Today’s “Christian” life is filled with entertaining possibilities. No matter what your viewpoint or mindset, there exists a fellowship of like-mindedness that has in turn produced sub-cultures of study and belief in which you can surely identify with at least one. For example, log onto any one of a number of christian web sites and on most you can find a savory menu of distinct belief systems, along with the accompanying selection of videos, tapes, books, t-shirts, bumper stickers, prayer clothes, vacation cruises, mates…you get the picture.
At the same time, most sites incorporate links to other sites, so with a little searching you can locate someone, be it individual or group, who sees things just like you do and has exciting and relevant information that will reinforce your belief system.
The scope of this work will not be wide or deep enough to examine all of the alternatives one may choose from, but it is important to note in context that one of these areas that is perhaps more popular than others is that of “the end times”.
Most of the time, when one logs on to one of these particular sites, you can expect to find some relevant current information, such as the most recent headlines in relation to their spiritual significance. There are varying degrees of fact and conjecture as you “surf” from one site to the next. Some are incredibly thorough in their approach to interpretation, while others are content to appeal to the vain imaginations of their visitors. It seems that all have something in common to offer, though. They all seem to have products that, for a modest (or not so modest) fee can give you a deeper insight, scholarly or hidden or profound information, that will promote you to the level of an “insider” in their particular club.
I will digress for a moment. Much of what I have learned has come from some of these web sites and even from the products they offer. Many are well-meaning ministries with a serious desire to bring the Truth to their viewers. Many are well-meaning and seem to be correct in their assessments. Many are well-meaning and, truthfully, I don’t know which planet they visited to discover their truths, as sincere as they may be. If this work is published and distributed, it may very well end up on any one of those sites. My purpose is not to attack any individual or ministry, but to reveal an underlying canker on the face of the Body of Yeshua ha Messiach.
There are two categories of web links that seem to intersect quite frequently. These two categories are “the end times” and “conspiracy theory”. Both have their serious academia and their lunatic fringe. Some times the “academia” and the “fringe” are uncomfortably close in what they report. For example, if one were researching the development of the One World Government system, they could log on to a christian site or a humanist’s site and get practically the same information on both. But the editorials and products would reflect the world view (or God view) of the person(s) operating the site. The perspective of the viewer would probably be shown in the links that they used to obtain the site. It is the two above-mentioned areas, encompassed in one phrase, “end times conspiracies”, that I wish to address in this chapter.
Having laid a foundation of thought and direction, let me move forward now to a more sure foundation, the prophetic Word, which is the Spirit of Yeshua. I will show some prophetic scriptures, and through what I hope is logical process as guided by His Spirit, will tie the subject matter I stated above to its significance in scripture and its relevance to today’s world and, particularly, the church Body.
I will begin with Isaiah Chapter 8, verses 11-18.
“For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy’, Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
Now, before I go further, I must encourage the reader to remember that I have “pulled out” this scripture, meaning, that there is a more complete story surrounding what Isaiah has written. But actually, as is the case of most all scripture, there are at least two stories, and more likely three (or more), as is the case with most of what I will present here. Please remember that “the spirit of prophecy is Yeshua ha Messiach”. What points to His “visitation”, His “return”, and His “kingdom return”? What points to how we should walk with Him in His Way? A general outline, in context, would likely include the following:
- Isaiah was writing to his present day brethren or not-to-distant future inhabitants of Israel and/or Judea.
- Isaiah was writing to those who would inhabit the land at the time of The Lord’s “first” visitation.
- Isaiah was writing of the “separation” of the Saints.
- Isaiah was writing to those who are inhabitants at the time of His Second Coming, as well as to the “remnant” and the “saints”, or the faithful, the disciples of the ecclesia.
Since points one and two are not of particular relevance to this study, and since many in-depth and scholarly studies have been done already concerning the applications to the days of Isaiah and the days of Yeshua’s visitation, I will concentrate on the third and fourth applications.
First of all, “these people have refused the waters of Shiloah (Sent Water, which is Christ), and rejoice in Rezin and in Remaliah’s son.” Also, verse 8, Immanuel is named, who has yet to arrive (Isaiah 7:14). Then, in verse 14, the Word says to “Bind up the testimony, Seal up the law among my disciples. And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His Face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him.”
A man who’s ministry I used to respect greatly, Chuck Missler (although I’m going to exhort him and others in the spirit of love and truth a little later on), says that, “If you torture the data, you can get it to say anything you want.” With that proverb in mind, I’d like to keep the point simple where the above verses are concerned. I’d like to concentrate on one particular point that is stressed in the context of the Day of the Lord, or the Second Coming.
“Do not say, ‘A conspiracy, ….The Lord of hosts shall you hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.” The main point of this particular chapter that I wish to clarify is this: where are we putting all of our energies concerning spiritual matters? Are we so caught up in the antichrist, and the one world government, and genetic research that we are forgetting to do what the Lord told us to do when He visited us? As I go on, please don’t believe that I’m condemning; I’m merely pointing out what the prophetic scriptures reveal.
I believe it is important to be aware of the signs of the times. Extremely important. After all, Jerusalem was destroyed “because they knew not the hour of their visitation” as had been foretold by the prophets. But remember, the Pharisees could “see the signs of the weather but could not see the signs of the times.” They were concentrating on the wrong signs. I’ll continue with the point, and once again I’ll remind the reader that it is not my intent to offend (though the Truth will at first be offensive), and that the Spirit of Truth is liberty, or freedom from the spirit of this world and its lies.
Most of today’s prophetic ministries are excited about the Second Coming. They are publishing and pronouncing the multitude of signs; the rebirth of Israel, the new world order, ecumenism, wars, earthquakes, famine…But let me draw, especially for you in these particular ministries, a picture that God gave to us in Isaiah Chapter 5 and Amos Chapter 5.
First, Isaiah 5, starting in verse 18: “Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as with a cart rope; That say, “Let Him make speed and hasten His work, That we may see it; And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, That we may know it.”
It is clear from the text that the emphasis is on the future Day of the Lord. And He’s rebuking those who are looking forward to the day of His coming! Woe am I! For I am a man of unclean lips! Help me to see, Lord Yeshua! Why is He rebuking those who are excited about His return? There are some answers in the text of Isaiah chapter 5, but I believe the answer for His wrath against these people is stated more clearly in Amos chapter 5, because it ties in more closely with what Yeshua had to say concerning righteousness. First, verses 10-13.
“They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly (Despise not prophesies). Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them. For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins. You afflict the just and take bribes; you divert the poor from justice at the gate. Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time.”
And continuing in verses 18-24, He gives a solution at the end:
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion and a bear met him. Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?
“I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not favor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Whew! OK. Calm down, Tim. Talk about “examine yourself daily”! I’m going to move forward to Amos chapter six presently, but first let’s examine a few points about the above verses.
- In Amos 5:16-17 (in between the above verses) He says that there will be wailing and lamentation, that they’ll be crying, “Alas! Alas”, that in the vineyards there shall be wailing, “For I shall pass through you,” Says the Lord. (“I am the true vine, you are the branches”). It’s referring to both the visitation and/or the day of the Lord.
- In Amos 5:10, they hate the ones God has sent to warn them (Matthew 25:6, the Midnight Cry). “Despise not prophesies; quench not the Holy Spirit.”
- In Amos 5:11, even though they’re “warm and well fed” (Rev. 3:17), they have nice houses, etc., they’re not taking care of the poor among them.
- In Amos 5:21-24, God hates their “worship services”. He prefers justice and righteousness. Throughout the scriptures, the wicked are those who “store up for themselves” and the righteous are those who “care for the afflicted”.
- In Amos 9:10, it says, on that Day,: “All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake us, nor confront us.’”
The Lord, through Amos, continues His point in Amos 6:3-8. They’re all taking care of themselves and their own needs, and ignoring the destitute. Again, “Woe to you…” And again, Woe is me!
Now, before I conclude these points, I’d like to show a little of what the Lord has to say to the vinedressers, the priests, and the “profits”, because it all ties together with the “conspiracy” theme of this chapter.
In Micah chapter 3, there are several warnings to “the heads”, the priests, and the prophets. He, by the Holy Spirit, refers to those who chant, “peace”, as well as those who teach for pay and divine for money. In Joel 1:11-12, again, it says: “Be ashamed, you farmers, wail, you vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. The vine has dried up, and the fig tree has withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree – All the trees of the field are withered; surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.” After this, He calls out an alarm, an emergency meeting of the priests and ministers, and tells them that “Even the flocks of sheep suffer your punishment.” Keep in mind here that it’s not just one denomination (author’s interpretation) that is perishing, but the vine as well as all the trees.
What I’m about to conclude from the Word of God is very touchy, and I ask for your understanding, discernment, and compassion, as well as for your noble and Berean hearts to be in operation. The meat of this conclusion I have avoided sharing for over ten years, to my shame.
Look at today’s church. Some of you may say, “It’s fine!” Peace, peace. Some of you may say, “Yes, the church has its troubles, but there’s no perfect church!” I’m sorry, but that’s a cop-out. Where is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit? “Oh, that was only for the times of the Apostles”, or “for the Jews who require a sign”, or, “the evidence wasn’t necessary once the written Word was completed.” The problem is, the Word says none of the above. It says, “for you, and for your children, and for those who are far off.” Let’s examine the “Acts church”, the “Apostles’ Doctrine”, and “The Way”, briefly for now.
What was the work of an evangelist? “Go, and make disciples of all the nations.” What did Yeshua say was necessary to be a disciple? “First, you must deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me.” Not, “Pray the sinner’s prayer.” What did Jesus mean by “deny yourself?” “It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.” Also, He said, “Count the cost”. And, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life.”
There is more on self – denial, but for now I will continue to tie the points together.
As I sat and watched the tapes that were sold at a national prophecy conference, I noticed that much more emphasis was given to buying the products of the speakers than was given to the teachings of Yeshua ha Messiach and the Prophets who are “a light that shines in a dark place”. Also excluded was the particular relevance of His teachings to the prophetic end time Word. In the early “Acts” church, they took those teachings quite literally. Let’s take a look.
Two things that go hand in hand throughout the Book of Acts are the fear of God and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. But moreso, there is a repeated order of events that serves as a template.
- Repent (turn completely away from your old life), confess (make a covenant with) and be baptized in(to) the name of Yeshua ha Messiach for the remission of sins.
- Receive the Holy Spirit (a promise to as many as the Lord our God will call).
- Continue in (steadfastly maintain) the Apostles’ doctrine (teaching, or discipline, The Way, Acts 24:14).
- Daily Fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer
- Fear (of God) upon every soul, many wonders and signs through the Apostles
- They were all together (of one accord and one mind), and had all things in common
- Sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
- Continued daily with one accord and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their bread with gladness and simplicity of heart
- Praising God and having favor with all the people
- And the Lord added to the ecclesia daily those who were being saved
Please notice that they didn’t use tracts, or “altar calls”, or seminars, or other worldly marketing techniques. And the Way they lived was completely consistent with what the Lord desired to see years before in the time of Amos, Isaiah, and Joel. But also this: it reveals that “believers” would no longer be living that Way, once again, on the day of the Lord. Thus, the “falling away”.
My point? I would hope that you may have caught on by now where I am going with this, because I don’t savor making the point. But here goes. We are teaching the end times, but neglecting the primary teaching of our Lord. He came to earth and suffered horribly and died terribly so that He could tell us and exemplify personally what He required of us! Yet, when was the last time you saw a church body or fellowship operating as above? Some say, “Christ doesn’t expect everyone to give up his house, and meet daily, and leave my family, to worship Him! The bible says to confess the Lord Jesus and believe that God raised Him from the dead, and I’d be saved! And it’s by grace, through faith, and not of works that I’m saved! So you must be wrong!”
“And besides, that’s just not practical in today’s world!”
It wasn’t practical in that world either, in fact it was foolishness and a stumbling block, but the word says that the ecclesia is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua ha Messiach Himself being the chief cornerstone.”
I’ve spent twelve years (as of this writing in 2002) studying the “salvation by sinner’s prayer” gospel, and unfortunately I’ve seen no proof that it’s either biblical in context or of the Holy Spirit. Now wait, before you burn the book. Be brave and Berean. This wasn’t any easier for me to swallow. But after those twelve years, plus a previous twelve years of observing the “churches”, I’ve discovered some things in context that should be examined. You judge by the Word whether those findings are correct.
First of all, the words confess and believe have a totally different meaning, indeed, a totally different spirit in today’s world than they did in the year 35 in Jerusalem and Greece. Confess meant, in this context, “to make an unbreakable covenant with”. So, that verse should read make an unbreakable covenant with the Lord Yeshua… Next, believe meant to rely totally upon, to entrust. Now, the third aspect is that in that day, in that world, a vow was a vow. To break a vow of any kind destroyed your good name; it was cultural suicide. Today one will say, “So sue me!” So let’s take another look at that verse. “Make an unbreakable covenant with the Lord Yeshua, and totally rely upon and trust irrevocably that God raised Him from the dead, knowing that your vow is being heard by the God of wrath and your entire community, and also continue in it, doing all that Yeshua ha Messiach said to do, and you will be saved on That Day.” Wow. Not quite as practical as the sinner’s prayer. Anyone you try to squeeze into that one will run off screaming if they haven’t been “called”.
“We better use that other one or we’ll never save anybody!”
How many not of the fold have received what they thought was fire insurance, and then were assured over and over that, yes, they’re really saved (and anyone who tells you otherwise is from Satan the accuser), and that they’ve automatically qualified for the Holy Spirit bonus prize? And yet they crash and burn.
“Well, they must not have been sincere.”
Now let’s look at Ephesians 2:8-9, which should actually be read as Ephesians 2:8-10. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” What is the grace? That we were called, appointed, sanctified, and chosen at all, and that Yeshua died for us and rose again so the Holy Spirit of Grace could be sent (No one can come to Me unless My Father draws him). One can deny himself and do good works till the cows come home, but if we weren’t called and chosen to begin with, and if Yeshua didn’t die for us, and if we don’t die to ourselves and receive the Holy Spirit (grace) it won’t bring us salvation on that day. Do you remember the guy in the wedding feast who wasn’t invited? But once called, we’d better do the works that prove our faith (forsake all, deny ourselves, follow His example) or our faith is useless, as proven in verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Yeshua ha Messiach for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Suffice it to say that while we are teaching people that He is coming, we’re neglecting to teach them how to prepare for His coming. So the five who are slumbering will be caught without oil in their lamps, and will cry, “Alas, Alas! Lord, Lord!”
And we will be held accountable.
So what am I suggesting to the teacher and student of end times prophecy? If my suggestion is worth anything, it will be determined by the Word of God. My opinion, based on the Word, is that we should spend less time on unnecessary scholastics (though we must study the Word in the original languages to show ourselves approved) when teaching, and more on making disciples, teaching the Word (not the suggestions) of God, concentrating on what Jesus told us He expected of us. Be wise as serpents by being aware, but put our emphasis on the Words and works of Yeshua. “The gospel (of Yeshua ha Messiach) is the power of God unto salvation”. Not apologetics (though, once again, it has its place), not end times studies, not Sunday sermons and weekly bible studies, not buying christian books and videos, but doing what Yeshua said to do. On the cross of death to self hangs all the law and the prophets.
“About the time of the end, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the Prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition.”
Sir Isaac Newton
“How fortunate for the rulers that men do not think.”
Adolph Hitler
“Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen’.”
Jeremiah 6:16-17