The Importance of Believers Understanding what will happen at the End Times!

06 Aug 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Revelation 21:5a.        And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

And then it was Wednesday…and many of us need to catch our second wind…if we ever caught our first, (smile) what with all the festivities of the past weekend. But the good thing is that being children of God, we have the capacity to handle a lot of work and adversity, because we’re filled with the strength, joy, LOVE, peace, patience and perseverance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And all of God’s children said a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Jesus! You’re the best! The Only One we need, and will ever need!’

And that’s an indisputable truth! All this world needs is Jesus: Jesus in live and living colour! But the powers of the world seem to think otherwise, that’s why our world is going through so much disaster and chaos. Anyway, the good thing is that we know in His good time, Jesus will return to this God-forsaken earth and make it brand new. Remember what Peter says? ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet. 3:10)

Now that’s when Christ comes back in judgement, not the Rapture, for that day results in the final apocalyptic judgement. By the way, the heavens that shall pass away with a great noise, is merely the atmospheric heavens above the earth, not where the throne of God resides. (smile) And the noise and heat and burning up that Peter refers to, could even be a nuclear holocaust, which we’re not very far from right now, with all the nuclear posturing that’s currently taking place among the nations of this groaning earth!

And because of that possible apocalyptic situation, Peter therefore warns us to live in righteousness. ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness. Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.’ (2 Pet. 3:11-14)

Yes friends, since all that stuff is going to happen, and since the Lord has promised on numerous occasions to destroy the wicked from off the earth, that means we have to live to a high standard of peace, LOVE, righteousness and joy, in other words, show true faith in Christ, so that we won’t be cast into hell fire with the wicked.  Now that’s the tough side of the equation, but then, there’s also this glorious situation of a new earth and a new heaven, as John explains in the Book of Revelation, where he enthusiastically declares:

‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great shout out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:1-5)

Yes my faithful brethren, that’s what we have to look forward to! As the scholars tell us, that’s ‘the eternal state, following the Millenium (thousand year reign) and the final judgement, centering in the new Jerusalem as the eternal habitation of the saved (cf. Heb. 11:10). The first heaven and the first earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, predicted by Isaiah (cf. Is. 65:17; 66:22). The present universe will thus be cleansed from all the effects of sin (cf. 2 Pet. 3:7, 1013). Since there will be no more sea, the increased land space will be fully capable of handling large numbers of redeemed people from all ages.

The New Jerusalem is fully described in Rev. 21:10-22:5. It is a holy city, totally separate from sin. It is being prepared as the habitation of the bride of Christ (cf. vs. 9) . From God shows its divine purpose and out of heaven its divine origin. And, as per the Tabernacle of God: The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. In the eternal state, there will be no tears, death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Everything will become new. God’s promises are true, and He is faithful to His Word. (cf. 19:11).’

What more can I say eh my fellow believers? It’s been explained as fully and simply as possible. And please look up those references, you will find them very pertinent to the scriptures they reference. I obviously don’t have the time or space to spoon feed us with them, as I am won’t to do. (smile) But seriously though, having gotten all that information as to what will happen in the end times, it is therefore very important to ensure that we’re amongst those who will enjoy eternity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

That means, concentrating on increasing our witness for Christ, while growing in spiritual maturity, doing our best to bring souls to Him, and becoming as much like Him as possible. And to show that we are endeavouring to do just that, let’s declare our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most wonderful position in Christ Jesus.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And by the way, it’s been further promised, that those who endure to the end with Christ will enjoy an even more glorious future than our finite minds can even imagine or comprehend. So let’s be wise and stand strong in faith for Christ right to the very end, so that we can enjoy that more than glorious future together! Much LOVE!

…the end …will be even better…than the beginning…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 January 2024 Micah 4:3b.

07 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Micah 4:3b.       nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

And it’s Sunday once more, the first of this new year of 2024, and although there’s been some decent snow activity, the sanctuaries of the Lord will still be overflowing with the uplifting and encouraging vibes and emotions of the recent Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Glory to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Yes, our Triune God deserves all the accolades we can ascribe to them! 

Now, though our world hasn’t yet changed for the better, we still hold out hope that in this new year Christ’s church, that’s we believers, will make a substantial difference to the colour of our world. Instead of it being filled with the darkness and the evil of Satan, we will fill it with the light and LOVE of Jesus Christ, transform it through the power of the LOVE REVOLUTION! Yes friends, Christ expects big things from us this year, that means we have to get an early start to our revolutionary activities; like right now. 

And what better way to begin than with this old favourite, the African American Spiritual titled ‘Gonna Lay Down My Burdens’ or ‘Down by the Riverside’ or ‘Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.’ (smile) That’s how many names the song has, as well as many different verses, and obviously there is no known author, but it’s been recorded numerous times since the first recording by the Fisk University Jubilee Quartet in 1920. And it’s such a very appropriate song for the violent and warlike times our world is currently going through. So let’s offer up sweet and sincere sacrifices of praise to heaven with an up-tempo, rocking, scintillating modern version of the song. 

Singing: ‘I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside Oh I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war… I ain’t gonna study war… 

I’m gonna put on my long white robe, down by the riverside, gonna put on my long white robe down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war…I ain’t gonna study war…Ain’t going to study war no more.’ 

And what a day that will be my fellow saints, when the study of war will be extinct like the dodo bird! The problem though, is that we can’t only wish for it to happen, we have to do something concrete and productive to make it happen, for the enemy will try to stop us in any way they can, as warmongering is to their benefit. And just like the slaves sang it before the civil war as ‘an expression of religious hope and an allusion to escaping slavery,’ we sing it with the same religious hope but alluding to ending the atrocities of war that’s plagued mankind since the beginning of time. 

Meanwhile the reference to the ‘riverside’ in the song seems to be referring to the Jordan River in the Bible, where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, but was ostensibly a coded reference for the Ohio River that bordered the slave and free states, and where slaves could find a route of escape to the northern states and freedom…their Promised Land. And the words of the chorus ‘aint gonna study war no more,’ come from prophecies in the Old Testament; Isaiah 2:1-4, and Micah 4:1-5. The prophecies are almost word for word, but I prefer Micah’s version because he spells it out more fully and explicitly. (smile)

Let’s read: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the world of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree: and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4:1-5) 

Oh how beautiful that will be my brethren! Sitting below your fig tree or vine, unafraid of the warmongers, for there will be no more warmongers, just peace LOVERS walking in the name of Christ! Can’t wait to experience that time! (smile) And this is what the scholars have to say on those verses. ‘The phrase in the last days, as well as a comparison with other prophecies (e.g. Is. 2:2-4), indicates that the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when every promise given to Abraham will ultimately be fulfilled.’ 

But friends, we don’t have to wait that long to do something about the warlike nature of our world. In the meanwhile we can do stuff to reduce that warlike nature. And we had better do something very quickly because the war cries are ramping up pretty fast, with new theatres of war opening up almost daily. Not to mention that everyday we are building better weapons of mass destruction. 

So, if we want our grandchildren to see a somewhat green and luscious world, with normal and not emaciated people in it, we had better do something almost immediately, because when the nuclear holocaust erupts, and that can be any day now, there won’t be much of God’s great creations left. Much LOVE!

…the peculiarity of war is that everyone loses…even the supposed victor suffers serious loss…but yet…war dominates our planet… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ                  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 November 2012 2 Peter 3:9

05 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Peter 3:9.    The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday…! And all true believers in Jesus lustily declared, ‘Thank You Lord!’ Okay, so by the world’s standards I’m missing a few screws by being glad to see Mondays roll around. But Friends, in Jesus’ domain, we are called to welcome every day, to see each one as a blessing, especially Mondays, because it gives us more opportunities to get out into the wicked, godless world and help bring the heathen hordes to repentance. Remember that’s our main purpose here on earth, re the Great Commission. (Matt.28:19-20) So to whine and complain and feel hard done by just because we have to go out and labour on Mondays, is plain un-Jesus-like. Now let’s see if we can’t become more Jesus-like by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with lots of vim and vigour. As one earthly based, but heavenly sounding choir now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ That was beautiful my people! Lots of clapping and calls for an encore in heaven. (smile) And now that the adrenalin’s running, let’s get out there and make a difference for Jesus! But why the rush you ask, since our Bit clearly states that: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ Ah Friends, please understand that at some stage even the Lord’s patience will run out and He will set the mighty conflagration He’s promised in motion. And the problem is that none of us know when that will be, it could be today, tomorrow, or even another two thousand years from now. When yuh see, even Jesus didn’t know, you must understand how close to His chest the Father’s playing that card. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt.24:36) And Peter solemnly warns in the verse after our Bit: ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief (robber) in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that were therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet.3:10) Oh my people, I’m sure that none of us want to be involved in that fervent heat nuh! That means we have to be in a state of constant readiness; working righteousness in true faith, filled with hungry hope and great expectations, fully relying on the awesome promises of God. As Peter continues: ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness, Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.’ (2 Pet.3:11-14) Now isn’t that something to look forward to Friends? Most definitely! And we’ll end with some clarification from the scholars, re that scripture. ‘The day of the Lord here refers to the return of Christ in judgement, not the Rapture, since this day results in final apocalyptic judgement. The heavens that shall pass away with a great noise are the atmospheric heavens. The elements shall melt with fervent heat certainly could refer to a nuclear holocaust. Thus Peter urges his readers to look beyond this present world to the new heavens and a new earth characterized by righteousness.’ Oh Friends, the only way to avoid that fervent heat is by getting in with Jesus as soon as possible, meaning RIGHT NOW, because we don’t know when we’ll give up the mantle of this earthly life, and once we do that, there’s no going back and changing our minds. So please, let’s all sit down today and seriously contemplate our personal situations, vis a vie Jesus and our eternal salvation. It’s the MOST IMPORTANT matter on earth for us to consider. Much LOVE!…to be with Jesus till eternity…or not to be with Jesus…that is the question…