Jesus Christ spoke of incomparably difficult times—of tribulation that will occur threatening the existence of all life on earth! In Matthew 24 and Luke 21, these cataclysmic events are revealed to us.

As frightening and terrifying as these future occurrences will be, we are told about them as a warning for our benefit! We are instructed in order to watch what is happening and to use that understanding to prepare ourselves—to be ready.

While deception will be prevalent (as it now is!), we will be saved if we continue to endure in the love of God by fulfilling what He has commanded (compare Matthew 24:13).

Against the backdrop of these dire warnings, we have some specific instructions regarding prayer that will help us stay watchful and ready: “‘And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath’” (Matthew 24:20); and, “‘Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’” (Luke 21:36).

Are these things you are praying about, NOW?

If you are, that is good, but also understand that Christ’s message transcends our just focusing on our own personal safety. We still have a commission to fulfill! We are often reminded of the fact that the gospel of the kingdom will continue to be preached as a witness to the whole world (compare Matthew 24:14).

So, along with praying about some very specific things on a personal level, we know that the servants of Jesus Christ are given a job. In fact, in Matthew 24, verses 45-51, a contrast is made between “a faithful and wise servant” and an “evil servant.” Regarding what these servants were to be doing, Christ states, “‘Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing’” (verse 46).

It is difficult to not fear what is coming! But we—unlike this deceived world—have every reason for confidence. Paul presents a panoramic overview of what it means to be a Christian, in Romans, chapter 8. Let’s never lose sight of the stirring assurance that we have in our calling and in how we can face the future:

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor power, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

In the first century, a controversy arose in the early New Testament Church about whether the gospel message was supposed to be the good news OF Christ or ABOUT Christ. The answer to this question had great consequences. The majority believed that the gospel was strictly a message about Christ–about His person, His Sacrifice, His birth, His life and death as a human being; and so this is the message which millions upon millions of people have been hearing for centuries. But it is NOT the gospel message!

It seems that only God’s true Church preserved the knowledge of what the gospel is! It is not only a message ABOUT the Messenger, Jesus Christ, but it is the message OF the Messenger. It is the message that Jesus preached. It is the same good news or glad tidings which the Church is commissioned to preach today.

There is only ONE gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)–and it is mostly called the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23; 24:14; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 8:1; 9:2). It is also referred to as the gospel OF Christ (Mark 1:1; Romans 1:9, 16; compare 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8)–not just ABOUT Christ. It is also identified as the gospel OF God the Father (Romans 1:1).

God the Father is the Originator and Owner of the Gospel. He entrusted it to Christ to preach it here on earth. It is God’s and Christ’s gospel which the Church is to proclaim today. Notice, it is not called the gospel ABOUT Christ or not even ABOUT God the Father; nor is it called the gospel ABOUT the Kingdom of God. Rather, it is described as the gospel OF God; OF Christ; and OF the Kingdom of God.

The differences are wide-ranging. The gospel message is a message FROM God TO man–it is FOR man. It includes the truth about God, about Christ, and about the Kingdom of God, but it is more encompassing than that. It shows man how he can ENTER the Kingdom of God.

What IS the Kingdom of God? Most people have no idea. I would even dare to say that many in the churches of God today do not fully comprehend the tremendous meaning of the KINGDOM of God. The Kingdom of God is the Family of God. God IS a RULING Family!

The God Family–the God Kingdom–consists today, as it always did, of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. Both the Father and the Son are GOD. They ARE the Kingdom or Family of God. Converted Christians are NOT YET in the Kingdom or Family of God. They are Spirit-begotten children of God, to be BORN into the Kingdom of God at the time of Christ’s return to this earth. Then, they too will be IN the Kingdom of God–the Family of GOD. Then, they will BE God.

In order to be IN the Kingdom of God, one must BE God. Man is NOT yet in the Kingdom–he is not yet God, because flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. But it is man’s destiny to enter into eternal life–into the Kingdom of God; to become a member of the Kingdom or RULING Family of God.

When we preach the gospel OF the Kingdom of God, we preach the message which belongs to and originates with the KINGDOM of God–the Family of God. The everlasting or eternal gospel is the message OF God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. It is the message OF the Kingdom of God.

I wonder how many have ever fully understood this important truth. I just gave a video-recorded sermon last Sabbath, titled, “What Is the True Gospel?”. It explains this awesome knowledge in much detail. Please watch it–and if you have already done so, please do so again.

God’s true Church is commissioned to preach the gospel OF (not just about) the Kingdom or Family of God–the gospel OF God. In order to do this, we must know what it is. Do you?

In Proverbs 6:6 we are exhorted to “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise…” I would add that we could also consider the firefly! 

Some years ago when my wife and I were on holiday in Corfu, a Greek island in the Mediterranean, we saw small fields at night lit up by these fireflies. They were fascinating, and they produce light via a chemical reaction.

Seeing all these fireflies — in the dark, lighting up these fields — can give us a glimpse of what God must see, from a spiritual standpoint, when He looks down on this earth. A dark, dark society with a few flashes of light here and there – God’s people standing out in an evil society. As has been said — if we can’t shine in this society, then we are in big trouble. So seeing these fireflies light up a field is, to me at least, a good way of remembering that it is a good analogy as to what God must see with spiritual eyes when He looks down from heaven (compare Psalm 33:13-14).

Matthew 5:14-16 tells us to be “the light of the world” and to let our “light shine.” What they are saying in essence is that we should be a walking, talking commercial for God’s way. Many people are influenced by what a Christian does or doesn’t do and very often judge Christianity by its adherents or followers. We should be light bearers (compare Philippians 2:12-15). Hopefully, we all fell into that category at the recent Feast of Tabernacles that we attended and where we were on show as a group of God’s people.

It is for good reason that Christians are compared to lights that stand out in a dark place. It’s not that we should make it a point to stand out or call attention to ourselves, but that the world has gone so far astray from God’s laws that anyone who begins doing what is right will automatically be noticed because of the contrast between the futile ways that society follows and the ways of true Christianity. It really is the difference between night and day. This world is filled with unhappiness, wars, crime, injustice, sickness and suffering and we should be good examples of the right way of life.

Christ left us an example for us to follow (1 Peter 1:21). He was the perfect example. And He told us to let our lights shine. Doing that is something that we are instructed to do and something that God is looking for as fruit in our lives. As He looks down from heaven and can see His sons and daughters, as they stand out in a crooked and perverse generation, we can visualise in some very small way how that must seem in the spiritual realm, as we ourselves can see those fireflies light up a dark field. They are conspicuous by their light, shining brightly in the darkness. It is quite a sight. We should be the same — we should stand out in this dark world.

Consider the firefly. These sorts of physical examples can be very helpful in seeing the bigger picture.

Paul uses a phrase in Philippians 1:10, “that you may be sincere.” The word used for “sincere” here is an interesting word: eilikrinēs.

This comes from Greek words that mean “the sun’s rays” and “judge”.  When compounded it takes on the meaning “judged by sunlight” or “that which is judged in sunshine.”

As Paul’s eyes grew dim, with age and the problems that persisted in his life, he realized the necessity of having a good light to examine a subject.  In using this Greek word in this way he wanted to impart to the reader an essential quality of a Christian – we should not have anything that we want or need to hide.

By implication a saint should stand up to the scrutiny of light, and when focused on us, we should come out as a shining example.  It is our calling, as we walk in this way, to persistently remove the spots of darkness within our character.

God is light (1 John 1:5; ), and Christ will help us expose the areas that we need to work on by the light (compare Ephesians 5:13-14).  As a help “the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light” (compare Proverbs 6:23).  Through these and with the help of the power of God that “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13), this can and will be accomplished.  As a begotten son of God, Jesus admonished us in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

As we come out of this spiritually high time of the year and go back into the world, we can continue to move forward with the momentum gained  during the Fall festival season.  And if we are complete in our effort to do what has been set before us, then we too can become a light of the world, shining through our good works, glorifying our Father (compare Matthew 5:14, 16) and walking sincerely in the hope of our calling.

This will be the last Update and Editorial prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, which begins on Wednesday evening, the 22nd of September. You will receive it just prior to the Day of Atonement, which pictures the putting away of Satan as the current god of this world. With the devil’s banishment, man will be given the opportunity to be at-one with God; to draw closer to Him; and to develop a one-on-one relationship with Him. Following the Day of Atonement, we will be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, which pictures the rule of Christ and His saints on and over this earth for a thousand years.

We are sure that most of you are looking forward to the Feast as a time for renewed fellowship. This is especially important  for those of us who are scattered and do not have a group to meet with, but only the internet and the use of the chat line to communicate with one another prior to or after the broadcast of Sabbath services. While these live broadcasts are extremely helpful for those of us who cannot attend in person, they must never be viewed as an alternative when we could attend in person. However, all of us who are scattered should attend the Feast of Tabernacles in person, barring serious health or other legitimate reasons which would prevent us from doing so.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of rejoicing, both in the physical and spiritual sense. As we see that the world conditions around us are getting worse and worse, it appears that the time of the great tribulation is not that many years away. We cannot and do not set dates; yet, we are admonished to watch and to keep an eye on trends and the ongoing prophetic fulfillment of prophecy.  The good news is that Christ will return to cut short the great tribulation and to usher in and establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.

It would be wise to utilize this coming festival to re-charge our spiritual tanks, since there is a considerable length of time, up to six months, until the Spring Holy Day season. We should also take time and make every effort to strengthen our spiritual ties which each other, since some of us only see each other once a year at the Feast.

We are told that in the Millennium, the nations will keep this Festival. They will eventually learn the benefit for so doing. We, on the other hand, have the opportunity to keep it now and to enjoy the great blessings that come with obedience.

So if there is anything we could admonish you to do, it would be to attend the Feast; travel safely; pray for the safety of the ministry and the brethren as they travel; have a tremendously inspiring Feast; rejoice before our God and Lord Jesus Christ; and to look forward to the time when the real meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled and when we can teach the world to follow the example that we are already living at the present time.

In my last StandingWatch program, “Why Atheists Are Wrong,” I discussed Stephen Hawking’s new book, “The Grand Design.” In the book, Hawking claims falsely that the universe created itself. As could be expected, negative responses to our program from some viewers were forthcoming; self-proclaimed “militant agnostics” and “atheists” did not like our approach, nor the very thought that there is a God who created the universe.

On the other hand, many believe in a God–and may be as deceived as the atheists and agnostics are. As Christians, we do not believe in just “any” God, but in THE God, as He reveals Himself in the pages of the Bible. God has not left us without witness. He challenges all who believe and worship any “god” but Him, and encourages them to recognize the futility of their ways and to turn to Him who created everything. Atheists are called “fools” in Scripture, but so are those who worship idols, demons or false gods.

God tells us: “For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22; compare also Isaiah 44:6). He is the God of the Bible who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He is above all other “gods”–man-made creations which by nature are not gods (Galatians 4:8). God says through the prophet Jeremiah: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens” (Jeremiah 10:11).

God is “Almighty God”–He is more powerful than anything or anyone else (Genesis 17:1). He is a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4). He does not lie (Numbers 23:19), and when He tells us in His Word that He created the universe, we can believe Him–and reject at the same time EVERY “scientific” opinion to the contrary.

God is a LIVING and ACTIVE God (Jeremiah 10:10). He is here to help us when we are in need. Psalm 25:5 tells us: “… You are God, my deliverer, it is You I look to at all times” (Tanakh). It is the God of the Bible–the God who is unknown to most people (Acts 17:23)–whom we are to proclaim today (Isaiah 40:9). Many will disbelieve our message. But he “who is of God hears God’s words” (John 8:47). It is God’s Spirit which reveals the true nature of God (1 Corinthians 2:6-14).

Overall, man has rejected God and “the things of God.” He has rejected godly understanding and replaced the true God with the wrong idea that the universe created itself and that some gases produced life (Romans 1:18-22). Man–including the bright minds of highly-educated scientists–came to believe falsely that man evolved from animals. Others concluded that animals or human beings needed to be worshipped (Romans 1:23). In the ultimate sense, man has been worshipping Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Man has adopted the devil’s many different philosophies and ideas, including the very thought that the devil does not even exist.

We believe God–the true God. We are not of those whom God calls fools. We believe that God created the universe (Hebrews 11:1). And we believe the Bible when it tells us that God is a FAMILY–that both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son–the WORD or Spokesman–are divine members of the God Family. We believe that the Father created everything–including the universe–through Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, 14; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2). We believe that Jesus Christ upholds and sustains the universe today (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17).

We believe that there is only ONE God; but we also believe that this ONE GOD is a Family. The Father and the Son–God beings within the God Family–are “one” (John 10:30); they are totally unified. They are ONE FAMILY–ONE Kingdom! And we believe that both the Father and the Son can dwell with and in us today through the Holy Spirit (John 14:23), and that we, God’s Spirit-begotten children, are to become “one,” as the Father and the Son are “one” (John 17:20-23).

In fact, man was created with the potential to become a member of the very Family of God (John 10:34-36; Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 3:14-15; compare Hebrews 2:11: “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family,” NIV).

When we know all of this, we need to do something about it. Just believing it, without more, is not enough (James 2:19). God is the Lawgiver (James 4:12). He expects of us to keep His law (James 2:10-12). James 1:22, 25 tells us: “But be doers of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… But he who looks into the perfect LAW of liberty and CONTINUES IN IT, and is not a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the WORK, this one will be blessed in what he does.” 

We are commissioned today to do the WORK–to preach the gospel message of God’s Kingdom in all the world as a witness. This good news includes the knowledge as to who God is and that He created everything, including the universe. These glad tidings include the understanding of what the purpose is of man’s creation; and how man can enter the Kingdom or Family of God, as an immortal God being. After Christ’s return to this earth, God’s Kingdom–the God FAMILY–will rule over mankind. We who know God and are known by Him (Galatians 4:9), are called to be in that Kingdom and to rule with and under Christ, as kings and priests (Revelation 5:10; 20:4-6). It is our responsibility today to prepare for that time. Let’s not treat it lightly!

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:21-23).

These are the words written by Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and these are truly the thoughts of every Christian who struggles to overcome sin. They are mine, and I just imagine yours, as well!

In the next chapter, Paul continues: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).

Paul speaks of living a way of life that is either consumed by the ways of this world or by one that reflects walking in the Spirit of God. He addresses the classic challenge man has always faced—to choose right over wrong, obedience instead of disobedience and life rather than death!

Being called into Christianity means that we must learn to think differently. We are cautioned with this teaching from Proverbs 23:7: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…”

Our victory over sin begins through a change in the way we think. It is summed up in the new spiritual way of living we have embarked on: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

Paul recognized his battle to overcome sin and how he would achieve it—something for each of us to do as well:

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of death? I thank God–THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).

I love to watch “magicians.” To be sure, I don’t like fakes or charlatans–or hypnotists or those whose performances make you wonder whether they are under some kind of spiritual influence or have “extra” help–especially if they claim that this is the case.

But I like to watch those who are really good “illusionists.” I know that there is an explanation for their tricks, but I am baffled by the way they present them–apart from the fact that I can’t really figure out how they do it.

Then, of course, there are “magicians” who put on a bad performance. Their “tricks” are easily discernable and predictable. We can quickly see through them–especially when they make mistakes, such as pulling a white rabbit out of a hat when it should have been a white dove.

However, I don’t like to watch or listen to ANY of the church “magicians” or “illusionists.” Most of their performances are poor or just plain fakes. Some claim that they may have special speculative insight information, but I wonder about the source–especially when their speculation contradicts Scripture. There are those who like to dazzle others with their “unique” understanding, proclaiming that their mere human speculation is tantamount to godly revelation. Many times, we can immediately see through their illusions and magic tricks, but at other times, they seem to be more subtle.

In my last Editorial (“The Day of Christ’s Return“), I showed that Jesus Christ, in the Holy Bible, proclaims that only the Father knows the “day” or the “hour” or the “times” or the “seasons” of Christ’s return. If we can believe it–not even Christ knows the exact year of His Second Coming. In fact, trusting in the accuracy of Christ’s very own words, His return will come as an UNEXPECTED surprise to everyone–including His disciples.

It was noted that someone responded to my editorial by writing on the Internet: “I am not claiming that I know the exact year… just that Jesus likely does… When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?”

Can we see through this cheap magic trick? Jesus “likely” does know? So does He, or doesn’t He? And insofar as the self-proclaimed humility of that “magician” is concerned, he does not claim that he knows–except that, with a revealing twinkle in his eye, he suggests that he does know–it’s 2018 or 2019!!!

If you are not convinced yet, why don’t you join the circus of church illusionists and toss or pick up some more coins. Because competing church magicians have postulated other years–2012 or 2014 or 2017. Some recently announced a year for Christ’s return, which by now has already passed. So, their illusions were just that–illusions!

By default, somebody will happen to be correct one of these days, as we know, from the signs of the time, that Jesus’ return IS near. But some, with great swelling words of emptiness, are even trying to become hypnotists, attempting to draw a following after themselves due to their “humbly” professed “insight” knowledge.

What many of those church magicians, illusionists, performers, hypnotists or plain fakes don’t seem to realize is that they need to focus on something altogether different–as we all must do. Rather than trying to be a self-proclaimed recipient of “hidden knowledge” as to the exact year and month and day of Christ’s return (which knowledge is restricted to the Father), they should concentrate on what it takes to be able to stand before Christ when He returns. Many, I fear, are forgetting the weightier matters of the law. To be a church magician or illusionist, merely pulling black rabbits of speculations out of a little shabby hat, won’t cut it. We must not forget that obedience and faith is much more important than “insight” knowledge. And those who believe that they can disbelieve the Father’s and Jesus’ words and still be in God’s Kingdom, may have a surprise awakening coming.

PS You might want to read my Editorial from June 5, 2009, titled, “The Last Days…”

Money can be such a sensitive matter; whether it’s about earning it or spending it. But we have to have the right approach to it – using it as a commodity, not worshipping it as a god. Scripture has something helpful to say about this: “For the love of money is a root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

In our free booklet “Tithing Today?,” the opening paragraph on page 1 states: “MONEY—a sensitive subject for many people.  Those who have money, don’t want to part with it.  Those who don’t have it, long for it.  Yet from the time of man’s creation on this earth, God has given instructions on tithing—paying ten percent of our income to God who gave it in the first place.”
 
It further states, starting at the bottom of the first page: “Many people who have learned that tithing is still valid for us today, and who have begun to tithe, have noticed inexplicable financial, physical and spiritual blessings in their lives. This is because God promises physical and spiritual blessings if one is obedient to Him, and that includes obedience to His command to tithe.”

I was reading an article by investment adviser a while ago and was intrigued by his comments, when he wrote the following:

“Aspirational spenders are above-average-income earners who yearn to possess the lifestyle of the truly wealthy but do not earn enough money to do so.  Instead, they employ credit card and home equity loan debt to acquire the trappings of wealth — fancy cars, vacation homes, designer purses, designer suits etc. They actively pretend (self-delude is a better word) that they are rich. This becomes an all-consuming pantomime of self-delusion, as more and more money is required to fuel this facade of wealth. The aspirational spender typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 per year. This is 2½ to 4 times greater than the national average income. In fact, it is more than enough of an income to get wealthy on within a 10-15 year period.  But these people never do develop real wealth.  Their incomes continue to grow, and they make terrific employees and are usually very good at their jobs, but their desires are always one step ahead of their income.”
 
I wonder, though, whether this attitude affects MOST PEOPLE, whatever their income? If not, why do so many have so much debt? It could simply be because their expenditure exceeds their income and they do not “cut their cloth accordingly.” Do any of us in the church have such problems? If we tithe faithfully, God promises to bless us, but we still have to do our part by being responsible. We have to make sure that, as much as it depends on us, we live within our means and are able to pay our bills and our debts.  

We are coming up to the Feast of Tabernacles in just over a month’s time. Have all wage earners in the church been faithful in tithe paying and tithe saving? Saving second tithe for the Feast is a requirement to make sure that we can spend our second tithe for oxen, sheep, wine or similar drink, for whatever our heart desires (compare Deuteronomy 14:23-26).  

Being faithful in paying the first tithe means that we will further God’s Work in proclaiming to a dying world the message about the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Our second tithe will help us to have a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles–picturing the coming Kingdom of God which the church has been preaching with the use of God’s first tithe.  

When we see how first and second tithes work together, we should have no problem in being faithful in the sensitive matter of tithing! Please remember that God is always watching our actions and attitudes.

I believe that we are living in the last days (2 Peter 3:3; 2 Timothy 3:1; James 5:3). I believe that Christ’s return is imminent (John 14:3; Matthew 24:30). I believe that the 6,000 years which God allotted to man to rule this earth, are almost up (2 Peter 3:8; Psalm 90:4; Hebrews 4:4-11). I believe that the signs of our time indicate that Christ is near–even at the doors (Matthew 24:32-34; Revelation 3:20).

But — I also believe that no man knows the exact time of Christ’s return (Acts 1:7). I believe that it is useless to speculate or try to figure out the day, month or year, when He will return. I believe that neither Jesus Himself nor the angels know, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).

I believe that we, through our conduct, can delay or hasten Christ’s coming (2 Peter 3:9, 12). I believe that because of the elect’s sake, God will cut short these last days (Matthew 24:22). I believe the time is upon us when there will be delay no longer (Revelation 10:6).

But — I also believe that Christ will return when we don’t expect it (Matthew 24:44; Revelation 3:3).

Therefore, I believe that we must watch and pray always that we are not caught unawares (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4; Revelation 16:15). I believe that we must be diligent to present ourselves approved to God–at all times (2 Timothy 2:15).

That is what I believe. What about you?

PS. You might also want to read our Q&A on Matthew 24:44.