Italy

Ttaly The Ultimate New Beginning

We live in such difficult times that people more and more desire a new beginning. Some dream of a heroic leader, others a new beginning in politics, the economy, climate, science, culture and so forth. It seems to me that we can all indeed contribute in every field of society, even producing significant changes, while being aware that we cannot definitively solve the root problem of evil, iniquity and injustice. History shows that mankind can only foster temporary improvements or adjustments to society. It’s a fact that wickedness is (and will, according to Scripture) irreparably escalating, but we believe that it will be so until the Lord’s return. The return of Messiah will introduce the progressive, but ultimate New Beginning. It will start with the resurrection of our bodies, the longed-for eternal kingdom, eradication of all evil and with the final destruction of the devil.

Of such a totally new scenario a spiritual deposit was already given at Pentecost, 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, when the church came into being. Since that moment onwards, whoever is born from high, immersed in, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit is already living in God’s “spiritual” kingdom. The second coming of the Lord is the hinge that unites history with eternity. Jesus foretold it several times. It will be a radical, global, visible, and obvious event for everyone. At his first coming he opened the Kingdom to everyone and on His return, He will close it to all the wicked, and unrepentant forever! In between, the Holy Spirit will keep empowering believers. It seems to me that the Scriptures say that in the last days such power will be increased and amplified as never before, to allow the “remnant” to fight and resist the antichrist. There will be war! The enemy will seem to have won, but only until Yeshua returns. The day of Yeshua’s return is the great and terrible day of the Lord, the day of God’s vengeance. Yeshua foretold what would be the signs of these final events so that we are not caught unprepared. He insisted on saying, “keep watch until I return, be vigilant and ready”. No one can know the day nor the hour of his return. However, we are supposed to discern the season of his coming, which we know will culminate when the good news of the Kingdom is preached and witnessed to all the nations (Matt. 24:14). Yeshua has made known all these things only to his disciples. Not to the crowds, the religious, the politicians, or to any powerful man. Only to his intimate friends, so that those warnings would serve as a lamp to light up the dark times that would come and to watch while enduring till the end. Indeed, such prophecies could never warn the world of its inevitable end. The world would never believe it. A system cannot trust in its end, as it would not be a system, but a historical accident destined to dissolve. Therefore, let us continue to exhort each other with the thought that it is God himself who conceived the journey of redemption. Let us encourage one another to keep trusting God! Let us remember Noah, Abraham and Moses. They made historical journeys preparing themselves diligently, facing the unknown and insurmountable difficulties with hope in their hearts. How did they do it? They trusted God who had made the promise and faithfully followed His instructions. Dear friends, when we love God, we listen to his word and act accordingly. Let us trust the Holy Spirit who dwells in us to guide us and manifest his power though us. Let us therefore keep watching and we shall not miss our God appointed destiny. What benefit do we gain wasting time on vain and carnal issues (from non-essential doctrines to vaccines) that stimulate division among us and civil disobedience? Or spending our energies in the maze of supposed hidden plots and conspiracies? End times prophecies are useful for us, so that we do not get lost along the way and rather keep boldly and powerfully spreading the message of the Kingdom and maintaining unity among us. In fact, the messianic warning is addressed to people at risk, if found unfaithful and unprepared, to be “cut to pieces and assigned to a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” or locked out of the wedding banquet with a “I don’t know you” (Matt. 24:45-25,30) and even killed in front of the King at his command (Luke19: 11-27).

Maurizio Tiezzi

Italy maurizio@cantonuovo.org Who is the Messiah referring to? And what does he mean? It is generally believed and accepted that Yeshua is speaking to believers and about them. However, one thing is certain: Messiah invites us to be vigilant with faithfulness, clearly stating that every action will have its consequence. And this truer for those who are his followers. In fact, when Yeshua returns, the unbelievers, unaware of the times and accustomed to sin, will be attending to their ordinary occupations and will be taken by surprise. Believers, instead, strengthened by the instructions of Yeshua and the Spirit’s power, would have persevered in doing their part and been found faithful while vigilant. The Messiah said, “He who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13). Paul wrote, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). Peter wrote, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your call and election firm, for, in doing so, you will never stumble. For, in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you” (2 Pet.1:10-11). And moreover, Yeshua tells us, “Therefore, you too be ready, because in the hour you do not think, the Son of man will come”, while wondering, “But when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” and we know that he is “… coming soon.” (Rev. 22:20). What a wonderful story! Yeshua still has many things to do, and all will be fulfilled. Let us pray to have a trusting and faithful heart, a pure desire to be eternally united with him, a holy fear of betraying his instructions while he is temporarily absent. For this to happen, let us pray and expect to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to persevere and be bold in carrying out our God’s given assignment. The real key to face these days is to know the ways of God and trust that there will be a new great outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we will receive power, guidance and wisdom to an extent appropriate to the times we are called to live. The Lord called us to be his witnesses and heralds, even into the last days of the end times. He expects us not to be taken by surprise when he returns. His second advent will transform the earth and the life on it. The Lamb and the Lion are One: mercy and glory, as well as sacrifice and victory, cannot be separated. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! ✽