Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 2, 2023

Victory in the Lord Jesus Christ, The Church Caught Up to Heaven!

God Has Scheduled a Specific Time for the full number of Gentiles to come to Christ!

Although the world situation today matches the world situation described for the last days of the church on earth; I believe the Bible teaches us the removal of the church is based on the addition of the last believer, predestined for membership in the church, to receive their call by the Holy Spirit and join the body of Christ!

In Romans 11:25 it is written:

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

In Romans 8:28-30 we read:

“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

Jesus Will Return in the Same Way He Ascended into Heaven

The Lord Jesus Christ will return for his church at a time known only to God. He will meet with his church in the air and not set foot on the ground at this point.

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Jesus Christ will return in the air and the church will be caught up to meet him there; this is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where it is written:

“13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.”

It is this event that will bring the Age of Grace, the Church Age, to a close.

The timing of the removal of the church is totally dependent on the number of people predestined to be a part of the body of Christ. At a point after the last person so predestined joins the body of Christ, then the church will be caught up to heaven. The Greek word used, ἁρπάζω, transliterated harpazō means to eagerly snatch away.

This principle is stated in 2 Peter 3:8-9 where it is written:

“8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Not a single individual who has been predestined for the body of Christ will be left out, the church will be 100 % complete when it goes home! Only then will the church age come to a close and the countdown to the end of the Times of the Gentiles begin!

The Twinkling of an Eye!

The removal of the church shall happen so fast, it will be over before we can even realize it is happening; one moment you will be going about your business, whatever that may be, and the next you will be transformed and eternally with the Lord Jesus Christ! There will be no time for anyone to feel anything; it shall all happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”! In 1 Corinthians 15:50 – 54 it is written:

“50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Victory in the Lord Jesus Christ!

From God’s perspective, the battle has already been won, the Lord Jesus Christ is completely victorious! From a spiritual perspective, the events we observe today are nothing more than a replay of events that have already been settled and fully resolved by God!

There is no cause for concern because we know the Lord is victorious! Do not be troubled by world events for the Lord is working all things after the counsel of his own will! Your portion is peace in the Lord Jesus Christ; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and the God of peace will be with you!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 26, 2023

By God’s Grace, Christian’s Have Been Given Reality as a Gift from Their Creator!

Your Transformation was Instantaneous on the First Occasion and will be Instantaneous on the Second Occasion!

At the point you received Jesus Christ as your Savior, spiritual changes took place in your life that had eternal ramifications of the greatest significance. You were born again into the family of God, made a part of the body of Christ, your dead spirit was resurrected from the dead, and you were indwelt by God, the Holy Spirit for all of time and eternity!

While these deeply significant events were happening at a spiritual level, they were having no visible impact on your human body! Your body remained under the Adamic curse and could only return to the dust from whence it came; it could never join you in heaven!

This is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 where it is written:

“5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

The Resurrection of our Tents!

At a time, yet future, all who have been born again will experience the second occasion, the resurrection of their tents. This will also be an instantaneous experience as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where it is written:

“13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

This phase of the restoration God had planned before the foundation of the earth will have been completed! We have a summary of this in Romans 8:29-30 where it is written:

“29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

 For we live by faith, not by sight.

I rejoice in the revelation we have been given in the Holy Bible; I rejoice in the sure knowledge I have been created by God and now exist as an expression of his mighty power! I rejoice in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ which will be brought to a successful conclusion at a time known only to God.

The eighth chapter of Romans has been lauded as the crowning pinnacle of Christian theology and I’m in full agreement with that assessment! I probably refer more Christians to portions of that chapter than any other chapter in the Bible.

The last two verses in that chapter express most eloquently, God’s love for his children:

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 19, 2023

Getting a Grip on Becoming Real!

According to the Dictionary, You’re Not Real!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides the following definition of reality:

“something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily”

The Bible makes it very clear that none of us exist necessarily but are both derivative and dependent! Genesis 1 records the fact that the one true reality, identified as God, created us. In Genesis 1:1 it is written:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Later in Colossians 1, it is recorded our existence is sustained by the power of that one true reality!

In reference to the Lord Jesus Christ it is written in Colossians 1:16-17:

“16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

I have written on this in 2011 and 2015, but the enormity of this message warrants a further investigation into the truth of Biblical reality! I have never heard a pulpit message on this subject or encountered a conversation, among Christians on anything even close.

I personally delight in the thought of my dependence on the one true reality and rejoice in the absolute wonder of reality as revealed in the Holy Bible! A clear understanding of what is truly real and what is not provides the foundation for a proper worldview; I suspect the percentage of the world population that holds a true Biblical worldview is very small indeed!

The Mystery and Wonder of our One True Reality, God!

The Bible gives us very limited information on God; by examining those brief references we can put together some inferences as to the character and nature of God.

The Dallas Theological Seminary Doctrinal Statement provides the following summary:

Article II—The Godhead

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matt. 28: 18–19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1–3; Rev. 1:4–6).

The Bible identifies certain attributes that helps us understand God. The following was compiled by the “Christian Research Institute” More information can be found by following the link.

1. SELF-EXISTENT: God has no cause; He does not depend on anything for his continued existence.

2. TRANSCENDENT: God is entirely distinct from the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench; excluding pantheism (God in all) and animism (everything is a god).

3. IMMANENT: Though transcendent, God is present with and in the world; excluding deism (God is out there but not here).

4. IMMUTABLE: God is perfect in that He never changes nor can He change with respect to His being, attributes, purpose, or promises; excluding process theology, Mormon doctrine of eternal progression.

5. ETERNAL: God is perfect in that He transcends all time and temporal limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to time.

6. OMNIPRESENT: God is perfect in that He transcends all space and spatial limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to space, with His whole Being filling every part of the universe and being present everywhere (not diffused through the universe, but present at each point in His fullness).

7. OMNIPOTENT: God is perfect in that He can do all things consistent with the perfection of His being. God cannot do the self-contradictory (e.g., make a rock He cannot lift), nor can He do that which is contrary to His perfect nature (e.g., He cannot change, He cannot lie, etc.).

8. OMNISCIENT: God is perfect in that He knows all things, including events before they happen.

9. INCORPOREAL: God has no body or parts, and is immaterial, being a simple and infinite being of spirit; excluding the Mormon doctrine of God as an exalted man.

10. ONE: God is a perfectly unique and simple being, existing as one infinite Being called God. There is therefore only one God, who is called Yahweh in the Old Testament, and who reveals Himself in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the New Testament; thus excluding polytheism, tritheism (belief in three gods), and subordinationism (in which Christ is a lesser god subordinate to the Almighty God).

11. CREATOR: God is the One through whom all things have come into existence; by His unbounded power and knowledge He created finite existence ex nihilo and formed the universe as it now is.

12. PERSONAL: God, as the author of personhood in the created universe, cannot be less than personal Himself; thus He experiences relationships with other persons, or self-conscious beings. Note that God may be more than personal, indeed, His infinite nature suggests that He must be.

13. INCOMPREHENSIBLE: God is incomprehensible, not in the sense that the concept of God is unintelligible, but in the sense that God cannot be fully and directly known by finite creatures, because of His uniqueness and His infinitude.

14. MORALLY PERFECT: God’s moral nature is perfectly unified, with no tension between His wrath and His love, for example.


You May Not be Real, but You are Eternal!

Mankind has a problem-filled history; starting with Adam, mankind’s record is filled with serious errors in judgment!

At the point of creation, mankind was created in a unique fashion; whereas God spoke the balance of creation into existence, God deliberately breathed mankind into existence. Certain attributes of the eternal God were imparted to mankind including eternal life! That’s right, you’re an eternal creation and will always exist somewhere in some form!

Your biggest problem is when Adam disobeyed God, there in the Garden of Eden, he died spiritually and also caused you to die spiritually. In other words, you were born spiritually dead; Romans Chapters 5 and 6-8 deal with that problem and its solution extensively.

God’s Love has had Amazing Results!

In 1 John 4:8 it is written:

“8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

God’s love for his fallen creation resulted in the First Advent which culminated in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of God, the Second Person, revealed to mankind as the Lord Jesus Christ.

While the disobedience of the first Adam caused the spiritual death of mankind, the obedience of the Second Adam from above, the Lord Jesus Christ, resulted in salvation for all who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior and their change from not real to real!

Next time, your transformation from not real to real!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 12, 2023

God’s Seventh Intervention, the New Heaven and the New Earth

Describing the Indescribable

Just imagine you are visiting a small, isolated village where the people still lived in mud huts and knew absolutely nothing about modern technology. You were going to try and describe a major modern city to someone who had never traveled more the 25 miles from their mud and stick home. Where do you start, how do you start, this individual has no words in their vocabulary that could communicate the thoughts and ideas you would be trying to explain.

I suspect the leap that would be required in that situation is minuscule by comparison with the challenge we face in moving from the world today to eternity in the new heaven and the new earth.

It should not be surprising so little information is given in the Bible about life in eternity. The Bible does provide some glimpses into what we can expect. Much of that is found in the Book of Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

In Revelation 21:1-5 it is written:

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

God, in his infinite power, is capable of doing anything that pleases him! I have noted, in the Bible, that God has a respect for his creation which has been repeatedly demonstrated by his efforts to redeem his fallen creation; even to the point of sending his son to die on the cross that fallen man might be redeemed.

In Romans 8:18-22 it is written:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

Those verses say to me that creation will be subjected to the refiners fire that will purge the bondage of corruption and deliver it into the glorious liberty of the children of God. I’m of the opinion that the verses in 2 Peter 3:10-13 refer to a refiners fire which will purify God’s creation and deliver it from the bondage of corruption.

I am deeply touched by the loving concern expressed for God’s creation in Romans 8:19-22! Mankind is purified by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s creation is purified by the refiners fire! Those are my feelings on the matter.

The New Jerusalem

In Revelation 21:9-27, we have a description of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven: (New Living Translation NLT)

“9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).

18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

All Christians, caught up when the church is removed from earth, are likely to have been occupying the New Jerusalem for over 1,007 years while the city was suspended in orbit over the earth. Christian’s resurrected bodies would have no problem commuting to earth as desired.

It was likely visible from earth as a massive structure floating far above. The Bible does not specify whether the New Jerusalem is in the shape of a cube, or a pyramid; my guess is it will be in the shape of a cube. One reason for that conclusion is the Holy of Holies was a perfect cube, 15 feet in every direction. Some translations say the length and width and height were each 1,500 miles; that dimension has more personal appeal to me; 15 feet for the Holy of Holies and 15 hundred miles for the New Jerusalem!

In Revelation 22:1-6 more is revealed:

22 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”

The information provided in the Bible is overwhelming to my mind; I delight in meditating on it and the amazing wonders that await us.

For more information on the size, click on the link here.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 5, 2023

God’s Sixth Intervention, the Millennial Kingdom and the Great White Throne, a Test and a Judgment!

A Victorious Celebration and a Feast!

The Times of the Gentiles is now a thing of history; a new dispensation has started and it will start with a festive happy time for all! I’m of the opinion that the mysterious 45 days, referenced in Daniel 12:12 will indicate the time our Lord takes to totally restore the earth to Millennial standards.

Day 45 may be the day all of the Old Testament saints and the Tribulation saints will be resurrected from the dead and brought into their fully restored Israel. This addition will complete a mighty assembly of God’s creation that includes all the resurrected saints from both the Church age, and the age of Israel.

In addition, the mortal believers who were saved through the Tribulation will also be included; this will indeed be a mighty assembly of both mortal and immortal people who love the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! The entire population of the world will all love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

The time has come for all of God’s children to rejoice in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ; a time of celebration to observe the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Lord Jesus Christ had given his life, “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

In Ephesians 5:25-27 it is written:

“25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

In Revelation 19:6-9 it is written:

“6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

It would be impossible to express in words all that God has planned for this event!

The Millennial Kingdom, God’s Ultimate Pass/Fail Test of Humanity

I believe the Lord will restore the earth to pre-flood conditions which will provide a perfect environment for all living beings. As then, life expectancy will increase and people will live much longer. Just as the Lord started mankind with perfect environment in the Garden of Eden, so shall it end with perfect environment in the Millennial Kingdom!

There will be a perfect harmony between mankind and the animals, in Isaiah 11:6-9 it is written:

“6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea.”

Although all aspects of life are perfect for the 1,000 years, as children are born to mortal parents there are many who will reject the Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing wonders of his kingdom and look for something else. Just as Adam failed in the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden, so these will fail in the perfection of the Millennial Kingdom.

At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is released from the abyss and moves freely among the population. This is described in Revelation 20:7-10 where it is written:

“7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

This blatant rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, after 1,000 years of perfection, is a clear indication of the depravity of fallen humanity! The incredible wonders of the Millennium are simply brushed aside in favor of Satan’s deception! It helps the Christian understand why so many are falling for Satan’s deceptions today!

This, the second battle of Gog and Magog, will close the Millennial Kingdom; once again perfect environment ending in judgment and fire.

The Great White Throne

This final judgment will be preceded by the resurrection of all those who have rejected the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. The Great White Throne judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15 where it is written:

“11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Next time, God’s Seventh Intervention, the New Heaven and the New Earth.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 28, 2023

God’s Fifth Intervention Part 2, the Second Advent, Armageddon!

The Battle of Armageddon

The Times of the Gentiles will close with a terrible battle, called “The Battle of Armageddon” Prophetic references to this battle are spread all over the Bible. When one examines a number of Old and New Testament scripture verses a sequence emerges.

Battle of Armageddon Sequence of Events

  1. King of the South attacks Israel (Daniel 11:40a.) This would represent nations south of Israel and could include Middle Eastern and African nations.
  2. This is followed by an attack by the King of the North which represents Russia and other nations north of Israel. Earlier Russia will have suffered defeat at the battle of Gog and Magog but must have had the opportunity to rebuild its military (Daniel 11:40a).
  3. The Antichrist will be successful in defeating his attackers but will then hear of another invasion coming from the north and a gigantic invasion coming from the east (Revelation 9:13-21);
  4. The Antichrist will furiously attack his enemy and will engage them in lengthy battles that are only stopped by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Daniel 11:44; Zechariah 14:1-4).
  5. The Lord Jesus Christ returns and brings the Battle of Armageddon to an end (Revelation 19:11-21).
  6. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ brings the “Times of the Gentiles” to a close with judgment on the evil rulers and those who supported them.

This map and sequence are based on Bible studies given by R. B. Thieme, Berachah Church, Houston, Texas

The King of kings and Lord of lords Returns in the Air!

I’m convinced the awesome grandeur of this event would beggar any language we might use to try and describe it! In Revelation 1:7 it is written:

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

The implications of “every eye will see Him” suggests the return, with the armies of heaven, may take an extended period of time and be visible all over the earth!

In Revelation 19:11-21, the return of the Lord Jesus is described:

“11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

17 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, 18 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.”

19 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. 20 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. 21 And 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.”

The Day of The Lord!

In Zechariah 14, “The Day of The Lord” is described as the King of kings and the Lord of lords touches the ground at his Second Advent. I encourage you to read that chapter for important details.

14 Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! 2 I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.

3 Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. 5 You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him. 6 On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, 7 yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how this could happen. There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light.” Zechariah 14:1-7

Restoration Begins

The earth has been left in a devastated condition and is in serious need of its creators hand to restore it to the perfect conditions that will exist during the next 1,000 years of the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. A large number of people will have survived the Tribulation, by God’s grace, to repopulate the earth. There is no information on how the Lord will restore the earth, but a passage in Daniel 12:12 may shed some light on the timing:

“12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.“

The second half of The Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation, will last three and one-half prophetic years or 1,290 days. Verse 12 adds an additional 45 days which may be the time the Lord Jesus Christ restores the earth to perfection. At the end of the Great Tribulation, unbelievers are thrown into the Lake of Fire while mortal believers who have survived the Great Tribulation and will populate the Millennial Kingdom are protected by the Lord.

Regarding the resurrection of Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints it may be the verse in Daniel provides an important clue. When the Lord restores the earth, then the resurrection of the Old Testament and Tribulation saints may well take place on that 45th day after the completion of the second 31/2 years of the Great Tribulation and the close of the Times of the Gentiles.

Next time, we will consider the Millennium and the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ over all the earth followed by God’s judgment on sin!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 21, 2023

God’s Fifth Intervention, the Second Advent

Illustration by Stephen Bower Used by permission of the artist Copyright © 2015

Time for the Second Prophetic Mountain Top, the Messiah’s Return as King of kings and Lord of lords!

At a time known only to God, the “Times of the Gentiles” will come to a close with the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The last seven years of the Times of the Gentiles will coincide with the last seven years given to Israel and are known as the Tribulation. They will be a time of unimaginable suffering and horror! The Lord warns the disciples in Matthew 24:22,

“22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

Millions of people will die from the carnage and mayhem that will characterize these seven years, but a remnant, that trusts the Lord Jesus Christ, will be preserved to populate the Millennial Kingdom.

The time frame between the removal of the church and the Second Advent will be filled with great suffering. There are two unfulfilled prophetic battles that will take place, the Battle of Psalm 83 and the first Battle of God and Magog. I’m of the opinion that the removal of the church will be the catalyst for the Battle of Psalm 83 while the peace, that results from that battle, will provide the stability preceding the first Battle of Gog and Magog.

Although God will protect Israel, in the Battle of Psalm 83, the United States, the Great Satan, will receive no protection from God and will be removed as a world power after the devastation caused by the removal of the church and the Battle of Psalm 83 which will include the United States.

Israel’s obvious protection by God during the battle of Psalms 83, intimidates Israel’s enemies and gives Israel the time of peace referenced in Ezekiel 38:11 where it is written:

“11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—”

Israel’s enemies, are afraid of Israel’s God, and stop their attacks on Israel, giving Israel a time of peace; I believe this all happens before the signing of the covenant agreement with the Antichrist.

The Tribulation Begins!

At some point after the Battle of Gog and Magog is won, Israel will confirm a covenant with the Antichrist for a period of seven years. This is prophesied in Daniel 9:26-27 where it is written:

26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”

This is the prophecy the Lord mentions in Matthew 24:15-22 where it is written:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.“

God’s Timetable is Perfect!

The Book of Revelation provides a brief summary of the terrible judgments that will fall on the earth causing death and destruction! To me, there is one verse in the Book of Revelation that has an impact on my thinking that clearly establishes God’s authority over all that happens. In Revelation 9:15 it is written:

15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.

The timing on all of the end time events has been carefully planned by God and will occur as scheduled!

Next time, the Battle of Armageddon.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 14, 2023

God’s Forth Intervention, the Removal of the New Creation!

The World Situation Degenerates as the Church Age Draws to a Close

The Bible paints a very grim picture of the last days of the Church Age. We are given several descriptions of those days; verses in Romans 1:18-32; and Matthew 24:4-14 tell of moral and social deterioration. The moral and social conditions in some parts of the United States are already horrific beyond description!

Erica Sandberg, Brian C. Anderson Bay Watch

San Francisco Street Scene

The Bible does not reveal when the New Creation will be removed; there is a fearful similarity to be found in world conditions today and those described in the Bible as characterizing the last days of the Church Age.

The United States is one of those nations that still has a large number of Christians; the loss of that large a percentage of the national population will wreck havoc on this nation. I believe the removal of the church may well be the trigger for the Battle of Psalm 83; I have written more on that in a three-part series that starts with, “What’s Going to Happen Next, 2021? Part 1”

Laodicea

I believe we are living in the seventh and last church era, Laodicea which is described in Revelation 3:14-22

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

God’s Forth Intervention

The Bible makes one thing clear, God never mixes the Age of Israel with the Church Age. Israel was set aside on March 30th AD 33 while the church did not come into existence until May 25, AD 33; fifty seven days later. The Church Age will end when the church is suddenly removed by God; the Age of Israel will not recommence until Israel signs a covenant agreement with the Antichrist.

Considering the unfulfilled prophecies mentioned in the Bible, there could possibly by an interval of several years.

Caught Up in the Clouds!

The removal of the church is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where it is written:

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

This forth intervention will introduce changes that will impact the entire world; it is impossible to even imagine the impact of millions of people, all over the world, suddenly vanishing into thin air. The extent of the impact will directly depend on the number of Christians living in a nation; the United States and some other Christian nations will experience the greatest change.

The Restraining Ministry of the Holy Spirit is Removed

A profoundly serious aspect of this event is the removal of the restraining ministry of God, the Holy Spirit. If you think things are bad now, after the restraining ministry of God, the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, the world situation will deteriorate even quicker and things will get much worse. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 it is written:

“2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

During the Church Age, God, the Holy Spirit has made individual Christians his temple. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 it is written:

“19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

A Precipitous Decline

When the individual temples are taken to heaven, the Holy Spirit will go with them and remove the restraints he had placed on sin! “7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

I’m convinced this fourth intervention by God will be the catalyst for eliminating the United States as a world power!

The timing on this event is known only to God but the signs of the times suggest it may be soon.

Next time, God’s Fifth Intervention, the Second Advent.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 11, 2023

God’s Third Intervention, A New Creation!

The Mystery of the Church Age.

God had revealed two major prophetic events to the Old Testament prophets; their Messiah would come both as a suffering servant, and a triumphant King. In Isaiah 53, for example, the Messiah is described as the suffering servant; while in Isaiah 9 the Messiah is a victorious king.

These were two prophetic mountain tops that concealed a long valley in between, the age of the church; a time when God would introduce an entirely new creation, mankind indwelt by God! Although the prophets could see the two mountain tops, the valley in between them was hidden from view!

The valley held a mystery, the mystery of the church; a collection of individuals from every nation who would join in one body to serve the Lord Jesus Christ forever! We are now in year 1,990 of this hidden age.

This new creation would be available to all who would simply receive the free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior regardless of nationality or ethnicity!

The implementation of this new plan required the completion of the First Advent by the Lord Jesus Christ including the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord back to heaven, which would then open the door to a completely new ministry by God, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Comes to Create a New Human Being

Our Lord is speaking to his disciples in John 16:5-15 and tells them of the importance of his going to the Father so the Holy Spirit can be sent to them.

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus tells them it is to their advantage that he go away so he might send the Holy Spirit to them to minister. I suspect their initial reaction was doubt, how could Jesus’ absence ever be better? While Jesus reveals the general ministry of the Holy Spirit to the world, he does not, at this point, explain the fundamental change the Holy Spirit will bring to mankind!

At the Feast of Pentecost on May 25, AD33, the Holy Spirit would indwell human beings for the fist time after resurrecting their dead spirits and awakening them to eternal life in Jesus Christ! Jesus makes a reference to this in John 14:16-17 where it is written:

“16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

At Pentecost, that is exactly what happened; the Holy Spirit joined with human Christians in an unbreakable bond that would never change. The Holy Spirit would join with every human being that received Jesus Christ as Savior and was born again into the family of God!

That union, between God and man, continues to this day! When you received Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit had come into you, resurrected your dead spirit, and took up an unbreakable presence in you that is eternal! You became a new creation as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 where it is written:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

While the church age had a specific time when it began, it will close at a future time when the church age is ended by the removal of all born again Christians from the face of the earth. This event has a specific future date that is only known by the Father!

Next time, the church’s work is finished and the church is called home.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | April 6, 2023

Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the Beginning of the End!

The End of What?

This Friday is the day we observe Good Friday and while that is the day we remember the crucifixion, death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ; Easter Sunday is the occasion we celebrate His resurrection from the dead.

A historic change in man’s relationship to God had occurred; by God’s grace, the barrier between God and man that had been created by Adam’s deliberate sin of disobedience had been removed by the death of our Lord, the Second Adam from above.

You may recall in Genesis 2:15-17

“15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Unfortunately Adam choose to disobey God and when he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he, and all of humanity present and future died in Adam. As I’ve observed before, that means that you and I and every human born of a human father are born spiritually dead. It is the sin of Adam that created the barrier between God and man and the primary reason the Lord Jesus Christ suffered death as our kinsman-redeemer.

The Tearing of the Curtain on Good Friday

God gave us a symbol of the removal of this barrier when, at the time of the crucifixion, the curtain between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in Herod’s temple was torn from the top to the bottom; signifying that access to God was now open to mankind through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

By his death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ had paid the penalty for all human sin for all time; sin had been removed as a barrier between God and man. As hard as it may be to imagine, personal sin is no longer the issue; the only remaining issue requiring resolution is receiving the forgiveness of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and God.

The Good News

Because of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, the end had come for sin as a barrier between God and man. This is effectively expressed in 1 John 2:1-2 where it is written:

“2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

The church can now proclaim a message of hope, a message of reconciliation and good news for a suffering humanity:

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU WILL BE SAVED!

(First published April 3, 2015)

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