The Last Days!

Armageddon…

Apocalypse…

The last days…

The Book of Revelation…

The end-time…

Tribulation…
Wrath…

To some these terms may sound like the introduction to a Sci-Fi movie. To others, it may conjure up fear. But to those who’ve washed themselves in the Blood of the Lamb, these terms and what they mean, represent the greatest moment of the Church - THE 2ND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! Jesus clearly stated that when we begin to see “these things” come to pass, that we should “look up, and lift up our heads, for our redemption draws nigh.”

While some are fearful of the terror that reigns in the world today, the Blood-washed Christian readily anticipates the last trump which shall sound and shall bring about the change from mortal to immortality and from corruption to incorruptible.

So, what should the Blood-washed, redeemed, Christian be doing to prepare themselves for this moment? First, you should work while it is yet day, for the night comes when no man can work. God is not pleased with slothful servants, and they will not find themselves numbered with the faithful servants. Don’t become complacent or apathetic in these last days – instead, strive for continued excellence as a servant with the highest integrity.

Second, you must purify yourself as He is pure. This principle is found in 1 John 3:3. John explains that because of the hope we have of being made into His complete likeness, we should purify ourselves. Too often today, people only want to hear what appeases their flesh. This is what the Bible calls “itching ears.” Unfortunately, some people don’t want to be told the truth. This is unfortunate because correction is actually a tool that inspires fresh growth, and God only chastises those that are legitimate children. The illegitimate are not chastised. David Sutherland says, “If you’re convicted; thank God because you’re not dead.”

The coming of the Lord will be like a thief in the night; however, it will not take the Blood-washed-believer by surprise. Now, that doesn’t mean we know the precise moment He’s coming – instead, it means that we will be able to comprehend the fulfillment of prophecies and know that His coming is near.

The big question to be answered is, “Are you ready?” Have you made your calling and election sure? Is it well with your soul? If Jesus came back today, are you ready to meet Him or is there some hidden sin that you need to deal with first? If you cannot answer yes to the first three questions previously asked, then I strongly suggest that you make the time to seek His face and repent. Get right with God; He’s coming back soon!

Prophecy is unfolding almost as fast as technology is increasing. Prophecies that are thousands of years old are coming to pass in our generation. Things that other generations wondered about and studied, we are seeing happen in our day. And they are all pointing to one thing – the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Here’s what’s sad: the Jews missed it the first time around. There were nearly four hundred prophecies detailing the arrival of the Messiah, but they missed it. There are over one thousand prophecies detailing the second coming of Jesus; I hope you don’t miss it! Eternity is too long to spend outside the love of God.

Studying the events and prophecies of the last days is a noble cause, and I’m personally intrigued by the meaning of them. However, I’m not as interested in figuring out what the four horsemen mean as I am hearing the last trumpet sound. I am not looking for the revealing of the antichrist, I’m looking for the appearing of Jesus Christ!

The whole purpose of the Law was to point to Christ. Romans 10:4 and Galatians 3:24 explain this. The whole purpose of the book of Revelation is found in the first five words of the book – “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” It’s all about discovering Him and looking for that blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

If you’re interested in more information about the coming of the Lord, we currently offer two resources for you:

1) The Last Days Life Class – Wednesday’s at 7pm at Solid Rock Worship Center in Caribou, Maine – Contact striven@localnet.com or call 207-551-7540

2) Epicenter Small Group – Once-a-month – Contact pastormyron@gmail.com or call 207-551-7391

The Fall of the USA?

Dr. John McArthur believes that God has abandoned the United States of America. based on extensive study of Israel’s abandonment and the first chapter of Romans. I can certainly see Dr. McArthur’s point, and at least believe that God has abandoned mainstream Christianity.

In 1787, Edward Gibbon wrote a book titled, “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” For twenty years Gibbon studied the Roman Empire in an attempt to understand how the Romans could be so great and then collapse almost overnight. In his book, Gibbon lists five indictments against the Romans, explaining what brought down this mighty empire. As you read through them, you will notice a strikingly similar pattern to another empire – the United States of America. In the remainder of this post, I will explain the five points, and show the eerie connection to the United States of America.

1) The rapid increase of divorce and the undermining of the sanctity of the home which is the basis of society.

As of 2005, the divorce rate was 42.2% which means that every two out of five marriages end in divorce. This rate has been higher; however, the decline is not an accurate description. Why is not accurate; because more people are only living together rather than marrying.

While there are legitimate and even scriptural reasons for divorce, there are many that take place due to immaturity and not incompatibility.

Family values are attacked by the liberal media and the left wing mindset. The lives of whales, dolphins, and other animals are many times more important than the lives of children, born and unborn.

What many in the world and even in the church fail to realize is that God is the architect of the home and set it up as the institution for training and disciplining children. Today, third-party-child-care is growing three times faster than the birth rate of children.

This means that foster homes, day-care centers, and other third-party agencies are doing the work of what parents should be doing. Some even think and hope that putting their children in a vacation Bible school for two weeks will help. These things will help, as long as the parents are reinforcing and modeling a Godly lifestyle.

2) Higher and more taxes and the spending of money for extravagant celebrations.

According the Census Bureau, Americans are taxed an average of $2,200.00 per year, and these are just state taxes. Our local, state, and the federal governments tax us to the max and spend money foolishly. Anytime you spend more money than you make, it’s called deficit spending and you eventually fail.

I’ve often wondered why politicians need to make more and more money. Money is spent on wining and dining lobbyists who sway the votes of our politicians, and meanwhile the hard-working, living paycheck-to-paycheck American get’s bit with more taxes.

3) The mad craze for pleasure and sports becoming more exciting, yet more brutal every year.

Extreme sports are the craze now and are growing an ever increasing fan base. It is also very strange that we pay more for someone to catch a ball, hit a ball, shoot a ball, swing a club or stick, or drive a car than we do our school teachers.

Fans buy expensive clothing that is extremely overpriced just to be able to wear their favorite player’s numbers or look-a-like jersey, and they pay extravagant prices to be able to sit in the stadium to cheer on their team. And we haven’t even begun to mention the price of an average hotdog or nachos which cost about ten times more than what they do at the convenience store just a mile down the road from the stadium.

4) The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within – the decadence of the people.

While I believe we need a strong military to defend and protect the USA, I think we need to focus more clearly on the enemy within our borders, and I’m not referring to any ethnic group. I’m referring to the moral decline of society. Right and wrong are blurred lines anymore and truth is no longer absolute. That is of course if you listen to the mainstream media.

All the technology and military might cannot stop what prophecy has foretold. The only thing that could even remotely change God’s mind would be the principle of 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

5) The decay of religion as faith faded into mere form: people losing touch with life and becoming impotent to guide others accordingly.

It seems more and more that churches in mainstream Christianity are filled with people who have itching ears. These phony’s only want to hear good stuff. They want the appearance of church without the commitment to Christ that is required of the true church.

These types of people are like the five foolish virgins who had a lamp, but no oil in it. That’s the equivalent today of someone attending a church, but not becoming the church and being filled with His Spirit.

The Scriptures alert us to this mentality in the last days in 2 Timothy 3:5 – Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The last days are upon us. Is America doomed? Has she turned her back on God and been abandoned? It is quite possible. If there is any hope, it’s the true Church that resides in her borders today. Be the Church! Stand up for what is right!

A Garden, A Hill, And A Resurrection

Guest Blog by Ron Wofford

We live in a Microwave Society. A world that is looking for a quick fix. They want the blessing without paying the price to obtain it. God does indeed want to bless you. That is just his way. He can even do certain things in your life although you aren't really sold out to Him. But you must not make the mistake of believing that just because you are blessed by God that you are right with God.

But at some point, when you really confront who you are and where you are at and you decide that you need more than an occasional experience with Him, you will find that to go any further will take some effort on your part.

I love the Easter Story. Jesus Christ arose the third day from the grave victorious over death, hell and the grave. It is the story of the greatest defeat of an enemy and triumph by the victor ever recorded in human history.

The world is frantic. The Romans are gloating and rejoicing that Jesus has been crucified and buried three days earlier. Mary and Martha are emotionally distraught and beyond consolation. The disciples are disillusioned and are ready to go back to being fishermen and tax collectors and doctors. It seems as if everything they have believed in and worked for has been taken from them. There are no miracles, no healings, no words of wisdom and comfort from Jesus.

Indeed, Jesus is in a tomb outside of Jerusalem. It is to this tomb that Mary makes her way early in the morning. She is looking for a place to be close to Him in her sorrow. When she arrives she sees that the stone is rolled away. Instantly a fresh wave of grief envelops her. She doesn't think her heart can stand anymore. She runs to Simon Peter and declares that they have taken the body of the Lord and no one knows where He is.

Peter and John run to the tomb and enter in. They see the grave clothes and the empty tomb. The Bible says that they then leave the tomb and return home again. But Mary watched them leave and still she stands there. Finally, she gets the courage to stoop down and enter again into the tomb, still consumed with grief. She then notices the two men in white raiment that look at her. They say the words that bring life and joy back into her heart. "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" "Go and tell everyone that He has risen!!"

You can only imagine how Mary felt. Where there was sorrow, now there is joy, where there was hurt there is comfort, where hope was gone, instantly it was reborn and life began again. It is an incredible story! It is the answer to the problems the world was facing. It is the answer to the problems that you and I are facing. This resurrection story that we celebrate at Easter really is the answer! And indeed, many of you are here today to celebrate His resurrection and rightfully so, it should be celebrated. But just as it was with Jesus, please understand that a resurrection does not just happen. Without a Garden and a Hill, there is no resurrection!

Jesus as an emotional person. He felt the full range of human emotion. He had compassion on the multitudes; He smiled while the children played around His feet; He shared laughter in the house of His friends; He wept when Lazarus had died.

Probably the greatest expression of His emotions is found in His time of prayer in the Garden. It is the last few days of His life. He feels the incredible pressure of what He is called to do. He begins to travail and sweats as if it were great drops of blood. He made the request "Let this cup pass from me." In other words, "If it is possible, can we find another way?" He then immediately says "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." He then goes and finds His disciples asleep.

A second time He begins to pray concerning the cup that has been given Him. This time though the prayer is different. "Oh my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done." It would have been awesome had there been a microwave answer from heaven; but that was not to be. Jesus knew that if the sin problem of the world was ever really going to be taken care of then it would begin here in the garden with a surrendering of His will to the will of God.

Understand this was not a "Now I lay me down to sleep prayer." The incredible emotion and burden of Jesus Christ is shown in the effort of the prayer.

The physical trauma of Christ begins in Gethsemane with one of the initial aspects of his suffering - the bloody sweat. It is interesting that the physician of the group, Luke, is the only one to mention this. He says, "And being in agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground."

Though very rare, the phenomenon of Hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process alone could have produced marked weakness and possible shock. This intense prayer, which weakened Him, was for you and for me.

Calvary, or dying to sin, could never have happened without a total surrender in the garden.

After the prayer and arrest in the garden, events begin to happen quickly. Immediately after the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas, the High Priest. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiaphas. The palace guards then blindfolded Him and mockingly taunted Him, spat on Him, and struck Him in the face as they each passed by.

In the early morning, Jesus, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and exhausted from a sleepless night, is taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia. It was there, in response to the cries of the mob, that Pilate ordered Bar-Abbas released, and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion. Preparations for the scourging are carried out. The prisoner is stripped of His clothing and His hands are tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back and legs. At first, the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally, spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows.

Finally, the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped.

The half-fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood. The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. A small bundle of flexible branches covered with long thorns is pressed into His scalp.

Again there is copious bleeding (the scalp being one of the most vascular areas of the body). After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. This had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, causes excruciating pain - almost as though He were again being whipped, and the wounds again begin to bleed.

The heavy beam of the cross is then tied across His shoulders, and the procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves and the execution detail, begins its slow journey. The weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious blood loss, is too much. He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance.
At Golgotha, the beam is placed on the ground and Jesus is quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The beam is then lifted in place at the top of the posts and the titulus reading "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" is nailed in place.

The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each. As He pushes Himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet.

As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostals muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath.

Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life- giving oxygen.

There are hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then, another agony begins. A deep crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

The compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues - the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasps, "I thirst."

He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. With one last surge of strength, He once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, and takes a deeper breath.

Jesus lived only six hours on the cross. Why? John gave us a clue when he recorded that after the Roman soldier pierced Jesus' side to insure death, blood and water came forth. The cross was six feet in height. A raised spear would enter the chest cavity; only blood from the heart should exit the wound. What was the water?

The pericardium is a membrane that surrounds the heart. It is known that fluid can collect in the space between the heart and the pericardium after a non- penetrating blow to the chest (post cardiac-injury syndrome). If this effusion is large enough, cardiac tamponade can occur. This means the heart is constricted and is no longer an effective pumper of blood. Congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema develop. One's breathing becomes labored as the lungs fill with fluid. Jesus' breathing difficulty described previously was compounded by this condition. This helps to explain His short time on the cross. The pain associated with traumatic pericarditis is torturous.

After His death, we have another insight into a segment of His suffering. His heart was broken for me.

That is how Jesus purchased our salvation.

A huge chasm existed at Calvary between the benevolence of God and the gratitude of mankind. God had no guarantee there would be any human response to this supreme act.
The Roman centurion may grasp a small segment of the magnitude of the situation and exclaim, "Truly this was the Son of God."

Joseph of Arimathea may feel a twinge of guilt and beg for the body of Christ, but what would be the reaction of the human race? God could only hope that in the future someone would catch a glimpse of the unprecedented love exhibited at Calvary and return that love with the devotion of his life.

Folks, the truth is there is no quick fix. Too many come to Church looking for a quick fix. They come with problems and heartaches and tragedies. They have a concept that Jesus is a microwave way out of their dilemma. They have become accustomed to such a society and that is what they expect from their God.

Don't misunderstand; He is a God of the resurrection. In a moments time He can change the circumstances of your life. But it's not going to happen without a Calvary experience of dying out to this world and that will never happen if you don't go to the Garden and spend some time surrendering to His will.

Yes, I was there when He brought resurrection power into my life. But the resurrection happened only after I went to Calvary and died out to my sins. And Calvary did not happen, and indeed could not happen, until I spent some time in Gesthemane with Him.

That is exactly why a lot of people's repentance never lasts. They try to get to Calvary without any time in the Garden. But without surrendering your will to His will true repentance cannot and will not take place. You can say the words "I'm sorry" and unless your will is changed you will go back to doing what you have always done.

Whatever your circumstance today, Jesus really can't solve your problems until you go to the Garden and spend some time surrendering to His will. He has an answer for you but He cannot give it to you until you have been to the Garden and surrendered your will and then been to Calvary and died out to sin. I invite you today to come to a place where there is resurrection power.

Special thanks to Dr. Ray Kloepper for the Medical description of Calvary.

Relationship

I enjoy taking words and breaking them down finding other words that can be made from the main word. It's a brain teaser and God know's, I need my brain teased occasionally.

The other day I took the word "relationship" and began finding other words that could be made from it. Some of the words I found were:

• Heart, hear, heal, spirit, shine, slip, learn, liar, least, prison, praise, past, tries, tear, train, real, raise, riot.

These are just a few of the words I found. And then as I looked over the list, I realized that they explain the experiences of what relationships are all about.

Relationship takes "heart." Sometimes those you love the most you seem to hurt the most, but hopefully you "learn" from your mistakes and become "real" with those you've hurt; otherwise you might cause a "riot" in your home.

Some have been in relationships that feel like a "prison." The "past" can be a prison that hinder's your healing. "Raise" yourself up from where you are. Get a fresh perspective. Forgive and learn to love again. Don't compare earthly relationships to your heavenly one. Start with God and allow Him to bring hope - which by the way is another word that can be made from the word relationship.

Jesus taught that the "least" would be the greatest as He aptly described servant leadership. As we learn to put other's first, true joy fills our hearts and lives. Contrary to popular opinion, chivalry is not dead. Helping other's brings joy that money cannot buy. And the next time you help someone, try doing it without them or anyone else noticing. You'll feel even better. And God will make sure that what you've done in secret will be rewarded openly in heaven.

On April 11, 1984, President Roland Reagan said, "I've always believed that a lot of trouble in the world would disappear if we were talking to each other instead of about each other." Wise words spoken by the late President; now if we would just practice them.

Relationships take time and effort. They take triumph, which is try combined with umph. Are you willing to put yourself in someone else's shoes? Are you willing to see things through their eyes? Maybe if you looked at the situation the way they did, you might understand why they reacted like they did. Relationships are not 50-50; they are 100-100. You must give 100%.

Will you have bad days? Sure. It rains on the just and the unjust. A fulfilled relationship is not based on chance. It's based on choice. Choose to do. Choose to be. Choose to give. Choose to love. If that love is not reciprocated, then turn to God in prayer. Sometimes, relationships fail because one party is unwilling to give and take. But that's the very nature and definition of relationships. Therefore if someone is not willing to give and take, they are not interested in the best outcome for the relationship and have exhibited their true selfish colors. The Bible instructs us to "live peacably with all" but the same verse also says, "If it be possible" and "as much as lieth in you." (See Romans 12:18). The point is that you should do as much as you can and leave the rest to God.

The great hope we have is that no matter how well or bad relationships have gone for us on earth, there is an eternal relationship that is based on the fact that God IS love. It doesn't say that God "has" love. It says God IS love. He will never leave you or fail you. He will never forsake you. He sticks closer than a brother. His love is unending and unconditional.

Bask in His love. Let Him comfort you through His word today. You are the apple of his eye. He wants to "shine" His love on you and through you. "Hear" Him call you today. Offer Him your best "praise" as He is worthy of the highest praise. He is not a "liar." Philip Yancey said, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you any less; and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any more."

Now, think of relationship you are in. Got it? Good. Now, purpose in your heart to be a better spouse, child, parent, etc. Call them. Write them. Tell them today how you feel. Pray for God's wisdom to be a better person.

Finally, read through Romans 12. It is a perfect outline to follow for strong relationships. It starts with the most important relationship - with God, and then continues throughout all other relationships. It's only 21 verses, but some of most powerful words written on the subject of relationship. Have a notepad handy. Write down things that make you stop and think. Jot down the things God brings to your mind to change. Let Him examine you. Let Him search your heart. Let Him be the judge. And remember, now is the time to change; not when they're in the hospital or the funeral home. Flowers and tears offer no peace of mind for unfinished business. Take care of your relationships today. Today, after all is the accepted time.