“Mulligan” is a term in golf for a do-over. It’s like the first effort didn’t count – no penalty, no stroke – just a gracious opportunity to try again as if the first try never happened.

I’d guess that most of us wish life were like that, at least sometimes. ”I wish I wouldn’t have said that,” (James 1:26) or “I never should have gone there. If I only knew then what I know now.” But we’re pretty much stuck with our poor choices and the consequences. That’s life.

Still, we DO have an option, and that’s why I’m bringing this up. It’s an option we can exercise every day, and it works (for me) something like this: In the evening, when the day is done and I turn off my phone and computer, I spend a few quiet minutes thinking, “if I could live this day over, what would I do differently?“ And since it’s just one day, and fresh in memory, I can remember everything that happened: where I went, who I engaged with, what I said, what I purchased – the whole day is still fresh in memory, so I can recall its events with detail. Was there a rash word? Or an opportunity to encourage someone that I let pass? What should I have done differently??

Some things can’t be fixed, of course. But during this quiet time, I can make a list of those things that must be addressed. This means fixing/changing old behaviors, NOT justifying them. That someone is unkind to you does not justify a rude response. And of course it also means reconciliation and restitution. Own up to your faults and make amends. Humility.

I have lots of old regrets, but this helps me not make any new ones. As His workmanship, I truly want to become the man God wants me to be. We will never reform the “old man” (Col. 3:9) but we can muzzle him. ”Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

This is, for me, a way to pro-actively endure temptation. I see tendencies in my life toward inappropriate behavior, and by daily review I can anticipate situations and plan proper responses. At the same time, I can go back tomorrow to make things right with people I may have offended today.

This is not “life-by-guilt-trip” because, as you are no doubt well aware, there are LOTS of folks out there who are actively looking for people or things to offend them. Some folks prefer “high dudgeon” to reconciliation, and airs of moral superiority to healed relationships. Some things can’t be fixed. But, if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18)

‘Tis the season when the apologists, Bible scholars, traditionalists and historians love to weigh in on the questions, “is Christmas really Christian?” and “should Christians celebrate Christmas?“ Some argue that its roots and traditions all have pagan origins, from the date of celebration to the trees, tinsel, wreaths and gift-giving. ”It’s just Saturnalia with Christian trappings. Obviously, Jesus was not born in December!“ Others, with equal passion, insist that it’s anchored in Christian history, and even if we don’t know the exact date, it’s still Christ-honoring and should be celebrated.

I love a healthy debate as much as anyone, but who brought the red herrings to this party?

I ask, because the first question should probably be: ”if Christmas were Christian, what would it look like?“ And similarly, if it were pagan, then how would it differ from an idealized Christian model?

The Christmas story is narrated in Matthew and Luke. Neither provides dates, but the events themselves are obviously significant. Men were estranged from their Creator, and God was taking the initiative in healing the breach. He was offering “peace on earth, good will toward men.” The kingdom of Heaven was drawing near, and the Son of God would be its first ambassador. Jesus was bringing a message of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. No degrees in theology are needed to figure this out; just read the text.

If these are the underlying and primary messages of Christmas, then one would properly think these would be central themes in its celebration. We receive with gratitude and humility the grace that God has extended to us, we embrace His offer of reconciliation, and then we extend grace and reconciliation to those around us. ”Peace” and “good will” are not just verbiage on Christmas cards. Christmas properly calls us back to our roots as Christians, and re-energizes us to live as ambassadors for Christ and His kingdom. This should characterize us as believers throughout the advent season, and indeed into the new year.

These are not theological abstractions. If we are living for Christ, then we will go to that family member, neighbor or co-worker we may have offended, or who may have offended us, and try to restore the relationship. If we’ve defrauded anyone, this is the season we make it right: confess the fault and make restitution. This is the season God began His reconciliation with us, and this should be the season that we take the initiative in attempting to effect reconciliation with others.

There is, of course, nothing inappropriate or ‘pagan’ about this. We can choose to have a Christian Christmas. But do we? And that’s really the question, because we aren’t fooling God with our superficial displays of devotion to Christ if we’re refusing the gifts He has offered. Family schisms, unforgiveness, rebelliousness and over-indulgence follow us through the year and often DEFINE the Christmas season, and these are the things that taint the holiday season; not tinsel, trees or Santa Claus.

Is Christmas Christian? Sadly, for many of us it probably is not. It certainly can be, and it certainly should be. No, we don’t know the date, and the early church leaves no record of ever celebrating Jesus’ birthday. The date apparently wasn’t that big of a deal for them, and it probably should not be for us. But while the date of His nativity was not preserved, the reason for His nativity certainly was. Have we forgotten, or is that part of the story unworthy of celebration? 

And when January arrives and the decorations go back to the attic, are we refreshed and at peace, enjoying restored relationships and savoring pleasant memories? Or is this the post-holiday hangover, with credit card bills testifying to over-spending, and new year’s resolution to “do better” and lose a few pounds gained since Thanksgiving?

You may be thinking, “That’s easy for you to say. You don’t know my family.” That’s true; I don’t but God does. And this does not lay a requirement on any of us to restore every broken relationship. As we know from history, God’s invitation to the kingdom has been largely ignored. But God took the initiative, and so must we. God offered grace, and so must we. God desires reconciliation and so must we.

Some may object to the celebration in December. If you’re persuaded that Jesus was born in September, is THAT your season of reconciliation? Is there ANY season of the year when you re-focus on “the reason for the season”? 

The problem with Christmas may not be with its history, but with us. Does this make sense?

I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:9-10

As previously discussed, there are several “tribulations” in the Bible, including three separate periods of “great tribulation.” Christians have endured general tribulation since Jesus left, and there is one specific period of “great tribulation” mentioned in Rev. 2:22 –

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 2:20-22 (emphasis added)

I would suggest that the “tribulation ten days” and the “great tribulation” mentioned in this chapter of Revelation could be the same period of time. This short post just runs a few numbers.

As we know, December 7th had some high expectations. As I write, we’re on the threshold of the culmination of the COP28 global plan. There is the possibility that implementation of the COP28 agenda, the rapture, the confirmation of the covenant, and then the Divine grant of global authority to The Dragon for 42 months are in the very near future.

What follows is a moderately imaginative conjecture based on a few premises: 1) that the tribulation and “great” tribulation periods above are the same period of time, or substantially overlap, 2) that the believers who go into it are the aischynō Christians, 3) that God will NOT allow any of His children to be under the authority of The Dragon during any of these last days, and 4) that the 42-month Reign of Global Terror (Rev. 13:5) ends some time after Pentecost (Sivan 6/June 11) but before Tisha b’Av (Av 9/August 12) in 2027.

Pentecost in 2027 is June 11th according to HebCal. As you may know, there are several variations on the Hebrew calendar but HebCal is probably close. As discussed previously, Peter links Pentecost and its ultimate fulfillment to the prophecy in Joel that describes an invasion of the land of Israel. This could be the “time of Jacob’s trouble”/”Magog invasion” (two names of the same event). If this invasion is in late spring or summer of 2027, then backing up 42 months would bring us to the beginning of the reign of The Dragon. If the end-point is during the sixty days between Pentecost in 2027 and the following Tisha b’Av, the first day would be before March 1st, 2024.

Now, if The Dragon gets global authority after the 29th of this month and the final tribulation period which some Christians will experience ends at that time, then “tribulation ten days” could begin as early as December 19th, which is five days from now, but any 10-day window ending before March would work.

It is 1,339 days from today until the 9th of Av (August 12) in 2027, according to HebCal. The 9th of Av is the fast of the fifth month, and arguably the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar. As you know, HebCal is one of several Hebrew calendars out there, all claiming to be the “true” calendar that God uses.  I don’t know.

As you may also know, the four fast days will become days of joy and gladness, per Zech. 8:19 –

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

Zechariah 8:19

Daniel 12:12 identifies a “day of blessing” on the 1,335th day.  I’m unclear on the context.

I’d suggest that it may be possible that Day #1 – the confirmation of the covenant – could be just four days from now (perhaps preceded by the rapture) and that the warning in Acts 2 (quoting Joel 2) will be germane to the true Jews on Pentecost in 2027.  THIS – the invasion of the “locust army” – is also the “day of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) and when the rumble is over, Magog and his hordes will have been defeated and peace will rest on the survivors of the global village.  It appears that Rev. 19 and Ezekiel 39 are describing the same event.

“And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble yourselves and come; gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you, a great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams and lambs, of goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. You shall eat fat till you are full, and drink blood till you are drunk at My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you. You shall be filled at My table with horses and riders, with mighty men and with all the men of war,” says the Lord God.

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. The rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Ezekiel 39:20-23, Revelation 19:17-21

I actually have little confidence that the rapture is just four days out. There has been a LOT of hope that we would leave in 2023, and we have only about a fortnight before we find out. In the meantime, COP28 is winding down and we still expect that “Peace and Security” will be proclaimed as they roll out their new plan of global governance. If we’re still here, then hang on because the ride is going to start getting bumpy.

P.S. According to Q Official – credibility unknown – the “end” is coming on Friday, December 15th at 10:07 PM Eastern time. We can all suppose what we choose regarding what “the end” may mean. For Steve Quayle and undoubtedly many others, it means the anticipated default on $149 trillion of derivatives, and the resulting collapse of global economic structures.

Crunch.

This bothers me. I’m not sure exactly why. I guess it’s because Jesus really deserves better, and maybe it’s the shock of poor theology. I don’t know.

It’s no surprise that many follow the broad path that leads to destruction. Jesus told us 2,000 years ago that this would be the case. And the idea that there would be wolves among the sheep, or tares among the wheat – both also exposed. We were warned to expect them.

“Lordship salvation” should not be an issue. It should not even be a question. I’m confident the early church did not argue over it, or take positions on whether or not one must make Jesus Lord and live out the unavoidable, and undebatable, implications of that understanding. But today we have well-known and highly influential Christian leaders going so far as to say that “Lordship salvation” is a heresy.

And the support for this conclusion? The thief on the cross. Find just ONE CASE where “Lordship” is apparently not possible, and suddenly it becomes optional. Or even unnecessary. “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:43) If being crucified was the only way to get saved without making Jesus the Lord of your life, do you think these opponents of “Lordship Salvation” would choose it?

Words mean things. One of the most clarifying and fundamental statements concerning salvation – and one we all quote – is in Romans 10:9 “ …that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” I’ll acknowledge first that what one believes in his heart is essential, but “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) We can’t know that part, but what about the confession? Where scripture says, “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,” is this just a magic phrase? Is this the “password” to get into the kingdom? Is this just words?

I would submit that this is not just formal language, but that there is meaning. If someone makes wedding vows, they aren’t “just words” and all concerned would be horrified if the person taking those vows said, “I was just following the script. I have no intention of actually changing my behavior to comport with what I said.”

So what does “Lord” Jesus mean? In the early church, they had no doubt. The “Lord” was the one who had authority, the one to whom all were accountable. The “Lord” is the One to whom we OWE obedience and complete submission. The One who is LORD is, as a matter of Divine right, completely entitled to everything at all times and in all places. His jurisdiction is all-encompassing. His authority is complete. Jesus declared this when He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt. 28:18) and the early disciples fully understood this. This is what Peter asserted when he said, ” … God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36 emphasis added)

But these “lordship is optional” folks quickly scamper for cover in Acts 16:31 where the Gentile jailer asks the specific question: “What must I do to be saved?” Paul’s answer, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” is offered, emphasizing “believe” and ignoring the “Lord” part of the object of that saving belief. If words mean things, then believing on the LORD Jesus Christ (note: not “Savior Jesus Christ”) has implications. If you BELIEVE that Jesus is Lord, then that necessarily changes things. If you are just repeating a formula and don’t really mean what you are saying, then you are LYING. You are affirming with your mouth what you are denying by your continued self-centeredness. If Jesus does not, in fact, become the Lord of your life, your “Christian life” becomes a lie, and liars do not fare well at the end (Rev. 21:8).

The “new” gospel is that you confess things about Jesus and trust Him – but Lordship or commitment to Him or life changes are optional.  This is the “selfish gospel.” You claim that all your sins are forgiven, but you refuse to surrender “self” to the Lord you claim to believe in. You maintain “lordship” of your life. Jesus is certainly free to offer guidance, but you are not required to follow it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkHVuo_7kbg – “Jesus paid it all.  He doesn’t want my two bits.  He doesn’t want anything I do, and He doesn’t want my commitment, because He found out I lied about that two or three times.”  Yes, we slip and fall.  He picks us up and forgives us.  He never says “quit trying.” But McGee is sadly mistaken in saying “He doesn’t want my commitment,” because Jesus DOES want your commitment. Where McGee got this contrary idea is a mystery to me.

We have a culture of violence, and the “salt” has become savorless with uncommitted “Christians” who believe salvation is just a ticket to heaven and has nothing to do with being committed to Christ, submitted to Christ, or transformed by Christ. We should only be surprised that things aren’t worse than they are.

Imagine a football team where all the players are expected to do is believe they have a great coach.  No practice, no workouts, no change in diet.  If somehow a player gets knocked down, he just stays where he is but “believes” in his coach a little more.  To make this more analogous to today’s situation, let’s suppose the head coach really is good, but his assistant coaches are telling the players that workouts are optional. During a game, catching a pass or tackling the other team’s ball carrier or blocking – these are all optional, and you can be a perfectly good football player without engaging in any of this. Crazy, right? Blocking, tackling, scoring touchdowns and related activities are what it means to be a football player. It’s not just putting on your pads and sitting on the bench.

That to say this: living under the total Lordship of Christ is what it means to be a Christian. Submission to His Lordship is not some odious burden; rather, it’s a privilege and a delight. Someone offering you “Christianity” without Lordship is offering you savorless salt. To re-cast the discussion as “works-salvation” is to miss the point completely, as we’re not talking about earning or deserving salvation. We’re talking about salvation, of which forgiveness of sins is one part. And while it’s unquestionably true that none of us can do anything to atone for our sins, it is also true that there is more to being saved than just being forgiven.

The essence of saving faith is transformation. Having your sins forgiven is part of that. Being with Jesus for eternity is another part. But becoming like Him and becoming His companion is a MAJOR part. Yes, you must make Jesus your Lord in order to be saved, because that’s what salvation is.

A red herring is something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important question. The relevant question is, “since God is offering you forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ, what are you going to do about it?” And the response is sometimes, “well, that may be what the Bible says, but the Bible is full of errors.”

From there, the evangelist then takes upon himself the task of supporting the assertion that the Bible is inerrant, or at least that the original autographs (in Hebrew and Greek) were, and that our English translations are true to the original and so forth. It’s a safe bet that if the evangelist hands a Bible to the skeptic and says, “show me some of these errors,” that in most cases the skeptic will be unwilling or unable to do so. Sometimes the skeptic may be prepared and will point to some of the known problems with passages such as Mark 16:9-20, John 6:4, John 8:3-11, or the alleged conflicting testimonies regarding the events on the morning of the resurrection, or perhaps of Matthew and Mark’s accounts of the raising of the 12-year-old (Matt. 9 and Mark 5).

The skeptic may even insist that science has disproved or debunked the “creation myth” and may further say that everything before Genesis chapter 12 is not historically or scientifically true.

And so forth. We’ve seen the videos, or at least most of us probably have. Men like Greg Koukl and Frank Turek respond to these challenges much better than I could, and they seem to do it effortlessly. Of course, they’ve had lots of practice. But I have a question: Where does the Bible say that it is anything beyond faithful eye-witness accounts? Oh, it does in some areas. I have no doubt at all that God gave direct knowledge to Moses, that Moses wrote exactly what God told him, and that those records have been faithfully preserved. And yes, there are corrupted versions, but some serious digging exposes the flaws that have crept in. We can know with absolute certainty that God forbids adultery, and idolatry, and theft.

But the gospels are different. Most of the New Testament is different. The gospels are central to the New Testament and Jesus is central to the gospels and all these records, old testament and new, are considered scripture. And we should be comfortable with the knowledge that scripture makes no explicit claim to inerrancy. It claims to be “God-breathed” and “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work.” That, for us, should be sufficient. As J. Warner Wallace (and probably many others) pointed out, we should expect differences in separate accounts of the same events. Genuine eye-witness accounts always differ, but they are still reliable accounts. That different accounts have differences should not be at all surprising.

Gary Habermas answers these challenges to scriptural reliability with, “so what?” That’s the right answer. But don’t mis-understand: Dr. Habermas is not disparaging scripture in any way, nor am I. The claim that all scripture is “inerrant in the original autographs” is most probably true but is essentially meaningless because we don’t HAVE the originals, or any way to get them. Apparently, God decided that we don’t need them. What we have may not be perfect, but it is reliable, and it is sufficient.

The point is: arguing about so-called “discrepancies” in the scriptures and then dismissing the whole of scripture as being “unreliable” is flawed logic and often a red herring. For those who are running from the truth, any lie will do, any excuse, any distraction, any smoke screen. It behooves US, as proclaimers of truth and ambassadors for Christ to see past these distractions.

My thought on “God-breathed” – the Biblical word is “inspired.” The Greek word is theópneustos and it means “divinely breathed in.” Notice that it’s “inspire” and not “expire.” In other words, God did not “breathe out” the scriptures. Men were moved by the Holy Spirit, but it was still MEN who wrote them. What “inspire” suggests to me is that, as we say today, they “passed the (divine) sniff test.” Literally, when God “inspired” the scriptures, He breathed them in; He inhaled them. Perhaps He was enjoying their fragrance as “… holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.“

And as we know, we can all enjoy that same fragrance today. Sadly, many seem to prefer the fragrance of a “red herring” … a fish.

There is no “proof” for the existence of God in Scripture. Rather, it’s assumed that none is needed. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and the heavens He created declare His glory. What may be known of God is manifest in each of us (Romans 1:19) and external proofs are unnecessary.

And yet … atheists abound, or at least appear to. These are often really bright people who observe the natural world and then claim to reach a logical conclusion regarding the existence of God that is contrary to scripture. For example, let’s consider Wolfgang Pauli:

I was doing a little research in the area of Quantum Physics, specifically a study of the fine structure constant, which is 1/137. This is one of the “fine tuning” numbers that shows up regularly in physics and that must be what it is in order for the universe to exist. As you may know, there are a number of these factors in the universe. Scientists generally agree that if they were even slightly larger or smaller, the world simply could not hold together.

It was in that pursuit that I came upon the above quote by Wolfgang Pauli; unquestionably a VERY bright guy. His theological framework was that some impersonal “Ultimate Reality” made the raw material, and then Satan fashioned the world. Hence, his “reasonable” expectation that Satan would be the one to answer his question. He got his questions answered on December 15, 1958. Most probably not the answers he hoped for. Truly sad.

To his credit, Dr. Pauli at least concluded that there was a personal designer. Perhaps he knew that atheism is unreasonable because it is self-refuting; that is, it disproves itself when it’s asserted. Here’s a simple illustration. Suppose I tell you “there is no gold in my house.” The only way I can make that claim and insist it’s correct is if I have complete knowledge of all the contents of my house. I am aware of every item therein and I know what it’s made of.

Now, for someone to assert that “there is no God” would require that the person have accurate knowledge of everything. In other words, the atheist has to claim omniscience to make the claim that there is no God. However, “omniscience” is a divine attribute. So by claiming there is no God, he is necessarily claiming to BE God, since he’s claiming the possession of an attribute only God possesses.

A discussion with an atheist can take another tack. Instead of the bold claim that there is no God, perhaps the atheist alleges that everything we see can be explained without Him. That is, there is no need for a Creator because the natural world (which they believe is all there is) is either eternal or is self-generated and self-sustaining.

Even if this were true, this does not disprove God. Illustration: you put three small children and a 100-piece picture puzzle in a room. One of the children assembles the puzzle and the others watch. That does not disprove the existence of the other two. Similarly, even if there is more than one way for a universe to come into being, the activity of one does not disprove the existence of the others. Even if we allow the possibility of some as-yet-undiscovered cosmic principle capable of creating everything, it just means that maybe God did not. It does not necessarily force the conclusion that God could not, or that God does not exist. It just means the universe could have created itself without God being involved. So now all the atheist needs is evidence that such a cosmic principle exists. Not only has the evidence never been found, but what HAS been found (the apparently universal laws of thermodynamics) point in the other direction.

If someone can discuss Quantum Physics intelligently, they have enough intelligence to follow arguments like these. The problem with atheists is not one of intelligence, but rather one of suppression. By God’s grace, we all have the truth. Let’s pray that people will recognize it.

Notice that apologists such as Dr. William Lane Craig often use logic, philosophy, history and science in their arguments supporting the existence of God, the truth of the resurrection and similar responses to the challenges of atheists and agnostics. Neither of my arguments above rests on eternal truth revealed in scripture, that is, and appeal to Authority. They are reasons intended to penetrate the shroud of faulty logic that some folks use to hide from God. But none of it addresses the core issue, of which we must remain vigilantly mindful: God has offered us reconciliation through Christ. If someone would prefer denying the existence of God over being reconciled with Him, then HOW they avoid Him is essentially irrelevant. Take away one smoke screen and they will create another.

Christian apologists such as Dr. Craig get a lot of visibility, through conferences, videos and books as they refute the arguments of atheists. It’s fun to watch, but don’t let it distract you from what’s really important.

I was recently forwarded the YouTube links to Ken Potter’s recent discussion of the “Parable of the Ten Virgins.” I am not at all persuaded that this parable, when spoken to the Jews by Jesus, was intended to disclose any secrets or principles related to the rapture. It’s simply an unwarranted stretch and out-of-context imaginative application.

The person who forwarded the links included some comments: “I too believe that the reason we disagree on certain things is because, even though our ultimate destiny is Heaven, the ‘getting there’ and the timing of it might be vastly different for each of us, because we have a job to do, and ‘escape’ isn’t it.“

A bit of anti-pre-trib-rapture belief, one might think. Okay, though – we’re free to reach our own conclusions … and of course there’s also the aischyno option, which all are free to exercise. But I still had a few questions:

What’s this “job” we have to do? Is each of our jobs unique or are there share tasks? If teams are necessary, how do we determine who is on ours?

The mainstream churches have been telling us about our “job” for a long time: “to win the world for Christ.” Okay, and where does the scripture give us that job assignment? Is not scripture replete with warnings that most folks won’t listen, and that the vast majority don’t want to be “won” from their own self-centered world, or “won” to a kingdom where they are not the king? Is it a Biblical belief that “winning the world” is even possible?

Is it true that Jesus can’t return until everyone on earth has heard the gospel message and has had the opportunity to “accept Christ” and so forth? If so, what is the sufficient content of this message? If we leave out a part of it, is our task incomplete? Is Jesus precluded from returning as long as there is even ONE person who has not heard the message?

If someone does not ever hear about Jesus, then dies, is God unfair to send that person to hell for not believing a message he never heard?

Suffice to say, my challenging questions were not well-received. But they should be asked and they deserve to be answered. And for a primary reason: this “we have a job to do” mentality has served as a growth-inhibitor to the body of Christ – and a very effective one – for a long time. Scrutinizing it at this late date is still preferable to never scrutinizing it at all, and the truth is that what we’re DOING is far less important than what we’re BECOMING. “Doing” Christianity, which often consists of witnessing, inviting people to church, Bible study and similar “religious” activities, are promoted as the essence of Christianity, rather than as a means of Christian maturity.

Please don’t misunderstand: there is nothing wrong with good works, but they are not an end in themselves. They are a means to an end. We show Christ that we love Him by performing the good works that God has prepared for us. We become mature through our obedience to His commands. The end in view is spiritual maturity, so we can be the bride that Jesus deserves.

My point is that works, by themselves, can become “Christian busywork” and a Christian can be engaged in all sorts of Christian activities and still be immature. “Doing Christianity” is not the same as being a Christian, or the same as growing in Christ.

And that’s where I’m going with this. “Christian busywork” is easy. “Growing up in all things in Christ” is hard. It’s spiritual self-discipline: turning off the TV, taking an unpopular stand, and doing enough homework to be able to explain why you are taking the stand. It’s making restitution, apologizing, admitting you’re wrong. It’s being ALONE – sometimes because you hear the call to the wilderness, and sometimes because you are rejected. It’s being eternity-centered when everyone around you is not. If you are really striving to become what God wants you to be – the kind of eternal companion that Jesus deserves, then you already know.

The word of encouragement is that it will be worth it.

Freedom – what does it mean? Are there standards, criteria, degrees or conditions? Is it earned or granted? How is it preserved or maintained? How is it properly enjoyed? What does the structure of the life of someone who is free look like? I can’t answer all these questions, but would like to offer a few ideas that may begin to answer some of them.

First, I’d suggest that a free man – and I will begin this discussion in the political and social sense – is not in debt bondage. He owns his home with no mortgage, he owns his car with no car payment, he pays no interest. Additionally, he has a skill set that can be used to build wealth in a free market, so he can earn enough by producing useful goods or services to support himself and his family (if he has one), and to be able to give liberally and effectively to those who have legitimate needs (Eph. 4:28). Most importantly, he is free to walk away. He is skillful enough that he can always find work, and he does not NEED any particular job.

These are basics, and these basics are being stripped away. As you know, the average American is in debt bondage to a bank, with a mortgage, car payment, and credit card debt. Many live paycheck-to-paycheck. They may sing about the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” but for most, both freedom and bravery are far removed from daily reality.

We in America are tightly tethered to an extremely wicked and toxic social system, and nowhere is this more apparent to me than in the cases where American moms and dads go before their local school boards to complain about the absolutely obscene things to which their kids are exposed, and yet they have no options except to complain and hope that “common decency” will prevail.

If common decency does not prevail, parents are generally out of options. They may complain to their “elected representatives” and nothing happens. Dad HAS to work; there’s the mortgage and the car payment. Mom likewise; she’s not free to stay home or pull their kids out of school. If this family is in debt bondage, what can they do? For single-parent arrangements, it’s even worse.

Contrast this with a world where young men are taught useful skills in elementary and secondary schools. Imagine young men working a job (or two) for the first five years after graduation, living sacrificially and saving everything. Imagine single 25-year-old men who have seven years of working experience and who go into the housing market and pay cash. Imagine a world where Bible colleges are trade schools – NOT institutions to instruct “professional Christians,” but rather institutions to train self-sufficient and excellent Christian men.

Imagine a world where, if things become oppressive, FREE men and women can just say “NO!” and make it stick.

Those options started going away in the 1960s. People who are smarter than I am can go through the reasons, pointing out each step in our descent, but we have clearly not retained the knowledge of God. As I explained on August 29th, forgetting God has serious consequences. Russia was able to recover from their self-inflicted disaster. I don’t think America will fare as well.

Maybe you have seen some of the man-on-the-street interviews by Steven Crowder, Mark Dice, Campus Reform, or even the old “Jay-Walking” bits that Jay Leno used to do. Some interviews may be cherry-picked, but based on my own personal experience, there are cherries a-plenty out there. What we generally see are people who have an outrageously over-blown sense of their own intelligence, importance and moral superiority, and yet are incompetent to manage their lives and incapable of adding any value to society. Unless they get significant on-the-job training after school, they will be incapable of being free.

What do we do about it? I don’t think God is concerned about the survival or collapse of America as a political entity, but I think He is VERY concerned about the maturity of His sons and daughters. After all, we are being prepared in this age for our life in the next, and there is continuity between the two. In other words, what we become in this world is what we will bring into the world to come. The character and spiritual maturity we develop in this life will be evaluated at the Bema seat. As R.C. Sproul used to say, “right now counts forever.”

Just as living in an unrighteous world makes us hunger and thirst for righteousness, living in a world of broken people, broken families and broken cultures should make us long for a world of health – the soon-to-be-established Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. In the coming age, the effects of sin on the world will be removed, and sin will be stifled as soon as it is conceived.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:14-15 NKJV

In today’s broken world, there is no restraint against enticement except self-restraint, and for some people in bondage, self-restraint is minimal. They see it, they want it, the salesman says they “deserve” it, and out comes the almost-max’d-out credit card. It’s really a disgrace, and far below the dignity of people made in God’s image. But it’s a broken world. This is the world from which we are being set free. “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Cor. 6:17). Look up the context and see if it applies.

In the Millennium, this cycle of temptation – desires – enticement – sin – death will be stopped by the spiritual “rod of iron” at or before the point of enticement. Desire will not conceive, and there will be no sin. “Whoever sins is a slave to sin,” (John 8:34). Our hunger is for abundant life; our escape out of every form of slavery or bondage and into true freedom. When Jesus Christ reigns, there will be no slavery.

For the present, we need to be mature and break the cycle ourselves. We should think seriously about freedom, because Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1), because the kingdom of Christ will be characterized by responsible freedom, and because we are currently being prepared for that kingdom.

We are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with the yoke of slavery.

Galatians 4:31, 5:1 Jubilee Bible 2000

This world, as we well know, is passing away. As sons and daughters of God, we need to grow up in all things so that we can exercise the freedom God gives us in a way that glorifies Him.

Soon … we will truly understand what it means to be FREE!

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These are a few follow-up thoughts and insights on my August 27th post entitled The Peaceful People Who Dwell Safely which I hope you have already read. I expect there will be a very apparent connection between these prophecies and events in the real world that could happen this month.

The current church prophetic narrative has as one of its key tenets that with the creation of the State of Israel in May of 1948, God had begun to fulfill the prophecies of Ezekiel 37. After 2,000 years without a home, the Jews were finally returning to their ancient homeland … AND the “prophetic timepiece” was re-started. With the blooming of the “fig tree” (Matt. 24:32) we could now begin to calculate the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week and the return of Christ. I believed it myself once, but not any more. And by the way, I have NO contempt for those who may still believe it, but at the same time I have little respect for those who are so convinced of it that they refuse to study or consider further.

The “Dry Bones” prophecy of Ezekiel 37 was not written in a vacuum. There’s a context and a LOT of extra information beginning in the preceding chapter. Since most “prophecy teachers” display little apparent grasp of this context, I thought I’d take a few moments to discuss the salient points.

This is a theme with which we’re all certainly familiar: God chose Israel and gave them the land. But they lapsed into idolatry and its associated wickedness, so He drove them off His land. However, with their departure He also gave them a promise: He would restore them and bring them back. Chapter 36 also answers the question about why God acted as He did. After all, the Gentiles were also wicked, but God did not displace them. Why not?

Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 

Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds.

Ezekiel 36:17-19 NKJV

The Gentiles had no special relationship with God, so they could not bring the Name of God into disrepute. But the Jews profaned God’s Name and polluted God’s land by their idolatry, so God drove them off the land. According to verse 20 this did not fix the problem because Ezekiel continues, “When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name …” They needed more than just a change in location; they needed a change of heart.

This is where the promise of a return to the land comes in, but it’s a two-fold promise:

For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Ezekiel 36:24-27 NKJV (emphases added)

God said He would 1) bring them back into His land and, 2) cleanse them from their filthiness. When He brings them back, He will also change them so they won’t have wickedness and idolatry in their hearts any more.

This, of course, invites an obvious question: has this prophecy of a restored Israel been fulfilled? For as we see, this promise has two parts, a return to the land and a new spirit. Not only do we expect to see the return of the Jews, but we also expect to see the Jews who return to be a broken and contrite people who walk in God’s statutes and keep His judgments. Just staking a land claim in Palestine and claiming Jewish heritage is not enough. Adopting the Jewish culture is not enough. Speaking Hebrew is not enough.

Now we may not expect that the Jews return on Monday, get sprinkled with clean water on Tuesday, and become as righteous as Noah, Daniel and Job on Wednesday. But the seeds of modern Zionism (an essentially political initiative) were sown in the late 19th century, and the “Jews” began returning sans repentance in the post-War years. The modern “State of Israel” has been around for over 70 years – almost two generations – and any honest observer must admit there is NO EVIDENCE that these people have God’s Spirit dwelling within or among them. Verse 31 says, “you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.” I ask again: is there any evidence that this has happened? Did the post-War Jews say, “we brought this on ourselves by our wickedness, but our God was merciful?” Or was it more like, “the Germans gave us a raw deal, and we deserve international sympathy and our own homeland.”

I was recently sent the link to Notes on Ezekiel – 2024 Edition by Dr. Thomas L. Constable. He writes:

Some Christians believe that the recent regathering of Jews to the modern State of Israel, which began in 1948, fulfills these prophecies. But it does not, because the prophets predicted many things that would characterize the Jews when they returned that do not characterize most of them now, including regeneration, possession of the Holy Spirit, a repentant attitude, and faith in Yahweh.

– Dr. Constable’s Notes on Ezekiel, 2024 Edition, page 286

We’re on the threshold of a genocide against the Palestinian people and the Israeli Minister of Defense Yaov Gallant, told troops massing for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip “We have abolished all the rules of war. Our soldiers will not be held responsible for anything. There will be no military courts.” I don’t think even Hitler went that far.

Yes, the leaders of Hamas have demonstrated unspeakable evil. Hezbollah in the north likewise. There have been threats and counter-threats for years as the Israelis and their neighbors have routinely and severely mistreated each other. I’m not writing to defend evil. I’m simply saying that the prophecy of the Jews returning to the land has not yet been fulfilled, and I’m pointing at obvious evidence. The people in Israel who are running the government and implementing these policies are NOT JEWS. (The fact that our government says they ARE Jews should tell us something.)

This isn’t anti-semitism; it’s simply stating the obvious. If anything, it’s PRO-Semitism. Why should the true Jews be blamed for crimes committed in their name by Gentiles? And as I (and others) have pointed out, these identity thieves – possibly Turkish Khazars or perhaps descendants of the ancient Carthaginians – are very probably NOT descendants of Jacob.

Here’s an item from this past April: ‘Death to Christians’: Violence steps up under new Israeli gov’t – “Christian leaders in Jerusalem say never have Israeli attackers felt more emboldened than under the far-right ruling coalition. Under Netanyahu, violence against Christians is being normalized.” American Christians have been extremely supportive of the State of Israel, both financially and politically. Why the shabby treatment? This cannot be explained away by the canard that “God has brought His people back to the land in unbelief” or they are still under the “blindness in part” of Romans 11:25. However, it certainly CAN be explained by pointing out Rev. 2:9 and 3:9. Jesus’ warning makes perfect sense.

“Spiritual blindness” may explain someone’s inability to see Jesus Christ as the Jewish messiah, but it does NOT explain barbaric or uncivil behavior. And even if it did, Paul said the “spiritual blindness” afflicted Jews, not Gentile Turks. The most reasonable answer is that the “dry bones” have not been resurrected. The Jewish people have NOT yet returned to the land. If the true Jews have not been brought back, then these folks who claim to be Jews are imposters. This whole “State of Israel” thing is counterfeit. The land of Israel is still populated by Gentiles.

When you understand this, some events in the immediate future will make sense, because God has explained in Ezekiel 37 just how He intends to fulfill His promise. For most of us, unless we’ve all entirely misread Rev. 3:10, it’s probably (and hopefully) academic. I’m on the record as believing that our departure and the “dry bones” resurrection happen at the same time, and that the confirmation of the covenant will happen shortly thereafter – my best guess being October 26th of this year. We shall see, of course. In the meantime, I am expecting God to begin fulfilling these ancient prophecies as He said He would, so that His great Name will be sanctified, and “… the nations shall know that I am the LORD.“

On June 20th, I posted a few thoughts under the title “Something Serious.” Victoria Nuland, the U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs had announced that World War III would “effectively begin on July 11th,” which was three months ago. For most of us, “war” means bright flashes of light, loud noises, and people dying in large numbers. And for many Americans, it’s something that only happens to other people in distant places, and can largely be avoided by changing the channel.

I think the “effective” beginning of the war WAS in July. Wars take planning, but the irrevocable decision by NATO was made and signed in July, and the path to global war was chosen. Peace was officially “off the table” at that point, and all the major players knew it.

The “change-the-channel-and-avoid-reality” option will no longer be available. This war has been in the planning stages for a long, long time. The following is deemed credible and should be prayerfully read and considered: We Have Abolished All the Rules of War –

Here is an excerpt:

When we all see Israel go in on the ground into Gaza… I suspect we will shortly thereafter start to see horrible images of innocent civilian death and atrocities plastered across the news. Once that starts happening, I suspect we will see basically every Muslim terrorist organization declare official war on Israel. After that, I suspect we will see Israel become overrun from multiple fronts, and call on the United States for military help.

With the nitwits in the US federal government having no real clue about reality, I suspect we will see the USA start striking targets THROUGHOUT the Muslim world. At that point (matter of days) I suspect we will see the Muslims declare war on the USA with terror attacks all throughout our country. It seems very simple to me: Boots on the ground in Gaza and the fuse is lit…”

– Hal Turner

I would expect that most of my regular readers are already up to speed, since both prophetic warnings and current geo-political events have pointed to these days. But it very much appears that the “hot” war is about to begin, and the U.S. homeland will most certainly not be spared. This is no longer avoidable, nor is it weeks or months away. It is DAYS away – Israel has already given its deadlines and is beginning to move into Gaza. Hezbollah, Iran, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and the rest have stated their intentions and planned responses.

It’s been a long journey, but the Four Horsemen are arriving and we’re going home.