Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil?

24 09 2022

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Sundown tomorrow is the feast of Trumpets, Yom Teruah, the beginning of the final feasts. The last feast is Tabernacles, a seven day feast beginning on October 9th this year. The whole world is shaking right now with the birth pangs of a new Kingdom. Wake up and prepare for the coming of the Lord! There are many Bible scholars who believe that the Messiah will come on the Day of Trumpets. So, the question of the day is: Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil? Here are the words of Jesus the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah:

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”  Matthew 25:1-13 NLT

Will you be celebrating the final feast, the marriage feast? It is the marriage supper of the Lamb of God. Not all will be admitted. Of course, the unrepentant will not enter, but even many who claim to serve Him will not enter. This is consistent in Jesus’ teaching as recorded earlier in Matthew.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ’And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Matthew 7:21-23

The Ultimate Preppers – There are many preppers around the world today who are saving up food and water and more. Some have bomb shelters or they move into the wilderness because of the things that are about to come on the earth. Preparedness is wise, but the question remains: Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil? This oil is the Holy Spirit, and the lamp is your life. Are you full of the Holy Spirit? Do you know His voice? His assignment from Yehovah is to prepare the bride for the Heavenly Bridegroom and the great wedding feast of eternity. As Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac, so God sent the Holy Spirit to prepare a bride for the Messiah. I am glad you have plenty of freeze-dried food for the next hurricane, but, Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and abundant rains for the land.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                (Read more)


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One Week Till Jesus Comes?

30 08 2021

yom-teruah

That blog title is what is known as clickbait. However, I do have a point. The Fall Feasts of Yehovah start next Monday night on the Jewish calendar, although Biblically it could be the next day or so and not necessarily at sundown.

Confused? Because of several references to Jesus coming at the sounding of the trumpets, I believe it refers to that specific time on God’s calendar. The first Fall Feast is known as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of trumpets). It is also Rosh Hashana, the new year, 5782.

When Jesus was talking to His disciples about His return, He made an intriguing statement.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 NLT

Most interpret that verse as an absolute conclusion that there is no clue when He will come. However, the Jewish culture at the time of Jesus had a saying about Yom Teruah starting as “No man knows the day or hour.” That is because it starts Biblically at the actual physical sighting of the new moon from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. If it was cloudy you might not see it till midnight or later, or may not until the next night. Thus the saying.

Now, I am not stating a doctrine, just a little food for thought. So, what if Jesus used that common Jewish phrase as a hint, a clue, that He would return during the sounding of the trumpets on Yom Teruah? Even Jesus did not know at that time what the weather would be at His return, but we can know the season.

“…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52

I could be wrong, and we should be ready to meet him every day. But, I must say it is just a little more exciting at this time of year. And wouldn’t this be a great year for Him to come? Next week?!

This year also happens to be a Shmita year; when observant Israelis leave their fields fallow (one year every seven) to allow the land to rest and restore its nutrients for better crops the other six years. Some even believe it is a Jubilee year, (although it seems like somebody says that every year).

With all the shaking in the whole earth, wouldn’t this be a good time? Are you ready to meet Him? If it is not, then we we will carry on with His business until He comes.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and rain for Israel.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists.                      (Read more)


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Listen for the Trumpet Sounds

7 09 2018

jesus_second_comingDid you hear the one about the long-awaited Messiah finally arriving in Jerusalem? The Mayor of Jerusalem goes out to meet him and welcomes him to Jerusalem. But the mayor says: “I just have one question. Is this your first or second visit?”

Jews believe he has not come yet. But Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah who came 2,000 years ago to become the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world to all who receive Him, especially the Jews. But both believe the Messiah is coming soon!

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:34-36

Which generation will not pass till all is fulfilled? If you study Matthew 24 and Luke 21 you will find the only time specific reference is the status of Jerusalem. Jesus prophesied its downfall: “It will be trodden down (ruled) by the gentiles.”

And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24

So, Jerusalem’s fall would last UNTIL. That is a timing word. We now know when the “until” happened. It was June 1967 that Israel regained sovereignty over Jerusalem from the gentiles. This restoration followed the scattering to all nations. This is all now in our rear view mirror. It’s history. Therefore we are the generation that will not pass away till the Messiah comes!

Jesus said exactly when He would come. Most Christians believe He was obscuring the timing with His answer. On the contrary, He actually specified the timing. The phrase “no man knows the day or hour” was almost a cliché’ in Jesus’ day. It was a common expression among the Jews of that day referring to the timing of the Fall Feasts of Yehovah. These were: Trumpets, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles. (For my teaching on the Feasts, please listen to my radio interview for ten minutes on each of the seven Feasts.)

The Fall feasts begin with Trumpets or Yom Teruah This year it is officially Sunday sundown to Tuesday sundown, September 9-10. This is an arbitrary fixed date set by Rabbinic Judaism. However, the Biblical commencing of  Yom Teruah or Trumpets, begins on the first sighting of the new moon in the seventh month from Jerusalem. (Using the Biblical method to figure it is a characteristic of Karaite (Bible believing) Jews. Here is a link to Nehemiah Gordon, a leading Karaite).

So what? Well, I believe Jesus was telling His disciples He would come during the Fall Feasts, specifically Trumpets.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

There are five elements that make the actual day or hour unknowable.

  1. The confusion caused by the arbitrary Rabbinic calendar.
  2. The actual day of sighting the new moon could vary by weather conditions, cloud cover, etc.
  3. Even the hour could vary if the evening started cloudy early and cleared up later, for example.
  4. The “last trumpet” could refer to the last shofar during Yom Teruah (trumpets) beginning the Fall feast.
  5. Or, the “last trumpet” could even refer to the trumpet sounded at the end of Yom Kippur.

Therefore, even though the day or hour is unknown, I believe Jesus was speaking clearing to His disciples that He would come during the first ten days of the Fall Feasts, which then leads to Tabernacles where God will live with men and celebrate the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

May it be this year, Yeshua ben Yehovah – Jesus Son of God – Yeshua haMashiach – Jesus the Messiah!

Yehovah has appeared of old to me, saying: ​​“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; ​​Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. ​​Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, ​​O virgin of Israel! ​​You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. ​​You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food. ​​For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ​‘​Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to Yehovah our God.’ ” Jeremiah 31:3-6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.

 

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Waiting for the Last Trumpet!

22 09 2017

Dry bones Messiah

YOM TERUAH! We are at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles. Today we are hearing the Sounding of the Trumpets, which is Yom Teruah, the first Fall Feast. In light of all the signs in the heavens, the wars and rumors of wars, and the terrible natural disasters, it is good to lift up our eyes to the Heavens. Our redemption is closer than ever.

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Matthew 24:6-8 NLT

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 NKJV

It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 NLT

There are many believers who sincerely believe Jesus may come this weekend. Personally, I think there are a few more prophesies to be fulfilled, like Isaiah 17. However, I could be wrong, so my lamp is trimmed and ready!

One time I was musing out loud, in a message I was preaching, that the times of great tribulation would be a wonderful time to share the Messiah. After I was finished, Doreen made me promise to go on the first load. So, I always “stay ready.” Maybe it will be decades before the great appearing of our Lord and Savior, but we stay alert and watching.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8 NLT

The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! Luke 12:37 NLT

(Today’s posting was inspired by my grand-niece-in-law, Sam Gardner of Sandpoint, Idaho. Thank you, Sam, for your Facebook post.)

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists            (Read more)


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