keep one of our Father’s major covenants with us. That is to keep all true believers in Jesus from going through the coming Wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and Revelation 3:10 – all emphasis mine).

It is oh so close! Once Israel goes through the Ezekiel 38/39 war, there will be a treaty signed between them and all their surrounding nations. Through this treaty, the lawless one will be introduced. (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He will become the new world leader; however, right now, he can’t appear as there is a “Restrainer” (Holy Spirit) present that keeps him from making his entrance. Once the Restrainer is removed and all those He indwells are taken up to meet Jesus in the air at the Rapture, the 7-year Tribulation will begin.

During the Tribulation, there will be more and more persecution of new Christians and all Jews. From mid-tribulation to the end, it will be like hell on earth for anyone who will not commit themselves to the antichrist. Martyrdom will be an everyday event, yet God will save a remnant at a location where they will be protected by Him. Many believe this will be at Petra in Jordan.

For all that take an identifying mark and worship the beast (antichrist), there will be no forgiveness (Revelation 13:16-17; Revelation 14:9-11). Their eternal destination will be the Lake of Fire that was made for Satan and all his followers of fallen angels (demons) as given in Matthew 25:41. The first two occupants will be the antichrist and false prophet (Revelation 19:20). Then, a thousand years later, the final judgment on Satan and all the lost from the beginning of the creation of this earth will take place (Revelation 20:10-15).

Every living, breathing person on this earth deserves to be cast into hell, as all of us have fallen short and are sinners (Romans 3:23). The wages of our sin is death, yet God, in His infinite mercy through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus, offers eternity in Heaven (Romans 6:23). It’s a free gift, yet it must be received and accepted for it to apply (Romans 10:9-13).

The gospel group, The Cathedrals, made famous a song written by a Norwegian immigrant, Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959). Haldor wrote “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” in 1918, and it gives us a perspective of the sacrifice made by our Savior for us.

(1) Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin. How shall my tongue describe it; where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burdens; setting my Spirit free. O the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me.

(ref) Wonderful the matchless Grace of Jesus; deeper than the mighty rolling sea. Higher than the mountains, sparkling like a fountain; all-sufficient Grace for even me. Broader than the scope of my transgressions; greater far than all my sin and shame – my sin and shame. O magnify the precious name of Jesus; Praise His Name!

(2) Wonderful Grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost. By it I have been pardoned; saved to the uttermost. Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty; O the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me. (ref)

(3) Wonderful Grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled. By its transforming power, making me God’s dear child. Purchasing peace and Heaven, for all eternity; and the Wonderful Grace of Jesus reaches me. (ref)

Some verses about “Grace are:

Romans 5:15: “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the Grace of God, and the free gift by the Grace of that one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded for many.”

Ephesians 2:8-9; “For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Titus 1:11; “For the Grace of God has appeared bringing Salvation for all people.”

Revelation 22:21; “The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

Some verses about Grace and Mercy:

1 Timothy 1:13-14; “though formerly, I was a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent. But I received Mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the Grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” This is a good lesson from Paul that tells us that all can be forgiven if we turn from our sinful ways and call out to Jesus to be saved. Even though Jesus “selected” Paul, he readily admitted his previous beliefs were wrong, and he totally repented.

Hebrews 4:16; “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of Grace, that we may receive Mercy and find Grace in time of need.”

And verses on Mercy:

Titus 3:5; “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own Mercy by the washing, regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Peter 1:3; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great Mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

James 2:13 tells us we must show Mercy, to receive Mercy; “For judgment is without Mercy to one who has shown no Mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Luke 6:36; “Be Merciful, even as your Father is Merciful.”

There are more verses throughout the Bible that show our Heavenly Father is not an overbearing deity, as most of the manmade gods supposedly are. Just telling of the love of God would be a message that would have an abundance of verses that would describe this.

Our Jesus, one third of the Holy Trinity, deserves all of our worship, praise and glory. His purpose to come to this sin-filled earth was to suffer and die a cruel death so that His creation could be offered eternal life with Him. Our fall from grace was first recorded in Genesis 3 in the Garden of Eden, and the Old Testament is a prelude to the arrival of our Messiah.

Jesus knew full well what He was to endure, yet as John 10:18 states, He came willingly. His pure blood was the only sacrifice that would be acceptable to rescue us all. As the song’s first line states, “Wonderful Grace of Jesus; greater than all my sin.” Do I deserve this? Definitely not, but knowing that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), I am assured eternal life with my Savior because I have received and accepted His gift of Grace and Mercy.

This is not just for me, but everyone on this planet who will do the same. Jesus knows that more will accept the lies of Satan and the so-called pleasures of this earth than will truly accept Him (Matthew 7:13-14). He knows false prophets and antichrist will deceive many and lead them to destruction.

Today would not be too early to really consider your options. It is a good time to make your choice of either Jesus and eternal life in Heaven, or Satan and eternal punishment in hell. It is totally your decision to make, and there are no other options. Jesus will force no one but will accept all who call on Him (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

The wonderful Grace of Jesus will “take away your burden, and set your spirit free.” He could be back at any moment to take His flock Home. You can know for certain that you will be with Him when He calls by accepting His gift right now.

Hope to see you there – Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com

Comfort :: By Terry James

Published on: by RR7

I believe that most within the Christian family aren’t the least bit concerned with the evil going on in American’s swiftly changing cultural, social, and political landscape. However, I’m equally convinced that most who read these commentaries are extremely concerned and growing more so by the day.

Analyzing the many actions being taken—and contemplated—by those newly installed after the 2020 presidential election, I’m certain that, this time, those in power intend to administer the coup de grâce to all opposition to their globalist ambitions. They believe they have the power to do so, it’s becoming more obvious by the hour. They will quickly and thoroughly determine and put into law—mostly through executive orders—how we will serve them, instead of the other way around.

They intend not to make the mistakes of their most previous time (the Obama administration) of having both the executive and legislative branches under their control and failing to totally vanquish their political enemies. This time they’re determined to finish off the Republic as founded and reshape it into one they believe will reside at the head of the developing, changed world order. There will be no more upstart, populist-type celebrities—or anyone else—allowed to delay implementation of their blueprint for their utopian dream.

Well now…the title of our essay is “Comfort.” There certainly isn’t any comfort in what I’ve written so far, I’m aware. However, I assure that much comfort can be gleaned from the political machinations taking place at such a rapid pace. And you don’t have to take my word for it, but the Word of the Creator of all things, which assures that there is comfort to be taken from all the current stage-setting for fulfillment of prophecy yet future.

No one in the Bible’s accounting went through more trials and hardships than Paul, with the possible exception of Job. No one but Paul wrote more thoroughly regarding things that will be transpiring as the time Christ’s call to the Church nears. We see the great apostle’s concern for the assemblies of believers he ministered to throughout his journeys and imprisonments.

Paul foresaw developments that will be pressing upon the believers at the end of the Church Age. Through all of his prophesying, there was one major, thematic impression straight from God’s heart. Believers, while being deluged with evil as the time of Rapture nears, are to be “comforted” with the words Paul was given to prophesy.

We have looked at some examples of this numerous times. Being comforted revolves powerfully around Christ’s imminent Rapture call to believers, asleep and alive, while the world is in process of coming apart. Here are some of those verses:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way…Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 15–17)

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–11)

While the wickedness around us seemingly grows by the minute, we are instructed to hold fast to God’s promises—especially the one that His Son, Jesus, is on the way. Again, we hold fast to the following:

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

We are to take comfort from all of these end-times developments. Admittedly, that’s easier said than done. But it can, and should, be done. All of these troubling things going on mean our Lord is on the cusp of intervening in the most stupendous event this side of the Second Advent.

Jesus Christ has told us that we will experience “tribulation” during life on earth. This means, in this case, troubles, but not the Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week). The Lord will call all believers to Himself. His words, therefore, are made gloriously understandable.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Therefore Paul’s words were never truer:

“Be [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

While there is time, let us witness of Christ’s saving power to those around us in our daily lives.