Volume No. 2012 Issue No. 14 Date: April 29, 2012
Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706
Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com
In Matthew 24:37-42 we read, “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: (22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (23) But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, (25) And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. (26) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (27) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (28) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: (29) So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. (30) Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. (31) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (32) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (33) Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” The turmoil among the Arab states in the Middle East is a reminder that the nation of Israel and its neighbors dominate the agenda of history. We don't know the reverberations of every conflict or the consequences of every shift of power. It may be that the youth movements among Arab states will provide new openness for the Gospel. On the other hand, the shifting political structures may lead to increased radicalism, setting the stage for the Antichrist.
It's not wise to be overly dogmatic as we try to interpret current events, and we've got to be careful about false prophets who claim they are either Christ or Antichrist. The twists and turns of history are under God's providential control, and it's best to watch prayerfully so we can take
advantage of open doors for evangelism while awaiting our Lord's return.
advantage of open doors for evangelism while awaiting our Lord's return.
We can't be dogmatic about specific events in the headlines, but we can be fully assured that history is His-story, and that the stage is being set for His soon return. We can live every day with confidence and excitement that no matter how disturbing the news reports, our sovereign Lord is in control.
Jesus warned of famines, pestilences, and earthquakes as we grow closer to His return. We see all these things today and marvel at the disasters that are increasing as time draws shorter. But we shouldn't fear. We should take these things as reminders to be watching, waiting, and praying. We should be ready!
Vance Havner wrote, “When things look darkest to the world, they look brightest to the Christian. Our King is coming back!” In the chorus of his hymn “Jesus is Coming Again,” John W. Peterson wrote:
Coming again, Coming Again;
Maybe morning, maybe noon, May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming Again;
O what a wonderful day it will be – Jesus is coming again!
May God’s blessing be upon you this week as you read and meditate on the 22nd message from the Book of James 5:1-6, “Your Money: A Blessing or A Curse”
In His Amazing Grace,
PS: As we have repeatedly said, we will not charge for sending the Weekly SERMON. However there are expenses associated with doing what we do. If possible during 2012, would you please consider helping us in this faith ministry? Your donation will help us to continue to “stand in the gap” in “teaching others also.” After you have given your tithes to your church and taken care of your pastor, would you consider giving either a yearly gift, or a monthly offering? Remember, for the purposes of financial accountability, we have placed this ministry under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA. Checks made out to Green Street Baptist Chapel, memo to the Bible Baptist ministry and mailed to Bible Baptist Ministry 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706 will be applied to this ministry.
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