Upper Room Contemporary

We Could Never Have Imagined…
Even though some reading this have been Bible students for fifty
or sixty years or more, we never expected to see a time when the
spirit of the Antichrist would be so prolific. We never thought we would see America decline and no longer be a superpower. We never thought the likes of George Soros, Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates,
Yuval Noah Harari, Barack Obama and the Chinese Communist Party would be the puppet masters running America. Plus legions more wicked men and women scheming in dark, smoke-filled rooms.
We are reluctant observers of the fundamental transformation
of America that Barack Obama promised in 2008. We just didn’t
believe him. And it’s why I keep urging all believers to have an eternal perspective and to hold on loosely
to this groaning planet. Once final day events are set in motion, as they obviously are, there is no going back to normal.
Are You Weary?

“My People Perish for a Lack of Knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
America’s Gestapo
In August, we learned a lunacy bill was passed by Congress that was going to lower inflation. Actually, that was just a gimmick. It will do just the opposite. Monsters in the swamp of Washington, D.C. voted to allow the IRS to become the modern Gestapo. Because of his mental incapacity, Biden’s only role is to put
his signature on legislation designed to make Americans suffer. But that signature allows the IRS to soon become larger than the Pentagon, State Department, FBI, and Border Patrol combined.
This allows these agents to further squeeze the middle class in America and further crush conservatives and Christians, as well as Christian organizations. These IRS agents will raise more than $200 billion in additional revenue for the federal government over the next few years.
If you’re like most righteous people, you’re fed up. You’re disgusted
that evil always seems to win; that politicians speak nothing but lies, and that they seek the demise of anyone who disagrees with those on the Left. You wonder why God even allows the re-election of such serial liars.
Weary of Being Outraged!
We are just frankly, weary of being outraged. We groan that those
in power never let a good crisis go to waste. We wonder how an
entire system, the media, has been persuaded to further the lies and further promote such a nonsensical agenda. We get frustrated that too many pulpits will not address vital issues that could at least wake up some Christians.
Politicians enter office as ordinary people, but in time, are worth tens of millions of dollars. Much of this wealth is from nefarious deals, and we are outraged. Today's political players are nothing but a crime syndicate.
No, nothing in this world works very well, and that is by design. But don’t interpret that as evil winning. Evil people will someday soon stand at the Great White Throne Judgment where they will account for every one of their deeds, their lies, their greed, their selfishness. They will receive unspeakable justice.
“It Is Finished”: The Beginning of the End
God didn't ignore the evil that the Fall produced. When Jesus cried
those anguished three words on the cross, 'It is finished,' it signaled the beginning of the end. The power of sin and death, which so strangles the human soul, which ravages the planet, which obscures the glory and grandeur of our great God -- this has been defeated, and like a helium balloon, is dying a slow death.

“I Trust in You, O Lord . . . Our Times Are in Your Hands.” Psalm 31:14-15 3
Evil, my friends, is not winning. The story of the Bible is that there is hope in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
God promises to rescue His Church just as He rescued the righteous
at the Flood and at S***m and Gomorrah. Some reading this will
never die. Instead, they will be air lifted out of this broken world by
the Bridegroom, who will rescue His Bride. And what lies ahead for His Church is glorious beyond words.
What lies ahead for the wicked is unthinkable. In the end, they do not win!
Look Up and Not Around
I have said this for years—for decades. If we look around we will
be depressed. If we look up we will have hope; we will be able to
cope; we will have joy in the midst of earth’s sorrow.
For some reason, God has allowed YOU to understand the grand plan outlined in the Bible. Better days are ahead. Actually, glorious days are ahead.
“For the Lord himself will descend
from heaven with a cry of command,
with the archangel’s call, and with
the sound of the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first;
then we who are alive, who are left,
shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air; and so we shall always be
with the Lord. Therefore comfort
one another with these words.” (I
Thessalonians 4:16-17)

"God said about our generation, through Jesus, in that prophetic, beautiful teaching on the Mount of Olives, “Learn this parable from the fig tree.” Look at the fig tree. See the fig tree. You are not the fig tree. The fig tree is Israel’s national privileges. You may be grafted into the olive tree or the vine, but you will never be grafted into the fig, because the fig is the national privilege. It’s the land, it’s the capital, it’s their nationality. You’re not Israelis when you become Christians. Jerusalem is not your capital. The HaTikvah is not your national anthem. The shekel is not your currency. Do you understand? Sorry. You (the church) are not Israelis, but you can watch Israel come back to life.
You are the only generation since the time of Jesus that is watching this all take place. We see the day approaching. We don’t simply hope for it or pray for it; we see that day approaching. You see that fig tree coming back to life. And so we know that it is at the doorpost. Our rapture to be with Jesus – not only is it biblical, it is imminent. The sign of all times that was given to us that we are at the end is happening before our generation’s eyes. And, yes, one president can do these things, another can do those things. Neither are God. God is on the throne. His word has authority and we, the Royal Priesthood, must get ready for our imminent departure from this world."

Before Our Generation's Eyes
Our world is changing in ways and at a pace that are both unexpected and unprecedented. Yet, the final destination of our rapidly changing world remains the same.

Revelation 21:1-4
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

The march toward the final destination of heaven and earth has been underway since the garden of Eden when there were but two people on the earth. Yet, for billions of people and for thousands of years since then the proximity of the foretold end was never in view.
This all changed on May 14th, 1948, when God’s chosen people, long scattered all over world, had a national homeland once again and a generation now existed that could see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

On June 7, 1967, when Jerusalem was reunified with the capture of East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the approaching Day could be seen more clearly.
In the last 10 years, as a civil war brutalized the nation of Syria, we have watched the nations foretold by Ezekiel begin to gather on Israel’s northern border putting them in the prophesied position for the invasion that Ezekiel 38-39 foretold. The approaching Day is now seen with better clarity than ever before.
In the last year we have watched the Arab Gulf states agree upon and sign the Abraham Accords. These are the states which the Bible prophesied would protest the invasion of Israel from the north. Again, the Day became more in focus than in any previous generation.
In recent months we have watched the US lose its position as the world’s only super power, as nations around the world watched the catastrophic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the immediate resurgence and takeover of the country by the Taliban. The US is becoming a paper tiger in the eyes of the world, which is exposing the reason for the absence of the US in last days prophecies.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
The Day of the Lord is a day that only can be seen approaching by a single generation. This is the generation that watched a fruitless fig tree symbolizing Israel (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:7) begin to bud and put forth leaves in preparation for bearing fruit.

Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
As the church, we also need to remember that there is another prophetic necessity that precedes the Day of the Lord. That event is the rapture of the church.
The Day of the Lord is the 70th week of Daniel, a time specifically related to the Jews and Jerusalem (Daniel’s people and Holy City [Daniel 9:24]). It is a time of God’s wrath on the Christ-rejecting world. It also finalizes God’s discipline of the rebellious nation of Israel. This leads to what we read in Zechariah 12:10, the recognition that Jesus of Nazareth, the One whom they pierced, is the Holy One of Israel, their Savior.
In order for the 70th week of Daniel to begin, the time of the Gentiles has to end. This includes the whole of the church age. It is only then that a seven year covenant can be made between Israel and the lawless one, the son of perdition, who will violate the covenant at the midpoint of the tribulation.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Yes, our world is changing and not for the better. But there is another change coming for the church that happens in a moment and at a twinkling of an eye. We, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are going to be taken out of the way allowing for the lawless one to rise to power and make his false covenant with Israel during the Day of the Lord.

So as we watch the world change, much to our dismay in many ways, let’s not forget the change that awaits us from mortal corruptibility to immortal incorruptibility which will happen before the Day we see approaching comes to pass!

Jesus is coming for us soon!

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus

Today is Hoshana Rabbah
(Great Salvation)


"O Lord, save us [hoshia'na]; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you." (Psalm 118:25–26)

The eight-day festival of Sukkot is almost finished, and since it is a holiday of rejoicing, it closes with three final festive days:

Hoshana Rabbah (Great Salvation), Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly), and Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah).

Hoshana Rabbah, the seventh day of Sukkot, started last night and as is customary, many stayed up all night reading the entire book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Psalms.

For that reason this day is characterized by prayer, repentance, and praise.

Because this day is the day that judgment is delivered, it is customary to greet one another with Pitka Tova, which means a good note, referring to being sealed in the Book of Life.

In Temple times, on Hoshana Rabbah, the Jewish People cried out "Ana Adonai Hoshia'na," which means "Save us, Lord!"

This prayer is never uttered in vain: God promises that all who call upon His name will be saved.

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (Joel 2:32; see also Romans 10:13)

You must be born again. JOHN 3:7

The answer to Nicodemus’ question, “How can a man be born when he is old?” is: Only when he is willing to die to everything in his life, including his rights, his virtues, and his religion, and becomes willing to receive into himself a new life that he has never before experienced (John 3:4). This new life exhibits itself in our conscious repentance and through our unconscious holiness.

“But as many as received Him…” (John 1:12). Is my knowledge of Jesus the result of my own internal spiritual perception, or is it only what I have learned through listening to others? Is there something in my life that unites me with the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior? My spiritual history must have as its underlying foundation a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. To be born again means that I see Jesus.

“…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ” (John 3:3). Am I seeking only for the evidence of God’s kingdom, or am I actually recognizing His absolute sovereign control? The new birth gives me a new power of vision by which I begin to discern God’s control. His sovereignty was there all the time, but with God being true to His nature, I could not see it until I received His very nature myself.

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin…” (1 John 3:9). Am I seeking to stop sinning or have I actually stopped? To be born of God means that I have His supernatural power to stop sinning. The Bible never asks, “Should a Christian sin?” The Bible emphatically states that a Christian must not sin . The work of the new birth is being effective in us when we do not commit sin. It is not merely that we have the power not to sin, but that we have actually stopped sinning. Yet 1 John 3:9 does not mean that we cannot sin— it simply means that if we will obey the life of God in us, that we do not have to sin.

"Our natural desire is to be accepted and loved, but what does the Bible say about that?

Matthew 10:22 says, “And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” In other words, since He will never be accepted, you will never be part of the world religion. You'll never be accepted, embraced by the entire universe. You will be hated, if you are true believers, if you believe in Christ.

Jesus says in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

In James 4:4, we read, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
John 3:19 says, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
With Jesus, they hate you. Without Jesus, they accept you.”

We Will Not Be Accepted by the World

Among the many signs that show that we are living in the last days are those that can be seen within the “church”.
Paul wrote of the defection from truth in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, and he spoke of a form of godliness but the denial of the power of the gospel in 2 Timothy 3:5. Later, in this final epistle, he wrote:

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

The Greek word translated as fables means “an invention or a falsehood”. It can also mean “a lie”.
One of the major lies that has crept into the church in these last days is that the church has to be more user friendly and accepting of what people think and feel if we’re going to see people accept the gospel message.

To believe that we have to make the gospel more palatable to the masses is a denial of the power of the gospel.

Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Paul was beaten, stoned, and left for dead. He spent a day and night in the deep and suffered shipwreck. He was ostracized, backstabbed, lied about, and hated. Yet, he did not alter one word of the gospel to make it more pleasing or palatable to those who persecuted him.

He understood that being hated was part of the package, because it was the experience of Jesus and he expected to experience the same.
In these last days, when speaking truth is considered hate speech, if it offends someone or goes against the liberal left’s agenda, we need to be careful that we don’t give in to repackaging the gospel to a more worldly and, thus, acceptable form.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

What we have to remember in these last days, where much of what the true church teaches and believes is considered bigotry and hate, is that the gospel contains its own power, and we only rob it of its power when we change it.

An example of this would be quoting partial verses outside of their context to make the gospel seem more open and culturally sensitive.
A case in point would be John 3 where many like to quote a portion of what Jesus said:

John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

This is obviously true and is part of the gospel message, but not the whole. Jesus went on to say:

John 3:18
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus did not come into the world to condemned it, for it was already condemned. Instead, what the world needed was someone to save them. Jesus came into the world as the world’s Savior, and belief in Him and His name (which means, God is Salvation) is how someone is saved.

If all we say to the world is that Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn, the conclusion of the world would be that because Jesus came I’m not condemned. But, if we continue with the fact that unbelief condemns us, then the reason for Jesus coming in to the world becomes clear, as does each person’s need for a Savior.

Galatians 1:6-8
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

It is very popular in our world today to believe that sincerity is what is most important. So many say that all roads lead to God and all religions worship the same God, at least conceptually, and whichever belief system you practice, as long as you are sincere in your belief, your eternal destiny is the same as the born again Christian.

This is friendship with the world. It is a perversion of the gospel and enmity with God.

Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

It seems that compatibility with those on earth is more important for some than persecution here and rewards in heaven.
God doesn’t need our help in designing a message that can save the human soul, He has already done that. It looks like this:

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13
For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Proverbs 11:30 so wisely says, “He who wins souls is wise.”

If you want to be a soul winner, don’t modify the gospel, diminish the gospel, or pervert the gospel. Just preach the gospel, and whoever hears it and calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus

"The first coming of Jesus was not about judgment. It was not about war. It was not about establishing His throne here forever. It was about saving people through His perfect sacrifice; the perfect blood of a perfect Lamb. You see, you don't have to be Jewish, necessarily, to be religious and still miss His visitation. You can be Hindu, Muslim, Roman Catholic, or Greek Orthodox. You can be any religion you can think of and still miss His coming.

Jesus came to the people of Israel to save them from their sins, but they did not receive Him. He came to His own, but His own received Him not. Jesus, likewise, came to the world to save the world from its sin. But we need to be prepared to receive Him. Jesus wants us broken and empty. He wants us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. Jesus wants us to come to the understanding that we need a Savior – that we cannot make it by ourselves.

The law was perfect. The Jews themselves say there is no other law than what was given to Moses. But there is no way any person can ever fulfill that law because it’s perfect and holy, and mankind is anything but perfect and holy. That is why we must have a Savior. We must have a Redeemer. We must have someone who will broker a way for us to get back to God.”

We Need the Messiah
As we enter the Passion Week there are a multitude of things to consider, the most significant being this:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

The events we commemorate this week were all foretold in Scripture. Jesus’ triumphal entry, His mock trial, the manner of His death, the place of His burial, and His resurrection from the dead were all written about some 2000 years ago, long in advance of their fulfillment.

There is another thing to consider regarding this sacred week. It was true regarding the person of Jesus Christ back when it was written about in the New Testament and it is still happening today.

Luke 6:17-19
And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

John 6:15
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

The people loved Jesus. They wanted to follow Him. So, what was it that could cause some of the people, after all He had done for them, to turn their cries from “crown Him” to “crucify Him”? He had fed many of them, healed multitudes, cast out demons, and, yet, John the Beloved tells us this:

John 1:11-13
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Everything that Jesus had done was “according to the scriptures”. Still, those He came to first, the Jews, did not universally receive Him. But as many as did receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God. This is where many Jews faltered in their acceptance of Him. They felt that as Jews, they already were children of God. Their religious efforts proved it, and what they were looking for was a conquering King not a suffering Savior.

The same is true of many people today, only in reverse. After all Jesus has done to prove He is the Holy One of Israel and the Head of the Church, they are not looking to Him for those things. Many today want forgiveness but not repentance, provision but not commitment, and salvation but not sanctification. They prefer a suffering Savior over a conquering King and Lord. It’s almost as though Good Friday is where the story ends for them.

Acts 2:36-39
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Peter reminded the ultra religious Jews that the Father sent His Son into the world as Lord and Christ, and that they needed to “change their minds” (repent) about who Jesus is. This implies that they were in need of reconciliation to God, and Peter added that this method of reconciliation would be true for “all who are afar off”, as many as the Lord will call. That means what Peter preached then is still true today. Our sins were the reason for Jesus being hung on the cross, and repentance is required in order to be reconciled to God.

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Jesus is coming again and will rule the world as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He is coming back with all who have been made righteous by His atoning blood. Not with the religious, not with the good moral person, and not with those whose good works outweighed the bad. He is coming back with those who saw themselves as sinners in need of a Savior – who have been born again.

Jesus suffered, Jesus died, Jesus was placed in the tomb, according to the scriptures, but… Good Friday was not the end of the story.

Luke 24:1-6
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!

We serve a risen Lord who is coming again with His saints, not as a lamb, but as the Lion of Judah worthy of all praise and glory due His name! Since He gave His all for us so we might live with Him, let us do the same – give our all and live for Him!

He is not among the dead, He is risen!

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus

[Jesus said,] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .”
Matthew 6:19–20

Invest in Eternity

Pirates store treasure in treasure boxes. Bankers put money in vaults. Museums display valuable collections in glass cases under a guard’s watchful eyes. Will any of these precious items last? The Bible speaks of “moth and rust” destroying them, but even if they remain, do we take anything with us when we leave this earth? What are the treasures that can be stored in heaven?

We’re often conditioned to save and savor possessions, status trophies, and souvenirs of our accomplishments. Regardless of where and how we store all that we accumulate, we’re still not taking anything with us when our mortal bodies expire. When we show compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and loving-kindness to others, we invest in eternity, producing a heavenly dividend for ourselves and God’s kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, you provide all I need. I don’t have to hoard possessions or accumulate money to leave an everlasting legacy. I only have to follow you.”

If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation it must be by other means than any now being used. If the church...is to recover from the injuries she suffered, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting. Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will not be one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. - A.W. Tozer