Foreword
Sir Isaac Newton, the great mathematician, scientist and Bible scholar made the following prediction about 300 years ago:
"About the time of the end, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamour and opposition." Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727 AD)
There is no doubt in my mind that Jim Harman is one of these men that God would raise up at the time of the end. Sir Isaac Newton also made another prediction that the End of the World (i.e., Age) would take place around 2012. Of course, it is not the world that will end but the Church Age, and it appears that Newton may be very close to being accurate on this prediction, as well. It is also important to understand that Sir Isaac Newton was against date setting about the time of the end, but he made this prediction nevertheless.
I met Jim at a prophecy conference in Tampa, Florida 19 years ago and we have been friends and fellow students of the Bible ever since that time. He and I agree on a great deal of Bible doctrine, and we are both looking forward to the Return of the Lord.
There is another prophecy about the time of the end that was addressed by Jesus Christ, and this prophecy is located in the Olivet Discourse. It is as follows:
(Matt 24:45-47) “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”
The information in this book certainly falls in the category of strong meat, and it is my firm conviction that Jim Harman will be one of these faithful and wise servants that provides “meat in due season”.
Blaise Pascal, the famous French mathematician, physicist and religious philosopher made the following observation concerning Bible prophecies:
"The prophecies are to be unintelligible to the ungodly but intelligible to those who are properly instructed." Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662 AD)
I also firmly believe that Jim Harman is one of those Bible students who is properly instructed in the prophecies of the Bible, thus making him a godly man. Jim is a devout student of the Word of God, and he is open and teachable in the truths of Scripture. This is an absolute necessity for anyone to understand Bible prophecies, and Jim certainly lives up to this observation made by Blaise Pascal.
I recommend this book to anyone seeking the truths of Scripture. Jim is able to take the deeper truths of the Bible and explain them in simple language that can be understood by anyone who is open and teachable in Bible doctrine.
Lyn Mize, 08/29/09
Meat in Due Season Ministries
www.ffruits.org
Preface
As we approach the soon return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, everyone needs to be entirely sure they are really ready for what lies ahead.
Most Christians will tell you that they have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and that they are ready to meet Him. Sadly, most in the current Laodicean church age have no idea of what is about to transpire.
In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks:
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
The churches are full of Christians who have accepted the Lord as their Saviour, but how many have the faith that Jesus is talking about?
One of the purposes of this book is to help Christians understand that coming to Christ (being “born again”) is only the beginning of the faith relationship. If that faith is not properly cared for by a proper feeding from the Word, it will not mature into the faith that Jesus will be looking for.
Most pastors and teachers instruct their congregations in the “milk” doctrines of the faith while neglecting the vital “meat” doctrines that are so necessary for developing maturity in the faith:
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
This book contains a healthy diet of “strong meat” that will be hard for many Christians to digest. Because much of what follows goes against the “Traditions” that most have come to accept as truth, many will reject this study and continue in their captivity:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 – NIV)
My prayer is that the reader will approach this study with an open mind and a teachable spirit and will have a true hunger to learn about the righteousness that Jesus will be looking for when He returns.
This book is written for the person who has been “born again,” as mentioned above, and as Jesus described to Nicodemus:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
If you have not been born again, then you need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today. Paul put it simply:
“..if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 – NIV)
“…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 – NIV)
Some have called it “easy believism,” but the salvation that Jesus offers is free. Call upon Him now and He will save you. Also, please see the Special Invitation at the end of this book.
Get out your Bible and get ready for a delicious meal of “meat.” You are about to feast upon the wonderful truths of Christ’s and the Apostle’s teachings that can save your soul (your spirit was saved when you believed in Christ) and help you gain your entrance into the coming Kingdom and to rule and reign with Him over the beautiful Universe that He created!
Chapter 1 – Grace and Works
Among Christians today, one of the greatest reasons for the lack of proper understanding about grace is due to the failure in distinguishing between the doctrines of grace and works. Most believers can probably quote Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
These verses describe the fundamental doctrine that our salvation is a free gift from God and that man’s works do not have anything to do with our salvation. The doctrine of grace is a vital part of our Christian faith.
The problem begins when most Christians completely disregard the verse that follows:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 – NIV)
It is important to reiterate that works are not required of anyone to be saved. Salvation is a 100% free gift. Man can do nothing to earn it and there is nothing that we can do to lose it. Salvation is completely received as a gift from God by faith in Christ.
While