~Far, and I mean far from everything being fulfilled there are many things yet to take place preceding our Lord’s return. But don’t get me wrong on this. We are not necessarily talking about many things in the sense of time but just in the sense of events. God is not bound to time in relation to events taking place. There is no set distance He has to maintain between their fulfillment. He is not limited to our system of time or our sense of time. This needs to be emphasized. Man is not in charge of these things, God is. As history has transpired we tend to forget that He created the heavens and the earth in seven literal days and He wiped out the world “that then was” in 40 literal days. We can not hold Him to our sense of these things. He is outside such parameters. If He wishes to step in and speed things up, it is His prerogative. Time is time because He made it that way and He can use it as He wishes or He can eliminate it completely.~ LC

**All scriptures are taken from the NKJV**

Prepare yourselves for some serious changes.  God ended 2500 years of grace when He brought in the law under Moses (Gal.3:17-18).  Then 1600 years later another major shift came through Jesus Christ from law back to “grace and truth.”  Another 1500 years more came the reformation under Martin Luther, shifting 1400 years of departure from New Testament Kingdom thinking back to the importance of scripture.  Now a little more than 500 years later, here we are again, facing the most major shift of all.  The “restoration of all things” in Christ.

“That He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive
until the times of restoration of all things..” Acts 3:20-21

All things will soon be summed up in Christ.

“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth- in Him.” Eph.1:10

We don’t understand what is upon us. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and said,

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Lk.19:42

And so it is with us. Nearly 2000 years after the wealth of heaven was opened up to us through Jesus, we find ourselves spending more time pushing up walls and counting heads than accessing the riches of the covenant.

~A Personal Note before we move on. This author is struck by the incredible lack of brokenness, humility and reverence across so much of today’s Christian church; especially as we approach our Lord’s return. Taken up with walls, numbers, personal pulpits, amenities and money we have forgotten the call to servanthood. How such carnality came into our hallowed halls is bewildering.  I am forced to wonder if we know what carnality is any more? Have we forgotten who we are?  Have we forgotten who we are dealing with?  Or should I say, who is dealing with us?  Do we understand that there are consequences for these things?  Our brazen attitudes, our flippant, callous rejection of contrary viewpoints. Our wild unaccountable theologies.  Our willingness to be an independent.  What happened to “members one of another?” Where is humility, contrition, tears of deep concern? Where is prayer, a passion for truth and righteousness? Where’s a call for introspection, the conviction of sin? These things are going to hit the fan when He comes back- His fan,

“Whose fan is in His hand and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner;
but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matt.3:12 KJV

  No church, no- we will not get away with these attitudes especially as we approach His return.  Listen, do we really expect to escape “His eyes like a flame of fire”(Rev.1:14) when He returns??  He is walking in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks with “feet like burnished bronze” (Rev.1:15).  No, His voice will be loud and clear, like many waters (Rev.1:15). We are soon to be visited by the Most Holy Lord and God of heaven and earth. Where is trembling at His word? Do we really want to approach Him this way?? Everything will be brought to light before The Light.~

“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Ps.2:11

“But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.” Isa.66:2

Back off people!  Move away from the Ark of the Covenant (Jesus), far away as the priests of old would not get close; walk unto holy ground with bare feet (Ex.25:13-15; Ex.3:5).  We are no match for the Light that no man can approach too- Not even close! Move way behind the least to become the greatest (1Tim.6:16; Matt.23:11). 

It’s time to ask questions. A lot of questions. Don’t shy away from it. The consequences are far to great.

“To the law and to the testimony! if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Isa.8:20

Moving on.

So we start off with this. How is it possible that so many of our pulpits today are saying “Everything has been fulfilled, Jesus could come back at any moment.” Well aside from the fact that such a statement is a blatant lie the question naturally comes to my overly inquisitive mind- “Ok what is meant by “everything”? Hey it’s a catchy phrase I got that, but what is it supposed to mean?? And by the way the word “everything” is a whole lot of stuff. I don’t consider it very wise to choose a word like that with a subject as volatile and risky as this, but unfortunately that is where we are these days. Further, so many of these people can’t even teach on the subject, let alone know “everything” that is supposed to be fulfilled. And really, how is it possible to know that anyway? These things are an unfolding revelation. It seems like such a statement ought to be backed up with some facts, as in a lot of scripture! It’s a nice popular mantra but it obviously is nothing more than a lame excuse to avoid further investigation. I mean think about it? Just claim all has been fulfilled, the stage has been set for Jesus to come, and you’re off the hook right? There’s nothing more to explain. No scriptures to look at, nothing to study. It’s a done deal. Now we just wait expectantly! Well I say No! Such reasoning is a Cop Out; a cheap diversion, and it shows such contempt for the intelligence of the listeners. It’s a quick and unfortunately usually successful way to avoid a difficult subject, promoted by far too many of our astute “Christian” leaders today. This is not a time folks to let these convenient dodges go unquestioned! There is far, far to much at stake, as in eternity! Don’t bow the knee to such slick aversions and so many others like them.

Someone, as in a whole lot of someones, ought to be asking the question- “could you please list what those “all things” are? Christian leaders and teachers need to be held accountable for such reckless statements, but they typically aren’t and sadly people are far less likely to ask questions if they’re made to believe such stuff. They’re also far less likely to be ready when the opposite happens. Quite a scheme. Quite a deception. Quite a grief to watch this ongoing debacle play out. Don’t be taken in by this folks. There is much more of this coming and it will be far more deceptive as we move on. This is not a game. This is one of the most imperiling eras of the church and you my dear reader are in it lock, stock and bibles.

Such misleading thinking reminds me of a pastor who once told his congregation, “I used to study prophesy, but then I realized what difference does it make, I know Jesus I’m safe.” Sounds good doesn’t it? I mean It slides so easily off the tongue, but it is hotter than a fire-brand and so insidiously wrong and misleading. If such a statement is true then let’s just throw our Bibles away, right? Hey, that’s the end game with such thinking! We know Jesus, we’re safe?? A “believer” once told me, “what difference does it make who’s right? Let’s just love Jesus and get along.” Yes and the earth is flat and sits on a big green turtle, rain falls up and the sun goes around the earth. How absurd can we be? I said how absurd can we be?? Of course it matters who’s right because truth matters and it always will!! These chicken littles of “the sky is falling” fame will soon be everywhere in the barn yard and the wolf (Satan) will get his prey. Again TRUTH MATTERS especially biblical truth. You can’t write it off with such slippery statements with impunity! Moses told Israel,

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be carful to observe, that you may live and multiply,
and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your
God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your
heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Dt.8:1-3

“Whether you would keep His commandments or not” is the noteworthy phrase. One more scripture here.

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the
sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying ‘Let us go after other gods’ which you
have not known, and let us serve them, ‘you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer
of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your
heart and all your soul.” Deut.13:1-3

“The Lord your God is testing you to know” again is the phrase to note. Will we understand and obey the word of God or allow ourselves to be led astray by slick arguments and false theology?

So let’s kick this down the road a little further and add another point. There is something that seems to be completely overlooked in all this irresponsible arrogant hype. That is, do we really think that the current condition of the church is what Jesus is planning to come back too? Let’s emphasize this because it is extremely serious. Do we truly think that this represents the end product of Christ’s sacrifice? Once again: Is this really the Covenant purchased by His blood?? And if it is, then how do we relate to the example of the New Testament, especially the Book of Acts? How do we relate to the promises that we are supposed to be walking in? Again what happened to scripture in all this poppycock? What do we do with the following scripture?

“That He might present her to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she
should be holy and without blemish.” Eph.5:27

Let’s be honest here. Do we really think this represents the current state of the Christian church? “Present to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle…” Think about it. Let’s lift the bar about a thousand rungs from where it is now, and recognize another part of scripture that will make the above possible. A coming world wide revival and reformation of the Christian church. It not only is promised but it is mandated for the above event to happen. This is hardly considered today in our “everything has been fulfilled” pulpits. They can hardly imagine anything much better than what they have. Shameful thinking! Such a slap in the face of what Jesus accomplished for us. As was stated in the opening segment of this writing, Jesus will not come back until “the restoration of all things” is accomplished. The five foolish virgins in Matt.25 will not be ready for this. They will wake up from their sleep with no oil for their lamps when the bridegroom comes. Their readiness is being robbed by a bunch of clerical buffoons promoting a peace and security gospel. Wake up people!

You’re playing with fire pastors. If you don’t know what you’re talking about just admit it and move on. Don’t play games with souls. Bring in those who can deal with such questions.

Moving on. Far, and I mean far from everything being fulfilled there are many things yet to take place preceding our Lord’s return. But don’t get me wrong on this. We are not necessarily talking about many things in the sense of time but just in the sense of events. God is not bound to time in relation to events taking place. There is no set distance He has to maintain between their fulfillment. He is not bound to our system of time or our sense of time. This needs to be emphasized. Man is not in charge of these things, God is. As history has transpired we tend to forget that He created the heavens and the earth in seven literal days and He wiped out the world “that then was” in 40 literal days. We can not hold Him to our sense of such things. He is outside such parameters. If He wishes to step in and speed things up, it is His prerogative. Time is time because He made it that way and He can use it as He wishes or He can eliminate it completely. Please try to understand this. It is very important in regard to the duration of the many end time events yet to happen. The apostle Peter wrote,

“..Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of
His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing in the
water and out of the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the
heavens and the earth which are now preserved with the same word, are RESERVED for fire until the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But beloved do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
2Pet.3:3-9

“A thousand years as one day.” So how much can you squeeze into one day? Well please don’t apply that to the Almighty. We are on the verge of the speeding up of events that only God can bring about as we approach our Lord’s coming. This is no time to drag our feet. In Matt.25 when the five “foolish virgins” asked the five “wise virgins”,

“Give us some of your oil our lamps are going out. ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both
us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to
buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the
door was shut. Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied,
‘Truely I tell you, I do not know you.’ Therefor keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matt.25:8-13

“Those who were ready went in.” Once the occurrence of events begins for the return of Christ (which they have); they will take place with speed. It’s called the “Day of the Lord.” God’s control of events will become far more apparent and be maximized. The typical pace of history will quickly race to the end. Those asleep in the “all things have been fulfilled” fallacy will not be prepared or “ready” for the “new normal.” Note the following scripture.

“For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” Ro.9:28

One of the most disturbing statements I hear is “God is in no hurry with our lives,” or “calm down God isn’t in any rush.” Oh really, and what scripture did that come from? What they should say is that WE are in no hurry to let Him have His way. God will work in our lives just as fast as we will allow Him to. It’s the process of getting us there that takes all the time. Please don’t put slowness on Him, it belongs squarely on our shoulders. Millenniums have passed as God has persistently and patiently worked to move His people where we should have been long, long ago. And right there is what we are dealing with here. Divine patience is about to end as our God steps in to wrap up the ages; it is called the “Lord’s Day.” Man has had about six thousand years to get it right- now getting it right will be on God’s time table. The book of Revelation highlights this with its opening statement,

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants- things which must shortly take place.”
Rev.1:1

It’s strange as to why this section of scripture has been so mistranslated, but it has. There is no basis for it textually, nevertheless it’s the case and unfortunately it has resulted in quite a bit of misunderstanding. Translators have translated it wrong. Teachers have taught it wrong so the truth expressed here has been largely overlooked. We will not overlook it here! Note the phrase “things which must shortly take place.” It has been assumed that this is talking about the nearness of events rather than something else, but that is completely wrong. Those words were penned by the apostle John nearly two thousand years ago. How can they possibly be talking about nearness? The reader should automatically begin to suspect something amiss here. Where’s the questioning on this? There should be quite a bit of it. Let’s dig a little deeper. Note the following translations on this .

“What must soon take place.” NIV
“Things that must soon take place.” ESV
“Things which must soon take place.” NAS
“Things which must soon take place.” Amp. Bible
“Things which must shortly come to pass.” ERV
“Things which must shortly take place.” NKJV

The popularity of that translation of Rev.1:1 is overwhelming, and by some very good translations. Unfortunately there’s a problem and it is a very large one. When you move into more literal versions of this section of scripture something completely different comes to the surface. Note these translations:

“What things must quickly come to pass.” Literal Stand. Version
“Things it behooves to take place in quickness.” Berean Literal Bible
“Things it behooves to come to pass quickly.” Youngs Literal Bible
“What things must be with speed.” Smith’s Literal Translation

Please stay with me on this. We need to get a little more technical to make this clear. There are primarily two Greek versions that our New Testaments have been based on,
Nestle Grk. NT and the Westcott & Hort Grk. NT. They translate it this way.

Nestle Grk. NT -ἐν τάχει- “in quickness”
Westcott and Hort Grk. NT -ἐν τάχει- “in quickness”

Obviously the literal translations shown above are the more accurate renderings of the N.T. Greek in Rev.1:1. One can only wonder why so many of our modern translations have messed with this text. Altering the literal meaning of the text of scripture is going on everywhere today. A very dangerous and unfortunate practice. Take heed! Even the best modern translations have certain agendas or irresponsibilities that enter into their work. But all that laid aside for now the point is this; as the events leading up to the return of our Lord set in, as they are, they will be increasing in speed. Plan on it! Rev.1:1 should read this way,

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants- things which must come to pass with speed.“

Remember, remember Jesus’ words to His disciples concerning the events leading up to His return,

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
Matt.24:34

With all our theological confusion today, spawned by our walls, many scratch their heads as to what this scripture could imply. Well it implies exactly what it says. The generation that witnesses these events laid out by Christ will remain until they are all completed. That’s a version of history we’re not used too. We are witnessing an accelaration of events as we move closer to His coming. People around the world are noticing this phenomena. We have coined phrases like the “new normal”, or “these uncertain times” trying to adjust to what is happening. There is only one way to adjust church- get away from all the “peace and safety” rhetoric pumped out by “seeker friendly” pulpits and return to the word of God! If you can’t find it, then it’s time to seek it out! Much more to say next time.

Luther Canon
Sola Scriptura