First, my friends, an apology. I am very sorry, my friends (and, more importantly, my Lord Jesus), that I have stopped writing. I have not written a study post since February of 2019. And before that, my last one was March of 2018. Have I given up on reaching out with thoughts and insights regarding the Holy Scriptures? No, not really. Then why would I quit writing what the Lord has shown me? The answer is simple. I felt that it was futile and that no one was reading or listening anyway. “Why,” I thought, “should I bother spending my time studying and writing about these difficult topics if no one is even reading the posts?” And indeed, it is quite possible (even likely) that this was perfectly true. So I convinced myself that writing was unnecessary and useless. That, my friends, was a lie.
I was given a talent and a desire to minister through these studies. I am not self-wise, nor super-spiritual, nor theologically superior as a biblical student. I am simply one of many men that the Holy Spirit has chosen, by and for His own pleasure, to give a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. But for what reason? To sit on the gift? To keep the understanding to myself? No, to be a conduit. To proclaim God’s wonderful words to any who, led by the Spirit, land on these pages. But I failed to continue at this incredibly important task. And for this I am deeply sorry.
The Lord has planted a heavy message on my heart. First, that I have been in sin for not writing. This, regardless of whether a single soul ever reads these words, in that I am playing the part of the rebellious worker – hiding what the Lord has given me in the ground when it could at least be earning interest (see Matthew 25:26-28). This is a very dangerous role to play! Second, that time is very short. And with the understanding that I believe that God has given me, I can no longer stay silent. This leads to my promise:
I am back. I will begin writing again, regardless of the very unpleasant topic that the Lord has given me to write about. I will write again regardless of the probability that no person will ever read these words. And I will write, though it is very likely that, ultimately, my words will bring persecution and possibly torture and death upon myself. I will write.
If anyone is reading this blog, my last statement will likely ring a very strange note. How can my words bring persecution and possibly death upon myself? Because the evil one knows that his time is short. And the persecution of the saints is at hand.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 12:10-11, NKJV
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.“
Revelation 12:12, NKJV
Through persecution, I will write. Because, my friends, we are living in the second night.
My new series is titled “the Second Night”. I realize that this is a strange title. Why the second night? Because our Lord is returning very soon – on the third day. On the third day, He’s returning to take His rightful place as the Sovereign King. He’s returning to rule with a rod of iron. And He’s returning to take His bride, the church, to the most magnificent wedding feast of all time. Praise His glorious name! But until our Lord comes, the night is here, and the times are dark, and getting darker.
In this study, we will examine the signs of the times. The Bible speaks extensively of these times. We will examine current events, both in America and around the world. We will examine dreams, visions, astronomical signs, weather events and much more, all in the context of prophetic scripture. And most importantly, we will examine what all of this means to us.
My friends, it is my fervent hope that the words that I write will cause many to reexamine their lives in light of our times. And that they would turn to the Lord with a renewed passion for a life of purity and holiness.
May God bless your study of His holy Word!
YouJi