Friday, June 22, 2018
“The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all – that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached” (Acts 10:36–37). Think on that marvelous truth, that, “Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all – that word you know”. Because “He is Lord of all”, true faith in Christ honors and defends the testimony of Christ, and never silences or opposes it.
Though the truth was initially “sent to the children of Israel”, the Jewish nation, it was not after Christ’s resurrection intended only for national Jews, but for anyone who would by faith believe Christ. We know this by Jesus’ great commission to all Christians, saying, “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20). All of Christ’s teachings, then, were, and remain today, indiscriminate of Jews and Gentiles.
Yet, with much unbiblical thought and assumption false teachers claim that Christ’s Olivet Discourse at Matt. 24 is not for the Church, and thus exchange the truth for a lie. Silencing the testimony of Christ, neither they nor their followers discern Satan’s lie – a lie that will offend their unbelieving hearts when they see evidences of the tribulation clearly identified by the “covenant with many” (Dan. 9:27) and the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl Judgments of Revelation.
I’m deeply concerned for the many Christians deceived by dispensationalism, for they have rejected Jesus’ truths to create their own unbiblical tribulation escape plan. My prayer is that you will join me in making the truth known, to oppose the popular tide of tradition, to turn as many hearts back to true faith in Jesus as possible, because “Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all”.
Here’s one way of knowing that the dispensational rapture narrative is false: in order for the resurrection rapture to occur, “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven” (1 Thess. 4:16). Yet, Peter, in his first sermon preached by the Holy Spirit that Christ “must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything” (Acts 3:21 NIV), which occurs at the last day of this present age. Therefore, if Christ left heaven before the time came for God to restore everything, there would be no seven-year tribulation! But we know there is a seven-year tribulation.
Christians defend the One who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Think about that. Why then, if Jesus is “the truth”, do many turn away from His truth that He gathers His elect “Immediately after the tribulation” (Matt. 24:29–31) to believe those who teach the exact opposite, who say He gathers saints before the tribulation! I urge you in the love of Christ, turn away from such false teachers and receive by true faith that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” and equip yourself in Christ’s indiscriminate Word of Truth, and live!
Is Jesus Christ “Lord of all”? Have you confessed the sin of unbelief to believe the testimony of Jesus rather than the ear-tickling lies of Satan designed to promise you an easier way? Does the Holy Spirit live in you giving you discernment of truth versus deception? This is important for the Holy Spirit said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). But in truth, if the Holy Spirit is absent, also is absent spiritual discernment of Christ’s truths.
The heart that’s been born again, having the Holy Spirit, will believe Jesus’ testimony, including His truths of the time of the end. It can be no other way because Jesus said He is “the truth”. This is critically important, for the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, also raises His saints “at the last day” (John 6:40, 44, 54), not seven years before the last day which would be required for a dispensational rapture. And the Spirit said, “he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). So, is Jesus truly your “Lord of all”? Do you personally, by faith, believe His Word, and are you prepared for the times of the end?
The day is fast approaching when “Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword” (Rev. 6:4). Simultaneously, the first Trumpet could sound “And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up” (Rev. 8:7).
In the midst of such chaos “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” (Matt. 24:7–10). Are you prepared for a Christ-honoring response to that?
There is a rapidly rising end-time hatred of Israel, and of God’s true Jews, meaning Christians, see Rom. 2:28–29. Not only his spirit, but the person of Antichrist wants to destroy both. We are increasingly viewed as the world’s problem to be removed. We are increasingly deemed worthy of nonexistence. But Jesus warned us, saying, “See, I have told you beforehand” (Matt. 24:25). But, largely, the church does not heed His warning.
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25–26). This takes sincere preparation of heart, mind, soul and strength, but the lukewarm environment of the church today cares little for such preparatory work. It’s much easier and more pleasant to believe the pre-trib rapture lie than to prepare for such difficulties.
But God’s truth remains unchanged, that, “all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12), and that, “the same horn [Antichrist] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (Dan. 7:21); and “It was granted to him [Antichrist] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…If anyone has an ear, let him hear…Here is the patience and faith of the saints” (Rev. 13:7, 9–10).
Marlin J. Yoder
