The End of The World?

    (Photo: Mark Faulkner 2011)

Is the End of The World coming soon?

Not exactly.

"It's the end of the world as we know it, but, hey, I feel fine!" joked a flippant newscaster last week, after yet another of Harold Camping's failed doomsday predictions. And, sad to say, Mr. Camping is certainly giving the media much fodder for ridiculing him. Harold's first false prediction that I am aware of, was back in 1994. 

The Bible says that no one but God knows the day or the hour of His coming.  So, knowing that, why do people like Mr. Camping still foolishly keep trying to predict the day of the Rapture?

Some people just never learn.

But, in a way, I'm glad for Harold's folly, because now the whole world is talking about the subject; namely—The Rapture.

For those who have never heard of the "Rapture" it is a biblical event, where the true followers of Christ who believe in and trust in Him, will, in the End Times, be suddenly snatched away, caught up, to meet the Lord in the air, just prior to a seven year period referred to in the Bible as The Tribulation. 

The word "Rapture" itself is not found in modern translations of the Bible, but it is found in the ancient biblical transcript called the Latin Vulgate, where the Latin word "raptus" is used, which basically means; 'to be grabbed by the collar and taken up with force.'

 

The quintessential New Testament Bible verse which directly refers to this being "caught up" (i.e. rapture) is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Please note: any debate over the timing or details of this event is not the purpose of this blog.

As we can see from the biblical passage itself, for the Christian, this is something that we are to comfort one another with.  It's only the "end of the world as we know it" for those who reject Christ. But after the Rapture, the world will not end. 

Only life as people have become accustomed to will end. 

Jesus described this Last Days period of time in the following statement in Matthew 24:21-22.

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened."

This is definitely bad news if you choose to reject Jesus Christ.  However, for the born again Christian, it's great news, and comfort indeed, if you know Him and are a follower of Jesus.

Seven years later, after the Rapture—after all the faithful, born again Christian followers of Jesus Christ have been taken up to Heaven to spend the Tribulation period with Him—Jesus and His faithful Church will come back to earth for what is called The Second Coming. 

But still, the world itself does not end. 

After the Second Coming, a literal 1,000 year period called The Millennium begins, where Jesus Christ and His faithful followers rule and reign on the earth for that 1,000 year period.  It is said that in those days, Christ will restore the earth to the perfect condition it was in originally, in the Garden of Eden, before the fall of man. There will be perfect peace and prosperity, and no sin or lawlessness will be allowed by God. 

Jesus will not be asking the A.C.L.U. for their opinion on anything. Jesus Christ; the Lord of lords and the King of kings will rule over the earth and over all of His creation with what the Bible calls a "Rod of iron." 

Meaning, in those days, it will not be a democracy.

When this present world actually ends is after the 1,000 year Millennium, and Christ will destroy the earth, the universe, and the entire creation, with fire—with a fervent heat that will melt even the elements (2 Peter 3:9-10). After this God will make a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).

So, what's the point to all this, and why am I telling you about it?

If you were out at sea and a great earthquake began, and you saw a huge tsunami form and begin to race towards shore, where all those people that you know and love are playing on the beach, wouldn't you do everything you could to warn them?

Of course you would.

You would do it because you love and care about your people and don't want to see them be overtaken and destroyed.

Christians like me, who believe God's Word, are essentially out on the sea in a ship and we see that tsunami coming—racing towards shore—where those whom we love and care about, are casually enjoying a sunny day on the beach—unaware of the Tribulation tsunami racing toward them. 

Fellow Christian—it's not "love" to knowingly fail to warn your people of the oncoming tsunami—simply because you don't want to risk offending them.  Our apathetic silence about this topic is the opposite of love.

Sadly though, many, and possibly most people will not heed this warning.  And they do so of their own free will, sad to say.

But this Last Days warning from Jesus Christ, who will judge this sinful world at the Second Coming, was given over two thousand years ago.  And He is the God of Love.  No one in the history of the world ever loved so perfectly—the way that God has, and still does.

However, because of God's love and sacrifice at the Cross, no one has to be left behind at the Rapture.

John 3:16-18:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Come to Jesus today.

If you are tired and weary—concerned about the fearful things happening in this messed up world today, wondering why peace is so elusive to your heart and mind—hear the gentle voice of the Savior calling you to come to Him:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - (Matthew 11:27-29)

Jesus stands at the door of your heart and He gently knocks—wanting to come in.

But you have to open the door of your heart to Him from the inside.

Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus today and be saved!

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

The Purpose of Marriage

  

What is the purpose of marriage?

Sometimes when you ask people that, they think it is a trick question.  Most people give some pretty good answers, but rarely do they give the right answer.

So, what is the purpose?

Let's go back to the Garden...

"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone...And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.  Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen ch 2)

Thus; the answer—the purpose of marriage—is companionship.

God did not make us to be alone.

Companionship is the essence of marriage, which was designed by God to defeat loneliness. 

Marriage is a God-ordained relationship where there is constant commitment and intimacy.

However, intimacy without the commitment to remain together is not a marriage.  Commitment to stay together without intimacy is equally lacking. Both elements are crucial to defeat loneliness.

When we make our marriage vows we make a covenant (or contract) with God and our spouse to meet the other's need for companionship, and all the benefits that go along with that marital companionship.  Notice however, we do not make a vow to receive companionship. 

Unconditional love, which is only possible when Christ is the center and foundation of a marriage, is an unselfish act of love where one person vows before God to meet their spouses companionship needs for life.

If you find yourself whining, "I'm not getting what I want out of this marriage!" you need to change your way of thinking and then ask God to change your heart.  When we make our marriage vows before God we promise to love, honor and cherish our spouse, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, and for better and for worse.

If you entered into marriage only to "get what you want" you did it for all the wrong (and selfish) reasons.

A godly kind of love always places the needs of our spouse above our own needs. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own..."

Marrying someone just to get what you want out of the relationship is lust, not love. 

The real question is, are you keeping your vow to love, honor and cherish your spouse, even if all of your own needs are not being met?

Jesus said:

"It is far better to give—than to receive."

Marriage is a commitment, and it's for life.

Think of how loved you feel when your spouse continues to unconditionally love you and meet your needs for companionship...even when you are a selfish jerk and you neglect them.  Trust me—you will be more blessed by loving your spouse unconditionally (expecting nothing in return) and meeting their needs, rather than seeking to have your own needs met.

After 32 years of being with my wife, I can truly attest that it is far better to give than to receive. 

 

When we truly understand God's purpose for marriage, we will love our spouse unconditionally, not expecting anything in return.  Loving each other in this way is what truly brings joy to a marriage, and brings glory to God.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Our First Love

"You have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you—you have left your first love." —Jesus

  

Whether you're married, separated, or hoping to be married someday, this article will benefit you.

First, ask yourself, what are your priorities in your life? Or rather, who is your priority?

Let's be honest, for most of us, our priority is us.

We seek after personal satisfaction and fulfillment in marriage, or through other relationships, always trying to get what we want from our wife or from other people. Generally speaking, most people tend to be takers, more than givers.

Many people today think that the secret of having a good marriage is about "finding the right person."

While it's true that your marriage likely won't succeed if you are with someone who really is the 'wrong' person, the truth is, having a good marriage is much more about being the right person.

How can we do that?

First, the question needs to be asked, "What are you seeking?"

If your main focus is having all of your needs met by your wife (or future wife), then you are in for a major disappointment. And that is because you are looking to another imperfect human being to do, and be, everything that you need them to be in your life, for you to be happy.

However, no human being can possibly fulfill that role.

If you profess to be a follower of Christ, is He your number one priority in all things in your life?

In most marriages, people tend to put their spouse at the top of their list of priorities, and we seek them first, and inadvertently place God off to one side... only seeking Him when things in our life go wrong. This is a recipe for failure.

Because when we place our spouse over God at the top of our list of priorities, we in effect make them an idol—which is anything or anyone that becomes more important to us than God.

Don't misunderstand, a godly wife is a wonderful gift from God. But if I am seeking her first as my primary source of happiness and fulfillment, while demoting God to a lesser place in my heart, then I am guilty of making my wife and marriage an idol.

“These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you—you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:1-4)

Jesus Himself spoke these words to a church that were doing all the right things. They were patiently laboring to be good Christians. But He said they have "left their first love." They put religious duty and other things, above a loving, personal relationship with Jesus. Please note that they did not 'lose' their first love...

They "left" their first love.

When Jesus willingly went to die on a Cross to save us, His primary goal was to reconcile and restore us to relationship with God. He loves us and desires that we love Him, and always place Him first in our hearts.

However, so often we place other people, such as our spouse or significant other, above Him by looking to them first for our happiness and fulfillment instead of surrendering all of our needs and desires to Christ. Only God can fill the empty spaces in our hearts that we look to others to fill, who cannot possibly meet our expectations. 

As we seek a closer, spiritually intimate relationship with Jesus, the closer we will grow to God, and in so doing, we become more and more the right person for our wife.

Do you want a closer and more loving marriage? Or if you’re not married now, a godly marriage someday?

Then seek and draw near to Jesus every day, as your First Love.

And as you love Him and spend time with Him, taking on more of His character, the more you will become the right person, and your wife will desire to be closer to you—because they will see more of Jesus in you.

There is nothing more wonderful than when a husband and wife are seeking Jesus together, as their first love. The bible illustrates this kind of harmonious relationship as a "Threefold cord that is not easily broken."

But notice that it doesn't say the threefold cord cannot be broken.

No, it says it is not easily broken.

This threefold marriage relationship can be broken...if we choose to leave our first love; Jesus, and when we place our ultimate need for fulfillment and happiness in another person, instead of in the Lord.

If you have left your First Love, return to Him today and make Him first in your heart.

Jesus deserves all of our worship, adoration and love.



—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

We Will Not Be Shaken

    

"It could never happen to us..."

I wonder how many people who are divorced today, or who are in the brutal process of divorce, have said that?

Many people have lost their jobs and homes in this insane economy, and we feel sad when when we see it happen to other people, but, really, "it could never happen to us!" we say.  I bet all those other people probably said that too, at one time or another.

We say the same thing when we see other people suddenly announce they are getting a divorce.

What I'm seeing in this sobering season that our world is in, is that truly, everything that can be shaken, is being shaken.

And "it" absolutely could happen to any of us... if we choose to be selfish.  If we want our way more than we want what is best for our spouse. 

Fact:  The cause of All divorce is selfishness.

Yep, that's right. Selfishness. My selfishness. Your selfishness.  And as difficult as that bitter little pill is to swallow, you're going to have to swallow it, if there is to be any hope for saving your marriage. 

But it has to start with you.

It has to start with me.

Don't get caught in the trap of the blame game.  If you are in that crazy cycle of pointing the finger of accusation at your spouse, "Yeah but, it's her fault!" Or, "No, he's to blame!" Get off that not-so-merry-go-round.  It will lead you nowhere but to divorce court.

"But you don't know what he did!" you argue.  "You don't know what she said!"

Here's what you need to ask yourself: is what he or she did to you beyond the grace and forgiveness of the Savior who forgave you of everything that you did to Him?

"Yeah, but he pierced my heart with his insensitivity to what I wanted in the relationship!"  Or, "But she cursed me and rejected me, even though all I wanted to do was love her and do what was best for her!"

Sound familiar?

If you are a follower of Christ, the way you need to look at your spouse and at your marriage is that God has given you the amazing privilege, and equally awesome responsibility of loving and serving His own daughter or son.

Kind of puts it in a whole new perspective, doesn't it? 

It should.

The same applies to your children. If you are divorcing your spouse and you have children, not only are you destroying the family that God made you to be together, but you are inflicting long-term emotional trauma upon your children, that you have no way of knowing today, what disastrous effects this will have on them 10, 20 or 30 years down the road.

It's selfishness.

Look, I know how hard it is.  Believe me, I know.  I've done all the above.  I've been that incredibly selfish.

The bottom line is, it has to start with you.  You have to love God enough to make the choice to die to your selfishness first.   

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you;  that you love one another as I have loved you."  (John 13:34).

Love and forgiveness is a choice. 

But love and forgiveness cannot happen unless you extend it.  You have to act on it. You have to do it.

In these perilous times of selfishness, materialism, idolatry and people loving themselves more than they love God and more than they love others, we who claim to be followers of Christ have to choose to set our hearts on the heavenly things, and not on the vain things of this earth that perish.  It's amazing to me the kinds of things that married people divide over that leads them to divorce each other. It's selfishness.

Is God speaking to you today about your heart?

Hebrews 12:25-28

"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,  whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."

Jesus said,   "If a man loves Me he will keep My commandments."

The bottom line is, since God demonstrated His love for us by sending His son to die on a cross for us, will we love Him by dying to our own selfish wants, hard hearts, and bad attitudes?

If we truly do love Him, we will choose to die to our own selfishness, and then choose to forgive, and to love, and to serve our spouses—as His own daughter, or His own son.

It's about love.  Not 'feelings' of love.  But of a demonstration of God's love.

Together—we must choose to declare:   "We Will Not Be Shaken!"

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.