In Hebrews 9, the author is showing the superiority of Christ as our sacrifice for sin over the Old Covenant sacrifices. “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews9:13–14NASB1995 Under the Old Covenant, a person’s flesh was cleansed from being defiled. However, under the New Covenant, even your conscience has been cleansed from dead works. It wasn’t just an outward cleansing, it was a cleansing right down to our very spirits.
Reading on in the chapter we understand again that at just the right time, the consummation of the ages, Jesus bore all sin, once for all. “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Hebrews9:26–28NASB1995 We hear again, that it was a cleansing right down to our spirit.
We are eagerly awaiting the return of Christ, because we love him and have no fear for our sins, since they have all been atoned for by Jesus once for all.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, our Great High Priest and saving sacrifice, thank you for atoning work that saved me and took away all my sins. Help me encounter and share this Good News with those whose consciences are burdened with the weight of their sins. Amen.
The end of the Gospel according to Matthew gives a clear understanding of what Jesus expected us to be doing until he returned. In Matthew 28 the resurrected Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew28:18–20NIV
These verses are often called The Great Commission. In them we recognize the authority given to Christ. He is in charge of everything, as “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [Jesus].” He is the one who had the authority to send the original disciples. He has the authority to tell us what to do. We are not in the business of making members, or recruiting givers, or looking to build magnificent buildings. We are to “make disciples of all nations.” We are to baptize “them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded us.
This can be a daunting commission if we think about accomplishing it in our strength and wisdom. However, this commission contains a fact that is empowering and comforting. Jesus said, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Through the presence of his indwelling Spirit, Jesus is strengthening us and giving us the wisdom to make disciples of all the nations. The proof is in the pudding. The church has been growing since the time of Christ and will continue to do so until he returns!
Prayer:
Loving and gracious Lord Jesus, I am glad all authority has been given to you! Help me to remember I am called to make disciples. Help me to rely on you for strength and wisdom in reaching others with the Gospel. Amen.
Who was Jesus? That is a question that is pondered in academia still today. In the modern world, some “scholars” will side step the plain teachings of Scripture to try to piece together a historical picture of who Jesus was. They have seminars where they speculate about him. They cast their votes as to the authenticity of his words presented in the Bible. In these votes, they have almost eliminated all of the words attributed to Jesus in the gospels. He was a good teacher seems to be the consensus outside of Christendom. Some people would go so far as to say Jesus never even existed, ignoring ample historical evidence outside of Scripture.
In beginning Hebrews 1, the unknown author gives us a description of Christ. In Hebrews, the author is showing the supremacy of faith in Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant. The readers of Hebrews at the outset are given an understanding of just who Jesus is.
First, we learn that God spoke to us through Jesus. “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Hebrews1:1–2NIV In that statement we understand that as heir of everything, all that is, belongs to Jesus. As a result of our faith in Christ, Paul tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ so we share in the inheritance.
In verse 2, we also learn that the universe was made through Jesus. We have heard and many of us memorized John 1:1-3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John1:1–3NIV Hebrews 1:2 reinforces our understanding that Jesus is not just a good teacher, he is a co-creator with our Heavenly Father.
What does God look like? Does he look like Michelangelo’s commonly accepted presentation of the gray-bearded, old man upstairs? The Bible tells us God is invisible and God is Spirit. However, Hebrews tells us, “the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” Hebrews1:3NIV If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus.
We also learn that everything in the universe holds together in Christ. “…[He, Jesus, is] sustaining all things by his powerful word…” Hebrews 1:3 NIV John Wesley said that Jesus holding the universe together is like a person holding up a rock. If he were to let it go, everything would undo into nothingness.
Who is Jesus? Jesus is God! Jesus was with God in the beginning and everything that is, was made through him and belongs to him. He holds it all together through his powerful word. He is the exact representation of God and the radiance of God’s glory. He is also our redeemer. When we were dead in our transgressions and sins, he bore them on the cross for us and ransomed us back to God. Hebrews tells us, “…after he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews1:3NIV At the appointed time, the Heavenly Father is going to send Jesus back to get us and we will be with him where he is.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for creation made for and through you! Thank you for representing the Father to me! Thank you for atoning for my sins! Lord help me to live for you through your Holy Spirit. Amen!
My family has been watching true crime shows lately. We have watched a couple where you were sure who did it by the end of the show. One person had been calling restaurants, pretending to be a cop, having the manager terrorize young female employees that he lied and claimed had stolen something. The other was a man who murdered a woman. Both seemed to have plenty of circumstantial evidence to convict them. However, they both were cleared by the jury.
In my mind they were obviously guilty but the juries believed there wasn’t enough evidence to convict them. We all know about travesties of justice that have happened, and still happen every day. How do we cope with the idea of murderers walking freely among us?
Fortunately for us, we don’t have to worry about the wicked getting away with evil forever. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a parable describing how one day the wicked will receive their recompense for their evil deeds. He says, “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew13:47–50NIV
We have laws and a legal system. If the wicked manage to subvert those and escape justice, we don’t have to worry about it. Even though the evidence seems to be clear, unless we saw them, we can’t be sure of someone’s guilt. However, God knows and he will see that justice is done. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans12:19NIV
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for knowing all. No man will deceive you. You will reward the righteous and repay the wicked for their evil deeds. Help me to always follow you so I am not caught up with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have you ever thought that you knew something pretty good, but if you had it wrong you would be happy about it? That is the way I am with my End Times beliefs. I grew up believing in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. If you don’t know what that is, think Left Behind. If you read that series of books or watched the movies you have a good understanding of what pre-trib rapturists believe. I have come to embrace what has traditionally been looked for in the church… the day of the Lord, also known as the second coming.
The church has looked for a second coming that it identified with the day of the Lord in the Old Testament. In 2 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul is trying to remove fears that the church at Thessalonica had missed the day of the Lord or second coming. He says, “As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.” 2 Thessalonians2:1–2NRSV
There are some things that Paul says will precede the day of the Lord, things that the Thessalonians could look for and recognize as signs of the coming day. “Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth, annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming.” 2 Thessalonians2:3–4, 7–8NRSV Before the day of the Lord or second coming, the lawless one or anti-christ is revealed. He will take his seat in the temple declaring himself to be God. Finally, the Lord Jesus will destroy the lawless one at his coming.
Pre-tribers will say but the rapture happens when that which restrains the lawless one is removed so that the lawless one can be revealed. They say that is the church being raptured out because the church is what is restraining the lawless one. Maybe, but there are some problems with that. First, why was the church worried about missing the day of the Lord (which comes after the lawless one is revealed) and their being gathered to him if they were going to be raptured out before that day? Second, why bother teaching them the signs of the day of the Lord if they weren’t going to be here?
There are some other reasons I opted to reject a belief in a pre-trib rapture. The development of this end time belief is less than 200 years old. It began with J. N. Darby around 1830 and was made popular by the Schofield Bible. As I said, traditionally (for more than 1800 years) the church has looked for the day of the Lord or the second coming.
The pre-trib rapture belief mistakenly assumes the great tribulation is from God on the unbelievers in the world. If you read through the Bible, you will recognize that what is coming for unbelievers and the wicked on the day of the Lord is not tribulations. It is the wrath of God. Tribulations in the Bible are usually from the world. Jesus said, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John16:33NASB1995 Christians have suffered, and are today suffering tribulations at the hands of the world. We have been going through tribulations since the resurrection. I believe we are in the great tribulation now.
Lastly, if Christians believe they are going to be whisked away before the anti-christ is revealed, they may not be looking for the signs of his coming. There are many given and we need to know them and look for them so we are not deceived if there isn’t a pre-tribulation rapture. Jesus gave signs to look for. Paul also told the Thessalonians signs that accompany the coming lawless one. “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” 2 Thessalonians2:9–10NIV
I do not consider myself an end times prophecy expert. I have just shared some of my beliefs. As I said, if I were wrong and the pre-trib rapture were true, I would certainly be happy to be wrong and be joined with those gathering to meet Jesus in the air.
One thing is certain, Jesus is coming again! Whether that be a pre-trib rapture or a second coming, it is important to read the Bible, know the signs of his coming, and be expectantly watching for it.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promised return! Thank you for Scripture that gives me signs to look for. Thank you for your Holy Spirit leading me into all truth! Help me to know what to look for and help me to be looking. Amen.
In Luke 21, Jesus is giving almost the exact same warning that is in Matthew 24 and in Mark 13… almost. There is the prophesied destruction of the temple. There is the persecution of the disciples. There are prophesied wars between nations and kingdoms.
There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke21:25–27NIV
That all sounds pretty scary. Luke says, “People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Luke21:26NIV That will be the case for some people but not everyone. He also says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke21:28NIV
When the Lord returns, there will be two types of people meeting him… those who are terrified at his coming and those who have been longing for it. As believers, we are supposed to know the signs and be looking for them. They are not supposed to be troubling for us. When we recognize the signs, we are to be looking up because our redeemer is coming for us!
Luke adds something else that is not in Matthew or Mark’s presentation of Jesus’ end prophesies. In Luke 21, Jesus says, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke21:34–36NIV
We are to be careful not to get caught up in the thick of thin things of life. Jesus ends these warnings in Luke with instructions to pray… “…pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
We don’t let ourselves become distracted by the cares of the world. We pray. We look for the signs of Jesus return. As we see them happening, we lift up our heads, because our “redemption is drawing near!” Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus, come!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the knowledge that you are coming back one day. Help me to look for the signs that you said would indicate that day is near. Lord, I pray that I would be able to escape the things that are about to happen and be able to stand in your presence. Amen.
Thinking About and Being a Child of God 