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discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The Ultimate Sacrifice

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Veterans Day is upon us (November 11)! Initially set apart to honor WWI veterans, ‘Armistice Day’ became dedicated to world peace and all war veterans. Jesus taught there’s no greater love than sacrificing life for others’ sake (John 15:13). Honoring those who’ve given their lives defending others makes sense. So, please do this on the 11th! Here, I’d like to introduce folks from the Christian community who’ve sacrificed life, limb, time, treasure, and talents to serve others and present God’s Kingdom to the unchurched: martyrs, missionaries, evangelists/apostles, and helpers. Martyrs first.

Martyrs. A martyr is someone killed for their beliefs (e.g., religious). Notable Christian martyrs include Stephen, stoned to death in about 30 AD, and eleven of the twelve original apostles killed for their faith. Later, faithful Lawrence was grilled to death in 258 AD. Perpetua was a 22-year-old nursing mother killed by a wild beast in the coliseum for her unshakable faith in the third century AD. Another example is Margaret Clitherow, pressed to death in 1586 for ‘illegally’ harboring priests in her home. Others suffer hardship, even if they don’t always die for their faith.

Missionaries. Jesus said, “GO and make disciples!” (e.g., Matthew 28:18-20). Some people do this close to home. Others travel to foreign lands or new communities. We call the latter missionaries, and they often sacrifice life, limb, and significant comfort and resources to serve God. Examples include 18th-century William Carey, known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” He was the first missionary to India and translated the Bible into Bengali. And there was David Livingstone—a 19th-century Scottish physician who evangelized Africa. Speaking of Africa, Joanne and I just returned from a two-week mission to Kenya and Uganda, Africa, training about 400 church leaders in Christian Leadership and Discipleship principles.

Evangelists and Apostles. These preachers of God’s Kingdom to the yet-to-be-churched are another sacrificial group (where they preach determines whether they’re an evangelist or apostle). An apostle is sent into new communities to start new churches; evangelists usually preach closer to home. These obedient folks often undergo hardships and sacrifice comfort and familiarity to introduce God’s Kingdom to the spiritually needy here and abroad.

Humble Helpers. We also must recognize the folks who work humbly, obediently, and quietly behind the scenes to support and promote God’s Kingdom. They don’t seek recognition but deserve it because they sacrifice time, treasures, and talents! These folks are rare, accounting for less than 20% of a typical congregation! You’ll find them teaching, cooking, cleaning, greeting, fixing, mowing—serving selflessly in these and many more ways!

Summary: On November 11, remember those who’ve died for others. We should also honor the people who willingly sacrifice everything to introduce God’s Kingdom to the lost. Next, in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ll write about being thankful. Meanwhile, remember that God expects you to BE the Church, not DO church.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

How do we Know – Part II: The Most Reliable Texts!

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In the first part of this series, I shared evidence that Jesus, the apostles, and other biblical characters were real. I also introduced a ‘chain of custody’ to link those people with others we know lived because of their connections and writings. Here, I’ll focus on the authenticity and reliability of the contents of the Bible.

Chain of Custody. Connections between known things can bring confidence in everything in between. For instance, Jesus’ disciple was John, and Polycarp was John’s disciple. Irenaeus was Polycarp’s disciple. From Polycarp, Irenaeus learned about the apostle Matthew and his gospel. He and Ignatius quoted from Luke’s letter, which we call the Acts. Plenty of writings by Polycarp and Irenaeus exist, so Jesus and John’s existence and the biblical texts John and Matthew authored are undeniable. The texts were written and circulated far earlier than some are willing to believe.

Timing. The Old Testament was written between 1430-400 BC and translated into Greek in about 170 BC. This is the Septuagint—the ‘Scriptures’ Jesus and the apostles quoted. What about the New Testament? More than 5,000 early fragments and manuscripts date to 125 AD, only about twenty years after John wrote his gospel and pastoral letters! In 130 AD, Papias (the bishop of Hierapolis) affirmed that Mark, Peter’s scribe who wrote his gospel, confirmed the accurate reflection of Peter’s words through Mark. Finally, a collection of fragments containing twenty-three New Testament books and Irenaeus’ writings existed around the same time. Let’s consider more that lend credibility to the biblical texts, making them undeniable and highly believable.

Accuracy & Believability. Jesus and the apostles quoted the Old Testament Scriptures. After Jesus was crucified and ascended, the Jewish leaders reported (in writing) that things in the Temple stopped working, beginning about 40 years before the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Doors opened independently, lights would go out, and priestly lots and religious artifacts malfunctioned. Something else worth considering: if there hadn’t been common knowledge and agreement on the details in the New Testament texts, contemporaries would’ve challenged (and perhaps killed) the authors. So, they had to tell the truth. Also, about 99 percent of the New Testament can be accurately reconstructed from fragments and manuscripts. Why do I say accurately? Even after considering minor differences in the copies, only about one percent involved meanings of the texts. Finally, historical and archeological research verified at least 84 facts about places and people in the last 16 Acts chapters.

Summary: Just like the biblical players, the texts are believable (and accurate). Chains of custody and history and geology say so. What’s next? Let’s pay homage to those who’ve sacrificed time, talents, and life to bring God’s Kingdom near to others. Meanwhile, let obedience to God trump religion and tradition. Let’s have coffee together if you’re unsure of how! Questions or comments?

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

How do we Know, Part I – People, Places, & Stuff!

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Some say Jesus is a myth and that biblical texts are fantasies. Much physical and circumstantial evidence exists to the contrary! So, I wonder what would fuel such a rejection of YHVH, Jesus, or the Bible’s contents. Regardless, I’m writing not about intentional spiritual blindness to truth but to share reasons to be confident in YHVH (God), Jesus, and biblical writings. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll consider people, places, and stuff of the Bible. In the second part, we’ll dig into why we can believe the Bible. People first.

People. My wife has a cousin who has an ex-wife. They have kids. The kids have significant ‘others.’ I don’t know the cousin, the ex-wife, the kids or the ‘others.’ But I know my wife. She knows the cousin, who knows the ex-wife, who knows the kids and so on. Through this relational chain of custody, I am confident that the cousin, the ex, the kids, and the others are real people, even though I’ve never met them. So it is with Jesus and the disciples/apostles.

Irenaeus was a Roman Christian who lived from 120-200 AD. He was a student of Polycarp, who lived from 69-155 AD. From Polycarp, Irenaeus learned about the apostle Matthew and the Hebrew version of the gospel that bears his name. He (and Ignatius of Antioch) quoted from the Acts that eventually became a Bible book. They knew about John Zebedee, one of Jesus’ disciples, because Polycarp had been John’s disciple. And, of course, apostles Matthew and John knew Jesus personally and were so sure of His death and resurrection that they willingly died for this belief. Let’s look at this chain of custody the other way around.

Jesus knew John. John knew Polycarp. Polycarp knew Irenaeus. Irenaeus, therefore, attests to at least Jesus, John, Matthew, Polycarp, and Ignatius’ existence besides validating what would become biblical texts. But, in case that’s not enough, historian Josephus wrote about Jesus, His half-brother James, and John the Baptist. If you need more, let’s consider confidence-building places and stuff.

Places & Stuff. The pools of Bethesda from biblical texts are a real thing. An Assyrian obelisk validates Jewish King Jehu mentioned in the Old Testament. Also written in the testament (2 Kings 20:20) is mention of existing Hezekiah’s tunnels. Jesus and the disciples (all Jews) understood the texts as true. And real people like the treasurer Erastus (Romans 16:23) corroborate those biblical texts. There’s more, so much more!

Summary: Real people validated by history and eyewitnesses attest to Jesus, His disciples, and biblical texts. Perhaps we should take seriously what they said about God and morality! In the second part of this two-parter, I’ll focus more on the believability of those biblical texts we call ‘the Scriptures.’ Meanwhile, love God, not religion.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Make a Difference!

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God didn’t create us just to consume resources, tend only to ourselves, and then pass out of this life without making a difference. He made us to be like Him. He loves; we’re to love. He’s merciful; we’re to be merciful. He created us for partnership and to make a difference while we can—not suck air and be selfish. Check out what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10, and you’ll see that we’ve been created for good works. Read Matthew 25:31-40; you’ll discover the demise of all who don’t do them. By the way, Luke 10:28 tells us that we will live [spiritually] if we honor God and love people through our works.

Anyway, I thought, “Hey Ron—what examples of making a positive difference can you think of?” As it turns out, there are plenty! I’ll offer a few to encourage you. What follows is just a sample—plenty of organizations and people in Taylor and around the world make quite a difference. I’m not playing favorites (although I AM partial to Shepherd’s Heart!).

A Lucky Starfish. Do you ever feel that nothing you do matters? A boy once walked the beach throwing washed-up starfish back into the water. A man observing him yelled, “There are so many! You’ll never make a difference!” The boy responded while throwing another starfish into the sea: “Well, it matters to that one!” The smallest efforts can have the biggest impact!

The Good Samaritan. Ancient Jews and Samaritans were enemies. Yet, a Jewish Jesus spoke about a charitable Samaritan who found a man beaten, robbed, and left for dead (even bypassed by a Jewish priest) and nursed him back to health. I guess we CAN all get along!

“Good News” by Isabella Tebeau. Looking for encouragement and examples of positive differences and influences? Check out Isabella’s Taylor Press article, which has challenged us to “Always remember there is goodness everywhere and kindness matters!”

Shepherd’s Heart. Our renowned food pantry and thrift shop feeds hundreds of people every week. Money donated by good-hearted folks and earned in the thrift shop continues to provide utility relief for families in danger of being without electricity or water. Shepherd’s Heart certainly reflects God’s heart!

Anchored in Grace Fellowship. Albert and his small crew love the community in big ways! This fantastic church provides hygiene items such as soap and toothpaste to hundreds of people each year. They also often come to the rescue with socks, gloves, food, blankets, and school supplies. Look no further for a model of true love!

Summary: The world can seem dark and unloving at times. But there are always bright spots of love and difference-making. The following article will be the first of a two-parter addressing how we can be confident of the biblical texts and the people in them, including Jesus. Until then, be kind and pure.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

I Pledge Allegiance to Who?

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Remember when we always said the Pledge of Allegiance (at school, for instance)? “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America . . . one nation under God . . .” That was when we were a godly nation. What would make us godly again? Pledging allegiance to the One we call God before allying ourselves with anything or anyone else or chasing self-centered passions. But what would that look like? What would God (YHVH) require of anyone (and, collectively, a nation) wanting to be His ally? Good question—let’s find out!

First, YHVH told the prophet Micah something like: “Dude! I don’t want meaningless religious works—I want you to practice justice and mercy and walk with me humbly! (Micah 6:8). Before you give me grief about the whole ‘Dude!’ thing, there may be a Hebrew or Aramaic word for it—you never know. Regardless, the point is valid: humility, justice, and mercy are critical in allegiance to God!

Second, YHVH wants partners—allies—who bear His image. He’s looking for people who will do and say here what He does and says in His realm, like Jesus did, while empowered by the Holy Spirit. What else? We’re to honor our Creator (YHVH) with all we have and are. We see this in the Great Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5): “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jesus reiterated the theme in Matthew 22:37. So, we are to honor Him in purity, among other things: “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Is anything else required for allegiance with God? Yep! Honoring Him (and Christ) begins with complete devotion—not only in the words, “confess Jesus as Lord” (Romans 10:9-10) but in action. Why do I write this? The ancients understood that speech and action were coupled. So did we until recently when lying became the norm and our word stopped being our bond. At any rate, pledge allegiance to God and stay in the relationship: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10).

So, we are to pledge allegiance to God through action, devoting all we have and are, and through purity and charity. This requires learning about God and what He wants and establishing new habits. He has called; we must respond. Keep in mind that not responding or devoting will have devastating consequences!

Summary: Pledge allegiance to who? God alone! Then, stay aligned by honoring Him with all you have, are, and do. What’s next? Learning about YHVH (God) and His desires can sometimes be challenging and sobering. So, let’s lighten things up with some encouraging and uplifting moments through exploring making a difference in our world. Until then, do what pleases God.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Goin’ to the Spiritual Gym!

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Want to get thinner? Eat better and less. Want to get fit? Move. Want to get stronger? Work out at the gym. These excellent disciplines can improve physical, mental, and emotional health. Easy? Nope! I wouldn’t be writing this if they were! But discipline, hard as it may be, is crucial to developing good habits—even for spiritual growth. So, today, we’ll go to the ‘spiritual gym,’ beginning with foundational discipleship.

Discipleship. Everything needs a solid foundation, including your house, vocation, relationships, and Christianity. Most things wither or fail without one! Christian foundation is formed through discipleship. But discipleship, with ‘discipline’ at its core, happens intentionally through training and imitation. Learn and imitate what? Prayer. Study. Charity. Purity. Operating by God’s Spirit. Discipling others. How did Jesus disciple people? Tell, demonstrate, test, correct, and send.

Spiritual Formation. But, at some point, ongoing formation geared toward maturity must take over and build upon the foundation: “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity . . .” (Hebrews 6:1). Ongoing formation seeks to build spiritual muscles to help the God-fearing Christ-follower endure until the end of this world. We must discipline ourselves to build good, Godly habits like athletes, according to the apostle Paul: “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. . . . Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) Of course, no one wants to be disqualified from salvation (God’s rescuing) to come (1 Peter 1:3-5)! So, let’s briefly address the spiritual formation He expects.

In loving ourselves (so we can obediently honor God and love others), we must be relationally, emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually healthy. Weakness in any of these areas can distract us from bearing God’s image, being an ambassador of His Kingdom, or honoring our part of the two-way covenantal relationship with Him. We begin our journey to wellness in all areas by “presenting our bodies a living and holy sacrifice” and remapping our brains (Romans 12:1-2). How do we do that? By disciplining ourselves to pray regularly and study the Bible often (praying all the while for illumination). And, by being continually charitable with time, talents, and treasures while pursuing purity according to God’s righteousness—His standards.

Summary: Here, we went to the spiritual gym for foundational discipleship and ongoing spiritual formation to be healthy enough to please God. What’s next? It’s way past Independence Day, but let’s see what it means to say, “I pledge allegiance to God!” in the following article. In the meantime, be kind, just, merciful, and pure above being religious.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Like Elijah: Are You the Only One Left?

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In an ‘anything goes’ world interested in pursuing pleasure more than God, even inside the Church, it’s easy to feel isolated. Overwhelmed. Like you’re the only one chasing purity, charity, and transformation as YHVH desires (e.g., Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, and 1 Timothy 4:12). It’s easy to feel like He’s far away and disinterested! If that’s you, you’re in good company! Allow me to introduce the eighth-century BCE prophet Elijah, who thought he stood alone against the wickedness of his day.

Let’s set the stage first. Israel’s king was Ahab, and his pagan wife Jezebel introduced Baal worship. Bad? Yep! They were to have only ONE Elohim: YHVH. And they killed infants and engaged in the sexual perversions and deviances we see today. Don’t be surprised. King Solomon wrote about 100 years earlier: “. . . there is nothing new under the sun.” Anyway, YHVH withheld rain for 3.5 years because of Israel’s rebellion. Enter Elijah.

Read 1 Kings 18:20-40, and you’ll find an elated prophet who overcame 450 of Baal’s prophets by YHVH’s power. Victory! Rain! On the other hand, continue reading 1 Kings 19:4-18, and you’ll find a depressed Elijah on the run from Ahab. In verses 10 and 14, he cries, “Am I the only one?” In a small, still voice, mighty YHVH whispers: “No! Seven thousand others are like you!” (1 Kings 19:11-18) Similarly, you are not alone!

You are not alone! Statistically, up to 90% of a church’s congregation is passive, spiritually lethargic, unfruitful, and doomed. But that means that 10% or more are authentic God-fearing, Christ-following partners and not pew-warming freeloaders . . . They’re disciples. They study, pray, care for others, and devote their bodies to YHVH. You are not alone! Others love justice and mercy and salvation, too!

You are not alone! You’ll see! Jesus revealed this post-end-times rescuing to John: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb . . .” (Revelation 7:9-10)

You are not alone! You’re not the only one! Stay the course! “. . . the one who endures to the end . . . will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

Summary: Elijah believed he was the only God-fearing, righteous person left. He was mistaken. If you think you’re the only one today, you, too, are wrong. You are not alone! But I encourage you to encourage others: tell them they’re not alone as you’re not! Now what? I mentioned discipleship and transformation in this article, so we’ll consider the relationship between foundational discipleship and formational spiritual disciplines as we go to the ‘spiritual gym’ next. Meanwhile, remember that if you claim Christianity, you and yours belong to Christ, not to yourself for carnal pleasure.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Back to Eden: After Antichrist

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We began this series by foreseeing a return to Eden and its perfection. Then, we returned to Jesus’ time to uncover what He said about the journey to that future. A terrible several-year time of Antichrist trouble for God’s people will come when deception, violence, and economic hardship peak. But God will save His people and execute His own wrath against evil. Finally, He’ll judge and sentence or reward all people from all time for how they’ve used their bodies for good or bad. Then, Eden! Let’s unpack the time from Antichrist’s end until everything is renewed.

What will mark the end of the Antichrist’s reign of terror and salvation for God’s own? Complete darkness heralding the brightness of the returning King (Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 6:12-17 (seal #6)). A remnant of YHVH’s (God’s) Old Covenant Israel will be gathered and kept from harm at that time (Revelation 7:1-8). Jesus’ New Covenant followers will also find rescue (salvation), as seen in Matthew 24:31 and Revelation 7:9-17 (and 1 Peter 1:3-5). What then?

After YHVH’s people are rescued, He’ll unleash His anger against those who had persecuted and killed them. Revelation refers to this time of God’s punishment in two phases: seven initial trumpeted events and seven bowl judgments to finish things off. At the end of the first phase (the seventh trumpet), Jesus will reclaim the nations and establish His earthly kingdom and long-running peace (Revelation 11:15). Then, at the end of the final phase (the bowl judgments), Antichrist’s master, Satan, will be bound and kept at bay during Jesus’ reign here (Revelation 20:2-3).

After what the Bible calls 1,000 years, Satan will be released to gather the nations once again against YHVH (Revelation 20:7-10). Why? It’s hard to say. However, His first round of wrath was against Satan’s puppet (Antichrist). Perhaps the second round against Satan will be to address the puppet master himself and weed out everyone not in allegiance with God. This would make sense, understanding that final judgment is about to occur, and re-creation is on the horizon.

And we’re back where we started: Eden. In the beginning, I mentioned that all the prophecies and apocalyptic stuff are meant to give hope: YHVH will keep a promise to rescue His people and make all things new. No more suffering, sadness, or immoralities. Just perfection and peace!

Summary: A terrible time of trouble for God’s people will come when deception, violence, and economic hardship peak. How will it end? With Jesus’s appearing and our gathering when the lights go out (Revelation seal #6). Then, God’s turn and re-creation. With that, our end-times series has ended. In the following article, I’ll introduce you to Elijah, who believed he was the only God-fearing righteous person alive. Do you ever feel that way? In the meantime, be a disciple, make disciples, and honor God with everything while you can!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Back to Eden: Antichrist Wrath

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We began this series by returning to the perfection of future Eden in the coming age. Then, in the last article, we went back to Jesus’ time and began moving forward toward the end of this age. I introduced John the Revelator and gave you a few tools to study the Revelation given to Him by Jesus. I also mentioned that life will continue until deception, violence, and environmental issues spiral out of control (Revelation seals 1-3). What comes next? The time of the Antichrist’s wrath against God’s people (Revelation seals 4-5)!

He or it will control much of the earth for about seven years when the religious deception, international conflicts, and economic chaos revealed in Revelation seals 1-3 crest. That time will begin with a Middle Eastern peace agreement broken in the middle (Daniel 9:27). So, things will seem pretty good for the first several of the seven years. Then, all hell will break loose (literally!).

The prophet Daniel and Jesus foresaw a time when Satan-driven Antichrist will bring great wrath upon YHVH’s people (Jew and Christian). The Bible refers to this destructive period in several ways: Great tribulation, 42 [30-day lunar] months, 1260 days (42X30), and 3.5 years. Check out these biblical references:

  • Great Tribulation/time of Jacob’s (Jewish) trouble: Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21 & 29.
  • 42 months: Revelation 11:2 and 13:5.
  • 1260 days: Daniel 12:11-23 (1260+30 days); Revelation 11:3 and 12:6.
  • 3.5 years (one year plus two years plus half a year): Daniel 7:25 and 12:7, and Revelation 12:14.

Daniel received his vision of the future Antichrist’s time in about 500 BCE. Then, Jesus referred to this period of coming wrath about 2,000 years ago and retold it to John in a revelatory vision about 70 years later. Paul also taught about the Antichrist’s time of authority. You can read about it in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Let’s consider important things that will happen during those 3.5 years.

In Matthew 24:10-26 and Revelation 6:7-12, Jesus revealed a terrible time of persecution and death for God’s people by a Satan-empowered Antichrist. Heavenly witnesses will issue final warnings to all people during that time and oppose the Antichrist, who will demand allegiance against YHVH. Those who refuse will die a human death but enter the next age with YHVH. Those who side with Antichrist for food and material security will likely experience physical death during God’s great wrath and spiritual destruction at His great judgment.

Summary: A terrible time of trouble for God’s people will come when deception, violence, and economic hardship peak. How will that three-and-a-half-year time of Antichrist’s wrath end? With Jesus’s appearing and our gathering at a complete darkening of the natural lights (Revelation seal six). More about this and coming peace next time. In the meantime, be a disciple, make disciples, and honor God with everything while you can!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Back to Eden: Until The Antichrist

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In my last article, I taught that YHVH walked with people before they turned away. I also mentioned that He will someday destroy this realm and re-create perfection. Here, we’ll unfold the last days as we begin to explore what Jesus revealed about the future. I’ll also introduce John the Revelator and guide you in your own end-times study. John first.

Jesus’ disciple John Zebedee wrote the Revelation in about 95 CE while exiled to the Grecian Island of Patmos. Roman Emperor Domitian sent him there, and Emperor Nerva released the exiles a couple of years later. John then returned to Ephesus to live out his days. While in the spirit, Jesus had revealed the future to John to give to his Asian churches. But he had heard much of this before!

Before Jesus’ crucifixion, several disciples asked Him about the Temple’s eventual destruction and His future return. You can read Jesus’ response in Matthew chapters 24-25, Mark 13, or Luke 21. He revealed a forthcoming departure from the Faith and diminishing true love. Also, that life will continue as it always has until religious deception, war, and environmental issues increase significantly just before the end. Here’s how Matthew 24:5-7 and Revelation 6:2-6 (part of a seven-sealed scroll) reveal Jesus’ time until Antichrist:

  • Deception: Matthew 24:5 and Revelation 6:2 (behind seal #1).
  •  Violence: Matthew 24:6-7a and Revelation 6:3-4 (behind seal #2).
  •  Environmental and geological chaos: Matthew 24:7b and Revelation 6:5-6 (behind seal #3).

Now, I’ll introduce you to the Revelation. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s all symbolic, already happened, or not sequential! Very little is purely symbolic, and most are explained there or elsewhere. Accept what you read as literally as possible unless there’s a reason not to. And compare Scriptures to Scriptures to get a clearer understanding. It’s easier than you think! You may want to check out my 2011 book, Finding the End of the World, to learn more about the end of the age and aid your own study. Here’s a breakdown of the Revelation, which comprises eight primary sections:

  • Revelation 1 – 5. Introduction, instructions, and an invitation to see the future.
  • Revelation 6 – 8:1. Sequence until the end and the protection of God’s people.
  • Revelation 8:2 – 10. Trumpet judgments 1-6 (God’s wrath begins).
  • Revelation 11 – 13. Three perspectives (two witnesses, Satan, and the Antichrist) and details of the Antichrist’s 3.5-year authority ending with trumpet judgment #7.
  • Revelation 14 – 16. Events just before and after the end of Antichrist authority; vial judgments 1-6 (almost the end of God’s wrath).
  • Revelation 17 – 19. Immoralities and the final showdown (God’s wrath ends with vial #7).
  • Revelation 20 – 22. Christ’s physical kingdom, judgment, and re-creation; closure.

Summary: Life will continue until deception, violence, and environmental issues spiral out of control. Next, we’ll deep-dive into the time of the Antichrist’s authority and mayhem revealed by the prophet Daniel, apostle Paul, and revelator John. Meanwhile, honor God and love people more than religion.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.