Part One  Part Two

Read Matthew 10:16-23

In verse 16 of Matthew 10, Jesus shifts from the short-term training mission He is sending His disciples on (Matthew 10:1-15) to the more extended mission they will carry out after receiving the Holy Spirit. All the prophecies of Jesus in verses 16-23 were fulfilled in the first century. You can read about most of these prophecies in Acts, primarily Acts 5. Others are according to church history. Many stood before the Sanhedrin (Councils) and some before the kings. For example, Peter is said to have stood before Nero and John before Domitian.

But what of verse 23?

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” – Matthew 10:23

Jesus says that the disciples would not have finished preaching in the cities of Israel before the Son of man came. Are the 11 plus Paul still in Israel preaching the Gospel? How can this be? It must refer to the coming of Christ in power and great judgment in the first century while that generation was alive. The temple and Jerusalem and greater Judea were destroyed in 70AD (Matthew 24:27, 30).

This section of Scripture was fulfilled in that generation during the first century as Jesus ended the Old Covenant and brought in the New Covenant of promise. It was all done just as God said it would be here in Matthew 10. Does the American Church today make Jesus out to be a liar?

Shifting to Chapter 11 of Matthew, in verses 16-24, Jesus again accuses “this generation.” He says nothing satisfies them. They’ve rejected the witness of John the Baptist, and He’s showed them great miracles with signs and wonders, including the biggest miracle of all, salvation from sin, but by the dullness of their minds, they wouldn’t receive Him.

“16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not” – Matthew 11:16-20

You can read on about the upbraiding of the cities. The judgment referred to is probably the end. Nonetheless, these cities did not withstand the onslaught of the Roman Legions during that generation in 70AD. The point is made again; “this generation” is on perilous ground with Holy God.

Finally, the government does something right!

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

Every man has faith in things. But what is faith? Faith is trust in the unseen. Faith is the very substance, the fiber of what is hoped. Faith is the belief that if you act upon a small amount of information, the totality of what’s hoped for will become evident.

Does not science take the grain of a mustard seed of faith to pursue an object in the hope that it’s true? That’s what a hypothesis is. Science, falsely so-called, is all around us today. But we know that a hypothesis must be isolated and repeated to find it true or false. Science, if appropriately done, is done in the attempt to prove that grain of faith; otherwise, you’re operating under a supposition that has no basis. Made in God’s image, He put this desire in you; that you might observe and know His creation. Faith and science are much more akin than the haters would have you to understand.

To enquire of God also takes the grain of a mustard seed of faith in the hope that it’s true? This is salvation in God; it’s absolutely a leap of faith to believe that there is a God who wants you to know Him and wants you to be with Him in eternity. Talk to God; He desires to hear from you. Any man who claims Christ and says a soul can be saved by any other manner, by faith in rites, rituals, recitations, or ceremonies, is not telling the truth.

Faith is the substance of hope. Faith with belief and hope are the three seeming abstractions that, when formed together in the heart of a man, lead him to call upon the unknown God, only to find Christ Jesus waiting all along for your desire. Every man has his moment of hope, of hope for what his created being is telling him; that the whole of everything in nature and your conscience soul are indeed a creation of God’s mighty workings; that there is a God and a purpose for your existence.

Two thousand years ago, Christ was crucified for your sins and rose again the third day. You weren’t there; you have no evidence of this event. To you, it’s unseen. Something happened 2000 years ago for sure. Millions upon millions of people haven’t lost their minds about some guy that isn’t real. Believing that takes more faith than to ask honestly; what did happen? But now that’s what faith is; the very substance of the hope that, even in the face of the absence of evidence, these things are true; if you make the leap of faith, Christ is waiting.

That’s the question; is Jesus real? It’s not some working of your inner being that makes God real to a person. God, who breathes life into every being, is a real Spirit. You’re not just a set of chemical reactions; you’re a living being. You exist. With all of nature seen and unseen, you were conceived in the mind of God, and then He created you.

The spiritual gurus say you can reach some new level of enlightened self-awareness. Maybe you can, but awareness of God comes at the intersection of the realization of faith and hope in seeking the being of God external to yourself even though you’ve never met Him. God is a Spirit, a real being that you can know if you place your hope, through faith in Christ, in His existence.

The world is wrong; something is desperately wrong; killing, lying, crime, warfare, suffering all around us; it’s called sin. Deep in your inherited conscience, you know that things aren’t right and that there is something, and some One much bigger than the observable universe can reveal.

God is manifest to those that know Him, but He only becomes evident through the seeking faith of those He is calling to the hope of salvation in Christ. He’s calling to you that your faith and hope might be in God.

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” – 1 Peter 1:19-21

An Interesting Dismantling of Dispensationalism.

And The Law of God as given to Moses is organized in an accessible manner here. TCJ is a blog about Rulers, Weapons, and Warfare, the Sixth Commandment of Holy God is something we should seek to understand.

The sixth commandment (Deut. 5:17) calls for the respect of life, especially underscoring the dignity of human life. It is treated in Deut. 19:1–22:4. For example, while defending human life and condemning murder, this material distinguishes accidental deaths, explains legal protections for those who have killed someone (19:1–10), and encourages proper judicial proceedings (19:11–13). It also sets apart just war as an example of when life may be taken with immunity (20:1–20) and demands execution for capital felons (21:22–23).

Anytime we discuss the Law of Moses is essential to point out that it could never save a soul. Following this law will not find you innocent before the throne of God on the great and terrible day. Quite the opposite is true.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” – Hebrews 10:4

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24

Speaking of law, the Noahic Covenant is still the law of how this planet operates; it shouldn’t be neglected the way that it is. We have an outline about this important covenant that is with everything living thing. Putting it together into a written form takes time. Read and study closely Genesis 9:1-12. It’s NOT about a rainbow.

You don’t understand inflation until you’re in it, and then it’s too late. The Wall Street Journal cites eight or so percent, which is very low compared to actual inflation. It’s much higher; we all know that. Inflation takes years, sometimes decades, to work out and return to the historical norm (under central banking) of 3 to 4 percent annually.

Inflation is not an intellectual exercise, nor is it a mathematical obstacle. This post isn’t a rant against our rulers. We could cite causes and bible verses about a just balance and the duties of those God has placed over our country and the servitude of the debtor, but when inflation hits, none of that helps. All those commandments of God are instruction in righteousness. That having failed, here we are; now you get the lesson the hard way.

If you have debt, it will eat you alive. Preppers have warned you for years to get out of debt. When inflation hits, you have to decide; make the car payment or eat? It’s no joke.

Young families will be facing hard choices very soon. If you own a house, hang on for dear life, it will be your best asset in retirement due to inflation, but you must be out of debt. On the other hand, family comes first. If you sacrifice raising your children to maintain your lifestyle, shame on you. Almost all American families are already doing this. But that’s another topic.

Inflation can wreck your family’s future. If this keeps up, your life is about to change in drastic ways. The stress on families was tremendous in the 1970s; money fights, divorces, bankruptcies, children left to raise themselves; that’s what happened then. You may need to sit your family down and start talking with them now about the choices you could be facing.

You don’t want to look at your children and wonder where their next meal is coming from. That’s what inflation does. There are tens of millions of spoiled rotten children in America who are about to get a wake-up call if this persists. The problem is that they won’t understand why things are changing and why those they could rely upon the most will begin to tell them no, and not just about luxuries. What was every day will be a luxury. What was sufficient enough will become lean. Your children need new shoes, too bad; you can’t buy them, you don’t have the money.

We often hear about the Great Depression, but inflation is as significant, ugly, and disastrous. If you still have debt, you have to act now! A box of mac and cheese is doubling and doubling again right before our eyes. Already, putting gas in a pickup is the same as watching a $100 bill evaporate.

The only tool they have is printing money. Still, the sole remedy for inflation is time, day after day, year after year, trying to break even on payday. Of course, they could cut taxes, but it will be too late by then; half the country already doesn’t work.

If this keeps up, nobody will be the same. You will find your actual socio-economic level the hard way. Then you’ll understand debt and why God calls it slavery. When people can’t afford to buy, companies lay off employees! You can’t find a second job; your wife can’t find a job. Do you see where it goes?

Say you make $75,000 yr. You have $30,000 in car debt, a couple of credit cards and miscellaneous debt of $15,000. This is pretty average in America today. Now, watch your salary drop by 8%(current official rate) on a downward slide. That’s inflation; how can you pay your debts and feed your family with your salary dropping eight percent?

It’s shocking to see people carrying on as though this isn’t happening and as though it won’t get worse. As they say on Wall Street, the trend is your friend. That doesn’t mean that all trends are good; knowing which direction the trend is taking is the key. The direction is toward higher prices across the board. It’s not just gas. Everything takes energy to produce and transport.

If it persists and you’re stretched right now, you’ll break. If you’re only making it right now, you won’t be. If you’re ok right now, it’ll get worse. If you’re out of debt and working, perhaps major purchases should be put on hold. Everything could change tomorrow, but right now, the trend is inflationary.

Part One

Continuing a review of the increasingly vehement charges against that generation by our Lord will show us that the only way to misunderstand Matthew 24 is by willful suspension of disbelief. Just as we can’t understand Revelation without starting in Genesis with a thorough study of God’s judgment language and modalities of carrying out His judgments, in Matthew 24 verse 1, we enter into the middle of a three-year-long ongoing narrative about coming judgment.

Context is king.

“09 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:9-12

In this important section of Scripture, a gentile Roman soldier who is the leader of a band of soldiers asks a miracle from Jesus. You can read the whole passage for yourself. We’re interested in the statements made by Jesus in verses 11 and 12.

In verse 11, Jesus says that many others, not only the centurion, shall come from the east and the west to sit at the table with the saints of the Old Testament in the Kingdom of Heaven. The “east and west” references the whole world and is a prophecy of the arriving church through faith.

In verse 12, Jesus says that the blood decedents of Abraham that don’t repent and believe will be cast into outer darkness, separated from the light of heaven and Holy God. This is due to a lack of repentance from breaking the Law of Moses and instituting traditions of men in its place (Matthew15:1-4). And most importantly, lack of faith in accepting Jesus. “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” – John 12:46

The Old Covenant must end before the New Covenant can be fully instituted. As the disciples understood it, the whole world was about to end. A major upheaval at the hand of God in judgment was arriving, for not only rejecting Messiah but for hundreds of years of abuse of the Sabbath Jubilee. Every seven years, the slaves were to be set free, and every 49, the original land was to return to the sons of the tribe to whom God had given it.

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:17-21

In the prophecy of Isaiah that Jesus is fulfilling, the “acceptable year of the Lord,” is a reference to Israel being freed from Babylonian captivity? Isaiah likens that event to the Jubilee. But Israel had already been released from Babylonian captivity by the first century. What is Jesus talking about? Jesus is speaking of Israel failing to hold a jubilee for centuries. The acceptable year of the Lord is the Jubilee that our Lord is referring to. It’s a threat; God will punish them if the leadership won’t set the captives free and restore the lands. Jesus says, “This day.” He doesn’t mean someday 2000 later. Judgment looms on that generation for neglecting the conditional covenant of the Law given to Moses including the sabbath Law of Jubileee.

The covenant of the Law to Moses had been broken for the last time. Judgment must come. The thousands of years-long practice of animal sacrifice and with it the temple worship system was ending. Jesus would be the final sacrifice, once for all. The New Covenant of worship in spirit and in truth by faith was brought to all men, and a church numbered as the stars of heaven was birthed. There is no more important historic event in world history than the span, starting with the arrival of John the Baptist preaching the Kingdom of Heaven to the destruction of the temple in 70AD.

And, though Nehemiah had rebuilt the temple after the Babylonian captivity, we find that it would not last (Daniel 9:24-27). Desolations by a flood of judgment would come (Daniel 9:26). Just before the prophecy of Matthew 24, referring to the temple, in Matthew 23:38 Jesus says: “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” The prophecy of 70 weeks in Daniel nine is unsealed; the time has arrived, judgment is at hand.

The coming of Christ was the most significant event in human history. Everything was changing; the Father was giving Christ a people to be His inheritance under a new and better covenant (John 1:12, John 6:37-40, Hebrews 8:6). By His arrival, death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), now given all power and authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18-20), He was and is changing the whole of mankind from the east to the west.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16

“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” – Hebrews 10:12-13

Part Two  Part Three  Part Four  Part Five  Part Six  Part Seven  Part Eight  Part Nine  Part Ten

If you start in verse 1 of Matthew 24 and simply read the text, it could mean anything without the proper context. The timeframe is also largely misunderstood. This is a problem of modern interpretation throughout Scripture and is rife with misunderstanding and outright abuse today in the American Church.

In posts to follow, if the Lord allows, we’ll look at several sections of Scripture in Matthew leading up to chapter 24. The whole context to the Matthew 24 prophecy by Jesus will be much more evident when we arrive at the text by understanding what leads up to it. You CAN understand Matthew 24!

In Matthew Chapter 3, John the Baptist relays God’s threat:

“7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” – Matthew 3:7-13

Matthew 3 starts by detailing the calling and ministry of John the Baptist. All Judaea and the surrounding cities were coming out to be baptized by Him.

Look at verse 7; it seems necessary to understand what generation John is speaking about? What wrath, and upon who is this wrath to come? It seems rather plain; he looks the Sanhedrin in the eye, calls them vipers, and by way of question warns them of the wrath of God to come. Is John the Baptist speaking to people he never met about a judgment of Holy God 2000 years later in America? This seems very unlikely. If you know that you’re supposed to repent of sin, then you should, and indeed America she has her sin, but who is supposed to repent in verse 8? Are we, 2000 years later, also supposed to not think of Abraham as our father? Well, we suppose so, but he’s speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees, who are Israel’s religious and civil leadership.

Note a conversation later in the life of Jesus that occurs in John 8 between Jesus and these rulers. Jesus explains how He always does what pleases His Father in heaven, and the Sanhedrin do precisely what John the Baptist warned them not to do. Jesus is speaking in verses 37 and 38:

“37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” – John 8:37-38

by claiming Abraham as their father the Sanhedrin have just fulfilled the warning and prophecy by God that John the Baptist spoke in Matthew 3 .

And also, in John 8, Jesus goes on to call the devil their father (this is a rather unpleasant conversation):

“44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” – Jesus speaking in John 8:44-45

So we must conclude that the wrath of God abides on them because that was the other half of the threat by God given through John the Baptist. Now read the entirety of what John the Baptist says in Matthew 3:7-13 again. (And read verse 14 with it as well. Whoever said the New Testament is bad literature surely doesn’t know who or what the book is about?)

Whether the prophecy in Matthew 3 shifts from that generation to some distant judgment, you decide. There’s more here we could cross-reference to other Scripture, but the point is founded. God has made His threat of judgment to come against that generation.

Also, compare Matthew 3:10 in our text to Matthew 7:15-20.

These two essential and much neglected aspects of Christian growth and maturity need attention by the churches in America; mentorship and fasting with prayer.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” – Acts 5:42

If you are a serious Christian and have studied God’s word for years while serving in the body by teaching in a group of believers or at home with your family, please consider mentoring a new or infant Christian. Consider taking on two or three by meeting once a week and studying through some aspects of Christianity.

And if you’re new to the faith or know that you are slack in your growth, then you will have to seek out a mentor(s). Importantly, it should be purposeful, involving prayer and studying the Scriptures together, and can even include serving God together.

Probably the place to start is the sure foundations of the faith. Salvation in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, under the word of God alone, to the glory of God alone.  A mentor can lead those newer to the faith by notating verse by verse through the book of John and then discussing what you’ve discovered at a regular time each week while sharing life, growth, and prayer together.

It is recommended to discuss faith without works (James 2:20) and its enjoined truth; so too, works without faith are also dead. More than half of those who claim Christ in America say that some work or ceremony is required for salvation. This needs correcting. But the easy-believism of useless fake converts is rampant as well. The American Church is apostate; hold true to the faith even to the end.

Very few actually want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s a pity; they know not what they’re missing. It’s as though they read the Bible and get preaching, but what God says through His word is not penetrating the dullness of their minds.

Please teach each other to mature in Christ. Being a Christian requires work to bring glory to the Father.

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:16-18

And consider fasting specifically from food. Fasting with prayer significantly increases our awareness of God through dependence upon Him. Like serious prayer, the work and growth that fasting does in us are not describable in such a way that would convince you to partake of it. It’s something that you have to do to grow in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ to see the Kingdom of God up close as you draw nigh to God. Rest assured, He will answer when you begin to fast. Don’t tell anybody that you’re fasting. Fast in secret that your Father, which is heaven, may know and send blessings for your faith. Pray a great many times throughout the day when fasting. Skipping breakfast is not fasting. Be serious; go 24 hours the first time, then longer as desired other times after.

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” – Psalm 2:1-6

All men are drawn to the cross of Christ, and all enemies are being made His footstool. He will and does rule and reign from one end of the heaven to the other. Here is the genuine and underlying desire behind the destruction of the family in your civilization, to separate you from the righteousness of Christ Jesus. So that you live under their power in wickedness because the heathen rage while kings and rulers join the thousands of years old global conspiracy against the cross and the great God who created heaven and earth. They hate God and His Christ, and they hate that you would be redeemed unto Him rejecting their evil desires that you join in their disgusting, destructive fraud of the true God and His kingdom. God is the holy Creator; the sin-infested order the oligarchs have created is to attempt the usurpation of Christ’s throne.

The New Order can’t save you. Quite the contrary, having turned you into a mere unit of production, they now want you dead. But have no fear, Christian soldier; the Captain of our salvation has a plan if only you would carry it out.

Jesus makes a man’s heart His and then demands a righteous outward life. The man who is God’s head of the family requires, as does Christ, a righteous family. When many men have their family as Christ’s possession living in righteousness, it spreads as others hear the Gospel from them and see the blessings of God on His people. Whole communities change, the spark of the Gospel catches, and nations turn to Christ as He brings in His kingdom. We’ve seen this ongoing, in ebbs and flows we don’t deny, but now for two thousand years, His handiwork among the heathen is evident. It’s a grievous error to discount the power of the workings of God.

Sadly, some ascribe the power of their devil over Christ until some vaguely knowable future set of parameters that no two men can seem to agree upon when suddenly Christ’s righteousness will appear. If only they could see the appearing of Christ has come to all men and continues by the teaching of His Gospel to every nation and tongue to bring in His kingdom, for He shall reign.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” – Revelation 11:15

Why do some sit by lamenting the daily minutia of the failing kingdoms of this present world as though observing the heathen rage and kings fighting against the cross were some new sport? God has work for you, brothers and sisters. The Gospel can conquer the kings of this world. The world is being conquered by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and can be dominated by the Gospel. Why won’t you join the bands of the Lord of hosts to declare the Kingdom of God and of His Christ to the heathen, some of whom sadly it seems could be with us until the end. It appears that those who say anybody can be saved through faith are the laziest to tell the lost about Christ! Yes, it’s good hard work; that’s what God called you for to do.

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalm 2:7-12

Verses 7 through to the end of Psalm Two in verse 12 is where we find that the great God in heaven declared His decree; that by His own sovereign will and plan, He would raise up a people to belong to Christ. A good man leaves an inheritance, but how much more would God that is only good and the only good One give to His only begotten Son a people that would belong to Christ? God’s enemies, heathens and sinners and men of all stripes hear the call of God to come unto Christ with fear and trembling, yet rejoicing that Almighty God who is holy and just would make them His own.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” – Job 19:25

They knew He was coming; just men, those that sought the face of God’s anointed Christ foretold of the redemption of a people because God himself would stand on the earth in the latter day to make a way for those that were afar off to come unto God, forgiven, reconciled, yes, redeemed.

Christ stood upon the earth, lived among men, and though He had no duty to it, left us filled with awe at the workings and miracles, but they killed Him anyway.

Redemption is a paid price to purchase a possession. But it’s more than that; the people God would redeem were already His; all men are His. Behold, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the expiation of all that would believe at the appearing of God’s Christ has come unto you who God knows by name!

There was a just man and devout who the Spirit of God had told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ, a light unto the world, even to the heathen at the far stretched corners of the earth.

“And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” – Luke 2 26:32

This is the first recorded prayer asked of Jesus when He was on earth. When Jesus was just eight days old, the man looked the Christ of God in the eye and asked to depart in peace to be with Holy Father God.

When you assuredly see the Christ of God, Jesus, then you’ll know. You’ll finally live absent fear, and the fear of death that stalks us all. Seek Him now while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7

The most important thing you can ever do is to settle your soul with God; having heard the call of Christ, you can be fit to depart in peace, your conscience spirit returning unto the God that made you, at whatever chosen day the Lord has appointed.

The heathen still rage and the sons of Jacob gnash their teeth at the plan of God, or perhaps at the way He keeps His covenants of heaven to accomplish His work on earth. It’s hard to understand the hatred toward God and his way of redemption. Even those who don’t hate but merely shrug off the knowledge that you can know God to be made a friend. Why hate; what did He do but give you breath and life. Christ is hated or ignored, His plan is hated and scoffed at, and if you could crucify Him again today, you would do it. It seems so odd, who, precisely, are you to declare to God that His plan is not sufficient? Are you a god?

But not so for His sheep that hear His voice when redemption draws nigh by the Spirit of God speaking to your very soul.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20

Jesus died for your sins and was resurrected from the tomb by the power of the Spirit of God, proving His authority to purchase all those who have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” – Romans 3:24.

Whosoever would believe will be made the fulfillment of the New Covenant to be partaker of the promise of God to give Christ Jesus the heathen. You can be made the fruits of His inheritance, you, a heathen and a sinner, if you believe He can forgive and save your soul, you will be made a joint heir with Christ in the Kingdom of God.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12

There’s no other way, no other name; stop arguing against God’s great plan of the ages, and simply accept the gift of the redemption of your soul to God.

Here is how you are redeemed; payment must be made for the redemption of anything, and so much the greater an amount for God’s creation in His own likeness; you who are made in the very image of God. Jesus paid a terrible price for you, the highest cost imaginable. The only begotten Son of God freely gave His perfect, sinless blood which flowed on the earth, paying the price for the curse of sin against you and that by His resurrection, the sting of death would no longer be upon you. You who believe by faith, having the blood applied, can be among those who are His to be resurrected in the newness of life belonging to Father God.

Deny your ungodliness, repent of your unbelief and look to the blessed hope of reconciliation toward God at the appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself a ransom for all. Now is the time.

The grace of God to bring salvation to you and to all men has appeared in Jesus Christ. That’s what happened. That’s the plan of redemption and His way of salvation. While the heathen still rage, Holy God is the perfect gentlemen, coercing none and inviting all, even you. There is no sin that can’t be forgiven and no shame that cannot be covered by the blood Christ spilled to redeem you that you might be His, secure both now to serve Him and into eternity.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:13-14

Look no further; your redemption is at hand. Blessed are they that put their trust in Him.

Part One  Part Two  Part Three  Part Four

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-33

God ordained this way: we that are Christ’s would testify and share Scripture; it’s by your mouth to the ear of the lost sinner that is God’s chosen modality of bringing those He would save to faith in Him. There are more efficient ways He could have made, for sure. Still, none other would bring greater glory to the Father than you, having been a lost sinner yourself, now a vessel full of faith, going and testifying of Jesus Christ to those that He would also call to glorify His holy name.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. You can be a part of the workings of God to see lost sinners come to the fullness of the realization of Christ Jesus to get saved.

Linked here is a Gospel Primer with clear and specific instructions on how to talk to people about Jesus Christ. Freely take and use it for God’s glory.

We are all witnesses for Jesus Christ. Sadly, most Christians in America today are bad witnesses and don’t even know what the Gospel is, probably because they aren’t actually Christian. Some Christians are good witnesses in how they live and share the love of Christ. But others, and this is our goal, are good at being a witness for Jesus Christ by purposefully learning how to share verses of Scripture in a way that God uses to bring faith in the heart of the lost sinner.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17

When sharing what great things Jesus has done for you, and especially when sharing how He saved you, it’s effective to share a few verses of Scripture about how Jesus saves lost sinners. There is real power in opening the Bible and sharing Scripture with a lost soul. It is strongly recommended that you read and discuss verses that prove sin, death, damnation, the futility of works, faith in Christ alone, and turning to God for salvation.

The Holy Bible is the words of life to open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the lost. As a witness, or soul winner, you are only the messenger of the Gospel; it’s God’s power in grace and mercy that saves.

Parts Two and Three of these Essential Instruction posts are also necessary preparation for soul winning. Going under your own power is almost always fruitless. Without prayer and knowing some scripture sharing the Gospel is much more difficult. The Holy Spirit brings conviction to a lost sinner, and it is the word of God that brings faith.

The purpose of this, Part Five, is to give you some tools and ideas that will help you grow into a believer who is ready to share what great things Christ has done for sinners. Jesus spent three years training His men. It’s ok to need training. Get trained and do the works of God!

Nobody can take your salvation testimony from you. Telling people about how you got saved is a good witness for Jesus. Telling lost sinners how they can be forgiven of their sin to be saved by the power of God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is what soul winners do by sharing a few verses of Scripture that the Holy Spirit uses to bring conviction to the hearer.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

And so there you are, at the ends of the earth, saved, sealed, but for what? God didn’t save you because you’re a great guy or gal. He saved you to serve Him to bring glory to the Father through His Son.

You can share the Gospel in such a way that lost sinners come to the fullness of the realization of faith in Christ Jesus. You must pray for the help of God that lost souls would be converted to the truth. These conversations with lost sinners will be uncomfortable for both you and the lost sinner. Please keep in mind that the lost sinner is hell-bound to burn for all eternity. It is a much better thing to have a 20-minute uncomfortable conversation with a lost sinner, as you warn them, than that they die and suffer eternal damnation.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” – Revelation 20:11-12

You should care about souls headed for hell, and if you want a moral and just society, an America that is free again, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to get it. Nobody can set us at liberty but Christ. Do you want a Christian nation again? Serving in the power of the Holy Spirit that God would make more Christians through sharing a few verses of Scripture is the way to do it.

We are too hard on lost sinners and much too easy on other Christians. The lost know not what they do or before whom they will be held to account, for their eyes are blinded. They’re lost sinners; what do you think they’ll do but sin in wickedness, destroying what is good and holy all the day long. What do you need to be a just, moral, and upright Christian people; more Christians, say it ain’t so? How do you get more Christians; tell them *gasp* about Christ? Are you even Christian? How do you not feel pressed upon by the Spirit of God to share what great and glorious things He has done? Don’t shrink back now by denying God before men. Most Christians don’t even know what the Gospel is.

You can be a part of the workings of God to see lost sinners come to the fullness of the realization of Christ Jesus to get saved. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation.

The Gospel Primer will help you not only to discuss the things of God, but it will show you how to bring lost souls all the way to a decision to enter into His kingdom or reject Christ having chosen the things of this present world; God help them.

The lost sinner needs to understand these things. 1. That they are a lost sinner. 2. That the wrath of God is upon them. 3. That they cannot save themselves. 4. That only Jesus Christ can save them. And 5. That they must be saved by faith.

There is also a set of verses called the Roman(s) Road to show a lost sinner about these five facts. There are several variations of the Roman Road. Here is one such set of verses to share with lost sinners to show them their need for salvation in Christ.

Sin: Romans 3:10-12, 23

Consequences for sin: Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:14-15

Salvation from Sin and wrath: Romans 5:8-10

Belief (Faith) in Christ: Romans 9:10-11

Call upon the Lord: Romans 10:13

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

Your knowledge, personality, background, education, and salvation testimony build upon each other to make you the Christian God wants you to become. By adding tools and ideas to your existing knowledge, you significantly increase your effectiveness while witnessing for Jesus Christ.

As a point of personal testimony, I’ll say that I’ve never been full of more joy or been closer to God than having just led a lost soul to the foot of the cross of Christ into the point of decision. It’s the coolest thing ever. (I know it’s a childish expression, but it really is the coolest thing ever.) There is nothing that has satisfied my soul more than to see the light of Christ realized in the eyes of a soul that God is speaking to through His Holy Spirit. You can see the Kingdom of God in action, first hand, beholding the power of Jesus Christ to save. No stories here; go and make your own.

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” – John 15:8