Preparing for the Coming of the Messiah
People today are striving to find the truth about why they are here, what is their calling , who is God and what does He expect, and most of all, what comes next. They thirst for the answers to life’s most important and elusive questions. Many people have forgotten the message of love Jesus gave us. They don’t realize that His second coming will soon be fulfilled, revealing the answers to all these questions.
Perry Ennis, author of Prepare for the Coming of Messiah: A Message of Love, Restoration, Warning and Hope says, “We are in the last generation, and the world events that are fulfilling end time prophecies are happening very quickly. It is very important that we understand what is going on, so we can prepare for the difficult times ahead.”
During the 1960’s, Ennis lived a hippie lifestyle, partying, experimenting with drugs, and losing all faith in God. He became depressed and suicidal, not knowing where to turn for help. A stranger found him during these desperate times, giving him love and compassion, reintroducing Ennis to God and His words of hope. Ennis asked Jesus to come into his heart, and his ministry as a teacher of the end time prophecies was revealed to him.
He is passionate about bringing God’s truth about the end times to the people of the world, helping them prepare for the fulfillment of the greatest prophecy of all time.
Ennis says, “Know more than anything that our creator God loves all of us more than we can comprehend. He has great plans and kingdom ministry work for each of us to do.” In order to prepare for the end times and undertake God’s plan for us, we must develop an intimate relationship with Him: believe in Him, love Him, respect Him, worship Him, and follow God’s instructions. Accept Jesus as the Messiah, and our loving relationship with God will endure throughout eternity.
The truth about the end times is revealed in scripture. The proof that these prophecies and scriptures are true can be seen in the accounts written by various prophets, Kings, and disciples.
An example of such proof is from Psalms22:16, 16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. King David wrote this psalm 700 years before the Romans used crucifixion as an inhuman form of execution, yet David knew the details of this form of punishment.
Another example demonstrating the truth of prophecies is seen in Psalms 16:9-11. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Here, King David speaks in the words of Jesus, thanking God for protecting him and not condemning him to the world of the dead. This prophecy reveals the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.
The confirmation of these readings is seen 1070 years after King David wrote the psalms by John 20:27-29. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
The Bible is filled with such confirmations and fulfillments of prophecy recorded by eye witnesses. The scriptures are right in front of us, waiting to reveal the truths human beings have been thirsting for since the beginning of mankind.
The signs of the end times are found in the scriptures:
- The most prominent prophecy to be fulfilled will be the coming regional war on the Middle East in which Israel will be the first to strike. They will defeat the enemy with the help of the USA and Yahweh. This war fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 11/17. 1The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. Damascus is one of the most ancient cities in the world and the capital of Syria.
- Watch for men claiming to be the Messiah. Be aware of the prophecy of false Messiahs to guard yourself from belief in their falsehoods as revealed in Matthew 24:4-5. 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
- Be aware of the rogue asteroid scheduled to impact the earth in 2012. This would be the fulfillment of the four trumpet prophecies. Revelations 8. 8The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
All of these prophesied events will lead to the great war mentioned in Ezekial 38-39. Take a proactive stand and educate yourself in what the scriptures have to say about the end times. Find the way to prepare and be ready, understanding the truth of the approaching tribulation.
Find the faith to get closer to Jesus, believing that He will be there for you. He will never abandon you, but be with you forever. We can experience the peace He offers by walking with Him, and following his word.
Act in a proactive way, praying all the time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your mission in the world. Pray for Jesus’ love to come into your heart, so you can administer to His people. Follow His word and you will reach God’s kingdom.
Dr. Proactive, Randy Gilbert enjoys producing the “Inside Success Show”. He presents his interview with Perry Ennis, (www.Messiahiscoming.net) based upon the strategies from his book. Hear the interview for free:
http://www.insidesuccessradio.com/Guests/Perry.Ennis
The Da Vinci Code and the Holy Grail
The Da Vinci Code, a best selling novel, has garnered a great deal of attention in recent days. The story line consists of medieval theories, legends and lore woven into a postmodern thriller novel with political overtones.
The novel also makes some very serious direct attacks on the Christian faith. Let me emphasize the word “novel” because it is clearly a work of fiction and is not fact.
Any serious scholar who examines this book is drawn to the conclusion that it is mere speculation based on very limited evidence. Uninformed readers, however, are misled by this book and some people even promote it as truth. It is therefore necessary to counter its errors.
The plot of the book is centered on the unproved supposition that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had a son who became part of French royalty. This story was supposedly suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries.
The book also claims that the Holy Grail is not the chalice that was used at the last supper but is rather the body of Mary Magdalene. I should point out that the Bible does not use the term “Holy Grail” much less define it as the chalice used at the first holy communion at the last supper. The attribution of power to the chalice was done much later in legends formulated in medieval times.
The novel also blasphemously denies the deity (divinity) of Christ. It alleges that the doctrine of the deity of Christ did not originate with Christ Himself but was introduced later and Constantine called the Council of Nicea in 325 AD order to enforce it.
It is also alleged in The Da Vinci Code that Christ was deified as part of a larger attempt to assert male dominance and suppress goddess worship. Feminist victimization is a major underlying theme of this book and forms a major political subtext. It is called The Da Vinci Code because Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) supposedly was a believer and propagator of the Mary Magdalene as wife of Jesus rumor.
The New Testament records the fact that Jesus openly claimed to be divine. (See John 5:23, 8:58, 10:30.) The apostles, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, also asserted that Jesus was and is divine. He is equal with God the Father. (See John 1:1,14, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:6-8.)
Only Jesus as God in flesh was capable of dying for the sins of all people. The early church leaders who came after the apostles continued to teach the deity of Christ. To say or imply that Constantine or others invented the doctrine of the deity of Christ in order to promote a patriarchal system is as ludicrous as it is anti-historical.
Christ came to die for the sins of all people. He, in His great love and mercy, took upon Himself the punishment due to all people for our sins. The name “Immanuel,” a title of Christ, means “God with us.”
Part of the reason The Da Vinci Code denies the deity of Christ is that it relies on the Gnostic Gospels to buttress its claims. A large number of manuscripts of Gnostic Gospels were found in an earthenware jar in Nag Hamadi Egypt in 1945.
Among the Nag Hamadi group of manuscripts was the so-called Gospel of Thomas and the so-called Gospel of Philip. Since these manuscripts are dated anywhere from AD 150 to the third or fourth centuries AD, no scholar, not even the most liberal, regards them as actually having been written by the Thomas or Philip of the New Testament.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer of Moody Church, Chicago Illinois writes about the Gnostic Gospels: “These Gnostic Gospels are non-historical, and even anti-historical; they contain little narrative and have no sense of chronology. They scorn the belief that God would have come in the flesh . . . These documents make no pretense of actually overlapping with the canonical gospels. They are filled with many garbled New Testament quotations along with many foolish sayings that they put in the mouth of Jesus” (page 9 of Dr. Lutzer’s booklet Rumors about Jesus: The Jesus of The Da Vinci Code).
Sandra Miesel, writing in the Roman Catholic newsletter Crisis states that in The Da Vinci Code “Blasphemy is delivered in a soft voice.”
The allegation that Jesus married Mary Magdalene is outlandish speculation with no biblical support and ironically very little support even in medieval legend and lore. Those who deny the deity of Christ commit the sin of blasphemy and separate themselves from Christ. I pray that people not be misled by The Da Vinci Code.
Bill Nugent has written many articles on Christianity, philosophy and science. He has also written books that give Bible based teaching on sanctification and that caution against the error of legalism. His books are available at his website http://www.gracelawandsonship.com.
Your Prosperity and Your Trials
Life happens to us all, and at some point in time we all experience a little displeasure now and then.
It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been a Christian, how much we do right, or how much we love the Lord. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality as though something (unusual and alien) were befalling you (Amplified Bible Version).”
Just because we are Christians does not mean we should be exempt from trials. Remember, the One we follow has scars, and if we are gonna be his Disciples, we are gonna end up with scars too!
Just know that living an abundant and prosperous life is a choice we make regardless of the trials we must endure. Even though we cannot control what God chooses to test us, we can control how we react.
How we react to trials greatly affects our prosperity. For example, if you get all bent out of shape over something that tests your patience, you will lose your peace. Losing yourpeace then, results in losing your prosperity. Think about it,if you don’t have any peace, you don’t have much!
Tests, trials, and undesirable circumstances are all part of life. But, they are also temporary! Therefore, we should not allow them to continue in our lives… Particularly, as a child of God.
John 10:10 tells us that Jesus died that we may have life, and have life more abundantly. Trials and tests are only meant for a season, or for a short amount of time to make us better than what we were before.
If you’re like me you see many people who let their problems continue to run their lives. They live from paycheck to paycheck with bills that don’t get paid by their due dates. They may have a car in need of certain repairs or maintenance, but the zero in their savings account prevents them from getting the things done that they need. They may have problems in relationships, and they may even have health issues.
Prosperity feels so far away for these people… But they love the Lord! Why then, do they continue to struggle?
I believe it’s a combination of things, but I want to emphasize only one important point for now: The devil wants us to settle for the crumbs that fall from the table!
As born-again children of the Most High God, we are adopted into His family and become joint-heirs with Christ… What is His, is ours (Rom 8:17, Gal 3:29)!
Our attitude should be, “I am a child of the King, I deserve the best, and I decide right now to commit myself to a better quality life.” Insist that you will not live like a dog settling for the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table. Pull up your chair, take your rightful place, and feast with the King!
After all, you are a child of the Most High God, set apart and made holy by the blood of the Lamb, and “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4)!
No longer accept what the enemy wants for you! Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “You have been given power and authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you!”
Daniel N. Brown is an entrepreneur and teacher of biblical success principles! Get his FREE Special Report, “Christian Prosperity Secrets” when you subscribe to his FREE “Prosperous Christian” e-Letter… http://www.SecretPlaceOnline.com
The Book of John and Your Prosperity
Most scholars will agree the Gospel of John is a very important document on Christian theology – often times, more so than the synoptics, which are the works of Matthew, Mark, and Luke!
Why? Probably because the way John the Disciple portrays Jesus Christ! John discusses two critical particulars in His Gospel:
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!
2. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us!
Only John’s Gospel presents the concept of the eternal Word of God being made flesh and living in this world among us!
About the Book of John
The Book of John is filled with first hand accounts of John’s experiences with Jesus that occurred during His 33 years on earth…
John explains things in much more detail than the Synoptic Gospels! Because of His unique relationship with Jesus, John is able to give us a broader perspective into some of the events that occurred during Jesus time on earth, such as…
~ When the disciples crossed the lake in the storm, John records they had rowed between three and four miles
~ The loaves of bread the boy brought to Jesus were actually barley loaves
~ John records the exact weight of the myrrh and aloe used to anoint Jesus’ body
But, it’s interesting to note that the parables Jesus told, which are so precious to the Synoptic Gospels… John omits!
What You Will NOT Find in the Book of John
Because the Gospel of John varies from the other three gospels by focusing more on spiritual themes rather than historical events, the following is a list of the things we will NOT find in this Gospel…
~ Jesus’ birth or the events that surrounded His birth
~ The temptation of Jesus
~ Jesus’ baptism
~ Jesus’ last supper with His disciples
~ Jesus’ struggle in Gethsemane
~ Jesus’ ascension into heaven
~ The deliverance of the demon possessed
What You WILL Find in the Book of John
Even though John omits much of what the Synoptic Gospels tell us, He tells us much of what the other three omit!
It is only in John’s Gospel that some of Jesus’ disciples really come to life! John shows us some of Andrew’s personality and some of Phillip’s character… we also get to hear Thomas speak, and we get to hear the protest of Judas at Bethany!
The following is a list of some of the other important things we will read only in the Gospel of John…
~ The miracle Jesus performed at the marriage feast at Cana of Galilee
~ The coming of Nicodemus to Jesus at the midnight hour
~ Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well
~ Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead
~ The way Jesus washed His disciples’ feet
~ Jesus’ teachings about the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide
About John the Disciple
It’s interesting that John the Disciple’s mother was the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary, which would make John and Jesus first cousins! This may explain the special favor Jesus showed John (John records himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, recorded in John 13:23, 19:26, and 21:7)! This could also explain the uniqueness of his record of the life of Jesus…
Also, John the Disciple identifies himself as “The disciple which testifies of these things, and writes these things; and we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24)!
Conclusion
The Gospel of John is truly a facinating perspective on the life of Jesus, and I absolutely encourage you to absorb it to fully expand your Christian walk and super-charge your life!
Daniel N. Brown is an entrepreneur and teacher of biblical success principles! Get his FREE Special Report, “Christian Prosperity Secrets” when you subscribe to his FREE “Prosperous Christian” e-Letter… http://www.SecretPlaceOnline.com