“There will be great earthquakes, …in various places;

Luke 21:11

Dear People of God in this biblical passage” there is a conversation happens in between Jesus and the disciples, and He replied:

“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. “

We have to watch out day and night so that we will not be deceived by this world. This is the most important thing, don’t get panic if you hear these things, sit more in the presence of the Lord so that you can understand the revelations that the Lord wants to manifest in the world. Keep your life in holiness and spread the good news to the world. There are lots of people even in our circle, who try to deceive you, Keep your spiritual eyes always on what the scriptures say about this. In fellowship with the Lord you can understand the plans of the Lord what He has already made for you. This is written in Jeremiah 29:11

-For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Our future is in Lord’s Hand and hope belongs to the Lord, One thing I want to remind you here . Matthew tells us that Jesus spoke this parable in response to his disciples’ request to learn what sign would signal the Lord’s coming at the end.

Jesus issued various warnings (Matthew 24:4–28) because, during those troubled times, there would be many infiltrators who would seek to turn men’s attention and affections away from Jesus, the true Messiah. Since no one can know the day or hour that the Lord will come, we must be constantly in a state of alertness, ready at any moment. 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins tells us what will happen to a variety of people when the Lord Jesus’ kingdom comes. It tells us that Christ will come at an unexpected moment to judge sinners and reward the righteous. Afterward, there will be no second chance for anyone. People may knock on kingdom’s door all they want, but the door will remain shut. Matthew 25:1-13.

Dear HeavenlyFather,
Thank you for the understanding of this revelation. Let me live this life according to your perfect will and I pray that one day I may stand before Your throne and hear You say, “well done, good and faithful servant” – in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

Sol. Binesh Kumar, AOJ

And He saw a poor widow casting two mites (small copper coins)

-Luke 21:2

Jesus saw many rich people putting their offerings into the box and a poor widow putting two mites. Jesus said, “Everyone put out of their abundance whereas the poor widow put all that she had to live on”.

In 2 Corinth 9:7, Paul says that each man should give what he decides in his heart and not reluctantly, for God loves a cheerful giver. So what we offer should be done whole heartedly. We must not expect benefits in return of giving to Him.

How is our giving? It is a question for us to ponder upon.

In 2 Corinth 8:3, Paul tells about how the believers in Macedonian church gave,

"Out of the most severe trial, their overwhelming joy and in their extreme poverty they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability, on their own". They were much concerned about their fellow saints who were suffering in Jerusalem. Their giving was seasoned with love and concern. Again, how is our giving?

In 2 Corinth 10:18, it is said, “For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends”.

EVERYTHING THAT WE GIVE SHOULD BE APPROVED BY GOD.

Let me share a testimony. I witnessed in one of my mission trips to a village.
One evening, we visited a poor lady’s house who had just accepted Jesus as her Saviour. She lived alone in her hut and had no close kin. She had the widow pension and would also run some errands for exchange of money to survive. She had some old clothes and firewood to cook that she kept in her trunk. She took out a crushed 10 Rs note from her wallet. It was the only money she had. I was in tears and refused to receive it. She offered it happily and whole heartedly. Unable to refuse I received it, prayed and returned it to her with a blessing. I was ashamed as I left my bag in the van and had nothing to offer her.

It reminded me of the poor widow Jesus mentioned.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything that you have given us. From all that you gave, we bring the gifts and offerings. Let him happen that we please you like the poor widow with our offering Help us give with a cheerful heart. Amen.

Sol. Santhini AOJ

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

 Luke 21:15

It is a promise given by God that He will give us the Wisdom and Understanding to tackle everyone who is against us. A splendid fulfillment of this promise is supplied in the book of Acts. Paul was accused by Jews and God gave him the wisdom to defend before the Roman governor Felix and King Agrippa.

In today’s modern world everything we need is just within our hands.

But one thing that cannot be found in this world and that could be found only in the hands of God is wisdom. 

The power of wisdom that God gives us is magnificent which can’t be placed equal with anything that this world gives us. People say wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old.

In the book of Job it is said that ” But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his”.
A very good example of wisdom is King Solomon. He had everything that he wanted but he sought God for the wisdom and understanding to know right and wrong and to rule the Kingdom in a good way.

When we follow Jesus, He leads us toward wisdom. First and foremost, that wisdom is found in the Word. In James 3:17 it is said that “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Let me tell you a miracle that Lord Jesus Christ did to my grandmother. My grandma was a traditional Christian woman who loves to go to the Church every Sunday. One fine day the word of God poked her and made a turning point in her life. When she chose to follow the path that God has shown many people around her started mocking and insulting her. But God gave her the wisdom and knowledge to handle each and everyone. Almighty God made many miraculous events through my grandmother and also made everybody who were against her to be with her and follow the true path that the Lord Jesus Christ has shown us.

We thank you Lord for each and everything that you have done for us .As it is in Colossians 2:23 which is in Christ “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Lord give us the understanding and the knowledge to Glorify your name. This we ask in the precious name of Lord Jesus Christ.Amen

Sol. Gesha , AOJ

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrifiedfor these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.

Luke21:9

Being terrified or fearful is a natural human emotion experienced by everyone all around the world. God knew it beforehand and thus has given us the
Assurance of “FEAR NOT” in HIS book 365 times.

God addresses our fears first as we can see in the above verse – Luke 21; 9. The same can be seen in the story narrated in Matt 8:23-27, where Jesus calms the storm. The disciples saw the great tumult happening all around them, which was a real threat to their life and fear, overpowered them and made them say –God addresses our fears first as we can see in the above verse – Luke 21; 9. The same can be seen in the story narrated in Matt 8:23-27, where Jesus calms the storm. The disciples saw the great tumult happening all around them, which was a real threat to their life and fear, overpowered them and made them say –Lord,Save Us! We are perishing.

Here too, God addressed their fears first and then rebuked the situations whichwere very real and frightening to the disciples by speaking into the situations.God understands our human fragility and weakness, so HE addresses our human emotions first and then speaks HIS assurance with HIS promisepromise.

Never will I leave you, nor forsake you.                Hebrews 13:5

Psalm 34:4
I Sought The Lord, And He Answered Me And Delivered Me From All My Fears.

Father, into your hands I commit my fears which overpower and cripple my mind. Help me to believe in your presence in all of my life situations as you have promised. Thank you for father for your assurance and promise.
Amen.

Sol. Mini Renji, AOJ

And Jehovah said to him, I have heard your prayer and your cry which you have made before Me. I have made this house which you have built holy, to put My name there forever. And My eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.

1Ki 9:3

The greatest achievementof Solomon in his life was building a Temple for the Lord on earth. The Lord revealed His glory in it and made it His house forever. All the people who wanted to pray and get blessings from God had to travel all the way to this Temple in Jerusalem. After Solomon built it, all the activities of the Israeites were centred around this Temple till the curtain of the Temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus Christ died on the cross.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there was a “shift” in the place of God’s dwelling . He chose to live in humanhearts.

He made the hearts of human beings His dwelling place with 2 conditions.

Isa 57:15  For so says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity; whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, even with the contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

The Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth now lives only in human hearts, contrite and humble.
Now in the New Testament, anybody who wants to build a house for God, should note two things.

• Being contrite and holy – the work of Individual
• Making the house holy and and putting His name there forever – the work of God.

Building a house for Him is the work of God. Choosing the right place, drafting the plan, materials used, interior design, decorating, furnishing, everything belongs to God.

Human beings can offer land, i.e. his heart.
Just like we people, search for appropriate lands to build houses for us, God is in search for the proper land to build His house.

2Ch 16:9  “The LORD's eyes keep on roaming throughout the earth, looking for those whose hearts completely belong to him, so that he may strongly support them. …….”

Whenever, wherever, He finds a ‘contrite heart and humble spirit’ He puts a mark and buys it. (Makes it His own). He makes all arrangements to build His house.

Many people are today ready to give their money, land, building for God, because they think it brings a lot of blessings to them and to their family. But He does not want any of these. He searches for a contrite heart and humble spirit.

Many of us, have a lot misconceptions regarding this. In order to build a house for God,

Heb 4:13  No creature can hide from him, but everyone is exposed and helpless before the eyes of the one to whom we must give a word of explanation. 

1. Whether it is contrite (repenting for the sins commited)
2. Whether it is humble

If it gets through the scan, He starts His work of “making it Holy and putting His name there forever”.

“I have made this house which you have built holy, to put My name there forever”.
After that the status of this man changes. He will start telling,

Mic 4:5  For all peoples will walk, each one in the name of his god; and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever. 

Once we travelled all the way only for a single couple. 20 were invited for the meeting. But only 2, a husband and wife turned out.When I inquired of the Lord if we are to cancel the trip, asked us to proceed.
We saw many miracles there. I was taken by surprise. The way the Lord makes selections, how He opens peoples’ eyes! how He prepares human hearts for Him to dwell! Amazing! Every time it’s a new beginning!

Sr. Angelica AOJ

And when you shall see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, and then know that its desolation is near. 

Luke 21:20

We are living in the end days of Grace period. We are eagerly waiting for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Zechariah says, “For I will gather all nations to battle against Jerusalem. The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go in to captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations. (Zec 14:2,3)

AS THE MOUNTAINS SURROUND JERUSALEM, SO THE LORD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE FROM THE TIME FORTH AND FOREVER,

(PS 125:2)

Though the enemy’s army was surrounding to battle against Jerusalem and the end was near for Jerusalem, the Lord of Host was surrounding them. The Lord shall never forsake His people.He will fight for them and protect them as a mighty warrior.

Few years back, I was getting ready to proclaim the Good news of Gospel and conduct worship for students in a Nursing College in Trichy. I was getting down from my house with few bibles in my hand. Suddenly, I felt someone was pushing me down. Without my knowledge, I fell down on the ground upside down from the staircases.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful sight, Bibles which fell down from my hands, were kept on the steps one on each step of the staircase. I felt as though someone was holding my head and was carrying me. There was not even a single injury in my body or to my bones. In fact there was all possibility of a head injury or multiple bone fractures. It is God who had sent His Angels to protect me to save my life.

Praise the Lord. It’s obvious that the Spirit of the Lord will lift up as standard against enemy who comes like a flood (Is 59:19)
Beloved solder & readers! Do not worry or fear about the enemies around you and fighting against you. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Ps 34:7)

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Mat 24:6-8)
Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes what we see today declares that the Second Coming of our Lord is very soon.
Dear Solders! Are you ready to meet the Bridegroom with our Lamps with lights of our testimony and the oil of the anointing of the Holy Spirit? Shall we prepare ourselves and prepare others to meet our King of Kings.

Dear Loving Heavenly Father,
We thank you for surrounding and protecting us as a Lord of Hosts. Through the prophetic scriptures in the Bible and incidents which are happening in the world today, we realize that we are in the end days and you are standing at the door to meet the Bride. Prepare us for your second coming and anoint us to prepare thousands to meet you in the mid Sky.
In the Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Sol. Dr. I. Emi M. Petricia, AOJ

“ Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake ”

Luke 21: 7

Christian life is not a bed of flowers. It’s a bed full of thorns. Christian life has sufferings, humiliations, insults and other persecutions from others. This verse makes me realize this.

“The love of the world is enmity with God” (James 4: 4).

We cannot love the world and God.

If anyone loves the world and the things in the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [1 John 2:15]

We cannot serve Two masters God and Mammon.

Therefore, in order to continue in the love and unity of the Lord, it is essential that we exercise adequate control over many of our activities in this universe. You cannot love Jesus by loving money. Giving first priority to human means, we cannot give first priority to GOD. We can all be hated by (husbands, children, relatives, friends) when we give first priority to God all our relatives will hate us because we can not satisfy all their needs .

Jesus patiently endured all the sufferings of the cross, as foretold at Hebrews 12:2.

Likewise the joy that we are going to have with God forever is set before us. Therefore, we must endure suffering in the name of Jesus.

"Blessed are you when you are blasphemed for the name of Christ"
 [1 Peter 4:14]
“Blessed are you when people blaspheme and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of evil against you. Rejoice and be glad and your fruit will be abundant in heaven ”. Amen! 
[Matthew 5:11]

I was born and raised in Trichy district in Tamil Nadu. I have been a member of the Institutional Church for over 25 years. I attended all the Gift Schools that started in the lockdown Period last April 2020 through Zoom and participated in all the meetings held by the Army of Jesus. Through it the Lord gave grace to know who God is and how to know Him. Knowing about God is different from knowing God.

Myself, who was silent in the institutional congregation, by the grace of God gave me the grace to conduct three troop churches. I continue to participate in the morning worship in the midst of my weaknesses. I am doing my best to do what I can for God, even when the family situation is not favorable. My God blesses and guides me many times over in everything. Glory to God!

SOL. CHRISTY MANOHAR ,AOJ

But before all these things, they will seize you and persecute you , delivering you up to the synagogue and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”

Luke 21:12

Here, we see Jesus prophesying to His disciples of the persecution they will face for preaching the gospel . Even in the life of our master, our Lord Jesus Christ, we see how He was mocked , whipped, struck on the face, spat on , brought before Jewish council, stood before Pilate , before Herod and finally crucified.

Paul states some of the ways he faced persecution ,” Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods , once I was stoned, three times I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.” 2 Corinthians 11:24,25.

Paul was beheaded in Rome.

The disciples of Christ Jesus withstood the various kind of persecutions, stood before and testified to rulers, and preached the gospel of Christ, the good news, setting the captives free and healing the sick in Jesus’ name, wherever they went!

See what Lord Jesus says on persecution in the sermon on the mount;

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be very glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12.

We as God’s children maybe facing persecution at various levels. I have had people talk ill of me for standing strong on the principles of Christ Jesus .
But how does the Bible say we have to react?

Matthew 5:12 says to rejoice for great is our reward in heaven ! Hallelujah!

In Jesus name, may the grace of God be released on you to live as living sacrifices to the Lord, being of one mind, compassionate , loving one another , gracious and kind , not repaying evil for evil , or curse for curse, but blessing, knowing that to this you are called , so that you may receive a blessing (1 peter 3:8,9).

Dr Deepthi Christus, AOJ

“Faithful is He that called you, who also will do it”.

1 ThesSALONIANS 5:24

Apostle Paul in verse 5:23 ministered to his Spiritual brothers and sisters that they should keep their whole body, soul and spirit blameless till the second coming of Jesus.

That is sanctification, which means making perfect, whole, pure, holy, complete and blameless. Jesus sanctified us by faith through His blood He shed on the cross. After that He sent Holy Spirit to do the work of sanctification. Now we need to immerse in the water of the word and that water purifies us from inside. Then we feel peace and grace.

We have to apply what we learn from the word .All our organs to be made whole, eyes from lust, mouth and tongue sanctified so our speech is beneficial to all, ears should be prevented from gossip, lies, vulgarity etc. Our mind should be sanctified by thinking what is good, noble, pure, healthy and pleasing to the Lord, hands do only what pleases God and legs should take us only to places where God allows. We have to do and obey what the word taught us.

And absolutely worthy of trust, “He will do it”.He will fulfill His call by making us Holy, guarding us, watching over us and protecting us as His own.

Apostle Paul expresses his confidence in bcGod in these four words.

• We do not have to worry;
• ‘He will do it’.
• He will save us.
• We must make our minds doubtless by meditating on His promises.

Our prayers won’t go in vain for He will answer it in His own time.

I have a testimony. After my son’s marriage they waited for ten years to have a child. But I have a peace and confidence that God will provide. Then on the ninth year God gave me a promise that “you will see your children’s children Psalms 128:6.. After that with confidence I told everybody about God’s promise and He fulfilled it immediately. So believe in the promises that “He will do it” in His own time. We need to fully trust in His promises and stay faithful and blameless. We should not put your legs in two boats when the waves come it will depart and we will be drowned. Luke 16:9-13.We cannot serve two masters, God and mammon. God will multiply what we have in our hand for our needs and to spare to the poor. He will satisfy our spiritual hunger with His word and our physical needs also.

Heavenly Father help us to examine ourselves  and sanctify all areas  of our life every day. We thank you  for hearing our prayers and answering them.  Amen

Sol.Gigi Jacob, AOJ

And He Said To Them, Nation Shall Rise Against Nation, And Kingdom Against Kingdom.

Luk 21:10

Disciples of Jesus asked him about the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. Jesus explained different signs and kingdom rising against kingdom is one of the signs.
Throughout the Bible we see our God revealing the future. This is His goodness.

See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Isaiah 42:9

Bible is the only book that records the past, present and the future.
We know that there are two Kingdoms according to the Bible.

• Kingdom of God/Light
• Kingdom of Satan/Darkness

In the last days, darkness is going to increase. We know that today sin is easily accessible at your fingertips.

But mark this. There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
2Timothy 3:1-4

We know from the above scripture that this is the state of the world today. We are in the last days. Kingdom of darkness is going to rise against us.

In my life I faced a time when darkness came over me. I fell into deep depression. Was not able to do my basic duties. Was not able to sleep properly. By the prayers of faithful Christians, Jesus helped me to overcome my depression.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rom 12:21

Overcomers will receive the reward. So let us strive hard to overcome.

Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Luke 21:36

Jesus gave us a clear solution to escape the tribulations.

Jesus, help us to overcome all darkness and receive the crown of life.

Sol. Saji Kyle, AOJ