Category: prophecy

Mary’s Experience In The Incarnation

In last week’s article entitled Prophecy: Its About The Cross,  we talked briefly about mat 1:21 and how it helps us to see that the Christmas story is one of the best ways for us to understand Bible prophecy. For thats what Christmas is. It is Bible prophecy, fulfilled. Christmas is not “History,” rather, it is HIS STORY. ts About The Cross, for that is why Jesus came to our world.

Mat 1:23 quotes Isa 7:14 to show a definite fulfillment of this prophecy in that a virgin named Mary conceived and bore a son, Immanuel, the Christ. In this week’s article we will continue this line of study into how the Christmas story illustrated Bible prophecy in all it’s bearings. In last week’s article we pointed out one of the Bible’s descriptions for how to decide a prophet or a prophecy is correct.

The true prophet recognizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses  that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses  not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3

“Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God” means that we shouldn’t believe everything we hear just because someone says it is a message from God. There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from the Lord. One is to check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible.

The Mary Prophecy Explained

One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee. with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David.

The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”  (Luke 1:26-28)

The announcement to Mary presents the declaration of a virginal conception of Jesus ( Luke 1:27, Luke 1:34-35), but ties it to the OT less directly than Mat 1:23, which actually cites Isa 7:14. Luke’s account tells the story from Mary’s perspective, while Mat 1:18-25 focuses on Joseph. It parallels similar announcements in the OT (Isaac: Gen 16:7-14; Gen 17:15-22; Gen 18:9-15; Gideon: Judges 6:11-17; Samson: Judges 13:3-23; Samuel: 1 Sam 1:9-20). The announcement emphasizes Jesus’ preminence as well as His unique origins. Luke makes it clear that Mary did not put together the theological significance of this birth, as her response in Luke 2:48 shows. Luke prefers to show how Jesus gradually revealed who He was and how people wrestled with who He was.

Here during the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel is sent back to earth to see Mary and announce the soon coming birth of The Savior. God Himself determines the right time of and for everyone. The “fullness of time” () is God’s alone to determine.

It was mentioned quite prominently that Mary was a virgin. At the time, Mary was not someone that the world talked about. She was relatively unknown to the world. And yet, God knows her. And God chose this very humble unknown person, not important in her society, to give birth to Jesus.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (Gal 4:4-5)
Gal 4:5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

The fact that Mary and Joseph were not famous or well-known in upper crust society shows us just the kind of atmosphere or situation where God’s promises can be fulfilled. The angel even came to visit Mary right in her home. Gabriel came to her with a message, right into her private life, and not in the temple, or anywhere else important. God is always willing to come close to us no matter what our lot is in life. When Gabriel said to Mary that God was with her, that she was “the favored one, it made Mary special among others because she had been chosen by God to be the one to give birth to Jesus.

What an amazing part of Bible prophecy this is. It shows clearly the grace of God in action. And that God’s grace is for everyone. Now some churches try to make this sound like Mary is so full of grace that she should become some kind of Mediator between us and Jesus; yet Mary, like any of us, was a sinful woman who also needs her Son for forgiveness of her sins. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus was born “under the law,” meaning that Mary was just like anyone of us. A sinner saved by grace. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” (Gal 4:4)

We can note here too that we do not read in this part of the Christmas story that Mary was afraid in anyway when the angel came to speak to her. (Luke 1;12) What we do read is that Mary was quite perplexed by the angel’s words. Yet Mary does not reject the message in unbelief, which shows her God-fearing mind. The angel reassures Mary that she has found favor in the eyes of God, which can only mean that Mary had been searching. Obviously the favor given to Mary to become the Mother of Jesus goes beyond the grace she found in God, as a sinner, with all the human propensities we have.

Luke 1:31 makes it very clear that Jesus is a true Man, for it is announced here that Jesus will be “born of a woman.” (Gal 4:4)

The angel Gabriel explains the name of Jesus more to Mary saying Jesus is like no other person being “great” because of the ways he would live perfectly to God’s glory.

“His name shall be called Immanuel,God with us.” “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God” is seen “in the face of Jesus Christ.” From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was “the image of God,” the image of His greatness and majesty, “the outshining of His glory.” It was to manifest this glory that He came to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He came to reveal the light of God’s love,–to be “God with us.” Therefore it was prophesied of Him, “His name shall be called Immanuel.” {DA 19.1}

By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,–God’s thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, “I have declared unto them Thy name,”–“merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”–“that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” But not alone for His earth-born children was this revelation given.

Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which “angels desire to look,” and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which “seeks  not her own” has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwells in the light which no man can approach unto. {DA 19.2}

This part of the Christmas story, while showing us that prophecy always embraces the facts of the Incarnation and does not deny them or lessen their importance, it also shows us that the Church does not decide what the Bible means. It between each believer and God. We see a good example of this when Mary said to Gabriel “…be it unto me according unto thy word…” (Luke 1:38)

A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living. And Mary, with her story about becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit, risked being considered crazy as well. Still Mary said, despite the possible risks, “be it unto me according unto thy word…” (Luke 1:38)

When Mary said that, she didn’t know about the tremendous opportunity she would have. She only knew that God was asking her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. Mary did not wait to see the whole plan and how it would work out;  before offering her life to God. Rather, she offered herself willingly, even when the outcome seems disastrous, unknown, and she could not see how things were going to turn out. The Christmas story here, shows us a perfect example of the definition of faith “faith is evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1)

Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the confidence based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.

The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who he says. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31).

I hope that this week’s article gives you a brief glimpse at how Bible prophecy always points to Jesus and leads us to greater faith in Him alone for our life today and all the way up to our personal salvation. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

None are so vile, none have fallen so low, as to be beyond the working of this power. In all who will submit themselves to the Holy Spirit a new principle of life is to be implanted; the lost image of God is to be restored in humanity. {COL 96.1}

Every person is free to choose what power they will have to rule over them. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; (Mark 5)yet the heart’s unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in church-correct words, will be unheeded by Jesus today. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own weakness. They are invited by the Savior, “Let them take hold of My strength, that they may make peace with Me; and they shall make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:5.

The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends  with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isaiah 49:24,25

Behold, a virgin will conceive, and will bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Emmanuel, which is interpreted, Our God with us. (Mat 1:23)

Mat 1:23 quotes Isa 7:14 to show a definite fulfillment of this prophecy in that a virgin named Mary conceived and bore a son, Immanuel, the Christ.

With Christmas just around the corner once again, I thought it would be a good idea to dwell for a few weeks now on Bible prophecy. In essence, this is what Christmas is. It is prophecy fulfilled. It is prophecy unfolding. Christmas IS “the story of Jesus.” No. Christmas is not “HISTORY,” Christmas is “HIS Story.”

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). (Isa 7:14). Isaiah was therefore a true prophet. Isaiah spoke prophecies that were only about Jesus. HIS STORY. Jesus came for the cross. To die on Calvary for us. That’s the prophecy. That’s the Christmas story. If someone tries to tell you a different Christmas story than this, then they need to get their story straight. We have many many, too many people online and off now all purporting to preach the “warning message” and most of them do not even mention the cross. But they sure like to dote on and on about the beast!

Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God.– Manuscript 49, 1898. {7ABC 458.2}

So lets start at the beginning.

What are the Bible tests for a true prophet? How does scripture reflect on prophets and prophecy?

The tests for a true prophet are found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, and pointedly indicate that the many prognosticators (like Jean Dixon) who are not measuring up to these stringent, Bible only qualifications, cannot lay claim to the rare distinction of being true prophets of God. Please find enclosed below, some basics about Bible prophets, as depicted in the Bible:

1) A true prophet does not lie. His/her predictions will be fulfilled. “The prophet which prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.” Jer 28:9

2) A true prophet prophesies in the name of the Lord, not in his own name. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Pet 1:21

3) A true prophet does not give his own private interpretation of prophecy. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet 1:20

4) A true prophet points out the sins and transgressions of the people against God. “Cry aloud, spare not,lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isa 58:1

5) A true prophet is to warn the people of God’s coming judgment. Isa 24:1-23; Rev 14:6,7

6) A true prophet edifies the church, counsels and advises it in religious matters “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” I Cor 14:3,4

7) A true prophet’s words will be in absolute harmony with the words of the prophets that have proceeded him. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” Isa 8:20

8) He recognizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
I John 4:1-3

9) He can be recognized by the results of his works. “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Mat 7:16-20

10) A true prophet acts in accordance with the will and approval of God:

“thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh divination [fortune-teller], or an observer of times [astrologer], or an enchanter [magician], or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits [medium possessed with a spirit or a guide], or a wizard [clairvoyant or psychic], or a necromancer [medium who consults the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD” (Deut 18:9-12)

To be even more precise, the actions of a true prophet are not in contradiction to any basic Biblical doctrines, but rather all prophecies support and strengthen precepts already outlined in Scripture.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 20:6, Rev 20:14, Rev 21:8)

ANY prophecy or ANY doctrine that does not have “Christ and Him crucified” as the central cornerstone is simply not a true Christian doctrine, no matter how many Bible verses are quoted. We see a lot of false prophets and prophecy on the internet these days. It is important to just know what the Bible says about it all.

Look and Live. Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Savior, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in people’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, then we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God. They thus receive their lesson. Whosoever will come after Me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow Me. One whose eyes are fixed on Jesus will have no trouble to leave all. They will die to selfishness. They will believe in all of the Word of God, which is so gloriously and wonderfully exalted in Christ. {6BC 1113.1}

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. {FLB 50.2}

The Christ hanging on the cross is the Christmas story. HIS STORY. Our “warning message.” Our doctrine. Every doctrine. Starting next week we will look more in depth at some of the above points regarding Bible Prophets, and Bible Prophecy. It truly is about the cross.

And whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels. (Luke 9:26, Murdock)

There are many conspiracy theories, contingency theories, and whacky theories abounding today about what is “really” going on in our world today. To be certain, things are in major upheaval, and many people are becoming scared. In my experience, many of us are frightened because even the churches are buying into the scare tactics and conspiracy theories, leaving people wondering where to find surety of any kind.

There are a couple of things to consider, which I would like to out line in this article. Some have questioned me for constantly writing things about the cross when I talk about end time events, and so I will begin by briefly explaining this concept.

One pastor said to me recently when I questioned his constant obsessive use of articles from so called “alternative news sites.” The articles all contain the latest “news” about the latest, alleged covid plots and capers going on around us. The one article he cited as “must read” and “truth” was actually about modern AI robots that would be sent out to attack and control people who dont want to vax. And there was mention of some kind of electronic chip implant, of course, being claimed as “the mark of the beast.”

The first thing he said in his reply to me was “could it be that such things will be used against God’s people who want to keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus?” That was his paltry reply to my question about why is he constantly sending stuff like this out to the people he is supposed to be pastoring?  Could this explain why he has only 40 members that attend his church “on a good sabbath?” My first thought was just “well even if that stuff he cited were true, what on earth does it matter for if we are to have our main focus and foundation on “Christ and Him crucified,” How would this supposed “insider” knowledge of the beast help us to preach the cross or the Man on the cross? We cannot do both!

I have thought about this kind of excuse for citing news as prophecy for some time, and I would concede, ever so slightly, that yes, God wants us to “know whats going on;” but for someone who is supposedly concerned about following “the spirit of prophecy” I found this pastor’s response very strange. Here are some very important thoughts to consider:

God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble.{FLB 325.3}

And so yes, there is to be a reasonable, balanced consideration of what is going on. But does this admonition actually refer to all the claimed or supposed events around us as depicted by Big Media? No! And it never will! Almost none of what we hear as “news” is verifiable. And it certainly is not “prophecy.”

Let us consider why the disciples were so unprepared for their “final events” when Jesus was crucified. Let us derive out thoughts from the accounting of scripture:

Before His crucifixion the Savior explained to His disciples that He was to be put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress His words on minds and hearts. But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom all their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which they needed to remember were banished from their minds; and when the time of trial came, it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not forewarned them. So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready. (GC 594.1}

Satan is ever intruding himself between the soul of man and God. This lesson in regard to Peter needs to be studied carefully. {CC 312.2} Peter did not desire to see the cross in the work of Christ. The impression which his words would make was directly opposed to that which Christ desired to make on the minds of His followers, and the Savior was moved to utter one of the sternest rebukes that ever fell from His lips.{CC 312.3}

This is why Light In The Clouds has often reflected in recent weeks, as I have talked about end times and prophecy, and the three angel’s message, how “its about the cross, I have constantly said: “its about the cross.” The three angels’ message (not messages) is always and only about the cross.

And so the true warning message is the same today as in Peter’s day The warning message for God’s people, for the world at large, is about not being willing to see the cross of Christ in the work of Christ, during these end time events we are seeing today around the world. Its amazing to see how some are more willing to see the work of The Pope, or “the news” rather than the work of Christ during the time of the end.

When God sends people warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He is obviously wanting us to heed the message, and stop trying to mix it all up with alleged, unproven “current events” which are just propaganda, and can never tell us Bible truth. Christians today are just as guilty of spreading fear and lies as Big Media.

Yes, the fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people keep turning away their ears from hearing the truth about the cross and are turned unto fables that are masqueraded as truth. They love to sensationalize the wonder-working Beast powers, (Isa 11:3) and minimize mentions of Jesus until His name is mentioned only once, as a parenthesis, rather than the main message. (Gal 6:14) My friends, do not mistaken what the warning message really is. It is found in your Bible, no matter what version you have:

And whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels. (Luke 9;26)

The apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:3). That time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the sights and desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love. The disciples were slow to appreciate their Master’s interpretation of the Old Testament kingdom prophecies. They, too, were looking for temporal deliverance from the Romanist terror organization, which continues its disgusting legacy today. Think Indigenous people, and what has happened to them, amongst other things. Who can deny the pattern and the horrific legacy this religious entity has cursed our world with?

The disciples were not prepared for their terrible disappointment when they saw their Lord crucified. There was no room for the cross in their current message of that day and age. And, likewise today, are we prepared in the right ways depicted by scripture alone?

Before His crucifixion, the Savior explained to His disciples that He was about to be put to death,and to rise again from the tomb. The disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Romanist terror machine, the words of Truth which they needed to remember were banished from their minds by their weakness, their close-mindedness, and their falsehoods. When the time of trial came, it found them grossly unprepared. The death of Jesus on the cross as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not ever forewarned them. Like us today, had the disciples a correct understanding of the prophecies they could have had a praise service in recognition of the marvelous fulfillment of prophecy in the death and resurrection of their Lord.

Even on the day of the resurrection the disciples did not know the true interpretation of the prophecies concerning Gods people. Before Jesus revealed Himself to the two disciples of Emmaus, He explained the prophecies, for it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets,The Old Testament that the cross was the very strongest evidence for their faith. The miracles of Christ are a strong proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New Testament

For one example of Bible prophecy fulfilled, about how Jesus would be “the seed of a woman” is recorded for us in Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”” (AMP) The fulfillment for Gen 3:15 is found, among several places, such as Gal 4:4: “But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,” (AMP)

It is a historical fact that Jesus was born. This historical fact is exactly why we must call Bible prophecy, in all of its correct bearings: HIS – Story. Bible prophecy, all Bible prophecy, is about the cross! If its not central to Christ and Him crucified, then its not even a Christian doctrine, no matter how many Bible verses they quote! Conspiracy theories are not HIS _ Story, they are not prophecy, and most times they are not truth and cannot even be definitively proven. Most of them are anecdotal at best.

Jesus was born. Its a fact “and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, AMP) “And she gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who is destined to rule (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” (Rev 12:5)

While the Bible does say there will be a great time of trouble “such as never was since there was a nation,” (Dan 12:1) it never once depends upon so called “news” or conspiracy theories to delineate truth for us, neither yesterday nor today. I am reminded of a time when I had what seemed like a time of trouble such as Daniel described in Dan 12:1. I had massive burns to 50% of my body, For months, I had what is called Debridement surgeries every Friday, and daily, there were painful bandage changes during which nurses would also do some smaller debridement as needed. It was so painful that I cringe, even now just thinking about it, yet those very painful debridement are exactly why I lived to tell you about it now. They were needed for my healing. My healing was slow and very painful, but heal I did. It is the same in Bible prophecy. There is a war between good and evil. The war is going to be painful for everyone, in one way or another. But it will lead us to healing and to at-onement with Jesus, and with one another. (John 14:12, John 17:11)

The words often on Jesus’’ lips in His last days, during the endtimes of His ministry express vividly the idea, “going to the Father.” (John 13:1,John 20:17, Acts 1:2, 1 Tim 3:16)

We, too, who are Christ’s people, have vision of something beyond the difficulties and disappointments of this life. We are journeying towards fulfillment, completion, “healing of the nations and of our hearts. Eternal Life! We, too, are “going to the Father.”

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who sleep, will God, by Jesus, bring with him. And this we say to you, by the word of our Lord, that we who may survive and be alive, at the coming of our Lord, shall not precede them who have slept. Because our Lord will himself descend from heaven, with the mandate, and with the voice of the chief angel, and with the trump of God; and the dead who are in the Messiah, will first arise; and then, we who survive and are alive shall be caught up together with them to the clouds, to meet our Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with our Lord. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:14-16, Murdock)

Much is unclear right now concerning whats going on in our world now, but two things are very clear. We are going home. We have a future coming that is wonderful. We are on a pilgrimmage to “the Father’s House.” It is the ultimate presence of the Lord. We are all wayfarers, but the believer knows it and accepts it. We are all travellers, not settlers. Are we going to be like Jesus’ disciples and not have room for the cross in our thinking of end time events today? Is there anyone who doesnt want a better hope than one that is rooted in the lies and propaganda being touted today as “truth?” Friends, the warning message IS about the cross! (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13)

The little birds trust God, for they go singing
From northern woods where autumn winds have blown,
With joyous faith their trackless pathway winging
To summer-lands of song, afar, unknown.

Let us go singing, then, and not go sighing:
Since we are sure our times are in His hand,
Why should we weep, and fear, and call it dying?
’tis only flitting to a Summer-land.

— Selected