Christ's return, not on the Horizon!

Earthquakes, wars and political upheaval beneath a (promoted) climate change has aroused prophesy gurus. Of late, my T.V. preachers are all warning that Jesus return to earth is imminent. Some of them conclude with a spiel to get their free book for more details.

Now, I’m deeply committed to the reality of Christ’s return to earth to set up His promised Kingdom. However, if the Bible is reliable (I believe it is), then as preachers, teachers and disciples we need to inform people according to what it says. This requires not avoiding the straight out Biblical timeline with its insights into characters, events and nations. 

To say Jesus might return tonight or this year or soon will get some agitated or switched on to ‘religion.’ When it doesn’t eventuate the band of scoffers grow. So, let’s be honest in our presentations. There are certain prophetic events and personnel which haven’t yet stepped onto the world stage. Who knows, they might be out there somewhere, but they haven’t stepped up and out.

What do I mean?

If the book of Revelation is taken seriously (and it should be) then the following (just a short list) have to be operational. In Revelation 11 there is mention of the Jewish temple being in existence. It is being desecrated by antichrist forces. Jesus in Matthew 24 defined this as the setting up of the ‘desolating sacrilege’ as foretold by Daniel. When and how is unknown. However, it will be built as Jesus foretold and 2 Thessalonians 2 supports. At the moment Islam is attempting to deny Israel any right to the former temple mount. This must and will fail. Rebuilding of the temple will take place sometime, date unknown.

Daniel 12 talks about a time of trouble never before experienced on earth. Its duration is in two sections of 3 1/2 years. Although worldwide, its epicentre will be the land of Israel. During this time there will be 144,000 specially prepared Israeli evangelists of impeccable character and faith. They will be speaking about Jesus the Messiah. No attempt to deny them their tribal heritage or have a false religious group claim them will succeed. Revelation is clear, uncomplicated and definite in explaining who they are.

Add to all the above, wars, rumours of wars, apostasy, earth and heavens in upheaval plus a rampant antichrist this is horrid time. Revelation, and other prophetic Scriptures point to events not yet appearing on the horizon. They might be just out of sight but when they appear those alive at that time will be in no doubt the countdown has begun.

Am I presenting a case for ignoring the Biblical teaching about Christ’s return? Certainly not! What I am trying to do is put His return into its rightful setting. That setting deals with Israel and not the Church. Therefore, as Christians we should be living with a more pressing and expectant hope. That hope is plainly set out in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15. It is that wonderful time of meeting Jesus in the air. When that happens 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10 takes place. It is accounting time, not for salvation but for being awarded the garland for faithfulness. And remember this, the Lord Jesus could very well call anyone of us out of this life and into His presence at any moment. Therefore, we must be ready to meet Him, face to face!

The Bible is insistent concerning Christ’s return. Those of us committed to the author and His message are under a burden to rightly explain it. As James 3 plainly says, we who are teacher are under greater judgement for what we teach.

To any who read this let me say, “Check out what I’ve written!” Sit down and read the Scriptures for yourself and let their plain, straightforward words speak to your heart.

©Ray Hawkins Nov. 20^th 2016.

God's Special Day(s)

We all have special days. Some we celebrate, others bring back unwanted memories. Some, such as birthdays, are individual. Wedding anniversaries involve two. Society has its special days also. For Aussies it is Australia Day and Anzac day (for some there is the Melbourne cup – a horse racing event). God also has His special days.

Psalm 118:24. ‘This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ What was this day alluding to? We could in all honesty say “Christmas” but in this case we would be wrong. However, without the Bethlehem birth event God’s special day could not have happened – at least the way it did. Before we have a quick look at ‘this day’ we will take the time to consider the fact of other special God days.

The precise day and date are not recorded for our benefit, I believe. The fact is! The Son of God came into this world on the day the Lord had made. Paul refers to it as ‘in the fullness of time.’ Galatians 4:4. It was the culmination of various prophecies such as Isaiah concerning the virgin (Isaiah 7:14 and Micah revealing the town of Bethlehem (Micah5:2).

Another specially marked day is called ‘The Day of the Lord.’ In fact, this term can apply to a number of different days but all are associated with wrath and judgement. The prophet Joel in his short book stresses these days. ‘The great and terrible day of the Lord [has] come.’ Joel 2:31. What would be needed in a place of safety! We are unable to build it, therefore, God must become the master builder Himself. God told Noah to build an ark as a safe place to ride out the promised world-wide flood. That’s grace preceding judgement. So too, the Lord provides a safe place from the great and final day of holy justice.

That is the day the Lord made according to Psalm 118. In fact that day had a lot of preliminary preparation so it could be recognised. Its shadow is in the Jewish Passover and also expressed in their daily sacrifices. Isaiah 53 gives it a more frightening dimension as it involves ‘the Servant’ taking upon Himself the role of the Passover lamb. When did that day take place? When Jesus was crucified at Calvary. I find it interesting and quite emotional at times to know Jesus read this psalm in the upper room.

In Acts 2 Peter’s sermon about the cross and the risen Lord explains ‘this day.’ To anyone looking at the arrest and crucifixion it would appear earthly authorities were in control. Peter, in effect says what they did was used by God the Father to achieve His plans through the life and death of His Son. It was ‘the Day the Lord had made!’ Just as was the very day of Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks). Because Jesus had conquered death, one of the purposes behind Christmas, it was possible for the Holy Spirit to come to us.

That brings us to the final mention (though not the final list of ‘days’) for this blog on the day the Lord has made. ‘Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’ (2Corinthians 6:2) It is the day of grace. It has been extended beyond 24hours so you and I could take advantage of it. As with any day it has a cut of time to it. Therefore, as we dwell upon the wonder of Christmas become aware that was the day the Lord made. Why? So we could find a place of safety from the judgement of God on that day known only to Him. How do we enter into that safe refuge? By acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Messiah and the One who paid our death penalty. When we believe in our heart that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to His Father we will cry out to Him to forgive and keep us. He will hear and receive.

When you do that – or whenever you did it – You actually allow God to make another day. This time it is all about your day with God. You are able to say, on the assurance of God’s promise ‘This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

©Ray Hawkins Dec 28 2015.

Poking the 'Eye' of God.

How do you poke God in the ‘eye?’‘Truly, one who touches you (nation of Israel) touches the apple of my eye.’ (Zechariah 2:8).

How do you make God jealous?‘Thus says the Lord of Hosts; I am jealous for her (Jerusalem) with great wrath.’ (Zechariah 8:2)

Some will say that was long ago and not relevant to today. Think again. ‘Thus says the Lord; I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. (Zechariah 8:3). That hasn’t happened. Will it? Islamic nations hope not. In league with anti–Semitic Gentile nations they are doing everything in their power to prevent it. Will they succeed? Are the United Nations plus the World Council of Churches, whose decrees we know, stronger than the Word of God, which calls us to trust it? This is ultimately the choices before us.

Zechariah calls Jerusalem a ‘cup of reeling’ for all the peoples surrounding the land and city. Their insane craving to consume this place will ultimately make them devoid of reason and inflame acts of violence. We live in an era where we have witnessed small scale acts of the ‘reeling power’ of this city. According to scripture it will get worse. So what are the implications of the opening statements? The Lord God unveiled in the bible is dismissed as a non–event and the people who are His ‘eye’ are expendable. Because it appears God is silent and has forgotten Israel (He hasn’t) the anti–Semitic nations feel invincible. However the Lord has set aside a time of vengeance; of judgement; of deliverance when He will honour to His Name and word.

This is the era of grace. How long it will last is known only to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When His patience ends judgement begins. So as to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind about its architect God has had it recorded. His enemies have tried to obliterate His book since day one. Why? It’s not simply because they don’t like their destiny, they want to make God a liar. They will never succeed! Zechariah speaks about this time in his 12th and 14th chapters. The nations fight against Jerusalem and seem to win. However the Lord of hosts says “Enough!” No more poking of His eye by arrogant unbelieving nations. No more being scoffed at. No more the city of His heart being trodden under foot.

The prophet foresaw this event and described it as the Lord touching down on the Mount of Olives. He strides into His city to reclaim it and establish the promised reign of righteousness and justice. On that day ‘the Lord will become King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be one and his name one.’ (Zechariah 14:9) What about Jerusalem? ‘It shall be inhabited, for never again shall it be doomed to destruction; Jerusalem shall abide in security.’ (Zechariah 14:11) Notice those two words ‘never again!’ Well worth a study where they are used.

The bible has so many references to the history and the future of Jerusalem it would take many articles to explore. Why did Jesus weep over it? (Matthew 23:37) He saw their unbelief. He saw the Gentile nations’ hatred. He felt the Gentile’s collective ‘finger in His eye’. He knew their destructive intent and the terror they would inflict upon the city of His heart.  

However the Lord Jesus did not despair. He also knew the future and looked to the day beautifully described in Isaiah 62. Please read the whole passage. Suffice it now to quote verse 4: ‘You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.’ The word ‘Delight in Her’ in Hebrew is ‘Hephzibah.’ Therefore any person, any nation, and any Church group should be careful about their actions and their attitudes are levelled against this city. Why? ‘You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.’ (Isaiah 62:3).

Babylon in Scripture

Isaiah 47:1-15. Babylon – Historical and Mystery.

The Bible is a tale of two cities. Each is hostile to the other. Each seeks to convert and prevail. One city is aligned to the powers of Darkness, the other to the Lord of Light. To understand the spiritual and moral forces in the world it is important to have an understanding of these two cities. People live in or are continually confronted by Babylon and Jerusalem.

Babylon – It’s Beginnings and founder. Genesis 10:8-12.
Nimrod = Rebel. A mighty warrior 1 Chronicles. 1:10. is credited with building Babel (Gen. 11:1-9) and founding Babylon (Micah 5:6.) His purpose – one world government and security from any future judgement from the Lord God of Heaven and earth. Nimrod set up a rival worship system which has influenced all the religions of the world. This man, brilliant and forceful in opposing the will and word of Yahweh is the first type of the Anti-Christ. Two features marked him and the future Lawless one(2 Thessalonians. 2:8.) who exalts self to the point of wanting worship. (Dan. 11:36-39.)

Babylon means confusion and mixture. From this city under the influence of Nimrod it became the centre of the occult. Its realm is darkness expressing itself in moral behaviour contrary to God’s character and teaching whilst possessing self-righteous and idolatrous practices.

Babylon – Its dominance and Delusion.
The political power of Babylon was destroyed by the Medes and Persians. However its spiritual and moral influence continued. It’s realm is of the Devil. What the city portrays the Devil promotes throughout this world. It is called ‘Mystery Babylon.’

When we look through the Bible it becomes clear why the Lord God is so opposed to Babylon as a city and its worldwide influence! You can gauge this from the following references
Jeremiah 50:24. It opposes the Lord.
Jeremiah 50:29. Defied the Lord.
Jeremiah 51:11. Destroyed the Jerusalem Temple.
Revelation 18:2,3 The centre of the occult.
Revelation 18:11-13, It is obsessed with greed and slavery.
Revelation 18:24. The blood of prophets and martyred believers in Jesus Christ flows in its streets and wherever it rules. On top of that this city of the kingdom of Darkness practices the magic arts and enslaves people through combining it with drugs. Revelation 9:21. 22:15. 18:23 Everything it does and promotes violates the very holiness of God and denies the grace and goodness of the Creator Redeemer.

As if that wasn’t enough for Judgement by God the most offensive and direct challenge to our Lord is the claim in Isaiah 47:8, 10. ‘I am. There is none besides me. c/- Zephaniah. 2:15. This is an usurping of the Name of God and His eternity. It is a direct challenge to a contest of might. It is a call to men and women to choose which city they are citizens of. God does not allow rival sovereigns. There can ever only be One God supreme over all. This is so important in understanding who Jesus is. He claimed to be “I Am.” He illustrated this title 7 times in the gospel of John as well as saying ‘before Abraham, I am’. If this wasn’t true the Lord God of Heaven would have destroyed him. The Jewish Sanhedrin authorized Jesus death by crucifixion on charges of blasphemy. If true Jesus would still be in the tomb. The wonder of the resurrection is testimony to the truth of who He is and what He achieved. It is also the assurance of His return.

Therefore pretenders to sovereignty must be judged and destroyed. In Scripture such an event is called the Day of the Lord. When the final and ultimate judgement falls upon Babylon it becomes like Sodom and Gomorrah. Never to be inhabited. (it is at this moment.) except by desert creatures. A swampland it will be. Consider the following references:
Jeremiah 51:59-64. The near and the final destructions foretold.
Jeremiah 50:12. A wilderness, dry land, desert. 50:13. Not inhabited. 13:39. Never again inhabited. 51:25,26. Nothing will be salvaged from its destruction.

It is the direct judgement of God and not the intervention of Humankind. It happens in 1 day. (Revelation 18:10,17 says ‘one hour’).

The call of the Lord is to come out of the spiritual/moral/self-righteous darkness of Mystery Babylon and link up with the City in which the Lord God has set His Name and Fame. The eternal city is Jerusalem and you become one of its citizens by a personal commitment of your life to its Sovereign. You know who He is: it is Jesus Christ the risen Lord, the great I Am. Your act of faith and obedience to Him becomes your passport to eternal life with Him.

Ray (a citizen) Hawkins.