One of the best things about being a rabbi is that I am blessed with the high honor of officiating weddings. There is nothing quite like looking at the eyes of a man and a woman who are looking into each other’s eyes as they enter into a covenant together.

However, recently I had a somewhat traumatic event take place the morning of a wedding I was to perform.

Those who know me know that I am a little “CDO.” CDO is kind of like OCD, only in alphabetical order. I was raised by a father who believed everything had a place and that place was where it belonged. My father’s belief was further ingrained into my mind as I served in the military. So in my world, everything has a place, and everything must be where it belongs.

When I get home at night, my wallet and keys go in the exact same place. At night before I go to bed, my glasses go on my nightstand in the exact same place. In the morning when I wake up, I get dressed in the same order and put my shoes on the same way. My coffee cup on my desk is always in the same place. You get the picture.

On a side note: This does drive my wife a little crazy and has caused “discussions” at times.

Back to my traumatic event. I woke up on the morning of the wedding, and I began my morning routine. Everything was going well, until I went to my closet, and my suit wasn’t where it belonged. Not only wasn’t it where it belonged on the rack, it wasn’t even in the closet. My heart skipped a few beats, and I asked my wife to come to the closet.

To be honest, I yelled across the house for my wife to hurry to the closet. When she arrived, I asked her, “Where is my suit?” She responded, “I suppose it is where you put it.” This was clearly not the answer for which I hoped.

We searched every closet in the house, looked in the car and drove to my synagogue to look in my office; the suit was nowhere to be found. Please understand, at that moment, I was more upset that the suit wasn’t where it was supposed to be than I was that the suit wasn’t findable because I always put things where they belong.

I went from minor trauma to panic as I realized it was 8 o’clock in the morning on a Sunday, and I didn’t have a suit to wear to the wedding—and I had to be at the rehearsal at 10:30. There were no stores open—and for those who don’t know me, I have one suit, and the rest of my clothes are khaki pants or blue jeans that I wear with shirts.

I was not angry that I couldn’t find the suit; I was angry that the suit wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Thankfully, after searching through the house, I was able to find a pair of pants and a sportscoat that I could put together that, according to my wife, “looked fine.”

After all, she said, “no one really cares what you are wearing; they will all be looking at the bride.” Of course, she was right. But that still didn’t remove the knot from inside my gut. Why wasn’t my suit where it belonged?

The wedding was beautiful, and the bride was even more beautiful. After everything was over and I got back to my house, I sat down, still upset that my suit wasn’t in my closet in its assigned place. My world was out of order.

It was then that my heart heard the loving voice of G-D speaking: “You’re feeling today what I feel every time you sin, because whenever one of My children sins, it causes disorder.” The Garden of Eden was in perfect order until sin. G-D designed marriage and family as part of His perfect order. He built those families into communities of worship to be in order.

He gave us the Bible to provide instructions for His perfectly designed order. Every time we choose to live contrary to His design, there is disorder. The feeling I felt when my suit was not in its place of order is what our heavenly Father feels when we are not where we should be—only multiplied exponentially.

The truth is that our being out of G-D’s perfect order was the reason we needed Yeshua (Jesus) to come and atone for us. His redemptive work provided a means for every one of us to be placed back into G-D’s perfect order.

As an ending note, G-D drove this message home to me that evening. I went to the shelf in my living room (where I place things from my pockets so that I know exactly where they are) to get the check that I was given for helping with the wedding, and the check was not there.

Twice in one day, something I put into place was not where it was supposed to be. Only this time, instead of getting angry, I simply said a prayer and went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up and began my day as usual, only when I went to get my clothes, the check that I was looking for the night before was neatly sitting folded on top of my shirts.

It was then that I remembered that no matter how much I try to keep everything in my life in the proper place and in the proper order, and no matter how orderly I am (or may outwardly appear), I desperately needed (and still need) G-D to bring order to my world, and without Yeshua, that would never really have happened.

On that morning, I thought to myself that maybe G-D has a little OCD also. {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is the author of Overcoming Fearlessness, What If Everything You Were Taught About the Ten Commandments Was Wrong?, With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

If you are a parent who is struggling to connect with your children, Natalie Jones has but one suggestion for you—more prayer.

The founder of Parent Compass, a Christian life and family show you can view on the internet, Jones says that parents whose relationship with their children can be described as “rocky” should increase their amount of prayer to get closer to their children and enjoy the relationships they are looking for. It’s as simple as that.

“Ask more of God. I don’t think any of us are doing that to the level that God wants us to,” Jones told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “God tells us to ask for more of Him. The number of verses in the Bible are incredible.

“In fact, it says, ‘you have not because you ask not’—James 4:2. So what do you get when you ask for God?” she asks. “You get more of the Holy Spirit. That’s in Luke. And what do you get when you get the Holy Spirit? You get the fruits of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness and patience.

“You also get power from the Holy Spirit,” she continues. “So ask for more God; He is waiting for you. Christ came to heal the brokenhearted. If you ask for more of God, He wants to take that brokenness that we all feel to a great extent, and He wants to, as only He can do it, make it into love, peace and joy.”

Pastors, associate pastors and everyone in ministry, listen to this. Understand that as the home goes, so goes the church. Hopefully, the church is making an influence on the home. The home is the center of where God wants us to live it and to walk it and to be real. Jones says we must be a different-maker in the home before we can expect to affect the world.

Jones says the episodes of Parent Compass reflect these values.

“Parent Compass is made to be a tool for churches and leaders,” Jones says. “It promotes churches wonderfully, and you see how God has worked in these families’ lives. Three of them said specifically that we started going to church, and the show lays out how it made the difference.”

Listen to the rest of this Greenelines episode here on the Charisma Podcast Network. {eoa}

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Last Sunday on Father’s Day, our church celebrated baby dedications for the first time in over a year due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the three Sunday morning services, pastors prayed over 18 families and 20 babies, held in their parent’s arms.

A new generation is rising!

It has been wisely said that “any male can become a father; only a man can become a dad.” The first is about nature, and the second is about nurture.

A real man accepts the mature responsibilities and blessings of being an adult, a husband and a father and sacrifices to provide time and treasure to help each child of his DNA. A faux-man selfishly demands his own time, toys and “space.”

A real man plans and prepares memorable and moldable moments which become positive parts of his legacy for each of his children and their mother. A father is a critical link in his child(ren)’s heritage and future. His life should seek to model the character and spiritual qualities of God, Himself. God-designed fatherhood begins with the responsible initiatives of adulthood and “husbandhood.”

Biblical Roles and Functions

“In the beginning” of human life, both male and female were made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). They were equals before the Lord. Neither was or is superior or inferior as individuals or as a gender. However, by God’s design, both husband and wife are to serve each other by different roles and responsibilities within the marriage relationship.

Both Paul and Peter speak to these different roles and functions in the New Testament. I’ve summarized them with two sets of key verbs, which describe roles and actions in a divinely-ordered marriage: The husband is to love and lead, while the wife is to respond and respect—all within a context of mutual submission.

“[Be] submissive to one another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:21).

A teaching notation on this passage in the Spirit-Filled Life Bible explains that submitting relates to “a divinely ordered place in a relationship.” It goes further to say that “Submission can never be required by one human being of another; it can only be given on the basis of trust, that is, to believe God’s Word and to be willing to learn to grow in relationships.”

Husbands Are to Love and Lead

God calls husbands to love their wives unselfishly and unconditionally, just as He loves the church sacrificially (Eph. 5:24, 28, 33), even as He gave His Son for our salvation and sanctification (John 3:16). The Greek word used here is agape, the God kind of self-sacrificing and exclusively devoted love, which He models for us.

The apostle Paul uses this word in his memorable teaching about love in 1 Corinthians 13. We could adapt The Living New Testament’s paraphrase of verses four through eight this way:

Men, love your wives. Be patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty, or selfish or rude. Do not demand your own way, do not be irritable or touchy. Do not hold grudges, and hardly even notice if they do something wrong. Men, be loyal to your wives, no matter what the cost. Always believe in her, always expect the best of her, always stand your ground in defending her.

What if your demonstration of Godlike love was true and good, not only with your wife but for every member of the family? That is how God loves every member of His family!

Protector, Provider and Priest

Next, husbands are called to accept and assume greater responsibility by leading the family through God-appointed roles as a protector, provider and priest.

The protector role is more than just physical protection. It calls on husbands and fathers to seek to really understand their wives and children and protect and provide for their unique personalities, motivations and needs.

The provider role seems to be obvious and carries spiritual ramifications. In 1 Timothy 5:8, Paul’s instructions to Timothy were about caring for widows but apply to more than the extended family’s physical or material needs.

“But if any do not care for their own, and especially for those of their own house, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.”

Men, the motivations, aspirations and dreams within our nuclear family members all need our care and consideration as well. Some husbands/fathers are workaholics and are never home to support their family’s felt needs nor celebrate them in their achievements.

This leads to the role of the priest of the home. The husband is intended by God to be the initiator of spiritual matters with his wife and children. As a priest in the Old Testament, he is to represent God to his family and focus his family on the things of God. Husbands and wives ultimately worship God by accepting His divine order and functioning in support of their spiritual “heads.”

“But I would have you know that the head of the woman is the man, the head of every man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3).

God’s designed order of relationships does not place males over females nor husbands to dominate their own wives, but it does command husbands to accept responsible leadership for spiritual things in the family.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body” (Eph. 5:23).

Sometimes, the better part of wisdom is to acknowledge a spouse’s motivational gifting (Rom. 12:4-8), along with their experience or education in certain areas, and draw mutual benefit by releasing them to serve and function accordingly. It is a learned interdependence, as husband and wife learn to function as one, in Christ.

Spouses must learn to show real love by being willing to sacrifice their own interests to enhance the other one’s interests. At the same time, spouses learn the benefits of reciprocity.

“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph. 5:28, NKJV).

That verse prompted one author to write a book titled Men, Do Yourself a Favor: Love Your Wife. Or, as another wit said, “Happy wife, happy life.” {eoa}

Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys’ California Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at worshipontheway.wordpress.com and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Sometimes when I read the Bible, I like to imagine that I am standing inside the text, and I try to think what it would have been like or felt like to see and hear the events that I am reading.

For instance, I have tried to imagine what it would have been like to be both inside Noah’s ark and outside of the ark when the rains were flooding the earth. I wondered what it would have been like to watch Moses raise his rod and see the waters of the Red Sea part. I have visualized Samson breaking down the pillars in the Philistine temple.

Another biblical experience I have imagined and tried to place myself into the story is the rebellion of Korach. Recently, I was thinking about this event and once again trying to do so as if I was watching the narrative transpire in front of my eyes. I saw Korach and those men with him walking up to Moses to shout their accusations.

I saw the cloud of G-D’s presence above the heads of Moses and Korach as I thought about the words in Numbers 16:3b: “You’ve gone too far! All the community is holy—all of them—and Adonai is with them! Then why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of Adonai?”

In the middle of my visualization of Korach’s rebellion, I heard within my heart the words: “Too many believers are siding with Korach today.” This thought shocked me, and I stopped imagining the rebellion of Korach and began to consider Korach’s rebellion and the words he spoke.

First, it is important that we realize that Korach wasn’t trying to lead the children of Israel into harlotry or infant sacrifice. He wasn’t challenging Moses’ military or even governing leadership. Korach was challenging Moses’ spiritual leadership. Look at the accusations being made. Korach said, “Everyone is holy and Ad-nai is with them.”

Korach’s dissent was focused singularly upon the spiritual role that Moses held. Korach challenged Moses as the spiritual leader of the people of G-D by saying: “Everyone is holy,” and Korach’s proof from his statement was: “Ad-nai is with them.”

In other words, Korach’s proof that everyone could worship G-D without Moses’ leadership was that G-D was present. Korach made the same mistake that many believers are making today by confusing G-D’s presence with G-D’s approval.

We forget that it is impossible for G-D not to be present because He is omnipresent, everywhere all the time. We also conflate G-D’s moving in our midst with His agreement with our actions. Don’t forget G-D was visibly present when the Israelites made the golden calf.

The more I thought about this statement made by Korach and the dramatic response G-D had to Korach’s rebellion, the more concerned I became about the statement. I felt so strongly: “Too many believers are siding with Korach today.”

Korach was leading a rebellion of worship. He didn’t want to be the leader; he didn’t want there to be a leader of how to worship G-D. After all, everyone is holy. As I sat there broken in spirit and thinking about Korach’s worship rebellion and his desire to remove Moses’ leadership of worship, two other biblical events popped into my mind.

The first was the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, and the second was the Jerusalem council we read about in Act 15. Within both of these stories, we find similar statements made. In Luke 16:31, we read Yeshua saying:

“But Abraham said, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!'”

And in Acts 15:19- 21, we read these words from Jacob:

“Therefore, I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God—but to write to them to abstain from the contamination of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from ancient generations has had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in all the synagogues every Shabbat.”

While these two events are separate situations, the statements are very similar in that both direct those hearing to Moses. The first says if they do not listen to Moses; the second says they will hear Moses read in synagogue. While it is important to note that all four of the items that Gentiles were to abstain from were parts of pagan worship rituals, the focus should be that they will hear Moses read in synagogue.

Why? Because Moses/Torah was provided to instruct us on how to worship G-D. In reality, the purpose of Torah is to instruct us on how to worship G-D because, in truth, everything we do should be an act of worship, as we read in Colossians 3:23-24:

“Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the Lord and not for people. For you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is to the Lord Messiah you are giving service.”

The bottom line is that there are many believers today who have joined the ranks of Korach by deciding they can choose how they want to worship G-D, rather than following Moses. People think of Torah as a list of dos and don’ts, but the truth is that G-D used Moses to lead us in the proper way to worship Him.

If we choose not to follow Moses, we are choosing to follow Korach, and if you read the rest of the story, that doesn’t end well. When we choose to worship G-D our way instead of His way, we change places with G-D. When we choose to worship how we want to, it simply isn’t worship. {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is the author of Overcoming Fearlessness, What If Everything You Were Taught About the Ten Commandments Was Wrong?, With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

“A multitude of camels [from the eastern trading tribes] will cover you [Jerusalem]. The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba [who once came to trade] will come bringing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Isa. 60:6, AMP).

I believe that the Lord is going to restore the years the locust, the canker worm, the caterpillar and the palmerworm ate away (Joel 2:25), provide times of refreshing for you (Acts 3:19) and that you will pursue, overtake and recover all (1 Sam. 30:8)! After a year of loss, I believe that this will be your year of recovery.

— Acquire: to get or obtain.

— Acquisition: the act of getting or receiving something, or the item that was received.

Tragedy Before Triumph!

Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of devastating loss before tremendous gain (consider the narratives of Job, Joseph, Jesus, Paul and many others). Job got double for his trouble. Joseph was eventually elevated because of his dreams. Jesus won the ultimate victory for us. Paul became one of the greatest apostles of all times!

Each person went through tragedy before they experienced triumph. I believe it’s the same for many of you reading this now. This is your year of obtaining and regaining! I also heard that the camels are coming this year!

Supernatural Supply Is Your Portion This Year!

I see unexpected provision—a suddenly, if you will, coming your way. The prophet Elijah was at the Brook Cherith, during a time of drought, when God commanded the ravens to feed him there (1 Kings 17). They brought Elijah bread and flesh in the morning and in the evening—a totally unexpected blessing from an unexpected source! This was definitely supernatural.

Ravens are scavengers that rarely give up anything, especially food! This year, I believe God is going to use people who don’t even know you to bless you, despite their character! For example, while in Baltimore, Maryland, for a ministry assignment, an intoxicated guy asked me the time and then proceeded to pay for my groceries!

He told me to get anything in the store that I wanted! I initially declined the offer, but this stranger was persistent. By the time I got to the counter with my items, he had his credit card out and paid for everything that I had chosen! Believe it or not, he was my raven that night—a person sent by God to bless me in an unfamiliar land.

Ravens can be nouns (people, places, or things). They tend to come during your seasons of need. The Lord God will compel them to bless you. Accept it. In Elijah’s case, the raven was only able to carry small blessings (food) to Elijah. The camels are coming because a bigger blessing is needed to cover some entire families, churches and so forth. Somebody reading this right now needs a camel!

The Camels Are Coming!

They are coming laden with blessings for you! Verse 6 says, “a multitude” is coming. This is not only one or two camels coming—for this multitude is bringing provision for this final hour. In times of lack, God’s people will not lack. (2020 was a prime example of supernatural provision!) God will make a way for you when there is no way.

Notice in Isaiah 60 that there will be natural provision—gold—and spiritual provision—incense. You, who have been faithful, have been prepared by God to be the recipient of this abundance. You will receive it by grace and with patience. Most things we are impatient to get, we won’t get. We will never fully receive from God with a spirit of impatience (Isa. 40:31). A God-delay is not a God-denial but a wait. Provision is coming in the form of supernatural supply. The power is in your decree.

“You will also declare a matter, and it will be established unto you; and the light will shine upon your ways” (Job 22:28).

I honestly believe that, for some, your camels are already here; you just have to unpack them. You have to see, or discern, them in order to unpack them. You must see the camels in the spirit next to you. When you recognize them in the spirit, you’ll start to shift! Your camels may come in the form of people (friends, enemies, family, co-workers). Once identified, unpack them! Take the burden, your blessings, off of them and break the yoke that holds them back (Isa. 10:27).

Unpack the increase, the abundance, the wealth and more that have been loaded upon your camels! You’ve got some unpacking to do! Unpack your breakthrough, your healing and your miracle! This season some of your needs will be met! There will be supernatural supply in your home, water in your wells, oil in your lanterns and food on your table! {eoa}

Dr. John Veal is the senior pastor/prophet of Enduring Faith Christian Center and the CEO of John Veal Ministries Inc. He is passionate about pursuing God’s mandate to preach, teach, impart and activate people within the prophetic. John is a regular contributor to Charisma magazine online, The Elijah List, IMAG, Spirit Fuel, Reformation Today, Rejoice Essential and others. John has been featured on various media outlets, including Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural, Something More and Elijah Streams. Dr. Veal is a highly sought-after conference speaker due to his uncanny prophetic accuracy, humor, candor and unconventional preaching style. He has traveled the nations, presenting a myriad of prophetic training and ministry. John currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, with his wife, Elisa, and their three children. For more about Dr. Veal, visit johnveal.org.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Churches across America are in a battle for survival.

Some churches are thriving, but most are only surviving. Some data indicates 3 out of 5 churches will close in the next five years.

George Barna has published a report called The Future of Missions.

Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, wrote the preface. He begins by clearly stating some grim facts.

—Church attendance and the number of people who identify themselves as Christians are in sharp decline.

— Christians are not as involved in church as their parents were.

— Nearly half of young adults and young people are feeling increasingly uneasy about witnessing. Millennials ignore the command to go and make disciples.

— Christianity is being marginalized, while consumerism and self-fulfillment are today’s top goals.

This data has the church on its heels. Twelve months ago, the church gurus focused on improving the livestream as the key to maintaining members and remaining strong.

But the most recent data shows that COVID-19 brought in a shift of lifestyle and a new perspective about how people viewed the church.

Pastor Mark Clark says, “We have to recognize that attitudes toward the church have changed.

These days, many view the church as anti-gay, judgmental, too political, racist, and hypocritical.

Those are probably the top things that the outside, the post-Christian world, says about the church (and many within the church who choose to leave). The church has to be able to speak into these things.”

How can the church recover from such a bad reputation?

For a large percentage of society, the church was once the light of the community.

That is no longer true.

For months we heard that livestream is the new foyer. Once the churches reopened, the church experts were advising churches to up their game with digital content.

The livestream was the lifejacket for the church. Many pastors believed that livestream was the new church foyer. But hold on. The foyer moved again.

Swallow the Blue Pill

The blue pill is shining acts of kindness and reaching out to the community. I love it and agree. Serving others is a great idea.

Can serving others save the reputation of the local church? I’m not sure, but it’s a great place to start.

I love to say, “some can only be reached by being served.”

Who does not like being served? Who says no to random acts of kindness?

I came across this story a few months ago.

A Rector Who Repairs Bikes

Robbie Pruitt is an assistant rector at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Leesburg, Virginia. He is also the subject of a unique profile in The Washington Post.

Someone stole his mountain bike off the rack of his Honda Odyssey last September. He realized that the thief might have stolen the bike because they’re in short supply during the pandemic.

So, Pruitt, who has been riding and repairing bikes since he was a child, announced that he would fix anyone’s bicycle free of charge. He also said he was accepting unwanted bikes, which he would improve and donate to people in need.

By the end of the year, he had repaired more than 140 bicycles, donating 60% of them and returning the rest to their owners. He primarily focuses on supporting children and families who are struggling.

Pruitt says, “You’re certainly providing a service, but it’s not the bikes. It’s the relationships in the community. It’s the impact you can make with people.”

Whose bike will you repair today?

Churches Step Up

In 2020, Elevation Church in North Carolina logged 110,000 volunteer hours with its city outreaches.

Churches in many cities are stepping up their game.

LifeBridge Christian Center in Longview, Texas, recently reached out to its community with multiple programs to serve others. The church branded its outreach “My City, My Responsibility.”

LifeBridge cooked for first responders, delivered food, cleaned city parks, visited skate parks, supplied food for kids at parks, cleaned flower beds at local schools and purchased items for foster kids.

This is nothing short of remarkable.

Churches all across America are doing fantastic work.

Is community outreach the answer for the struggling church? Maybe and maybe not.

One thing is for sure—where people serve, no one loses. {eoa}

This post first appeared here.

Thomas McDaniels is a pastor and writer. He has written for ChurchLeaders.com and currently is a contributing writer for Fox News. He is also the founder of LifeBridge.tv and the Longview Dream Center in Longview, Texas.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Standing in the gap is not for the faint of heart. You may feel like you take more than your fair share of hits.

You may grow weary at times.

But I have prophetic insight for intercessors like you. Watch this, and it will lift you up!

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS

As believers, all of us try to read our Bibles regularly. Many of us begin a new year with a reading plan in hopes to read our Bibles through completely in that year span.

Others have reading plans that are topical, studying things like grace, healing, deliverance, love or almost any other topic that’s covered in the Bible.

As we read through the Bible, when we come to the list of names or genealogies, many of us simply say, “and they had children,” and skip down to the next “meaningful passage.”

However, each and every name in the Bible is included for a purpose and is significant. The name may be there because of the actual meaning of the name. Some of the first names in the Bible tell the entire story of redemption in their definitions.

— Adam: Man.

— Seth: Appointed.

— Enosh: Mortal.

—Kenan: Sorrow.

—Mahalalel: The blessed G-d.

— Jared: Shall come down.

— Enoch: Teaching.

— Methuselah: His death shall bring.

— Lamech: The despairing.

— Noah: Rest, comfort.

If we simply place the meanings of these names into a sentence in order, it reads:

Man—appointed—mortal—sorrow—the blessed G-D—shall come down—teaching—His death shall bring—the despairing—rest—comfort.

Some names in the Bible are important because of what the person did, such as Moses, David and Samson. Others are mentioned for things they didn’t do, like Daniel, who wouldn’t bow down to an idol. Still others are mentioned for things they should not have done, like Adam and Eve eating the fruit, or when Saul refused to obey G-D’s commandment, or when Judas sold Yeshua for 30 pieces of silver.

In each of the above cases, when these people are mentioned, we are introduced to them and what they did and according to 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 10:11:

“Now these things happened as examples for us, so we wouldn’t crave evil things, just as they did” (1 Cor. 10:6, TVL).

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and it was written down as a warning to us—on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

Each of these people’s actions was included to teach us something as we read their stories today.

In this post, I want to share about a name that you may have overlooked as you were reading your Bible, and even if you didn’t overlook his appearance, you probably overlooked his disappearance. It is possible that one of the most dramatic demonstrations of G-D’s grace found in the Torah is shown when we see someone disappear.

To learn more about the disappearing man, let’s look at Numbers 16:1:

“Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, and sons of Reuben—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—”

Notice the four men listed in verse one Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On. These four leaders of Israel, along with 250 other men of renown, rose up in rebellion against Moses. Their rebellion resulted in a dramatic punishment from G-D as He supernaturally opened up the ground and swallowed all those who rebelled and their families.

However, if we look just a little closer into Numbers 16, we will find that after the mention of On son of Peleth in verse 1, we don’t see his name again through the remainder of the narrative. Korah, Dathan and Abiram are all mentioned and their families destroyed, but we don’t see On mentioned after verse 1.

Why? It appears (or actually, by his name not appearing) that after first joining the rebellion with Korah, On realized the error of his ways, or said another way, saw his sin and repented and walked away before the judgement of G-D came.

The disappearance of On from the text of Numbers chapter 16 is one of the first appearances of G-D’s mercy and grace through true repentance. Remember the Hebrew word translated repentance means to turn around and go the other way.

On is a perfect example of someone who sinned, but then repented, and because of his repentance, On was spared judgment. In Numbers 16, we are shown G-D’s mercy and grace not through what we see, but through what we don’t see. G-D used a disappearance to show us His appearance.

As I wrote above, the stories we read about in the Torah were written so that we would have an example to follow today. If you find yourself caught up in sin today, remember that judgment has not yet come and that, like On, you can repent, and instead of seeing your name in the list of those who received judgement, your name can disappear so that G-D’s grace can appear. {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is the author of Overcoming Fearlessness, What If Everything You Were Taught About the Ten Commandments Was Wrong?, With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Billionaire businessman Bill Gates has, for decades, philanthropically funded the development of vaccines for global distribution. The company he co-founded, Microsoft, along with Gavi (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) and several multinational corporations, are said to be prepared to implement a mandatory digital identity for every man, woman and child on planet Earth through the use of biometric technology.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has reportedly distributed more than $3 billion to global agencies, such as the World Health Organization, the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, as well as major pharmaceutical companies and large research universities. These may have been entirely benevolent, philanthropic gestures, but it is alarming how one man and his money can control nearly every aspect of our human existence.

Mark of the Beast?

Some question if this digital identity—or even the current COVID-19 vaccines and projected, vaccine visas—might be a prototype of the “mark of the beast” described in Revelation 13. Whether this is the case or not, we can see how biometric technology, digital identity or a “social credit system,” as practiced in China today, might be open doors to this future domination by a single, world-leader.

In Chapter 12 of the book of Revelation (just before Chapter 13, where the two “beasts” are introduced), we are told that Satan (also named together in the passage as the dragon, the serpent and the devil) was cast down to earth along with his angels (12:7-10). Even though Satan is said to have accused “our brothers … before our God, day and night … they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the word of their testimony.” Then there is the dramatic declaration that our brothers and sisters in Christ did not shrink back from martyrdom itself: “They loved not their lives unto the death” (v. 11).

In Chapter 13, we are told that Satan gave the beast from the sea great power and authority. Specifically, he was given “authority to wage war for forty-two months” (v. 5b) with the saints and to overcome them. For these 3 1/2 years, the beast will seek to rule over “every tribe and tongue and nation,” (v. 7b), requiring those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed (13:15). In order to buy or sell, all needed the mark or name of the beast or the number of his name on their right hand or on their forehead (vv. 16-17).

The Bible says this intense persecution, tribulation and martyrdom will require patient endurance and abiding faith on the part of the “saints” (Rev. 13:10b). Chapter 14, verse 12, explains that this spiritual fortitude follows their keeping the commandments of God and remaining faithful (or “full of faith”) in regard to their Lord Jesus. Though they may die for their faith in the Lord, they can then “rest from their labors, for their works follow them” (vv. 13-14). Special recognition and rewards await them in heaven.

Indications of Events to Come

Before the two beasts (later identified as the Antichrist and his false prophet) arrive on the world’s stage, the Bible tells us that believers will be able to discern world events to help identify the general time period (not the specific hour or day) of Jesus’ return to earth. There will be major wars, devastating famines, rampant pestilence and merciless deaths (Matt. 24, Luke 21 and Rev. 6).

All these are described as “the beginning of sorrows.” This means there are greater, sorrowful events to follow that will be even more intense and with greater frequencies prior to our Lord’s return (Matt. 24:15-31) to rapture His faithful followers (1 Thess. 4:13-18), execute severe sessions of divine wrath (Rev. 16), and to judge the nations (Matt. 25:31-46).

Eagerly Waiting for His Return

Jesus told His disciple that the “coming of the Son of Man” will happen “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Matt. 24:29). It will occur during a dramatic cosmic disturbance where “the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light.” Stars (meteoroids? asteroids? ) will fall from heaven, and it seems the whole solar system may shake and become unstable (v. 29b), fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

“Before them the earth quakes, the heavens shake; the sun and moon darken, and the stars withdraw their radiance” (Joel 2:10).

Against this darkened solar system, the remaining earthlings will actually “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30b). This supernatural radiance or brightness of His presence (Ezek. 10:4; 2 Thess. 2:8) will be the predicted “sign of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:30a). Then, He will send His angels, with a dramatic sound of a trumpet, to “gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (v. 31b; 1 Cor. 15:51-58).

Compare this “harvest” with the one projected in Revelation 14:14-16 and the following summary statement by the first-century writer to the scattered Hebrew believers.

“So, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him“ (Heb. 9:28).

At His coming, He will physically remove (“save”) those remaining, righteous ones who eagerly anticipate His second appearing, so that His wrath may follow upon the ungodly, during what the Scriptures relate as the Day of the Lord.

“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” )1 Thess.. 5:9).

The “coming of the Son of Man” to earth again may be succinctly stated in these short sentences:

— Jesus really is coming again!

— We will be gathered up by His angels.

— Together, we will meet Him in the bright clouds of His glory.

—We will go to our prepared place in our Father’s house in heaven (John 14:1-3).

Hallelujah! “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20c). {eoa}

Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys’ California Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at worshipontheway.wordpress.com and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

If you could see hell for just five seconds, you would never be arrogant, self-righteous or rebellious toward God again. You would run to Him with extreme gratitude and humility and ask for His forgiveness.

If you could see hell for just five seconds you would never take God’s name in vain again. You would thank Him every day for the rest of your life for providing the way of salvation. You would thank God that you are still breathing and have hope.

The fact is that you won’t see hell while you are still alive. Salvation requires faith in what Jesus did for you on the cross. Salvation requires a purposeful act on your part … before you die. If you say you need to see hell before you will surrender your life to Jesus, you will never surrender your life. You will see hell because you rejected the only way of salvation, and you will spend eternity apart from God.

If you call yourself an atheist, you won’t be one after seeing hell. You will have no excuse before God at Judgment Day for your denial of His existence. The evidence of design was all around you your entire life, but you ignored it and denied the obvious. You condemned yourself to hell by your very own words, and by rejecting the cross.

If you spent five seconds in hell, you would never again take pride in how strong you think you are. Isaiah 5:14-15 (KJV) states, “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself … and the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled.” Those demons have tremendous strength, and you have none in hell. In Mark 5:4, the man that was demon possessed was so fierce that he broke chains off of himself and tore ropes in pieces. No man could bind him or tame him.

You are a nothing and a nobody in hell. You will never see your friends or anyone else ever again. You will be in total darkness, kept apart from others. You will have no conversation, no interaction and no purpose. You will be completely isolated and forgotten.

No one escapes hell. No one ever gets relief from the pain and torment. There will be no sleep, no peace, no food, no water, no comfort, no escaping the heat and flames, and there will be absolutely no hope.

If you could see hell for just five seconds, you wouldn’t waste time focused on how people have hurt or disappointed you. You would forget about yourself and start helping others to escape this horrific place. You would serve God and quit complaining.

If you could see hell for five seconds, you would fall on your knees and cry out to God to save you. You would turn away from your sinful lifestyle. You would surrender your life to Jesus and make Him your Lord and Savior. You would renounce the name of Satan and reject absolutely anything to do with him.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you could endure five seconds in hell, let alone an eternity.

On Nov. 23, 1998, I had an out-of-body experience which falls under the classification of a “vision” (see 2 Cor. 12:1-2). It was not a dream or a near-death experience. The Lord chose to take me to hell in my spirit man. {eoa}

For more of Bill Wiese’s teaching, visit him on his YouTube channel. For more information on Bill and Soul Choice Ministries, please click here.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.