End Time Communications*

      The Lord told His disciples that they would hear of many turbulent events before His returmn, including "wars and commotions," but told them "...be not terrified; for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by." (Lk. 21:9). We are hearing of wars and threatened wars now, so what should our attitude and communications be at this time? While others may speak of fear, we are not to fear according to Jesus.

     Jesus also prophesied that ethnic groups, races, and kingdoms would rise against each other. Great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights and great signs in the heavens. All of these we have seen, including eclipses, comets and unusual planetary alignments. Great persecution would come to believers in Christ, which we have seen. Martyrdom for the name of Jesus has increased in nations around the globe. (v. 10-12). What is to be our response to these things?
     

     Jesus said, "And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (v. 13-15). What we communicate at this time, our testimony, is extremely important. This testimony is so important that we will be given the wisdom to speak, not of our own selves, but that which the Lord will give us for this purpose and time. 

     People will be fleeing for their lives, especially in Jerusalem. (v. 21). "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled...Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (v. 22-26). The world's conversation is about World War III, and possible nuclear war, however, we are to recognize something different from these events, most of which we are already seeing.

     All of these events will precede the return of the Lord: "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh...So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation (the generation that see these things begin to come to pass) shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (27-32, excerpt). We, the generation that is seeing all of these things, are to recognize these events as indicating the time of the return of Christ, and our focus and communications are to reflect that.

     Jesus also connects these events to the shooting forth of the leaves of a fig tree. (v. 29-30). The fig tree has always represented Israel in scripture, and we saw that fig tree sprout again in 1947-48 when Israel was once again established as a nation after 2,000 years. This was a sign to recognize, according to Jesus.

     Jesus warned His disciples not to be caught up in drunkenness or the cares of this life, which are meant to be snares to divert our attention. If these cares concern us, we will miss the moment for which we are to be prepared. We are often focused more on the immediate needs of our lives rather than on the signs of Christ's return. Jesus said: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (v. 34-36).

     Being "worthy to escape" these things requires our watchful attention and prayer.

     The prophet Joel wrote the Word of the LORD to Israel that they were to blow the trumpet of assembly. At the sound of the trumpet, all without exception were to stop what they are doing and come together: "for the day of the LORD is at hand; a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness..." An enemy army was going to attack from the north, the LORD warned: "And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for the camp is very great: for he is strong that excecuteth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" (Joel Ch. 2, excerpt). Jesus asked about who can "stand before the Son of man," and Joel asked, "...who can abide it (the day of the LORD)?" Ezekiel also prophesied of an army from the north which he called Gog and Magog (Russia) coming into the land of Israel. Ezekiel also named other nations that would join this aggression against Israel such as Persia (Iran/Iraq) and Libya. We see these nations lining up together today.

     What is our communication to be as this day approaches. Jesus said to watch and pray. Joel wrote that God's people were to repent: "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping and with mourning.: and rent your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." (Joel 2:12-13). This is the same command that God gives His people in 2 Chron. 7:14. Our communication and behavior are to be of repentance.

     Then the word of the LORD to His people was to rejoice and be not afraid, because the LORD will restore to His people and the land, including all that was taken from them by the enemy. (v. 21-26). "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed...I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (v. 27-29).

     Joel also wrote of the signs in the heavens, as Jesus had mentioned: "The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining." (Joel 3:15). Multitudes at that time will be brought to the valley of decision as the day of the LORD draws near: "...the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more...But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion." (v. 14-21, excerpt). 

     The LORD assured His people above that He is their hope and strength, and He will dwell with them.

     The Book of Hebrews also tells us what our communication should be: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus...Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Heb. 3:1, 6). The use of the word "profession" above is the Greek word homologia/homologeo, which means "to say, to confess, to agree with the same thing as another," who in this case is our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Jesus is also the Logos Word of God. Our words and communications must be the same as Christ's and the Word of God. We are to hold fast to and rejoice in this assuring Word - eternal life. The Holy Spirit is again mentioned as telling us in our hearts what we must believe and say, what we are to speak the same as and agree with in God's Word. (v. 7-11).

     In Numbers 13 and 14, we are shown an example of God's people refusing to believe and speak the Word of God that had just been spoken to them. God had just told Moses that He was giving the land of Canaan to the children of Israel. Moses was to send twelve spies into the land to bring back the report of the land of milk and honey. The spies saw and brought back examples of the great fruitfulness of the land, but ten of them also brought back the report that there was no way possible that the Israelites could successfully take the land because the Canaanite people of the land were too great. Some were even the descendants of the giants!

     The people believed this report of the ten spies even though two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, assured the Israelites that if God delights in them, they are well able to take the land. The people still refused to go forward as the LORD had commanded, and instead, wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb, and return to Egypt. The LORD was angered that the people chose to believe the words of men instead of the Word of God to them. The LORD said to Moses: "How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed them.?" (Num. 14:11). The LORD watches over His Word to bring it to pass. Why be concerned with what the world or the devil says about a situation? We are to say what God says, not what the world says.

     Paul wrote: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Eph. 4:29-30). When our words are the same as God's Word, they edify and bring grace to our hearers, otherwise we grieve the Holy Spirit. There are multitudes in the valley of decision. Our words to them should be: Christ died, giving His blood for our sins, and then He was raised from the dead for our eternal life.

     Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruit, either good fruit or corrupt fruit. (Mt. 12:33). He explained that men speak out of their mouths what is found in abundance in their hearts: "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things....every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (v. 34-37). What is in our hearts that we are speaking? Is it the homologeo of God? Don't receive the reports that come out of the evil hearts of men.

     Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts reflect the Word of God, pleasing Him. Let the words of our mouth glorify God before men and let Him help us to look up and rejoice in our coming Redemption - the returning Son of God.

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 6/22/25 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on the Facebook page of Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at the Kenneth Stevenson channel. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook. Also the book NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling is available on Amazon.