Are There Signs of the Second Coming in Today's World?

Are there signs of the second coming in today's world that is one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is a radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. If you have a question for us would love to hear from you. Here's her phone number is 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter account. You can watch us on YouTube and you can email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Bridget calling in from Iowa. Bridget what your question for Pastor Israel, having me about line upon line and shot at lunch, I like a clarion call to change its word and company.

Like a child into believing my question became to hit me.

I we permitted them from society and archive to change his name because different language or partially go back to the original package and try to find his true name of what they called him when he died a Bridget thank you for that question. This is actually a question that has come up many times throughout the history of the church either. Even entire movements that have made a big deal about this you think about the Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, who will say well you know we've changed the Bible because were not translating the name of God in Scripture though say Jehovah or Yahweh known the Old Testament in the Hebrew Bible, the divine name that we really don't know how to pronounce it because we don't know what the original Serta vowel points were but it consisted of four letters or four consonants and it wasn't even spoken of, and there was this great sense of reference that that the ancient scribes had that they wouldn't say or pronounce the divine name and said they would just say, Lord Adonai, and so you see this even even at that time. I don't think there's anything wrong with you if you look at your English Bible. Typically, when you see Lord in all capitals that that's a reference to the divine name there I don't but if there's anything wrong with that. I think that there is a great way to see this in the time of the New Testament the time of Jesus. The Bible that most people use a copy of the Scriptures. Most people use is called the Septuagint, it was the Greek translation of the Old Testament because many people were speaking Greek at that time and they didn't transliterate the divine name is as you know that we were trying to pronounce it in Greek. Instead they just used the Greek word for Lord Cooley us. And so it was good enough for them and that was really the Bible that Jesus and his disciples used primarily as I often ate what I'm having conversations with Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, make a really big deal about this in a sale you if you change the body doesn't say the divine image, just as Lord and that's a really bad thing. I just it will look that that's basically what was happening in Christ as well and he was using his disciples were using this translation does the Septuagint, and it did the exact same thing. And Jesus did never raise any issues about his remedy any examples in the death of Jesus. I hate you know don't use the Septuagint that kind of thing it saw it just highlights I think an area where people are maybe focused not on on the right thing you know we want to focus on the pronunciation of the name of God instead of the revelation of who God is and how he's revealed himself in Scripture, in particular in his son Jesus Christ.

And so I don't think that there's any any problem with that with the way in which we translated the divine name in our English Bibles. For example, it is helpful to do a study on these things and know you know that you know when you see Lord in all capitals that that's typically that the translation of the divine name if it's just you know L lowercase ORD that's probably in the Old Testament that the Hebrew word Adonai Lord and and there are many different ways in which God revealed himself to his people through the divine name, but what other ways just do these pictures that he gave us at all.

This this great big analogy where God is helping us understand who he is and so appreciate that question Bridget and may the Lord bless your day. Your listing to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. There is a group of people that we want to say thank you to today there called our inner core. These are people who support this ministry on a monthly basis and we could not do it without you. Thank you. If you're a part of our inner core first so I just want to say that because it really is such a huge encouragement for us.

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One of the ways we can partner together to get the word of the gospel out to people who desperately need to hear it and I and as a thank you.

Will send you a copy of the book core Christianity, which is a wonderful resource that we know will bless you in your walk with the Lord help you understand the courtrooms of the Christian faith for yourself on a deeper level. That book written by Dr. Michael Horton, our founder who actually began this program and the book is just wonderful will also send you some special resources that that are inner core members receive so you like to learn more, go to our website. Core, Christianity.com/inner core. To learn more. Well, one of the ways you can ask a question is by leaving a voicemail you could do that 24 hours a day at 833 the core and here's a voicemail we received earlier this week from one of our listeners named Joseph, are there any signs of the second coming of Christ occurring now that indicate we are near the second advent, of course, preaching the entire great commission is primary is the rapture, the blessed hope can Christians escape the seven year tribulation. Thank you 6000 there's a few questions there and questions related to the end times Christians questions related to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Now there are a number of I think signs that the New Testament gives related to the coming of the Lord are things that Scripture talks about taking place prior to the coming of the Lord. First you have the gospel being proclaimed to the entire world. The the inclusion if you will of the Gentiles in this community of faith. You see this in Matthew chapter 24 verse 14.

Also in Romans chapter 11 verse 25. That's another place where where it talks about this and then you have also the language of this great restoration of revival if you will, among ethnic Israel Jewish conversion.

You see this, I think, and in the prophets that the minor prophet Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 also in Romans chapter 11 verses 25 and following another thing that the Scriptures frequently will will talk about prior to the coming of the Lord is this great apostasy. People turning away from the fate that that there's this association between that apostasy and the latter days all in first Timothy chapter 4 verse one says, many will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons and so you see that I met again that something that Jesus warned about in places like Matthew chapter 4, you have the that the coming of the antichrist or the man of sin is he sometimes referred to this this sinister individual who opposes the Lord and and opposes the people of God. Paul talks about this in second Thessalonians. You also have the language of signs and wonders would sometimes people point to in Matthew chapter 24 with the other. Those are the things that you see.

Typically in the New Testament that that are associated with the becoming of the Lord in your question is are we seeing things right now. That should indicate to us that hate. This is this is happening. It's right around the corner.

Well, you know, I think that sometimes pastors will point to things that are taking place in the Middle East, or even in our own country here in the United States and was out. You know Jesus is is right at the door. That kind of thing we we always brothers and sisters need to be ready for from the very beginning when Jesus was preaching when the apostles were preaching. They were calling people to to be ready to continue to walk in the light not to be foolish and so whether it was then or now. Our charge is the same and I would say rather than focusing so much on everything that's taking place around us in getting really concerned fearful even about those things we should do is focus on Jesus and his word and that that charge really took to be prepared. And what does that look like you.

How should we live as Christians who are who are thinking about the the end of all things, if you will. What I think Peter gives us a great example of what this looks like in first Peter chapter 4 this is a text that I love going to these days because a lot of people have this question. You know boy things seem pretty bad, what should we be doing. Should we be moving to the mountain stockpiling toilet paper version of the kinds of things will Peter says how we should live in light of the end of all things. First Peter chapter 4 verse seven.

Listen closely to this the end of both things is at hand.

Therefore is it you need to do. Be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling as each has received a gift use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever speaks, is one who speaks the oracles of God.

Whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. The how does that sound brothers and sisters as the end of all things that hand build a barricade, no flee to the mountains and sell everything you have and you know stockpile canned food, no he says be hospitable above all else. Love your neighbor. Be self-controlled rightly. This is what were called to this is how are called to live in light of the, the, the present age that were in and to the hope of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I think we need to be reminded that because so many people are just gripped with fear concerned that reacting to things that they see in the media.

It's causing them to to go more and more in word and to reseed if you will, from society from loving their neighbors. Instead it's it's us versus them those of the bad people out there, but Peter Kees is the opposite. We need to love each other we need to be hospitable when you continue to share the truth of the gospel with the people around us. That's what God calls us to do in light of the present situation. That's a pretty radical approach and I love it. I mean if you think about it, it's a piece of Christ that should be what fills our lives in our hearts right yeah I mean in a world where everybody is sort of yelp fighting each other because of their stance on not any number of things on medical issues on political issues where there's hardly any charity I just sort of lobbing you know these these rhetorical bombs at each other and there's not a lot of grace. There's not a lot of compassion.

There's not a lot of listening, the church really can be something different. We as followers of Christ as those who have the comfort of the Lord, in the hope of eternal life can model something different for the rest of the world, and I think that's powerful. I meant this is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Here's a question we received from Diane in Illinois. She says I'm struggling with the bad situation with my brother.

He's been abusive in the past and struggles with narcissism how can I pray to God to help him well.

The bill I definitely get your your insights here and I've I've recommended a resource related to narcissism before on this broadcast: narcissism comes to to church.

Healing your community from emotional and spiritual abuse. I think one. One way to just know how to help with understanding probably narcissism in particular as as this is this illness and and how to approach that I think that that's that's really really important thing for yourself building proper barriers would you say bill in terms of any of these kinds of relationships can be really really damaging and painful because this is someone that you love. This is someone that you care about and so you're struggling to think through okay how do I love them without destroying myself in the process and in that's gonna take a lot of wisdom prayer. I would say would be that the Lord would open this individual's heart. Oftentimes with a narcissist there's just a complete unwillingness to see right that the situation that they're in what they're doing what they're causing there's a lot of denial, a lot of deflection and so part of his Lord, would you open this individual's eyes would you do what only you can do by the grace of your Holy Spirit to cause them to see how it is that they're living and thinking and what that's doing to their relationships and the people around them and so II think that's that's one prayer and then also prayer for yourself for wisdom to know what is it look like to speak the truth in love in this situation to be a loving loving sister and and to honor the Lord in this relationship to what would you ask why love that you said speak the truth in love because that is really the key. When you're talking to somebody with a really intransigent personality issues like narcissism and unfortunately the research is not real hopeful on that. So without God's intervention, a person really willing to change a narcissist typically doesn't have any empathy for others and they are completely self focused and so for her.

I think the key for Diane is letting your yes be yes and your no be no. When you're dealing with your brother and as hard as that may be you love them but you also have to have those boundaries and protect yourself. God would want you to take care of yourself. Yeah I agree Bill, thank you for for that insight day and maybe we can just say say prayer for her right now and and for her brother. Lord, we know just how difficult the situation is. We pray for Diane. We ask for your healing in her life would you fill her with your Holy Spirit. Would you give her a sense of your presence would you give her wisdom. Lord in how to relate to her brother how to speak the truth in love, I what might be some healthy barriers for her to build in terms of being being honest but not putting yourself in a situation that is is can only further contribute to his abuse in and to the blindness that he has and so would you which one would you be with her Lord and would you comfort her, would you give her wisdom and for her brother. We do pray that you would cause the light of your word to shine upon him that there would be an openness Lord to to this situation to the fact that maybe there there there is the need for some professional help and going to see a counselor and ultimately Lord also just just repented saying where his actions are harming the people around him lack of empathy, Lord, would you work by the power of your word and by the grace of your Holy Spirit in his life. We ask in Jesus name, amen. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Here is a question we received from one of our listeners named Kimberly and my boyfriend, do 15 years together and have a 12-year-old I the Lord. I can't marry a candidate packet married. I had a head injury rows cannot collect under what 31 days and I have my disability off my dad so security number and I'm just trying to see Bob was thinking about that. I'm just now.

Maybe my peace of mind that I'm not continuing to live a life and not thank you a lot I got Kimberly. That's a very it sounds like a very difficult situation like you're with this man that you love you guys have a child together teenager to be a teenager. Here's here soon. But you're not married and and you don't want to get married because of this, this other situation. This other factor in terms of resources and in getting the care that you need is first say this is a hard one. This is this is a difficult situation. Let me also say that sometimes following the Lord does require us to do difficult things does require us to lose things you see this very clearly and in Scripture. And when Jesus says, take up your cross and follow me assumed there in that call to discipleship is obedience to me sometimes looks like like loss following me sometimes looks like denying yourself.

Let's do this is what it looks like, and so on. Recognizing the complexity of this issue.

I think you probably I hope that you're in a church where there are people who know you I would would want to be closer to the situation before I gave some some real clear advice, but I think what I what I can say is God calls you to be married with with this person. Marriages is a gift that the Lord has given to us a relationship you know what were were not willing to get married but were were, you know, embracing all the perks of marriage. If you will that's that's not something that's pleasing to the Lord, not as a set a good example.

I think for the people around us. We want to show we want to show that marriage is a gift from the Lord and and something that's to be honor to me this is what the author to the Hebrew says in Hebrews chapter 13 verse four. Let marriage be held in honor among all and let the marriage bed be undefiled that that value that the Christian should place on marriage. It should be honored should be it should be valued by all, is that something that we don't see in our culture and our society today, there is a minimizing of marriage of its significance of the family, and I think you know if if we if we seek to follow the Lord in this area that's to be one of the one of the places where a lot of people are going to you know say you guys are crazy what he is think the way that you do and so there's loss associated with that and and maybe getting married means loss for you in this situation maybe means you gotta get on a different insurance and I'm not entirely sure but I think that's what you need to pursue in the street because God calls us to be married not to live in fornication again is a severe setting an example for four your your 12-year-old as well in terms of what it looks like to follow the Lord, and sometimes even the cost of of obedience and so those are my initial thoughts but but as I said this is a very complex issue. I hope that you are in a church or that you'll get into a church that is faithful to God's word and where there are people around you might be able to rally around you and encourage you and help you in this situation if if you were in my church we would want to walk with you to do the right thing and then support you in that if there was a financial strain or something.

That's what the body of Christ is therefore so so you need that you need that support and and may the Lord give you wisdom and also just discouraged to I think do what the Lord calls you to do. I'm so glad you talked about the role of the church.

Here federal because I think I think you and I would agree we do hear from a lot of people who sort of want to be Lone Ranger Christians the way to do this on my own horrible. I'm not really plugged into a church, so there's a couple things there want to support. As you mention the others accountability. We need both of those things in our Christian walk. Absolutely yeah it it's everywhere in the New Testament and over and over again in on this broadcast. We often say if you're not in a church you need to be in a church now, I'm sensitive to the fact kind. I know that people are listening right now and I think it will. You know what I've experienced in the church. I've been hurt by the church and I talk to people, almost every week. Bill, who share stories of some traumatic thing that they've experienced in the church. I don't want to minimize the pain that many people feel not single out go to an abusive church go to a church where there is no accountability, go to a church where they're not faithful to God's word know those those kinds of churches. Churches that are abusive. We need to flee from those churches, but churches that are seeking to honor the Lord and to be faithful to him, and where there is accountability no church is perfect brothers and sisters. I often say Jesus knows that the brokenness the warts that the church has better than anyone else, yet he still has not abandoned the church he still working in and through broken boarding pastors and people, and again that's not a justification for abuse. That's not that's not saying those things need to be addressed and dealt with but but I am saying yes, there is no perfect church were still called to associate ourselves with gospel preaching churches and in maybe that's really hard for you may be, but because of her in your past. You can't do that.

Why would you say maybe begin by praying Lord help me guide me. I believe that I need to be around others who can encourage me in my walk with you. I believe that I need to hear your word proclaimed every single week but II just have a hard time walking through the store so would you please help me Lord and would you please leave me to the right place where I me to be cared for spiritually where your word is proclaimed faithfully. That's we want. That's what we need and I need that is as a pastor need that community of faith as well and so I hope that this this dear sister that called in with with that question can find that can get the support that she needs. Oftentimes that's one of the things it keeps us right from from doing the right thing in a situation like this will III won't have the money that they the rent that kind of thing will that's where the body of Christ can come alongside of us as were as were faithfully following the Lord, and they can say I hate work were here to support you to care for you to help you and I appreciate that that question that our sister gave us. By the way we want to help you find a good church. If you're one of our regular listeners and you're looking for that we actually have a great core question on that you can find out how you are one of the signs of a great church that God would want you plugged into look at that resource over core, Christianity.com. We have a lot of other articles there related to what it looks like took to find a good church, what with the church should be about, so check that out. And as always, thanks for joining us for the core.

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