Conversation with a Demon

"And Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Legion'; for many demons had entered him." (Luke 8:30)

I was on my way to an undisclosed location. (I am purposely disguising various portions of this story to protect the innocent ~ myself included.) As I was journeying to this place, I had a good sense of the presence of God, was enjoying recognizing it and rejoicing.

It was in this "mood" that I arrived at my destination and was met by someone that I hadn't seen in a while. This is a person I am friendly with and have known for a long time.

Immediately, he or she (still disguising things as best I can) made an odd comment. (I just got chills writing that.) They said, "Hey Mike, you know the Bible talks about giants."

My antennae went up.

This person never talks about the Bible. I mean, never. So something unusual was happening.

I knew it was the Enemy.

I quickly responded, "Yes, the Nephilim." (Genesis 6:4) "That's right," they immediately said. (I'm still getting chills.)

Now you got to know a little bit more. I know about this person that was talking to me. I know that he or she (they) have been exposed (and given themselves) to New Age and cult practices. And so I was all the more tuned in, on the alert.

The conversation continued as "they" said there was a certain cosmic occurrence that was about to take place that would trigger another alien visitation to the earth which hadn't happened in a very long time.

It was as if Satan had put bait on a hook (more chills) to get me to try and bite (in the sense that I would confront this person and/or try to share the Gospel at that moment with him/her). But I didn't. I wouldn't. It simply wasn't the time or place.

As I reflect upon the encounter I believe God was wanting to show me something else.

And our Lord did speak of the end of the world and that it would include an atmosphere identical to that of Noah's day. (Luke 17:26)

And let me just say: Those same spirits that overtook the world prior to the Flood have been (and are being) released in ours (in all their decadence and filth). (Revelation 12:12)

Listen: "They" know who we (believers in Jesus) are.

Make sure you have your armor on. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

(The Fall of the Rebel Angels picture is in the public domain: click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Signs of the Evil Times
• The Devil at the Door

Evil on the Rise

You can feel it. You can see it with your own two eyes.

Evil is on the rise.

Even in the highest offices in the land, has there ever been a time with such lawlessness ~ blatant, unchecked and with no one willing to stand against it?

Evil is on the rise for two reasons.

First, Satan is preparing his final assault. (Psalm 2:2) You see, he knows the Scripture. He knows that there is a day coming where Jesus Christ Himself will step into history once again ~ and this time the devil will be ready for Him. This time he will be the victor. This time Satan will be the last one standing(?).

The second reason why evil is on the rise is really a part of the first. You see, "Heaven" indeed is approaching earth. The analogy of the Christian life is a help to explain it.

When a person is "born again," when a person receives Jesus Christ into his (or her) heart, he (she) becomes a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) At that point where "Heaven" takes up residence inside the soul, sin (that way of living that is contrary and diametrically opposed to God's standard) ~ it begins to be squeezed / flushed out. It's like there's no more room for evil / wickedness in a person's life (Jeremiah 17:9) since holiness and righteousness and goodness has come to replace it. (Romans 6:12) The tell tale sign that you're drawing close to Jesus and He's drawing close to you is you're seeing sins come to the surface ~ to be disposed of. (Romans 6:13)

And so this is the second reason why evil is on the rise. Jesus Christ is about to reign on our planet. (Psalm 2:6) And as "Heaven" is approaching earth, evil is being exposed (and coming to the forefront in governing structures, also) to ultimately be done away with by God forever. (Revelation 19:11)

The whole of creation is in expectation of our Lord's return. (Romans 8:19) The devil is, too, even though he thinks like somehow he can stand against it. He's in for a rude awakening. (Revelation 20:2)

You might also be interested in:

• On the Devil, Photoshopping, False Prophets, Teachers and Shepherds
• Signs of the Evil Times

Tipping Points, America, the Middle East and What the World is Really on the Brink Of

There is danger in the air. You can feel it. The world is at a tipping point: "the crisis stage in a process, when a significant change takes place."

So what could the significant change be?

Is it that America will be no more? Indeed, it seems the USA is in a downward spiral only made worse by corrupt politicians and their followers. Is that the significant change the world is on the brink of?

Or is it that the Middle East will completely explode into chaos? It's already there. The so-called "Arab spring" has really become an "Israeli winter" as more and more of the nations in that part of the world descend towards anarchy / evil religious rule and call for an end to the Jewish state. Is that the significant change the world is on the brink of?

My answer to each of these questions is: No and no. Neither of these are the "significant change" the world is on the brink of. It's much, MUCH bigger than that.

And it's not that America won't become a shell of what she once was or that the Iranians (and others) won't attack Israel.

But there's really something else that the world is on the brink of that I expect isn't at the top of many people's minds. (Matthew 25:1-13)

And I don't know exactly how we get here, but we do. (We really do!) What I'm talking about is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures ~ listen!! ~ He will stand again with His own two feet on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. (He really will!) (Zechariah 14:4)

This is the significant change the world is on the brink of.

Wow.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." (Psalm 46:1-2a)

You might also be interested in:

• 2012, the Mayans, the Media and Collapse of the Planet
• Ignorance, Asteroids, a Great Earthquake and War in the Middle East

A World without God (plus podcast)

(To listen to the podcast of this post, click here.)

"'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.'" (Matthew 7:13)

It's what most people want. Oh, they wouldn't say they want it, but it's the way they act and the way they vote. I'm talking about a world without God.

And if you've ever read the Scriptures, you'll know this is what it comes down to. (Revelation 13:1-18) Man will push God out of everything and enthrone himself as supreme ruler. It happened in Germany in the 1930s. And we know what kind of world that led to.

So how do we combat it? How do we protect ourselves? By becoming a "lover of the truth." (2 Thessalonians 2:10b)

A world without God is predicated / founded upon a lie (Genesis 3:1-5) - that man can handle things apart from the divine hand and that God is not good. People believe this because it is drum-beated into them through the media from every corner. And it's all they've ever known since birth.

The fact is many of you won't listen to me. (1 John 4:6) The lie is powerful. You've become comfortable living the lie. It is uncomfortable to turn from the lie.

Still, some of you will break free. (Matthew 7:14)

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Lies from the Devil (redux) plus podcast
• Signs of the Evil Times

Distressful Times, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Trust and the Work of God

"Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.' And they were greatly distressed." (Matthew 17:22-23; ESV)

We are living in distressful times. The world is teetering. What are we to make of it? After all, as believers in Jesus Christ, I thought His plans for us were for our welfare and not for calamity? (Jeremiah 29:11) Then why are things turning so bad?

Peter made a huge statement. He recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Wow! (Mark 8:29) But rather than go to Starbucks and have a Latte over it, Jesus began to talk about His death instead. Huh? (Mark 8:31) He was to die (which was bad enough) and, on top of that, cruelly. It was awfully distressing to the disciples to hear it.

And sometimes God's path leads through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4)

There are many reasons for this.

For one thing, so many are comfortable. So many are unshaken. And these will leave this life (die) comfortable and unshaken ~ and without the Lord! ~ unless He allows for all they trust in apart from Him to be shown for what it really is: Fleeting. (Hebrews 12:27)

We are not to trust in money, 401ks, retirement savings, our career, our personality/charisma. We are not to trust in politicians (unfortunately, many of whom have compromised their own faith to get to office). We are not to trust in anything apart from Christ.

A second reason God's path leads through the valley of the shadow of death sometimes ~ and the most important one for us who already believe ~ how else do we learn to trust Christ in an ever-developing and increasing way? How else do we become less and less and He become more and more (John 3:30) except through distress?

Are you distressed? God is busy in your life.

Trust Him (alone).

"He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

You might also be interested in:

• Author and Finisher of Faith
• How a Super Power Disappears from the Final Act of History

Ignorance, Asteroids, a Great Earthquake and War in the Middle East

There is an ignorance when it comes to events unfolding. There is a lack of knowledge and a darkness. There is a veil over minds. (2 Corinthians 4:4) For many, they've chosen to remain in the dark (and the devil is most obliging). You speak to them about "heavenly things" and it's that deer in the headlight look you get. (But some are listening.)

There was that asteroid that passed the earth recently (the size of an aircraft carrier, missed us by about 200k miles). And it was brought up in conversation. And yes, I had my antenna up and had "pondered it in my heart." "You do know how it's gonna end, don't you?" I said to a couple of friends. (I was speaking about the end of the world.) There was silence. "There will be a worldwide earthquake," I went on. One of them broke the silence, "An asteroid is going to strike the earth?" I quickly came back (I get excited when people want more information), "Well, not necessarily. But it may just be that a close enough pass is what triggers the earthquake. Read Revelation 16," I finished. (Revelation 16:17-21 to be exact for those of you interested. The parallel is Revelation 6:12-17. It must be the same event.)

And since I'm talking about the end of the world ~ Israel is on the brink of attacking Iran over its nuclear capabilities. (The latter's.) And so I felt compelled to read Ezekiel 38 the other day just to remind myself of what's ahead. The Bible speaks of "wars and rumors of wars." (Matthew 24:6) It's interesting to note that the Ezekiel passage mentions Put and Persia in the mix who will fight against Israel in the last days along with Magog (Russia) and Ethiopia (Sudan). I expect I'm removing the veil off of some of your eyes. Put is Libya. (It's really something as you understand the unprecedented goings on there as that country is being overtaken by terrorists?) And Persia? Well, she's modern day Iran.

Wow.

"'But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'" (Luke 21:28)

You might also be interested in:

• How a Super Power Disappears from the Final Act of History
• Mark of the Beast

Signs of the Evil Times

It's not politically correct to say what I'm gonna say. Ultimately, the world system will fall. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Look at it now. We are not transitioning towards the next great step in the evolutionary chain. To think so you not only have to have a depraved understanding of the heart of man, but one that can only be bread there. (Jeremiah 17:9)

Quite to the contrary. We are devolving. We are reeling / flailing ~ as corrupt, political narcissists and media "get theirs" (fame, fortune, etc) at the expense / detriment of constituents / adherents. (John 10:10a)

It's coming into much greater focus now as elections are overrun by those who seek office via unjust means: Exaggerate claims against opponents; Offer money for "votes." (Esther 3:8-9)

My thought is (something I've been wondering about) we're experiencing the affects of the "heavy millstone thrown into the sea" (Revelation 18:21) working backwards in time as waves / tremors (a tsunami gathering) on the ocean. Indeed, Scripture teaches that the entire political system will be overtaken / inhabited by demons (the "harlot," "beast" and "kings" imagery in Revelation 17 ~ see video below) like the swine long ago after Jesus ordered them out of the Gadarene demoniac. (Matthew 8:30-32)

Indeed, humankind will cooperate in its own demise. (Revelation 13:16-17) When you push God out of every aspect of life, you welcome Satan in His place. (Luke 11:24-26)

In the end the devil will try to destroy the people of God (Israel and the Church) as he makes one last grab for the throne of God. (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19) He will capture the governments of earth. (Revelation 13:1-8) And then attempt to capture the government of heaven.

He will fail. (Revelation 19:11-21)

You might also be interested in:

• 10 More Lies of the Devil
• The Great Harlot and the 7+10 Kings

Is May 21, 2011 the Day? (Christ vs Camping)

"'But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.'" (Matthew 24:36)

Pack your bags. Cash it in. Liquidate. It's over. Done. The fat lady (not politically correct?) ~ the "obese" / weight-challenged lady is singing. At least that's what some people would have us believe.

On the twenty-first of the fifth month, in the year of our Lord twenty-eleven (just 16 days from the writing of this post), Jesus will return to receive His Church. (To read "End of Days in May? Believers enter final stretch," click here.)

And let me just say, "What is it about our Lord's statement, 'No one knows the day and hour,'" that Harold Camping doesn't understand? Yet again, he's behind this pinpointing the date thing. It's not the first time. He also did it in 1994.

Sooooo ... let me just ask a really silly question: Then why is Camping still here?

Well, the reason why is because Christ did not return in 1994. (Duh.) Camping was wrong. An article on the web indicates he would (will) not repent of his quote "mistake in interpretation."

And so here he is in 2011 doing it again.

If Camping were a hermit on an island, that would be one thing. But he's got the ear of thousands who buy into his foolishness. It's what "pride" does to a person who removes himself from Christ's Church (which Camping has done). They go "crazy" in their understanding.

Many of Camping's teachings are destructive. Thus, his words must be turned from and his date setting must be dismissed.

The Lord will indeed return. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) But everyone will be surprised. Including false teachers.

^"And Jesus began to say to them, 'See to it that no one misleads you.'" (Mark 13:5)

(Picture above under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license: HERE.)

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Dynamics At The End Of The World (in 30 seconds)
• On the Subject of Martyrs

Israel's "Iron Dome" in Action (video)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

7 Points on the End Times (plus 3 bonus points)

"By Caldron Pool. In the last days of Narnia, far up to the west beyond Lantern Waste and close beside the great waterfall, there lived an Ape." Thus begins C. S. Lewis' "The Last Battle," the final book in his 7 volume children's classic, Chronicles of Narnia series. In it Lewis depicts the last days struggle on planet earth that the Bible explains will take place prior to and including the return of Jesus Christ.

One of the primary characters about to enter on to the scene of this drama is the man of sin, Antichrist (represented by the "Ape" in The Last Battle). (2 Thessalonians 2:3) And there are a whole host of other things that surround Antichrist's appearance and his eventual destruction that, quite frankly, we all just need to know about and have a handle on as we come upon the darkest days humankind has ever known. (But it's always darkest before the dawn!)

I do my best to chronicle some of the truths that surround what the Bible also refers to as "the day of the Lord" (2 Peter 3:10) in the following 7 points on the end times. It was first broadcast on Twitter in 7 tweets (a "tweetcast" ~ each is 140 characters or less). So if any of you got the chance to already see it, I've added 3 bonus points you won't want to miss at the end.

And so here we go with...

7 points on the End Times (plus 3 bonus points):
(feel free to tweet these yourself if you like)

1.Then the kingdom of heaven will b comparable 2 10 virgins,who took their lamps,&went out 2 meet the bridegroom.Mt25:1 #endtimes #tweetcast

2.A charismatic leader will appear bringing peace 2 the Middle East.The world will worship him.He will b Satanic. Rev13 #endtimes #tweetcast

3.Old & New Testaments filled w/Return of Christ promises. 4 every First Coming prophecy there r 8 on Second Coming \o/ #endtimes #tweetcast

4.The "super sign" of the last days is Israel being gathered to her original homeland(5/14/48).Dry bones r alive!Ezek37 #endtimes #tweetcast

5.The Church is raptured&revival takes place based on the testimony of those who r gone.Beheadings follow. Rev13:7;20:4 #endtimes #tweetcast

6.Russia & her allies, Sudan, Libya & Iran will attack Israel. God Himself will step in & decimate their armies. Ezek38 #endtimes #tweetcast

7.Jesus Christ will appear personally, literally&visibly, in glory, in power, w/angels, quickly, unexpectedly. Zech14:4 #endtimes #tweetcast

BONUS

8.R response 2 knowledge of the Master's return? Serve, love & share the good news. Luke 12:35-44 Maranatha \o/ #endtimes #tweetcast

9.America absent in prophecy. Y? 1 teacher says:Nuclear decimation or National decline or Sweeping revival then rapture #endtimes #tweetcast

10.Islam will not rule the world in the end.GodofAbraham,Isaac&Jacob whose Son died on the cross 4 r sins will.Zech14:9 #endtimes #tweetcast

(Above picture under the Creative Commons license: HERE.)

7 Identifications of Wicked Religion

Not all religions lead to God. It is rather obvious which ones do not. At the heart of "wicked religion" is the denigration, dismissal and destruction of people (e.g. "believers" who support abortion). At the heart of "wicked religion" is the foolish notion that a person can gain salvation of his own doing. The following points speak for themselves...

7 Identifications of Wicked Religion:

1. It appoints itself as God's representative while it is not. (Matthew 23:2)
2. It preaches righteousness while its lifestyle is wretchedness. (Matthew 23:3)
3. It lays heavy burdens on human beings, puts them in bondage, keeps them there and leads them to hell. (Matthew 23:4, 15)
4. It appeals to vanity / wicked men's desire to be noticed/exalted/worshiped. (Matthew 23:5-7)
5. It overrules the Bible as the final rule of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
6. It takes its stand against the very people of God. (John 16:2; Zechariah 14:1-4)
7. It does not exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and His Person alone. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)