Crossroads

The Reformer In You From creation, every true child of God is given a task bigger than they could normally handle, so we look down on ourselves because of fear and discouragement. However, God, the same yesterday, today and forever, wants to use us to birth the vision if we would forget our limitations and trust in Him. We need to be courageous to be used of Him.

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. - Matthew 24:23-25 Jesus warns that many (not one) antichrists would rise. These are not the main antichrist but are termed "saviours" , they deliver people from afflictions, though not having the backing of heaven. These are ministers of unrighteousness parading themselves as ministers of righteousness. Jesus warns, 'stay away from them '. Why? The next verse.

Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. The devil has always wanted to exterminate the Children of God. This is something that he has not given up on, he comes in different ways at different eras but the Lord checkmates him. However, knowing his time is short, he comes this time, through various ways at the same time. Yet our God is always able. Hallelujah!

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. John identified himself as a brother in tribulation showing this is not something that just pounced on man but has been all the while. The tribulation which started with Cain has been increasing steadily and now gets to a climax that it had never gotten nor will ever get.

Thinking of divorce? Stop, don't! This is why.

This is the reason 1) the Temple was torn down, and 2) no other Temple would be built in Israel!

Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. Jesus addresses individuals with "ye", which is not spoken to the general body of believers. Why?

God is a warrior A gospel highlife song confirming that all things, all of creation bows to the Lord. He is a warrior whose name is so sweet yet terrible; at the mention of His name, every knee bows and every tongue confess His Lordship.

Malachi 2:16 "For I hate divorce!" says the Lord, the God of Israel. "It is as cruel as putting on a victim's bloodstained coat," says the Lord Almighty. "So guard yourself; always remain loyal to your wife." God hates divorce!

Mystery of Marriage. Marriage is indeed a mystery. A lack of understanding of this is evidenced in the spate of separations and divorces witnessed in marriage. We use man's standard in judging and interpreting marriage forgetting that God, not man, instituted marriage, and consequently should be approached, consulted and relied on for the defining, interpreting and executing of marriage principles. We explore the mind of God for this issue through the pages of Scripture.

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! - Matthew 24:19 The Lord addresses the women in this verse, particularly two sets: pregnant women and nursing mothers. There is an affinity, a close toe between mother and child, in medical science this is called Maternal Fetal Attachment. This emotional tie would be an stress on the women who would have been abandoned by their husbands. What horrible time it would be for them. Thanks to God, a special grace would be released to them, such grace no man can have.

This gospel song compares a past life, one without God with it's attendant heartaches and failures, with the present life in Christ with the joy and fulfilment, we can't but thank the Lord Jesus for His love.

Encounter with love is encounter with God, for God is love. Love hopes and bears all things.

A gospel song of encouragement.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. - Hebrews 12:22-24 Paul wasn't talking to dead people here, but to people who are still alive! "YE ARE COME UNTO...", he said, not "...you shall come"; nor did he say "...when the Lord comes the City..." No! YOU HAVE COME TO THE CITY! The City is here already, it's in existence! It is "not by observation", not one you can touch (verse 18); but by the Spirit! It is not a futuristic city! It's here! This is where the Lord rules from!!! Not from a polluted, unholy place in Palestine!!! Matthew 24:15 challenges our present day theology! https://rumble.com/v51ioh3-matthew-2415.html

Matthew 24:16-18 God allotted time to everything under heaven. And this includes a time to run, to flee, to hurry as far as possible from a perceived danger. It's not a time to bind or loose, but a time to hide! Something horrible is out there that has been set loose upon mankind. Flee! As a Christian? What could be so powerful to make us run? The bible tells what why and how in Matthew 24:16-18

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) - Matthew 24:15 The Church of God has been divided over the abomination that makes desolate and what the 'holy place' is. The opinions and interpretations have been based on events and circumstances of centuries past which in the light of modern or current events, are out of place. As Scripture interprets itself, what does it say concerning the 'abomination' and the 'holy place'? Scripture bears witness of it's Truth. Matthew 24:15 answers these and more.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. There is a progression from verse four which climaxes here in verse fourteen. At this time of human existence people on their own would look for safer climes, better economies, greener pastures, safer havens, under a unified government (the United Nations), that guarantees peace, travels, business among member States; a government that should check the abuse of human rights. With this movement, genuine missionaries would carry the gospel to far away lands. But the infiltrators would come in!

St. Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Jesus tells us that there is something the Church at this time, would endure. Certainly, "endure" talks of something hurtful and painful, not something to enjoy. "Once saved" is not enough, you have to keep working on your salvation to the end; make up your mind, grit your teeth, set your face on the Lord and go through what you have to go through! We are "appointed" for this! What is "this" that we should endure? Explore this verse with us.

Matthew 24:12 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. - Matthew 24:12 Not following the trend of verses 10 and 11, we find a different group, not only of Men but of women too who ...endure? Certainly there is a quality in these ones that made them over comers! What could this quality be and how did they get it?

Long-suffering is a segment of the fruit of the Spirit, and a vital quality of God that we need to learn and imbibe. A true friend would not leave when his or her friend is going through a storm. They stick with the friend, encouraging and believing there would be a turn around. However, some have been known to abandon their friend at their hour of need, missing out on the benefits of long-suffering and proving a lack of this fruit of the Spirit. Are you a true friend? Let's go to the Gym Of The Spirit.

Matthew 24:10-11 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. - Matthew 24:10-11 At this time, many believers would be offended. Not that they would be angered but would not be able to stand persecution. Why would they fall, falter and buckle under persecution? Why don't they have deep roots, as this is the major reason they fall, according to Matthew 13? Let's dig into Matthew 24 10 & 11.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Matthew 24:9 Without mincing words, Jesus tells that the Church, the believers will be delivered up to be afflicted. Delivered to whom? For what offense? And why would the Lord allow it? Even the tone of His voice is as if He planned it, or didn't He? This is the story embedded in Matthew 24 verse 9.

This is of the Gym Of The Spirit series. “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” – Matthew 8:23-27 This exercise in the gym of the Spirit looks to experiencing the peace of God no matter the storm. Some of you maybe experiencing earthquakes in your lives: a job moving normally, a business making waves, a Ministry touching lives, a marriage full of fun and promise, a normal healthy life. Then all of a sudden, unexpectedly and without warning, a violent change comes; a severe attack, an EARTHQUAKE that comes with such great force that leaves you despairing for life and possibly asking for death!

Matthew 24:8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows." I have often heard people say that as Christians, we shouldn't use negative words, or fear inspiring words. I have even heard a prominent Man of God, say "tribulation will tribulate those who preach it!" Verse 8 of Matthew 24, sounds negative but what God has ordained, will come to pass. It is not something to be negotiated, no. Jesus was not negative when He told us what to expect. Events of the last few verses would mark the beginning of something painful, emotionally and bodily: "horrors to come", as a translation puts it. This is Matthew 24:8