I am no different than you. I, too, have to fight through the fears and verbal attacks from zealots.

 I am convinced that Jesus is coming back for His church with the Feast of Trumpets.

In case you were not aware of when that will take place, it happens in September when Israel is trying to get two people to be witnesses to the New Moon.

We are to do no judgmental actions without at least two witnesses. Since I don't grasp Jewish law I assume that this could be two random, but anxious Jewish strangers that might declare this to the priesthood in Israel. I would not be surprised to find out that someone, trustworthy, would go out and try to observe the event.

This quest to spot the new moon happens this year during a 48 hour window of opportunity that initiates at sundown on September 22.

(It has been advertised for several weeks now that the UN will meet on September 22, 2025. and continue through the 24th. It will be co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman , will push hard, fully expecting a declaration of peace and security to be signed by a majority of attendees, that will include President Donald Trump. A quote from i24 News states, “Macron said the objective is to rally the widest possible international support for a Two-State Solution, calling it “the only way to meet the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.” Considering that God, Himself, has made it clear that no one will split the land that He has given to Israel, and not pay a severe price for that action.) Commentary mine.

Consider the variability of this attempt to view the new moon and then get officials from the Synagogue to validate your finding. There are several scenarios, one of which could be cloud cover for the entire 48 hour time interval. Should that happen the priests will have no option but to declare that there was a New Moon and place its occurrence in the last minutes of that 48 window.

There is a problem for those of us that choose to use our brains and talk about it, and that is the hostile negativity, generated by religious folk, that will aggressively remind you that Matthew 24:36 says that NO MAN knows the day or the hour when Jesus will come to collect His bride.

The context has to do with the parable of the Fig Tree.

Matthew 24:32-36 NLT  “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.  (33)  In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.  (34)  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.  (35)  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.  (36)  “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

I did a search on Duck Duck Go, which is AI assisted and it gave this understanding. “

“Yes, the statement "no one knows the day or hour" is an idiom that originated in Jewish culture, specifically related to the Feast of Trumpets, which begins with the sighting of the new moon. It reflects the uncertainty of knowing the exact timing of certain events, particularly in a religious context.”

An Idiom – is an expression.
That means the disciples who heard this idiom knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. He was talking about the day that nobody knows (another idiom) because it is a variable (as I have elaborated on, during which the officials from the Synagogue actively sought to spot the new moon which indicated the New Year.

Detective Sir Robert Anderson, of the famed Scotland Yard, did the math for us and demonstrated that the time frame ran from 444 BC to 32 BC. Jesus also did the math and placed Himself upon that Donkey on the precise day that would fulfill the prophecy and have Him ride through the Eastern gate, where the crowd hailed Him as Messiah. Problem, only a week later they yelled crucify Him. Robert Anderson had this to say, “THE INTERVAL WAS EXACTLY AND TO THE VERY DAY 173,880 DAYS, OR SEVEN TIMES SIXTY-NINE PROPHETIC YEARS OF 360 DAYS."

In Daniel and the Revelation there are references to a particular set of days and months.

Revelation 11:2-3 NLT  “But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months.  (3)  And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.”

42 months and 1,260 days are both equal in time spans. 1,260 days x 2 = 2,520 days, or seven years.

Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948. They have been a nation for 77 years. The scriptures tell us that the age range of a man is 70-80 years. If this is the measure for a generation, then Israel is well within that span.

Psalms 90:10 BSB  “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

Jesus told this to the disciples that were gathered there.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.” (Matthew 24:32-34 BSB)

Israel is the fig tree.

Since we know that it's branches have become tender and sprouted leaves, then we also know that the summer is near.

What does that mean?

1. For those that enjoy figs, it is time to eat.

2. The summer season is the time when kings go to war. Well, the summer is upon those of us in the Northern hemisphere.

3. Jesus went on to say, "when you see all these things, you will know that He is near, right at the door.”
   He, is Jesus and He is coming soon to retrieve His bride.

4. And finally, “ this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”
   If the generation is those that were alive when Israel became a nation, well this is rapidly becoming a problem, because my father was one of those, and he just recently passed.

There is one more marker that signifies that we are at the end. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica said this.

“Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”                     (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 BSB)

Verse 3 is read as people or they. The question is, who is the people that Paul is referring to. Since the context has everything to do with the catching away of the church, then our focus should be turned toward Israel and anyone that could have an impact on Israel.

Today's date is 09/08/25 and just yesterday the President of the United States, once again, tried demanding a peace deal by giving Hamas another of his ultimatums. Apparently Israel, or should I say, Prime Minister Netanyahu has indicated that Israel would be in agreement with this action.

Problems: 1. Hamas will not agree to any partition of Jerusalem because they want it all. This is NOT a new strategy for them for their destiny is to be at war with each other.

“And the Angel of the Lord continued, See now, you are with child and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael [God hears], because the Lord has heard and paid attention to your affliction. And he [Ishmael] will be as a wild ass among men; his hand will be against every man and every man's hand against him, and he will live to the east and on the borders of all his kinsmen.” (Genesis 16:11-12 AMP)

If it helps there is this understanding of Esau.

“... Esau I hated. I made his hills a wasteland and gave his inheritance to jackals of the wilderness.” (Malachi 1:3 TLV)

So, if you have not heard, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salmon, on September 22^nd through the 24^th, right in the midst of the feast of trumpets, will co-chair a vast UN committee with the sole purpose of making a declaration that splits Jerusalem and invokes a treaty that will finally bring – here it comes – peace and security.

If, God holds to His revealed word, which we, only moments ago, read; then those involved with this attempt at splitting God's city, will suffer a sudden destruction.

Where is the church during this moment of crisis?

I am one of those voices that believes that Jesus will come for His bride at the last trump, an aspect of the feast of trumpets.

I have to tell you that I am rather disgusted with any who come against us advocate for this window of opportunity, for that is what it is, a window. I cannot tell you where, within this 48 hour window, that begins on September 22, at sundown and ends on September 24, at sundown.

While it will come like a thief in the night for those who are complacent and argumentative, because they refuse to be alert and watch. Jesus said in John 8:12 that "He who follows me will NOT be walking in the dark.

If "the Day of the Lord" is specifically talking about God's wrath suddenly being poured out, then it should be energizing to know that the Day of the Lord cannot come until we, the church, are removed.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 LSV  “do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because if the departure may not come first, the man of lawlessness may not be revealed—the son of destruction,”

The narratives surrounding Lot and Noah both show that God had His people removed before destruction.

“but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:29 NASB)

Find the origins of this narrative and you will find that angels were telling Lot that they could do nothing until Lot and his family were safely removed. In the case of Noah, seven days before the rains came God had Noah and family get in the ark and then God closed the door.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus it comes when you ask Him to come into your life. He took all your sin and shame to the cross with Him, and He made you Holy and sanctified for the Father's word by pouring His own blood out upon the heavenly altar. In Him you are lacking nothing. 

 

We are going home soon.

Do not complain, brethren, against one another. James 5:9-12.

When we ended our last study on James, we covered James 1-8. Let's look at verses 7 and 8 quickly before we move on. 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord, is near. (James 5:7-8 NASB)

You may be surprised to know that many farmers have Bachelor's degrees in Science and Horticulture. This means that depending on the crop, they have done their homework and know when the rains should come. Patience, then, for a farmer is a relative term; sure, they understand, almost to the day, given the correct nutrient and water combinations when the crop should be ready to harvest. 

The point James is trying to make is that with the right ingredients, the Lord, too, will come. 

What are those ingredients for the believer? 

Fulfilled prophecies. One of the most prominent prophecies has to do with Israel becoming a nation in a day; this happened in 1948. As a young lady on social media recently said, as she spoke of her end times dream, that generation alive when this event took place will see the coming of the Lord. The young lady also stated that it would be 70 years. My head said, yes, that is true. She seemed to think she found this information in the Psalms. I have been looking and all I can find this evening is this. 

“Scholars dating the Exodus to about 1250 B.C. usually propose that 1Kings 6:1 refers to twelve generations that have passed. (12 generations × 40 years [the symbol of a generation] = 480 years,) however, the actual years elapsed from one generation to the next would be less than 40 years; for example, the actual calendar years between generations—that is from birth to marriage and children—is much less than 40 years, perhaps closer to 25 years or less.” [From the Holman Bible Atlas] 

I tend to have rather black and white thinking, and so when I hear the word generation, as in the example above, I compare it to my father, who, in his own right, is a generation. When he brought me forth –he initiated another generation. He was eighteen when he married my mother, and a year later, I was born. 

Does that make my father's generation 18 years? 

Of course not, for it is the span of his life, and I believe he is 87. If he died today, and he will not, that would make his generation 80+ years. 

Our scholarly example above is referring to the exodus from Egypt. Because these people were so rebellious, God made them wander in that miserable desert for forty years until that generation, that had emerged from Egypt, was dead. There were a few exclusion, such as Moses – although he did not get to go into the promised land because he smote the rock instead of speaking to it. By the way, do you understand the problem with that? He misrepresented God to the people like an angry God.

Joshua and Caleb both got to enter the promised land – but why? Because they had faith. Those two men said, we can do this, while all the others whined about the size of the Caananites, and how they saw us grasshoppers they could step on. That may have been the case, but since they were supposed to be spying, and not making contact I am not sure how they would have come up with that theory.the 

Based on this information, can I say that a generation is forty years? 

It seemed to work for this group, but then, it is evident that their deaths appeared to be mandated; and, they were in a miserable environment that surely took a heavy toll on them. 

So what do we know for sure? 

That a generation is the average age of life (for that period of time.) Does it make sense that in 1948, when Israel became a nation, that the average life span would have been affected by war, and the fact that they were still an agrarian society? Sure it would, but even in 1948, the world was becoming modernized. Science was influencing our lives, and the average age should have been increasing. 

But the key for us is, what does God have to say about it?

Amid a God-hating, pre-flood world; where a generation for humans and Nephilim was an average of 900 years, God stepped in and said that's it, and He reduced the age limit to 120 years  (Genesis 6:3.) Wikipedia tells us that during the days of Jesus, the average life span was 35. Considering the hard, physical labor that most did, this is not surprising.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matthew 24:33-34 KJV)

So when Jesus said this, those that heard could make an immediate assumption that the period of time would cover 35 years. But He was not talking about an event that would happen soon; this was an event that would not come for over 2000 years. 

The average life expectancy in 1948 was 64.6 years for men, and just one year later, it was 65.2 years. 

But what does the Bible say? 

“As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years; and if men should be in strength, eighty years: and the greater part of them would be labor and trouble; for weakness overtakes us, and we shall be chastened.” (Psalms 90:10 Brenton)

There it is, seventy years (70). So the generation, born that year, would be the boundary in terms of length of time.

Are you aware that Israel, the nation, is 72 years old? 

And yet, here we are, sitting on 72 years. 

Do you realize that we are on borrowed time? 

In that borrowed time, end times events have accelerated.

Have you seen any of the social media content that speaks to what "they" have done to force us into a state of compliance in as little as FOUR MONTHS?

For example: 

• In March, we were put on lock-down. You can call it quarantine, but the name alone implies that you have or had an easily spreadable disease, and when this started there was NO workable way of testing you to see if you had the COVID. 
• According to Allen West, in a commentary he wrote for "CNS news," entitled Tyranny, Not COVID-19, Is America's Most Dangerous Virus, We have seen parents being arrested for playing with their children in parks. We have seen people getting citations for driving alone in their cars -- just taking a drive. The real meaning of "lock-down" has become house arrest -- illegally implemented martial law.
• People were allowed to congregate in our streets for the purpose of destruction, with no repercussions, and yet, you can be arrested to going to church or to the beach. If you have ever seen me at the beach, you would know that I don't want you within six feet of our perimeter, especially if you are some runny nose brat, that does nothing but kick sand.

Working on borrowed time, we have seen an acceleration of events that will most certainly lead to a One World Government, like the mandatory chipping of all people. This is a control issue so that a citizen cannot shop or work without this mark. And the worst part of it all, driven by fear, we have given up our freedoms. 

If you know the Lord is near, and it is evident that He is, then, 

“Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.” (James 5:9 NASB)

Many years ago, I heard the Holy Spirit say this to me; I have called you to be a watchman upon the wall. The watchman is supposed to alert those within the walled city, that trouble is coming. The people, on the other hand, should respond appropriately. All I have spoken of is that blaring call, not just of danger, but of the Lord's soon return. 

Immediately, this takes an interesting turn because the Greek word translated as complain has several other meanings: to moan, groan within myself, a deep sigh, murmur, and grief. Many of these terms are the kind of posture that can be associated with complaining; but, they are also terms related to praying in the spirit. 

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27 NASB)

Everything around me seems to cause me to groan within (I just learned that here in So. California, we just canceled the Rose Parade, and this is over and above a new, indefinite Church closure.) If I am being told by James, NOT to sigh deeply, then perhaps God should not have given me breath, as breathing facilitates my ability to groan. 

But James 5:9 gives us a clue, as it tells us that this is, brethren, against each other. 

In my own life, I have "brethren," who recently shunned my wife and me because we refused to wear our masks in church, and we sang. Before the Governor's closure mandate, we, as a church, opted to have our church service in the parking lot. Apparently, you can obtain enough social distance in a parking lot. My wife did what she is accustomed to doing, as she excitedly went around greeting people who have been her friends for over 20 years. That same lady that shunned us on Sunday had denounced my wife for not wearing her mask in the parking lot,  only weeks before. 

In our house, I have a stepdaughter and her family living with us. This same stepdaughter, who hates President Trump, sporadically tries to shame us over our clear statements about how we wear our masks; she is especially vocal toward my wife for not wearing a mask anytime she goes outside. 

Wait a minute, this verse opens with "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged."

We have seen this before, only there it tells us,

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged." (Matthew 7:1 NASB)

What is different? 

Not that much as Complain is the Greek word stenázō and leans itself toward feeling contracted (as when one is squeezed or pressed by circumstances); to groan or sigh. It is used of persons in distress, who have affliction or grumble from impatience. The word judged, as used in Matthew 7:1, is the same Greek word that James uses, krinō, which means to separate, distinguish, discriminate between good and evil, select, choose out the good. In the NT, it means to judge, to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case. (WSD)

With such an emphasis on not complaining against brethren, you have got to ask why? 

The answer is two-part: 

1. Because we will be judged, now, here on earth, based upon how we judge. The reason I say that is because I have experienced this judgment personally. 
2. The Judge, Jesus, is standing right at the door. Doesn't this imply the Bema seat, and yet, having looked intently at the Bema seat, I found it to apply to rewards, not punishment/judgment.

You can whine all day long about how some of us, have been saying this “ Jesus, is standing right at the door” thing for over two thousand years. Well, contrary to your wishes, it's finally here. The ironic part of this is that most will not affirm that statement. 

Having done all that we can do, such as NOT whining about our brethren who choose to wear face masks 18 hours a day, we can, like the farmer, finally expect to see the harvest. 

Everything necessary has taken place; there is no prophecy left to fulfill, except possibly one, and that would be Luke 21:24b. 

"and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." NASB

As I recently noted, the annexation that Israel intends to do may be the very thing that, for the moment, fulfills this prophetic word, as Israel will technically be in control of the temple mount once again.

I suppose with the COVID 19 lock-downs, you may be at the end of your patience. James continues this theme in verse 10. 

James 5:10 NASB As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Alright then, let's look at these prophets for a moment. 

"The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD's anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done." (2 Chronicles 36:15-16 NLT)

Isaiah, the prophet, in Isaiah 39:6-7, was ignored, and earlier in his prophetic career, the Lord asked him to go naked for three years to make a point with Israel (Isaiah 20.) 

Micaiah, the prophet, finally delivered the word that the Lord wanted these two kings to hear, and for his trouble, King Ahab of Israel had Micaiah put in prison until his death. 1 Kings 22.

There were, of course, success stories like Elijah and Samuel, but for the most part, the prophets, much like me, were not accepted. 

Maybe the writer of Hebrews summed it up best. 

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13 NASB)

They still looked for and longed for the day of the Lord's return.

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11:24-26 NASB)

But above all, my brethren. 

James 5:11-12 NASB "We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. (12) But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment."

Our job, if I can call it that, is to wait for the Lord.

He is coming, and this time, it is soon.

So, in the meantime, let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

Be straight with people.

Walk-in love whenever possible.

And practice this, "if the Lord is willing, then this or that will happen." 

The Lord is full of compassion, and He is mercy. Give people a chance, so that you may not fall under judgment, because it is so uncomfortable when it comes.