Dr. C. S. Lovett’s
MARANATHA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
March 2023
REVELATION ADVENTURE
The apostle John was more than 90 years old; with parchment and quill in his hand, he writes. The Lord had been speaking to him, revealing what is to take place in the last days. That would make anyone stop and think. By the way, we call what he was writing—The Revelation.
The Lord told John to write down everything he sees in his imagination. After that, he's to send what he has written to seven churches on the mainland. Now that creates an enormous problem for the apostle. Oh yes, I need to mention that he's a prisoner on an island. That's the basis of his problem. This meant everything had to be in code. At the same time, the code would have to be familiar to his readers.
Since John wrote this book in code, we must accommodate ourselves to the symbolic language of Daniel and Zechariah. It is full of mystery and symbolism and for that reason, it remains as jumbled in our day, as it did to the guards on the island of Patmos. However, reading Revelation becomes an exciting adventure once we apply the codes.
DRAWN TO THIS BOOK
I've been fascinated with Revelation for years. I'd read it and reread it, and because of the Holy Spirit's work, I'd catch things I couldn't explain. I felt the Spirit trying to tell me things I couldn't understand. And while the book was beyond me, I loved it. Yet somehow, I just couldn't put it all together.
As you know, I've been producing LIGHTS (commentaries), on the New Testament for several decades. Occasionally, some of you would write saying, "I wish you had your lights on The Revelation!" And I'd say to myself, "I wish we had them, too." It was a secret longing, but I never thought I'd ever tackle it. One day I was working with a wonderful verse, "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 1 Thess. 5:24). That moved me. If it is true that when God calls you to a task, He will perform it—why should I be afraid?
SO I GAVE IN
I made the decision. After preaching a few Sunday messages on prophecy as a warm-up, I plunged into Revelation with fear and trembling. The Lord kept His Word and sure enough, as I worked with the verses, startling truths would break across my understanding. Some of His ideas were new and strange to me, and I had to abandon some previously held views.
I had read many books on Revelation, but what God was giving me was different. Even so, I kept my confidence in the Holy Spirit and clung to that verse, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” Finally, the first draft was done. While John had the seven churches of Asia in mind when he wrote this book, God had in mind the specific generation that would experience awful things in this book under Satan's man, the beast. And we could easily be that generation. Things are swiftly approaching a showdown between a rebellious, defiant man and God. News headlines fairly scream that the day of the Lord is almost upon us. The cup of corruption is almost full. God has just about had enough. The Revelation was written for such an hour as this, and you need to be ready for what's coming.
A MESSIAH KING
When Jesus came into the world, it was NOT as a mighty king, but as the “Lamb of God.” He came to DIE for the sins of MAN. That was not what the Jews wanted. They wanted a KING who would lead them in overthrowing the Romans and establishing Israel as a world power. Since Jesus didn’t go along with their dream, there was no way He could be the Messiah in their minds. So they rejected Him. Then it was that Jesus warned them that one day they would accept a COUNTERFEIT MESSIAH who would lead them into great tribulation:
“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes IN HIS OWN NAME (antichrist), you will receive him” (John 5:43 ESV).
To this very day, the hope of becoming a world power lingers in the hearts of the Jewish people. They know they are God’s chosen nation, destined for world leadership. So when the antichrist surfaces, promising the Jewish people the very thing for which they have been longing, they will seize him and crown him “king.” To their minds, he will be the answer to centuries of prayer. In that they will assert they were right in rejecting Jesus, claiming this man as the REAL Messiah. Because of his great power, the antichrist will be able to COUNTERFEIT the signs of Messiah. This is why the Jewish people will accept him. While the antichrist will perform many signs, there are TWO GREAT SIGNS he must perform:
1. HEALINGS: When John the Baptist was imprisoned, Satan got to him in his loneliness. Even though he was the one who introduced Christ to Israel, he was besieged with doubt. The very man whom Jesus claimed was the greatest of all, sent word to the Master asking, “Are you the Messiah or should we look for someone else?” (Matt. 11:1-4).
And how did the Lord reply? “Go and tell John the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear. . .” (Matt. 11:5). He was to recognize the Lord by His healing. Why? Healings were the SIGN OF MESSIAH. The Old Testament predicted that He would “arise with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2). Everywhere Jesus went, He healed people, sometimes whole cities (Matt. 4:24). Therefore, the antichrist has to be a great healer. Any claim to be Messiah would be invalid without that sign.
2. RESURRECTION: The Bible is definite about the fact that Messiah will raise the dead. Jesus claimed His voice would empty the graves (John 5:28,29). Any pretender cannot do less than Jesus did. So we know the antichrist will perform some kind of resurrection. Therefore, the antichrist will have to rely on COUNTERFEIT resurrections. How will he do that? By employing familiar spirits.
A familiar spirit is a demon who possesses intimate knowledge about God’s Word. As these days come upon us, each man is going to be on HIS OWN to distinguish between truth and error. Imagine the confusion as different leaders try to explain the miracles of the forerunners. Some will say, ‘Hallelujah! This is of the Lord!' Others will say, ‘Beware! This is of the devil!’ How will you know which is right? The apostle John had these very days in mind when he wrote:
“Believe not every spirit but try the spirits to see if they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
I don't want you puzzled by the miracles of the antichrist or his forerunners. And then on the day when Israel acclaims this SUPERMAN as Messiah, you won’t be plagued with questions and doubts. I know that sounds impossible right now, but if John the Baptist could be baffled, so can Christians of today (Matthew 11:3). Ground yourself in these truths and you’ll be ready for that day.
I hope to prepare Christians for Jesus’ appearing. I want you ready for when we meet. . .
IN THE SKY!
C. S. Lovett
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
(Dr. Lovett's book on Revelation is currently out of print. We thought this was such a timely message that we printed it in our newsletter this month.)
SINCE YOU ASKED!
Question: “The Bible tells us that we are a spirit that lives in a body and has a soul. What teaching do you have that tells us what the soul is? And what goes to Heaven or Hell?”
Answer: As for the soul, that is what Genesis calls the “image of God.” God made man in His image (Gen. 1:27). However, since God is spirit, His image must be spirit also (John 4:24). If we accept that, then the body is merely a vehicle that allows him to get about on this planet. It seems clear the soul is eternal, whereas the body is a temporary “earth-suit” he lives in, so he can be tested to see what he will do with his free will. Also, he lives in space and time which are also created. During his sojourn on earth, a man hears about the Lord in various ways as the Lord reveals Himself to men. Man makes a free will choice to love God and trust Him or shrug off whatever revelation he has received. If he elects to trust God, he is qualified to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. If he rejects the revelation he received, he is forever separated from God in Hell.
TESTIMONIES
INSPIRING: “I do love the Lovett’s Lights! I have enjoyed them for years. They truly are much easier to understand! I always find the newsletters so interesting and inspiring! May God bless you.” (E.M.—IL)
MIND OPENED: “I was reading your book, DEALING WITH THE DEVIL, again. I lived a yoyo life up to now and the devil played havoc with my mind. Now for the first time, my heart, ears, and eyes are open to the truth. I want God to be the Lord of my mind! God bless all of you.” (P.B.—Canada)
CHANGING LIFE: “I just finished your book, DEALING WITH THE DEVIL. I have been a Christian for 3 years and wondered what was wrong with me that the changes haven’t taken place. Thanks to this book, I now know it’s the control the devil has over me. Your book is changing my life! I’m sharing this knowledge with others to spread the word. Thank you for the help I have received.” (K.L.—IN)
CHALLENGED: “I’ve read your book, WITNESSING MADE EASY, and of all the books I’ve read and looked at, dealing with sharing your faith, it is by far the most practical. I’m inspired and challenged to tell others about Jesus. The chapter on ‘your private world’ came right from the Spirit and really opened my eyes about my witnessing obligations. Also, all the opportunities that surround me.” (M.H.—MN)
RESOURCES
LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (2022 edition): 372 pages. Available on Amazon.com and sells for $15.99 HERE.
LOVETT’S LIGHTS ON JOHN (2021 edition): 381 pages. Available on Amazon.com sells for $15.99 HERE.
WITNESSING MADE EASY (2019 edition): 213 pages. Purchase on Amazon.com for $14.99 HERE.
DEALING WITH THE DEVIL (2018 edition): 241 pages. Available on Amazon.com and sells for $14.99 HERE.
THE PREPARED LIFE (2017): 159 pages. This book is available on Amazon.com and sells for $13.99 and is also available in Kindle form for $7.99 HERE.
ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS BY LINDA LOVETT are available on our website. Click HERE.
CONTACT US
If you would like to send us a letter, comment, or prayer request, you may contact us at:
Personal Christianity, PO Box 918, Middleton, ID 83644
626-338-7333
www.cslovettbooks.com
info@cslovettbooks.com
“Preparing for His Appearing” Since 1951
