THE TRUMPET CALL. Heralding the near return of Jesus for His bride

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY 2015 Edition 1 C MPASS THE TRUMPET CALL Heralding the near return of Jesus for His bride HE S COMING SOON Tweens (8-12 years), Teens and Adults Christian Growth Material Written, printed and published by Darwin Christian Ministries Inc PO Box Winnellie NT 0821 Australia

2 Greetings to all our readers, Jesus loves you and so do we. We know that you will enjoy reading through God s Compass this time as I am sure you have in the past issues. We have prepared some very interesting material and in order to gain the most value from it you will have to work together with your Bible and go through as many of the verses that are contained in this issues as possible. I am no longer a young man and I have been working for Jesus as a missionary in Papua New Guinea and as a pastor in Australia for many years. I have seen many changes in our society and in the nations of the world. Because of my involvement for a long time as a Christian, and in actual ministry (working for Jesus), and from my knowledge of the Bible, I see things all around the world that are giving us clear indication that the return of Jesus Christ is indeed very soon. When I was a small boy we used to learn at Sunday school, that Jesus was coming soon. From a Biblical view point, a day is as 1000 years in God s eyes, so in reality, from the way we think, He has always been coming soon. However what we are seeing now worldwide is a very clear indication that time is very short and Jesus could be coming in the clouds very soon to take His children back to His Father in Heaven. Today I urge you as readers of God s Compass to take seriously the message contained and make sure you are ready to go with Jesus when He comes for those who love Him. May God richly bless you. All scripture quoted in this publication is from the New Living Translation, second edition, unless otherwise stated. Forward all correspondence to:- Darwin Christian Ministries inc PO Box WINNELLIE NT 0821 AUSTRALIA Also available as a free download on the Resources Page at

3 JESUS CHRIST - SAVIOUR and KING Easter is a special time for meditating on the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and His resurrection. It is also good to think about His return to earth as King of Kings. Revelation 19: JESUS CHRIST - SAVIOUR The rst time Jesus came to earth it was as a helpless baby. Read Luke 2:9-12, 49, 52. When He grew up, Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38. He was falsely accused and cruci ed. He died to pay the penalty for sin and make it possible for people to be saved from hell and have eternal life in Heaven. Read 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-6. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead proving He was all He claimed to be. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-22. If Christ had not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17. Because Jesus died and rose again we can have our sins forgiven and a home in Heaven. Read John 3:16; Romans 10:9; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 John 5: Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead He went back to Heaven. Read Acts 1:9; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 3:1; Jesus is still there. COMING KING Read Revelation 19: Very soon Jesus will leave His home in Heaven and return to earth to rule over the nations of the whole world for 1,000 years in righteousness. Read Acts 1:10-11; After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse (appeared)! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgement and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness.) Revelation 19:11 Ampli ed Bible. This is not the end of the world and it is not the rapture of the bride of Christ. Read 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4: The antichrist will be ruling the nations when Jesus comes back. Read Revelation 13. ARMAGEDDON When Jesus comes back to the earth the armies of the nations will gather in the Valley of Meddigo in Israel to ght against Him. Read Revelation 19: This will include the 200 million from the east (China and her allies). Read Revelation 16: Christ will be victorious. He will destroy the armies of the world with the sword in His mouth, with storms and hail weighing up to 50Kg, and with re. In the confusion the armies will ght each other. Read Revelation 19:15-19; Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39:17-29; Zechariah 14:3-4; Joel 3:9-15; Revelation 16:13-16; Revelation 19:21. This is the ful llment of Daniel 2. Jesus is the smiting stone that destroys the nations bringing to an end the times of the Gentiles. Read Luke 21:24; Daniel 2:34-35,44. The victorious Jesus will set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem He must reign. 1 Corinthians 15:25. Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His Kingdom will include the whole world. Read Revelation 20:4-6; Zechariah 14:9-15; Isaiah chapter 11. SATAN will be bound and sealed up in a bottomless pit for 1,000 years. Read Revelation 19:20. THE ANTICHRIST and the FALSE PROPHET will be thrown alive into the Lake of Fire (hell). Read Revelation 19:20.

4 JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS Read Matthew 25:30-40 KJV. ISRAEL Some Jews will be object at rst but, They will look upon Him whom they have pierced. Read Zechariah 12:10; John 19:39; Revelation 20:6; Romans 15:12. At last they will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, Saviour, Lord and King. All Israel will be saved. Read Romans 11:26. He must reign. For (Christ) must be King and reign until He has put all (His) enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Ampli ed Bible. Read Psalm chapter 110, Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 16:5. We shall reign with Him. Read Matthew 25:14-20; Revelation 20:6. THE RAPTURE The catching away of the bride of Christ will happen a few years before the above end-times events. Read 1 Thessalonians4:17; 1 Corinthians 15: When the trumpet sounds will you y away to meet Jesus, our Saviour, in the air? Are you ready? Time is fast running out. Very soon He will call His people home. If you are not ready, REPENT and get right with God. Read Isaiah 55:6-7. Now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:26. It is your responsibility to be ready and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Read Titus 2: ELEVENTH HOUR WORKERS Read Matthew 20:1-10. The eleventh hour is the last hour of the day for working. The owner of the eld engaged extra workers at this late hour because his crop was ready for harvesting and he wanted the work done before dark. This parable about the Kingdom of Heaven tells us that at the end of the age He would be sending more workers to spread the gospel so that many would be saved before it was too late and the time for salvation would be over. We believe we are in this very last time before the end of the age and Jesus comes to take His bride to Heaven and there will be no more time to reach the lost for Christ. Read 1 Thessalonians 4: Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:26. NOW As we look around the world we see there are countless millions who have never heard about Jesus. They do not know there is a Heaven to gain and a hell to avoid. They do not know Jesus loves them and died to save them from eternity in hell. How can they believe on Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them. Romans 10:14. Jesus said, The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, ask Him to send more workers into the eld. Matthew 9:37. Jesus also told His disciples, Go and make disciples of the nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. Matthew 28:19. This is a command given to every Christian. Are you doing your part to reach the nations who need to hear about Jesus while there is still time? continued over page

5 EVERY CHRISTIAN CAN PRAY. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the world to reach the lost for Jesus. EVERY CHRISTIAN CAN SEND. You can give to help the expenses of sending workers or you can help those who are producing the funds of those who go. EVERY CHRISTIAN CAN GO. Some are able to go to millions; but we can all tell someone - our friends, neighbours, work mates or the stranger we meet. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who needs Jesus. It is our responsibility to reach the lost. The night is coming and than on one can work. John 9:4. MORE ABOUT LOGICAL THINKING (continued) The weapons of our warfare are not carnal; but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 KJ Strongholds in our minds are built up by our logical thinking and are very hard to pull down or change. Our ability to reason is part of our human nature. We are taught to reason from babyhood by our parents, teachers and life experiences. Strongholds or opinions are based on our belief system and our knowledge of the subject. Every person believes his opinions are right in his own eyes. Read Proverbs 12:15 KJ ; Psalm 94:11. Unless a person is born again and his logical thinking is based on the Word of God, his reasoning is often different from God s truth and is therefore based on a lie. (All lies come from the devil in the rst place.) Read 2 Corinthians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8; Proverbs 25:7; Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:2. The Bible tells of many people who refused to bring their thought patterns into line with the Word of God and did what was right in their own eyes; but this was not right in God s eyes. Here are some of them:- Adam and Eve Read Romans 5:10; Genesis 3:1-24. There was nothing to harm them in the fruit, itself. It was their logical thinking based on a lie of the devil that caused them to disobey God s direction, verse 8 Genesis. Their disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Read 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 John 2:16. King Saul Read 1 Samuel 15:1-30; 1 Samuel 28: It was Saul s own logical thinking that caused him to disobey God s direction through Samuel, the prophet. The result was he lost his kingdom and his life. Thomas Read John 20: Logical thinking caused Thomas to refuse to believe Jesus was alive when He knew Jesus was dead. Because Thomas really wanted to believe, Jesus did not rebuke him; but He gently showed Thomas what he needed to know. Thomas believed and exclaimed, my Lord and my God. John 20:28. Are you a doubting Thomas? If you really want to believe ask Jesus to help you and He will. Read Philippians 4:13. Ananias and Saphira Read Acts 5:1-11. The money received for selling their land was theirs and they did not have to give any of it away. It was their own logical thinking aided and helped by Satan and based on their desire for prestige and acclaim that caused them to lie to Peter. The lie cost them their lives. Read Proverbs 6:16-17; Revelation 21:8. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 12:22 KJ continued over page

6 Simon Read Acts 8: Simon s logical thinking led him to suppose God s gift could be bought; He was quickly rebuked by Peter. Sadly, there are many people today who think they can buy God s blessings by being good, by giving to charity or working for the church. However God s gift comes by the grace of God through faith in God and is only for those who love Him and believe in Him. Read Ephesians 2:8. These and many others allowed their own ideas and opinions and not The Word of God, to rule their lives. It does not matter what society accepts; it does not matter what education teaches or what scientists say is fact. The only absolute truth is the Word of God. Everything else is a lie and lies are from the devil. People believe a lie because it makes sense to them and they do not know the truth of God s Word. Such people need to repent and get right with God. Read Isaiah 55:7. God will help them to know the truth and the truth will set them free. John 8:32, from strongholds and all wrong thinking. All born again Christians have the Holy Spirit within them and He will help them know the truth. Read John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Zachariah 4:6; Ephesians 3:20. Christians must know the Word of God and obey it bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. You (the Lord) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You. Isaiah 26:7. Jesus is THE PRINCE OF PEACE, Isaiah 9:6. Jesus said, My peace I give you. John 14:27 KJ. Jesus was not talking to the world. He was not talking to the crowds that often gathered around Him. He was talking to His disciples. Are you a disciple of Jesus? Every promise of God is subject to conditions, which must be met before it can become a reality in your life. Therefore, Jesus only gives His peace of heart and mind to His disciples, those who trust in Him. Read Romans 14:17; Isaiah 55:5 KJ; Galatians 2:22; Proverbs 16:7. PEACE WITH GOD. Read Romans 5:1; Romans 6:11. Once we were enemies of God, living in trespasses and sin. When we were born again by the Spirit of God, John 1:12-13, our sins were forgiven and we were reconciled to God, making peace with Him. Now we are His friends. Read Acts 10:34-36; James 4:4; James 3:17-18; Colossians 1: PEACE OF GOD. PERFECT PEACE and WAR When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives He brings the blessings of God including His peace of heart and mind. God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJ. Peace has a lot to do with our minds and our thoughts. Therefore, we need to control our thoughts. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. We have the ability of the Holy Spirit within us to give us power to think right. Read Philippians 4:8 KJ. We need to meditate (think about) the Word of God. Read Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 63:6. The peace of God is freedom from fear. When dif cult times and trials come our way, Jesus says, Peace be still, to the storms of life. In the world around us we can have peace in our hearts and minds because we know God is still on the throne and our trust is in Him. Read John 14:1; Psalm 29:1-3; Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:6; Romans 8:15 KJ ; Psalm 23; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 103:1-5. continued over page

7 We have peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This peace with one another is really the outworking of Christian love. It is the absence of strife, gossip, unforgiveness and sel shness. It comes by promoting harmonious relations with each other. This is an important part of our Christian witness to the world. Read Romans 12:9-13; 2 Timothy 2:22-24; Ephesians 4:32; Hebrews 12:14-15; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 15:12; Matthew 6:12; Matthew 14:5. As far as it is possible we are to live peaceably with all people. Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11. Read Romans 12:9-21. The Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 KJ EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE PEACE WE ARE AT WAR! With the peace of God ruling in our hearts we are at war because we have an enemy who is continually attacking us. Satan attacks our spirits, minds and our bodies whenever he can. Read John 10:10 KJ; 1 Peter 5:8-9. Like Timothy we are called to ght a good ght. 1 Timothy 6:12. This is spiritual warfare. We are not ghting against people; but against the devil and his army of evil spirits. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJ; Ephesians 6: Therefore, put on all of God s armour. Read Ephesians 6: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what the word is saying to you. This is a command not a suggestion. Once in place this spiritual armour against evil should never come off. Without it you are not able to resist every temptation that comes your way. Always remember Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Verse 18 of Ephesians 6 is very important. WE ARE WINNERS. Do not be afraid of the devil for he is a defeated foe. Jesus defeated him when He died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Jesus is on our side and He always gives us the victory. Read John 10:10; Colossians 2:15. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33. Read Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 12:11. In spite of everything Satan can try to do to us he cannot win and as we put our trust in the Lord, we can still have His wonderful peace of heart and mind, that passes all understanding. Philippians 4:7. Victory is ours over every trick the devil can use to destroy us or our life in Christ. PRAISE HIM! Therefore trust in the Lord always. Read Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 2:14b. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJ

8 ONLY A SLAVE GIRL Read 2 Kings 5:1-14. The story of Naaman begins with a little slave girl (verse 2). We do not know her name; but she really was a heroine. She had been captured by invading soldiers; carried away to a foreign country and forced to work in the captain s household. Imagine how she felt. Did she miss her mother, family and friends? Did she cry herself to sleep at night? We are not told; but she must have been lonely and lost in a strange land among foreigners with no hope of ever contacting her loved ones. Yet in spite of everything she did not forget her God. She heard her master had the dreaded disease of leprosy for which there was no cure in those days. She did not say, it serves him right, or God is punishing him for all the bad things he has done, she did not hate him. She was sorry for him and told her mistress about the God of Israel who could heal leprosy and she hoped her master would go to the Prophet of God in Israel for more information. She must have been well respected for her devotion to duty and her integrity because that great man actually believed her story and went to see Elisha for help. Unfortunately, his pride almost cost him his healing. When he humbled himself and followed God s instructions exactly He was healed! With God nothing is impossible. Read Luke 1:37. All trace of leprosy was gone - all because a slave girl, a nobody, had told him about our God and what He could do. There is no excuse for any of us. We must be about our Heavenly Father s business. There are many people around us who are lost, sad, sick or lonely and they need help. If you are a born again Christian you have the answer. JESUS IS THE ANSWER to their every need for their body, soul and spirit. Jesus says to you, Go and tell them. You can be a missionary for Jesus right where you live. You can take the story of Jesus to some needy person near you. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone today. It does not matter how young or how old you are. It does not matter whether you are educated or not. You can always tell what Jesus has done for you. You can always get help from older Christians or your Pastor if you need to. Like the girl in our story you can be a faithful witness for Jesus. Read Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19-20, this is a command, not a suggestion. Read 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:37; John 14:21. Pray this prayer, Lord, here am I. Send me to someone. Jesus came and told His disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. THEREFORE, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you even to the end of the age. Matthew 28: Read John 3:35; Acts 1:8.

9 Please write and tell us what God has been saying to you through these studies. If you have any questions about the studies please send them to us and we will be happy to answer them for you. (February 2015) MY RESPONSE NAME... ADDRESS CITY...Post Code... COUNTRY... AGE... DATE OF BIRTH.../.../... M / F Forward correspondence to:- Darwin Christian Centre Ministries Inc PO Box Winnellie NT 0821 Australia