APOCALYPSE

 We gazed in awe and wondered why
The sun refused to show its face?
The moon pulled down the shade of night
As eagerly its path we traced.

But why did this mysterious flare
Eclipse a pathway through our Land?
Were these apocalyptic signs
That judgment might be near at hand?

Then came the threat of hurricanes
That brought destruction in their wake
The floods engulfed their homes and land
As myriads fled for safety sake.

Now fires burn throughout the West
A million acres quickly gone
The devastation that they bring
Is robbing joy from every song.

With rumbling earthquakes underground
And war clouds threatening far and near
The lack of National unity
Can keep us in the grip of fear.

But Scripture calls His faithful few
To humbly pray and turn from sin
Then God Himself will intercede
And heal our Land without, within.
B. Pent

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

In blazing light an awesome sight!

A throne appears in dazzling white.

It is no dream that goes away

As one awakes the light of day.

No demon there now locked in Hell

Can take the blame for Adam’s shame.

Yet in that throng where myriads stand

God's justice must His law demand.

So from that Throne a voice speaks clear

Re-echoing forth for all to hear!

In bright array the Lamb is seen

With nail-scared hands so pure and clean.

Then He Himself like thunder speaks!

As man in fear excuses seeks.

The question asked for all who come:

“What have you done with Christ, God's Son?”

The wrenching cries can then be heard

Man's stubborn will rejects His Word.

Consuming flames, sulfuric Lake

All who refuse will there partake.

--B. Pent

AMERICA'S FINAL CALL!

The door is closing on your Land
I keep on knocking to come in
But you have shut your heart to Me
I can no longer bear your sin

Your Nation stood upon My Word
A strong foundation built on truth
Your leaders sought to fear My name
And would not waver from its roots.

Your land became a Promised Land
Where milk and honey blessed the world
And all who came found hope and peace
As Lady Liberty foretold.

Then fame and fortune turned your head
While prayer no longer filled your thoughts
The Bible soon was put aside
And "self" became the object sought.

Now shame and violence fills your streets
With homes and schools all torn apart
And human life no longer bears
The image of My loving heart.

I weep for you as judgment calls
For retribution to begin
My Spirit is no longer there
To intercede because of sin.

But I'll keep knocking at your door
I long to come and heal your Land
But you must call upon My name
And in repentance take your stand.
--B. Pent

WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON?

I woke up in Hell a few moments ago
Silent screams pouring out of my terror-filled soul
The doctors had promised that all would go well
So why all this torment of demons from Hell?

I noticed my family in stark unbelief
As news reached their ears of my sudden decease
No plans for the future had ever been made
Now only wild flowers grow over my grave.

I lived for the good things in life to be had
And really didn't think I was doing too bad
Repentance from sin was an old fashion trick
The Church had in mind to disturb me when sick.

But now only memories are left to reflect
The voices of warning are haunting me yet
Across from this chasm the knock still is heard
As Jesus still pleads to respond to His Word.

I have an appointment before the White Throne
There's no second chance for my sin to atone
The debt of my guilt Christ had offered to pay
Are tormenting chains I must carry for aye.
--B. Pent

The Prophecy Of Zechariah
Zechariah 1:1-6 - A Call To Return To Yahweh

In vision clear the prophet saw
Invisible to man God's cosmic plan
Revealed in mystery's simple shapes
Ten awesome signs of global weight.

The drama on life's stage appeared
The sovereign Lord produced the plan
Four separate scenes before him passed
And then the Lord returned at last.

A call is heard before the start
"Return to Me with contrite heart
For Babylon's strength has been removed
And grace toward Judah is approved."

Then from the rubble-broken walls
Where once Shekinah's Glory dwelt
The angel's voice comes loud and clear
"He has remembered! He is here!"

The awful bondage from the past
Is now fulfilled as Yahweh said
So why is Israel in distress?
While Persia's rule gives nations rest?

The vision Zechariah saw
Outlines the course of Judah's call
To follow closely His command
Until with Christ they take their stand.

So gather round the prophet's stage
And watch this awesome sight unfold
For blessings fall on all who care
And from their hearts this message share.
--B. Pent

THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The three names: Zechariah; his father Berekiah; and grandfather Iddo together in Hebrew mean "Jehovah remembers and blesses in His time." What significance might these names have as they relate to the Book of Zechariah?

2. According to verse 4-6, what are some of the contributing factors which led to the Babylonian captivity?

3. Even after Cyrus urged the Jews to return to their homeland, why did so few leave and so many stay? Might it have something to do with
the comforts of Babylon or the broken down walls of Jerusalem? What do you think?

4. Verses 2 and 6b suggest that they were truly repentant of their past. What are some of the indication that they were returning to Yahweh?

THE GOSPEL OF ISAIAH

The Book of Isaiah is a miniature Bible. It has 66 chapters and the Bible has 66 Books. Isaiah is divided into two parts, so different that scholars have concluded there must have been two Isaiahs. The Bible is also divided into two parts.

There are 39 chapters in the first part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 39 books of the Old Testament; 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 27 books of the New Testament.

The first 39 chapter of Isaiah speak of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration and the OT speaks of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration. The latter part of Isaiah speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer. The NT also speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer.

Now, if there are 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, that means there is a central chapter (an odd number always indicated a central number) and that is the 53rd. Christ and His work occupy the central place in the latter part of Isaiah and Christ and Him crucified occupies the central place in the New Testament. The latter part of Isaiah starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (chpt.40); and the NT starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (John the Baptist).

In the latter part of Isaiah there are two chapters starting with the word "who:" the 53rd and 63rd. The 53rd is all about Christ's first coming and what He came to do; the 63rd is all about His second coming and what He is coming to do: to judge. The New Testament likewise tells of Messiah's first coming as Redeemer and later He explains His coming to judge the earth.

There are two chapter starting with the letter "C," the 40th and the 58th. The 40th chapter and verse 1 starts, "Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God." The 58th chapter and verse 1 states, "Shout it loud, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins." Thus, Scripture is both a comfort and encouragement to those who diligently seek Him and a warning of wrath to come for those who neglect so great a salvation.

FEELING AFRAID

The winds of change are moving in
Like oozing spills of toxic waste
Our virgin shores destroy its prey
Polluting lands where children play.

The courts have now become like gods
Whose laws no longer stand for truth
Where innocence is bathed in shame
And those who murder feel no blame.

The bitter cries of those unborn
Are ripped apart and left to die
And then we wonder what is wrong
Our Nation is no longer strong?

Just look around both far and near
Our streets are full of drugs and fear
With guns in school, with sex and crime
And so few live with peace of mind.

The prophet sounds a red alert
That judgment lies within our gates
But hardened hearts respond in scorn
Still looking for Utopia's morn.

So weep and wail the time has come
God's bowl of wrath is soon to flow
But only those who fear His name
Will find escape from judgment's blame.
--B. Pent

AMERICA REPENT!

The door is closing on your Land
I keep on knocking to come in
But you have shut your heart to Me
I can no longer bear your sin

Your Nation stood upon My Word
A strong foundation built on truth
Your leaders sought to fear My name
And would not waver from its roots.

Your land became a Promised Land
Where milk and honey blessed the world
And all who came found hope and peace
As Lady Liberty foretold.

Then fame and fortune turned your head
While prayer no longer filled your thoughts
The Bible soon was put aside
And "self" became the object sought.

Now shame and violence fills your streets
With homes and schools all torn apart
And human life no longer bears
The image of My loving heart.

I weep for you as judgment calls
For retribution to begin
My Spirit is no longer there
To intercede because of sin.

But I'll keep knocking at your door
I long to come and heal your Land
But you must call upon My name
And in repentance take your stand.
--B. Pent

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

In blazing white
This awesome sight!
A throne appeared
For all to see.

It was no dream
That passed my way
When one awakes
The light of day.

No demon there
Now locked in Hell
Can take the blame
For Adam's shame.

Yet in that throng
Where myriads stand
I recognized
My face in hand.

Then from the Throne
A voice so clear
It echoed forth
For all to hear.

In bright array
The Lamb was seen
With nail-scared hands
So pure and clean.

Then He alone
Like thunder spoke
The sound of doom
Raw fear awoke.

The question asked
Was given forth
"What have you done
With Christ, God's Son?"

The wrenching cries
Could then be heard
Man's stubborn will
Reject His Word.

Consuming flames
Sulfuric Lake
All those refused
Will there partake.
--B. Pent