PROPHETIC SIGNS THAT WE ARE IN THE END TIMES

Prophetic Signs that we are in the End Times

The Bible gives many examples of signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Jesus gives six such signs Paul gives two characteristics, and eleven other occurrences are given by the prophets to occur prior to or soon after the end of the age. While we are also told we will not know the time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know when that time was getting closer. The Christian church is increasingly drawn into the interfaith movement and more and more churches go into isolation. While they are preparing to sleep through the growing attacks on their faith, perhaps God knew it would take a few signs to wake us up and remind us that we have work to do.

Unfortunately, many Christians take the verses that tell us we won’t know the time of His coming to mean they should ignore any and all scripture that might warn us of this time of tribulation. Others have fallen into the trap of fearing being labeled a “conspiracy theorist” should they display an interest in the Biblical prophecies about our future on Earth. My philosophy is simple. God included it in the Bible and, since God is all knowing, we should trust that it is something we should know and study along with the rest of His Word.

It is increasingly obvious that the time of our Lord’s coming is drawing near. Prophecy is being fulfilled daily, and at a faster pace than ever before. Whether you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, or believe Christians will be witnesses to the full tribulation, wrath, and final judgments, matters not. The beginning of birth pains and the signs of the times should have the same effect on all of us. It should motivate us to save as many souls as we can in the time that we have left. The Great Commission tells us to be disciples to all nations, bringing the message of salvation through Christ to all people. If the Church is raptured before the tribulation, it is important that we leave behind an explanation for the trials and judgments those left behind will face. How else will they recognize the deception of the anti-Christ and seek instead the truth of the Bible? If we are to endure the tribulation along side them, we will need to be prepared to not only share the message of salvation, but share with them the reasons for God’s judgment and hold it up as further proof of their need to be saved.

Below is a study of the prophetic signs God gave us as a warning of the approaching end of the age. Many of them are being fulfilled now and many will be fulfilled in the near future. I would encourage you to study prophecy, know what is coming and be prepared to share it with others.

SIX SIGNS GIVEN BY JESUS TO INDICATE HIS COMING AND THE END OF THE AGE

In Matthew24:3 Jesus was asked, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus told his apostles to look for the following signs prior to his Second Coming and the end of the age.

1. FALSE PROPHETS AND CHRISTS

Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many.”

Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.”

In the last several years many have claimed to be the Messiah. Jim Jones and David Koresh are examples of these false prophets as well as countless others who are not as newsworthy. These false prophets are a prelude to the ultimate false christ, the antichrist. Many New Age groups, some even NGO’s working for the United Nations, are anxiously awaiting the antichrist, preparing the way for his acceptance as the head of the hierarchy of gods and the one who will usher in world peace.

2. WARS

Matthew 24:6 “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Rumors of wars in all areas of the world now occur frequently thanks to instant media coverage and the availability of a multitude of 24-hour news sources.

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”

More people have been killed in warfare in this century than at any other time in history. As the death toll rises in the Middle East, more and more countries work feverishly to develop devastating weapons of mass destruction. Add to that the expanding threat of terrorism and unpredictable dictators such as Saddam Hussein, and the potential for the outbreak of war exists in nations, kingdoms and places across the globe.

3. FAMINES

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”

As white, Christian farmers are driven out of Zimbabwe in increasing numbers, and foreigners move in to replace life-sustaining crops with poppies that now supply 25% of the worlds drugs, famine spreads across the African continent. The undernourished are not limited to Africa, however. A large portion of the worlds 5 billion people suffers from a shortage of food.

4. EARTHQUAKES

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”

The number and intensity of earthquakes this century is at a level higher than any other time in history. A staggering number of seismic events occur around the world daily. The earthquake seismic monitor IRIS shows all major earthquakes for the last year. Indicated by yellow and red circles, the seismic events of the last 15 days provides strong evidence of the fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 in our day. By contrast, in the years from 1890 to 1900 there was only one major earthquake in the world.

5. TRIBULATIONS

Matthew 24:8-9 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name.”

Christians are under attack throughout the world today. In the United States Christians still enjoy freedom to worship God without suffering much more than ridicule, hatred, or discrimination at work and school. However in many other countries such as China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christian suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith. During the tribulation this suffering will be worldwide and will continue even to the point of martyrdom. These first 5 signs will increase in intensity and severity as the tribulation approaches, much like the birth pangs or contractions of a pregnant woman worsen as the delivery time approaches.

6. THE GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.”

This prophecy has already been fulfilled through television, radio, missionaries, the translation of the Bible into many languages, and the internet. People all over the world now hear the message of Christ from missionaries who have the means to travel the globe, and via technology that allows us to communicate with people on the other side of the world right from our own homes, churches and offices.

TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE END OF THE AGE FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL

1. GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, and disobedient to their parents. Men will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Men will be holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

For anyone who has watched television, read a newspaper, lost a retirement to corporate greed and corruption, or just walked outside their front door, it is obvious this prophecy has been fulfilled by our generation. Our leaders are often corrupt; our cities are filled with crime, brutality, and neon signs proclaiming our sinful, godless nature. The New Age Movement brings in increasing numbers of mystics who claim to be the enlightened ones. They are some of the most educated and influential people in our societies, and yet the most lacking in real truth.

2. APOSTASY (FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH)

I Timothy 4:1-3 “But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. By means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”

Churches today are becoming more and more ecumenical, embracing the New Age interfaith agenda, and denying Christ as the only way to salvation. Giving in to the politically correct media and a corrupt society, they have embrace homosexuality as an acceptable alternate lifestyle and preach tolerance and compromise in place of God’s truth for the salvation of the world. The environmentalist movement within the New Age movement lures them into a worship of mother earth, belief in past lives, reincarnation, and Karma while demonizing all those who would eat the meat God gave us as nourishment for our bodies.

ELEVEN FULFILLMENTS OF BIBLE PROPHECY REQUIRED FOR THE END OF THE AGE

1. EXISTENCE OF A 200,000,000 MAN ARMY IN THE EAST

Revelation 9:16 “And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.”

An army of that size had never existed until China’s army reached that number in the 1960’s.

2. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (EUROPEAN COMMUNITY)

Daniel 2:32-33 “The head of the statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.”

Daniel 2:40-43 “Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have the toughness of iron, and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.”

The fourth kingdom of iron is the Roman empire according to Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The two legs are the division of the Roman empire into an eastern portion called the Byzantine empire which ended in the 1400’s and a western portion based in Rome which ended in the 400’s. The nations of Europe since the Roman empire dissolved have never adhered or formed one empire but continue as separate nations, however, the European Union now has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries.

3. RETURN OF THE ONE PURE LANGUAGE, HEBREW, TO ISRAEL

Zephaniah 3:9 “For then I will return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.”

Prior to the restoration of Israel in 1948, Hebrew was a dead language. Now Hebrew is spoken throughout Israel.

4. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE, RESTORATION OF TEMPLE WORSHIP AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES IN JERUSALEM

For several end time prophecies to be fulfilled, the temple will have to be rebuilt.

Revelation 11:2 “Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the oly city for forty-two months.”

Daniel 9:27 “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week. But, in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolation, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

Daniel 9:26 “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.”

Some archeologists believe that the temple mount is actually 340 feet south of the Dome of the Rock site, putting the Dome of the Rock within the Court of the Gentiles. This may be the court outside the temple that is left out.

There are many groups already working on preparations for the new temple. The blueprints are already done, the temple garments have been made, and there have already been attempts to lay the cornerstone of the temple. The only thing standing in the way of the construction of the new temple is Islam’s third holiest site, the Dome of the Rock and government support for such an undertaking. Some possible scenarios for the rebuilding of the temple are as follows:

1. The persuasion and performing of miracles by the Antichrist and False Prophet convinces the Islamic world to approve the rebuilding.

2. The United Nations will negotiate the rebuilding of the temple following a war with the armies from the North (Russia and Islamic forces). This assumes that the war with the armies from the North is not the battle of Armageddon as some feel and that this attack occurs before the rapture or tribulation period begins. The supernatural destruction of the Russian army and Islamic forces will cause an outpouring of Christian worship and zeal amongst the Jewish people who will reconstruct the temple.

3. It is determined that the site of the first two temples is actually south of the Dome of the Rock, and the court of the gentiles (Dome of the Rock) will be left out of the 3rd temple.

A group in Israel called the Temple Mount Faithful has obtained most of the clothing, instruments and other equipment required for temple worship and are actively preparing for the laying of the third temple’s cornerstone.

5. APPEARANCE OF THE RED HEIFER AFTER 2000 YEARS

Numbers 19:2-7 “This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. “You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be brought outside the camp and be slaughtered in his presence. Next Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. “Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight; its hide and its flesh and its blood, with its refuse, shall be burned. “The priest shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward come into the camp, but the priest shall be unclean until evening.”

A red heifer will be required and used in the process of purification described in the book of Numbers. In May 1997 the first Red Heifer was born in 2000 years. Another red Heifer was born in Israel in March of 2002.

6. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND TRAVEL

Daniel 12:4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

Billy Graham was quoted as saying, “ninety percent of all the engineers and scientists who have ever lived are alive today.” Air travel, space travel, DNA research and human cloning are all examples of the rapid increase in knowledge in our generation.

7. RETURN OF THE ETHIOPIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL

Zephaniah 3:10-11 “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, will bring My offerings. In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain.”

In 1984, Operation Moses saw the airlift of 15,000 Jews who had already fled to refugee camps in Sudan to escape starvation. In 1991, Operation Solomon flew 20,000 Jews to Israel from Ethiopia itself. A further airlift began in June of 1999, aimed at transporting the last 3,000 members of the Quara Jewish community from northeastern Ethiopia to Israel.

8. THE RISE OF RUSSIA

Ezekiel 38:2,4,8 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. After many days you will be summoned. In the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword. The inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.”

In order for some end time events to occur Russia will have to be a strong nation with a strong military.

9. RETURN OF RUSSIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL

Jeremiah 23:7-8 “Therefore behold, the days are coming declares the Lord, when they will no longer say, as the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt. But, as the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the northland and from all the countries where I have driven them. Then they will live on their own soil.”

In the 1970’s and 1980’s there was a mass exodus of Russian Jews out of Communist Russia. In 1999 the Associated Press reported a dramatic increase in the number of Jewish immigrants from Russia, bringing the largest number of Russian Jews to Israel since the early 1990’s.

10. TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Revelation 13:16-17 “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. He provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”

On May 10, three members of a family in Florida became the first people to receive the biochip implant. Each device made of silicon and called a VeriChip, is a small radio transmitter about the size of a piece of rice that is injected under a person’s skin. It transmits a unique personal ID number whenever it is within a few feet of a special receiver unit. VeriChip’s maker describes it as “a miniaturized, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) that can be used in a variety of security, emergency and healthcare applications.”

Is the biochip the mark of the beast to be used by the antichrist? We can’t really know. What is significant is that people are being softened to the idea of a mark or an implant as a means of maintaining security, providing medical information, and regulating a more interdependent world. As attitudes change, fears subside, and people are convinced of the need for such a mark, the true mark of the beast will be easily introduced to the world by the antichrist.

11. PLANS FOR THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT

The United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN peacekeeping/police force, numerous UN NGO’s, and other agencies are preliminary steps to the formation of a one world government. We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in the one world government headed by the antichrist. The increasing terrorist threat and the middle east conflict will only speed up the formation of this governing body as fear and promises of better security make more people willing to give up their national sovereignty for global governance.

12. INSTANT COMMUNICATION AROUND THE WORLD

Revelation 11:3, 7-10 “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophecy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”

Television and the 24-hour news networks make it possible for people around the world to see the dead prophets and rejoice at their deaths.

Luke 21:28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.”

Pastors, Ministers, Preachers: Do your job!

You preach about the love of God and everything he has done and all that he has created. That is great! You have altar calls. That’s fantastic! If you are a man of God, then you should know the times and the signs. Let people know about false doctrine, which is now running amok. Tell the people about the signs so they are not caught off guard. Especially, lead people to Christ. That doesn’t mean you wait for them to come to you. Go to them and spread the Word.

What Lies Ahead

I would like for each of you to close your eyes. Now imagine for a moment if you will the best time that you have ever had in your life and how you felt at that moment. Keeping your eyes closed, please imagine the worse time of your life and how you felt at that moment. The way you felt in your best time doesn’t compare with the peace, love, and joy you feel once you have come into the full glory of Jesus Christ. The way you felt in the worse time doesn’t compare with what lies ahead in our Christian walk of faith.

The fact is that very few professing Christians study their bible. Oh, we may read maintenance manuals, flower/garden magazines, playboy, or whatever, but not the bible. It sits on the shelf gathering dust. Be assured the bible paves the map for our road to salvation and beyond. We read all sorts of material but we do not study for ourselves the Word of God. We leave our spirit welfare to the Pastor. However, you are the only one responsible for your own salvation. We must test everything and hold onto what is good.

One religious survey conducted by the Los Angeles Times concluded that 2/3 of Americans do not read the bible regularly and can’t name the four gospels. More then half of Americans can not name 5 of the Ten Commandments. And many say the bible is irrelevant. Many believe that Jesus’ last name was “Christ”. What a shame!

Most people have just accepted their religion passed down by their families. Most have just “gone along” beliefs and traditions taught to them as children. Brothers and sisters, one better get into the bible, study, and show ones self approved.

We live in a prideful and sinful world. It’s full of greed, hate, segregation, racism, demonic forces, and so much evil. The church (body of Christ) has dissension with-in the church. Walls have been built between different denominations because of by-laws (man-made rules). There is so many sinners’ indulging in every imaginable aspect of sin. It’s time for sinners, lukewarm Christians, and those that have turned their backs on God to change. It’s time for revival in the Church and awakening of “God consciousness” in our nation!….
*God is holy and righteous (Rom. 1:17)

*Man is sinful and his heart is evil (Gen. 6:5; 13:13; Jer. 17:9).

*All people know that God exists (Rom. 1:21)

*All people have sinned (Rom. 3:23a)

*All people are guilty before God (Rom. 1:18-3:8)

*Judgment is self-induced (Rom. 1:18-23)

*Sin dishonors God and contradicts His Holy character (Rom. 1:17)

*God will judge every person, Jew and Gentile (Rom. 2:5; 2:12-16)

*God never forgives any sin without full payment of the penalty for that sin (Rom. 3:25)

*Propitiation is the only saving solution to the fact of God’s wrath against sin. Propitiation is the appeasement of divine wrath by a sacrificial offering. Sending Christ to die for our sins was God’s amazing solution to the problem of how He could remain just (punish all sin) and still justify us (declare us perfectly righteous in His sight) (Is. 53:4, 5, 10, 11; Rom. 3:25)

*The gospel of salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned (Rom. 1:16, 17; 3:20, 23, 24, 28, 30; 4:5: 6:23)

*Saving faith can only come through hearing and believing the Bible’s message about Christ (Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17)

*Justified means to be declared righteous in God’s sight (Rom. 3:24)

*God imputes (imparts) righteousness to those who believe (Rom. 4:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24)

*Believers, who have been freely forgiven of sins because of Christ’s work, will be given degrees of reward in heaven. This is according to their actions in this life; heaven is the eternal home of born-again believers (Rom. 3:21-26; Mth. 16:27; 25:31-46; John 5:29; Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:9, 10; Rev. 7:15-17)

*Those who reject Christ will be judged for their sins. The consequences of willful disobedience are horrible indeed. The Bible speaks of an endless, conscious torment in hell (Rom. 2:6; Rev. 20:10, 15)

The truth is clear. Modern “Christianity” has become vastly different then “Christianity” of Jesus’ day. That is why we have over 400 denominations, all proclaiming to be Christians. Which Church is right? Which denomination is right? The right church and denomination is the one preaching and teaching Gods Word. It is the body of Christ, spirit filled, Holy Ghost led, a loving congregation, and a Pastor that is not afraid to step on toes in a loving manner.

We are living in a very troubled world. Although the Bible explains in Daniel and Revelation what is going to happen, and therefore we should not be surprised, there is still fear and apprehension about the future.

First, God loved us so much that we were created in his image. We were given a free will and a free choice. He even gave the angels free will and choice. That choice is what made Lucifer (the devil) and a third of the angels decide to rebel against God. God does not to force us to love him. He wants us to love him because he first loved us.

Not only did God create us in his image, He stated that we would have dominion over all the earth. But, since the beginning, man has ruined God’s perfect world and let sin come into world at the Garden of Eden. Now God could not destroy Satan because of evil. If God had destroyed Satan, man would have died because we are sinful creatures. All sin would have been destroyed had He destroyed Satan. So God came up with another plan. He would offer the purest of lambs to wash away sin. So he gave his only begotten son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us.

On one hand, science and technology promises a world of great prosperity. Yet, on the other hand, nuclear war and biological and chemical warfare threaten the very existence of our world. Since the United States is morally, socially, and financially bankrupt, along with the terrorists attacks, has made our great country a pawn. We are no longer the worlds superpower nation. We are now number 3. Those in power are North Korea and the European countries. Let’s not forget China with over 2,000,000 soldiers. This is the largest army in the world.

So according to scripture, what lies ahead for the United States.

A great charismatic leader in Europe will arise, responding to the world’s crisis. He will enter into an alliance of church and state that will offer peace, security and prosperity to a desperate world. The world will be in total confusion and darkness. The world will not see the light because it has closed its eyes, hardened its heart, and closed deft ears. Further, the world has turned its back on the true God completely and worships the Anti-Christ.

This leader, using lies, deceit, and intrigue, will induce ten European leaders, representing the end time successors to both the eastern and western parts of the Roman Empire, to unite temporarily and give their power to him.

A period of world peace and prosperity will follow. Worldwide trading will seem to offer incredible profits to cartels. Later, responding to crisis involving both the Middle East and the English speaking nations, he will move with lightening speed and determination. He will nullify the treaty made with the Jewish State and attack Jerusalem. Half of the city will be in exile and the women will be raped (Zechariah 14-2). An overwhelming army will attack the United States, Britain, Canada, and other English speaking countries.

The intensifying problems of global fracturing will be countered by a scheme designed to impose both political and religious unity on a worldwide scale. Though important developments will occur in the political world, it is the area of religion that we will see events like never seen before. This is when one world religion will begin.

By this time, millions across the world will be caught up in Political/Religious frenzy fed by a charismatic leader working great signs and wonders. These individuals are more into feeling good then following true doctrines of the Holy Bible. They will respond to this leader and turn from God. Many will say he is God!

Modern technology will be used to create a police state that Hitler and Stalin could only dream about. A powerful war-making apparatus will be brought in by the European superpower and it will be classified as the cornerstone to world peace and security. People will accept this as the price of getting rid of terrorism and violent crime.

At first, this system will improve world economy and world trading (Ezekiel 27 and Revelation 18). However, the Arab World will be displeased by attempts to force them into Religious unity with Europe, which will be a false religion. A powerful ruler (Daniel 11), called “king of the south” will arise. He will bring temporary unity of much of the Islamic World. Provoked by this leader, Europe will launch an attack resulting in European occupation of much of the Arab World (Daniel 11:40-43).

This European occupation will deepen suspicion among the eastern nations. European nations will attack the eastern nations to force them into submission. The resulting warfare will cause the nuclear destruction of much of Europe, including Rome itself (Rev 18:10, 17)(Rev 9:13-18)

Horrifying weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons as well as biological and chemical weapons (Rev 9:5-6, 18) will be unleashed. With millions dead and the world turned upside down, and when it appears that humanity will destroy itself, the living glorified Christ will return from heaven (Matt: 24:22).

In the after math of all this destruction, Jesus Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives. God will establish a kingdom that shall never be removed (Dan 2:44). The law will go forth from Jerusalem and all nations will be brought under the government of God (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The bible records two cities, Babylon and Jerusalem. One will be destroyed forever. The other will be created anew as the new Jerusalem
Which will come down from heaven after the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah. This will be the dwelling place for the Father, for Christ, and for the first fruits for all eternity (Rev 21)

As we watch the world unravel around us, do not be discouraged. Jesus Christ exhorts his true followers.

What I have told you is not a fantasy. It is going to happen within the lifetime of many sitting here. Scripture states that once Israel becomes a nation, that generation will not pass away without seeing the coming of the Lord. Israel became a nation in December 1948.

Christians will be forced to gather in-groups of 2 or 4. Many will be killed like the days of old by Saul who later became Paul. Stand fast – hold onto your faith. For those who stand fast now will receive great blessings and eternal life.

Like Deacon says. You better be prayed up and fed up with the Holy Spirit.

In closing, the advent of Christ and the Anti-Christ will be as follows:

1. Satan will appear as a man in the person of the Anti-Christ because he seeks to reign as king over mankind and desires to focus the worship of God upon himself.

2. The Anti-Christ will come from the Middle East and he will be a Jew. He will set himself a throne in Jerusalem in the rebuilt Temple of Solomon. He will be the “ abomination of desolation” spoken of by Jesus and David.

3. The Anti-Christ is the “little horn” of the forth beast mentioned in Daniel 7. He will slay three of the 10 kings (3 horns) and reign as the eighth with the remaining seven.

4. He will achieve his objectives in the middle of the final seven-year period of this age. He will be accepted as king of the Jews and reign from his seat as God.

5. He will deceive most of the world that he is God. He will persecute those that refuse to worship him. Although thousands of thousands will be slaughtered, the world will close its eyes.

6. Jesus Christ will return to earth at the end of the 3 ½ year reign of the Anti-Christ, destroying Satan’s kingdom.

Satan will use any means he can to bring us down as well as the world. He is bringing down the United States of America. There are basically 5 areas in which Satan is attacking America.

1. Destroy the moral Fabric of America: doing a masterful job of confusing the Pastors, intellectual leaders, and educators.

2. Undermine the Family: Most realize that strong families are the basis of every decent society that has ever existed.

3. Destroy the Economy: destroy honesty and hard work.

4. Denigrate Patriotism and a National Sense of Purpose: Done away with things like Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner.

5. Control the Media to Promote All of the Above: The media is being used to undermine the concepts of patriotism, true Christianity, the family, and almost every aspect of a decent life.

Where do you stand? Are you a sinner and you feel something tugging at your heart? That’s God my friend! Are you a lukewarm Christian? If so, God will spew you out. Spew meaning vomit. Are you not totally sure of your salvation? Are you standing where you want to be with God? If you fall into one of these areas, please don’t wait. Come to the altar. Come to the altar now.

John – Chapter 13

The opening verse of chapter 13 sets the scene for the whole of chapters 13–17. Love is one of the key terms in chapters 13–17, occurring thirty-one times in these five chapters as compared to only six times in chapters 1–12. Jesus now shows his disciples the full extent of his love. Love is the laying down of one’s life, and therefore to love completely means to love to the end of one’s life. The love that has been evident throughout continues right up to the end. At the end, in the crucifixion, we will see the ultimate revelation of that love, that is, its full extent.

This is now the third Passover mentioned. The shadow of the cross has been evident from the very outset through the references to Jesus’ hour. Jesus now knows that his hour has arrived. John emphasizes the context of the Passover, for the lamb is about to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. That is part of the story, but it is also the occasion for Jesus to pass over from this world to the Father. This theme of departure and return to the Father will be developed at length in the teachings that follow.

While this first verse introduces the whole section through chapter 17, it also introduces the account of the foot washing in particular. For the love that is evident in the laying down of life at the crucifixion is also demonstrated in the laying down of life in humble service in the foot washing. In the foot washing we have “an acted parable of the Lord’s humiliation unto death”.
The next three verses (13:2-4) introduce the foot washing itself. Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. The verb used for took off is not the usual word for this idea. Perhaps John intends an allusion to Jesus’ imminent lying down of life, since this verb is used for that idea elsewhere. Similarly, the word used for taking up his garments was used to describe his taking up his life again. So perhaps through the language he uses, John is connecting these two events of great humility.
John notes that the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. This is the first of several references in this section to the betrayal, which will be the focus of the next section. It is extremely important to realize that Jesus is going to wash the feet of one who is considering betraying him. Judas has not yet given in to the temptation, but the devil has prompted him, or more literally, “put it into his heart.” This is the first step in a sequence that temptation follows, according to the teachers of the ancient church. This is known as “provocation,” the initial idea. It is wise to reject the thought at this point because the temptation is at its weakest and one is not yet guilty of sin. If this salesman is at the door, it is best to ignore the knocking.

Jesus’ own awareness and knowledge is also an important part of the context of the foot washing. He knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God. This knowledge does not simply give Jesus the security to wash the disciple’s feet–his sharing in the divine essence is what leads him to wash their feet. Jesus said that he only does what he sees the Father doing (5:19), and this foot washing is not said to be an exception to that rule. John’s introduction to the event ensures that we understand God’s glory is revealed in Jesus in this sign. This is what God himself is like–he washes feet, even the feet of the one who will betray him! Thus, the foot washing is a true sign in the Johannine sense, for it is a revelation of God.

Having taken off his outer garment, Jesus was left with his tunic, a shorter garment like a long undershirt. Slaves would be so dressed to serve a meal. Jesus tied a linen cloth around his waist with which to dry their feet, obviously not what one would expect a master to do. A Jewish text says this is something a Gentile slave could be required to do, but not a Jewish slave. On the other hand, foot washing is something wives did for their husbands, children for their parents, and disciples for their teachers. A level of intimacy is involved in these cases, unlike when Gentile slaves would do the washing. In Jesus’ case, there is an obvious reversal of roles with his disciples. The one into whose hands the Father had given all now takes his disciples’ feet into his hands to wash them.

Slaves were looked down upon in the ancient world, and Peter cannot stand the thought of his teacher doing the work of a slave. It would have been appropriate for one of the disciples to wash Jesus’ feet, but the reverse is intolerable. In the Greek both pronouns, you and my, are emphatic. This response expresses Peter’s love, but his is a defective love. It lacks humility, which is one of the essential attributes of discipleship according to this Gospel. Indeed, humility is the very thing illustrated in Jesus’ present action. In Peter’s response we see the pride and self-will that is at the heart of all sin and that is the very thing for which the cross will atone and bring healing. Peter is working from a worldly point of view, and not for the first time.
Jesus realizes this act is scandalous and mystifying, given their current ignorance: You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. On one level, Jesus’ act is an example of humility, and they are expected to grasp this point. But as with most of what Jesus has said and done, they will fully understand this event only after the cross and resurrection and the coming of the Spirit, who will lead them into all truth.
In response to Peter’s rejection Jesus says cryptically, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. The word for part can be used of one’s share in an inheritance, though other words are more commonly used for this idea. If Peter is to have a share with Jesus in his community and the eternal life that comes through faith in him, then Jesus must wash him. Since this is Peter’s greatest desire he responds, Then, Lord, . . . not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! Again we see his love, but again there is still a strong element of self. He is not simply receiving with humility what the Lord is saying and doing. Peter at this point is an example of religious enthusiasm that is really a manifestation of the unregenerate self rather than of genuine discipleship. He has not discovered the depths of his own brokenness and selfishness and thus does not have a solid foundation in reality to build on. His denial of Jesus, soon to be predicted by Jesus, will tear down his pride and clear the way for the genuine humility that is necessary for any real spiritual life.

So Jesus must further correct Peter and thereby give more insight into his scandalous act: A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. People would bathe before going to a special meal, but their feet would get dirty on the way since they wore sandals. Here, as in verse 8, Jesus is addressing Peter as an individual, but by implication he is also addressing each of the disciples. Jesus must wash him, or else he is not clean and has no share with him. What does this washing refer to? Some think it is a reference to his death, which will make possible a sharing in eternal life with Christ. The foot washing would then be a symbol of the cross. Others think that the bathing is the cleansing from sin on the cross and that the foot washing would refer to the forgiveness of one’s daily sins. Many, both in the ancient church and today, note that the word wash is from a word family commonly associated with baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:22) and thus take this washing as baptism.

But how can these disciples be said to be clean when the sacrifice for sin has not yet been offered and the Spirit has not yet been given? Perhaps Jesus is speaking as if the crucifixion and resurrection have already been accomplished. Or perhaps Jesus is referring to being made clean by his word. Such cleansing would refer to their receiving the light of revelation that Jesus has offered, accepting him and his teaching as having come from God and thereby becoming one with him to the extent that this is possible before the cross, resurrection, ascension and coming of the Spirit. They are “with him” as members of his community, though Peter’s attitude in this very passage shows they are not yet fully of Jesus’ spirit. The foot washing would then symbolize further teaching. Indeed, the foot washing would itself convey something of the further teaching of which it was the symbol: they have received him as the one come from God, and now he reveals more clearly the love that characterizes the Father.

Although Jesus is speaking to Peter he is also speaking to the disciples as a group. They have formed a community with him as their head. It is as if, as Paul spells out, they are his body and his own body needs to have its feet washed. He has cleansed his body of disciples through his teaching and deeds that have attracted some and scandalized other. But his body is not yet entirely clean: For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. Judas was unclean himself in the sense that he has not received Jesus with true faith, and he is himself an unclean presence among the body of believers that has yet to be cleansed. Judas’s cleansing from the body of believers is about to take place.

Jesus’ reference to his betrayal is an act of judgment toward Judas, who must know he is the one, referred to since the thoughts are already in his mind. As such it is also an act of grace. It reveals clearly the nature of the deed he is contemplating, thereby perhaps giving him a chance to think again.
After Jesus finishes washing their feet, he puts his outer garment back on and returns to his place, asking, Do you understand what I have done for you? They will not completely understand until they have seen the cross, but they can at least grasp his act as an example of humility. The cleansing word that they have received includes the recognition of Jesus as Teacher and Lord. Jesus affirms that this is indeed his identity. The humility he is exemplifying is not a false humility. True humility is always grounded in the truth. But although they have grasped something of Jesus’ identity, they now need the further cleansing that comes through a revelation of the nature of Jesus, whose authority they recognize. Jesus’ understanding of the characteristics of a teacher and a lord is quite different from those of the disciples and their culture.

While they are reeling from this embarrassing event, Jesus spells out the implications for their own lives of what he has done: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. What does Jesus have in mind? Some have established a foot washing ceremony, either as a separate service or as part of the Maundy Thursday service. Jesus, however, does not say to do “what” he did but “as” he did. The cleansing and the further foot washing are symbolic of the revelation that Jesus gave of the Father, and thus the disciples are called upon to embody this same revelation. The disciples are to pass on the same teaching that he, their teacher and Lord, has done by conveying as he has, both in word and deed, the selfless love of God. The community Jesus has brought into being is to manifest the love of God that he has revealed through serving one another with no vestige of pride or position. There will be recognized positions of leadership within the new community, but the exercise of leadership is to follow this model of being a servant.

If Jesus takes the role of servant, then the slave of such a master should expect to do the same. Jesus does not add nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him, bringing in the theme of mission. Jesus is the one sent by the Father, and Jesus will send the disciples. Jesus has been submissive to the Father, and the disciples are to be under the authority of Jesus. The pattern of life exemplified in the foot washing is true blessedness, contrary to what the world, which is centered in pride and selfishness thinks. Accordingly, he says, Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. The Gospel is a life to be lived and not just an ideal to be contemplated.

Jesus then makes another allusion to his betrayer: I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. Some think Jesus is referring to the election to eternal life, but he is referring to his historical choice of the Twelve. John shows us that the betrayal need not raise doubts about Jesus’ identity for he knows the character of each one. The betrayal is not going to catch him by surprise. Indeed, it has been spoken of in Scripture: But this is to fulfill the scripture: “He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me”. As with most fulfillment texts, this is not an explicit prophecy that has now been fulfilled; rather we have a pattern from the Old Testament now repeated. The figure of David as the sufferer in Psalm 41 is seen as a pattern, or type, of Jesus. The psalm describes betrayal by a close friend. Lifting up the foot to expose the sole is an especially offensive gesture even today in the Middle East. Not only does the betrayal by Judas not cast doubts on Jesus’ identity, it actually affirms that he is a fulfillment of the Davidic type.

The betrayal itself does not begin until verse 27, so Jesus gives the psalm as a prophecy. Jesus’ foreknowledge of the event is emphasized and is even evidence of his divinity, that he is the I AM. The common Old Testament idea that God and his true prophets are known by their ability to foretell events is seen to be true of Jesus. He continues to give the word that cleanses his disciples by revealing himself to be the revealer of God. Thus the betrayal story itself bears witness to Jesus in three ways, namely, through his preternatural knowledge of his disciples, through the witness of Scripture and through his own prediction.

After his use of the divine name in reference to himself, his return to the theme of mission is striking: I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me. To accept the messenger is to accept the sender, following the principle that “a man’s agent is like to himself”. Jesus gives his own mission and that of his followers “an absolute theological significance; in both the world is confronted by God himself”. Seen in the context of the foot washing, this statement of the dignity of the Christian witnesses is not an expression of power and authority in any worldly sense. The one who represents Christ by bearing the same self-sacrificing love of God will meet with the same response Jesus met but will also be the agent of the same eternal life that comes through knowledge of the Father in the Son by the Spirit. Each disciple should walk through his or her day with a consciousness of being on such a mission, which is only made possible through the closest intimacy with Jesus.

In the story of the foot washing, then, we have the most profound revelation of the heart of God apart from the crucifixion itself. We also learn more of the relation between Jesus and his disciples, the relation of the disciples with one another in humble service and the mission of the disciples to the world. These themes are similar to those of the Eucharist developed earlier. The community that Jesus has been forming here takes more definite shape, revealing more clearly “the law of its being”, which is a humble and self-sacrificing love.

Being loved is the greatest motivation in the world!  Our ability to love is shaped by our experience of love.  We usually love others as we have been loved.  One who has been shown love since birth, finds it much easier to truly love others.  Although Jesus showed his disciples much love and understanding, he was about to be deceived.  Jesus stated what one of his disciples was about to do.  When asked who it was, He stated the “next one to take bread with him”.  It was Judus.  Jesus told Judus to do quickly what he had to do.  Jesus also predicted Peter’s denial of Him.  Unlike the other disciples, John’s story is told throughout the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation.

John – Chapter 12

The twelfth chapter of John falls into four divisions: (1) the supper for Jesus and Lazarus (John 12:1-11); (2) the triumphal entry (John 12:12-20); (3) coming of the Greeks, and the voice from heaven (John 12:21-36); and (4) Jesus sums up his claims (John 12:37-50).

Let’s continue our journey through the Gospel of John, and we are in chapter 12. We see that this is the last chapter in what is referred to as the ‘Book of Signs’. The ‘Book of Signs’, chapters one through twelve, focuses in a very clear structure around seven miracles and responses as well as narrative discourses. Usually the responses are afterwards, although in chapter 11 we noticed that John reversed the order and had the discourse before the raising of Lazarus. The important thing to note is that when Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and then He follows that up with the resurrection of Lazarus, that is an important power. When He says, “I am the light of the world,” and gives sight to the man born blind, when he makes these claims He always verifies them and backs them up. These are not just claims that are empty. One of the things about Jesus’ life is that His words and His works were perfectly congruent. There was a complete integrity between the two.

So, His claims and His credentials actually reinforce one another. That is why belief in Christ, when we look at the real evidence, instead of the deconstructionism among many liberal theologians today, which is not warranted by history, by the manuscript evidence or by the early Church. All these are later and modern theories imposed on the text. My argument is actually a simple analysis of the Gospels as primary historical documents demonstrate that belief in Christ is not a leap in the dark, but a step that is into the light. A step it is, though, and it is not going to just be automatic.

A step is required, as we will see in this material. In John chapter 12, in fact, Jesus is going to have a discourse at the very end and it is His last public words. It is an exhortation, and an appeal to the people to respond because after that. Beginning in chapter 13 and through chapter 17, we have Jesus only with His disciples in the Upper Room and then after that the narrative completes the story with the Passion and the Resurrection and the post-resurrection appearances of our Lord. That is the general structure of John’s Gospel. It is highly selective material. Let’s look at chapter 12, remembering that it is important to know that these chapter divisions are generally good, but not always the best. There is integrity between one verse and the next. They were not, originally, divided into either verses or chapters. In fact, they didn’t even have punctuation.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there and Martha was serving. Mary took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.” Let me stop here for just a moment. I have just argued that there have been many correlative witnesses and truths throughout, but Mary is seen as the culmination of Jesus’ message. What is significant here is that this woman demonstrates greater understanding of the mission of Jesus than did His own disciples. His disciples did not really grasp or understand what He was really about. Jesus made it clear to them that only after the resurrection did they “Understand the things He had told them.” Then they understood how it all connected. The idea of what He was really intending to do was so radical that really no one on this earth could have made it up. That is why there is no other religion that has the idea that God suffers for us. That is because it is too radical for a person to make up. In particular, there is no religion that says there is grace through faith and not by any merit or attainment of our own but it is a gift of God. These are unique things because they are products of God and not human imagination. In fact, that uniqueness is, in my view, one of the evidences for the truth of Christianity. There is nothing like it in the world. This is not something people would have made up. That is why His own disciples misunderstood His mission. It was more radical than anyone could have imagined at that point.

The interesting thing with Mary anointing His feet, and we know from the parallel Gospels that she also anointed His head, is that it is an interesting moment for several reasons. One of them is that she fulfilled Jesus’ words, that we ought to wash the feet of one another, even before He uttered those words. There is a clear and evident parallelism here that we are invited to see. Let me make a comment. The other Gospels mention they were at the home of Simon the leper. Chances are that might have been the home he owned but it doesn’t say he was actually there. It is also possible that might have been Martha’s home and that she was the hostess for this event. It is difficult to say, but we do know that Martha is fulfilling her customary role here where she is busy serving and Mary is worshiping. The three times we see Mary with Jesus she is at His feet.

We are continuing in our study of the Gospel of John. Last week we discussed the story of the raising of Lazarus in chapter 11. Many scholars think that originally chapters 11 and 12 of John’s gospel were not originally together because the beginning of ch. 12 is not very smooth. Why would you have to identify Lazarus so soon after telling the story of his resurrection? I think biblical scholars may make too much of this. It is not uncommon in literature to repeatedly identify certain characters. Clearly there was a passage of time between these stories originally. In ch. 11, Jesus withdrew to a small town called Ephraim to avoid the authorities. He returns to Bethany in ch. 12.

The text indicates that the reason Jesus returned to Bethany was that it was almost Passover, and he wanted to be one of the estimate 100,000 pilgrims to Jerusalem for the festival. Ch. 11 ended with the crowds discussing whether Jesus would dare come to Jerusalem for the festival. On his way to Jerusalem Jesus returns to Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived, and a dinner was given for Jesus. Translators make the assumption that the dinner was given by Lazarus since Martha was serving the meal, but the Greek text has no subject. All we know is that a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor, that Lazarus was at the table with him, and Martha was serving. It makes perfect sense in the context of the Gospel that this was a dinner given for Jesus in gratitude for having raised Lazarus from the dead. The tableau of Lazarus at the table with Jesus completes the story of his resurrection. Lazarus has been fully restored and is able to share in a celebratory meal. But, as we shall see, this story also anticipates the Last Supper. This becomes a farewell dinner. The evangelist tells us plainly that by returning to Bethany, Jesus is heading towards his arrest.

Mark and Matthew both tell a story about a dinner held two days before Passover in the home of Simon the Leper, whom Jesus had healed. An unnamed woman pours nard on Jesus head. Someone protests about the waste of valuable ointment when it could have been sold to feed the poor, and Jesus defends the woman, stating that she has anointed him for burial. It appears that John is describing the same incident, but many of the details are different. First, there is no mention of Simon the Leper in John’s account. Certainly, it is possible that the dinner was held at the home of Simon and that Lazarus and his sisters were among the honored guests, but we do not know for sure that is the case. Another difference is that the dinner is six days before Passover in John but is only two days before in Mark and Matthew. It is possible that this was just a minor variation in oral tradition, but it could be that John placed the story six days before in order to draw a parallel to the six days of creation in Genesis. The process of redemption – or re-creation began with the anointing. We have seen many parallels to Genesis in John’s gospel already.

The biggest difference between the anointing in John and in Mark is that the woman in Mark anoints Jesus’ head, but Mary anoints his feet. It is really hard to confuse feet and head. John knew better than we do that it was strange to anoint someone’s feet at a dinner part. Pouring oil on one’s hair was a common practice before a party. It would have been a little odd to have someone do that while you are sitting at a dinner table, but it was not unheard of. The scene in Mark’s gospel makes sense. A wealthy, sinful woman pours expensive perfume on his hair to honor him. Theologically, anointing the head makes sense since anointing was part of the coronation ceremony of the king. To pour perfume on someone’s feet is more than a little odd.

Feet Luke tells a story about a sinful woman at the home of a man named Simon who lived in Galilee, not Judea. She cries on Jesus’ feet and wipes the tears away with her hair, and then she anoints his feet with perfume. This also makes sense, even though it would have been scandalous. We have a picture of humility and tenderness, but only a prostitute would have taken her hair down in public. Add to that what psychologists and anthropologists tell us about the symbolism of the feet, and it is a rather racy story in Luke. It recalls quite strongly the story of Ruth uncovering the feet of Boaz.

The big question is whether Luke and Mark are telling two versions of the same event, with the location changed in Luke, or was these two different events. Did two different women at two different dinners in two different towns pour perfume on Jesus – one on his head, the other on his feet? Or were there two different versions of this story in the oral tradition and each gospel writer craft his own account? To complicate things further, the anointing in John is very similar to a story about Martha and Mary recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Martha was serving dinner while Mary was “sitting at the feet of Jesus.” Mary is criticized, and Jesus defends her. Technically, that is just what happens here in John. Martha is serving dinner. Mary is sitting at Jesus feet because she was anointing them. Jesus defends her for doing so. It is hard to know for sure which of these stories is the closest to the historical event or events, but clearly there were at least two stories: one about Mary at the feet of Jesus and one about a woman anointing Jesus before Passover. Luke handles the stories in one way; John in another.

But, why anoint Jesus’ feet rather than his head? In Luke, it was because the woman was penitent and humble, but the meaning is probably different in John. Mary of Bethany is never described as a prostitute. She is a disciple. The verb used to describe her wiping Jesus’ feet is the same verb used to describe what Jesus does at the last supper to his disciple’s feet. In other words, the disciple Mary is performing for Jesus the same task that he will perform for the Twelve later in the week. If this is historically accurate, we could conclude that Jesus got the idea of washing his disciples’ feet from Mary of Bethany. It was such an act of devotion and love that he was moved to teach all of his disciples to act to each other as Mary had acted toward him.

There is another reason for anointing the feet. As with the story in Mark and Matthew, Jesus says that the woman has anointed him prior to his burial. In John says that “she bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial” (NRSV). It is an odd statement since Jesus was not being buried that day, but it does point to his impending death. The meaning appears to be that Mary had been saving the anointment for his burial, but chose to use it at the celebratory dinner. It may even have been left-over from anointing her brother’s body. John presses the point about Jesus burial by having Mary anoint Jesus’ feet. The only time you would do that would be for burial. This anointing at Bethany foreshadows the events to come and provides an elegant transition from the book of Signs to the story of the passion. Lazarus has left the tomb, but now Mary is anointing Jesus for his burial.

Nard The ointment Mary used was made of nard, not myrrh. The text says myron, but that can be a generic word for perfumed oil. John emphasizes that it was genuine spikenard. The nard plant only grows in northern India, so it was a very expensive import in Palestine. A pound of nard was a lavish gift that should not be wasted, but it appears that Mary used it all on Jesus. The fragrance filled the room, removing all memory of the stench of the tomb mentioned in the previous chapter. This is a lovely tableau of Jesus being treated with love and respect by his friends and disciples. It is a foretaste of paradise, but there is a devil in the room.

There is an old saying that no good need goes unpunished, and it is often true that when one person does something kind another will snipe at them. Central to all four accounts of the anointing of Jesus is that the woman is criticized for her actions. In Luke, a Pharisee says that Jesus should not let a woman like that touch him. In Mark and Matthew, the disciples were angry because expensive oil was wasted instead of being sold for the sake of the poor. In John, it is specifically Judas who is angry at Mary. Matthew, Mark, and John all say that the nard was worth at least 300 denarii, which was close to a year’s salary for a common worker. That would feed a lot a people.

This criticism of the woman was deeply ingrained in the oral tradition, probably because it is a valid complaint. When we read the story 1900 years later, we often feel a similar anger. Why would a disciple be so extravagant? If the woman was going to give away so much wealth selflessly for the sake of Jesus, then why not do it in a way that would benefit the poor and suffering? Many times I have heard people condemn someone else’s generosity by pointing out that the money given to the arts, education, and so forth could have been better used for the poor. Rarely have I heard people criticized for spending money on themselves when such money could have been given to the poor. It’s odd, isn’t it? What is the source of such carping? Why try to hurt someone who is trying to be generous? I suspect that it is just envy talking. If I had enough money to waste nard like that, I would certainly give it to the poor. You can imagine the poor disciples resenting the fact that a wealthy woman could do something for Jesus that they could never do, and so one of them ruins this beautiful scene.

John’ Gospel blames this all on Judas. All of the gospels, even the Gospel of Judas, identify him as the disciple who handed Jesus over to the authorities, but over time he was portrayed increasingly bad. By the time Dante wrote the Inferno, Judas was the ultimate villain in the innermost circle of hell. As Raymond Brown says, “The picture of Judas’ cupidity was naturally painted in darker and darker tones as the story was retold.” (Brown, Gospel of John, 453). Since John’s gospel was rather late, it makes sense that his Judas is a villain from the beginning. But there may more to the presence of Judas in this scene than the tendency to develop characters more extremely over time. Judas adds to the foreshadowing of the passion in the anointing. The readers already knew Judas was the betrayer. Rather than rejoicing over the raising of Lazarus and the anointing of Jesus; Judas was angry.

But, there may be even more behind John’s identification of the disgruntled disciple as Judas. Judas means “man of Judea” or even “the Jew.” The focus on Judas may be part of John’s general anti-Semitism that we have discussed many times, or it may reflect the distinctly Judean orientation of his gospel. It was the Judeans who rejected both Mary’s actions and Jesus. Judas claims that he is concerned about the poor, just as Caiaphas claimed to be defending the nation, but Judas’ heart could no longer rejoice with what is good. If you remember your proverbs, Judas is the fly in the ointment that ruins a good deed.

In all four accounts of the anointing, Jesus defends a woman who has been criticized by one of the men present. This is what made this story so memorable for the early church. We should keep this in mind in church when people start grumbling about women ministers or the women’s fellowship. Jesus might tell us, “Leave her alone.” Why does it escape our attention so often that Jesus consistently, insistently, and persistently defended the powerless and abused? Why does it escape our attention that Jesus is never part of the crowd, but is always standing up for what is good and right and true – even at the cost of his life.

It is only John that identifies Judas as the one who was angry, and John also adds the detail that Judas kept the common purse of the disciples. This is one indication that the disciples lived with a common economy – like socialists or fraternity brothers. Income went into a common purse, from which expenses were paid. Historians’ debate whether Judas really was the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Jesus commune or whether John was just looking for an explanation for what went wrong with Judas. Namely, that the love of money is the root betrayal. The important point John makes is the parenthetical comment that Judas did not care about the poor. He saw the wasted ointment as a wasted opportunity to line his own pockets. Judas is the archetype of the modern politician or preacher who uses moral indignation and self-righteousness to distract the public from his own corruption and venality. Beware of the outraged for they may be trying to steal your wallet!

Unfortunately, in defending Mary, though, Jesus made a statement that has caused a great deal of harm in the church and the world. “You always have the poor with you.” I have heard this verse used dozens of times in both the South and the North as a justification for doing nothing to help the poor. People quote these words of our Lord as a way to avoid doing the works of love that he has commanded us to do. People have misquoted Jesus to justify their own selfishness and greed. Jesus said that there would always be poor people; therefore we should not do anything to alleviate poverty. Instead we should build bigger storehouses for our possessions, we should add to our wealth, we should indulge our every whim and pursue every pleasure. We forget Jesus’ statements about God and Mammon or the rich person and the eye of the needle because we are so comforted by his words to Judas. The poor will always be with you.

What Jesus was doing was reminding Judas and the others of a basic teaching in the Jewish law. There are two categories of good works: works of justice and works of mercy. Works of justice are those things that are required us every day, like being honest. One of the works of justice is to take care of the poor, especially widows and orphans. Jesus was reminding us that we should always take care of the poor, not to ignore them. This is justice. Acts of mercy are things that go beyond what is required of us. Acts of mercy are heroic acts of self-sacrifice and good works. Mary did an act of mercy. She has taken her precious ointment and used it to anoint someone who is not a member of her family. Hers was an extraordinary act worthy of praise, but helping the poor is an ordinary act that we should always do. We should never be content with the knowledge that the poor are always with us.

John ends this story with a report that many Jews had come to the house hoping to see Jesus and Lazarus. This increased the anxiety of the chief priests who were plotting to kill Jesus without arousing the crowds. John is masterful dramatist. The chief priests are plotting and Judas is on the inside angry and resentful. The corrupt priests to betray his friend and teacher will soon recruit the one who claimed he cared for the poor.

All the evangelists record Christ’s riding in triumph to Jerusalem. Many excellent things, both in the word and providence of God, disciples do not understand at their first acquaintance with the things of God. Instead of riding into Jerusalem on a horse, He rode on the back of an ass.

The sin of our souls was the troubled of Christ’s soul, when he undertook to redeem and save us, and to make his soul an offering for our sin. Christ was willing to suffer, yet He prayed to be saved from suffering. Prayer against trouble may well agree with patience under it, and submission to the will of God in it. Our Lord Jesus undertook to satisfy God’s injured honor, and he did it by humbling himself. The voice of the Father from heaven, which had declared him to be his beloved Son, at his baptism, and when he was transfigured, was heard proclaiming that He had both glorified his name, and would glorify it. Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer. Christ, bringing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin, and cast out Satan as a deceiver. The soul that was at a distance from Christ is brought to love him and trust him. Jesus was now going to heaven, and he would draw men’s hearts to him from here after. There is power in the death of Christ to draw souls to him. We have heard from the gospel that which exalts free grace, and we have heard also that which enjoins duty; we must from the heart embrace both, and not separate them.

The people drew false notions from the Scriptures, because they overlooked the prophecies that spoke of Christ’s sufferings and death. Our Lord warned them that the light would not long continue with them, and exhorted them to walk in it, before the darkness overtook them. Those who would walk in the light must believe in it, and follow Christ’s directions. But those who have not faith, cannot behold what is set forth in Jesus, lifted up on the cross, and must be strangers to its influence as made known by the Holy Spirit; they find a thousand objections to excuse their unbelief.

Observe the method of conversion implied here. Sinners are brought to see the reality of Divine things, and to have some knowledge of them. They will be converted, and truly turn from sin to Christ, as their Happiness and Portion. God will heal them, will justify and sanctify them; will pardon their sins, which are as bleeding wounds, and mortify their corruptions, which are as lurking diseases. See the power of the world in smothering convictions, from regard to the applause or censure of men. Love of the praise of men, as a by-end in that which is good. This will make a man a hypocrite when religion is in fashion. And, credit is to be got by it; and love of the praise of men, as a base principle in that which is evil, will make a man an apostate, when religion is in disgrace, and credit is to be lost for it.

Our Lord publicly proclaimed, that every one who believed on him, as his true disciple, did not believe on him only, but on the Father who sent him. Beholding in Jesus the glory of the Father, we learn to obey, love, and trust in him. By daily looking to Him, who came as a Light into the world, we are more and more freed from the darkness of ignorance, error, sin, and misery; we learn that the command of God our Savior is everlasting life. But the same word will seal the condemnation of all that despise it, or neglect it.

John Chapter 11 – Lazarus Raised From The Dead

At the end of the preceding chapter, we are told that Jesus went into the place where John the Baptist was first baptizing. This place was Bethania; but not the Bethania where the sisters of Lazarus resided. The Bethania where Christ was at this time was beyond the Jordan, and was likewise called Bethabara; whereas the Bethania where Lazarus lay sick, was two miles to the south of Jerusalem, and formed a part of the suburbs of that city. It is called the town of Martha and Mary, because they lived there; in the same manner as Bethsaida is called the city of Peter and Andrew.

John 11: 3 states, “So the sisters sent word to Him saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.'” John 11: 5 states, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” Both of these verses point to the fact that Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.

“Jesus wept.”

Most people know this famous phrase because it is the shortest verse in the Bible. First, we must know the context in which this verse occurs. In the beginning of the chapter Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, send word of their brother’s illness to Jesus. Four days after Lazarus’s death Jesus finally arrived. Martha went to talk to Jesus and He said to her “Your brother shall rise again” but, she seems to already know of this resurrection of the last day. (verse 24) Martha goes to get her sister and Jesus sees how distraught they were as they wept. When He seen their grief He “was troubled” (verse 33) He then asked where they had laid Lazarus (verse 34) and went to see. This is when Jesus wept. He weeps in front of Lazarus’s tomb and “the Jews were saying ‘Behold how He loved him!'” (verse 36) However, others became spectacle of His miracle and began questioning. (verse 38) Jesus then declares the people to remove the stone and then prayed to God. He prayed to God in the interest of the people so that “they may believe that Thou didst send Me.” (verse 42) After this, Jesus orders: “Lazarus, come forth.” (verse 43) His friend rose from the grove. Another miracle! Jesus had to call Lazarus by name. If he had not, and simply stated “Come forth”, all the dead would have risen because of Jesus’ power and glory.

One theory is that Jesus wept to reveal that He was indeed a true man with physical bodily functions just like any other human. This would then in return expel the idea of Docetism which is a belief that he was actually a spirit and not physically real.

Weeping for Lazarus could just be a result from the simple fact that Lazarus was indeed dead. After all, Lazarus was the one “whom Jesus loved” so the reason is clear and obvious. (verse 3)

Another theory is the idea that Jesus was actually weeping for those closest to Him, such as his disciples and Mary and Martha were still blinded and did not believe what Jesus told them in verses 25 and 26. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall liven even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die…”

There is also and idea that His grief was for the events to come. Jesus is known to have divine knowledge even that of the after life. With that said, some believe that Jesus wept because He knew that He would resurrect Lazarus, the one whom He loved (verse 3). With that said, Jesus was sad because Lazarus would have to leave paradise (Luke 23:43) and return to the imperfect and evil world.

The raising of Lazarus is the climax of the series of ‘signs’: whatever doubts they might have had before, Jesus’ divine glory was evident (verse 40). It is not surprising that many believed in Jesus. In verse 31, two groups of people with very different intentions are included in ‘The Jews who had come with Mary’. One group, the consoling group, were those who presumably left her house and followed her ‘thinking she was going to the tomb to weep there’ (v. 31). The other group, who had less friendly intentions, had a different reaction. As soon as they saw what Jesus had done they went off and told the Pharisees (verse 46).

The raising of Lazarus in not found in the synoptic gospels; however, there are connections between this scene and the synoptic trial of Jesus. The raising had the same reaction many other miracle stories had. This included both positive and then negative reactions. Furthermore, a meeting of the council of Sanhedrin was called to figure out what to do about Jesus. “With this hearing the wheels are set in motion that will eventually carry Jesus to his death. Jesus gives life and his enemies decide to put him to death,”.

John Chapter 10

(1-5) The parable of the good shepherds; (6-9) Christ the Door; (10-18) Christ the good Shepherd; (19-21) The Jews’ opinion concerning Jesus; (22-30) His discourse at the Feast of Dedication; (31-38) The Jews attempt to stone Jesus; (39-42) He departs from Jerusalem.

Verses 1-5 Here is a parable or similitude, taken from the customs of the East, in the management of sheep. Men, as creatures depending on their Creator, are called the sheep of his pasture. The church of God in the world is as a sheepfold, exposed to deceivers and persecutors. The great Shepherd of the sheep knows all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by his Spirit and word, and goes before them, as the Eastern shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of his steps. Ministers must serve the sheep in their spiritual concerns. The Spirit of Christ will set before them an open door. The sheep of Christ will observe their Shepherd, and be cautious and shy of strangers, who would draw them from faith in him to fancies about him.

(6-9) Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it, because they will not. But we shall find one scripture expounding another, and the blessed Spirit making known the blessed Jesus. Christ is the Door. And what greater security has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is between it and all its enemies? He is a door open for passage and communication. Here are plain directions how to come into the fold; we must come in by Jesus Christ as the Door. By having faith in Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man. Also, we have precious promises to those that observe this direction. Christ has all that care of his church, and every believer, which a good shepherd has of his flock; and he expects the church, and every believer, to wait on him, and to keep in his pasture.

(10-18) Christ is a good Shepherd; many that were not thieves yet were careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt. Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Savior; Lo, I come. And the necessity of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the Sacrifice. He was both the offered and the offering, so that his laying down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain that he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down for his doctrine, but for his sheep.

(19-21) Satan ruins many, by putting them out of conceit with the word and ordinances. Men would not be laughed out of their necessary food, yet suffer themselves thus to be laughed out of what is far more necessary. If our zeal and earnestness in the cause of Christ, especially in the blessed work of bringing his sheep into his fold, bring upon us evil names, let us not heed it, but remember our Master was thus reproached before us.

(22-30) All who have any thing to say to Christ, may find him in the temple. Christ would make us to believe; we make ourselves doubt. The Jews understood his meaning, but could not form his words into a full charge against him. He described the gracious disposition and happy state of his sheep; they heard and believed his word, followed him as his faithful disciples, and none of them should perish; for the Son and the Father was one. Thus he was able to defend his sheep against all their enemies, which proves that he claimed Divine power and perfection equally with the Father.

(31-38) Christ’s works of power and mercy proclaim him to be over all, God blessed for evermore, that all may know and believe He is in the Father, and the Father in Him. Whom the Father sends, he sanctifies. The holy God will reward, and therefore will employ, none but such as he makes holy. The Father was in the Son, so that by Divine power he wrought his miracles; the Son was so in the Father, that he knew the whole of His mind. This we cannot by searching find out to perfection, but we may know and believe these declarations of Christ.

(39-42) No weapon formed against our Lord Jesus shall prosper. He escaped, not because he was afraid to suffer, but because his hour was not come. And He who knew how to deliver himself, knows how to deliver the godly out of their temptations, and to make a way for them to escape. Persecutors may drive Christ and his gospel our of their own city or country, but they cannot drive him or it out of the world. When we know Christ by faith in our hearts, we find all that the Scripture said of him is true.