MY HEART TO YOURS 2018

Dear friends and readers,

What a year we have all just experienced. One of the most hotly contested US Presidencies of all time, Israel now despised by a minimum of 128 countries who are members of the United Nations, The United States beginning to pull financial support from that august body, signs of the demise of ISIS, Nuclear war once again a danger to the world, both Russia and China charging full speed ahead into a race for world domination-----and the list goes on an on!

For those of you who study Biblical prophecy, all these things can trigger both excitement (for the possible soon coming of our King) and also undeniable nervous tension (over the exact timing and what that will mean for the rapture of the church). And truthfully, no one really knows for certain, do we? But it's becoming ever increasingly difficult to look at our world without both these feelings of excitement and trepidation.

My heart to yours 2018 is my way of saying "fear not because the King has it all under control". So, I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you all, my thoughts and the way all this is working out in my life. My heart.

I have spoken to so many believers over the years who say "but didn't every single generation since the cross hope for the coming of Christ? And of course the answer to that would be a resounding YES. But, our generation is the ONLY one in world history who can look backward at the monumental number of fulfilled Biblical prophecies which were accomplished on May 14, 1948 when against all odds, Israel once again became a nation, after 2000 years of physical non existence. By the way, the only nation to have ever done so. But this article is not about that. It is about hope for the future. A hope based in scripture. Based in an indelibly written promise by God Himself. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 identifies Christ coming to take His church out of this world. 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12 gives us detail of the rapture and even a hint at timing. Not THE TIME that it will occur but certainly timing of key events as they relate one to another. Several times in the book of Revelation Jesus says "I AM COMING SOON"! There are at least 10 things Jesus says about His return listed in the Gospels and 15 more about His second coming. Why did He belabor all these promises? Because He knew that in the end times, it would be difficult, even for many of His followers to look past "no hope" to eternal hope.

I for one look at eternity through vastly different eyes than many I have spoken to. You might be one of those who is as blessed as I consider myself to be, to look at world events and know that they are not real. Oh they are real here on this planet at this point in time, but they are not real when compared to gazillions of years of eternal life in a very special place called heaven because that is what we are promised. All who have placed their faith on the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All that we physically see before us here on this earth today is temporary. Our actual, physical citizenship has been permanently transferred. Permanent citizens of heaven, merely waiting for our bodies to catch up!

As a pastor for many years I have had to comfort very many people who have lost loved ones. In fact I have several myself. In my case I have loved ones on both sides of the eternal ledger. Some saved and some lost. Some blessed for all eternity and some----well no blessings there. Fact is fact and if we believe the Bible which tells us of heaven, then we must also believe in "that other place". The word no believer likes to dwell on when confronted by the passing of a loved one who was not a believer. Hell. It's that one single word, at least for me that keeps the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) before my minds eye.

This may sound odd to you but it is that very word, hell that has kept me from ever---not one single time consenting to minister a funeral for a non believer. I want to give those left behind hope and in those cases simply cannot. And I will not skirt around the issue. So I just simply do not provide that service. Nor have I ever one time ministered a wedding for non believers. What is the sense when worldwide statistics tell us that marriages between non believers has a slim chance at success? So I simply don't.

I don't want anyone to think that I am uncaring so please consider my words within the context of the absolute fact that for me heaven is a very real place. Also the words of God Himself who says in Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Unfortunately there are many within the church who have misunderstood that verse as meaning that God is somehow uncaring or mean spirited. Sadly it's those same folks who may have gone through desperate times and think God is punishing them for some past (repented for) sin. Both vastly untrue! In reverse order God in fact says in Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us". Think about that geographically for a moment; At no point on this planet does the east ever meet the west. The north does meet the south but the east never ever meets the west.

And the death of the saints of God? It is obvious in the book of Genesis that God created mankind for fellowship. For Himself! As much as we don't like the idea of parting with loved ones on this earth, could it be that God simply wants, NEEDS our loved one to be with Him in Paradise? Right now?

It is very natural and good for human beings to grieve the loss of loved ones. In fact trying to cut that grieving period short is I have found, a very unhealthy thing to do. Grief must play itself out naturally so we as humans can come to the point in time in which yes, we still miss mom or dad, grandma, sister or son but we are comforted to know beyond a shadow of doubt that they are not lost. Either to us or to any other believer. They have merely changed addresses. Temporarily. In fact in the course of time we will join them and be reunited for all time. And that is MY reality. As I must help people through the grief of loss of a loved one with the greatest degree of compassion, in my mind and heart it is an entirely different matter. You see, for believers in Christ, I have this checklist in my mind. The one with names and little check mark box's next to them. And when someone---believers pass from this earth, particularly for those who have been ill or in pain, I thrill at being able to put an X in the box labeled "SAFE"! Of course that is a very private thing because we must carefully guard the feelings of folks enduring grief.

But can you imagine? What it will be like to actually SEE the face of Jesus for the very first time? To enjoy the intense gratitude of reuniting with those who have gone before us? Can you imagine what the river of life actually looks like or the kinds of vivid colors that this earth may not even be capable of producing? The sights and sounds of millions upon millions of believers singing and playing heavenly instruments in praise of our God? And our angels. Someone once said, "you know you are in trouble when your Angel is in therapy", kiddingly of course. But really, I will enjoy talking to those guys. Knowing what they did have to do to keep me out of trouble.

I read an article a few years back about Albert Einstein. A famous absolutely brilliant man. The author, also a scientist claimed that even someone as mentally swift as Mr. Einstein was only able to use a very small portion of the mental abilities created by God in the human brain.  Can you imagine what it will be like in heaven when we are unencumbered by "HECTICITY"? When we are no longer burdened by worry, anxiety, pain, stress, lust, jealousy, hatreds and envies---age, to name only a few human emotions on this earth? No more thought of hair style, latest fashion, diet or the dreaded three letter word, the "GYM"? When we are finally able to use 100% of the brain power we were endowed with?

Now please don't misunderstand my intent. While still on this earth I fully intend to enjoy what I have here. I love to spend time with family and friends, good food, riding my quad, my home, and have no desire to end it any time soon. But on the other hand I am also ready when the Lord decides to "punch my particular button". Also, as you know, I sincerely love to write Biblically based articles that have an opportunity to touch peoples lives. But even more than that is my intense desire to know and understand what the word of God has to say about my future. My LONG TERM future. For me, probably a lot older than many of you reading this, it is almost like I am attached to heaven by a very long rubber band. One that is being stretched tighter and tighter with each passing day. And I know for certain that the day will come when that rubber band is stretched to it's maximum and either through my natural passing or the rapture of the church, I will, in the twinkling of an eye, suddenly shoot skyward, past whatever now stands between myself and my Lord. That could be seconds from now or it could be years. But in any case I am content to know that HE knows.

As we travel through this uncertain time in world history together, my hope is that you too have a perspective that centers on your ETERNAL life. That no matter what the news channels may have to say, you are able to keep your mind stayed upon Him who has given you and me the gift of eternal life as a free gift of grace.

From my heart and my household to yours, Have a happy New Year in Christ Jesus. And remember His words ending the Great Commission (Matthew chapter 28:18-20). "And lo, I Am with you always, even to the end of the age." AMEN

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.

As the nations— (and some) Christians rage!

Dear friends and readers,

WAR LOOMING. Psalm 83 may be on the immediate horizon. 

For the past three weeks I have been plagued with "writers block”. I could have written any number of articles of interest to me but I have a small problem. What I want to write is what the Lord inspires me to write and guess what? Zero inspiration—three full weeks which is very unusual considering I now have over 160 articles on the internet, PTL. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Until now! But enough of me for the time being! It  seems to me  that among Biblical writers, the inference nearly always swimming to the surface is that he or she claims to have the absolute latest news “from on high” and the latest inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I don’t claim that at all, nor am I a prophet. Just that I write what I feel inspired to write after prayer, study and yes, reviewing the latest news feeds.  Not so much television because most that amounts to a bunch of "talking heads” who are merely expressing individual political opinion and guessing at outcomes. I normaly stick to reading well established commentators both from the Biblical world and secular,  who avoid grabbing your attention with “spectacular” headlines. I am sure you to have seen really provocative story lines but when all the layers are peeled away it ends up being not much more than a puff piece and often ends with appeals for money.

Having said that, there are some really good news feeds available but even then I look for “trends” not one item news issues. And when I have digested all of the above, checked the facts and applied Biblical applications, I always allow room for my readers to decide for themselves. No one is infallible, not on this earth anyway. Well except for one, and He gave His life for all of mankind on the cross of Calvary about 2000 years ago. Fortunately for all of us, that is not the end of the story; But we will pick that theme up again towards the end of todays absolutely inspired Biblical article??? Er!

This past couple of weeks for myself and my family has been a tough ones. Tough because we have been away from home visiting very good friends and relatives. You know how tough it is to be away from your normal—well, normal. Usual routine, your own coffee blend, your own bed and your own dog? No one can replace Fido! Lot’s of great pooches out there, every one sweet as pie, but just not my very own Fido! Well Ok in our case it’s not really “Fido” it’s “Copper”, all 100 pounds of her Golden Retriever self—tennis ball and all. And yes we did have someone trustworthy watching out for the beloved household family mutt. On the other hand can you guess how much 100 pound “dawg” debri I was  facing when I arrived home? Ugh! Well that’s life in the country isn’t it?

On the positive side the annual family and friends visit is a great time and brings with It blessings that only family can accomplish. But then there are also the sad partings and sometime other stuff better avoided. Have you ever seen the movie “Fiddler on the Roof”? The central characters, (Tevye the poor milk man and his sharp tongued wife Golde)? Poor old Teve who is joyful but yet saddened by 5 daughters who are rejecting the old ways and want to step into a new and modern world. This forces Tevye to do the “on the other hand" routine throughout the entire film. Boy don’t we all go through times like that ? If I decided this, what would be the outcome? But If I decided that??? Ah, if we could all just have the gift of hindsight—BEFOREHAND! Me too, can’t deny it.

Our own Cook family home is one of peace and generally quiet. TV never on during the day, maybe a nice Christmas movie or (Shhh—don’t tell anyone) sometimes a “chick flick”—romantic comedy in the early evening with my wife. Can’t let THAT secret out, it wouldn’t be manly.  Nor would crying in any form—just had a small speck of something in my eye. Of course in a Biblical sense that would be a plank would’t it? Well, no matter, it happens. 

All the other stuff turned off, nice cup of something warm, looking at the ocean, taking a family walk, holding hands, enjoying our child and that ole tennis ball mutt. just living life and enjoying what God has done for us. However, while traveling, all that changes. Nothing wrong with that, it's just spending time with other folks who like other kinds of evenings. And days! And ad infinitum. TV’s  on constantly, talking heads raving for or against the current President. Conspiratorial garbage and the latest exposure on some slime bag sex offender. It just never ends—on and on and on. I remember one time when a large church visited our missions center in Mexico. They were so sweet, wanted to surprise our staff of missionaries. They had rented a large van and hauled a BIG screen T.V. along with dozens of (questionable?) movies. Just wanted to give us a break from reality. None of our people wanted to spend each and every evening watching that crud and sweet or not, could not wait for them to leave---T.V. and all.  Now, please don't get the wrong idea because we are far from "Puritans" wearing long white robes and silly pointy hats. But maybe this reality nice church group failed to understand that they were leaving their reality to enter into THE reality that most of the world actually lives.

Since we do live a “country life style” we are not used to rants and raves about things that mean absolutely nothing in the long term scheme of things. We are not used to being around folks, “Christians folks” who are embroiled in pure unadulterated hatred against some President or congressional personality who is enjoying exactly 15 minutes in the limelight. Ok, so maybe as much as 4 or even 8 years. No matter really because whatever they decide today will be changed tomorrow by their replacement. Anyone read King Solomon’s statement that “there is nothing new under the sun” lately? History always repeats itself. 

During this trip we were subjected  to various people totally entwined in the latest political drama. Wow, dude! There has to be a better way to spend time. By the way, for those of you who read my articles on a regular basis, do you EVER remember me writing about politics? Not that I don’t mention specific people from time to time in relation to possible future Biblical events but really? I remember just two weeks ago that some folks were talking impeachment not just for a President but for some members of congress as well. It was all the rage. Sucked every bit of oxygen out of every single news cast. This week no one can even remember all that garbage let alone act upon it. What an utter waste of time.

Now to clarify, I am not one of those church leaders who claim the church should never be involved in politics. Actually the church should be involved fully in every single aspect of human life. But in a positive way. Speak up, be proactive and exercise our votes. People should express their views at the ballot box. And you know it’s OK for two people sitting next to each other on the same church pew to be registered in different political parties. As long as we have Christ in common, can we not agree that it is OK to disagree about a particular President? What a revolutionary thought. No need to agree, you honor my opinion and I honor yours. Which brings up another subject. Let’s take the Civil War for an example. Horrific event, tens of thousands killed on both sides, Still to this day for many very raw feelings. 11 Southern states seceded from the Union in 1860. Arguments have been raging ever since that the move to secede was over slavery and some say it was over states rights. I will not argue the point because by doing so every single southerner would have to be painted with the broad brush of pro slavery which is simply not true. Having said that slavery in any form is wrong. But that is not the reason I brought up the Civil War.  And by the way, for the record there was nothing “CIVIL” about it.  It was horrible, cruel, bloody and deadly.

Did you know, that leaving the issue of slavery out of the equation, both the Presidents of the Union (Abraham Lincoln) and of the south (Jefferson Davis) were in fact Christians? And so were the two most famous generals from either side. Ulysses Grant of the North and Stonewall Jackson from the south. So was Robert E. Lee. Of course folks try to argue against that but who really cares? The point is that all these great men and leaders all called Christ Lord. And so did a huge majority of the soldiers who fought on both sides, many of whom really did not understand what the war was about in the first place. So let’s take a look at an example for you to think about; A CHRISTIAN private in a blue uniform is pointing his rifle at a CHRISTIAN private wearing a grey uniform. Both pull their triggers at precisely the same moment in time. Both bullets run true to the heart and actually pass each other within centimeters while in flight. Both men, both believers in Christ, die at exactly the same moment. Instantly, both believers find themselves prostrate before vthe Lord in heaven. To whom does the Lord say “well done good and faithful servant”? Think about that in context of todays electrically charged political environment.

A huge majority of of the House of Representatives and the Senate call themselves Christians. So did all five of the current and past Presidents. George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George Bush, Obama and now Trump. And most of them HATE each other. Most of congress is no better than those wearing blue or grey uniforms in the Civil War. If they have a D. next to their names they HATE those with an R. And visa versa. And then they all trundle off to the church of their choice and worship Jesus Christ. Really? Next Monday morning they all go back to work, forget all about the Lord, cannot come together on a single vote on ANYTHING, go back to their offices for lunch where most probably they have a Bible prominently displayed —while many of them (not all thankfully) grope their secretaries! What a sad inditement for Christianity in general. To Which of these hate filled “Christians" will the Lord say “well done, good and faithful servants”? To be absolutely clear, I am not the judge and don’t know the answer to this either. What I do know is that HATE is not something I believe pleases the Lord. How about you?

Two weeks from now no one will even remember todays news unless of course it has something to do with fulfilled Biblical prophecy. Did you know that the Bible tells us that we as Christians are now citizens of heaven? Of course being honest here, I cannot claim that everything happening today pleases me either because it doesn’t. But the question is, can I change any of it? And the answer is absolutely not! 

Well, let’s walk that one back a bit because prayer does change things but after all, who on this earth really wants to pray for some political animal we don’t agree with? Not many I know although that really is what the Bible directs us to do. Isn’t it? Did I read that wrong? The anger in todays society either for or against any particular political figure is absolutely staggering. And of course whoever it is that is sincerely hated “is going to take the entire country down the drain”. Probably right in the end because so many writers have correctly said that the United States is no where mentioned in the Biblical end times scenarios. Of course that does not necessarily mean it will be destroyed but perhaps somehow downsized from a major power position on the world stage? Gosh with a national debt now over 20 Trillion, a false (my opinion) inflated financial and stock market bubble that should by all rights burst wide open any second? Another cold war forming with the U.S., Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran and even Argentina (and I could go on and on with lists of several other countries). Military and nuclear threats and build ups in several regions of the world, Unstable oil producing nations, Europe being ripped apart by Islamic extremism. Well, need I say more? Something has got to give. SOON.

So, back to the basic premise. All this hatred. What I tried to tell my friends (would not listen) is that hatred is not something that our Lord Jesus approves of. In fact what the Bible does say for certain is that it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who puts world leaders into power. True even if it does not make sense to us at the time. Instead of hate, we should be praying for these leaders  and it is not our responsibility to “fix” the world but we should be adding to the Kingdom of God by accomplishing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and standing firm until the end. 

Here is the deal; All these world leaders and political parties only THINK they are in charge. In fact they are not! They are all simply kings, queens, knights, bishops  and rooks on a heavenly chessboard. And yes of course they all have free will. Some do really good things and some really bad things.  But they are simply chess pieces being moved around by a power far greater than any of them could possibly imagine. Each and every one of our current world leaders are merely doing their small part to move the entire world into a Biblical position that will allow the next phase of Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. President Trump is simply a pawn, a rook on that chess board,  as was President Obama and before him two Bushes and a Clinton. At least half the country hated what everyone of these men stood for. But sadly the general populace has no idea that someone far greater is pulling the strings, moving the chess pieces around the big Biblically prophetic board.  

But, would you not suspect that believers with a Bible at their disposal would recognize what is going on here? They should. Before we go further, if you look at history, you will discover that nearly all the truly great societies fell from power through varying forms of the very same disease. Moral decay from within, power struggles, debt, military abuse, decline of family values and waring political parties. Name them; Greece, Rome, Nazi Germany, Napoleons’ France, Alexander the Great’s empire, the Saracens, Turkish Ottoman Empire, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream world and the great Arab and Persian Empires. Name some more, same issues, same fate. Gone, all gone. 

History repeats itself, plain and simple and the great societies of todays world will do exactly the same. Every single sound bite recorded on the evening news was known in heaven long before those news castors were ever born. Long before any American President was a twinkle in his mommy’s eye! The scripts were written before the world began. Every single thing taking place today is already printed out on the “BIG BOARD in heaven. No mistakes and no surprises. Every single move the current leadership of America makes (not to mention the European Union, NATO, Russia and China) are moving the world inexorably closer to one single point in time. The second coming of Christ. And of course before that happens other things—other Biblically prophetic things will most assuredly happen. NOTHING CAN STOP IT!!! Things like the rapture of the church, Probably a war listed in Psalm 83, certainly the great war of Gog from the land of Magog listed in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. Eventually all the events of the 7 years of tribulation culminating in the huge worldwide war of Armageddon. And let us not forget the advent of the ultimate boogeyman, the foretold antichrist. He is coming as well. Things are on the move folks. Headed downhill toward the finish line. Nothing can stop it.

Last week the American President announced that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem. What a surprise. Seems to me that the Bible tells the story of King David purchasing the area of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem from a guy by the name of Araunah in the 10th Century B.C. Roughly 1000 years before Christ walked the earth. He paid the man fifty Shekels of silver for the Title. But now world leaders everywhere are predicting that Trumps terrible action will cause a horrific war in the Middle east because the poor Palestinians are being deprived of their rightful capital. Hog wash. While I do think the Palestinians deserve their own homeland it should not now or ever be carved out of Covenant land given by God to Israel. In fact history records that the League of Nations (precursor to the United Nations) did in fact create a homeland for the Palestinians prior to 1948. LONG PRIOR! It was called TRANS JORDAN, later given to a newly minted King who renamed TRANS JORDAN to THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN and refused to accept the poor Palstinian people into his new kingdom.

In fact history will also reflect that among the Middle East Arab, Turkish and Persian nations, they hold sway over a staggering 3, 596,959 square miles of territory. That’s right you read that correctly. OVER 3 1/2 MILLION SQUARE MILES! But what does the world want? To give the Palestinians a homeland within the boarders of tiny little Israel which includes a paltry 6,178 square miles of land. They want to give the Palestinians 1/2 of Jerusalem. The Eastern  half which includes the entire Temple Mount which was lawfully purchased by King David somewhat over 3,000 years ago.

I wrote an extensive article on February 26, 2017 entitled “END TIMES, PSALM 83. WAR IS IMMINENT"! You can find it by queuing up the BLOG ARCHIVE SECTION in the right hand column of this particular blog www.lastdaysreview.blogspot.com

In  that article, I articulate the various possible scenarios and people groups who might be involved in an invasion of Israel as spelled out in Psalm 83. This past weeks announcement by President Trump could and may well advance the time line of this war and to my way of thinking move the necessary chess pieces into order for that to happen. A veritable ground swell of  violent hate filled antisemitism is building throughout the Middle East as I type this.  The various sworn enemies of Israel may have just found their next excuse to try to wipe tiny Israel off the map once and for all. Of course it will not succeed. As did not all prior attempts but a war of this size could well bring hardship and death to the very doors of God’s promised kingdom. It could (notice I did not say would) also bring about Isaiah chapter 17, the total and complete destruction of the Syrian capital of Damascus. 

This article is already long so I will end it here. But please know that there are many other things in store for this planet prior to the second coming of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

The answers are ALL in the Bible. Study and you will know. 

God bless you all in Jesus Name.

Pastor Rance.