Category Archives: Church

Abomination of Desolation; What did Daniel and Jesus meant?

Posted by Dec 16, 2020 Holy Word, Church 2 Comments
Abomination of Desolation; What did Daniel and Jesus meant?

The LORD does not want you to be caught unaware when the time of tribulation approaches. So, abomination of desolation is a strong signal that needs critical observation.

Today’s message would compare the prophecy of Daniel and Jesus as related to the information about the end-time.

Prophecy of Daniel

The abomination of desolation is mentioned three times in the book of Daniel:

1. Daniel chapter 9 verse 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”

2. Daniel chapter 11 verse 31: “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”

3. Daniel chapter 12 verse 11: “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”

Is Daniel’s Prediction Fulfilled?

Antiochus Epiphanes obtain the Seleucid throne in 175 B.C.

He set himself against the Jews, massacred many of them and plundered the temple at Jerusalem before returning to Syria.

Antiochus issued a decree that all nations in his empire should abandon their own customs and become one people. All the Gentiles and even many of the Israelites submitted to this decree. They adopted the official pagan religion, offered sacrifices to idols, and no longer observed the Sabbath.

All the people were even ordered to defile the Temple and the holy things in it. They were commanded to build pagan altars, temples, and shrines, and to sacrifice pigs and other unclean animals there.

The Israelites were forbidden to circumcise their sons and were required to make themselves unclean in every way they could, so that they would forget the Law which the Lord had given through Moses and would disobey all its commands. The penalty for disobeying the king’s decree was death.

On the fifteenth day of the month Kislev in the year 168/167 B.C., “Antiochus set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar” of the temple. This appears to have been a pagan altar, probably with an image representing the Greek chief god Zeus.

Any books of the Law which were found were torn up and burned, and anyone who was caught with a copy of the sacred books or who obeyed the Law was put to death by order of the king.

Thus, no argument that the prophesy of Daniel was fulfilled.

Prophecy of Jesus – Abomination of Desolation

Matthew chapter 24 was a loaded passage explaining signs of the end times.

Verse 15 to 22: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes…

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

Is Jesus’ End Time Prophecy Fulfilled?

A second fulfilment of the abomination of desolation occurred in A.D. 70 when Roman armies under Titus sacked the city of Jerusalem. In the process, Titus’ forces destroyed the temple building and altar and it has not been rebuilt to this day.

The event was a partial fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy because the greatest tribulation is around the corner. The third repeated fulfilment of the prophecy related to “abomination of desolation” is imminent!

 

Abomination of desolation is an idolatry practice in the church. My personal observation is that the love of money had taken over the love of God in our midst. Who can convince me that the god of Mammon is not the idol on the altar of the church today?

This is food for thought for every Christian getting ready for the last day…

Over-Righteous: Can a Christian Become Over-Wise?

Posted by May 31, 2020 Holy Word, Church, Word of Faith Leave a Comment
Over-Righteous: Can a Christian Become Over-Wise?

If a voice calls you over-righteous in your heart when you play a wise role in a tough circumstance, don’t feel bad because your reward is heaven.

Today’s message explains how Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verse 15 to 17 can confuse you about the practice of righteousness.

“All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? {destroy…: Heb. be desolate?}

Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? {before…: Heb. not in thy time?}” (kjv)

The Context of Book of Ecclesiastes

Remember the rule of reading the bible which involves understanding the concept of the writer, the content and context.

The book of Ecclesiastes is completely a personal deduction of King Solomon about the kind of life he lived. It’s full of regrets.

There is no single verse in this book that God neither speaks nor give instruction to king Solomon. So, you have to be very careful when reading the book.

When you test some of the expressions with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will notice that some of king Solomon’s expression in the book of Ecclesiastes failed woefully.

The first part of verse 15 gives us an understanding that verse 16 and 17 are product of “his days of vanity”.

What are King Solomon days of vanity?

The days he enjoyed life without God’s direction. The days he spent without obeying the instructions of the LORD. The days his wives and concubines turned his heart away from the LORD.

The book of First King chapter 11 verse 1 and 2 : “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.”

Can I Obey the King’s instruction?

No Christian is expected to yield to his advice in Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verse 16 and 17: “Be not righteous over much…. Be not over much wicked…”

King Solomon is not speaking proverbially in verse 15, he shared the experience of a just man who die speaking the truth.

And in his own opinion (not led by God); in verse 16, he advised his audience to sit on the fence when it comes to the issue of speaking (or acting) the truth.

In verse 17, he admonished his audience to be wicked but no too much wickedness. For instance, when someone embarrass you treat his mess!

Verse 16 and 17 give us a clear picture of the “life of vanity” king Solomon lived. A life of a little righteousness and a little wickedness.

Does Jesus Have Any Reference to Over-Righteous?

  1. Jesus teaches us to be righteous in all the days of our life. He never mentioned over-righteousness, because there is nothing of such. If you are controlled by the Holy Spirit, you cannot be over-righteous. Righteousness is a lifestyle in Christ.

Jesus says: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

 

So, don’t feel bad when you are hurt or embarrassed for the sake of righteousness.

 

  1. Jesus never encouraged any form of wickedness for the Christians. Wickedness of any measure is a sin.

 

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:21-23)

Writer of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes contradicts himself

I always feel bad when I read the latter end of King Solomon’s life. He lived a contradictory life. Can you believe someone who wrote against wickedness in his book of Proverbs can write in support of such act latter in his life?

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Proverbs 10:2)

No wonder the end of king Solomon was not as glorious as his early days.

“…And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father… And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom…” (Please read 1King chapter 11)

Are All Books Scriptures From the LORD?

Not all collections in the Bible are Scriptures from the LORD. The 66 books were collated by men, it might shock you to know that there are many more Scriptures not found anymore. Though, the few we have is enough for us with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s statement to Timothy was recorded in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Paul’s definition of scripture is; God’s message written by servants of God. Perfect examples are all the book of the Prophets. It might shock you to know that not all the statements of Paul must be obeyed. You have to sieve his letters to separate God’s message and his own personal opinion.

For instance, 1Corinthians 7:6 “But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment…” Others are: 1Cor 7:12,25; 2Cor 8:8; 11:17

Note: Paul never knew which books would be collated to make up the 66 books we read today as Bible.

So, Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 does not authorise you to believe and obey king Solomon’s statement in Ecclesiastes 7:15-17 because it is not an inspiration from God, it is not a profitable doctrine and to make matters worse it was not for instruction in righteousness.

 

Finally, the instructions you are expected to obey in the Bible are God’s speech in the Old and New Testaments. Messages of Jesus in the New Testament. Direct messages of God through the disciples. Some selected messages of God through Paul.

You are not obliged to obey other books and letters without direct message of God. But they are useful to learn from the writers. For instance, I learnt from king Solomon that my wealth should be under the control of Jesus Christ and not by the beauties of life, parties, drinks or women…   

Coronavirus: Eye-Opener for the Sensitive Christians!

Posted by Apr 8, 2020 Holy Word, Church, Gospel Evangelism Leave a Comment
Coronavirus: Eye-Opener for the Sensitive Christians!

Coronavirus disease is a global pandemic affecting more than 225 countries; 6,184,299 deaths and 494.3 million infected cases – still counting. All experts in the world are helpless and no drug could cure this plague in our midst! Though vaccines are available now.

I call Covid-19 the Hands of the LORD to remind us that He controls the world. He is not wicked, but fulfilling the ancient prophesy!

Today’s message would help you to have a practical insight on how the Day of rapture could play out.

9 Lessons to Learn from Coronavirus Pandemic 

1. Coronavirus is now the greatest event shaking all the continents; thus, the rapture would occur one day and shake the root of the world.

Matthew chapter 24 verse 40 to 42: “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”

2. Covid-19 arose without warning to the world; so, the second coming of Jesus would happen suddenly and without prior notice.

First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 2: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

3. The Church never knew this pandemic would affect her early activities for the year 2020; So, a greater percentage of Christians may be taken unaware of the last day.

Matthew chapter 24 verse 38 and 39: “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

4. Weak patients had no opportunity to move off the hook of the deadly Coronavirus; the lukewarm Christians who miss the rapture would find it extremely difficult to endure the scorpion-whip of the anti-Christ.

Revelation chapter 13 verse 15 to 17: “…as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed…and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

5. Coronavirus had no respect neither for the world leaders nor human race; The events of the last day shall have no regard for ecclesiastical titles, church buildings or accounts.

Matthew chapter 5 verse 20: “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
 
6. This pandemic was able to distinguish the fearful and the faithful Christians; Rapture shall be a day when the sheep shall be separated from the goats.

Matthew chapter 25 verse 32 and 33: “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”
 
7. The virus had split the church into two. The members who kept Jesus in their church buildings and the ones who keep Jesus in their heart; The D-day shall differentiate between Christians on the broad way and the narrow way.

Matthew chapter 7 verse 13 and 14: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

8. Coronavirus reveals sincere church leaders who releases funds from the treasury to help the poor members and the hypocrite leaders asking for tithes and offerings during the lockdown; The Day of the LORD shall separate sincerity from hypocrisy.

9. Covid-19 caused a lockdown and many lost their faith because they couldn’t enter the church building; The Rapture shall separate those whose lives are hidden in Christ from those who are hiding in the church.

Matthew chapter 7 verse 22 and 23: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

 

It’s time for you to search through your heart. Resolve all issues with the Lord. The window for forgiveness is available. Reconcile with the LORD and He would strengthen you.

All Christians must be at alert! HE may come during our generation!! Are you Ready?

Spiritual Burnout: 10 ways to Overcome the feeling to quit!

Posted by Feb 13, 2020 Holy Word, Church, Word of Faith 2 Comments
Spiritual Burnout: 10 ways to Overcome the feeling to quit!

Spiritual burnout occurs when the fierce fire to please God goes off due to the Christian’s exposure to the wind of overzealous spiritual stress. It is a terrible situation that must be handled carefully when the signal starts to manifest.

Today’s message about spiritual burnout is for the servants of God and the disciples of Jesus who give their strength and resources for the spread of the Gospel.

Barna Research Group made press release in 2017 and reports that one in three American Pastors is on the verge of burnout. This troubling number revealed that nearly half of the Pastors face relational risks in their marriages, families and friendships.

Pentecostal Theology Group posted a survey on Pastors that:

33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.

40% of pastors and 47% of spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.

45% of pastors say that they’ve experienced depression or burnout to the extent that they needed to take a leave of absence from ministry.

1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict, or moral failure.

These statistics scare me so much that I think it is important we encourage ourselves in Christ. The level of faith in our generation must not be a disappointment to the Lord. Jesus’ question in Luke 18:8 is a serious concern: “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

 

Seven Spiritual Burnout Signals to Avoid?

1. Spiritual strain; you feel incapable to play your spiritual roles

2. Feeling depressed; tired of everything about Jesus

3. You don’t feel like participating in public evangelism anymore

4. Spiritual disappointment; you doubt God just because something unwanted happened to you.

5. Feeling hopeless; when your faith level is diminishing.

6. Spiritual disconnection; when your time for personal fellowship with God is scheduled for something else.

7. Inability to concentrate; takes you too long to connect your mind to God and your spiritual roles.

 

What are the Causes of Spiritual Burnout?

Spiritual burnout is the result of overwhelming duties you admit to place on yourself which you cannot bear the weight anymore. Some causes include:

1. A long period of effort at a particular task; when you do the same thing at the same time at same place using the same church doctrine…

2. Carrying too many burdens; Only you want to help everyone that comes your way with your strength just like the blunder of Moses.

3. Vigorous sourcing for a million dollars to feed a million people.

4. Not asking for God’s wisdom and direction to handle the cases of people around you – the blunder of self-reliance!

5. Pleasing everyone by sacrificing your sleep, poor nourishment of your body, extending your schedules, and loving your neighbours more than yourself could put you into terrible burnout.

10 Effects of Spiritual Meltdown

1. Spiritual coldness

2. Separation from the LORD

3. Backsliding

4. High risk of becoming an Atheist

5. Spiritual status of lukewarmness

6. Resolves to misconception of the scriptures

7. A mere church goer

8. Finding it easy to commit sin without restrain

9. Running away from church or renouncing evangelism

10. The Gospel of Jesus looks strange and unwanted!

How to Overcome Spiritual Burnout

A Christian must not get overworked to the point of burnout, but if you noticed this stage in your life then the following points would restore you:

1. Don’t love your neighbour more than yourself. Jesus says: “…You shall love your neighbour as yourself…” (Matthew 22:39)

 

2. Don’t act like Mr. Know all; Always ask for directions from the Lord. The Holy Spirit is there for you. Not all things are profitable! You would hit the wall of frustration without the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

“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.” (John 16:13)

 

3. Always observe sabbath; Find time to sleep well and burnout would not trouble you. You are a human and not GOD (who don’t rest). The deep sleep of Jesus in the storm was a clear indication that our body needs rest after ministration. (Matthew 8:24)

 

Though, I was a culprit to murdering my rest, but when I noticed it drains me and gets me weaker than my age. I knew if I continue the habit of missing my sleep, I may die young. I tried to increase my sleep from 3 to 5 hours daily. I made up my mind to still improve better…

 

4. Monotonous way of doing things brings boredom, so practice holy dynamism. For instance, Jesus did not restrict His ministration to the temple only, He ministered in the market, at the sea chore, on the mountain and so on. Thus, follow the example of Jesus and you won’t burnout.

 

5. Don’t put the burden of people on yourself but on God.

 

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

6. Ministration can take your whole day but it’s not good for you. Create time for prayers and Bible Study like Jesus did when on earth.

 

My experience about this point is not funny; most times when I am through with the offline and online ministration, I became worn-out to the point of negative impact on my brain… But I have learnt my lesson to always take the ministration easy and find time for refill of anointing…

 

7. Stop counting your efforts or money you put for the progress of the Gospel. (Luke 18:11-14)

 

8. Delegate some tasks to trusted Christians who share the same vision with you.

 

9. Any spiritual stress in me melts away when I listen to inspirational or worship songs. So, it would work for you as well because music is life in Heaven. Don’t joke with your MP3 Player!

 

10. Don’t prove to be over-confidence when temptation knocks on the door of your heart, always respond with the word of God and flee!

 

Spiritual burnout is a terrible condition that pulls people away from God. It is destructive and without respect for any Christian. You won’t experience such if you always seek God’s direction in all your actions. Put all burdens on God and enjoy your sabbath.  

End Times: Are we Living in the Last Days?

Posted by Jan 18, 2020 Church, Holy Word Leave a Comment
End Times: Are we Living in the Last Days?

End times is the period that precede the rapture of God’s children on earth. This world would come to an end very soon!

The LORD revealed a vision to me describing our present world to be like a spoilt orange. The orange was once round and attractive, but now 98% of the orange had gone grey and shapeless.

Today’s message would reveal the facts that we are living in the end times!

No one knows if we are ten years or one day to the rapture. Jesus never knew the Day because it is God’s plan to ensure that no one cheats on this race to heaven. (Mark 13:32) The sign of the last days is becoming more revealing than the past.

Scientific Proof of the End Times

The fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy around us is enough to believe that the last days is here. But, let’s have a look to the warnings of the scientists who do not use the Bible for mapping.

Some scientist doesn’t believe in rapture, but the outcomes of their experiments made them to believe that there is end times.

For instance, I read this information below from NASA website: “The planet’s average surface temperature has risen about 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere. Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with the five warmest years on record taking place since 2010. Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year — from January through September, with the exception of June — were the warmest on record for those respective months.” 

This shows that the earth is dying and that is the cause of famine, drought, terrible diseases, heavy flood, wild forest fire and terrible earthquakes across the continents. Scientist believe an end would come to the world soonest.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists also stated in their 2019 Doomsday Clock Statement that it is 2 minutes to the midnight.  

15 Signs of the End Times and Coming of Jesus

1. False Messiah, Pastors and Prophets would deceive people in the church with great signs and wonders

2. Wars and rumours of wars

3. Different forms of famines

4. Pestilences

5. Earthquakes

6. Sorrows

7. Tribulations among the servants of God spreading the Gospel

8. Death of many active Christians evangelising the Good News

9. Terrible hatred from unbelievers to Christians for Christ’s sake

10. Many offences will spring up among church members (the cause of having too many denominations today)

11. Betrayals among Christians

12. Hatred in the Christendom

13. Lawlessness will abound both in the church and the society

14. The love of many would grow cold; no zeal to do things of the LORD with righteousness

15. The end will come after the Global Evangelism is accomplished!

The spread of the gospel is so aggressive now through the use of technology. For instance, this gospel blog site has audience from all the continents in the world.

The prophecies above are not mine but the Lord Jesus – Matthew chapter 24.

 19 Common Character attributed to the last days

Paul shared the inspiration given to him as regards the signs of end times, Second Timothy 3: 1-5

1. Lovers of self

2. Lovers of money

3. Pride

4. Arrogant

5. Abusive

6. Disobedient to their parents

7. Ungrateful

8. Unholy

9. Heartless

10. Unappeasable

11. Slanderous

12. Without self-control

13. Brutal

14. Not loving good

15. Treacherous

16. Reckless

17. Swollen with conceit

18. Lovers of pleasure than lovers of God

19. Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

 

Unfortunately, this list characterised our present society. So, we have to be watchful and alert.

 

How to Get Prepared!

How do you get prepared for the day of rapture in the midst of this end times? Keep your heart inclined toward the way of the LORD. Obedience to the instructions of the Lord is vital!

The cogent step that would uphold your status as a child of God in this end times is to be watchful and vigilant.

No one knows the day or hour the LORD will bring the world to an end. Thus, don’t imitate the popular ungodly practices, but follow the unpopular righteous path of the Lord as instructed in the Bible. Then you would be fit to survive this end times.

Jesus says:” … But the one who endures to the end will be saved…” Are you ready to endure?