"Therefore be patient, brethren, until
the coming of the Lord ... "
James 5:7
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2015: SEVEN BILLION PEOPLE!!!
There are seven billion people on planet earth. This is significant because it is in itself a sign of the end of the age and a fulfillment of prophecy.
Jesus said, “And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Luke 21:24
The Apostle Paul said, “… blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25
The Fullness of the Gentiles: The End of the Age!
TIME
Until the time of the fullness of the Gentiles…and what a time it is!
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words,
- and seal the book
- until the time of the end;
- many shall run to and fro,
- and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
“All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Read Colossians 1:15-20.
Old Testament writers were looking toward Jesus’ birth, His death, His resurrection, and His future return to earth to establish His Father’s government in Jerusalem. New Testament writings reveal His earthly assignment: preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God with signs and wonders, and the redemption of man.
New Testament books reveal The Church: the new creation in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, the “new man,” who have been reconciled in one body through the cross…that through Him both have access to the Father.” See Ephesians 2:13-18.
Through the letters we discover who we now are in Christ.
The Word of God teaches us how to act, how to live in victory, and how to occupy and restore the land, while pointing to the spectacular finale when Jesus returns: first to receive His body in the air, and then seven years later, His triumphant and victorious return to Jerusalem.
2015: Signs of His Return
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying… ‘And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age...’
“‘… You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.’”
See Matthew 24:3-8.
Birth Pangs
Birth pangs are not fun! They are painful. A pregnant woman who enters into the time of her labor has no choice but to flow with what is taking place in her body. The baby is on its way whether she likes it or not. As the process of labor intensifies, so does the pain as the baby is being sent into the birth canal.
This is the culmination of one period moving into the next.
For planet earth, it is the passing from one age to the next. Those of us who are called to live on earth during this time are entering into the beginning of birth pains…or sorrow.
Time itself is being compressed and will hasten as this age closes in the great tribulation.
“And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22
Definition of Compression: The act of compressing, or of pressing into a narrower compass; the act of forcing the parts of a body into closer union, or density, by the application of force. The state of being compressed.
To Compress: press, squeeze, compact, cram, condense, reduce, shrink, shorten
I believe much of the pressure mankind is experiencing today has to do with time being compressed.
THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
You were chosen, you were called out of the world to come in to be a member of Christ’s Body—The Church—the Ekklesia. What a magnificent group of people: those who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, a new creation in Him, “born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:13
Each of us have a unique assignment to fulfill that makes up the grander corporate commission to go into all the world preaching, teaching, healing…a glorious display of diversities of gifts, differences of ministries, diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. See 1 Corinthians 12:1-6.
What a magnificent design; a heavenly tapestry of God’s work each one of us are called to fulfill for Him, which will culminate in spectacular splendor as we are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
“For the Lord Himself
- will descend
- from heaven
- with a shout,
- with the voice of an archangel,
- and with the trumpet of God.
- And the dead
- in Christ
- will rise first.
- Then we who are alive and remain
- shall be caught up
- together with them
- in the clouds
- to meet the Lord in the air.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.” Thessalonians 4:15-18
Preparation: Conforming to His Image
Millions of Believers in every nation are at this time in a period of preparation.
Why? So that the Lord can manifest Himself through holy vessels and bring in the harvest of souls. We are also being prepared to meet our Lord—face to face!
The Presentation
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish…” Ephesians 5:26-27
“…For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’
“This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:30
The End of the Age…A Time of Separation
“‘Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.’ He answered and said to them:
‘‘‘He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
- The field is the world,
- the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom,
- but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
- The enemy who sowed them is the devil,
- the harvest is the end of the age,
- and the reapers are the angels.
- Therefore as the tares are gathered
- and burned in the fire,
- so it will be at the end of this age.
- The Son of Man will send out His angels,
- and they will gather out of His kingdom
- all things that offend,
- and those who practice lawlessness,
- and will cast them into the furnace of fire.
- There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
- Then the righteous
- will shine forth as the sun
- in the kingdom of their Father.
Read Matthew 13:36-43.
Significant Assignments: Fasting and Prayer
“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” See Luke 2:36-38.
Prayer always precedes great moves of God.
We, who have accepted this assignment to pray for the state we live in, are laying track for revival/awakening…the great harvest of souls and the glory of the Lord to be revealed to all flesh. See Isaiah 40:3-10.
But that’s not all! We are also working with God’s Spirit in prayer so that members of His Church will be ready to meet the Lord when He returns. Pray much in the Holy Spirit for The Church.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” Mark 13:33-37
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Suggested Assignment: Study Ephesians Chapter 5
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE: Day of Fasting and Prayer
Please set Friday, September 4, 2015, to pray for our Congressmen and Senators about the Iranian Nuclear Deal.
The Glorious Church The Lost Elected Leaders
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