“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."” - John 13:35, NKJV
As we end this current calendar year and look ahead, we face one of the most important challenges of our walk with Yeshua to date, the condition of our love.
As we have spoken of much in the past, the notable characteristic of the time preceding the return of the Lord is the condition of our love.
In Matthew 24, preceding the prophecy of anti-Christ is a description of the love of many growing cold.
“And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Mat 24:4-14, NKJV)
I would encourage us to prepare our hearts for this prophecy. Being delivered up to tribunals and being hated for the name of Yeshua will not be a pleasant experience to say the least. The atmosphere of the end times is conflict, wars and rumors of wars. It will be a fertile ground for false prophets and much deception.
What marks a false prophet? I’m no expert on this but if we study the prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah and Jeremiah, we see a common pattern. The false prophets were those who were afraid to speak the truth to God’s people for fear of ruffling the feathers of the people. False prophets are middle of the road prophets. They are prophets who minister what people want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
The Apostle Peter spoke of them in 2 Peter 2:1-3:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2Pe 2:1-3, NKJV)
Strong words describing what he calls destructive heresies. These challenge the word of truth. He states it is a blasphemy. What is the enticement they offer? WHAT IS THE ALLURE OF FALSE PROPHETS? Peter tells us that it comes from Coveting. This is rooted in fear and the perception of lack. Peter warns us that we can be exploited by deceptive words. An exploit is a vulnerability that can be taken advantage of or provide an opening into the thoughts of a person. Peter is prophesying that it is in the place of comparing ourselves that we are vulnerable to being exploited. If we think of our culture, it is often sending us the messages that we are not OK with respect to the way we look, the possessions we have or don’t have. Even in the Church, we can receive not-so-subtle messages about measuring up to some standard that can make us feel inferior or doubt our very salvation.
Skipping down a bit, Peter continues in verse 12-14:
“But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.” (2Pe 2:12-14, NKJV)
There it is again, a reference to coveting. I believe in the hours ahead it will be those inside the Body that will pose the greatest danger. In the manner of Judas, they will turn on those who love the Lord with a simple faith that trusts in the power of love and the grace that keeps us in Him.
Peter warns us that they feast with us. This means they are on the inside. What marks them is “eyes full of adultery”. What does that mean? Yeshua told us that it isn’t just the outer adultery that is the problem it is the inner adultery that drives our hearts.
“but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28, NASB)
This is easy to see with natural lust and adultery. But it is deeper than just that, not to minimize that, but to go the heart of the matter. Peter tells us that the heart is actually trained in coveting and this brings a curse.
How do we deal with adultery or coveting? What is the root of these feelings and motivations? They arise out of a works mentality. Works is the mindset of lack.
Works is the opposite of grace which is rooted in love. Works has me thinking that I am loved for what I do. Works drives me to covet because I think that if I can get more then I’ll be more loved. It leads me to think that I need whatever you have. Works is truly rooted in pride which is motivated by fear.
In these days we will hear many messages that promote an alternative gospel based on performance. This has always been the alternative to the gospel of grace. This alternative gospel rooted in lack tries to get us to rely on the false security promised by worldly accomplishments. The Apostle Paul spoke to this:
“"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.” (Act 20:32-34)
One of the drawbacks of “full-time” ministry is that the Pastor can become in his mind an employee of the congregation. This is a pretty natural dynamic, since it is their offerings which often fund the lifestyle of the “full-time” minister. Paul recognizing this pitfall always worked with his hands as tent maker so he could be free to minister out of love instead of obligation to fulfill the requirements of a “full-time” job.
I am not saying that anyone in the ministry is being corrupted by money. I’m just saying that it is a temptation that has to be examined honestly. And I am also not saying that it is limited to the ministry. We all need to evaluate honestly where we derive our sense of security from. Are we secure in the Lord or do we secretly rely on our wealth or our appearances, or our possessions for our security? It is one thing to be grateful for all of these blessings. It is quite another to be owned by them.
Paul tells us:
“If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1Co 9:11-12, NKJV)
He was clearly aware that the message of the gospel could be hindered if it became a business focus. We expect a professional to promote his or her profession. I have certainly faced this in myself. I am grateful for my practice for many reasons, especially seeing people get well in treatment, but also it has kept me from relying on the ministry as my source of financial security.
Let’s get back then to coveting. How do we defeat the human tendency to covet?
I thin the solution is gratitude. Coveting is all about how we measure things. If what I don’t have is worth more than what I do have then I want what I don’t have.
Paul warns the Ephesians of the eternal consequences of this kind of heart:
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Eph 5:5, NKJV)
He is telling us straight out, that coveting is idolatry. It is trusting in the idea that I need something I don’t have to make my life work. This is the root of much suffering, broken marriages, abandoned children, lost jobs, etc.
Coveting also affects our ability to be productive and generous. It robs us of our sense of Godly Purpose:
“The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.” (Pro 21:25-26, NKJV)
The antidote is love and generosity, a thankful heart that expresses that gratitude by being generous. When we are thankful, we affirm the flow of love and appreciate what we have been blessed with. This opens up the gate of grace in our lives.
This is the root of effective prayer. Paul told the Philippians:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Php 4:6-9, NKJV)
A thankful heart is one that thinks on good things. They just go together.
Activation: What are you thankful for? What good and pure things has God blessed you with. Learn to love what is, rather than what isn’t. Build you life on a positive not a negative. There will always be more things to want but there are also much to be thankful for.
Behold, I Am Coming Soon!
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” - Revelation 22:7, NKJV
The New Jerusalem
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev 21:2, NKJV)
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Battle of Armageddon
“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her."” (Rev 19:1-2, NKJV)
Who is Mystery Babylon?
Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. - Matthew 24:3-5 NKJV
The Seven Vials of God's Wrath
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues (vials); for in them is filled up the wrath of God. - Revelation 15:1
The Two Witnesses
And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. - Rev 11:3-4
The Seven Trumpets (Shofars)
So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. - Rev 8:6 NKJV
666 - The Mark of the Beast
“And he causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” (Rev 13:16-18, NASB)
The Antichrist and the False Prophet
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2Th 2:3-4)
End Times: The Holy Roman Empire Reborn
"You, O king, were looking and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and of extraordinary splendor, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was awesome. "The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. "You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Dan 2:31-35 NASB)
End Times: Israel God’s Centerpiece - Part 2
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate." (Dan 9:27 NKJV)
End Times: Israel the Centerpiece
“On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:” (Gen 15:18, NASB)
World War 3
“And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.” (Rev 9:15)
Final 3 Seals - 5th, 6th and 7th
“I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?”” (Rev 5:1-2, NASB)
Who Are the Main Players? The Four Horsemen
“I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders *said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."” (Rev 5:1-5)
New World Order
“And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Rev 13:1-2)
Revelation: The Keys to the Kingdom
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (Rev 1:17-18, NASB)“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (Rev 1:17-18, NASB)
Understanding the End Times
He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. (Dan 12:9 NASB)
Brit בְּרִית, The Covenant
"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."” (Jer 31:31-3NKJV)
Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית, The beginning and the End
“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev 13:8, NKJV)
Trust, Betach בָּטַח
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” (Psa 28:7, NAS95)
Meekness, Canah כָּנַע, Anah עָנָה
“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8, NASB)
Integrity, Yashar יָשָׁר
“And He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”” (Exodus15:26,NASB)
Image and Likeness Bearers Tzelem צֶלֶם and Demoot דְּמוּת
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen 1:26-27 NASB)
Succoth - The Mishkan - Tabernacle
““Have them construct a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. “According to all that I am going to show you as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, so you shall construct it.” (Exo 25:8-9, NASB)
Yom Kippur: Alignment
“That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. “The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.” (Joh 17:21-23, NASB)
Yom Teruah, Day of the Shout of The King
“"He has not observed misfortune in Jacob; Nor has He seen trouble in Israel; The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a king is among them.” (Num 23:21, NAS95)