ttob24

The Testimony of Believers

Lesson Twenty-four: by turtle (Christina Farris)

I am dissatisfied by a movement across our country that would cause a church to rob the
poor. As much as I love church people when money and wealth is more desired then God
then there is a problem. If you church would close its doors and decide to raise money on
Sunday beware something is probably wrong. There is a time to worship and time to make
to money. All in due time. However the issue is more then just that. If you have people
looking to see what you put in, there is a problem as well. Only reason to know what is
given is taxes purposes on some forms and that my friend still should not be a reason to
know. After all a check or a money order for amount is a tracker of how money is spent.
You have records. Only reason to use envelope is to designate a certain amount to a
certain church fund. However these are personal opinions and not necessarily a view of
any church or church minister. However what you give to God is God’s and should be
used for His work.

A certain widow gave all she had into the treasure. Jesus explained she gave all she had
and not percentage. See if a person gives all they have it should not be refused. A gift is a
gift. Love is love. This widow love God enough to give up money perhaps not knowing
where they next coin or meal might come from. Yet she gave it with a pure heart. How do
you give? Are you giving from you leftovers, what you have, what you have not to give.

Luke 21:1-4 KJV
(1) And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
(2) And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
(3) And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than
they all:
(4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her
penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

The next verses is about the destruction of temple in Jerusalem. Jesus prophesied it would
occur, but it starts off with a statement from Jesus about the wealth of the temple building.
How this wealth would not last. The disciples wanted to know when the temple would be
destroyed. If someone is telling you a building will be destroyed at that day in time only
several things that could cause such a disaster a natural storm or arm forces of some kind.
No Jew would destroy there own temple for it was a sacred building a place where God
lives. Yet here Christ is speaking of its destruction in the form of prophesy this destruction
would take place in 70 A.D. forty years after Christ resurrection roughly. Christ physical
body would face death and it too was the temple of God. His flesh would be destroyed by
beating and the cross, but this is talking about the physical building in Jerusalem.

Luke 21:5-7 KJV
(5) And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he
said,
(6) As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be
left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
(7) And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign
will there be when these things shall come to pass?

The temple would have to be destroy for new religious order to spread. Persecution would
come and wars would take place before Israel would return to the promise land in 1945.
Over sixties years have passed since Israel has returned to the promise land. Now we still
wait for the return of the Messiah. What is the difference between religious order and
governmental order, is one deals with the spirit of man, one deals with the physical
welfare of the person. It is not that God does not take care of our physical well being, it
that there are things that are common to man that God allows to happen for His reasons
and His glory. Every hardship we go through is either a test of faith or a witness to
someone else and often both to how God and us cope with opposition and struggles.

The disciples asked Jesus when was this temple going to be destroyed and Christ begins to
talk about disasters, storms, wars and more. Let us continue with scripture.

Luke 21:8-28 KJV
(8) And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
(9) But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must
first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
(10) Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom:
(11) And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and
fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
(12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering
you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my
name's sake.
(13) And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
(14) Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
(15) For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able
to gainsay nor resist.
(16) And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends;
and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
(17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
(18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
(19) In your patience possess ye your souls.
(20) And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.
(21) Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in
the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
(22) For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
(23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for
there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
(24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all
nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled.
(25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the
earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are
coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
(27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for
your redemption draweth nigh.

This is self explanatory and I am not going into to details. We know that if anyone claims
to be Jesus run away, just get away from these people, no one knows the hour of Christ
return but all well see Jesus when He does return. Not one person will be exempt form this
event, so you have not missed Jesus. How can all see the return of Christ, some say TV. I
disagree for scripture say clearly to lift up your head for your redemption draweth nigh.
Certain things would have to come to pass. And these signs are the signs people look for
even today. However we must remember not to look to the signs as time to get right for
today is the day of salvation.

You do not want war when you are nursing your children. You do not want disasters to
befall you, but do not grow faint at all you see, but hold fast in faith for Christ return is
soon. How soon, I do not know scripture only says soon. If God in stills in your heart the
reality of the word then you know that what is said is true. If you are a new believer and
still learning to walk with God then you still have a lot to learn about Jesus however you
can believe all He speaks to your heart. Faith is the substances of thing hoped for, things
yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is so important to hide God’s word in your heart, to give to
God out the heart.

The next passage continues with preparation of what to expect to come. Take note that the
trap will come to all. What trap, what snare. The snare of money or God. The snare of life
or death for what one believes. If you hold fast and stand firm in faith then prayer when
trials come that God will enable you to stand, to be aware and to know what is Him and
what is the devil. For devil will come as angel of light. Seeking to deceive, but if you resist
Him, then you know you will have the opportunity to stand before Son of God. To stand
before Him less you fall, for He will say to you well done good and faithful servant. You
are my son/daughter. Stand firm and be ready for the inheritance is on the other side of
glory.

Luke 21:29-38 KJV
(29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
(30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now
nigh at hand.
(31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of
God is nigh at hand.
(32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
(33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with
surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares.
(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
(36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all
these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(37) And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and
abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
(38) And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

This time of the fig is talking about the natural growth of the church world, When revival
comes then fruit brings forth and this spring time and summer. The harvest comes in the
fall of the year and there is death in winter only to be revived again in summer. The life of
the church in the spiritual world is sowing, growing, reaping and turning the soil for the
dying crops and allowing a time of rest. It starts all over again. This process must come
and it must go. Yet we must hold to the truth of the gospel.