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The Final Item

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Those who read blogs like this are no doubt very familiar with the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew, chapter 24:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV

The verse came up yesterday in a discussion I had with a stranger in the park up the street from my house. I was walking my dog yesterday evening, as I am wont to do, and we passed a young man who had the Hebrew word ḥāzaq (pronounced “huh ZACK”) on his T-shirt. While I don’t know Hebrew, I recognized the written language so I asked him about it. “It’s the Hebrew word for ‘be strong’ from Joshua 1:9 ” he explained.

Discussion ensued. He’d gone with a church mission group to Israel before this Covid thing got started. We talked about Psalm 19, God’s fingerprints in nature, how the topography of Jerusalem is in the form of the Hebrew letter shin which is God’s monograph, and the fact that it takes much more faith to believe in evolution than creation. So it was a warm and encouraging discussion. Then I asked if he thought Jesus was coming back soon, and he opined that we had not yet reached the entire world with the gospel, so we probably had a few more years before He would return.

“A few more years?” Well, let’s think about this.

I guess I was surprised, and the more I think about this, the more surprised I am. After all, this guy was a serious Christian. The average American pew-packer does not sport witness-wear or take a possibly bullet-dodging mission trip to the middle east. So I was really kind of jolted that he did not seem to be at all aware of the lateness of the hour. And there may be a LOT of folks who we’d consider Christian (and who very probably ARE Christian) who, nevertheless, don’t really know.

The primary question is: HAS the gospel of the kingdom been preached in all the world? If not, who have we missed? It’s a serious question, but I think there’s a scriptural answer. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “… you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world …” (Col. 1:5-6, emphasis added)

This hints at a fulfillment of Christ’s condition. Paul then goes on to say:

… if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:23 NKJV emphasis added

I’ve explored this before. I’ve wondered, for instance, why the U.S. churches send money and manpower to places like New Guinea. We’ve been doing it for years, and no doubt we’ve helped a lot of people. But in the sense of the Great Commission or the condition Jesus gave concerning His return, hasn’t the job been done? Paul would go into an area where the gospel had never been heard, he’d stay for a few weeks until a church was established, and then he’d move on. Jesus sent out disciples in pairs to visit the cities and towns in Israel and preach the gospel of the kingdom. Some accepted the message and some rejected it. In all cases, “mission accomplished.” And yet we’ve got folks thinking that after 2,000 years – and especially with today’s technology and resources – there is still some nation or group or tribe that has been left out, overlooked or forgotten … so Jesus can’t return yet.

It very much appears to me that ALL of the signposts Jesus told us to watch for – from phony Christians deceiving many, to wars and threats of wars, to lawlessness, to fierce persecution of Christians worldwide – are writ large in the headlines every day. I really doubt that Planet Earth must, or can, endure “a few more years” of this escalating grief before Jesus gathers His people and begins the serious business of judging His enemies.

Put me down for “a few more weeks.” Like maybe three – I still think September 20th is an extremely likely rapture date. Jesus’ “final item” has been completed. We’re going home.

Comments

6 responses to “The Final Item”

  1. William E. Males Avatar
    William E. Males

    Brother Steve, personally I think we’ll be here after September 20th.

    I appreciate your inserting Col. 1:5-6, for I lean a bit towards the preterist perspective (though I am by no means a preterist) that Matthew 24 deals first with the destruction of the Temple and the geographical and civil nation of ancient Israel. The Greek word which was translated “world” in Matthew has also be properly been translated “all the land.”

    > oikoumene – feminine participle present passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication, of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire:–earth, world.<<

    I think this to is what the author of Hebrews refers to in his comment "Now that which decays and waxes old [the temple] is ready to vanish away. Then [or "wherefore"] verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary," (Hebrews 8:13, 9:1). As well as "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry," (Hebrews 10:37).

    One of my persistent difficultly with most interpretations of Matthew 24 is it is clear to me that the disciples had no comprehension of Jesus death, resurrection, or 2nd coming when they aske those 3 questions of Him, "When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

    I simply submit to you an old audio teaching I did probably 20 years ago, and a piece I wrote on Matthew 24 for you consideration.

    Audio file – https://gatesofthecity.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/the-disciples-did-not-understand.mp3

    https://gates-of-the-city.com/2011/06/03/a-compilation-of-scripture-commentaries-and-history-on-matthew-chapter-24/

    Personally, the next major prophetic event I am anticipating is the total annihilation of America… and that the call to "Come out her My people" is a call for God's people to physically leave it prior to such, just as Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 10:11-15

    " And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city."

    This to was accomplished with the Christians leaving Jerusalem and the surrounding cities prior to the Roman siege.

    Please know that I love your love and service and zeal Brother Steve. Not saying you're wrong, just sharing why I hold to a different mindset.

    Grace and peace to you and yours.

    Reply
  2. stevekerp Avatar
    stevekerp

    You’ve done some major work and deep thinking on this, William, for which I commend you. But a serious question remains (or perhaps several) regarding “come out of her, My people.” Specifically, where are we supposed to go and how are we supposed to get there? Most Christians I know have limited resources, and now there’s lots of restriction due to the “covid” thing. So getting out of the country is problematic and, again, where’s the destination? The scriptural answer seems to be “pray that you may be found worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man,” which is to say, rapture before American’s demise. We persevere in faith, and claim Rev. 3:10. I think we’ll see soon. Thanks again for your good work.

    Reply
  3. William E. Males Avatar
    William E. Males

    Thank you for your acknowledgment of my labors, Brother Steve. For yes, I have over three decades both wrestling with and challenging this message. It is not one I like, no, not at all. It breaks my heart at times, but not as much as the contempt people who profess to be Christians often display towards both it and me, often reproving me and telling me how much God loves America, and how, as it was in the eyes of some of the original pilgrim settlers, that America is virtually a New Jerusalem, another land of promise, or promise land.

    But concerning your question, “where are we supposed to go and how are we supposed to get there?” I guess what Jesus said to the seven churches still applies to us today, “He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. ” (Quote from the one to the Church in Sardis.)

    We too are expected to live and walk in the Spirit, being led wherever He leads us. All the Christians that fled Jerusalem knew when to leave; by the instructions of Jesus Himself, the admonishments of the apostles, and by church leaders who heard what the Spirit was speaking in their day. Where they went afterwards, I am sure was by the same leading of the Spirit and sure under His sovereign guidance, protection, and provision. For is not Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever?

    As far as the truth that “Most Christians I know have limited resources” or how “there’s lots of restriction due to the ‘covid’ thing,” can that possibly prevent God from providing for His people today even as He did the Hebrews when He brought them out of Egypt? I think not. But I do believe people have to prepare, be obedient, seek the Lord and His will, and call on Him to be their God and show them ultimately what they are to do and where they are to go, with an expectancy of faith that He will make a way and provision for safe passage thereof. If not, would not such be like the 10 spies who lacked faith and therefore gave an evil report?

    So, as far as your concerns that “getting out of the country is problematic and, again, where’s the destination?” It is not problematic for God, for both Abraham and the Hebrews obeyed God and followed Him going to where they knew not on their outset. God will direct anyone who lacks such wisdom, as surely as James said He would, just “ask of God Who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, DOUBTING NOTHING. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.” If God is saying “Come out,” the first response is “Yes Lord.” He will lead. He will direct your path. Do you need a whole travel guide from God before you obey? I hope not.

    To me, asking in faith for wisdom is precede with a submission to God and a willing to do WHATEVER it is He would have you do. But for many it is their soliciting God’s opinion on a matter so they can decide on whether or not they want to do it. That is a doubleminded man, for he already has his preference and restrictions, and is not wholly surrender to the leading of God’s Spirit. Those who are such have surrendered, and I believe are those who pray both intentionally and sincerely for God’s will to be done, seek His wisdom, and purpose to do His will, without concerns or efforts towards a trying to “save of their own lives.” Such are the ones are those who I believe will “be found worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

    See, when I wrote The Eighth Beast 8 or 9 years ago, I did so basically just for family and friends. I had so much written already over decades of watching, praying, and studying, that writing it wasn’t that hard, it was just a matter of getting it all together in one comprehensible volume so as to present it to others. But to do so, I also had to address many “strongholds” within modern eschatology that keep many believers blinded or looking for false prophetic things to happen. For these biblical strongholds are not transgressions, rather they are ideologies, for which the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down thereof.

    Strongholds are ideologies of man’s own imagination, doctrines of devils, false teachings, and whatever “exalts itself against the knowledge of God” as truth, contrary to what is revealed to us by His Spirit with the confirmation of what is written in scripture; of which our obedience thereunto will be the justification of God’s vengeance on all who were willfully ignorant and therefore disobedient. For did not Noah condemn the whole world through his obedience? All it takes is one man to have a hunger for righteousness and ears to hear to condemn those who cannot; because they will not, because they love the darkness more than light. Truly, this is the time when men aren’t able to endure sound doctrine, for most indeed suffer from itchy ears, and like the Athenians, “spend their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.”

    2 Corinthians 10:4 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

    In truth, I wasn’t going to author a book, but after feeling the time for me personally to leave America was growing closer, I compiled several manuscripts for family and friends and held 3 or 4 weekly meeting going over much material to share my concerns. It was after those meetings that I felt led to write the book, clueless as to how God was going to use it to direct my own path on when and where He wanted me to go. I knew not the plan of God, only had a conviction based upon His word. But being compelled to write it, and after having done so and ordering many to give away and held the first copy in my hand, I felt strongly of the Lord that I needed to put a copy of it into the hand of a certain individual who had a podcast. No problem, not a hard thing to do, except at the time I lived in Florida and they in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, that very moment I accepted that to do so I would need to drive or fly there with no reservations about doing so.

    It was a matter of days however that I learned this individual was going to be at a prophecy conference in Orlando Florida in just a couple of weeks; so great, I’ll just go to the conference and hand it to him there. I went early the first day, hours before it all started to familiarize myself with the place, and to my pleasant surprise, there he was at the end of many tables set up for the widely diverse speakers. So, I walk down off to the side of where he was speaking with someone. He looked up and glanced at me and we made eye contact, and both did a friendly nod to each other. After he was finished with the individual I walked over, introduced myself, and told him that the only reason I came to the conference was because I felt the Lord wanted me to place the book I had just written in his hands. He thanked me, and assured me that not only would he read it, but that he would read it twice.

    Great! Mission accomplished. I said to myself, “Gee, that was easy. I really could just go home now…” but I and some friends had just obtained a hotel and paid for the whole conference. So, looking around for a place to sit because I had a bum knee, I noticed two tables for a speaker who wasn’t there with four chairs behind them, with a woman sitting in one. I walked over and asked if it was ok if I sat down and she welcomely said it was. Upon sitting down, she introduced herself and shared that she lived in Costa Rica.

    Now that immediately intrigued me, for 5 or 6 years before this a Dr. John Price had written his 2nd book “The End of America,” his first being “America at the Crossroads.” I had only recently read his book, and he too was feeling that God was telling His people to “Come out of her…” In that book he recommended a secular book about becoming an expat, and all the things needing to be considered when contemplating to moving to another country, whatever the reason. It was an informative book, though I can’t remember the title.

    Regardless, I knew that John Price had moved to Costa Rica, and so (taking a wild chance) I asked this lady if she knew John Price and she said she did. I was shocked, but immediately asked her if she would give him a book for me, to which she responded, “Of course.” I literally was there only to deliver a book I was compelled to write into the hands of a certain individual, and having done so, within a couple of minutes, the very next person I meet I am handing copies of my book to that they might deliver to them to another individual who also authored a book about America’s destruction and the call of God to “Come out of her.” Shortly after our brief discourse, I thanked her and excused myself, and joined friends I came with, and we continued familiarizing ourselves with this huge conference complex.

    After 3 days of torturing ourselves with this commercial conference which had over 20 speakers, each with diverse views conflicting with each other, me and my friends were burnt out and ready to leave. However, we knew the man I gave the book to was scheduled for a final presentation at the end of the day, so we decided to take a few hours off and walk around to air ourselves out from all the nonsense that was being spouted. Far off in another corner of the conference complex (it was huge, multiple areas and hotels within it), we found a sitting area. Having sat down with my back up against a wall, I was reflecting over everything and mentioned to my son, “You know, we haven’t seen that lady I met when we first got here.” To which he responded, “You mean Regina?” That was her name, and so I answered “Yes,” and he immediately got up and said, “She is right there walking this way.” I thought he was kidding with me, but he came back around the wall I was against in seconds with her.

    She sat down and for the next 45 minutes to an hour we talked, and she shared why she had moved to Costa Rica, also feeling a call of God to come out of America. Near the end of our conversation, I asked her if she would mind hosting one of my friends who was with us if he and his wife went down to see Costa Rica (with the purpose of their seeing if that was where God might lead them). Email addresses were exchanged, then we all went to see the speaker’s last session, and at the end said our goodbyes and went our ways.

    But about 6 weeks or so later, my friend shows up at my house and tells me that he and his wife are headed to Costa Rica, and that they want my wife and I to go with them, jokingly using the reason being my wife speaks Spanish.” We went, met more people, and felt that indeed God had orchestrated the events to direct our path and had confirmed His will, and so I returned to the states and prepared to liquidate all assets and move to Costa Rica.

    The simple truth is Steve, if anyone has ears to hear what God is speaking, and acts upon it accordingly, He will do the same for anyone.

    Stay blessable, on fire, and unburnable.
    Below is some more info I’ll share:

    Video – The End of America by John Price

    https://theeighthbeast.com/2016/07/20/come-out-of-her-my-people-chapter-11/

    https://gates-of-the-city.com/2015/11/17/moved-to-costa-rica/

    Reply
    1. stevekerp Avatar
      stevekerp

      Thanks for your response. I guarantee you: if the Lord were prompting me in any way to pack up and move, I am ready to go. And I certainly can’t question that He has called you and some others to physically remove from the United States. But my understanding of “come out of her, My people” as it applies to us today is to leave the institutions. My calling as an ambassador for Christ – currently serving in North Carolina – has not been revoked as far as I can tell. So while you are obedient in moving to Costa Rica, I believe I remain obedient by staying where I am. Again, I’d leave all this behind, grab my passport and go anywhere if the Lord directed me.

      For those called to move who have stayed and, more importantly, for those called to leave our Babylonian “churches” and other institutions who have not left, that’s a matter between them and God. All you and I can do is to warn them. In the days before Jerusalem was destroyed, the concern was for physical preservation. In these days, I think the concern is for spiritual preservation. When Satan is given authority over the earth for 42 months, there will be no “safe haven” for believers. There will be one for true Jews, because there are still physical promises to be fulfilled in their future. So God has a place prepared for them “in the wilderness for 1,260 days.” If God wants me to fly to Petra to join them, I’m fine with it. But I really think He has something else in mind.

      So we’ll see, I would suppose. The wrath of God will fall on America. For those who think a bug-out bag, a Berkey water filter and a few silver rounds will protect them, they will quickly discover that they have been deceived. America the Babylon (and I believe her sisters in London and the Vatican) will be destroyed, but I strongly suspect that will be a post-rapture event.

      Reply
      1. William E. Males Avatar
        William E. Males

        Amen Brother Steve.

        Most Christians I know who have left my already feel they are basically setting up camp for others for when God leads them out. Each in their time will hear the leading as they first continue to complete the needful tasks given unto them according to His purpose.

        May His fullness and amazing grace, coupled with His daily mercies carry you forward to the completion and perfecting of your own calling and holiness. God be ever praise for the glorious gift and richness we have in Jesus Christ His Son.

        Live for the King, it will make it easier to die for Him.

  4. stevekerp Avatar
    stevekerp

    I’ve had complaints about the “subscribe” feature on this blog. If you attempt to subscribe and the feature does not work, please leave a comment to that effect. Thanks.

    Reply

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