ECCE

      This is a very special week for those who believe in One God - both Jew and Gentile. The week starts with Palm Sunday, today, which memorializes Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem to the praise and the waving of palm branches as the people welcomed their King. Passover also occurs this week as Jews and Gentiles remember the blood of the Passover Lamb which was spread upon the doorways of the houses of the Israelites to protect them from the plague of death. Scripture tells us that Jesus is our Passover. Finally, this week, we remember the suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and triumphant resurrection of Jesus. All of these events were written of beforehand by the LORD's servants the prophets, as we will see. These prophets also wrote of the troubles that we are seeing currently in the Middle East.      The prophet Zechariah wrote of judgments that would accompany the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. He wrote the Word of the LORD against Damascus, ...

             The Pharisees and Sadducees, who represented the religious leadership, came to Jesus and demanded that He show them a sign from heaven. He had even recently fed thousands from a small amount of food, but still they demanded a sign. Jesus acknowledged that they were able to discern the day's weather from the meaning of a red sky at morning or night, but added: "...O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign given unto it, but the sign of Jonah." He later said to His disciples: "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." His disciples thought He was speaking of bread that they had not brought with them, but after His correction ("O ye of little faith..."), the disciples then "understood ...how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine ( ...

       We have clear evidence all around us that we live in an age of lawlessness and darkness. Violence, crime, assassination, and the martyrdom of those of faith in parts of the world - how are we responding? Jesus said for us to occupy until He comes. "Occupy" is a military term. We occupy as His Light against the darkness and lawlessness until He comes.      First, we are able to identify some of the sources of darkness and lawlessness that can affect a believer's life in these last days. Paul wrote of this to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having the form of godliness, but denying the power th...

      The signs of the times are all around us and it is time for the Bride to trim her lamps and be ready for the return of the Bridegroom.       The prophet Daniel was given to see in the Spirit through dreams and visions certain kingdoms of the earth that would rise up, which Daniel called "beasts" because they appeared to him in that spiritual form. The fourth beast that he saw had ten horns, and he called it "dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong, with great iron teeth with which it devoured and broke in pieces. Daniel saw that this terrible beast would be slain and his body given over to the burning flame. ( Dan. 7:7 , 11 ).  Daniel also saw the Kingdom of heaven: "...and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, ...

      Last week we began the message, "The Power and Authority of the Believer," and this week we will continue that message. The power ( dynamis - strength, power, ability, power to perform miracles, moral power and excellence of soul) and authority ( exousia - power, authority, privilege) do not come from man, or by man, but is by the Word and the Name of the Lord. This same Word promises that "these signs shall follow them that believe..." This is promised to all believers, not just to those with titled positions in the Church. Jesus gave not only this power and authority, but also His glory, to His disciples as He prayed to the Father before His death and resurrection. Jesus prayed that His Father in heaven had sent Him with power over all flesh, and has given Him glory. Jesus' pray continued: " I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word...For ...

      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...

      This message comes after last week's message about redeeming the time. It is about what we are seeing now and what we will see in the days ahead as Christ's return draws nearer.      Paul wrote to Timothy of the things that were coming: "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away..." (2 Tim. 3:1-5). Those who are sin laden and lust-filled will be easily led away as there will be a seeking of new ideas and learning but without ever learning the truth of God. (v. 6-7). Never before have we seen such advances in computing, even to the development...

           During the recent Feast of Trumpets in Jerusalem, shofars were sounded on the Temple Mount, although there was strong opposition from those who claim the right to occupy the Mount. Before this event, six red heifers were sent from Texas to Israel in fulfillment of prophecy ( Isa. 18:7 ). The purpose of the pure red heifer is to provide the ashes needed for Temple worship. Although there is not presently a temple on the Mount, Scripture prophesies a third temple must be built, and these recent indications and others mean that the Israelites are preparing for the building of that third temple. Are we paying attention to these events and their connection to the end times before the return of Jesus?      Jesus told a parable of the Sower and the Seed. Depending upon the condition of the soil, the seeds sown would either perish or thrive. His disciples asked why Jesus spoke in parables to the people. Jesus answered: "Because it is given...