The Return of the King

 Wonderful things are happening. Prepare to be surprised.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

If we belong to Jesus, we believe in a God who delights to do new things.

“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. Isaiah 48:6 (ESV)

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

God is bound to be true to His wonderful and perfect character but He has never restricted Himself to merely repeat what He has done before.

Some people get upset when Christians report miraculous experiences which are different from the miracles recorded in the Bible.

Two preachers were having a meal in a café in Berlin. A pile of gold dust appeared under the table. A preacher in America was upset about such stories because there is no record of gold dust appearing in the Bible. He preached a sermon against gold dust but the babies in the church creche were covered in gold dust.

Some people are afraid of “lying signs and wonders.” The bible warns of lying signs and wonders but the only reference is in the story of the Anti-Christ in the book of Revelation.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)

The only protection against being deceived in spiritual matters is to stay close to Jesus, to be led by the Spirit of God, to live in faith, hope and love, to obey God and to live by His Word.

Does that mean we should only believe in miracles if they are exact copies of miracles recorded in the Bible?

Why?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (ESV)

How many of the people who criticise contemporary miracle stories are working the signs and wonders that Jesus did on earth? None that I know of.

If God is only allowed to repeat what He did in the Bible, how can it be possible for us to do GREATER works than Jesus did?

If God is only allowed to repeat what He has already done, how then can Bible prophecy be fulfilled?

But weren’t the miracles of Jesus all practical acts of mercy, like healing the sick and raising from death the son of a widow?

I wonder what was the practical benefit of Peter walking on water?

If the prophecy of Jesus is to be fulfilled, then people in these last days will see manifestations more amazing than Peter walking on water. If that does not happen, then the prophecy of Jesus will not be fulfilled and that would make the Son of God a false prophet.

But why should God be doing these things?

At the birth of Jesus, the wise men from the pagan east brought Jesus wonderful gifts, GOLD, frankincense and myrrh. If mankind gives God a gift of gold, should we surprised if a gracious God gives gold to mankind?

And what about the jewels?

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. Isaiah 54:11-12 (ESV)

But doesn’t this refer to the jewels in Heaven itself? Of course it does. But did not Jesus announce the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven? Did not Jesus teach us to pray: “Your will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN?”

If the first visit of the Son of God was heralded by human gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, why should the approach of the return of Jesus not be heralded by supernatural gifts from the Heavenly Bridegroom to His Bride to be, the Church. 

What could be a more appropriate gift to a bride from her husband to be? Does not a man announce his intention to marry a woman with a gift of a diamond ring?

God uses Nobodies to be Pioneers of Faith

 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… Eph 4:11–12 NIV

God chose and raised up marvellously gifted leaders in the Bible.

We think of Peter, Paul and John, outstanding apostles who were able to perceive God's thoughts and establish new missions. They were trailblazers for Jesus.

But not all missionaries and pioneers were at the forefront of leadership.

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19–21 NIV

We will get to know these pioneers in heaven, but in the meantime we don't know their names.

Are you someone who has no ministry in the church, but you want to establish something for God in your school or office, or in your neighbourhood?

Maybe you can have a barbecue in your garden. You can invite your non-Christian neighbours, but also two or three Christian friends who are strong in their faith. Then you can pray for your neighbours.

I heard a wonderful testimony from a Christian woman who was active in a charismatic church.

One of the pastors, who was very prophetically gifted, organised a meeting so that Christians could learn through practical experience to perceive God's thoughts and then pass them on.

Is that biblical? Yes, it is.

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 NASB95

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NIV

When should we prophesy? In the last days, in the end times. When did the end times begin? 2000 years ago. Are the last days over? That would be nonsense.

Who can prophesy? ‘Your sons and daughters.’ So women too? According to the Bible, yes. And in assemblies with men? In Acts chapter 2, obviously yes.

The woman in this true story had a friend visiting. She wanted to attend the meeting where people learnt to receive and pass on God's thoughts, that is, prophesy.

Her friend didn't believe in God, but she was curious and wanted to come along.

The preacher told the Christians to split up into pairs. The curious unbelieving woman wanted to take part.

Then the preacher told everyone to pray and take a revelation or message from God for their partner and share it. A strange thought came to the unbelieving woman and she passed it on. The Christian woman was deeply blessed because only God could know what she heard.

The unbelieving woman was amazed, and she became a believer.

Is this biblical? In the Old Testament, a donkey passed on a real prophecy.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, Eph 3:20 NRSV

God of Impossible Miracles

 Are you at the end of your tether? Is your situation impossible?

When I was 20, I was a student on holiday in Europe. Shortly before my flight back to Australia, I was alone in Rome. Everything was an adventure. I went for a walk and revisited this fascinating old world.

It was afternoon and I reached into my bag. Empty!

Where was my passport? Where was my flight ticket? Where was my vaccination certificate?

I was known to the Australian embassy. I made a phone call. They might be able to help with the passport, but the ticket and the vaccination certificate were problems.

I had to get home somehow, but how and when?

I thought about what I had done so far. I desperately walked back the same way. I visited a café and a shop, and finally I came to a currency exchange office and went to the same cashier who had served me in the morning.

‘Can you help me please? I've lost my passport today.’

She gave me everything back, passport, ticket and vaccination certificate.

God sustains and provides for us, even when we are totally stupid.

But even in much worse situations, God can do the impossible.

I know a woman who was snatched from certain death.

A large car came hurtling from her right side and she faced certain death, but instead of being crushed along with her car, the woman felt a terrible heat and drove on unharmed.

The other car did not crash against her, but drove through her, like in a fantasy film.  

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NKJV

For with God nothing will be impossible.” Lk 1:37 NKJV

Threshold of Eternity

We are on the threshold of eternity.

We are surrounded by invisible beings at all times. God's spirit is almighty and omnipresent around you. Don't be distracted by the intrusive visible world. God wants to meet you, but often waits for your attention.

There are certainly exceptions. Sometimes God reveals himself in a dramatic way. That happens more often in these end times.

I know a Jewish woman from America who was driving her car one day. Suddenly, without warning, she saw a vision. She saw Jesus, who appeared huge on the horizon. She saw his loving face and his hands with the scars from the cross. She believed immediately and her life was transformed from that moment on.

Milly Bennitt is a British preacher, but she was once a party girl. Her parents were faithful Christians and prayed for their daring daughter. When her father was dying, she came home to say goodbye.

Her father was extremely ill and very weak, but just as he was dying, he lifted up his hands. His face shone with heavenly glory. Milly saw the reality of Jesus in her father, and she believed instantly.

A few years later, she became a missionary on a tourist island in Thailand.

The heavenly love that radiated from her had a very strong effect on people, including Muslims. The fanatical Muslims felt threatened and tried to catch her in an ambush. When she was suddenly surrounded, she naturally prayed and became invisible on the spot.

God can act very dramatically, but often he is not dramatic at all. As I said, he is waiting for your attention. No matter how threatening your circumstances are, he means well with you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Je 29:11 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jn 10:10 NKJV

God sent his Son into this world to save us, not to condemn us. We were all condemned anyway without Jesus because we all went wrong.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Jn 3:16–17 NKJV

God is at your side. He looks into your heart and waits for your cry for help.

Unusual Miracles in Christian Mission

 I know a preacher in Australia who was on a mission trip to Pakistan. He heard that a poor Muslim  farmer in the neighbourhood had a very sick cow. Many Muslims know that God dramatically answers the prayers of Christians, and this farmer invited the preacher to pray for their sick cow.

He visited the poor farmer, but the cow was already dead, but he prayed for the dead cow anyway. The following day the dramatic news came, the cow was alive again and completely healthy.

There are many churches in Europe where signs and wonders are not expected, but especially in Africa, Asia and South America, signs and wonders like the one in Acts are very common.

The first dramatic sign in the book of Acts was the manifestation of speaking in tongues.
One hundred and twenty disciples of the Lord Jesus were together in Jerusalem.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Ac 2:4 NRSV

Then they came out of the upper room and proclaimed heavenly wisdom in these languages they had never learnt.

Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven.

When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Ac 2:5–6 CSB

An American preacher was once a guest on a Christian talk show in California. In the middle of the interview, he felt a very strong touch of the Holy Spirit.

He began to speak in tongues. He felt very nervous because he didn't know how the radio station's management would react. He was relieved that no one reacted.

Listeners to the talk show could call counsellors.
Immediately after the program, a telephone counsellor approached the preacher. She spoke with a strong German accent.

It turned out that a German woman was listening to the program and she heard the preacher speaking in her own language. The preacher didn't even know what language had come out of his mouth and he didn't know what he had said in flawless German.

The German telephone counsellor explained to the preacher that the German woman who had called was terminally ill and dying. She heard instructions from God on what to do from the preacher's mouth. As she carried out the instructions from the Holy Spirit, the power of God came upon her. She got up and was completely healed.

The English preacher mentioned above told me how he experienced a very unusual manifestation of speaking in tongues. He received a direction from the Holy Spirit to fly to Jakarta, Indonesia. 

He obeyed God's leading and sat in a hotel room in Jakarta. He had received no further instructions. All he could do was wait and pray.

Then there was a knock on the door. An Indonesian pastor entered and invited him to preach to his huge congregation.

The English preacher stood at the pulpit, ready to preach in English with an interpreter. He opened his mouth and began to preach in perfect Indonesian. He had never learnt Indonesian.

Not only could he speak Indonesian perfectly, but he could understand everything. From that moment on, he was able to completely master the Indonesian language. He later worked as a language teacher and taught Indonesian in Australia.

For me, speaking in tongues is very important. I pray every day in languages that I have never learnt. I don't understand these languages and if there are listeners, they don't understand anything either.

But God understands.

For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Co 14:2 CSB

How can we understand this contradiction?

In 1 Cor 12:10 we read about ``different kinds of tongues`` 1 Cor 12:10

We cannot understand this gift of grace, but God's gifts are always good.

Signs of the Return of the King

Wonderful things are happening. Prepare to be surprised.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

If we belong to Jesus, we believe in a God who delights to do new things.

“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. Isaiah 48:6 (ESV)

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

God is bound to be true to His wonderful and perfect character but He has never restricted Himself to merely repeat what He has done before.

Some people get upset when Christians report miraculous experiences which are different from the miracles recorded in the Bible.

Two preachers were having a meal in a café in Berlin. A pile of gold dust appeared under the table. A preacher in America was upset about such stories because there is no record of gold dust appearing in the Bible. He preached a sermon against gold dust but the babies in the church creche were covered in gold dust.

Some people are afraid of “lying signs and wonders.” The bible warns of lying signs and wonders but the only reference is in the story of the Anti-Christ in the book of Revelation.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)

The only protection against being deceived in spiritual matters is to stay close to Jesus, to be led by the Spirit of God, to live in faith, hope and love, to obey God and to live by His Word.

Does that mean we should only believe in miracles if they are exact copies of miracles recorded in the Bible?

Why?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (ESV)

How many of the people who criticise contemporary miracle stories are working the signs and wonders that Jesus did on earth? None that I know of.

If God is only allowed to repeat what He did in the Bible, how can it be possible for us to do GREATER works than Jesus did?

If God is only allowed to repeat what He has already done, how then can Bible prophecy be fulfilled?

But weren’t the miracles of Jesus all practical acts of mercy, like healing the sick and raising from death the son of a widow?

I wonder what was the practical benefit of Peter walking on water?

If the prophecy of Jesus is to be fulfilled, then people in these last days will see manifestations more amazing than Peter walking on water. If that does not happen, then the prophecy of Jesus will not be fulfilled and that would make the Son of God a false prophet.

But why should God be doing these things?

At the birth of Jesus, the wise men from the pagan east brought Jesus wonderful gifts, GOLD, frankincense and myrrh. If mankind gives God a gift of gold, should we surprised if a gracious God gives gold to mankind?

And what about the jewels?

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. Isaiah 54:11-12 (ESV)

But doesn’t this refer to the jewels in Heaven itself? Of course it does. But did not Jesus announce the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven? Did not Jesus teach us to pray: “Your will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN?”

If the first visit of the Son of God was heralded by human gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, why should the approach of the return of Jesus not be heralded by supernatural gifts from the Heavenly Bridegroom to His Bride to be, the Church. What could be a more appropriate gift to a bride from her husband to be? Does not a man announce his intention to marry a woman with a gift of a diamond ring?