Warm hellos friends, brethren, co-workers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God from here on the Gulf Coast. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you doing well, and that again your week has been blessed.

Someone recently asked me a couple of profound questions. “Many are called, and few are chosen correct?” I said, “Yes.” They then asked “But then we have Called, Chosen, and Faithful?” I replied “That also is true”. Is there a difference?

When you and I ponder, consider, and think of the small number of humans who understand even the basics of God’s truths and plan of salvation, and even fewer who have held on and endured trials, deceptions, and remained faithful to the end, they are among a very small select group. They are only a small percentage of humanity. But there’s still a significant (albeit small number) of those in this select group.

Ten years ago I presented a fifth round of what we called “Kingdom of God Bible Seminars” in Charlotte and Hickory, North Carolina and in Columbia, South Carolina. We had some significant initial responses to these lectures, but seldom the same response in actual attendance. We had multiple people signed up for the Charlotte and Columbia locations. But, in actuality, not a lot of people showed up to hear the seminars.

Over the years, I’ve pondered just how successful were these?

I remember back to my first “Public Bible Lecture” I presented in Tampa, FL in 1985. It was a similar experience as I mention above in the Carolinas.

I’m always excited to present these in public, especially not knowing what type of questions I might have to field from those that attend. Living here in the “Bible Belt” we often have had ministers from other denominations attend, sometimes even trying to teach us what they believe God’s Word says. I consider their questions valid, and many times had quite productive discussions with these individuals.

I believe that even if at times when we don’t or didn’t have anyone “new” attending, it is still always a good subject to review and focus on, as Christ’s directives are clear, we are to “preach the Gospel of the Good News of the Kingdom of God”.

One of the most beloved servants of God was the prophet Daniel. He passed numerous tests and challenges and stood strong in his faith and obedience to God. “At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved (Dan. 9:23), “And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved (Dan. 10:11), “And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not!” (Dan. 10:19)

Daniel was given insight into the kingdom of God to come in the latter days. “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Dan. 2:44) “Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Dan. 7:27)

God revealed to Daniel some of the most detailed prophecies in the Bible and obviously inspired him to write them down and preserve them even though he did not understand all of them. Following the receiving the vision of “the evenings and mornings,” Daniel wrote, “And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.” (Dan. 8:27)

Following the longest prophecy found in Daniel 11-12, Daniel is perplexed and troubled.

“8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” (Dan. 12:8-10)

Are you and I among the wise who are predicted to understand? Are we now into the time of the end? Time will tell.

We do understand some of the words in Daniel’s prophecies, but there are portions we don’t clearly comprehend. We have to be honest about that and be careful to not get dogmatic about unclear possible prophetic scenarios. God will open up more of the understanding when the time is right. Too many claim to understand all these prophecies, yet their explanations are quite varied. I don’t doubt their sincerity for a minute. But, is it wise to do so?

There are some words that Daniel was given though that we can apply right now, today. Daniel was told “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined.” We must submit to this process and apply the instructions given to the called out ones.

Jesus told the disciples then and also those down through the ages to watch. “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36) Yes, we want to be aware of world events and happenings. But, Jesus was focusing on the warnings he had spoken of shortly before. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34)

Let us not take our calling lightly but let us “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure.” (2 Peter 1:10) It’s a fact that we do live in troubled and dangerous times. Let us hold to and focus on those things of greatest spiritual importance. Let’s not get hung up on minute details that can cause us to simply be called and chosen. We must remain faithful as well. We pray with desire and expectation “Thy kingdom come!”

Anyway, just some more things to contemplate as we observe this Sabbath and Festival of Pentecost.

Arms up friends! Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Thanks in advance for your heartfelt prayers for us.