ECCE

     In Luke 24, we are given this account of the resurrection of Jesus: "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (the women which came with Jesus from Galilee, see  Lk. 23:55-56 ) came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid...they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee . saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words." (Lk. 24:1-8).         The women left the sepulchre and told the eleven remaining discipl...

      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, ...

      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of the LORD would be marked by earthquakes, gloominess and deep darkness as the light of the sun, moon and stars are withdrawn.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...

      This year, Resurrection Sunday falls at the end of Passover week. Jesus at the Last Supper before He suffered and was crucified told His disciples "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not anymore eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." (Lk. 22:15-16). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central truth of the Christian faith, and it is the hope of all mankind. Isaiah wrote the prophetic Word of the LORD about the suffering and death of the Messiah/Christ, and also of its earth-shaking effect upon all people: "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle ( naza - to spurt, spatter, sprinkle, startle, besprinkle especially in expiation [blood]) many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for...

           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...

     There is much speculation about the timing of the Rapture and the return of the Lord. While we do not know the day nor the hour, we are expected by the Lord to pay attention to the signs of the times. What are His appointed times, and how are we to consider them?      The prophet Habakkuk was given this command from the LORD as the prophet waited for what the LORD would say to him: "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time , but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." (Hab. 2:1-4). "Appointed time" used here is the Hebrew word, mo'ed , which means "appointed time, set time, feast." It also refers to the tent or tabernacle of meeting, where the people of God assembled before Him. In genera...

      As I have been saying for many years, the Spirit is calling the Church to a 2 Chron. 7:14 repentance. In these last few years, we have seen many indications of this call of the Spirit. Kirk Cameron's documentary film, "Monumental" showing a monument constructed long ago to show the American people how to turn back to God. Rabbi Cahn wrote "The Harbinger", warning America not to fall into the same sins as scriptural Israel. The book "Wake Up" was published to bring the knowledge of the feasts of the LORD back to the Church, which has failed to observe them. All of these things have been meant to bring people back to God.      Jesus taught the multitudes in parables about the principles of the kingdom of God that the people of His time were able to relate to as dealing with their everyday lives. However, could these parables also have been meant for today? In Mark 4, Jesus taught the parable of the sower who went out to sow seed. Certain condition...

     A convergence is defined as " the act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity  especially   :  coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas." This is a holy season for Jews and Christians beginning with Purim, Palm Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, and then Passover. During this season, there will also be heavenly events occurring that represent a convergence. These events include a complete solar eclipse and, during that eclipse, the sighting of the Devil's Comet.       The observance during this season that we will discuss today is Purim, which joyfully celebrates the victory over an evil enemy in the Book of Esther. However, Esther is also a prophetic Book. It has this important end time meaning for the Church: If you don't take responsibility to fulfill your purpose here, you won't be saved, and someone else will be raised up who will obedien...