Transitional Generations
The United States is rushing towards a "fiscal cliff" of some magnitude, but much more importantly, the world is rushing toward the "valley of decision."
In the Bible there are three transitional generations: the generation of the first covenant with God (Moses' generation), the generation of the New Covenant (the generation of the book of Acts) and the generation of the renewal of all things (the generation that sees Jesus' return). The first two transitional generations are a matter of fact. We see their stories in the Bible, and we see their mark on the world around us. These two generations completely changed the world they were born into. The Bible says the third transitional generation will see the power of the first two combined, and then multiplied at a global level. Jesus and the prophets gave us the signs to look for, and since 1948 these signs have been occurring with more and more frequency and intensity. Jesus said when you see all these things happening, know that your generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Like the changing of a season, when you see the buds show up on the trees outside your house, summer IS coming soon, regardless of the temperature outside the moment you notice the buds:
Matthew 24: 32 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
The first two transitional generations got little to no warning that a huge change was about to be thrust upon them. There was very little prophetic insight in the scriptures for either generation. The third transitional generation dominates the written word. Once you know how to look for it (phrases like "in that day") you will see information about our generation literally fills the entire Bible. There are 89 chapters in the Gospels, written after the fact, describing Jesus' first appearance as a lamb, but at least 150 chapters, written in advance, primarily describe our generation, not to mention the hundreds of verses throughout the rest of the Bible. To Him whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). The next verse after this one in the book of Luke should be the most alarming verse to the western church:
Luke 12:49 "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!
The valley of decision is about to be thrust on a generation completely unaware it is living in the most prophesied time in world history. The kindling throughout the world is being lit all around us. We smell the smoke, and feel the heat a little, but this is really just the beginning. I am not attempting to be an alarmist, but the truth is quite alarming. Look at what Paul said:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first...
Paul was saying that before Jesus returns, there will be a great "falling away" in the church. Many who name the name of Jesus right now, and attend church, will turn away from Him in the valley of decision. As the consequences of following Him become more and more intense, many will choose the human solution, giving in to the coming world system, over the prophesied plan of God that comes in the "long dark night" of tribulation. Describing the judgment of this last generation, when men will stand before Him, after the valley of decision, this is what Jesus said:
Matthew 7:21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Going to church, even actively participating in church, even ministering to others, won't carry you through the time of encountering lawlessness (the antichrist is called the man of lawlessness). Lawlessness means persecution for all who hold to the truth of God's law and love the author of the law. The valley of decision will divide those who love Jesus even when it looks like the cost is high, from those who will give in to a lawless world system to avoid discomfort. This valley of decision will be so intense, even the elect would run the risk of turning away:
Mark 13:22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
Now is not the time for nominal Christianity. The Bible says there is only one type of Christian who will hold until the end: those with lamps full of oil and extra oil in reserve (Matthew 25). The oil is encountering Jesus in the secret place, making God the one and only object of your desire, BEFORE the long night. Building all your dreams on Him...on knowing Him. Just as in the time of Noah, the Bible says most of the world will be distracted with getting married, getting a better job, buying houses, having kids, the daily struggle common to every generation. But Jesus said "know I am telling the last generation in advance what to look for, and what to do." This is what He said describing this time:
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
It takes God to love God. Now is the time to ask, seek, and knock for God to make Himself the center of your life, the center of your attention, and the center of your delight. If we press in now, and fill our lamps with oil, the history in our heart of hearing Him, obeying Him, loving Him with all our mind (attention), soul (the dreams of our heart), and strength (or money, talents, and time), we will "shine like the stars" in this most amazing generation!
Daniel 12: 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. 4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."
In the Bible there are three transitional generations: the generation of the first covenant with God (Moses' generation), the generation of the New Covenant (the generation of the book of Acts) and the generation of the renewal of all things (the generation that sees Jesus' return). The first two transitional generations are a matter of fact. We see their stories in the Bible, and we see their mark on the world around us. These two generations completely changed the world they were born into. The Bible says the third transitional generation will see the power of the first two combined, and then multiplied at a global level. Jesus and the prophets gave us the signs to look for, and since 1948 these signs have been occurring with more and more frequency and intensity. Jesus said when you see all these things happening, know that your generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Like the changing of a season, when you see the buds show up on the trees outside your house, summer IS coming soon, regardless of the temperature outside the moment you notice the buds:
Matthew 24: 32 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
The first two transitional generations got little to no warning that a huge change was about to be thrust upon them. There was very little prophetic insight in the scriptures for either generation. The third transitional generation dominates the written word. Once you know how to look for it (phrases like "in that day") you will see information about our generation literally fills the entire Bible. There are 89 chapters in the Gospels, written after the fact, describing Jesus' first appearance as a lamb, but at least 150 chapters, written in advance, primarily describe our generation, not to mention the hundreds of verses throughout the rest of the Bible. To Him whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). The next verse after this one in the book of Luke should be the most alarming verse to the western church:
Luke 12:49 "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!
The valley of decision is about to be thrust on a generation completely unaware it is living in the most prophesied time in world history. The kindling throughout the world is being lit all around us. We smell the smoke, and feel the heat a little, but this is really just the beginning. I am not attempting to be an alarmist, but the truth is quite alarming. Look at what Paul said:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first...
Paul was saying that before Jesus returns, there will be a great "falling away" in the church. Many who name the name of Jesus right now, and attend church, will turn away from Him in the valley of decision. As the consequences of following Him become more and more intense, many will choose the human solution, giving in to the coming world system, over the prophesied plan of God that comes in the "long dark night" of tribulation. Describing the judgment of this last generation, when men will stand before Him, after the valley of decision, this is what Jesus said:
Matthew 7:21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Going to church, even actively participating in church, even ministering to others, won't carry you through the time of encountering lawlessness (the antichrist is called the man of lawlessness). Lawlessness means persecution for all who hold to the truth of God's law and love the author of the law. The valley of decision will divide those who love Jesus even when it looks like the cost is high, from those who will give in to a lawless world system to avoid discomfort. This valley of decision will be so intense, even the elect would run the risk of turning away:
Mark 13:22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
Now is not the time for nominal Christianity. The Bible says there is only one type of Christian who will hold until the end: those with lamps full of oil and extra oil in reserve (Matthew 25). The oil is encountering Jesus in the secret place, making God the one and only object of your desire, BEFORE the long night. Building all your dreams on Him...on knowing Him. Just as in the time of Noah, the Bible says most of the world will be distracted with getting married, getting a better job, buying houses, having kids, the daily struggle common to every generation. But Jesus said "know I am telling the last generation in advance what to look for, and what to do." This is what He said describing this time:
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
It takes God to love God. Now is the time to ask, seek, and knock for God to make Himself the center of your life, the center of your attention, and the center of your delight. If we press in now, and fill our lamps with oil, the history in our heart of hearing Him, obeying Him, loving Him with all our mind (attention), soul (the dreams of our heart), and strength (or money, talents, and time), we will "shine like the stars" in this most amazing generation!
Daniel 12: 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. 4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."
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