There is so much talk going around about the Red Heifer that is supposedly going to be sacrificed in Israel to purify the Jewish people and make a way for Israel to build the Third Temple. I don’t know if this Red Heifer sacrifice is actually going to happen or not, but I do know that there will be a Third Temple. First, let me give you some context and history.

The first Jerusalem Temple was built by King Solomon. It was later destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The second Jewish Temple was built by Zerubbabel after the Jews returned from 70 years of Babylonian exile. That Zerubbabel Temple experienced a significant upgrade by King Herod just before the time of Christ. The second Jerusalem Temple (known as Herod’s temple) was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, approximately 37 years after Jesus returned to heaven. There has not been a Jewish Temple standing in Jerusalem for some 2,000 years now. Does the Bible reveal a Third Temple in Jerusalem?

Yes, the Bible tells us that there will be a physical Third Temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-8) The Prophet Ezekiel gives the last eight chapters of his book to a new Jerusalem Third Temple that Jesus himself will reign from during the millennial (1,000 year) kingdom of Christ on this present earth after Satan has been locked away in prison.

But today, I would like to focus on another Third Temple. This Temple is not a physical structure in Jerusalem, but it is a Temple that King Jesus will reign in and reign from. The Third Temple that I’m referring to today is us…the born-again, Holy Spirit filled, Church of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

If you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, your body is a type of Third Temple on the earth during the church age. Jesus reigns today in the person of the Holy Spirit from inside the physical bodies of born-again believers. We are Jesus’ present-day temples. Jesus’ promise in the Great Commission is that He will personally be with us until the end of the age. He will be with us in the person of the Holy Spirit…living inside our human bodies/temples until the church age ends.

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Yes, I believe there will one day be a physical Third Temple built in Jerusalem with Jesus reigning there as Prophet, Priest and King. But, until then, Jesus desires to reign (in the person and power of the Holy Spirit) in and through the physical lives of the church (living inside our human flesh temple) while we wait for Jesus to reign in the flesh on this present earth.

Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There are four verses at the very end of the letter of First John that reveal “Three We Knows” that every believer should know as absolute truth. It’s like the Apostle John summarizes his letter’s conclusion in these final verses.

With all the trouble in Israel and in our own country, I think it would be good for the church to examine these Three We Knows today to make sure that we still know them to be true in our lives. Knowing these Three We Knows as absolute truth will go a long way in keeping us focused and full of joy as we journey through this troublesome wilderness journey on our way to the Promised Land.

I encourage each of you to read each one carefully and check yourself today. Do you truly know all three?

1. We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

2. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

3. We know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

1 John 5:18-20 (NLT)

18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

And after you come to grips with these Three We Knows…John gives us a warning. The last verse of First John is a powerful and convicting warning to the children of God.

1 John 5:21 (NLT)

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Oh, the power of the Word of God. It enters into our dry and thirsty soul and gives us a drink of cool fresh living water, renewing our strength, purpose and perseverance.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen.

Terry Cooper

The Apostle Paul was given a unique and special look into the future of all mankind, including the last days. God revealed mysteries to Paul that had been previously hidden.

Ephesians 3:3-5 (NLT)

3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.

4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

One of these mysteries revealed by God was regarding the apostasy or rebellion that would occur in the last days, revealing the antichrist (man of lawlessness) and bringing the return of Christ to this earth. The NASB version of the Bible uses the word “apostasy” and the NIV/NLT translations use the word “rebellion”. The word means, “to depart from one’s stand or state of standing”. By the way, its difficult to depart from something that you’ve never stood upon...which means this rebellion will come from within the church.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NLT)

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him.

2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion [APOSTASY] against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica is clearly talking about events that will lead up to the return of Christ in the final days of man...when everything will change. Paul, under special revelation from the Lord, said that day (the coming of the Lord) would not come until there was a rebellion (apostasy). Paul also revealed this same topic in his letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

These people will abandon and turn away from true faith and follow demons. So, what are these people rebelling against? What are these people departing from that will bring the antichrist and the return of Jesus Christ in the last days? God revealed the last days apostasy/rebellion to Paul, but what are they actually rebelling against? What are these people turning their backs on, falling away from? Do you know? Do you think it’s important to know?

I’ve always found it interesting and powerful that the Old and New Testaments begin in the same way. Do you know what the key words are? “GOD SAID...THE WORD”.

Genesis 1:3-5 (NLT)

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

John 1:1-5 (NLT)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The Word (God said) is the beginning of the Old Testament/Covenant and The Word is the beginning of the New Testament/Covenant. The Word actually became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and moved from heaven to earth. The Word says that Jesus will return one day and His name on that day will be “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). So, what do you suppose the rebellion will rebel against in the last days of man? The Word...God said!

Paul told Timothy that they would turn away from the true faith in the last days...setting the world stage for the man of lawlessness to be revealed and take control. Is it possible to have true faith without the Word of God? The Bible says that true faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

I am watching this rebellion take place in our generation. I’m watching church after church rebel against the authority of Scripture, turning away from the Word, the Truth. Every week I read a new story about another church that has rejected the authority of Scripture and turned to the deceptive teaching of demons. These are churches that have previously stood upon the authority of Scripture, but now they stand in the midst of the apostasy, the rebellion.

So, what do we do? Is there any hope? God gave this special revelation to Paul and Paul has revealed it to the world. It’s unstoppable! Right? It’s going to happen in the last days! Right? Yes, it’s going to happen and yes, the final days rebellion is unstoppable, but you don’t have to be a part of the rebellion. You can be a part of the resistance and stand upon the Word of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Take this personal Word from Jesus as your encouragement today:

Matthew 24:9-14 (NLT)

9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.

10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.

11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

We MUST NOT rebel against the Word of God/God said. We MUST be those who endure to the end. We MUST be a people of THE WORD and by doing so...we refuse to join the apostasy of these last days. Yes, we will face opposition. This is a spiritual war, and this is a battle for life and death that finds its origin in the heavenly realms. This battle will have eternal consequences. Our only offensive weapon in this battle is a Sword. But this Sword is very powerful. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God...put it on and stand your ground church!

Ephesians 6:14-17 (NLT)

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

By the time you get to Numbers chapters 13 &14, Moses and the Israelites are just outside the Promised Land. Moses had sent out 12 men to spy out the Promised Land and they return with the majority of the spies totally filled with fear. Only 2, Joshua and Caleb, had the faith to believe God and cross over into the Promised Land.

Numbers 13:30-33 (NLT)

30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”

32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.

33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

They were so-so close to receiving the promises of God, when they become fearful, and that fear caused them to turn away from God and look back toward Egypt. Looking back at Egypt was an offense to God, the One who had come to set them free from their Egyptian bondage.

Numbers 14:1-4 (NLT)

1 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night.

2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained.

3 “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?”

4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

That was the last straw! They were going to turn against Moses, their deliverer, and choose another leader to take them back to the bondage of Egypt. That event would bring the judgment of God upon an entire generation of Israel.

Moses tried and tried to turn the people’s hearts back to God, but it didn’t work. The bad report from the fearful-10 caused the people to rebel against Moses and God. The fearful-10 majority even turned on the faithful-2 that refused to vote with them, Joshua and Caleb. They were making plans to stone them for trusting in God’s promises about the Promised Land when God suddenly intervenes.

Numbers 14:10 (NLT)

10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

That brings me to today and this ancient Word of God to the people of Israel just outside the Promised Land. One verse that crosses over to our time.

Numbers 14:11 (NLT)

11 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?

I fear that much of the American Church is repeating this same scene today. Fear and doubt just outside the Promised Land. Fear and doubt that causes people to look back at Egypt…back at their former life of sin and bondage.

How many signs did the people of Israel experience on their way from Egypt to the border of the Promised Land? How many signs has the church received from God on our way to the Promised Land today? Do you really need more signs than those that are appearing around us today?

Matthew 16:2-4 (NLT)

2 He [Jesus] replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow;

3 red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!

4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.

So-so close, but they didn’t make it. God turned that generation around and took them back into the wilderness where most of them would die…just outside the Promised Land. What can the church learn from this horrible scene today.

God has given us a Deliverer. His name is Jesus. He came to break the bondage of sin and death and His Spirit is leading us now through the wilderness on our way to the Promised Land. Do not test the Spirit or rebel against the Word.

All who place their faith and trust in Jesus will enter that glorious Promised Land of God’s presence. There are many fears and doubts in the wilderness and the lure of Egypt and sin is powerful. We must be the Joshua’s and Caleb’s of our generation. We must hold fast to the promises of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 10:35-39 (NLT)

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.

38 And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

The signs are all around us today. The day of the Lord’s return is soon. Be strong and very courageous church…we’re going to make it!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

You could say that the fall of man can be illustrated by the closing of a gate. That gate was on the east side of the Garden of Eden. The closing of that gate was the separation of man from the presence of God. The sin of man caused the gate into God’s presence to be closed.

Genesis 3:23-24 (NLT)

23 So the LORD God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.

24 After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

The closed gate kept man from eating from the Tree of Life and living forever in sin. But more importantly the closed gate kept man from fully experiencing the presence of God. God closed that gate and what God closes; no mortal man can open.

That brings me to Psalm 24, a prophetic Psalm of King David (written some 3,000 years after the Garden Gate closed) about God’s plan to one day open the closed gate. God was going to open the gate to the Tree of Life and into His Holy Presence again.

Psalm 24:7-10 (NLT)

7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.

9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory.

How was God going to open the closed ancient gate? God would become a man. A sinless man would be able to walk through that closed gate. God sent His Only Begotten Son-Jesus to become the Second or Last Adam. Jesus’ sinless life would open the gate that Adam’s sin closed, making a way for all who put their faith in Him to follow Him through that open gate. Through Jesus, the Tree of Life and the very presence of God would be opened again to all mankind.

The life and the choices of the first man (Adam) closed the gate. The life and the choices of the second man (Jesus) opened the gate. And what’s on the other side of that gate that Jesus opened by becoming the sinless sacrificial Lamb of God on the cross. The answer to that question is the first part of Psalm 24.

Psalm 24:1-6 (NLT)

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

3 Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.

5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.

6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Everything…is on the other side of the gate that Jesus opened. Everything, and that includes the Tree of Life that gives man eternal life!

Revelation 22:14-15 (NLT)

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.

15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

Rejoice today church…the gate to the Tree of Life and the very presence of God now stands open for all who will put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Does it feel like the whole world is shaking these days? It seems like the foundational institutions of our society are all shaking and crumbling beneath our feet. We long for safety and security, but we live in a very unsafe and insecure world. We long for solid rock foundations, but we seem to be standing on shaking/sinking sand.

What’s going on? Governmental institutions are shaking. Financial institutions are shaking. Even the bedrock institution of family is shaking. What’s going on? Does the Bible talk about this shaking?

First, the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel talks about the end of days shaking that will occur at the battle of Gog and Magog. This prophesied battle will occur when Russia, Iran, Turkey and other nations come to make war against a reestablished Israel in the last days. That means, this Ezekiel prophecy would have to take place after 1948, when Israel became a nation again after some 2,000 years of absence.

Ezekiel 38:17-23 (NLT)

17 “This is what the Sovereign LORD asks: Are you the one I was talking about long ago, when I announced through Israel’s prophets that in the future I would bring you against my people?

18 But this is what the Sovereign LORD says: When Gog invades the land of Israel, my fury will boil over!

19 In my jealousy and blazing anger, I promise a mighty shaking in the land of Israel on that day.

20 All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.

21 I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign LORD. Your men will turn their swords against each other.

22 I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!

23 In this way, I will show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Are the current events between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2023 a prelude to Ezekiel’s Gog/Magog war? No one knows for sure, but the political alliance that is currently forming between Russia, Iran and Turkey sure looks like something prophetic is happening in our time. Does this present-day conflict with Israel help us understand our current worldwide shaking.

That Ezekiel prophecy was given some 600 years before Christ. That’s been some 2600 years ago for us and we’re still here. What does the New Testament say about this end of days shaking that will reveal God to the entire world? What is God’s instruction and warning to the people who live in the church age?

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NLT)

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”

27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Yes, the earthly kingdoms of men are shaking, and they will eventually fall. They fall because they refuse to listen to the One who is speaking to us from heaven. There is no escape for those who refuse to listen to the Word of God…the Word that has announced this shaking in advance.

God’s Word announces a future time when He will shake the heavens and the earth. The Gospel of Jesus announces a way of escaping this prophesied end of days shaking by becoming part of the Kingdom of Christ that is unshakeable. Those believers who have found their place inside this unshakeable Kingdom of Jesus will live with a sense peace and security that makes no sense to the rest of the world. They will also live with great expectancy, as they worship God with fear and awe.

Why fear and awe? Because our God is a consuming and devouring fire. The shaking belongs to Him. But know this…the unshakeable things also belong to Him. That’s why we worship Him with fear and awe.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

It took Moses and the people of Israel about one year (after leaving Egypt) to finish the construction of all the articles needed for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle would be the place where the glorious presence of God would dwell among the people of Israel. The work was extremely detailed, and the work was hard, but finally “It is Finished”. The Tabernacle that would house the presence of God was finished and ready to be set up for the first time.

Exodus 40:16-19 (NLT)

16 Moses proceeded to do everything just as the LORD had commanded him.

17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year.

18 Moses erected the Tabernacle by setting down its bases, inserting the frames, attaching the crossbars, and setting up the posts.

19 Then he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the protective layers, just as the LORD had commanded him.

This Tabernacle, sometimes called the Tent of Meeting would allow the presence of God to travel with Israel on their way to the Promised Land…where there would eventually be a permanent Temple structure built in Jerusalem.

This is all revealed in the final chapter of Exodus. Can you imagine the joy in the camp as Moses assembled the final pieces of the Tabernacle and turned to the people and said, “It Is Finished”?

Exodus 40:33 (NLT)

33 Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.

Now, God will be able to travel with the people as they move out toward the Promised Land. Can you imagine the faces of the people as this next scene unfolds in front of them?

Exodus 40:34-38 (NLT)

34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.

37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.

38 The cloud of the LORD hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

Can you see Jesus in this “It Is Finished” scene back in the time of Moses? Jesus is our Moses and Jesus is our Tabernacle, our guide to the Promised Land. When Jesus said “It Is Finished” on the cross, the veil of the Jerusalem Temple was torn from top to bottom, opening a way into the glorious presence of God (Matthew 27:51, John 19:29). This is Jesus’ prayer to the Father before the He went to the cross.

John 17:4 (NLT)

4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Moses completed the work that God had given him to do. Jesus completed the work that the Father had given Him to do. Jesus became the Tabernacle, the way to dwell with and to experience the glorious presence of God.

Hebrews 10:20 (NLT)

20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.

We must follow the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ is traveling with us through the wilderness as we make our way toward the Promised Land of God’s glorious presence. We must follow the Spirit’s leading just like Moses followed the glorious cloud over the Tabernacle. The Spirit is leading us so that we might find our way home to the Father.

We must be very careful in our wilderness journey because the spirit of antichrist is also working and deceiving those who are on this journey toward the Promised Land.

John 16:13-14 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

1 John 4:6 (NLT)

6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

As announced yesterday, NCC will open up a new 3rd Worship Service on Sunday evenings at 5:00 PM starting April 7th. We’re asking 150 of our current people to commit 6 months to seed the new Sunday night 5:00 service. This is the link to make that commitment:  Ninevah Christian Church 5:00 Service Sign Up

One of the first things that God did after bringing Moses and the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage was to establish a priesthood. God appointed Aaron (Moses’ brother) to become the first High Priest of Israel. Aaron’s sons were also appointed to carry on the priestly line. These priests would stand between Israel and God. God gave Moses and the priesthood very specific instructions that would make a way for the people of Israel to experience the presence of God.

The High Priest would have to wear a priestly garment that was specifically designed by God and communicated to Moses. The details of this garment are incredible, and this is just a portion of the priestly garment design.

Exodus 28:33-34 (NLT)

33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.

34 The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.

There would be a gold bell and then a woven pomegranate alternating and surrounding the hem of Aaron’s robe, 72 in all. The bells would tinkle as Aaron walked around the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The next verse describes how important it was to wear this priestly garment into the presence of God.

Exodus 28:35 (NLT)

35 Aaron will wear this robe whenever he ministers before the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD’s presence in the Holy Place. If he wears it, he will not die.

This priestly garment would protect Aaron from the holiness of God. If he wears it, he will not die. You’ve heard me say for years that everything in the Old Testament reveals Jesus in some way. Can you see it in the priestly garment of Aaron?

Aaron was required to put on a garment that had been specifically designed by God, not man. Aaron must wear that priestly garment as he approached the presence of God, or he would surely die. What about us today? Is there a priestly garment, designed by God, that we must put on before we can approach the presence of God…or we will surely die?

The Prophet Isaiah reveals God’s future plan that would make a way for Jew and Gentile to put on the Priestly Robe of Righteousness, which is Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 61:10-11 (NLT)

10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.

11 The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

The Prophet Isaiah equates this priestly garment to a bridegroom in a wedding garment. Jesus comes later with a similar comparison. Jesus tells about a great wedding that the King has planned for His Son. The King has invited the whole world (Jews and Gentiles) to the Wedding Feast for His Son. But there is a specific garment that is required to attend the wedding.

Matthew 22:8-14 (NLT)

8 And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor.

9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’

10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.

12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply.

13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Can you see the priest, Aaron, with his robe of pomegranates and bells in that scene from Jesus? Maybe this will help you put it all together.

1 Peter 2:5-9 (NLT)

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

There is a Holy Priestly Garment required to enter the presence of God and the Wedding Feast. That garment is Christ. Jesus is our High Priest and when we place our faith in Jesus, He becomes our holy wedding garment.

Revelation 1:6-7 (NLT)

6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Luke chapter 23 describes Jesus walking with the cross to the place of his execution. Luke tells us that there was a large crowd following Jesus that day, including many grieving, weeping, and wailing women.

Luke 23:27-31 (NLT)

27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.

28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’

30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’

31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

The tree was green the day that Jesus died. Jesus’ public ministry lasted about three years and those three years had led Jesus to his ultimate goal, the cross. In this scene, Jesus tells the weeping women of Jerusalem to not weep for him, but to weep for themselves. Why? For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

It was about 40 years later (70 AD) that the Roman army came and completely destroyed Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. The Jewish historian, Josephus, wrote that 1.1 million people, the majority of them Jewish, were killed during the siege.

The horrible events that brought the fall of the Jewish people and Jerusalem in 70 AD all happened while the tree was relatively green. What will happen when it is dry?

Today, we live some 2,000 years after the green tree events of Jesus…the cross, and the destruction and scattering of the Jewish people. It is easy to assume today that the wood in Jesus’ statement is now very dry.

So, let me again ask Jesus’ question for all of us living today. What will happen when it is dry? Jesus answers his own question in the previous verse (30) when He spoke to the weeping women of Jerusalem.

Luke 23:30-31 (NLT)

30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’

31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Does verse 30 sound familiar to any of you today? Is this what will happen when all the moisture and life is gone from the wood (tree) and the wood becomes very dry? Jesus revealed the final outcome of the dry wood to the Apostle John in the Revelation.

Revelation 6:15-17 (NLT)

15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.

17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

The horrible events of Jerusalem in 70 AD were just a shadow of the even more horrible events that will occur when the wood has become totally dry before God. That 70 AD event was focused only on Jerusalem and Judea. This next dry wood event will be worldwide.

And who is able to survive? The survivors of this final dry wood judgment of God will be those who have not been trying to hide from the Lamb. No, these survivors are those who have been living and longing for the Lamb of God. Living, longing and proclaiming the Word of the Lamb to all who will listen while the wood is dry.

Luke 24:46-47 (NLT)

46 And he [Jesus] said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.

47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

God gave the Israelites regulations concerning warfare. God knew His chosen people would become afraid when faced by armies more powerful than they were. So, God gave them specific instructions for war. I encourage you to read these instructions carefully because they have application to the spiritual wars of today.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (NLT)

1 “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!

2 When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops.

3 He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them.

4 For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’

If you go down a few verses in that same chapter, there are instructions about how to deal with people that are overwhelmed with fear in times of war.

Deuteronomy 20:8 (NLT)

8 “Then the officers will also say, ‘Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else.’

Fear is a deadly trait in times of war. Fear has a way of spreading and fear can lead to certain defeat. Fear is not trusting in God’s promise to fight for His chosen people. God told the chosen people to not be afraid because He would go with them into battle. God instructed the priests to go out and address the army and remind them that God was going into battle with them, and the battle belongs to God. For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’ (verse 4 above)

This is why it was so important to inquire of the Lord before the chosen people went into battle. If the Lord was with them…the battle belonged to the Lord, and they need not be afraid. King Hezekiah was a righteous king, and this is what he told the chosen people when the battle with Assyria was at hand.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NLT)

7 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!

8 He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

I have carefully used the term “chosen people”. God promises to fight for His chosen people because they belong to Him, He has chosen them. God tells us that He will fight for all that belongs to Him. So, that brings up the next question. What is it that belongs to God?

The Name, The Land and The Chosen People. They all belong to God. God has chosen Jerusalem to forever bear His Holy Name. God will fight for His name and for Jerusalem because they belong to Him, they are His.

2 Kings 21:7 (NLT)

7 Manasseh even made a carved image of Asherah and set it up in the Temple, the very place where the LORD had told David and his son Solomon: “My name will be honored forever in this Temple and in Jerusalem—the city I have chosen from among all the tribes of Israel.

You might say that the earth is God’s and everything in it belongs to God, and you would be right (Psalm 24;1). But there are certain things that God has promised to fight for. The land belongs to God and He has promised the Holy Land to the chosen people as an eternal covenant. It should not be divided among the nations. God will fight against any nation that tries to divide His land.

Joel 3:1-2 (NLT)

1 “At the time of those events,” says the LORD, “when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem,

2 I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land.

Joel chapter 3 is a prophetic announcement of God’s plan to fight against the nations that:

Harmed His chosen people, His special possession.

Scattered His chosen people among the nations.

Divided the land that belonged to God, the Holy Land of Israel and Jerusalem.

The Bible (Romans 9-11) is clear that God has not given up on Israel, the people, the land, or Jerusalem, the place of His Name and Throne. God will fight for them because they belong to Him. God will fight for all that belongs to Him.

Do you belong to God? Does the church belong to God? Did the church join God’s chosen people and the family of Abraham by placing their faith in Jesus the Jewish Messiah? YES! If you belong to Christ the Son, you belong to God the Father…and you are now chosen heirs with Abraham, heirs according to the covenant promise.

Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT)

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes.

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to not be afraid because the Father is happy to give us the Kingdom because we belong to Him.

Luke 12:32 (NLT)

32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Do not be afraid Church! God will fight for you. God is fighting for you today in this spiritual war. And one day, when Jesus stands again on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. The final battle will take place.

Zechariah 14:3-5 (NLT)

3 Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past.

4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.

5 You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.

Be encouraged today. Yes, the Battle is real, but the Battle belongs to God. He will fight for us!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I don’t know about you, but these dark days of winter get to me sometimes. I now understand why some people, like birds, fly south for the winter. I usually mark my calendar for December 21, the Winter Solstice. That’s the day when the amount of sunlight begins to increase each day.

We’re getting about 2 minutes more daylight per day now and that will increase to 3 minutes per day around the 20th of February. This increase in light makes me very happy. There is something about the long/dark days that begin to weigh heavy on the human heart.

Could this actually be a spiritual thing? Does the amount of light or the absence of light affect the human heart/mind? First, we must understand this truth about God…

1 John 1:5 (NLT)

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

The presence of God is light, and the absence of God is darkness. That truth helps explain why we are so affected by light and its absence. This is indeed a spiritual issue. The Bible tells us that God made light to shine upon the earth on the first day of creation, before He made the sun, moon and stars in day four. What was that light? Do you know?

Genesis 1:1-5 (NLT)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

God called the light “day” and isn’t it interesting that the Apostle Paul defines believers in Jesus as “children of the day, the children of light”.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NLT)

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

God’s light is God’s presence. God’s presence was hovering over the deep darkness. And it was good. God’s light is good! The absence of God’s light is darkness. No one wants to experience the absence of God, which would be total darkness.

But something happened…sin brought darkness to our world. Sin caused a separation between God and man. God’s presence is our light and God’s absence is our darkness. God sent a prophet named John the Baptist to proclaim the truth about a new light that was coming to the earth. This was the same Light that was there in the beginning, but now the Light would come in the flesh. The Light would become a man and His name would be Jesus. This Light was coming to take away our darkness and give us access to eternal light…making us the children of the light and the children of the day.

John 1:5-9 (NLT)

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,

7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.

8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.

9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Jesus came! Light came into our dark world! But the darkness didn’t want the Light. The Light exposed the darkness, and the darkness rejected the Light. And now, the future judgment of all mankind would hang in the balance. The balance between Light and darkness, between His presence and His absence.

John 3:19-21 (NLT)

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

I pray today that this Light is every increasing in your life. I pray today that you have passed your spiritual Winter Solstice, and His light is increasing in your life day by day. But I also tell you that one day, there will be no more darkness. No more separation from God. No more spiritual winter, only Light.

Revelation 22:3-5 (NLT)

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.

4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.

5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Let’s go back a few years. My son, Michael, was a toddler and we were visiting my home Church, Corinth Christian for their revival services. The preacher at the time was a dear friend, Gene Koons, who has since gone on to be with the Lord. The congregation was standing and singing when Gene Koons called on me to pray. That would normally not be a problem, but it turned out to be quite a problem that day. I was holding my youngest son Michael on my hip when Gene asked me to pray.

I did what anyone would do in that situation. I held tight to Michael and began to pray. I had gone for about 10 seconds when I heard Michael, who was facing backwards at the time, shout out in his loudest voice these words, “You people close your eyes back there, my daddy’s praying”.

I didn’t know what to do at that point. So, I decided to continue and try to stay dignified and finish as soon as possible. But it got worse. Michael then placed his hand on my jaw and attempted to turn my face toward him to say, “Those people back there have their eyes open”. It was in that moment that my prayer came to an abrupt halt, and I sat down to the sound of much laughter around me.

Michael had this habit of wanting to be heard when he speaks. That part of Michael still exists today. Michael would often grab my jaw and forcibly try to turn my face to look at him so that I would be listening to what he was about to say.

That’s been many years ago and now. Michael and our other two children have grown and given us 8 wonderful grandchildren. One of those grandchildren has picked up where Michael left off. Her name is Remington, or Remi, for short. Remi also has this habit of grabbing my jaw or the jaw of those whom she wants to communicate and forcibly turning their face toward her.

What is this trait of “face turning" that has now passed down from my son Michael to Remi? What is this all about? They want to be heard! They want to be heard and they feel like the person to whom they are speaking is not listening. The “face turning” is their attempt to force that person to listen.

These are wonderful and humorous memories for me (past and present) and I’m glad that they wanted me to hear them. I’m not offended at all. I’m glad that they wanted my attention in those moments. They sincerely desired to connect with me in those moments.

That brings me to the church and the role of church attendance in our society. Jesus, the head of the Church, desperately wants each of us to hear Him…to turn our face toward Him, to listen to Him and give Him our complete attention. But what about the assembly, what about the times when the church gathers together?

Acts 20:7 (NLT)

On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

God had a plan for believers (those who had turned their face toward God) in the church age. The plan was for them to regularly meet together so that the church (the whole assembly) might turn their face away from the world and turn their face toward God and listen. This weekly gathering would protect the church from becoming worldly and distracted. The church gathering would be a form of recalibration, setting their face and heart toward God. The church would be in the business of “face turning”.

Each Sunday the people would assemble and turn their face to God by remembering the sacrifice of Jesus and to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Each Sunday the church would turn their face away from the world and face God by listening to the Word of God through preaching and teaching. Jesus, the head of the church is using the assembly to take hold of our jaws are turn our face to Him so that we might listen and hear from Him. He is the Head and He wants us to turn our face toward Him, individually and then as a whole.

What happens when people stop going to church services and only face the world? There comes a point where it is very difficult to turn their face to God anymore, and they drop out of church altogether. This is happening all over our country today. Church attendance is down and that leaves people to face the world without the powerful light of truth and hope.

According to Pew Research, one in five churchgoers in 2022 participated in virtual church once a month. And 57% did not attend in person or watch online. This stat is not for the general population, it’s for Americans who typically attend services monthly. So, you can’t assume that people not attending in person are watching online. The majority are not attending any services at all.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

We need each other now, more than ever. Jesus uses these church meetings to turn our face toward Him and hear from Him. These meetings force us to turn and face God instead of the world, so that we might stand strong in the darkness of this fallen world.

One day, we will all face God. The church is here to turn our face toward His mercy, grace and truth before we meet Him face to face.

1 Peter 4:5 (NLT)

5 But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

How would you like to grow up as a little brother to Jesus? Can you hear Mary say, “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” The Bible doesn’t give us much detail about all of Jesus’ siblings. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that Jesus had no brothers or sisters. They teach that Mary remained a virgin her entire life. It’s difficult to hold to that position when the Bible speaks clearly of Jesus having siblings.

Mark 3:31-32 (NLT)

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”

Not just brothers, but sisters as well.

Matthew 13:54-56 (NLT)

54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?”

55 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?”

Again, how would you like to be the little brother or little sister of Jesus? This is where the story of Jesus and His brothers gets interesting. Jesus’ teachings have made Him the enemy of the Jewish leaders of that day. In fact, they were plotting to kill Jesus when this next scene unfolds with Jesus and His brothers.

John 7:1-5 (NLT)

1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,

3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

As you can see…Jesus’ brothers were mocking him when they said, “You can’t become famous if you hide like this.” Verse 5 reveals their true feelings about their brother Jesus…For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

We don’t know how, but we do know that James came to the truth about his brother Jesus. It is clear that Jesus revealed Himself to His brother James after His resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:5-7 (NLT)

5 He [resurrected Jesus] was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

Maybe that was it…seeing his brother Jesus after the resurrection. Seeing any man raised from the dead would be a defining moment of truth for all of us. Right? James would go on to be one of the leaders of the Jerusalem Church (Galatians 1:18-19, 2:9, 2:12, Acts 15:13, Acts 12:17).

James would also go on to write one of the Books of the New Testament that bears his name, “James”. This is the first verse of the Book of James.

James 1:1 (NLT)

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

James has gone from an unbeliever to…A slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s quite a change, don’t you think? That takes me back to James’ time of unbelief. It’s the scene when Jesus’ whole family (mother and brothers) were trying to get in to see him. This scene should be powerful to all of us who believe in Jesus today.

Mark 3:32-35 (NLT)

32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” 33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.

35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Do you see it? You and I are the little brothers and sisters of Jesus now. Now, it’s our turn. How would you like to be a little brother or sister of Jesus? Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters today. I pray that we will never be ashamed to serve Him and to call our Brother-Lord!

Hebrews 2:10-12 (NLT)

10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

12 For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There is a scene in the Old Testament that I have always found interesting. It’s when Moses was leading Israel through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. God was giving His Law to Israel and explaining how Israel must walk in obedience in order to receive the blessed promises of God in the land of promise. In that context God tells Israel to “Be Careful”. Why does God tell them to be careful? Be careful of what?

Deuteronomy 11:16-17 (NIV)

16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.

17 Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.

God knew that their hearts could be drawn away to follow other gods. God knew that these people could be easily deceived and led away into idolatry and fall victim to Satan’s lies. God gave them a warning of the consequences from allowing their hearts to be turned away from God. So God gave an instruction that would prevent their hearts from being led away from the One True God. This is the verse that I’ve always found amazing...

Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV)

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

This is what it looks like to be careful? This is the power that keeps your heart and your mind from being drawn away. Yes it is the remedy! “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds”. Moses had written down the Pentateuch (Torah) and this is a reference to what we know as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (the first 5 books of the Bible). Wholehearted devotion to the content of these 5 books would keep your heart safe from the idolatry of the deceiver and the judgment of God. But that’s not the part that I’ve always found amazing...it’s the next sentence.

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

I’ve been to Israel and I’ve seen firsthand the Orthodox Jews wearing little black boxes on their foreheads at the Western Wall. It’s called a “tefillin”. Inside that little box are small scrolls of parchment with the Word of God. Those Jews do this as a physical act of observing God’s command through Moses in Deuteronomy chapter eleven. They are placing the Word of God next to their minds so they would not be led away to follow other gods.

Now, let me make it clear that I’m not suggesting that the church should attach leather boxes filled with Bible verses on our foreheads today. No, that’s not my suggestion. But what I am suggesting does apply to this command of God to “Be Careful”. Let me explain.

The human mind is a wonderfully complex thing. The things going on in our mind are amazingly personal and private. Our minds contain our thoughts and secrets, hopes and dreams, things that no one else could know about us. The human mind can be thinking something totally different on the inside than what is actually happening on the outside. Maybe you look like a faithful believer on the outside, but what’s going on inside your mind will determine that which will eventually present itself externally in your life.

When God told Moses to warn the people about idolatry and to place the Word of God on their foreheads, He was telling them to bind the Word to their minds and hearts, not just their outward expressions. God is revealing the secret to knowing Him. It’s not on the outside, but on the inside of the mind and the heart. God is telling Moses and us today that even our minds and hearts can be made holy. Our thoughts can be made holy by the Word of God. Most people want to focus on the external, but the external is only a reflection of the war that is taking place inside the mind of all mankind.

We will never overcome on the outside (our actions) until we are able to overcome on the inside (the battle of the mind). It begins with what you choose to place in your mind. BE CAREFUL of that which you allow to enter your mind. So how can we win this war, this battle in the mind and heart of man?

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

God’s Word is a mighty weapon! The Word of God can capture those evil thoughts and bring them under the authority of Christ. Idolatry is a stronghold and God’s Word can tear down this stronghold and bring your mind under the control of Christ. Remember, the battle of the mind will eventually manifest itself in the life that is to follow. Reading the Bible and meditating on the Words of God prepare our minds for the battle that is coming. Reading the Bible and studying those Words of Truth release the power of Christ in our lives...preparing us for that which to come. That battle in your mind today will in many ways determine the outcome of the war that will rage in your life in future days.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Instead of placing a leather box on your forehead today...may I suggest that you turn off all the distractions of your life and read the Bible. Allow the Word of God to transform your mind by the power and holiness of God. Idolatry has no place in the mind of a person who is filled with God’s Word and remember...Heaven’s Coming!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The Book of Malachi is the final chapter in the Old Testament. It is written about 400 years before the birth of Jesus. Malachi’s writing is followed by what many call the “400 years of silence” leading up to the birth of Jesus. For 400 years the Jewish people had no new revelations or prophetic Words from God that we know of. But those final words from Malachi were powerful indeed. These are those final Words of God through the Prophet Malachi before the 400 years of Biblical silence. Read them carefully, and then I will ask a question…

Malachi 4:1 (NLT)

1 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

The NLT says, “The day of judgment is coming,”

The NASB says, “For behold the day is coming,”

The NIV says, “Surely the day is coming,”

Let me ask all of you a big question at this point…was that prophecy of Malachi fulfilled with the first coming of Jesus? Or it a prophecy of the events that will occur at the second coming of Jesus? Did Jesus’ first coming bring judgment on the earth, burning like a furnace?

John 3:16-18 (NLT)

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

That prophecy of Malachi (the day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace) was clearly referring to the second coming of Jesus. Yes, there looks to be a 400-year silence between Malachi’s prophecy and the first coming of Jesus, but there has been no silence since the time of Jesus. The Word became flesh, and the Word has come to the earth to reveal the future time when Malachi’s prophecy will certainly be fulfilled. The Word and the Spirit have not been silent during the time of the Church. Now, notice Malachi’s prophecy about “wings and leaping”.

Malachi 4:1-3 (NLT)

1 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Jesus is the prophesied, “Sun of Righteousness that will rise with healing in his wings”. He has come to the earth with a message from God the Father. Jesus first gave that message to the Jewish people…the message of God that there was absolute healing under the shelter of Messiah’s wings.

Matthew 23:37-39 (NLT)

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.

39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!’”

The Jewish leaders rejected this message of salvation and God opened up the shelter of Jesus’ wings to the Gentile world. The Apostle Paul revealed that we too can find shelter and healing in the Sun of Righteousness…under Jesus’ wings. He reveals this to the Gentile Church in Rome.

Romans 5:6-9 (NLT)

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

One day, maybe very soon…Jesus will come and fulfill Malachi’s prophecy. He will come to all who have found shelter and healing under the shadow of His glorious wings and then…you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Have you ever wondered why God chose shepherds to be the first to hear the angelic announcement that the promised Jewish Messiah had been born? Why shepherds? Why not the religious Pharisees or Sadducees in nearby Jerusalem? Why not the king or the royal family of Caesar whose army ruled Jerusalem at that time? Why shepherds?

I don’t pretend to know the real answer to that question, but I can use the Scripture to make a reasonable assumption in search for this answer. God’s ways and God’s thoughts are not like ours. God doesn’t see things on earth as we do. God revealed this spiritual truth about Himself to the Prophet Isaiah.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

God sent His earth changing announcement to perhaps the lowest social class of people on earth, shepherds. This proves that God doesn’t see things as we do. The Christ Child’s birth was announced to simple people who led a simple life. These shepherds didn’t have many distractions or burdens that would keep them from listening as the angelic light broke through the darkness that night. These lonely shepherds didn’t have to check their calendars to see if there was time to go to Bethlehem and see if this heavenly good news was true. They just left everything and walked to Bethlehem...no they hurried/rushed to Bethlehem.

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (NLT)

Why shepherds? They seem to be attentive listeners. They seem to be readily available to go and to respond to this good news from heaven’s throne. But there’s one more thing. One more piece of information that is often overlooked in our Christmas story. It’s four verses that are often left out of the modern-day pageantry of Christmas. Four convicting verses that perhaps reveal the true reason and the answer to our question...why shepherds? Four powerful and convicting verses.

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,

19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:17-20 (NLT)

The shepherds were called by God’s marvelous grace to experience the Messiah of God, the Savior of the world. They weren’t too busy and there was nothing on their lowly calendar that could compete with this glorious event. They went, they hurried, and they saw. It was true! It was all true! This revealed truth of God changed their lives. They were compelled to share this good news with those who had not seen angels in the sky. They were compelled to share this glorious event with those who had not seen the Christ Child in a manger. The shepherds glorified God by sharing that which had been shared with them.

Yes, the sheep in that field would eventually require their return, but not until they had told everyone around them about the angels, the Message and the Messiah. These good shepherds had met the Good Shepherd and they would never be the same. The message from the angels that night was clear, and God could have chosen anyone to be the first to receive this glorious, good news.

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-13 (NLT)

God chose shepherds to be the first to hear the Message and the first to see the Good Shepherd. This reveals the heart of God, and this also reveals something about the those who have been called to follow the Good Shepherd Jesus today. They were open to receive and believe the good news (gospel) message from heaven. Not only to receive it, but to share it with the world as they praised God for the privilege and the calling.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, John 10:14 (NLT)

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There was a scene in the movie, “The Chosen” that brought tears to my eyes. Some of the guys had just come to the realization that the long-awaited Messiah was there. Jesus had started to reveal Himself to the people and one of the disciples said something like this, “Do you know how long our people have waited for this”. When I heard that statement I was moved to tears and joy at the same time. The Jewish people had waited 2,000 years for the Messiah to come. It had been 2,000 years since God made a covenant with Abraham, a covenant that would bring the Messiah and a blessing to all the people of the earth.

Genesis 22:15-18 (NLT)

15 Then the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven.

16 “This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that

17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.

18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

That scene with Abraham and Isaac was a shadow of a future time when God would offer His One and only Son as a sacrifice to pay the sin debt of all mankind. The Jewish people then waited for this promised Messiah for 2,000 years. Generations came and generations went, but the Jewish people watched, and they waited.

The Gospel of Matthew begins with Abraham and lists of names that lead all the way up to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew describes the time when the waiting was over. Two thousand years and 42 generations of men (Abraham to Jesus) had waited for the Messiah and the promises of God to be fulfilled.

Matthew 1:17 (NLT)

17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

The Gospel of Matthew then describes the events of Jesus’ birth: “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born.” Five verses later we read this:

Matthew 1:22-23 (NLT)

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

The Prophet Isaiah had prophesied the details of the Messiah’s coming some 700 years earlier and Matthew connects the prophecy to the actual virgin birth of Jesus. Matthew doesn’t just do it once. Notice how many times Matthew connects the Old Testament prophecies to the birth of Messiah-Jesus.

Matthew 2:3-6 (NLT) The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:14-15 (NLT) They will flee to Egypt

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,

15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

Matthew 2:16-18 (NLT) Herod will try to destroy the Messiah, but fail

16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.

17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”

Matthew 2:21-23 (NLT) The Messiah will be from Nazareth

21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother.

22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.

23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

And that’s just the first two chapters of Matthew! Do you see it? Can you see why Jesus said this to His Apostles after His resurrection from the dead?

Luke 24:44-45 (NLT)

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures that day. Do you know that He’s still doing that today? He’s still opening the eyes of the blind so that they might see and understand the prophecies that are recorded in the Bible.

There are more prophecies in the Bible about the second coming of Jesus than the first. Did you know that? Why? So that we will be watching and waiting when He comes.

Mark 13:23-26 (NLT)

23 Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light,

25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.

Even with all those prophecies, many did not receive Him or believe Him when He came the first time. What about the next time? Do you know how long we have waited for Him? May He find us watching and waiting when He comes!

Luke 12:35-38 (NLT)

35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,

36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.

37 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!

38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The Gospel of Luke tells us that something happened shortly after the Angel Gabriel left Mary with the news that she had been chosen by God to carry the Messiah, the Son of God into the world…

Luke 1:39-40 (NLT)

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town

40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.

When Mary arrived at her Aunt Elizabeth’s house Mary’s pregnancy had just begun, but Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy with her child, John the Baptist. Something happened when Mary arrived at the doorway to meet Elizabeth.

Luke 1:41 (NLT)

41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I find this single verse to be amazing and incredibly revealing. Mary is carrying the Son of God which was prophesied by Isaiah some 700 years before.

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Elizabeth is also carrying the fulfillment of another Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!

4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.

5 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!”

These two 700-years old Isaiah prophesies have collided at the door of Elizabeth’s house. When Mary speaks, John the Baptist leaps with excitement inside the womb of Elizabeth. There was surely excitement in heaven in that moment. The supernatural has encountered the supernatural at the door of Elizabeth’s house. The Bible tells us that in that very moment Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is very interesting because that same Gospel of Luke (through the Angel Gabriel) tells us that John the Baptist would be filled with the Spirit while in his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:15 (NLT)

15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.

Now to my favorite part today. Mary is carrying the promised Jewish Messiah, the Son of God. Elizabeth is carrying the Holy Spirit filled John the Baptist, the one who would clear the way through the wilderness for the coming Lord-Jesus. When the two meet…Elizabeth is suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. When Mary (carrying Jesus) approached Elizabeth (carrying John) John leaps and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly the Spirit of God is covering them! What does it all mean?

It will be many years later that the Apostle Paul will give us insight into this Life-Giving Spirit miracle of God that even extends to us today when we encounter Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:45-46 (NLT)

45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.

The Life-Giving Spirit of Jesus (inside the womb of Mary) transferred the Life-Giving Spirit to Elizabeth at the door of Elizabeth’s house. And what does that mean to us today? It’s the greatest good news of all good news for us today…for all who will believe and place their faith in the name of Jesus.

Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Rejoice today…the Life-Giving Spirit of Christ lives in us, and we have been set free from the power of sin and death. That’s why they call this Gospel…Good News!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

It’s been 7 weeks since the horrible Hamas attack on Israel. Since that time, we have seen a rise in antisemitism (the hatred of Jews) all around the world. I find this Jew hatred to be illogical, but extremely real. How could something so illogical be so powerful and real?

There is only one answer. The rise in Jew hatred is demonic and finds its origins in the heavenly realms, inside the power of Satan who is the adversary of God. I have described this sudden increase of Jew hatred as another form of darkness that is falling upon the earth. A darkness that overpowers reason, a darkness that overpowers truth. But why? What is the point to this increasing demonic darkness?

There is a spiritual war in heaven, and it will increasingly manifest itself on the earth as we get closer and closer to the return of Jesus. Jesus was and is Jewish. That fact is undeniable, and it is at the root of this worldwide Jew hatred. Jesus said they hated Him without cause. Their hatred of Jesus was illogical, but it revealed the unseen spirit war that was going on in heaven even before He came to the earth.

John 15:25 (NLT)

25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’

Notice that Jesus said this hatred was the fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures. It was prophesied that the unbelieving world, those who belonged to Satan, who is the god of this world, would naturally hate Jewish Jesus. Why would anyone hate Jesus? He only did good. He healed the sick, fed the poor and hungry and even raised people from the dead. Why would anyone hate Jesus? It’s illogical, but it’s real.

The Gospel of John begins with this truth. Jesus is the Word! The Word of God is powerful and unstoppable, and Satan hates the Word. Satan hates the Truth and all that is connected to the Truth. The Word and the Truth are both connected to a single individual…Jesus!

Jesus brought the Word and the Truth into this dark world that was under the control of Satan. The Word and the Truth reveal the lies of Satan. The Word and the Truth reveal the darkness that’s falling upon the earth today as well. The Word and the Truth have the power to cast out the darkness by revealing Satan as a thief and a liar.

John 15:18-19 (NLT)

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

“The world”…that term represents those who belong to the temporary ruler of this world, Satan. The world hates the Truth and the world hates the Word because Jesus is the Truth and Jesus is the Word. That brings me to this modern-day Jew hatred, which isn’t new at all. The Apostle Paul reveals this about the Jews…

Romans 3:1-2 (NLT)

1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?

2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

God chose Abraham from all the people of the earth to be the father of what would become the Jewish people. God was going to bring the Truth and the Word to the fallen people of “the world” through the Jewish people…eventually revealing the Jewish Messiah…Jesus.

The Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God…that is why there is an illogical Jew hatred past and present. The NASB translation of that same verse reveals that the Jews were entrusted with the very oracles of God. The world (those who belong to Satan) has rejected God’s Word of Truth…which is the person of Jesus Christ. This explains the Jew hatred of today. This explains the darkness that is falling upon the earth in these last days.

What should we do? What should the church do as the darkness increases upon the earth? We turn on the Light and tell the Truth. We speak the name of Jesus into the darkness of lies and untruth. We need to be fearless and unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is life itself.

Romans 1:16-17 (NLT)

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Jesus’ instructions to the church in the last days are very clear. This is Jesus’ prayer to the Father shortly before the cross. The spirit war is real.

John 17:14-19 (NLT)

14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.

19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

May the Lord find us faithful when He comes. In the meantime, pray for peace in Jerusalem and that God will protect those who belong to Him in the time of waiting.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The church internet was down yesterday so many were unable to watch the service online. The following link will get you to the “Comfort and Truth” sermon from yesterday…November 19th.  https://youtu.be/98G_b8_Zdyo?si=NqZP8UCjtXWWFHwP

The Bible reveals a scene in the days of the early church that causes one to stop and think. Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended to be the Father in heaven. The Holy Spirit has come to earth and the church is expanding throughout Jerusalem and Judea just as the Lord had ordained and commanded.

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus reveals Himself to Saul/Paul and calls him to be the appointed apostle to the Gentiles. The church will now expand beyond Jerusalem and Judea…into Samaria and to the ends of the earth. All is going well with the Lord’s appointed apostles and then something happens. Something that causes everyone to stop and think. Two verses in the middle of the expanding good news. Two verses that make all of us stop and think deeply.

Acts 12:1-2 (NLT)

1 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.

2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.

Why? Why did God allow King Herod to kill the Apostle James? When King Herod saw that the Jews celebrated the death of James, he arrested Peter and made plans to execute him as well.

Acts 12:3-5 (NLT)

3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)

4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover.

5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

We know how this story of Peter in prison ends. God sends an angel into the jail and sets Peter free. That brings up this question…why didn’t God send an angel to save James? Verse 5 tells us that the church prayed for Peter while he was in jail. Did the church not pray for James? Is that the answer? Is it that simple…the church can pray, and nobody will die?

No one really knows the answer as to why God allowed James to die at the hand of Herod and then save Peter from the same sentence of death. Today, we don’t know why some of our loved ones die at what seems like an early age, while others seem to be given extra time from God. This question has caused many to fall away from their faith over the centuries.

I can only imagine the grief of the early Apostles when they heard about the death of James. I can imagine that it made them question their faith and their calling to continue preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. But in the end…we know that they grieved the loss of James and went back to preaching the good news. Why? What is it that sustains us during our time of grief? What causes us to persevere in our faith when we lose a “James” in our day?

That brings me to my Thanksgiving moment. This week our family will meet for Thanksgiving and there will be several empty seats at the table. Those chairs are not empty because they were killed by an evil king. No, they are empty because their time had come…it was their time to meet God.

This Thanksgiving I hold onto the words of the Apostle Peter when He was watching the crowds walk away from Jesus because the questions were getting too hard for them to answer. Jesus turns to His Apostles and to us today and asks… “Are you also going to leave”. When the questions get too hard to answer…are you also going to leave?

John 6:66-69 (NLT)

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

There is the answer! When James died and today. There is only one answer to life’s big questions and Peter states it clearly. “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

This week, as you gather with your family for Thanksgiving and maybe there are some empty chairs at that table. Remember this…God is preparing an eternal table for us in the Kingdom of Heaven. At that table, all our questions will be finally answered.

Luke 12:37-38 (NLT)

37 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!

38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There is a great war raging in Israel today. This battle began in the southern region of Gaza, but it is now expanding into Lebanon and Syria to the north of Israel. The war is escalating, and many nations have become involved, including the United States.

Is there a root cause for this war? Are we watching a physical war take place in the middle east that is actually a spiritual battle that has its origins in the heavenly realms? The Bible reveals the root of this physical/spiritual battle that’s raging in the middle east today. The battle is ultimately for Jerusalem and Jerusalem’s throne. The battle today is for Jerusalem, the city of the Great King.

Psalm 48:1-3 (NLT)

1 How great is the LORD, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!

2 It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King!

3 God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.

God chose Jerusalem to bear His Holy Name forever. It was His divine plan from the beginning.

2 Chronicles 6:4-6 (NLT)

4 “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father,

5 ‘From the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. Nor have I chosen a king to lead my people Israel.

6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place for my name to be honored, and I have chosen David to be king over my people Israel.’”

God chose Jerusalem…not just for King David and David’s time…but for the eternal King that would come from David’s seed. The eternal King and the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the heir to David’s throne in Jerusalem. There are numerous Scriptures that describe Jerusalem as God’s chosen city, the city of the Great King that will bear the name of God forever.

Ezekiel 43:7 (NLT)

7 The LORD said to me [Ezekiel], “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel. They and their kings will not defile my holy name any longer by their adulterous worship of other gods or by honoring the relics of their kings who have died.

Ezekiel 37:26-28 (NLT)

26 And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever.

27 I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

28 And when my Temple is among them forever, the nations will know that I am the LORD, who makes Israel holy.”

Psalm 132:13-14 (NLT)

13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home.

14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that the Antichrist, the Man of Lawlessness, will claim Jerusalem’s throne for himself and declare to the world that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NLT)

3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

This is a spiritual war, and we must fight this war with spiritual power. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. The Word of God tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalm 22 is a Psalm of King David. King David wrote it as a song that the people of Israel would sing as they make their ascent (uphill climb) to the Holy City of Jerusalem. This Psalm offers a blessing for all who sing and pray its words to God, yes even today.

Psalm 122:6-9 (NLT)

6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.

7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.

8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.”

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

This Psalm of David is directly connected to the eternal covenant that God made to Abraham. A covenant that would bring a blessing to all the nations of the world.

Genesis 12:2-3 (NLT)

2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Today, praying for peace in Jerusalem is equal to praying for the return of Jesus. They are the same prayer with the same outcome. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and there will be no lasting peace in Jerusalem until He comes. And when He comes…He will come to Jerusalem…

Zechariah 14:3-4 (NLT)

3 Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past.

4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.

Today, I encourage you to pray for the peace of Jerusalem…for the Kingdom of Christ to come…come Jesus come!

Revelation 22:16 (NLT)

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”

May your Kingdom come, and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

It was the plan of God for the nation of Israel to become a light to the Gentiles (the nations). God was going to reveal His glory to the nations through the Jewish people.

Isaiah 49:6 (NLT)

6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

But how? How would the Jewish people reveal God to the whole world?

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

The Spirit of God would accomplish this plan to reveal the glory of God to the nations. It would not be by human might or power, but by the Spirit power of God.

The Apostle Paul brings this up again in the New Testament, but this time Paul is speaking to the Jews and the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46-48 (NLT)

46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles.

47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.

That brings us to the mission of the church. The Spirit of God was going to reveal the light of God to the Gentile nations through the Jewish people. And today, the church is supposed to reveal the light of Jesus Christ to the whole world. But how? How can we accomplish such a huge task in light of such spiritual opposition? It will be the same as before…”Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Jesus makes this point clear when He meets with His disciples after the resurrection. Wait for the Holy Spirit! You can do nothing without the Spirit power in you.

Acts 1:3-5 (NIV)

3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

We (the church) are all on a mission of Jesus Christ today. We are to reveal the light of Christ to the world. We cannot do it by our might or power, but only by the Spirit. Our clever ideas have no real power. We need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. God can do more in the power of the Spirit in one day that we could accomplish in our own strength in a lifetime. We must walk in the power of the Spirit and follow the leading of the Spirit to accomplish this task of spreading the Good News of Jesus. This requires surrender and faith.

Galatians 3:2-4 (NLT)

2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.

3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

The Spirit’s power is manifest in us when we hear the Word and truly believe the Word…truly believe with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Today, believe the Word of God and do not allow fear and doubt to have any place in your heart. This is the power of God that is at work in the church…. … Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. This is the only way to get the Light out to the Gentiles/Nations. Believe the Word (the Bible) and allow the Spirit of Christ to lead you in this mission to bring the light to the nations, our neighborhoods, and families.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Do you believe there is an unholy spirit at work in the world today? An unholy spirit power that reigns on the earth under the authority of God’s adversary, the devil. The Apostle John reveals this unholy spirit power.

1 John 2:18-19 (NLT)

18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.

19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

The Apostle John reveals two things here. First, the person of Antichrist is coming in the future. Second, the spirit of antichrist is already at work in the world. This spirit of antichrist will be operating on the earth during the same time that the Holy Spirit of Christ will also be working. Two spirit powers are working at the same time on the earth. The Apostle John says this, “From this we know that the last hour has come”.

It’s interesting that the Apostle John links the spirit of antichrist with people leaving the church. The church represents the Holy Spirit, and the unholy spirit of antichrist cannot exist in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the Bible reveals many situations where Jesus and His disciples would cast out evil spirits, but never was an evil spirit able to cast out the Holy Spirit of Christ.

The spirit of antichrist is a demonic spirit operating under the authority of the devil in the last days. That unholy spirit has come to kill, steal and destroy. That demonic spirit was clearly displayed in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th. A demonic spirit that brings unimaginable violence and destruction to the people of the earth in the last days.

Is this new? No, but it does seem to be intensifying (But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Matt. 24:8 NLT). The Apostle John reveals the difference between the Holy Spirit power and the spirit of antichrist power. The Truth is the difference!

1 John 2:20-23 (NLT)

20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.

23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

The Apostle John links the unholy spirit of antichrist to people leaving the church…departing from the Truth. John describes this time as the last hour. The Apostle Paul gives a similar description to those who reject the truth and follow after the teachings of demons, the spirit of antichrist.

1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

The spirit war is real. The Holy Spirit of Christ is working today, and the unholy spirit of antichrist is also working. The Truth is the difference between the two spirits. Jesus is that Truth! And this is what Jesus says about the last hour.

Luke 17:26-27 (NLT)

26 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Like the days of Noah! The Bible tells us that the whole earth was covered with violence in the time of Noah, before God’s judgment fell upon the earth in the flood.

Genesis 6:11-13 (NLT)

11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence.

12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt.

13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!

The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew. Do you know what the Hebrew word for violence is? HAMAS. Coincidence or Truth? Jesus told us that His return would be like it was in the days of Noah. The earth would be covered with Hamas/violence. Coincidence or Truth?

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

It was Saturday morning, October 7, 2023. It was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Jewish people call it the “Eighth Day (of feast) Rejoicing in the Torah”. Israel was suddenly and surprisingly attacked by Hamas, the terror group located to their south, in Gaza. The death toll in Israel now stands at over 1300 and Israel is currently in the process of destroying Gaza. Many are dying in this bloody war. What does it all mean? Is this part of God’s final plan? Are we approaching the end of days? Could this be the beginning of World War 3?

Is this the beginning of the Gog and Magog war from the Book of Ezekiel chapter 38. Is this the Psalm 83 war? Is this the final battle of Zechariah 12-14? No one knows for sure, but there is something we can know for sure today. Jesus is coming back soon! How can we say that word “soon”? We can say that word “soon” with confidence today because Jesus used that same word when He talked about the end of days (4 times in the Book of Revelation).

Revelation 3:11 (NLT)

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

Revelation 22:7 (NLT)

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)

12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelation 22:20-21 (NLT)

20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

The attack on Israel took place on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Eighth Day, the Rejoicing in the Torah. That day was specifically set aside by God for the Rejoicing in the Word of God.

Today, I want to give the church a word of encouragement in the time of great trouble on the earth. Rejoice today in the Word of God. Read those 4 Scriptures (above) as the Word of God to you personally. I want you to specifically notice that the last one (Revelation 22:20-21) is the final recorded words of Jesus in the Bible.

Rejoice in the Word of God today! The Word has a name! And you know the Name-Jesus! And Jesus specifically told us that when we see all these things beginning to happen…to stand up and look up!

Luke 21:26-28 (NLT)

26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.

28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Stand up and look up…that’s what Jesus told us to do when everything seems to be out of control. The word “soon” can also be translated “suddenly or quickly” when many will not be expecting Him. So, put your house in order…then Stand Up and Look Up! No one knows for sure the exact details of how all this Israel war is going to play out among the other nations of the world and the timing of these last days that will lead us to the return of Jesus for His bride, the church.

Rejoice in the Word of God, the Bible, today. God’s grace has given you a copy and you know how to read. By God’s grace, let’s focus and rejoice in what we do know…Jesus made this part very clear.

*I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

*“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

*“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

*So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Shrink…to become smaller or more compacted (Merriam Webster). The Apostle Paul uses this phrase to describe the responsibility that all believers have to share the Truth of the Gospel so that people will be saved from eternal death.

Acts 20:26-27 (NLT)

26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,

27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

Paul didn’t shrink back from the good news of the saving power of Jesus. The Apostle Paul considered this to be an urgent issue.

Did you know that the Book of Hebrews actually gives a contrast between those who shrink back and those who do not. I want you to notice the severe difference between these two outcomes.

Hebrews 10:35-39 (NIV)

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.

38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

*If we shrink back (become smaller and more compact) God will not be pleased with us (those who shrink back and are destroyed).

*If we continue to grow stronger and stronger in our faith and the power of Christ…we will be saved.

Colossians 1:23 (NLT)

23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

There is nowhere in our Christian faith that we are called to become smaller and more compacted. No, we are called to grow and become larger in our faith and confidence. We are to become more and more bold in our faith and our willingness to share our faith with others. Why, so that they will not suffer eternal death.

It begins with us…we receive the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by faith. But it cannot end with us. We are all called to share the good news with those around us, especially our family members.

This past week, someone in the church shared a message with me that they had sent to all their loved ones about the saving gospel of Jesus. He shared that message so that his beloved family members would not suffer eternal death. Can you think of a better reason?

Today, in the midst of the great worldwide apostasy, the falling away from the faith…we cannot shrink back from our calling to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around us. We, like the Apostle Paul, must take on the same attitude as Paul on this issue of shrinking back.

Acts 20:26-27 (NLT)

26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,

27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I read this past week that one in six Americans are on some type of antidepressant medicine and that number is increasing. What’s going on? Is this new? Let’s face it, we live in uncertain times. Much of the social structure that once seemed stable has become increasingly unstable and insecure. Today, many of the once stable things in our lives are looking like “sinking and unstable sand” instead of the “solid rock” that we were accustomed to as a society. And this is causing anxiety and uncertainty throughout the land and the whole world.

Maybe the use of antidepressants is new, but anxiety and uncertainty are not new at all. King David writes this in the Psalms:

Psalm 143:7 (NLT)

7 Come quickly, LORD, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.

King David sounds desperate…even to the point of death. In the depths of King David’s depression and anxiety he cries out to God, “Don’t turn away from me or I will die”. The only solid rock in David’s storm was the presence of God. That truth is still true today. David then turns his heart toward God and makes his plea.

Psalm 143:8-11 (NLT)

8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me.

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

11 For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

Do you see it? David turns to God for help. David turns to The Rock of his salvation. Notice the specifics of King David’s prayer/request to God in the midst of his deep depression.

1. Come quickly Lord and answer me.

2. Don’t turn away from me.

3. Let me hear your unfailing love each morning.

4. I put my trust in you.

5. Show me today where to walk.

6. I give myself to you this day.

7. Teach me your will.

8. You are my God.

9. May your gracious Spirit lead me on solid ground.

10. May my life today bring glory to your Name.

11. Preserve my life today.

12. In your faithfulness, bring me out of my distress.

I don’t want today’s “Word” to sound like I’ve got it all figured out. No, I too struggle with fear and doubts from time to time. Yes, this world is becoming more and more desperate. But the Truth of God has not changed! And what is that truth?

We are absolutely hopeless without God, but we have a never-ending hope with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I remember singing a song in church when I was growing up. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

I give you encouragement and counsel today with this Psalm of King David. Why don’t you pray this Psalm to God. Cry out to God with these 12 King David requests in Jesus’ name. This is the best medicine for an anxious life. And never forget… “Heaven’s Coming”.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

We all live under the authority of God. The Bible tells us that we all live and move and breathe under the power and authority of God.

Acts 17:28 (NLT)

28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

But that does not mean that God is our spiritual Father. I know that shocks some of you when I say that. Yes, we are all God’s creation. There is no one else that can give and sustain life. In that sense, we are all God’s offspring, but we are not all God’s legitimate children. Not everyone is a legitimate child of God. Only those who have been born-again can legitimately call God…Father or Abba.

This is the dividing line for all humanity. Who will be your father on the last day? The truth is this…there are only two choices and there are only two fathers to choose from. We all follow one or the other and we will all join our real father on the last day.

Jesus revealed this spiritual truth to the Jewish religious leaders while He was on the earth. These religious men believed they were the legitimate children of God, but Jesus told them they were following the other father, not God.

John 8:41-44 (NLT)

41 No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.

43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Notice that Jesus reveals their true father, the devil, and then Jesus links their lives to sin and the lack of Truth… and you love to do the evil things he does. No one likes to think of themselves as a child of the devil, but that is what Jesus reveals to them. The Apostle John brings this up again in his first letter.

1 John 3:7-10 (NLT2)

7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

Do you see it…Don’t let anyone deceive you about this? No one would be a child of the devil unless they are deceived. No one would follow the devil into the eternal punishment of hell unless they were deceived. And what does the deadly deception of the devil look like? It looks like sin, unrepentant sin and the rejection of Truth.

Jesus reveals this Truth…the father has the power to determine the life of the child. Children of God live to do what is right because Jesus lives in them. That doesn’t mean that children of God never sin. No, it means they will not continue in sin because they are under the power, influence and conviction of the Spirit of Christ that lives in them. They are under the influence of the Truth.

The children of the devil do not have the Holy Spirit of Christ living in them. They have not been born-again by the Spirit and thus they are not convicted by sin. They are deceived by the father of lies! They are not under the influence of the Truth. They are following the other father into the darkness of hell.

This is why we preach the gospel and love those who are lost and following after the other father, the devil. We too were once in darkness. We too were once under the powerful deception of the other father, the devil. But someone preached the Word of Truth to us. God used that Word to open our eyes to the Truth and Truth has a name…JESUS. This Truth sets us free from the other father, the devil and his lies/deception.

Jesus is the only way for any of us to be able to call God…Father/Abba. But we must also understand this powerful Truth…there may be suffering, and hardship associated with this “children of God” calling while we live in the flesh. But know this…it is the only way to life, eternal life.

Romans 8:15-17 (NLT)

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Be encouraged today! If you have received God’s Spirit, you are a child of God. Jesus is your brother, and we share the same Father. In front of us is glory. Glory beyond our wildest imagination. Hold fast to the covenant promises of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and never forget…Heaven’s Coming!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

To: NCC

I came across a powerful 19-minute YouTube video this past week. I would like to challenge the church to set aside 19 minutes sometime today and watch this short video. It is powerful and convicting. It’s called Revelation 12:9 and it reveals how the great dragon (Satan) is deceiving the world. Click the link below to watch it.

Revelation 12:9 (NASB)

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

https://youtu.be/0UfpnvrVonI?si=MW3grr_IL6LOqKH9

Terry Cooper

Lead Minister

I don’t know about you, but I’m struggling with “The Waiting” part of following Jesus. I see the world growing more and more dark and I quietly ask God…what are you waiting for? I’m watching as our society seems to be totally turning away from God and God’s revealed Truth (the Bible) and I say, what are you waiting for? I’m watching churches replace the Holy Scriptures with doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-2) and I ask God, what are you waiting for? Then I hear the news of the sudden death of our dear brother and friend, Steve Corn, and I say…come Jesus come. What are you waiting for?

It’s in those moments that the Word of God and the Holy Spirit both answer that question clearly. God is waiting for more people to be saved. God is holding open the door of salvation just a little longer so that people can come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God is waiting for people to hear the Word, repent and turn to Him. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. That’s why He’s waiting.

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

When I get bogged down with this waiting issue I often think about Jesus and His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before the cross. Jesus asked them a question that stirs my soul today.

Matthew 26:40-41 (NLT)

40 Then he [Jesus] returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?

41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Jesus knew all that was about to happen that next day and He asked his followers to “keep watch and pray”. Their human flesh was tired and weak, and they fell asleep instead. But Jesus’ words were very clear… “Watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation”.

Couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? I don’t want Jesus to say that to me today! Yes, I long for the day of the Lord’s appearing. I long for the Wedding Supper of the Lamb and our Sabbath rest with Christ. But it is the Lords will and purpose to hold that door of salvation open a little longer and I need to stand ready, like the Apostles in the Garden, to help those through that door in our time of watching and waiting. I need to be specifically praying that I would not fall into temptation in the time of waiting because our human flesh (sin nature) is weak and prone to sin. Our flesh is weak, but praise God…the Holy Spirit is ready and willing to help us in our time of need.

But one day, that day will come. Ready or not, that day will come, and the door of God’s mercy and grace will close. That’s why we must remain steadfast and faithful in the time of waiting and watching. That very next verse from 2nd Peter makes it clear that one day the door will close. I encourage you to take some time today and meditate on these clear instructions from that same passage from the Apostle Peter.

2 Peter 3:10-15 (NLT)

10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live,

12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

15 And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—

Until then, until that last day, may the Lord find us watching and waiting….helping as many as possible to find that open door before it closes.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I bet that title got your attention! But I’m not talking about the mark of the beast today. Today I want to look at John 6:66. It’s just as frightening as the mark of the beast 666 because the end result of both is the same. Forever lost!

John 6:66 (NLT)

66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

I want you to notice something…it was Jesus’ disciples that were turning away. They were at one time followers of Jesus, but 6:66 reveals that many of them turned away and deserted Jesus. What happened that made Jesus’ followers turn away and desert him? What did Jesus say that brought his disciples to the point that they would willfully walk away from him?

Jesus tells his followers that He is the bread that came down from heaven. Jesus reveals that the heavenly bread (manna) in the time of Moses was only a preview of Himself. Jesus is the bread of heaven that leads to eternal life. If that were not enough, Jesus then tells them that they must drink His blood in order to have life within them.

John 6:47-53 (NLT)

47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life.

48 Yes, I am the bread of life!

49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died.

50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die.

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.

These revelations of truth made many of Jesus’ followers begin to question him. Why, because it was a radical teaching to them. How can anyone accept the idea that Jesus was literally the living bread of heaven, and his blood was life, the forgiveness of sin and the resurrection of the last day.

John 6:60 (NLT)

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

That’s when the Gospel of John records the dreaded 6:66… At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

It’s the verses that follow that convict and inspire me today. Jesus, seeing many of his followers walk away from him, turns to the Twelve to see if they too will walk away from Him. I can’t help but wonder if this was a defining moment for the Twelve.

John 6:67 (NLT)

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

What is this teaching of Jesus that tests the faith of so many? What is this teaching of Jesus that caused many then and today to walk away from him? Jesus’ teaching was exclusive and singular. Jesus told them that they must have HIM and only HIM inside of them to survive the events of the last day. We must have Christ in us! He must enter us by way of the Holy Spirit and live inside of us for us to survive the events of the last day. This is exclusive and singular. He is the only way! He is the only Bread. He is the only Blood. He must enter us to save us. This is indeed a hard teaching for many.

In that moment, Peter steps up and declares the truth of all truth for those who will accept the truth. Peter’s statement of truth inspires and convicts my soul. I hope it does the same for you today.

John 6:68-69 (NLT)

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

The graveyards of the world declare a single truth. We are all mortal, and we will all have a last day! Simon Peter knows the truth. There is nowhere else to go if we walk away from Jesus. He is the only One that has the power and authority to conquer the grave and give eternal life. He alone is our Resurrection and Life!

John 14:20 (NLT)

20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Is God always near? Or is He sometimes far away? Does God just feel far away or is His presence actually far from us at times? These are questions that all of us experience at one time or another. What does the Bible say about the nearness of God?

Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)

6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

Call on him now…while He is near…does that mean He has departed or is it me that has departed from His presence, from His nearness? Who’s moving…me or God? Who’s departing from the nearness…me or God?

The Apostle Paul is preaching to the Greeks in Athens. These are men who do not know God at all. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is an Unknown God to the people of Athens at that time. And yet, Paul tells them that God is near…even to those who do not know Him.

Acts 17:24-27 (NLT)

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,

25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.

Paul’s word to the people of Athens in verse 27 answers our question today. God’s purpose was that all the nations would seek after God. That means He is near to those who seek Him. He is never far away from those who seek Him and find Him by putting their faith in Jesus as the Son of God. In fact, the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to Athens to tell the people there about the nearness of God…revealed through the Gospel Message of Jesus.

That leads me back to the Old Testament Book of Isaiah. If God is always near, why does He sometimes seem so far away? Why didn’t all the people of Athens fall down and place their faith in Jesus when he was revealed to them by the Apostle Paul? There must be a turning!

Yes, God is always near. But there is something about “turning” to God. It is our nature to turn away from God and something or someone must turn us toward God to experience His presence, His nearness. That turning is called repentance and it is an ugly word to some and a beautiful word to others. Let’s put verses 6 & 7 together to find our answers today.

Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT)

6 Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Turn to our God…He is near, and we must turn to Him when we hear His voice calling us into the Truth. He is always near, but we will never experience His presence, His nearness with our back to Him. We must turn to Him! We must face Him and His Truth. The Truth is this…we are the ones’ that have turned away from the nearness of God. We have all turned our backs to God.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT)

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But now, we know the Truth. Now, we know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must now turn around and face that Truth to experience the presence of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus can open our minds to understand the Truth about the nearness of God.

Luke 24:45-47 (NLT)

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.

47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

I pray that you will find Him to be near to you today!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There are many “bad words” in the Bible. I’m not talking about the bad words that your parents wouldn’t let you say growing up. No, the Biblical bad words that I’m talking about are the words you don’t ever want to hear from God. These next verses are some of the bad words that you never want to hear from God.

Luke 13:27 (NASB)

27 and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.'

Luke 19:24-27 (NLT)

24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’

25 “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’

26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”

These bad words from Jesus are final. They describe what it means to be unredeemed, to die in your sins. The Bible is filled with “bad words” that describe the horror of dying in your sins, apart from the mercy and forgiveness of God.

John 8:23-24 (NLT)

23 Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.

24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

But there is one particular set of “bad words” that has always sent a chill up my spine when I read them in the Bible. “Devoted to destruction”. These are very bad words. In the Old Testament these bad words described someone or something that could NOT BE REDEEMED. Something devoted to destruction could not be saved or brought back…it was destined to be destroyed by the will and Word of God.

Leviticus 27:29 (NIV)

29 "'No person devoted to destruction may be ransomed; he must be put to death.

This is my point today…the bad words of the Bible reveal that we are all devoted to destruction if we die or face God without the being redeemed by the blood of Jesus…if we die in our sins. These are bad words that reveal the absolute truth of all mankind. Without Jesus we are all devoted to destruction. Yes, these are bad words, but these bad words then lead us to the wonderful, good words of the Bible…the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Notice the wonderful, good news that Peter preached as the church began in Jerusalem. The good words that overcome the bad words.

Acts 2:38-40 (NLT)

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Today, I pray that the bad words of God lead you to embrace the wonderful good words of God that reveal the One and Only Savior that redeems us, forgives us, and gives us a life that is devoted to God instead of a life that is devoted to destruction.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Most people in the church don’t realize that preachers need preachers too. Preachers need other preachers in their lives for instruction, encouragement and accountability. For me, one of those preachers is Bob Russell. I’ve read his books and listened to many of his sermons over the years. He has been a great source of instruction, encouragement and accountability for me for many years now.

When I was hospitalized on Memorial Day weekend (some virus had affected my heart muscle) Bob called my hospital room and said these words to me. “We need you, and we need you to get well”. Those words from Bob were powerful to me on that day. Preachers need Preachers too!

Bob posts a weekly blog on Twitter on Sunday nights. I make a point to read it every week. I consider Bob to be one of God’s anointed leaders in these last days. His wisdom and discernment are something each of us need in these difficult times.

We try to have Bob speak at NCC at least once a year, and this year he’s scheduled to speak for us in both services on September 17th. I am looking forward to having him back at NCC next month.

Preachers need Preachers too…so this week I’m going to share what one of my preachers shared this past Sunday night. I hope it encourages you as much as it did me. I’m copying Bob’s post below:

“I’m walking my girlfriend home” (by Bob Russell)

Written on August 6, 2023 by admin in Uncategorized

Author, pastor, and university president emeritus Dr. Rubel Shelly, PhD has been a much-respected leader in the Restoration Movement’s churches of Christ (non-instrumental) branch for decades. I recently had the privilege to read and endorse Rubel’s new book addressing the Biblical response to gender dysphoria, called “Male and Female God Created Them.” It is a comprehensive and scholarly defense of the Biblical position of marriage and family. It is full of grace and truth ­– the kind of balanced treatment we have come to expect from Rubel Shelly. It is expected to be released from College Press in the coming weeks.

I met Rubel nearly 30 years ago when we both taught in a Master’s program at Kentucky Christian University. A few years later, I had the privilege of visiting with him in his home near Detroit, Michigan, where Rubel served as President of Rochester University. On that visit, Rubel’s wife, Myra, graciously hosted our small group of Christian leaders for dinner. She was a beautiful lady, both inside and out, and Rubel and Myra’s love for each other was evident to all. I teased Rubel that he must be cleverly persuasive to have convinced Myra to marry and remain with him for so many years. He chuckled and agreed.

Sadly, Rubel notified me this past week that Myra’s health was failing.

“A personal note, if I may, Bob. My wife is under hospice care with just a short time to live. Aggressive cancer that she has fought for three years has invaded her brain and lungs. She told her oncologist she was ’tired’ and wanted no more treatment. She teases me: ‘Now don’t you be mad at me if I get to see Jesus before you do!’

November would have been 60 years married to this Godly lady. Her request to family and friends: ‘Don’t pray for a miracle of healing but for a dignified exit.’ If you can think to include that in your prayers over the next few days, I would appreciate it. The hospice nurse thinks we are down to a limited number of days.

In the old movies, it was a great moment when a girl let a boy walk her home. And I’m walking my girlfriend home!”

What a moving, Godly way to approach the final days of life. No bitterness, no straining for last-minute heroic measures to prolong life. Just a calm acceptance of the reality of death and a genuine confidence in the hope of heaven by Myra:

“Don’t pray for a miracle of healing but for a dignified exit.”

And Rubel’s perspective stirs the heart:

“I’m walking my girlfriend home.”

The rest of us could learn from Rubel and Myra’s inspirational example. When we sense our final days approaching, let us also give a resounding testimony of our faith in the promise of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” (John 11:25). Let us proclaim with the Apostle Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Let us demonstrate in dying what we have proclaimed in living – we are almost home!

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Follow BobRussellKY on Twitter and LIKE the Bob Russell page on Facebook

Terry Cooper

There are so many parallels between Israel and the Church. Some are good parallels, and some are dreadful parallels. By the way, I do not believe the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan to redeem mankind from sin and death. No, I believe God has invited the Church to join Israel in His divine plan to redeem mankind from sin and death.

The rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 is living proof that God is not finished with the Jewish people. He is in the process of regathering them so that He might redeem them and reveal their true Messiah-Jesus to them in the coming days. What is this fundamental spiritual parallel between Israel and the Church? In the Old Testament, God wanted to reveal himself to the world through Israel. God chose them and called them out from the world.

Isaiah 41:8-10 (NLT)

8 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend,

9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

God gave Israel His covenant promises. He gave them the Word. He gave them the Law. But ultimately God gave them Himself, His divine presence. It was God’s desire that the whole world would come to know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the people of Israel.

But something terrible happened. Instead of the world becoming like Israel, Israel became like the world. Israel became worldly and fell under the power of this dark world. This led the nation of Israel into idolatry and self-destruction before God.

Ezekiel 5:5-6 (NLT)

5 “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations,

6 but she has rebelled against my regulations and decrees and has been even more wicked than the surrounding nations. She has refused to obey the regulations and decrees I gave her to follow.

Israel, the called-out people of God that were supposed to reveal the glory of God to the watching world became like the rest of the world. When Israel departed from the Word, it wasn’t long before the Word departed from Israel. The glory of God departed from the Jerusalem Temple as Babylon came to destroy Jerusalem and the Jewish people.

Jeremiah 15:6 (NLT)

6 You have abandoned me and turned your back on me,” says the LORD. “Therefore, I will raise my fist to destroy you. I am tired of always giving you another chance.

There was around 2,000 years between Abraham and Jesus. For 2,000 years God worked to reveal His glory to the world through the people of Israel. But it ended with Israel’s rejection of the Messiah Jesus. For the next 2,000 years God would open a door of salvation to the Gentile world. The Church was born, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be preached around the world inside those 2,000 years.

Romans 11:11-12 (NLT)

11 Did God’s people [Israel] stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.

12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

Back to the spiritual parallel. God wanted to reveal Himself to the world through Israel, but Israel became like the world instead. The Messiah-Jesus came to the Jewish people, and they reject Him. God opens salvation’s door toward the Gentiles in the Church age and desires to reveal Himself to the world through the Church. But the same thing has happened to the Church that happened to Israel. The Church has become like the world. This is the dangerous and deadly parallel.

*God gave Israel His Word. God gave the Church His Word.

*God gave Israel His covenant promises. God gave the Church the New Covenant of Jesus’ blood.

*God gave Israel His divine presence. God gave the Church the Holy Spirit.

*Israel departed from the Word and the covenant promises of God…God removed His presence from them.

*Much of the Church has departed from the Word and the covenant promises of Christ.

The Apostle Paul warned the Church about a future time (before the return of Jesus and before the time of Antichrist) when the Church would turn away from the Word and join the world’s rebellion against God. Paul prophesied that the Church would eventually end up just like ancient Israel, in rebellion against God.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NLT)

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him.

2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.

3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

The ancient Nation of Israel fell into idolatry and rebelled against the God that chose to save them. But not everyone rebelled. There were many inside Israel that were faithful to the Word and the covenant promises of God. They held fast to the very end even as the Jewish nation overall self-destructed.

The Church of today is following a similar path to ancient Israel. Many are departing from the Word and the covenant promises of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Church is becoming more and more worldly. Are we experiencing the rebellion and apostasy that was prophesied in the last days by the Apostle Paul (2 Thes. 2:3)?

So, what is the answer for us today. We must remain faithful till the end! Yes, there will be a great falling away, rebellion in the Church of the last days. But we cannot join in their rebellion against the Word. This is the warning to the church!

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT)

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.

13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I realize this is a strange title, but please hear me out on this issue of “nakedness”. Let’s begin with the beginning.

Genesis 2:25 (NLT)

25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.

Adam and Eve were physically “naked and uncovered” in this Garden of Eden scene. There was no shame in their uncovered and naked condition. No shame between each other and no shame before God. They were naked and felt no shame because there was nothing to be ashamed of before God, or each other.

Then something happened. The serpent came into the garden. The serpent was covered with shame, and he came to share his shame with all mankind. The serpent lied to Eve and the result was shame and guilt. Not just shame, but fear and the realization of their shameful nakedness before God.

Genesis 3:7-11 (NLT)

7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.

9 Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

Why are they hiding? They tried to cover their own nakedness with fig leaves, but fig leaves would not cover their shame or their nakedness before God. It was in this scene that death entered the world. Death would cover the nakedness and shame of Adam and Eve. Not fig leaves, but the death of an animal. Blood would cover their shameful nakedness and God would provide the blood offering.

Genesis 3:21 (NLT)

21 And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

Do you see it? God provided a blood bought covering for Adam and Eve. Their nakedness and shame would be covered with an animal skin…the cost was blood. The covering of their sin was blood bought.

That’s the beginning, but what about the end? The Bible is clear that we all come from the seed of Adam, and we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious presence. How can we cover our shameful, sinful nakedness today? The answer to that question is found in Jesus’ words to the Church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:18 (NLT)

18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

And where do we get this “white garment”? The white garment is to put on the righteousness of Christ Jesus as our covering. This is the only way to cover our shameful nakedness. This white garment of Christ is blood bought and it doesn’t just cover our shame and guilt…it removes it by the atonement of the perfect spotless blood of the Lamb.

Adam and Eve tried to hide their shameful and sinful nakedness from God by making a covering of their own design. It didn’t work! Many today are trying to hide their sinful and shameful nakedness from God by coverings of their own design, but our sin will always find us out.

Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Revelation chapter 16 describes the earth in the Tribulation. The judgment of God has come to the kingdoms of men and demonic spirits are being released upon the earth. And in the middle of this horrible judgment scene there is a simple statement of Jesus…the blood bought covering for all mankind.

Revelation 16:15 (NLT)

15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

I pray today that you are covered by the blood of the Lamb. I pray today that you have put on the righteousness of Christ as your covering and that you are anxiously and expectantly watching and waiting for Him.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I find the Psalms to be a source of strength in times of difficulty. Many of the Psalms describe the faithfulness of God in times of trouble. I was reading through Psalm 96 this morning and found it to be both convicting and encouraging. The Psalm begins with a call for all humanity to “sing to the Lord”. Sing a new song of worship. Why a new song? Because He is not just the God of yesterday, but He is our God today and His mercy is new this morning. He is worthy of our old songs of praise and the new ones as we experience Him day by day.

Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

1 Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!

2 Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Verse 3 then challenges the reader to share the good news of God with the nations. This was God’s plan for ancient Israel. God would use Israel to reveal Himself to the world. This is also God’s plan for the church. God would use the church to reveal Himself to the world.

Psalm 96:3 (NLT)

3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Why do we sing a new song? Why do we tell the world about our God and His Son-Jesus, the One that came to save us? This is the moment of truth. Why? Our song of praise is not a burden and our calling to testify of His greatness is not a heavy burden. Why? Because we know Him and because we recognize that He alone is worthy of our song. He alone is worthy of our worship and praise. There is none like Him. There never has been and there never will be. He alone is God. He alone can save us from the bondage of sin and death. He is to be feared and He is to be worshipped and He alone is worthy.

Psalm 96:4-6 (NLT)

4 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods.

5 The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the LORD made the heavens!

6 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

Verses 7-10 are a call to all humanity. A call to recognize the One true God and worship and tremble before Him. God has given the people of the earth free will. The freedom to choose whom and what they will worship. But one day, each of us will be held accountable for our choices. There is a Righteous Judge.

Psalm 96:7-10 (NLT)

7 O nations of the world, recognize the LORD; recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.

8 Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him.

10 Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

The heavens above us and the earth beneath us rejoice today in the Lord God. The sea and all creation declare His glory, power, and majesty. The land, the crops and the trees reveal the glory of God for all to see. Only man has the ability to choose. The creation declares the glory of God, but man…he must choose.

Psalm 96:11-12 (NLT)

11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise.

Finally, Psalm 96 reveals the ultimate end of all mankind and God’s creation itself.

Psalm 96:12-13 (NLT)

12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise

13 before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

He’s coming! Jesus is coming! He’s coming to judge the earth. All creation is groaning in eager expectation for the day of the Lord’s arrival (Romans 8:22). The Bible tells us that all creation will be liberated and those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ will be set free upon His arrival. Creation is waiting with eager expectation…are you?

Romans 8:20-21 (NLT)

20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,

21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

This past week I had the privilege of leading 45 of our NCC church family on a 10-day pilgrimage to Israel. We had a great time as we experienced the Promised Land together. Tim Moore (Lamb and Lion Ministries) and Erez Bar David, (a messianic Jew from Jerusalem) led us on a 10-day journey from Tel Aviv to Tiberias and then finally to Jerusalem.

There are so many highlights from the trip, but I would like to focus on one of those that had the biggest impact on me personally. It begins with a 3,000-year-old prayer from King Solomon. Solomon prayed this prophetic prayer when he dedicated the new Jerusalem Temple to God.

2 Chronicles 6:32-33 (NLT)

32 “In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands when they hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple,

33 then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.

Our group, along with many others over the years, fulfilled King Solomon’s prophetic prayer in Jerusalem. We were the foreigners that traveled from a distant land to pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The Holy Temple no longer stands there today. So, we went to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount instead.

I took with me all the names of all the people who attend Ninevah Christian Church. We had 43 pages of names (including all children). We went to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount and divided the 43 sheets of names among our people. We then walked up to the Western Wall and prayed over all those Ninevah names out loud. If you attend NCC, your name was prayed for, spoken out loud this past week in Jerusalem…in fulfillment of Solomon’s 3,000-year-old prophetic prayer to God.

Yes, we all realize that we don’t need to travel to Jerusalem to pray to God. Yes, we realize that our bodies are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit. But we can never forget that Jerusalem is holy ground because it forever bears the name of God. No other place on earth bears His Name. Jerusalem is the place where our King Jesus will one day return so that He might reign as King of kings. It is indeed holy ground. This is also a 3,000-year-old prophecy of King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 6:4-6 (NLT)

4 “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father,

5 ‘From the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. Nor have I chosen a king to lead my people Israel.

6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place for my name to be honored, and I have chosen David to be king over my people Israel.’”

A Temple and a King. A King and a Kingdom…both are coming to Jerusalem.

Psalm 132:11-14 (NLT)

11 The LORD swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.

12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”

13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home.

14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired.

God has chosen Jerusalem and God has chosen David to be the seed by which He will bring the King and the Kingdom of God to earth. That King is Jesus, and that city is Jerusalem. Is it any wonder that Jesus closes out the Revelation with this statement?

Revelation 22:16 (NLT)

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”

This is the message of King Jesus to the church. A King and a Kingdom. A forever King and a forever Kingdom is coming. Prepare yourself and prepare others for His arrival.

Matthew 6:10 (NLT)

10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The New Testament Book of First Thessalonians was written by the Apostle Paul to a Gentile Church in Thessalonica (modern day Greece) around 50 AD (around 20 years after the cross of Christ). The letter from Paul is filled with many powerful truths about the Church and our future rescue. I would like to focus on five of those powerful church attributes found inside the first chapter of Paul’s letter.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (NLT)

8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it,

9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.

10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

1. People everywhere are talking about the faith of those in the church.

2. The Word of the Lord is ringing out/flowing out to people everywhere from the church in Thessalonica.

3. The watching world is talking about how the church has abandoned their worldly idols and turned to worship the Living God.

4. The watching world is talking about how the church is eagerly looking forward to the return of resurrected Jesus and the rescue mission of God.

5. The watching world has heard about God’s rescue mission for the church…the mission that has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

Paul says the watching world had taken notice of these 5 things that were evident inside this first century Church of Jesus Christ. It wasn’t a secret. The church spoke openly about their faith, the Word and the rescue mission of God in which they lived in eager expectation.

That first century Thessalonian Church lived, and they died. Did the rescue mission come? Did God fail the faithful believers in the first century Church? The question is this…where are those first century Thessalonian believers today? Where are their souls today, right now? Their earthly bodies have turned to dust, but what about their eternal souls? Paul addresses that question inside that same letter.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NLT)

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

The rescue mission of God for His Church is still on! Jesus’ return is still on! But what about the souls of those believers who have already died? God will bring back with him the believers who have died!

But, what about the church of today? Does the watching world see these same 5 traits in us today? Each of us needs to understand this truth today…the rescue mission is still on! No one knows the day or the hour, but the rescue mission is still on.

Jesus warns us about the danger of that rescue day catching us unprepared and unaware like a deadly trap.

Luke 21:33-36 (NLT)

33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,

35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.

36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Paul’s letter and Jesus’ words both talk about the coming horrors that await those who are not prepared and waiting for the rescue mission of God that is planned for His Church.

He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

I encourage you to read over those 5 attributes of the First Thessalonians Church listed above and pray that you would be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man…when the Rescue Mission comes.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

When you read the Old Testament, it becomes clear that King David was a shadow of Jesus, even though David preceded Jesus by around 1,000 years. In many ways David was a preview of what Jesus would do in completion. In fact, Jesus reveals His connection to David in the last chapter of Revelation.

Revelation 22:16 (NLT)

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”

For example, David was anointed by God as King (a king in waiting) at a very young age, but it would be 20 years before he would actually rule as King over Israel in place of King Saul. Jesus has also been anointed as King of kings and He is destined to rule on the earth…after the time of waiting.

1 Corinthians 15:27-28 (NLT)

27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his [Jesus] authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.)

28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

But there is another King David shadow that I want to look at today. During David’s 20 years of running from King Saul there is an another interesting parallel. The calling of the misfits.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NLT)

1 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.

2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

David became the captain of the misfits. Can you see the parallel to King Jesus? Those who were in trouble came to David. Those who were in debt came to David. Those who were discontented with their life in general came to David. They came to a king in waiting. They came to a king that was destined to rule but had not yet begun to rule. They came to the king in waiting and served under his authority during the time of waiting. Misfits under the authority of the king in waiting.

When Jesus came (1,000 years after King David) who did He choose to follow Him? Misfits! Jesus didn’t go into Jerusalem and choose the religious scholars of that day. No, Jesus chose misfits from the Galilee…fishermen, tax collectors and zealots. They would be considered misfits by the rest of the world, but God was revealing something to all of us in their selection.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NLT)

26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.

27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Many of David’s misfit followers became the mighty men of renown recorded in the Holy Scriptures (2 Samuel 23:8-39). The anointing of the king changed and empowered their misfit lives forever. And David was just the preview of King Jesus.

Luke 18:28-30 (NLT)

28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.”

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God,

30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

The Jesus misfits will one day be welcomed into the eternal kingdom of Jesus as the blood-bought children of God. No longer a King in waiting and no longer misfits.

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Saul was the first king of Israel. He was chosen by God and anointed king by Samuel.

1 Samuel 13:1 (NLT)

1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.

Saul started well but ended poorly. What was his undoing? Disobedience! Saul had trouble with obeying the Word of God. God told King Saul to attack and completely destroy the Amalekites. The Word of God was clear and concise.

1 Samuel 15:1-3 (NLT)

1 One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the LORD who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the LORD!

2 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.

3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.”

God was using King Saul to carry out His divine will and judgment. God’s plan was that His justice would be poured out on the Amalekites through the obedience of King Saul and Israel. The Word of God was clear and concise. King Saul heard the Word of the Lord, but he didn’t obey, not completely.

1 Samuel 15:7-9 (NLT)

7 Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt.

8 He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else.

9 Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

Partial obedience is disobedience. Let that sink in for a moment. This partial obedience from King Saul will cost him the kingdom. Let that sink in for a moment. This was not the first time that King Saul struggled with partial obedience. In an earlier event with the Philistines King Saul became impatient and fearful and offered a burnt offering that should have been offered only by Samuel. That event brought this terrible rebuke from God through Samuel.

1 Samuel 13:12-14 (NLT)

12 So I [King Saul] said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the LORD’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

14 But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”

“I would have established your kingdom over Israel forever”. Let that sink in for a moment. From God’s perspective, partial obedience is disobedience. Partial obedience cost King Saul the kingdom. The partial obedience of Saul caused God to choose David to become king in place of Saul. Why David? Do you know this issue of partial obedience is brought up again in the New Testament?

Acts 13:22 (NLT)

22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

Was King David a perfect man? No! David had many failings in his life, but the heart of David was fully devoted to God…a man after my own heart. David lived his life in the pursuit of the heart of God.

Does God’s Word matter? Yes! Does God offer grace, mercy, and forgiveness when we fail Him? Yes! Does obedience matter to God? Yes! In the event with Samuel and Saul, God compared partial obedience, which is rebellion against God, to witchcraft and idolatry. We don’ t think partial obedience to God’s Word to be equivalent to witchcraft and idolatry, but God does!

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NLT)

22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

Who can obey God’s Word completely? No one! This is why God sent a Savior, His Son, to the earth. And what is the command of the Son of God? Does it matter?

Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.

30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Yes, this is a commandment from our Savior and King. God is seeking our undivided heart. The Word of God is clear and concise and don’t forget…partial obedience is disobedience. Disobedience could cost you the kingdom.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Do you know what a Cherubim is? Do you know what a Cherubim does in the Bible? Have you ever heard of a “guardian Cherub”? What if I told you that the answer to those questions reveal a life changing truth of God and the entry into His divine presence?

Cherubim are angelic like creatures that serve as the guardians of paradise. Cherubim stand guard over the very presence of God. If fact it was cherubim that stood guard at the entry gate of the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were forced to leave the presence of God because of sin.

Genesis 3:24 (NLT)

24 After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Adam and Eve had lost their ability to live and walk in the very presence of God. God placed cherubim between man and God. Man could no longer go directly into the presence of God because the cherubim kept guard (with flaming sword) over the holy presence of God. Paradise was lost.

Fast forward to the time of Moses as God frees Israel form their 400 years of Egyptian bondage. God reveals his glory to Moses and instructs Moses to build a tabernacle, a house for God’s presence to come down into the camp of Israel. God was going to dwell in the midst of the camp of Israel. The glorious presence of God was going to come to dwell among the people and guess what would stand guard between the holiness of God and the un-holiness of Israel...yes...cherubim! Did you know that? There was a veil, a curtain that separated the presence of God, the Most Holy Place from the rest of the tabernacle. I want you to notice what is engraved onto that veil/curtain.

Exodus 26:31 (NLT)

31 “For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.

Adam and Eve couldn’t get past the guardian cherubs...paradise was lost. God’s mercy offered a very limited entry into His holy presence in the time of Moses, behind the veil, behind the guardian cherubs. The Jewish high priest could enter one time per year (Yum Kippur or Day of Atonement) and he must enter with a blood sacrifice or he himself would die when he encountered the absolute holiness of God. For 1500 years (Moses to Jesus) the cherubim stood guard over the presence of God behind the curtain.

Fast forward again some 1500 years to the time of Jesus. Do you know what happened when Jesus died on the cross? The veil of the Jerusalem temple, engraved with cherubim, was torn into from top to bottom.

Mark 15:37-38 (NLT)

37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

On that day, when Jesus breathed His final breath His blood poured out as payment for the sins of Adam and all of Adam’s seed. That day our Holy High Priest entered the presence of God, behind the curtain to pay off our sin debt. The cherubim that guarded the very presence of God, the cherubim that guarded paradise were dismissed. The way to God was once again open. The paradise of God was once again available. The curtain was taken down and the cherubim would drop their flaming sword because of the sacrifice of the ultimate High Priest...JESUS CHRIST.

The way to God has been opened. Paradise is once again available for those who will receive this blood offering from our High Priest Jesus. We must receive this offering by faith. We must believe that Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price that was sufficient to remove the cherubim that stood guard with flaming sword between God and man.

Now that we know this amazing truth of God...we have a sword of our own. The Sword of the Spirit, the very Word of God. This Word from God reveals the way back to God, the way to the paradise of God’s presence. How wonderful is this Good News. How wonderful is the future that God has prepared for those who love Him and believe His Word. Please read these next verses from Paul’s letter to the Roman Church as God’s Word to each of you today...

Romans 8:31-37 (NLT)

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Overwhelming victory is ours through Jesus. The curtain is torn; the cherubim have dropped their swords for those who are covered by the blood of the Lamb. But I must tell you this truth today.

Those cherubim still stand guard over the presence of God for all those who refuse to believe. No one will pass by their flaming sword without the blood of Christ. We, the church bear the responsibility in these last days to not only receive this good news, but we must also share this good news as we await the return of our Lord Jesus.

Rejoice in this great salvation, but never forget that we have been called by God to share this glorious news with those who do not know that the gate to paradise, the gate to God’s glorious presence has been opened by the blood of Jesus Christ, our glorious High Priest.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen.

Terry Cooper

What are the odds? What are the chances that a man, after receiving the ear of God and the mercy of God, will turn to God and give an appropriate response of thanksgiving and praise? Is it One in Ten? That was the number when Jesus reached the border of Galilee and Samaria…

Luke 17:11–14 (NLT)

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

Jesus could have ignored their cry for mercy, but He didn’t. He could have healed them with the touch of His hands, but He didn’t. Jesus told them to “Go show yourselves to the priests” in obedience to the Law of Moses. All 10 lepers heard Jesus’ instructions and all 10 turned in obedience to the words of Jesus.

I’m not sure how far they traveled before they noticed that they had received a supernatural healing from Jesus. But they eventually noticed that they had been healed of their dreaded disease. They had all received the mercy of God that they had requested…”Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Then something happens that surprisingly defies all odds. One in Ten takes the time and effort to return to Jesus to give Him thanksgiving and praise. Why only one?

Luke 17:15–19 (NLT)

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

17Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?

18Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

19And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.

What is the appropriate response to God when He hears and responds to your cry for mercy. What is the appropriate response to God’s healing? Is it 10%? 10% of those healed returning to give thanksgiving and praise? Is that enough? Is One in Ten sufficient?

There is something about this Jesus story that makes me think of the modern American Church. Church attendance in America is dropping and many churches are closing their doors altogether. That average attendance rate of most American churches (for those who do attend) is 50%. That means they attend church worship services about 26 times a year (out of 52weeks).

Is that how we should respond to God’s wonderful mercy that forgives our sins gives us peace with the Father. Is that how we respond to God’s wonderful spiritual healing and the eternal/immoral flesh that is promised on the last day?

What is the appropriate response to God’s mercy. What is the appropriate response to God’s healing? Maybe Kings David’s Psalm will help us understand the appropriate response, the appropriate odds.

Psalm 69:29–34 (NLT)

29I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

30Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

31For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.

32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.

33For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.

34Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.

Surely our response will be more than One in Ten.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah, and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The Bible is filled with parallel stories. People and nations that have repeated the same events, but in different times or places. I find many parallels between ancient Israel and modern America. Israel was blessed like no other nation on the earth and yet they turned away from God, the source of their blessing and fell into pagan idolatry…bringing their ruin and eventual destruction.

America is following that same deadly path. America was blessed like no other nation on earth and our prosperity has caused us to abandon the God of our blessing and fall into pagan idolatry…a deadly parallel.

Deuteronomy 32 records a final song/story of Moses. This song/story is given just before Moses travels to the top of Mount Nebo to die at the age of 120. As you read this ancient story (some 3500 years ago) see if you recognize the deadly parallel. Let’s begin with the blessing of God upon the Nation of Israel…the first part of Moses’ song/story.

Deuteronomy 32:12-14 (NLT)

12 The LORD alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods.

13 He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground.

14 He fed them yogurt from the herd and milk from the flock, together with the fat of lambs. He gave them choice rams from Bashan, and goats, together with the choicest wheat. You drank the finest wine, made from the juice of grapes.

The Lord alone…no foreign gods. That was their prosperity. But notice the following verses.

Deuteronomy 32:15-17 (NLT)

15 “But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation.

16 They stirred up his jealousy by worshiping foreign gods; they provoked his fury with detestable deeds.

17 They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared.

Do you see the deadly parallel? America has now forsaken the source of our prosperity and blessing and followed after the gods of this world…which are no gods at all. Verse 18 sums up the fatal flaw, the deadly parallel.

Deuteronomy 32:18 (NLT)

18 You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth.

Israel neglected the Rock. Do you know about the Rock? Moses’ song/story began with a word about the Rock of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NLT)

3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God!

4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!

Moses delivered that song/story to Israel some 1500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The New Testament reveals the identity of the Rock that traveled with Moses and Israel. The Apostle Paul didn’t want the church to forget about the Rock of Israel and the consequences of the deadly parallel.

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (NLT)

1 I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.

2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.

3 All of them ate the same spiritual food,

4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

It's a deadly parallel! Do you see it? America has abandoned the Rock of our salvation, Jesus. Moses’ song/story describes the consequence for ancient Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:19-21 (NLT)

19 “The LORD saw this and drew back, provoked to anger by his own sons and daughters.

20 He said, ‘I will abandon them; then see what becomes of them. For they are a twisted generation, children without integrity.

21 They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God; they have provoked my anger with their useless idols. Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people; I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles.

The deadly parallel. Do you see it…the Rock was going to offer salvation to the Gentiles. And what will the Gentiles do with the Rock?

Romans 11:19-21 (NLT)

19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches [Israel] were broken off to make room for me [Gentiles].”

20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.

21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

Hold onto the Rock! There is no other God that saves. Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. No matter what happens in the coming days…hold onto the Rock!

Romans 9:33 (NLT)

33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

I don’t know what’s next for America. I can only see the deadly parallel of Israel happening in our generation. Our only hope is to repent and turn to the Rock of our salvation…JESUS.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Does God test people? Does God put certain tests in our lives to reveal the true content and devotion of our hearts? What do these tests say about our faith? Abraham is considered the father of our faith and God surely tested Abraham.

Genesis 22:1-2 (NLT)

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

God tested Abraham’s faith. This test was to prove Abraham’s faith as pure and genuine. God’s testing is to make us victorious by securing our singular devotion to Him. God doesn’t test us to destroy us, but to strengthen us. The testing of God makes our faith stronger, causing our hearts to be even more devoted to Him.

God does not tempt! There is a big difference between tempting and testing. God tests us to make our faith in Him and love for Him even stronger. Satan tempts us, hoping that we will fall away from our sincere and singular devotion and love of God…and listen to him. But, be sure of this, all of us will face times of testing and tempting in this life.

James 1:12-15 (NLT)

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Ultimately the battle is about faith. What do I believe to be true. Which voice, which word will I follow? What voice, what word will hold authority and power to direct my life?

That brings me to today. I was reading from the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy this morning when I came across a very unusual testing of God to ancient Israel.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 (NLT)

1 “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles,

2 and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—

3 do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.

4 Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.

God tested ancient Israel in this way. Why? God tested them to see if they truly loved Him with all their heart and soul. This is the first and greatest commandment of God, and this test was to see if Israel would follow the first commandment when another word was presented to them from a spiritual source. The test was not to make them fail. No! The test was to strengthen their faith and devotion to God only (a singular devotion). Jesus repeats the same greatest commandment in the New Testament.

Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

Today, the church in America is experiencing a great time of testing. Many preachers and many churches are preaching a strange new word, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before.

God’s testing is to make us victorious…by testing the content and direction of our heart toward Him. We pass the test by loving God and His Word only…all heart, soul and mind (a singular devotion)!

Satan’s tempting comes when our hearts are led away from our sincere and singular devotion to God. Led away and deceived into following after these strange new teachings and abandoning the greatest commandment. Old and New Testament, Jew and Gentile, the Greatest Commandment has not changed!

May you all pass the test!

Do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.

4 Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Most of you are aware that my father passed away this past Monday, March 27th at the age of 89. My father and I were very close, and I had the privilege of speaking at his funeral, along with my brother Larry and some of daddy’s grandsons. I thought it would be a good tribute to my dad to share the message that I gave at his funeral service this past Wednesday. This message was intended to honor my earthly and heavenly father.

My dad was my rock.

He never wavered in his commitment to me and our family.

Most of you have no idea, but our family went through a great crisis when I was very young.

My mother had a major nervous breakdown (hospitalized for long periods of time) and daddy held us all together…me and my 3 brothers.

He was our rock…his gravy looked like thanksgiving dressing, but he was our rock…we never went hungry.

When everything in our young lives was falling apart…daddy did not waver.

He led us through the storm…momma got better, but she was never really the same as before.

Raising 4 boys (5 years from top to bottom) was not an easy task.

My rock had the ability to rock my world at times…and my brothers too.

I remember momma saying…wait till your daddy gets home and it was like Clint Eastwood walking into town with spurs jingling.

I feared his discipline and that is probably what saved me.

My daddy taught me early in life two very important truths.

1. My actions and my choices have consequences.

2. There is punishment coming for those who live in rebellion to authority.

Those two truths revealed the authority and power of my earthly father and also the authority and power of my heavenly Father.

I wonder if this is one of the most important responsibilities of a father on this earth.

To reveal the truth about life and the afterlife.

1. Our actions and our choices on this earth have consequences…here and in the life to come.

2. There is punishment and accountability when we choose to rebel against authority…here and in the life to come.

Well, I survived my youth and my teenage years…barely.

When it came time to graduate high school…I asked daddy if he would sign my papers to join the army (I was 17) and he said YES, YES, YES.

It was like daddy saying to the US government…you take him for a while.

I came home after 2 years, moved back into my childhood home and began to make life plans at the age of 19.

Remember those two truths that my daddy taught me when I was a kid.

1. My actions and my choices have consequences.

2. There is punishment coming for those who live in rebellion to authority.

I soon found out that those truths still had application at 19…even as an adult.

I came home one night and I had been drinking with some friends.

I never was much of a drinker…(it always made me sick) I was out in the front yard throwing up.

When daddy walked out with a bottle of bourbon…handed it to me and told me to drink it…go ahead and destroy your life if you want to.

He revealed a great truth to his prodigal son that night…I was traveling a dangerous path.

We survived those 2.5 years of being back home and I built a house, got married and started a new life.

And this is the best part of the story…the Rock that rocked my world on multiple occasions became my best friend.

He helped me build that house and he helped me do just about everything…my entire life.

My rock was also my helper and my friend.

He was still my daddy, but he didn’t try to run my life…he was my friend.

My rock had become my friend, my helper.

I wasn’t the guy that needed to get as far away as possible from his parents…no…I built a house a mile down the road.

And I noticed something strange happening in the process of life.

My daddy lived a mile down the road from his daddy…Arthur.

I built a house a mile down the road from my daddy…Don.

And now my 3 children all live within a mile of Janet and I…what is that about?

It’s what happens when your rock becomes your friend and your helper.

And that brings me to my final point today…maybe the most important point today.

There were two men that I always went to in my life for help and advice.

My daddy and my brother Alan…and they are both gone now.

And it hurts a lot, and I am grieving terribly.

These two men were great rocks in my life and now they are both gone.

But there is another Rock that has not left me alone today.

There is One that sticks closer than a father or a brother…He is Jesus Christ my Lord, my Rock and my helper.

He is the Rock of my salvation, and He is immovable in the time of trouble and great loss.

And I am so thankful that my daddy revealed these life truths to me.

1. My actions and my choices have consequences.

2. There is punishment coming for those who live in rebellion to authority.

3. Our actions and choices on this earth have consequences…here and in the life to come.

4. There is punishment and accountability when we choose to rebel against authority…here and in the life to come.

When the Father becomes your friend and helper….that’s JOHN 3:16…For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that you would not perish, but have eternal life.

When the Father becomes your friend and helper…that is Jesus Christ the Rock of our Salvation.

When the Father becomes your friend and helper…you don’t move away by rebelling against your Father…no, you move closer and closer…that is Jesus Christ the Rock of our Salvation.

I pray today that all of you are standing on this Rock named Jesus…because not everyone goes to heaven.

He’s the Rock that makes some people stumble…they trip over the One God sent to save us…to help us.

He’s the Rock that makes some people fall…forever lost because they refuse to accept these truths.

1. Our actions and choices on this earth have consequences…here and in the life to come.

2. There is punishment and accountability when we choose to rebel against authority…here and in the life to come.

This Rock/Jesus has now become the Cornerstone and all who put their trust in Him will never be put to shame and they will never die…do you believe that…I do.

I believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him will live, even if he dies. And whoever lives and believes in Him will never die…do you believe this…I do.

This is not my daddy (in the coffin)….this is daddy’s tent…which we will respectfully fold up and put away in a few minutes.

His soul, his person, has gone to be with God…waiting the resurrection of the last day.

I believe in the resurrection of the last day…when the dead in Christ will rise to receive eternal flesh.

Thank you daddy…for being my earthly father and my wonderful friend and helper.

I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without you during these past 66 years.

Thank you Father in heaven for sending your Son-Jesus to be our Rock and our Helper.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen

Terry Cooper

I was listening to our Associate Minister, Will Cooper, preach a very thought-provoking sermon yesterday on “The Hard Way” from the books of Isaiah and Hosea. When he opened Hosea my heart leapt with joy as he read these words from the Prophet Hosea…The Word of God about the Future.

Hosea 3:4-5 (NLT)

4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!

5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of his goodness.

The Prophet Hosea served God for some 60 years in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in and around 722 BC. During that time God reveals something horrible and wonderful to the Prophet Hosea about the fall, the last days…about the future King.

Israel will go a long time without a king, or prince, without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests and even idols.

After this long period of time the people of Israel will return and this time, they will devote themselves to God…and to David’s descendant, their King.

That’s when my heart leapt…and to David’s descendant, their King. Hosea is prophesying the fall of Israel, a time without king or prince or sacrifices or buildings to offer sacrifices in. Hosea is also prophesying a future time when Israel will be reborn and will return to the land and to God. But how is that possible?

King David died some 250 years before Hosea and yet Hosea prophesies about a long period of time followed by a return of Israel to the land, to God, and to a new King of Israel, descended from King David. Do you see it? Does that make your heart leap with joy and anticipation?

The kingdom and lineage of King David ended in 586 BC when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Yes, Israel went a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priest, or even idols. But on May 14, 1948, something happened. The Nation of Israel was reborn. Nineteen years later, in 1967, Israel regained possession and sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem after some 2500 years. Can you see it? Even blind people can see it. See what? Son of David, the King of Israel!

Matthew 20:29-30 (NLT)

29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.

30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Do you see it? Why did these blind two men call Jesus, Lord, Son of David? How could they see and how could they know? Did they know about Hosea’s prophecy?

I was 10 years old when Israel regained sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem. This happened in my generation, in my day. Many have longed to see what my generation has seen. Can you see it?

Luke 10:23-24 (NLT)

23 Then when they were alone, he [Jesus] turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”

Even the blind could see Jesus as the prophesied King and Son of David that would come to redeem Israel and the Gentile kingdoms of men. I pray today that you have eyes to see. I pray today that your heart leaps with joy and you tremble in awe as you read the prophesy of Hosea one more time. This time read it out loud as a prayer of worship.

Hosea 3:4-5 (NLT)

4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols! 5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of his goodness.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The Bible talks about a time when the Apostle Paul enters the city of Athens Greece. Athens was an advanced culture for that time. The people were highly educated and “very religious”. This is how Paul describes the Athens culture.

Acts 17:22-23 (NLT)

22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

They were very religious. They worshipped many gods and thus they had many religions. The people of Athens had even erected a shine “To an Unknown God” just in case they had missed one. Paul found the people to be very religious, but their religious beliefs were not based on truth. Paul was going to reveal the truth to the people of Athens. And what was that truth?

1. There is One God, the Creator of all things in heaven and on earth.

2. This God of heaven doesn’t live in man-made temples.

3. This God doesn’t need humans to satisfy His needs or desires.

4. This God doesn’t have needs…He is entirely self-sufficient.

5. This God is the only source of life and breath.

6. This God satisfies the needs of all mankind.

7. This God created all the nations of the earth from “one man”.

8. This God established the kingdoms of men and their boundaries before they existed.

9. This God desires that the nations would seek after Him, feel their way toward Him and find Him.

10. This God is not far from us…He is near.

11. This God holds the power by which all men live, move and exist.

12. Humans are the offspring of this God, and we cannot find Him or worship Him though idols made of gold, silver or stone (empty religion).

13. This God overlooked human ignorance in the past, but now He commands everyone to repent of their sins and turn to Him.

14. This God has appointed a day that He will judge the world with justice BY THE MAN HE HAS APPOINTED.

15. This God proved His power and identity by raising THE APPOINTED MAN from the dead.

Those 15 points are the summary of the Apostle Paul’s sermon in Athens Greece (verses 24-31) to the very religious and deceived people. There are many today that are also very religious. It would be good for all of us to go back and focus on those 15 revealed truths today. It’s the difference between being religious and being saved. I especially want to focus on the last three…13, 14, and 15. They are a very urgent truth for the very religious people of our day.

* This God overlooked human ignorance in the past, but now He commands everyone to repent of their sins and turn to Him.

* This God has appointed a day that He will judge the world with justice BY THE MAN HE HAS APPOINTED.

* This God proved His power and identity by raising THE MAN from the dead.

That man’s name is JESUS. He is the “unknown God” to many today. We, like the Apostle Paul must share the Truth and the Name with those who are very religious, but still do not know the Man that God appointed to save us…JESUS!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I remember having a conversation with a Jewish Rabbi while visiting a synagogue years ago. That Rabbi told me that one of the most important things the Jewish people gave the world was “hand washing”. I admit that I was rather surprised by that perspective. Hand washing. I’ve always assumed that everyone’s mother told them to do that when it was time to come in for supper.

Hand washing goes all the way back to the Law of Moses for the Jewish people. God was revealing Himself to Moses and His plan to come and live among the people of Israel when the hand and feet washing requirement was given to Moses’ brother Aaron and the priests. Washing was required to enter the presence of God.

Exodus 30:17-21 (NLT)

17 Then the LORD said to Moses,

18 “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.

19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there.

20 They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the LORD—or they will die!

21 They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation.”

Or they will die…God says it twice….or they will die! God took this washing very seriously. No one would be able to approach His glorious presence without washing with water….or they will die. The priest was required to wash their hands and feet with water before they made their offering to the Lord. The bronze wash basin was the first thing that the priest would encounter when he entered the Tabernacle/Tent of Meeting.

Let’s fast forward to the time of Jesus. Hand washing was still a very important Jewish ritual in the time of Jesus. In fact, it became a point of dispute between Jesus and the Jewish Pharisees.

Luke 11:37-38 (NLT)

37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.

38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.

Jesus uses this hand-washing event as a teaching moment for them and also for us today.

Luke 11:39-40 (NLT)

39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!

40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?

Jesus uses this moment to reveal a spiritual truth. The outside washing is important, but not as important as the inside washing. The Pharisees had focused so much on the outside that they lost sight of the real purpose of God, the Temple Worship and Messiah Himself. God wanted to wash the inside of the sinful human heart so that we might be able to come into His presence…or we will all die. The Psalm of King David reveals our urgent need to be washed on the inside.

Psalm 51:1-7 (NLT)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow…that’s what Jesus came to do…so we would not die when we come into the presence of God. Jesus came to wash away our sins. Jesus is the mercy and kindness of God.

Titus 3:4-7 (NLT)

4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

Eternal Life…so that we will not die. Rejoice today in this great salvation. Rejoice that we have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

We currently have 7 grandchildren (5 boys and 2 girls) and number 8 (Henry) is scheduled to arrive in June. One of my jobs is to teach each of them to fish as soon as they come of age. Now let me explain something about fishing with small grandchildren. It’s more like surviving at the water’s edge than actually fishing. Especially if I take more than one at a time.

That brings me to my first point today. The first time I took my grandson Ryder fishing was an extraordinary adventure. Ryder was so anxious to go and when the fishing day finally arrived he was so excited…until…that first fish was lifted out of the water. When Ryder saw that fish flipping around, he took off running as fast as he could and didn’t stop. You would have thought that the Loch Ness monster had appeared to eat young Ryder. That was the end of our fishing day. Our first catch brought the adventure to an abrupt ending. He was terrified by the fish.

A few days went by and Ryder said he wanted to try it again and this time he promised that he wouldn’t be afraid. It was at that point that we made an agreement that has been in place ever since. The agreement was based on two things.

No scaredy business

No whining

Ryder promised that he would comply with these two fishing rules. He promised not to be afraid when we catch a fish and no whining about the fishing conditions (bugs, snakes, weather, fishing worms…or other cousins that were competing with him on that trip).

It took a while, but I must admit that Ryder has honored our agreement. He is now putting the worms on the hook by himself and putting the fish in the basket without running for the hills.

That brings me to my real Word from Terry today. It’s time to talk to the Ninevah Church about Fishing. Something is happening! We didn’t start it, but something is happening at NCC and other places around the world (Asbury for example).

For us, it started on January 22nd. We broke 1,000 in attendance for Sunday Morning Worship. Not just once, but for the following four weeks. Then on February 19th we broke 1,100 and yesterday we broke 1,200. 1,236 people came to NCC to worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior yesterday. We have baptized 15 people since Jan. 26 and multitudes have come to the altar to confess and repent of sin…rededicating their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Something is happening!

Is this about reaching some attendance goal? No! But each of those numbers is a human soul. A soul that will spend eternity somewhere. A soul that Jesus died to save. What shepherd doesn’t count his sheep to make sure that they are all safe and healthy?

This is where my fishing agreement with Ryder applies to the church. No scaredy business and no whining. People are asking, “what are we going to do?” The parking lots are overrun and it’s getting difficult to find a seat in the Worship Center. No scaredy business and no whining. Why?

Because we are fishing. We are fishing under the authority and power of the Great Shepherd Jesus. Jesus knows His sheep by name and His sheep know His voice and follow Him. Jesus doesn’t want us to be afraid while we’re fishing, and He certainly doesn’t want us to mess up the great fishing adventure with our fearful whining while He’s adding fish to the boat (the church).

Mark 1:17 (NLT)

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Right now, our main job is to FOLLOW JESUS. He’s got this. This is His Church! These fish are His people, the blood bought children of the Most High God. We’ve been invited to join Him in the great fishing adventure. I’m not sure about what will come next, but I feel confident in this. No scaredy business and no whining will certainly apply to this fishing trip with Jesus.

I ask you to read carefully this fishing story of Jesus below. This is why we will keep fishing until He comes for us. This fishing trip is urgent. Many souls are at stake.

Matthew 13:47-51 (NLT)

47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.

49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous,

50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.”

Let’s keep fishing!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Jesus’ parable about the Grape Harvest is followed by the revelation of the Stone. It’s recorded in Luke chapter 20. The transition between the two events (the Vineyard and the Stone) is quite interesting and revealing. Let’s begin with Jesus telling the story of the Vineyard and Grape Harvest.

Luke 20:9-12 (NLT)

9 Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years.

10 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed.

11 So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.

The parable is this…the man that planted the vineyard is God the Father. The tenant farmers are Israel, the Jewish people. The servants sent to collect the proper share of the grape harvest for the landowner were the prophets and priests of God from the Old Testament.

The tenant farmers (Israel) refused to acknowledge the landowner and his rights to the Grape Harvest. The Landowner then sends His cherished Son, the heir to the vineyard. The vineyard is the earth.

Luke 20:13-15 (NLT)

13 “‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’

14 “But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’

15 So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him. “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked.

The cherished Son is Jesus, the only begotten heir of God the Father. The tenant farmers (Israel) didn’t respect the Son or acknowledge Him as the Father’s heir, the landowner. They killed the Son…thinking they would be able to take possession of the estate (the vineyard, the earth) for themselves.

This is where the transition occurs…the Vineyard and the Stone. Jesus is going to answer His own question in their presence. They will be shocked by Jesus’ answer. Many today will also be shocked by Jesus’ answer.

Luke 20:16 (NLT)

16 “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.” “How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.

Two things are revealed by Jesus…death will come to those who refuse the Son that was sent to the Vineyard by the Father. The Father will then turn and lease the Vineyard to the Gentiles and the Church Age will begin.

That’s when Jesus announces the transition between the Vineyard and the Stone. This is how Jesus answers their words… “How terrible that such a thing should ever happen.” This is the next verse recorded by Luke.

Luke 20:17-18 (NLT)

17 Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 18 Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

How terrible that such a thing should ever happen…but it did! Israel rejected their Messiah. Israel tripped over the Stone that was sent to be their very foundation stone, the Cornerstone. In that scene, Jesus announces the Time of the Gentiles, the Church Age, where the gospel message will be preached to the Gentiles around the world. The Gentiles would be given a season to be the tenants of the vineyard of God.

The Apostle Paul warns the Gentile Church about becoming arrogant regarding the Vineyard and forgetting about the Stone that now owns the Vineyard.

Romans 11:19-21 (NLT)

19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.”

20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.

The Apostle Peter also warns us that many in the church age will trip over this Stone of God that was placed in Jerusalem. Many will reject the Cornerstone Jesus and experience a crushing death sentence from the One that now owns the Vineyard.

1 Peter 2:6-8 (NLT)

6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

The Scripture has clearly revealed a future time when God will come to His Vineyard, to the earth, to receive the Grape Harvest. There will be a harvest of the redeemed, those who placed their faith in the Stone, which is Christ. And there will also be a harvest of the lost, those who rejected the Stone, which is Christ. The Vineyard and the Stone.

Matthew 13:41-43 (NLT)

41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

The Vineyard and the Stone. The Harvest is coming!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Is it possible to Listen to the Light? We don’t really think about Light as something to hear in the natural realm. But Jesus tells us that we should be Listening to the Light in the spiritual realm. There are great rewards for Listening to the Light, but there are also great warnings given to those who refuse to Listen to the Light. First, notice Jesus’ teaching about the Light, and then notice how He connects Light to Listening or Hearing.

Luke 8:16-17 (NLT)

“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

Jesus uses Light to illustrate the revelation of Truth. Light equals Truth. No one would purposely cover up revealed Truth (Light). Instead, Truth is to be placed where all can see and experience the Light of Truth.

Jesus tells us that one day all the darkness of untruth will be revealed and brought out into the Light for everyone to see. Everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.

Jesus wants us to Listen to the Light. Jesus wants us to know the Truth that removes the darkness of untruth from our lives. This issue is about life and death. In the next verse, Jesus gives a warning about refusing to Listen to the Light.

18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

Do you see the warning of Jesus about not Listening to the Light of Truth? Do you see the reward?

*Those who Listen to the Light will receive more Light…leading to eternal Light and the removal of all darkness.

*Those who refuse to Listen to the Light will receive increasing darkness…leading to eternal darkness, the absence of all Light.

The reward of Listening to the Light is incredible and eternal. Jesus tells us that there is “no judgment, no condemnation” for those who turn to the light and put their faith in Him. But Jesus also tells us in that same Scripture that “judgment and condemnation” will come to those who refuse to Listen to the Light of Truth. That same spiritual truth is revealed again in John chapter 3.

John 3:18-21 (NLT)

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Turn to the Light. Listen to the Light. Beware of the darkness. It is the absence of the Light!

“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

Revelation 2:7 (NLT)

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

If you lived in the Old Testament days, would you want to be from the Tribe of Levi, a Levite? The Levite men were called to be the priests of God and to serve God in the Tabernacle/Temple worship. Would you want to be a Levite Priest? Before you answer, you should read this disclaimer.

Joshua 13:33 (NIV)

33 But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance [land]; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.

Joshua had led the children of Israel into the Promised Land and all of them received a share of land in the Promised Land, except the Levites. Knowing that, would you still want to be a Levite?

I want you to consider two options in this discussion. Two wonderful offers from God to Israel.

1. This will be their inheritance…the offer of land inside the Promised Land.

2. I will be their inheritance…the offer of God’s presence and provision inside the Promised Land.

Both offers are wonderful and good, but one offer is much better than the other. The Levites were not allowed to own the land that they lived on, like the other tribes of Israel. They lived in the land as guests of the One that owned the land.

There are a lot of ideas about why God chose this method of living for the Levitical priests. But I like to keep it simple. God wanted His priests to live in His sufficiency, not having to worry about taking care of the physical side of living. The Levites were called to live inside the sufficiency of God. His presence would be sufficient. His provision would be sufficient.

The Levites were always required to live in the closest place to God’s presence…close to the Ark of God, the throne of God. God would be their sufficiency. Would you want to be a Levite? Are you sure?

I’m not saying that Christians shouldn’t own land today. No, that’s not my point. But the Bible makes an amazing offer to the church of the last days. We have been called by God to be the priests of God in these final days as we wait for the return of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

The church represents the modern-day priests of God. We are called to live in His sufficiency. What does that mean for us today. Do you want to be a priest of God? This calling comes with a warning. The warning is about becoming “worldly”.

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

God didn’t give the Levite priests ownership of land. Why? They were called to live under God’s sufficiency and provision. God has not forbidden the church to own land in these last days. But God did warn the church about becoming worldly, loving the land, loving the world and forgetting to live in the sufficiency of God’s presence and provision.

Do you want to be a priest of God? Are you sure? Think carefully and count the cost before you answer.

Revelation 20:6 (NLT)

6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

Would you truly be satisfied if and when all you have is God, His Sufficiency! He is our inheritance.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus was a pivotal event in His ministry, revealing His power over death and the grave. There were many witnesses to this supernatural raising of a man who had been dead and buried for 4 days. The proof of Jesus’ divine power was undeniable. The word immediately began to spread…stirring the religious hornet’s nest in Jerusalem.

John 11:45-48 (NLT)

45 Many of the people who were with Mary [and saw Jesus raise Lazarus] believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.

46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.

48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”

What are we going to do? That was the question from the religious leaders in Jerusalem after they heard about the resurrection of Lazarus. What are we going to do? If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. And what would be wrong with that? The Jewish leaders feared Jesus and His followers would attempt to set up a kingdom…bringing the wrath of the Roman government down upon the Jews and the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

It is in this scene that the Jewish High Priest Caiaphas steps in to say these words in response to, “What are we going to do”.

John 11:49-51 (NLT)

49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about!

50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.

One man would die so that the nation would not be destroyed. The Bible makes it clear that this statement was not from Caiaphas, but from God. God caused Caiaphas to prophesy the very plan of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s plan was for one man to die so that the whole nation would not be destroyed and lost. That was a direct reference to the Nation of Israel. But what about the Gentiles? What about the rest of us? I find the next verse to be very wonderful and revealing.

John 11:52 (NLT)

52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

Jesus came to die for the Jewish people…yes! But not just for the Jewish people, but to bring together and unite all the scattered children of God around the world. The Apostle Paul also describes this plan of God. Paul sent these wonderful words to a Gentile Church in Rome.

Romans 1:16 (NLT)

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Paul was a Jew, and he was not ashamed of God’s plan to save the Jews and the Gentiles. It is better for one man to die than for all men to perish. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you know how the Jewish religious leaders responded to Caiaphas’ prophecy that day…the very next verse.

John 11:53 (NLT)

53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.

The spiritual war is real and one day that spirit war will end with the return of Jesus. God is planning a great gathering of scattered children…when Jews and Gentiles will be gathered together as the children of God. One family under one Father…saved and redeemed by the death of one man-Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT)

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes.

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

At the winter solstice (December 21), our planet’s south pole aims most directly toward the Sun, leaving everyone north of the equator with their lowest Sun of the year. On December 22nd, we stopped losing daily sunlight which has been going on since last June, and instead, we finally started to increase it! This gain is minuscule at first, just a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow until daylight expands by three minutes a day in March.

I don’t know about you, but I grow weary in the darkness of winter. I get great comfort knowing that the amount of daylight is currently increasing. Our days are not getting darker, the light of each day is increasing.

These events are part of God’s created order. The position of the Earth, relative to the Sun is God’s created order. God determines the amount of light and the amount of darkness on the earth according to His will. This is our physical reality.

This is also our spiritual reality. God determines the amount of spiritual light on the earth. The absence of this spiritual light creates a spiritual void or darkness. God is in control of both, the light and the darkness (His absence and His presence).

This is the question…spiritually speaking, where are we today? Is it getting darker or lighter? And what is the spiritual turning point…when the increase of spiritual darkness (on the earth) turned to the increase of spiritual light on the earth? The turning point was the cross of Christ. It became the darkest day that led to an ever increasing spiritual light upon the earth.

Mark 15:33-34 (NLT)

33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.

34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

The darkest day…the day that turned the corner into the ever approaching and increasing light of God upon the earth. The Light of the world that will eventually eliminate all darkness. The Apostle John reveals this amazing truth in his first letter to the church:

1 John 2:8 (NLT)

For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If you look around at this dark world today, you will have a hard time accepting John’s statement that the darkness is disappearing. It looks like the darkness is increasing, but things in the spiritual realm are not always what they seem. God’s Word is clear. The darkness is disappearing because the true light is already shining. The cross of Christ was the darkest day. The true light is not a reference to the “Sun”, but a reference to the “Son”.

John 8:12 (NLT)

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The One who created the Sun came to the earth some 2,000 years ago. He came to bring an end to spiritual darkness which is the absence of Light of God’s presence. Jesus is the Light of the world. Anyone who has received the promised Holy Spirit of Christ has been exposed to the Light that casts out all darkness. Jesus is the Light that leads to life, the Light of God’s presence. If we are in Christ, the darkness is disappearing.

Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

Yes, it looks like the world is getting darker. But the truth is this, “The darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.” I hope you find great comfort in this truth today. It might be getting darker in the lost world, but the Light is actually increasing in those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus, the Light of the world.

Romans 13:12 (NLT)

12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I was watching the Monday Night Football game when the Buffalo Bills player, Damar Hamlin, collapsed from an apparent heart attack on national television. It was a shocking and sobering moment. Many of the players on both teams suddenly dropped to their knees in prayer. I watched as TV announcers began to talk about praying for Damar. I don’t think I ever heard the word prayer used that openly and that often outside a church service on TV.

Suddenly! It happened suddenly! Life and death had been interrupted by suddenly. That is a shocking and sobering event. Suddenly caused the people to pray. Suddenly the people cried out to God. People were crying out to God in prayer that had previously not given God a thought. Suddenly can do that to a person.

That was this past Monday night and we’ve learned since then that Damar is making a remarkable recovery and we thank God for that. I watched a couple of the Sunday games yesterday. I saw entire NFL teams on their knees praying together before the game. Suddenly has had a huge impact on these players and coaches. Suddenly caused people to see life and death like they had not previously seen it. Suddenly can do that to a person.

I am sorry that Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest event during that game. But I am happy that his event has caused many people to see the need to cry out to God in prayer. The problem with suddenly is that you never know when its going to happen. Jesus warns about not being prepared for suddenly.

Mark 13:35-37 (NIV)

35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"

The Bible makes it clear that all of us walk on the edge of eternity, on the edge of life and death. We are not promised tomorrow. No one knows when they will breathe their last breath and no one knows the day that the Lord will return to take His bride, the church. Jesus told us to watch for suddenly. Wake up and Watch!

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (NLT)

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

The Bible makes this truth perfectly clear. Suddenly will be a “too late” event for many…and there will be no escape. Sometimes God gives us suddenly moments to wake us up and to cry out to Him in repentance…calling upon his mercy through the blood of Christ. But sometimes suddenly is too late. Too late…and there will be no escape.

Today, by the grace and mercy of God we have life and breath. Today, by the grace and mercy of God we have the lifesaving gospel message of Jesus Christ before us. Today, is the day to call upon the name of the Lord. Don’t wait for the suddenly. Today is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT)

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.

2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

There is a certain prayer that I have prayed for my children since they were born. I’m not even sure about the circumstances that caused me to begin praying this particular prayer, but it became part of my daily prayers. Now, I pray daily this same prayer over my children, their spouses and their children (our grandchildren). The prayer is this, “Lord, make their path straight”.

Let’s connect that prayer to this physical truth…the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The Straight Path is the shortest distance between where you are and where you want to be. I began praying that prayer over my children when they were very small. I was asking God to limit the deviation from the straight line/path in my children’s life. I was asking God to keep my children on the straight and narrow road. Lord, make their path straight.

The straight path is the path of holiness, the pursuit of God. Jesus is the only man that never departed from the straight path. All of us have departed from the straight path that leads to the holiness and presence of God. It’s called sin.

My prayer (then and now) is not an unrealistic prayer that believes my family will never sin or depart from the straight path. No, my prayer is that God would reveal to us the truth, by giving us eyes to see clearly the road that leads to His presence. And if any of us have wandered from that straight path…we might repent and return to that straight and narrow road.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT)

25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

There is a wonderful thing about repentance. Repentance comes when God gives you eyes to see that you have departed from the straight path. Repentance gives us the vision and opportunity to return to the straight and narrow road that leads to the presence of God.

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NLT)

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

The straight path is a very difficult road for sinful man. The Spirit of Christ is our only hope of remaining on the straight path. Jesus warns us about the perilous outcome for those who depart from the narrow road that leads to God’s Kingdom.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Today, I share a spiritual truth…the closest distance between two points is a straight line. The Straight Path is the shortest distance between where you are and where you want to be, God’s Kingdom. It doesn’t matter where you are today…mark out a straight line, a straight path toward God. And if you find yourself stumbling outside that straight path…repent and return to the straight and narrow road. And there you will find rest for your soul and peace with God in our time of waiting.

I pray this prayer over the church at Ninevah today…Lord, make our path straight!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

“Leftovers” is a common word around Thanksgiving in America. Yes, even during a pandemic when we’re not supposed to have anyone over to share a meal. This word (leftovers) is used to describe that which cannot be consumed at the time of the meal, the gathering. These leftovers are not thrown away, they are carefully put away so they can be consumed later. Leftovers means there was more than enough.

Have you ever thought about Jesus in the context of leftovers? Have you ever thought about Jesus being and providing more than be consumed at the time of the gathering...more than enough? The Gospel of Mark reveals such an event with many leftovers. Actually, there were two such events with many leftovers.

Jesus supernaturally multiplied the available supply of food and fed 5,000 and they picked up 12 baskets of leftovers (Mark 6:44). Later, Jesus supernaturally multiplied the available supply of food and fed 4,000 and they picked up 7 baskets of leftovers. These two miracles were not a miscalculation by Jesus. No, the leftovers were a revelation for those who would see and hear the truth that was being revealed.

It was after these two supernatural feeding events that Jesus and His disciples got into the boat to travel to the other side of the lake. In that moment, after they had all seen how Jesus was able to supply not just enough, but more than enough that this next scene happened.

Jesus’ disciples had boarded that boat with only one loaf of bread. One loaf would not be enough for this group of men and they began to argue among themselves in the presence of Jesus. In that moment Jesus turns their attention to “yeast”, the ingredient that is used to make bread rise. Yeast is also a spiritual reference to sin.

Mark 8:14-16 (NLT)

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. 15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.” 16 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.

What is this yeast of the Pharisees and Herod? Do you know? They wanted a sign that would prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be. The signs were everywhere, but the religious and political leaders couldn’t see them. Jesus then warns His followers... “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod”.

Do you know about this dangerous yeast? Why did Jesus use this “yeast warning” while the disciples were arguing about only having one loaf of bread? Do you see it? Do you need a sign? Jesus uses this scene to reveal something that should strengthen all of us today.

Mark 8:17-21 (NLT)

Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?

18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all?

19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” “Twelve,” they said.

20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said.

21 “Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.

Can you see it today? Can you understand this event today? Do you need a sign? Jesus is revealing something to anyone and everyone who will see and understand. You don’t need another sign (the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod). The signs have already been given by Jesus and the testimonies have already been recorded. You are reading Mark’s testimony today. And what do they reveal?

Jesus is not just enough. No, Jesus is more than enough! Jesus is more than any of us could ever imagine and we don’t need Him to show us anything new to prove Himself to us today. The cross and the resurrection are all we need.

These guys are sitting in a boat with a man of unlimited supply and they are arguing because they only have one loaf of bread. These same guys saw Jesus feed the multitudes with a boy’s sack lunch... twice. How soon we forget about the leftovers. How soon we forget about the unlimited supply of our Lord.

Today, many are fearful because of this pandemic, the political chaos, and the potential for a coming economic collapse. Does Jesus need to give you a sign? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod! Jesus is more than enough. He even makes leftovers!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Today is my 64th birthday. Sixty-four years ago, today, I exited my mother’s womb and breathed outside air for the very first time. That was my birth...day, but that was not the origin of me. The beginning of me occurred some 9 months before when two became one. The seed of my father and the egg of my mother became one...two became one. That one was me and my life began. God had orchestrated the whole thing, and this is the physical reality of mankind. When two become one...they produce another one and life begins. God announced this physical order in the Garden of Eden when there were only two.

Genesis 2:24 (NLT) This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

This is the physical reality of all mankind. This is how life begins on planet earth. This is the reason there are some 7.8 billion people on the earth today. Parents (two) have children (one) and the children become one with the parents...it’s called family. This is how God has been adding life to planet earth for some 6000 years now. Two become one and life begins.

That’s the physical reality of how two (parents) become one and then the one (the child) joins the family of the two...becoming three. That’s the physical reality and that physical reality has a physical problem called death. All three (parents and child) come with an expiration date.

But that’s not the end of this two becoming one story. There is a higher and greater spiritual reality to two becoming one. The physical body of all mankind is subject to death, an expiration date. But what about the soul? Does the soul die? Does the soul expire when the physical body expires? Maybe the larger question is this...can the soul become one with another? Can the soul of man become one with the Spirit of God and what would that produce?

This is the greatest good news that has even come to the people of planet earth. The Creator has made a way for the souls of mankind to become one with God. Two can become one and this union doesn’t come with an expiration date. This union produces life, eternal life.

Sin broke the oneness and the union with God, but God has now made a way for the two to become one again. Mankind can become one with God and God is life without an expiration date. But how is this possible? His name is Jesus! Jesus came to make a way for mankind to become one with God...two become one and eternal life begins.

John 17:22-24 (NLT) “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

In the beginning...two became one and life began...it was called family. Sin brought death to the family and sin still brings death to the human family today. But what about the human soul? God’s mercy has made a way for us to become one with His Son by placing our faith in Him (two become one). This oneness with Christ the Son produces eternal life because it connects us to God the Father, the origin and Creator of life.

It's called faith. Faith in the One called Jesus. He came so that two could become one and this union would produce a family, God’s family. The children of God have become one with God through Jesus Christ the Son. All of this is recorded in a Book called the Bible. Some believe the Bible, and some don’t. That too is called faith.

John 20:30-31 (NLT) The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

64 years and 9 months ago...two became one and my life began. By the power and mercy of God I became a living soul. There was a time in my life (years later) that I became aware of my own mortality and the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed to me through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. By faith, on that day, I was born again, but this new birth was spiritual, not physical. This birth was the rebirth of my soul when Jesus and I became one. The two became one...and my forever life began.

Romans 8:10-11 (NLT) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.

11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Maranatha, Hosanna. Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

God reveals many incredible future scenes in the Book of Revelation. Two of those future scenes appear in chapter 11. They are both particularly curious and interesting to me. The first one reveals “Two Witnesses” that will supernaturally appear and preach in Jerusalem during the Great Tribulation. There has been much debate regarding the identity of these “Two Witnesses”, but that’s not my real topic for today’s letter. The second curious and interesting scene in chapter 11 is when God compares (figuratively) Jerusalem to “Sodom and Egypt” during this time of the Two Witnesses and The Tribulation.

And their bodies [the two witnesses] will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8 NLT)

Jerusalem, Sodom and Egypt...what could these cities/cultures reveal to us today? What could this Revelation of God reveal to us today? Why does God connect last day’s Jerusalem to Sodom and Egypt?

Let’s begin with Sodom. Sodom is the epitome of sexual sin and idolatry. This figurative comparison of Sodom comes as God is pouring out his tribulation wrath and judgment upon the earth, yes even Jerusalem. God destroyed the wicked city of Sodom during the time of Abraham, but the sexual sin of Sodom (homosexuality) continues upon the earth.

Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. (2 Peter 2:6 NLT)

But what about Egypt? Why would God compare Jerusalem to Egypt during the Great Tribulation? Egypt represents those who hate and persecute God’s chosen people. Egypt was the world’s superpower during the time of Moses, but God destroyed the nation of Egypt for their harsh treatment of Israel...as He delivered Israel from their Egyptian bondage. 

So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea.

28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. (Exodus 14:27-28 NLT)

Sodom represents the lust of the flesh (our human sin nature) that is revealed through sexual sin and idolatry. God’s wrath removed the wicked city of Sodom, but the lust of the flesh continues. Egypt represents the world’s hatred of God’s called-out people that has always led to their persecution. God destroyed the power of Egypt, but the hatred and persecution of God’s called-out people (the church) continues. 

But there is something else that connects Egypt and Sodom to the called-out people of God. There is something else that specifically connects Sodom and Egypt to Jerusalem and God’s coming judgment.

Do you know what it is? The desire to look back! Lot’s wife looked back to Sodom and she was destroyed along with the wicked people there. The children of Israel that God had delivered out of bondage looked back to Egypt and God destroyed that entire generation of men for refusing to follow Him into the Promised Land.

Let’s face it...our flesh is drawn to lustful pleasure, to sexual sin and idolatry. Let’s admit it today, our flesh sometimes wants to look back to Egypt, even though Egypt is a picture of spiritual bondage and suffering. Our flesh is not naturally drawn to God’s holy Jerusalem. Our flesh, our sin nature is drawn to Sodom and Egypt. That’s why we need a Deliverer! That’s why we need someone to set us free from sexual sin, idolatry and the bondage of sin and death that come from the flesh. The power of the Holy Spirit of Christ is the only power sufficient to overcome the destructive power of our sin nature and set us free from the life of sin and death.

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. (Romans 7:18 NLT)

That’s why we need a Deliverer. We need a Moses...someone who can set us free from Sodom and Egypt. We need someone who can deliver us to God’s Holy Jerusalem...the very place of His divine presence. This Deliverer is Jesus, and we must follow Him into the Promised Land of God’s presence. Moses warned the people of his day about looking back to Egypt and that same warning is for us today. 

Moses continued, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (Deuteronomy 18:15 NLT)

Moses revealed the coming Messiah-Jesus...You must listen to Him! When He calls you...you must listen to Him. Don’t look back to Sodom and don’t turn your face toward Egypt. Sodom and Egypt are both pictures of God’s wrath and judgment that is coming. Set your face toward the New Jerusalem, the very presence of God and the Promised Land for God’s chosen and called-out people. 

Yes, the sexual sin and idolatry of Sodom is advancing today. Yes, there will be hatred and persecution for all the chosen of God who stand for the truth of God in these last days, but we must never look back. Never look back to Sodom or Egypt!

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.

33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.

34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.

38 And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. (Hebrews 10:32-39 NLT)

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Physically blind people describe what they can see or perceive as darkness, absolute darkness. They cannot see or perceive any light. Is that also true for spiritual blindness? Is it possible that spiritual blindness is caused by the inability to see and perceive the light?

First, we must identify the light...that which spiritually blind people cannot see. What is light?

John 1:4-9 (NLT)
⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
⁶ God sent a man, John the Baptist,
⁷ to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
⁸ John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
⁹ The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

The Bible teaches us that there is a light that cannot be influenced by darkness. In fact, this light actually eliminates and overcomes the darkness. The Light has a name...Jesus...the Light of the World. The Light came into the world wrapped in human flesh some 2000 years ago. This Light is also connected to another name...The Word...the Living Word of God.  The Light and the Word cannot be influenced by the darkness.

The Light and the Word have the power to overcome and displace the darkness. But what would happen if someone rejected this Light and denied the Word that came into the world some 2000 years ago? Why would anyone reject the Light of the world and why would anyone reject the Word of God?

The Bible reveals a power of darkness that attempts to suppress the Light and deny the Word so that the people of earth would remain in spiritual blindness/darkness. The power of Satan is the power of darkness that leads to spiritual blindness. Satan represents the absence of God, the very absence of Light and Truth...those blinded by the darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT)
³ If the Good News [the Word] we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. ⁴ Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

This Light is the good news that opens the eyes of the blind by exposing them to the Light and the Word. This Word is the message of God that reveals Satan for who he really is...a thief and a liar. Satan wants to steal your Light by denying the Word which would leave you in the blinding darkness.

Do you know the ultimate message of Satan? Hate! Satan hates God and everything that is good and belongs to God. Satan hates the Light and Satan hates the Word. Satan is the adversary of God, the absence of Light and Truth (the Word). God is love and the gospel message of Christ is based on the love of God. The Light and the Word bring love into the world and the absence of the Word and the Light will leave the world in the blinding darkness of hate.

1 John 2:9-11 (NLT)
⁹ If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.
¹⁰ Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
¹¹ But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

Blinded by the darkness...the result is hate instead of love. The Light and the Word have a name and that name is Love. To reject this name and this love is to choose to live in the blinding darkness of Satan. Left unchanged, by the powerful Word and Light...this spiritual darkness will lead to an eternal darkness, a world without any Light and a world without the Word...because they had both been rejected.

Matthew 25:29-30 (NLT)
²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Thank God today for the Light...thank God today for the Word. They have taken away our spiritual darkness and brought us into the glorious Light of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Revelation 21:9 describes this scene... “Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

The seven bowls and the seven last plagues represent the wrath and judgment of God that is coming upon the lost world, those who have rejected Jesus as Savior and King. But, in this scene, that horrible event has passed and now, the angel reveals “the bride, the wife of the Lamb”. The Spirit then takes the Apostle John to a high mountain and reveals the beautiful “New Jerusalem”.

The seven-last bowls of God’s wrath and judgment have been emptied out. The seven-last plagues of the great tribulation have completed their purpose upon the earth and then the angel reveals the bride, the wife of the Lamb and the New Jerusalem, descending down like a bride prepared for the Bridegroom.

The battle is finally over. The wrath of God was poured our full strength on the earth. Judgment day has come and in that blessed final scene the angel tells the Apostle John, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb”.

Everything from that verse forward is glorious and wonderful. The angel describes and reveals the New Jerusalem where the Father and the Son will dwell among those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

The New Jerusalem reveals a new world order, under the absolute authority of God...where everything will be made new. “ Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:25-27 NLT).

Can you see it...the wife, the bride of the Lamb is in the New Jerusalem...like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband-Jesus. This is our hope today! God has revealed the future of the bride, the wife of the Lamb. No matter what happens...the bride, the wife of the Lamb will find her place in the New Jerusalem when everything is made new.

Many are feeling anxious and insecure with this current pandemic and political unrest in our country. But know this today...He will save His bride, the church! Yes, there may be hardships, suffering and even death for some believers, but in the end, He will save His bride.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NLT)

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen

Terry Cooper

Most Christians understand the idea that a “new life” awaits us in heaven, but what about today? What about this present life? Does God promise us a new life in this present world and what would that look like. What would it not look like? I’d like to address those questions today by looking at the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letter called “Colossians”.

Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

The new life of a believer no longer focuses totally on the things of this earth, but we fix our sights on the reality of our coming King and His coming Kingdom. Yes, we have to live on and in this present world that is filled with much trouble and sorrow, but that is not our primary focus. No, the primary focus of a new life believer is that which is to come. Christ has become our new life and that requires us to look forward to the coming glory.

This new life includes a new nature. The presence of the Holy Spirit will transform our sinful nature and give us a new life. There will be things in this new life that we can no longer participate in because our new life belongs to Christ. Those who have not experienced this new life will think us strange because their nature has not been transformed by the power of Christ.

Colossians 3:5 (NLT)

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

This new life in Christ is salvation and life itself. We receive this new life by receiving the Holy Sprit of Christ into our hearts. Jesus actually enters into us...bringing new life by His divine presence. The only way to survive the coming judgment of God is by putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let there be no doubt...the anger and judgment of God is coming upon this present world and all who have rejected this new life in Christ.

Colossians 3:6-10 (NLT)

6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.

8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Yes, there will be new and amazing fruit produced by this new life in Christ, a fruitfulness and faithfulness that you could have never imagined before you found this new life. This new life is producing a new nature and this new nature is shaping you into the likeness of God...becoming like Him, taking on the likeness of His Son, as He receives us into His family.

Colossians 3:11 (NLT)

11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

All that matters in this new life is JESUS. Because without Jesus, there is no new life in this present world and without Jesus there is no eternal life in the next one.

Find joy today in this new life that belongs to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, we may face difficult times in this present world, but know this...we have already received our new life. We’re just waiting for the new world to live it in.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Have you ever wondered why there is so much open animosity toward the Church and Christians these days? If you stop and think about it many of America’s hospitals and great universities were started by Christians. Today, the Church around our country feeds and shelters many of those forgotten and left behind by our society. There is so much good that comes from the Church in America. So, why the anger toward the Church, toward Christians?

It's the message, not the works! Behind the building of hospitals and universities was a message. Behind the plan to feed and shelter the homeless is a message. Let there be no doubt, all the works of the Church are based upon and motivated by the message.

Let me begin by summarizing the powerful message of Christ that promotes the works of the Church.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Go and make disciples. Baptize and teach them about the message of Christ and I (Jesus) will join you in this mission. When the Church went to make disciples through the message of Jesus Christ, they found sick people. So, they built hospitals. They found people without knowledge, so they built schools. They found the homeless, the hungry and the forgotten, and they reached out in love to meet their most basic physical needs. All of this was based upon the message. The works always came from the message.

Who could be against a group of people who build hospitals, universities, feed and shelter the homeless? Who could possibly stand against these wonderful works of humanity? It’s not the works, it’s the message.

The Apostle Paul declared this many years ago and I think it would be important for the Church to come to grips with this truth once more.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The world would desire the works of the Church without the message of the Church and many Churches today have fallen for it. There are many Churches today attempting to carry out their mission by suppressing the message so that the world might finally accept us. Is this possible?

Let me put it another way. There can be no Church without the message of Christ. If we surrender the message, we surrender the Church into the world that it was sent to save. The message is the power of the Church. The message is our treasure, and we cannot surrender our treasure in order to make friends with the world. To surrender the message is to deny the One that gave us the message in the beginning. The works of the Church without the message of the Church will leave the dying world in the darkness and we have been called and commanded to share the light. The message reveals the light.

1 John 1:5-7 (NIV)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Yes, this message will seem foolish to this dark world, but it is our treasure. We cannot advance the Kingdom of Christ while leaving the message of Christ behind. We must preach the gospel message of Jesus as we meet the physical needs of this world. But we must never compromise the message.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NLT)

5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

The message of Christ is our greatest treasure, and it would be foolishness indeed to not share it.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

A strange and significant thing happened about 13 minutes into this past Wednesday night’s Roots Class at NCC. We (the whole church) have been studying “Experiencing God” and we were in week #6 and the topic for that week was “God Speaks”.

I teach the large group session in the worship center while there are several other small group sessions meeting in the other parts of the campus. I was out walking around and talking to people before the session began when I struck up a conversation with one of our faithful members. We began talking about prayer and that conversation led into him having difficulty praying for our nation. I told him that I was also having that same problem. I was able to pray for the people of our nation to come to repentance. In fact, my wife and I attended the national call to prayer and repentance rally in Washington DC just a couple of weeks ago. But I have been unable to pray that God would restore our nation as a whole. We talked about how this same dilemma of prayer came to the Prophet Jeremiah right before God came to bring judgment on the Nation of Judah. God told Jeremiah to stop praying for the nation because it was too late. The nation had crossed the point of no return. Stop praying for them! That conversation was specifically based on the following Scripture.

Jeremiah 7:16-17 (NLT)

16 “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don’t beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you. 17 Don’t you see what they are doing throughout the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

That was not a particularly unusual conversation to have with a brother in Christ. The Holy Spirit was showing us the same thing and we shared it openly with each other. I did not find that conversation strange at all. What happens next was strange and significant! Remember the topic for that week was “God Speaks”.

About 13 minutes into my teaching session (you can go online and view it) God spoke through the Word and circumstances. I was making a random and unplanned illustration about listening expectantly for God to speak when you open the Bible to read it. At that moment I held out my Bible and randomly opened it up and randomly read the first verse that I saw. Guess what verse it was...Jeremiah 7:16. The same verse that we had talked about before I came up to speak. It didn’t just happen once, it happened twice. I’ll admit that I was stunned at how God had so powerfully and physically communicated something to me and to the church in that moment.

So, what does this mean? Yes, we should continue to pray for national repentance because there are some who will still come to Christ. Yes, we should continue to do everything we can to draw people across our nation back to faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. But I am firmly convinced, now more than ever, that our nation, like Judah of old, has crossed the point of no return. There is now no more remedy for the nation. There is no cure for the nation as a whole.

Jeremiah 30:12-13 (NIV)

12 "This is what the LORD says: "'Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing.

13 There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you.

I am almost certain that some people will read this today and become angry with me. Guess what? That’s exactly the same response they gave to Jeremiah when he delivered it some 2500 years ago to Judah. Anger, but why? They wanted Jeremiah to only preach good news. But Jeremiah was bound by God to preach the truth and the truth was this...the Judgment of God was coming upon the nation.

Today we live in an unprecedented time in American history. Our nation has crossed the point of no return and our nation is going to experience the judgment of God. Nobody knows the when, or the how, but God is clearly revealing that He will soon bring His judgment upon the nation that He established some 244 years ago.

This nation has been blessed beyond any nation that has ever existed on the earth. But this nation has now abandoned God. Sin is now applauded and celebrated and anyone who dares stand for truth is mocked and persecuted. Many churches have fallen into the darkness of sin, abandoned the Word and refuse to turn back to God. The blood of some 60 million aborted babies cries out to God while many, yes church people, openly support the right for a woman to kill their baby inside their womb. There is no remedy for this great national sin.

No election can remedy this. No supreme court can overcome this, and no president can stand against that which God has planned. Yes, this nation has crossed the point of no return. Yes, I will still vote. I will continue to pray and preach that many inside our nation will confess their sins, fall on their face and cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy through the blood of Jesus.

The political leaders of that day threw Jeremiah into a cistern to shut him up. They only wanted good news, but there was no good news...the judgment of God was coming, but they didn’t want to hear it. Today, many preachers have forsaken the truth and followed after the world, abandoning the spring of living water and building cracked cisterns that will never save anyone.

Jeremiah 2:11-13 (NLT)

11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the LORD. 13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

Do you know what happened after God told Jeremiah to stop praying for the nation? God sent an invading army into Jerusalem and overwhelmed it. Many died from the battle. Many died from starvation and sickness during the siege. Those who survived were carried off as slaves to a foreign land. The nation was utterly destroyed! There was no one to save them. They had abandoned the One that saves! Their punishment was the judgment of God. The New Testament Book of Hebrews gives us a warning today about the judgment of God that will come to those who turn their back on the blessed Savior, the Son of God.

Hebrews 10:29-31 (NLT)

29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The LORD will judge his own people.” 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Some will read today’s word and become angry and call me unpatriotic. Some will read it and mock me as simple-minded fear monger. But some will read it, seek the truth and cry out to God in repentance. I cannot determine the outcome of this letter, but I am compelled by God’s Spirit to write it.

Only Jesus can save us!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I find it interesting that our human calendars are marked by the first coming of Jesus. The world uses Jesus’ first appearance to separate human history into two categories, “Before and After”. Before Christ (BC) and After Christ (AD-anno Domini).

There has been a move for many years to change these dating methods to Common Era (CE) to refer to the time after Jesus, and Before Common Era (BCE) the refer to the time period before Jesus. These efforts to change our calendar descriptions come from those who refuse to accept the reality of Jesus’ effect on time.

Did Jesus’ first coming have any effect on time? Is Jesus the dividing line for all humanity regarding time? Did everything regarding time change when the Son of God entered our world in the flesh? Can the unbelieving world’s attempt to change the calendar dating methods erase Jesus’ effect on time?

How foolish would it be for those who have such a limited lifespan of time to attempt to erase the One that is eternal and with no limit of time? Yes, Jesus’ first appearance became the marker that separated our time of human history into two categories, before and after Jesus. Those 33 years of Jesus’ life on this earth have forever marked a time that will determine the future time for all mankind.

Jesus came to determine our time. No human can change or erase this truth. Jesus came to determine our time and yes, He is the dividing line for all humanity regarding time itself. Jesus will determine how much time each of us will be given.

John 3:16 (NIV)

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

One verse that has stood the test of time. One verse, one announcement from the Creator of time itself. One verse that spells out an unmeasurable amount of time called “eternal life”. God gave His only Son to the people of earth so that us mortals would no longer have to live in the fear of running out of time.

Did you notice the word “mortals”? Jesus came into the world of mortals. Jesus came into a world of dying people. Everyone was dying when Jesus came to the earth. Everyone one earth was running out of time before Christ (BC). Mortals are subject to death and now some mortals are trying to erase Jesus from the way we measure time itself. Can mortal man erase the immortal God? How foolish!

Today, I suggest that all of us mortals read this message (below) delivered by the eternal Holy Spirit of God through the Apostle Paul. Don’t just read these words but meditate on them and write them deep inside your heart. These words describe why we would never erase Jesus from our time. And by the way, the next time Jesus comes...there will be no more need to measure time because it will be labeled “forever”.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NLT)

50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!

52 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.

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Today, the Jews around the world will celebrate the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur even though many of them are under a Covid-19 lockdown. Yom Kippur falls 10 days after the Jewish New Year, celebrated by the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah. Today is the 10th day of the new Jewish year 5781 (Tishrei 10). Today is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement. God established this annual Day of Atonement as a time where the High Priest would purify himself and enter the Most Holy presence of God to seek forgiveness for the sins of the people of Israel.

In the time of Moses, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place of God’s presence (behind the veil of the Tabernacle) and offer a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The ten days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement are called the Days of Awe. It is the time of spiritual preparation...when the people return to God through repentance. Repentance is the physical and spiritual act of returning to God.

Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)

15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.

These past 10 days are referred to as “The Days of Awe”. Ten days to repent and make peace with God before the Day of Atonement comes. These are the Days of Awe because they would determine your position with God in relation to the Day of Atonement. Those who have confessed and repented of their sins will find peace with God on the Day of Atonement, but those who refuse to return and repent...will find His divine judgment instead of His divine forgiveness and peace through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Jeremiah 3:21-22 (NLT)

21 Voices are heard high on the windswept mountains, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s people. For they have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten the LORD their God.

22 “My wayward children,” says the LORD, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the LORD our God.

It is very interesting, yes providential to me that 54 people from NCC joined thousands and thousands in Washington DC this past Saturday for a time of repentance and prayer. We took this journey and participated in this time of national repentance and prayer during the Days of Awe.

This past Saturday, Franklin Graham called the church to national prayer and repentance while Jonathan Cahn spoke to the nation about “The Return”. The Return is the physical and spiritual act of Repentance. Both of these events took place in our nation’s capital during the Days of Awe. A time of preparation, prayer, and repentance before the Day of Atonement.

Today, I’m asking the believers who call NCC their home church, or anyone who receives this message to take the time to watch this prophetic word from Jonathan Cahn, given to the nation this past Saturday in Washington DC. Take time today, on the Day of Atonement to watch this 39-minute video and use this time to prepare, pray and repent before God. You can click this YouTube link to watch: https://youtu.be/uDSWBSSbIYA

Acts 3:19-23 (NIV)

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Should a Christian be confident in their salvation? Is it boastful or arrogant to be confident, to be sure that we have been saved from sin and death? These are important questions for believers today. What does the Bible say about these questions?

Let’s begin with salvation itself. We are saved from sin and death by putting our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior…confessing Him as the Son of God. The Bible says we are saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The grace of God reveals the Word of God-the Gospel to the lost world. When the lost world believes the Word (which reveals the person of Christ) …it’s called faith.

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

The NIV Bible uses the terms “sure and certain” to describe our faith. The NASB Bible uses the term, “assurance of things hoped for”. Confident sure and certain assurance! Does that describe your faith? If you are not confident and sure about God’s promises…do you have genuine faith?

That brings up the real reason for today’s word. Is there a difference between confidence and arrogance? Yes! Confident faith is being sure and certain that God is going to keep His promises, keep His Word. This confidence is not based on self, but on God and God alone. This is genuine faith.

The Apostle Paul experienced much suffering and hardship in his calling to follow Jesus. Sure and certain confidence (faith) is what kept Paul from yielding to despair in his time of suffering and prison. Paul was confident that Jesus was able to keep His promises, keep His Word.

2 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)

12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

Paul was in prison because of his confident faith in Jesus. Paul’s confidence was not in self. Paul’s confidence was in the all sufficient power of Christ. Paul realized he couldn’t save himself and neither can we.

But something happens in our time of trial and suffering. Our human pride and arrogance begins to develop our arrogant plan to save ourselves…taking our eyes off of our real Savior. Paul writes about this arrogance to Timothy and to the church.

1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

There are many things that we can put our hope and trust in today. But only Jesus can save us from ultimate enemy, sin and death. Our wealth can’t save us. Doctors or governments can’t save us. Religion can’t save us and yes many are trusting in religion to save. There is only One that can save us…Jesus! The Pharisees practiced religion, but John the Baptist called them snakes. The Pharisee’s put their hope in their lineage as the Children of Abraham, but John revealed the truth about that false hope as well.

I encourage you to read this encounter between John the Baptist and the religious folks of that day carefully as you ask yourself this question. Is my faith genuine? Am I confident in Jesus or is my confidence in self?

Matthew 3:7-12 (NLT)

7 But when he [John the Baptist] saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?

8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

Repent of your sins…that is to turn away from sin and any hope of saving yourself.

Turn to God…trusting in the person of Christ to save us on the last day.

John described the approaching Savior of the World. He would come with a winnowing fork to separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat represents those who have repented of their sins and turned to God (placing their confidence in the name of Jesus) …giving up all hope in saving themselves. The chaff represents the arrogance of those who have put their trust and hope in self to save them on the last day…they will experience the never-ending fire of hell.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

There is only One that can save us from sin and death…Jesus, the Son of God. We rejoice in Him. We put our confidence in Him, not ourselves. He alone is worthy! He alone can save us on the last day, and everyone has a last day.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Have you ever wondered why or how people could have possibly hated Jesus? What was it about Jesus that had people plotting His murder? His teachings were always filled with love and mercy. Who could be against love and mercy? His teachings were about reaching out to the least of these. Who could be against that type of selfless generosity?

There are several occasions, even before the cross, that the crowd tried to kill Jesus, but were unable to do so. Jesus was in his hometown of Nazareth when He opened up the Isaiah scroll and read it out loud in the presence of the people. After reading it, Jesus announced that He was the One who had come from heaven, from God, to fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah.

Luke 4:17-18 (NLT)

18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”

Good news for the poor. Who could be against that? The captives will be set free and the blind will see. Who would be against that? The oppressed will be finally free. Would any of that make you want to murder someone? Do you know what the people of Nazareth did after Jesus revealed His divine mission to them that day? They tried to push Jesus over a cliff. But why? Why the hate? Where does that come from?

The Gospel of John reveals two separate times that the people tried to stone Jesus to death (John 8:59 & John 10:31). But why? In these two scenes Jesus revealed that He personally knew Abraham (who would have lived some 2000 years before Jesus) and that He was the very Son of God (God in the flesh). But why stone him? Why murder Him? Why not just ignore Him if you don’t believe Him? What would make them hate Jesus so much that they would be willing to commit murder?

The answer to this question goes all the way back to the beginning of time itself. Yes, you can find the answer in Genesis, but you can also find it in one of the New Testament letters from the Apostle John. John actually quotes the Genesis story...to reveal the answer. Why do people hate Jesus and why do they also hate Jesus’ followers?

1 John 3:11-13 (NLT)

11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

There you go...that’s the answer to that very old question. God has created us and called us to love one another but there is another force at work on the earth. There is another spirit that is leading people in another direction, with another purpose and it’s not love, but hate.

Cain belonged to the evil one, Satan. Cain is a picture of all those who hear the Word of God and then reject the light of truth...choosing to walk in the darkness of hate. Cain belonged to the evil one, a different spiritual father.

Abel belonged to God. Abel is a picture of those who hear the Word of God and walk in the light of that truth. Abel belonged to God, the true spiritual Father. Abel represents all those who love and are loved by God.

These two sons of Adam represent the two roads of life. One road walks with God and toward God. The other road walks in sinful rebellion against God and away from God.

Love comes from God, not man. Satan (the other spirit) has corrupted the heart of mankind and left us unable and unwilling to love. Love comes from God, not man. We will never know love, experience love or be able to give love without God’s transforming power in our lives through Jesus Christ the Son.

That’s why the world hated Jesus. The world doesn’t know love because the world doesn’t know Jesus. The world was and is under the power of Satan and Satan is a murderer who is without and unable to experience love. The absence of love is death and to deny love is to commit murder in our own heart. This is why we must love others with the love of Christ!

1 John 3:14-15 (NLT)

14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

If you are in Christ today know this...you have already crossed over from death to life. The love of God dwells inside you and this love will always be stronger than hate. But John also tells us, “Don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” Jesus gave us the same revelation.

John 15:18-19 (NLT)

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

What part of the Gospel message of Christ could make people hate Jesus or His followers today? Our message is love and mercy. Our message is salvation, forgiveness and freedom. Who could possibly be against any of that? If you don’t believe it, just ignore it. But why all the hate? Where does it come from? Jesus revealed the source of hatred and lies...the other father, the other spirit.

John 8:44 (NLT)

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Cain belonged to the evil one and followed the dark road of hate and murder. Abel belonged to God, walked in the light with God. Abel walked in the way of love, but Cain hated Abel! Why?

Cain murdered Abel because Abel chose that which was right. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Cain hated his brother Abel because Abel chose a different way than his. Jesus is the way that the world has rejected. Today, Jesus is our different way and Jesus has commanded us to love even those who persecute and hate us because we follow Him. This love will prove that Jesus is who He says He is...and it will also prove that we belong to Him.

John 13:34-35 (NLT)

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

The NIV translation of the Bible uses the word “tingle” 3 different times. They are all found in the Old Testament. All three applications are connected to a revelation of warning and a time of coming judgment from God. This warning of God about the coming judgment will make the ears of those who hear it “tingle”.

The first Biblical application of “tingling ears” comes in the time of the Judges, before Israel had a king. The Priest of God at that time was Eli and there was a young apprentice working under Eli, named Samuel. This was a dark time in the nation of Israel. This next verse describes the reason for this dark time.

1 Samuel 3:1 (NIV)

1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

The Word of the Lord was rare in those days. It is in that context that God calls young Samuel with a message that will make the ears of those who hear it “tingle”.

1 Samuel 3:11 (NIV)

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.

Remember, this word “tingle” is only used 3 times in the Bible. What is so big that will make their ears tingle? God was going to come in judgment against the Priest Eli. But why? Eli failed to take a stand against evil. That was one of the primary responsibilities of a priest of God. Eli’s sons had become evil and Eli refused to take a stand against their evil. So, God stepped in to bring judgment. The Lord reveals this ear tingling message to young Samuel.

1 Samuel 3:11-14 (NIV)

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.

12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family--from beginning to end.

13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.

14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"

The Lord brought His righteous judgment against the house of Eli because Eli, a priest of God, refused to take a stand against evil. Yes, even in his own family. The Word of God had become rare and Eli was complicit.

The second application of tingling ears comes in the time of the kings. The King of Judah at that time was Manasseh. King Manasseh was rotten to the core.

2 Kings 21:3-6 (NIV)

3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them.

4 He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem I will put my Name."

5 In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts.

6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

King Manasseh lived in open and rebellious idolatry and if that was not enough, he sacrificed his own son (innocent blood) to these false gods to try to gain their favor. God is about to make their ears tingle.

2 Kings 21:12-13 (NIV)

12 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.

13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.

This ear tingling announcement of God was the beginning of the end for the nation of Judah and Jerusalem. That brings up the final application for the word “tingle”. Just a few years after the time of evil King Manasseh the prophet Jeremiah comes on the scene in Jerusalem. Jerusalem and the Holy Temple will be totally destroyed during the time of Jeremiah.

Can you guess what sins were being committed against God in the time of Jeremiah that brought this final application of tingling ears? Idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood!

Jeremiah 19:3-5 (NIV)

3 and say, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.

4 For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned sacrifices in it to gods that neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.

5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as offerings to Baal--something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.

Some of you might wonder what this has to do with us today. Can you see it? Are your ears tingling right now? The Word of the Lord has become rare today. Many preachers refuse to take a stand against the evil of our day. We are called to be the Light that holds back the darkness. But many are silent, and the Word of the Lord has become rare. Can you see the idolatry (modern day materialism) and the shedding of innocent blood-abortion? Are your ears tingling?

Jeremiah took a public stand against idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood. The Word of the Lord was not rare in Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah spoke the Word publicly and guess what happened to Jeremiah?

Jeremiah 20:1-2 (NIV)

1 When the priest Pashhur son of Immer, the chief officer in the temple of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things,

2 he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the LORD's temple.

The priest (Pashhur) had the prophet Jeremiah beaten and put in stocks. Why? Because Jeremiah’s ears were tingling while the rest of the people refused to listen. Are your ears tingling today?

There have been some 60 million children sacrificed to the altar of self in America since 1973. America has traded the One True God for idols that are crafted by their own hands (materialism) and the Word of the Lord has become rare. Many preachers have become silent and complicit. Are your ears tingling? How did you expect the Lord to respond?

Psalm 32:6-7 (NLT)

6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

We are living in a time when “strange and shocking” seems to be a daily occurrence. There are strange and shocking things happening every day now. Unprecedented political chaos, lawlessness, injustice, pending economic collapse and all in the midst of a pandemic. In fact, people are getting so use to these strange and shocking events that they are no longer strange and shocking at all. This is when the trouble really comes...when strange and shocking becomes the new normal and the new normal blinds the people to the strange and shocking changes that are taking place all around them.

The Bible describes a strange and shocking event that has taken place in the past and is also occurring in our present day. The people of the past reached a point that the strange and shocking transformation of their society became the new normal and the people could no longer discern the truth about normal and abnormal.

This strange and shocking event happened when a people (Israel) that once knew and worshipped God turned their back on God and worshipped the works of their hands (idols) instead of the One that delivered them out of the bondage of Egypt.

These three verses below describe how Israel lived before this strange and shocking change came to their land.

Jeremiah 2:1-3 (NLT)

1 The LORD gave me another message. He said, 2 “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the LORD says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.

3 In those days Israel was holy to the LORD, the first of his children. All who harmed his people were declared guilty, and disaster fell on them. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

That’s how it used to be. That was normal, but something slowly began to change. The people seemed to forget about God while they lived in their success and prosperity. They stopped listening to God and started worshipping their stuff, instead of the One that gave them that stuff.

Jeremiah 2:4-6 (NLT)

4 Listen to the word of the LORD, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel! 5 This is what the LORD says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves. 6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness— a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’

This is when the Strange and Shocking event is realized. It isn’t realized or seen in Israel. No, it is realized and announced from heaven. Israel can’t see the strange and shocking change that has taken place in their land, but heaven sees it. Heaven declares this strange and shocking event.

Jeremiah 2:10-12 (NLT)

10 “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone ever heard of anything as strange as this? 11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! 12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the LORD.

It takes a lot to shock the heavens! The heavens are appalled! This is indeed strange and shocking. The nation of Israel had traded in their Glorious and all-powerful God for a new one and this new one is worthless and powerless. This is a strange and shocking event.

Can you see it? I see our nation doing the exact same thing today. Many today are trading in their Glorious all-powerful God for worthless idols, cheap substitutes. This is a strange and shocking event. Can you see it? It’s not strange and shocking if you can’t see it, if you don’t even notice/realize it.

The result of this strange and shocking abandonment of God today will be the same as it was in the time of Israel. Two evils! Two strange and shocking evils will bring ruin to the people who have abandoned their God.

Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)

13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

I find our current American cultural trends to be strange and shocking, but I don’t see them changing any time soon apart from a great spiritual awakening and revival. I’m afraid that this has become America’s new normal. The heavens are shocked, but America has settled into this new normal. But there is one giant problem inside this new normal. Cracked cisterns don’t hold water. We will die of thirst without this water.

John 4:10-14 (NLT)

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

This Covid-19 pandemic has brought much anxiety and fear to mankind. Are we in the final hours of the last days referred to in the Bible? Many people are now asking questions about biblical prophecy, about the antichrist and the coming tribulation. Should Christians be fearful about the coming antichrist, the mark of the beast or the time of wrath that will come to the earth during the reign of the antichrist? I would like to address those anxious questions by revealing the truth from the Bible itself, our absolute source of truth.

The Bible clearly states that there is a supernatural force that is currently holding back the man of lawlessness (the antichrist). There is a Light that is currently holding back the darkness. Jesus refers to that “Light” as the “Light of the World—the Church” (Matthew 5:14). The Church is the body of Christ and His eternal light shines from within His Church (John 9:4-5, John 8:12). The Church is currently the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit filled Church is the only power sufficient to hold back the approaching darkness, the coming power of Satan that will be manifest in the antichrist, the man of lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2:5-6 (NLT)

5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?

6 And you know what is holding him [man of lawlessness-the antichrist] back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.

We see lawlessness breaking out in the streets of many American cities today. Our Kentucky Senator (Rand Paul) and his wife were threatened by a mob in the streets of Washington DC just this past week. Lawlessness seems to be breaking out everywhere!

There is currently a supernatural power on the earth that is restraining this lawlessness, preventing its unlimited expansion around the earth. That power is the true Holy Spirit filled Church of Jesus Christ...the Light holding back the darkness. But one day, the Lord is going to remove that restraining power from the earth by suddenly taking His Church into heaven. When the Light of the World departs, the darkness will take over the earth...bringing unrestrained evil, destruction and chaos called the great tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NLT)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

Yes, I believe this caught up (rapture) event of the Church will take place before the man of lawlessness is revealed and empowered by Satan. I base that statement on the Holy Scripture.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 (NLT)

7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. 9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.

Yes, this pandemic is real and yes, the lawlessness is frightening and expanding. Yes, the Church may have to experience a time of great suffering and hardship before that trumpet sounds and the Lord comes for His bride. But I’ve got some really good news today. The Bible tells us that we are not destined for God’s anger and wrath. No, we are destined for His glorious salvation! Our eternal future has been secured through the blood of Christ, our Redeemer and Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NLT)

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

I pray that you find encouragement in these promises of God today. We live in unprecedented times, but the Lord has told us in advance how all this is going to play out in the end. No man knows the day or the hour that Jesus will call the Church into His presence, but the true Church will have a sense that the time is drawing near. How will we know? We are the CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT, and the Light of Christ will reveal that we are getting very close.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 (NLT)

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Be encouraged today. Allow the Light of Christ shine brightly in your lives during this time of approaching darkness. Be strong and very courageous because all of God’s promises belong to the children of the Light.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Do you think you are living in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic by accident? Do you think it’s just bad luck that you live in the time of political chaos, extreme lawlessness while churches seem to be abandoning the Word of God? Is it possible that we are living here on this earth at exactly the right time in human history and all of this is part of God’s marvelous plan?

Let’s face it, no one wants to live in a time of calamity or hardship. It breaks my heart to see kids walking around in masks. It sickens me to turn on the news and see riots and looting in the streets of American cities. But what about the timing? Why now and why us?

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah was born into such a turbulent time. The nation of Judah was about to fall under the judgment of God. No one would want to be living during the time that this great judgment of God was coming to Judah. It is in that moment that God reveals something to Jeremiah that should help each of us to understand our place and time in the world today.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NLT2)

4 The LORD gave me this message:

5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah didn’t know it, but God had formed him, brought him into existence for this very moment in human history. God was going to use Jeremiah in a powerful way to reveal himself to the nations before and during the time of calamity. Was this calling or timing easy...NO! Was it important that Jeremiah understand this divine calling and timing...YES! The calling of Jeremiah and the time of calamity around Jeremiah became a very heavy burden, but it was all part of God’s divine and holy plan.

God didn’t just appoint and raise up Jeremiah for a certain time, God also supernaturally equipped Jeremiah for that appointed time of calamity.

Jeremiah 1:6-10 (NLT2)

6 “O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

7 The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.

8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

9 Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!

10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”

The message of God to Jeremiah was not a message that the people wanted to hear, but God’s justice and mercy required the message to be spoken to the people. The message of God was heavy, but the Word of God was clear...VIOLENCE and DESTRUCTION were coming. It looks like Jeremiah tried to hold that heavy and dreadful message back, but the supernatural power of God was stronger than Jeremiah. Jeremiah was born for this time...God had raised him up for this very moment in human history.

Jeremiah 20:7-9 (NLT2)

7 O LORD, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me.

8 When I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the LORD have made me a household joke.

9 But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

The people of Judah tried everything to stop the Word of God from coming out of Jeremiah’s mouth, but they couldn’t stop him. They threw him in a deep cistern to shut him up, but God delivered him out of the dark hole. Jeremiah lived through a great time of suffering and he watched VIOLENCE and DESTRUCTION fall upon Jerusalem. In the end, Jeremiah survived the fall of Jerusalem.

Some of you might wonder what this ancient story has to do with us today. God is still raising up people for such a time as this. You and I are not alive today by accident or coincidence. We are here as witnesses of God, for such a time as this. He has placed His Holy Spirit inside of us to reveal His Word to the world in this present time of political chaos, Covid-19, extreme lawlessness and to the church that is struggling to hold onto the Word of God. This is our time, and this is our mission. This should be and can be the finest hour of the true church of Jesus Christ. We are the Jeremiah’s of this generation. The Apostle Paul declares it to each of us today:

2 Timothy 1:8-10 (NLT2)

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

My prayer for the church today is this...may the words of Jeremiah be our words today... “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

We live much of lives in a hopeful expectation of “the next time” or putting off important or urgent decisions that seem difficult or heavy in the present time. The next time I’ll get that promotion. The next time we’ll stop there and do that. We’ll take time for that issue the next time...we’ll deal with that the next time.

This next time comment is always based on the expectancy of having more time. That bring me to my question for today. Will there always be time for a next time, a chance to do what you could have or should have done this time? The Book of Hebrews talks about a next time event for Jesus that defines time itself.

Hebrews 9:27 (NLT)

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

It’s a truth that cannot be denied...each person is destined to die and after that comes judgment. It’s the next verse (vs. 28) in Hebrews that reveals the ultimate reality of the next time.

Hebrews 9:28 (NLT)

28 so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Jesus left this planet some 2000 years ago to take his place at the right hand of the Father in heaven. As Jesus was leaving, rising into the clouds from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, angels revealed the next time to his watching disciples.

Acts 1:9-11 (NLT)

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

These two angels described the next time Jesus will come to the earth. The Book of Hebrews says this next time will not be to deal with sin, but to bring salvation. Jesus dealt with our sin the first time. The next time will be to bring salvation...but salvation to whom? This is a really big point of truth...salvation to whom? To all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Do you know what separates these eagerly waiting people from the rest of the world? They are called believers...believers that believe that Jesus’ first time coming was to pay the ransom price of their sin. They are now forgiven and free...their sin debt has been paid in full by the blood of the Lamb. For believers, there will not be any need to deal with their sin the next time Jesus comes. The next time will be to bring salvation and reward for all those who are anxiously and eagerly waiting for the next time.

May these final words from the Apostle Paul (before he was executed) help us to understand the joy of the next time.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

That same Book of Hebrews warns all mankind about the fatal error of waiting too long for the next time.

Hebrews 3:12-15 (NLT)

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.

13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

15 Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Are you content in your current situation? Are you satisfied with your life right now? What about during a pandemic...are you content and satisfied? Is that even possible? The answer to these questions is found in the Bible. Let me explain.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Church at Philippi while he was in a Roman prison. How could anyone be content and satisfied in prison? Wrongly accused in prison, at that! How? That is the SECRET that I want to discuss today.

Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Paul learned the secret of contentment. Contentment isn’t based on having plenty. Contentment is based on knowing the secret root and source of contentment. Do you know the secret and its source? Paul’s letter wasn’t written to keep the secret, but to reveal the secret to others. So, what is the secret of contentment and how does a person come to know this secret?

I can give you a hint...the secret wasn’t revealed in a time of ease and comfort. No, the secret was revealed in a time of suffering and hardship. Are you sure you want to know the secret of contentment? Listen to how Paul describes his life in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:24-27 (NLT)

24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

How is it possible for suffering and hardship to reveal the secret of contentment? Do you know? Has the secret been revealed to you? The Apostle Paul was called by God to reveal this wonderful secret of contentment to the Gentile world (non-Jewish people).

Ephesians 3:8-9 (NLT)

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

What is the endless/eternal treasure that Paul was chosen to reveal to the world? What is this mysterious plan that was kept secret from the beginning and how does this secret bring contentment during a time of hardship and suffering? Do you know this secret? This secret is usually revealed in times of suffering and hardship...that’s when the secret is unlocked by glory.

Colossians 1:24-27 (NLT)

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.

26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.

27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

There it is! That is the secret of contentment. Do you see it? “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you.” Yes, Christ and His message have always been opposed by the world and that has always brought some level of suffering and hardship to the followers of Christ. That is when the secret is truly revealed by glory. We do not suffer alone! This is the contentment, and this is the peace that passes human understanding. Yes, we share in the suffering of Christ, but we do not suffer alone.

1 Peter 4:12-14 (NLT)

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” I have that Scripture hanging on my wall. That Scripture doesn’t mean I can do anything and everything I want to do? Some people has misinterpreted that verse. I can’t fly, I can’t dance, and I will never compete in the Olympics in gymnastics. That is not the meaning or context of that verse. That verse is given in the context of suffering and contentment. That verse describes what happens to a person when the secret is revealed by glory. We do not walk alone in times of suffering and hardship...Christ lives in us. Even in the valley of the shadow of death....Christ lives in us. This is the Secret and now, its not a secret anymore.

Romans 8:17 (NLT)

17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Yes, Covid-19 is a plague. Webster’s dictionary defines a plague as, “an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality...pestilence.” Covid-19 is called a pandemic, which means this plague has affected the entire world. As Christians, we believe that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of mankind...so we must then also believe that God has either initiated this plague Himself as a judgment, or He has allowed it to happen as a judgment. Either way, God is now and will always be in absolute control.

This is not the first time that God has used a plague to bring judgment and reveal his absolute authority to mankind. God brought 10 plagues upon Egypt in the time of Moses. Is there anything to be learned from those 10 Egyptian plagues today? Is there any spiritual application to our current pandemic?

As we study the Holy Scriptures, we find that the first 3 plagues (water to blood, frogs, gnats) seemed to affect everyone, the Egyptians and the Hebrews alike. But something supernatural was going to happen at the fourth plague of flies. God tells Moses to clearly announce His desire for the Hebrews to gather to worship Him...do not prevent my people from worshipping me or the fourth plague will come, but this time with a difference.

Exodus 8:20-21 (NLT)

20 Then the LORD told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand in Pharaoh’s way as he goes down to the river. Say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 21 If you refuse, then I will send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people, and all the houses. The Egyptian homes will be filled with flies, and the ground will be covered with them.

This 4th plague will be different than the other three, this plague will only come upon the Egyptians. The Israelites will be spared.

Exodus 8:22-23 (NLT)

22 But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I am present even in the heart of your land. 23 I will make a clear distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.’”

The Lord, through Moses, told Pharaoh that the next plague would come if he refused to allow the children of God to go, gather and worship. Can anyone see a modern-day pandemic parallel here? Pharaoh refused to let the children of God go and worship and the plague of flies came...followed by the plague of dying livestock.

Exodus 9:1-5 (NLT)

1 “Go back to Pharaoh,” the LORD commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

2 If you continue to hold them and refuse to let them go, 3 the hand of the LORD will strike all your livestock—your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—with a deadly plague.

4 But the LORD will again make a distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel’s animals will die! 5 The LORD has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.’”

God made a distinction between those who belonged to Him and those who refused to belong to Him. It looks like God totally protected the children of Israel from plagues 4-10, even though the Bible doesn’t specifically say He protected them from the plague of boils and locust (plagues #6 & #8).

Everyone in the land experienced the first three plagues of God, but then God’s mercy began to make a distinction between those who belonged to Him and those who refused to acknowledge Him. Could this possibly have any application to us today?

It has always been interesting to me that God’s final plague, before the Passover deliverance, was the plague of darkness. You’ve heard it said that it is always darkest before the dawn. When plague #9, the plague of darkness came, it was not dark in Goshen. They could see in Goshen. There was light in Goshen. Goshen is where the children of God lived, and they could see the light in Goshen.

Exodus 10:21-23 (NLT)

21 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” 22 So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. 23 During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.

Three days of absolute darkness followed by the blood of the Lamb...the 10th and final plague. Can you see the light today? After three days of darkness...the blood of the Lamb would conquer death....death would Passover the children of God.

Matthew 20:19 (NLT)

19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Can you see the light in the midst of this great plague today?

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (NLT)

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Yes, even the children of God (Israel) had to endure the first three plagues, but God made a distinction between those who belonged to Him and the light began to shine in Goshen. God’s desire today is much like His desire in ancient Egypt. This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

I’m not sure what and how much the church will have to endure before the Lord comes to take His children, the bride of Christ home. I don’t know how much of this plague and future plagues/sufferings the church will have to endure? But I do know this...God makes a distinction between those who are His children and those who are not. The Blood of the Lamb is that distinction!

Revelation 3:10-13 (NLT)

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. 13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. JESUS CHRIST...THE LAMB OF GOD

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Moses wore a mask! Well, I think they actually called it a veil, but it served as a mask. Not to protect him or others from a mysterious virus, but to protect others from the glory, the illumination. Do you know about the mask of Moses? The Bible tells us that Moses spent 40 days in the glorious presence of God on Mount Sinai. I ask you to read (below) what happened when Moses departed from the glorious presence of God and made his way back down to the people of Israel.

Exodus 34:29-35 (NLT)

29 When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD. 30 So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. 32 Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil.

34 But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the LORD had given him, 35 and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the LORD.

Moses got the glory of God on him! Moses experienced God’s illumination. The glorious presence of God illuminated the face of Moses...so much so that it brought fear to the people that looked upon Moses’ radiant face. The people were afraid to come close to Moses...so Moses wore a mask to quiet the fears of the people.

Moses had encountered the glory of God and Moses carried the Word of God to the people, written on stone tablets. The result was illumination and that illumination was frightening to those who had not yet been illuminated. The same is true today. The New Testament reveals the new illumination of God. I ask you to read about this new illumination and notice the mask/veil is also mentioned here.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (NLT)

7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! 12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.

13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Moses wore a veil to protect the people from the glory. The illumination was frightening to those who had not yet experienced the illumination. The church now operates in the new way of the Spirit. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory (vs.13). The Spirit of the Lord cannot be veiled! Jesus told us to let this light shine. The church is the light of the world and we don’t hide or veil this light...bold illumination!

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

The Apostle Paul tells us that Satan is actively working against the illumination of God. Satan wants to keep the light hidden behind the veil, blinding people and keeping them in the darkness. Sometimes it looks safe in the darkness, but that darkness is the enemy and absence of light.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT)

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Today’s email is not a covert attempt to influence people to wear or not wear a mask during this Covid-19 pandemic. No, my message today is not covert at all. I’m warning everyone, everywhere to seek after and operate under the illumination of the Spirit while there is time, because the darkness is approaching at great speed. The darkness is Satan’s attempt to veil the illumination, but the Spirit of Christ cannot be veiled.

1 Peter 2:6-9 (NLT)

6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” 8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

It may sound strange coming from a preacher, but I love a good murder mystery. Of course, I’m referring to the fictional ones. I think I’ve seen every “Columbo” that has ever been made and some of them more than once. Columbo always had a special “wisdom” that allowed him to solve the mystery. He saw things that others couldn’t see. There is something about unraveling a mystery that intrigues me. That brings me to today’s topic...the ultimate murder mystery revealed.

Let’s face it, from a human perspective Jesus was murdered. He was an innocent man who was put to death by some jealous Jews who convinced the Romans to go along. At least that’s the human perspective. But what really happened and what is this mystery behind the murder of Jesus?

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NLT)

7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

The Apostle Paul helps us unravel this spiritual mystery. This was a plan of God from the beginning, yes even before the world began. The rulers on earth didn’t understand the mystery...if they did...they wouldn’t have murdered the Son of God. So, what is the mystery and why did God plan the death of His Only Son?

Ephesians 1:9-11 (NLT)

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

That which seemed like murder, was actually the fulfillment and good pleasure of God’s mysterious and marvelous plan. The death of Jesus would be followed by a supernatural resurrection and ascension into glory. This was a mystery to everyone involved. But why? Why the murder and why the resurrection. Why was this God’s good pleasure? How was this murder going to unite us with God and how was this murder going to bring glory to Jesus? Do you know the mystery...has it been revealed to you?

Let’s begin to unravel the mystery of Jesus himself. Let’s start with glorious Jesus...does this help?

1 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

Not enough? Do you need still more clues to understand this murder mystery? Is it possible to understand this murder mystery without God’s help?

Ephesians 3:3-5 (NLT)

3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

God, through the Holy Spirit has revealed this ultimate murder mystery of Christ to the Apostles and prophets. Maybe their writings can reveal it to us today. Do you know this mystery? Can it be solved by humans today? Check out the next verse...

Ephesians 3:6 (NLT)

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

“God’s plan-God’s children”...there’s the clue. Did that help? Have you had your Columbo moment yet...murder mystery solved? God’s children belong to Christ Jesus. Who are they? What did the murder of Jesus have to do with the promises of God to Abraham, to Israel? And how did Jesus’ death open up the covenant promises of God to the whole world?

Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

OK, enough clues. The real reason I like murder mysteries is they are always solved and revealed at the end of the show. I wouldn’t like any of them if the mystery was left unsolved. So here goes...this the ultimate murder mystery revealed.

Colossians 1:26-27 (NLT)

26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

The death of Jesus Christ was not a murder at all. It was a sacrificial offering made by God the Father. The Lamb of God had come to take away the sins of the world. Jesus voluntarily laid down His life to redeem us from the grave, from the great power of sin and death. Opening a way for us to become the family of God, the children of God, who belong to Christ.

This great act of mysterious love has now made a way for anyone (Jew or Gentile) to be made right with God through faith. Faith is believing that all the mysteries of God have been revealed through the Son-Jesus. Faith in Jesus makes us the children of God. This is the ultimate murder mystery revealed.

John 1:10-13 (NLT)

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Welcome to the family of God...mystery solved.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Are some things “inevitable”? Are some events ordained by God and unstoppable? If so, where does that put believers when the inevitable begins to take shape? The Bible is filled with prophecy, God’s revelation of future events that are inevitable. Inevitable because they are announced and established by God. Unstoppable because they are not under the authority of man, but of God. So, where do we fit inside these prophesied inevitable events?

The Apostle Paul reveals some future inevitable events regarding the church that will operate in the inevitable last days. Let me give you a couple of examples.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

Is this “last times turning away from the true faith” inevitable? The Holy Spirit has revealed the future to the Apostle Paul…many in the church will turn away and follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. Is this inevitable? If so, where do believers fit inside these prophesied inevitable events.

Let me give you another inevitable example from the Apostle Paul to the last days church.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NLT)

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him.

2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.

3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

The Apostle Paul tells us that there will be a great rebellion against God, a falling away, an apostasy inside the church before the true church is gathered to meet Jesus. Is that inevitable? Is that prophesied falling away of the church unstoppable? If so, where do believers fit inside these inevitable events?

Perhaps the best answer to this very deep and troubling question is found in the Words of Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus’ death was inevitable because it was God’s holy plan to redeem mankind from sin and death. The Scriptures had prophesied this inevitable world changing event. Jesus answers the question…where do believers fit inside these prophesied inevitable events?

Mark 14:21 (NLT)

21 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

Some inevitable events of prophecy are wonderful, and some are horrible. The death of Jesus on the cross was wonderful. His death brought life to all who would believe in the power of His name. But that same inevitable event was also horrible…for the one (Judas) who would betray Him as the inevitable prophecy was being fulfilled.

Yes, today, some things are inevitable and unstoppable. Some are wonderful and some are horrible. Jesus is coming! The Antichrist is coming! Can you see the wonder and the horror.

Can you see the prophesied trouble around us today…some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

Woe to the one through which the rebellion/apostasy comes! It would be better if they had never been born. Woe to the one through which the evil enters, and is spread to others, to children. It would be better if they had never been born.

Matthew 18:6-7 (NLT)

6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

I remember someone asking Wayne Smith a question before he died. They asked Wayne what the church needed most in these difficult times. Wayne’s answer was “Encouragement”. Today, I would like to encourage you. But I want to set the standard for today’s encouraging word. Real encouragement must be based on truth. Don’t encourage me with a lie, a guess or your opinion...I want truth! Encouragement based on a lie will ultimately bring discouragement and disaster. Today, my encouragement will be based on Truth.

Do you know when a person has the greatest need for encouragement? When they are overwhelmed and afraid of the challenge that lies before them. Encouragement is to inspire someone with courage. The church today needs to be inspired with courage...to be encouraged.

I begin with the story of Moses and Joshua. How would you like to walk in the shadow of Moses? That was the story of Joshua for much of his young life...before God’s anger broke out against Moses and the people who were still in the wilderness. In that anger, God told Moses that he was not going to be allowed to enter or to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Instead, Joshua was going lead them in. Can you imagine how overwhelming that call would be to Joshua? Then God tells Moses to do something very specific for Joshua...”ENCOURAGE HIM”...inspire him with courage.

Deuteronomy 1:37-38 (NLT)

37 “And the LORD was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, ‘Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land! 38 Instead, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will lead the people into the land. Encourage him, for he will lead Israel as they take possession of it.

Moses carried out God’s instructions and encouraged Joshua. This encouragement was based on truth, not emotions or opinions. This encouragement was based on God’s will and God’s way...not Moses’. It looks like Moses tried to negotiate this transfer of power with the Lord, but finally accepted this command of God to encourage Joshua instead...inspiring Joshua with courage.

Deuteronomy 3:26-28 (NLT)

26 “But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. ‘That’s enough!’ he declared. ‘Speak of it no more. 27 But go up to Pisgah Peak, and look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River. 28 Instead, commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.’

So, how can this background of truth from the Word of God encourage us today? Can you guess? First, we have history to help us see. Everything God promised to Moses and Joshua came true exactly as promised. Moses did encourage Joshua and Joshua did lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. You might be reading this right now and say that you’re very happy for Moses and Joshua, but you don’t quite see how that encourages you in your present life circumstance.

Do you understand that God has made some very specific promises to you about entering the Promised Land through Christ? Do you know that God has specifically revealed an encouraging truth to Christians in these last days? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is also referred to as The Good News of Jesus Christ. Good News is always the antidote to discouragement! Good news about the very certain promises of God are the greatest cure of discouragement and despair.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 (NLT)

1 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,

2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,

3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. 4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.

Troubles have come to our land, our world (pandemic and lawlessness), and the Good News still stands firm. The promises of God regarding the Promised Land called Heaven still stand...just over the Jordan River. This encouraging Word of Truth comes directly from the Lord. This time delivered via the Apostle Paul instead of Moses.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NLT)

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

This particular encouragement of God about our coming Promised Land called Heaven is based on truth, but it only works on believers. This truth only encourages the believers who actually believe it. Did it work on you? Are you encouraged? Are you inspired with courage?

It was the powerful promise and presence of God that delivered Joshua and the children of Israel into the Promised Land. It’s called faith! Joshua believed God and was encouraged by the Truth of God’s Word. God promised and God delivered! The same still holds true today.

Joshua 1:7-9 (NLT)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

It is highly unlikely you will find this type of encouragement in isolation. That’s why this Truth from Hebrews 10:25 still applies today, even more today...as we see the day of His return drawing hear.

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Be inspired with courage today!

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

Lawlessness...not restrained or controlled by law...illegal. That’s how Webster’s dictionary defines the word. Every civilized society finds its origin in the establishment of laws by which the people must live. These laws define right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. These laws create an environment where people can live peaceful lives, in harmony with each other and the government that has been put in place to establish and enforce those laws.

Most of us have watched “Wild West” television movies that depict a time in American history when there was “lawlessness” in some remote western towns. The absence of law and law enforcement (a sheriff and a judge) brought chaos to the people of those western towns. Those TV programs usually revealed a brave sheriff that would come to town and bring law and order. That brave sheriff would run off the lawless rebels and bring peace to the struggling town. At least, that’s how it works on TV.

We are watching the emergence of a great lawlessness...not restrained or controlled by law. Some have now come to the conclusion that laws are the very thing that limit their freedoms. Some have concluded that they can and should form their own groups and establish their own laws...based on the consensus of their group. There is a group in Seattle that has taken over part of the city and established their own laws...running out anyone that refuses to submit to their new self-ordained authority. This is starting to look like an old western movie. Where is the sheriff, where is the judge? Where is the law and order? Can justice come from lawlessness?

Where does this lawlessness come from and where will this lawlessness take us as a nation/world? Can right come from lawlessness? Can justice come from lawlessness? Can you see it? Can you see the signs? Do you believe in signs? Do you think it’s a coincidence that this lawlessness comes while we are experiencing a worldwide plague? Do you think it’s a coincidence that this lawlessness comes while our nation/world, and even some churches, have abandoned the laws of God which determine right and wrong? Can you see it? Can you see the signs? Do you believe in signs?

The Apostle Paul reveals the events that lead up the return of Christ to this earth. Paul says the return of Jesus will be like a thief in the night. But then Paul announces something very curious and amazing. Can you see it?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 (NLT)

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

The above Scripture comes immediately after the Apostle Paul reveals how Jesus is going to come in the clouds to take His bride, the church (the rapture). Jesus will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night to some, but not to everyone. Some people will be able to see and know because they live and walk in the light of Truth, the light of Christ. They won’t know the exact day or hour, but they will know the season. They will see and understand the signs. This is how Jesus describes those who will have eyes to see...

Luke 21:28 (NLT)

28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

One of my spiritual heroes is Bob Russell. Bob has been a clear and consistent voice of truth in our generation. God has given him eyes to see and Bob has a unique way of communicating biblical truth. Bob published his weekly blog online last night and I would like to share it with you today. It is shown below exactly as it was published. As you read it, I ask you this question...can you see?

Satan’s Master Plan...by Bob Russell

Written on June 21, 2020

Most people underestimate the power of the devil. We imagine the prince of darkness tempting a grade school boy with pornography or enticing a high school girl to cheat on an exam. He does that…and does it well. But the Bible refers to Satan as “the prince of this world” and “the god of this age,” He offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” if He would just bow down and worship him.

Satan’s ultimate goal is world dominion. Our adversary is a fallen archangel who has some supernatural power. He knows his time is short and is determined to kill, steal, and destroy as much of God’s creation as possible before he is thrown into the fiery pit prepared for him and his minions. In the meantime, the father of lies is making every effort to drag as many people into hell with him as he can.

The second chapter of 2 Thessalonians provides a glimpse into Satan’s master plan and helps make sense of recent events. The current world chaos is too well orchestrated to be mere coincidence. It speaks of an evil, sinister force working behind the scenes to counter God’s desire for peace and goodwill for all men. Not all students of Bible prophecy would agree with my interpretation. Yet the scripture warns, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Second Thessalonians 2 prophecies that in the last days a villainous world-leader, whom Paul identifies as ‘the man of lawlessness,” will ascend to power out of nowhere. “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

In my childhood, I heard preachers insist that someday a devious, charismatic leader would usher the world into a global economy and a universal religion. This Satan-inspired tyrant would promise peace and safety but lead the world into chaos and war. Anyone who resists him would be ineligible to buy or sell anything and be bullied into submission.

That idea is based on several Scriptures. The prophet Daniel wrote, “The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood” (Dan. 9:26) The Apostle Paul calls him “the man of lawlessness” who is “doomed to destruction” (2 Thess. 2:3-4). The Apostle John predicted, “the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour”(1 John 2:18). In Revelation, he’s identified as “a beast coming out of the sea,” “… the dragon (Satan) gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority,” “the whole world was astonished and followed the beast” (Rev. 13: 2-7).

Commentator David Guzik explains, “The Antichrist will look wonderful, be charming and successful. He will be the ultimate winner and appear as an angel of light. In this sense, the Antichrist will be a satanic messiah instead of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.”

So today, when I hear conversations about “A New World Order,” “Global initiatives,” “International law,” and “social revolution,” my spiritual antenna goes up. When the World Health Organization shuts down the entire planet for weeks with a warning of a pandemic, it’s evidence of how receptive the world is to universal oversight. It also demonstrates how vulnerable we are to embracing a charismatic leader who would promise assurance in a time of panic.

The Bible teaches the antichrist’s efforts to establish world peace will be as futile as the tower of Babel was in the days shortly after Noah’s flood. Since he’s opposed to the one true God, the man of lawlessness is “doomed to destruction,” and Jesus will overthrow him, “with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming” (2 Thess. 2:8).

I’m inclined to believe several current events are Satan’s preparations for the soon-to-surface man of lawlessness.

(1) The breakdown of law and order. “That day will not come until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2 Thess. 2:3). Who would ever believe that a handful of anarchists could occupy six blocks of a major American city, including a police station, and the police vacate the premises and allow the subversives to take over? Or that city councils would seriously entertain defunding the police? There’s a widespread disrespect for civil authority.

(2) The inversion of truth and falsehood. “God sends them a powerful delusion so they will believe the lie” (2 Thess. 2:11). The Bible warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Church gatherings are dangerous and unimportant; massive protests are exempt and essential. Immoral behavior is celebrated; Biblical commands are derided. The racism of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, is ignored, while Christopher Columbus is trashed because of his racist beliefs. What inconsistency! Satan is the father of lies and the master of deceit. “So all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thess. 2:12).

(3) The elimination of nationalism. According to Acts 17:26-27, God established national boundaries for our good and our protection. Yet, for globalism to succeed, nationalistic pride must be eliminated. There seems to be a concerted effort to destroy America’s spiritual heritage, tear down heroes, and denigrate anyone who is patriotic. Revolutionaries are poised to welcome a new, more equitable system than the one offered in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

(4) The final prerequisite to a one-world government is the rapture of the church. “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time” (2 Thess. 2:6). Jesus predicted in the last days, “many will depart from the faith” and “because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold.” Paul warned the time would come when preachers will not put up with sound doctrine but will just say what itching ears want to hear.

Early efforts at re-gathering the church following the pandemic shutdown have not been encouraging. It’s estimated an average of only 33% have returned to worship. In the last days, the church will be so weakened by compromise that most members won’t be able to distinguish between God’s truth and Satan’s lies. They will endorse Satan’s irreligious agenda and get sucked into the lie that humans can save themselves through international cooperation and social engineering.

In the end, the small remnant of believers who would offer strong resistance to the antichrist will be abruptly raptured by Christ and taken out of the world. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed” (2 Thess. 2:7-8). When the Holy Spirit, living in the hearts of believers, is taken out of the world, the strongest resistance to Satan’s scheme will be removed, and the way paved for him take control.

But the good news is, “The Lord Jesus will overthrow (him) with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” After a brief and bloody reign, the antichrist is doomed to destruction, along with those who have worshipped the beast. Then every knee will bow to Jesus Christ as Lord. And “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you…” (2 Thess. 2:15).

END of Bob Russell’s blog

My sermon yesterday (“Right and Wrong”) and my planned sermon for this Sunday, (“No Hope”) June 28, both focus on the same thing that Bob Russell wrote about in his blog. Coincidence? Can you see?

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen,

Terry Cooper

King David is the most revered king in the history of Israel. In fact, God declared David to be a man after His own heart. King David had a heart that closely represented the heart of God. Take a moment and think about that statement of God.