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Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. We would like to begin this New Year, 2016 by thanking you for your interest in our blog, The Herald of Hope, www.theheraldofhope.com which was launched in the autumn of 2015. It is our intention to continue to provide not only the good news of Jesus but of the HOPE we believe you can have in Him as we look to His physical return to earth. We will be starting 2016 with a series on the TIMES in which we are living.
We believe the bible makes it clear that we are living in the last part of the latter days. The latter days actually refers to the time of the resurrection of Jesus Christ until His return on the earth to set up a new kingdom. Yes, it’s been going on for over 2000 years! While we understand that it can seem unfathomable to seriously contemplate the end of this world as we know it and the beginning of a new world ruled by Jesus and that it will probably occur in our lifetimes, we believe it is true. We will be sharing our knowledge of that blessed hope in order to encourage you. There are many false teachings out there and sadly, much of it comes from within different segments of the Christian church. Sarah has sat (in the past) under a number of erroneous sermons and bible studies about the end of the age. Sometimes, the teachings expressed disbelief in the workings of the Holy Spirit as evidence of the last days. We know scripture tells us otherwise:
Acts 2:17 (CEB)
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams.
The Spirit of God is alive and very active in these days and we have personally experienced this through rhema (Greek for things uttered or said) from the Holy Spirit in forms of visions, words of prophecy and sometimes dreams. We plan to share some of these as the Holy Spirit leads us. And for those of you concerned about sola scriptura (meaning anything from God must come from the bible) then great, because we are in agreement with the intention Martin Luther had in implementing that standard. However, we feel the current application is often misunderstood. Sola Scriptura (scripture only) is a thinking tool we need to use along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to navigate our lives in this world. Why would Jesus leave us the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) if we can’t listen to Him?
John 16:7 (AMP)
"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]."
The Greek word for Comforter, parakletos, means: counselor, intercessor, helper, one who encourages and comforts; in the NT it refers to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus Christ.
Now, when we do hear prophecy, see visions or dream dreams….. just like the bible said we would in the last days…… then of course we rely on the bible to help us check the authenticity. If prophecy doesn’t align with scripture it isn’t prophecy! All true prophecy reveals Jesus Christ.
Revelation 19:10b (NKJV)
“…For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Lastly, we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return. But, we do believe we are in the season and the intensity surrounding the condition of the world at the time of His return is growing. Joanne and Sarah have somewhat different perceptions on the timing (Joanne suspects a very soon return while Sarah feels it could be a decade or so away) but both know Jesus could step into our time at any given moment. (Imminent = likely to happen without delay; impending)
So, please join us over the next few weeks as we delve into the times in which we are living and the HOPE we can have in the here and now through Jesus. We believe you will be blessed.
~ Joanne and Sarah
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