THE LATTER DAYS
AT this present time of the earth’s history, we are beginning to see world decadence and corruption as written in the warnings to mankind by God and recorded in the holy Bible, and known as the time of the latter days, and also the Day of the Lord. This will be about just before the Second Advent of Our Saviour Lord Jesus The Christ.
The readers attention is drawn to the daily published news of robbery, crime, sin, stealing, cruelty, violence, poverty.
The world itself suffers earthquakes, violent storms and floods, Tsunami with mass starvation and famine for its poorer occupants.
Happily, The Lord Jesus will welcome the redeemed and perhaps needy sufferers at His Advent aided and accompanied by Legions of Angels who will spread out, occupying the heavens above us surrounding the earth.
The Bible gives a lot of information about these Angels, who will appear with The Lord Jesus, in large numbers of brilliantly shining beings in the sky above us.
The word Angel means ‘messenger’ and occurs some 150 times in the Bible. They are spiritual beings, and have numerous attributes.
1.They excel in strength (Psalm 103:20) and they have great power (2 Kings 19:35)
2. They are numerous (Revelation 5:11).
3. They have power to be visible in the semblance of a human being.[St John 20:12]
4. They are ministering spirits, ministering to them that shall be heirs of salvation and ministering to all people in safety and well being (Psalm 34:4) their ministering to us runs from our birth through our mortal life, to our mortal death (Hebrews 1:14.)
5. The angels observe us (1 Corinthians 5:6 )
6. They receive dying redeemed mortals at mortal death ( Hebrews 1:14)
7.Man is made a little lower than the Angels (Hebrews 2:7)
8. The Angels will accompany Jesus The Christ at His Advent.
9. The Angels will prepare for the judgement of the nations.
10. Power is given to the Angels to appear in the semblance to man.
11. The word Angel is always used in the male gender.
12. The statement ‘Angel of the Lord’ means the Deity in Angelic form.
13. The term Angel can sometimes refer to the spirit of a man. (Acts 12:15)
14. The ARCHANGEL MICHAEL has a special relationship with the Israelites.
In Daniel 12:1 & 2 we. read :-
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; (Israelites) and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.
This goes back to the time of the creation, where we hear about a being called Satan. Where did he come from originally?
Of course, we read elsewhere about Lucifer who rebelled against GOD. and was found to be one of the cherubim,and became known as Satan, the devil or the dragon.
We read in Revelation 12:7-9:-
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was there place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our bretheren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
as recorded by Isaiah 14 in verses 12-17, here (abreviated)
How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer – – – – which did weaken the nations — thou hast said I will ascend into heaven – – – – – – I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shall be brought down to hell to the sides of the pit (bottomless) – – – – they that see thee shall say, is this the man that made the earth tremble?”
Thus was sin and decadence of the world established and continues at this time of the latter days.
Isaiah 28 tells about a common continuous sin:-
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, of them that are overcome with wine the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet — they have erred through wine and strong drink”,
The British are modern day Ephraim!
God has constantly acted to eliminate sin and evil,He also shows His everlasting compassion when He warns us of troubles and most importantly the essential vital need for true repentance and belief, and trust in GOD’S SALVATION through Jesus the Christ.
Another angel referrred to in the Bible is Gabriel who was used on the most distinguished services. See Daniel 8:16 & 9:21
Zechariah 5:3 tells us,
“This is the curse that goeth forth over the the face of the whole earth: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off – – – – and everyone that sweareth shall be cut off”.
The words FEAR and SWEAR have a double meaning in the Bible, either good or bad. But Moses in Deuteronomy 4:29 to 4:31 warned you long ago,
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him if thou seek Him with all thy heart and art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shall be obedient unto His voice; for the Lord thy God is a merciful God He will not forsake thee, Neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of the fathers which he sware unto them.”
Hosea relates in his chapter 4:1 a complaint from God with Israel:
Hear the word of the Lord ye Children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitiants of the land, because there is no truth nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land By swearing lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery, blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea the fishes of the sea shall also be taken away.
This is now confirmed internationally by most countries.
Hosea 3:5 tells us
“Afterward shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days”.
AS MOSES says in Deuteronomy 4:30 & 31:-
“When thou art in tribulation and all these things are come upon thee even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord they God and shall be obedient unto His voice- – – He will not forsake thee neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.“
At the time of the Day of The Lord, Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9-10 [verses 10 to 18 should be read]
” The Lord is not slack concerning His promises – – – – – but is long suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”
Joel 2:11 & 31-32 also tells us:-
“And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army for His camp is very great; for He is strong. that executeth His word, for the day of the Lord is great and very
terrible; and who can abide it?”“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
“And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered”.
Isaiah 11: 4 tells us
“But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth – – – – – “
Zephaniah gives us good news in his chapter 3: 13 :
“The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
Zechariah 5:3 tells us
“This is the curse that goeth forth over the the face of the whole earth: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off – – – -and everyone that sweareth shall be cut off”.
-both acts are sin! Paul tells us in Romans 4:23
“The wages of sin is death!!“
God Himself makes a most interesting statement in Ezekiel 12:28 confirming that all His words will be accomplished -:
“Thus saith The Lord God there shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken SHALL BE DONE saith the Lord God.”
This is confirmed in Isaiah 55:11 :-
“So shall myword be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where I sent it. I have sworn by myself ,the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return. That unto me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear.“
In Jeremiah 30 we read of the ‘Lords’ action in rescuing Israel from their troubles:-
“For I am with thee (Israel) saith the Lord, to save thee,though I make a full end of the nations whither I have scattered thee.yet will not make a full end of thee, but I will corrct in measure, and will not have thee altogether unpunished.”
All chapter 30 should be read.
In Amos 8:11 we read
“Behold the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine, in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
This was revealed in a recent church survey.
In Romans 11:1 Paul tells us
“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of THE SEED of Abraham of tribe of Benjamin.”
Jeremiah in his chapter 6 reveals a most important future for Israel.
“In his days Judah shall he saved, and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Israel will have not their own righteousness. but that of Jesus through belief in God’s Salvation.
For those of us of older age, Isaiah 46:4 God says:-
“And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, I will bear; even I carry, and will deliver you.”
From Acts chapter 5 in verses 34 to 39 we read
” when the disciples were being threatened by some of the pharisees, a doctor of law named Gamaliel restrained them and said refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; unless happly ye be found to fight against GOD”.
Surely, could not a similar action be worked out to be used against the many opponents of British Israel?
PAUL in Ephesians 6 gives us good advice:-
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil: For we wrestle not against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,and having done all to stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watch there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
Considering God’s Bible,Isaiah praises the wonder he has for it:-
“The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” – (Psalms 12. 6-7)
Solomon, King after his father David, wrote a lot of wisdom. In Proverbs 3:6 he says
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”.
In chapter 16 verse 3-6
“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Psalm 91 makes wonderful reading:-
“He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.He shall cover thee with His feathers,and under His’ wings shalt thou trust; his truth shalt be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day.Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, it shall not come nigh thee only with thine eyesshalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked, because thou hast made the Lord,who is my refuge,even the Most High thy habitation, There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwellling, for He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone, thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet, Because he hath set his love upon the therefore will I deliver him I will set him on high because because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. “
Isaiah 40 gives us some comfort from verse 26:-
“Lift up your eyes on high and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for he is strong in power; not one faileth. “
“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel. My way is hid from the Lord and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not neither is weary? there is no searching of his understandings he giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength, even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.”
Moses in Deuteronomy 7: 6 and 14: 2 reminded the Children of Israel who they rea!ly were. The present Israel also need reminding-:
7:6. “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are on the face of the earth.”
14/2. “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the face of the earth.”
Finally a personal message from JESUS
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
