The days of the Son of Man
Due to the confusion by many man-made doctrines and teachings about the rapture, God’s people must listen carefully to our Savior’s own words. Jesus said, (Luke 17:26-36 NKJV) “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: “They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
“Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; “but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
“Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. “Remember Lot’s wife. “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. “I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. “Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. “Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”
Take up the cross, die to the self
The days of the Son of Man” only mentioned twice by the Lord, it is like “the day that Noah entered the ark” and “the days of Lot”, “They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built” this indicates a likely pre tribulation event.
Verse 33 is both warning and requirement, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” This is the same as the cost of being a disciple, but without help from the holy Spirit, we are likely to miss it. Jesus’ words on the cost of following him and discipleship are exactly the same.
- (Matthew 10:38-39 NKJV) “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
- (Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- (Mark 8:34-35 NKJV) When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
- (Luke 9:23-24 NKJV) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
I know these verses for a very long time, but it wasn’t until recently I realized Luke 17 verse 22 to 37 described the rapture. Verse 33 clearly echoes Jesus’ warning for those who want to get saved but not live for him: “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Those who take his words seriously will take up their cross daily, die to themselves, then live for Christ. They are the believers in Luke 17:33 who want to lose his lives for Jesus’ sake.
The Bible repeated 4 times to emphasize there 2 types of people with different purposes of life in the churches. One type want to escape hell, another want to live for Jesus. Those who focus on salvation will not been interested in doing God’s will, they have their own plans, but the end will be tragic. See Isa 30:1 (NIV) “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;
Only the disciples are saved
Our Savior’s message is consistently clear: repent and become his disciple. He warns that those who refuse to obey will not enter the kingdom of heaven; instead, they will be burned as he made it clear in John 15:6.
(John 15:5-8 NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
The message is clear: only those who remain in Jesus are saved. These disciples take up their cross and die to themselves daily, so they can live for Christ. Here Jesus told us the evidence of doing so is, “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” To “remain in me” means to walk in the will of God. Without surrendering our own will and seeking the Lord’s will/plan on a daily basis, would result in no instruction on how to do His will (the daily bread), then it would be impossible to remain in Jesus.
These warnings are hidden from “whoever desires to save his life”, because such individual seek an escape of tribulation and hell. They may attend churches and read the Bible regularly, and yet still missed God’s will in his life. They can always find enough scriptures to justify their lack of faith and “man-made salvation”. They are lukewarm in revelation 3:16-17 who “do not need a thing”. Their deceived by self-righteousness and sees no need for confirmation from the Lord.
Grief for sin
Jesus warned us against too much self-confidence, (Luke 18:11-13) The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself in this manner: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men— extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers—or even as this tax collector. I fast twice in the week, and I give a tithe of everything that I gain.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat himself on the chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’
The main difference between these two men lies in their awareness and attitude towards sin. The Pharisee perceived his own righteousness, thanking God for “saving” him from hell. In contrast, the tax collector, though lacking extensive knowledge of scripture, recognized his sin and sought to change. But what can we learn from this parable and how can we apply Jesus’ teaching in our daily lives? We can teach ourselves or learn from each other on earthly subject, but not spiritual things. It has to come from God because Jesus said, “for you have only one teacher, the Christ!” Those who are called to teach have to die to themselves first. Then, Christ may live in them, what they speak would no longer from themselves anymore. They will imitate Christ, just as Jesus said in John 8:29, “…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.“
Besides, we know it is written; (1 Peter 4:11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. However, many teachers have no fear of the Lord nor respect for his word, they cherry picking scripture to prove their own ideas, they are only serving themselves. God’s people have to remember Acts 20:30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Therefore seek the Lord for discernment always, because we have “only one teacher, the Christ“.
We should spend more time in learning how to listen to his voice, as the Lord said, “My sheep listen to my voice.” It is not easy, Psalm 28:1 explicitly remind us the danger of not hearing,, “I will cry to You, O LORD; my Rock, do not be silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit.” It is not an exaggerated statement at all. Asking the Lord to teach us and guide us should be the primary purpose of prayer. Do not reject God’s word. Ask the Lord for instruction so that we may not become “like those who go down into the pit”. Below are four passages about sin;
Warning for sin
(Matthew 5:29-30 NKJV) “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
(Matthew 18:8-9 NIV) If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
(Luke 13:1-3 NIV) Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
(John 8:23-24 NIV) But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
The Lord’s teachings are vital but rarely explained properly from the pew. We have to ask the Lord to “teach me, guide me, show me” how to practice them, for so many have been fed with watered-down gospel, leading to a lack of ability to detect sin. Those who have not yet died to themselves are not led by the Spirit; they still walk in the flesh, deceiving and being deceived.
Our Savior’s tear
I was meditating 1 John 3:7-9 for two days, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
These words are profound, especially at these last days. Our Savior is warning us right now through the Scripture, “Little children, let no man deceive you.” Let us set aside our own concerns and focus on the heart of Christ. How many tears did our Savior has already shed for those who perished due to deception? It is painful for the Lord to watch his little children shipwreck their faith because they are insensitive to sin. How sad it is that so many of His little children are unprepared for the day of the Son of Man!
Our Savior is sad because his children don’t go to him for knowledge and truth, only for healing when they are sick. God seems too distant, so they don’t feel His presence or power every day. They may not even respond if Jesus were speaking now (Revelation 3:1-3) I know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die. For I have not found your works complete before God. Therefore, remember what you have received and heard, and hold on to this, and repent.
It is convenient to rely on man rather than seeking God with all the heart, the result is being deceived all the time. The flesh can’t see First John, (2:20 NKJV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. Many people only had it for a very short time, like those foolish virgins. Due to fake news and false teaching we are all deceived as verse 26 outlined the main purpose of this letter; These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. The truth is very simple we either walk in the light or darkness, to do God’s will or own plan. There is no third option. 1John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. This is the true gospel from the Lord that every fake brother hate. They will never pray like psalm 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
The anointing is the holy Spirit, Spirit of Jesus, he does only the will of God. To live in him must imitating him to do God’s will. Chapter 2 verse 3-6 (NIV) We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
In order to imitate Jesus we have to pick up the cross and deny the self, walk the narrow road, then we will have the anointing and know the truth. There is no easy alternative, only a few find it as Jesus said (Matt 7:13-14); “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Take heed the warning for the foolish virgins; Matthew 25:10-13 (NIV) “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
There is a self-checking method at the last chapter; 1John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. When we do God’s will, we walk in the light, we will have what we asked of him. False teacher and those walk in the flesh will not have this confidence.
His is speaking today
One morning, The Word came to me; (John 10:11-15 NASB) “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Today, the body of Christ largely missed this message and failed to distinguish between good shepherd and hired hand. We desperately need to come back to the good shepherd as time is running out.
One week later another word came to me; (Ezekiel 14:12-14 NASB) Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord GOD. This word is true and relevant today, it will come to pass. Remember it is written; (Galatians 6:7) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
It is written; (1 Timothy 2:1-2) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. But what have we done? We did not take it seriously. So few people have any fear of the Lord, and understand Isaiah 66:2, “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” We are called to “walk out your salvation with fear and trembling“. Now, listen, (Psalms 32:6) Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
Let no man deceive you
God’s people must wake up and listen to His Word, “let no man deceive you,” “Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God“. All believers have been deceived first by our own flesh and others as well. For instance, if you ask how to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. The answer is most likely opinions from man who has little or no fear of the Lord! It’s rare to get advice encouraging you to pray and seek God, like (Psalms 86:11 AFV) Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. The fear of God must come from Him, not from the flesh.
The large numbers of hired hands causing many essential biblical truths go untaught, distorted, or ignored. For example, how should one take up the cross, deny oneself, and live for Christ? How to deal with sin, listen to Jesus’ voice, and be filled with the Spirit? How can one know God’s will for everyday life and carry it out? These topics are excluded from the pews today, as most congregations show little or no interest.
Lots of sheep are deceived and become lukewarm and spiritually dead as Jesus said in Revelation 3:15-19 )
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Many people have been studying and learning from hired hands. They have attended the visible churches for decades without experiencing God personally. They are not able to hear Jesus’ voice for they embraced too many man-made doctrines that “tickling the ear”. But this may not be unusual for God’s children, for we all go through different stages of being deceived in our spiritual walk, but we have to keep seeking and .doing his word in Luke 13:24 (NKJV) “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Jesus is speaking again, today, right now; Rev 22:12-16 (NIV) “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Therefore, focus on Jesus and his word only, pray and seek him for direct guidance, because He said, “for you have only one teacher, the Christ!“. The evil ones do not want you to know this. On the other hand, there many nice people who do not know the oracles of God, they often twist apostle Paul’s letter to justify their sin. As it is written; (2 Peter 3:16 NIV) He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. However, it doesn’t mean they are the enemy, God’s people walk in the flesh from time to time, and we all need to repent.
Let Christ be my Teacher
Recently, the holy Spirit showed me how to let Christ be my teacher. Here are the main points;
1. Whenever reading the scripture, don’t assume I know what it means, ask the Lord to teach me.
2. Be patient in waiting for an answer and meditate the word always, as it is written,, (Psalm 4:4) Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
3. Practice what is written and what we pray.
Now take psalm 119 verse 1 to 12 as an example, the goal is to actively engage the Teacher in all our reading and studying or praying.
(Psalms 119:1-4 ASV)
Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
- Praying the Psalms will edify and build up the heart, soul, spirit and mind with true knowledge from God. It’s foolish to ignore them.
- The flesh can not comprehend much as these words are more of spiritual than earthly. Even if my spiritual man (inner being) learned something, my mind may not be able to explain. Now I can understand a bit more why Jesus said, “for you have only one teacher, the Christ!” It’s not possible to learn from any man.
- Therefore I have to ask the Only One Teacher to teach me these verses. This can be similar to 119:33 to 37, “Teach me, O Lord, … Give me understanding, … Direct me in the path … Turn my heart … Turn my eyes …” These are patterns or template we can follow in learning God’s word.
- Only Jesus can teach me how to seek him with the whole heart. Whoever rely on man or their opinions will likely end up in tragedy.
- I can ask like Psalm 13:3; Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
(Psalms 119:5-8 ASV)
Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!
Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.
- If my heart and soul truly understand the meaning of verses 1 to 4, then I will observe God’s word and have respect for all his commandments. It will not happen overnight, have to keep praying and meditating.
- I have to tell the Lord I still don’t have proper respect for all the commandments and needed help. Like Psalm 139:23, 24; “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. “
- Always wait for the answer, and meditate (Psalms 46:10) “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
- Cry out to him when we don’t hear, (Psalms 28:1) I will cry to You, O LORD; my Rock, do not be silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit.
(Psalms 119:9-12 ASV)
Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.
- These four verses summarized how to complete the born again process. Young man refer to all who come to Christ and started new life, that life depends on God’s word. Have to ask the Lord teaching us how to practice with the heart. For example psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
- Seek and love God with all your heart is the most important commandment, but men are not able to keep, I have to ask our Savior, only he can teach me and guide me, “Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.” Man-made religion wants to convince you not to worry about this, in the end those deceived will live like such commandment never exist.
- Keep God’s word in our heart is essential so that we might not sin. It is through reading and meditating God’s word diligently. The Teacher is always there, I can choose to ask the Lord “teach me to laid up your word in my heart”. However I could not see this before.
- For centuries, many have been deceived into a state where they become numb to sin, leading them to perish in their sins. They die in their sin due to the inability of seeing the truth from scripture that Jesus is the Only One Teacher. Only he can teach us how to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
- When praying psalms, very often we don’t really mean it, or even remember what we say. I have to ask Jesus to teach me overcoming this tendency and practicing what I pray.
Now let us continue to pray psalm 119 from 13-44 (AFV)
With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.
I will meditate upon Your precepts and have respect to Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul breaks for the longing that it has for Your judgments at all times.
You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who go astray from Your commandments.
Remove cursing and reproach from me, for I have kept Your testimonies.
Even though princes sat and spoke against me, Your servant did meditate on Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.
My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and You answer me; teach me Your statutes.
Make me to understand the way of Your precepts, and so shall I speak of Your wonderful works.
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth; I have laid Your judgments before me.
I cleave to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame.
I will run the way of Your commandments for You shall enlarge my heart.
Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with all my heart.
Make me to walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in them.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from seeing vanity; give me life in Your way.
Fulfill Your word to Your servant, so that You may be feared.
Turn away my reproach which I fear, for Your judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after Your precepts; give me life in Your righteousness.
Let Your mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even according to Your salvation, according to Your word,
That I may have an answer for the one who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your judgments.
So shall I keep Your law continually forever and ever.