Abusing the Role of Leadership, Part #2

Abusing the role of leadership Part #1 

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17).

Enterprising preachers use this verse to establish a domain, power base, and denomination within the religious community.  The scripture does not support this ideology.  The interpretation of the Word of God based upon our perspective is often subject to error, especially when we use it to bend the will of the people for self-promotion. Understanding the Word of God teaches us that the perspective must always be that of the author.  When we surgically removed Bible verses from their supporting scripture and presented as a complete thought, the context and perspective greatly suffer.

What does the scripture mean when it says, "Obey them that have the rule over you?  First, those who desire to establish a power base and Lord over the church should not attempt to interpret this scripture.  Second, the reference here is to the religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. The church was to show them proper respect and submit to the authority in the church, by the precepts of the Savior.

The obligation to obey does not extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of one's conscience. The doctrine is that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are over us in the Lord.

Also, submit yourselves, that is, to all, which they enjoin that is lawful and right. There are, about society,

(1.)  We must always obey those things that God positively commanded.

(2.) Many things which have been agreed on by the community or church as needful for its welfare--and these are to be submitted to unless they violate the rights of conscience; and,

(3.) Which there is no expressed Divine command and of no formal enactment by the church or community. They are matters of convenience; things that tend to the order and harmony of the church or community, and of the propriety of these, "rulers" in the church or community and elsewhere should be allowed to judge, and we should submit to them patiently. Hence, in the church, we are to submit to all the proper regulations for conducting public worship; for the promotion of religion; and for the administration of discipline.

For they watch for your souls. They have no selfish aim in this. They do not seek "to lord it over God's heritage." It is for your own good that they do this.  The church should submit to these arrangements, but, those selected to serve should not abuse this authority.   Their service should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people, and all the arrangements should be to that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe.  It should be such as will promote unity within the church and salvation. 

Pastors often seek to impose their will on the church under the guise of a new message from God.   The path that many appointed or elected leaders follow leads to division within the Church and community and cause the believability of God to suffer.  

In Paul's time, the elders retained the rulership of the churches.   Elders of the church did not necessarily denote members of the clergy.  During the early church years, the church was an intricate part of the community, not a building or assembly set aside by a particular denomination or preacher.  Therefore, church rulers were members of the community, and they ministered to the needs of the community through the church.   

The interpretation of the scripture to suppress the people of God and bring them into bondage is not according to the will of God (Galatians 2:4).  Often our resolve to question the wolves who come to us in sheep clothes with a credential is tempered by the indoctrinated belief that whatsoever or whosoever proclaim to be of God is of God.  1^st John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.   The scripture teaches us how to treat the messengers of God; it also teaches us how to test those wolves that come in sheep clothes.

New leaders are emerging overrunning the church and community.  The emergence of these leaders or the proliferation of the role of leadership has created a divided platform.   This platform needs to be reconciled for the organized church to regain its once held status.  Many communities and church leaders' objectives are to stir up a type of dissension or hatred necessary for establishing a different base. The aim is to enhance their self-proclaimed position. 

How can the organized church, a fragment body, a divided house reconcile itself through the fragmentation that it has suffered for more than one thousand years?  How will this be reconciled within the Kingdom of God?  Maybe there are other guidelines in place that determine who is saved and who is not. Is it possible that much of the doctrines will have no value in the Kingdom of God?  These are the issues that the organized church and its array of leaders must resolve to maintain the light that Jesus threatens to remove from the church.

The desire to stand out, the desire to be a superstar, the desire to be in charge is the driving force behind many new denominations and ministers entering into the vineyard of Christ.  To make such statements is opening myself up to criticism, but there is an urgent need for the telling of the truth.  Hiding behind scriptures out of context and making false claims on God has placed the church in a tenuous position.  To sustain itself in a blatant attempt to remain relevant, that which is a part of the world is acceptable to the church, not for edifying God, but for attracting more people to the church as a place of entertainment.  Modern day churches are seeking to merge worship, workshops, and entertainment, and there are those who are good at this, they are reaping the benefits of Christ church while Jesus is left standing at the door knocking.  How profane.

Abusing the Role of Leadership

If we are serious about the Church as the body of Christ, then there are questions to which we should demand answers.   Among them are why there are so many different churches and different leaders?  The reconciliation of these matters is necessary if the emerging generation is to maintain a belief in the church and the Kingdom of God.  Failure to address these issues is detrimental to the true concept of the church.

Our leaders are leading us on a path either toward the Kingdom or down a road of deception.  Jesus ministry focused on the coming of the Kingdom The focus of today's ministry is to lead us through a life of prosperity and blessings as the organized church competes with our institutes of higher learning and entertainment venues.   The failure of the organized church to address spiritual issues and police it leadership roster is aiding its digression into an irrelevant religious order.

The emerging of new leaders is common in the arena of human affairs, specifically, political, ethnic groups, religion, and communities.  Many of these new leaders serve no purpose other than attempting to manipulate the masses and to further their personal objective.  The creation of new titles and the resurrection of others appear to be a part of an overall scheme in the glorification of man.  Given the gift to speak or sing, and with the right initiative, a person can rise to a high level of power and glorification within the world, community, and organized church.  

What are the qualifications of a leader of a church?  Can we validate the calling?  In many of the denominational churches, it is possible to obtained credentials by simply saying, God has called you to the ministry."   These invalidated claims in many instances are nothing but a desire to be a person of interest and the desire for power.   There is a certain respectability obtain by claiming to be a minister. 

Those of us who are enduring a type of suffering harbor a level of gullibility; we look for that Moses-type to appear and lead us into the promised land.  We quickly succumb to the antics and rhetoric of the actors, the sports players the rock stars, the motivational speakers, the gospel singers, we place them on pedestals, we worship them and call them leaders.   The direction that they are leading us is irrelevant as long as these leaders possess the charisma of an enlightened soul.

"So hast (thou also), them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate" (Revelation 2:15).  Jesus spoke of his hatred for those that came into the church for establishing rulership over God's people.  Was it the temptation of money and power that caused the church organize and succumb to the rule of leadership?  Why is a level of salvation derived from collecting funds from a community and funneling it to groups outside of the community?  Why have the Saints of God emerged into an arena where the blessing of God is determined by the amount of money given?  Why are the programs always about raising money?  Even those programs touted as revivals; their success is determined by the sum of money collected.    Questions, questions, there are more questions than answers.

     

There is a type of sadness and suffering emulating from the household of faith.  Church members are suffering and dying, same as they did in the early days of the church.  The syrupy messages of sunshine and favor no longer hold sway as they once did.   The catchphrases such as, "come and get your blessing" or "get your healing" is losing their drawing power.  The realization of the manipulation has begun to set in, and the younger generation is turning their backs on this marketing ploy. 

The pomp and pageantry of idolatry injected into many of our worship settings allow men and women to adorn themselves in manners that separate themselves from the rest of the assembly.  Does this level of separation define their level of Godliness?  The organized church has become a place where fancy titles and "the God complex" is nurtured.

Let us revisit what Jesus had to say about clamoring for a title or position.   "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:8). 

Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason he gave was that he was himself was their Master and Teacher. They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; as brethren, and they should neither covet nor receive a title either which implied an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Savior to be their only Teacher and Master. The command here is an express command to his disciples not to receive such a title of distinction. They were not to covet it; they were not to seek it; they were not to do anything that implied a wish or willingness to have these titles appended to their names. Everything, which would tend to make a distinction between them, or destroy their equality, everything that would lead the world to suppose that there were ranks and grades among them as ministers, they were to avoid. 

The command is that they were not to receive the title. "Be not ye called Rabbi." The Savior did not forbid them giving the title to others when it was customary or not regarded as improper, (Acts 26:25 ;) but they were not to receive it. It was to be unknown to them. This title corresponds to the title "Doctor of Divinity," as applied to ministers of the gospel; and so far as I can see, the spirit of the Savior's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called Rabbi. It is a literary distinction. It does not appropriately pertain to the office. It makes a distinction between ministers.  An impressive title tends to engender pride and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it.    Lack of an impressive title creates envy and a sense of inferiority, and the whole spirit and tendency of it are contrary to the "simplicity that is in Christ".  The acceptance and use of these titles within the ministry involve a degree of pride.

The scribes and Pharisees explained the Law of Moses and enforced obedience to it. They were guilty of hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance, but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, (Exodus 13:2-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21).  They made the phylacteries broad so they would look upon as being more zealous for the law than others are.  God appointed the Jews to make fringes upon their garments, (Numbers 15:38), to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common as if they were thereby more religious than others.

Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against it.  Jesus taught us that giving respect to them that are teachers are commendable; but for them, that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up, is sinful.  How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity!   Put in chief places upset the consistent disciple of Christ, but to look around in the visible church, one would think this was what the spirit required.  It is plain that some measure of this anti-Christian spirit prevails in every religious society. 

The desire to be president, the desire to be a Bishop, a pastor or ruler is intoxicating.   Driven by desire alone men and women have ascribed to high positions.  Often lacking the ability to lead they set themselves up as leaders.   The capacity to be a leader is often lacking, but the validation is, "whom God calls, he qualifies."  The qualifying of many is long overdue.  After listening to some messengers, one can easily get the impression that God is slow, or he isn't listening anymore.

In many churches, pastor worship has overshadowed the actual worship of God.  The fear of the pastor has replaced the fear of God.  A proper reading of the Scripture will not support the thesis of some man ruling over Christ Church. 

A pastor assigned to a (community built) church, by a state Bishop, proclaimed that God had sent him there, and he had the mandate to act as he saw fit.  The death of the last founding deacon and a younger deacon took on a strange interpretation.   Visiting pastors began to buy into this bizarre interpretation.  God move these people out of the way so he could have full control of the church.  How this would resonate within the community was of little regard as he sought to entrench himself within all of the affairs of the church.  He threatened other members with the same fate if they did not support his level of incompetence.  How profane.  A classic textbook example of abusing the role of leadership.  

The desire to be a leader, even the proclamation of being a leader does not make one a leader.   The desire to be a shepherd, even armed with the proper credentials does not make one a pastor.  Using the scripture to validate, 'whom God calls he qualifies', is a moot point when the calling is in doubt or none existence.  Even for the Bishop, there are guidelines set forth.   "For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre" (Titus 1:7).   Casting aside these guidelines, more and more people began to enjoy the title of Bishops and claim they are prophets of God as they follow after filthy lucre. 

Jesus, as well as Paul, expressed their dread of false prophets, "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders (witchcraft), to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect" (Mark 13:22).  "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage:" (Galatians 2:4).  In the simplest terms, both Jesus and Paul are saying, beware of those who will come in using witchcraft and abusing the role of leadership.  Their objective is to make merchandise of you.


In the formative years, the church was concerned about serving Christ through their service to humanity.  The church members were concern about other church members within the community. The church of today is working the entertainment programs, collecting money, and honoring the pastor.  The amount of support a suffering soul receives from attending many services is equivalent to watching a football game.  

Revelation, The Church, and The Tribulation

Reflecting upon the messages emulating from the pinnacles of faith I have noticed a disturbing trend developing. What once was a plan of redemption, a plan of salvation that had strict rule and regulations has evolved into a feel-good message designed to entertain.   One pastor's weekly message is about how God loves us and how he is doing great things for us.  There are those who accept the indoctrinated view of God while other look out their window and see the signs of the tribulation all around us.  The strange weather patterns, the intensification of storms and earthquakes, the spirit of discontent that exists within our homes, school, churches, communities, and nation does not depict the image of a smiling God.

In my book, "The Evolution of a Failed Church", I seek to amplify the disconnect that exists and condemnations brought against the church after it had strayed away from the ordinance set forth by Christ.  Long before our leaders trashed the Bible and enacted laws giving humanity the courage to stand against God, Christianity and the Bible, the church as an organized and divided body had failed (Revelation 2-3).   There is only one question left to answer. "Did the gates of Hell prevail against the true church (Five wise virgins) or did Christ come back for his church before it became a confused and divided body (Five foolish virgins) (Revelation 4:)?   The answer to this and other question has serious implication for the billion-dollar entertainment enterprise that is masquerading as the organized church.

According to the testimony of the Apostle Paul (who wrote inspired of God), we will not enter nor go through any part of the Great Tribulation: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1^st Thessalonians 5:9). According to this Scripture, the Church is not appointed to wrath, the Church is not appointed to judgment. The Church will not face either the wrath of God or the judgment of God but will be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds in the air. Then the judgment of Almighty God will fall upon this earth as described in Revelation six and follow. The stage is set in Revelation 4 and 5, and the judgments break out at the beginning of chapter six.

We all face a problem here.  It is not with the interpretation of the book of Revelation, it is with the application, implication, and timeline.  The prevailing consensus is we must go to church, a building dedicated to a church to obtain salvation.  Now if we believe as Paul believed that the church would not go through the tribulation, then we are comfortable with the idea that the tribulation is not upon us, thus the fulfillment of Revelation has not begun, yet many teach that we are living in the days spoken of in the book of Revelation.  If we see the signs that Jesus spoke of as the beginning of sorrow, the time of tribulation and the church is still here then contrary to what Paul said, the church is going through the tribulation.     

Paul speaking to the Jewish converts long before the church became an organized body.  "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)  The new converts were encouraged to get together with other converts and uplift one another through prayer and their testimony as they waited for the return of Christ.  They were to do this as a spiritual body.  The Roman government (Constantine) and enterprising men (Nicolaitans) saw the power and glory of organizing these groups into one earthly body (denomination).   After a period of trials and tribulations this earthly body split.   The implications were the body of Christ had become a divided body, and according to Jesus, a divided house cannot stand.  It is easy to see the problem good men have created.      

It easy to discard Revelation 6:12-17 as these signs are nothing new.   And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, (meteorites striking the earth) even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains (storm shelters and fallout shelters).   And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

It is just as easy to be confused by the numerous and exciting messages being presented in the house of God.  What is strange about these messages is they all speak of what God is doing.   I am constantly bombarded with claims of what God is doing.  Why does God spend so much time fixing problems when all he has to do is speak the word?  Why is there an on slaughter of preachers promising financial favors from God especially on the social media?  We are encouraged to "Type Amen" and share the message as if we can prod God into action.  Let look at a few examples of what God was seen doing by the New Testament writers.

Acts 7:55-56  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

In this verse, the author writes that Stephen looking into Heaven he saw the Glory of God, it does not say he saw God. It further states that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.  Standing is a position of action.  Stephen a righteous man was killed because of his testimony.  What is interesting is he did not pray for his deliverance.  

Revelation 4:2-3 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Revelation 7:10  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

John is referencing seeing God through his glory sitting on the throne.  

There is a type of lunacy that has invaded the household of faith and Christians are upholding it.  There is sadness when I hear people who have given their whole life to the church, and in their golden years, they began to question their faith.  We can pretend that this condition does not exist, bury our heads in the sand, quote shaped scriptures to prove our point, but the truth is, many older church members are secretly questing their faith as they sit alone at home waiting to die, and the younger generation no longer maintain the faith of their parents.

A lady in her eighties told me, "I use to go to church and feel the spirit of God, now I go to church and don't feel nothing but I go to church and pay my tithes because we are supposed to."    I couldn't resist, I asked, "Why are we suppose to go to a church building?" Her response was, "It's in the Bible."  "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)   The interpretation of this verse and other verses is shaped to force the believer that in order to save one's soul one must attend a particular organized divided assembly designated as the church.  Now couple that with Malachi 3:8 and we have the making of a beautiful business plan that many has capitalized on.  There is no meat in the organized church because the scriptures are twisted, the storehouse has been robbed, and the people are suffering.  

When attempting to analyze those verses, the first question we should ask is, when Paul wrote those now famous words, what was the church like?  Where did the early Christians meet?  The message of Malachi 3:8 was not a message to the congregation, it was a message to the priest. Malachi 2:1  And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.  The priest was asked questions, the priest asked questions and the answer was given

A prearrange indoctrination sessions have rendered the Word of God null and void.  We often go to church to get our blessings, we are conditioned to believe this, it is necessary to support the church bottom line.  What blessing do we receive from listening to a preacher scream and hollow about God delivering Jonah from the belly of the whale?  How often do we shake the preacher's hand and say, we enjoyed the message?  Did we really enjoy the message or was it the presentation of the message?  How long before we forget what the message was about.  Would we be more excited if a well-known mega-church pastor came to our assembly and read the 23rd Psalms?   

Learning to use code words or trigger words can excite a congregation, the same as the yelling touchdown at a football game.   In the church, this explosive reaction is attributed to the spirit of God.  In my early days, I witnessed the same type of reaction at a James Brown concert.  The audience erupted in a state of euphoria at the mere sight of a mortal man walking on stage.

The church, whether it is a tribulation force or pre-tribulation force has strayed away from its intended purpose (Revelation 2-3)  It was Jesus who established the church and the church should be for the benefit of Christ.  Enterprising young men and women have taken control of God's heritage and are seeking to establish their own hierarchy.  This is akin to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.  He like so many today has lost sight of who they were and where they had come from. His “fugue state,” was caused by him taking credit for the kingdom he had been given, he forgot that God is the King of Kings, and everything he had was from Him (Daniel 4:17, 28–30).

God dramatized the king’s state of mind by an introduced fugue state.   He was driven into the fields as a homeless man to live with wild animals and graze like a cow (vv. 32–33). Finally, after seven years Nebuchadnezzar looked up to the skies and his memory of who he was and who had given him his kingdom returned. With his senses restored, he declared, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven” (v. 37).

The noun fugue describes a psychiatric disorder that involves memory loss and travel. If you wake up in New Jersey and cannot remember how you got there, one possibility is that you were in a fugue state.  With the proliferation of titles and the word of God, many are inclined to forget who is the King of Kings.   If you think you have the power to run God's house any way you please then you are like Nebuchadnezzar you are experiencing a fugue state.  

Who do we think we are? Where did we come from? Since we are inclined to forget, who can we count on to help us remember, the pastor, the priest, the bishop, the King of Kings?   Father, we are so inclined to forget whom we are, where we have come from, and that we belong to you. Help us to remember that in Christ, we are your children, the sheep of his pasture, now and forever.

To be continued...

Times of the Gentiles or The End of Days

The refusal to accept the fact that God has long grown weary of the antics of humanity and retired to his throne, as depicted in Revelation 4:2 has led many down a path of darkness.   We are clamoring for the blessing that God promised Israel, whereas God long ago acting upon his frustration for his chosen people gave them a bill of divorcement.  "And I saw when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also." (Jeremiah 3:8)  There is no reference in the scripture that declares the blessings of God to be transferable.

Many are failing to see the dark clouds rising on the horizon because we are not prepared to accept the angry God concept.  Yet, throughout the scripture, God has displayed his anger.  Whenever I mention the angry God concept in a bible study or Sunday school an usually there is an attempt to silence me.  While sitting through church service there is a constant reminder of how much God loved me and even while I sleep God is working things out.   I tend to shudder when I am told this, nowhere in the scripture have I found God spending such a vast amount of time working things out, when God spoke, it was done.

Jolted awake in the early hours of the morning the newscaster informed me that the intensity of war has increased.  Much of the East coast is suffering from another snow storm in the middle of April, in the heartlands, fire are raging and even in my part of the world, we are still unable to plant our crops or garden.  Tornados are ripping the central states apart, and soon we will be facing the hurricanes.  Crime is on the rise as parents are killing their children and children are murdering their parents.  Yet the powder-puff messages emulating from the house of God only speaks of God's love.  We are well into the book of Revelation, the tribulation is upon us and what I see is the antics of an angry God. "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17)  

Avid students of the Word of God ascribe to the ideology that the church will not be present here on earth during the tribulation spoken of by Jesus.  In Luke 21 Jesus preached a sermon about the End of Days. The end of the world is easier to comprehend when we can compare it to the world around us. That is what Jesus did. He pointed to known things and said, amplify that, multiply that-exponentially, and then you will understand what is coming.  "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (Luke 21:11)  Jesus was saying to the multitude, you see these things now but multiply that-exponentially.  Jesus describes a Global final holocaust-not merely of Jews and Christians-but of humans under the full authority of the pawn of Satan. 

Paul described an event that was scheduled to take place. The event is not hard to understand but it is the timing of the event that causes the problem.  This event represents the church's removal from the earth.  "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1^st  Thessalonians 4:16-17)   We could better understand these verses if we accepted the ideology that this was Christ coming back for his church and that this is the first step of a transformation process.  The Church once transformed and given crowns will return as the Holy Angels of Christ.   This is not the end of salvation, it could be better understood as the beginning of the tribulation.  It is a prelude to Christ returning to judge the nations.

"When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all of the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him he shall gather all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divides his sheep from the goats." (Matthew 25:31-32)  As we have shown in many other studies, the nations do not represent churches as some propose. 

Revelation 7: 9-17 speaks of a great number coming out of the tribulation. "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14)

In searching for information on the "End of Days", I realized that this subject trivialized through mass predictions that have failed, to movies and videos that have no scripture value all for the purpose of publicity and financial gain.  Since Christ left this earth and promised to return, many have been cashing in on the publicity and profit gained by predicting the return of Christ.  The early Christians were left with the belief that the second coming was any day now.  This belief was partial fostered by the words of Jesus when he said, "...When he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:26-27)   Did Christ come back to claim his church before it became a divided entity?"  Are we well into the millennium of tribulation?

The common opinion that the Millennium is to be ushered in by the preaching of the Gospel and that after the Millennium there is to be a "General Resurrection" followed by a "General Judgment," and then the earth is to be destroyed by fire. This interpretation cast aside the different scriptural accounts and seeks to establish a general consensus as to how the judgment of the world will proceed.  This is what most have been taught but is this all scriptural.   

Our failure to understand these verses, amplified by our refusal to accept that Christ is speaking of several events can easily lead us down a path of darkness. In Luke 9:26 Jesus references the Holy Angels, the enforcement arm of his kingdom.  This must take place after he has come back to claim his church.  Also, to clarify, in Luke 9:27 he is referencing his beloved disciple John as one who would not die until he saw the kingdom of God, (Revelation 4)  Remember the timeline is in Revelation.  The disciples were concern about when would Christ establish his kingdom, this should also be our concern.  The statement made by Luke and ascribed to Christ seems to indicate that this event was within the lifespan of some who was standing there listening to him. 

The acceptance of the foregoing statement and the failure of some to see the arrival of the glory of God cause modern day cynics to exclaim that there must be some old people still walking around on earth.  To explain this verse and to maintain the status quo belief in today religion system, we must interpret this verse from an alien perspective.

From the 1^st century through the 19^th century, a few brave souls predicted when the end of the world would come. Beginning with the 20^th century and into the 21^st-century end of day's predictions saw a sharp increase as newly emerging prophets and apostle vied for the attention of the masses.    With advancement in the media,  predicting the end of days, become a profitable business, the same as with the church, the shaping, and twisting of the scripture become commonplace.

The timeline of the end of days is in the book of Revelation.  It is easy too followed, but it places the church in an untenable position.   We are trying to justify the existence of a divided church.   The progression of the church as depicted in Revelation 3:14-19 reflect that of a failed church.  Any interpretation of the end of days, to be acceptable to the mass, must not attack the foundation of a billion-dollar entertainment business whose existence based upon the collection of tithes and offerings and has lost sight on its special and spiritual function. Revelation 3:18.  Thirty thousand plus different denominations and belief structures attest to the fact that as an origination, the modern day church is a failed entity.  If Christ were to return to claim his church today, what church or denomination would he be coming for? 

When the "Times of the Gentiles" are about to end the Jews will be gathered back to the Holy Land "unconverted," and caused to "pass under the rod." Ezekiel 20:34-38. They will be cast into God's "Melting Pot" (Ezekiel 22:19-22), and pass through an experience spoken of by Jeremiah and Daniel as the "TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE." Jeremiah 30:4-7; Daniel 12:1. Christ calls it "The Great Tribulation," and He and Zechariah the Prophet associate it with the "Return of the Lord." Matthew 24:21-31; Zechariah 14:1-11. The human agent the Lord will use will be the Antichrist, the awfulness of whose rule will be supplemented by the pouring out of the "Vials of God's wrath" upon the earth. Revelation 15:1,5-8; 16:1-21.

The Culture of Hate

As a religious writer, I struggle to not become involved in politically generated frays, yet many of my constituents or peers and associates seem to relish the opportunity of open condemnation while buying into the concept of, "Thou shall not Judge".  The moral, spiritual and political consciousness of our world and society has shifted causing a new culture to emerge.  Social, political and ethnic groups that once viewed themselves as depressed entities and victims of hate provide the fuel this new culture.  They now seek to eradicate hate through creating new laws, shaming and direct confrontation, thus creating more hate in the process.

Love and hate are emotions of the heart that radiate like the sun, even when not seen its presence can be felt.  Many of us know the feeling of walking into a room filled with hate or the joy of walking into a room filled with love.  Hate is nurtured through exposure, and when agitated it spreads.  Hate is infectious like a virus that breaks down the Hearts immune system.  Once the immune system is compromised, all of the depravities of humanity rushes in to fill any available space rooting out all that is good in the process.  Hate infect young and old,  it cannot be destroyed nor contained by laws. The prodigies of hate include child suicide, murders.

The common denominator for murder is the sin that manifests itself as hate. Hate is an emotion that spring forth from the heart of man.  Wikipedia defines hate as deep and extreme emotional dislike, especially invoking feelings of anger or resentment. It can be directed against individuals, groups, entities, objects, behaviors, or ideas. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust and a disposition towards humanity.  Nurturing hate will cause one to destroy themselves as well as others.  

Hate is a spiritual entity that infects the heart of humanity.  Like the wind, we cannot see it but we can feel it.  We cannot control the wind, we cut down trees to build houses to protect us, thereby exposing us to more severe winds.  The condemning of sin in the flesh or self-judging is the only control for hate. Paul speaking to the Roman Jews who place a great value upon the Law of God and man, eloquently stated to some dismay, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8:3) Sadly this solution is often overlooked as we clamor for more laws.   Laws do not prevent, they set a boundary and provide for the punishment of those who trespass.

The laws of this nation once were formulated around the Bible, a strong adherence to the Ten Commandments, but that has changed.  Laws are now formulated to appease the seared conscious of humanity.  Words such as judging, hate and even sin have become a burden and many are disagreeing with their meaning and what they believe.  Christianity has failed to reach a consensus and is becoming mired in a bog of confusion as it seeks to redefine itself as a religion of tolerance.  All of these acts have rendered the application of the Word of God impotent and irrelevant. 

If the message emulating from the church is not about God's love and what he is doing for us, then the message is cast aside as "that's just his or her opinion.  We have become as the scripture states, a people "whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" (Philippians 3:19-20)  Consider this, if God was doing all of the things that we claim he is doing, then humanity is off the hook and the world is a beautiful place.

We have arrived at a juncture in our tenure here on earth where it is no longer fashionable to refer to Christ as the only begotten Son of God.  Politicians, popular talk show host, and enterprising speakers have advanced the ideology that we must share the position of our deity with other notable personalities.  Other detractors spend great moments seeking to define what color is a supernatural being.  This is necessary to advance the culture of hate.  Many churches, once the gatekeeper of our society has long been known for accepting money from the government, they have abandoned their post and in many instances, they have become caught up in the culture of hate.   

The question that I pose, after the first time I was chastised for using the word hate in bible study lesson, is it possible to eradicate hate?  As a Bible scholar, I must rely on the Bible for guidance.  There are instances of profound hatred throughout the Holy Scripture.  God spoke to the Prophet Malachi and said, "And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." (Malachi 1:3)   Even Jesus in his disdain for what the church had become, declared, "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." (Revelation 2:6)   A profound act of hatred accrued when Lucifer rebelled against God.  This was hatred on a supernatural level.  There are numerous scriptural references to this epic battle, but Revelation 12:7-10  recounts the event.  Parallels are drawn to the passage in Isaiah 14:4-17 that mentions the "son of the morning" that had "fallen from heaven" and was "cast down to the earth".

A war started in heaven and now the people of the earth are included in the war. How could Satan think he could win against God? What strategy might he be using?  Satan has attacked God and His government. In getting Eve to sin, Satan specifically got Eve to distrust God.  To distrust sows the seeds of hatred.  She was led to believe that God was holding back what should have been hers.  This scenario is still being played out today.  Satan must have used the same kind of attack against the angels in heaven.

I cannot help but wonder how Satan could figure that he might win a war against God, the Creator of all things? God is all powerful while Satan and His evil angels are only created beings. So why did Satan attack God? They do not have the power of God and they tremble at the thought of God:  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19.  It appears that Satan is waging a legal war. He is playing on the fairness of God and in doing so, it is his hope he can trap God in a situation that he cannot back away from.  A reading of Daniel 6 will enlighten us on a parallel situation.  The King trapped by his minions into making a law did something that he did not want to do.

The next occurrence of hate, the common denominator of all sin was when Cain slew his brother Abel.  The murder was against the ordinance of God, therefore Cain was punished for his transgression.  Later when God set forth his Laws to the Children of Israel, he issued a declaration that said, "Thou shall not Kill", Exodus 20:13, KJV.  This did not prevent humanity from committing murder.  I listen intently as the pious prelate built his Exegesis of  The Word around the necessity of more laws to combat the spiraling murder rate, whereas God in his supreme wisdom knew that compounding laws upon laws would not solve the problem. 

On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.  It superseded state rights thereby creating a new level of hatred.  This act expanded existing United States federal hate crime law to apply to crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, and dropped the prerequisite that the victim must be engaging in a federally protected activity.  Prior to the enacting of these updates, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 sort to remain consistent with the teaching of the Bible. 

Blinded by the hype we failed to see the storm that was unleashed upon humanity.  Beginning in 1968 these laws unleashed a hailstorm of hatred.  On October 28, 2009, these laws expanded and enacted divided the world population in such a manner as it has never been.  The values of old were sacrificed upon the altar of political correctness, and what emerged from the smoke was a culture of hate.  Never in my lifetime have I seen such manifestation of hate.

A Dialog of Why and Where was God.

The tragic events of the past weeks are underscored by either the silence emulating from the household of faith or the sound of the pious prelates and others politicizing the events and demanding more laws.  Paul, speaking to the Romans addressed the issue eloquently.  "...For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8:3)   Once the hate generated rhetoric, the publicity campaigns funded by those with ulterior motives and remains of those who perished are laid to rest the only true change will be the intensification of hate. 

Whether it is a child committing suicide, a school shooting or a terrorist bombing, the common denominator in all of these acts is hate.   With all of the laws put in place to curb and control hate, our children worldwide have become the victim of a hate culture.  There is a type of sadness, a dark cloud that has overshadowed us as the realization set in, we have strayed too far from our core, we have polluted our religion, and defied the Laws of God.  Have we passed the point of no return?  Are the prophecies are being fulfilled and there are no laws that can help us?   Consider the laws put in place to protect us from prostitution, gambling, and drugs.  How do we measure the success of these laws, money spent, lives or families destroyed, God forbid, can we not see the error of our ways? 

In the course of human events when beset by trouble and situations that we simply do not understand, we often turn to God and ask "WHY".   In the passing of our love-ones, in the midst of our trials and tribulations, many of us find consolation in accepting the ideology that God saw the situation and had a better plan.   Based upon the indoctrination of God's love this may suffice for some, but it does little to appease the heart of the mother or father whose loved one was killed in a horrific accident or senseless shooting.   Even death in its most subtle form can be heartbreaking and will cause those that are suffering to question God.

My contention is asking questions are the foundation of learning therefore through this article I will ask a series of question. (rhetorical or otherwise but they are important.)   Why is it more comforting to accept that God saw our loved ones suffering and called them home?  Is death God's way of calling his children home or is death just a process ordained by God?  Does God give us a certain number, or are there other elements that determine the length of our stay here on earth?  Does asking God why allow us to place the blame on God rather than humanity?  In Solomon search for answers he surmised life as such: "I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." (Ecclesiastes 9:11)  Jesus said, "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

   

"Where was God?"  This is one of the first questions to emerge whenever there is a church shooting, school shooting, terrorist bombing or even a natural disaster.  On those days when the sun is shining brightly in our lives, placated by the thought that God loves us and is working in the background to make everything come out all right, even while we are asleep, allows some of us to become at ease.  The acceptance of whatever happens in this life is God's will can reaffirm our faith or it can become a destructive force.  This force has shattered the faith of many.  Those that are basking the sunshine of favors often have a hard time grasping the depth and reality of this question.  After a horrific shooting, In an attempt to console the pious proclaim God's will must be done.  Hearing those words an emerging voice proclaim, "if this is how your God work then I don't want no part of him."

The questions of "Where was God", or "Why" is never really answered.  They are the elephants in the room, overlooked and buried under the guise that we are not to question God.  The basic reason being is that much of modern day Christianity ideology is based on a type of confusion that permeates a feel-good relationship thru the shaping of the scriptures.  Everything about modern day Christianity is shaped and scripted to make you feel good.  The church has become the new entertainment center where we come to get our praise on, collect blessing and be entertained.   Our prayers have become a scripted dialog used for the edification of self and those that hear us, as we demand God to act.  Too often our prayers go unanswered are forgotten.  But, we cannot say that because our indoctrination tells us that God hears and answer all prayers.     

Did God promise to do all of the things we claim he promised?  Is God directing the affairs of man?  We as a worker in the vineyard should take these questions seriously.  If you ask any follower of Christ these question the answer will be I know God is a deliverer, because he delivered me or I know God is a healer because he healed me.  However, is this assessment a true indication of God power or is this just a feel-good response.  More and more people are becoming unimpressed with the unsubstantiated claims of what God is doing for us.   Looking to God for deliverance seems to be the modus-operand of the Christian journey, but a search of the New Testament fails to validate this point. 

In times of distress, we pray for God to make our enemies our footstool. Did God really promise to make our enemies our footstool?  There is no clear reading of the scripture to validate that point.  "And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Luke 20:42-43) This statement could reference David or even Jesus Christ but I doubt if it was to all of us here on this earth.

How often have we heard how God protects his children, but is this the truth according to the scriptural?   True God delivered Daniel from the mouth of the Lions, but John, the forerunner of Christ, lingered in jail until beheaded at the King's request.  God fought numerous battles to save the Children of Israel, but he dispatched no angels to save his son or the apostle's life.   In Revelation John recorded Jesus as standing by waiting for more of the saints to be beheaded.  It would seem as if after the birth of Christ, persecution, and death became a part of the road to salvation.

"And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Revelation 6:10-11) 

 "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4)

While undergoing Cancer treatment I cried out to God to heal me.  Once the surgery and radiation were successful I was encouraged to testify how God had healed me.  Regardless of what they told me, in the midst of my pain, in the midst of my suffering God was silent.   When I close my eyes and slipped into a drug-induced coma, in my mind's eye I saw the Christ sitting at the head of my bead, but he was silent.  My lesson in faith through all of my suffering was to understand the silence of God.

When a young man entered a church and shot many of the worshippers the religious world was stunned.  Many would have believed that God would have stepped in and prevented such atrocious act from happening.  God command and his command was for the young man not to do the deed, but freewill which was entrusted to humanity allows us to do as we choose.  In the Garden of Eden, God commanded Adam, but Adam chose to sin.  It is never a question of what God can or cannot do, the focus should be placed on how God works.  Through Adam and Eve's ordeal with the Devil, God was silent.

  

We place a too greater burden on God and our leaders when we expect them to act in our behalves and protect us from ourselves.  We are also guilty of trivializing God and his work when we proclaim that everything that happens in the world today is God's will.   We belittle ourselves when we blame our leaders.  If my heart is corrupt and filled with enough hate that my desire is to commit murder, most likely I will succeed.  To say that it was God's will is sacrilegious.  Hate is the underlining cause of all of the atrocities taking place.   When hate is exposed to the light of day it grows. 

The point that I am advancing is that based on a mixing of the Old and New Testament we have a God who is removing obstacles, making our path straight, and pouring out material blessings upon us.   What we are refusing to accept is that we are dealing with a God who went silent after he divorced his chosen people.  After four hundred years the next time he spoke was in anger when he told Peter, James, and John, "This is my beloved son, hear him."  They killed the son and he returned to his father as a supernatural being, who sent his spirit to guide and comfort us.

   

Where was God?  While calling upon God, Stephen was stoned to death. (Acts 7:54-60)  There is nothing in the elucidations of Acts that leads one to believe that God did anything to prevent the so-call religious leaders from killing Stephen.  Throughout the ordeal of Stephen, God was silent.  "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God," (Acts 7:55) Where was God? According to the Book of Revelation God is sitting on his throne preparing to pour out his wrath, restrained only by the intercession of Christ.   Revelation 7

Part #5, The End of Days

The presentation of numerous ideologies concerning the End of Days by inept and self-proclaimed ministers leave many of us in a discombobulated state as the vast number of churches and denominations vie for the covenant position as the bride of Christ.  Since the early days of the beginning, everything regarding Christianity and the church has undergone changes.  Many of these changes have to do with the interpretation and re-interpretation of the basic word of God.  While making these changes we are quick to proclaim that God never changes. 

There are those who wish to amass a following or make an impression will resort to using a radical interpretation that appeases a class or ethnic group.  Many of us go to church looking for a supernatural blessing from God in the form of an earthly reward.  Therefore, much of what goes on in churches or in the name of Christianity is unrelated to salvation, it is about getting stuff from God.  Jesus said, "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5)  Church members are compelled to support a hierarchy steeped in financial, emotional and entertainment values but lacking in spiritual significance.  The deception is based on shaped and twisted scriptures.

Clearly seen in Revelation is the progression of the church into an apostate state, it is detailed in letters sent to seven representative churches.  If we are living in the seventh church age or if the seventh letter is applicable to us today, then the end of days is surely upon us.

Growing up in the Pentecostal church, testimony service was an important part of worship.  The testimony of the saints usually ended with a reference to, "living in the last and evil days".  As a child, this message was driven home through Bible study and sermons.  As time past we began to discount the last day's scenario because it seems as if Jesus had forgotten about coming back.   The time element caused the faith of many to grow cold.  "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2^nd Peter 3:8) 

In the "End of Days", both Jesus and Paul stressed that a charismatic leader will come in the name of peace, love, and prosperity.  Even before he mounts the world stage, many will revere him.   He will sway the fringe elements of society with his eloquent speech and his following will be astronomical.  He will form an alliance with religious leaders and stand in the most sacred of places of the nations, the Holy lands, and churches and declare himself to be above the word of God.  This will be done by advocating laws that are contrary to the word of God. 

Paul wrote, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2^nd Thessalonians 2:3-4)  

The world populace and many Christians will be deceived and many will speak in defiance of God.   Jesus wrote:, "When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand :)" (Matthew 24:15)  The gate of Hell is open, hate, darkness and confusion follow.

Acts of violence to others or to oneself has become widespread and much of the world populace is reacting with righteous indignation.  When these acts such as bombings, school shootings, suicides or even wars happen, darkness and confusion overshadow us causing us to overlook the root cause which is hate.  Hate is the common denominator.  Whether self-hate or hatred of others we delude our selves into thinking that a law can protect us from this malady.  The effectiveness of laws can be attested through the control of gambling, drugs, prostitution and other vices.  "For what the law could not do, in that, it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8:3) 

There are numerous markers in the scripture to indicate the End of Days. Humanity, with its access to such a vast amount of knowledge, can remove God from the equation and find a way to explain the accruing events.  The most profound indicator is God's chosen people and the Holy Land, but numerous groups and churches are making false claims to the blessing of Abraham.

Some of the signs of the time offered by Jesus can be found in the New Testament and validated by Old Testament prophecies.  "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." (Matthew 10:21) 

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in diver's places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows." (Mark 13:8)  Earthquakes are taking place in such place that was not known for earthquakes.  The earth is groaning.

In Matthew 24:2, Jesus told the disciples after they commented about the beauty of the Temple, that not one stone would be left upon another. The Romans under Titus fulfilled this in A.D. 70.  Later Jesus refers to the end of days, when the Third Temple would be defiled, causing the abomination of desolation.   14“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the entire world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 15“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)." (Matthew 24:14-15)

The abomination of desolation is referred to three times in the book of Daniel, (Daniel 9:27, 11; 31, 12:11). Each mention refers to the defiling of the Temple. Paul also notes the need for a Third Temple and the role the Temple will play.  The man of sin will enter the Temple and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped.  This is also consistent with the words of Jesus and Daniel about the role this Temple will play.

Chastisement usually follows when I mention the rebuilding of the Temple.  The pious prelates are quick to explain why we do not need another Jewish Temple, but the Temple, Jerusalem, the Jews, the Gentiles and the church all pay an important role in the end of days.  

Hosea also foretells the long absence of a Temple and Israel’s gathering. The many days refers to our own day.  The only other time, since Hosea day there was no Temple was for the 70-year period, between 586 B.C. and 516 B.C. Seventy years does not qualify as a long absence when the only other time is over 1900 years. 

When the charismatic leader of the United States and the Pope turned their backs on Isreal and supported its enemies, the same as The British Empire did on November 2, 1917, it signaled the corruption and downfall of a World Superpower.  The British Empire, the superpower of its epoch, made promises that could have given Isreal permanent legitimacy. Instead, England betrayed the Zionist movement and reneged on its recognition of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. We can learn many lessons today from this perfidy. It is doubtful whether America's leaders of today can rectify this perfidy, Revelation 13:1 seems to be unfolding.  A new nation, a sinful nation (The Beast) is being born out of the Sea (confusion).

There are those that believe the End of Days started sometime this century, most likely around the year 1947 AD when Israel became a nation.  During that time three end-time prophecies were said to be fulfilled. The first is found in Jeremiah 16. It is mind-boggling. Read it carefully:

14) “Therefore behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’

15) but, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.”

This same prophecy is repeated verbatim in Jeremiah 16, Jeremiah 23:7-8.

The second prophecy I want to bring to your attention is found in Isaiah 11:

10) Then in that day, the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples…

11) Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

"For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather ALL NATIONS, and will bring them down into the `Valley of Jehoshaphat,' and will plead with them there for MY PEOPLE and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the Nations, and parted my land." Joel 3:1-2.

This prophecy clearly states that there is to be a "Judgment of Nations" on the earth in the "Valley of Jehoshaphat" at the time of the final and complete restoration of the Jews to their own land, and that the basis of judgment is the treatment by the nations of Christ's brethren-- The Jews.