Review of 2020 Blog Postings

For those who are not on my email list, there's a new posting available every Saturday using the same link: https://johngps.blogspot.com 

The Sovereignty of God #1

New Year posting is directly below this one.

Who would have thought, back in January 2020, just one year ago, that an entirely new America would be emerging in January 2021; changes that began with the Covid-19 lockdowns, and a very incomprehensible presidential election that can potentially change everything about America. But, in all things God is sovereign. He is truly our hope and our strength, even in the darkest days. 

Ps 73:28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (NIV)

Attributes of God!

The statement was borrowed from John MacArthur's sermon, the Mark of True Greatness—Luke 9:46-48. Lucifer’s fall and the angels’ that rebelled with him, were rooted in pride. As stated, all sin is rebellion against God.  How much of what we have seen in the 2020 lockdowns and other political decisions were purely political rather than true medical necessities? 

Isa 14:12-15 – 12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."  5 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. (NIV)

While entering the New Year, a question that lingers from 2020 is, will the America we know and grew up in survive in 2021 or be radically changed, politically and culturally? We will explore this further in 2021. 

I thought a review of 2020, which is ranked as the most unusual and economically destructive year in American history, as bad for many as the 1929 Great Depression was. Covid-19 vaccine availability is a good start for the New Year. If it wasn’t for “Operation Warp Speed” initiated by President Trump, first announced on April 20, 2020, most experts admit we would still be waiting for a vaccine. It has been an interesting 2020 overall, much of which I tried to reflect on this blog, the first being posted in March 2020, in response to the Covid-19 shutdown of churches, including Sunday Foundation classes in Heritage lounge. A blog seemed like a good alternative. It was either that or let my brain wither—not a good option. There was over 250 visits to last week’s New Year posting, a good kick-off for 2021. Why not invite a friend to join us? 

Eph 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  (NIV)

Reaching out to God in prayer is always the best thing to do…

2 Chron 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV)

The first blog posting was at the end of March; it focused on “Who are we? Where are we going?”.  It takes us from the Garden of Eden to the New Heaven and New Earth. Lesson #2, God not only created all things but is outside of and free of the constraints of time and space, which He created. For those who missed it and are curious, access is available via the Blog Archive in upper right corner, dated: 03/22—03/29. Just click on the date. First click on "2020" to open all of 2020 postings. As noted there are 45 posting for 2020. The 12 lessons for that topic ended on 05/24—05/31. If someone were to ask you, “Who are we?” and “Where are we going?” How would you answer? 

What is its message for 2021? God is the creator of all things; nothing is beyond His ability to intervene, and He does as He deems fit, even in letting evil prevail—but for a reason. There is no way of eliminating sin without blotting out the entire human race, or giving everyone a frontal lobotomy, which God choses not to do. Because the human race is fallen and prone to sin, evil does exist, even if the Devil didn’t exist—even though he influences man to sin, he can’t force man to sin. 

One of the questions looked at in that first lesson is about God’s foreknowledge: Q.1. If God knew that Adam would sin and the “Fall” would occur (being omnipresent and omniscient, He did), why did He place “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” in the Garden of Eden, knowing that it would lead to Eve’s temptation and Adam’s disobedience, resulting in the Fall and with it a curse on all of creation? You can check it out in lesson #2, dated 03/22—03/29. As noted in Paul's letter to the Romans 8:28-29, he provides assurance that God is in control and that He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, those called according to His purpose. Does that mean that only good things happen to those who love God? No. What it does mean is, even if bad things happen to us, they will result in good either in this life or in heaven. God is perfect love, but He is also perfect justice, and His decrees are accordingly. No punishment exceeds the crime. We don’t merit God’s grace by what we do, but because of God’s love and mercy. 

In June we switched topics and looked at God’s Angelic Hosts, which began on June 5, dated 05/31—6/07 in the Blog Archive. Do you know how many kinds of angels there are? This lesson will tell you. Lesson #4 in that series takes us to fallen angels, a.k.a., demons, dated 06/21—6/28. That particular segment describes the different types of angels and their role in heaven and on earth as decreed by God. Angel means messenger. Angels have personalities and substance, like we do. Our substance is flesh and blood, theirs is of a spiritual nature best suited for heaven, while ours is best suited for earth. When all of this passes, God will create a New Heaven and New Earth in which angels and people will cohabitate. How? We just have to wait and see. But, as clearly shown in the Bible, angels, though spiritual in nature, can interact with us here on earth. So can fallen angels, a.k.a., demons. We see the evidence of that in the Gospels, where Jesus cast demons out. 

Lesson #5 of the angels’ study takes us to what we’ll call the realm of angels, not only God’s angels but also Satan’s fallen angels, including a glimpse of the battle between good and evil angels, and their influence on fallen mankind. Did fallen angels/demons instigate the 2020 riots across major U.S. cities? We can’t point to it as such, but I think we can assume it as such. As previously stated, in the Gospels, Jesus cast out demons. Is that still true today? It would take a whole book to explain that one. 

Lesson #6, dated 07/05—07/12, delves into the End Times with a glimpse of the Rapture and Tribulation, outlining the different viewpoints: Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib, and no Rapture as professed in the Amillennial view. This theme continues through Lesson #10, dated 08/02—08/09. The lesson delves into the Tribulation and events leading up to the Tribulation, through Lesson #23, dated 11/01—11/08. As we enter a new year, the question lingers, will things return to some semblance of normal, or will government oversight and control become the new normal? There are a lot of stories on the internet about vaccine variations, which even modify our DNA, or make our whereabouts known by government via supercomputers and the Cloud. True? Only time will tell. But if I were to write an End Times novel, that certainly would be in the opening chapters. I am neither advocating for or against what is proposed in the video, just providing information, suitable for a potential novel (who knows, maybe there will be a novel). Nevertheless, I think we can be certain that the current vaccine is both safe and recommended. If it will make you nervous, I suggest you ignore the link. I posted it because I see it as something that the Antichrist will definitely implement at some future time, and it was relevant to our study of the End Times. Keep in mind there will be an Antichrist, we just don’t know when, but the link demonstrates how his total control is possible, after the Church is raptured. 

https://www.facebook.com/100002133884270/posts/3526537244094037/?sfnsn=mo 

Lesson #11, dated 08/09—08/16, takes us to the nation of Israel and where it fits in End Time prophecy, which continues through Lesson #14, dated 08/30—09/06. Much, if not all of the early Church, up until the 19th century, believed and professed that the Church was the new Israel, since Israel had not existed for several centuries after its destruction by the Romans in 70 AD. The nation of Israel no longer existed, but the Jews did. It took the Holocaust to bring them back to the land God promised to Abraham thousands of years before. The new state of Israel, created in 1948, has and continues to survive against insurmountable odds, including wars against them, ever since. 

Lesson #15’s study takes us to the Antichrist, 666 and the Tribulation. “Will we go through the Tribulation?” which is the view of a majority of Christian denominations—including Catholics, Lutherans, and many of the Reformed Faith, or “Will we be raptured before the Tribulation, which is the view of most evangelical churches? If you would like to delve into that question further, you may want to visit this particular lesson, dated 09/06—09/13. The Antichrist is for real; just when he appears is uncertain. If the pre-tribulation rapture is true, would Christians escape unscathed before the Antichrist appears? Will the Rapture be the trigger for his appearance? Or will there be apparent signs before the Rapture that the Church will recognize and use for evangelism? We just don’t know.

Lesson #15 also delves into the importance of deductive reasoning—like Sherlock Homes—in understanding and sorting out the different views of the Rapture, Tribulation and Israel in prophecy. The Rapture is an “event” in Scripture (Luke 17:34-37) but isn’t church doctrine, and as such is influenced by opinion. A lot of factors shape opinion, including where someone was educated, what they studied; what research they did; what church they attended, even their personal experience and insight. Christians can be right or wrong, on such topics, and often debate it, but neither view detracts from or enhances being a Christian. So, it isn’t nor should it be a battleground issue.  

Lesson #16, dated 09/13—09/20, looks at the question will Christians be raptured before the Tribulation or will we have to go through the seven-year Tribulation? Something Bible scholars are still debating. It’s too much to rehash here; go to the lesson if you want further insight into the pros and cons of when or even if a Rapture occurs. 

I thought Lesson #17 would be the last lesson at the time, but there was so much to the topic that it continued to grow as I delved further into it, which resulted in Lesson #18, dated 09/27—10/04, which takes us into the Millennium, that some Bible scholars believe is not a literal 1,000 years, but is an undetermined period of time. Between you and me, I believe it’s a literal “thousand years”, exactly as stated in Rev. 20:7. 

Lesson #19, dated 10/04—10/11, delves into the Amillennial and Premillennial views, and their differences. In understanding the End Times, I believe it’s essential to understand the relevance of Israel to grasp this part of Revelation, otherwise, without Israel’s prophetic relevance, too much of Revelation becomes symbolic and difficult to grasp. So, if you’re interested in this part of Revelation, this is a good lesson for you. What exactly is it telling us? That Christ returns (i.e., the Second Coming) and the Antichrist and False Prophet cast into hell, but the Devil is locked in the abyss for 1,000 years and then freed. What’s interesting is even after 1,000 years of peace and tranquility, some people still willingly sin. What’s the lesson? Even in a perfect environment people will sin, just like in the Garden of Eden. The only thing that will keep us free of personal sin for all eternity is God’s grace—being born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Which is the very reason God allowed Adam and Eve to sin. Even without the tree of knowledge of good and evil, at some point Adam or a descendant would most assuredly have sinned. Then what? 

Gen. 1:1, in the beginning is when it all started. Lesson #20 was supposed to be the last lesson in this particular series, but the material compelled me to add one more lesson #21. Everything, even creation, begins with Genesis 1:1. Scripture doesn’t tell us when God created the angels, but it’s apparent that they were created before the world, and before Adam and Eve (Rev. 12:7-9). And at the very end of time as we know it, there will be a “New Heaven and New Earth”. All of which wraps up with Lesson #21, dated 10/25—11/01, and the two principle views in the Church of the End Times. 

Lesson #21, dated 10/18—10/25, concludes this particular topic, regarding Bible Prophecy. It explores a few questions: Is it true for our generation? The world has certainly been turned upside down, by the COVID-19 pandemic, shutting down our nation, the economy, and disrupting everyday life for families and individuals—even our Christian life and collective worship has been impacted and set aside for many. The basic question everyone is wondering is, can we expect a return to normal anytime soon, or will it be an entirely different “normal” going forward? The basic question it asks, does everything in 2020 fit into Bible prophecy, or doesn’t it? 

Lesson #23, dated 11/01—11/08, looks at what we believe and why we believe it, regarding the End Times. What are the signs that we can conclude from Scripture, and did we see any of them in 2020? Six slides were dedicated to this particular question which ended that particular study topic. 

The Cross and Nation, our last study topic, Lesson #1, dated 11/08—11/15. Since it’s a recent study, I won’t cover it in detail other than to say, a godly church preaches the Word of God and the Gospel of grace. An honest government adheres to the Constitution. Both have been long-standing cornerstones of the United States of America; but things seem to be changing for both the Church and the Nation. This segment Cross and Nation includes four lessons, the last one dated 11/29—12/06. Some of which may still be fresh in your mind. 

Two sermons that look at COVID-19 and government control as a sign of the End Time, and potential preamble for the Antichrist. So, if you’re not ready for some serious End Time stuff, you may not want to go there. Both are between 20-28 minutes long. John MacArthur is first. You can fast forward through the commercials that are on John Hagee’s video. 

Jesus Himself tells us not to be afraid. There are 25 verses in the NIV that tells us “don’t be afraid”. “Do not be afraid” appears more than 70 times in the NKJV.  Whatever happens, God is allowing it, both the COVID-19 pandemic, the government lockdowns and the election outcome. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10, don’t be afraid. I believe, like many others do, that Christians will be raptured before the Tribulation. We may witness signs starting to unfold—but not the full fury of the Antichrist. Remain prayerful and confident in Him. 

John MacArthur’s 23-minute message on the consequences of COVID-19. Having too much knowledge is never a problem. But having too little can be a problem. MacArthur touches on the mark of the Beast – 666 – in Revelation. It’s a serious message, and as such, not for the faint of heart. When was the whole world subject to such global chaos? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH-fNyJnr_Y  

 (copy and paste link into your web browser)

Pastor John Hagee’s 28-minute message is on COVID-19 and Signs of the End Time. (you can easily fast forward through the ad).

https://youtu.be/H_vNWmqWmZc  

(copy and paste link into your web browser)

If I was to write a novel about the End Times and the rise of the Antichrist, 2021 is off to a good start. The following slides are how I would outline the opening plot. If the End Times and Book of Revelation make you nervous, stop here. But if I were to write such a novel, it would also show that the entire mainstream media cooperated in the scheme consistent with a progressive-left ideology, rather than inform the people of the facts. This is how the Nazi’s used the media for propaganda that promoted Hitler’s agenda as a good thing, presenting him as Germany’s savior…until it was too late to do anything about it. Anyone witnessing the events of January 6th will certainly wonder, where we may be going as a Nation? 

Anyone watching CSPAN or Newsmax on January 6, will readily realize that 2021 will be a very different year. The photos show protests taken at, and in, the Capitol building. Back in January 2020, who would have imagined that any of this could even happen? How did we get here? Pandemic lockdowns; economic hardship; apparent voter fraud; and now, mass protests at the Capitol building. There were peaceful pro-Trump demonstrators but there were also violent protestors identified as Antifa. Satan feeds on unrest. Can America recover from what is described as a new and radical ideology in complete control of government: the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives? Having an agenda that is expected to change the very profile and traditional values of America. We can be certain that Satan is working behind the scene. 

Is a roadmap for the Antichrist beginning to unfold? As 2021 unfolds, it will certainly tell the tale one way or another. Were those who caused problems in the Capitol an anti-Trump faction to further discredit Trump and undermine his chances to reclaim the White House? Many so called Trump protestors by the media, were recognized as Antifa protestors. 

Are we there yet? Are we getting closer? If we are, what tactics will the Antichrist use to gain absolute power? If I was to write a novel of the rise of the Antichrist, it would be exactly as I laid out on the following slides. 

Satan and the Antichrist…. Is it beginning to unfold or just a plot for a novel? 

Such a novel would begin with Satan behind every event, influencing the characters and taking action against a strong American president with the goal of weakening his stature and America’s influence on the world stage, weakening its economic strength and saddling it with enormous debt. In doing so, offering the plotters personal power and wealth as a further incentive. 

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, Satan’s lie was that he would get something God was withholding from him—to be like God. The angels joined Lucifer (a.k.a., Satan) in revolt against God, possibly for similar reasons. Satan’s lie regarding personal gain, works everywhere, and in every age, and yes even at the top levels of government—perhaps even within Congress.  

Satan could manipulate unethical politicians to accomplish everything noted, paving the path for the Antichrist who would promise solutions that gave them political control and absolute power. Remember, this is just a plot for a novel. If it was somehow true, don’t worry, God will rapture His people before the Antichrist and Tribulation appeared with its full fury as described in Revelation. 

Whatever happens in the world, God is sovereign and lets it happen for a reason. We need to rely on the biblical truth that God is sovereign, regardless of what happens including the final outcome of the elections. 

Think about that one, not just for a novel, but in real life. As one FOX News guest-journalist, stated we are living in the craziest time of our lifetime. He may be right. 

As we enter 2021 there is a lot of uncertainty as to where we will be going, and as some are saying, even potentially who will be sitting in the White House come January 20, although the Senate pretty much settled it on January 6th. Pray for our Nation, our president, our church and our pastor. And whatever happens, God is sovereign and in control, even in the bad times. 

End of Preview of the 2020 Blog Postings

The Sovereignty of God #1

God's Word #4

You can access all of the Lessons posted via the Blog Archive going back to March 2020.

Just click on any date to access that posting.

How do you see 2021? A time of hope or a time of anxiety? Whatever you anticipate, may 2021 be a blessed year for you and yours. 

We concluded 2020 with Charles Stanley’s Christmas sermon, “Our Savior Who is Christ the Lord.” As we enter the New Year, just like Stanley’s message, we need to remain mindful that Jesus is our hope for tomorrow. God is sovereign over all things, even letting evil flourish as a byproduct of sin. He is a God of perfect love and perfect justice. A question that lingers over from 2020, will the America we know survive in 2021 or be radically changed, politically and culturally? Under all circumstances, prayer is always the Church’s role. 

How would you respond if you were asked what you believe as a Christian? Let’s begin the New Year with a mini review of what the Church has professed all the way back to the Apostles, when pagan Gentiles began converting to Christianity. It’s a good place to start in sharing what Christians believe and what you believe. I rarely start by telling people they’re sinners. It tends to turn them off—and they just glaze over, change the subject, or just walk away somewhat annoyed. Doing so would be step 2 in response to a question they may ask. 

The Apostles didn’t write the Apostles’ Creed, but it sums up the principles of the faith professed by them and used for and by early converts. The Apostle’s Creed is a brief summary of the principal beliefs defining Christianity that new converts would then accept. As such, it avoids and dispels heresy entering into the Church, because most early century converts had been members of a pagan religion which flourished in the Roman Empire, running deep in their culture and thinking. Theology goes much deeper than the Apostles’ Creed, but that comes later for most of us, and something that we are still in the process of learning. You don’t have to be a theologian to share the Gospel. 

This is a contemporary version, common in many churches: “Holy Spirit” vs. “Holy Ghost”; “living and the dead” vs. “quick and the dead”. If you check individual churches, even Presbyterian ones, you will see slight variation in wording, not substance. The word “catholic” mean universal. Many churches use the term “Christian church”, others still use the original term “catholic”, which comes from a Greek word meaning “on the whole”, or “all inclusive”; also “universal”. 

What are the highlights of the Creed? I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1)—a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (second Person of the Triune God, fully divine and fully human), who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (He did not have a human father, and thus avoided inheriting Adam’s DNA, i.e., his fallen nature). He was crucified, died and was buried (in full restitution to a Holy God for our sins--i.e., our sin debt paid in full--which we are incapable of paying by our own good works). He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven (He will come again). He sits at the right hand of God the Father. He will come to judge every human (at the Great White Throne Judgment), those who are still alive when He returns (His 2nd coming at the end of the Tribulation, Rev. 19:11-21) and those who had already died who will also be resurrected—every grave will be emptied. We believe in the forgiveness of sins (we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, and not by good works—we can’t earn it). We believe that we will have resurrected bodies (Rev. 20:4-5, 12-14) and everlasting life (including a new heaven and new earth—Rev. 21:1). It doesn’t explain certain theological doctrine, like predestination, election, nor the moral issues confronting the church. But it's a great start for sharing the faith. 

The human race is divided into the unsaved and the saved. Until we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, we are yet to be saved or just remain unsaved for lack of faith. Let’s pause and look at today’s world. Is Covid-19 God’s judgment looming over America and the world? Or is it a warning and wakeup call? Have our government institutions and those of higher learning, become unethical and even corrupt in that they have abandoned biblical principles and practices for personal gain? How much influence does the atheistic Communist Chinese Party have on the world in general and America in particular, especially those having financial ties with the CCP? Are we any different than ancient Israel in walking away from God? Isaiah gives us a hint. 

Isa 1:4 Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel  and turned their backs on him.  (NIV)

Down through history other generations thought they were in the End Times. Early Rome when John wrote the Book of Revelation; even many of those facing the trials and tribulations of WWI and WWII. The Covid-19 pandemic, forced government shutdowns of small businesses, leading to bankruptcy and even permanent closures, and even lockdown of churches; add widespread election fraud, all of which has led many to believe we are, without doubt, there now.  Yet some will say no, and that this too will pass away; while others will just brush it off and say there is no way of knowing, so why even ponder it. Actually, being aware of the signs might give us a hint. 

Book of Revelation: areas of disagreement include: 1. Is there a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church? 2. Is there a literal 1,000 reign of Jesus Christ after the Tribulation—i.e., the Millennium?  3. Did the Church replace Israel, and the rebirth of Israel in 1948 is just a coincidence of history, or is it part of God’s prophesy? When an individual or nation neglects God’s Word, the consequence of their willful sin might very well lead to disaster, be it political, civil unrest or even natural disasters—including unleashing a virus that creates a pandemic as we see with plagues in the Book of Revelation. 

If you were to lay out the groundwork for the Antichrist, what would it look like? Did Red China develop the Covid-19 virus as some believe? Did it get loose accidentally in Wuhan, China and rather than suffer a pandemic alone, China kept quiet and allowed, actually encouraged, those Chinese with symptoms to travel to the West and the USA, yet restricting travel within China, so that the world would suffer the same consequences? Plausible? I think so. Did Left-wing politics in an election year, use the pandemic to undermine the Trump economic boom with shutdowns, and use it as a basis for election fraud—sending ballots to everyone and anyone? Even the dead voted. Widespread lockdowns have literally destroyed hundreds of thousands of small independent businesses. Even forcing the closure of churches (some of whom may not recover) in some cities and states. Isn’t that the definition of socialism? Yes it is, including making the middle-class dependent on the government for everything. A mild at first, yet real form of tyranny. 

Socialism definition: a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole—[the community being government regulations and control as we’re seeing with the virus]. 

The goal is utopia, but under the control of government regulations and the auspices of the elite who make all the decisions for everyone else, like we see in Cuba and Venezuela. So, let’s go back to the beginning…. (next slide)

Back to the beginning: God created Adam (Gen. 2:7), gave him a helpmate (Gen. 2:21-22), and dominion over the earth, all living creatures and even tending its gardens. 

Gen 1:26-27 – 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  (NIV)

Adam and Eve had everything going for them. God placed them in a perfect garden with perfect weather and perfect health, and everything that they would ever need. But they believed Satan's lie and thus, threw everything away. Not only for themselves, but for every living creature on the land, in the sea, and in the air, bringing total decay and death. Adam literally forfeited his God-given-birth-right to Satan. How do we know? Read Matt. 4:8-10 (next slide). Consequently, when Adam forfeited his birthright to Satan, the earth’s kingdoms became Satan’s to give (Luke 4:6). 

Gen 2:16-17 – 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (NIV) – die both spiritually and physically. 

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (NIV)

Satan was crafty and persuasive in the Garden of Eden, just as he was when he convinced 1/3 of the angels in heaven to follow him. What was his lie to them? Scripture doesn’t tell us, except it was convincing. It wasn’t just for Eve and Adam to commit a sin—it was never about just one sin, but about a fallen nature for the entire human race, including you and me. Ever since, Satan has been working toward a complete moral collapse of the world system; but restrained by the Holy Spirit. America and its founding values, with God’s grace, have been a stumbling block to his compete control of the world system. 

How do we know Satan inherited the world system from Adam? Matthew 4:8-10 tells us. 

We also see it in Luke 4:5-8. Jesus rejected the Devil’s offer, but it’s clear that Satan had the authority to give it to anyone he wanted to give it to (v.6), otherwise Jesus would have told us. That someone, will be the Antichrist. Is the world system moving in that direction? Is the groundwork being laid out for the Antichrist to take over the world system? Is Covid-19 part of it? Does a decline of American influence make it possible? I think so, which we will look at...

Why has American been a stumbling block for Satan’s world domination? In 2 John 2:18 we are told there has been and will be many antichrists. At a particular time, a particular antichrist will step forward. In both world wars, America prevented the complete takeover of tyranny in Europe and Asia. Even within our own country, it took a Civil War to eliminate slavery, but it was eliminated. America has been a stumbling block to tyranny across the globe, by being on the front lines and confronting tyranny (WWI—WWII) and maintaining peace ever since (strong military presence and diplomatic influence). Through most of its history, America was rightfully declared “One Nation Under God!” But it is being eroded away at an alarming rate, and when it no longer stands as such, Satan will gladly raise the ante and that ante may very well open the door for the Antichrist, proposing what appears to be solutions for all the world’s problems (another of Satan's lies); and with it the means for complete control of the world's people. Are we starting to see such signs? I think so. 

So, who is the Antichrist? Down through history, certain people were considered to be the Antichrist, including the Roman Emperor Nero when John wrote Revelation, and even Adolf Hitler with the genocide of six million Jews. They may have been an antichrist, but they weren’t the Antichrist. When he arrives, it will be apparent for those familiar with the Book of Revelation but too late to do anything about it. 

If enough American politicians believe Satan’s lie that their political position and ideology can lead to power and wealth, it may very well be the beginning of the end, because there is no end to an insatiable appetite for political power and wealth There is even talk about a covid-immunity passport—to ensure everyone gets vaccinated. It would allow the police to stop anybody and ask to see their passport. How does that fit in with an Antichrist drama? Such tactic have been used in Nazi Germany and every Communist country as a means of power and control of the people. 

But, there’s a price to pay. Those who willingly violate God’s decrees for self-gain, be it in the Halls of Congress, corporate boardroom, or even a church pulpit preaching a false gospel, will not escape the consequences of their sins. The destiny of every individual and nation is established by God. As seen in Revelation 20:11-15, God will not tolerate a sinful world forever. Jesus gives an example in Luke 16 of the rich man and the beggar. The rich man had everything going for him, including all the luxuries of life, while ignoring the beggar’s plight and basic needs. The beggar, was covered with sores, and laid at the rich man’s gate. Yet their eternal destiny was the reverse of their respective lifestyles. The rich man went to hell and the beggar was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom (paradise). 

There are eternal consequences, as Jesus Himself tells us in John 3…

John 3:18-21 – 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."  (NIV)

God is in control, even when evil seems to reign over earthly matters, like voter fraud and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Man is responsible for his actions, and there are consequences for sin. Just like the holocaust was meant for evil by Hitler and the Nazis, God used it to return the Jews to their ancestral homeland, yet allowed the destruction of Hitler and Nazi Germany. I feel certain Israel could not have survived without God's protection and intervention just as He did in the Old Testament.  

Tiny Israel was first attacked by the Arab states in 1948 to annihilate the newly declared State of Israel of less than 1 million people vs. tens of million in Egypt and the adjacent Arab nations. Other major wars for survival followed, including the Six Day War in 1967 with Egypt, Syria and Jordan, and the Yom Kippur Arab-Israel war in 1973. Plus numerous other attacks by Hezbollah. Would you say God placed a protective shield around Israel, and that they are far from irrelevant as some Bible scholars claim? A respected Bible scholar stated in his study of Revelation that the Church was the New Israel, and Israel was no longer relevant; while totally ignoring the rebirth of Israel in 1948, and its survival against great odds ever since. Why? (Next slide)

Judah/Israel ceased to exist as a nation with the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Jewish Wars began in 66 AD and they were a direct revolt by the Jews against Rome’s authority. Titus with his Roman legions arrived at the outermost northern Wall of Jerusalem, during the Passover of 70 AD, and destroyed the City of Jerusalem and with it, the nation of Judah, selling many into slavery, with many others escaping into exile across the then known world, even as far as Germany over an extended period of time—hmmm? (Next slide tells the tail).

Dispersal of the Jews is shown on the map. The early Church concluded that since God doesn’t abandon His promises, it was apparent to them that the Church was the new Israel, since Israel no longer existed, and consequently was no longer relevant to Bible prophesy including Revelation or Daniel’s prophecy (looked at in a prior lesson). The Amillennial view is based on those early Church conclusions, while ignoring the rebirth of Israel in 1948. These Jews were the same people rounded up by the Nazis and carted off to concentration camps. Again, just like Sherlock Homes, I see these as pieces of the End Time puzzle. Like Hitler and the Holocaust, Satan has hated the Jews down through history. Why has Satan’s hatred for the Jews persisted over the centuries if they were no longer relevant in Bible prophecy? Again, like Sherlock Homes, I see these as signs and pieces of the big picture, i.e., the End Times puzzle. Of course, not everyone will agree. It’s my personal conclusion and not something stated by a Bible scholar or something I downloaded from a website.

God could have destroyed the human race after Adam, or even during the Noahic flood, allowing Noah and his family to perish along with the entire human race, but He didn’t. Yet, God knew that man would continue to sin because we inherited Adam’s sinful nature. So God sent a Savior, whose birthday we celebrated last week. He didn’t come to reign on this earth at the time, but to serve and to save. 

The King came as a servant—and washed the Apostles’ feet to demonstrate humility as we are told in Philippians 2. 

Phil 2:5-8 – 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  7 but made himself nothing, 

taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!  (NIV)

The New Testament’s use of Hades, including Luke 16, builds on its Hebrew parallel, Sheol, which was the preferred translation in the Septuagint, according to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Hell Described in the Bible, the word of God warns about hell describing it with images of darkness, gnashing of teeth, fire, and complete separation from God. [Jesus’ parable of the rich man and the beggar is intended for all humanity]. 

Some Bible commentaries believe because the beggar has a name, Jesus is describing an actual situation of real people. 

Luke 16:22-25 – 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham , have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  (NIV)

Worth repeating that those in Congress or global corporate boardrooms, or in the pulpit preaching a false gospel, whose decisions are for personal gain, and consequently enjoy the associated pleasures of life, there will be a day of reckoning. Evil does not go unpunished, nor does man get a second chance at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20).

Rev 20:11-12 – 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (NIV)

Jesus birth, life and ministry, His crucifixion and resurrection are all tied together as part of God’s plan. Our hope and salvation rests in Jesus Christ and Him alone. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we were created to do good works. Do you know what good works you were created to do in Christ Jesus? 

Is Covid-19 God’s wrath or a wake up call? Or possibly the groundwork for the Antichrist? Any way you look at it, God is sovereign over all things. He allows evil and even pandemics for a reason. Put on you Sherlock Homes hat when you ponder the big picture.

This is a six-minute explanation of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in response to a question—God is sovereign, man is responsible, yet God chooses and predetermines all things. 

https://youtu.be/oGhFslv1HKo

(copy and paste into your web browser)

Pray for America in these uncertain times especially as we enter a New Year, also pray for our president and his family, and for our church, pastor and his family. I would also add John MacArthur to our prayer list. 

So, the blog will continue.  Each week I ponder what next? Then after I start I have a hard time turning it off. Do you have a question you would like covered? Let me know via email or even a phone call. 

End of God's Word #4