But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 NKJV. The end is near, written in the early 60’s while Nero was ruling as the Caesar, this strong encouragement from the apostle Peter is even more relevant 1,956 years later here in 2016. Persecution of Christians was widespread (1 Peter 4:12); it is even more so in our day. Immorality, lawlessness and extreme self-centeredness marked Peter’s day and our society worldwide has out done them. King Jesus said the end times would be like this saying, And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 NKJV. So the Word of God says; And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV. PRAY & LOVE!

TRANSITIONS

Everything changes, we are always changing, the weather is always changing, and lives circumstances are always changing so we are ever in the process of change, transition. Spiritually we are going from glory to glory as we transition into the likeness of the Lord. Transition is not change for the sake of change, transition is moving from one point to another. It is going forward, not backward! GOD is taking us somewhere…

He was loyal, faithful and committed. He was a disciple, a student of The Word. He loved Jesus, leaving all to follow Him. He was courageous, strong and impulsive. He walked on water at least for a few moments. Saw miracles, heard The Words of Life, was given a new name after a profound confession of faith. He said no matter what he would follow Jesus even if it meant dying.

Today most of Christendom is commemorating what has commonly become known as the “Triumphal Entry”. All four Gospel accounts detail this moment in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The event takes place a week after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). As the Jewish historian Josephus records close to 3 million would be in Jerusalem at this time for the Feast of Passover. Many of these have heard of Lazarus being raised to life and many were there when it happened. Now as Jesus makes His way on foot toward Jerusalem a large throng follows Him. Along the way King Jesus stops to give sight to the blind. He makes His way to the Mount of Olives from where the following day He will descend down into the Kidron valley and up to the Golden Gate to enter the Temple grounds. His entrance through the eastern, or golden gate, of the temple grounds riding on a donkey, the way paved with palm branches and the garments of His followers. As He enters through this eastern gate significant prophesy is fulfilled; Daniel 9:24-25 and Zechariah 9:9-10; each one marking the event and foretelling the future yet to come. The day of His entry is also the exact day that the Passover lambs were taken into each household… JESUS, The LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world, John 1:29… this is the way to the Cross and His sacrificial death (Colossians 2:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:23-26). Then comes His resurrection and exaltation (Romans 4:24-25; Ephesians 1:19-23). Here is Luke’s account of this the Triumphal Entry!

There is another realm that co-exists in the realm we know and experience daily. The Word of God calls it the heavenly realm or heaven-lies. This realm is the invisible realm of reality that surrounds our present daily situation. It is the arena or sphere of spiritual action and activity were world affairs are being determined. If we could visibly see into this realm we would see the church seated all around our exalted King Jesus seated at the right hand of God (Ephesians 2:1-10) were He wields all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Over us is the banner of God declaring we are His army. As we hear our Commander and Chief directing and as we quickly respond in obedience things shift in the heavenly realm and God’s will is released on the earth. Can you envision it?