Is This The Beginning Of The End?

Acts 3:18, “But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

The prophecies by Old Testament prophets concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and what He would suffer were fulfilled perfectly. Jesus was crucified and rose from the grave becoming victorious over death. His disciples saw Him ascend into the heavens where He sits at the right hand of the Father. He will remain there until the time of "restitution of all things." Then the prophecies concerning His second coming with be fulfilled perfectly just as the first advent.

Are we near the “restitution of all things.” The stage is being set and the players are taking their places. God is moving the course of human events to the culmination of this age. Current events are a testimony to where we are as we approach the final curtain.

As I was reading and meditating on the question, “Is This The Beginning Of The End,” I came upon the following article entitled, “Jesus Is Coming.” This was written by Bishop Samuel Clements, General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy and published in the church’s magazine, The White Wing Messenger, on April 26, 2016. In light of the events that have engulfed our world, I feel impressed to share it here.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:25–28).

“Jesus is coming! He is coming swiftly! He is coming suddenly and we must be ready. In Matthew 26 Jesus said, “Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

The angels said He would come again. The Holy Ghost, by the mouth of the apostles, said He would come again. Paul said, “But ye brethren are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.” In the fourth chapter of the book of Thessalonians, Paul wrote “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.” The last book of the Bible, Revelation, begins and ends with the theme of His coming. Every chapter relates to this subject. World events revolve around it. Jesus is coming and nothing or no one can stop Him.

The second coming of Christ should be the foremost hope in our minds. It is the key factor in our faith. At the time of His ascension, the angels stood by and spoke to those who had been with him and said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven.”

At His first coming he put off his glory and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. He was clothed with the veil of flesh, but at His second coming, he will be clothed with the garments of God. At his first coming, he appeared in weakness, an infant in a manger, but at his second coming, he shall appear in power as the King of Glory, the sign of His exaltation before God the Father.

He is coming in the glory of the Father, He is coming in the glory of the angels as the Captain of the Host of Heaven. He is coming in the glory of the church as the bridegroom with the bride. The Son of God, the root and offspring of David. The Son of Man; born of a woman, the crucified man, the risen man, the infinite eternal man; the one who was God and man—Jesus Christ. He is coming as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. “He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).”

Thank you Bishop Clements for this timely message. My prayer is that God will open our eyes to understanding the significance of current events. God reveal to the Body of Christ the urgency of His message. The world is doomed to eternal darkness except they turn to Jesus Christ in repentance. “Repent ye therefore...” Acts 3:19

One Thing Have I Desired Of The Lord! by Myra Boozer

David said in Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."

What are we seeking today? What are we looking for? Matthew 7:7, “...seek, and ye shall find...” David wasn't talking about staying in the temple every day but he was talking about dwelling in God’s presence “all the days.” Psalm 27:5 says, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock." We find Divine refuge in Psalm 31:20, and a hiding place...a place of safety, yes in the time of trouble. He goes on to Psalm 27:8, “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” So, many times we seek His hand, which is his provision, but He told David, “seek my face,”...His person...who He is. When we truly seek Him, we live in His house, His pavilion, His tabernacle, His presence. When we dwell there we are set upon a rock...a firm foundation. The very best thing we can seek is the face of the Lord. Oh! to know Him...to really know Him...to cherish him like we cherish nothing else.

When you love someone you want to share life with them. You don't just visit them on Sunday. They become part of your everyday life. The Lord doesn't want us out on the porch. He wants us to come on in and dwell (live) with Him! One Thing Have I Desired Of The Lord!

Our Faith In God Remains Steadfast!

2 Chronicles 20:20, “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.”

The enemies of Judah rose up against her. Through prayer and supplication King Jehoshaphat and the people petitioned God for His intervention. They placed their faith in God and He came to their aid ensuring them that “the battle is the Lord’s.” What they needed to do was follow His instructions. Their faith remained steadfast in the Lord God Jehovah and He delivered them without a single skirmish. The enemy destroyed themselves!

The future is uncertain but our faith in God is steadfast! Time is passing swiftly as all of creation marches quickly into eternity and God’s judgment. What lies before us only our heavenly Father knows. God knows where He is going and where He wants to lead us. He knows what He desires to happen in our world today. Paul exhorted the Church to pray for all men everywhere that they might lead a peaceable life in godliness and honesty. God’s desire is for all men to be saved. 1Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Our Faith In God Remains Steadfast!

A New Season! by Myra Boozer

People need to know and understand that "We are made BY GOD and FOR GOD." When we come to realize THAT, everything takes on new meaning. BUT, then there are seasons in our lives, the ending of one and the beginning of another. Most of the time there is a pause, a space in-between where we are in the lull and we just need NEW direction and inspiration. We need a good cleaning of our perspective. A time to know what is IMPORTANT. A time to get things in order as God would have them. There is a time for all things, a time to sow and a time to reap. This calls for different tactics, a different approach. So, we must have this serious personal time with the Lord.

Sometimes people think that God has left them, during the lull, the space in-between, but that is not so. This time is often difficult to adjust to. It sometimes appears to be a "valley." The reputation of the valley causes many to run scared. The talk about being "down in the valley," "alone in the valley," “no sunshine in the valley.” This talk is very damaging to those who are young in the Lord. They expect the worst, thinking they will never come out. It can be frightful but don't lose HOPE.

It is time for the singing of a different song...the time of shedding off the old thoughts and taking on the new vision...But, also a time of finding great comfort and restoration. In the valley, he restores our soul. He does not leave us there but when the time has fully come, He will lead us out into the New Day...A NEW SEASON of our LIFE, stronger and better than before. He never forsakes us in the VALLEY. "...I will fear no evil, for thou art with me..," Psalm 23:4. Pressing into A New Season!

Getting Ready To Leave? Or, Getting Ready To Stay? Conclusion

God will put people of like character into the same lot together and bring them into judgment. In Luke’s version of Jesus’ ministry, he accounts for numerous parables that Jesus used to illustrate Divine principles. It is interesting how Jesus used the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to characterize the life of a believer and an unbeliever.

Luke 16:19, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day...”

The rich man represents an unbeliever. Not that a person has to be poor or lack possessions and money to be a believer but that the rich man allowed his possessions to stand between himself and God. The rich man had fine things IE…purple and fine linen and had a lavish lifestyle (fared sumptuously). However, it was not the things that he possessed that hindered his relationship with God but the mindset that possessed him. For him, life was one continual party and evidently, he gave no thought to the needs of others.

What is the mindset of a rich man? Jesus gives us an example in Luke 12:16, “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Life, at its best, is short. Our focus should be on completing the assignment God has given to us as His servants.

And there was a beggar named Lazarus. Luke 16:20, “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores...” Now we see the other side of the coin. Lazarus was laid at the rich man’s porch or front gate every day. The need was obvious. There was no avoiding the dilemma of this poor man. He was really sick with sores all over his body (probably leprosy). He had to be carried not being able to walk alone. He was probably poor because he was sick. His sickness led to his total deprivation. So, why was he sick? Could it be so that God might touch the lives of the people around him? Could it be so that God might challenge every person that crossed his path? Here was a hungry, homeless, sick brother, and how many people stopped to give him aid?

Then comes the final hour! Luke 16:21, “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Heaven. The rich man died but his outcome was much different. “And in hell...” (Hades-Greek) Parallels with the Hebrew Sheol both meaning “realm of the dead.” The implication is the eternally dead without hope or deliverance.

The two people in this parable represent two different lives, two different deaths, and two different eternities. Both individuals had a choice. Though Lazarus had a life of struggle, he chose to believe in his creator. The rich man, however, chose to follow his own selfish desires avoiding the needs of those around him. Lazarus sacrificed his mortal life to inherit his eternal life with Christ. The rich man sacrificed his eternal life with Christ for his mortal life. What will be your choice? Only you can determine your destiny!

Hebrews 9:26, “...but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Getting Ready To Leave? Or, Getting Ready To Stay?

Awake, You That Sleep! by Myra Boozer

Ephesians 5:14, “...Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”

America, my heart is grieved for you! You are going down a slippery slope with no ropes to pull you back. You have chosen this path. You have made your bed, now you will lie in it. You have turned away from God and the principles that you were founded upon.

You have allowed your children to become prideful and full of envy. You have allowed your leaders to lead in error. You have allowed your teachers to teach without authority (to teach things unfounded in the Word of God). You have allowed the egotistical (those of self-interest) to become your hero's. You have given the stage to the revolting and the limelight to the contemptuous (manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval). You have fallen asleep and the innocent are being murdered in front of your face. You are in the miry clay and you cannot get out. You have a voice but it is speaking perverse things.

What shall become of you, America? Until you repent and turn from your wicked way, you will go down in a great fall. Those in you who are godly, righteous people will be removed. At what point, I do not know but the clock is ticking and the midnight hour is almost here. The call today is for those who love God, Truth, and mankind, to Pray as never before. Prayer is our weapon against the evil that is sweeping over this land like a tsunami, destroying every good and decent thing in its path.

It is vital that we stay in the pavilion (presence) of the Lord Jesus. He is Our Refuge, Our Strong Tower, Our Hiding Place, Our Covering and Protection until He comes to take us away in the Rapture. America, you will all bow one day. Don't let it be too late! Philippians 2:10, "That at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Awake, You That Sleep!

Getting Ready To Leave? Or, Getting Ready To Stay?

Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Your answer to this question will determine your eternal destiny. Will you assimilate into a world system governed by carnal man or will you be a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven governed by God. The two are as different as light and darkness. Man’s ways are not God’s ways and God’s ways are not man’s ways.

In recent years we have heard many world leaders speak of the globalization of systems and nations. Globalization appears to be the dominant world view. It simply means the development of an integrated global economy marked by free trade, free flow of capital, and tapping into cheaper foreign labor markets. Finance is the driving force behind most organizational entities in all the world. Money is power and power is money! However, there is much more at stake here than money. To be a world player, one must be prepared to make concessions. You cannot expect to hold one hundred percent to your ideals and values and still participate successfully in the global economy. Presently, the powers that be, are colluding together and many are bowing to the promise of financial power.

As children of God, we are not citizens of this world! We were not created to function in this environment that engulfs all of mankind. We are created for a better world and for a much greater purpose than what this world can offer. We were made to walk with God in the midst of His creation in the cool of the day. We were made to share an intimate relationship with God so as to share with Him in intimate communion all the days of our lives. We were made to be free from all the human encumbrances that sin has brought upon this world.

We are not citizens of this world! We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, we must be separate from the worldliness that seeks daily to invade our lives. Manipulation is of the devil. A spirit of control is orchestrated by Satan. People in leadership roles must beware lest they be influenced by the desire to control the outcome. God is the only true standard and His Will is the only blessed outcome! (continued)