Where will God's kingdom come?

Luke 17:26  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Luke 17:27  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:28  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luke 17:29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Luke 17:31  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Luke 17:32  Remember Lot's wife.
Luke 17:33  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Luke 17:34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Luke 17:35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 17:36  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 17:37  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

The time of Jesus coming again may refer to the rapture of the church and also his coming to earth to establish his kingdom. It is a time of separation, those in Christ will be gathered together and his enemies will be killed. Now is the time of grace, a time for all to accept the Lord Jesus Christ who shed his blood on the cross and is risen to eternal life, the first fruit, the firstborn of a new people of God. 

Luke 17:37 asks a question? Where Lord, where what? Where will the kingdom be revealed (vs. 30) Let's look at verse 37 in other translations. The first translation is the KJV.

Luke 17:37  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

The word for eagles also refers to vultures, birds that feast on dead flesh. There will be tribulation from the antichrist and tribulation from God on the unsaved. The antichrist will kill many of God's people and the angels will kill the ungodly at the return of Jesus to Israel. The place appears to be Israel.

Now the New Living Bible

37 "Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked. Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

The New Living Translation assumes that the gathering of vultures is only a sign, not a particular sign of the end times, but just that we recognize death is near when we see vultures circling. Others signs were given; as in the days of Noah and Lot. Evil people and evil ways, a people ripe for God's judgement. That time is now so his coming could be near.

Another translation that is interesting but not as reliable is the Message Bible. It tries to explain things in an easily understood way, but still to explain something you must assume that you are telling the true meaning. Their assumption is different than the other translations.

37 Trying to take all this in, the disciples said, "Master, where?" He told them, "Watch for the circling of the vultures. They'll spot the corpse first. The action will begin around my dead body."

His dead body and resurrection was still future, but the coming of his visible kingdom to earth refers to his second coming. Perilous times are coming. The focus is on Jerusalem. There will be a one world government, the mark of the beast, the man of peace making peace in Jerusalem and then making himself as the Christ in the temple, the antichrist. There will be much evil, the destruction of those who love God and a final tribulation from God before Jesus returns and the angels will destroy the enemy and gather the saints. This will be when Jesus returns, many dead but a new start for those still on earth. The devil will be bound for a thousand years and Jesus shall bring his  kingdom to a restored earth. The saints will return with Jesus to be kings and priests. Jesus is the King of Kings. Look up, the rapture of the church is near. Hopefully we will not have to go through the very end times. Whichever, Jesus is coming to establish His kingdom in Jerusalem and all the nations will come to him.

Calamity advice

  

1 Sam 30:1  And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1 Sam 30:2  And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
1 Sam 30:3  So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
1 Sam 30:4  Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
1 Sam 30:5  And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1 Sam 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
1 Sam 30:7  And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
1 Sam 30:8  And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

The enemy had attacked  Ziklag, meaning "winding", a city in south Judah given to David by king Achish of Gath. David and his mighty warriors had been helping the king of Gath to fight their enemies, because David had wearied of running from King Saul. Now, the enemy came to where all their families and belongings were in that twisted place and had taken everything precious from them. Have you found your self confused and stricken in a winding place? All of David's mighty men blamed him, so he had no where to turn, but to the LORD. David encouraged himself in the LORD and then he inquired of the LORD what to do.

When the enemy attacks you, your sense of well being, your finances, your health, your loved ones then do as David and encourage yourself in the LORD. Take your crooked place of life to the straight path of the LORD. Seek encouragement in the word of God, in the Psalms. Then seek direction from Jesus, the Word of God. The Father knows what you are to do. Have courage to wait on him and to do what he says. His still small voice will lead you, when you come to him, meditate on his word and seek his direction. It will be alright, just stay close to him as you walk the straight way. Keep going and you will experience restoration and blessings. Has God ever failed you?

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Must I forgive everyone?

Luke 17:3  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Luke 17:4  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

There is a condition to forgiveness, the person must say "I repent" (even if he doesn't mean it?) In Matthews gospel there was no condition given.

 

Mat 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

Another condition is that the one you forgive is a brother, someone close, someone who has confessed faith in God.

 

It seems to me that to forgive someone that they would have to be sorry for what they did. If no repentance, then we should remove our self from them and do not be their victim. Pray that they repent and leave them be and give them to the LORD.

 

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 Cor 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

If they repent forgive them, if they are unrepentant sinners, give them to God and do not carry their guilt and condemnation. Hold no malice towards anyone; pray for their salvation because Jesus forgave you when you were yet a sinner. If you reprove a sinner on the way to hell they may say "your judging me." Warn them in a loving way and Jesus will judge them, leave them to him.

A final verse to ponder by the Holy Spirit:

Mat 6:14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Rich man and Lazarus

  

Luke 16:19 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury.

20 At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus.

21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

22 Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,

23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

24 "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.'

25 "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.'

27 "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father's home.

28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when they die.'

29 "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.'

30 "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.'

31 "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'" (NLT)

 

Most agree that this is an actual story, but to those who believe it is a parable it stiil illustrates several truths.

 

1. In heaven things may be reversed, the selfish rich man will be in torment and Lazarus will be in a separate place, where the saints were kept before the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

2. There is a hell, a place of torment

3. There was a place where the souls of the saints were held, called paradise.

4. The souls of the dead were aware of where they were

5. They cannot leave hell, but paradise was probably taken up with Jesus

6. Even though someone was risen from the dead, many will not believe

 

There is more to the story, but these I see from having read the story many times. Some want to say this is only a story, because they do not agree with it's truths. Parables illustrate truths, and actual stories are true testimonies.

Respect the anointing

Doeg, the Edomite who killed the priests of God at Saul's bidding, despised the anointing of God. David had great respect for the anointing of the LORD, even the anointing of king Saul that lost the Holy spirit, yet was still the anointed king. Do we respect the anointed of the LORD?

 

Lev 8:10  And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
Lev 8:11  And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
Lev 8:12  And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

 

The Holy people of God have reverence for what is Holy. Saul lost the reverence for what is holy and for many years tried to kill David, the chosen anointed king that would be the next king, but David respected Saul, the anointed king.

 

1 Sam 24:1 After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi.

2 So Saul chose three thousand special troops from throughout Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.

3 At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding in that very cave!

4 "Now's your opportunity!" David's men whispered to him. "Today is the day the LORD was talking about when he said, 'I will certainly put Saul into your power, to do with as you wish.'" Then David crept forward and cut off a piece of Saul's robe.

5 But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe.

6 "The LORD knows I shouldn't have done it," he said to his men. "It is a serious thing to attack the LORD's anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him." (NLT)

David could have killed Saul that day and cut off a piece of his robe to prove that he was near enough to kill him, but his heart was troubled after he cut off a piece of the robe of the anointed king. This reminds me of the respect John the Baptist had for the anointed one; Jesus the Lamb of God, the Holy one of God.

 

John 1:26  ... I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
John 1:27  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

 

There is the spirit of antichrist today that seeks to destroy the holy anointed things of God. Doeg the Edomite was an example of this antichrist spirit. We are to respect the anointing of God in his people, his institutions, like marriage between one man and one woman. The antichrist spirit seeks to destroy the sacred, the holiness of the God of Israel, the true almighty God.

 

2 Pet 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Pet 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2 Cor 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

Acts 10:37  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
Acts 10:38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 10:39  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 10:40  Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;
Acts 10:41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 10:42  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

The holy people of God respect the holy things of God. Love your brethren and do not speak against the anointed of God. Respect the presence of the Holy Spirit and those who are the temples of his Spirit. Worship the Holy God of Israel and Jesus Christ his Son. Exalt the LORD!

Doeg the Edomite wolf

Doeg the Edomite, was a descendant of Esau who despised his Jewish birthright. The Edomites throughout the history of the world would oppose the God of Israel. Many of the nations around Israel today are descendants of Esau. Doeg was at the temple when David came hungry, asking the priest for bread. They are among us, but they are not of us.

 

1 Sam 22:9  Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
1 Sam 22:10  And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

1 Sam 22:17  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
1 Sam 22:18  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
1 Sam 22:19  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
1 Sam 22:20  And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
1 Sam 22:21  And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.
1 Sam 22:22  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.
1 Sam 22:23  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

The descendants of Esau would destroy the people of the God of Israel if so allowed. Saul's footmen would not kill the priests as ordered. The majority in our nation would not want to destroy the priests of God, but ungodly rulers may have this in mind. Only one priest escaped to David for refuge. Jesus from the lineage of David, the Son of God is our refuge. We will see the godless trying to destroy the roots of God in America in the name of change. Those who trust the God of Israel must pray for our nation and Israel for his will to be done. Where could we go but to the Lord? Will you stand up for the God of Israel and come to Jesus your Savior?  God be with you as you draw near to him and commune with him in word and prayer. Glory to the God of Israel and glory to his Son, their Messiah and our savior.

Slain in the Spirit

An evil spirit of jealousy and rage had caused Saul to hunt down David to kill him. There was nothing holy in Saul, for he had been given a tormenting spirit and by this time probably more than one.

1 Sam 19:18  So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
1 Sam 19:19  And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
1 Sam 19:20  And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
1 Sam 19:21  And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
1 Sam 19:22  Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
1 Sam 19:23  And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
1 Sam 19:24  And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

Luke 19:39  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Luke 19:40  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

The presence of God was so strong with David and Samuel that all who were sent to capture David began to prophesy. Did this mean these men were more holy than other men? No, the Lord was holy, his presence was strong and gave them words to speak. I recall that evil Balaam was a prophet as was his donkey. The Lord may cause anyone to speak for him, even stones if he so desired. The one who had a stone heart and devoid of the holy spirit was king Saul, and yet when he came to kill David, he fell to the ground and began prophesying. He also was naked, disrobed I assume by an evil spirit. Can an evil spirit speak God's truth? Yes, the demons were the first to speak that Jesus was the holy one from God.

Mark 1:23  And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 1:25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

Saul was slain by the spirit, as we say when someone falls under the power of God. He was also naked, which is not something that a holy man would do before God. Remembering the seven sons of Sceva. When they tried to cast out a devil in the name of Jesus that Paul preached. They were overcome by the spirit and they fled naked and wounded.

Acts 19:16  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Saul laid on the ground, naked and shamed, prophesying, all that day and night, while David escaped. I ask you, having been slain in the spirit, did it change Saul for the better? We must examine the fruit of the prophet as well as his words. The words must line up with the Holy Bible and the fruit of the Spirit also must be shown in the life. Saul continued to seek and to try to kill David. That is the fruit of the evil one. Our fruit is the fruit of the spirit, love... and our mission is to seek and to save the lost. We invite the presence of God not for a performance, but for his glory. Our heart's are to be prepared to meet him and our lives are to show his presence within us.