THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART THREE

The following is from The BEREAN CALL, unedited, unabridged. You can read this article from TBC by following this link. This is such an important message I felt compelled to share this with all of you. Please feel free to share with others! 

December 1, 2020 

~ by T. A. McMahon

The Bible is God’s direct communication to mankind. From Genesis to Revelation we are told how God’s creation began and, later, how the earth will be replaced with a new heaven and new earth (REV 21:1). 

The Bible also tells us of significant events that have taken place (e.g., man’s disobedience, Christ’s birth, crucifixion, and resurrection to reconcile mankind to God) and what will take place (the Rapture of the church, the Great Tribulation, and the brief establishment of the religion and kingdom of the Antichrist*) just prior to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The focus of this three-part series has been eschatology, which is what Scripture declares about the last days when Jesus will return to set up His 1,000-year reign on the earth.
* See the following RPC article on the person of the anti-Christ:

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A TTUF STUDY in EPHESIANS: Born Into God's Family: Introduction and Beginning of Chapter 1:1-7

~ by James Fire

The following are expositional studies from the book of EPHESIANS as published at FROM the MIND of FIRE. This version has been edited and revised from its original content.

EPHESIANS 6:19
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

One of the two books I've been looking at for an online study is the epistle of Paul to the Ephesians; for the past two weeks or so I've come across different passages here and there in my goings about, and these have all been verses from this book, and they've spoken quite powerfully!

So I thought I'd whet my whistle a bit and do a short series on this book, beginning (of course) with chapter one. But first . . .

SOME BACKGROUND -

The city of Ephesus was at one time extremely prosperous as it lay along old trade routes, and it was gifted with a considerable harbor there in Asia Minor (Turkey). It was also a highly religious center for the various pagan deities of the day, particularly Diana (Artemis in the Greek culture), the Asian goddess of fertility.

The Temple of Diana in Ephesus was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, such was its opulent splendor. Devoted servants of Diana donated their gold and jewels, among these masses were Potentates and prostitutes alike.

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The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter FIFTEEN & SIXTEEN

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Talk about “the judgment of GOD” and you’ll get many disapproving glares, scoffs, and, or ridicule from the world; or even among professing Christians. This world hates the idea of judgment from GOD, but let a judge dismiss someone that committed a crime against them, and they’d balk - - loudly!

Our GOD is a GOD of truth, and therefore also a GOD of justice; yet the idea of justice can be quite relative in this fallen world (just as truth has been for generations now). Commit the same crime in different countries and you’ll be judged with varying degrees of severity based on their own rule of law.
This is not the case with GOD’s justice however, which is the twin of GOD’s truth: both are immutable, both are eternal, both are resolute and represent His nature with absolute perfection. 

Without GOD’s judgment – murderers like Hitler, Stalin, and others, along with abortionists that have slain over 70 million babies in the USA alone; agnostics who fight fiercely to remove any mention of GOD, whether on our money or in our schools, and every other worker of lawlessness such that exalt evolution as science, and other ungodly philosophies, derailing the faith of professing Christians – would go unpunished.

The world likes to remind us that GOD is love and would never condemn anyone to an eternal punishment! Such is their perverse, lop-sided view of GOD. Yes, GOD is the very embodiment of love, a love unequalled anywhere: the Cross is evidence enough of this – where sinners find grace, forgiveness of sin and love. 

And it’s also at that same Cross where we see the holiness and justice of GOD – because Christ suffered the vengeful wrath of a Holy GOD on our behalf (ISAIAH 53), Who views any rebellion against Him as blatantly evil.
The world in the vast majority spurns the Cross of Christ, the Eternal emblem of the LORD’s love expressed for fallen humanity. I’ve heard atheists say that they wish they could see this ‘fictitious Jesus’ show up for real, just so that they could crucify Him a second time!

Since they reject this offer of salvation and escape “the wrath to come” through Christ’s atoning sacrifice on our behalf (1 THESS 1:10), they will meet the undiluted, unrestrained, unstoppable wrath that will be poured out upon the world that will be under the reign of anti-Christ.

Yet even this fierce wrath of GOD will be finally spent, never to be seen again (REV 20:11-15 – REV 21:1-2). Once these last seven plagues are administered to the anti-Christ and his followers, the Second Coming of Christ occurs, and there is the judgment of the Beast and the false Prophet, the consignment of Satan to the bottomless pit, and the judgment of nations (that will receive either commendation or condemnation based on how they treated Israel (MATT 25:32) during the time of Jacob’s Trouble (JER 30:7). 

There will, I’m sure, be episodes of sporadic judgment upon the nations during the Millennial Reign such as upon those who refuse to go up to Jerusalem to worship the Messiah King (ZECH 14:16-19), but the most awesome and terrible judgment won’t occur until after the Millennial Reign, once the old heavens and old earth pass away and all that is seen in the fathomless emptiness of space will be the Great White Throne (REV 20:11) commencing holy judgment, where hopelessly lost sinners will be condemned for eternity in hell, all because of their wholesale rejection of Christ!

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THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART TWO

November 1, 2020

~by T. A. McMahon

In PART 1 we looked at what the Scriptures tell us will take place in the end times just prior to and including the return of Jesus Christ. 

Our focus was primarily on the world—that is, those who have rejected biblical Christianity, Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation that He has provided for all those who are willing to accept it. We noted that those who rejected Christ’s way for mankind to be reconciled to its Creator turned to mysticism in the form of pantheism. They replaced the true and living God, our Creator, with themselves (ROM 1). 

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter NINE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 9 – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: We are now going to cover the 5th, 6th and 7th plagues found in Exodus 9. Due to Pharaoh’s brazen pride, the LORD continues to turn up the heat in order to humble Pharaoh and to make His person and power known to the world.

God is here showing his fierce anger against idol worship which is really demon worship (DEUT 32:17 speaking of idol worship says, “They sacrificed to demons, not to God,”). God is also relentlessly proving that He alone is worthy to be exalted.

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THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART ONE

The following is from The BEREAN CALL, unedited, unabridged. You can read this article from TBC by following this link. This is such an important message I felt compelled to share this with all of you. Please feel free to share with others! Part Two will be published soon!

THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH: WHERE ARE THEY HEADED? - PART ONE
October 1, 2020

~ by T. A. McMahon 

The title raises an important question that underscores the importance of knowing biblical eschatology. First of all, what is biblical eschatology, and second, why is it necessary to have a correct understanding of it?
Biblical eschatology is what the Bible says about the End Times—all that it declares will take place. How do we get a correct understanding of it? Very simply, we need to read what the Bible has to say about it. We can also read some books written about biblical eschatology, but they must be held up to the light of Scripture.

The Bible is a history book of the world—from the beginning of the world’s creation to its ending, when it will be replaced by new heavens and a new earth. Why will it be replaced? Because after its creation, something went terribly wrong.

God, our Creator, has communicated to mankind selected details regarding His creation, which He declared to be “very good.” After Adam and Eve were created, He gave them a commandment, which they disobeyed. The consequences of their disobedience brought sin into the world, corrupting all of creation.

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter EIGHT

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 8: FROGS, LICE AND FLIES – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: I never thought I would title a message “Frogs, lice, and flies” but here it is. We will continue to see what our great God can do. His clear message to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the Israelites, and us here tonight is “I AM God and there is none like Me!”
Though Yahweh being the LORD of Host - with trillions of mighty angels ready for war at the snap of a finger, here He decides to use frogs, lice, and flies to get the job done.
God is using the very things that these Egyptians worship to humiliate, frustrate, and overthrow them! God is teaching them and all of us here today that the worship of idols, things, stuff, creatures etc. will only harm us in the end. God will turn those things on us for the worse and not for the better.

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter SEVEN

GOD BEGINS HIS JUDGMENT ON EGYPT 

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 7 – by James Fire, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: GOD is the ultimate orchestrator, organizer, and powerhouse. Consider the stars in our universe: our own sun, which is 109 times the diameter of the Earth (the sun can contain about 1.3 million Earths!!); Rigel is about 50 times larger than our sun; Antares is about 50 times the size of Rigel (250 times the size of our own sun). What about VY Canis Majoris, the largest star on record – how big is this star? About 1,500 times the size of our own sun! 

All of these stars along with all the rest in our universe (that amounts approximately to 1 septillion or a 1 with 24 zeros after it by the way) are moving anywhere from almost 500,000 mph to approaching 2 million mph!

Imagine the kind of precision and power, and organizational skills, as well as impeccable timing and coordination to keep this universe operating the way it does.
When it comes to timing, GOD’s timing is perfect, absolutely flawless – far, far better than a Swiss watch! Far better even than an atomic clock that keeps time so accurately that is goes off by only 1 second every 100 million years! GOD’s timing is even better than that!

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ALTAR OF THE ALMIGHTY – Part Two of Two

Meeting in the Sanctuary of PSALM 22 and ISAIAH 53

~ by James Fire

Abraham, the one that Scripture refers to as “the friend of GOD” was called upon to offer up his son, Isaac. Undoubtedly, this would be an extreme test for any loving father, but more so for Abraham, because it was first of all, his only son (at least the only one that GOD recognized, discounting Ishmael as a son of promise, but a work of the flesh (self-will) see GAL 4:28-31), and the only means by which the LORD would fulfill His promises to Abraham, as there were no other sons.

It was in Abraham’s obedience by faith, that he came to realize that the LORD would simply have to raise Isaac from the dead once he killed him. Yet, he never had the chance – GOD stopped him and pronounced Abraham’s faith as true and genuine.
Previously, he was asked by Isaac about the sacrifice that he intended to offer up to the LORD and Abraham’s response is telling:

GENESIS 22:8
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Not, “GOD will provide for Himself” but rather “GOD will provide Himself” – and we know Who the LAMB of GOD is, don’t we?

This is why I believe that Abraham saw in a vision what would transpire on Calvary, some thousands of years later – the death, burial, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ:

GENESIS 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. 

What was it that would be seen? That which I believe God revealed to Abraham on that mount where he offered up Isaac - that there would come a day when another Father would offer up His Son as a sacrifice on the Altar of the Almighty (JOHN 3:16; 8:56)! Let us know look into this chapter from the book of ISAIAH.

We have to backtrack a bit into chapter 52 to get the full scope of this Messianic prophecy:

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter SIX

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 6 – by Sonny Islas, for the full teaching go here Facebook video. 

INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 6 - GOD PROMISES FREEDOM
In EXODUS 5 during Moses’ first encounter with Pharaoh, Moses tells Pharaoh “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: let My people go (Pharaoh became comfortable with the idea of Israel being his property), that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

God wanted to get alone with His people in order to introduce Himself to them and for them to enjoy His company, but ultimately for them to joyfully worship Him who is worthy (of all worship and honor and glory).

Pharaoh refuses and decides to double down on the Israelites’ slave labor and workload – “make bricks without straw!” (I know masonry work firsthand – not easy work to begin with). Pharaoh was far more concerned with his power and economy than the worship of the LORD. Pharaoh pridefully asks, “Who is the LORD?” To which I say, “He will introduce Himself soon, with plagues to prove His power over you, Pharaoh and your false gods!”
Moses becomes extremely discouraged by Pharaoh’s refusal and cold-bloodedness towards Israel and returns back to God and basically blames God for Pharaoh’s cruelty towards Israel.
Let’s pick up where we left off last week:

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EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter FIVE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire 

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 5 – by Albert Lopez, no Facebook video available.

INTRODUCTION: So Aaron and Moses are reunited as Pastor James went over with us. Even the people were in. they listened to them and bowed down in worship to the Lord. So now it’s time for the showdown between a little god Pharaoh and the one and only God Yahweh. 

God will be using his chosen servant Moses and Aaron, who are going to the Pharaoh to relate … not a suggestion or a request, even if it may have sounded like a request to Pharaoh. It was an order from the Most High in response to hearing the cry of His people. This would be the beginning of many more confrontations as Moses and Aaron would learn.

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In Case of National Emergency, Read This - by pastor Shane Idleman

 

~ by pastor Shane Idleman - May 4, 2020  

Special Note: My book, IF MY PEOPLE, is available as a free download at Smashwords here.

It’s no surprise that we are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation right before our eyes. As a result, many are struggling with fear and anxiety and uncertainty, yet, God offers hope . . . tremendous hope. Therefore, I’m re-releasing this article in anticipation of massive civil unrest to help steer us in the right direction.

I recently had the privilege of speaking to our church audience from 2 CHRONICLES 7:14. Both messages can be heard here and here. The sacred text says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Note that it does not say, “If Hollywood or Washington or the media turns to God,” but “if My people” turn.

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