FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

A Blaze of Glory

That day is coming, dear one… The day we shall see Christ as He is. At that final moment of earth’s history for us, will He find us blazing bright with His message of love and hope?

I think of the maple trees across the street from our house. One autumn season, what a glorious display of red, yellow, brown and purple we were treated to when those leaves began to turn! When the evening sun came shining through the leaf-covered boughs, each tree seemed to be on fire.

When I was home, I enjoyed looking over at those glorious maples. I was a little sad when the last leaves fell and only skeleton-like arms were left silhouetted against the winter sky.

I waited for spring and new leaves on those trees, but the new buds never sprouted. I was shocked to see my neighbor cutting down the lifeless limbs and dead trunks.

How could trees that had been so beautiful just last fall be dead in spring? Someone explained to me what had happened: the trees sense when they are in their last season, and they pour all their remaining strength into one last spectacular display —

They go out in a blaze of glory!

Like nature, the Bible is full of examples of this final “blaze of glory.” Think of Samson, whose entire existence was reduced to turning a grind stone for the Philistines, in his eternally dark, blind state.

Yet when he was brought into the Philistine coliseum to entertain them, the Bible says:

“And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life” (Judges 16:29-30).

Job had a full, rich life until tragedy struck him. Then he went through some of the most trying times ever endured by a human being, but he stayed true to God, and it was said of him, “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:12).

There is a tremendous lesson for all of us in this. Without a doubt, we are living in the last season of this old world. All the prophetic signs tell us time will soon wind down. In the short time left to us, we as Christians should be like the maple tree and prepare to end this final season in a blaze of glory!

Think of it! We’re in the last harvest of souls this world will ever see before Jesus comes. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35).

Knowing the season, we must expend every resource and every bit of strength at our disposal to light up the world with the reflected glory of our Savior. Let us shine our brightest today… Show our truest colors now. There will not be another season.

Wife and mother, this may be the last month or week… or day you will spend with your family. Pour out your love on your husband and children. Husband and father, this may be your last opportunity to make your home a glorious place to live, full of joy and love and excitement. Do it now!

Dear friend, how can you go out with a blaze of glory? There are simple acts of kindness you can do: a heart-felt compliment, a word of encouragement, a friendly phone call to a lonely acquaintance. They may be little things, but like each individual maple leaf, they can fill your life-tree full!

Jack Van Impe Ministries need your continued prayer support as we try to make this season of our ministry the most glorious of all and proclaim to the world: Jesus is coming soon — perhaps today! The Scripture says…

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord … For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians. 4:16-5:2).

Remember to pray for us, even as we pray for you. Ask God to give us so much strength, energy, vision and anointing that, like Job, the end of our lives will be greater than the beginning. As the Scriptures tell and as the signs of the times clearly show, the coming of our Lord is at hand. Let’s rise to meet Him in joy and triumph, going up in a blaze of glory!

A CLASSIC MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Jesus Paid The Price – part 1

Ephesians 2:10 states, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. When we become new creations in Christ Jesus, this text teaches that part of God’s new creative work within us produces service. We do not work to become Christians, but work because Christ within is working through the life of the one He indwells. I am afraid that many lackadaisical, lazy professors of religion have nothing. The evidence of salvation is sadly invisible. What about it? Does God expect anything from overloaded (physically), undernourished (spiritually) twentieth century believers?

The truths I am about to present will not please lazy Christians who, like wheelbarrows, need to be pushed. Neither will these arrows of God’s Word be as pleasing platitudes to modern saints who run their lives like present-day cafeterias-self-service only. Nevertheless, all need to hear from God. All of us need a spiritual bath occasionally, so let’s proceed to use the Word and get washed (see Ephesians 5:26).

In chapter one we considered in a broad way, or telescopically, the price Christ paid. Now let’s look at it microscopically, or minutely. Then let’s follow Christ.

Christ Was Slandered

First; Jesus paid the price of malicious slander. The Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils (Matthew 9:34).

Again, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils (Matthew 12:24).

He hath an unclean spirit (Mark 3:30).

Some say, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people (John 7:12).

The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil (John 7:20).

Imagine the audacity of the people as they hurled these vicious accusations at Christ:

The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true (John 8:13). Here they call the Saviour a bold-faced liar. It gets worse in John 8:41 where they say We be not born of fornication. [We are not a dirty, illegitimate child like you].

Still again, Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil (John 8:48). This was a racial slur because Samaritans were hated.

In John 10:20 they say, He hath a devil, and is mad. [He is demented and foams like a mad dog.]

I have but taken a few of the slanderous pronouncements made concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The people said that Jesus had a devil, and an unclean spirit; that He was a deceiver, a liar; that He was an illegitimate child, a mad dog. About whom were they speaking? God in the flesh!

Will those who truly follow in His steps receive the same kind of treatment? You had better believe it! In fact, I have never felt better about some of the mail I receive. Praise God, I am on Christ’s side, and this is the way it should be.

Listen to the Saviour in John 15:18, 19, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

This same teaching is presented by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [Then what-quit? NO!] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:10, We are fools for Christ’s sake. Verse 13: We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. Let’s study the word “offscouring” for a moment.

When dishes are washed, the pots have “goop” on the bottom. One then takes a scouring pad and scrapes the “crud” free. The released “goop” is the offscouring. Ugh! Well, dear refined, highly polished Christian, this is the term the Holy Spirit uses to picture the Christian who is taking his stand for Christ in this wicked world. He is the “offscouring,” the “goop,” and “crud” off the bottom of the pan in the world’s eyes. Has this been true in your life? Why not? God wrote this verse and said it would be so if you lived the life. Forget about your image. Let go, and let God have His wonderful way in your life.

First Peter 2:12 says, They [will] speak against you.

First Peter 3:14: If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake happy are ye. Why? Because of the reward in the future.

Again, 1 Peter 4:14 declares, If ye be reproached [maligned and slandered] for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

Now I want to show you the prime reason the average Christian is never slandered and hated. First, his testimony is nil or watered down. Jesus said in John 7:7, The world… me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Those who run around talking love, love, and more love usually are loved. But when one mentions sin, as Jesus did, and rebukes the iniquitous abominations of the hour, he becomes hated.

The Bible also teaches that godliness produces resentment among the unholy. Second Timothy 3:12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. This is why Cain slew Abel, his brother (see 1 John 3:12). This is why carnal Christians criticize spiritual men of God who preach holy living and keep the standards high.

You folks who look like the world, dress like the world, act like the world, talk like the world, run with the world, and live for the world will never be persecuted. You are living where they are. But it is wrong, and you will be the loser.

Romans 12:2 says, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed In simple English, don’t be fashioned like the world, but “about face.” You women who wear tight blouses and sweaters to attract men will never be persecuted. Your little short skirts will bring the favor of the ungodly rather than mockery. You men with smutty mouths won’t be considered religious fanatics. The world will love you; you sound like them. But, be not conformed to this world.

We will continue to look at the price that Jesus paid in our next newsletter.

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

I can’t even explain how blessed I have been by your weekly newsletters. They keep me grounded and purposeful in seeking the Lord. I love your honesty, and integrity.

Thank you very much

Susan

Rexella,

I just want to take a minute and say Thank you for taking the time to send me these positive words. I really do look forward to reading them.. Thank you one more time and God Bless

Paul

HIGHLIGHTED MINISTRY OFFERS

The World of the End

We always expected life to be filled with ups and downs. But lately doesn’t it feel like the downs are winning?

Doesn’t it seem as if the hits keep coming harder and closer together? Our world is packed with lies and loss of trust. Wars and rumors of war. Devastation and disaster. Pressure and persecution. Lawlessness and lovelessness.

Some days it seems like bad news all around. And with bad news comes questions: “Why is this happening?” “When will it stop?” “What can we do?”

And perhaps the most pressing of all: “Is this the end?”

In these hope filled pages, bestselling author, pastor, and respected Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah focuses our attention not on the problems at hand, but on the Hand of God. That’s because Jesus Himself told us what to expect from this season of history when He delivered His Olivet Discourse — a significant sermon that scholars have called “the most important single passage of prophecy in all the Bible.”

With his trademark clarity, Dr. Jeremiah reveals exactly what Jesus promised to us — and what He expects from us — as we approach The World of the End.

The Lessons of Daniel: For then — for now — for the end

Final Mysteries … Unsealed

God commanded Daniel to seal the mysteries of His Spirit-inspired work until the “time of the end.” Only when the final events began to occur would the Spirit reveal His mysteries to present-day messengers.

According to Drs. Jack and Rexella Van Impe, the wait is over.

That time is now!

Some of the mysteries unsealed in this booklet are:

• The Colossal End-Time Image
• The Four Great Beasts
• The Rule of the Final Madman
• The Assassination and Resurrection of the Antichrist
• The Seventh and Final Empire of History
• And many, many more!