This is the Truth Network. In the book of Acts, after the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, verses 1 through 4, they were extraordinarily devoted to Christ. Did that devotion save them? Was it necessary to their salvation?
Well, stay with us, listen, and learn. You're listening to Until He Comes, a blend of prophetic and practical biblical studies with Dr. Greg Hinnett, author of The Second Coming of Christ, His Appearing, His Return, Our Preparation. And now, author and teacher, Greg Hinnant. Welcome to the program, my friend.
In our previous episode, we studied the fire of God himself. Moving into the Christian church. on that day of Pentecost, And in this series now, We're looking at the various implications to our spiritual life. Of what God did when He sent those strange, divided tongues of fire. into the upper room.
Today we want to talk about the fire of devotion in us. For Jesus. You know Devotion means simply the state of being devout. Being devout means being given. to religious duty.
All kinds of Religious persons in the world are devout. to their faith and whom they believed to be God and what they believe to be a genuine set of truths about their God and their religion. As Christians, How devoted are we? Are we as devoted or more as, say, for instance, the Catholics? Or the Jehovah's Witnesses, or the Mormons.
My goodness. A devout Catholic is very devout. Very much. Dutiful I'm going to Mass. And other Catholic Traditions The Mormons, well, you know how Morm you know exactly how zealous they are.
They're riding around all over the country and the world on their bicycles and their white shirts and their black ties. Elder this and elder that. Spreading An unbelievable message is just extreme heresy. And Jehovah's Witnesses The same. How are we evangelical Christians?
Living, how do we compare? How do we measure up? You say, Well, Doctor Hennett, we're not supposed to be compared to those heretics that's right. And while we're talking about it. May the Holy Spirit convict each one.
of their false doctrines, and lead them To the truth in the person of Jesus. But meanwhile, I think it is fair for us to ask. Are we as devoted as they are? Are we as devoted to truth? and to the true God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as they are to their Deity.
or concept of deity, and doctrines. It's a compelling question. It should give us pause. And I think it's accurate to say many, if not most, of us are not nearly. has devoted to Christ as they are.
That is a shame, but that is the current state of Christianity today, as I speak to you in twenty twenty six. In this Laodicean culture in which we live in America right now. Devotion means fiery passion. What are you passionate about? What are you passionate about?
What gets your blood boiling? Devotion is a burning heart. This is the very fire of God Himself in us. We talked about that in the last lesson. Has your heart fire burned out?
Yeah. Has the water of sin and selfishness been dumped on it so often that? There's hardly a flicker. Is that devotion left? Devotion means you're glowing with hot zeal.
Even to martyrdom. Christians to day as I speak and as you listen, are being put to death all over the world for their faith. In Islamic countries? If a person who has followed Islam or their life converts to Christianity, they are subject to an immediate execution by the nearest Zealous Devoted, if you will. Muslim.
So, yes, we're going to see martyrdom again, friends. The book of Revelation Chapter six, verses Nine through twelve. Excuse me, nine to eleven. Tells us of the martyrs that will be around the throne of God in the first part of the tribulation period. Who are they?
Why are they martyred? What's going on?
Well, the church will be gone at that time. That is symbolized by John's translation in Revelation 4, verses 1 and 2. It's clear the church of God, there's no mention of the church in Revelation 6 through 19. Not at all until 19 Verses 7 through 9, where there's marriage supper of the lamb and The week long, that is week of years. Festivities of the marriage of Christ to His Church.
And where in heaven then, not on earth? And there's no mention of his being caught up in the middle, three fourths of the way through, or at the end. That's not for today's program.
So The church will be in heaven, but at that moment that's described in the fifth seal, the souls of martyrs are crying out to God for justice. And he says they are to wait a little season. They're given a beautiful linen garment which symbolizes their martyrdom and their righteousness. And they're told to wait a little season until their brethren, should be slain as they were and the word slain there means Butcher. Suffering a violent death, and it implies as sacrificial lambs.
Now, Christ is the lamb of God. But we who follow him may at any moment have our lives. sacrifice for our faith or a commitment, or in this case our devotion. And so they're crying out, why have they been martyred? Because.
After the rapture of the church, there'll be a twofold reaction. I believe millions of Jews Will be suddenly affected and realize they were wrong for 2,000 years about Jesus of Nazareth. We know one hundred and forty four thousand of them will be sealed with the Holy Spirit and sent on a special mission in Israel. And to the nations, the nations who come. to this Jewish Jesus revival in the first half of the tribulation period.
We also know that Antichrist will die and rise again in a satanic imitation of the resurrection of Christ. And When this happens, he will make divine claims. saying he is Messiah, he is the Christ. Many will be deluded and follow him.
Now this is in the first part of the tribulation. You say, Whoa, wait a minute, Doctor Henna, that's in Revelation thirteen. No, my friend, that happens early in the tribulation period. During the time when he has come to the head He will be the head of state. Of one of the ten nations in the ten nation Western Federation.
He will take three of those nations by either military or diplomatic means.
so he will immediately have a much larger Sphere. Of authority And after rising from the dead and and bel and then claiming that he is God. I believe and would not make this a controversy, but I do believe that the implication is he may pass laws within his own nation, requiring that he be worshipped or venerated, as a deity by his people, and those not complying be put to death.
Now again, you may say, wait a minute, that happens in Revelation 13. I will say, you are correct. In the second half of the tribulation, that is his order to the whole world through the false prophet and the image that he erects to the beast. in the Jewish Temple. But what I'm saying is really very simple.
What he what we see him doing then worldwide. will probably not begin at the midpoint, it will be an extension. and enlargement. of what he began after he was miraculously raised from the dead. Yes, miraculously.
Paul describes this. In Second Thessalonians two, where he says that his coming is after the working of Satan with all power and lying wonders. Satan is supernatural, my friend. God is Yes. Omnipotent.
Above all. Satan's power is no threat to God. But I'm saying to you that Satan can do miracles, and we need to understand that any miracle that happens that does not. Point you directly to Jesus and keep you pointed there, but instead lifts up some man As superhuman. Turn away from it in a moment.
Have nothing to do with it. Or, The Miracle Worker Is espousing truths that are clearly extra-biblical or anti-biblical.
So keep that in mind.
So what I'm saying here is that it's very likely that the beast will begin his Required veneration or worship of himself in his own country or countries. in the first half of the tribulation period, then simply install that system. On the world scale after the midpoint.
Now Speaking of devotion, then, Mary of Bethany certainly had the fire of devotion burning in her heart when she took her most prized possession. That alabaster box of Perfumed oil spiken. It was very expensive. It came from probably India. And It was in a stone container that had to be broken.
Once you broke it, you couldn't fix it or put the oil back in.
So she took her most prized possession, broke it, And poured it out on Jesus' head and feet in preparation of his. Upcoming Beryl. You say she believed him. The disciples didn't. The disciples were repeatedly told that the That he was about to go to Jerusalem and their suffering die and rise again.
It went right over their heads because they didn't like it.
So they didn't listen. But Mary Bethany did. Gentlemen Gentlemen, are we so macho in our concept of Christians? That we fail to recognize the great necessity of female faith. Ladies, you who are listening, be encouraged and ennobled.
There are many women in the Bible. Upon whose Ample spiritual shoulders. And glowing hearts? Part of the plan of salvation rested, for instance. Queen Nestor?
When she first was challenged by Mordecai to go into the king's presence and speak for her people, who had been put under a death law, She hedged. She showed the weakness that we all sense and feel at times. And then Mordecai shot back a message that was his salty as it could be. saying to her If you think you and your family will escape, And I'm paraphrasing now. Let me tell you something.
You will not. But We will be delivered by another means if you won't step up to the plate.
So she had a quality Quick decision. And she did what God wanted her to do. Ladies. Maybe God's been dealing with you to say something or do something that.
Well and intimidate you.
Some person may be intimidating, but you have to speak to them, you have to deal with an issue. This month, for a gift of any amount, receive Dr. Hinnant's book, Word Portraits: Five Illustrations of the Mature Christian. This well-researched, insightful book paints five colorful portrayals of the surprisingly similar characteristics between mature Christians and five things: stoneware pottery, eagles, ants, salt, and the biblical wise men from the East. You will be amazed and changed by what you discover.
For a gift of $60 or more, we'll send you the complete four-volume Hinnant End Times Prophecy Collection: The Second Coming of Christ, The Tribulation Story, Revelation Notes, a verse-by-verse commentary on Revelation, and the Day of the Lord commentary, which interprets all Old Testament prophecies and foreshadowings. Of the end times. And if you are a Logos Bible software user, you may purchase all four of these books from the Logos Online Bookstore. You may give your gift today by visiting the donation page at greghinnantministries.org or sending your checks to Greg Hinnant Ministries, P.O. Box 788 High Point, North Carolina, 27260.
Or by calling 336-882-1645.
Now again, Dr. Hinnant. Gotta do it the right way. You can't just blast off. You have to speak.
The truth in love. Then ask God for strength. Tell him that you will do his will. and ask him for strength and go say what you need to say or do what you need to do. And God will be with you, just as He was with Esther.
So we need full commitment today, not partial commitment. Mary of Bethany was totally sold out. And you know, Our Former friend Judas, and he was a friend of Christ for quite a while before he betrayed him. Said, this is a waste of money. The money should be given to the poor.
Comically in the Bible, yes, has good humor in it. John said he was the thief. And he held the back. and that's why he wanted it. This discourse is in John chapter 12.
So John is giving us some inside information. This was just a rumor. John knew first hand. That Judas was pilfering The money's that were given to the ministry to support and take care of their needs.
So the Judas's objection was not sincere. Jesus turned right around and said, This, that, this woman. Hat done. shall be spoken Wherever the gospel is preached.
So Jesus really gave him a proverbial slap in the face. He's saying, in effect, Judas, you could not be more wrong, my friend. What this woman has done is not a waste. It's an act of extravagant love and devotion. and I will honour her To the end of time for her sacrifice and devotion.
Friend, maybe today God is calling you to obey Him in some issue you don't want to, but as I said earlier. Do so. honour him? Why? Because some person or persons need your obedience to God.
it will affect their lives. It could be your family, your friends, your neighbors, people at your church. people in another country. For instance, if you've been called to the mission field and you want to stay home in this nice, comfortable homes we have. In America.
A guy says I want you to go to this or that or the other field, and you know it's Very primitive. Friend, Do the will of God be merry of Bethany. Break. The alabaster box of your comfortable materialistic life here, and go. Go with God.
And He will supply every need and the. Compensation for your sacrifice will be overwhelming. Overwhelming. In the spiritual blessing he places upon your soul and The increased knowledge of God through the scriptures. The increased clarity with which the Spirit will speak quietly to your heart when you need it, in guidance and correction.
And above all, The unparalleled joy of seeing God change lives. Forever. Because you obey God. That is reward enough. No wonder the elders in the book of Revelation, chapter four and five, cast their crowns before the Lord.
They have already been rewarded enough to see God move in their lives.
So be fully devoted to him, not partially. be a Mary of Bethany.
Now This devotion feeds and drives our discipleship. Do you know what A disciple is a New Testament disciple. The Greek word is matetis. And it means simply A student, a pupil, a learner. But When you study the culture of the times you understand the disciple was much more than that.
Much more. If the disciple was a young Greek, Man. or Roman man. Being a disciple meant Selecting a philosopher or rhetorician. Or perhaps mathematician.
So who he esteemed highly, And then leaving his home. Selling out, if you will, and going living in. The same home or the same City Where that? philosopher or rhetorician lived, and then Sitting at his feet, imbibing his teaching day after day after day. You see, oral.
learning then prevailed. And then living according to his. philosophy and then going and telling others to the ends of the Mediterranean world about The message And the Wonder of your Philosopher's Wisdom Then if you are a young Jewish man. You did essentially the same with a rabbi. You left your home, you lived with the rabbi, you listened to his teaching, every day you sat, he sat, and taught you.
You lived according to his teaching. You practiced those traditions of the elders. And then you passed it on to others in the name of your favourite rama. By the way, there's something very similar is going on today in Israel with Orthodox Jews. They all have their preferred rabbi wear his hat and shed his particular Toraic light But what about a New Testament Christian disciple?
Well, first of all, we have to differentiate between a mere Christian and a disciple. Anyone who has been born again by repenting of their sin and asking Jesus to come into the heart is a Christian. No doubt about it. Legitimately they are a Christian. If you're reborn by faith in Christ, You are a Christian.
You will go to heaven. But you may or may not be a disciple. Every Christian is supposed to be a disciple. The scriptures are written to call you to discipleship, but not every Christian is. a disciple.
What then is a disciple? A disciple is a Christian, first and foremost, by the grace of God. Who then after salvation is so thankful to Jesus, he or she commits. their whole being and remaining lifetime. To live with and for Jesus.
Yeah. That is what God wants. God's heart is hungry and thirsty for disciples who are hungry and thirsty for Him. Let me give you an expanded definition. Of a Christian disciple?
It is A Christian who is deeply serious, Christianity is not just Some interest they've added to their list. of Interesting things. No. It's first in their life. and second, and third, and fourth.
He is everything to the disciple. And so they are deeply serious about their Christian walk. and about fulfilling their eternal destiny. Deeply serious. They're not light.
I think one reason that the wise bridesmaids of Matthew ten were ready and the foolish were not, was that the wise were serious about Readiness for the backgrounds returned. and the foolish were not. They were not serious enough to buy some extra all.
So they were left behind. Listen, Christian, are you buying extra oil? Is Christ first, or is He somewhere down your priority list? If so, don't expect to go into Raptor. It is a great privilege.
Reserved for those who honor God Not for Christians who after s after salvation. are not thankful to him. do not yield their daily life to him. and do not seek him. and are not serious.
Then A disciple is irrevocably committed to following Jesus Christ's footsteps. They put their feet to the path. And they're not Turning. Back. You know the old song?
I have decided to follow Jesus. You know that song. You've heard it. No turning back, no turning back. The cross before me, the world behind me.
No turning back, no turning back. Though no one join me, yet I will follow. That's the kind of heart A disciple has Irrevocably committed. Because you see, in the way of discipleship in Christianity too, you will run into. many offences, many things that are sent to turn you back.
And many Christians, sadly. Turn back. Which you don't have to. You are listening to me right now. If you hear my voice, you don't have to turn back.
You can go on. You can t put one foot in front of the other, no matter how hard it Hurts. Maybe you've been forsaken by your spouse. Slandered by a friend, or someone you thought was a friend.
Okay. Fired with no reason from your job, except perhaps that you're a Christian and they just don't want to look at you. And Satan brings all kinds of reasons to your mind why you should be offended, and why did Jesus let this happen, and why did He let that happen, and couldn't He have stopped this from happening, etc., etcetera, etc. You will always have the opportunity to go back if you choose. But in Luke's Gospel.
In Luke's Gospel, Chapter 7, verse 23, Jesus said these words: Blessed is he. who will not be offended. in me.
Some versions say, it's not offended to me. I think it's more accurate to say, who will not be offended in me? That is who refuses to be offended. Because if you're not set to refuse to be offended, you will be offended. That's for sure.
And then a disciple is also A student follower of the Lord. A student follower of the Lord. They're a student, they're studying the Word, but they realize they must obey. The learning is to be converted into living. And if it's not, They failed.
The real purpose of their destiny.
So they're a student Follower of the Lord. This isn't just an intellectual exercise, my friend. It's a way of life. Christianity. And then they're self-discipline.
Nobody's going to come around every morning and say, now it's time to get up and seek the Lord. You have to make that determination. And seek him. and discipline your eating. and your time.
To put Christ first in everything. Friend, let me encourage you then to be this kind of a disciple. A true disciple. Deeply serious, irrevocably committed, student follower of the Son of God who has disciplined themselves. To be His disciple.
Come back next week and we're going to talk about more on this very point. Uh. being a Christian who has an inner fire of devotion. If this message has blessed you, tell your friends and please consider helping us stay on the air by sending your tax-deductible donation to Greg Hennett Ministries. Also, remember, you may download the Until He Comes podcast from your preferred podcast app.
May you walk closely with Christ and trust and obey Him in your daily tests of faith and patience until He Comes. This is the Truth Network. Okay.
