For many years we have held different views of God and His Word. Some feel and have been taught that certain parts were only for the early Church, while others believe that these things weren't "for everyone." Others believe that we already have it all and God isn't doing anything else.
We've been reluctant to stand for certain things in God's Word because we fear being shunned. I've read and studied God's Word for many years now and I wholeheartedly believe that we're living in the end times. The more I see what's occurring in the world today, the more convinced I am that Jesus is coming back in our lifetime.
Because these are the end time, things are about to change and the greatest revival this world has ever seen is now underway. We are about to see the power of the Holy Spirit move on this earth that no other generation has witnessed. There will those who oppose this move and those who will not. There are those embrace it carnally and those think it's time for all religions to be one.
When Jesus came to earth as a Baby in Bethlehem, many didn't recognize the time or way of His coming, even though the prophets spoke about it for centuries. Many believed that the Messiah's coming was to happen "for another generation." Things haven't changed much since that time. If you say that "These are the last days before Jesus' return," then some would respond with, "They've said that for years and we're still here."
The dispensation of the Church Age is about to come to a climax with Jesus returning just like He said. There are many who believe this and many more who do not. It's going to happen whether or not we believe or disbelieve it. Nothing can slow down or prevent His return because God's Word is going to be fulfilled regardless.
God is calling out to as many as will do it, to "Rise up" in the power of His Spirit. In this move of the Holy Spirit, we're about to see the manifestation of His presence in miracles and power. For those who will seek Him out, the presence of the Holy Spirit will be an Awesome witness for the living God. Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19 (Amplified) that, "The Spirit of the Lord (is) upon Me, because He has anointed Me (the Anointed One, the Messiah) to preach the Good News (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to sent forth as delivered those who are oppressed (who are down trodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity) To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord (the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound)."
Most of those present would have shouted "Amen" to Jesus' message if He hadn't gone on to say in Verse 21 that, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing." When Jesus said that the time was "Now," many became offended in Him. All of them believed what God's Word said about the Messiah, but they didn't believe that it could be fulfilled "now."
I don't know any Christian who doesn't believe that Jesus is coming back, but I do know many who don't believe that His return will ever happen in our lifetime. I've often wondered about the great men and women of God from the Book of Hebrews. The Holy Spirit inspired the documenting of these faith warriors in the Hebrews Hall of Fame and they all had one thing in common...they dared to believe the "unbelievable." We find such men as Noah who dared to believe God was sending a flood, even though no one on earth had even seen rain before. There was a mist that rose up and watered the earth before the flood, according to Genesis 2:5-6 (Amplified) which says, "When no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not (yet) caused it to rain upon the ground. but there went up a mist (for, vapor) from the land and watered the whole surface of the ground."
This Hall of Fame contained such men as Moses who would simply take what God said and then do it. Of course, Joshua and Caleb made the list because they dared to believe God despite what others around them said. David made the list for using his sling and his covenant to take down a giant. The soldiers were afraid to confront the giant and some mocked David for standing on his covenant for victory. Three other young Hebrews made the list for refusing to bow, even though others bowed and even though it meant being thrown into a fiery furnace. Daniel makes the list for refusing to pray to the One True God and believing God would keep him from the lion's mouths.
There has always been a remnant of people who dared believe God above all else. The Holy Spirit is making Himself available to just those kinds of people in these last days. The Holy Spirit is illuminating the power of God's Word for all "who will hear" in this great outpouring of His presence today.
There is a precedence for these days in Mark 16:17-19 (Amplified) which says, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and (even) if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." As those who believed went forth, the Lord went with them and confirmed their message and deeds with the "attesting signs and miracles."
This scripture is still being fulfilled today. It didn't stop when the Apostles of old passed on to be with the Lord. It's still being preached and believed in this day and age. There are those who still believe to the point of "casting out devils, laying hands on the sick and working miracles" by the Lord working with them just like He did then.
This is a generation of warriors in God's family who will shake the devils dark region to its very core. The Holy Spirit is even now revealing Himself to all who will believe in His presence in their lives. Not everyone will believe this is "the generation," just like those who didn't believe the Messiah could come to their generation. But, for those who will believe this is the generation who will usher in the coming of the Lord, they will witness the Holy Spirit's power.
Peter stood in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost and declared in Acts 2:16-17 (Amplified) that, "But (instead) this is (the beginning of) what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, Goddeclares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind."
Peter said that this was the "Beginning of the last days" even two-thousand years ago. He said that even then, "It was the beginning of what Joel prophesied" beforehand. If the last days began two-thousand years ago, then we are no longer in the beginning of the last days, but in the closing of the last days.
We're about to see the mightiest movement of the Spirit of God on this planet unlike ever seen before. For those who will dare step into this place with God, there is going to be an awesome display of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to the world and the Church. It will be made available to "whomsoever will." For all who will give themselves over to the Holy Spirit, it's what the whole creation has "groaned under" and has waited for two-thousand years. The Holy Spirit is about to bring forth the Manifestation of the Sons of God.
To some it would seem that all those things I've written about in this blog are without merit, but God has always had those who would believe Him, like the Hebrews Hall of Fame. Would it seem stranger to think God would still raise men and women today any more or less than He did then? It might not be the Apostle Peter, John, Paul or any other we read about in the Word, but God can still raise up Smith Wigglesworth, Billy Graham, John G. Lake, William Branham. Has God changed? Didn't He say He would do this? Why would it be any different now?
Acts 1:8 (Amplified) says, "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." When you look around today's world and see the headlines and news broadcasts about men, women and children being put to death for their faith in Jesus, you can see the darkness that is trying to envelope this earth with terrorism, death, child abuse, starvation and chaos. Do you agree that we need this outpouring and ability as much now as they did two-thousand years ago?
The Holy Spirit is the Only One Who can reveal Jesus as He truly is, to this messed up world. And He will do it through those who make themselves available to Him. This will be the greatest manifestation of power, miracles, healings, angelic interventions and displays of God's presence that this planet has ever known. I've longed for and looked for this end time army of God ever since becoming born again. Some will believe this is foolishness and fantasy, but to those who will believe, it's the fulfillment of God's promise to His people.
1Thessalonians 5:4-5 (Amplified) says, "But you are not in (given up to the power of) darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. For you are all sons of Light and sons of the Day; we do not belong either to the night or the darkness." As far as God is concerned, we are to know the time of the last days. We might not know the day or the hour, but we can and should know the signs of the time, according to 2Peter 3:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "To begin with, you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, (people who) walk after their own fleshly desires. And say, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the forefathers fell asleep, all things have continued exactly as they did from the beginning of creation.
We find out why they think everything will "just go on as it always has" in 2Peter 3: 8-9(Amplified) which says, "Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance."
The only thing holding up the coming of Jesus is God's "long-suffering" and His great love. He doesn't want to see anyone lost, but will, with this last outpouring of His Spirit, resort to signs, wonder and even angels to bring into salvation all who will believe. Ephesians 3:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan (regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in (the mind of) God, Who created all things by Christ Jesus." Verse 10 goes on, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and power) in the heavenly sphere."
No comments:
Post a Comment