|The Blue Door Audio

City on a Hill: Message1 - God's Plan for Israel and the Church in the End Times

Message one of the series "City on a Hill"

 

notes are here:
https://goo.gl/bkYfvd

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 16 - Rev 5 Only One Worthy

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

 

Itching Ears and An Aching Heart (26 mins)

2 Timothy 4:2-8  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  4  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  5  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.  6  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Martyrdom in the USA - Part 4 (45 mins)

The end time increase in martyrdom is an essential component in the end time increase of night and day prayer.  This is the final message of the series on Martyrdom in the USA.

 

Revelation 6:9-17  When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.  10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"  11  Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.  12  I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.  13  And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.  14  Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.  15  And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,  16  and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  17  For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

 

Revelation 12:14-17  But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.  15  So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  16  But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  17  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Do You See the Antichrist and False Prophet Emerging? (39 min)

I do.  It is clearly unfolding.  The question isn't whether or not it is happening.  The question is: do you love the truth enough to see it?

 

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12  10  and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,  12  that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Paul wrote this as a warning to the CHURCH at Thessalonica.  This isn't describing unbelievers who don't love the truth.  This is Christians.  The antichrist and the false prophet will both appeal to Christians....and they are actively preaching right now.

 

1 John 2:18-20  Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.  19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.  20  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

Antichrist...and antichrists... come "out from" US.  Did you know that?  Did you know the antichrist and the false prophet will preach Jesus?

 

Revelation 13:11  Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

To speak like a dragon, means to speak like satan.  Satan uses Bible verses when he decieves:

Luke 4:9-12  Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.  10  For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU,'  11  and, 'IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' "  12  And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' "

Ask yourself:  what did I think the unfolding of Jesus' return would feel like?  Did you think it would feel totally normal, even though if you stepped outside of your day to day, everything is clearly not normal?

Jesus promised it would feel normal all the way until "too late to be safe":

Matthew 24:37-39  But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  38  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,  39  and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Over and over, Jesus said "do not be deceived"...to believers...to you...

Matthew 24:23-25  "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.  24  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  25  See, I have told you beforehand.

Martyrdom in the USA - Part 3 (49 mins)

Part 3 - How positive peaceful prophecy will actually fuel end time martyrdom.  Core passages can be found here:

https://goo.gl/pjuAR9

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 14 - Rev 4 Throne Room

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

Martyrdom in the USA - Part 2 (44 mins)

Martyrdom in the USA - Part 2 (44 mins)

Martyrdom in the USA - Part 1 (40 mins)

Most of the passages for this series can be found here:

https://goo.gl/pjuAR9

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 13 - Laodicea

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

Direction (47 min)

Direction is everything in following Jesus.  Jesus didn't call us to simply get a new location in salvation, but a new DIRECTION.  To be "born again" means to begin again...in a new direction, with new possibilities and capabilities.

This is super important for those fasting right now.  What direction are you fasting into?

This is also a prelude to upcoming teaching on Laodicea.

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 12 - Philadelphia

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

Guarding of our Hearts While Fasting (13 min)

Fasting increases your spiritual experience.  It speeds things up and increases your capacity…taking you deeper, further, faster.  This is great for the heart.  Fasting is “Jesus 101”:

Matthew 9:14-15  Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?"  15  And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

 

Matthew 6:16-18  "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  17  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  18  so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

Fasting really works.  Every major religion fasts.  Not all fasting is Jesus-centered.  We have to understand when entering into fasting that we are flinging the gate of our heart further open.  We need to guard what we let in during fasting.  When Jesus fasted, satan came to war against it. 

Luke 4:1-2  Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,  2  being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

 

This quick message is about how to guard our hearts during fasting and get victory to increase in this season in the right way.  Increase IS happening, which direction are we increasing in?  Going fast is only good if you are going in the right direction!

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 11 - Sardis

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

 

The Oil of Matthew 25 (Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids) (57 min)

Oil is what is produced when we partner with...wrestle with...the Lord:

 

Genesis 28:17-18  And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"  18  Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.

 

You are going to need it for the night that is coming.  Watchmen have the most oil, since they have committed to encountering the Lord day and night:

 

Isaiah 62:6-7  I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,  7  And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

 

In the parable of the 10 Bridesmaids, there are three end time roles presented to the church:  foolish bridesmaid, wise bridesmaid, and the hidden role of WATCHMAN.  Be a watchman and you will be assured to have plenty of oil!

Standing With Jesus in the Judgments (58 min)

Notes for this message can be found here:

https://goo.gl/Q55nhR

The Spirit of the Law and the Letter of the Law (49 min)

Jesus didn't come to do away with the Law, but rather to help YOU fulfill it on a deeper level than the Pharisees.  Many preachers in our day teach a false grace message...they teach you got saved so you don't have to do anything more...just float along until you die and you'll be good...Jesus loves you just as you are.  Jesus paid for MUCH more than you to stay the same.  You got saved so you could become different!  Jesus loves you too much to let you sit in your sins.  The false grace message is a lie designed to steal greatness from you forever:

Matthew 5:17-20  "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  18  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.  19  Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  20  For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Following Jesus in this reality is a NARROW road:

 

Matthew 7:13-14  "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  14  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

On one side of the road is the ditch of false grace, but on the other side of the road is the ditch of legalism, or works-based salvation...equally deadly!  This is what Paul said:

 

Galatians 5:1-5  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  2  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  3  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  4  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  5  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

So how do we reconcile these two statements about the law?  The answer is in the power of God inside of you.  Jesus made it possible for the AUTHOR of the law to live inside of you.  The helper, the comforter, the third person of the the trinity is IN the believer.  If we let the Spirit who wrote the law lead us, we do BETTER than the written law!  

 

Romans 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  3  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  4  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

This is great news, but we have to respond to it.  We have to actively "wait" in partnership with the Spirit...contending for righteousness.  There is a specific way to "wait with the Spirit for righteousness"...it is called the Sermon on the Mount.

Don't fall into either ditch...learn how to grow in holiness in the only way that really works:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  18  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 10 - Thyatira

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 9 - Pergamos

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

 

The Appointing of Deacons in Acts 6 (13 min)

Clarification and development of something I mentioned in Rev Intensive last night.  Here are the relevant passages:

Acts 5:11-16  So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.  12  And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.  13  Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.  14  And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,  15  so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.  16  Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 6:1-8  Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.  2  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.  3  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;  4  but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."  5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,  6  whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.  7  Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.  8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 8:1  Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 8 - Smyrna

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

What Comes Next? Division and Betrayal in the Church (36 min)

Jesus warns about things we need to respond to.  Jesus didn't waste any words.  It isn't negative to soberly agree with Jesus about what must happen.  Getting ready now will make all the difference in the world for you and your family as the intensity of world events continues to increase.

Matthew 24:7-14  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  9  "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.  10  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.  11  Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  12  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  14  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.

What Events in Paris and Europe Mean for the American Church (IMO) (50 min)

What Events in Paris and Europe Mean for the American Church (IMO) (50 min)

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 7 - Sermon on the Mount and Ephesus

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

Be Holy as I am Holy (45 min)

1 Peter 1:14-16  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  16  because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

 

You are picking your forever capacity to be near God right now...today...even this minute.  God says "Be Holy as I am Holy" as an invitation to be as near to Himself as possible forever. Jesus paid for you to go all the way near the Father forever, but you must participate with Him in that process.

 

The process is called "justification, sanctification, and glorification". You can, if you want to, get saved "all the way," but do you want it? Do you want to be near Him forever?

 Philippians 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Is There Regret in Heaven? (39 min)

Forever is a long time.  We don’t want to make forever decisions based on our own logic, or anecdotal information we learned from others trying to comfort us.  We want to make forever decisions with information directly from the author of forever.  Does regret exist in heaven?  Ask Jesus!

 

Matthew 5:19  Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-16  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  12  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  13  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.  14  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  15  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  16  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

 

2 John 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

 

Revelation 22:12-13  "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.  13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

 

Revelation 3:11  Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

 

Revelation 21:1-4  Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.  2  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  4  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

 

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 6 - Sermon on the Mount Pt 1

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

False Christs (33 min)

Christ is a derivation of the Greek word “Kristos” or “anointed one.”

There are many false christs in our hour, and many false prophets singing the praises of the false christs.  Many , including me, have fallen into this spirit, the spirit of the age, from time to time. We all want a solution.  Jesus is the only solution.  Repentance from the spirit of the age is necessary. 

Some, though, will not repent, and will dig their heels into man-based solutions and man-based strength.  Jesus promised this would be the case.  Do you have eyes to see it?

Matthew 24:22-25  And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.  23  "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.  24  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  25  See, I have told you beforehand.

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 5 - Intro to Revelation 2 and 3 (Seven Churches)

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

An Introduction to "Heaven Opening" (45 min)

An introduction to the concept of heaven opening in the end times.

Rewards and the Hidden Nature of Greatness (55 min)

It is really important to see the rewards in heaven as Jesus does, not as man does.  It isn't a race to the top, in an earthly arrogant sense...no...it is a race to the bottom...like Jesus:

 Phillippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

The King of Glory and His Kingdom

A Psalm of David.

24 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
² For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

³ Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
⁵ He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
⁶ This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

 

Inspecting Fruit and Calling Out False Teachers (23 Minutes)

Matthew 7:1-6 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

 

It is important to abide in Jesus personally. Putting too much weight on the teaching of people really falsely intensifies the truth of their doctrine and the danger of their errors. Getting Jesus' heart from the Sermon on the Mount is really helpful in putting teaching in perspective, and effectively influencing the maturing of the Bride...the end time Church... in a way that reflects Jesus' heart for people.

 

This is the passage I couldn't find near the end of the message:

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

 

Faith vs. Presumption (50 min)

Faith vs. Presumption

Pre·sump·tion - prəˈzəm(p)SH(ə)n/

“The noun presumption pretty much means jumping to conclusions. It is taking something for granted — an idea, an answer, an event — without having any real knowledge about it, and that is usually not a good thing.” (From Vocabulary.com)

As trouble is increasing in the earth, many believers try to comfort themselves with the sentiment that “everything is going to be ok”… or “it will all work out.”  This is true, but how will it work out for YOU?  The response of the faithful puts them into the place of safety.  The response of the presumptuous keeps them in the way of danger…though both say the same thing!

Faith and Presumption can sound very similar.  One produces a response, the others numbs itself to responding.

Faith without works is simply presumption…it leads to death:

James 2:14-20  What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  15  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  16  and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  17  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  18  But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  19  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!  20  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

 

Throughout the Bible, the warning is repeated over and over: presuming you are safe because you are “saved” is a recipe to learn the hard way that you were saved to respond…to lay hold of salvation:

1 Timothy 6:11-16  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  13  I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,  14  that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,  15  which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  16  who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

The Tabernacle of David is the true response of the faithful…over and over since David’s day…to the coming time of trouble.  Presumption in this hour will get you, and those around you, killed…or worse…

Amos 9:9-12  "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.  10  All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, 'The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.'  11  "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;  12  That they may possess the remnant of Edom,  And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 3 - Eschatology of a Victorious Bride

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

The Offense of Cowardice ( 60 min)

Cowardice is turning back in a time of trouble, despite the fact that you are one of God's people.  This is offensive to God, because it is a direct assault on His character...His self-chosen identity as a Good Father and a Good Husband.

 

Cowardice is the result of entertaining the accusations against God from the enemy, or even worse, joining in the accusation against God WITH the enemy.

 

There is MUCH to overcome.  Cowards will not survive the final shaking:  

 

Revelation 21:7-8  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  8  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Faithfulness...courage....that will produce SAFETY in the end times:

 

Revelation 3:10  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.

Many are promised to turn in cowardice to the false protection of agreeing with the crowd, this will lead them, because they don't understand God's plans or believe in His goodness, to betray other believers.  We need to grow in endurance to meet this day with courage".  Believers will be here until the end:

Matthew 24:9-14  "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.  10  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.  11  Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  12  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  14  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.

Today, you will have many opportunities to grow in courage.  What you do with those opportunities REALLY matters...

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 4 - Groom with Eyes Like Fire

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 2 - Truly Alive

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

Understanding Bible Prophecy: Dual Fulfillment of Prophecy in the Bible (45 min)

Most Bible prophecy is "dually fulfilled," meaning there was a "contemporary" fulfillment near the time the prophecy was given, and a secondary "full" fulfillment in the end times.  The book of Revelation is describing the time of the harvest, when all the seeds in the Bible reach maturity.

 

The coming of Messiah, Jesus, is a great....the perfect...example of this.  Jesus came once as a baby.  He will come again as a King.  Both comings will fulfill all the prophetic scriptures concerning His coming, but only the final fulfillment will see the fullness of Jesus as King of King and Lord of Lords...physical and spiritual.  His second coming, however, won't violate any of the truth of the prophetic promises of His first coming!!  

 

God is brilliant in His ability to do twice what was promised, in two different, but true, ways!  This is because God is His own witness!  The final judgment requires more than one witness:

Numbers 35:30  Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.

 

1 John 5:7-9  For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.  8  And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.  9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.

Because the Word and the Spirit testify of Jesus themselves, there is nothing new under the sun:

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11  That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.  10  Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us.  11  There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

If you want to be ready for what is coming, STUDY the prophetic promises of what is coming...even those that have been initially fulfilled.  This will make the word come alive in your hands if you start to grab hold of it.  Isaiah was talking about you.  Ezekiel was talking about you.  Daniel was talking about you... Amos, Zechariah... its all about the final generation seeing the fullness of the truth.  Truth is a man, and He is coming home.  All truth will be on display!

 

2015/16 Rev Intensive Week 1 - Harlot and Bride

All notes, teaching materials, and homework can be found here:

https://goo.gl/cdsWy8

 

Babylon, the Judgment of America, and the Promise of Revival (58 min)

In the end times, location really matters.  It is important to know the promises and warnings for SPECIFIC geographic locations, in case you happen to live in one of them!  There are numerous warnings for specific geographic locations in Isaiah (read chapters 13-21, and 47), Ezekiel, Jeremiah, the minor prophets, the Olivet Discourse (Jerusalem/Judea), and the Book of Revelation.

 

A very intense and specific warning is given to the end time Babylon.  You can read the specific words easily in Isaiah 14 and 47, Jeremiah 50 and 51, and Revelation 18.  The end time Babylon is described as FULL of God’s people, wealthy, living in luxury, exporting lust and an extravagantly luxurious lifestyle, and corrupting the world with her value system of materialism above all else.  Other passages describe the end time Babylon as last lone superpower to inhabit planet earth before the return of Jesus.

 

The final nail in the end time Babylon’s  coffin of judgment is her betrayal of Israel:

Isaiah 47:6-9  I was angry with My people; I have profaned My inheritance, And given them into your hand. You showed them no mercy; On the elderly you laid your yoke very heavily.  7  And you said, 'I shall be a lady forever,' So that you did not take these things to heart, Nor remember the latter end of them.  8  "Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, Who dwell securely, Who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, Nor shall I know the loss of children';  9  But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments.

 

Before THAT day, God’s people in the end time Babylon MUST respond and agree with God’s instructions to “come out of her”:

Revelation 18:2-9  And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!  3  For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."  4  And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  5  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.  6  Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.  7  In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'  8  Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.  9  "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,

 

End time Babylon…the harlot…is also full of God’s people…the Bride.  The wheat and the tares are side by side in the end time Babylon:

Revelation 18:21-24  Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.  22  The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.  23  The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.  24  And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."

 

Watch.  Pray.  Be Ready.

 

The Sifting of Israel Among the Nations (46 min)

Amazing prophetic fulfillment is happening right before our eyes...great upheaval of the nations, massive increases in technology, unbelievable treaties between nations...and in the middle of it all very serious clouds are gathering over and around Israel.

This was all foretold to culminate in the rebuilding of David's Tabernacle, the sealing of the remnant in Israel, and the eventual invitation on the part of Israel to relent and invite Jesus to be their Messiah.  Israel is promised to be shaken among the nations INTO salvation.  If you have eyes to see it, it is a very EXCITING process, but, without being able to see this is Jesus' return unfolding, it will be very offensive to God's people and result in many falling away.

 

Amos 9:9-12  "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.  10  All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, 'The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.'  11  "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;  12  That they may possess the remnant of Edom,  And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.

 

Watch.  Pray.  Be Ready.

The True Purpose of Wealth in the End Times (45 min)

Revelation 13:16-17  He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  17  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The Danger of Lawlessness as Jesus Returns (48 min)

The return of Jesus is promised to offend many...just like Jesus offended many in Israel the first time He came.  Offense will cause many to cast off Jesus' leadership at the worst time!...just as He is coming to be the one world leader forever.  This is a trap and a promise.  It is easy to avoid this trap with humility and talking to Jesus. 

2 Thessalonians 2:7-11  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.  8  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.  9  The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,  10  and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

 

John 16:1-4  "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.  2  They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.  3  And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.  4  But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. "And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

 

Matthew 7:21-23  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22  Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'  23  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

The End Time Promise of Delusion (40 mins)

Many believe God would never let them be deceived.  Rather than respond in faith, they simply wait in presumption.  God not only will let believers be deceived, He warned over and over about it:

Matthew 24:24  For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.

 

Romans 16:18  Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

 

1 John 3:7  Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,  2  not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  3  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,

 

Galatians 1:6-8  I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News  7  but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.  8  Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

 

2 Peter 2:1-3  But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.  2  And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  3  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6  But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.  2  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.  4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  5  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  6  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:9-11  The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,  10  and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

What is in YOUR bowl that is being made ready for the final outpouring? (41 min)

There is coming a time when the Spirit will be poured out in a remarkable way...the 3rd Pentecost.  I believe this event is only a couple of years away.  It isn't important that you believe that with me, but when it does happen, what will you receive?

This has happened before in a small way, what Paul called "firstfruits", at Pentecost in Acts 2.   Those 120 got what they had filled bowls with...it is easy to see they got what they were asking for.

Right now, we should be filling bowls like crazy....day and night....because very intense trouble is coming.  Pray always...fill bowls...so you have what you need to be safe:

Luke 21:35-36  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

You are going to need something in YOUR bowl when this all goes down:

Revelation 8:3-12  Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  4  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.  5  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.  6  So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.  7  The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  8  Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.  9  And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.  10  Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.  11  The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.  12  Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

I got a little mixed up about Luke and John at minute 19:30. Luke wrote both accounts in Luke 24 and Acts 1. That happens sometimes ;)

 

Financial Responsibility In the End Time (1 hr 7 min)

The Bible has a lot to say about money.  Rarely does the Church preach the uncomfortable truth about money.  I have heard many messages about saving, even what kind of car to buy,  and about enjoying wealth on earth, but rarely have I heard messages encouraging Biblical financial responsibility…which is one of the most IRRESPONSIBLE things a person can do in the eyes of the world.  The world generally does not believe in true financial responsibility, in the church and out of it. 

The Bible is never going to change.  Man’s theology about money WILL change, dramatically, in one hour, according to the Bible:

Ezekiel 7:17-19  Every hand will be feeble, And every knee will be as weak as water.  18  They will also be girded with sackcloth; Horror will cover them; Shame will be on every face, Baldness on all their heads.  19  'They will throw their silver into the streets, And their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the LORD; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.

 

Generosity is the way to prepare for this day.  Silver and gold cannot be your stumbling block if you learn to be free from the desire for money now…but you must take it seriously.  Money will be one of the GREATEST stumbling blocks…the trip that leads to falling away…over the next several years:

Revelation 3:16-19  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  17  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—  18  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

 

There IS a day where all the truth of the word will be tested:

 

Revelation 3:10  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.

 

Are you ready for the test?

The Role of the End-Time Church in Releasing the End-Time Judgment (49 min)

The end time saints…the Bride….have an integral role in partnering with God to release the end time judgments…the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls:

Revelation 8:4-6  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.  5  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.  6  So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

 

This is a very intense truth with great implications.  To release the judgments, we must understand them.  To agree with Jesus, we must come into an understanding that the judgments are the highest expression of Jesus’ mercy, patience, and love.  Jesus’ judgments are to be desired, but in this hour, many don’t even want to think about, even more are hoping to avoid them altogether…this runs counter to statement in the Bible about God’s judgments:

Psalms 19:9-11  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  10  More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  11  Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

 

It takes time to agree with God about loving His judgments.  David, Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, John….every great one in the Bible describes the process of being set apart to love, and then execute the judgments….to stand with Jesus.  This honor have all the saints, and they will do it in night and day prayer to music.  Are you ready?

 

Psalms 149:1-9  Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.  2  Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  3  Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.  4  For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.  5  Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.  6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand,  7  To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples;  8  To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron;  9  To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!

 

Greatness in Humility: Why Dying to Yourself REALLY Matters in the End Time (52 min)

Luke 14:7-11  So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them:  8  "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;  9  and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.  10  But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.  11  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

Revelation 3:7-10  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "HE WHO HAS THE KEY OF DAVID, HE WHO OPENS AND NO ONE SHUTS, AND SHUTS AND NO ONE OPENS":  8  "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  9  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  10  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.

Fall 2015: Ripening of the Earth (57 min)

Many are talking about the events of this fall.  It is easy to be deceived.  I do believe this fall will be significant, but I am also clear on what the Bible says:  many will totally miss what God is doing in it.  Many won’t see what is clearly happening, even if they “know” things they think will happen…even if those very things happen.

I hear the Lord saying these two passages are essential right now:

Isaiah 30:8-14  Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That it may be for time to come, Forever and ever:  9  That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD;  10  Who say to the seers, "Do not see," And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.  11  Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us."  12  Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,  13  Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.  14  And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter's vessel, Which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A shard to take fire from the hearth, Or to take water from the cistern."

 

And

 

Isaiah 8:9-17  "Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Give ear, all you from far countries. Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces; Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces.  10  Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; Speak the word, but it will not stand, For God is with us."  11  For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:  12  "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.  13  The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.  14  He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  15  And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken."  16  Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.  17  And I will wait on the LORD, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him.

 

Don’t make decision on things you are imagining to happen this fall.  Make decision that were always the right ones anyway…respond to the Lord NOW, while there is time.

The Weariness of Waiting and the Reward of Patience (33 min)

This message isn't for everyone.  It is an encouragement to the friends of the bridegroom. John the Baptist prepared for years in the wilderness for a very intense and important ministry making the way straight for Jesus to come.  I hear the Lord say many forerunners are tempted to be weary from watching.  The promise of the Bible over and over is that the night is long.  Right now, the Lord is establishing the watchmen to endure what is coming.  Patience is a huge part of what it means to be ready.   This message is about the vibrancy found in patience!

 

Here are the passages I refer to:

 Revelation 1:9  I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Habakkuk 2:1-4  I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected.  2  Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.  3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.  4  "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

 

Habakkuk 2:13-14  Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain?  14  For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.

 

Daniel 12:1-4  "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.  2  And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.  3  Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.  4  "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

 

There is a promise of grace for patience:

1 Peter 1:8-13  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  9  receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.  10  Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  11  searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  12  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.  13  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;