FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

When the Light Goes Out!

I really enjoy flowers and plants. My husband, Jack, and I have numerous trees, shrubs, and flowering plants around our house.

Last summer I was especially proud of some beautiful ferns we had hanging outside around our patio. Given just the right amount of light and water, they really flourished, with dark green, luxuriant leaves and tendrils that cascaded over the sides of the pot like a vibrant, intricately woven tapestry.

I enjoyed those ferns all spring and summer long, and when fall approached, I couldn’t stand to see them die. So Dr. and I carried them to the office and gave them to various staff members to take home.

All except one — the largest and most beautiful plant of all. We put that one in the office chapel up by the pulpit. It was so beautiful, so fresh — it was a reminder of God’s blessings to us through nature. And many commented on how much that fern added to the room.

Then one day a week or so later, I went into the chapel and immediately noticed that something was wrong with the plant. It was still alive, but its rich green color seemed duller and its leaves were drooping. “Oh my, I thought, “What’s wrong? Are we going to lose this beautiful fern?”

Then I saw the problem — inside the walls of the chapel, the plant wasn’t getting enough light. So I moved it so it would get full exposure to the overhead light, and I opened the window blind so natural light came in. And do you know, by the very next day that fern had perked up and looked healthy and full of life again.

The Lord really used that incident to speak to my heart about the importance — and the power — of light in our spiritual lives. When we begin to flounder, to feel wilted, weak, and listless, it’s a sure indication that we need to draw nearer to the light. The vitality and strength we enjoy in our lives come from the Light of the world — from Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

I love the beautiful description of the Apostle John, who wrote, In him was life; and the life was the light of men…. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:4,9).

Step out of the shadows

Next, James says there is no shadow of turning with God. Do you know what causes a shadow? Something comes between you and the source of light!

Is there a shadow in your life today? Then find what has come between you and the Lord. Could it be materialism, caring more about this world’s goods and “things” than eternal values? Could it be a person — perhaps you’re in love with a person who is not God’s choice for you. Maybe the object between you and the Lord’s Light is your own desire to be successful.

Could it be that you’ve allowed indifference, resentment, or a critical, judgmental spirit to come between you and God and cast a shadow over your life?

Take a look at your life today. Don’t wait too long! Without a daily infusion of the power of God’s Light, the vibrant colors of your life will begin to fade. Your zeal and energy to witness for Him will wither. Your desire to be all that He wants you to be will shrivel away.

Remember, just going to church is not enough if you keep an “umbrella” over you to block out the light. My beautiful fern would have died just as dead inside the chapel as it would have inside a cellar — without the power of the light! When I let in the light, my plant was fully restored. And the Light of God will do the same for our lives.

But that’s not all. We are so much more important to God than a fern plant. His plan for us is so exciting and fulfilling.

You can be God’s light

As we continue to draw near to His light, something wonderful happens. We begin to glow and radiate His light until it shines on others still living in darkness. Our lives can be beacons, drawing precious souls to Christ. This gives purpose and meaning to our living.

Jesus himself said to us, Ye are the light of the world…. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14,16).

You may feel that, even at your best, your light is. too small to be of much use. But it isn’t. In the gathering darkness of the world around us, even a candle can be seen. And as we work together for the Lord, combining our efforts and our resource, to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission in these last days of time, the power of God’s light will shine through us and reach into the darkest corners of the earth.

Oh, I want to help light up the world for Jesus, don’t you? My heart goes out to people who still walk in darkness, even in the United States and Canada, as well as in other nations. There is such sadness and despair, such confusion and deception. Men and women live under heavy burdens. Young people face peer pressure and temptation. It seems that Satan has launched an all-out assault on mankind.

I understand full well what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote that we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

If ever there was a time for us to draw near God’s light, it’s today. If ever the people of the world needed someone to lead them out of darkness into the marvelous light of our Lord and Saviour, it is now. If ever any Christians had the opportunity — and obligation — to win the world for Christ, you and I do.

In the words of a beloved old gospel song —

“There’s a call comes ringing o’er
the restless wave,
Send the Light, send the Light,
There are souls to rescue, there
are souls to save,
Send the Light, send the Light!”

God help us to hear that call today and to do all we can, give all we can, be all we can to send the light of the gospel.

God help us to SHINE!

A CLASSIC MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

We inadvertently skipped Revelation 13:1-3 so we want to cover that this week.

Revelation 13: 1 – 3

This chapter introduces us to two beasts. The first one, commonly known as the Antichrist, is unveiled in verses 1 through 10, while the second beast, known as the false prophet, is revealed in verses 11 through 18. The first beast is political; the second is religious. Both, however, are energized by the power of Satan, and thus constitute an unholy trinity-the devil, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. Remember, Satan is the great imitator. The incarnation of himself in these two villains is his final attempt to wreak havoc upon earth. Knowing that he has but a short time left, he makes an all-out move to usurp God’s position and authority through his two allies- the beasts of this chapter.

Verse 1: And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

As stated earlier in our study, Bible chapters and verses came into existence in the 1500s. They are very helpful in locating passages, but they are not inspired. At times they even cloud the information being presented. Actually, verse 1 of chapter 13 should have been part of chapter 12, for the subject is Satan and his persecution of earth dwellers. Therefore, according to the original Greek manuscript, the personal pronoun should be he instead of I, because he pictures Satan standing upon the sand of the sea. Accordingly, this portion of Scripture should read, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman…and Satan stood upon the sand of the sea.”

Satan standing upon the sand of the sea pictures his control over earth’s teeming millions at an appointed time (chapter 17, verse 5, and chapter 20, verse 8). This control is established through the two satanically-inspired beasts who come out of the sea and the earth. The first beast (the Antichrist) rises out of the sea and has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. He is a literal man, but demon-possessed, for he (or his power) comes out of the abyss, for the beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit (chapter 17, verse 8).

The seven heads, loaded with blasphemy, also portray the five kings who had ruled up to John’s day; the sixth king who was in power at that time; and the seventh king who will reign as the Antichrist during the Tribulation hour.

Chapter 17, verse 10 confirms this: And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. Likewise, the ten horns also picture ten nations over whom the beast or Antichrist rules. The scene before us pictures the final, or seventh, world leader ruling over a confederation of ten nations during the end time.

In order to understand that the ten horns are actually ten Western nations-each of which was part of the old Roman Empire-one must study the prophecy of Daniel in chapters 2 and 7 of the book bearing his name. Let’s digress for a moment and investigate.

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon in Daniel’s day, had a dream. When he awakened, however, he could not recall the dream. Therefore, he called his magicians, astrologers, and soothsayers together, requesting that they both recall the dream and explain its meaning. Not one of them was able to do so, even under the sentence of death: And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven (Daniel 2:13, 16, 19).

Next we find Daniel in the presence of the king, explaining God’s vision to him in verses 27 through 36. This is one of the most important texts in the entire Bible because it reveals the history of the world from that time to our present day. Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream.

Nebuchadnezzar was astonished as his dream was revealed, and shocked as its interpretation was given. Daniel told the king that he (Nebuchadnezzar) as the leader of the Babylonian empire was the head of gold and that the two arms of silver (representing the Medes and the Persians) would soon overthrow him. Next the stomach and thighs of brass (Greece) would defeat the Medes and the Persians.

Eventually the two legs of iron (the Roman Empire headquartered at Rome and Constantinople) would conquer the Greco Empire. These events occurred exactly as God had revealed them to Daniel and as he, in turn, told Nebuchadnezzar.

Now notice something extremely important. The ten toes of iron and clay never destroyed the legs of iron-the Roman Empire! Why? Rome fell through internal corruption.

This historical fact is the subject of Edward Gibbon’s great book, The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Therefore, we see that the final world power is a union of ten Western nations represented by the ten toes of the great image. The iron tells us these nations were part of the old Roman Empire, whereas the clay speaks of a deterioration as the empire weakened over the centuries. Thus, the final world power will not be communism but a confederation of ten Western nations under the first beast, or the Antichrist.

The ten toes also coincide with the ten horns of the beast in the verse under consideration. In the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:36-44), Daniel described the toes as kingdoms, concluding with the statement, And in the days of these kings [ten of them, as pictured by the ten toes] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

For centuries Christians have prayed Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come. During the Tribulation hour, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of Revelation 7:3-8 will preach the gospel of the kingdom-the good news that the King is about to return. Can you hear them shouting this exciting information in the streets? “The King is coming! The King is coming!” Finally the King is seen returning in chapter 11, verse 15, and chapter 19, verse 16, and this event of the ages takes place when a final confederation of ten Western nations has been established upon earth. Could the present European Union be a part of this picture? I believe it could be! Oh, Jesus is coming soon!

At this point we need to consider another extremely important fact. Ireland and Denmark-present Common Market members-were never part of the old Roman Empire. This apparent problem, however, is quickly resolved when one considers the information presented in Daniel, chapter 7. Here we discover that, following the establishment of a ten-nation confederacy, another world leader arises. He takes control, ousts three nations, and replaces them with two others and his own. Specifically, Daniel says, I considered the horns [ten of them], and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns [original members] plucked up by the roots (7:8). This coincides perfectly with Revelation 13:5.

Daniel continues in verses 24 and 25: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High. Here we not only see the world leader overpowering three kings and replacing them with original members of the old Roman Empire-we also observe him fulfilling the prediction of blasphemy described in our text.

There is no doubt about it. A confederacy of ten Western nations will be formed. Then another leader will appear, remove three nations, replace them, and rule as the Antichrist until the King of kings returns to earth and destroys his evil empire. Thus, the Common Market will grow to thirteen nations, and these thirteen could eventually control all nations and finally be reduced to ten at the end when this ten-toed, ten-horned confederacy is destroyed. This is the event described by Daniel as a stone cut out without hands [breaking] in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold.

Then Daniel 2:44,45 occurs: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Yes, King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream has come to pass throughout hundreds of years of history, and the present alignment of Western nations in the form of the European Union may well be the final piece in the puzzle. Prepare to meet thy God (Amos 4:12).

Verse 2: And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

We have already discovered that (1) Babylon, (2) Medo-Persia, (3) Greece, and (4) Rome constitute the last four empires of world history. We have also learned that the revived Roman Empire, originating in 1948 in the form of a final ten-nation confederation, becomes the end-time power block. Daniel 7 pictures these four empires as (1) a lion, (2) a bear, (3) a leopard, and (4) a beast who is a combination of the previous world powers he has conquered. The beast’s empire contains a portion of each preceding empire. Actually, the only difference between the descriptions of John and Daniel is that the order is reversed in the Book of Revelation. The reason for this is simple: John is looking back to the beginning while Daniel is looking forward to the conclusion. Putting it all together, the message of the ten horns, the ten toes, and the four beasts is one and the same from different vantage points and all picture a world dictator governing ten nations at the time of the end! This ten-nation confederacy constitutes the revival of the fourth power- the old Roman Empire-as typified by the fourth monstrous animal or beast.

Verse 3: And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

The wounding of the beast is mentioned three times in this chapter-verse 3, 12, and 14. The wound produces death, but restoration to life follows. Some commentators think that this statement represents the fall of the old Roman Empire and its restoration through the ten-nation confederacy. Others believe that it speaks of the resurrection of Judas Iscariot, for he and the Antichrist are the only ones ever called the son of perdition (John 17:12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3). God alone knows.

A third possibility would be that the Antichrist is assassinated or killed midway through the Tribulation hour (See Daniel 11:45). Such an event would give the great counterfeiter, Satan, the opportunity to perform a resurrection. This would prove invaluable to the prestige of the Antichrist, since the deity of the Lord Jesus was affirmed by His resurrection 2,000 years before (see Matthew 12:39, 40). Remember that the Antichrist proclaims himself God and even sits in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation (see 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Matthew 24:15). Thus, a counterfeit resurrection would assure the world that he is all he claims to be. I personally believe this to be the correct solution, because when it happens, all the world [wonders] after [him]. Mankind is literally overwhelmed by the Antichrist’s power and authority.

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

Dear Dr Rexella:

Thank-you so very much for this rich in depth newsletter!

I thank Him daily for being blessed by His wonderful servant Rexella and ask that He blesses you ABUNDANTLY in health and prosperity

God Bless you!

Karen D.

Hello, my name is RJS from Pittsburgh, PA & I wanted to tell you that I’ve been so blessed by your program. It’s so nice to see you so on fire for Jesus. We need more Christians on fire too. Rexella you such a beautiful woman of God. You have such a sweet spirit.

In Christs’ love,

RJS

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America’s infatuation with socialism is tragically dangerous!

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