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contents eDITORIAL Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
BEHOLD HE COMES! : OLD TESTAMENT SHADINGS ON THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
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Pastor Phinni Joseph
JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT HIS SECOND COMING Pastor P. T. Thomas
WHY THIS DELAY? P. Abraham
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The Second Coming of Christ and Related Thoughts Rev. P. I. Abraham
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Waiting and Watching for His Second Coming Dr. J. N. Manokaran
Vol. 11 Issue No. 10 October 2018
A magazine that will enrich and renew your spiritual life and give Christian perspective on current events. e-mail : revivemegod@gmail.com igotoibc@gmail.com visit us : www.revivemegod.org CHAIRMAN PASTOR Dr. T. VALSON ABRAHAM MEMBERS BRO. JACOB THOMAS BRO. SUNNY KODUMTHARA EDITOR PASTOR DR. JOHN K. MATHEW
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SIGNS OF THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST Dr. Benjamin George
ADMINISTRATIVE EDITOR PASTOR SAJU JOSEPH
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Counseling Corner Tessy Grace Mathews
ASSOCIATE EDITOR MRS. STARLA LUKOSE
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MANAGER PASTOR T. J. ABRAHAM
QUIZ
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JUNE THOMAS ANN ABRAHAM PUBLISHER & PRINTER Lt. Col. V. I. LUKE (Retd.) HEBRON, KUMBANAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA for K. E. Abraham Foundation PRINTED AT VIANI PRINTINGS, LISSIE JN., ERNAKULAM, KERALA PLACE OF PUBLICATION KUMBANAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA - 689 547 DESIGN Beam Design S2dio Ph: 93870 73135 beamfine@gmail.com
Cover photo credit : Google & DBTC POSTAL ADDRESS P.O. BOX. 31, HEBRON, KUMBANAD KERALA, INDIA, PIN - 689 547 Phone: 0469 - 2664075, 2665855 Mobile: 94476 08954
The views and ideas expressed in each article are those of the writer. - Editor
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Letters
Veracity of Bible Prophecies
Dear revive, The topic selected as the theme for the last issue of revive was very relevant and applicable in the present situation in the world. I would like to appreciate all the writers for their very sincere presentation of the theme from different angles. The editorial by Pastor Saju Joseph was mainly on the veracity of the Bible prophecies. He truly stated that all the world events today are pointing very clearly to the fulfillment of the Bible prophecies on the last days. Whether we believe or not, accept or not, without an iota of doubt, the Bible prophecies about the future of the church, the world and the non- believers and Satan will be fulfilled. The heavens and the earth shall pass away, but not a single word from the Bible shall be unfulfilled. Both history and contemporary events prove the veracity of the Bible prophecies. I pray for the ministry of revive. May God bless your efforts for the Kingdom of God. Binoy George, Bangalore
Ultimate Fulfillment Dear Editor, I am much impressed and advised by the articles in the September issue of revive. I got a very deep understanding about the last days as it is taught in
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the Bible. In his ‘Just One Minute …” Rev. Dr. Valson Abraham brings to light the importance of understanding the nature of the last days. He also writes that “last days” also signifies the ultimate fulfillment of what God has already begun, the completion of what He planned before creation. God intervened in human history once in Jesus’ incarnation which led to Jesus’ death and resurrection. He will do it again in Jesus’ second coming. Jesus’ second Coming will bring about wrath and judgment for some, but blessing for others and with full restoration of all things. The world scoffs at this in unbelief - and perhaps fear - because this will mean the end of everything they have lived, worked and died for. These perishable things for which they have given their very lives have nothing to do with God’s imperishable purposes and will be brought to nothing. We have to be thankful to God for his care; grace and provision for us helping us live with eternal and spiritual perspective in all spheres of our lives. Varghese John, Doha
Old Testament and Last Days Dear Editor, The article by Dr. K. B. Georgekutty on the teaching of Old Testament on the last days was very scholarly and informative. The manner in which the Old Testament people and the prophets saw the last day or the day of the Lord is well presented with examples and details. He proves that the expectation of a day of Yahweh applies to an event in Israel's history which does not imply the inauguration of the last time. Instead prophets were simply prophesying a catastrophe or a deliverance which will take place in conceivable time. However the New Testament writers like Luke and Jude have well revealed the truth which was only a shadow in the Old Testament. I pray for and appreciate revive and the writer for your efforts in helping the believers understand the Bible prophecies more accurately. Rajan Mathew, Pune
Prophetic Expectations
Dear Revive, The last issue of revive magazine was mainly dealing with the Bible prophecies on the last things, mainly on last days. My special thanks to the editorial team for selecting such a very relevant theme in September in the background of the flood in Kerala. Rev. Sam K. Jacob writes well on the expectations of the Old Testament prophets. It was clear from the very beginning of the history of mankind in the Bible. Though the classical prophets have much to say about the events that will take place at the end time, the future hope has been alive since the patriarchal period. The prophecies of Balaam, the blessings of Jacob and the blessings of Moses gave a hope for national salvation in the days ahead. Their themes are Israel's victory over enemies coupled with messianic thought. The Biblical prophets have handed down many ideas concerning the hope for the future. However, this and all the articles were very enlightening and useful. Thomas Zachariah, Canada
A World of Anarchy Dear Editor, It is made very clear in the articles of revive in the last issue that the anarchy in the present world is depicted very well in the Bible. Pastor Kris Jackson clearly expounds the Biblical account of the prophecy in the Bible pointing to the signs of the last days. We live in a world of anarchy and chaos, what Jesus described as “distress of nations, with perplexity”. We see active wars in many parts of the globe, terrorism, ethnic cleansing, social strife, crime and rebellion. This is a day of guided missiles and misguided morals. The MiddleEast is a powder keg. And the nuclear powers continue to invent and build more sophisticated weaponry with the potential of wiping out tens of millions of people with the push of a button. These are indeed “perilous times” and our world is a world of anarchy. Jayamon John, New Delhi
renewing and enriching life
Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
In his book, 'Man's Search for Meaning', Victor Frankl, a successor of Sigmund Freud at Vienna, argued that the "loss
WATCH AND WAIT
of hope and courage can have a deadly effect on man." As a result of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, Frankl contended that 'when a man no longer possesses a motive for living, no future to look toward, he curls up in a corner and dies.' Any attempt to restore a man's inner strength in camp", he wrote, "had first to succeed in showing him some future goal". What makes a Christian unique in his faith is his intact trust and hope in the return of Jesus Christ. In the words of Billy Graham, " We can't go on much longer morally. We can't go on much longer scientifically. The technology that was supposed to save us is ready to destroy us. New weapons are being made all the time, including chemical and biological weapons. The only bright spot on the horizon of this world, today, is the promise of the coming again of Christ". The pagan world in Paul's day had no hope of life after death. A typical inscription on a grave demonstrates this fact: I was not I became I am not I care not The believers in Thessalonica were concerned about their loved ones who had died. What if the Lord would return? Would their deceased loved ones be handicapped in any way? So Apostle Paul wrote to them with no grain of ambiguity that "the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess.4:16 -18) Warren W. Wiersbe, internationally known Bible teacher aptly said, "whether we Christians live or die, we have nothing to fear because Jesus will come either with us or for us! The fact of his return is a comfort to our hearts". During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport, the speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. Quelling a clamor for an immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, "The day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought, Rather than fearing what is to come, we are to be faithful until Christ returns. Instead of
New
weapons are being made all the time, including chemical and biological weapons. The only bright spot on the horizon of this world, today, is the promise of the coming again of Christ" fearing the dark, we are to light as we watch and wait". It is related that Queen Victoria, deeply touched by a sermon of F.W. Farrar on the Lord's Second Coming, and said to him: " Dean Farrar, I should like to be living when Jesus comes, so that I could lay the crown of England at his feet". Let this be our prayer as well. October 2018
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Pastor Phinni Joseph Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
BEHOLD HE COMES ! : OLD TESTAMENT SHADINGS ON THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
God created human beings to rule on His behalf over the non-human world. Thus he mediates the presence of God, the creator from heaven. But they rebelled against
His purpose and the earth became corrupted. Hence God judged the primeval world by a flood and following the Babel event. However, God did not finish His work for His creation for he took initiative to set things right so that His purpose for human beings shall be achieved. God called Abraham as the new agents of renewing God’s purpose for human race taking a mediatory role for the families of the earth. Abraham’s family also faced with challenges from Egyptian bondage and thus they became incapable of bringing blessing to other nations. The Lord raised up Moses and judged the nation that stood against the purpose of God. He came down to rescue His people. Yahweh began to actively involve in the history of His people, Israel. He delivered them from the hands of the
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oppressors. The Lord’s plan was executed by destroying the evil powers prevailing against His people. This work of salvation /judgment on behalf of His people continued even during the time of Judges and Kings. It was Yahweh’s prerogative that to rescue His people and leading them to His purpose reserved for them, to be blessed and be a blessing to humanity and to the entire creation. The Old Testament stands as a shadow of the blessings that follow in the New Testament times. The Old Testament speaks of Salvation as an earthly flourishing and it is effected through Yahweh’s crucial involvement in the history of His people/ world to deliver His people/ by judging the evil structures oppressing them. Often we see certain things that hinder God’s purpose for life and blessing. The fullness of life need to be restored when the people earnestly long for or cry to him in their distress. We see the mighty acts of God in the Old Testament on behalf of His people and its nature. These events foreshadow the advent of Christ Jesus on behalf of His church in the latter days.
Yahweh Comes Down We see that Yahweh comes down to the help of His people when they cry unto Him. He leaves his heavenly abode and comes down to life situations of His people. This was to help the people in need, especially when they are oppressed by others. Yahweh’s response to the concrete human situations is found throughout the scriptures, to say, in the event of Exodus and the return of people from Babylonian Captivity. He comes down to know them personally, abate their sufferings and deliver them from the evil influences that hindered their destiny and also to lead them to a better land that flows with milk and honey.
Yahweh Fights Yahweh fights for His people and over threw their enemies. Yahweh’s wrath burring against his adversaries and he works wonders and might acts on behalf of his people. The Coming of Yahweh as king of creation is to judge evil is an important theme in the book o f Psalms. This would in turn lead to a celebration of life among nations and non human creations. This idea can also be seen in the prophetic literatures. Yahweh comes in judgment from his heavenly dwelling and his appearance causes in shaking of mountains with earth quakes.
The Lord’s
plan was executed by destroying the evil powers prevailing against His people. This work of salvation/ judgment on behalf of His people continued even during the time of Judges and Kings. Yahweh’s coming to Judge and save. His coming makes cosmic effects. It also affects the celestial bodies. It affects sun, moon and stars. The heavens being rolled up like a scroll, when Yahweh judges nations on behalf of his people Israel. The earth is trembled, violently shaken and it shall fall Continued on page 10
Yahweh Leads The deliverance or final victory of the people over the evil leads them to the Land that is promised for them. The promise of a blessed land is underlying God’s purpose to the His people. A return to a safe and fruitful and where they can flourish is underlying in His original purpose for humanity.It is the Lord that leads His people to a good and plentiful land where they enjoy His bounty. A new heaven and earth as the eternal home of the redeemed is a promise of His people.
Behold He comes to Judge / Save The Old Testament texts speak of the Coming of Yahweh accompanied by shaking or melting of cosmos. Storm and earth quakes accompany His coming as manifestation of His power. It describes October 2018
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Pastor P. T. Thomas Writer & Bible Teacher
JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT HIS SECOND COMING
The surest
assurance of Jesus’ second coming comes from the words of Jesus Himself. His disciples believed Him as the promised Messiah and cherished the hope of overthrowing the Roman rule and establishing the Messianic Kingdom. So Jesus’ crucifixion was too much for them to accept. The uneducated fisher folk from northern Galilee felt themselves orphaned aliens in the city of Jerusalem. Comforting them Jesus said: “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” (John 14:18). Reassuring them of His unfailing care Jesus told them “… I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place to you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2, 3).
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In addition to this solemn promise given to His disciples, Jesus has given more details about His second coming. In Matthew 24:3, we see the disciples asking three questions to the Lord: “… Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” The first question relates to the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. As foretold by the Lord the temple was destroyed by the Romans in A. D. 70. The second and the third questions relate to the coming of the Lord.
About the Time of His Coming More than any other detail of the Lord’s coming man is most envious about its time. “Where is the promise of His coming?” is a mocking question many do ask in every age (2 Peter 3:4). It is a mystery hidden in the heart of God the Father - “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matt. 24:36). Some use this verse to question the deity of Jesus. ‘If He is god, He must be omniscient if He does not know such an important fact, He is not omniscient and not God’ - they argue. It is because they deliberately close their eyes to the mystery of incarnation that they fail in grasping the truth. God cannot cease to be God. The second person of the Holy Trinity is always and for ever God. He emptied Himself of His free-will. ‘Not my will, Father, may your will be done’ - was His motto. Jesus handed over His choice of using His deity to the Father. He is perfect. God came as the perfect man. Jesus lived and ministered in His manliness and used His godliness only at the will of the Father. The omnipresent God limited Himself into the womb of a virgin. The omnipotent one gave Himself over to be exhausted even to the point to say: “My strength is dried up like a potshard.” And the omniscient one stood speechless before His accusers. He humbled Himself to such a level to identify Himself with us and to be a model for us to emulate. It was in this context that Jesus said. “But of that day and hour no one knows… not the Son, but the Father alone.” As per the will of the Father, Jesus did not use His omniscience in the context. Now that the Lord is glorified with the glory He eternally shared with the Father, He knows the time of His coming. That is why He testifies in the Book of Revelation: “Yes, I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:20). The church of god living through the centuries has been ‘called in one hope, for one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one god and Father of all’ (Eph. 4:4-6). One faith and one hope is assured through the centuries by keeping the time of the Lord’s coming a mystery. Every believer living in every age can live in the hope that the Lord will come during his life-time. Paul cherished that hope and we too live in the same hope of glory (1 Cor. 15:51; I Thes. 4:17).
About the Manner of His Coming Jesus has foretold two contrasting facts about the manner of His coming–stealthily, stealing in like a thief and like a glaring lightening that fills the whole sky from one end to the other (Matt. 24:43; 24: 27; Luke 17:24). How can these two apparently contrasting ideas describe the same event? This points to the two phases of Jesus’ coming. These two provide answers to the second and the third questions the disciples asked the Lord–Your coming and the end of the age. Jesus has told His disciples that both His going to the Father and coming back are for them. He went to prepare a place for them. He will come again to receive them into Himself so that they too shall be where He Himself is. Also Jesus had promised the disciples: “After a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me…” (John 14:19). The disciples meeting Him ‘after a little while’ will be a private affair. The world will not see Him then. Like a thief stealthily collects the valuables and leaves unseen by others, the Lord will gather His dear ones He has redeemed with His own precious blood. This will be the first phase of Jesus’ second coming.
The Signs of Jesus’ Coming The Jews generally are sign seekers (1 Cor. 1:22) Jesus’ disciples too were asking for
signs of His coming. Jesus foretold about wars and rumours of war, persecution of true believers, the rise of false prophets who will succeed in misleading many and the rising of lawlessness resulting in human relationship growing cold. History is replete with such occurrences over and over again fulfilling the words of the Lord. Natural calamities like the sun getting darkened, the moon growing dim, the stars falling
Natural
calamities like the sun getting darkened, the moon growing dim, the stars falling from the sky and the shaking up of the powers of heaven are all predicted. When such things happen the Son of Man will appear in glory riding on the clouds.
from the sky and the shaking up of the powers of heaven are all predicted. When such things happen the Son of Man will appear in glory riding on the clouds. All nations of the world will see Him and will mourn. This is the second phase of the coming of the Lord. Another sign of this glorious appearance of the Lord relates to the Israelites. Fig tree is a scriptural symbol of the Israelites. Jesus cursing the fig tree and it October 2018
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the fig tree. The withered fig tree will grow tender branches and put forth leaves, He said (Matt. 24:32). In AD 70, the city of Jerusalem with its temple was destroyed and the Israelites were scattered all the world over. But in our generation we see the withered fig tree flourishing. The Israelites have returned to their promised land and have become a power to reckon with. It shows that the Lord is right at the door (Matt. 24:32,33).
Jesus’ Declaration Before the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:63–64)
withering away was symbolic of the nation of Israel getting cast aside from their favoured position before the Lord. As a sign His second coming, Jesus pointed to
Jesus was standing trial before the apex court of the Israelites – the Sanhedrin. Quite unusually, the high priest, the presiding judge of the court, stood up and in the name of the living God asked Jesus: ‘Are you, the Christ, the Son of God?’ Jesus answered that He is and quoting from the Book of Daniel, He declared: “I tell you hereafter, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven”. It was the prophetic declaration of the glorious return of the Lord. Jesus’ words were more than enough to conscience the Sanhedrin that He is the promised Messiah. But they deliberately refused to accept the clear truth. They won’t see the Lord coming to gather His saints; but will witness His glorious return to judge the world. This is the call Jesus gives. As we do not know when the Lord will return to collect His precious bride, we must be alert and should stand ready to receive Him.
BEHOLD HE COMES! : OLD TESTAMENT SHADINGS ON THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST Continued from page 7 down when Yahweh judges the earth for its iniquity. We need to note the fact that his judgment is ultimately redemptive. Hence, salvation is the outcome for His people, The destruction on judgment will be followed by the song of the redeemed.and the glory of Yahweh reign on Mount Zion.
Yahweh establishes His Kingdom The underlying idea of God as king and Judge of all creation implies the establishment of Hiskingdom here on the earth. The royal language of God ca n be seen in Old Testament Pages. Also
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it envisages that the King of the universe shall vanquish evil and establish righteousness and justice. When Zion will be the centre of he world and the divine king shall rule from there. The motif of coming reign of God is central them in the prophetical and apocalyptical books. The dominion will be taken from the unjust rulers and will be given to His people. The texts anticipated a messianic deliverer and a ruler, who could restore Israel, subdue God’s enemies and establish God’s righteous reign from Zion over all the land of Israel and to the ends of the earth. The divine warrior shall wage the battle on behalf of His people and subdue al their enemies.
Old Testament Shadings on Christ’s Advent In the New Testament Jesus the lord entered into history to do battle with the powers of evil. He has won victory over every power that oppress God and his purposes for human kind. He has transferred us into His kingdom. Also, the non human creation will enjoy this freedom. Then He shall come from his heavenly abode to fight for His people. She shall come to judge the world and take His people with Him, He shall be with them, and He will judge the heaven and the earth. He shall put an end to all earthly kingdoms and entrust the kingdom to the Father. Thus, the eternal purpose of God for human beings will be fulfilled making this earth a better place to live in.
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P. Abraham Senior Scientific Officer, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Mumbai
WHY THIS
DELAY? Jesus told His disciples about His return to earth (Matt.24). When the disciples asked what they could expect then, He told them that they should be concerned about
being prepared, rather than knowing the exact date of His return in power. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. Angels proclaimed to the disciples that one day Jesus would return bodily and visibly the same way He went. History is moving towards this specific point, namely the return of Jesus to judge and rule over the earth. We should be ready for His sudden return, not standing around looking into the sky, but by working hard to first obey the Gospel and then to share it so that others will be able to share in the great blessings of God. October 2018
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Holy Conduct The return of Christ is a doctrine that evangelicals hold in common. It is prominently discussed in the scriptures. It is mentioned more than 300 times in the New Testament. Christ taught that His return would be a literal, physical event. He would return just the same way as the disciples had seen Him depart
God
has clear expectations from those who choose to follow Him. This does not mean that we are saved by piling up enough good works to satisfy God. It only means that any authentic and genuine commitment to Christ will be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life. (Acts 1:15). The time of His return would, however, be unknown. People should therefore be prepared always for His coming (Matt.24:36,42;25:1-3). During His absence, His people should be faithful stewards (Matt. 24:45-51), faithfully serving Him to receive His commendation and rewards on His return (Matt.25:14-30). The word of God concludes with the words of John: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”(Rev.22:20). Because believers will see Him who is pure, they should purify themselves (1
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Jn. 3:3). Peter emphasises: “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet.3:11). Jesus declared these things beforehand that we might be free from all delusions, so that our hearts are kept firm and faithful to Him in the assurance of His knowledge. Wars and distresses, false teachers and false prophets are to continue and multiply, until the coming of the Son of Man. This view is consonant to the actual facts of history and experience, so far. Let us not be seduced from our loyalty to Him by any false teacher. We become hurried and flustered because we have a limited time (a day) to do anything. God has no such unrest; He is able to instantly accomplish the things which men could hope to do in a thousand years. Men declare that the promise of His coming is false because more than 2000 years have elapsed after it was made. They forget that He is never too early or too late. He is always on time. The purposes of God are so vast and wonderful that their working out in human experience must take time. His power is such that when He wills, things can be done in the “twinkling of an eye.”
Clear Expectations God has clear expectations from those who choose to follow Him. This does not mean that we are saved by piling up enough good works to satisfy God. It only means that any authentic and genuine commitment to Christ will be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life. For the followers of Christ, anything that becomes more precious than our relationship with the Lord becomes destructive. The Great Commandment – to love God, and love our neighbours--is the work of God's people. With 2 billion Christians in the world, changing the world does not seem beyond our grasp. Bob Pierce said: “Don't fail to do something, because you can't do everything.” However, it takes transformed people to transform the world. The truth is that we have “drifted away from being fishers of men to being keepers of the aquarium.” We are preoccupied with our lives and daily issues of our churches. Our sin is more of omission than commission.
Local Church The local church is the hope of the world. If church leaders do not have an outward vision to become salt and light in our society to promote social and spiritual transformation, pursue justice, and proclaim the whole Gospel, then the Church will fail to realise its potential as the agent of transformation. Our salt has lost its saltiness and so, we are no longer able to impact the culture of our society. “A church that lives within its four walls is no church at all.” Aspiring to material comfort and success are not core Christian values. Obedience to the Great Commission has been consistently poisoned by our affluence. We have become blind. May God show us our blindness (Matt. 13:13-15). Jesus commanded us to “Go”, not “huddle”. If God has commanded us to fulfil a Commission, let us make it our utmost priority, as long as we live. We should rise above the trivial religious games and truly be the salt and light of the world. “If you are a Christian, you have to practise what you preach.” We are now a church too comfortable, insulated from the pain of the rest of the world, devoid of compassion. The heart and soul of the church of Christ hang in the balance. In the first century, a small group of thoughtful, committed disciples changed the world and turned it upside down. We have reduced the Gospel to a transaction involving the 'right' beliefs, rather than living it with the power of the Holy Spirit. The world needs change agents, who have changed themselves. Moses had a stick, David had a slingshot, Paul had a pen, Graham Staines had love for the poor, and Billy Graham a gift for preaching. In common, they all had a willingness to let God use whatever they had, even when it did not seem very useful. What do you have? If society deteriorates and its standards decline, there is no sense in blaming the society. That is what happens when fallen men and women are left to themselves and
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human selfishness remains unchecked. The question to ask is: Where is the church? Why are the salt and light of Jesus Christ not permeating and changing the society? It is sheer hypocrisy on our part to raise our eyebrows, shrug our shoulders, or wring our hands. The Lord told us to be salt and light. If darkness and rottenness abound, it is largely our fault and we must accept the blame, recognise the problem and rectify the situation. Like the good tree in Matthew 7, Christ's true disciples will bear good fruit. Paul has described a local church in his first letter to the Thessalonians. “We give thanks to you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ......... you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe......turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven....”(1 Thess. 1: 2-10). What an example to emulate!
Christ's Ambassadors We should be carriers of the Gospel – the good news that is meant to change the world. It is not enough to believe. Worship and personal morality are not enough. When we commit ourselves to follow Christ, we are also committed to live our lives in a way that the watching world would get a glimpse of God's character – His love, justice and mercy-- through our words, actions and behaviour. “We are Christ's ambassadors” (2 Cor. 5:2). He called us to proclaim the good news and to change the world to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ. The common notion is that committing one's life to Christ begins and ends by reciting a brief prayer that activates one's spiritual life insurance. The part about being salt and light to redeem the rebellious planet are considered as optional. We now live in the confines of a comfortable church with our chosen theology. God wants the whole counsel of His word to be preached and demonstrated to the people around us. That is why Jesus shed His blood for us. Read the book of Acts, learn of the demonstrators of His Spirit and the opposition they encountered. We must do the same. Never settle for the mediocrity of a religious life.
to them (1 Thess. 4:16,17), giving them their great hope of glory. Paul explains that he and his companions worked hard rather than becoming a burden to the believers. The rule they followed was: if a man will not work, he shall not eat. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependants. Work when you should be working, and rest while you should be resting. Paul exhorts the idlers to get back to work. If we are ready, we need not be concerned about when He will return. We should be firm in our convictions: keep working and wait for Christ. We should be persistent, making the most of our time and talent. Our endurance will be rewarded. The imminent return of Christ should not make us idle. Instead, we should be even more busy, living purely, working for His kingdom, living our lives well. While patiently waiting for His return, we should earnestly work for Him.
Efforts to determine the date for the return of Christ are foolish. Paul warns us that no one knows the date of Christ's return, except the Father, and that believers will be taken by surprise at the coming of the Lord. He will return suddenly and unexpectedly. Since no one knows when Jesus will come back to earth, we should be ready always. We should live each day ready to meet Him. Do not be caught unprepared. Are you ready?
Doubts in the first century The question about the timing of the return of Christ has puzzled the believers, right from the first century. Having believed the Gospel message and accepted new life in Christ, it appears that many in Thessalonica believed that they would be protected from death till Christ returned. But when believers began to die under persecution, some of them started questioning their faith. Some Thessalonians had stopped working in order to wait for Christ, since the Lord could come at any moment. The doctrine about Christ's return promoted idleness in the church. Paul addressed their questions in his first letter October 2018
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Apostle Peter gives a blunt warning about false teachers. He cautioned that they will become prevalent in the last days (2 Pet. 2:1,2), they will do anything for money (2:3), they will spurn the things of God, and they will be judged and punished by God (2:310, 20-22). He has also given the reasons for the delay for Christ's return (3:1-13). If we are ready, we do not have to be concerned about the events around us, or the timing of Christ's return. God
Our
churches are full of gossip, simply because they are full of lost people. Many are lost in the church. As Christians, we should be busy building other people up-- not pulling them down. People are being misled by pastors and teachers within the various denominations. is in control of all world events. If our faith is strong, we do not need be afraid of what lies ahead. Our task is only to be prepared for His return and to spread the Gospel message so that more people will be prepared. Are you rejoicing in this glorious hope and living expectantly for His return? The second epistle of Peter could have been written for us, in the 21st century. Our world is full of false prophets and teachers. We should learn to reject all those who preach anything inconsistent with the word of God. Peter
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warned his readers to avoid the mistakes of the wicked teachers by growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. False teaching from within the church is far more dangerous than persecution from without (Acts 20:28-32). False teaching weakens the church and ruins its testimony. The weapon to fight false teaching is the word of God.
Historic Examples The world scoffs at the idea of the return of Christ (Jude 18) and cannot recognise that all of history is moving in that direction. “All things continue as they were” is the argument we often hear from the world's thinkers. They think that “God is not going to break into history and interrupt progress.” Peter cites Old Testament examples to prove that this is not the case (2 Pet.3). He begins with the created world, then the flood. He indicates that the world is now reserved for fire, prepared for judgement. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise. God will not be tardy when time comes. He will act and fulfil His word. He is delaying His judgement because He wants more sinners to come to Christ and be saved from the coming wrath. He is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but every one to come to repentance. Remember that He is not on our time-table (Psa.90:4). Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to Him. We must live with the reality that time is short and that we have important work to do. Be ready to meet Christ any time today, yet planning your course of service, as if He may not return for many years. A thief comes suddenly, when he is least expected (Matt.24:43, Lk.12:39, 1 Thess.5:2, Rev.3:3, 16-18). When the world says peace and safety, judgement will fall (1 Thess.5:3). God's people should not be caught unprepared when Christ comes. But the world will be surprised by His coming and the judgement that follows. We should not become lazy and complacent because of the delay. Instead, we should live in eager expectation of His coming. What would you like to be doing when Christ returns?
Indian Church It is disappointing that the light of Christ has not adequately transformed the Indian church, even after twenty centuries of its presence in this country. The political system of our denominations kills initiative and individual energy, makes men denominational tools, observing the Do's and Don'ts of religion, causing them to become worldly minded and useless. About the political manipulations during elections in our churches, the less said the better. Our churches are full of gossip, simply because they are full of lost people. Many are lost in the church. As Christians, we should be busy building other people up-not pulling them down. People are being misled by pastors and teachers within the various denominations. They are being taught half-truths and outright lies. They are like frogs in tepid water, which is being heated; they are not aware of the threat to their lives. Be sensitive to the Spirit. The sinful world will always challenge our faith. If we find some way daily to draw closer to God, we will be prepared to stand for truth under all circumstances. Recognising that the earth is going to be burned up, we should put our confidence in what is lasting and eternal. We should not be bound to earth and its treasures. Finding a cure for the corruption in our hearts is our greatest need. Our complacent attitude can have disastrous consequences. We are not what we are meant to be. Are you striving to develop Christ-like character? We are justly proud of the fact that Christianity in India is as old as Christianity anywhere else in the world. We claim our ancestry to the fact that Apostle Thomas began his missionary efforts in India when he landed in Kerala during AD 52. But the Christian population in the country has only risen to 2.5% of the total population, during these 20 centuries. Moreover, this figure has remained stagnant during the past several decades despite the serious efforts by several churches and evangelistic organisations, in the face of opposition. This situation needs serious consideration and urgent remedial steps, in view of the imminent return of the Lord.
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Consider what we did with those who accepted the Christian faith. Even after hundreds of years of their existence in the churches, the Dalit Christians remain on the periphery of our community. There are instances of discrimination in seating during worship services, and in serving communion. The Dalits are made to sit at the rear end and they are served communion only after the high caste converts have received the communion. Voting systems are skilfully manoeuvred by the wealthy and clever high caste Christians. Marriage relationships between high caste and Dalit Christians are rare. Dalits are buried in a separate section of the graveyard. This sinful neglect of the lower castes continues long after they embraced Christianity, rejecting the caste system of their past. It is a shame for all Christians that caste governs the life of these Christians as much as it does the life of their earlier religion. Essentially, God has not been able to accomplish His plan yet, through His people fully. The unprecedented flood havoc and landslides in Kerala during August 2018, in which thousands of people were marooned without food, water and electricity for several days, caused devastation like never before; it was another fervent call for us to forsake our evil ways and turn to God. Sadly, even during this catastrophic trial by water, some Christians in a relief camp reportedly asked for preferential treatment over the Dalits! How can the bridegroom come when His bride continues in such disarray? Believers must be on guard, as we wait. Instead of looking for peace and hope in the world during the coming days, we should be looking for the new heaven and the new earth that God creates and over which Christ will reign (Rev.21:1). This
blessed assurance helps us to keep ourselves clean and faithful in the work assigned to us. The delay in His coming means salvation for more believing Jews and Gentiles. It is those who do not understand this truth of God's programme that twist the Scriptures and mix up, ending up in confusion. He can keep us from stumbling by growing and building ourselves up in the Lord (Jude 24-25). Peter warns us to have balanced lives: learn and live the word. Dear friend, recognise the gravity of the situation and rise to the occasion to observe the requirements of the Great Commandment and to implement the Great Commission.“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Just one minute
*** Father God, in these days of turmoil and trouble, help me to keep my eyes on the prize-the Second Coming of your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Help me to know you more fully and to invest the talents you have given me to your glory and the advancement of your kingdom in this world, especially in those places where the gospel is still unknown. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Continued from cover 2 Too few believers spend time in preaching, teaching and learning about our “Blessed Hope.” This loss of perspective robs us of hope and purpose. It is a trick of the enemy to make us forget our rightful inheritance and sure destiny in Christ. Let us deny him this attempt to usurp what our Lord has guaranteed to us! Let us pray the Holy Spirit will revive His people to a new urgency to complete the task He has given us and hasten the wonderful day of Jesus’ return. To realize our “Blessed Hope” means learning to trust Him more, to work and pray in His power in new ways. He will help us in our weakness. Let it be! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! We offer
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Rev. P. I. Abraham Writer, preacher, Kottayam
The Second Coming of Christ and Related Thoughts There are many branches in Christian theology. One of the more important among them is eschatology; that deals with the second coming of Christ. This is a subject
which is very vast, solemn and one which is significant to our very life. All the books of the Bible are tied together with a common idea, as if with a golden thread. Though very dim in the beginning, it is clear and most bright when it comes to the end of the Bible. We get an idea about the triune God in the very beginning of the book of Genesis. “In the beginning God” is an introductory statement of the Bible. Along with it the Spirit of God works in the midst of emptiness. Then the word of God is sounded like, “Let it be created”. So the Bible begins in the very presence
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of the triune God. In other words, the one who is the source of the entire universe is the triune God. In our language syntax, we depict God as one in three forms. But it is not very logical. The Bible does not accept the Indian way of thought about trinity. In many religious descriptions of trinity, there are differences among the persons in the trinity. Moreover we read in some religious books that they fight among themselves and even make injuries to one another. But we do not see any contradictions or any differences of opinions among the persons of Trinity revealed in the Bible. It is not possible to utter the name of the triune God always as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In some places the name begins in the Father. Yet in some other places the name begins in the Son. Again in some places when the name begins in the Holy Spirit, we do not see the names of the Father and the Son. It is not a contradiction, rather it is mystery. Here I would like to describe a few points on Trinity. I will present one argument. We call our God as Father. It was in this point that Arius, the one who introduced the heresy called Arianism, fell into mistake. He argued that the Father comes first and the Son only next. This might sound true at first. But my argument goes like this. Is God father? Yes He is father. Is God the eternal father? Yes, He is the eternal father. If God is the eternal father, would he need an eternal son? Here the opponents bow down their heads without an answer. If there was any single day when the father had no son, then God was not a father before that time. But it cannot happen. Let me summarize that God is the Eternal Father, Son is the Eternal Son and Holy Spirit is the Eternal Holy Spirit. All the adjectives used for God is applicable for all the three persons. When it ceases to be so, it is Trinity. But when there is likeness it is the Triune God. We would be in confusion if we study the teachings and thoughts of the world religions. Once a poet wrote, “life is a road which shows both ends.” Many contradictory thoughts are trying to misguide us. There are things which are beyond our logic or reason. They are mysteries. It will be revealed somewhere. But contradiction of thoughts is dangerous. Ramanujan opposed the teaching of “Dwaitha” by Sankaracharya. Madhavacharya criticized both Ramanujan and Sankaracharya. This is the plight of the religions. But examine the Bible. We read in the Book of Hebrews, “Long age God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1). What a beautiful idea! God in the Bible is preparing to send His son for a great purpose. And the Son responds with readiness that He is most willing to do the will of His father. The Holy Spirit is coming down to fulfill this mission of the Son. The persons in the Triune God strive together for the same purpose. Once Jesus said like this, “The Holy Spirit, whom my Father is going to send in my name!” My idea on this topic is much clearer in this statement of Jesus. The Triune God has been continuing His work of creation, redemption and its fulfillment since the beginning. I remember the mistake committed by Israel, the early church. The prophets have drawn vividly the birth, life and death of Jesus through the 39 books of the Old Testament. But the people of the Old Testament could not understand that the Kingdom which God had envisaged was not an earthly one. They have also not understood that the Jerusalem Temple was only a shadow and that the real temple would be the Church of Christ. They were hoping for an earthly Canaan. They could not find out the Heavenly Canaan. They have not understood what the prophets have prophesied that the first coming of Jesus was to save the sinners from their sins. They were trying to enthrone Jesus and to dethrone the Caesar. They were wrong. The Son of Man came to His own and His own did not receive Him. In short, they rejected the Messiah in His first coming. Now when the Church of God is waiting for the second coming of Jesus, the Israelites are waiting for the first coming of the Messiah. How shameful! What a big loss! Let me also tell that our dear Moslem brothers have made Jesus, the world savior as a mere prophet. All have made the same mistake.
We, those who have received the wisdom of truth know that Jesus came once and that He will come again. If His first advent was to defeat the enemy, the second will be to redeem His people. For the full victory of a war three things have to take place. First, the enemy should be defeated. Secondly, own people must be delivered. Thirdly, all the lost things must be redeemed. This description is in the spiritual terms. More portions in the Bible describe the second coming of Jesus Christ than it deals with
Many
contradictory thoughts are trying to misguide us. There are things which are beyond our logic or reason. They are mysteries. It will be revealed somewhere. But contradiction of thoughts is dangerous. the first coming. All the writings of the Apostles are full of the topic- the Second coming of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation deals with the second coming, the millennium reign, last judgment, eternity, the new earth and the new heaven and so on. John the apostle prayed, “Oh Lord Jesus, come!” Jesus replied, “Behold, I come soon.” Our hope of the second coming of Jesus is strongly based on the words of Jesus Himself. Jesus’ words are more authoritative than the words of the apostles or angels. October 2018
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There
is no need for anyone to remind us about the times and seasons. It is already made clear in the Bible. But the day and the hour is not revealed. It is a top secret being kept in the heavenly council. As these promises were made nearly 20 centuries ago, the delay for its fulfillment causes confusion and doubts in the minds of many. Many foolish people are misguided or mistaken by the thinking that either Jesus would never come or that he has
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postponed His second coming. We do not see anywhere in the Bible that Jesus will come when 2000 years completes after his first advent. There is difference in how one year is calculated by God and man. The Bible affirms that Jesus will not be delayed as some people think about it. There is no need for anyone to remind us about the times and seasons. It is already made clear in the Bible. But the day and the hour is not revealed. It is a top secret being kept in the heavenly council. When unexpected and unexplainable things happen in the natural universe, man says many things out of his bewilderment. Many wise men of this world were mistaken in this point. The Bible clearly says that natural calamities are not the end of this world, but they are only signs boards. There were Bible based revivals among the Keralites, in India during the early decades of the 20th century. But all such revivals have now disappeared from among us. We have become lukewarm. In the New Testament we read about a group who misguide people by saying that resurrection is over. Only those who are strong in the Word of God and those who cherish a close personal relationship with Christ can withstand the moments of trials and temptations in life. However, the recent flood in Kerala and the events associated with it have made one thing clear. We have no permanent abode here and nothing is lasting on the earth. Human beings have no control over the land, sea and sky. We do not find any secure place for living even with all our modern scientific and technological projects. There are no political visionaries or religious prophets who can strongly express any suggestions or opinions on the insecure condition of human life on this earth or encourage the scared people. Our only help is the Word of God and the Spirit of God. We will not be deceived if we can see this world in the same way as Abraham saw land of Sodom, not in a way how Lot saw the same place. Let us revive our hope. Let not the second coming becomes a snare for us. Let us seek for the upcoming Kingdom of God. How peaceful is the knowledge that there will be no ocean in the new heaven and the new earth. This Kingdom is not controlled by the solar system, but by the living God. Oh Lord! Come!
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Dr. J. N. Manokaran A Civil Engineer by profession. God called him and his family to be missional leader in Haryana as cross cultural missionaries for eleven years. Since, 1997 they returned back to Tamil Nadu to help missionaries and pastors to build their capacities by teaching, training and writing.
Waiting and Watching for His Second Coming Second Coming is the greatest event a Christian can aspire to experience as long as s/he is alive. And all Christians are expected to be waiting, watching and working
(www) simultaneously. There are generally two extreme responses people tend to take regarding His Second Coming. First, some people set dates, anticipate on that date, become passive or inactive until that date and some even selling off properties. They do not understand that we are not called to predict or mark the calendar for His Second Coming. (Matthew 24:36) Second extreme is to be unconcerned, lethargic and negligent. They become spiritually dull and even dead. However, Lord Jesus taught us to discern the times (Matthew 16:3; I thess 5:4; and Luke 21:28). If we scan the history of Christianity, each generation anticipated the great event in their own life time. And all of them felt the signs provided in the Scripture for the Second October 2018
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Coming were almost fulfilled. It is no wonder, we also perceive from our own understanding that almost all signs of His Coming has been fulfilled. There are some significant political, social and economical signs that are being fulfilled today. That should challenge us to lead a holy life, witness for His name and be always prepared for His coming.
There
are some significant political, social and economical signs that are being fulfilled today. That should challenge us to lead a holy life, witness for His name and be always prepared for His coming.
Warning - Missing priorities The Bible gives one splendid example. One of the prophecies regarding the first coming of Lord Jesus (Incarnation) is in Malachi. “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes” (Malachi 4:5). The Pharisees were expecting the fulfillment of this sign rather than waiting for the Messiah; hence their focus was Elijah. They not only mistook the prophecy and also were not able to believe in
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the real Messiah. Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.” (Matthew 17:11-13) In the same way, Christians today could be obsessed with the signs that would be accompanying the Second Coming and miss to be prepared for His Coming. They would be like the foolish virgins who failed to prepare, because they thought the sign was not clear enough for the bridegroom to arrive that night.
I. Political a) Age of Skeptics and Scoffers Political skeptic statements would be made by various people. These so called intellectuals would say that the Second Coming aspiration has been in every generation and it has not happened. Hence, they will mock, tease and undermine the believers. Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3:3,4). b) Age of Instability Daniel foretold about the global history. The last kingdom before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ would be mixture of stability and brittleness. “Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. As the toes in the statue were partly iron and partly clay so would be the kingdom which will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.” (Daniel 2:41-43) People will aspire for stability and unity, but it will not happen. Globally, there is civil unrest. There is a call and demand for tolerance, however there is violence against each community. Unity is a mirage. Many national and local governments are formed by political parties through alliances or coalition. Hence there is a danger of Governments falling before their stipulated time. c) Age of Militarization Defense spending has increased around the world. Nations are equipping their armies with latest gadgets and firepower. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6) Even the poorer nations are spending more on Defense and security budget rather than providing basic needs for its citizens. As written by John the Apostle, “The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.” (Revelation 9:15-16). Asian countries like China are capable of fielding an army of 200 million.
II. Economical a) One Global Economy Politics and economics are interconnected. The trend is to bring one global order i.e. government and one global economy. (Revelation 18) With the Russian Social block losing political power and economic clout, the world became uni-polar world. Now there is one global economy and all nations are expected to integrate. The countries that do not want to integrate have to suffer economic isolation. In this integrated economy, a setback in one part of the world would affect another part of the world. Greed led to closure of many banks in US which was termed as sub-prime real estate scam.
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b) Mark of Anti-Christ “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.[a] That number is 666.” (Revelation 13: 16-18) Many Christians believe that the mark of the beast - 666 would be a physical tattoo or microchip below the skin in the forehead or right arm. The technology is there to do this. Forehead and right hand tells us two things. (1) Do not mentally assent to the philosophy of anti-christ i.e. consumerism, materialism, spend-thrift.etc and (2) Do not shake hands with those who practice such philosophy. As the spirit of anti-Christ is already working in the world, Christians should remain different and be people of counter-culture.
III. Social a) Living For The Present The Lord Jesus Christ said that there would be repetition of ‘the days of Noah’. A righteous preacher, Noah, tirelessly warned, shared, taught people to repent. However, the people continued to be engaged in the day to day activities with least interest in the Eternal things. Their ignorance was because of their arrogance, lack of willingness to listen or being teachable. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:36-39) b) Sins Approved and Celebrated by Society In the last days, societal values would be very low. Paul terms that as ‘terrible’ times. The society and law in certain nations would approve ‘homosexual marriages’ and it would be celebrated by the media and celebrities. Earlier the society would have condemned such acts and people involved would have gone hiding. Instead of guilt and shame there is pride and rejoicing which is disgusting to our Lord. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (II Timothy 3:1-4). c) Object of Worship The object of worship becomes terrible. People in postmodern culture worship their own bodies first. Malls are full of items to enhance the looks or beauty of many parts of the body. Beauty treatment for nails, tattoos, spas, beauty parlours, and massage parlours fill the market places. How much time do people spend before the mirror that shows their body than they spend before the Word of God that exposes their heart and soul? (James 1:23). The second object of worship for Postmodern culture is money. Their choice of devotion is mammon and not God (Matthew 6:24). Third object of their worship is pleasure. This generation worships entertainment. It pervades mobile phones, computers, malls.etc. d) Worldview When the object of worship is their own body and money, people develop a world view that is arrogant, abusive, boastful, conceited, rash.etc. Hence, they cannot love others. Naturally, they would be disobedient to parents, ill-treat one another,
slanderous, unforgiving, and brutal (violent). Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39). Strangely, there will be a mask of spirituality but there will not be any spiritual power.
The object
of worship becomes terrible. People in postmodern culture worship their own bodies first. Malls are full of items to enhance the looks or beauty of many parts of the body. Beauty treatment for nails, tattoos, spas, beauty parlours, and massage parlours fill the market places. Challenge: Watching, Waiting and Working The Second Coming is imminent and every Christian ought to be prepared for the same any moment. Preparedness is by watching, waiting and working simultaneously. A Christian should be Watching out with discernment for the signs; Waiting patiently with holiness, alertness and expectation; and Working the Will of God by Proclaiming the Gospel in their day to day lives. October 2018
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Dr. Benjamin George A Plastic Surgeon and a Christian leader for over 60 years. He teaches and preaches “Daily Practical Christian Living.”
SIGNS OF THE
RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
This
generation shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled. The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.
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(Geo-physical signs - green house, global warming, earthquake,
environmental changes / cosmic).
The Lord’s Prophecy concerning the End-Times and His Coming (Readers are encouraged to read through the whole of Matthew 24). “Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places”. (Mat 24:3, 6,7). Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass until all these things are fulfilled. The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father.
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mind by reminder to remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by us, the apostles. First, knowing this, that there will come in the last days scoffers walking according to their own lusts and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Pet. 3:1- 4). “But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as
But as the days of Noah were, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark. And they did not know until the flood came and took them all away. So also will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Therefore watch; for you do not know what hour your Lord comes. But know this, that if the steward of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be dug through. Mat 24:34-43.
The Expectant Early Church Soon after the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into the heaven, having prophetically told His enquiring disciples, there was great anticipation and even expectation amongst them and also the believers in the early churches that the Lord may come during their life-time! Some of the Lord’s parables and warning to the disciples also give them that impression. For example, the parables of the Strong man and his castle, Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the departing Master and His servants. They all mentioned about the need for the disciples to keep ‘watching and working’ diligently and faithfully so that they would not be caught unawares and miss His coming, losing their reward and even being left out! In their eagerness, it was as though the disciples even forgot that the Lord had told them clearly the signs of the times of His return. The epistles of Paul, Peter and John which contained references, teaching and warning to the churches with regard to the second coming, prompted the early church to believe that the Lord may return even during their lifetime. Of course these kept the believers active in their ‘watching, waiting, preparing and working’ expecting the Lord anytime!
The Unconcerned Generations However, the Lord’s return did not take place during their fathers’ days or theirs or even to the end of the first century. Some began to doubt the promised return of the Lord. Therefore the apostle Peter encouraged their faith by writing: “Beloved, I now write this second letter to you, in which I stir up your pure
Some
of the Lord’s parables and warning to the disciples also give them that impression. For example, the parables of the Strong man and his castle, Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the departing Master and His servants. some count slowness, but is longsuffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up” (2Pe 3:8-10). October 2018
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The Dark Ages that had been Totally Forgotten! By and large the generations of believers of the early, middle and later centuries had generally forgotten the promise of the Lord’s return and few were those who ever thought of it! This is not surprising for the Lord had mentioned about these days and said, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark. And they did not know until the flood came and took them all away. So also will be the coming of the Son of Man”. Luke recorded further in his gospel, “So also as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but the day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from the heaven and destroyed them all. Even so it shall be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luk 17:28 -30).
Mounting Signs of the Last Days are being Fulfilled in our Generation The ‘very specific signs’ Jesus told the disciples to look forward to Know the times of His Second Coming and the End of the Age are remarkable! Many of them are ‘Geo-physical’ if you observe carefully. Here is a list: “wars and rumors of wars; Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places”. But we often hear non-believers and even believers say, ‘but we had these things all the time!’ It is true but now there are significant differences!
The Predictions for the Future One need not be a prophet to foresee the not too distant future of Global population explosion; Global ecological and climatic changes; Global economic crisis; Global calamities including earthquakes, floods and famines and Global epidemics and Global wars! Most of these very things that Jesus mentioned are occurring more frequently, more extensively and more intensively affecting millions and even billions of people in different parts of the world and in diverse manner. These happenings are common knowledge around the world today, because of the mass media. Newspapers, radio and TV news media like CNN, CNBC, BBC, Reuters and other regional networks like Aljazeera spread the news instantly and round the clock. Instant video pictures take the minutest details of these events from the remotest parts of the globe and broadcast world-wide! They cause to shake and tremble the hearts and minds of the national leaders and the ordinary people alike! It causes us all to despair for we do not know when and where some great disaster is going to strike next!
Prepare for the Lord’s Coming! Since all these things will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, as you wait for the Day of God….But we wait for what God has promised: new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will be at home. So, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God’s sight and to be at peace with him” (2 Pet. 3:11-14 GNB).
Pray for Mercy in the Midst of Judgment! There are biblical passages that give hope that the Lord would be merciful even in judgment and may even repent and avert it! Jesus told His disciples, “Pray to God that these things will not happen in winter!” (Mk 13:18).He also told the disciples, “Unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened” (Mt 24:22). Of old, The Lord God said, “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, says the Lord GOD” (Eze 22:30-31 KJV).
24 October 2018
renewing and enriching life
‘adolescence’
Counse ing Corner Tessy Grace Mathews Clinical Psychologist New Hope Counseling Center, Hebron, Kumbanad
BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN ADOLESCENCE Latha:
I am a mother of a 13 year boy child. I have been facing few issues for the past 3 to 4 months with respect to my son’s behaviours. He shouts and engages in physical assaults very frequently. At times he abuses me verbally and prefers to stay away from home. He faces academic difficulties as well. There are complaints about him from school and our neighbourhood. Will there be a change in him as a result of counseling? Dear Latha, I take this opportunity to tell that you are a very responsible mother. Your son is an adolescent exhibiting certain behavioural problems. We do see many children with different type of behavioural problems. Mostly they are aggression, verbal abuse, lying, stealing, cruelty towards animals, rash driving and truancy. They engage in substance abuse as well. These children face lot of academic difficulties and learning problems. They are always the culprits in school as well as in the community. They might be involved in juvenile crimes as well. They are usually termed as children with a conduct disorder. These children might turn out to be adults with personality disorders in the future. Conduct disorder is a frequently seen childhood disorder in child clinics, schools and counseling centers. They are more common in males than females. These children require professional help in terms of regular counseling sessions. The sessions will focus on behavioral modification, addressing each of the problems. Behavior therapy sessions are planned with the help of inputs from the child, parents and teachers as well. Parent management training will also be carried out for the parents time to time. Punishments may also be given if required. Social skill training is also incorporated in the sessions. A total of 5 to 10 sessions are required for improvement. Teachers are also made to participate in the therapy by playing an active role within the school environment. Parents should be willing to provide them with adequate environment. I want you to know that ‘adolescence’ is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and so called as the time of “storm and stress” to the individual as well as the parent. It is the time when the child develops the concept of “self”, “self esteem” and self respect. Parenting a child is the combined responsibility of the father and the mother. This starts right from the time the mother conceives the child. Adolescent period is the most crucial stage of personality development and here lies the significant role of parenting. Positive social experiences (from the school, family, neighbourhood and society) can contribute to the development of emotion
is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and so called as the time of “storm and stress” to the individual as well as the parent. It is the time when the child develops the concept of “self”, “self esteem” and self respect. regulation, which in turn can have a powerful influence on a child’s ability to cope with stress and develop increased behavioural control. A child develops his moral codes and values at his/her adolescent age and this forms the foundation for positive growth in adulthood. A mother bonds with her child from the moment of conception. When an adolescent understands that family members are totally accepted simply because they are family, they gain a sense of peace and security. Knowing that their parents love them this way helps them to understand God’s acceptance and love for them as well. A Christian home must acquire an atmosphere of love, joy and forgiveness. Prayer becomes crucial and creates unity among the parents and children and thus family prayer is inevitable. If the Bible is important to the parents, it will be honoured by the whole family. It is the responsibility of the parents to train their adolescents in Christian faith thus providing valuable adults to the society in the future. October 2018
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renewing and enriching life
QUIZ–66
Answers for Quiz - 65
Builders of Cities
a time of weep 1. Hagar, mother of Ishmael (Gensis 21:16)
1. Who built ancient Babylon? 2. Who built a city called Enoch east of Eden?
2. Old men who remembered the glory of Solomon’s temple (Ezra 3:12)
3. Who built the Egyptian treasure cities of Pithom and Raamses?
3. Saul (1 Samuel 24:16)
4. Who built Nineveh?
4. Jeremiah (9:1)
5. What king of Israel built Penuel?
5. Samson’s (Judges 14:16)
6. Who rebuilt Ramah in order to keep people from entering or leaving Judah?
6. Hebrews (5:6-7)
7. What king of Judah built up the defenses of Bethlehem? 8. What king of Israel built the nation’s capital at Samaria? 9. Who rebuilt Babylon on a grand scale?
The ABC of becoming a Christian
Admit that you are in
7. The daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23:28) 8. Job (16:20) 9. David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:41) 10. Elisha (2 Kings 8:11)
need of someone to save you from guilt, shame and bondage or addictions. Admit that you have violated God’s Laws.
Believe that Jesus Christ is the
only One who is able to save you and to bring deliverence and offer forgiveness of sins. Believe that Jesus is the only One to conquer death and is the risen Saviour.
Confess with your
mouth that Jesus is your Lord and submit to His rulership in your life.
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26 October 2018