From the desk of Pastor John Greiner, Glorious Way Church in Houston, TX.
Recently, the Spirit impressed me how imminent is the coming of the Lord. Acts 1 tells us just as Jesus left, He will return again, splitting the Eastern sky. His coming will have dramatically different impacts on three groups of people on the earth--the Church, the Nations and the Jews.
Why do we believe Christ's coming is near? The main reason is Israel. When the disciples asked Jesus what the signs of His return would be, He said to watch the fig tree and all the other trees. Joel 1:7 indicates that the fig tree is Israel, and the other trees are the surrounding prophetic nations of the Middle East. Just as fig tree branches become tender and put on leaves signaling the start of summer, Israel will signal the soon return of the Lord. One giant flashing sign: Israel became a sovereign nation again in 1948 after being under control of the other nations for almost 3,000 years. Other signs show us this world is in for summer's heat, like steps toward a one-world government and religion. We see the rise of godless, secular societies that will be ripe for deception by the coming antichrist. Perceived "crises" like global warming show too well how gullible our world has become.
As for the Church, the called out ones, Christ's return will be in two stages: first, His return for His Church ("the rapture"); second, His return with His Church ("the Second Coming"). Oh the blessedness of being a born again child of God caught up to meet the Lord in the air! We'll be joined by countless saints resurrected on that day at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and we'll all get new, glorified bodies not subject to human frailties. Seven years later, we'll return with the King as His army to execute judgment on the earth. We will participate with Christ as He destroys the antichrist and the false prophet in war and locks the devil away for 1,000 years.
During our 7-year stint in Heaven, the unsaved, Gentile nations on the earth will suffer the tribulation, a time of unprecedented death and destruction where society is ruled by the evil trinity of the devil, the antichrist and the beast. Multitudes will worship the beast and take his mark on their forehead or hand, a mark that allows them to buy and sell goods. Those who choose to believe in Jesus instead will be martyred for their faith, while those with the mark separate themselves from God and face horrible suffering, death and eternal fire.
For the Jews, the tribulation will be an opportunity to believe in Jesus. Though most will not listen at first, God will protect them until the end. At last, when they see the King and His armies, they will weep and mourn for their unbelief. God will pour out upon them His mercy so that all Israel living at that time will be saved.
So what should our response be today? We must take every opportunity to share with others the good news about Jesus. Those we bring with us will thank us for all eternity.
[Editor's Note: This message by Pastor John Greiner was used by permission. John is the founding pastor of Glorious Way Church, 11611 Champion Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77066. Telephone: 281.580.8806
Let me introduce you to Pastor John Greiner.
This native Texan holds nothing back, whether he's ministering to his own flock or to pastors in other nations. His desire is to live on the forefront of the move of God and to bring others into His fullness with miracles of healing and provision.
John Greiner was born again at age of 33. He and his wife, Gladys, grew under the ministry of the late Rev. Dr. John Osteen, the father of Joel Osteen, and were eventually ordained by him, serving as ministers in the church. In 1995, after much prayer and consultation with Dr. Osteen, the Greiners laid down their 25-year home building career and founded Glorious Way Church in Northwest Houston.
Today, his business background shows in his ministry, and he's not afraid to use practical illustrations from real-world experience. Greiner travels internationally, encouraging local church leaders and helps reach the lost with the gospel. In 2008, Greiner founded Global Aid Partnership. Already the Christian-based group has distributed more than $12 million worth of goods, bringing the tangible love of God to the world’s poor. He holds a Doctor of Humane Letters from Becket Theological Institute, is cited for ministerial accomplishment in the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, and has been named by the IBC Leading Educators of the World. He gives his all to bring others into their promised land.
Pastor John and Gladys are joined in ministry by their two children and their families
My good friend Lonnie Rex introduced me to Pastor John Greiner a few years ago when I was in Houston. He and I bonded at that first meeting, and I was greatly impressed by what God has done in the life and ministry of this man of God and his wife, Gladys. John and Gladys are Pentecostal/Charismatics and flow in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
John and Gladys' daughter, Claire Buntrock who is the public relations director wrote the following about the unusual type of building they have at Glorious Way Church:
Eschewing the word "tent," Sprung, the manufacturer, calls it a "tensioned membrane structure." (I guess "tent" sounds a little low class, and they want to charge more money. Ha!) It's essentially a frame constructed of curved aluminum I-beams with one vinyl membrane stretched over the beams on the outside and one stretched on the inside to form the interior. We have an 8-inch layer of insulation between the two membranes. The building is lightweight, so it can be set up without a thick foundation, and they also offer HUGE clear-span interiors with no posts or poles to block the view. The acoustics are really good, and because of the curved shape, so is the energy efficiency. They withstand high winds by flexing slightly. And ours stood up to Hurricane Ike with no more damage than a small puddle on the floor of our lobby. We cleaned it up with a towel.
The selling point for us when we built it was that it could be constructed quickly. Some churches have gone up in as little as 3 months. Ours was more complex, and took 9 months-- (also because we're located in Harris County and subject to many regulations and permits.) We estimate a metal building would've taken 18 months, and we were in a hurry. At the time, the structures were just a bit less expensive than a traditional steel building, but, now that's turned around. The price of steel came down a lot, while the Canadian dollar got stronger. (Sprung is a Canadian company.) The children's/youth/office addition we're working on now is a steel building, though we're keeping our sanctuary and lobby in the "tent." :)
You may enjoy the info and interesting photos on the manufacturer's website: http://www.sprung.com/en/index.php The company was founded by a Mr. Sprung in the late 19th century and is still family owned. They began by constructing COVERED WAGONS!
You'll recognize a photo of our church lobby here: http://products.sprung.com/productDetails/1097934/1037527/1000816
I was privileged to attend a worship service and from the moment I stepped on the campus I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the most highly organized churches I have ever attended. You can't walk three feet without being greeting by church leaders and excited and joyful members of the congregation. The singing, praise, and worship is all designed to give adoration, honor and glory to God. And when John Greiner preaches you know he has been in the presence of God with many hours in prayer and study.
Whenever you are in Houston, consider attending a worship service on Sunday morning or evening, or on Wednesday night. You will be blessed.
Posted on
Sun, August 8, 2010
by Hugh Morgan