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contents eDITORIAL Pastor Saju Joseph
just one minute Pastor Dr. T. Valson Abraham
Perspective of Last Days in the Hebrew Bible
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Rev. Sam K. Jacob
Pastor P. J. Daniel
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
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Pauline Teachings on the Last Days Dr. Kris A. Jackson
MEMBERS BRO. JACOB THOMAS BRO. SUNNY KODUMTHARA
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Signs of End Times
EDITOR PASTOR DR. JOHN K. MATHEW
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Counseling Corner
Dr. K. B. Georgekutty
THE PROPHETIC TEACHINGS ON LAST DAYS
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TEACHINGS OF JESUS ON THE LAST DAYS
Vol. 11 Issue No. 9 September 2018
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Pastor Sunny Kurian
Vivyn Mathew
QUIZ
ADMINISTRATIVE EDITOR PASTOR SAJU JOSEPH ASSOCIATE EDITOR MRS. STARLA LUKOSE MANAGER PASTOR T. J. ABRAHAM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JUNE THOMAS ANN ABRAHAM PUBLISHER & PRINTER Lt. Col. V. I. LUKOSE (Retired) 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
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The views and ideas expressed in each article are those of the writer. - Editor
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Letters
form of mental illness. But there are too many instances where “mental illness” does not explain what is happening. There is of course demonic work in the spiritual realm. I thank revive for bringing out such a very informative issue on the topic of Satan. May this be blessing for hundreds living in ignorance. Roshen V.P., Abu Dhabi
Works of the Demons
Dear Lt. Col. Luke, Yesterday, I was at Othera and came to know the good work done by the students of IBC - in cleaning up the NIBC church there. Water was upto 10-12 feet and the entire hall was dirty. However, yesterday, there was no evidence of dirt and everything was fine. In fact, I thought the walls were repainted - so good was the job done by the students. Thank you so much! Dr. Alex Philip, Executive Director, NIEA
Demons are real
Dear revive, The last issue of revive was a different one in its theme. Usually the theme Satan or demon is not treated as such by many publications. I understand that people, including believers in God, are hesitant to talk or even study about Satan and his work. But people live in fear of Satan. Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham deals with this subject very objectively and realistically. He truly writes that Demons are a difficult and disturbing subject for many people. For this reason alone, it is easy for many people to dismiss it. Those with secular mindsets think belief in demons is a return to primitive thinking. They say demon possession is really a
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Dear revive, I appreciate the revive team for presenting a very needy theme in the last issue of the magazine. I believe that it really benefited many for founding in the word of God and become fearless about the work of the devil. All articles were good studies on the topic. In the Editorial Pastor Saju Joseph wrote on the works of the devil and how one can understand it. It is made clear that demons attack unbelievers driving them to commit terrible evil acts, to murder, injure, commit suicide, etc. They affect the mind with emotional problems and the body with physical infirmities. Demons attack believers through temptation, deception, depression, and oppression. They try to keep them in bondage to negative habits and fear. They accuse and slander and create division among the people of God. They target the spiritual walk with God and fight against the Word of God, the worship of God, and work for God. They also attack the physical body. Unbelievers are defenseless against the attacks of demonic powers, but believers have powerful spiritual weapons and strategies for dealing with this mighty spiritual force of evil. Thank God for the powerful and insightful article in revive. May God continue to bless the work. Mathew John, Mumbai
Origin of Satan Dear Editor, The articles of both Rev. Thomas Cherian and Jison Saju Joseph describe well the different beliefs and theories about the origin of Satan. They have brought out very scholarly arguments for and against each belief. The most commonly accepted belief in the light of the biblical revelation is stated by Jison in his article. It says that Satan
was an angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Other angels rebelled along with him and became his followers. These fallen angels became demons. “Demon” refers to the same being as “evil (or unclean or polluted) spirit.” Contrary to what may be common assumptions, this belief was not shared by most ancient Jews, including those who wrote and translated the Hebrew Bible, most writers of ancient non-canonical Jewish texts, and Jews in general before the rise of Christianity. The evil or fallen angels were identified with demons; they were not choosing merely a generic word for evil beings. They were equating the fallen angels of contemporary Judaism with those beings the Greeks worshiped as gods or demigods. However, all these articles establish the reality of Satan and his works in the world. Let the church be vigilant of it. Mary Kurien, New Delhi
Sickness or Demon possession Dear editor, It is very confusing among many to make sure whether a mental ill health problem is psychological or demonic. There are mental problems due to psychological blocks. For mild mental problems counseling is suggested. But for major mental ill health psychiatric treatment is effective upto an extent. But in many cases the healing is only for a short period. For demonic possessions prayer and divine healing is the solution. Whatever be the case God can heal and deliver people. Rev. Shiju M George has explained these issues very well in his article in revive. However, it is important to distinguish between cause and effect in these cases. The cause was that of demon possession; the effects were physical and emotional maladies. The Scriptures never confuses the two. In other words, demon possession was not just an ancient, unenlightened attempt to explain physical or mental problems. Rather, a clear distinction is made between being inhabited by an unclean spirit and being sick. Demon possession produce illness, but not all illness was attributed to the indwelling of evil spirits. God will reveal to a holy saint with prayer life the real cause of a malady. John Mathew, Coimbatore
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Pastor Saju Joseph
Everyone is keen to know about their last days. This curiosity also extends to the future of organizations
Last Days
as well. There are people who predict or prophesy the last days of other people or movements through the ability or gift they claim they have. Of course, there is true prophesying by the Holy Spirit. But there are also many examples of false prophesy throughout history. However, according to the Bible, God would not generally foretell people about the last days of their life on earth or the exact day of their death. We have mixed feelings once we come to know in advance about our last day on earth. The common tendency is that if the prophesy is acceptable to us we will receive it happily; otherwise, we will reject it. But, 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. There is a uniqueness surrounding the Bible prophecies on the last day or last days of a human being or this world. Their exact time is not revealed, even when the hints and signs for the future events are foretold and revealed by God! For example, it is stated that, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrew 9:27). Though it is revealed that each one would die once, the exact time of one’s death is not revealed. In the Old Testament, King David once prayed, “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” ( Psalms 39:4). But God did not reveal it to David. God wants man to serve Him and love Him incessantly and sincerely all through his or her life on the earth. If we come to know exactly the last day of our life on earth, everyone can repent and lead a holy life for the last few days. But this is not what God intends. When the Bible speaks about the last days or end times, it encompasses the entire time span between the death of Christ on Calvary and the second coming of Christ or the rapture of His church. On the day of Pentecost when Peter was explaining to the crowd about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he quotes and states that it is the fulfillment of the end time or the last days as prophesied by the prophet Joel (Acts 2). Everything that Jesus and His apostles spoke concerning the last days are being fulfilled since the beginning of the church era or the New Testament times. All saints including Apostle Paul have believed that their period on earth was the last days as prophesied by Jesus.
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.
Today everything prophesied in the Bible concerning the end days are being fulfilled before our eyes. All the developments in political, social, scientific, religious, ethical, geological and climatic spheres are the sure signs of the last days. Let us be prepared at all moments for the future that will unfold before us. September 2018
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Pastor Dr. T. Valson Abraham Founder/President India Gospel Outreach
President India Bible College and Seminary
There is no doubt about it. We live in troubled times, and
they seem to be getting more troubled. In Kerala, we know this by experience as we recover from the worst floods in recorded history. But even these floods, as destructive, terrible and grievous as they are, pale in comparison to the wicked hearts of people. For the most part, it is we, not the turbulences of nature, who bring the most suffering upon ourselves and upon others. The Bible tells us that one day, mankind’s troubled rule will end, and Jesus Christ will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Prince of Peace. In one sense, those “last days” are already here. The “last days” began when Jesus Christ destroyed the works of the devil on the cross and ushered in His new kingdom. The writer of Hebrews says that “in these last days, He [God] has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2). This signifies something that has already happened. It is unprecedented in human history. In short, God is already at work in human history to accomplish
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“ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS”
His purposes, to ultimately redeem men, women and children through Jesus Christ and the entire world from sin, decay and death. He has already transferred those who trust in Him from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. He has already given to His children His Holy Spirit to begin the work of rebuilding and restoration. For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, we can already see His kingdom expanding throughout the world, under the radar of the world’s so-called “wise men” and “experts,’ but in very real and remarkable ways. Many books and articles have already been written on these amazing things, and sadly, we do not have time or space to speak more of them. But “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 (1 Corinthians 15). 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. But believers in Jesus Christ need not fear. Indeed, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 that we should encourage each other with these things. Peter says we should pray for a speedy coming of the “last days” (2 Peter 3:12) because it will begin the very thing for which God created and redeemed us-“new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” We will speak more of these things at a later time. In short, heaven will come to earth. What God began “under the radar” will become visible for all to see. The small mustard seed will become a great tree. The desert will become a flowering garden. Some will shout in joy and gladness at this, while others will weep and mourn and even call on the hills and mountains to bury them alive (Revelation 6:16). How will we know we have entered the “last days?” Jesus tells us that no man can know the day or the hour when He will return and when God’s rule will be fully revealed (Matthew 25:13), but he encourages us to watch for the signs we have entered the season of His Second Coming.
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I suggest to you that we have entered that season. In Matthew 24, Jesus gives us a list of events to look for that will precede the “last days”. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul details the spirit of the age that marks the “last days.” Both Jesus and Paul foresee a time of great evil that will precede the full revelation of God’s kingdom on is already at work in human earth. These signs were already evident in the first century, but they history to accomplish His are getting worse in our own day. purposes, to ultimately These terrible things happen, not from the hand of God, but are the redeem men, women and work of the great adversary, Satan, and his spiritual allies (Ephesians children through Jesus 6:10-13), who dread Jesus Christ’s coming and their final and total defeat. Desperately and furiously, they try in vain, to stop the inevitable Christ and the entire world by stirring up turmoil and confusion in the world, especially to distract, from sin, decay and death. discourage and dismay the people of God. He has already transferred I believe there are at least four specific signs of His future coming those who trust in Him from prophesied in the Bible 2,000-2,700 years ago that are taking place only the kingdom of darkness in our generation and at no other time in history. To me, these things into the kingdom of light. are signs that His coming is very near. I mention them briefly: He has already given to His 1. Return of Israel to the Promised Land. Many Old Testament children His Holy Spirit to passages (such as Ezekiel 37) prophesy a coming exile of God’s chosen people, Israel, for idolatry. God would scatter them over the face of begin the work of rebuilding the earth. The people of Israel would suffer great humiliation and and restoration. persecution. That exile would end with the re-gathering of Israel, back to the land of the Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic covenants. To an astonished world, the nation of Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948, just as the Bible prophesied, more than 2,500 years after This is precisely why we must the exile, and just after the Holocaust that slaughtered millions of Abraham’s not become discouraged. It is descendants. all a big deception of the enemy. 2. The coalition of nations. Not everyone has welcomed Israel’s rebirth. We see This is why we should pray for this in the hatred of Israel especially by Muslim nations surrounding Israel. We God’s intervention in the church should not be surprised. This was foreseen in Ezekiel 38-39. A great coalition of with a great revival and spirit of nations would one day attack Israel to destroy Israel for good. The ancient names repentance that brings a Great of those nations include Iran, Russia and Turkey, as well as many Muslim nations Awakening and proclamation of that surround Israel today. Rapidly, the stage is being set for that showdown the gospel to all of India and every prophesied by Ezekiel more than 2,500 years ago. Again, this situation did not part of the unreached world. exist until our present generation. So let us pray and commit 3. Travel and knowledge increased. Daniel 12:4 prophesies that the last days will ourselves to the work God has be marked by an astronomical increase in knowledge and travel. How can we given us, and let us “encourage doubt this now? In the past century, and in our own lifetimes, we have seen this each other with these words.” take place in ways never imagined even ten years ago. Today’s high tech age never *** existed remotely in any generation before our own. Father God, I thank you that 4. Preaching the gospel to all peoples. In Matthew 24:14, Jesus told His disciples, our troubled world is not the “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony final word, and that from the to all peoples, and then the end will come.” When Jesus spoke these words, large beginning you have had a plan to portions of the world still remained undiscovered. Today, we see a growing vision to redeem the world through your reach the remaining peoples of the world who do not yet have the gospel, not just Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to by western nations, but even by nations like India that were recently regarded as live my life in the light of these “closed” to the gospel. For the first time ever, we have the sophisticated technology glorious truths, to encourage to fulfill the Great Commission in this generation. others with this Good News, The fulfillment of this last sign-the completion of the Great Commission-triggers and to do my part in fulfilling the “last days” of Satan’s dominion (see Matthew 24:14). This is what frightens Satan your Great Commission so that the most and why he strikes out at the church through his human puppets, bringing these “last days” will bring your persecution and suffering to God’s people. At no other time in history have God’s glorious return. In Jesus’ Name. people experienced such slander and persecution as today. Amen.
God
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Dr. K. B. Georgekutty Faith Theological Seminary, Manakala
Perspective of Last Days in the Hebrew Bible The Hebrew language has limited words. Each word in its context may have varied meanings. The concept of last days is an inferring from the Hebrew expression
b’aharîthayymîm, which may better translate as “latter days”. Similar expressions are bayyômhahû "in that day", and yômyhwh “day of the Lord.” These expressions are used not for present days, nor for past. Obviously it is used for an expected future day, which may lead us into a comparatively self-enclosed circle of ideas. This is supported by the constant bayyômhahû, "in that day”, where the demonstrative pronoun cannot be explained from the context. It is generally admitted that this circle
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of ideas was not created by the writing prophets, but was already present in popular belief, though its origin is dubious. It is taken for granted in the polemics of pre-exilic prophets, and is obviously deeply embedded in popular belief. The expectation of a day of Yahweh rests on the important presupposition that Yahweh is confessed, i.e., that there is a knowledge of His might, of His readiness to save and of His judicial power. It may point to the expected general future (Deut. 31:29), or to the eschaton as R L Harris says (Harris, R. L., "The Last Days in the Bible and Qumran," in Jesus of Nazareth Savior and Lord,). Characteristics of b’ahrîthayymîm: It is, first of all, a dynamic hope; i.e., it is a hope in God more than in the future. The most fundamental idea in Hebrew “b’ahrîthayymîm” is ‘the LORD who comes’. The LORD will finally visit His people in both judgment and salvation. Behind this understanding is the historical experience of divine visitations. The LORD came down to deliver Israel from Egypt and to make them His people (Deut. 33: 2, 5), and visited His people with judgment as well as deliverance (Mic 1:3). This same LORD will finally visit His people to bring them into the fullness of His salvation (Zech.14:3, 5; Isa 29:6; 35:4). This visitation may include punishment of the wicked (Isa 26:21, 63; 1-6), and salvation to the gentiles as well (Isa. 66:18, Zech 2:10f). Thus the Hebrews' understanding of the b’ahrîthayymîm was rooted in history, or rather in the LORD who comes in history.The fundamental characteristic of biblical eschatology: the description of the future in terms of known human experience. Nevertheless, the expectation of a day of Yahweh should not be too hastily related to the more comprehensive problem of Israelite eschatology. In the interests of linguistic sobriety only that should be called eschatological, which really relates to the eschaton, to the final activity of God, either for or against Israel, says von Rad. Now there can be no doubt that the day of Yahweh is often to be taken in this sense. There are seven significant passages in the Hebrew Bible that talks about “b’ahrîthayymîm” 1. Gen 49:1 And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days (NKJV)." This passage speaks of the last days of the twelve tribes of Israel. This prediction would be of use to those that came after them, for the confirming of their faith and the guiding of their way, on their return to Canaan, and their settlement there. 2. Deut 31:29: Moses tells the Israelites: "For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands" (NKJV). God is establishing the Covenant with His people. God promises His people both coming blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This prediction is not about the last days of the earth. 3. Jer. 30:24: “The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, And until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it(NKJV)." If you study these verses carefully, against current thought, the last days of the Jews and their Covenant were upon them. These references begin to line up with the last days of the Old Covenant, not the last days of the world. 4. Jer. 31: 31-34: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to
the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more ..."NKJV. Again, we see the last days of the Old Covenant were upon them in the First Century. 5. Mic. 4:1- 5:2: "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days, That the mountain of the LORD's house shall be
For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. C.S. Lewis (The Case For Christianity)
established on the top of the mountains,And shall be exalted above the hills;And peoples shall flow to it... NKJV" This prophecy is fulfilled in the last days of the Old Covenant according to Math 2:1-6: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, September 2018
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saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But
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. Prophets were simply prophesying a catastrophe or a deliverance which will take place in conceivable time. you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' (vv5,6). 6. Jer. 30: 24, 4:8, 23:20; Isa 2:1-2; Mic. 4:1 "The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it will come about that In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD, will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the
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hills; and all the nations will stream to it. 7. Joel 2:1-32: “Blow the trumpet in Zion,And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.” (NKJV) In the book of Acts we see Peter interprets that this prophecy gets fulfilled in the outpouring of Holy Spirit in the day of Pentecost. “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.”(Acts 2:14-22, NKJV). These various passages regarding the Hebrew understanding of the last day or latter day provides us with different dimensions of hope. Critical scholarship has understood two very different kinds of eschaton in these passages: the prophetic and the apocalyptic. The prophetic hope is entirely historical and earthly. It centres upon the nationalistic hopes of Israel and her triumph over his enemies under the leadership of a Davidic king. This hope did not come true in her history. This tiny, weak nation got subjected to the rule of one pagan nation after another. Under the burden of such experiences and the influence of Persian dualistic ideas, there emerged another kind of hope - the eschatological or apocalyptic. Instead of a historical Davidic king, this dualistic hope posited a heavenly supernatural Son of Man as the messianic ruler. The prophetic hope expects a kingdom to arise within history. The apocalyptic hope expects the kingdom to come from outside of history. This distinction between the prophetic and apocalyptic kinds of hope has played a significant role in the contemporary discussion of eschatology.Yet there is another prominent dimension that can be derived from the Hebrew Bible that is ethical. Now we will have a brief look at those three dimensions.
1. Prophetic Hope b’ahrîthayymîm " in itself has no fundamental eschatological significance but refers only to a period of time in the indeterminate future (Gen. 49:1; Numb. 24:14; Deut. 31:29). It is used to designate the final period of time when God's kingdom of peace and blessedness will be realized (Isa. 2:2-4) and Israel will be redeemed under a Davidic king (Hos. 3:5). Hence the Hebrew Bible’s hope may properly be designated as a historical hope. It has its setting within history and is viewed as the final term of LORD's acting in history. The biblical perspective does not allow for the sharp disjunction between "history" and "beyond history" as it is often found in contemporary theology. “The cleavage between history and eschatology in the OT is never radical, for the God who will reveal Himself by a grandiose theophany in the eschatological consummation has already manifested Himself and does not cease manifesting Himself in the course of history. Therefore all historical events in redemptive history are already charged with eternal significance” says E Jacob. 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. Prophets were simply prophesying a catastrophe or a deliverance which will take place in conceivable time. There is an instructive example in Lamentations 1:21: "Thou hast brought the day which thou didst proclaim." The overthrow of Jerusalem was a day of Yahweh. It is now past, history rolls on and one can look back upon it. Ezekiel speaks similarly (34:12) of the day of Yahweh as one which belongs to history. Ezekiel here uses the same expression from nature mythology as that used by Zephaniah (1:15) and Joel ( 2:2) in relation to the "coming" day. Continued on page 24
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Rev. Sam K. Jacob Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
THE PROPHETIC TEACHINGS ON
LAST DAYS Eschatological expectations or the teachings on last days are common in many religions. According to the Old Testament view, eschatology is as old as the
belief that God has chosen his people and is guiding them at present.The eschatological expectation begins more fully with the prophets. They frequently depict the eschatological age of salvation which lie on the other side of judgment. It is the age in which God's will is to prevail. The prophet's teachings on eschatology are based on two fundamental aspects: (a) Eschatology and the history of salvation (b) Judgment and salvation.
Eschatology and the history of salvation The Old Testament presents the history of salvation in such a way that God intervened in the affairs of Israel as His chosen people.On the basis of their experience of faith they concluded that Yahweh created the world.This is the starting point of the eschatological expectation of the future that Yahweh would establish His dominion over the world and make His people to have fellowship with Him.Yahweh dominates
against his foes victoriously and miraculously.The present catastrophes and calamities are not the primary or essential reason for them to perish because Yahweh is coming and He will create everything new. The coming of Yahweh is the central idea of Old Testament eschatology.The classical prophets depict the final act of God as analogous to his earlier acts of salvation(Isaiah 10:2427;11:15-16;51:10-11;48:21;Hosea 2:14-15;Jeremiah 31:31-34;Ezekiel 32:26; Isaiah 55:3) September 2018
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The day
of the Lord signifies both destruction and deliverance. On one hand the destruction of all ungodly powers,on the other deliverance to those who are loyal to Yahweh.The proclamation of the doom is summoned up in the writings of Amos which is pictured as darkness and not light
Judgment and salvation Yahweh is the punishing God as well as saving God.He is the merciful God who saves,but also the holy God who will punish sin(Exodus 20:5-6;Isaiah 6:3-5). Yahweh sits in judgment over all that is ungodly,to destroy sin,over the foreign gods,over the gentile nations and also over the sins of his own people(cf.Zephaniah 2:11;Jeremiah 25:15;Hosea 4:12;Micah 6:1f).Yahweh punishes the ungodly by way of forces available both in nature and history namely, sword,hunger, pestilence,fire,earthquakes,war and deportation(cf.Jeremiah 14:12;Ezekiel 6:11-12;Amos 1:4,2:13,5:3,5;6:7,Hosea 9:3,11:5). But those who are faithful to
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Yahweh will be granted victory not only in the cosmic but also in the historic realms(Isaiah 27:1;10;24-27).Salvation is depicted as an even more glorious return of the good old days of the people of God under Moses or David.Yahweh himself is the shepherd and king of the people.
Prophetic expectations: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 (Numbers 23-24), the blessings of Jacob(Genesis 49), 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.We shall discuss some of the themes which endorse the prophetic expectations regarding the future.
1.Day of the Lord The day of the Lord signifies both destruction and deliverance. On one hand the destruction of all ungodly powers,on the other deliverance to those who are loyal to Yahweh.The proclamation of the doom is summoned up in the writings of Amos which
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is pictured as darkness and not light (5:18-20;8:9). The kingdom of the North is to be destroyed (7:9);war (3;11;5:3;6:14) deportation (5:27;6:7) earthquakes (2:13;6:11) and mass death(5:16-17;6:9-10)come upon the people. But deliverance is possible for those who seek Yahweh and his will(5:4,6,14).The kingdom of David will arise again in its old greatness(9:11-15)and with that a new time of salvation begin after the judgment. For Zephaniah the day of the Lord is great and terrible(1:7,14-18,2:2-3,3:8) in which destruction is coming upon the whole world and all its inhabitants.The judgment of the idolatrous and faithless Judah and Jerusalem is introduced by the announcement of the last judgment which will sweep away everything(1:2-3).The earth is to be consumed by the fire of the wrath of Yahweh(3:8).But the announcement of judgment is not the final words.There exists the possibility that the remnant which seek the right,justice and humility will be spared on the day of judgment. A universal judgment is expected by Malachi and Joel.In Malachi the day of the Lord comes burning like an oven upon all the arrogant and evil doers(4:1-3).Joel 1-2 predicts a plague of grasshoppers and drought as signs of the nearness of the day of the Lord(1:15;2:1-11).The day of the Lord is also marked by the out pouring of the Holy Spirit(Joel 2:28-29),portends of the day of the Lord in the heavens and on earth(Joel 2:30-31),judgment against the nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat(Joel 3:1-3,9-12,1317) ,the Lord will send his messenger to prepare the way for him (Malachi 3:1)and returning of the prophet Elijah as the forerunner(Malachi 4:5) .
2. Messianic hope The idea of Messiah is very evident and forceful in the Old Testament right from the beginning, especially in the prophets.The faithless dynasty in Jerusalem will be redeemed by the messiah who will establish a kingdom of peace and justice. The most important treatment of the Davidic-Messianic figure occurs in Isaiah 1-37 and in particular chapters 7-12.The birth of Immanuel is a sign to the king. Isaiah sets Immanuel in the context of the hope of Israel.He is a world ruler having mystery regarding his person,precisely as the wonderful child,the royal deliverer,the righteous king and mighty God(cf.Isaiah 9:1-7;11:1-16).He is depicted as the servant of the Lord in the so called servant songs(42:1-4;49:16;50:4-9;52:13-53:12).For Micah he is the true ruler from Bethlehem(5:2-6).In the midst of calamities, Jeremiah was able to revive the hope of the people with messianic thought(23:5)
salvation(51:3;54:13-14).Yahweh makes an eternal covenant with Israel(55:3).Beyond Israel, Mount Zion,as center of Yahweh's kingdom of peace,acquires significance for all nations (Isaiah 2:2-4).The servant of the Lord has a divine commission to bring justice,light and deliverance to the nations(42:1-4) and thereby to extend the covenant of God to the entire world.His mission for the world is described in 49:6.In Haggai and Zechariah the time of salvation begins with the construction of the temple and establishment of his kingdom in Jerusalem(Haggai 2:1519;Zechariah 1-6).Israel will live in the land with security(Ezekiel 38:8,11-12,14).Yahweh fights against the nations and the physical changes of the landscape of Judah occur(Zechariah 14:45;8,10).It is a matter of the coming of the reign of God,in which the salvation of Israel is completely established.
3.The new Covenant Jeremiah was expecting the traditional covenant to be renewed in a glorious form(33:14-26;31:31f).Under the renewed covenant the divine law would be written not upon stone tablets but upon the hearts of the people.Both Israel and Judah are a part of it.It will not be like old broken Sinai covenant.Obedience is possible because the law will no longer need to be taught but written on the heart of the people.The new covenant will endure forever. 4. Zion and the establishment of the kingdom Deutero-Isaiah awaits the return of Israel into its own country as a second wonderful exodus(43:1421;48:20-21;51:10-11;52:11-12;51:12).Jerusalem and its temple shall be rebuilt(44:28).On mount Zion,Yahweh will lay a precious cornerstone,the foundation for the new structure of the time of salvation.Yahweh reigns as king of Zion in a kingdom of security and September 2018
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Pastor P. J. Daniel Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
TEACHINGS OF JESUS ON THE
LAST DAYS
The World is moving to the close of this age. We have come to the last minute of the last hour. The alarm sound of the coming of the Lord is being sounded. The
sign of our Lord’s return is being manifested before our own eyes, which had been predicted by our Lord Jesus Christ at his Olivet discourse. Every sign and wonder are legitimate indications of the coming of our dear Lord. I attempt to demonstrate in this article, some of the events of the signs of his coming, predicted by our Lord Jesus Christ, during the last days of His earthly ministry. We see the description of these prophecies in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. It is obvious from the narration of the Gospel of Luke that Jesus was preaching this message in the temple court (Luke 21: 1) while the gospel of Mathew was a private discourse with His disciples at the Mount of Olive (Matthew 24: 3) .
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The background of Matthew 24 was stated there (24:1, 2), when Jesus and his disciples had a stopover in the temple of Jerusalem, the disciples were amazed as they observed the intricate carvings on the stones and pillars of the temple. In their astonishment, they were trying to show Jesus the beauty and majesty of the temple, which was built by Herod the Great with in a period of 46 years. But Jesus turned to them and said: “You see all these things, but I tell you certainly, there isn’t a single stone here that will be left standing on top of another, they will all be torn down”. After saying this, they went to the Mount of Olives. While they were sitting together, the disciples came to him privately and asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things take place, and what would be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Mathew 24:3) The disciples were sharing their doubts to Jesus, which is contained in three questions. (1) When will all these things take place? (2) What will be the sign of your coming? (2) What will be the sign of end of the age? Chapter 24 contains the legitimate answers to these three questions. At the outset, we should consider that every prophecy has a passive and an active fulfillment, partially applicable in the first century and partly to the tribulation period in the future. For example, the prediction of the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem was fulfilled in the first century in AD 70 by Titus Caesar, the Roman Emperor. It was also a fulfillment of another prediction recorded in Micah 3: 12. “Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed up like field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the Temple Mount will become a hill overgrown with bush." Before we consider our passage in Matthew 24, it is essential to know about the manner of the return of Jesus Christ. The return of Jesus has two phases. First of all, we should distinguish the two phases of the return of Jesus Christ. One is the rapture, in which Jesus comes only in the mid air and not to the earth. (1 Thess. 2:19; 4:13–17; Rev. 4:1,2). This will be an invisible appearance and it is exclusively for his saints. Unless Jesus gathers his saints to Him; He cannot appear with them in His visible return. The Bible vividly state that Christ will return to the earth with His saints. (Zechariah 14:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 3: 13; Jude v.14). These verses emphatically support that our Lord will come with His saints. If He is coming with his saints at his visible personal appearance, he must gather them to Him before He returns to the earth. Here comes the need of His appearance in the mid air. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 clearly solves this problem. Meeting does not indicate ‘receiving him back to the earth. The Bible does not give an idea of returning to the earth; rather it gives the idea of going with Him. It will be a secret and unexpected coming our Lord for His Saints (Mathew 24: 42 – 44) The second phase of his coming is known as Parousia or Revelation, which is a personal and visible appearance of Jesus Christ, coming on mount Olive with his saints (Matt. 24:3, 27-51; Zechariah 14:1-5; Rev. 1:7,19: 11-27) This will be a public, personal and visible appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a period of seven years, in between these two appearances, which is known as the tribulation period. According to the prophet Daniel it is the seventieth week, or the last week (Daniel 9: 27). We have the reference in chapter 4:1, the heaven opened for the rapture of the church and in Revelation 19: 11 a second time the heaven is opened, where Christ comes with His saints. “The armies of heaven are wearing fine linen, white and pure, and they follow him on white horses” (Rev. 19: 14). The bride of Christ alone has the privilege of wearing fine linen, dazzling and pure” (Rev.19:8). Since the armies of heaven follow him in fine linen, it is obvious that this army is none other than the bride of Christ. Some argue that the usage of the word ‘armies’ is not suitable to the bride. Here the bridegroom comes on white horse as the commander in chief of the army of heaven to fight against the Devil and Anti-Christ. Therefore, it is appropriate to the bride to come with the commander, as the armies of heaven. When Solomon describes his bride, which can be a type of the church, “terrible as a army with banners”. It is quite fit for the church to be called as the armies of heaven. Matthew 24 generally deals with the end time events. In it, we see a term ‘tribulation’ (24:21). It is not the common tribulation that people go through in the
course of their life time, but it is a particular period of time and it is assigned for a particular nation. Prophet Daniel foretells about that nation. There shall be a time of great tribulation for the children of Israel, such as never was since the beginning of the world (Daniel 12:1) He also predicts that the anti-Christ will make a binding covenant with many for one week (seven years). But in the middle of the week, he will bring sacrifices to a halt. He will establish the abomination in the temple (9:27). So the period of tribulation is dispensed, which is seven years. This incident is
quoted in Matthew 24: 15 and this will occur in the middle of the tribulation period. If this is the correct interpretation, then there must be a perfect harmony between this part of the Olivet discourse contained in Matthew 24 and the book of Revelation. This book is divided into three divisions according to the book of Revelation chapter 1: 19. The first division is the vision of the sevenfold glory of the risen Christ, which John had seen in Chapter one. The second part deals with the present age the seven periods of the Church (Ephesus to Laodicea). The third division takes place in the future (4:1 to chapter 22). September 2018
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A COMPARISION BETWEEN MATTHEW 24 AND THE BOOK OF REVELATION Matthew 24
Book of Revelation
Clarification
The rider on the white horse is the imposter Anti-Christ. (Rev 6:2)
We hear about the stories of so many false Christ and false prophet these days, which is only an indication of what is going to happen in the tribulation period.
Wars and rumors of war v 6,7
The rider on the red horse depicts wars and rumors of war (Rev. 6:4) Rider was given power to take away peace from the world.
These present days we hear about wars and rumors of war which only an indication of the coming great war during the tribulation period.
There shall be Famine v 6
The rider on a black horse and having a pair of balance in his hand, which depicts severe famine Rev. 6: 5, 6
Black is the symbol of famine and starvation, the pair of balance shows the scarcity of food, which intensifies the famine.
There shall be pestilence v 7
The rider on a pale horse and his name is ‘death’. He got authority to kill man with sword and pestilence Rev. 6: 8
The result of wars will create famine and famine will lead to various kinds of sicknesses and pestilences.
Earthquakes v. 7
There was a great earthquake and see severe incidents follows Rev. 6: 12–16
Day after day we hear the news about earthquakes. These are only an indication of the future enormous massive earthquakes.
Preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom v. 14. It is not for salvation, just a witness to all nations.
Two witnesses will preach the kingdom for 42 months, and they are the prophets of the Most high. Rev. 11: 3 - 19
This will happen in the first half of the tribulation period. Most probably Elijah and Moses come and witness for 42 months and at the end they will be killed by the Anti - Christ, but the Lord will take them up after 31/2 days.
Religious persecution v. 9
We see the souls of them, who were slain for the Word of God under the altar. Rev. 6: 9, 10
We see such an indication of persecution for the sake of the gospel in our time, and this is only a beginning of the future persecution.
A New Temple will be built. V 15. Unless there is a temple the abomination of desolation cannot be placed in it.
We see an indication of a temple in Revelation 11: 2, where the temple will be trodden by the gentiles for 42 months or 3 ½ years. There will be a great earthquake and it will demolish the temple (Rev. 11:13. This is the actual fulfillment of the prediction of Jesus Christ regarding the temple.
At present there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem, where a Moslem mosque known as ‘dome of the rock’ exists. But the Jews are ready to build a temple at any time
Deceptions, False Christ and false prophets Matt 24: 4 – 5, 11, 24 “Many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ and shall deceive many”
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Lawless abomination in the temple vv 12 – 15.
Chapter 13 of Revelation explicit mentions this. (Daniel 9:27; 1 Thess. 2:4; The Anti-Christ will dedicate his image in the temple.
The mystery of iniquity doth already work, it will be revealed in full swing, only when the church and Holy Spirit who prepare the church has to be taken up (2 Thess. 2: 4-8)
The severe tribulation will begin right here. It is the second half of the tribulation period v 21.
Satan will transfer his power to the Anti-Christ and severe persecution will befall the people of Israel Rev. chapter 13
All the predictions regarding the tribulation period will actually happen to the people of Israel.
Flight of Jews from Jerusalem Matthew vv 16 - 21
When the man child is taken to heaven, the woman will flee to the wilderness for 3 ½ yrs. Rev. 12: 6, 14
This incident recorded in the Olivet discourse will be fulfilled only during the tribulation period. Matt. 24: 16 21
Therefore we find a perfect harmony between Matthew 24 and with the Book of Revelation. I hope that the readers could grasp these events in an order. If I write all in detail it may consume many pages. Matthew 24 is mainly dealing with Israel, their tribulation period, and the visible return of the Lord. Preceding this severe and terrible tribulation period, the church will be raptured to her beloved Lord. The return of the Lord, referred to in this chapter is concerned not with the rapture but with the visible and personal appearance of Jesus Christ on Mount Olive with his saints. There is no more sign that remains to be fulfilled for the rapture of the church. It can occur at
any moment. All these signs are to be fulfilled after the rapture as a sign for the visible appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. So let us prepare ourselves, wake up from lethargy, watch and wait for his imminent coming.
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Dr. Kris A. Jackson Missouri, USA Teacher and revivalist
Pauline Teachings on the
Last Days Aaheadleader is only as apostolic as he is prophetic. The ability to foresee what lies is key to effective leadership. A car’s headlights beam far enough down the
road to make the journey navigable and safe. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself…” (Prov. 22:3) So, in studying Paul, we discover a man with his finger on the pulse of his generation, mid-first century, but also with binoculars zooming in on events in the generation that will see Christ’s return. Paul had no way of knowing when the Last Days would arrive, so he lived as though Christ would return in his lifetime. Notice the pronoun “we” – “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…” (1 Thess. 4:17) He believed he would be in the number that would be caught up to meet Jesus. Twenty centuries have now passed, yet today’s Church maintains Paul’s expectation. He who rose again will also return as He said. Let me offer a sampling of Paul’s eschatological views, what He termed as the “day of Christ” or the “day of the Lord”:
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He claimed that nature groans in anticipation of that day (Rom. 8:22-23) He looked for the “blessed hope and glorious appearing” of Christ (Tit. 2:13) He called believers to remain blameless until that day (1 Cor. 1:8) He warned that we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) He spoke in detail about the restoration of national Israel (Rom. 11) He addressed the catching away of the believers (1 Thes. 4:15-18) He believed God would change our corruptible bodies at His appearing (Phil. 3:21) He gave details concerning the coming “man of sin,” the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:2-12) He spoke of the second advent, when Christ would appear in glory (Col. 3:4) He said Jesus would come in flaming fire to execute judgment on earth (2 Thes. 1:9) He believed Christ would return with His saints (1 Thes. 3:12) He warned that those who do not love the Lord will be accursed at His coming (1 Cor. 16:22) We should not dogmatically interpret Pauline eschatology through a denominational or strict dispensational lens. He conceded that “we see through a glass darkly”. No man knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return. We know the data, the signs of the times, but we don’t know the date. As previously stated. Paul thought Jesus would return in his lifetime, as did every generation of saints since Pentecost. He never realized his hope, but he did paint a clear picture of the Last Days in his epistles.
1. Paul foresaw the ANARCHY of the world “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers…” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) I will not share the whole text, but Paul catalogued a number of signs of the times (and sins of the times). 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 Middle-East 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”.
2. Paul foresaw the APATHY of the church A high school teacher, frustrated with his pupils’ careless attitudes, took chalk and wrote on the blackboard, “IGNORANCE AND APATHY”. One young man with his feet propped on the back his neighbor’s chair asked what it meant, to which the other student shrugged, “I don’t know, and I don’t care.” Apathy is the telltale sign of the Laodicean age. Paul warned that the day would catch men unaware – “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night” (1 Thes. 5:1-2). As Jonah snored in the hull of the ship and Samson fell asleep on Delilah’s lap, today’s church is woefully ignorant and asleep when it comes to its imminent peril. When men begin to say, “peace and safety”, the trap will spring, and a whole generation will be caught off guard – “Then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (vs 3). Paul affirmed that we are of the day and not of the night, but the indifference toward the global harvest and world-likeness of the average believer belies Paul’s optimism. Jesus said the people of Noah’s day were taken by surprise when the deluge came. They did not know what hit them. Similarly, the apostle challenges the church to be prepared for the Last Days.
First, that our anticipation of the “the blessed hope” should have a sanctifying effect - “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:12). And second, it should stir our passion for global evangelism – “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (2 Cor. 5:11)
“Such are the conditions prior to Judgment Day. We need to learn from this and not fret when we see these things happening, but say: Christ predicted beforehand that the world would become so savage, coarse, greedy, and so on. Well then! That's the way it is, and it is even going to get worse. Martin Luther 3. Paul foresaw the APOSTASY of the ministry Next, he assesses the ministry at the time of the end. Satan’s chief tactic has always been deception, and it will only worsen as we approach the end September 2018
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of the age. The reader has seen fundamental mutations in the ministry, churches ordaining gay and lesbian clerics, the removal of standards on social drinking, multiple marriages,etc., and the watering down of the gospel. The message has been reshaped to satisfy the current age – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3).
The sheep
will be divided from the goats. God’s servants will do exploits (Dan 11:32). Apostolic power and miracles will be restored to the church, an outpouring which will lead to a great ingathering before the uptaking. Bizarre doctrines will be introduced that lead men away into destruction – “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1). This will culminate in apostasy, a great abandonment of faith – “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thes. 2:3). It seems farfetched that in a few short generations the ministry could degenerate
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from Apostolic to Apostate, but we are seeing it before our eyes. Evil always fills the vacuum where revival once prevailed. The next prophetic figure to step on the stage will be the Man of Sin.
4. Paul foresaw the ACTIVITY of the Spirit But the Last Days and fast days will be the best days. The Man of sin will be countered by the Son of man. The Book of Revelation is not about the Antichrist, it is the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). The final hour of misery will also be an hour of great ministry and mastery – “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa. 59:19). According to Paul, we have an exciting future as a church. First, he mentioned “the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19). The Last Days will illuminate who belongs to Christ and who does not. The sheep will be divided from the goats. God’s servants will do exploits (Dan. 11:32). Apostolic power and miracles will be restored to the church, an outpouring which will lead to a great ingathering before the uptaking. Second, the Body of Christ will reach true unity - “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…” (Eph. 1:10)The Greek word anakephalao suggests“comingunder one head”, Christ the Head of the Church. The Body will function as intended through the working of its many parts, around the globe. The crushing of the serpent’s head, promised in the Garden, will finally occur. What Jesus accomplished on the cross will, at last, be operative through a church that understands its full authority - “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). Christ’s feet will mean Satan’s sure defeat! Finally, a “glorious church”, a chaste Bride, will be presented to Christ (Eph. 5:26,27). Every spot on the wedding garment will be washed in the blood of Jesus, with every wrinkle ironed out with the hot iron of His judgment. Then the wedding chamber doors will swing wide open, and behold, Jesus!
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Intervention Programs
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(Retd. Principal) De-Addiction & Adolescent Counseling
4. Rev. Dr. Cherian Mathew, M.Th, D.Min Family Counseling and Anger Management
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An initiative of IGO & affiliate of IBC and Seminary
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Pastor Sunny Kurian Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
Signs of End Times The horizons
of reason and philosophy are diminishing. Science and nations are being defeated. There are signs in the sky. There are also signs in the ocean. All nations and rulers in the earth are bewildered with disappointment wondering about the future events. Human hearts are very anxious about the future of this world. If we ask a political observer as to what would be the next greatest event on earth, he may give a political answer. If we ask the same question to a scientist, he may give a scientific answer. But if we ask this question to a pious Christian, he or she would answer in the light of the Bible that Jesus would return and His holy church would be raptured. Therefore the only answer to the question, “What is the next greatest event on earth?” is nothing else other than, “Jesus will return soon and His church will be with Him.”
The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is the hope of the Christian Church. This hope is known in the word of God as “blessed hope” (Titus 2:12), “living hope” (1 pet.1:3), “Hope which is the anchor of the Spirit” (Hebrew 6:19), “Better hope” (Hebrew 7:19), “The hope that is stored up in heaven”( Col.1:3) and the “ hope of glory” ( Col.1:27). September 2018
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There are six testimonies for the second coming of Jesus Christ. 1. Prophets – they have prophesied more of the second coming of the Messiah than they prophesied on the suffering of Jesus Christ. 2. Jesus Christ – during His earthly life Jesus had spoken in detail about His second coming and the rapture of His church (John 14:-13). 3. The testimony of the angels – they made the testimony about the second coming of Jesus at the time of His ascension. (Acts.1:10-11).
How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended. George Whitefield 4. Apostles – they have all given great importance in their letters to write about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Paul was first among them (1 Thes. 4:16,17). 5. The church – The church has been testifying about the second coming of Jesus from its beginning till the present time and will continue the same in future till the second coming actually takes place.
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6. The creation- all the creation is eagerly waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. The creation hopes that it will be liberated from its bondage with the second coming of Jesus Christ (Rom.8: 20). Jesus had given clear answer to the questions the disciples asked his concerning His second coming. Mathew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are the passages where we read concerning the end times and the signs of His second coming.
The end time signs 1.
It would be a period similar to the times of Noah and Lot. (Luke 17:21-34, Matthew 24:37-39, Gen.6: 5,11). 2. Hypocrisy ( 2 Tim. 3;1-5, Matthew 24:12). The immorality, loss of values in life, hypocrisy and so on are the signs of the second coming of Christ. 3. The coming of the scoffers ( 2 Pet. 3:3-4). 4. Apostasy ( 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 4:3-4). 5. The extensive Christian persecution ( Mark.13:9) 6. The spreading of the Gospel (Mark 13:10). 7. The branches of the fig tree becomes tender (Matthew 24:32-33). 8. Famine. 9. Earthquakes - since the 18th century millions of people were killed by earthquakes. After every year the intensity and the number of the earthquakes increase. 10. Contagious diseases – new diseases are appearing. Medical science fails. New viruses are appearing which cannot be prevented by the medical science. 11. Unemployment (Isaiah 19:8-9). 12. Knowledge increases (Daniel 12:4). 13. Hoarding of wealth and money (James 5:1-3). 14. Democratic governments ( Daniel 2:43) 15. Worries about life needs (Luke 21:34). 16. Wars and rumors or war- Hitherto millions of people were killed during the past wars. 85 lakhs in the First World War and 520 lakhs in the Second World War were killed. 17. The invention of air planes ( Isaiah 60:8;31:5; Jer.48:40). 18. The invention of television (Rev.19:9-10). 19. The space journey (Amos 9:2; Obadiah 4). 20. The growth of all nations (Luke 21:29). 21. Rain in the spring time (Zech.10:1; James 5:7-8). On the day of Pentecost God sent the spring time rain or early rain of Holy Spirit. The wide spread pouring out of the Holy Spirit from 1901 is described as the latter rain by the Bible scholars. Now the harvest time is approaching. It means the second coming of Jesus and the rapture of the church. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet. 3:11-13). We will reign in eternity with the eternal God. How blessed a state it is! Therefore let’s live with holiness and piety. Let’s wait for our Lord. Maranatha!
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Independence Day celebration Rev. Alan Varghese Faculty, India Bible College and Seminary, Kumbanad
Everyone
desires and cherishes freedom. Independence Day is the day of celebration of that freedom, which our fore-fathers fought and bought for us. Freedom has different dimensions; ‘Continue to exercise the achieved freedom’ is one, ‘Be responsible’ is another. In the present context, ‘being responsible’ is an important aspect of freedom that must be inculcated into our daily life. We are accused of being ‘conversionists’ as against our contributions to the society at large. In the fanatical quest to rewrite history into twisted truths, Christians are termed as cultural encroachers and even cultural destroyers. Many are accused as people who convert with money. The valuable contributions of numerous Christian missionaries seem to be forgotten. The accusations sometime border on the ridiculous. Nevertheless, we will continue to do our task in our land. India has witnessed a variety of regimes over the centuries. The ushering of democracy has given us the sovereign right to choose our leaders. This gives us the hope for a change that brings peace and happiness. Amidst seemingly insurmountable challenges, the commitment to our nation is an unavoidable factor for us. Our commitment to what we have been doing is a part of our patriotism. We are committed to love our nation, serving her by providing education, quality life, uplifting the downtrodden and helping people in their difficult times. In other words, contributing to the total development is our call. The Bible demands us to do that. We derive this from our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Lord of all. Jesus gave his life for the people surrounding him. The end of His earthly life was not only for those who surrounded him, but to everyone those who believe in him. He gave freedom from sicknesses and freedom from different types of stigmas. And we see the ultimate freedom on the cross of Calvary. For a Christian, ‘freedom’ is the ‘Cross’. God has called us to share about the freedom of the cross to everyone. We will continue to do what we have been doing for our Land. We will not allow anyone to question our patriotism. Having said this, let us also understand that Bible demands us to pray for our leaders and obey our leaders. 1 Peter 2:13 says “Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme…” This is our nation, so let us pray and work for the nation. May our God help us to pray and work for the nation. God may bless us. Jai Yeshu. Jai Bharat. September 2018
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renewing and enriching life
Perspective of Last Days in the Hebrew Bible Continued from page 10 Hence we can say, the doctrine of the Hebrew Bible concerning the end of the world, denoted by the use of the phrase "b’ahrîthayymîm" is applied evidently to a conceivable time in history, or perhaps the consummation of the Jewish economy by the introduction of the Messianic era (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:1).
The Day
of the Lord will mean judgment for Israel as well as for the Gentiles. Beyond judgment is salvation both for Israel and the Gentiles. The prophetic announcements have as their main concern the divine demand for obedience and faithfulness in light of the total redemptive purpose of God. 2. Eschatological Hope The definition of eschatology and the use of the term to designate the Hebrew Bible’s hope have been vigorously debated. Some have insisted that eschatology properly refers to a great drama of the end time in which the age of this world ends and a new eternal age of salvation is introduced
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(Mowinckel). Eschatological redemption means redemption of history. It points to the final redeemed state. The Hebrew hope of the b’ahrîthayymîm, as Harris says, may properly be called eschatological. This eschatological new pattern will happen in two stages: (a) Israel is restored to the land and enjoys the blessings of God's rule (Ezek. 34-37). After the restoration of the land, an eschatological war with Gog and Magog occurs (Ezek 38-39). (b) The final redemption of the people is foretold in symbolical way, where God forever dwells among His people, receiving their perfect worship (Ezek. 40-48). Ezekiel provides the fullest program of the eschatological hope. Israel is to be restored to the land under a Davidic prince, to be converted, and enjoy the blessings of a covenant of peace with God's sanctuary established in their midst forever. After the restoration of Israel under the blessings of God's kingdom, there will occur a final eschatological war. The life-giving river flowing from the temple (Eze.47:12) is redefined in Revelation as the river of life flowing from the throne of God (22:11). Similarly, Isaiah sees a new heaven and a new earth (Isa 65:17, 66:22), but death and sin still exist (65:20). This specifically eschatological prospect is sometimes called the end of days. It is understandable that Daniel did not prophesy the day of Yahweh, but preferred expressions more in keeping with his apocalyptic belief.
3. Ethical Hope The Hebrew Bible has above all an ethical concern when it talks of the b’ahrîthayymîm. The prophets were not primarily concerned about the future but with God's people in the present. Prophets who promised peace instead of judgment were false prophets (Jer, 14:13-16). Amos rebukes the popular hope of his day, that the Day of the Lord would bring certain salvation to Israel. Instead, that Day will be darkness and not light (Amos 5:18-20). The Day of the Lord will mean judgment for Israel as well as for the Gentiles. Beyond judgment is salvation both for Israel and the Gentiles. The prophetic announcements have as their main concern the divine demand for obedience and faithfulness in light of the total redemptive purpose of God. Because of the ethical character of the Hebrew hope, the eschatological salvation of Israel is viewed not in particularistic terms but in terms of a converted remnant. Israel as a nation is sinful and doomed. The name of Hosea's son, Lo Ammi, illustrates that Israel as such is no longer God's people (Hos 1:9). The Day of the Lord will mean national doom(Amos 5:18-20, 9:8). "Never again, so far as we know, did a prophet seek to reform the state by direct political action" says, J. Bright. Yet a remnant is to be saved, converted, and restored to the land in righteousness. To the Gentiles is assigned a diverse destiny. Sometimes the prophets anticipate an eschatological war between converted Israel and the Gentiles (Mic 4:1113; Isa 31:4-9; Ezek 38-39); some-times the Gentiles will serve Israel(Am 9:12; Mic 5:9, 7:16; Isa 45: 1416); sometimes they are seen as converted and worshiping the God of Israel (Zep. 3:9,20; Isa 2:2-4; 42:6; 60:1-14; Zech :20-23, 14:16-19).
renewing and enriching life
Counse ing Corner Vivyn Mathew Mental Health Consultant New Hope Counseling Center, Hebron, Kumbanad
you can overcome your worries Basil: I am 25 year old working as a mechanic. I feel very anxious most of the time and constantly think I will never be successful in life. Due to this thinking I am worried
very much and I am not able to concentrate on any work that do. I am tired of living. Will counseling help me? Dear Basil, first I appreciate you for writing to us. Many people around us have this problem of being anxious and at times this problem can be quiet distressing. Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion we all experience given certain circumstances. At times anxiety can be useful in avoiding dangerous situations or helping us prepare adequately for upcoming, stressful events. But problem anxiety may differ in intensity and duration. It stays long than and troublesome than typical anxiety. The predominant symptoms symptoms include excessive worry, feeling tense, racing thoughts, decreased concentration, restlessness, and irritability. Physical symptoms could include headaches, dizziness, nausea, or rapid breathing. Some of the symptoms of anxiety and depression overlap, such as irritability, trouble sleeping, or lack of concentration. In addition, it is common for someone to experience both depression and anxiety symptoms together. Anxiety disorder is generally caused by complex reasons, which vary from person to person, the help of a professional coach/therapist is almost always required to help identify and address the reasons, which are specific to each person. Yes, the intervention of a helping qualified therapist will definitely help you to work through this difficult phase of your life. If in any case you are not able to reach out for therapeutic help, please don’t be discouraged and loose hope. Try to reach out to your family members and friends, talk out your difficulties, ask them their help and comfort for you to navigate through these times of difficulty. You will find out that there is someone willing to stand by you and support you. Sharing your feeling with someone you can trust will reduce the emotional pain and help you think better. In the process you will find out that difficult moments like these were like periods of storms that come upon our life. They may remain very tough for some time but they will surely pass away bringing times of success and happiness. You will also realize that these tough times really made you strong from within and reveal a new person with qualities of endurance, possess problem solving and decision making skills and with a desire to succeed in life. There are also few things that you can start doing. Find out opportunities to stay active. Volunteer for any action possible so that you will not sit idle and waste your time by thinking alone. Daily wake up as early as possible, present yourself neatly to others
Above all understand the reality that faith in God will help you to find meaning and purpose in life. Learn to commit your way on the Lord, believe and trust God to guide and help you. by dressing neatly and keeping yourselves well. Eat healthy. Set aside time for physical exercise and be committed in carrying it out. Plan for a career. Find out what work you are interested to do. Train and strive to place yourself. Make an effective resume. Above all understand the reality that faith in God will help you to find meaning and purpose in life. Learn to commit your way on the Lord, believe and trust God to guide and help you. Prioritize a time for prayer and Scripture study. As you pray and trust in God you will see your situation change and your life being filled with hope, satisfaction and divine grace. For Counseling related queries, kindly write to us at: nhchebron@gmail.com September 2018
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renewing and enriching life
QUIZ–65
Answers for Quiz - 64
a time of weep
The Very Devil
1. Who wept at thinking her son would die of thirst in the desert? 2. We wept at seeing the new temple that was built after the exiles’ return from Babylon? 3. Who wept because he realized David had a chance to kill him but chose not to? 4. Who said, “Oh, that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears? 5. What judge’s wife wept in front of him? 6. What New Testament epistle mentions the priest Melchizedek weeping? 7. Whom did Jesus tell not to weep for him? 8. Who said, “Mine eye poureth out tears unto God”? 9. What two male friends wept together? 10. What prophet cried when he realized what Hazael of Syria would do to the people of Israel?
The ABC of becoming a Christian
Admit that you are in
need of someone to save you from guilt, shame and bondage or addictions. Admit that you have violated God’s Laws.
1. The archangel Michael (Jude 9) 2. 2 Corinthians (4:4) 3. Isaiah (14:12) 4. A murderer (John 8:44) 5. Ephesians (2:2) 6. Peter (Luke 22:31) 7. Ananias (Acts 5:3) 8. Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23) 9. She was bent and could not straighten up (Luke 13:11-16) 10. Ahab (1 Kings 22:2-22)
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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