Signs and Wonders?


For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (Mar 13:22-23)


Jesus warns of appearances of false ‘anointed ones’ and false prophets, those who stand in pulpits and claim that they have the unction from heaven to proclaim the oracles of God. What better way to ‘confirm’ their calling but through signs and wonders that have people mesmerized and awed at them, distracting the people from the one and true Christ, Jesus. The exaltation of miracles and the persons behind it have superseded the preeminence of Christ (Col 1:18 vs. 3 John 1:9). The foretelling of this warning leads to one thing, deception, ‘if it were possible, even the elect’ to meet the same conclusion as the son of perdition and the father of lies (Rev 20:10).


But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (Mat 12:39)


Why do people look for signs and wonders? Perhaps the world is looking for ‘change’ so that there can be a rescuing of the economy, from suffering, etc to bring hope and a future. Most are looking for a hope for the future without our morality being challenged (2 Chron 7:14). To seek God means facing the reality of our sin and the uncomfortable dealings of God to take us through the process of sanctification and trying of our hearts (Prov 17:3). Jesus uses the description ‘evil’ and ‘adulterous’ generation, a generation that is degenerating, diseased, immoral and unfaithful to the One True God.


For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1Cor 2:2)


Only one sign will Jesus perform, death unto resurrection (Matt 12:40), the cross before exaltation. Paul is not talking of the historical crucifixion of Jesus but the current reality of the marks of discipleship of the Lord Jesus (Gal 6: 14-17). It is the same discipleship that beckons us to take up our cross daily to follow the footsteps of our Master. The cross applied to our lives so deeply that the ‘I’ decrease and Christ increase where discipleship is the process of the Potter changing the fleshly form to be conformed to the image of His Son. Is it not ‘what’ God sees in us, but it is ‘Who’ He is longing to see in us.


And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Rev 6:11)


Why the cross? The coming of the Holy Spirit is the making of martyrs (witnesses) (Acts 1:8). It has been widely taught that the end will come with the gospel of the kingdom preached to the entire world (Matt 24:14). The other condition also holds… until the quota of martyrs has been fulfilled. Thus the cross that we bear daily is the test of faithfulness in the little things that we might be ready for the final testing that we love not our lives unto death (Rev 12:11). I cannot sincerely declare that I can face martyrdom today, but I must hold on to Jesus’ promises in Mark 13:9-13, the promise of the Holy Spirit. Knowing this reality, the only true sign that Paul determined or to come to a conclusive decision that the everyday reality of the powerful in-working (Eph 3:7) of God though the cross is being exerted in me. The end is the crown of life (Rev 2:10) which He gives to those called, and chosen and faithful to the end (Rev 17:14).

Being on the Right side


A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…… (Psa 124:1)


We cannot be presumptuous that God is on our side just because we profess the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Matt 7:21). Being on His side requires something of us, for He is a requiring God. Even Joshua fell into the same situation as many of us do, especially if there is a specific calling or ministry upon our lives or to perform a service ‘unto the Lord’. When asked on which side the Angel with a drawn sword stood, the unexpected answer was ‘Nay’(Josh 5:13-15)! The leader of Israel was immediately made to realize his position not as a leader but as a servant. In the Kingdom of God servanthood is greatness and greatness is servanthood (Luke 22:26). Unfortunately there has been a great push to train up and develop leaders even in Christiandom. Shouldn’t it be the converse since we can’t be greater than our master who Himself was the servant of all? Servanthood is divine meekness that has the potential to inherit the earth and also ‘shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace’ (Matt 5:5, Psa 37:11). No wonder so many people who attend churches are striving today, the heathens will question ‘where is rule of the Prince of Peace?’


What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)


What are the ‘these things’ that Paul was talking about? The qualification that God will be for us are contained in ‘these things’. The preceding verses talks about those called (according to His purpose) and being predestined to be conformed to His Son's image (Rom 8:28-30). Therefore in order for God to be on our side, He has to see a conforming of our total mind, body and spirit to the image of His Son. As natural as a father respond to his son, so does our Heavenly Father to His sons whom He wants to bring unto glory (Heb 2:10). The image of His Son is one of meekness and total submission to His will clearly lived out in Jesus’ ministry on earth as a suffering servant and was obedient unto death (Phil 2:8).


Do we bear any semblance to Jesus Christ? If we do, than we will not carry the cross in our journey of discipleship in lonely despair but with great joy for the hope that is set before us, the crown of life!

Truth
Paul Washer


Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jud 1:11)


The rise of many false teachers today is same as economics, one of supply and demand. Indeed the gate is narrow and the path is difficult that leads unto eternal life (Matt 7:14).



For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Ti 4:3-4)

If this message doesn't break our hearts, than we have to think very carefully if we have lived in vain and the sufferings and deaths of the saints past are but utter futility.