The Cup

I want to illustrate some verses from Matthew’s gospel with a story. Remember that some His disciples once asked Jesus for a prominent place in His kingdom... 

But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

Matthew 20:22-23 (NASB95)

This brings me to the story about the cup. 

Imagine that you are stranded and alone in a tropical jungle. You are dying from exposure to the sun and dehydration. As you search desperately for help, you come upon a mosquito-infested swamp. At the edge of the swamp is a cup almost completely buried in the mud.

You dig up the cup from the slimy mud because you’re desperate for something to drink. This is the first blessing:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 

Though you had nothing, you realized your desperate need and found this cup. You have found the cup of blessings from heaven!

The cup is completely covered in green algae and full of mud and mosquito larvae. You think “How can I drink from this cup, surely I will die!” You cry out to the Lord “Please help me clean this filthy cup!” Then you hear His comforting voice:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

The first thing He tells you is to empty the cup; pour out the mud and wipe it out with your filthy hands. “But Lord, it is still filthy, and there is no clean water to drink!” He tells you to be patient and help will come:

“Blessed are the meek (who wait patiently), for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Waiting is hard when you are dying of thirst, and now you are hungry. But you cry out “Please Lord, help me to obey and wait for your help.” He answers:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6 

As you wait, you begin to experience the satisfaction of righteousness that comes from obedience.

But as hours pass, you remember why you are in this terrible place. You remember the people who brought you here and left you here to die. The Lord speaks to you again:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Matthew 5:7

“Lord, I forgive them because You have forgiven me!”

As you continue to wait, you feel a purifying force in your heart, cleansing you from the bitterness of your past.

Now you not only hear the Lord, but you see Him appear with a large jar of clean water. He sets it down before you and says these words:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

The first thing you do with the water is to completely cleanse the cup. You now see that it is a precious silver cup and polish it to a shiny finish. Immediately you dip the cup in the fresh water and drink deeply until your thirst is quenched.

But soon some other people emerge from the jungle, rushing toward you. You recognize them as the people who brought you here, whom you have already forgiven.

“Come and drink!” You extend your cup and invite them to share the fresh life-giving water. They come in peace and refresh themselves. The Lord reminds you:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

You are truly blessed, not only to survive but to now have friends who share your life-giving water.

But then another mob of people emerge from the jungle, jealous and hostile. They are not interested in your peace or your generosity. They only come to take your cup and your life-giving water, leaving you wounded and dying. Finally, a last word comes from the Lord:

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Now you realize that this precious silver goblet is the cup of the Lord, which was left for you. You drank from the cup, which gave life to you and others. The cup carried blessings and led you and your friends to the source of life. But in the end, you shared the sufferings that came with the cup.

My friend, this is the final blessing - to forgive and give life to your enemies, just as the Lord Jesus did for you. And when you take your last breath you will look up to see the Lord, extending His hands to carry you home.

Deplorable Politics

I found the recent comments of the Democratic presidential nominee, lumping millions of people into a "basket of deplorables", to be extremely troubling. Her explanation and "apology" was even more troubling.

Certainly racism and xenophobia are deplorable attitudes, but Clinton's comments went beyond that to call millions of people themselves deplorable. That is the closest thing to hate speech I have ever heard from a presidential candidate. And this was not just a slip of the tongue or momentary lapse in judgement - she had obviously used that term repeatedly and was comfortable including it in a public forum, albeit one that was friendly to her agenda.

The terms "sexist", "homophobic" and "Islamophobic" are even more troubling, especially in the context of her highly-publicized speech, because they are highly subjective terms depending on the perception of the audience. I suspect many of those agreeing with her sentiment would consider those with traditional views of marriage and concerns about the rise of Islamic radicalism to be in that "basket".

Mrs. Clinton tried to minimize the political damage by suggesting that it was a mistake to say "half of Trump supporters are in that basket". The number is irrelevant; what is troubling is the idea that anyone could be lumped into this category of "deplorables", as if they could just be carted away and society would be better off without them.

How long does it take to turn a "basket of deplorables" 

into a "boxcar of deplorables"?

The elitist attitude that certain groups of people are "deplorable", combined with a consensus that certain difficulties are caused by these "deplorables" soon results in attacks, social stigmas, and sometimes acts of genocide. Thank God this has not happened in America, but the direction of politics in this country is certainly pointing down this dark path, arguably on both sides of the aisle.

Can this country be healed of its deep divisions? I'm pretty certain the answer will not be found in politics, though politics can certainly make it worse. No, the answer can only come from God, through the love that only the presence of Christ can impart in our hearts toward one another.

We should each ask the question, am I infected with hatred toward others based on their political views? Can I forgive my brother, even as I need forgiveness daily myself? God have mercy on us and revive our spirits to call on the Name of Jesus for deliverance!

Seventy Times Seven

Thoughts regarding the seventieth Jubilee, the kindness and patience of God, and the end of sin...

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9 NASB

Just how patient is God and just how long will he wait for us? In Noah's generation it was many years from the time Noah began to build the ark until the flood came. After the prophecy of Jonah, God waited more than 100 years to destroy Nineveh and the kingdom of Assyria. After the crucifixion of Christ, the church endured 38 years of Jewish persecution before Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jewish nation was scattered. None of these time periods indicate a time limit for sin, but they do prove that there is a limit to God's patience and that an end of sin is coming. A clue can be found in Matthew 18:

Peter came and said to Him,

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Matthew 18:21-22 NASB

In this passage and the following parable, Jesus indicates that we must always be ready to forgive, since we have each been forgiven an unimaginable debt to God ourselves. The condition in the parable that triggers God's wrath is not a number or a time limit, but rather the unmerciful behavior of the one who was given great mercy. (Note that Jesus commands heart-forgiveness; to do less is to leave our debtors in prison.)

There is another "seventy times seven" in the Bible, an interesting coincidence or maybe something more:

Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city,

to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity,

to bring in everlasting righteousness,

to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.

Daniel 9:24 NASB

Those weeks (Hebrew "shabuim") are generally interpreted by Christian scholars as periods of seven years, thus the prophecy primarily refers to the 490 years from that time until the final atoning sacrifice of Christ and the anointing of the body of Christ for world outreach. This prophecy was to be sealed and only released after it was fulfilled. If the math seems strange, consider that seven years is the time designated by God for the remission of debt. The last year of this shabua is known as a "Sabbath year" (Hebrew "shemittah"). Seventy times the shemittah would be observed in the land of Israel, seventy times seven times the high priest would offer the yearly atonement for their sins. After this time God would turn his face away from the Jews and send his Jewish church to the Gentiles. (Remember that after God lifts his hand of protection, there may be years before the natural consequence of sin causes the inevitable disastrous effects.)

The question remains how long before the "times of the Gentiles" is fulfilled and the Messiah returns to reconcile the Jews to himself. There is another type of "shabua" or period of seven known as "Jubilee" (Hebrew "yobel"). Jubilee occurs after seven shemitta periods, or every 49 years. Jubilee is a year when Jews are to return to their tribal homeland, and when the land of Israel should revert to its original tribal allotments. Thus Jubilee has a special relationship to the promised return of Messiah and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.

It turns out that, according to many who have studied this subject, we are in the seventieth Jubilee since the promised land was first given to the tribes of Israel. There are two possible implications regarding this time that we live in now. First, that the seventy times seven prophecy of Daniel applies also to the second coming of Christ, and that the time has come for sin and transgression to end and the promised everlasting righteousness to be established on earth. Second, that the grace of God extended to mankind may have a limit of "seventy times seven" after all, as alluded to by Christ in the book of Matthew.

I'm not suggesting that there is a time limit on God's forgiveness, or that Messiah must come within a certain known time window, but rather that now is a special time and should be treated with utmost diligence to seek a right relationship with God through the mercy offered to us in Christ.

Jubilee is a season of liberation, and a time of spiritual renewal. Though the land may sit idle (i.e. we should not focus on material gain), it is a time when we should use our storehouse of spiritual treasure to reach those in need. Here's a good article on the positive aspects of this Jubilee year:

http://www.johnnyandelizabeth.com/blog/2016-true-year-of-jubilee.

If this Jubilee is bringing the kingdom of Satan to an end, let's consider what that could mean. The One speaking in Daniel 12 says this:

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.

There will be a time of distress

such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.

But at that time your people

—everyone whose name is found written in the book—

will be delivered.

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:

some to everlasting life,

others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness,

like the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:1-3 NASB

The final jubilee will be a time when all property returns to its rightful owner (God). Such a financial catastrophe will lead to a time of great distress for those who don't have faith, but in the midst of this trouble the people of God will be delivered, and will shine like the stars of heaven. Stars shine at all times, but they can only be seen in darkness. People will be drawn to the light, or they will run to the darkness, so that the fruit will be evident and the harvest can begin.

The true church will stand and grow, while the apostate church will descend with the reprobate culture. At some point this apostasy will exhaust the patience of God, and then the end will come. Truthfully, I don't know how or when this will end, but I know The One who will end it. I'm sure it will be crystal clear at that time, as clear as the glassy sea around His throne. Until then we must work while it is called today, so that Christ may present us to himself as his spotless bride.

God's Destroying Army

John the Baptist preached repentance and ate locusts for lunch.

Our God has destroying armies that he has prepared to bring his people to repentance. In the Bible these armies are referred to as "locusts". The locusts are destroyers that take away our earthly possessions and leave us desolated and desperate for help.

Locusts may come in the form of actual armies, or in the form of actual locusts. They may be financial disasters or natural disasters brought upon us by divine appointment. They are intended to strip us of our worldly ambitions and turn our eyes upon Jesus. Locusts are commanded by God because of sin, and are defeated by repentance and cleansing from sin.

The plagues of locusts and darkness were the last two plagues on Egypt before the destroying angel took the firstborn of Egypt, and the precursors to armies in the book of Revelation.

In the book of Exodus, the plagues of hail and locusts each brought Pharaoh to confession of sin and repentance though not for long.

In the prophecy of Nahum the Assyrian armies are compared to an army of locusts.

In II Chronicles 7 God promises Solomon that if He sends drought or locusts or pestilence on the land because of sin, and the people humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, that He would hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land. Forgiveness corresponds to the removal of the destroying locusts.

In the final apostasy described in Revelation 9, the locusts of the destroying angel inflict pain on those who have rejected God. The armies that follow them destroy 1/3 of mankind, but the people who remain still do not repent. This is the last time repentance is offered before the final trumpet blast.

In the prophecy of Joel there are four waves of locusts (destroying armies) that successively destroy the land of Israel. The last destroyer (Rome) leaves Jerusalem completely desolate, but those with understanding find the greatest gift of God written on their hearts.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,

            “Return to Me with all your heart,

            And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

      And rend your heart and not your garments.”

            Now return to the LORD your God,

            For He is gracious and compassionate,

            Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness

            And relenting of evil.

Joel 2:12-13 NASB

God is in Control

A few days ago I was reading something a friend liked on Facebook, which said that some who focus on prophecy are too negative and lead believers into fear and anxiety.

I lost a lot of sleep that night thinking seriously about this. I had never considered that what I post online about Biblical prophecy might cause some to stumble or fear, and I was deeply convicted. If you feel this way, please accept my humble apology and let me explain my motives.

First, I know there have been marketeers who prey on people's fears and superstitions to sell books and supplies for end-time preparation. Some may do this simply to feed their egos and enhance their power and influence over other believers. Some of these would fall into a category I've already blogged about, the wandering stars who have rushed headlong into "Balaam's Error".

I must confess that researching prophecy has been fulfilling to me because it's sort of like solving a puzzle, or finding that piece you were missing for so long. Little revelations keep me interested in studying more, and I think this is a good thing as long as it doesn't distract me from seeking the heart of God. But it's not the main thing.

After a lot of introspection I think I know why I am personally interested in this subject. I feel like the world we know in America is spinning out of control and lurching into some very troubled waters. This is currently disguised by a very unsustainable program of government borrowing and economic stimulus. In fact, I can't help believing that the end of the American era is at hand and without America the entire world is in for a very rude awakening. If I didn't believe in God I would be very troubled by these feelings of hopelessness for my homeland.

However, as a Christian I have a better home and a better hope in the eternal presence of God. When I read and write about end time prophecy I am reinforcing my confidence that indeed God has forewarned us about what is coming, and is giving us the hope and strength to thrive in the midst of a cataclysmic disaster.

What I know is this - that as hard as things may get in my lifetime, I am accepted and beloved by God and He will provide a way for me even in death to have eternal joy and hope. I am learning goals and strategies to reach the lost and leave a legacy of testimony to my Jewish brethren who have yet to accept Yeshua as their Messiah. I am learning how to put on the full armor of Christ so that I am prepared for spiritual warfare.

At the same time, I want to encourage those who see this to do the same.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
I Thessalonians 5:4-8 NASB

Remember that even though we may one day see hardship and persecution in our own land, God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

My goal is to encourage the fainthearted and help the weak, so please be patient with me. I will not allow the Holy Spirit in me to be quenched even if some may despise my prophesying. So hold fast to whatever I write that seems to be good and encouraging and cast away whatever appears to discourage you. After all, sometimes I miss the Lord or need to correct what I say in the spirit, even as I'm sure you do as well.

(I didn't intend to borrow so heavily from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, but found myself on exactly the same wavelength!)

Heavenly Accounting

God is not a bookkeeper, but there are certainly books being kept on each of us, and not just by Google and the credit bureaus.

The book on me contains everything I've done, which is basically a book about my sin, because everything I do (including my righteousness) is as "filthy rags" before God.  There is absolutely nothing I could do to zero out this book.  There is nothing you could do, or all of us could do together to zero out these books.  Add to this debt the infinite debt incurred by all of us, when we rejected His Son and put Him through a most painful and unjust death on the cross.  That's a pretty heavy load of debt.

On the other side of the ledger is only one act that can balance the books.  That is the sacrifice of the pure and spotless Lamb of God.  His blood can cover every line in your book.  The good new is - Jesus  lives and He forgives.  You know in your heart that you could not stand and account for your life before God.  Without Jesus we are toast.  Only Jesus can get us out of this jam.

Let me share one of my favorite Psalms 130 with you in music.


In this Psalm, verse 4 says "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.."

God doesn't want to read my book, He just wants to see my heart pumping the blood of Jesus through my veins, giving me new life. Live in me LORD, and pour out your blessings through me to others!  In Jesus name...

Dying in the Wilderness

I had a dream.  It was a troubling dream.  I found myself in the middle of a desert, lost.  I wandered seemingly endlessly searching for a way out, through one scene after another of bleak lonely wilderness.  Then I awakened.  It was 1976 in my garage apartment in Waco where I was enrolled in college.  I still remember that dream and the disturbing impression left on my heart.

Some time later the Lord put a song on my heart.  The song was about a man who knew God but lost his way and returned to the world. This song continued to haunt me through my years of wandering.  Many times the Lord reached out to me and touched my heart with new songs and fresh understanding of His Word.  But the warning reminded me - continue to wander and let the world harden your heart and you'll come to an end like the miserable old soul in this song.

A few years ago my father passed away while I was away on business.  The tremendous weight of this experience caused me to become desperate for God.  I asked for Him to give me the faith I needed to become truly free from the world.  That is when I started to die.  By that I mean that I began to lose interest in the things that took me away from God.

A few months ago one of the associate pastors at my church spoke about Joshua leading the nation of Israel into the promised land.  Through him God showed me what had happened to me over those years of wandering.  More than thirty years of my life was wasted pursuing wealth and fulfillment in the world while gradually losing touch with God.  Like the children of Israel, God had taken me out of Egypt but there was still a lot of Egypt left in me that had to die in the wilderness.

Thank God I now see the green fields of the promised land.  I know now that as long as I bear this "body of sin and death" I will still need to die daily, but I also have the spirit of Christ giving life to my spirit, and the spirit of God giving life to my mortal body!

Let me also say that Jesus' parable of the sower has been fulfilled in me (see Matthew 13).  Some of the seed (the word of God) fell by the side of the road while I was a young skeptic.  Some of the seed fell on sandy soil, sprouted early but perished because it had no depth of root.  Some of the seed fell on thorny soil and was choked by my years of wandering in the cares of this world.  And some of the seed has fallen in good soil, deeply rooted in me and about to bear eternal fruit!

Does any of this ring true with you?  Are you lost in the wilderness?  There is still a way out, if you are still alive and able to call upon Jesus.  He will NEVER give up on you.