Israel Exists Today That All Things Shall be Fulfilled

On March 10, 2026March 12, 2026 By TimIn Ezekiel 38, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

After many days you shall be called. In the latter years you shall come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel which had been always a waste. But its people were brought out of the nations, and they, all of them, are dwelling safely. You shall ascend and come like a storm; you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.
Ezekiel 38:8–9

You may have been tricked into believing that the modern nation of Israel has nothing to do with the Bible. You may think that it is not the same Israel that received the promises of God through the prophets. And those promises have transferred somehow to the church. (I hold very loosely onto the idea of a universal church, preferring the more precise body of Christ.) That text should upend that trickery. God has a purpose for the Israel that exists today.

After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined.
Daniel 9:26

I will tell you that Israel is here to fulfill all things. Right now, there is a pause after the seven and sixty-two weeks. Messiah was cut off, and God set aside His dealings with Israel. That is the war of desolations, as Jewish people are spread throughout the nations and suffer persecution upon persecution. The desolation ends with the rebuilding of Israel as a nation.

They shall build the old ruins;
they shall raise up the former desolations,
and they shall repair the waste cities,
the desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:4

While the Bible details some instances of persecution before Jesus, the desolation for Israelis increased dramatically after the death of Jesus. It is just as the timeline in this wiki shows. The world now nears the end of this war of desolations. This is easily discerned by the establishment of the modern nation of Israel as Jewish folk migrate there amidst a cultural resurgence of anti-Zionism.

For any skeptic to speak credibly on Modern Israel, it is necessary to read, understand, and know Daniel 9:21–27.

As with Daniel, all prophets spoke the promises of God to the nation of Israel. It behooves one to know these were to, for, and about Israel. There would be judgment by diaspora or scattering among the Gentile nations. Many of them wrote of wrath and judgments coming on the nation of Israel. This alone ought to be one of those massive differences to show that the church did not supersede Israel.

Those prophecies of judgment also included God’s promises as the end of the age nears. That is to regather all of the tribes of Israel into the Promised Land. This will be by Jesus establishing one fold under Davidic rule. He will remove the infidels in the Land Himself, fulfilling the land covenant. Nevertheless, He will rule from David’s throne.

As people alive today, we witness the hand of God move. For over 80 years, Jewish people have been drawn to Israel. Whole families continue to relocate to live in Israel. This gathering signals that the end of the war of desolations is near. Yes, the Israel that exists today consists of those being gathered into the land. Just as the prophets told, this will be in unbelief.

Gather together, yes, gather together,
O shameless nation,
before the decree takes effect,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who carry out His judgment.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:1–3

In this passage, Israelis are encouraged to gather together and believe before judgment comes. What is inferred is that those who are gathered are being gathered in disbelief. And this is before the day of the Lord’s anger. That last phrase is a nod to Jacob’s Trouble, what most call The Tribulation. Israel is gathered together before that. Do note the veiled hint referenced, “perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” This is a hint to the rapture, of which I have written before.

It is established that Israel is regathered in unbelief. This was foretold before it happened. Then other texts signal that the end of the war of desolations is near. Here is one:

The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes the earth and forms the spirit of man within him: I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah, it is also against Jerusalem. And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it. On that day I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, “There is strength for us with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God.”
On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside in her place, the place of Jerusalem. The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will not eclipse Judah. On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem; and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day. And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going out before them. On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations who come out against Jerusalem.
And I will pour out on the house of David and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him as a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as that of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn with each family by itself: the family of the house of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by themselves, and their wives also by themselves; and all the families that remain, each by itself and their wives by themselves.
Zechariah 12:1–14

As Israel is regathered, the existence of the nation clearly troubles the entire world. That reality exists today. All one has to do is watch a nightly news broadcast to see the inundating tidal wave of antisemitism that is sweeping the United States. Yes, that was prophesied to happen, and it is. God does indeed know the beginning from the end.

Sadly, some of you may be around to witness what else is going to happen; though anyone may change that reality anytime they want to do so before it occurs, just by believing in Jesus. Yes, there is going to be a siege of Jerusalem. Yes, Israel will do the impossible and turn back the invaders. It will also be clear that it was God who did the real work in that.

Something happens to the people as they witness God move to save them. Israel comes to their senses on that day. They will mourn the God they pierced. The questions to ask, “When did (or really, does) Israel pierce Jehovah?”

For the ones paying attention, the Tanakh plainly declares that Jesus is Jehovah.

It has not occurred yet, so it must be in the future. This is sometimes hard to hear; the future of the world is Israeli in nature.

God judges Israel. God helps Israel. God blesses Israel. Israel turns to God. Israel mourns their actions. Israel is restored to all of the land promised… From the river to the sea. It is not Palestine, it is Israel.

Yes, they do reject Jesus Christ. Which was also prophesied. There was a famine that began with the ministry of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago.

The time is coming, says the Lord God,
when I will send a famine on the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They will wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they will run back and forth to seek the word of the Lord,
but they will not find it.
Amos 8:11–12

This famine in Israel of hearing the word of the Lord is nearing an end. The world is racing toward the inevitable war with invaders coming down from space. That is their narrative. The Bible student knows the reality.

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, with which He may strike the nations. “He shall rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of God the Almighty.
Revelation 19:11–15

We live in interesting times indeed.

Oft Misused Scripture: Abraham’s Seed

On March 4, 2026March 12, 2026 By TimIn Galatians 03, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26–29

The Gospel of John opens with, among other things, the declaration of the right God has extended to those who believe.

Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12–13

Sons of God are direct creations of God. Adam is correctly called the son of God. Angels are the sons of God. Since the resurrection of Jesus, believers are sons of God. They are new creations, born of the Holy Spirit. Hence, Paul addresses believers correctly in Galatians as sons of God, as New Testament believers are indeed sons of the Most High.

The fact of divine parentage has been around since the beginning. Jesus cited it to those who did not believe in His claims, “My Father and I are One.” They wanted to stone Him because He claimed to be God. Yes, Jesus claimed to be God. Much more than just being One of divine parentage. Hete is how He put it.

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? John 10:34–36

Divine parentage is limited to Adam and angels in the Tanakh. But Jesus opened that right to anyone who would apprehend eternal life and believe.

Being baptized into Christ is not water baptism. It is the baptism of the Spirit where believers put on Christ.

But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:20–24

The new nature is a new creation of God, through His Spirit. This is the one baptism that saves.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Being new creations, there is no more division between Jew or goyim, slave or free, even male or female. It is unity in Jesus Christ, just as there is a Unity in the Godhead.

But here comes the twist… We are Abraham’s seed. This is the portion that is often misused. It has been part of many church bodies for centuries. Israel ceased to be a nation; one could see how that error could be easily embraced. May 14, 1948, changed that.

Being Abraham’s seed is not being the New or True Israel. That is error. The $10 word for it is supersessionism; it is commonly called replacement or fulfillment theology. And it hangs on the misinterpretation of this verse.

Here is why it is wrong theology.

Abraham had his own children. One of whom is Isaac. God reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham to Isaac in Genesis 26. Isaac had two sons, Esau, the firstborn, and Jacob, his twin brother. God chose Jacob to have the blessing and reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac to Jacob. In Genesis 28 Jacob learns of this by dream. God then changes Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32. Finally, He reaffirms the covenant to Jacob (Israel) in Genesis 35. This is the promise to Israel.

The Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will I give it and to your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and in your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed. Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” Genesis 28:13–15

This should be full stop.

If believers are Abraham’s seed, they are not Jacob’s seed. The covenant promise went from Abraham to Isaac. It did not go to Ishmael. The covenant promise was extended by God from Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob, not Esau.

It does not go to the New Testament church, either. Not many of the saints are Jacob’s seed; they are Gentiles. Ishmael and Esau are Abraham’s seed; they are not part of the covenant promise, either. The covenant promise still remains with Israel. God has not extended it to anyone else. It is not superseded nor broken.

God’s promise to Abraham’s seed…

Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18

Gentile believers are blessed because Jesus Christ came through the seed of Abraham, then Isaac, and then Israel. Faith in Jesus gives us eternal life and the power to become sons of God by new birth!

Believers are blessed and are heirs of Abraham through that Seed who is Jesus Christ. Believers are not Israel; they do not inherit God’s promises to Israel or even Abraham. Israel retains the everlasting land and dynasty of both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Neither of these has been fulfilled. And they will not until Jesus returns at the end of the age.

This is why Israel is such a most-contested issue for the world. It must not be so for Christianity. Yet, there is a real satanic spirit working in the world. Ignorance and deception that have overcome unbelievers have seduced some Christians. It is not prudent that other Christians have been steeped in fulfillment theologies and embrace the deception that modern Israel is not the nation of God’s blessing. Even though He promised Israel to gather them back!

Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” Genesis 28:15

Why would there be such demonic vitriol for modern Israel if it was not part of God’s plan?

There have been many historical mistreatments of Jewish people. Many of those had ultimate plans of annihilating the Jewish people completely. Most of my generation still remembers the horrors of the Holocaust. We know the evil of genocide through first-hand accounts. Though it is sadly becoming fashionable to deny or downplay what the National Socialists of Germany did. Yes, Naziism is socialism.

These antisemitic things are purely satanic. There is no other word for it. The endgame is to try to thwart these covenant promises by eliminating God’s people. If they were to succeed, it would ultimately result in stopping the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus does not come back until Israel… Yes, Israel and not a remnant of New Testament saints… Calls “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.” (That is in Luke 13:22–35.)

If Jesus does not come back, He does not fulfill either the Abrahamic or Davidic covenants. As if such a thing is even possible. Nevertheless, the enemy thinks he can and gathers as many as are willing to his side.

Being Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise means that believers share in Abraham’s faith and blessing. And the ultimate object of that is Jesus Christ. It does not mean that believers share in Israel’s national promises by inheritance. (Those God affirmed with and extended to Isaac and Jacob.)

New Testament saints receive the spiritual seed blessings according to the promise. These saints are not heirs to the promises themselves, but as the text precisely delineates… According to the promise.

Israel receives the earthly kingdom promises when Jesus returns. The nation itself is Jesus’ inheritance (see Deuteronomy 32:8-9.) New Testament saints inherit what Jesus inherits. Which means that there will then be One Shepherd and one sheepfold.

Are You Counted Worthy to Escape?

On February 8, 2026 By TimIn Rapture, Revelation 03Leave a comment

Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10

This is the promise Jesus makes to the church at Philadelphia. He says He will keep these faithful from a time when all the Earth will be tested. What could that ever be?

Well, there are many today who try to deny reality. They say that there is no rapture, just the return of Jesus. Others mock it by calling it a secret thing. There are those that say it is a recent invention, and that our Hope is just escapism generated by Tim LaHaye’s “Left Behind.” What they all have in common is starting with the necessary startling reality of the rapture. Then they attempt to debunk it.

To them I ask, “What did Jesus mean when He said He would keep the Philadelphians from the hour of temptation that is going to come to the entire world?

I say the escape is real! Jesus taught it, if you know how and where to look, it is plain. He told the Philadelphians they would be kept from it. So what is it?

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly. For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luke 21:34–35

What day comes as a snare unexpectedly?

And the day comes to all those on the face of the whole Earth. Reading for context in Luke 21, clearly Jesus is speaking of the events of the end of the age. Specifically to Jewish people who asked about their end and when Jesus would return. That conversation began with a simple observation.

As some spoke of how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone shall be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
They asked Him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when this is about to happen?”
Luke 21:5–7

What follows as Jesus begins to answer, is clearly a time of testing before the end. One that is very Jewish in nature. False Messiahs come, wars, rumors of wars, famine, and pestilence. And those are just the start. The words of Jesus in Luke 21:8–11 clearly track with the very things John describes in Revelation 6:1–8.

Jesus then goes on to warn of coming persecution to the Jewish people in Luke 21:12–19. This tracks with later parts of the book of Revelation when the whoke world assails Israel.

Where in Revelation chapter 6, John provides a macro-level outline of events if that Day. Jesus also warns of the trampling of Jerusalem by Gentiles. While the latter may seem to have happened in AD 70, I consider that just the beginning of the time of Gentiles.

When considering the times we live in, Jerusalem is not a wholly Israeli city. It is still a contested with a significant Gentile population vying for rule. The nation of Israel controls east Jerusalem. That marks a significant shift from complete Gentile rule. The trend shows a waning Gentile control, and the foreshadows of that Day of complete Israeli control are perceived today.

Likewise, the recent rise of antisemitism becomes more pressing seemingly daily. People do not even understand their own participation in it. If Jewish folk are going to experience unprecedented persecution in that Day, it follows, that like waning Gentile control of Jerusalem, it would ramp up.

These are the precursors of what is going to happen in that Day that cast shadows on us today.

As the high-level view continues in John 6:9–16, events unfold to a seminal event. That climax is the return of Jesus Christ to Earth to rescue Israel. The fear leading up to that moment is palpable, as men hide themselves knowing the wrath of God is at hand.

“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25–27

Remember the question the disciples poaed to Jesus, “(W)hat will be the sign when this is about to happen?”

The precision is important to note, it is not when this would happen, but about to happen. His answer follows all of the really testing things He described.

When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke 21:28

The sign is when these things begin to happen. I contend that we are clearly experiencing the beginning of those things. As such, our first expectation should be directed up, toward Jesus, and not forward to what is happening on Earth.

So when Jesus says to Philadelphia, they will be kept from the hour of temptation, it is clear what that hour is. Jesus also said that time comes as a surprise to all on Earth. Doesn’t it follow that those who expect these signs would not be surprised?

Which means, by Jesus’ words, they are not on the Earth… Right?

I am one that knows Paul had the privilege of revealing the mystery of the Rapture. He did not invent it. Neither did Darby. It was always in parts of the Tanakh, and even present in the things Jesus spoke and taught.

This time of testing is NOT for believers… It is for unbelievers. Some of those unbelievers clearly begin to believe during it. But as is shown, today’s believers expect the unprecedented time. It won’t be a surprise at all. Because they have heard the promises of Jesus and are already not present.

Therefore watch always and pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:36

The question that should press on your conscience… Are you counted worthy to escape?

Doing Church in the Last Times

On December 29, 2025 By TimIn 1 Timothy 04, Church, Last DaysLeave a comment

Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:1–5

Paul reveals this message is explicitly given by the Holy Spirit, so that there is no question about its veracity. He never reveals how he received the message.

Paul left prophetic clues. These clues were for the last times. Times here is plural, and that is precision that reveals these are both present concerns for Timothy, and yet future ones to come. Even in Timothy’s time, some were already departing from the faith. The departure comes by seduction and lies, and is spiritual in nature.

The seducing doctrines come from those who speak lies in hypocrisy. Devils do that. But some men do that, too. Let me ask you… Do you believe what your teachers teach you, even if it is vaguely Biblical?

I am going to tell you that there are a plethora of seminary graduates who don’t believe what they teach. Some are up front about it. Others hide it. (Here is an example.)

If you read through that person’s testimony, the words of Paul come to life. There are some of these in churches today. If they do not believe, who knows what lies they are speaking in that hypocrisy. They pretend for a paycheck. Jesus had a word to describe these hirelings.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. But he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.
John 10:11–13

I do not believe there is such a thing as an ex-Christian or former Christian. Jesus is clear, these were never ever believers. Yet some of them get into seminaries. In the experience of the seminary, one would think these would eventually become believers. But the Word of God has a dual purpose.

“Jesus cried out, “He who believes in Me believes not only in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 *I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not remain in darkness.
If anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him. The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. I know that His command is eternal life. Therefore what I say, I say as the Father tells me.”
John 12:44–50

It would be appropriate to describe the one who does not believe, even though they put in the time and money going through seminary, as having a seared conscience. I would think that such people would have a difficult time discerning truth and, therefore, what is moral.

The forbidding to marry is not too hard to discern today. There is no indication of who forbids people from marrying, but marriage has become quite broadened. Many young folks prefer the hook-up culture for fun. They also selfishly pursue a career before the entertainment of marriage. Isn’t that like forbidding it?

That is a cultural practice. But there are major Christian traditions that forbid marriage for pastors. Both Catholicism and the Orthodox church forbid clergy to marry. The clergy in those traditions are most often seminarians. Given this text, I think that ought to be a glaring indicator of concern.

That abstinence from certain foods is easy. Check out this blog post from The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Look at the attempt to use the Ten Commandments to teach Christians not to eat meat. Some of you might think… What’s wrong with that?

Well, God established certain things to be eaten and received with thanksgiving.

Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. I give you everything, just as I gave you the green plant.
Genesis 9:3

Whatever we eat is sanctified by giving thanks. It is not to be refused.

Paul was a doctrine guy. He warned of the false doctrines that had already crept into the body during his time. The hint would be that it would get worse. With that, the descriptions of hypocrisy, seared conscience, and forbidding of things would be the hallmarks of the unbelievers that would creep into the church as teachers. One that he expands upon in his second epistle. He gives explicit words to discern the last days.

Know this: In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people.
2 Timothy 3:1–5

People will be lovers of themselves. Is not that evident in the culture today? I mean, people wait to satisfy their own desires before marrying. They pursue me-time. Concerns of others come after I take care of myself. Yes, it is hard not to get caught up in the zeitgeist. People pursue lofty careers. They boast of their pursuits with letters appended to their names. Social media is the place for most to boast.

This pride leads to blasphemy. It denies God. Don’t get me started on how the kids these days do not honor their parents, and it happens in Christian circles. I get it. Parent wounds are often the most difficult to reconcile. Without attempting to heal these with the Holy Spirit, they often become those entry points, the topos, the Bible says that the enemy exploits.

To see the unthankful, unholy, those with no natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure… Just pick a protest today. Listen to the words, watch the actions. It is plain. They tend to exploit godliness as to why they are protesting. Some have no clue why they are protesting, but claim some spirituality. These have no real clue Who He is or what He is like.

Our current culture indicates we are in the last days now. Paul does not stop with his lessons to Timothy about the last times, and especially the last days.

For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3–4

People won’t endure sound doctrine. That means that churches correct the way they reach the culture. In the last decades, seeker sensitivity was the term. It has become so ubiquitous that old-school pastors are fired and replaced with a younger, often more culturally sensitive type. These may not necessarily be seminarians. Nevertheless, the goal is to have teachings that cater to the desires of the people. I mean, nobody wants to be offended, so bend the truth a bit to make it palatable. What is the inevitable end of such?

They turn away from truth toward myths. I know this is hard to read. But what does one do?

I consider the seven epistles Jesus dictated to John as a panorama of church ages. That is, each letter typifies the style of church that would be prevalent as time progresses. There is a natural division in the epistles; the first three are for the early church. Those types of churches really are not typical in modern times. That division happens at the epistles to Thyatira. There are clues, such as the specific mention of an end-times indicator, the great tribulation.

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: “The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like fine brass, says these things: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience, and that your last works are more than the first.
“But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not repent. Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will put her children to death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the hearts and minds. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, who have not known what some call the ‘depths of Satan,’ I will put on you no other burden. But hold firmly what you have until I come.
“To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
He ‘shall rule them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces’— even as I myself have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 2:18–28

The second indicator is the change in placement of a certain phrase.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:29

This becomes the final exhortation Jesus gives to those caught up in that type of church. Coupled together, these indicate a change. To those who do not hold to the teaching in that church, they are not told to leave but to keep His word.

Likewise with Sardis… To those there, be watchful. That is, so you do not miss Him before the great tribulation. The final exhortation is again to those who hear. To Philadelphia, which is the great missionary church that won souls, He expresses the imminence of His coming. Again, no instruction to leave, but an exhortation to those who hear.

It follows that the same is given to Laeodicia. The Greek word Laeodicia means justice to the people. I am certain that with Paul’s description of what a typical last days church may appear, justice to the people is a succinct phrase. It almost seems as if this type of church is mostly concerned with what we call social justice. Everyone is seeking to have their own grievances addressed at the behest of others.

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Revelation 3:14–18

As dire as it may seem for those in this church. All is not lost. It is clear that many in this church do not believe; they are encouraged to become believers. Jesus loves these people, too.

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:19–20

He appeals to the individuals there who find themselves unbelieving. He is waiting. The appeal is urgent. He is right at the door. They are told to exercise faith and open the door. A doorknob opens a door, but it will not work unless one believes it will and operates it. The application is the same here.

And for the believer…

“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:21–22

There is no instruction to go find another church. In the silence, we find instruction. It is to remain and love the people that Jesus loves in hopes that some come to their senses.

The Church that Follows the Free Man

On September 20, 2025 By TimIn Church, John 04Leave a comment

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen! I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit that leads to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this is the saying true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap a crop for which you did not labor. And you have benefited from their labor.”
John 4:34–38

It’s interesting how discussions go. This was part of our small group Bible study earlier this week. The discussions around it were intriguing and eye-opening. Hopefully, you will gather some encouragement from it, too.

This part of the Scriptures is where Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman. It is after His encounter with her that His friends were encouraging Jesus to eat. He said He had food they didn’t know about. He heard their murmuring and He answered them as above.

Now, I am going to tell you that Charlie Kirk lived to do the same as Jesus, His Father’s will. He would be at it until the work was complete. Charlie was taken home this last week, signifying his work is finished. He now enjoys the rewards of it.

The rewards of the work are not going to heaven and escaping Hell. No, those are on top of that free gift that He has from the Holy Spirit.

Like Jesus having His life cut short, Charlie’s was, too.

Like those Jesus spoke to, we Christians today are going to get the same benefits. The fields are ripe. Charlie sowed much, and the harvest is here. It’s our turn. Jesus sends us all to reap a crop for which we did not labor.

Are you ready to do that?

I think there is a bit more here… Remember those two witnesses who will come during the Tribulation?

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will wage war against them and overcome them and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Those from every people and tribe and tongue and nation will see their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Revelation 11:7–9

Well, there seems to be a small bit of parallel, or maybe we all had a sneak-peak at the future as one might say.

When Mr. Kirk did what he did best, he prophesied. No, he didn’t predict future events. New Testament prophets speak God’s truth plainly and forthrightly. There is little argument that he did just that. He did it boldly, without fear, and without trepidation.

Yes, there are prophets in the church.

God has put these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28

I consider this an ordered list of value. There are no apostles today, well, probably not. (Ask me about the apostle John one day.) Apostles were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus. Which disqualifies virtually everyone alive today from being an apostle. The gifts of the Spirit are real, and as here, there is an amplified list elsewhere…

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11–12

These offices are for the equipping of the church. These exist until the church reaches maturity.

That was a bit of a diversion, but back to those two prophets in the future… And Charlie Kirk.

I think the parallel is the aftermath of what happened. There were plenty of people rejoicing over the death of Charlie. It almost resembles a precursor to the fallout that occurs after the two prophets are overcome.

Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 11:10

I tell you, last Wednesday… I expected God to raise Charlie up, just like he had those two prophets. He didn’t, yet it was expected.

Perhaps that was just a precursor to my small group study, and eventually to all that I write here. I think that what we encountered after Charlie was murdered was a small shadow of the attitudes of the masses of people in the future. These people celebrate the deaths of the two prophets. The outpouring of that kind of inhumanity is alive in an astonishing number of people even today. It’s like things are ramping up to that time, as the attitudes become firmly cemented in hearts. These are those who hate the Truth, so they eliminate those who are truth-tellers.

Back to revelation…

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:22

In the seven epistles Jesus gave to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, this phrase is used in all of them. Intriguingly, it is the closing line on the last four letters.

When considering the way Revelation is constructed, a chronological timeline of church history seems to be included in the seven epistles. Intriguingly, any other order and that chronology would not exist. Concerning the last four, these are present today. Thyatira would represent the Catholic era and the churches that are part of it today. Sardis represents the reformation era and the churches from that era. Likewise, Philadelphia, being the great awakening era, and Laodicia, bringing in today’s seeker-forward-style church. These types of churches make up the bulk of Christianity today.

Back to that last line, which is included as such in the last four letters.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:22

The appeal is for the free man to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The name Charles means free man. The word Kirk is an old Scottish word for church. Make of that what you will.

But when you consider that Charles James Kirk was taken out suddenly and unexpectedly, shocking the world. And that Charlie’s life could be summed up simply as he wanted men to be free and to be part of the body of Christ, His church. He lived up to his own name… While pointing to Jesus Christ.

I’ve already told you that Charlie means free man. And that Kirk is church. But James is the English form of Jacob. We know Jacob means heal catcher, but there is a different meaning in that name. It is the one who follows.

Considering his sudden removal, could Charlie’s sudden removal from earth announce the next thing for the church?

Is it the one that follows the free man following the church, or is it the free man that is the one who follows the church?

Let that sink in for a moment.

Our Gathering Together Unto Him

On September 14, 2025September 12, 2025 By TimIn 2 Thessalonians 02, Day of the Lord, Last Days, RaptureLeave a comment

Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here.
2 Thessalonians 2:1–2

This may be a familiar text to every Christian, but there are many who misunderstand it and then misuse it. Paying attention, Paul is writing to dispel a nasty rumor from a forged letter. A letter that obviously appeared to be from Paul and his friends. The contents of which obviously trouble the Thessalonians. What is it that could be so troubling?

Well, from the context and Paul’s reference to the Day of Christ (or the Day of the Lord,) it had already come. The gathering together would be what would happen after the rapture, when the dead in Christ are made alive and caught up together with the saints to be with Jesus. In other words, these saints were tricked into thinking they had missed out altogether.

So how does Paul put away their trouble?

Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4

He uses a watershed event as a witness to the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is not the day of the rapture. The rapture precedes that day, as the morning star precedes the dawn of any day. Yet, that day Paul is writing of would include the unveiling of the desolator, the man of sin who reveals himself as if he is God. Paul had already taught them about the Day of the Lord and the timeline of events. This is attested to in his first epistle.

Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–3

The Day of the Lord is not a happy time. It is prophesied by Joel, and will be terrifying.

Blow the ram’s horn in Zion,
sound the alarm on My holy mountain!
All the inhabitants of the earth will tremble,
because the day of the Lord has come,
because it is near—
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Like blackness spreading over the mountain,
a great and mighty army comes,
such as was never before,
and will never be again,
even through the years of all generations.
Joel 2:1–2

The text clearly describes a period of time like no other. For anyone to say this has already happened is completely wrong. History is replete with dark events, not this. To ascribe this to something historic is to believe something worse than that event cannot happen. Even as we witness devolution to chaos and inhumanity. In fact, I would say that this unprecedented black day needs to be the culminating event of evil perpetrated on creation, the last day. A day in which the Lord comes to rescue His.

So it becomes clear that Paul would use the watershed event in that Day as the marker of that Day.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? Now you know what restrains him that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working. Only He who is now restraining him will do so until He is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His presence, even him, whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love for the truth that they might be saved. Therefore God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie: that they all might be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:5–12

Along with the watershed event would be the mass delusion of people. The fact that the Thessalonians are troubled reveals that there is no spirit of delusion at work. And certainly the man of sin has not yet been revealed.

It follows then as Paul writes, that the Day of the Lord has not yet come.

Some will try to dissuade people from the truth, claiming that Paul is using this observation as a litmus test of there being no rapture. Because the man of sin has to be revealed before anything like that can happen. But that simply is not true. The Thessalonians did not miss the rapture, and the proof is as Paul says: the Day of the Lord had not yet come.

Think about that. If Paul had used what they thought they had missed, it would not have alleviated any trouble. No, he had to use the very watershed event of that dark day as proof. That day has not yet come; therefore, the dawning of that day had not yet come either.

Here is the testimony of Jesus of Himself.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16

He says he is the Bright and Morning Star. The way it has been translated puts the conjunction and between the two adjectives. In effect, Jesus says He is the Bright Star, meaning He outshines all of the others. The heavenly beings, angels, are called stars. Jesus is the Brightest of them all.

He also calls Himself the Morning Star. The idea behind this title would immediately be known. It may not be so much for us. But the morning star announced the dawn of the day. This title Jesus applies to Himself is no mistake. What day do you think the Morning Star announces?

The only logical conclusion is the Day of the Lord. The Morning Star appears in the heavens to announce the dawn of the day. That sounds familiar. Who gets the Morning Star?

“To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
He ‘shall rule them with a rod of iron;
like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces’—
even as I myself have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:26–29

The overcomer does. These are church-age saints who will rule the world with Him—Jesus. The saints of the church get that Morning Star as a precursor to the Day of the Lord. It is the Morning Star that comes before the light of the Day. He appears in heaven. Just as Jesus does at the rapture and calls home His body.

For we have not followed cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice came to Him from the majestic glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we ourselves heard this voice, which came from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
And we have a more reliable word of prophecy, which you would do well to follow, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:16–19

The prophecies that are for that day. Which means these will happen before. As the word until conveys continuance to that point. It is before that day, the Day of the Lord.

But before it happens, the prophecies we have are more reliable. So if this day is going to happen, saints are not appointed for it. It necessitates an escape before it.

Surely the day is coming, burning like an oven; all the proud, yes, all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming will burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. You will go out and grow up like calves from the stall. 3 And you will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I do this, says the Lord of Hosts.
Malachi 4:1–3

Are you looking for Jesus, or someone else?

When This is That: The Last Trump

On August 14, 2025March 12, 2026 By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Jubilee, Last Days, Rapture1 Comment

Much has been made of what the last trump Paul wrote of is.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Some say it is the last of the seven trumpet judgments John writes of in Revelation. That’s not so compelling, for many reasons. The most glaring is that those trumpets bring judgment, not hope. Many say the seventh trumpet leads to the bowls of God’s wrath, and this is where they place the rapture. Right before the wrath of God comes. Revelation 6 shows that the wrath of God came well before these bowls. This points to another of those unworkables because there are already saints in heaven with crowns before the trumpet sounds. I link to the text so that you can read it for yourself.

A very compelling idea about the last trump is that it is associated with Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. There is a quick read on this from Koinonia House here: The Feast of Trumpets. The final blast of the shofar is called the last trump. Much of what is associated with the Feast of Trumpets is compelling, especially since it is called the hidden day. As I write, we are coming toward September and the Feast of Trumpets. This makes for some exciting times.

I hold what I think the Bible says with an open mind. I want to know the Truth, and to think I have it already may prohibit that pursuit. But here is why, when this is that.

I think that the term last trump is not a clue to the last trumpet blast, but the opposite. It’s the law of first mention some Bible scholars embrace. That is, the first time a word is used in the Bible conveys certain important ideas as it is used. It is the first use of the word trumpet. I think it is not a shofar blast. It’s something different.

I made a previous post on that a while ago. I have linked to it for your convenience. I want to revisit it. Because that first trumpet is recorded here.

When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.
Exodus 19:13b

This is that first time that God came to meet His people. He came down in thick clouds to meet with them. He gave explicit instructions to be ready. They were to also be careful. Come when the trumpet sounds.

When reading through Exodus 19, it seems to be a frightful situation. Hebrews 12 tends to explain it that way. Yet, there were specific instructions given for the people to approach God. If they were prepared correctly, all would go well. Yet, when they heard the trumpet, they trembled.

That word for trumpet… In Hebrew, it is yobel. It is from where the word jubilee comes. This is not supposed to bring terror, but joy. The Most High God wants to meet with His people.

Of course, there’s a bit of a problem… Sin. Hence, all the rules and meticulous preparation are needed. Read the text. God was very careful to instruct Moses so that none of the people got hurt.

I see love… Really.

When reading this part of Exodus, the people couldn’t get over their fear of God, probably because they didn’t know Him well. At least not like Moses does. Even he had to learn about God by experiencing His care for him personally.

The Israelites who were there missed out. That is also clear from Hebrews 12. The whole Tanakh is replete with how Israel missed out. The missing out was the disbelief. They didn’t trust Him. They trusted Moses to trust Him, and let Moses mediate. Some millennia later, there are still many who don’t trust Him, including the modern Jewish people. I’d say they don’t know Him because they’ve not experienced Him by His Word.

What I think is clear is that when the next long trumpet blast occurs, it will be the same call to assembly for God’s people. But this time, it won’t be for Israel. It will be for a nation bearing the fruits of the Kingdom of God. I have also recently written about it at length on this here: Daniel 9 and Holy Week. These are the people called to assemble by the last trump to meet the same Lord in the clouds.

The question for you is, does the specter of that trumpet blast scare you or excite you?

If the latter, I am certain you have a healthy relationship with Jesus.

If not the latter and the prospect brings dread, it’s possible you don’t have a close relationship with Jesus, or maybe none at all.

That is easy to fix, and can be changed right now. But I have to say, you need to want it to change. Nobody else can want it for you. You have to do it. (That’s probably why you are reading this.)

Moses had instructions for the Israelites; it was a long list of things to do and not do. Like those Israelites, we must all be prepared to meet the Lord when He calls.

That happens simply by belief.

Belief in what?

Not particularly a what, but Who. That Who is Jesus. He told us He is Jehovah. He took on what it is to be human, and He willingly submitted Himself to the humility of death. Not just His own death, but the death as recompense due to satisfy all of our failures. Being perfect, as God and Man, death has no claim. He took up His life and He rose again!

Because He lives, He defeated death and gives eternal life to any who wants it.

If you want it, ask Him right now.

Pray: Father God, you gave your Son. I believe He died for me. He died to take away sin… My sin. I confess my own to You right now, asking You to remove it forever. I ask for and I want the gift of eternal life that You promised to give. Thank you, in Jesus’ name… Amen.

It’s the change in your mind.

The belief in Him.

The confession of your mouth.

This prepares you to draw near to God. It will be a lifelong journey, and your emotions will soon follow.

If you’ve done that, there’s an email link… There is a comment section available… Drop a note, as many will celebrate.

Grab an online Bible (Bible.com, Biblegateway.com) and start reading the Gospel of John. Read it with expectation and ask God to talk to you. Learn to sit and listen to Him.

When This is That: I Will Put My Spirit in You

On August 5, 2025 By TimIn Ezekiel 36, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries. According to their ways and according to their deeds, I judged them. (Ezekiel 36:16–19, MEV)

Here is Ezekiel providing God’s word to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. The Kingdom has already been divided between the 10 northern tribes, usually called Israel who were overtaken by the Assyrians. There were also the southern tribes Judah and Levi, collectively called Judah. Ezekiel is a prophet speaking God’s truth to—Israel.

The northern kingdom had already been dispersed in judgment at the time. It consisted of ten tribes, which some call the lost tribes. These people became integrated among the Gentile nations. At the time of Jesus’ first advent, the name ascribed to those people was Samaritans.

Judah was also scattered into Babylon. After 70 years of captivity, those people returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They resettled the land. This was the Israel present during the physical lifetime of Jesus Christ.

In his speaking for God, Ezekiel uses some very strong language to demonstrate the detestable nature of the practices of the Israelis. Ones that brought the judgment of the Most High. He did not eradicate His people. Instead, He scattered them into the nations of the world. Where they have remained until modern times.

When they entered the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name, because they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord and have gone forth out of His land.” But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went. (Ezekiel 36:20–21, MEV)

This is the trouble with sin. It always has a penchant for suppressing the knowledge of God. When God judged His people and dispersed them from the land, it caused more damage to be done to His name in the minds of the Gentiles.

This may lack some context, as it reflects a common conception in the Ancient Near East. It is basically the connection between a god, his nation, and the people of that nation. These all possessed the land. When the land’s inhabitants were removed from it, the prevailing wisdom was that the god of that land dispossessed his people. They were driven away because their god abandoned them.

God had a different plan. He never intended to abandon His people.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the sanctity of My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified among you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:22–23, MEV)

God’s plan from the beginning included the salvation of all the people of all nations. I know this text doesn’t say that, per se. Yet, the entirety of the Bible proclaims that the death of Jesus is for the whole world, and that anyone who wants eternal life needs only believe to receive it. This is why Abram and his descendants were chosen as a blessing to the whole world. This is not just the promise of the Messiah; it is to be their testimony to share this message with all people in all nations.

I will make of you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless them who bless you
and curse him who curses you,
and in you all families of the earth
will be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3

The Most High is protecting His Name among the other nations. If He abandoned His people, He could not keep His promises to them. When the Bible declares the hope that the nations shall know that I am Lord, it is not that they would acknowledge Him as that. It’s that they all might believe!

That was the primary mission of the whole nation of Israel. They were not chosen as His people to be saved, but to make Him, and salvation, known to the world. This is the hope that all the people of the world might be saved. They failed miserably at that mission and compounded that failure by rejecting their King. That’s for another time.

For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24, MEV)

God promises to bring back the lost tribes into the land He gave to Abram, as a possession. God made the covenant with Himself. It has no conditions or contingencies attached to it, and it certainly does not expire. When both the 10 Israeli tribes are regathered with Judah and Levi into the Land, this would be the ultimate fulfillment of the promise made to Abram. It would also be the catalyst for restoring His Name among the nations of the world.

Though Judah and part of Levi returned to Jerusalem and settled the Land, this particular promise of regathering the lost northern tribes has never happened in history. With the birth of the modern nation of Israel, it seems as if those of us alive today are eyewitnesses to God making this happen. Jewish people are being drawn to return to Israel.

The contemporary cultural zeitgeist blames the nation of Israel for the world’s problems. Anti-Zionism is increasing. That factor doesn’t surprise me. Jesus said it would happen as the end of the age approaches.

Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all your filthiness and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. Also, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you will be My people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:25–28, MEV)

It cannot be overstated, and it must be understood. This promise is made to Israel. It was not made for the church or even Gentiles. Some in Christian circles have usurped this and other Scriptures to claim that the church is the new Israel. That is not true, but it is an understandable thing, what with the absence of Israel for almost 2,000 years. How would anything the Bible says about the future of Israel make sense?

May 14, 1948, became an impetus for changing minds and increasing Bible study, and that quickly. I mean, how can a nation be born in a day?

The promise God made to maintain His reputation was given to the nation of Israel. God was going to remove the sin. All of it. They would be given a new heart and spirit that wouldn’t be so indifferent. The Holy Spirit would live in them, causing them to walk in the right ways. They would finally dwell in the Land God gave them as an inheritance.

Now, I know this may seem controversial. But none of those things are promised to any Gentile in Ezekiel 36. Yet the modern-day New Testament believer is gifted all of that (except for living in the Land.) The church is not some continuation of Israel, nor did it supersede or replace Israel.

Then, how is it that Christians have these things?

In a single parable, Jesus explains the situation. It is found in Matthew 21. Before Jesus concluded His account, He confirmed the answer the crowd gave to His question to them. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits. (Matthew 21:43, MEV)

Those present that day understood Jesus, and they tried to arrest Him. They were actually acting out the very words of the parable they had just heard. They proved Jesus to be right.

So the Kingdom of God was given to another. Paul tells us what that means…

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen. (Romans 9:3–5, MEV)

What it was to be an Israelite, that is, the adoption, glory, covenants, promises, and the service of God, is given to another nation. Collectively, that is the body of Christ, the body of believers today that began on Pentecost. What some refer to as the church, as in the universal church.

But before we get full of ourselves… The transfer would be temporary.

I say then, has God rejected His people? God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed Your altars. I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So then at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:1–5, MEV)

I encourage you to continue reading Romans 11. But for the purposes here, there is always a believing remnant.

As an aside, there are words in Christianese that are loaded with baggage. One is election. Most think election is for and to salvation. It’s not. It’s about service to God. Which is clear in this case.

The church body is a hybrid consisting of both Israelites and Gentiles. It benefits from all those promises and privileges given to Israel by being grafted into the Root. It is an agrarian reference. One that speaks of the privilege of service to bear fruit. Paul explains it.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the root and richness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you boast, remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. You will say then, “The branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.” This is correct. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. (Romans 11:17–21, MEV)

When a horticulturist grafts a branch into a solid root, the goal is better fruit. Therefore, this passage is about bearing fruit, and connected with the earlier parable cited when Jesus spoke of the vineyard workers; today’s believers can bear the fruit God wants.

Again, as an aside, this passage is sometimes used to support a false teaching. That is, that salvation can be lost. That simply is not true. This is about working for the kingdom of God and bearing fruit. Yes, doing even that requires faith!

Most of those things Ezekiel wrote of are true for New Testament believers—Christians. When we believe, we are washed clean.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25–27, MEV)

We are also given a new heart and spirit. Basically, we become a new creation where old things pass away and we are made new.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, MEV)

Not really last, and certainly never least is the Spirit of God that indwells us believers.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you. (Romans 8:9–11, MEV)

You see, this is that!

What I mean is all of those things Ezekiel promised to the Israelites are still for them. But New Testament Christians have some of them now. If we were to manifest these gifts the right way, and the Jewish people of today were somewhat familiar with their Tanakh, wonderful things could happen.

Perhaps they would recognize that the gifts promised to them are at work today in the body of Christ. Maybe that would be the impetus to provoke them to jealousy.

That’s not a bad thing. That’s how it is to be done.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean? (Romans 11:11–12, MEV)

As I think about that. I have some of the promises and privileges given to Israel. These are mine today.

If you are Jewish… Wouldn’t you want them today?

When This is That: A Man is Needed

On August 2, 2025 By TimIn Death, Isaiah 09, Jesus, ResurrectionLeave a comment

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (, MEV)
Isaiah 9:6

This text is a portion of Handel’s Messiah. That’s how I have it memorized, complete with the music, and how it Is sung. In the composer’s mind, Wonderful is a standalone name of Jesus Christ. As is Counselor.

I don’t think there is really any argument that this text is referring to Jesus Christ. He is called God’s Son. He is Unique in nature. I think that will become very clear.

There are many who get confused about how God portrays Himself in His Word. Technically, the Word is Him, too. By John 1, that is made clear.

He also says of Himself that there is none like Him. Meaning there is no frame of reference for comparison.

Isaiah 9:6 portrays God, specifically Jesus Christ. Oddly, the Child given, the Son born, He is called Eternal Father. How can the Son of God be the Eternal Father God?

That seems confusing. Buckle up!

This also comes from the Lord of Hosts,
who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
Isaiah 28:29

It seems that Isaiah, writing God’s words, is drawing attention with those two words again. The Lord of Hosts is wonderful in counsel. The Lord of Hosts is Jehovah Sabaoth.

If you’re not picking up what God is telling of Himself… Jesus is Jehovah God. He is the Jehovah of Hosts. The One Who commands the armies of Heaven. The One Who goes to war. Of course, the idea that comes to mind may be this:

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Revelation 19:11–14

There is a whole prophetic panorama to which this is a part. Jesus is prophesied to come as a newborn human baby, the Son given by God. He is obviously highly esteemed even in the Godhead. He is also called the Prince of Peace. This seems to an opposing idea to the Lord of Hosts. The passage in Revelation above speaks of a time of great judgment that comes on the people of the Earth when Jesus returns. He will handily vanquish His enemies, having the evidence clearly presented on His white robe.

There is far more than just this… Yet there is enough given for a foundation toward understanding… Jesus is God. Which brings this around to the age-old supposed gotcha question, “But did Jesus ever say He is God?”

Personally, being familiar with many passages in the Tanakh, understanding the audience He spoke to, and considering the phrases and words He used… It is a resounding “Yes!”

The casual reader may not ever pick that out. So why is that important?

Consider this passage:

Again, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself? For He said, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ”
He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
They said to Him, “Who are You?
Jesus said to them, “Just who I have been telling you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true. So I tell the world what I heard from Him.”
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing of Myself. But I speak these things as My Father taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
John 8:21–30

Look at that last sentence. What was said in this passage that caused many to get saved?

What does it mean they believed in Him?

Working backwards, some clues can help make it clear. Many then didn’t know that Jesus was speaking of the Father. Who is the God of the Israelis. It is John’s additional contextual clues that demand attention.

It came from a question; the people present wanted to know Who He is. They asked, “Who are you?” This came, even after He had told them exactly Who He is.

“For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” The English is a factual translation. The word He is added to make correct English. What Jesus really said is, “For unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”

Either way, there were some present with Jesus who knew that Jesus was saying to them, unless one believes I am (Jehovah), they die in their sins.

I’m always fascinated by this stuff. I can understand the skepticism and confusion of some in the crowd. Yet not the same consideration is extended to the skeptics of today. It seems to come from the idea of how could Jehovah be a man?

It is hard to consider, even presently. The Bible says that Jesus, Jehovah God, did something unique.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5–11

This text tries to capture the high-level view, while drilling down into some details that must be considered. I think the many names ascribed to Jesus are from the Father, Who is obviously well-pleased with His Son. He humbled Himself to die. It was not just any death. The text mentions the cross, as death is the ultimate humility.

I have really big and deep thoughts here. Ones that are hard to explain. Suffice it to say, this Jesus suffered the ultimate humility, not just death alone… But a shameful one.

Yes, Jehovah died.

I know how unsettling that thought is! A proper understanding of what death is and is not helps here. Death is not non-existence. Death is what happens to physical human bodies. When Jesus died, He did not cease existing. That is a key foundation to hold.

I think it is one of those really deep things that the God I know suffered the humility of death. He has been there and defeated it.

Yet, He had to die.

Paul writes a long treatise on the greatest victory ever. It is in 1 Corinthians 15. That victory is the resurrection! That one event is the greatest victory, ever, anywhere! He could not have risen again, unless He died first. That can only happen to a physical human body.

It was a war on death itself.

In this mountain the Lord of Hosts shall prepare
for all people a lavish feast,
a feast of aged wines,
choice pieces full of marrow, and refined, aged wines.
He will destroy in this mountain
the covering which is over all peoples,
even the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death for all time,
and the Lord God will wipe away tears
from all faces;
and the reproach of His people He shall take away
from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 25:6–8

For the reformers who embrace limited atonement, this passage eliminates that idea. The victory is over the thing that affects all peoples and all nations. That thing is death. Who is it that swallows up death for all peoples and all nations for all time?

It is Jehovah of Hosts… Jesus Christ.

As an aside, when I read this passage, there are precise details here that may be missed. It is Jesus Who goes to war. It is the Holy Spirit that ministers to people, wiping away their tears. It is the Father declaring the plan.

Jehovah had to be a Man to conquer God’s enemy… Death. The Bible clearly states that the last enemy to be defeated will be death.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:26

I find it fitting that there is one prophet who laid this all out beforehand. Knowing Jesus is the Right Hand of Jehovah and that death is the real enemy, this song of Moses and Israel comes to new life. Israel faced certain death, walled in on a beach with Pharaoh’s army quickly approaching. Who is the One Who wars against death?

Jesus.

This is that. When Moses says Jehovah is a man of war, it is true and prophetic, because only a Man can die. And only a Man can wage war on death. Only a Man can defeat death by resurrection. All hail King Jesus!

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for He has triumphed gloriously!
He has thrown the horse and his rider
into the sea!
The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is His name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
He has thrown into the sea;
his chosen captains also
are drowned in the Red Sea.
The depths have covered them;
they sank to the bottom like a stone.

“Your right hand, O Lord,
is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O Lord,
shatters the enemy.
In the greatness of Your excellence,
You overthrow those who rise up against You.
You send out Your wrath;
it consumes them like stubble.
With the blast of Your nostrils
the waters were gathered together.
The flowing waters stood upright as a heap;
and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

“The enemy said,
‘I will pursue. I will overtake.
I will divide the spoil;
my lust shall be satisfied upon them.
I will draw my sword,
my hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with Your wind,
and the sea covered them;
they sank like lead
in the mighty waters.

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You,
glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises,
doing wonders?
You stretched out Your right hand,
and the earth swallowed them.

“In Your mercy You have led
the people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them by Your strength
to Your holy dwelling.
The peoples have heard and are afraid;
sorrow has taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chiefs of Edom were amazed;
the mighty men of Moab, trembling takes hold of them;
all the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.
Fear and dread fall upon them;
by the greatness of Your arm
they are as still as a stone,
until Your people pass over, O Lord,
until the people whom You have purchased pass over.
You shall bring them in, and plant them
on the mountain of Your inheritance,
in the place, O Lord, which You have made for Your dwelling,
in the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.
The Lord will reign
forever and ever.”
Exodus 15:1–18

Everyone Who Calls on the Name of the Lord Shall be Saved

On May 6, 2025March 12, 2026 By TimIn Jehovah, Romans 10, SalvationLeave a comment

For Moses writes about the righteousness which is based on the law: “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness which is based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down), or, ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the word of faith that we preach: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.”
Romans 10:5–11

In the passage from the epistle to the Romans, Paul cites Deuteronomy 30. He is contrasting two points. Two important things that are relevant to understand.

This commandment which I am commanding you today is not hidden from you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and do it?” It is not beyond the sea, so that you should say, “Who shall go over the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and do it?” But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, so that you may do it.
See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, and death and disaster. What I am commanding you today is to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. Then the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.
Deuteronomy 30:11–16

Knowing context, this portion of the text from Moses follows the prophecy he gave of Israel being scattered among the nations for their disbelief. It comes in the promise of restoration. It is not a promise of entering the land from the Exodus.

We who are alive today are a privileged people. We witness the beginnings of this restoration. The return of the Jewish people to their homeland is happening now. It is not a return after the Exodus because they hadn’t yet arrived to the Promised Land from the Exodus. This is a prophecy of both diaspora and a return from it. As astute readers and by virtue of being alive today, we are extended both the privilege to witness it and participate in it during our lives.

Being drawn by God Himself, these disbelieving Israelis will be gathered into the land. They will become the all Israel that is saved when they believe.

As the text in Deuteronomy declares, the idea of believing is not just for a future time and place. In verse 11, Moses tells them that the commandment to believe is available to any whom would have it. They don’t have to go anywhere to get it. They don’t have to wait for some future date to be saved. The word is in their mouth. In other words, salvation doesn’t come by what one does, keeping law, the sprinkling of water on babies, or listening to some pastor. Salvation comes by personal acknowledgment of Jehovah God. A Kinsman Redeemer Who died and rose again, and a personal profession in Him.

Which is exactly what Paul cited in Romans 10. As he is speaking to his Jewish brothers in Rome. He is juxtaposing the inadequate righteousness that comes by law keeping with the Gospel. Keeping law doesn’t save. Believing the Gospel does. That is, salvation doesn’t come by law-keeping. It comes by personal belief and profession issuing forth the “treasures of the heart.”

But if your heart turns away, so that you do not obey, but are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, then I declare to you today that you will surely perish and that you will not prolong your days in the land which you are crossing the Jordan to go in and possess.
I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.
Deuteronomy 30:17–20

There are consequences to not believing. Some are temporal, but the worst is eternal. One dies in their sins. That is why Paul encourages everyone to call upon the name of the Lord.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is generous toward all who call upon Him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:12–13

The future of the world is Jewish. It will be ruled by a rightful Jewish King.

Master's Crumbs

Tag: Eschatology

Israel Exists Today That All Things Shall be Fulfilled

Oft Misused Scripture: Abraham’s Seed

Are You Counted Worthy to Escape?

Doing Church in the Last Times

The Church that Follows the Free Man

Our Gathering Together Unto Him

When This is That: The Last Trump

When This is That: I Will Put My Spirit in You

When This is That: A Man is Needed

Everyone Who Calls on the Name of the Lord Shall be Saved

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: