Greetings everyone,
Christ spoke of what world conditions would be like at the end of the age in Luke 21, one of the gospels accounts. He spoke of false Christs, war among earth’s nations, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, signs in heaven and persecutions. Many of these events and situations have occurred through time. But today the stage is being set around the globe for humanity to turn on itself as never before. Satan, our adversary who has but a short time, is stirring up self-will and hatred among every strata of society. Families are falling apart. People are speaking in such a violent manner and without restraint that violence and sometimes even death are the consequences. The fact that this deterioration is not limited just to the average citizen but is also evident on the level of world leaders, sets the stage for what Christ spoke of.
In the absence of the knowledge of God, this carnal “love”, or self-love produces no good thing. “Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel, for the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away.” (Hosea 4:1–3).
Self-love sets the stage for the wrath of Satan, the great tribulation. It will be a time of tribulation such as the world has never seen since the beginning of the time or ever will see. Without Christ’s direct intervention — putting a stop to man living the way “self-love” — all human life would be lost. But Christ will intervene for the sake of His elect. The elect will have been doing what Christ spoke of in Luke 21:34-36, ““But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36). This exhortation would automatically make us think of the parable of the virgins. They were all asleep, but half of them woke up quickly enough to go into the wedding. Brethren, we must wake up if we are to watch. Watch, as translated from the Greek word agrupneo, means to be sleepless, keep awake, watch. And what are we to watch? We must watch and guard against neglecting the Holy Spirit as the foolish virgins did and thereby getting weighed down in self-will and self-love, which is the “get” way of life.
The real question in all of Christ’s exhortation concerning the last days is: Are we watching and praying always (every day) that we might be counted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man? We must be awake if we are to do this. If we’re not watching and praying always in this manner, then we are, even now, asleep. If Christ’s admonition only crosses our mind when we hear it at services or when we hear someone else make mention of it, we are asleep.
Let’s exhort each other all the more as we see the day approaching.
Announcements:
Feast of Tabernacles 2017 – Special Music
Oxnard, 2017
Greetings,
We are looking for volunteers to provide special music at the Feast in Oxnard. If you can play an instrument or offer a joyful noise and would like to offer your talent at the Feast this year, please contact Ray Newby at raynewby@att.net (or by phone at 925-783-3247).
We are not planning to have a choir, but would really appreciate having vocal or instrumental duets or small groups. Don’t be shy!
Thanks
Bentonville, 2017 — Music
Ditto from Bentonville. We are eagerly anticipating unpaid musical zealots selflessly stepping forward to do vocal or instrumental pieces. It would also be great to be able to put a small choral group together. In your zeal, please contact Herb VanCuren at hgvancuren@yahoo.com (or at 918-527-7487).
Ministerial Conference
This weekend, 15-16 July, we will be holding a ministerial get-together and conference in Denver, Colorado. Those attending will have the opportunity to be together with the Denver congregation for services and a pot-luck later that evening. Ministerial meetings will then be held on Sunday to discuss a range of topics. We would appreciate your prayers for a successful weekend.
Marshall Stiver
