Disciples Digital Library

Mao Zedong famously declared that “political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” This accurately represents the modus operandi of the State since the dawn of human civilization. In this life, men and women can be led in one of two ways – by persuasion or force. Invariably, the State chooses the latter.

What are the marks of a genuine apostle? “Signs and wonder?” Visions and dreams? Eloquent speech and a commanding presence? Such things are wonderful and have their place, but are they criteria by which disciples of Jesus can evaluate claims of apostolic authority?

A popular view often voiced today is that what the church and society need is “revival.” Amen! A little revival would be great. However, there is a twist, for it seems that the heart and focus of this idea is “revival” in the United States of America. If mentioned at all, the other nations of the earth are an afterthought.

All God’s mysteries are revealed in Jesus, so, are we looking for revelation in the right places? - Romans 16:25.  In the contemporary church, there are discussions and even claims about discovering new “revelations” of God by accessing the “spirit realm” via visions, dreams, and the like, insights into things beyond what is recorded in the New Testament.

The “Seven Mountains Mandate”? I was taught long ago that disciples of Jesus must live “separate from the world,” not physically, but morally and spiritually. We are “ in the world but not of it ,” and our task is to call men and women to “ save themselves from this crooked generation ” before Jesus arrives and judges the world.

Babylon is both a historic political entity and a symbol of the recurring rise of empires and self-appointed world rulers .  There is a larger and older story behind the visions of  Daniel  than meets the eye, one that remains relevant to this day. The book focuses on the  Empire  that has been attempting to rule the world since the dawn of human history.

Our “destiny” is to take up the Cross of Christ, deny ourselves, and follow HIM wherever he goes.  As a young man, I found life disturbing. Having developed an early interest in history, the more I read, the more inexplicable reality became. Human society, past and present, was characterized by inequality, injustice, corruption, and warfare. If existence meant a life of struggle followed by death, what was the point of it all?

"In the last days, mockers will come with mockery, saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’.” Over the last year, we have witnessed significant failures by the “leaders” of the “Prophetic Movement,” and the last failure was so spectacular that many “prophets and apostles” found it necessary to issue public “apologies.” Unfortunately, this has not stopped them from repackaging themselves as they continue to “prophesy” in the name of the Lord.

The cross of Christ will conquer the world, not superpowers, political might, or “signs and wonders . ”  Since 1989, I have been hearing how God is “about” to pour out an unprecedented “revival,” one characterized by great “signs and wonders,” the likes of which even Jesus and the apostles never witnessed, miraculous displays that will awe billions of men and women into accepting the gospel. Well, one can only hope!

The history of the failed prophetic expectations by Dispensationalism is causing many to grasp at prophetic straws. The long history of failed predictions and projections by Dispensationalism has left many of its leading proponents holding an empty bag. Lately, several Christian media outlets featured a claim that a couple of foxes observed running across the Temple Mount is a prophetic sign that the Temple is about to be rebuilt, which is little more than grasping at straws.

The legacy of the “Prosperity Gospel” is the corruption of the gospel of Jesus Christ and increasingly, apostasy.  When I became a Christian, the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” was new and restricted to the fringes of the Charismatic Movement. When I heard about it, I concluded: “ This will never last. Who would believe such an obvious scam? ” So much for my prophetic abilities! This deception now dominates and even defines today’s “Charismatic Movement.”

After decades of failed prophetic expectations, it is time for believers to reexamine many popular ideas about the “last days.”  Fifty years ago, I was influenced greatly by the bestseller, ‘ The Late Great Planet Earth .’ In it, I read how last-day prophecies were being fulfilled before my eyes. All the “signs” pointed to me as a member of the “last generation” that would live before the return of Jesus. The Antichrist, Armageddon, and the Millennium were all just around the corner.

What Satan fears most is Christ crucified and people conforming to that pattern who will follow him wherever he goes .  I have observed that Satan offers a smorgasbord of deceptions, and I doubt that he cares which one you choose. Whatever floats your boat! But regardless of which one you prefer, one trail common to them all is the attempt to steer us away from the Word of God, and especially, from embracing and emulating the crucified Messiah.

SYNOPSIS: Claims that God will reap a great harvest of souls because of the mighty “signs and wonders” the church will perform do not square with Scripture.  I hear a lot of stress these days on seeking “signs and wonders.” Seemingly, church “leaders” are convinced, or they want to convince you, that it is through mighty supernatural “signs and wonders” that God will reap a final harvest of souls before the return of Jesus, an idea that does not fit comfortably with the gospel accounts of the New Testament.

For disciples of Jesus, rage and violence are NOT appropriate reactions to hostility, though certainly, his instructions in this regard are contrary to the “ wisdom of this age .” Angry responses by Christians to perceived violations of their political and individual “rights” only demonstrate how far many churches have strayed from his teachings.

SYNOPSIS - Prophecies of impending doom should neither be rejected nor taken at face value. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  The year 2019 produced economic and political turmoil around the world -  Just as previous years have done  - And 2020 is proving to be even more tumultuous. Current armed conflicts are too numerous to count, “world peace” remains a pipe dream, the global economy is close to collapse, and a new epidemic is working its way rather rapidly through the population.