Petra Flooded – So What?

Almost three decades ago, George Lucas decided to use the monumental Treasury, the centrepiece of Jordan’s ancient Nabataean city of Petra, as the exterior of The Temple of the Sun in his movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In the film’s climactic final scenes, actors Harrison Ford and Sean Connery burst forth from the Siq and walk deep into the labyrinths of the Treasury to find the Holy Grail. [1]

Unexpected. To the surprise of many people, Jordan recently experienced unusually heavy rains on December 26, 2022, resulting in severe flooding that forced around 1,700 people to evacuate the archeological site. Tourist routes at the site were reopened on December 27 and movement across the city restored. The storm brought 3.1 inches of rain to some areas of the Petra region out of 6.78 inches of its average annual rainfall. [2]

Bible Prophecy. This flooding reminded me of something the Bible predicted long ago, which might happen in the very near future. Something is going to cause most of the rest of the Jews from all over the world to return to Israel. (The Bible isn’t clear about what this will be.) They will enter into a seven year peace agreement (Daniel 9:27) with a powerful, charismatic man (“the man of sin” – antichrist) whom they believe might be their Messiah and Deliverer. He will deceive them with all power and signs and lying wonders, by imitating what Jesus did while He was here on earth (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Confused. You see, Jesus, who was here 2,000 years ago, didn’t meet most of the Jews’ expectations. They couldn’t relate to a “Suffering Savior” (Isaiah 52, 53) who would also be a “Conquering King” (Isaiah 9:6, 7). That’s why they had Him crucified by the Romans (John 19:16; See 1 Corinthians 2:8).

BTW – God holds all men are responsible for the death of Christ, not just the Jews (Acts 2:36; 4:10, 26-28). This includes you and me. Our sins (lawless behavior) caused Him to be nailed to the cross as the Just One for the unjust ones (1 Peter 3:18; Philippians 2:8). Are you grateful to Him for doing this? I am. But I’m also thankful that He rose again bodily from the dead so He could save those who put their faith and trust in Him alone, apart from their good works (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Without it, we’d be hopeless and miserable (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

Wars – Peace. While the rest of the world will be suffering extensively from a false peace, wars, famines, and death – (referred to as the four horsemen of the apocalypse – Revelation 6:1-8), when ¼ of the world’s population will die, (just think about a that for a moment), the Jews will be living in peace and prosperity in Israel. This will cause Russia and her allies to come down on Israel during the middle of this Seven Year Tribulation period to try to take a prey for themselves (Ezekiel 38, 39). But they will be destroyed on the mountains in northern Israel.

Temple Rebuilt. Yes, a third Jewish Temple will be built on the Temple mount, and the Jews will offer sacrifices there once again during the first ½ of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27). But when the “man of sin” (antichrist) is killed in this battle with Russia and resuscitated back to life (Revelation 13;1-4), imitating Christ’s resurrection, he will demand that the Jews worship him and his image that will be set up in the Jewish Temple (Matthew 24:15 ff). He will also require everyone to take his mark if they want to engage in buying and selling (The Mark of the Beast, 666 – Revelation 13:17). Do you know who won’t take it? (See Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 7:4-8; 20:4)

Flee. This is when the Jews will realize that he is not their Messiah. They will flee to Petra (Sela) in Jordan to escape his wrath and the wrath of the devil (Isaiah 16:1) who will be cast down to the earth after a war with Michael and his angels (Revelation 12:7-9).

Petra. We were there several years ago. It’s shaped like a bowl with a very narrow entrance into it. Thinking that he has the Jews corralled there, the devil, in his wrath, will send forth a flood to try to drown them.

BTW – The devil has limited control over nature. See Job chapters 1, 2. There are those who believe that some of his human agents (Ephesians 2:2) may also be involved in geoengineering to control the weather so they can control people.) If you’re interested, do your own research on this.

God’s Omnipotence. But, at that future time, God will cause the earth to open up and swallow the flood (Revelation 12:15-17). Somehow, the devil thinks that if he can keep God from fulfilling His unconditional promises to the Jews, then maybe He won’t be able to cast him into the lake of fire to suffer forever (Revelation 20:7-10; Matthew 25:41, 46). This won’t happen. The Jews are indestructible.

BTW – Did you know that Adolph Hitler used Martin Luther’s writings to justify his attempt to annihilate the Jews? [3]

Israel’s Future. God is not finished with the Jewish nation (Romans 11:1 ff). Those churches that teach the “Replacement of Israel” heresy will be responsible, in part, for the worst holocaust yet to occur on earth. [4] If you attend church, do you know what your Pastor believes and teaches about this? If not, why not ask him? Does he interpret Bible prophecy normally or allegorically? Yes, it really matters. You could be supporting the wrong Pastor and church.

Protected. God miraculously will protect the Jewish nation, while they are in Petra from totally being exterminated during the last half of the Seven Year Tribulation (3 ½ years). It’s called “The Time of Jacob’s / Israel’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). God will supply the Jews with food and water just as He did when they were wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience and lack of faith in God and His promises (Exodus 16:35).

Death. Sadly, 2/3 of the rebellious, unbelieving Jews will perish there during this time (Zechariah 13:8). We believe that the “Seven Trumpet Judgments” will be designed primarily for the Jews to “weed out” the unbelieving rebels (Revelation 8, 9). Those who die during this time will be just like the Jews who were 20 years old and older who perished in the wilderness for failing to believe that God could take them into the “Promised Land” where giants lived (Numbers 13:28; 32:11).

BTW – When Christ sets up “His Kingdom of the Heavens” on/over the whole earth for 1,000 years (Daniel 2:44,45), the Jewish believers will inherit all the land that God promised to give to them. It will extend from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18-21). This is when there will finally be true “Peace on Earth” (Revelation 20:1-7; Isaiah 2:4; 11:1 ff; 35:1 ff).

Christ’s Bride, the true Church (not the apostate, harlot church – Revelation 17, 28) will rule with Him for 1,000 years (2 Timothy 2:12; Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 21:9; 22:3). King David will be raised up from the dead, 75 days after the Tribulation is over (Daniel 12:12), to rule under Christ and His Bride, the Church (Jeremiah 30:9). He will rule over other Gentile (non-Jewish) kings on earth (Revelation 19:16).

Unbelief. This is a very serious sin in the eyes of God. The only “unforgivable sin” today is to fail to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for our sins…and rose again bodily for the dead on the third day (John 16:9). This is the Gospel message that is the power of God for the salvation of Jews and non-Jews (Romans 1:16).

Lake Of Fire. Those Jews, living in the Tribulation, who die in unbelief, and who fail to acknowledge that Jesus is indeed their True and Promised Messiah, Who is returning to this earth as He promised (Acts 1:11), will end up forever in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels/demons (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46). We don’t want you or anyone else to go there.

Coming Events. If you’d like to learn more about what God has predicted in His Word, [4] we invite you to get our FREE “Bible Study Book Marker” with a “Dispensations Chart” from our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

If you have questions and/or comments, we can be reached here or through our website. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.” Please SHARE this information with others. You could have a part in redirecting their eternal destiny from hell to heaven.

[1] Indiana Jones Movie – https://www.google.com/search?q=petra+indiana+jones&oq=petra+indiana+jones+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512l3j0i22i30l6.8649j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[2] Floods. https://watchers.news/2022/12/28/ancient-city-of-petra-flooded-after-6-months-worth-of-rain-in-a-day-jordan/

[3] Martin Luther – Hitler https://www.gotquestions.org/Martin-Luther-anti-semitic.html

[4] Replacement Theology – https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

[5] The Order Of Coming Events – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-order-of-coming-events/

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“Let’s Go On To Spiritual Maturity”

Far too many Christians are failing to go on the spiritual maturity after they’ve been saved. [1] They live like infants who need milk rather than solid food (1 Corinthians 3:1 ff; Hebrews 5: 12-14). This may be due, in part, to the failure of some Pastor-teachers (“spiritual pediatricians”) to show believers the difference between the “doctrines to be believed and practiced, as opposed to those that are to be “believed but not practiced” (Titus 1:9). Likewise, deacons, who serve others in the local churches, need to know these distinctions (1 Timothy 3:9). We are under grace principles, not law (Romans 6:14, 15).

The Evangelists’ (“spiritual obstetricians”) primary responsibility is to lead unsaved people to Christ, bring them into a Bible believing local church, and to teach them how to be effective witnesses for the Lord (Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 1:8).

Every Christian is given a “spiritual gift” at the time of his/her salvation (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14). It needs to be developed and used with love for the benefit and edification of other believers and for the glory of God (1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13). When all the members are functioning harmoniously with other believers, the work of God gets done more effectively. [2]

While all the Bible is FOR us Christians, not all of it is addressed TO us. The Church and Israel are distinct entities (1 Corinthians 10:32). God isn’t finished with the Jews (Romans 11:1 ff). The Church has NOT replaced Israel. [3] We understand that the Scriptures have seven distinct “Dispensations – Rules For Living” for different people in different times of human history. Note: They are NOT different ways of salvation. (See our “Dispensations Chart” in our Bible study book marker on our website.)

Here are a few “House Rules” that God desires for Christians to follow: Grow spiritually (2 Peter 3:18), Walk by faith in God’s promises (Romans 1:17), Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), Maintain Christian unity (Ephesians 4:3), Use your spiritual gift with love (1 Corinthians 13), Love other believers as Christ has loved us (John 13:34, 35), Witness to and evangelize the lost (Acts 1:8), Do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Sadly, most Christians fail to carry out these responsibilities that make up the “desirous will of God.” As a result they will have most of their works burned up at the “Bema Seat Judgment” without losing their salvation (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Now, that’s grace (unmerited favor from God).

To learn more about where to find your Christian responsibilities in the Bible, whether you’re doing them or not, and what takes place on Judgment Day, we invite you to get our FREE Bible Study Book Marker and study it carefully for yourself.

We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and grow (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17). We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

[1] Gospel Presentations – How To Get Saved https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/

[2] Spiritual Gifts – https://www.kelseypeach.com/bible-basics

[3] Replacement Theology – https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

Read about Martin Luther’s view of the Jews and how it affected Adolph Hitler.

Replacement Theology

The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse

Perhaps you’ve seen pictures of them on a white horse, a red horse, a black horse, and a pale green horse. But maybe you don’t know what they represent. They are mentioned in the Book of Revelation chapter six and refer to four conditions that may take place in the very near future shortly after the “Man of sin” (Anti-Christ) signs a 7 year agreement with the Jewish people to ensure their peace and safety (Daniel 9:27).  The Jews need and want this now more than ever. 

Anti-Semitism. Once again hatred for the Jews is on the rise and, believe it or not, it will continue to get much worse.  Today three major religions are struggling over the city of Jerusalem which is likened to a heavy stone for all peoples (Zechariah 12:3).

  Armageddon.  Eventually, at the end of the “Great Tribulation,” all the nations of the world will come against the Jews to a place in northern Israel called Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).  But the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (their Messiah) will descend from heaven to deliver the believing Jewish remnant in the nick of time (Revelation 19:11-19; Zechariah 12:8-14; 14:1-15; Matthew 23:39).

  Rapture.  True, the word “rapture” isn’t found in the English translation of the Scriptures, but it accurately conveys the concept of being “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).  This event has no “Biblical” signs that precede it.  It can happen at any moment and it will fulfill Christ’s promise to His disciples and to all true believers of this “Dispensation of Grace” in which we now live (John 14:1-3; Ephesians 3:1-5).  Remember, a thousand years to us is like a day to God (2 Peter 3:8).

  The Order Of Coming Events.  [1] After the Rapture (snatching away) of the true Church, but before the Anti-Christ and the Jews sign the seven year agreement, most Jews must be back in the land of Israel (Daniel 9:27).  Something apparently happens after the Rapture of the true church to make the Jews in other countries want to return to the land of Israel that God promised to give to them in an unconditional covenant (Genesis 15:18).  Ten kings (leaders) from the region of the Revived Roman Empire also must be in power (Revelation 17:12, 13), and the world wide harlot religion must be in it’s place and have power (Revelation 17:3) which they will give to the Anti-Christ (Man of Sin).

  Judgments.  There are three sets of seven judgments (21 judgments): 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, and 7 Bowl judgments (Revelation 6-19).  The “Seven Seal Judgments” will take place during the first half of the seven year tribulation and are designed for the Gentile (non-Jewish) nations (Revelation 6:1-16; 8:1).  These judgments will not harm the Jews in Israel who have a signed agreement (covenant) with the Anti-Christ (Matthew 24:6).

  White Horseman (First seal judgment).  This represents the condition of false peace that will be made between the Anti-Christ and Israel (Daniel 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

  Red Horseman (Second seal judgment).  This represents the war in which the Anti-Christ will depose three of the ten kings (rulers) who want their power back after they become disillusioned with him (Daniel 2:43; 7:8, 23ff).  Perhaps he will use weapons of mass destruction to destroy these three kings and their countries.

  Black Horseman (Third seal judgment).  This represents the terrible famine that will follow in the wake of this war.  It will engulf the non-Jews, but it will not affect the Jews living in the land of Israel.  They will enjoy plenty of food while other people in the rest of the world are starving.  This will be one of the reasons why Russia and her Arab allies will come down on Israel to take a spoil (Ezekiel 38:11 ff). They’re hungry.

  Pale Horseman (Fourth seal judgment).  This represents death when one fourth of the world’s population will die (Revelation 6:8).  Later, during the sixth trumpet judgment, another one third of the world’s population will die (Revelation 9:15). This means that over ½ of the world’s population will die during this “Seven Year Tribulation.” (Consider the Globalists’ New World Order agenda.) [2]

  Martyrs  (Fifth seal judgment).  Apparently these are Gentiles who become believers in the true and living God after the Rapture of the true Church. They will be martyred (killed) by the apostate church.

  War (Sixth seal judgment).  When Russia and her Arab allies come against Israel in the middle of the seven year tribulation to take a spoil, the Anti-Christ will come to Israel’s deliverance and fight against them and destroy them (Ezekiel 38, 39).  [3] But during this battle, the Anti-Christ also will be killed but then be brought back to life and amaze the whole world (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14).  Then he will demand that the Jews worship him as god.  They will refuse to do this (Matthew 24:15-28).  Since the Devil couldn’t get Jesus to worship him (Matthew 4:8-10), he will try to get God’s chosen people to worship his human representative on earth.  But the Jews won’t fall down before him.  Idol worship was something that the Jews had learned not to do while they were captives in Babylon for 70 years (Daniel 3:1-18).

  Silence In Heaven (Seventh seal judgment).  At the middle of the “Seven Year Tribulation” there will be silence in heaven for ½ hour because this will be the first time in human history that one man will have complete domination over the whole world like never before. He will demand that everyone worship him and take his mark (666) if he/she wants to buy, sell, or trade during the last 3 ½ years, known as the “Great Tribulation” and “The Time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) Trouble” (Revelation 13:17; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15 ff).  Those who take his mark are doomed. (No, the “Jab” is not the “Mark of the Beast.” – Revelation 13:11-18) [4]

  Jews Persecuted.  When the “Man of Sin” (Anti-Christ) breaks his agreement with the Jews, he will not allow them to continue to offer any more sacrifices in the rebuilt temple.  The false prophet will have the Anti-Christ’s image put in the rebuilt Jewish temple, and the Jews will flee to Petra, which is also known as Sela (Isaiah 16:1; Revelation 12:13-17).  Then God will miraculously protect the Jewish remnant (believers) for the rest of the seven years of tribulation.  Two thirds of the Jews (the rebels) will be cut off and die during the second half of the Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8). Then the Jews will come to realize that God is once again dealing with them (Romans 11:25).

  Two Witnesses.  These two Jewish men will be in the city of Jerusalem for the last 3 ½ years of the Seven Year Tribulation and will have God’s power to devour their enemies (Revelation 11:3-12).  The 144,000 Jews, from the twelve tribes of Israel, will evangelize the whole world with the “Gospel of the Kingdom” during the last half of the tribulation (Revelation 7:4-8; Matthew 24:14).  It is not the same Gospel which one must believe today to be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).

  The Great Tribulation.  To the dismay of those living on the earth at this time, the last half of the tribulation will be far worse than the first half.  The Trumpet and Bowl Judgments will devastate the whole earth.  God hasn’t abandoned the Jews forever and He hasn’t replaced the Jews with the Church (Romans 11:1). [5] These are two separate and unique groups (1 Corinthians 10:32).  God will fulfill all the unconditional promises that He made with the Jews.  Otherwise Christians can’t be sure that He will fulfill His promises to us (Romans 15:4).

Look Up. You don’t need to be told that we are living in a very troubled world today. Jesus said, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:25-28).

  Questions.  Where will you be when all these things happen?  Are you sure?  Where will you spend eternity?  Have you placed your faith exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for your sins and rose again?  If not, why not trust Him right now before it’s too late? [6]

The Crown Of Righteousness. Christians who love the Lord’s imminent return for us will be more likely to live God honoring, righteous lives and earn this crown (2 Timothy 4:8). So, keep looking up. Perhaps Today!

  Help.  We’re here to assist those who are teachable and willing to change and grow (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17). If you have questions or would like additional help, contact us here or visit our website at www.kelseypeach.com. Please SHARE this with others.

[1] The Order Of Coming Events: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-order-of-coming-events/

[2] The Globalists’ New Word Order – Georgia Guide Stones:  https://grandmageri422.me/2020/07/11/the-georgia-guide-stones-population-control-and-the-coming-antichrist-we-are-so-close-now/

[3] When The Russian Bear Dies – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/when-the-russian-bear-dies/

[4] The Jab – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2021/11/12/the-jab/

[5] Replacement Theology – https://christinprophecy.org/articles/the-evil-of-replacement-theology/

[6] Gospel Presentations: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/

FREE Bible Study Book Marker with a Dispensations Chart: https://www.kelseypeach.com/_files/ugd/08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf

This World Is Not My Home…

I’m just passing through on my way to the place that Jesus said He would prepare for all New Testament believers, who place their faith and trust in Christ alone, Who died for our sins, and then was buried, but Who rose again bodily on the third day (John 14:1-3). We will occupy this heavenly New Jerusalem at the time of the Rapture. Believers who die during this “Dispensation of Grace” [1] will first go to the Paradise section in the third heaven (See 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; 5:1-9).

The Old Testament Jewish believers will inherit the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River during Christ’s 1,000 year reign on/over the earth (Genesis 15:18-21; Revelation 20:1-6). When Jesus creates New Heavens and a New Earth after destroying the present ones, He will give the Jewish believers a new earth in the eternal state (Romans 4:13) in which righteousness will finally settle down and feel at home (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Where will you spend eternity? Are you sure? Why should God let you into His heaven? If you believe that you are going there, is there anything that do or fail to do that would cause you to lose your salvation? If so, what?

If you have questions and/or comments, contact us here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17).

[1] Dispensation of Grace. It began on the “Day of Pentecost” (Acts 2) and will come to an end at the Rapture of the true Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Church is not to be confused with the nation of Israel (See 1 Corinthians 10:32).

“I Shall Return”

During World War II, General Douglas MacArthur had to leave the Philippines because of the Japanese threat.  But he said, “I shall return.”  Even though there was a possibility that something might go wrong, and he wouldn’t be able to return and rescue them, in God’s providence he did return and delivered them.

Promise. Before going to the cross to die for our sins…and rise again bodily from the dead on the third day, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God [the Father], believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; it if were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a [single] place for [all of] you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

Scoffers. Jesus said these words 2,000 years ago. The scoffers mock and say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” But with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. He’s long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:3-9) What about you? Are you a true believer?

When Will Jesus Return?

Jesus said, “All that [God] the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Since no one, except God, knows when this number will be complete, true Christians are supposed to keep glorifying God (i. e. making Him known to others) and sharing the Gospel with lost people until He returns (See 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Blinded. The Apostle Paul tells us that the unsaved Jewish people currently have a judicial blindness over their spiritual eyes, so that they don’t see and believe in Jesus as the Promised Messiah (Romans 11:25). They, as a nation, rejected Him since He didn’t fulfill their political expectations. In order for anyone to be saved today, whether he’s Jewish or not, he/she must believe in/on the Lord [His deity] Jesus [true humanity] Christ Who died for all our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day” (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). When a Jew or a non-Jew gets saved today, they both lose their unique distinctions and become one spiritual body in Christ (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:15). There shouldn’t be “Jewish Christian Churches” and “Gentile Christian Churches.”

God isn’t finished with the Jewish nation (See Romans 9-11). God has not replaced the Jews with the Church (Replacement Theology) [1]. Those who believe this heresy will contribute to the worst holocaust in history. Are you and/or is your church doing this? Are you or is it involved in B.D.S. (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) Israel? If so, read Genesis 12:1-3 very carefully!

Adolph Hitler. Are you aware of the fact that Adolph Hitler was inspired by the anti-Semitic writings of Martin Luther “The Jews And Their Lies”? When Luther couldn’t convert the Jews to Christianity, he turned against them with a vengeance. [2]

Covenants. Before the Jews get all that God has promised to give to them in the “unconditional covenants,” (Example: the Promised Land – Genesis 15:18-21), they must go through “the time of Jacob’s [Israel’s] trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). This will take place during last half of the upcoming “Seven Years Of Tribulation” that was predicted in the Old Testament (Daniel 9:27; See Matthew 24:15 ff; Revelation 12:13-17). This event seems to be right around the corner from where we are in time now (See our “Understanding The Times – Dispensation Chart” on our website).

How Will Jesus Return?

Confusion. Many people are confused today because they fail to realize that the “Rapture Of The Church” and the “Second Coming Of Christ” are two distinct events separated by seven years. One was a mystery during the Old Testament times (1 Corinthians 15:51, 5 2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 16:25, 26). The other event was well known (1 Thessalonians 5:2). [3]

Why Will Jesus Return?

Promises. God will keep all His unconditional covenants (promises) that He made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants (Romans 15:4). If He doesn’t, then none of us as Christians can be assured that He will keep His promises to us either. But God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; John 14:6; 17:17).

Claim. When “all whom the Father has given to the Son, have come to Him” (John 6:37), God the Father will tell the God the Son to come back to claim His Bride, the True Church, and take us to the place that He has been preparing for all true Christians (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:9 ff). Are you sure that you you be included in this group? Or will you be “left behind” to enter the “Seven Years of the Tribulation”? If you do, you will have a 50/50 chance of surviving it (See Revelation 6:8; 9;15)

What Follows These Things?

To learn more about the coming events, see our “Understanding The Times – Dispensations Chart” on our website and read the corresponding article. (See Below.) [4]

Applications

Purpose. God doesn’t give us His Word just for our information, but for our transformation (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Romans 12:1, 2). He won’t leave true believers in the condition in which He found us. He takes sinners of all kinds and washes them, sanctifies them, and justifies them (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). On our Wedding Day (Rapture) all true Christians will be presented to Him as a chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2). The blood that Jesus shed on the cross (1 Peter 1:19), once and for all (Hebrews 10:10), to pay the debt we owed to God the Father (Romans 6:23), made it all possible for us to have Christ’s righteousness put to our account. Without it, we’d be condemned forever with the devil and his angels in the lake of fire (See John 16:8-11; Matthew 25:41, 46).

Help. We’re here to help you and others who are teachable and willing to change (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17). We want you to make sure that you are saved and headed for heaven (1 John 5:13). We also want to help you grow spiritually (2 Peter 3:18), learn how to serve God by using your spiritual gift with love (Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10). Discover the joy of leading someone else to Christ and earning the “Crown of Rejoicing” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.” Send us your questions/comments and SHARE this with others who might benefit from it.

[1] Replacement Theology http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/reformed/replace.pdf

     Can The Jews Be Destroyed? http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/reformed/destroy.htm

[2] Martin Luther, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Jews_and_Their_Lies

[3] Rapture vs. Second Coming http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/dispensa/dispch13.htm

[4] Order of Things To Come https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/the-order-of-coming-events-2/

“The King Is Coming. Who Cares?”

“Wolf! Wolf!” cried the little boy. He tried it once too often and ended up facing a real wolf. But no one came to rescue him. In like manner, there have been many religious leaders who have tried to predict the time of Christ’s return only to miss the mark. Consequently, those who hate Christ and Christians scoff at us (2 Peter 3:3ff).  They don’t think God knows or cares what they do and that He won’t hold them accountable for their behavior (Psalm 10:11).  But He will (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27).

N.W.O. Without a doubt, this world needs a New World Order. Before the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth to set up His kingdom on this earth, God will allow the devil, the Antichrist, and the false prophet to try their hardest to establish peace on earth without the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).  It can’t/won’t happen because man’s heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-23). Thankfully, God will limit their efforts to seven years before bringing man’s rebellious rule to an end (Daniel 2:44, 45; 9:27; See Psalm 2).

Purpose. Jesus came to this earth to offer Himself as the King of the Jews (Luke 1:32, 33). Long before He was born, King David was promised an Heir who would become the unique King of the Jews (2 Samuel 7:12-14). The government will be on His shoulders.  He will bring peace on earth that will not end (Isaiah 9:6, 7). The Prophet Daniel also unveiled Christ’s kingdom to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Daniel 2:44, 45 ). Jesus was/is the rightful Heir to the throne because He came from the right parents, both of whom were from King David’s line (Matthew 1; Luke 3:23-38).

Offer. Immediately after His baptism, Jesus was driven out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights. One of the temptations the devil presented to Jesus was his offer of the kingdoms of the world to Jesus if He would just bow down to the devil and worship Him (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8). This offer was a legitimate one.  Satan is currently the ruler of the kingdoms of this world (Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:13). It was a temptation to Jesus to circumvent the agony of the cross simply by bowing down and worshipping the devil.  But it wasn’t part of the Father’s plan for the salvation of mankind (Psalm 2:8,9; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 10:7). The common people who had just been fed miraculously by Jesus wanted to make Him their “Welfare King.” But He prevented that from happening (John 6:15). They wanted a King on their terms, not on His terms. They weren’t concerned about their spiritual need to repent (i.e., change their minds) and believe on Jesus to save them from their sins (John 1:29).

Rejected. Most of the religious leaders (the scribes and Pharisees) hated and plotted to kill Him because they were envious of Him (Matthew 27:18; John 5:18; 7:1, 19). About one week after the common people had welcomed Him into Jerusalem as the Son of David (Matthew 21:9), they turned on Jesus and cried out for Him to be crucified (Luke 23:21; Acts 4:10). They chose the murderer, Barabbas, over Jesus (Matthew 27:20).

Death/Resurrection. Pilate, the Roman governor, had a lot of pressure put on him by the Jews. Even though he declared three times that he found no fault in Jesus, he succumbed to their threat when they said, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar” (John 19:12). Wanting to save his own neck, he turned Jesus over to them for Him to be crucified as it had been predicted (Psalm 22; John 19:16). Even though the Jews objected to the inscription that was placed over His head, Pilate kept it there. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19). But death couldn’t hold Him down in the grave. He rose again triumphantly from the grave with a glorified body of flesh and bones on the third day (Luke 24:33, 43).  It was different in that it had no blood (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Return. After appearing to over 500 witnesses over a 40 day period of time (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), Jesus ascended publicly, gradually, and literally to heaven in the midst of His disciples. When a cloud received Him out of their sight, two men (angels) said to them, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). He will return at the end of the seven years of the Tribulation as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). The believing, Jewish remnant will have repented (i.e., changed their minds about Him) and will welcome Him as their Messiah and Savior (Acts 3:19). At that time all the nations of the world will come to Armageddon to try to annihilate the Jews but King Jesus will come to rescue them in the nick of time (Zechariah 14:1-9; See Daniel 2:44, 45; Revelation 16:16).

King/Priest. Contrary to what many people are being taught, Jesus is not the Christian’s King and is not reigning now over the earth. Yes, He is sovereign, but His literal kingdom on earth is yet to be established according to God the Father’s timing (Psalm 2). Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is His Body (Ephesians 1:22, 23). He will be the Bridegroom and the true Church will be His Bride when He comes back for her at the Rapture (Ephesians 5:32). Presently Jesus is acting as the believer’s High Priest and is interceding for us (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25). Knowing this can be a source of great comfort to those who are suffering in this life. Every true Christian is a priest who is to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; Romans 12:1, 2; Hebrews 13:15, 16).

Questions. If you were to die today, are you absolutely sure you’d go to heaven the moment you die or do you believe that you have to go to some purging place first?  Your answer to this is critical.  Why should God let you into heaven? If you believe that you are going to heaven, is there anything you could do or fail to do that would cause you to lose your salvation? Are you looking forward to Christ’s return? Do you conduct yourself as though He might come back today? If not, why? Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Believers who love His imminent arrival will receive the “Crown of Righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Help. We’re here to help those who are teachable and willing to change (2 Timothy 2:2). We can be reached at 805-238-3549 or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.  If you’d like to receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”  Share this with someone else who might be helped by this article. 

“Those Fiery Serpents”

Most of us have never been bitten by a snake, let alone by a poisonous snake. Imagine having a huge snake under your bed as did our missionary friends in Africa. According to one source, some 7,000 people are bitten by snakes each year in the U.S. but only about 5 people die from these bites.

Snakes. While wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, after their spectacular deliverance from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, many Jewish people were bitten by fiery snakes because they constantly complained against the Lord and tempted Him to see how long suffering He would be toward them (1 Corinthians 10:9; Numbers 21:5-9). Are you a grumbler too? God is very long suffering but it will come to an end as it did in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9).

Warning. The Apostle Paul used this incident from the Old Testament to warn Christians not to follow the example of the disgruntled Jews lest they too suffer a similar kind of chastening from the Lord. God often disciplines His rebellious children with physical illnesses, mental disturbances, and sometimes even takes their lives prematurely (1 Corinthians 11:30-32; Hebrews 12:5, 6; James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16). He does this so that Christians will not be condemned with the unbelievers of this world (Romans 8:1). If you’re a Christian, are you being disciplined for your sinful behavior?

Forgiveness. God extends His family forgiveness to Christians who confess their sins to Him (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13). Judicial forgiveness takes place at the time of one’s salvation (Ephesians 1:7). Don’t confuse the two.

Cause. In response to Israel’s vow to the Lord that if He would deliver up the wicked Canaanites into their hands, they would utterly destroy them as they were supposed to do when the iniquity of the Amorites was full. (By the way, how full do you think America’s cup of iniquity is?) The Jews were to take possession of the land that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants in an everlasting covenant (Genesis 15:16-21). Did you know that when Christ comes back to rule over the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:16; 20:1-7; Isaiah 9:6, 7), the Jews will get all the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River? Woe to those who try to take it from them (Genesis 12:1-3).

Deliverance. Many of the Jews who were bitten by the fiery snakes were dropping dead. When they confessed their sins to the Lord, God instructed Moses to make a snake of bronze and put it on a pole in the sight of the Jews. (Thus the insignia of the medical community.) All that was required for them to be cured was to look at the snake on the pole. That seemed like such a foolish thing to do but those who refused to do it died.

Illustration. Jesus used this illustration with a religious Pharisee named Nicodemus who had come to Him at night to learn more about Jesus who had been performing sign miracles. He said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14, 15).

Foolish. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Perhaps you’re wondering how the death of one man on a cross could provide deliverance for all mankind from our having to be cast into the lake of fire to suffer with the devil and his angels forever (Matthew 25:41, 46; Romans 6:23).

God-Man. Only One who is both God and man, joined in one person, could accomplish such a thing for us (John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus Christ was/is that Man. He was born of the virgin, Mary (Matthew 1:21-23); He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He voluntarily went to the cross to die for all our sins. He was buried for three days, and then rose again from the dead with a real, glorified body consisting of flesh and bones but no blood (John 10:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, 50; Luke 24:39). He paid our debt to God (Romans 6:23).

Predicted. Hundreds of years earlier the Jewish Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and others had informed the Jewish people that a Deliverer would come. He would provide spiritual salvation for their sins and from the oppression of the wicked Gentiles who would take them as captives because of Israel’s continual rebellion and disobedience to God (Isaiah 53:6; 9:6, 7; 2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:9-12). Do you know how long the Jews will be under the heel of the non-Jews (Romans 11:25; Daniel 2:44, 45)?

Never Again? When and why will the Jews in Israel be chased out of the land they have now (Matthew 24:15ff)? To where will they flee (Isaiah 16:1)? How long will they be there (Jeremiah 30:7)? When and how will the Jewish Messiah come to deliver them (Matthew 21:9; 23:37-39; Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 2:9; Revelation 12:5)? How soon could these events take place? What has to take place first (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)? How prepared are you to face the future?

Gospel. The Good News that is the power of God unto our salvation is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen [by many witnesses]” (1 Corinthians 15:2-8). Are you “believing in vain” by trying to add your good works to pay for your salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Matthew 7:21-23)?

Assurance. Are you absolutely sure that if you died today you’d go instantly to heaven? Why should God let you into His heaven? If you think you are saved, is there anything you could do or fail to do that would cause you to lose your salvation?

Contact. If you have questions/comments about this article, we invite you to call us at 805-238-3549 or visit our website at www.kelseypeach.com. To receive future articles at they come out, click on “Follow.” If this has helped you, we’d like to hear from you and ask you to pass this on to someone else.

“The Voice”

Throughout human history there have been people with great oratorical skills. They have dynamic personalities and dramatic voices. They can stir people up and move them to action. Sometimes it’s for a good cause. On other occasions it is for sinister purposes. We’ve seen a lot of this in our day.

Most of us can talk. Our speech can be destructive or edifying. If you’re a Christian, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6; See 1 Peter 3:15). Always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and the good of others (Galatians 6:10). Remember, we will be held accountable for the words we use (Matthew 12:36) and the motivations behind our actions (1 Corinthians 4:5).

John The Baptist

Sorry. He wasn’t the first Baptist and he didn’t found the First Baptist Church. The Church that is the “Body of Christ” didn’t come into existence until the Day of Pentecost (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2). By the way, don’t confuse Israel with the Church (1 Corinthians 10:32). The Bible doesn’t teach that the Church has replaced Israel. This is called “Replacement Theology.”* It is a very dangerous teaching that will result in a greater holocaust for the Israelite people (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15ff). John the Baptist (not the Apostle John) was the forerunner of Christ and his coming was predicted in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3). When asked as to who he was, he claimed that he was not the Messiah that was promised to the Jews (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 53), nor Elijah the prophet (Isaiah 18:24, 38; Matthew 17:3, 10-12), nor the Prophet who would come and be like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Voice. John the Baptist referred to himself simply as the voice of one crying in the wilderness (John 1:23). He saw himself as an insignificant one who was allowed to announce to the Jewish nation the arrival of their Messiah and King (John 1:27; 3:30). Problem – Too many people want to draw attention to themselves rather than be a humble servant of the Lord. Believers are told not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think (Romans 12:3). The Apostle Paul wrote, “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8; See 1 Corinthians 4:7; Proverbs 8:13).

You And Me

Witness. Just as John the Baptist bore witness to the Person and work of Christ, so God wants all whom He saves to bear a witness to others concerning Christ’s offer of salvation to everyone (Acts 1:8; John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). We don’t believe the Scriptures teach “Limited Atonement” (John 3:16; 6:37; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:2) or “Baptismal Regeneration.”** Water baptism (immersion) identifies us with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:3, 4). If you’re a Christian, have you been immersed? It displays your obedience to God (Matthew 28:19, 20), serves as a testimony to others (Acts 8:38), and enables you to have a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21).

Service. If you’re a Christian, will you let God use your body and your voice for His glory (Romans 12:1, 2)? Are you yourself teachable and willing to change? Are you maturing in the faith and sharing what you know with others who are teachable and willing to change (2 Timothy 2:2)? Are you glorifying Him by the things you do and say (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Or are you grieving and/or quenching Him (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)? Is God well pleased with your conduct (2 Corinthians 5:9)? If not, confess your sins to Him, claim His forgiveness, and move on (1 John 1:9).

Help

We’re here to help those who sincerely want to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and then grow spiritually in the sphere of grace (2 Peter 3:18).  He is the [only] way, the [absolute] truth, and the [One who gives eternal] life (John 14:6) to believers. God’s Word is truthful and totally reliable in everything it says (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17). It can set people free (John 8:32). You can be liberated from your bondage to the devil (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:15; Ephesians 6:10-17), your own sin nature (1 John 1:8; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 7:15-25), and the present world system in which we all live (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 7:31). We can be reached at 805-238-3549. Visit our website at www.kelseypeach.com. Click on “Follow” if you want to receive future articles as they come out. Please help us get the Word out to others in need. If this article has helped you, pass it on to someone else.

*Replacement Theology http://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

**Baptismal Regeneration http://www.gotquestions.org/baptismal-regeneration.html

 

 

 

“The Cup Of Iniquity”

In the Scriptures we’re told that God wants people to believe on Him and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). He is very long suffering and patient (2 Peter 3:9). But there comes a time when God says, “That’s enough.” Then judgment comes on those who rebel against Him and who refuse to believe on Him for their salvation and deliverance from the lake of fire (John 3:18, 36). Are you rebelling against God? Why not learn from the mistakes of others?

The Antediluvians

After Eve and Adam ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, they were expelled from it and cursed (Genesis 3:16-19). Eve was deceived by the devil who used the serpent (Revelation 12:9) to get her to believe that if she ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil she would be like God knowing the difference between good and evil. Perhaps she thought she could live independently of God and make wise decisions on her own. (Read John 15:5). Lucifer wanted to act independently of God too (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12ff). His rebellion resulted in his becoming God’s arch enemy.

For the next 1,600 years Adam and Eve and their descendants lived according to their consciences. Things got so bad in the days of Noah that God had to bring a universal flood on all humanity with the exception of Noah, his three sons and their wives (Genesis 6-8). Some skeptics say that a universal flood couldn’t happen. Well, nothing is too hard for God (Genesis 18:14). He is omnipotent (Revelation 1:8). But the doubters don’t take into account the fact that the topography of the earth at that time was quite different. (See below.)

The Tower Of Babel

Not long after the flood God allowed men to try their hand at governing themselves. He told then to spread out over the face of the earth rather than congregate together (Genesis 8:17; 9:1). But a strong natural leader, by the name of Nimrod (Genesis 10:8, 9), convinced the people to stay together and build a tower that would display their rebellion against God’s rule (Genesis 11:4) . Once again, God had to do something about the wickedness that was going on. So He came down and confused their languages so they couldn’t continue their building project (Genesis 11:7).

As the people split up and intermarried with each other, certain genes became dominant. This, we believe, is when the different ethnic groups came into existence and that still exist to this day. There is only one race, the human race (Acts 17:26). It was during the days of a man by the name of Peleg that the continents split up into what we have today (Genesis 10:25).

Those who teach and believe the theory of evolution* are playing right into the hands of the devil. Evolution is “the lie” (Romans 1:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:11) that teaches that man is progressing upward into godhood when, in reality, he is degenerating in morality, and becoming more and more ungodly and depraved. God’s Word tells us that this is what happens to those who aren’t thankful to God and who dismiss Him from their thinking (Romans 1:18-32). Are you one of those who acts like an atheist? Read Psalm 10:3-11; 14:1. Don’t play the part of a fool.

Sodom and Gomorrah

During the days of the Abraham, (whom the Jews, Christians, and Muslims claim as their father) the people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah became so wicked that God brought down brimstone and fire on them (Genesis 19:24). Someone has suggested that if God doesn’t judge the people of our day, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. Sadly, we see moral degeneration and lawlessness on the increase (2 Timothy 3:1ff).

The Amorites

You’ve probably never heard of them before. But God told Abraham that after spending a long time in Egypt, his descendants (the Jews) were to go into the land of Canaan (Israel) and destroy the wicked Amorites (Canaanites) upon whom Noah had placed a curse many years before (Genesis 9:25). No, they aren’t the African people. These people, who were in the land that God promised to give to the Jews (Genesis 15:18-21), were vile and wicked people. Apparently they were contaminated with all kinds of infectious diseases too. Their cup of iniquity was full and it was time for them to be wiped out as God had said (Genesis 15:16).

The Jews

But the rebellious Jews refused to carry out fully God’s clear instructions (Deuteronomy 13:12ff; Joshua 6:17). Instead, they spared many of their enemies. The Canaanites (in Israel’s land) became thorns in the Jew’s sides (Numbers 33:55; Judges 2:3) and led them into their gross, idolatrous practices that included sacrificing their children to their pagan gods and throwing them into the fire (2 Kings 17:31). By the way, aren’t we doing the same thing when we kill babies in the womb and then incinerate them? Did you know that over 40 million babies have been aborted in our country alone since 1973? So God had to bring judgment on His own people, the Jews. They suffered for almost 350 years at the hands of their enemies in the days of the Judges before the monarchy began.

Later on in Israel’s history, God sent the Babylonians to punish His people for their idolatrous practices and for violating the Sabbatical years for 490 years (2 Chronicles 36:21; Leviticus 26:34-43). It was during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon that the Jews learned not to engage in idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5).

Four World Empires

God used the Empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome to chasten His own people, the Jews (Daniel 2:36-43). When the wickedness of one was full, God brought in another nation to destroy the previous one. One day (perhaps sooner than most people realize) the Lord Jesus Christ will destroy all the kingdoms of men and set up His kingdom on earth (Daniel 2:44-46). Where will you be when this happens?

Make no mistake about it, God will fulfill all the unconditional promises that He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God will use the Antichrist (who comes out of the Revived Roman Empire) to chasten the Jews who are still in rebellion against Him. It’s called the “time of Jacob’s trouble” and the “Great Tribulation” (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:15ff; Revelation 6-19). But at the end of this seven year period God will deliver the believing remnant (Romans 11:26) and give them the land that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18-21).

The Jews will become the dominant nation on earth during Christ’s millennial reign. King David will be resurrected from the dead (Jeremiah 30:9) and will rule under Christ and the Church that becomes Christ’s Bride at the Rapture (Revelation 21:9ff; 22:3; Ephesians 5:32).

Woe to those who mistreat the Jews (Genesis 12:1-3) and who try to take their land from them. We don’t believe in “Replacement Theology.” ** The true Church and Israel are two distinct entities (1 Corinthians 10:32).

Satan’s Last Attempt

During Christ’s 1,000 year reign on earth the devil will be bound in the Abyss that is located in the heart of the earth (Revelation 20:1-3). But after the 1,000 years are over he will be allowed to come up from that pit and make one last attempt to try to overthrow God. He will gather to himself all those who inwardly rebelled against Christ during the millennium. At that time, the Lord Jesus Christ will cast the devil and all those who followed him into the lake of fire to suffer forever (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:7-10).

You

You have an important decision to make if you haven’t already made it. You must decide to believe or not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who died for your sins…and who rose again bodily on the third day. There are serious consequences. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name [person and work] of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18, 36).

Help

If you need some spiritual help from God’s Word, contact us at 805-238-3549 or visit our website for more information: www.kelseypeach.com. Please let us know if this information has helped you. If it has, you may want to share it with others? Click on “Follow” if you want to receive future articles as they come out.

*Evolution: www.evolutionvsgod.com

**Replacement Theology: http://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

***Clear Gospel http://www.cleargospel.org/wp-content/uploads/English-Display-Pkg-2014.pdf

 

“The Welfare King”

“When God is about to do something good, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something great, He starts with an impossibility.”

King Jesus. It’s not surprising. Who wouldn’t want as their King someone who could take five small loves and a couple of fish and feed 5,000 men plus women and children (John 6), heal the sick (Matthew 8:16), and raise the dead (John 11:43, 44)? It was a logical choice on the part of the people who followed Jesus. They would have loved to have had such a welfare state. There were concerned about their physical well being but not about their spiritual condition (John 6:26-29). Isn’t that they way many people are today? Are you one of them? The Jews wanted to get out from under the heel of Rome with its oppressive taxes.

Rejected. But to their surprise, Jesus turned them down (John 6:15). You might ask “Why?” Hadn’t He come to be the King of the Jews? Yes, He did. His credentials as the rightful King of the Jews are given to us in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 1. So why did He turn them down? Simply because had He been voted in by will of the people, they would have been in charge. But His becoming the King of the Jews will be carried out by God the Father when He chooses to make His Son the King of kings and Lord of lords (Psalm 2:7-9; Revelation 19:16). We won’t crown Him King as some of our songs suggest. God the Father will do that but true believers will be there to observe it and rejoice to see it happen (Revelation 11:15). That will be an exciting day and may not be that far off from now. Do you know the order of things to come? Ask about our FREE charts.

Timing. The Jews will come back into God’s favor when the Jewish remnant repents (changes their mind) about the One whom they had crucified by the Romans. God holds all mankind responsible for Christ’s death, not just the Jews (Matthew 4:17; 23:37-39; Zechariah 12:10; Acts 2:36-38; 3:12-16; 4:25-28; Romans 9:27; 11:5). The Jewish remnant will repent at the end of “The times of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) known also as the “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:15ff). Until then, the Jews will be subjected to the oppression of the Gentile nations (Luke 21:24). Anti-Semitism is growing in the world even at this time. Another holocaust is coming. But woe to those who mistreat the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). They will be crushed by Christ at the end of the campaign of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Consider the gruesome death that will come upon those who try to annihilate the Jews (Zechariah 14:12—15). Do you know when Russia and her allies will be destroyed and the one whom God will use to crush them (Ezekiel 38, 39; Revelation 13:1ff)?

Hope. God is not done with the Jews as a nation. (We don’t believe in “Replacement Theology”*). The believing Jewish remnant has a very bright future awaiting them (Isaiah 2:4; 11:1ff; 35:1ff; Zechariah 12, 14). They will inherit all the land that God promised to give to them. Do you know what it includes (Genesis 15:18-21)? They will become the head nation and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13) during Christ’s millennial reign (Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelation 20:1-7). King David and other Old Testament believers will resurrected 75 days after the end of the Tribulation (Daniel 12:12). He will be the regent on earth (Jeremiah 30:9) under Christ and His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 19:16; 21:9; 22:3).

Delayed. Since most of the Jewish leaders and many of the people rejected His claims to be the Christ/Messiah and the God-man (John 1:1-18; 5:18; 8:58, 59; 10:30, 31), even though He had performed many miracles and signs for them (John 20:30, 31), He decided to postpone the setting up of His kingdom on this earth. A key turning point occurred right after Peter made his famous declaration, “Your are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus went on to tell His disciples that no longer were they to refer to Him as the Christ/Messiah. He was going to go to the cross to die for the sins of the whole world – Jews and Gentiles (Matthew 16:20; John 1:29; 1 John 2:2). Peter opposed Christ’s words and had to be rebuked sharply by the Lord (Matthew 16:21-23). Sadly, there are many Christians today who also oppose God’s plan and support the wrong causes. Do you know why the Apostle Paul rebuked the Apostle Peter on one occasion (Galatians 2:11-14)?

Church. After declaring to Peter that he didn’t come up with this truth on his own, Jesus told His disciples that He would build His church and that He Himself would be the foundation upon which it would be built (Matthew 16:18; See Ephesians 2:20). If the church had Peter as its foundation, it would have crumbled. The Church, which is the “Body of Christ” is made up of all true Christians. It had its beginning on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and it will be complete by the time Jesus returns at the Rapture (John 6:37; 10:16; 14:1-3). Will you be in that number? Don’t confuse Israel with the Church as some do.**

Deluded. The unadulterated Gospel*** concerning Christ is that “[He] died for our sins [yours and mine]…and rose again bodily on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Luke 24:33-43). Having heard this, if you don’t believe on Him as your personal Savior before the Rapture happens (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52), you will not be given another opportunity to be saved after this event when you’re left behind. Instead you will believe “The lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12). Do you know what it is (Romans 1:25)?

Today. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). You have no guarantee that you will be alive tomorrow (James 4:14). “…it is appointed for man to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Nowhere in Scripture do you find the annihilation of the wicked (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46; Revelation 21:8) or reincarnation. Jesus, the just One, came to take your place and mine and die for our sins (1 Peter 3:18). But a dead Savior is of no value to us. Therefore, after being dead for three days, God the Father raised Him from the dead with a real body consisting of flesh and bones, but no blood (1 Corinthians 15:50). He did this to let us know that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross met the righteous demands that God had set for those who have sinned (Romans 3:10-23; 4:25; 6:23; John 16:10).

Gift. Eternal life (God’s quality of life) is available right now to all mankind, not just to a few chosen ones**** (John 3:16; 5:24; 1 John 2:2; 5:11-13). Have you received it by faith yet (Ephesians 2:8, 9)?  If not, why not now?

Help. If you’re confused, or need spiritual help, call us at 805-238-3549 or visit our website for more information www.kelseypeach.com.  If this article has helped you, please share it with someone else who may find it helpful too.  To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”  We’d like to hear from you too.

*Replacement Theology http://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

**Distinctions between Israel and the Church http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/dispen/israelch.htm

***Clear Gospel http://www.cleargospel.org/

****Dangers of “Limited Atonement” http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/danger02.htm

For Holocaust Deniers http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/this-is-for-all-those-holocaust-deniers-dont-you-dare