TOWARD THE END

A Respectful Look at Prophecy C. Doug Blair, 2011

Thanks For the Flag

Thanks for the flag, saints.You ran once with Him.Touched His clothes.

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Placed hands of camaraderieUpon those shoulders.Saw the lame walk,The outcast relieved,The fretful calmed,The dead raised,The deaf ears opened.

To His message of loveAnd of Father'sConstant reaching.Of the prize inAbsorbing the blow;Going two miles;Listening with grace;Facing the grave.Proclaiming at hand-off,'Him, Risen Indeed!'

To other keen runners,In different times,In different struggles,In different climes.But all withThe Spirit and Joy reinforced,To herald the messageAnd finish their course.The flag still clean.

And true to its purpose.No never gone stale,Nor broken, nor bested,Nor picayune, nor pale.Maintaining rich colour,Its drapery white,And crimson its message,'Begone dreadful nightOf death and despairing.Our Lord makes things right!'

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So carry the standardWhen passed on to you.Its olive-wood handleSo straight and so true.And look for new runnersWho reverence God's Son,Who range to the by-waysAs you just have done.Carry it high, saints.For soon He will come.

It’s All So Confusing

The whole Bible prophecy thing. People in the Church appear to have argued over this for years. Particularly in the last hundred years.

At one point we read of worsening conditions on the planet as prophesied by Jesus. Then Paul encourages with a supernatural escape plan for the Church "into the clouds", evermore to be with the Lord. Then John the Revelator talks of a corporate return of the Church Triumphant to planet earth to set up a literal kingdom under Jesus. The Old Testament prophets were repeatedly describing inevitable blissful conditions for a renewed Israel following horrendous Divine Judgment of wickedness aligned against God's people. And finally some sort of new existence without time, night or sorrow is described in the New Jerusalem.

Through it all one cannot help but notice the obvious spiritual contrast between two cities, two spiritual destinations for mankind. It is either Zion or Babylon. It is either Isaiah 54 or Revelation 17. Contented peace and sense of belonging; or unrest and torment.

Godlessness pipes up, 'What sort of a loving God would provide the latter scenario?' A God who is sovereign and who will remove all threat of wickedness from ever again assaulting His family. Take Him or leave Him on these terms! The door is still open. You have been warned repeatedly in

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scripture, and by the undeniably worsening conditions of man-made community all around. Even the environment screams for a rescue which will not be forthcoming from us.

Some say that the Church has the responsibility to bring more and more light and love into the picture, and to realize the Kingdom of God now. Yes that is a noble target, and it does give rise to marching orders of redemptive purpose. But it will take more work on the part of Jesus at some undefined point in history to fully clean up his Bride, the Church. (Ezekiel 16; Ephesians 5: 25-27). The Kingdom of God has come, is coming and will come in greater measure.

So what is the point of addressing the whole "End Times" picture? Is it simply an exercise in futility? Does it dis-engage us from present day service? Is it really part of the fundamental Gospel? Is the Gospel really "foursquare"? (Jesus saves; Jesus heals; Jesus baptizes in the Holy Ghost; Jesus is coming again)

A worthy search, study and focus of prayer and dialogue with trusted, believing friends.

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22: 20b)

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Grounded Eagle

The farmer found it at the headland of his corn acreage next to the woodlot. Apparently it had injured its wing and it looked rather comical hopping around in an effort to stay clear. But in moments when it rested he could not help but admire its streamlined shape, glimmering plumage and penetrating gaze - a golden eagle.

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With a make-shift cage he was able to contain it and bring it to the barnyard where it was staked in a semi-shaded area not far from the ducks and chickens. With all the barn cats around, it was not hard to come up with harassed or partially eaten rodents which proved acceptable to the guest.

The rudimentary dressing and splint appeared to be doing the job and the bird was improving daily. The farmer noticed that the eagle was beating a path to and fro his stake. He would often notice the bird looking skyward as if waiting for something or someone. With the exception of a couple of brief scuffles, the domestic fowl stayed clear of him. They watched and studied how he behaved under his constraints.

After some consultation with his wife, the farmer knew that it was about time to release his stately guest to the wilds. He did have some concern about the transition, so it was agreed that there would be a visit from the Lands and Forests man.

The farmer asked the Ranger about the bird's habits and particularly about the constant pacing and looking up to the skies. This was the Ranger's answer:

"Sir, this is an extraordinary bird of the high skies. He has little business walking afoot with hens. He usually mates for life, and it is likely that on several occasions during the visit his partner passed overhead. At a certain point the free bird would asess whether it was possible to release the other, or whether to kill him. Either way the restrictions upon the beautiful golden visitor would soon be ended."

The farmer pondered these comments as the other drove off with the eagle..."high flyer...meant for the skies...suffering limitations...persevering...by taking up or by death...freed ...restored to his Mate".

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

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This was a story which I heard from Bert Clendenning, a compelling Texas preacher and friend of R.W. Schambach. I thought the imagery was excellent in light of the glorious hope of Christians to be caught up someday with their Lord. But the idea of constantly looking to the skies and having little to do with the other occupants of the farm, now gives me concern.

Of course we have been called to be different, and to many we will seem peculiar. We are citizens of heaven, but we must find ways to be of "some earthly good", to rub shoulders with neighbours, if possible to befriend them, and perhaps to see their hope turn skyward.

Great Tribulation? No?

It appears that eschatology, the study of end-times, has become the great "no,no" in the attentions of the Church. Christians do not want to fight or to appear to be arguing, and consequently they have wandered away lately from this area of great controversy and challenge.

Personally, I also see much more fruitfulness in a sincere study of Luke's Gospel than in, say, the Book of Daniel or Zechariah, or even Revelation. Back in the 80's things were much different. Everyone was fascinated in mysteries and in the sense of power which seemed to come from "knowing" the future. But a couple of decades later things have cooled to the point that churches and teachers avoid the mere reference to concepts of rapture, Great Tribulation, Millenial Kingdom, New Jerusalem.

This evasiveness can be just as damaging to the Church and its sense of urgency in missions and in "fleshing out" Godly living. 'Things are O.K. and probably going to get better. Tomorrow will be soon enough to reach out to that neighbour concerning the hope which we have in Jesus.'

But without getting into the prophetic time-charts and endless arguments about what comes first, what comes second...I must caution that the scripture is full of warnings that a much worsening moral climate is coming; a time of deception and oppression. Great platforms and mystifying New Spirituality

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will draw many into darkness who thought that they were living in the light. The net is drawn slowly and imperceptively around the school of fish. When the cords are drawn and raised the catch will be limp and lifeless.

Listen to what is said in The Message about such a time of tribulation. The words are a warning from the Apostle Paul:

2 Thessalonians 2:

1-3Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don't go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don't let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master's arrival has come and gone. Don't fall for any line like that.

3-5Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God Almighty." Don't you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?

6-8You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don't worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.

9-12The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.

...And, no, this great Enemy of Christ is not Emperor Nero, or Napoleon, or the Kaiser, or Hitler, or Joe Stalin, or Chairman Mao. He is yet to come.

Some preparation of the heart is now necessary. Some steeling of resolve.

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Some quality decision to stand for Christ and his words of truth, and to urge others to do the same.

Love Holds the Sword

A devotional from J. R. Miller was particularly good. Taken from his classic "Come Ye Apart":

Christ in the Storm

“He rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still”

Mark4:39

"He spoke to the storm and to the tossing sea as if they were intelligent creatures, — just as a man would speak to his servants. The truth we learn here is that He is Lord of nature; that the elements recognize His voice, and obey Him even in their wildest moods. If we only fully believed this, it would bring a great deal of peace to our lives. No tempest ever breaks from

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the control of Him who is our Lord and Redeemer. No wave ever rolls any farther than He permits. There is nothing in this world that is not under the sway of the hand that was nailed on the cross.

There is a story of a Christian army officer at sea with his family in a storm. There was great terror among the passengers, but he was calm. His wife, in her consternation, chided him, saying that he ought to be concerned for her and the children, if not for himself, in such danger. He made no reply, but soon came to her with his sword drawn, and with a stern countenance pointed it at her heart. She was not the least alarmed, but looked up into his face with a smile. “What!” said he, ” are you not afraid when a drawn sword is at your breast?” “No,” she replied, “not when I know it is in the hands of one that loves me.” “And would you have me,” he asked, “to be afraid of this tempest when I know it to be in the hand of my heavenly Father, who loves me?” Thus even in the wild tumults of nature we should be at peace, since our Saviour is Lord of nature. Some one tells of being at sea in a terrible cyclone, and of seeing a little bird fly down, when the storm was at its height, and light on the crest of a wave, where it sat as quietly as if it had been perching on some green bough in the quiet forest. So should the believer in Christ repose in quietness and confidence in the wildest terror."

Commotions

commotion - noun1. violent or tumultuous motion; agitation; noisy disturbance: What's all the commotion in the hallway? 2. political or social disturbance or upheaval; sedition; insurrection.

In Luke chapter 21 Jesus warned that among other things there would be wars and commotions troubling the people before His second coming. Matthew chapter 24 is another listing of conditions before the end of the age. To many the description does not elicit a sense of urgency because these conditions of violence, fear and natural disaster seem to have been with mankind forever.

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But there does appear to be an alarming shift these days in frequency, intensity and horror.

The recent news of an atrocious car bombing and of sniping at young people in and around Oslo, Norway is a good case in point. Motives remain unclear for the sudden explosion of a public building and the arrival of a gunman dressed as a police officer at an island summer camp (for youth aligned with the political party holding office). Seventy-six deaths in a stalking hunt over 45 minutes before the special tactics team arrived to apprehend the killer.

The world is shaken by the senselessness, the unlikely location of Norway and the images of downtown rubble and of happy young people on a holiday hiding in terror from the madman with the rifle. Definitely a domestic "commotion".

I’m Gonna Rock Yo’ World!

Japan's earthquake. Haiti's earthquake. North Africa's revolts. American financial debacle. Iceland's volcano. Coalition of world's stock exchanges. Fall of General Motors. Bankruptcy of Ireland, Iceland and Greece. Aids rampant in tropical Africa. Warlords tried for crimes against humanity. Abortion on demand. Honour killings. Massive oil spills. Politicians campaigning on inconsequential platforms. Women enslaved or ritualistically mutilated. Baby girls left in the gutter. Children pressed into commando service.

We appear "lost at sea" with a world of shakings, fear, violence, insincerity, duplicity, greed and godlessness. In casual conversation, neighbours and workmates admit that "things are getting worse, aren't they".

This morning, and quite randomly, I turned to the last chapter of Revelation (22) and read the following:

11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is

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holy, let him be holy still.

12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Somehow it all fits. Are we alarmed enough to ready ourselves and those in our sphere?

Man of Sin

(Interesting comment from James Denney in his Exposition of Epistles to the Thessalonians; Hodder and Stoughton; 1906)

His (the Anti-Christ's) coming, he says—and he uses the word appliedto Christ's advent, as though to teach us that the eventin question is as significant for evil as the other forgood—his coming is according to the working of Satan.When Christ was in the world, His presence with menwas according to the working of God ; the works thatthe Father gave Him to do, the same He did, andnothing else. His life was the life of God enteringinto our ordinary human life, and drawing into its ownmighty and eternal current all who gave themselves upto Him. It was the supreme form of goodness, absolutelytender and faithful ; using all the power of theHighest in pure unselfishness and truth. When sinhas reached its height, we shall see a character inwhom all this is reversed. Its presence with menwill be according to the working of Satan ; not anineffective thing, but very potent ; carrying in its trainvast effects and consequences ; so vast and so influential,in spite of its utter badness, that it is noexaggeration to describe its "coming" by the very same words which are

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applied to Christ Himself. If there is one wordwhich can characterise this whole phenomenon,both in its principle and in its consummation, itis falsehood. The devil is a liar from the beginning,and the father of lies ; and where things go on accordingto the working of Satan, there is sure to bea vast development of falsehood and delusion. Thisis a prospect which very few fear. Most of us areconfident enough of the soundness of our minds, ofthe solidity of our principles, of the justice of ourconsciences. It is very difficult for us to understandthat we can be mistaken, quite as confident aboutfalsehood as about truth, unsuspecting victims of puredelusion. We can see that some men are in thiswretched plight, but that very fact seems to give usimmunity. Yet the falsehoods of the last days, St.Paul tells us, will be marvellously imposing and successful.

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And Finally, Up

A reading of Isaiah chapters 30 through 33 gives impressions which are both beautiful and confusing.

The people of God are under attack. They have not totally cast off their idols. They have foolishly considered aid from the wrong human source (Egyptian horses and chariots). They have received poor counsel at their gates. The ravenous Assyrians with their vile leader "the Assyrian" (foreshadowing the Anti-Christ) have cut a destructive path of colossal proportions. God looks upon the unbelief and chastens His people. But then God arises:

Isaiah 31:

3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

6Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

Throughout these passages speaking prophetically of Zion we see a progression of up, down, up, down..and finally up. The final picture is that of a faithful, resting community which we have not yet seen. It is not just speaking of the Church operating under Christ's ethic. Presently no such peace is enjoyed in the Church, and no amount of "Kingdom Now" enthusiasm will manufacture it. It is speaking of a completed Israel of faith, Gentiles included (Galatians 6:16), at a time when it encounters Jesus, Messiah by sight (Ephesians 5: 27).

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Isaiah 33:

17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

18Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

19Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.

20Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

21But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

23Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

24And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

The Morning Call

(A significant entry from Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman)

Resurrection Hope"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice

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of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

It was "very early in the morning" while "it was yet dark," that Jesus rose from the dead. Not the sun, but only the morning-star shone upon His opening tomb. The shadows had not fled, the citizens of Jerusalem had not awaked. It was still night--the hour of sleep and darkness, when He arose. Nor did his rising break the slumbers of the city. So shall it be "very early in the morning while it is yet dark," and when nought but the morning-star is shining, that Christ's body, the Church, shall arise. Like Him, His saints shall awake when the children of the night and darkness are still sleeping their sleep of death. In their arising they disturb no one. The world hears not the voice that summons them. As Jesus laid them quietly to rest, each in his own still tomb, like children in the arms of their mother; so, as quietly, as gently, shall He awake them when the hour arrives. To them come the quickening words, "Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust" (Isa. 26:19). Into their tomb the earliest ray of glory finds its way. They drink in the first gleams of morning, while as yet the eastern clouds give but the faintest signs of the uprising. Its genial fragrance, its soothing stillness, its bracing freshness, its sweet loneliness, its quiet purity, all so solemn and yet so full of hope, these are theirs.Oh, the contrast between these things and the dark night through which they have passed! Oh, the contrast between these things and the grave from which they have sprung! And as they shake off the encumbering turf, flinging mortality aside, and rising, in glorified bodies, to meet their Lord in the air, they are lighted and guided upward, along the untrodden pathway, by the beams of that Star of the morning, which, like the Star of Bethlehem, conducts them to the presence of the King. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." --Horatius Bonar

"While the hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,With glorified saints and the angels attending,With grace on His brow, like, a halo of glory,Will Jesus receive His own.""Even so, come quickly."A soldier said, "When I die do not sound taps over my grave, but reveille acute; the morning call, the summons to rise."

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Redemption’s Spring

Lion follows preyAnd life is choked away.Jackals skulk aroundFor morsels on the ground.Vultures leave the skies,And then the dust and flies.All is tooth and claw.Has Paradise this flaw?

Storm clouds hover low.Their darkening shadows grow.Thunder roars its ire,Along with flash and fire.Summer skies are rent.The tempest’s rage is spent.Countryside defaced.Has Paradise this waste?

Battle dust has cleared,And men lie slashed and speared.Flags dropped in the mire.Encampments scorched with fire.Fields once green are red.Where youth has burst and bled.Women hope and wait.Has Paradise this hate?

The whole Creation groansAnd Waster’s work bemoans;Travailing much in prayer.Did Heaven really err?Or is the Man to blameFor sickness, death and pain?Has Adam done his worst?Has Paradise his curse?

Hold on, brave earth today.

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For scriptures do portrayYour ravaged globe restored,By our returning Lord;Who comes with saints revealed,Their bodies whole and healed,To give Redemption’s Spring,And Paradise, her King!

PSALM 98: 7, 8, 9Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

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