Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last

Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last

In our modern society nothing is worse than being last. 

Last place is reserved for losers! 

In our modern society; we have all been conditioned to think that we must win, no matter how we win and no matter what the consequences might be!

Therefore, we have lost the trait of humility, courtesy and fairness. We are no longer conditioned to be good sports and to behave like true Gentlemen!  

Thus, as a culture, we have succumbed to the idea that only Bad Guys can win!

There is an old time worn adage that says, “Nice guys finish Last.” All too often anymore that adage seems to be the reality. 

Well, count me among those who see no great traits of character or reward for finishing First; if to be First, you have to be Mean, rude, brutish or behave Badly to attain it. 

Those who would be Last (while being honest) shall be First, and those who would be First (dishonest) shall be Last, in my book!

Jesus alluded to self pride and the pursuit to always be first, no matter what you had to do to exalt yourself!

Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

There is a big difference in being First and being the Best.

In truth; Nice guys always finish Best!

I have learned in striving to be First, that often times finishing last teaches me humility! Humility, not pride is a precious virtue! 

If finishing last begats humility; and finishing first tends to begat Pride, then count me ”Proud to be Last.”

Therefore; in the final analysis of the human race; Nice guys always finish Best! 

Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

by: Darrell G. Young

The Last Days vs Latter Days

The Last Days vs The Latter Days

There is a lot of speculation today about the Last Days; particularly now since we are hearing a lot from Russia and nuclear weapons. 

But technically speaking; and according to scripture, we have been within the era of the Last Days since (Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: “for the time is at hand”) Jesus ascended back into Heaven. 

  Actually, we are living in the “Latter portion of Days” of the Last Days era! You see,  the way God views time is quite different from our vantage point here on Earth. (II Peter 3:8, Psalms 90:4) The Bible refers to these extreme  “Latter Days” of the Last Days in 11 prophetic scenes. (Deuteronomy, Daniel, Ezekiel, Hosea & Jeremiah) 

 Most people do not realize that 2/3 of the worlds history had elapsed before Jesus ever arrived in our world for his first visitation. That’s nearly 1,500,000 days of earthly time! Then the last 2000 years since Jesus left this world, by comparison is only 750,000 earthly days. But as I alluded to above, God views all 6,000 years of earthly days as just a matter of a few days to him. 

So then, We are not just living in the Last Days; we are literally living in those extreme Latter Days folks; wherein all the things God revealed in his Word concerning the Last Days could quickly, very quickly come to pass!

by: Darrell G. Young

How Christians Should Act Toward One Another

 How Christians Should act Toward One Another

I recently did a word study search through the Bible looking for the words “one another,” just to see what I might discover. It turned out to be very revealing!

I discovered at least 62 contextual settings describing how Christians should act towards One Another! 

I have often noticed that many non-Christians indicate that they don’t become a Christian on account of the hypocrisy that they see in Christians in that they often do not treat one another very respectfully. 

Listed below is a compilation of 32 advisements of Jesus and the New Testament writers on the subject of how Christians should act towards each other. 

There are several reasons as to why Christians should so behave with One Another. I’ve listed two of those reasons at the bottom of this list:

1-Love one another (John 13:34, 15:12, I John 3:11)

2-Edify one another (I Thess. 5:11) (Rom. 14:19)

3-Exhort one another (Heb. 3:13)

4-Seek peace with one another (Mark 9:50)

5-Be of one mind with one another (Rom. 12;16)

6-Judge not one another (Rom. 14:13)

7-Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)

8-Be not puffed up against one another (I Cor. 4:6)

9-Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)

10-Care for one another (I Cor. 12:25)

11-Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)

12-Do not envy one another Gal. 5:26)

13-Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32)

14-Do not Lie to or about one another (Col. 3:9)

15-Forgive one another (Col. 3:13)

16-Comfort one another (I Thess. 4:18)

17-Provoke one another to good works (Heb. 10:24)

18-Speak no evil of one another (James 4:11)

19-Grudge not one another (James 5:9)

20-Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)

21-Have compassion on one another (I Peter 3:8)

22-Be hospitable to one another (I Peter 4:9)

23-Minister the same to one another (I Peter 4:10)

24-Be subject to one another (I Peter 5:5)

25-Be charitable with one another (I Peter 5:14)

26-Have fellowship with one another (I John 1:7)

27-Do not wrong one another (Acts 7:26)

28-Dot not devour or consume one another (Gal. 5:15)

29-Be truthful with one another (Eph. 4:25)

30-Speak no evil of one another (James 4:11)

31-Honor one another (John 5:44) (Rom. 12:10)

32-Encourage one another. (II Tim. 4:2) (Jude 1:3)

*These are the counsels of Jesus about how Christians ought to behave towards their fellow Christians; in order to best promote and represent the Gospel.

*The secondary purpose of these behavioral counsels is because Non-Christians are watching how we Christians act towards one another!

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Focus on the Bible

July 3, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

America and Abortion

America and Abortion

Yesterday June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court ruled that abortion was not identified as a Constitutional right. It was a monumental day of victory for those who have opposed the practice of abortion on demand for 50 years! Finally, as a result of the courts reversal decision, the rights of “the aborted victims” of some 70 million unborn babies are memorialized. 

On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a woman had a constitutional right to abort her baby. 

That case was titled Roe vs. Wade, named for the parties involved. Norma McCorvey was a woman who sought an abortion in Dallas County, Texas, but was it denied by Henry Wade, the district attorney at the time. 

In that 1973 court case, which traveled all the way from Dallas to the Supreme Court, Norma McCorvey was listed anonymously as Jane Roe; thus, the landmark battle over abortion became known as Roe vs. Wade.

Abortion became a major women’s political issue in the 1960’s when America experienced the sexual revolution! With this “free love” sex, drugs and rock and roll life style came unwanted pregnancies. Various methods of birth control then exploded on the market, but when the birth control failed, as it often did, abortion became a desired solution. 

Thus, many American women went to war over their perception that their bodies were off limits to any governmental legislation.  

It is noteworthy, when analyzing the abortion issue in America, that the Sexual Revolution and its subsequent “unwanted pregnancy” problems; developed in American society just a few short years after the same US Supreme Court ruled that God, his law, his book and prayers in his name were not a Constitutional privilege; and therefore should be banned from the nations schools!

In 1973, Roe vs. Wade was indeed a great victory; a victory for sexual immorality, for selfish lifestyles, and for the big business of a new research and death industry! 

While some women viewed abortion as a means to escape from a type of slavery to the traditional family responsibilities, it also transitioned America from a Biblically based household wherein women were in home nurturers, into a nation where the Women's Movement forced a generational devastation upon the traditional Biblical concept of family structures fundamentally based upon natural motherly instincts. 

God the Creator created within a woman’s heart the desire to protect and nurture her own babies! 

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

The important point contained within Isaiah’s statement is that God never ever forgets that which is formed within a Woman’s womb!

Regardless of how inconvenient or difficult the pregnancy may be, elective abortion is an unnatural step. The baby is not the only thing that dies. The mother will lose an integral part of herself. And she will live with that knowledge and the consequences the rest of her life.

What is an Abortion?

Abortion has divided American society like few other topics in its history. The only other issue that has so deeply divided Americans as abortion was Slavery! And we all know what Slavery did to our nation.

Sadly, society, in some parts of 19th century America, black people were not viewed as viable human beings. It is much the same today with the unborn Fetus! Liberal secular proponents of abortion do not view a Fetus as a viable human being!  

Therein lies the conflict over the issue of abortion and Women’s Rights for supreme control over female reproductivity! 

Simply stated, Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus in the womb of a Woman.

Most abortions are accomplished by using medical forceps to breach the uterus to grasp the skull of a fetus and forcefully implode it for bodily extraction! 

While American society is torn asunder and divided over abortion, Women‘s rights, law and sexual freedom, not many people weigh the perspective of the Almighty Creator of the sexuality of both men and women!

What is God’s View on Abortion? 

The Bible does not specifically addresses the issue of abortion. However, there are numerous teachings in Scripture that make it abundantly clear what God’s view of abortion is.

Biblical law as spelled out in Exodus 21:22 clearly indicates that that God considers an unborn baby in the womb to be just as much a viable human being as a full-grown adult.

Later, God informed the prophet Jeremiah that he foreknew Jeremiah while he was still within his Mother’s womb. Furthermore, God imparts to Jeremiah that it was He (God himself) that formed him during his Mother’s pregnancy!

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

The Bible is abundantly clear about the fact that murder is wrong! Does God then view abortion as murder? 

Determining whether or not abortion is murder involves two considerations: first, whether or not a fetus in utero is actually a human being, and, second, if a fetus is a child, what does a societies legal system call murder. 

Abortion is killing based on a mother’s unilateral judgment and choice. Such unprovoked killing of the defenseless is unethical and should define abortion as murder in any society; unless the fetus is not human. 

If the fetus is classified by society as just a mass of impersonal tissue or something less than human, ending its life would not be considered murder; as has been the case in America since 1973!

So then, is a fetus a real human? Or is it something else? Biologically speaking, human life begins at conception. When the mother’s egg and the father’s sperm come together, they combine and create a new string of DNA that is personalized and totally unique. DNA is coded information, the blueprint for the new human’s growth and development. No more genetic material needs to be added; the zygote in the womb is as human as the mother in whose womb it dwells. The difference between a fetus and any one of us is simply one of age, location, and level of dependence. 

Apart from the way a society views the Fetus, the Bible plainly indicates that God is heavily involved in the whole biological process of human development; from conception to birth, and hopefully rebirth!

Psalms 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous arethy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Where did the Practice of Modern Abortion Come From?

The practice of abortion type procedures are ancient. Many societies have resorted to various antiquated methods control their populations. Most often, societies brutalized women in order to render easy solutions to the many problems of unwanted babies. 

Under Communist Vladimir Lenin, the former Soviet Union legalized abortion on request, becoming the first country in the modern world to do so in 1920. 

Later, in the last half of the 20th century, China began to enforce abortion nationally to reduce the problems stemming from over population.

Finally, France, leading the way of the sexual freedom movement popularized abortion as a method of birth control in western culture.

The movement to liberalize abortion laws in the United Stated emerged in the 1920s and '30s as part of a rising feminist activism, led by Margaret Sanger, finally leading to the 1973 Roe-Wade Supreme Court decision. 

The overwhelming majority of abortions in America performed ever since involve women who simply do not want to have the baby. The reasons vary! Less than 2% of abortions performed in America since 1973 were because of rape or incest! The net result has been the killing of over 70 million souls, all of them which were known by God!

Abortion on Demand!

Modern America is addicted to Sex! As a society, we are constantly saturated with sexual images, pornography, and shows. 

Abortion is seen as a Right to most women because they want to express their sexual explorations without fear of responsibilities or interruptions to their ambitions. 

The same can be said for the male of the human species! Free love! Drugs! Lovers of Pleasure and Lovers of themselves! 

The Natural God mandated order of family and Marriage of one man to one woman for life is out of vogue in Modern America! For 70 years, Sex Symbols have been the icons of American culture!

America is so Sex Crazy, that as a culture, we have devolved far away from its purpose, and slid down the road to being another Sodom and Gomorrah! 

Ironically, The 2022 USSC decision on Roe v. Wade determined that Abortion should never have been made a Constitutional law; but returns the issue to each state for the “PEOPLE” to decide! This whole national debate reminds me of Pilate & his judgment of Jesus! “Let the People Decide!” And we all know how that turned out!

The overturn of the Abortion on Demand issue in America will ultimately determine our nations fate! 

God is testing our nation & moving it towards imminent judgment. Meanwhile, America is as divided as it ever was in 1860 over the issue of slavery!

Hope 

Ironically, Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe in the landmark decision) was befriended by a pro-life Christian leader whose love and patience broke through her fear and anger. McCorvey eventually reversed her opinion on abortion and joined the movement to overthrow Roe vs. Wade and abortion on Demand! 

Abortion is killing based solely on a mother’s unilateral judgment and choice. Abortion is a Sin, plain & simple. It is the murder of the unborn! “The unborn have a Soul!” 

Is there forgiveness for anyone having abortions? ABSOLUTELY YES! God avails his forgiveness & love to all sinners!

Maybe, hopefully, America will make the same turnabout that Norma McCorvey did!

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

June 25, 2022

Collections From Revelation

Revelation Collections

(Below are 65 of my personal tweets about the book of Revelation)

The Holy Bible is the only book in the world that can risk all of its credibility on its revelations about the worlds future! That’s because the author is the Almighty eternal God! (Isa. 48:5 I have from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee:)

There are 10 times more prophecies in the Bible @ Jesus 2nd coming than his 1st coming! So why aren’t todays Christians interested in the study of Jesus Return? It seems to me that since that time is near, interest of Christians in the Last Days ought to be paramount and intense!

There is nobody in this whole wide world that has more reason to be optimistic about the future than a Christian! Jesus is Coming & he’s going to take over this world, establish his kingdom & put down all his enemies! His law will be universal. And I can hardly wait for that day!

While Satan investigates Gods prophetic word for helpful clues in his war strategy; God in his great wisdom has confounded Satan’s spying by cloaking prophecy in such a manner that only the Holy Spirit can guide one to the valuable true intelligence contained in “The Revelation!”

Satan knew Bible prophecy well enough to know when Jesus would be born! He also anticipated when Jesus would present himself as Israel’s Messiah! It stands to reason that Satan also knows enough about prophecy to anticipate the time of Jesus 2nd coming & exalt his Antichrist!

The Devil studies Bible Prophecy incessantly! After-all, He is at war with Almighty God; so he needs to digest future things, things that only God can reveal. May it never be said that the Devil out-studies Christians regarding prophecy! The Lord has left us valuable information!

In Daniel 12, the book that Jesus opened was still sealed! Daniel lamented that! In Revelation, it was Unsealed! Rev. 22:10,18 expressly forbids resealing this prophecy; for the time is at hand! When we don’t share prophecy, we “Reseal” & hide Gods “intelligence report” to us!

The books of Daniel & Revelation both symbolically describe the empires of this world & the Antichrist as Beasts! Ever wonder why? It is because they are all predatory entities. They devour flesh! (I Peter 5:8 Satan, as God of the nations of this world, uses these powers to devour all he can)

In John 16:12; Jesus told his Disciples: “I have yet “many things” to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” Then suddenly he was gone! They surely wondered what the “many things” he had to tell them was! The Lord revealed those “Many Things” in the book of “The Revelation.”

Down through history, the book of The Revelation has caused more curiosity & angst than any other book in the Bible. It even needlessly stirs fear in the minds of many Christians! Yet the whole book points to the victory of Jesus Christ over ALL his enemies & the defeat of Satan!

Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ destiny & plans. It was revealed to enlighten Last Days servants to a “classified intelligence report” @ the Day of the Lord! (Rev. 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.)

Many people like to quote Matthew to suggest that Bible prophecy study is useless as Jesus didn’t know His Day! Matt. 24:36 But of that day & hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But they miss that God gave The Revelation “to Jesus” in Rev. Chap. 1:1.

The book of Revelation reveals the destiny of Jesus to reign over this world & Satans opposition to the Lord’s sovereign right to do so! (Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him:) I Cor. 15:24-28 when Jesus has subdued all enemies, He will join all to God!

What is the 2-edged Sword in this verse? (Rev. 1:16 And in his right hand 7 stars & out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword & his countenance was as the sun shineth in his ) strength. (Heb. 4:12 For “the WORD of GOD” is quick & powerful & sharper than any “twoedged sword.”)

The following verse forms an outline of Revelation. Rev. 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, & the things which are, & the things which shall be hereafter. Then in chapter 4:1 after the Church Age; (reviewed in chapter 2 & 3) we are shown the “things to occur thereafter.”

(Rev. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth & they that hear the words of this prophecy) What are these blessings? Knowledge, Wisdom, Contentment, Security, Hope, Readiness, Alertness & Confidence; even as the whole world erupts towards an unparalleled Time of Trouble in world history!

Are we living in the Last Days? According to Revelation’s opening; we have “progressed deeply” into the era of the Last Days! Rev. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth & they that hear the words of this prophecy & keep those things which are written therein: for “the time is at hand.”

The wrath of God is climatically speaking; reserved within the 21 Apocalyptic judgments. (I Thess. 4:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ!) Hallelujah that the Church will escape from the coming “Wrath” of God via the Rapture!

God did not give us the book of Revelation to scare us, although it is frightening. God gave us Revelation so we could “prepare ourselves beforehand” so we can escape it! Who can abide the Lord’s Wrath? Nobody! Why would anyone risk facing his wrath? Nobody has to; “Be Prepared!”

In each of the following verses / (Rev. 2:2,9,13,19 & 3:1,3:8,3:15) Jesus personally stated that “He knows the works of each & every Church.” That is a very sobering thought! Then Jesus adds this last reprimand: (Rev. 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke & chasten!) “Keep the Faith!”

Satan does not have the capacity of omnipresence! Only God has that ability! (In Rev. 2:13, the Lord identifies Pergamos as the 1st century “Seat” of Satan & that he “dwelt” there!) Satan has to constantly be on the move & relocate his Seat of Authority! Where might he be today?

The “Hour of Temptation” refers to the Great Tribulation! Christians will be “Kept From it!” (Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will “keep thee from” the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.)

Rev. 4:1 After this I looked & behold, a door was opened in heaven: & the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither & I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. The “things hereafter” come after the Church Age; in 2-3!

Why did God create the world & man upon it? Mankind & the whole world was all created for His good pleasure! (Rev. 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory & honor & power: for thou hast created all things, for thy pleasure they are & were created.) Are you/we pleasing him?

There is coming a time of trials, trouble, testing & Tribulation such as our world has never seen before. (Matt. 24:21-22) Jesus said that unless He intervened & judged this world for its sinful ways, the evil men that dominate this world would end up destroying the whole world.

Revelation chapter 5 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. You may ask why? It’s my favorite because only Jesus was found in all creation to be worthy to open God’s sealed book! Gods book of man’s history is now “Unsealed” and knowledge of His providence is open for all to review!

In Rev. 5:7 we see Jesus approaching God’s throne to take the Sealed Book from his hand. (And he came took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.) If Jesus had been unworthy; He could not take it. His “Finished sacrifice” on the Cross made him “Worthy!”

Revelation chapter 6 portrays the Four Horses of the Apocalypse. There is strong disagreement on the identity of this white horse rider. This is a serious matter! Many fail to see a 5th white horse rider in Rev. 19:11. This rider is Jesus! Chap. 5’s white horse rider is the AC!

In the Wilderness Temptation, Jesus never accepted any Worldly Crowns Satan offered him. (Rev. 6:2 And I saw & behold a white horse & he that sat on him had a bow & “a crown was given unto him” & he went forth conquering & to conquer.) Rev. 19:12 “Jesus has Many Heavenly Crowns!”

Many people reject Revelation study bc they think it is @ the Wrath of Satan. Ironically the Tribulation is @ the Vengeance of Jesus! (Rev. 6:16 And said to the mountains & rocks, Fall on us, hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne & from the “Wrath of the Lamb.”)

A serious question is posed in The Revelation of Jesus Christ concerning the era of the Great Tribulation! (Rev. 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come & who shall be able to stand?) Nahum 1:6 & Malachi 3:2 ask the same question. The simple answer to this question is NOBODY!

As wicked & evil as this world is, it is not as bad as it might be without the Restraining power of God. But someday soon, His Restraint will be abated to allow the Evil One to manifest. Rev. 10:6 reveals that there is a point in time when God will “no longer DELAY” his judgment!

Rev. 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the 7th angel, when he shall begin to sound, the “mystery of God should be finished,” as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. These mysteries were now unveiled! John recorded these prophetic mysteries in the book of Revelation.

Rev. 11:10 depicts a Tribulation era scenario wherein the world rejoices over the death of the Lord’s 2 witnesses! They celebrate & exchange gifts to celebrate the eradication of God’s Word! It’s obvious to me that the world is already trending toward just such a cancel culture!

Need a reason to be optimistic in a world of bad news? Rev. 11:15 And the 7th angel sounded & there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord & of his Christ & he shall reign for ever & ever. Jesus is Coming to take over!

Babylon the Great has long been a complex subject. Even John marveled at what he saw concerning this entity. Babylon is steeped in “religious Mystery!”It evolved out of the Babel philosophy. This religious institution is built on a false gospel & associated with a false Christ!

The False Prophet will enforce universal worship of the Antichrist! (Rev. 13:28 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man & his number is 666.) Who might this man be? I frankly don’t know! But I know Jesus Christ!

Just as the wise men from the East anticipated Jesus birth; so did Satan; “but for Evil purposes.” (Rev. 12:4 The dragon (Satan) stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born.) Thus ensued Herod’s infamous slaughter of babies.

(Rev. 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun & the moon under her feet & upon her head a crown of 12 stars:) The identity of this Woman can only be Israel. It is not Rome or the Church! This Woman delivered the Messiah & is hated by Satan!

If Satan could convince the Angels of Heaven to abandon God & follow his rebellion; imagine the persuasive powers that he possesses; with which he can deceive lowly human beings into most anything! (Rev. 12:4 And his tail drew 1/3 of the stars of heaven.) He is a master deceiver!

The 2nd beast in Rev. 13 is a 2-horned deceiver that cooperates with the Antichrist. The 2nd beast will seduce men to worship the Antichrist. This 2nd beast is the false prophet of Rev. 19:20. The oddity @ the False Prophet is his 2 Horns, which may denote 2 seats of authority.

In the tribulation period, the world will be ruled by a vain man presiding over an evil eco-religious global system. The Bible associates this end-times ruler with the sea beast in Rev. 13. This beast is the Antichrist, who will be catapulted to power with the aid of Ten Kings!

(Rev. 12:13 When the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (Israel) which brought forth the man child.) When the Lord gathers his Church, God will turn his focus back upon Israel. At this point, Satan knows his war against God is reaching a climax!

Rev. 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael & his angels fought against the dragon & the dragon fought & his angels, “And prevailed not;” neither was their place found any more in heaven. Satan will still yet escalate his war on Earth; yet he will not “Prevail” here either!

Rev. 12:5 And she (Israel) brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron & her child was caught up unto God & to his throne. Jesus is destined to rule this world! He is temporarily removed from the world, leaving His Church a task; but He is returning!

Is it true that those that take the mark of the Beast shall be eternally damned? (Rev. 14:9+ If any man worship the beast & his image & receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God!) Yes, Taking the Mark is eternal horror!

The Day of the Lord comes like a Thief! The Lord urges Patience! “WHY?”(Rev. 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God & the faith of Jesus; as the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)

The 21 judgments (seals, trumpets, vials) of God during the Great Tribulation have two-fold purpose. God unleashes them sequentially with pauses interspersed to compel men to repent. Secondly, they are the righteous justice of God upon unrepentant mankind. (Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9,11)

Matt. 24:14 says the Gospel is preached to whole world before the End comes! When may that be? (Rev. 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth & to every nation & kindred & tongue & peoples.)

Over 30 times the Bible warns of the Wrath of God! At the time of the last judgment; even the angels marvel at the “JUSTICE of his wrath!” (Rev. 15:1 I saw another sign in heaven, great & marvelous, 7 angels having the 7 last plagues; for in them is filled up the “Wrath of God.”)

Babylon figures prominently in the book of Revelation; as the worldly enemy of God & conspirator @ His people. Babylon’s history emanates from Babel! (Rev. 16:19 Great Babylon “came in remembrance” before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.)

Four times in the book of “The Revelation” we find that Tribulation era people preferring the AC; “repented not” of their sinful deeds, rejected Gods patient appeals after each judgment & then proceeded all the more to blaspheme the Holy name of God. (Rev. 2:21, 9:20, 16:9 & 11)

Is there a Biblical basis for a Global Government? (Rev. 17:12-13 And the 10 horns which thou sawest are 10 kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have “one mind” & shall give their power & strength unto the beast.)

(Rev. 18:2 Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen & is become the habitation of devils:) She claims a seat where she sits as queen! She rules over kings! She is the forbearer of religious harlotry!She perpetuates a Mysterious system, promoting the schemes of Satan @ Jesus Christ!

Rev. 19:11 expressly states that the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy! A testimony is the spoken witness of truth! Jesus came from his Father & presented to mankind the Truth! The Spirit of Prophecy conveys that God will bring his will to pass on Earth, as in Heaven!

Revelation 6 portrays the 4 Horses of the Apocalypse! They are all worldly! But there is a 5th Horse that overcomes them all. (Rev. 19:21 And I saw heaven opened & behold a white horse & he that sat upon him was called Faithful & True & in righteousness he doth judge & make war.)

What is this world coming to? I hear that question all the time! Satan has the world under his spell. Yet the world is not ending. Jesus is Coming! (Rev. 19:15 Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations & he shall rule them with a rod of iron:)

Rev. 20:1-3 Depicts Satan bound & incarcerated in the bottomless pit! Verse 3 adds that at this time Satan can’t deceive the nations anymore! The reciprocal of this verse vividly indicates that today the “Nations are vastly deceived!” Jesus warned us @ deceivers in the Last Days!

There is coming a day when Satan will be thrown in “JAIL!”Hallelujah! (Rev. 20:1 John saw an angel come down from heaven with the key of the bottomless pit & a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, the Devil & Satan & bound him a 1000 years!)

Rev. 20:6 Blessed & holy is he that hath part in the 1st resurrection: on such the “Second death” hath no power. What is the Second Death; you may ask? (Rev. 20:14 And death & hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the 2nd death.) We all must die once; none need die twice!

Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. What is the “Book of Life?” The Book of Life is a listing of all those in life who accepted Jesus. God records all names but If you reject Jesus your name is blotted out! (Rev. 3:5)

What should be the attitude of the Church & every Christian regarding the 2nd coming of Jesus? (Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit & the bride say, Come) As Christians we should be busy sharing the Gospel knowing that our time to labor for souls is short, yet still yearning for our King!

Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ destiny & plans. It was revealed to enlighten Last Days servants to a “classified intelligence report” @ the Day of the Lord! (Rev. 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.)

Some people say that Revelation is ambiguous & shouldn’t be studied. Rev. 1-3 Jesus sent Rev-info to John to record. Then at the end of the book, we read: Rev. 22:16 “I JESUS” have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things “in the churches.” “Jesus thought it important!”

If Satan could convince the Angels of Heaven to abandon God & follow his rebellion; imagine the persuasive powers that he possesses; with which he can deceive lowly human beings into most anything! (Rev. 12:4 And his tail drew 1/3 of the stars of heaven.) He is a master deceiver!

The “Blessed Hope” is listed as a “Sound Doctrine.” (Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope & the glorious appearing of the great God & our Saviour Jesus Christ) What is the Blessed Hope? It is a “Fortunate “happiness” upon the Appearance of Jesus, being exempt from his Wrath!

Many people wonder why God would allow the Devil & the Tribulation to ever happen. One of the greatest spiritual harvest of souls in the history of the world will occur during the Great Tribulation! Rev. 7:9-14 depict a great multitude of souls saved during the Great Tribulation!

Have you ever noticed that the last topic that is discussed in the Bible is the subject of Grace. It is altogether fitting that God highlights the offer of His Grace at the end of the story of the Apocalypse! (Rev. 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.)

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

June, 2022

It’ Time to Circle the Wagons!

It’s Time to Circle the Wagons!

 I was just watching an episode of Wagon Train, produced in the 1950’s. In this particular episode, a young woman explains to 12 orphan boys under her care that they need a Father as well as a Mother. 

   The boys asked her why they needed a Father!

   She responded to them that a “child’s universe” is best built around “two different worlds,” the world of a Mother and that of a Father! 

   That response made me think about “my world as a young child” (with a loving Mother & a training Father) versus the world that society is promoting today. 

   My how totally screwed up the “universe of a child” has become today! 

  Today the family unit, as designed by God, is under demonic assault as never before! The traditional family is being destroyed as women’s roles and men’s roles in society are being reinvented by benign forces with a disdain for the family structure as ordained by Gods!

  Today we don’t even know what gender we are, and according to our anti-Christian socialist government, men can participate in women’s sports, become pregnant and even get abortions! 

  My how times have changed!

  Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

   I wish all children today could grow up in godly families with a loving Mother and a providing Father, and discover the wisdom of the 1950’s Wagon Train world.

  But, unfortunately, our modern culture will never consider returning to the Good Old Days, where common sense was in vogue, and reverence for God and his word held sway in society!

Whenever the folks in the Wagon Train came under outside attacks, the wagon master would sound a call to immediately circle the Wagons for defense. I think it is high time in America for Christians to circle the Wagons and start defending our God given heritage!

Psalms 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

May 23, 2023

What Are You Thinking?

What Are You Thinking?

We’ve all heard the well worn phrase; “A Penny for Your Thoughts.” Have you ever looked at someone and wondered; “what must they be thinking?” I think we all have probably been there. 

Thoughts are the most private parts of any human being. No one else in the whole world can know our private thoughts unless we share them. 

Consequently we imagine to ourselves that what we think, and do not express outwardly to others is undetectable by anyone! 

But, in reality, there is “one” who knows every single thought that we think! In fact, God knows everything about us, even our most well kept private thoughts. 

In fact, the Bible tells us that our Thoughts, even private as they may sometimes be, underscores what is really in our Hearts! 

Proverbs 23:7 For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he:

(“Ouch:” Think about that!)

The average person will typically have more than 6,000-8,000 thoughts in a single day, or about 300 every hour. That’s a busy mind! 

According to a research conducted by the National Science Foundation, around 80% of these 8,000 thoughts will be negative or of a vain purpose. 

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

As someone has adeptly stated, a mind is a terrible thing to waste! Since our minds are continually framing thoughts, it behooves us to “set our Minds to Think better thoughts,” especially since Almighty God knows our every Thought!

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Focus on the Bible

May 1, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young

How Great is God?

How Great is God?

We all have heard that inspiring old Gospel song entitled, “How Great Thou Art.” It’s timeless lyrics bespeak of the awesome mighty power and wondrous love of God. 

The song: “How Great Thou Art” was written in 1885 by Carl Boberg and has since become the second most popular gospel song, trailing only the epic song, “Amazing Grace!” Everyone has probably heard these fascinating lines:

“Oh Lord, my God; When I, in awesome wonder; Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder; Thy power throughout the universe displayed”

I think of these grand lyrics and the following verses every time I look up into a night sky. Then I contemplate the reality that there is a very powerful and loving God; way out there someplace! 

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

These divine truths cause me to attempt to imagine just how Great God truly must be. While it is impossible for the minds of mere human beings to grasp how great God must be; analyzing a few things about him begins to reveal a slight glimpse of his majestic and glorious Greatness: 

Ten Great Things about Gods Greatness

# 1. I John 4:7 informs us that the Most High God that dwells far, far above the Heaven of heavens is in fact a “God of Love!” 

How fortunate we human beings are that the Mighty Creator of all things is a God of love. Can you imagine the vanity of life that would exist for all, if Almighty God was by nature a Dictatorial unforgiving Tyrant? 

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sin; hath offered us Grace through Christ.

It is Super Great that God is a Loving God!

# 2. God is not only Loving, he is Righteous! The opposite characteristic of righteous is to be an actor of Evil. 

Psalms 119:137-138 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

How Great it is that Almighty God is perfectly Righteous! 

# 3. Almighty God is also a God of “Justice!” Have you ever in your life been victimized by an evil doer? If you have, you have an idea of just how important Justice can be. Surely nobody wants evil to go unpunished! Only an omnipotent and righteous God can mete out true Justice!

Job 8:3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

How Great it is that God, who is Righteous will someday judge and execute his perfect Justice over all things!

# 4. Almighty God is a God of perfect Truth, and cannot entertain a Lie! 

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

How comforting and assuring it is that God is incapable of lying. Not only is God incapable of lying, but since He is holy, righteous and Just, He is thoroughly disgusted by all liars! Chief among the Liars that God hates is the Devil himself, the father of lies!

How Great it is that Almighty God is a mighty bastion of absolute Truth! We’re He not, we would all be incapable of knowing the Truth!

# 5. The God that dwells way out beyond the heavens and created all things that exist; is the absolute sovereign of all that he made! He is absolutely all-powerful! There is simply no greater power anywhere!

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

How Great it is that the God of Love, Justice and Righteousness is “The Almighty!” It is so comforting to know that no Evil Powers can ever overcome Almighty God! 

# 6. Isn’t it “Great” that The Almighty God is interested in our personal welfare and fate?

Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

Almighty God is so interested in our welfare and fate that He has undertaken the greatest “demonstration of Love” the world has ever observed; namely the sacrifice of himself on a Cross of Execution to offer us all a Pardon!

How GREAT is a God that he would be so mindful of man that He would do that! Talk about Awesome!

# 7. What if The Almighty God was not a god of Patience and demonstrated the ultimate in self temperament? 

Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Oh my! How fortunate we all are that God is Patient, even long suffering! Imagine if God was not in control of his righteous wrath and demonstrating extreme patience toward us! We’d all be in big trouble! 

How GREAT it is is that Almighty God is so Patient and Merciful, and not given to hasty Judgments!

# 8. Almighty God has made well over 7,500 promises in his Word! Many of His promises involves our personal welfare and fate! What if God couldn’t simply deliver on some of his Promises?

Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

How GREAT it is that God, who cannot lie, also never Promised anything that he could not deliver! His Word is Forever Sure and settled in Heaven!  (Psalms 119:89) 

# 9. Almighty God would never entertain any concepts of Compromise! God is sufficiently powerful enough and knowledgeable enough and wise enough to ever need to change his foreordained course. 

James 4:4 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

The Bible makes it clear that God does not condone compromising His commands. And neither does God alter his ways or construct compromises with the World. In fact, God is so perfect in wisdom and knowledge that he has no need of change or redirection! 

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; 

How GREAT it is that Almighty God is so perfect in His wisdom and character that He has no need to Change or Compromise! If God “changed” or “compromised” we could not rest in peaceful contentment with Word!

# 10. What if God could fail or lose? That would be terribly disturbing, wouldn’t it? But in fact, God cannot fail at anything! 

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

How GREAT it is to know that God cannot Fail or ever be defeated! In fact, his greatest rival, Satan has already been Defeated! Yea, we now look forward to the Day when the Lord shall “put down” all enemies! 

I Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Oh How Great Thou Art! When I in awesome wander try to consider how Great God must be, I’m so glad that God is all that He is! 

Focus on the Bible

April 1, 2022

by: Darrell G. Young