ECCE

      Both of what we call the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal details about the soon coming day of the Lord, or, as we know it, the return, or second coming, of the Lord. The signs that we see around us in world events and spiritual wickedness indicate that the return of our Lord is very soon.      The prophet Zephaniah wrote: "Hold thy peace at the presence of the LORD God: for the day of the LORD is at hand : for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests...I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil...The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkn...

      There is a misconception in the Church regarding "The Day of the LORD." We view this Day as being associated mainly with the Rapture of the Church and the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. However, the prophets of scripture and the revelations of the New Testament give us a different view of what this Day entails.      The prophet Joel wrote that the Day of the LORD would be marked by earthquakes, gloominess and deep darkness as the light of the sun, moon and stars are withdrawn. He wrote: "...for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" (Joel 2:10-11). Malachi also asked the question: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope..." (Mal. 3:2). 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...

      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, "A...

      We just saw an attack by Iran upon Israel. Twenty-four hours before the attack began, my wife, Pastor Mary, put out a call to the Body of Christ for prayer for Israel. The nations surrounding Israel seek the destruction of that nation and the Jewish people by claiming all of the land "from the River to the Sea" for themselves. Even their own claim, therefore, does not support the "two-nation solution" currently being wrongly recommended by those in political power. God said that He would send a strong delusion that would cause people to believe the lie ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12 ). We, the believers in Christ, should not be among those who believe the lie. What do the scriptures say about this?       Although "Zionism" and "Zionist" are not found in scripture, "Zion" certainly is. This is the first mention of Zion: "Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David." The Hebrew word, Zion , means a s...

     This week we will experience a rare total eclipse. There is a massive focus on the darkness that will occur in the middle of the day with many planning parties and celebrations, but Jesus told us to know the signs of the end of the age, and His return . Jesus also said, "Occupy (be busy doing what you should be doing) until I come." ( Lk. 19:13 ). Cults use these same signs to draw people to their false doctrines and keep them from salvation. Are the people of God paying attention to His signs? If so, what then are we called to be doing? As we will see, the day of the LORD when it comes will come with darkness and not celebrations:  "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light." (Amos 5:18). "The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. And the LORD shall utter his voice before his arm...

The feasts of the LORD deal with end time things. This weekend was the Feast of Trumpets, or Yom Teruah . The shofar (ram's horn trumpet) is blown daily. This time of forty days, from the beginning of the month of Elul until the Day of Atonement, is called Teshuvah , a return to the LORD. There are three facets to these forty days of Teshuvah return to the Lord: repentance, reconciliation, and helping the needy. There are three facets to the Feast of Trumpets: crowning the King, the wedding of the Bride, and the resurrection of the dead. Regarding the wedding of the Bride, and the return of the Lord (the Bridegroom), Jesus told the parable of ten virgins. Five were wise, having oil in the lamps, and five were foolish, being found unprepared and lacking oil. All ten virgins slept, when suddenly, at midnight, there was a cry made: "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him; Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Giv...