Monday, March 7, 2016
The Plain Truth: Iraq and the Millennial Kingdom: A look at the Ant...
The Plain Truth: Iraq and the Millennial Kingdom: A look at the Ant...: The Future of Iraq Imagine, if you will, a highway that connects Baghdad with Cairo and Jerusalem; a highway without tolls and borders!...
Iraq and the Millennial Kingdom: A look at the Anti-Christ and the end times!
Imagine, if you will, a highway that connects Baghdad with Cairo and Jerusalem; a highway without tolls and borders! Imagine Israel leading the world in religious observance, without rivalry from any nation on earth. People could spend their money on personal and social projects, without a dime going toward defense!
A dream, you say? No, not a dream, but a future reality predicted by Isaiah the prophet. As you read his predictions, keep in mind that much of present-day Iraq is the ancient land of Assyria: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be a third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth” (Isaiah 19:23, 24). This, of course, is a reference to the Millennial Kingdom, a time when Messiah rules on earth, restoring order, and for the most part, reversing the curse that sin has inflicted upon this planet.
Of course, this time of blessing will not happen in the next few months, or even years, but happen it will, just as God predicted.
However, before this time of peace, there will be much bloodshed and suffering, not just in Iraq, but among all the nations of Planet Earth. Whatever our view of the current war on terrorism, we know a temporary era of peace is coming to Iraq, perhaps even in our lifetime, before the Lord returns.
There are many end-time scenarios, but one held by many students of prophecy teaches that Iraq will most likely emerge as an oil superpower, and with trillions of dollars flooding into the country, become a magnet for banks and corporations. The ancient city of Babylon (50 miles south of Baghdad) will become one of the most modern cities in the world. Just read Revelation 18, where Babylon is described as the “great city” and a center of “extravagant luxury.”
Unfortunately, Babylon will not only become a political capital, but also a city of great evil, and possibly the residence of the Anti-Christ. For a time he will dominate the world, expecting to be worshipped by all who live upon this earth (see Revelation 13:7–9). His glory is short-lived, however, and because his empire is centered in Babylon, he will face the fierce judgment of God, most probably when Jesus Christ returns to earth to end the Battle of Armageddon and establish His Kingdom.
During this millennial reign (a 1,000-year period), Iraq will, of course, be rebuilt but under the direction of the world’s new ruler, Jesus Christ. Then a highway will connect the cities of the Middle East and peace shall ensue.
And where will we be when all this happens? We shall be reigning with Christ in the Kingdom, whose capital is Jerusalem. We will already have been translated into God’s presence by the rapture of the Church.
I want to be sure you take away this thought: Yes, Iraq has a marvelous future, but it cannot compare to our future as God’s own people. No matter what you are experiencing today, the best is yet to come!
Examining the End Times We’re all curious about the end of the world. How will it happen? When? Where will we be? Here, Pastor Lutzer provides some insight into the coming of the Anti-Christ and the Millennial Kingdom.
Q: You end your article on page 2 by saying that the Church will be already translated into God’s presence by the time the Kingdom is established on earth. Why do you believe this?
A: Because the rapture (1 Thess. 4) will already have taken place. Space does not permit a detailed explanation of this except to say that the return of Christ precedes the establishment of the Kingdom. Even those who believe that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation, admit that when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom, all the saints who have died, as well as those who are alive at His coming, will have their eternal, glorified bodies.
Q: But aren’t there people living in the Millennial Kingdom in their earthly bodies? The Bible predicts that children will be born and die, etc. How can it be that we who will have glorified bodies can rule with Christ in such a context?
A: You are right, the Bible does teach that the people who survive the Tribulation will enter the Millennial Kingdom in their earthly bodies. At the same time, the Church and the resurrected Old Testament saints will be there with their glorified bodies. But this should pose no special difficulty. After all, Jesus got along perfectly fine with His disciples after He was raised from the dead with His eternal, heavenly body! In fact, He even ate fish (Luke 24:42, 43).
Q: The Bible predicts that there will be a coalition of Arab countries, led by Russia, that will seek to attack Israel, but they will be destroyed by God (Ezekiel 39).When will this happen, and what will be the effects of this massive destruction?
A: Excellent question! Here is a scenario that might fit: After the rapture of the church there could be a period of preparation for the events to unfold that would wrap up history as we know it. Then, a ruler will arise, the Anti-Christ, who would make a peace covenant that would guarantee the security of Israel and a temporary peace would come to the world. During this time, the coalition (referred to above) would be destroyed directly by God. The balance of power would shift to the Anti-Christ, who would now be unchallenged in his rule of the world.
With these oil-producing countries out of the picture, Iraq (which interestingly is not listed as part of this coalition that will be destroyed) would enjoy great wealth because of its huge oil reserves. Then Babylon would be rebuilt and the Anti-Christ would move his capital there. Then in the middle of the tribulation, the Anti-Christ goes to Jerusalem to break his covenant and declare himself to be God. Three-and one-half years later, the battle of Armageddon occurs and Jesus returns with His saints and destroys all opposition, including Babylon. Then the Kingdom is established.
Keep in mind that in this scenario, the coming of Jesus is in two stages: in the rapture he comes for his saints, in his glorious appearing he comes with his saints in great glory.
Q: Prophecy often divides Christians…there are some scholars who believe the church goes through the Tribulation and others believe there is no Millennial Kingdom because they take all the Old Testament passages metaphorically.
A: You are right, there are many different views, and even those who agree on the main points disagree about the details. Remember, the purpose of prophecy is not to satisfy our curiosity, but to motivate us to holiness and faithfulness. In the end, even the best of scholars will discover they got things wrong! What we know for sure is that Jesus is returning to earth and we don’t know when!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
The Plain Truth: A SERIOUS REQUEST FOR MARCO RUBIO!
The Plain Truth: A SERIOUS REQUEST FOR MARCO RUBIO!: Dear Sen. Rubio: A recent guest on my radio show urged me to “follow the money trail” in your campaign, raising serious questions about...
A SERIOUS REQUEST FOR MARCO RUBIO!
A recent guest on my radio show urged me to “follow the money trail” in your campaign, raising serious questions about the funding you’re receiving from billionaire Paul Singer. As you know, Mr. Singer is one the most aggressive proponents of same-sex “marriage” in our country, even campaigning to remove opposition to gay “marriage” from the Republican platform.
May I ask you, sir, with all respect, to denounce publicly Mr. Singer’s actions and viewpoints, giving a written guarantee that, if elected, you will work against one of your biggest donor’s publicly stated goals?
To be perfectly candid, although I am tremendously leery of the Republican establishment and have endorsed your arch-rival, Ted Cruz, for president, I hold you in high respect in many ways, taking seriously your clear profession of faith in Jesus and honoring your strong pro-life record.
You truly have a gift of speech, and I have never seen you at a loss for words, even when under extreme pressure.
These are qualities I personally admire.
I also read with interest an editorial in a flagship gay publication that carried the headline, “Marco Rubio’s America Would Be Hell for LGBT People.” And while I do not for a moment relish the thought of making America a living hell for LGBT people, like you, I am convinced that it is terribly wrong to redefine marriage or to give special rights to those who identify as LGBT.
In keeping with this, I found your recent comments meaningful when you stated on “Meet the Press” (with specific reference to the Court’s Obergefell ruling), that, “I don’t believe any case law is settled law. Any future Supreme Court can change it. And ultimately, I will appoint Supreme Court justices that will interpret the Constitution as originally constructed.”
But this is where many eyebrows are being raised.
How can you hold to these positions, even enlisting strong evangelical leaders to help promote your candidacy, and at the same time be funded by Paul Singer?
Is Mr. Singer working against himself? Would he actively fund someone he knew would seek to undermine some of his most important, deeply held values?
I know that you said, “I’m grateful that when people donate to us they buy into our agenda, and I’m glad that [Singer] has, and it will help us with resources.”
But can you explain how he has bought into your agenda if you and he hold diametrically opposite positions on redefining marriage?
Mr. Singer has been a major supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, the world’s largest gay activist organization, playing an important role in the funding of the HRC’s notorious “Exporting Hate” report. (I say notorious because of the HRC’s slipshod, biased reporting, coupled with their ridiculous attacks on some small organizations and individuals whose budgets are barely a fraction of the HRC’s budget. See my tongue-in-cheek response to being included in the HRC report.)
Sen. Rubio, earlier this month, a well-known gay publication, the Washington Blade, reported that “the American Unity Fund, a pro-LGBT Republican group founded by billionaire philanthropist Paul Singer” is leading the way in fighting for a change in your party’s platform, wanting to remove all opposition to same-sex “marriage.”
The article detailing these developments was entitled, “High hopes for LGBT inclusion in 2016 party platforms,” giving specifics of some of the strategies involved.
Does Paul Singer know something about you that we don’t know? Is he banking on you having a change of heart on this issue, just as you previously reversed your position on immigration?
Columnist and pro-life activist Jason Jones has also raised some strong concerns, writing that Singer “spent almost $5 million in New York State alone to promote that social and legal monstrosity that threatens tax bankruptcy to every faithful church and Christian institution in the country. Now Singer is pouring money into pressure groups that want to remove the pro-marriage plank from the Republican platform. That’s right, if he has his way, neither political party will offer any protection at all to the morals and the liberties of Christians in America. And Paul Singer is one of the largest financial supporters of Marco Rubio.”
Senator, if you ended up receiving the Republican nomination, what assurances would we have that you would not reverse your position on this critical issue as well?
To reiterate, then, my request: Will you make an unequivocal public statement that you oppose the gay activist agenda of your champion donor Paul Singer? Will you say, “I wholeheartedly oppose his goals to change the Republican Party Platform on marriage and if elected, I pledge in writing to appoint justices who will also oppose his agenda”?
Will you be forthright enough to do that?
If Mr. Singer is giving you money to undermine something very precious to him (his own son is “married” to another man), then use that money well, either as a senator or a presidential candidate. I’m sure every candidate receives money from someone who is not fully on board with all aspects of their agenda.
But in this case, we’re hardly talking about a peripheral issue. We’re talking about something of fundamental importance to both you and Mr. Singer, yet for totally polar reasons.
So, please do something that will alleviate the fears of all those who are urging us to follow the money trail.
I trust you can understand those concerns.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The Plain Truth: Heaven in Deed - Assurance of Ownership!
The Plain Truth: Heaven in Deed - Assurance of Ownership!: As Christians, we’ve been given a genuine deed to heaven—the promise of eternal life, an inheritance, and a mansion that can never be fo...
Heaven in Deed - Assurance of Ownership!
Paul’s attitude was, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Job said: “I know that... after my skin is destroyed... that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26).
The Promise of Eternal Life
Jesus gives us the promise of eternal life in John 10:28: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
Our salvation is guaranteed because Christ himself paid the price. He “purchased (us) with His own blood” (Acts 20:28) once for all—“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). He said, “I give them eternal life.” No mights, ifs, ands, or buts.
The Protection of Eternal Life
We also have the protection of eternal life: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we’re placed in His hand. And His hand is in the hand of the Father, “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:29).
We’re in a hand within a hand—safely enclosed in the hand of Christ, and the hand of Christ is securely encased in the hand of the Father. No one can pluck us out of those omnipotent fingers!
The Psalmist said, “Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” But we can say, “Because I am in His right hand, I shall not be moved”—not moved, afraid, insecure, or worried.
The Proof of Eternal Life
How, then, can you know you have eternal life? In John 10:27, we read, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
Christians are not perfect, and all of us do sin along the way. But genuine Christians hear His voice and follow Him. As a Christian, when you know God has told you to do something, you do it. If we love Him, we’ll keep His commandments. A person who is genuinely saved is going to obediently hear what the Lord says.
God has given us His Word to assure us of our relationship with Him so that we may walk as Christians with confidence, knowing that our salvation is in Him. The aged apostle John put it this way at the end of his first epistle: “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life…. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11, 13).
Your heavenly home was bought for a price, and that payment results in a title deed that can never be lost through foreclosure. You can go joyfully into your day’s activities and rest peacefully tonight knowing that your salvation is secure and your home in heaven is being prepared for you! “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14).
Saturday, January 30, 2016
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