There comes a time when one must do as he believes he is supposed to. In my case I have been pointing to the necessity that we have a heart of enduring love as trouble increases. It is already here.

What enduring may entail if we are followers is clear in the scriptures. Because it is going to happen, Jesus has admonished us in saying, “‘This,’ shall be preached”. Christ refers to “this” (enduring love) as the good news of the kingdom in Matthew 24:14.

Most including myself thought Jesus was talking about getting saved or evangelizing the world. Of course we are to do so but context says He is speaking of the end…not the beginning of man’s relationship with Him. Staying saved or maintaining our reconciled, righteous relationship to God is the topic. Enduring love, like He showed us, sets a standard that Jesus set first, to show us we can and must follow His Way. It must be the new or second nature our relationship to Him has spawned. This must be developed in us and takes time. It does not happen totally at reconciliation.

First. Many of my posts may sound like I am rebuking whoever for whatever. Everything I write applies to me first. What I have been shown I must shout from the house tops. Test it by the scripture I submit. Challenge me. A more certain hope via preparation and guidance are the goal here.

Second. Every morning before I do anything I have a time of meeting with God. I cover myself with my Tallit and after a minute of praise for the privilege, I ask God where I should read. One day recently it was Ezekiel 3:26.

Ezekiel 3:26-27 (NASB)
²⁶  “Moreover, I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be mute and cannot be a man who rebukes them, for they are a rebellious house.
²⁷  “But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.”

I am concerned that to some, especially those who do not know me, feel that I am just another man “rebuking” them. In my writings I have not said “Thus says the Lord God.” although I absolutely believe He has given me these various points of understanding to share for our eternal good. I find scripture that backs up what I have heard. The more different, the more serious the proof needed.

Many are immediately turned off by someone claiming they “heard” from God. I know history provides a plethora of disreputable folks who thought they did but did not.

On the other hand the Holy Spirit is to lead us into all truth. Does He take our hand literally? Not usually. Does He whisper to us, as I am alluding to? You cannot tell me he does not. So, as with all such occurrences, let’s eat the meet and spit out the bones. Let’s not focus on those who failed. Let us look inward and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us in such a way that we know, that we know He has done so. His truth requires a guide.

When I ask God where I am to read it is a very quiet almost faint voice that directs me and it is always to an obscure verse or location. My own memory is not involved. The case above was an answer to prayer for me. My greatest desire is to write or speak in such a way that it is received and spread world-wide. That may seem presumptuous but Matthew 24:14 (NASB) says,
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

As a testimony to our absolute commitment of “Followers” to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, and His Son, Messiah Jesus.

According to Jesus this “enduring” is a world-wide message. Our eternal life saving goal is the enduring love that manifests in a soul developed over time and challenges, by the Words and examples of Christ.

Loved ones, this is not only an unfulfilled prophecy but it must be preached in order to minimize the losses that will occur during the Apostasy. Believers WILL BE LOST.

Jesus did not say this is the only message to be preached but in speaking of lawless times, He did say “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” (Matthew 24: 13)  Of course for now, pastors and teachers world-wide can teach or preach on a myriad of topics. “This” however must be a priority, no matter when we think the rapture will happen. If a heart of enduring love saves us then….is it not required of us now? Can we have hatred buried in our hearts and expect to pass muster in heaven? No! Such will not be smuggled into heaven, now or then. The righteousness that prepares us for heaven must be in us here first.

As we witness today’s news and the atrocities, the lawlessness, the persecution, the killings, the renouncing of God by our nation, the absurdity of it all, we are severely challenged in our hearts. Hatred could rise up. Curses might be spoken against these enemies. These responses must be reigned in. They MUST BE taken into captivity and cast down, time after time. They are not of the Christ who dwells in us. Each offense on our part pushes Him further and further off of the Thrown of our hearts. God forbid we allow this lethal liberty to invade our souls once made righteous by the death of Jesus, reconciling us to the Father.  We MUST maintain this righteous relationship. After all we have no excuse.

”Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”   2 Peter 1:2 (NASB)

We must embrace the “everything pertaining to life and Godliness.” We must implement it so that “life” will be maintained by that Godliness until we bow before Him in gratefulness.

My next post is titled. “Who will no longer exist.”

Please … forward this post or other posts to friends, your Pastors,  or missionaries in other countries, or in this one for that matter.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

As I share something with you that was sent to encourage me, something very enlightening, I also want to make an additional brief comment in response to Daniel’s comment to my post: “Our destiny cannot be denied.”

Daniel said, “We’re saved by faith in Jesus, not by whether we’re not resisting the flow of God’s ordained happenings.”

I failed to clarify that my post was directed at all of us but especially those less mature (if you will excuse my describing them that way) in their grasp of the sureness of prophecies. Do we trust in the prophecies? Are they not meant to inform, warn us in advance? We should take advantage of any “intelligence” that will help us survive in the manner Jesus spelled out.

Even in professing Christians there may be some level of denial. Those who fail to prepare themselves by factoring in all prophecy could find a lethal spiritual weakness should they be around when everything bad, foretold by the prophets and by Jesus Himself actually starts to happen to them (us.) These trials are already happening elsewhere to Christians who, within some reasonable expectation, did not think they would be sacrificed for their faith just yet, if ever.  We can only pray they had the same attitude that was seen in Jesus, interceding for their captors.

If we seek to be tempered, Christ-like, restrained in our emotional reactions as we should be, let it be because we KNOW in advance these things could happen to any of us. If or when they do, we will be prepared in heart and soul to react in a saving Way, not reacting in error or hatred, but just like Jesus who knew our fate if He did not intercede. This will take practice. Daily we must be growing our spiritual roots deeper and deeper into God’s love.

I believe God is directing us to help our fellow follower follow! Let us be our brothers keeper! Of course we must show them the Way. Are we preparing to do that? Might our trials be the requirement to Christ-likeness? There is a fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. There is a great reward that goes with our enduring, our suffering, in a Christ-like way.

I ask you to follow this link to a teaching on the Four Levels of Understanding. I was seriously encouraged. Maybe you will be also. It is based on Ephesians 3: 17-20. I thank my friend John for having a heart to encourage me. I need all I can get.

Click to access 4levelsofmeaning01.pdf

Please … forward this post or others to a friend, your Pastor,  or a missionary in another country, or in this one for that matter.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

In response to Daniel’s comment to my last post:

“Our destiny cannot be denied.”

Daniel said, “We’re saved by faith in Jesus, not by whether we’re not resisting the flow of God’s ordained happenings. Peter was saved by faith in Jesus but still in his ignorance did things to hinder Him. Be careful how you apply your understanding of this to people in churches. …The only way we can be without spot or wrinkle is to have God reckon to us His own righteousness because we believe in His Son (2 Cor. 5:21). Otherwise, we won’t be without spot or wrinkle (perfect) until we’re changed when we die or when He comes. Paul talks about how our fallen nature wars with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16). John talks about the remedy for sins we become aware of (1 Jn 1:9). To suggest we must die to Self enough to qualify for Heaven negates the necessity for the Blood Covering.”

Daniel,

Thank you for caring enough to comment.

I know you have not read my book Exit Strategy. In the book I speak scripturally to most of the points you make demonstrating and why our thinking must change.

Your first point. “We’re saved by faith in Jesus” 

We are saved by grace through faith. Believing that what Jesus did for us was real, our belief, our faith, is to compel us to follow in His Ways as Lord of our lives. Grace in its self is a royal commodity.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

As my book points out, “Grace” is a two sided coin. Grace is received but more importantly grace must be granted. “It is better to give than receive?” We run into trouble if we do not grant grace. Withholding grace is a form of unforgiveness and we know if we do not forgive, we are not forgiven. (See the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9 and especially verse 14 following.) If we are not forgiven, or become not forgiven because WE did not forgive after WE were forgiven, heaven is lost to us, even though we were once reconciled to God. Remember the parable of slave forgiven much who would not forgive little, we like him will be imprisoned according to Jesus, by God the Father. Matthew 18:35. Read it, our continued and final security is in obedience to HIS ways.

About grace and our management of it, Hebrews 12:14-15 (NASB) says,  
¹⁴  Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;…”

Daniel, according to that verse we are to pursue peace with all men, if we ever expect to see the Lord. If in our pursuit of peace we fail to forgive, if we let anyone fall short, fail to grant them grace (grace God gave us to begin with, like the king gave the slave) a root of bitterness springs up in us, causing trouble (for our selves) and defiling many. We become a stumbling block to ourselves and others!

The Word says in Matthew 13:41-42 (NASB)
⁴¹  “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, ⁴²  and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Daniel, unforgiveness is also lawlessness. An unforgiving heart will not be smuggled into heaven. Daniel we have responsibilities in this relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Those responsibilities often involve others. Eternity is a long time for “others” to exist in peace and harmony. This ability is what Jesus came to teach us. Will we embrace it over our will? These are not works. Responsibilities call for obedience.

John 3:36 (NASB)
³⁶  “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 3:36 (NKJV)
³⁶  He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Your KJV uses the word “believe” twice in this verse when in fact it is two different words in the Greek. Check your Strong’s Concordance. The first “believe,” means to believe to the point of entrusting yourself, (to the Son’s Lordship). The second word “believe” is where we get our word apathetic. It means to disobey or be disobedient. Our obedience is paramount to our maintaining the everlasting life we were given freely when we were reconciled to God. This is a critical element we have missed.

We are to become gracefruit trees. The seed of grace was planted in our hearts at reconciliation. Will it grow and render us fruitful, a qualification for the kingdom. Grace saved us, our granting grace might save others! NOT granting grace, holding unforgiveness, is the opposite of reconciliation, a ministry we have (as followers) all been given.

As we follow His instructions, keep His commandments, fulfill our responsibilities regarding mercy, grace, compassion and love, we maintain or protect our future salvation. Our maintenance proves the content of our heart and our readiness to live in the Lord’s kingdom.

By the way, Peter did not become the Peter we know until Jesus walked through that door as his resurrected Lord. Peter nor anyone else is actually changed or finally saved until we die, shedding this flesh and blood. Jesus said flesh and blood would not inherit eternal life! By faith we follow and implement the teachings of Christ. THIS trains us to endure in our love toward all others and scripturally assures us of preparation to finish the race, especially if we are challenged over our faith. It is this enduring love Christ-likeness we pursue, and as Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 “and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations and then the end will come.”

I am not saying you are all wrong Daniel. I am saying Jesus taught us in the use of grace, compassion, love, mercy, self sacrifice and we are expected to become masters in their use. Do we not know this? Do we have no expectation of participation in this process, this “working out” of our salvation?

Remember the slave with one talent? He was cast out even though he had a legitimate chance to please the Master. Remember the guest at the wedding that did not have on wedding clothes? He was cast out, even though he had been given a right to be there initially. He did not take advantage of his opportunity by preparing. Remember the 5 virgins that did not bring enough oil? In our new reconciled life, we have a similar responsibility to prepare ourselves. We must bring a return, we must bare fruit, we must be ready, without spot or blemish, holy and blameless. Have you ever known of a bride that was not ready in advance of her groom arriving? We have been given everything pertaining to life and Godliness.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NASB) The verse you spoke of.
²⁰  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” “So that we might…”  Jesus did not guarantee our salvation. He made it possible! As the Word say, ‘we have been given all things pertaining to life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

 “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. It is up to us to implement them and glorify God in the process as His children.”  2 Peter 1:4 (NASB)

Daniel, Paul said this also. Romans 5:10 (NASB)
”¹⁰  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

This says the same basic thing as John 3:36. There is a two-fold aspect to our future salvation. There is reconciliation as Paul says, and by as John says, by “believing.” Then there is also salvation (being saved) as Paul says by the life of Jesus, meaning by our implementing everything the Father taught us through Jesus and by learning from the examples Jesus showed us in life and on the cross. John agrees with Paul by saying our obedience to all that teaching means eternal life. Disobeying means no eternal life, but a terrible wrath rests upon us.

Daniel said, “Otherwise, we won’t be without spot or wrinkle (perfect) until we’re changed when we die or when He comes “

Daniel this again needs examination. Your insertion of the word “perfect” is understandable and I believe it is clear what you are implying. And to support your point I quote:

Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
⁶  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Yes it is a continuous task in us.

Colossians 1:28-29 (KJV)
²⁸  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: ²⁹  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Like the word confusion with “believe”, the word “perfect” usually means mature or complete. We need to note that, because of the extreme implication in our vernacular of the word “perfect.”

Daniel said, “To suggest we must die to Self enough to qualify for Heaven negates the necessity for the Blood Covering.”

Matthew 16:24-25 (NASB)
²⁴  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. ²⁵  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

We die with Him when we accept His death covering. We must continue to suppress the flesh, in this life, dying to self, to maintain the perfection God accomplished in our being born again. You realize, we are perfect in that born again moment. As to negating the necessity of the blood covering, as you know, we cannot even begin without the blood covering. The reconciliation we receive is however applied regarding our previous sins. In reconciliation we are made new, cleansed, washed, born again, like new people with a new chance. Like a new car, we must keep our soul self clean because we sin in word thought and deed daily. No where does God exempt us from that responsibility.

Romans 3:23-26 (NKJV)
²³  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, ²⁶  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

So we go forward from reconciliation in and with the power of grace, compassion, mercy, love all of which help us walk in the Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2) and as we apply these facets of God to others, they are applied back to us from Him, “give and it shall be given unto you!” “If you forgive the sins of any man, your sins are forgiven.!” If I am forgiven, I am like I was initially at my reconciliation to our Father. Perfect! I am washing my robe by that which came in the blood; by mercy, compassion, by love and selflessness, by forgiveness.  Because I must walk out this life after being reconciled, I am therefore “saved” by His life. I get new life by His death! I must maintain it. I can as I live as He lives in me, as I obediently prove He is living in me.

Daniel, take your pick of these two versions of verse. Both specify OUR “doing” or “washing.” 

Revelation 22:14 (KJV)
”¹⁴  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

Revelation 22:14 (NASB)
¹⁴  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

Please read some of my other postings. There is more. Read Exit Strategy $2.99.

Bless you Daniel.

Michael

Please … forward this post to a friend, your Pastor,  or a missionary in another country, or in this one for that matter.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

Jesus has just appealed to the Father (and I paraphrase) that “if” this cup can pass, never the less “Thy will be done.” Judas has come upon them in the Garden, betraying Jesus. Peter, defending Jesus, cuts off the ear of the slave of the High Priest. Jesus tells Peter to put away the sword, that He does not need Peter’s help, 12 legions of angels are at His disposal. Then Jesus says, 

“How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” Matthew 26:54 (NASB) Let us remember Jesus saying to John the Baptist, “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness?” He and John were fulfilling prophecy. Matthew 3:15.

Now those Christ had ministered to in the temple have come out, to the Garden of Gethsemane, to get Him with swords and clubs. How can this be we might ask? Jesus NOT blaming them says, “But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Matthew 26:56 (NASB) And finally, “Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”

Several prophecies have been fulfilled in this one scenario.

Betrayal:  Matthew 17:22-23, spoken by Jesus in Galilee.

About Peter’s defending Jesus:

“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12 (NKJV)   

^“So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” Mark 15:28 (NKJV)

As Jesus spoke, “And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
³⁶  Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
³⁷  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”
³⁸  So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” Luke 22: 35-38

The Disciples fled: “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” Zechariah 13:7

Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 26:31, “ Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Within our relationship with the Father must be our awareness that all scripture will be fulfilled, at whatever cost to mankind. This shall be as much a priority and inevitability to us as it was to Jesus. Remember, “Jesus NOT blaming them says, ‘But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.’ ” Matthew 26:56 (NASB)

He and we are the subjects of prophecy, caught up in the flow of a destiny God Himself has ordained. Its outcome is righteousness to all who do not resist the flow but hasten to our Holy destination!

Be willing to see as Jesus saw, what happens is prophecy being fulfilled (His Father’s plan)  and to forgive them (who are fulfilling it) for surely they know not what they do. We however, can know how to respond; remaining holy and blameless, without spot or blemish,  just like Jesus did.

If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!

Please … forward this post to a friend or a missionary in another country, or in this one for that matter.

From one heart to another we protect each other!

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

The tree becomes one with the earth when its roots grow deep into the earth. A healthy tree is hard to up root, especially a mature tree.

“Be rooted and grounded in (God’s) love.” (Eph 3:17 NASB) “For love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7)

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

We become one with God as we are rooted in His love. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”  (John 10:30 NASB)

Of all things, what did Christ Jesus show us?

What then must we show others in our oneness with Him? Anything less is not Him. Our shortcoming becomes our downfall!

Are our roots deep enough? Are we…One with Him or might we easily be blown over?”

A great uprooting is about to occur. In some hearts it is already twisting their tree of faith, loosening the roots day by day, little by little. Love is our only defense and the only offensive God will bless. Where do we find new strength to withstand? We find it clearly in what Jesus taught us and demonstrated.

We must help others to become more rooted right now. We all must understand that this strengthening process is unavoidable for the eternity bound follower.

We become without spot or blemish, holy and blameless, (like Him) as a result of implementing the love commandments that He has personally shown each of us. Oh yes, He applied them from His heart to ours first! We then by His example hold love up against the fiery darts of daily conflicts.

It is to be understood that “fiery darts” actually make our love (toward offenders) GROW COLD!

In a recent word I had for a pastor. The question God suggested the Pastor ask his congregation was, “What are the Laws of the Spirit of Life, since they defeat the Laws of sin and death?”  I ask you the same thing. See Romans 8:1-2. You really need to know the answer. Hint: Romans 8:1 is not true for you, if Romans 8:2 has not and is not functioning in you.

Please … forward this post to a friend or a missionary in another country, or in this one for that matter.

From one heart to another we protect each other!

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

Moses said, “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14 (KJV)

Apostle Paul said, “But what does it say? ” THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart”– that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,” (Romans 10:8 (KJV, NASB) 

“As early as 150 years after the birth of Yeshua, Justin Martyr wrote to Trypho the Jew, telling him, “You can be a Jew or a Christian, but you can’t be both.” Page 198 A Rabbi looks at the Last Days, by Jonathan Bernis, Chosen books a division of Baker Publishing. 

I know many of you (not all) do not believe Jesus (the Jew) was the Messiah. Of all you may have read about Jesus, was He one to call for extermination? No just the opposite. In history, you have been exterminated by those filled with hatred. They claimed to be Christians but we now know it was a manipulating political scam to involve the citizens who did “call themselves” Christians. We know now, sheep are easily led. They chose a new shepherd, forsaking Christ. Never-the-less, “the final solution” became policy, to exterminate all Jews. This was not Christ. It is ironic that Jesus brought the true “Final Solution” that it would save us and exterminate the bad guys and it began by allowing Himself to be “exterminated.” In some ways a shadow of you in the future, like sheep, the Jewish people “allowed” themselves to be exterminated, UNDER DURESS of course.

You gave us King David, he gave us Mary (the mother of Jesus) Mary gave us Jesus, He dies a silent Lamb, for mankind, for the Jew first then the gentiles. WWII, much of the world identifies with Jesus but by an anti-Christ spirit Jewish people are sacrificed. The world rises up against their murderers, and God’s final prophetic piece is in place. The creation of the State of Israel, the ONE THING that had to happen for the world to eventually see the actual coming of the Messiah, the reason behind why her enemies reject her existence and right to exist. It was written. It will be. More was written.

Because some of you and your ancient relatives have rejected Christ, your knowledge of Him is limited. He is rejected out-right. This in the hearts of your people makes the misunderstanding of Him possible. Many Christians have honored you and compelled our nation to support Israel for biblical as well as strategic reasons. We are not stupid. We want God’s blessing. Only in recent years have anti-Christ policies been allowed in America. Democracy has its weak points. This saddens followers of Christ but it is a SIGN that we must admit to as we ready ourselves for a time worse than the holocaust. It has been foretold by the prophets as well as by Christ. It will happen. It is happening. That is what this book is about. It is a direct appeal to you our beloved fellow believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

It is written, your Messiah will live (be enthroned) forever. What human can live forever? Forever is offered to us ONLY under the covering of a resurrected life. The temporary (living) status of Jesus of Nazareth was intended to instruct us toward our goal of resurrected life and to satisfy the Mosaic Law for sin, all types of sin.

Jesus, the Jew, showed us enduring love, the character of the kingdom of God, and the mercy hidden in the Law, that a substitute (for us) was acceptable and after that God would reciprocate based on what WE did, as WE were taught. Reconciliation by grace and forgiveness was, to Him, of paramount importance as you even recognize today in your feasts and honored days.

Jesus did not change the Law. He submitted to it in our place and focused us on the encompassing two points of the Law, simplifying our goal so we could actually achieve it. Love God and love your neighbor as your self. He quotes Moses.

As God’s ultimate goal, His resurrection empowered and gave total credibility to His message. Centuries later, my Jewish friends, Daniel the Prophet is opening his book. Will insight bring everlasting life? See chapter 12.

Have only we gentiles been allowed to find what only God can reveal? May it never be! Not to exalt ourselves but to exalt His grace, we have found a way to face a near future, a future God has ordained, so as to have an eternal future God has created for His own. It is distressing but there is truth behind the truth. The proof and credibility of our revelation in Christ, is love! Your Judeo-Christian brothers love you and your nation Israel. The anti-Christ movements hate Israel. Do you really want to identify with them? In fact, Israel, your time has come! You have had your season of wandering in the desert of belief versus unbelief. Definite and prophetic threats are at your doorstep. Your Jewish Messiah has asked “Will I find faith in the earth when I return.” (Luke 18:8 KJV) He (a Jew) was standing in your nation when He asked that. What is written? “To the Jews first….”

God has fought for you before and is willing to do so again. This time the Messiah you were looking for is returning to rescue His own; the Jews who seek and find Him ahead of time and the rest of us also. You can not allow the darkness to distract you from God’s exit strategy. Run to the call of the Shofar!  Eternal life and the millennium wait for those who stand firm and see the glory of God.

If the Messiah were called a “Heavenite” would you not then call yourselves “Heavenites?” and no longer Jews?  Would that eradicate your heritage? No. It would simply point to your association with the Messiah. Justin Martyr was wrong. You were meant to be both associated with the Messiah and your heritage.

The coming times will demand our understanding. Preparing ourselves and others now is paramount.

This post, is a quote from chapter 8.1 of Exit Strategy We initiate the return of Christ.

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

I mentioned in a previous post, an appeal I made to God because I needed encouragement.

He directed me to the story of Gideon in Judges 6 by asking me, “What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord came to him?”

Frankly I did not recall. I looked it up.

Judges 6:11 (KJV)
“And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.”

Gideon was trying to hide the harvested wheat from the Midianites. Threshing it in the wine press is another point.

I realized my encouragement and calling was to guard the harvested wheat by hiding it from the enemies of our souls. If you have asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior, you have become the wheat. Gideon knew the wheat could still be captured by the enemy. Jesus knows the same thing and declares how they will be captured.

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. ¹³  “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13 (NASB)

Our defense is in maintaining the enduring love Christ has sown into our hearts and watered by His Word of instruction and encouragement. He has shown us the Way. Will we walk in it?

There is no doubt as things unfold we will feel as though we are being threshed like wheat, tossed into the air of circumstances. It is so, that the chaff of our lives can be blown away, so that that which can be shaken from our hearts will be. It is so the goodness of our selves will remain; that which He has made possible, that which He is the author of, that which is Him as it has become firmly us.

The winepress speaks to where our ability to hide from all the attacks of the enemy originates. The Garden of Gethsemane was the winepress for Jesus. Everything about His existence as the Son of Man that could be shaken, was blown away in His words to Father God.

”O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39 (KJV)

Our spirit man and our soul is what must be protected. Our flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. Submitting to God’s will is our defense and our hiding place. Jesus showed us the Way to His protection. Yes, His Way will shake us as we discipline ourselves to walk as He walked. As He points to it, we must let the wind of the Holy Spirit blow the chaff away. If we do not let go of those things, we will be blown away with the chaff. The chaff will act like a sail, carrying us off to the fire.

Our being shaken will also shake others!

As we exhibit the disciplines of the Lord others will see that it is possible for them to also. This will be us leading others into a righteousness (see Daniel 12) that many of us as simple believers have not achieved and yet are called to achieve. Following Him and everything that means, is what is required of us.

Recently the Lord has instructed me to get under my Tallit (Prayer shawl) first thing in the morning, read scripture and pray for a minimum of 15 minutes each. No phones no distractions. I ask Him where He would like me to read?

Today it was Zephaniah, a book I seldom read.

^“ Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame,
²  Before the decree takes effect— The day passes like the chaff— Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you.
³  Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger.”             Zephaniah 2:1-3 (NASB) 

Before you say to yourself “That’s Old Testament,” let me ask you this, “Have you seen this happen yet or is it yet to happen?

“Neither their silver nor their gold Will be able to deliver them On the day of the LORD’S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured In the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.” Zephaniah 1:18 (NASB)

Wait a minute Michael, you said we might be hidden?” Yes, He did say that, after.

“Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger.

Zephaniah 2:3 (NASB) 

The ordinances in our day are the Ways of the Lord. The righteousness we recognize is that which He taught us to walk in. Humbling ourselves is a prerequisite if we ever expect to walk in it, to be threshed ( or thrashed) if necessary and to become hidden from our enemy in the winepress of God’s love for us.

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

Through the abundance of grace I have needed and received, I have come to believe that the gift of righteousness is God’s real instrument of change. I was forgiven but forgiveness was just the beginning, forgiveness did not change me. Forgiveness put me in touch with Righteousness. Forgiveness, made it possible for me to change.

“…much more, those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, they shall reign in life through Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 5:17 NAS)

Righteousness is the hyper-positive power of God. He is the Creator of the Universe. If He says you are…then you are!  If I immerse myself in His loving descriptive words of righteousness, I will become what He says. As I become what He says, I am no longer what I was. His Word is becoming flesh, as I am becoming His Word!

The Lord spoke to my heart several years ago, while in Pskov, Russia on a mission (teaching) trip. It was cold and snowing. We all had settled in for the night, going to our rooms early because we got up at 5:30 AM to go teach in the Bible College. To me, our early evening retreat meant “Word time.”

I really wanted to serve something fresh in a sermon I was going to preach the next Sunday, at a distant satellite church. Alexe’, the young pastor, was a previous graduate of the college where we were teaching. The service was to be held in their church. How cool. It was a former missile factory. Church was in the (Communist) political auditorium!

This particular night, as I sought inspiration, the Lord took me back to Romans 5:17, a favorite verse of mine. The core of the verse says, “much more those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through Christ Jesus.”  I paused for a moment, God was getting my attention.

A realization came to me. Success in life and in eternity is dependent upon receiving BOTH the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. I know what you are thinking. I was too. “We all receive His righteousness.” Do we or is it a separate item on God’s agenda? It is separate in the verse. It was only a moment later, as I contemplated this dual approach, that God spoke to my heart and said something very simple but to me profound. He said, “You are saved by grace but you are changed by the gift of righteousness.” Another thought came. “…those who receive…(will let)…the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness REIGN in life through Christ Jesus.”

Addressing the first inspiration I thought, many confessing Christians never seem to get far in the changing of their lives. They continue in struggles that are tied to their old man, they are not changing the way they had hoped they would, the way they were told they would. With sincere determination they go to church, believing for something to change, but with little or less than apparent results. The second thought explained why.

In that distant wonderful place, in the cold of night, with the windows frosted over and the wind whispering a high C through the cracks in the 1950’s wooden window frame, I was ensconced in an old armchair, my used and abused bible in my lap. I was joined by Catherine the Great, as she looked down from her picture on the wall. Maybe she was there to observe this pilgrim, a stranger in a strange land. Along with her kind but reserved gaze, I was warmed by the soft yellowish red glow of the simple shaded lamp by my side, but that was not all that warmed me.

That night, His presence by distraction or miracle had robbed the dark, blustery, cold and snowy Russian winter of its chill, warming my heart by the grace of His inspiration.

Understanding had come to me. God had answered my prayer. It was His wisdom that, when shared with His anointing, would offer amazing opportunity for change to many Followers.

“…much more those who receive…”

It now seemed clear to me why Christians all over the world were not changing, why some were to varying extent and why some were not at all. Many had only received grace, one half of what was required for their lives to truly change and that grace only on a limited scale. Neither grace nor righteousness were reigning in their lives…or mine?

We read “You are saved by grace through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8 NAS) Paul makes no mention of righteousness? Could it be because grace must have its way with us first, that righteousness comes as a result of grace?

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21 NAS) In many cases we have received grace but we have not granted grace, creating the problem of unrighteousness, fearfully common but unrealized by many of us.

We receive what we give. The Beatitudes, given at the Sermon on the Mount, confirm this in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Knowing this, God plants the seed of grace freely, in reconciling forgiveness, with the intent that we will grant it freely, thereby bearing fruit, presenting His Way to others.

Consider this. “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.” (Matthew 13:23 NAS)  Now we can understand this verse in light of grace. God, the Master, expects a return on His investment, even more, a duplication of His Son! For the grace He entrusted to us, He expects us to multiply it to many, many others, planting the seed of grace in their hearts with the hope of resulting righteousness, saving them as He saved us. In return we never lack grace abundant! Our salvation is sure by this Way.

We want to go to heaven but we do not understand the nature and the power of the gifts of Grace and Righteousness here in this life. Here prepares us for there! We were to have received both and they were to reign in our lives abundantly!

Do they reign?

As a Follower of Christ,  please share this. The coming times will demand our understanding. Preparing ourselves and others now is paramount.

This post, is a quote from chapter 7.1 of Exit Strategy We initiate the return of Christ.

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

Like anyone, Christians, caught up in and clinging to offenses, are looking back. Christ warned us about that. Offenses are always in the past. The second after they happen, they are behind us. God’s understanding is meant to put them behind us, with no regard for them any longer. The power to do that is in grace reigning over the situation. Looking back renders us unfit for the kingdom of God. “…but Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NAS)

Distracted in the offense, in our need to verbalize our (negative) observations, we are backing up to the edge of a chasm, forgetting who we are supposed to be, who we claimed to be. We MUST turn around in our understanding, before we plunge headlong into the bottomless crevasse of lost love, an icy dead love, void of endurance, seething with offense and a self defined righteousness that rationalizes our ungodly thoughts, words and actions. Like a hell-bound “express” train, the words of our mouth are laying down rails. They are setting the course of our lives. “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”  (James 3:6 NAS)

This can happen to any unprepared human but Christ has given His friends a warning and a defense. If we learn from history, we remember what God said to Cain. “Sin is crouching at your door seeking to devour you but you must master it.” It is as much up to us, as it was to Cain. We know how Cain and mankind, the seed of his impaired judgment, ended up going for a swim!

We must endure this outrageous world by dismissing it with compassion and pity, praying for “them” from a heart of sorrowful remorse, recognizing their plight. When we hear their anger subside and their anguished cries for help begin, we will understand. We must appeal to God, as those also once astray, asking Him for their forgiveness because of their ignorance. This will be the enduring sacred heart of a kingdom citizen.

As a kingdom citizen please share this.

The coming times will demand our understanding. Preparing ourselves and others now is paramount.

This post, is a quote from chapter 5.3 of Exit Strategy We initiate the return of Christ.

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $2.99

This is a statement describing Jesus.

“YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.”  Hebrews 1:9 (NASB)

It actually begins this way.
”But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.” Hebrews 1:8 (NASB)

I have a simple question. What is the opposite of lawlessness?

Could it be lawfulness?

What law? So many believe we are not under the Law. How about the Law of the Spirit of Life as Paul referred to in Romans 8:2. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Here we see one law superseding another as it “saves us” by its content. We just have to learn and apply its content.

Jesus the Christ hates lawlessness and God anointed Him because of it.

Is it acceptable to equate lawfulness with righteousness? The Word is pointing to that as that conclusion is expressed (under the anointing of the Holy Spirit) by the writer.

The Word compares the two, righteousness and lawlessness as choices that can and will be made, commending Jesus for choosing wisely. The phrase could easily have said “You have loved lawfulness and hated lawlessness.” So why didn’t it?

Does loving “righteousness” sound better than “You kept the law?” Does it sound more achievable? Do love and righteousness walk together?

Consider this. God used the term “Righteous” because it defines the kingdom. “THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.” The Scepter is the emblem of authority held by the King. As the king wields the authority given Him, He is to and will do so in righteousness with a resulting joy in His kingdom.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV)

If we expect to enter eternal life, to rule and reign with Jesus, then our righteousness is our absolute goal. We however, if walking in lawlessness, lawlessness by opposition to, by blatant rejection of, a teaching or the teachings, the righteous teachings of Jesus, teachings from the Father directly, we foretell our own eternal demise. There will be no lawlessness in heaven. No anger. No unforgiveness. Why? They all equal lawlessness or unrighteousness.

Conclusion: There are laws to follow now. They are depicted in the teachings of Christ and His disciples. Jesus refers to them as commands.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”  John 14:15 (NASB)

After all, He is a (the) King. He has a kingdom. We are expecting to live there. Jesus is telling us how that can be possible. He is not suggesting how. He has told us the Way. It is up to us to choose. Our possibilities begin with our grace driven reconciliation to God through the death of His Son. Because we asked Jesus to be Lord, once reconciled, we have a responsibility to be obedient to Christ and His commandments. John 3:36 NKJV or NASB, Romans 5:10 NKJV, NASB

“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things [that which He taught and showed us] , you will never stumble; ¹¹  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” [Future tense] 2 Peter 1:2-11 (NASB) [*] added for clarity. [A quote from my last post Peter, Paul, amen, joy.]

Here is the reward, while still here, if we fervently choose to embrace righteousness His Way. Our old self dies off and YOUR GOD HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS above your companions.”

Gladness sounds great! “… above your companions?”  It sounds like a good reason for them to look up! They will look up to you and you will faithfully point them to the One who taught you righteousness.

We are under law. The first was satisfied so that the second could be established. If you still question this then answer this question.

Can anyone come to God except through Jesus? If there ever was a law, that is one for sure. The One who rules and reigns forever LOVES righteousness and HATES lawlessness.

All that is required of you is that you put your heart in it. The heart reborn, that has been given all things pertaining to life and Godliness.

“… seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge [what He taught and showed us] of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NASB)

Imagine the Lord’s disappointment when we have it but do not apply it. He loves us.

The coming times demand our understanding. Preparing now is paramount.

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

    Exit Strategy

   We initiate the return of Christ!  (The E-book)

Barnes and Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, many others and around the world. $ 2.99