Your Last Day On Earth.

 Will your last day be one of regret or joy?

Eating, drinking, giving in marriage, marrying… all day to day occurrences. Is it safe to say that on any given day people around our world are being married?

In 2018  2,132,853 marriages took place in the USA, approximately 5800 a day. Of course that is an estimate, most assuredly there could have been 8000 on one day and only 2000 on another and so on. The fact remains that in the United States alone there were over 2 million marriages in the year 2018. Is it any wonder Jesus included those words- marrying and giving in marriage. I say that because it is an everyday happening and something people do as a matter of leading a life of future expectation. A marriage as a rule is a symbol of the future. You marry with the hopes of sharing a life together, a future together. Though I'm sure there are marriages of convenience and marriages that are forced, arranged marriages, and so on and so forth. Some people do get annulments quickly after marriage when they realize it's a mistake, but the majority of marriages are done in hopes for a future. 

Eating, drinking, marrying…  you eat, drink and get marry… no cares about the world ending, no concern for Jesus' returning and all that means.

Picture for a moment Noah's huge ark. You've lived in its shadow all the while it was being built. You listened to the crazy old ark builder's reasoning, people laugh about him all the time, you laugh about it often.  It was a great source of amusement since its beginning. While the ark increased in size slowly, the frame, and the filling of the frame, life went on as usual. Noah's and his ark was a story being told to little children as they grew up, people grew used to the presence of the ark and its builder- they became a part of their way of life. They were something to be ignore as of little consequence. The ark didn't affect their lives in any way really, why would it? Noah wasn't trying to get them to help build the crazy thing. Every now and again Noah's story, the reason for that monstrous contraption, would be told. The old man said there was a god that was going to destroy everyone with water because they didn't believe in that god and follow his ways. Being killed with water, while not unheard of, people had drowned in rivers, wells and such, but everyone being killed with water so that they would need huge boat to survive, that was preposterous. But that was the strange reason for the crazy old man and his crazy old family doing what they did. 

Noah was crazy, until he wasn't any longer, but the people who realized too late that he wasn't only did so in their final moments, on the last day of their lives.

It is going to be the SAME way when Jesus returns.

Many people are going to believe those who are waiting for Jesus' return are crazy. It won't be until their last day on earth that they realize they were wrong. 

Don't be among those who realize too late. Please. Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior right now, repent, seek forgiveness and have faith in our Lord. He will return. This life isn't all there is because without Christ, this life is one of hopelessness. Christ is hope. Choose hope.

All by the grace of our Lord and Savior, through His mercy! Now and forever! Amen!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

NOAH'S TIME AND OURS

VERSES 37-39: "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

A picture of the present condition of the mass of mankind is here, drawn. The people of the last generation will be like that before the flood, while the ark was preparing. This shows that we cannot innocently be ignorant on the subject of the Lord's soon coming. It will be a terrible calamity in that day to those who do not know, even as it was to the world in the days of Noah, because they did not know of the approaching time of the flood. If they had had no means of knowing, they would, of course, have been innocent, and have escaped destruction. But they might have known, for Noah warned them by his preaching, and yet more forcibly in building the ark. In this he "condemned the world." Heb. 11:7. He proved his faith by his works. They proved their unbelief, and were justly condemned. They turned away from his warnings, and forgot his words, and so the flood came when they did not expect it,–they did not know,– and took them all away. So will it be when the Son of man is revealed. Matt. 24:39. 

Noah preached and warned the people of the coming flood, and they mocked. He built the ark and they scoffed. He was a preacher of righteousness. His works were calculated to give point to, and set home to the heart, what he preached. Every righteous sermon, and every blow struck in building the ark, condemned a careless, scoffing world. As the time grew nearer, they grew more careless, more hardened, more bold and impudent, and their condemnation surer. Noah and his family were alone. And could one family know more than all the world? The ark was a matter of ridicule, and Noah was regarded as a willful bigot. But the Lord calls Noah into the ark, and says to him, "Yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth;" and by the hand of Providence the beasts are led into the ark, and the Lord shuts Noah in. This is regarded at first by the scoffing multitude as something wonderful; but it is soon explained away by the wiser ones, so as to calm their fears, and they breathe easier. But the day arrives. The sun rises as usual, and the heavens are clear. "Now where is old Noah's flood?" is heard-from a thousand impious lips. On this very day some are being joined in marriage. It is a day of unusual feasting and sports. The farmer is planting and sowing, and the mechanic is heard pursuing his work of building. And while all are looking over long years of future prosperity and happiness, suddenly the heavens gather blackness. Fear fills every heart. They think of Noah, and as they turn to look toward the ark, the windows of heaven open, and the rain descends in torrents. "The fountains of the great deep are broken up," and here and there come gushing up rivers of water. The valleys are fast filling, and thousands are swept away in death. Some flee to the highest point of land, but the waters fast follow them. Men bear their wives and children to the mountains, but are obliged to leave them there to drown, while they climb the highest trees. But soon they too are covered with water. Not a scoffer remains. All are still in death. Horrible death! made still more horrible by being the consequence of slighted mercy! But where is Noah?–Ah! safe in the ark, borne upon the billow. Safe from the flood, safe, for God "shut him in." (End Excerpt)

Preparation for Prophecy.

 The following excerpt was written in 1890 and when they wrote it they believed they were the last generation and would witness Christ's return. Their belief was based on the Biblical data they'd researched diligently. Were they wrong? Believing wasn't wrong, but the hoped for return of the Savior did not take place. 

How many people point fingers and say, "And that is why I don't think Jesus will ever return, that it's all just a made up story." Unfortunately, even one person believing - is one too many.

God told Daniel to shut up the book- the Book of Daniel, that Daniel had written on the future, on unfulfilled events. The book would be shut up until the time of the end. Great enlightenment did not occur until the mid-1800's and that book was written about 164 BC approximately 2000 years before it's words were opened to us and not from a single source but from several all during the same period around the world. 

It's been about 177 years since the Book of Daniel's prophecies have been opened to in-depth historically backed study. 

We do not have any idea how long the "time of the end" will last.

We are in the time of the end, and as more words of prophecy have been unfolded we continue to realize that there are still more prophetic passages that must take place before the ultimate return of our Lord.

Eventually there will be a people who will be alive, who will not be able to look back and note fulfillment because they will be living prophecy out as it goes. When that heavenly trumpet sounds and Christ returns as prophecy predicts, when the living are raised into the air -gathered by the angels to meet Christ in the air, they will be living out prophecy.

We know a lot needs to take place, and we know that a lot can take place very quickly. We also know the majority of the world's population will be deceived. We know there will be drinking, and marrying, and going on with day to day life for some- right up until the Lord's return.

We clamor for normalcy. This pandemic has certainly showed us how true that statement is. How many lives were completely upended by the various lockdowns, the stay at home working, schooling, the mask restrictions, the distance restrictions- people suffered a lot emotionally and mentally during this time.  Anything that interferes with our sense of normalcy is not desired. We have enough day to day unexpected occurrences so to top them off with even more unexpected, crazy things just makes life that much more hard. 

Is it any wonder that even while the signs of Christ's imminent return are unfolding there will be many people ignoring them in favor of keeping their lives on an even keel. Learning to trust in our God through the worst of the worst situations, holding fast to our Savior while undergoing impossible stress, we are being TAUGHT these lessons NOW so we will have them a part of our lives forever. When the times get closer and closer for those watching the unfolding prophecies they will need all the lessons they are getting right now.  God help us all.

All through the love, the mercy, the grace and faith of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May the Holy Spirit guide us through all that is now and is to come so that we may be known of Christ when He returns and rise to meet Him in the air on that most glorious of days!  Amen!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

"THIS GENERATION"

Different views are taken of the Saviour's words in Matt. 24:34, "This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

One is, that the generation means the race, or Jewish people. This we consider a forced construction. It seems to be as unnecessary as it is unnatural. And it leaves everything indefinite where every declaration of the context tends to definiteness. It adds nothing whatever to the force of the general statement of the chapter. 

Another is, that the individuals then present, or the generation living at that time, would continue till all these things were fulfilled. This has far more appearance of plausibility than the other theory. It might well be considered the truth were there no opposing considerations. But opposing considerations exist, which are not only weighty, but, we think, insurmountable. This view is not necessary, because another and more reasonable one can be presented. The facts and reasons which we have set forth do tender our conclusion necessary, namely, that the chapter speaks of a personal, literal coming of the Saviour, which has not yet taken place. We have no idea that these facts will ever be met, and these reasoning refuted. 

Another view, which we hold to be the true one, is that the language is prophetic, and uses the present for the future, as is common in the prophecies Isaiah 9 speaks of the birth of the Messiah as already having taken place, and chapter 53 in like manner speaks of his sufferings and death as being then in the past more than half a millennium before he appeared on earth. If these prophecies were treated as Universalists and others of late years treat Matthew 24, the evidence of the Messiahship of Jesus would be entirely destroyed. Yet Matthew 24 is as certainly a prophecy as Isaiah 9 and 53.

Compare the language of our Saviour with that of Paul, who, in speaking to the Corinthian church, said, "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed," or translated, at the sound of the last trump. The pronoun "we" naturally refers to the speaker and those to whom he speaks. But the trumpet has not yet sounded, the resurrection has not yet come, the translation of the living righteous to immortality without their seeing death has not yet taken place, and Paul and the church of Corinth have all fallen asleep. But Paul's brethren have not. Paul was speaking by prophecy as surely as was Isaiah in chapter 9, when he said, "Unto, us a son is given." When Isaiah uses language which refers so directly and unmistakably to those then living, as taken  according to the natural application of the terms, why do all so readily apply it to a generation centuries then in the future? It is only because the facts compel us to recognize this usage in the prophecies. So the words of Paul can refer only to the last age of the church, to those of his brethren who shall be living when Christ comes, who shall be saved from death, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

And so also in 1 Thess. 4:13-18. Here he says:–

"We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [go before] them which are asleep." He explains what he means by those who are asleep, for he says, "The dead in Christ shall rise." Universalists uniformly refer the resurrection to a moral change, to a rising or passing from moral or spiritual death. But to speak of those who are morally or spiritually dead in Christ is to use language very, strange and inappropriate. The Scriptures plainly teach that they who have fallen asleep in faith, who have died in Christ, shall have part in the first resurrection, which will take place when Christ comes.

Of Paul and his brethren in Thessalonica we can say, as we said of those in Corinth, They, are not alive, they do not remain; "the day of the Lord has not yet come, for the 'day of salvation' still continues;" the voice of the archangel has not been heard; the saints have not risen from the dead, and the living: saints have not been caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and worldlings and worldly-minded professors still cry, "Peace and safety." As Paul spoke here also by the spirit of prophecy, to some of his brethren all these words will be fulfilled; not one word will fail.

And so of the words of the Saviour. Having carried the minds of the disciples forward to the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, he said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Will anyone pretend that these things there referred to were then present?–By no means. But do not these things refer to things in the presence of the speaker?–Not necessarily. But "this generation and "these things" belong together, for "this generation 

shall see "these things" (see verse 34), though all were then in the future. And when these things are fulfilled, this generation to which these things are present facts, will not pass till all be fulfilled, even to the coming of the Son of man. It is a solemn to contemplate, yet we firmly believe it is truth, the signs have been fulfilled, and that the generation which saw the  wonderful shower of falling stars in 1833, the last of the signs, will not pass away till the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.

On the term "this generation," we might have noticed the parallels to this in the Scriptures, to justify our conclusion. We will yet notice one, and use the language of E. B. Elliott, A. M.:–

"Our Lord might mean by 'this generation' the generation of the time he was then speaking of, just as in Luke 17:34, where, speaking of the time of the second coming, he says, 'On this night shall two be in one bed; one shall be taken,' etc., meaning thereby the slight of his coming, and so rendered in our English version 'in that night."

There is the most perfect harmony between the teachings of the book of Revelation and the view we have presented of Matthew 24. We refer especially to the seals of chapters 5 to 8. In the first eleven chapters of Revelation there are three series of seven, which cover the entire gospel dispensation. Chapters 2 and 3 contain the letters to the churches. These embrace a history of the church of God from the first century to the coming of the Son of man to gather his people into his kingdom. The seven trumpets of chapters 8 to 11 cover about the same period of time but give a history of the nations of the earth in their conflicts with one another. The seven seals of chapters 5 to 8 are intermediate between the other series; giving a history of neither the church nor the nations separately, but a history of the church in its experiences and conflicts with the wicked nations of the earth. All these end together at the judgment, or the introduction of the day of wrath, unless it be that the last trumpet, the third woe, may be considered to prevail upon the earth after the saints are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. That they all reach the coming day of reward and retribution there can be no reasonable question.

In chapter 6, the signs in the sun, moon, and stars are placed under the sixth seal, which reaches to the end of time, as the seventh seal barely announces a single fact connected with the ushering in of the advent of the Lord. The harmony of this with our location of the signs in Matthew 24, is at once apparent. In Revelation 6, after the darkening of the sun and moon and the failing of the stars, the record says the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and the nations of the earth vainly endeavored to hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb, for the day of his wrath has come. In Matthew 24, exactly the same facts and the same order are given. The sun and moon are darkened, the stars fall, and the powers of heaven are shaken, and then the tribes of the earth mourn, because they see not only the sign of the

Son of man in heaven, but they see the Son of man himself coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. They mourn because, as John says, the great day of his wrath is come.

Paul also says in 2 Thessalonians 1 that he shall come to take vengeance on them that know not God, obey not the gospel. But the Lamb does not take vengeance in his hands until his advocacy and intercession for sinners cease. At the time spoken of by these prophecies, his intercession for sinners will have ceased, for "the great day of his wrath" will have come. Not one of them will call for mercy, for will then be made to realize that their probation is ended, and the time for the offer of mercy to them is past. They then only seek to be hid from his terrible presence. And in Revelation 14, after the warning of the third angel is given, the Son of man appear, and the harvest of the earth is reaped, and the wicked gathered as tares to be burned (Matthew 13), or as the clusters of "the vine of the earth," to be cast into the wine-press of the wrath of God. Can anyone say this is in the past, and yet profess to maintain respect for the Bible as a revelation?

The ordinance of the Lord's Supper, a commemorative institution of the gospel, is a witness to the doctrine of the future coming of the Lord. In "the great commission," Jesus told his disciples that he would be with them in the preaching of the gospel, and the practice of its ordinances, until the end of the world, or age,–the gospel age. But Paul says that in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, we do show forth the Lord's death till he come. When the Lord instituted the supper, he pointed their minds forward to his coming and kingdom, and said he would not thenceforth drink of the fruit of the vine till he drank it new with them in his kingdom. If Christ came at the destruction of Jerusalem, it is remarkable that, of all the apostles and servants of God, no one has yet found out that the ordinances of the gospel have been obsolete since the year A. D. 70! And if that be so the commission of the gospel, the authorized preaching of the gospel to every creature, also expired in A. D. 70. And thus by logical sequence we have the blessings as well as the curses, the promises and the threatenings, all confined to that generation which lived in the time of the Saviour! Some may be willing to risk this conclusion in order to save their premises, but we shall take no part with them. 

To us the coming of the Lord is still "that blessed hope;" to meet our friends in the resurrection still comforts our hearts while we sorrow for them that sleep in Jesus. And still we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus." Rev 22:20.

A striking point of similarity between Matthew 24 and those parts of the book of Revelation which refer to the closing scenes of this dispensation, is that which refers to the working of miracles to deceive. These are the words of the Saviour:–

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:23, 24.

In Rev. 13:11-17 is a prophecy of these wonders, wrought by a certain power called the beast, with two horns like a lamb, by  means of which he deceives the world, and fastens upon the people a system of false worship. Against this work of deception and falsehood, God causes a warning to be proclaimed, which is found in chapter 14:9-12; and this warning is given just before the Son of man appears to reap the harvest of the earth, which takes place at the end of this dispensation. See Matt. 13:38, 39 and Joel 3: 9-15.

These miracles are again shown at the very conclusion of their work, in Rev. 16:12-14. Here also is shown the object of the deception which is wrought by "the spirits of devils working miracles." It is to gather the kings and the people of the earth to the battle of the great day of God Almighty. And at this point of time the Saviour says, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth."

The "great day of God" mentioned in this text is that "day of the Lord," "day of his wrath," or "day of the Lord's anger," so often spoken of in the Scriptures, and which immediately succeeds "the day of salvation." By comparing the texts to which reference has been made, it evidently appears that Matthew 24 refers to the same period of time that is referred to in Rev.

13, 14, 16; Matt. 13:38, 39, and Joel 3:9-15. The deceptions are put forth, and the world is deceived, the Son of man appears, the harvest is reaped, the battle is fought, and the enemies of God are overthrown. 

We believe all that our Lord has said. We accept his word that of that day and hour no man knows, and we just as readily accept his assurance that we may know when it is near; nay, we acknowledge that it is our duty to know and to prepare for that day. To enforce this duty our Lord gave a most forcible illustration from the Scriptures. (End Excerpt) 

Faith Not Force.

 Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Mat_5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

Rom_13:10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

1Jn_4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

I love you. When I say those words, what do I mean by them? I can say I love you to my husband and in the next breath say I love you to my sister, is the love the same? I can love a friend and love a child, is the love the same? I can love a stranger, and love my parents, is the love the same? Over and over again the answer is unquestionably-- no, right? Yet there has to be a common ground for the word love, a commonality something all those loves share. 

All those loves come from a place of truth. I'm not lying when I tell a stranger I love them, that love I'm loving them with is the love of their being a part of the family of humanity, the brotherhood, the sisterhood, the humanhood.  

Can you love someone and not like things they do? Yes.

Can any of these people I love force me to stop loving them? No. You can't force someone to stop loving. They can choose not to love you, but they can't force you not to love them. You've heard of unrequited love, a one-side love that isn't reciprocated, you may have even been in love that way once or twice yourself. Could that person you love stop the love you were feeling for them? No. Did they want to? Most likely, yes. It's not easy having someone love you when you feel no love in return for them. 

You can't force someone to stop loving you, and you can't force someone to love you. 

Love is a choice.

When love is offered there is an element of faith involved, there has to be. You are believing in something you can't see, but the evidence can be noted. Then again, that can be a tricky thing, the evidence of love. 

If two people have different ideas of what constitutes love, they might not witness the love appropriately. Have you ever heard the words- If you loved me you would do this or that? That's based on that person's beliefs of what love means. All the while that person could love the other, but just not share that particular belief.  The other person could turn right around and say, if you loved me you wouldn't base my loving you on that belief. It could end up being a very vicious cycle.  In the end, it's choosing to accept each other's beliefs of what constitutes loving each other, choosing to love in spite of the disappointments.  Or not. A lot of people end up apart because they choose not to accept that the other person can love them without sharing their beliefs of what love is.

Faith. Believing. The Bible says, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  In love we are hoping for a bond that goes far beyond anything that would or could break the love, and it's a constant hope, a never ending hope because honestly- everyone knows the years of togetherness does not mean forever- the hope has to remain, that substance of things hoped for has to remain. Love is not seen a lot of the time, the worst of the worst is laid bare, yet the evidences of love you have seen is what you hold on to. You hope, you have the belief in the love you share.  

I'm not just talking marital love, I'm talking in all our love relationships - family love, friend love, acquaintance love, stranger love. There is an element of faith- not that you'll be loved in return- but that the love you give goes beyond the boundaries of all that would keep us from being loving- even when we are not loved. Sure, it's nice to be loved in return and in marital love you definitely want that, and in familial love you want to be loved in return, but not in all those you love are you looking for others to return the love. 

Forced love. No, it's not a real thing. Even if you are forced to say the words, and to commit the actions someone tells you means you love them- does not make you truly love in return. 

Forced faith. No, it's not a real thing either on the same premise as love- you can be forced to say the words and commit actions, but that does not make you believe. 

The ones filled with hate will try to force love, and force faith all the while telling you they love you, they want what's best for you. Truly they have been blinded by the evil of this world- as they call evil good, and good evil. Forcing  love, forcing faith- thinking that it is okay to do so, is always wrong. 

We are all free to believe inwardly if not outwardly, and if called to take a stand outwardly and face persecution - at that time all the power you need to do so will be given you. Our Lord never forces faith, never forces love, His is a faith that never forces.

We choose to follow our beliefs, and we pray our beliefs are the beliefs of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and our Heavenly Father, wholly aligned with the Holy Spirit. 

All through His love, His faith, His righteousness, now and forever! By His grace and mercy! May we love all, as He loved all, leaving all to Him.  Choose love, choose faith, choose God, choose Jesus, choose the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Fool or Faithful?

 "You're a fool! Do you hear me, a fool!" The accusation was vicious in intent and it hit its mark. 

A fool. Was I a fool? 

"He's never coming, never!" Another dagger slid into my chest, the pain real-the steel-tipped dagger comprised of the sharpest words.

He was coming, I had no doubt in my mind, none.

"They've been waiting for Him to return for 2000 years! All of them fools, stupid fools! Believer of fables, believing lies, fairy tales spun by con men! You've been duped, just admit it! Go on, admit it!"

Repeated jabs with the dagger, each strike more vicious than the last. The unseen weapon meant to kill the very spirit within me. The screams, cries to yield my faith, wanting to wrest surrender from my silent lips.

"Say something! Don't just sit there!"

Say something? My chest ripped open, my heart bleeding and still they wanted me to talk? They didn't want to listen, they wanted to torment, to use any words that came from me in way of defense to fuel their vicious fire. Silence was all I could give them. They wanted to remain blind to truth. They wanted their ears stopped to faith. They despised what they deemed my undoing, when in truth, my faith did not hurt them at all. What was it to them if I believed? It didn't make them believe. Why is it they wanted submission? The furious desire to protect me from a fable, when a fable had no power to do a single thing? If I choose to believe in aliens from outer space they'd find no fault there, but if I choose to believe in a Savior who will return for me, this is my undoing? The horrors heaped upon my belief have only one source, the father of lies, of hate, of evil, of deception. They think they are punishing me and saving me from delusion, but to what end? Rip my belief from me and leave me empty? Rip my belief from me and leave me filled with your beliefs which are superior because you believe? Forced faith isn't faith at all. 

"You're a fool, and you'll always be a fool! You'll see, He's never coming back not now, not ever and you will die a fool!"

I smiled. It wasn't a huge grin, but a small upturn of the very corners of my lips. I would die with the peace that passes understanding, the faith that never forces, the hope for all the hopeless, the grace that sets me free, the forgiveness that allows me to forgive.

"Forgive them, they just don't understand," I whispered the words, but it was enough, and the fury- oil ignited flames of spoken abuse- rained down upon me once again.

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

"OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN"

Verses 36, 37: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." 

The day and the hour, and even the year, of the second advent are purposely hidden. Some of the prophetic periods reach to "the time of the end," while others extend still further down, very near the end itself; yet none of them reach to the coming of the Son of man. 

Many seem to suppose that the text proves that nothing may be known concerning the time of the second advent. But in this they greatly err, as has been abundantly shown in this chapter. The reader will call to mind the following points:–

1. The disciples inquired of the Saviour in regard to the sign of his coming. Let it be remembered that his answer embraced this as a matter which he would have his people understand.

2. He gave a brief sketch of events covering the whole dispensation, by means of which the people of God might know something of their position all the way down to the end.

3. In direct answer to their question he gave three signs, namely, in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, so great, and fulfilled in such a manner, that they can neither be counterfeited nor mistaken.

4. It is right for us to regard the information that he gave as he himself regarded it. That he considered it a complete and sufficient  answer to their question is proved in this: he said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." 

And he considered it clear enough to be the basis of a duty, for it is given in his words in the form of a commandment, "know that it is near." 

In the original it is in the imperative form; it is necessary to our safety that we know, and he requires us to know. Reference is often made to this verse with as much confidence as if it were a sufficient refutation of every argument in favor of the truth that Christ's coming is near. We accept the declaration of this verse; we accept all the Scriptures. May we ask the objector, Do you believe this scripture? Perhaps he will say, "Yes; I believe that no man can tell the day nor the hour of his coming." We also believe that; but that is not all that the Saviour said. Do you believe his word? Do you believe that you may know, by the signs which he has given, when his coming is near, even at the door? Here is the test of your confidence in the teachings of our blessed Lord. We have this confidence; we fully believe we may know. "Nay, more; we believe we must know,–that we are commanded to know, and not to slight the Saviour's warnings. And we believe it to be just as fatal for us not to know as it was for the inhabitants of the earth in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming. Matt. 24:36-39. 

It is quite possible to know that an event is near without knowing the day and hour when it will occur. Plain as this distinction is, the objectors seem to overlook it altogether. An illustration of this is afforded in an incident which occurred a few years ago. We were holding meetings in the northern part of Ohio; it was in the spring of the year. Having one evening presented the Bible evidences that the coming of the Lord is near, we were hailed next morning by a gentleman who was planting his garden, and requested to tell him at what time we thought the Lord would come. Of course we told him we knew nothing about that; we left it where the Scriptures leave it, that it is near, but just how near we have no knowledge. But he insisted that, inasmuch as we were very confident that his coming is near, we must have formed some idea of the definite time, and he would not be satisfied unless we told him. So it often is that the idea of definite is firmly fixed in the minds of opposers, while it never is in ours. Failing to satisfy him by denials, we changed the conversation to his work. He was planting corn. We asked him if he expected that the corn would soon "come up." He answered, Yes." "And why?"–"There is good reason to expect it. The season is well advanced; the ground is moist and warm." "Then you feel assured, even to a certainty, that it will come up soon?" Again the answer was, Yes." Then we continued: "As you are certain that it will come up soon, please tell at what exact time you think it will come up!" By  pressing the point a little, he was led to confess that his request was not a reasonable one,–that we may be certain that an event is near, and not know the exact time when it will occur. And why not be equally positive in both cases? Our Saviour's parable is based upon the very facts which led this man to feel assured that his corn would come up soon. This parable is given in Luke 21:20-31, where it is said of the trees, "When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own, selves that summer is nigh at hand." That is, the evidence is so conclusive that you need no argument; you ask no farther proof when you see the signs which he has given, that his coming is nigh, "even at the doors." "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."

The only way imaginable in which this certainty can be evaded, is to say that the parable itself is based on certain facts which are yet matters of dispute, and therefore matters of uncertainty. But then the question arises, Would the Saviour build a parable of such certainty, and command us to know it as a certainty, and rest the whole fabric on uncertainties?–Impossible! We insist that the signs are not uncertainties. They are made uncertain only by a mystifying process which leaves everything in doubt and obscurity to which it is applied. By the working of this process we have no "sure word of prophecy" left to us. But by taking the statements of our Saviour as literal truths, we have harmony in statement and certainty in fulfillment.

(End Excerpt)

Shall Not Pass.

 The generations won't pass until things are fulfilled… we have to know which generation this is.  In the excerpt that follows written in 1890 they fully believed it was their generation. The signs in the sun, moon and stars…  1833 was the year of the stars falling… so only 57 years had passed, they had every right to believe it would be their generation.

They missed this though… 

Luke 21:24 - And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Jerusalem SHALL be trodden down of the GENTILES until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  In 1890 Jerusalem was still under the control of the Gentiles.  In 1980 - 90 years later-  Israel moved their capital to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was NO LONGER under the control of the gentiles.  1980.

We believe that it is THIS generation that the prophecies of Christ's imminent return apply to. We know though that there are still unfulfilled prophecies in the Book of Daniel.  The discourse of Jesus though, told in the gospels, have no more signs to be fulfilled though. For the last forty-one years we've lived in that fulfilled prophecy. We search our Bibles and know the various meanings of 'generation' and try to imagine which applies here because this generation will not pass away TILL ALL things be fulfilled- Jesus' return! Our Salvation! 

41 years… I'm 58 years old, this prophecy was fulfilled when I was 17 years old. In 1983 I was baptized into the way of Christ our Savior. For the last 38 years I've lived warring the spiritual warfare waiting for the Lord to return. Have I lived a perfect Christian life… NO. I've needed and longed for forgiveness all the time, ALL THE TIME. I long for Christ to return so desperately!

He will return there is NO DOUBT in my mind! All that has been predicted HAS come to pass, the REST will come to pass! 

This generation… I don't know how long this generation will be… but I pray it is soon and that I will be counted worthy to escape all the things that are to come to pass!

All by the grace and will, the love, and forgiveness of MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST MY LORD!!!!!!!  Amen!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS 

Verses 34, 35: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Many suppose that our Lord here speaks of the generation then living, who listened to his teachings. That such are in error on this point, the following facts clearly prove:–

1. It is certainly true that what is embraced in the phrase, "all these things," was not fulfilled in that generation.

2. It could, not be the generation living in the days of his flesh, for he said to them (Luke 11:29). "There shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. Read also Mark 8:12.

It is evident that our Lord refers to the generation which would see the signs fulfilled, and would be instructed by the parable of the fig-tree. In this prophetic discourse, he leads the minds of his disciples down over the events of the Christian age, mentions the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and then declares that this generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled. In like manner, Paul carries his brethren forward to the resurrection, when he says, "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." 1 Cor. 15:51, 52. Or, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thess. 4:27. The things here mentioned by the apostle did not take place in his day. They have not yet taken place. Notwithstanding, he speaks of them as though they would take place in his day, and as if he were to have a part in them.

Christ is given to the last generation. God sent Noah to the last generation before the flood, not to any preceding one. The very generation which was destroyed by the waters of the flood saw Noah build the ark, and heard his warning voice. So God has raised up men to give the solemn warning to the world at the right time to give force to the warning. And the very generation of men that live after, the three great signs are fulfilled, and who hear and

reject the warning message of Heaven, will drink the cup of the unmingled wrath of God. And those of this very generation who receive the message, suffer disappointments, and endure the trials of the waiting position, will witness the coming of Christ, and exclaim, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us." Isa. 25:9.

With what emphasis our Lord gave utterance to this sentiment! It is a rebuke upon our unbelief. As read it, God help us to believe it: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these thing be fulfilled." And as though this were not enough to lead us to unwavering faith, he adds these forcible words: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

May the Cup Be Full Soon.

 You see a sign of something to come and you expect it to come. You study the signs and believe them, and yet year after year what you expected has not come to pass. Why?

Biblically there are situations that have occurred that have prolonged things that were supposed to happen. The most commonly known occurrence is the Israelites and their journey through the desert for forty years. They weren't supposed to journey for forty years. 

Num 32:13  And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 

Because the Israelites coming out of Egypt committed evil over and over again, breaking the covenant they'd made with God, He grew angry with them and didn't lead them straight to the promised land. FORTY years He had them wandering until the majority of the adults who left Egypt were dead, never seeing the promised land.

God wanted Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn them to repent of their ways. Jonah didn't want to go but God used very unique ways to persuade him to do so. Jonah warned them and they repented and God's wrath was stayed.  148 years later after their repentance they'd turned to evil ways again and this time Ninevah was destroyed. God's wrath against evil - all evil - is a very real thing and it hasn't lessened over time. God's wrath hasn't diminished against evil as some would believe because Jesus advocates for sinners. ALL evil is punished, for those whose hearts are given wholly to Jesus, for those who repent of their evil ways and seek forgiveness in all sincerity, Jesus died and took on their punishment, He took on the wrath of God for all those who are saved through Him. All evil is punished. For the many wicked who choose not to seek forgiveness, repenting of evil, God's wrath will fall upon them. 

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

God talking to Abram (Abraham), telling him that when the iniquity of the Amorites was full … then the children of Israel would be freed from their bondage, but it wasn't full just yet.

Clearly God has established various standards for His will to be done with mankind. We look at the history of evil and think surely Ninevah, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Amorites and so on and so forth can't be as evil as the world has been in so many instances since then, and we wonder why God hasn't destroyed more and more cities and people. Truthfully we can't know the mind of God, but we can surmise from what we read that perhaps, God's forbearance with mankind is long suffering. We are told it is actually…

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

When God next destroys a people, a city, it will be in connection with the end of this evil world entirely. No longer will destructions serve as warnings to people as He used them for in the past, the final destruction is what is coming next. And as we just read above, a thousand of our years is as one day to the Lord- meaning our time isn't the same for God. Eternity is the at the end of this world, and when that eternity comes ALL the human beings that will belong to God will be- all there will be. God would save as many as possible. 

I cry out often for God's cup to be full because of the horrors of this world we live in, and I know He hears my cries. Only He knows when the long suffering has been enough, I don't. Only He knows when the cup of iniquity is full and can take no more. I must trust in Him. I believe, Lord, help Thou my unbelief!

All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! May we be ready at all times for Him- whether it's for the day of Salvation, or the day we enter death's temporary sleep, let us be His, now and forever!

Amen!!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

PARABLE OF THE FIG-TREE 

Verses 32, 33: "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it ["He," margin] is near, even at the doors." The parable of the fig-tree is probably the most forcible figure that could be used by our Lord to illustrate this subject. When the trees of the field begin to put forth their leaves, and the tender grass springs up, and the 

ground is being covered with its green velvet carpet, we know that summer is nigh. It is a certainty with us that summer is coming when we see these signs in nature.

We know that summer is nigh. "So, likewise," or with the same certainty, we may know that Christ's coming is at the doors when the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, are fulfilled. Our Lord has stated the object of these signs, which is that we may know when his coming is at the doors. But we are told by some that the church is not to know anything of the period of Christ's second advent. Then we inquire, Why did our Lord give signs of the event? Are they given to deceive us, to lead the honest Christian to look for Christ's coming when, in fact, nothing is to be known of the time of the event?–Certainly not. 

The fact that Christ foretells signs of his coming, and then states the object of those sighs, that the church may know when the event is near, even at the doors, is sufficient proof that it is the will of Heaven that the church should understand the period of the second advent. Our Lord says (Luke 21:28), "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." The signs began to come to pass with the dark day of 1780. Then it could be said that redemption draweth nigh, and from that time the humble follower of Jesus might look up in expectation of witnessing his glorious appearing. But (verse 31) when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."

The signs in the sun, moon, and stars are all that were given to base faith upon. All the other events mentioned in connection with these, have their fulfillment after the faith of God's people is perfected, and  the doom of all sinners is fixed; therefore their cannot be embraced in the phrase, "all these things," of Matt. 24:33. The three signs having come to pass, we may now learn the parable of the fig-tree, and know that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors. The phrase, "all these things," does not embrace the mourning of the tribes of the earth, and the sign of the Son of man. Neither does it embrace the shaking of the powers of the heavens; for that does not take place until the seven last plagues are poured out. But the faith of God's people is perfected, and the doom of all sinners is forever fixed, before the pouring out of the first plague. The parable of the fig tree was given to inspire faith in the minds of those who hear the reasons of Christ's soon coming. But it is most absurd to suppose that this parable is to be learned after it is said, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; . . . and he that is holy, let him be holy still." No! The phrase, "all these things," in verse 33, embraces the three great signs in the sun, moon, and stars, given to strengthen the faith of God's people while merciful warnings are being given to the world. Here, then, since the falling stars of 1833, the parable of the fig-tree has force, and we may know that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors, with all the certainty that we know that summer is, nigh when the trees put forth their tender buds and leaves. 

Ready or... Not.

 Almost the End.

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

"ALL THESE THINGS"

It is suggested that there are other things besides the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, which took place, according to this prophecy, and we are to look for "all these things" before we are to expect the coming of the Lord. If the reader will look carefully at the connection, he will see that following these signs five things are mentioned before the parable of the fig-tree is given: 

(1) The shaking of the powers in the heavens; (2) the appearing of the sign of the Son; of man; (3) the mourning of all the tribes of the earth (4) the coming of the Son of man in power and great glory; (5) sending his angels to gather his elect. 

Surely no one will contend that "all these things" shall take place before we have a right to expect the coming of the Lord as an event near at hand. We cannot say his coming is yet near in the future when he has come and gathered his saints to himself in glory. 

Thus it is seen that we have to draw a line between those things which are signs of his coming; and those things which take place at his coming. Where shall this line be drawn? We say between the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and the things which follow. All that follow the three signs are connected with the immediate coming of the Lord. We need notice only the first–the shaking of the powers of the heavens.

1. Paul teaches, in Hebrews 12, that as the voice of God once shook the earth, in the days of Moses, so once more will the voice of God shake both earth and heaven. Once more the voice of God from heaven will be heard, and heaven and earth will be shaken thereby.

2. In Revelation 6, following the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, it is said, "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;" and this is accompanied with an earthquake so great that every mountain and island are moved out of their places. Thus the heavens and the earth are shaken, and the people upon the earth call to the rocks and mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. They will understand at that time that the Lamb of God he who has been their intercessor–has taken vengeance into his hands, and no probation remains for the impenitent. Compare 2 Thess. 2:7-10.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie

3. In Rev. 16:17-21 we learn that the voice of God is heard from heaven, and the consequent commotion of the elements takes place, under the seventh and last plague, "in which [the plagues] is filled up the wrath of God." Under this plague the battle of the great day is fought. Heaven's artillery is the great hail-storm.  Compare Ezekiel 13. Under the sixth plague the Saviour announces his coming as future, but very near.

4. Isaiah, in chapter 2 and also 13, prophesies of the same shaking, and the dismay of the inhabitants of the earth, who seek a hiding-place in the rocks for fear of the majesty of the Lord, locating it in "the day of the Lord."

5. Jeremiah, in chapter 25, locates the speaking of God from heaven at the time of the great battle, when all the kingdoms of the earth shall drink of the cup of God's fury, and fall and rise no more; when "evil shall go forth from nation to nation," because the Lord has a controversy with them, and he "will give all the wicked to the sword." The destruction of the wicked shall be so complete and universal that "they shall not be lamented, neither gathered,

nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground."

6. Joel also speaks of the time when the voice of God is heard from heaven, and says it is when the battle of the nations is come, when the sickle is put in because the harvest is ripe. Joel 3:9-16.

7. Jesus said, "The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels;" and also that at the harvest the Son of man shall send forth his angels to separate the wheat from the tares. Matt. 13:37-43.

8. John also says that the harvest is reaped when the Son of man appears upon the great white cloud. Rev. 14:14-18. 

9. A message–a most solemn message–of warning is given before the Son of man appears upon the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth, and the seven last plagues are poured out after this message and before the advent,–after the message, for the first plague is poured out upon the very ones denounced in the message (compare Rev. 14:9-12 and 16:1, 2): and before the advent, for under the sixth plague the Lord warns of his coming near, and the great battle is fought under the seventh, which is just at the period of his coming. Inasmuch as he comes in the glory of his Father, and all his holy angels with him, it is certain that there will be such glory and splendor as this world has never yet beheld. We believe the distant appearance Of this cloud, of this most resplendent glory, far, far, beyond the brightness of the sun, will be that "sign of the Son of man" which will cause all the tribes of the earth to mourn. They will have heard and rejected the evidence of his near coming. Then, when too late, they will realize their terrible mistake and hopeless condition. This will cause them to seek a hiding-place from the dazzling, and to them fearful, sight.

We do not here take time to fully develop the argument concerning the shaking of the powers of the heavens; but from this brief view we think it must appear conclusive to all that the shaking of the powers of the heavens is not a sign to prove to the waiting church that the Lord's coming draws near, but is an event which takes place in immediate connection with the Lord's appearing. It therefore follows that the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, are the only signs here given whereby we may feel the strongest assurance that his coming is near. And these are already fulfilled. Therefore now is the time to watch, for his coming is near indeed. We do not say there are no more prophecies to be fulfilled before the Lord comes. The warning of the angel of Rev.14:9-12 must do its work,–must lead the people of God to that

perfect obedience to "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,"–to that preparation and consecration which will insure their being sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads, that they may be preserved from the evil to come, in the day of the Lord's anger,– in the pouring out of the plagues of his wrath. See Zeph. 2:1-3. The Son of man will be seen "coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." But before his coming a great work must be done for his people. Should he suddenly burst upon them now, they could not endure the "power and great glory" of the scene. This subject is well illustrated by the following words of the prophet: "Then shall, we know, if we follow on to know the Lord; his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3. The morning is a beautiful figure of the opening glory of the  day of God. The day-star first appears, then the dawn of day. And as the light of day increases, our eyes are enabled to endure it, and view the sun, shining in his strength. But should the light of the sun burst upon the world suddenly at midnight, no human eye could endure it. 

So will the people of God be prepared to meet their coming King. They must first break away from the love and cares of this world, and consecrate all to the Lord. Then will they, in due time, share the outpouring of the Holy Spirit "as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." The day-star will arise in their hearts. 2 Peter 1:19. Those who have taken heed to the sure word of prophecy through the dark, watching night, then raise their heads in triumph. They are filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit. Glory is poured upon them till they can gaze on Christ and angels. The trumpet sounds, the angels hasten to the graves of the righteous dead, and the voice of the Son of God awakes the sleeping saints of all ages. They come forth in immortal perfection; and, as they leave the earth, the living saints are changed. The "elect from one end of heaven to the other," with angels bright and strong to lead the way, are caught up to meet the Lord, who waits in mid heaven to receive the purchase of his blood. Language would fail to describe what follows; dear reader, we pray you to contemplate it, and may we be prepared to participate in this happy meeting.

(End Excerpt)