The Mystery Of Catastrophe by Joel Richardson and Nathan Graves is a shocking treatise of what Pastor Jimmy Evans briefly describes here.
The authors first describe the "problem," then provide a compassionate Christian response.
Being from a politically conservative background, I found myself squirming frequently as I compared my (political-economical) world-view against the mirror of God's Word. I came face to face with the reality of my political-economical inspired bias - instead of Gospel inspired - perspective on fleeing Muslim refugees.
I've been humbled, and my eyes have been opened to see world events through a larger, macro, Biblical lense. In the words of the Psalmist,
"But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." Ps 115:3
God is Sovereign - we SERVE at His pleasure (Trusting God by Jerry Bridges will help you understand the subject of God's Sovereignty).
As difficult as the days ahead may be for believers, I've garnered a new resolve of endurance by reading this book (The Mystery Of Catastrophe). I thank God for His providence in providing this timely material. One can only come away with a conclusion similar to Pauls,
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36
Hallelujah!
Furthermore, I hope that you'll gain a fresh understanding of the words of Jesus, "turn the other cheek" and be imbued with His resolve,
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He **steadfastly set His face** to go to Jerusalem" Lk. 9:51
Like Jesus, our "time" has come, and we must set our faces like flint and march resolutely towards Jerusalem! "our cross" (see Matt. 16:24-26; Hebrews 12). Nevermind the taunting mob, crying out for Barnabas (or in our case, temporary worldly lusts, lawlessness, Anti-Christ...).
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:11
May the Lord Grace us with His strength for the difficult days ahead and "direct our hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus Christ." (2 Thess 3:5) even as we see the day approaching.
"He who OVERCOMES, to Hiim who is VICTORIUS..." (Rev 2:7; 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 11:7; 12:11; 15:2; 17:14; 21:7). I urge you to read through these verses.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." Revelation 21:7
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Matt. 11:15
Thank-you for this. I ordered the book. The Lord put a Muslim family across my path about 15 years ago. It has been my great Joy to love them, and to point them to the way of Jesus.
Hi Marcus, I finished the book, The Mystery of Catastrophe, same author (one of them) as the one Jimmy Evans mentioned in his post. As Jimmy Evans said, you have to keep in mind, (as you are reading), that he does NOT believe The Rapture comes before The Tribulation.... But it still gives great perspective on the Church’s role in these troubled times going forward with the time that we have left before Jesus comes for His Bride, and it very much encouraged my heart in this respect. Very good read. Lots to think about from the world wide and missionary perspective, and of course we are all Missionaries with our love and the spread of the gospel no matter where we are at. A good start to this New Year. Sobering, stretching, and encouraging. Thanks.
Wow! Kris, you're a studious reader. I'm glad you found the book inspiring. "We're all missionaries..." I couldn't agree more. May we follow the Lord closely in the Fear of the Lord, humility, Grace, Wisdom and above all, Love.
As for the pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib question, I'll say this... I'm not dogmatic on any position (yet) as I am currently undergoing a careful Bible study, but the more I study, the more my position reflects a "reservation" until that Glorious day we find ourselves in the air, then (with joy overflowing), might the pre-tribbers exclaim, "Aha!" The mid-tribbers, "Thank You Lord!" And the post-tribbers, "The Lord is Faithful!" Despite our differences, I adopt C.S. Lewis' perspective,
"It is at her centre, where her truest children dwell, that each communion is really closest to every other in spirit, if not in doctrine. And this suggests that at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice."
I think many will laugh like C.S. Lewis and the German soldier who find themselves a moment after death... Like them, I think we'll realize how inconsequential some of our arguments were.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13
Beyond this, I look forward to singing the song of Salvation with all my brothers and sisters found in Isaiah 26. I particularly like verse 12,
"Lord, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works." Isaiah 26:12
And in Psalms,
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth." Psalms 115:1
Ps: If you're interested in investigating this subject. I highly recommend studying the various views of the Millennium from the perspective of their advocates, not their detractors. Two excellent resources are The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, Robert G. Clouse, ed. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1977) and Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, Darrell L. Bock, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999).
However, I think it's prudent to undergo a systematic Bible study through the whole Bible first before undertaking an exclusive study in eschatology or any other subject. This is the approach I've taken. For such a study I recommend Wayne Grudems (newly revised) Systematic Theology and companion Workbook. I further recommend purchasing it through logos Bible software, since in the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Here are some helpful links to go directly to these resources: https://www.logos.com/product/190507/systematic-theology-an-introduction-to-biblical-doctrine-2nd-ed
Lord open our eyes, that we may see Wondrous things from Your law. The Law of Your mouth is better to us than thousands of coins of gold and silver (Psalms 119:72) and sweeter to our taste, sweeter than honey to our mouths! Through Your precepts we get understanding; Therefore we hate every false way (Psalms 119:103-104).
"Thy word O Lord is like a garden, with flowers bright and fair; And everyone who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there. Thy word is like a deep, deep mine, and jewels rich and rare are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there." Edwin Hodder
I conclude with the words of Charles Spurgeon,
It has been said by some one that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the Name, the Nature, the Person, the Work, the Doings, and the Existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel— "Great God, how infinite art Thou, What worthless worms are we!" by Charles Spurgeon
Yes! But it’s just my personal input that I think the Antichrist will create from the pits of Hell his own worship decree ! To him !! And to him ; he will demand ALL , even Muslims to Bow to him only! It’s just a hunch but Muslims will never bow to the Antichrist nor believers and just maybe Muslims will be included in being beheaded as well .
Come Jesus Come and thank you so much for giving us thought to the coming events using in Messiah 🙏🙏🙏🙏
AMEN!! COME LORD JESUS QUICKLY!!
The Mystery Of Catastrophe by Joel Richardson and Nathan Graves is a shocking treatise of what Pastor Jimmy Evans briefly describes here.
The authors first describe the "problem," then provide a compassionate Christian response.
Being from a politically conservative background, I found myself squirming frequently as I compared my (political-economical) world-view against the mirror of God's Word. I came face to face with the reality of my political-economical inspired bias - instead of Gospel inspired - perspective on fleeing Muslim refugees.
I've been humbled, and my eyes have been opened to see world events through a larger, macro, Biblical lense. In the words of the Psalmist,
"But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." Ps 115:3
God is Sovereign - we SERVE at His pleasure (Trusting God by Jerry Bridges will help you understand the subject of God's Sovereignty).
As difficult as the days ahead may be for believers, I've garnered a new resolve of endurance by reading this book (The Mystery Of Catastrophe). I thank God for His providence in providing this timely material. One can only come away with a conclusion similar to Pauls,
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36
Hallelujah!
Furthermore, I hope that you'll gain a fresh understanding of the words of Jesus, "turn the other cheek" and be imbued with His resolve,
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He **steadfastly set His face** to go to Jerusalem" Lk. 9:51
Like Jesus, our "time" has come, and we must set our faces like flint and march resolutely towards Jerusalem! "our cross" (see Matt. 16:24-26; Hebrews 12). Nevermind the taunting mob, crying out for Barnabas (or in our case, temporary worldly lusts, lawlessness, Anti-Christ...).
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:11
May the Lord Grace us with His strength for the difficult days ahead and "direct our hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus Christ." (2 Thess 3:5) even as we see the day approaching.
"He who OVERCOMES, to Hiim who is VICTORIUS..." (Rev 2:7; 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 11:7; 12:11; 15:2; 17:14; 21:7). I urge you to read through these verses.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." Revelation 21:7
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Matt. 11:15
Thank-you for this. I ordered the book. The Lord put a Muslim family across my path about 15 years ago. It has been my great Joy to love them, and to point them to the way of Jesus.
Praise God!
Hi Marcus, I finished the book, The Mystery of Catastrophe, same author (one of them) as the one Jimmy Evans mentioned in his post. As Jimmy Evans said, you have to keep in mind, (as you are reading), that he does NOT believe The Rapture comes before The Tribulation.... But it still gives great perspective on the Church’s role in these troubled times going forward with the time that we have left before Jesus comes for His Bride, and it very much encouraged my heart in this respect. Very good read. Lots to think about from the world wide and missionary perspective, and of course we are all Missionaries with our love and the spread of the gospel no matter where we are at. A good start to this New Year. Sobering, stretching, and encouraging. Thanks.
Wow! Kris, you're a studious reader. I'm glad you found the book inspiring. "We're all missionaries..." I couldn't agree more. May we follow the Lord closely in the Fear of the Lord, humility, Grace, Wisdom and above all, Love.
As for the pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib question, I'll say this... I'm not dogmatic on any position (yet) as I am currently undergoing a careful Bible study, but the more I study, the more my position reflects a "reservation" until that Glorious day we find ourselves in the air, then (with joy overflowing), might the pre-tribbers exclaim, "Aha!" The mid-tribbers, "Thank You Lord!" And the post-tribbers, "The Lord is Faithful!" Despite our differences, I adopt C.S. Lewis' perspective,
"It is at her centre, where her truest children dwell, that each communion is really closest to every other in spirit, if not in doctrine. And this suggests that at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice."
I think many will laugh like C.S. Lewis and the German soldier who find themselves a moment after death... Like them, I think we'll realize how inconsequential some of our arguments were.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13
Beyond this, I look forward to singing the song of Salvation with all my brothers and sisters found in Isaiah 26. I particularly like verse 12,
"Lord, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works." Isaiah 26:12
And in Psalms,
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth." Psalms 115:1
Ps: If you're interested in investigating this subject. I highly recommend studying the various views of the Millennium from the perspective of their advocates, not their detractors. Two excellent resources are The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, Robert G. Clouse, ed. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1977) and Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, Darrell L. Bock, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999).
However, I think it's prudent to undergo a systematic Bible study through the whole Bible first before undertaking an exclusive study in eschatology or any other subject. This is the approach I've taken. For such a study I recommend Wayne Grudems (newly revised) Systematic Theology and companion Workbook. I further recommend purchasing it through logos Bible software, since in the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Here are some helpful links to go directly to these resources: https://www.logos.com/product/190507/systematic-theology-an-introduction-to-biblical-doctrine-2nd-ed
Here's the link to the workbook: https://www.logos.com/product/190915/systematic-theology-workbook-an-introduction-to-biblical-doctrine
Prayer,
Lord open our eyes, that we may see Wondrous things from Your law. The Law of Your mouth is better to us than thousands of coins of gold and silver (Psalms 119:72) and sweeter to our taste, sweeter than honey to our mouths! Through Your precepts we get understanding; Therefore we hate every false way (Psalms 119:103-104).
"Thy word O Lord is like a garden, with flowers bright and fair; And everyone who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there. Thy word is like a deep, deep mine, and jewels rich and rare are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there." Edwin Hodder
I conclude with the words of Charles Spurgeon,
It has been said by some one that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the Name, the Nature, the Person, the Work, the Doings, and the Existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel— "Great God, how infinite art Thou, What worthless worms are we!" by Charles Spurgeon
In Christ,
A like-minded Berean,
Marcus
Maranatha! Lord Jesus!
Thanks Marcus! I’m all in pre-trib, but I never grow tired of the journey. Thanks for sharing from yours!!!
Yes that is what I stand on THE BEST IS YET TO COME no matter how bad it gets here!
Yes! But it’s just my personal input that I think the Antichrist will create from the pits of Hell his own worship decree ! To him !! And to him ; he will demand ALL , even Muslims to Bow to him only! It’s just a hunch but Muslims will never bow to the Antichrist nor believers and just maybe Muslims will be included in being beheaded as well .
Come Jesus Come and thank you so much for giving us thought to the coming events using in Messiah 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yes, come Lord Jesus!!
Waiting patiently “My” Precious Father.....♥️