Christ’s Coming in Proverbs - Joel Killion Inner Life Ministries
The subject of the "end times" is a hot item in Christendom. Billions and billions of books have been written over the last couple of years that parrot dozens of view points, many of which contradict the pure essence of Scripture. Christian television is saturated with "prophecy gurus" who propagate various, traditional, politically-correct perspectives, which have used sensationalism, emotionalism and fear to prey upon ignorant, unsuspecting, immature "believers". Yet the school of thought upon which they minister is entirely cross to the nature and Word of King Jesus.
The god of this world has religiously invented an entire system of error that irresponsibly gives planet earth over to the kingdom of darkness. As a result, many so-called Christians have become so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good. Being rapture-ready, they have put their Christian walk on cruise-control, desiring to GO UP (into the "sky") without GROWING UP (into Christ). This kind of thinking has crippled the Church, turning it into a weak, anxious, cowardly, humanistic system; over and over again it has proven to be that which has nothing whatsoever to do with Christ and His Kingdom.
Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth" and "Ye are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16, KJV). He did not say "Ye are the salt of Heaven" or "Ye are the light of Heaven." There is a reason why He has placed us in "the earth" and "the world". Satan would like nothing more then subtly rid "the earth" and "the world" of "the salt" and "the light" that Christ is in and through His family. For over a century, he has tried to mislead the Body of Christ into believing his lies by ONLY requiring men to be "saved" and "hold on".
But some are beginning to GO BACK TO THE SCRIPTURES to judge the doctrines of religious men. Like the Bereans, they are studying to show themselves approved unto God, NOT MEN (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15).
It is time for all "Christians" everywhere to take ANOTHER look at the Coming (appearing) of the Lord. Let us all be forewarned: If we have nailed down our beliefs so tightly that they cannot be confronted and pulled up (if necessary), then we have become un-teachable and therefore useless to the King and His purpose. Let us then become and remain that which is pliable, at all times, in the hand of the Teacher " He will lead us (IF we are willing) into all Truth.
A careful study of Proverbs is a good place to start when seeking an adjusted, Christ-centered view of the Coming of the Lord. What you are about to read is a careful, concise look at each and every verse in Proverbs that sets forth, through precept and principle, the foundation of the restoration of the Truth in this area of study. We are going to use a number of Bible Translations in order to unfold each verse in a way we should all be able to hear it. As you read through each Scripture, you will notice that God has authored specific principles which He cannot contradict. And as you progress, take special notice of the repetitious nature of each concept and remember: When God wants to emphasize something, He REPEATS Himself.
Now, let us beginďż˝?
Proverbs 2:21-22, King James Version: 21 For the upright shall dwell IN THE LAND, and the perfect shall REMAIN IN IT. 22 But the wicked shall be CUT OFF from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted OUT OF IT.
Proverbs 2:21-22, Amplified: 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the men of integrity, blameless and complete [in God's sight], shall REMAIN in it; 22 But the wicked shall be CUT OFF from the earth, and the treacherous shall be ROOTED OUT of it.
Proverbs 2:21-22, the Message: 21 It's the men who walk straight who will SETTLE this land, the women with integrity who will LAST HERE. 22 The corrupt will LOSE their lives; the dishonest will be GONE FOR GOOD.
Proverbs 2:21-22, Young's Literal Translation: 21 For the upright do inhabit the earth, And the perfect are LEFT in it, 22 And the wicked from the earth are CUT OFF, And treacherous dealers PLUCKED OUT OF IT! [Note: It does sound like there will be a "rapture" after all, but not for the righteous. Selah]
Interestingly, this verse uses the same wordage as the following verse:
Hebrews 12:26-27, King James Version: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, yet once more, signifieth the REMOVING of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may REMAIN.
A great shaking is underway on the earth and in the heavens. When all is said and done, who will be left standing and who will be found among those who have been "cut off"? The apostle Paul spoke of a people "which are alive and REMAIN unto the coming of the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:15, KJV); these are those who have united the entirety of their lives to the Kingdom of God, which cannot be shaken. Therefore, they are not interested in evacuating the planet, seeing that God has given them the following promise:
Proverbs 3:25-26, King James Version: 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being TAKEN.
Note: Many tend to base their doctrines on "good-ole-Gospel-music"
instead of the Word of God. One Gospel song, which I heard sung on more than one occasion, was "Goodbye World Goodbye" by Hovie Lister. Here is a stanza from that song which clearly contradicts Proverbs 3:26:
"Now don't you weep for me when I'm gone
for I won't have to leave here alone
and when I hear that last trumpet sound
my feet won't stay on the ground.
I'm gonna rise with a shout gonna fly
gonna rise with my lord in the sky
heaven is near and I can't stay here
goodbye world goodbye."
Now we have a problem: If Proverbs says that God will not allow my "foot" to be "taken" and this above "Gospel song" says that "my feet won't stay on the ground", then the conclusion is "if" I am "taken" off of this earth in the "rapture" that I must leave my feet here on the earth. Selah!
Now let us read Proverbs 3:25-26 in the Message Bible: 25 No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, 26 Because GOD will be right there with you; he'll KEEP YOU SAFE AND SOUND.
Emmanuel (which means "God with us") is our confidence for He is the One Who "sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24, NKJV). He is our Strong Tower, our everlasting Refuge, our Prince of Peace (Shalom). So do not listen to the "doomsday prophecy teachers" who propagate their "rapture fever" through daily headlines and "news-paper exegesis"; do not fill your precious, God-given minds with that trash. Set your sights on the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Heb. 3:1), knowing that He "…has NOT given us a spirit of FEAR, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7, NKJV).
Proverbs 10:25, King James Version: As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 10:25, Amplified: When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation. [Ps 125:1; Matt 7:24-27.]
Proverbs 10:25, the Message: When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.
Proverbs 10:25, the Living Bible: Disaster strikes like a cyclone and the wicked are whirled away. But the good man has a strong anchor.
Proverbs 10:25, Young's Literal Translation: As the passing by of a hurricane, So the wicked is not, And the righteous is a foundation age-during.
Hopefully we understand that there are blessings kept especially for the righteous while curses are stored up for the wicked.
Notice, the Amplified says, "When the whirlwind passesďż˝? It does not say "If", but "When". "The storm" (Message), which has always been and is now intensifying, is an inevitable force meant to bring a clear distinction between those who are of the darkness and those who are of the Light. When the disaster(s) comes, the uncompromisingly righteous are not "raptured" up and out of their trouble for they are "firm on their ROCK foundation" (Matt. 7:24-27), clothed in the armor of Light - there is no armor for the backside (Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:8; Eph 6:10-18). Those who hear and heed the Word of Life will overcome and thrive in the midst of every flood while those who hear the Word of Life and do not heed Him, will fall with a great crash.
Proverbs 10:30, King James Version: The righteous shall never be REMOVED: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Proverbs 10:30, the Message: Good people last " they can't be moved;
the wicked are here today, gone tomorrow.
Proverbs 10:30, the Living Bible: The good shall never lose God's blessings, but the wicked shall lose everything.
Proverbs 10:30, New American Standard Bible: The righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
Each of these verses is so clear, yet many do not see the truth that is in them. Many are so fearful of the future because they continue to pay attention to "bad news" when, in fact, it is the "Good News" that they should focus on.
"The righteous will never be shaken" for they have received and are even now receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28).
The wicked will not inhabit the earth.
Matthew 24:37-41, King James Version: 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they [the wicked] were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe [the righteous] entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and TOOK [lifted and carried " Strong's # 146] THEM [the wicked] ALL AWAY; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be TAKEN [removed], and the other LEFT. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be TAKEN [removed], and the other LEFT.
Luke 17:26-27, King James Version: 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They [the wicked] did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe [the righteous] entered into the ark, and the flood came, and DESTROYED them all.
Note: Matthew's account uses the word "TAKEN" while Luke's account
uses the word "DESTROYED". This makes me wonder: Why do so many want to be "TAKEN"? Selah!
Noah, the righteous, and his family were not taken off the earth, only preserved in the midst of watery judgment. When the waters receded, the door of the Ark was opened and the righteous stepped out as owners of the earth (see Psa. 2:8; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 1:6; 5:10) while the wicked were consumed by the same waters that saved the righteous; no one else was "LEFT" to dispute Noah's claim (Matt. 24:37-39 and Lk. 17:27). (See also Matt. 13:36-42; Heb. 12:25-29; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14; 3:3; 4:15-17 as well as Isa. 4:1-6 & Matt. 24:37-41).
Note: In 1967 the article "Warning of the King" by J. Bashford
Bishop was published in The Pentecostal Evangel (the official voice of the Assemblies of God), which said, "those 'taken' are the wicked, who are taken in judgment " just as the wicked of Noah's time…were taken in judgment. Those 'left' are the righteous who remain�? Clearly, those who read and understand the words of the Prophet Jesus don't want to be "TAKEN" but "LEFT BEHIND".
On another note, some like to point to ENOCH (Gen. 5:18-24; Heb. 11:5-6), who was translated, as an example of one who was raptured before tribulation. But Enoch did not live during the time when JUDGMENT was being poured out upon the earth in the form of a flood. Besides, Enoch was translated 669 years BEFORE the Flood, and he never met Noah!
Plus, when he was translated it was not for the purpose of escaping the Flood - Noah went THROUGH the Flood, protected by the Ark he had PREPARED (Are you prepared?).
This Truth can be further explained in Matthew 13:36-41 (KJV) where Jesus explained "the parable of the tares of the field" to His disciples: "(37) …He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
(38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (39) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (40) As therefore the tares are GATHERED AND BURNED in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall GATHER OUT of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (42) And shall CAST THEM into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Jesus' words are so CLEAR " "The field is the world…the good seed are the children of the Kingdom…the tares are the children of the wicked one". Many preach that the "tares" will be left in "the field" while "the wheat" (Matt. 13: 25, 29, 30) will be gathered "out" (raptured), but Jesus did not say this. However, it seems this is all we ever hear spoken of.
Let's read Proverbs 10:30 (KJV) again: The righteous shall never be REMOVED: but the wicked shall NOT inhabit the earth.
Jesus understood this and prayed it to His Father saying, "I do NOT ask that Thou mayest TAKE (His disciples)THEM OUT of the world, but that Thou mayest keep them out of the evil" (John 17:15, Young's Literal Translation). Surely it is possible to be kept "out of the evil" while still IN THE WORLD but this is obviously not understood by the dispensational community " they think, "out of the evil" means "off of the earth" but that is not what Jesus said.
John 12:27 (AMP) gives further insight into Jesus' perspective of "tribulation": "Now My soul is troubled and distressed [in "GREAT TRIBULATION"], and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was for this very purpose that I have come to this hour [of TRIBULATION] [that I might undergo it]." Now let us see how this reads in the Message Bible: "Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? ["Lord, get me outta-here!"] NO, this is why I came in the first place." I like that…He said "NO"! I'm sure no one would disagree with the fact that Jesus' tribulation on the Cross was, in fact, a "GREAT TRIBULATION". And I'm sure we are all glad He was not "raptured" off the scene BEFORE going THROUGH with it; plus, I'm sure we are all glad He said "NO" to any means of escape (Matt. 26:53). Do we think we are any less or more important than He? Did He not say, "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be AS [LIKE] his master" (Lk. 6:40, KJV). My question is: Do you still want to "BE LIKE JESUS"? Then when TRIBULATION comes say, like Jesus, "NO, I cannot escape this " it is my destiny to suffer for his sake" (Look at Phil. 1:29).
Destruction is coming and is even now in our midst, growing into fullness. Mischief is being added to mischief. Many are seeking the peace of ESCAPE when "there shall be none" (Ezek. 7:25-26, KJV). False teachers and prophets have and are blowing their godless, self-preserving trumpets to make everyone ready for a seemingly-divine evacuation, "but none goeth to the battle" (Ezek. 7:14, KJV).
They are crying out "peace, peace" when there is no peace, saying, "All is well, God won't let us go through tribulation; He is going to pluck us out of it before it even starts." Hundreds of eschatology teachers and would-be prophets have predicted the time of the Second Advent, only to see they were in fact WRONG. Yet none of them have repented. Brothers and sisters, this is a shame and should not be!
Proverbs 11:6, King James Version: The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be TAKEN in their own naughtiness.
Proverbs 11:6, Amplified: The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be TAKEN in their own iniquity and greedy desire.
Proverbs 11:6, Young's Literal Translation: The righteousness of the upright delivereth them, And in mischief the treacherous are CAPTURED.
So, who is "taken" here? Who is "captured"? The "treacherous"! The upright are kept in the hour(s) of trial while the generation of darkness is "destroyed" (Lk. 17:27, KJV).
So what IS the key to deliverance for the righteous? Righteousness! Those who allow the Lord to deal with them as HE sees fit, in order to bring them into the place of uprightness, will experience the place of immunity and safety in the midst of hardship and crisis.
Proverbs 11:31, King James Version: Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed IN THE EARTH [not "over yonder"]: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs 11:31, Amplified: Behold, the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be recompensed ON EARTHďż˝?
The uncompromisingly righteous are those who will forever rule "on the earth" (Rev. 5:10, KJV). The reward of the righteous is not in outer space or beyond the Milky Way as so many end-time teachers declare for Jesus said, "…Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is WITH me" (Rev. 22:12, KJV). So, you see, there is no need for us to "leave" the earth " His reward is with Him "…to give to every one according to his work" (NKJV).
Plus, it important we all understand that the reward of the righteous is in Christ and His Kingdom; therefore it is not far away for the Kingdom of Heaven and its King are omnipresent Spirit - closer than you and I think. He is nearer to us than our own breathe for He said, "I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5, KJV). And to confirm this, He also said, "…And, lo, I am with you ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen [which means "SO BE IT"]" (Matt 28:20, KJV). I like the way the Amplified translation puts Hebrews 13:5: "…I will NOT in ANYWAY…leave you without support. [I will] NOT, [I will] NOT, [I will] NOT in ANY degree leave you…nor forsake…[you]…[ASSUREDLY NOT!]." Did you get that? Jesus said this and He meant it (2 Cor. 13:5).
Truly, Jesus IS our reward and He is with us, recompensing us with every good and perfect gift.
Proverbs 12:7, King James Version: The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall STAND. [Note: Paul, the apostle, also admonishes the righteous to "STAND" in Ephesians 6:10-18.
Proverbs 12:7, Amplified: The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall STAND.
Notice, there is a big difference between the "compromisingly" righteous (which are, in fact, wicked) and the "uncompromisingly" righteous. One is moveable while the other IS NOT. If the righteousness of the righteous is untainted, unfeigned and undaunted, it will prove to be that which makes a person unmoved. But if their "righteousness" is weak, watery and wanting in the Light of the Righteous One, they will prove to be as effective as "their" righteousness " overthrown " becoming that which is "NOT".
Proverbs 18:10, King James Version: The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10, Amplified: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.
Proverbs 18:10, the Message: GOD's name is a place of protection " good people can run there and be safe.
Proverbs 18:10, Young's Literal Translation: A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
Where is "the NAME of the LORD"? Is it "UP" or "DOWN"? Is it "HERE" or "THERE"? This may seem like a simple, silly question but the answer is quite profound.
The way of deliverance is not "UP" or "DOWN". The name of the Lord is our shelter. Those who are wise are righteous, running constantly and consistently INTO HIM, Who is supreme and greater than all.
Proverbs 24:10-12, King James Version: 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity [of TRIBULATION], thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Proverbs 24:10, the Message: If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place.
"The day of adversity" tests the metal of every man. Those who endure to the end are those who are made of stain-less (blame-less) steel. When crisis comes, they do not crumble or run for cover crying out for an escape hatch for they are, in fact, as bold as a lion.
Note: Many believe the only way to Heaven is through death or
rapture, but this is not what the early church fathers preached. They preached: "…That we must through much tribulation ["thlipsis" = affliction, trouble, pressure] ENTER into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22, KJV). Therefore, if this is true, why are so many wanting to escape "tribulation"? Do they NOT want to "ENTER into the kingdom of God"? Selah!
And while we are on this particular subject, it should be asked…Who is preaching what Paul preached in 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14; 3:3, (KJV)?: "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in MUCH AFFLICTION [not removed from it], with joy of the Holy Ghost…For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have SUFFERED like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews…That no man should be moved by these AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that WE ARE APPOINTED THEREUNTO. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should SUFFER TRIBULATION; even as it came to pass, and ye know." Selah!
Proverbs 28:1, King James Version: The wicked flee when NO MAN PERSUETH: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1, Amplified: THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev 26:17, 36; Ps 53:5.]
Proverbs 28:1, the Message: The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to RUN OFF [in a "rapture"] even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.
Are you still ready to "run off" in some sort of any-minute pre-tribulation rapture? If you are, then are you not "wicked", according to this verse? It is my prayer that you are uncompromisingly righteous, relaxed and confident in a day when everyone is scared, looking for the "fire escape", singing "I'll fly away Oh Glory."
The truth is that the wicked are paranoid " they "flee when no man pursueth" " they are running from NOTHING! This is so sad.
Proverbs 29:16, King James Version: When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Proverbs 29:16, Amplified: …But the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall see the fall of the wicked.
Question: How can the uncompromisingly righteous "see the fall of
the wicked" if they have been "translated" off of planet earth? Selah!
Proverbs 31:10, 21, King James Version: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies…She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Proverbs 31:10, 21, Amplified: A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov 12:4; 18:22; 19:14.]…She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet. [Josh 2:18, 19; Heb 9:19-22.]
Proverbs 31:21, Amplified: She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
The "virtuous woman" speaks of a glorious church (spiritual and ecclesiastical) as well as a godly, Christ-minded woman (practical). This type of "woman" is priceless for she is not afraid of "the snow" of the "winter" which bespeaks "tribulation" (Matt. 24:19-21). And why is she not afraid (2 Tim. 1:7) of "the snow"? Because she has made household preparations, clothing her family "in scarlet" which speaks of the blood of the Lamb…Christ Jesus (Matt. 27:28).
God has always preserved His people in the midst of trouble: Exodus 8:20-23; 9:25-26; 10:21-23; 11:4-7; 12:12-13; Dan. 3, 6. He delights in putting a distinction between those who are His and those who are not.
God is raising up an army, strong in His might, battle-ready unto His victory which is already established in the Heavens. Going UP is not the issue " GROWING UP IS! Let us "OCCUPY" unto the day of His appearing, forsaking all idleness. Lazy hearts and hands which await an any-minute-rapture will not inherit the Kingdom of God in the earth. But those who hear and heed the call of Life will BECOME all Jesus has intended.
It is high time for the Church of Jesus Christ to awaken out of its slumber. Jesus did not live a perfect life, die a perfect death and resurrect unto His Father in all glory just to see us get born again and then hold on "for dear life" as we await an "any-minute pre-tribulation rapture". His Church is not some weak, pitiful, rag-tag band of confused so-called Christians; His Church is an army which knows no retreat.
[Mr. Killion's e-Mail address: [email protected]]
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