UNDERSTANDING
THE
TIMES & WHAT TO DO
By
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
“And
the children of Issachar, which were men
who had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel
ought to do; the
heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their
commandment.” (1 Chron.12: 32)
WHERE are the men among us today who understand the times and who know what we ought to do? The ability to understand ‘the times’, is undoubtedly a rare ability.
And to know how to be proactive or reactive in each situation is equally important. There is a natural ability which comes from genetic inheritance, experience or observation!
WHERE are the men among us today who understand the times and who know what we ought to do? The ability to understand ‘the times’, is undoubtedly a rare ability.
And to know how to be proactive or reactive in each situation is equally important. There is a natural ability which comes from genetic inheritance, experience or observation!
There is also the spiritual
gifting which comes
directly from the Holy Spirit! God has given to His body, the Church,
nine supernatural spiritual gifts which include the unique ‘Gift
of the word of knowledge’
and the ‘Gift
of the word of wisdom’.
“For
to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word
of knowledge by the same Spirit.” (1
Cor.12: 8).
The ‘gift of the word of knowledge’ is the supernatural ability to know things that are not naturally known and the ‘gift of the word of wisdom’ is the supernatural ability to know how to act or react to that knowledge!
The ‘gift of the word of knowledge’ is the supernatural ability to know things that are not naturally known and the ‘gift of the word of wisdom’ is the supernatural ability to know how to act or react to that knowledge!
God
has so equipped His Church with these safeguards and tools to not
only protect it, but to thrust it forward in its task of building His
Kingdom!
Whether the ability to “understand the times” and to “know what to do” come to us through natural ability or supernatural gifts is immaterial. The important thing is that we are apprised of the situation, our eyes are wide open and our minds are alert to know, see and do the right things!
Whether the ability to “understand the times” and to “know what to do” come to us through natural ability or supernatural gifts is immaterial. The important thing is that we are apprised of the situation, our eyes are wide open and our minds are alert to know, see and do the right things!
I
pray for each one reading these lines that our dear Lord will grant
unto all the ability to “know
Him who to know is life eternal”
and the desire to walk with Him in truth, sincerity and humility,
trusting only in His merits for time and eternity!
And
that we may understand the times and know what to do in order to keep
our families safe from the filth and gutter slime so prevalent in our
disintegrating society. To keep our children safe from this corrupt,
wicked and perverted world. (2
John 1:1-9)
AWAKE
THOU THAT SLEEPEST!
The
Bible admonishes: “Wherefore
He saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ
shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise;
“Redeeming the time, because
the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but UNDERSTANDING
what the will of God
is. And be not drunk
with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”
(Eph.5: 14-18)
You
may ask: “Where are
the Men?” We have a
real problem because we live in a society where many younger men have
had no role model due to broken homes and absent Dads!
The rage they have developed because of the ache in their hearts for a father often surfaces against their wives and children!
The rage they have developed because of the ache in their hearts for a father often surfaces against their wives and children!
And
it is even worse in common-law arrangements, hopping from one
relationship to another, leaving behind bruised
and hurting
women
and children,
as well as heart
broken men!
Large
numbers of families are hurting because of stubborn
foolish pride, self-centeredness, and demons of lust
let loose through immoral movies, alcohol and drug abuse and
pornography!
I
BLAME THE DEVIL!
I
blame the Devil that has blinded
the eyes of Religious Leaders who have been
asleep at the switch and didn’t see the approaching train filled
with worldly pleasure, compromise and lethargy!
And Parents who have allowed their children to change the rules and call the shots!
And Parents who have allowed their children to change the rules and call the shots!
St.
Paul stated: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that that
are lost. In whom the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believed not,
lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto
them.” (2 Cor.4: 3,4)
I
blame our Politicians
who have listened to the voices of the crowd crying: “Give
us the Murderer Barabbas”
and “Crucify
Jesus the Christ: We won’t have Him to rule over us!”
(Matt.27: 20-26).
Amazingly, politicians are often
allowed to pass laws that are unhealthy, immoral and ungodly and
believe that they can go scot-free, that there are no further
consequences!
A
good example is the ‘same-sex
marriage’ or as it
has been aptly called ‘man-on-man’
marriage, which our former corrupt, sleazy Government pushed through
against the wishes of the majority of Canadians.
Do they think that they had the last word on that? That they can get away with it? Well, they won’t! It will come back to bite them in this life and the next!
Do they think that they had the last word on that? That they can get away with it? Well, they won’t! It will come back to bite them in this life and the next!
One day, every lawmaker, politician and judge that has contributed to
the breakdown of society, destruction of marriages through perverted
laws, knowingly releasing pedophiles and murderers into society to
molest, rape and kill, will stand before the greatest Judge of all to
hear His verdict.
The Bible states: “For
the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”
(Romans 1: 18)
WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN?
It
means to suppress the truth and hide it from the people, to cover it
up or water it down. It means to lie about the truth and promote the
very opposite. It means to substitute another agenda that is carnal,
fleshly and untruthful.
St.
Paul warned: “Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him
not as God…but
became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened.
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie...
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie...
“For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their
women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust, one toward another…
“And even as they did not like
to retain God in their knowledge, God gave then over to a REPROBATE
MIND, to do those things
which are not convenient.” (Romans 1: 21-28)
WARNING: “Marriage
is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and
adulterers God will Judge.”
(Heb.13: 4)
The
Bible warns PERVERTS: “And Jesus called a little
child unto Him and
set him in the midst of them. And said: Verily I say unto you, except
ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven.
“But
whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it
were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and
he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
(Matt. 18: 2, 3, 6)
THE
GREAT DAY OF JUDGMENT!
Every philosopher, theologian
and preacher who
suppresses the truth and perverts the teachings of Jesus Christ will
have to stand before the Eternal Judge on the‘Day
of Judgment’.
Unbelievers will appear at the Great White Throne presided over by our Lord Jesus Christ:
Unbelievers will appear at the Great White Throne presided over by our Lord Jesus Christ:
“And
I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the; and there was found no place for them. And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;
“And
the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book
of life: and the dead
were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.
“And
the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every
man according to their works.
And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20: 11-15)
And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20: 11-15)
BELIEVERS
IN CHRIST!
Believers in Christ will all
appear at the Bema
Seat Judgment. It
is where followers of Jesus Christ will be judged for rewards or lack
thereof depending on their works: Here are the words of Holy
Scripture on this matter:
“Wherefore we labour, that,
whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
(2 Cor.5: 10)
The
Bible commands believers to turn from sins that war against the soul
and flee from the wrath to come, by abiding in Christ the sure rock
of our salvation!
St. Paul admonishes the church: “If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the TRUTH is in Jesus:
St. Paul admonishes the church: “If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the TRUTH is in Jesus:
“That
ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind;
and that ye put on the
new man which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man TRUTH with his neighbour:
for ye are members one
of another. Neither give place to the devil.”
(Eph.4: 21-27)
GIVING
HEED TO GOD’S WORD!
“I
beseech ye therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will
of God.” (Rom.12: 1,2)
“Wherefore, seeing we also are
compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith;
“Who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand at the throne of God.”
(Heb.12: 1,2)
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God”.
He asked: “How
can these things be?”
(John 3: 1-9). Jesus answered: “Art
thou a Master of Israel, and knowest not these things? If I have told
you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell
you of heavenly things?”
“O
ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye discern
the signs of the times?”
(Matt.16:3)
WELL,
WHAT
TIME IS IT?
Jesus’ disciples
asked Him: “Tell us,
what shall be the sign of Thy coming and the end of the world?”
(Matt.24: 3) Jesus
warned: “Take heed
that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am
Christ; and shall deceiver many.” (Matt.24:
4,5)
Then
He warned of coming
conflicts, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, tsunamis,
persecution, betrayals, hatred, false prophets, love of money,
increase in sinfulness and backsliding.
THE LAST SIGN: “This
Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the World as a witness
and then shall the end come.”
(Matt.24: 14). Before
ascending to Heaven he was asked by His disciples: “Wilt
Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus answered: “It is not
for you to know the TIMES
or the SEASONS
which the Father hath put in His own power.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 7, 8)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 7, 8)
St.
Paul warns: “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord
Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your SANCTIFICATION, that
you should abstain from fornication.
“That
every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence (sensual
appetite, desire)
even as the Gentiles (heathen) which know not God. For God hath not
called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness.
(1 Thes.4: 2-7)
In
his novel, A Tale of Two Cities
(1859) set
in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution, Charles
Dickens wrote:
“It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of
wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it
was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the
season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of
despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us.”
While Maximillin Robespierre
and
his gang of rebels almost destroyed France, God used John
Wesley
and his righteous, holy Methodists to save England from a similar
tragedy!
THE
BIBLE clearly states what the spiritual condition of the world will
be like in the ‘Latter-Days’
or the ‘End-Times’
which
point
to the soon return of Jesus Christ. Here are some of those markers:
“Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the LATTER
TIMES
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and
doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their
conscience seared with a hot iron. (1
Tim.4: 1-5)
“This know,
also that in the LAST DAYS perilous times shall come.
For
men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good., traitors, heady, high
minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(2 Tim.1, 2)
WARNING:
BE READY AT ALL TIMES!
Jesus warned:
“But
as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them
all away.
“So,
shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then
shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and
the other left.
"Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” (Matt.24: 37- 42, 44)
"Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” (Matt.24: 37- 42, 44)
LET US CONSIDER JESUS!
"Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the Heavenly calling. consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (confession) Christ Jesus." (Heb. 3:1-2)
There could never be any comparison between Jesus of Nazareth and any mortal man because He was not a man like any other. He was the “Son that was given and the Child that was born” (Isa.9: 6)
He was virgin born, without any sin. He lived without sin and died without sin. When He died on the cross of shame, He atoned for our sins by meeting the demands of Divine Justice though His vicarious death for us all.
"Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the Heavenly calling. consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (confession) Christ Jesus." (Heb. 3:1-2)
There could never be any comparison between Jesus of Nazareth and any mortal man because He was not a man like any other. He was the “Son that was given and the Child that was born” (Isa.9: 6)
He was virgin born, without any sin. He lived without sin and died without sin. When He died on the cross of shame, He atoned for our sins by meeting the demands of Divine Justice though His vicarious death for us all.
Jesus Christ was TRUE GOD from
eternity and TRUE MAN. He was the Creator of the worlds, space and
the entire cosmos, giver of life and redeemer of lost humanity.
It was love that drew Him to earth to deliver us from the power of sin, sickness, fear, pain and the occult! He came here to deliver us from the devil and his evil power! (Col.1:13; Phil.2: 5-11; 1 John 3:8)
It was love that drew Him to earth to deliver us from the power of sin, sickness, fear, pain and the occult! He came here to deliver us from the devil and his evil power! (Col.1:13; Phil.2: 5-11; 1 John 3:8)
The
Bible states unequivocally: “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world
but that the world through Him might be saved.”
(John 3:16, 17)
LET US
LOOK
UNTO JESUS!
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (perfecter), Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12: 2)
Don’t just look at Him but look unto Him for forgiveness, counsel, comfort, healing. Go to Him with your needs and watch Him work in your life! Draw your sustenance from Him. He is Jehovah Jirah, the Lord our provider. He is Jehovah Ra-ah, the Lord our Shepherd. He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our physician who heals us. He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is present. He is Jehovah Tksidkenu, the Lord our righteousness. He is Jehovah Nissi, the Captain of our Salvation who fights our battles for us. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace!
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (perfecter), Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12: 2)
Don’t just look at Him but look unto Him for forgiveness, counsel, comfort, healing. Go to Him with your needs and watch Him work in your life! Draw your sustenance from Him. He is Jehovah Jirah, the Lord our provider. He is Jehovah Ra-ah, the Lord our Shepherd. He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our physician who heals us. He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is present. He is Jehovah Tksidkenu, the Lord our righteousness. He is Jehovah Nissi, the Captain of our Salvation who fights our battles for us. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace!
LET US FOLLOW JESUS!
"Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His Own Blood, suffered without the Gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." (Heb. 13: 13)
Take up your cross and become His Disciple. Serve Him. Live for Him. Look for His Return! (Matt.11: 28)
"Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His Own Blood, suffered without the Gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." (Heb. 13: 13)
Take up your cross and become His Disciple. Serve Him. Live for Him. Look for His Return! (Matt.11: 28)
You
will then become like the Sons
of Issachar who
understood the times and knew what Israel had to do! May God richly
bless you as you draw near unto Him for He has promised to draw near
unto you! (James 4: 8). He will accept you when you call upon His
name in sincerity and faith. (John 6: 7). Amen.
