Ministry Statement

The Coming Storm

Government and media sources daily lull us into peaceful slumber, providing reassurances that we are dealing adequately with the problems that confront us. However, nations are in conflict over diminishing resources, especially water and oil. Shortages of food and water are on the foreseeable horizon, and not just in third world areas we have learned to ignore. Great ice shelves are breaking up, water levels are rising, and the frequency of earthquakes has increased several-fold. Man-made catastrophes have polluted the environment on a grand scale, and food is grown to fuel cars instead of people. Growing populations are further straining resources. The mass emigration of Muslim populations to the West has created significant societal disruptions, including rioting that has spanned several nations. Flash riots are the newest phenomenon of social unrest, resulting from social media’s ability to transmit messages instantaneously to thousands of young people at a time. Rampant greed has resulted in a top-heavy economic system that is beginning to crack. The good times of revolving credit will not likely be sustained much longer on either national or individual levels.

We are currently in the incipient stages of significant economic, demographic and political changes that will prepare the world for the rule of the antichrist. The suffering and tribulation of the nations that we associate with his rule will start long before his appearance. He will come to power promising to fix a broken, suffering world. Since tribulation is prophesied to increase as we draw nearer to the end of the age, there is little that can be done to stop or delay these changes. However, we can ensure that we are spiritually prepared to meet them. How so? By living according to God’s Word and the principles of his kingdom. We are called to do this regardless of the times in which we live. Dwelling in a land of milk and microwaves, however, many seem to be unmotivated to put the kingdom of God first in their lives. We do not study, pray, or listen as we once did. The reason is that somewhere along the way, many believers have lost their vision. Perceiving the situation, some ministers and evangelists preach revival, and others the rapture in an attempt to impart fire to our faith.

Scripture defines the problem with the state of self-satisfaction in the church: “Without a vision, the people perish...” (Prov. 29: 18 KJV) The NIV words it like this: “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint...” The point is that when we lose our vision of living for the kingdom of God, we will find ourselves living increasingly for the things of this world. We may consider ourselves happy in this state, but like the prodigal son, we are squandering our inheritance and heading for trouble. The world will either claim us or turn against us. When hard times come, will the church fall away or turn to God in faith?

Goal

The goal of this website is to instill the vision of God’s salvation plan and where we are in its fulfillment - not only for the earth, but also for every believer to come into completeness in Christ. Then, when trouble does come we will know for sure that he still provides for those who walk in covenant relationship with him. This site starts with the kingdom of God and looks back through the Bible at God’s long-term plan of salvation and redemption to establish his kingdom on earth. If we can grasp the development of this plan through the messianic covenants, especially Christ’s fulfillment of Old Covenant worship, we will have a better understanding of God’s ways. As we apply this knowledge to our own lives, growing in the character of Christ and doing the works of faith and love to which we have been called, we can look forward to his peace and provision in the trials coming upon the world. We are called not only to endure in our trials, but to make disciples, spreading the message of hope that sustains us in difficult times. Paul’s warning was never more timely: “The hour has come for you to wake from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Rom 11:12

Doctrinal Statement

Go to any fundamental, conservative, or evangelical Bible believing church and read their basic statement of faith, and that is what you will find here. Our broad focus is on the many facets of God’s salvation plan, providing evidence of the underlying reasons for believing the good news, for trusting and obeying Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of the kingdom of God, entered by faith, walked by grace and truth in the way of discipleship, and perfected through perseverance in our trials. Our endurance is motivated by the love God has for us and the hope of our inheritance – the great reward that awaits the faithful.

The Lord calls his people to move past the basics of salvation: to be united in loving, transparent relationships with others through his Spirit, and to be perfected by taking up the cross. As we die to self in order to live for God, this enables us to overcome temptation and the draw of the world. This is a process that occurs through our gradual transformation by the Holy Spirit as we abide in the Presence of Christ. Our faith, nourished by the word of God and prayer, finds its fulfillment in the character of Christ formed within, evidenced by the love of Jesus flowing through us and works of service that glorify the Father.

Contact: We’d like to hear from you, and can be reached at: sysop @ thefirsttrumpet dot com.