A Preview of Coming Attractions

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

A Preview of Coming Attractions 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

Back in the 1940's in my hometown of High Point, N.C., I used to go to the Saturday morning movies for nine cents. Just prior to the main feature, there would always be previews of coming attractions. That ordering has continued throughout the years in modern-day movie theaters as well as with Netflix and similar operations. Man has always been interested in "what is coming next in my life?" Human nature wants to look into the future. That is why some men visit palm readers or diviners. That is why some men spend much time trying to determine what stocks will go up or down, so they can make more money. That aspect of human nature has carried over into the Church community throughout the many centuries. If you knew for an absolute certainty that Jesus would return to earth tomorrow and consummate all things in this earthly world, would you do anything differently? Your answer to that question may well affect your eternal destiny because no one knows if we will be on earth tomorrow. Shortly before Jesus was crucified, we read,

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Matthew 24:1-4

Verse 1 records the last time that Jesus was in the temple made by men's hands. That Verse also reveals the lack of understanding and discernment on the part of the disciples at that point in time, even though they had walked with Jesus and been taught by Him for three years. Even worse, that Verse reveals the pride of man, even within His disciples. Has anything changed in today's Christian community?

In the natural realm when Jesus walked the face of the earth the temple in Jerusalem was indeed a magnificent example of what man can do. But Jesus quickly dispelled their pride in what they had done. In effect, in Verse 2 Jesus said that everything that man builds in the religious arena will be thrown down. Then, perhaps somewhat to the consternation of the disciples, Jesus promptly left them and went to the Mount of Olives and sat down. The disciples, being quite perplexed, then came to Jesus privately and asked Him three questions: (1) When shall these things be (i.e., when is this beautiful temple going to be destroyed)? (2) What shall be the sign of Thy coming (i.e. His second coming, because Jesus had already told them that He must die on the cross at Calvary)? and (3) When shall the end of the world (or age) come? Of course Jesus never answered any of those three questions with a specific answer. He simply told them about some signs to watch for. If man knew the answers to every question like those three, we would have little use for the Holy Spirit and little use for faith and trust in the Lord. We would simply continue having a good time, wait until the day before Jesus returns, and then repent.

About 15 years ago, at the recommendation of another Christian, I visited a "charismatic" church nearby. There were at least two hundred professing Christians there. They had the typical "rock and roll" music and singing for the first 30 or 40 minutes. Then the pastor strutted out on the stage. The pastor's message that morning was "Get Out of the Boat," referencing the time that Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water to Him. Well that pastor might as well have hung a big sign around his neck that said, "Pride! Look at Me!" Four different times during his message he said, "Boy, I sure am preaching a good message this morning, aren't I?" I doubted that he even knew what the boat is, much less how to get out of the boat. That brings up a good question ... do you know what the boat is? And do you know why and how to get out of the boat?

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Revelation 18:4

There is a simple pattern for us believers in Christ to follow whenever we want to know anything concerning the Kingdom of God or whenever we sense that there might be more to this Christian walk than what we have experienced. The latter sense comes from conviction by the Holy Spirit, not by condemnation from the enemy.

(1) We must see a need.

Unless we are hungry for natural food we will probably not eat. Unless we are thirsty we will probably not drink. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). That speaks of an intense level of hunger and thirst. My maternal grandmother had a lot of God-given wisdom. After she went to be with the Lord, I read all of the words of wisdom she had written in one of her Bibles. She wrote, "Lord, let me create hunger in their hearts, for until they hunger they cannot be fed." This step is always the most difficult hurdle on the road to restoration, whether individually or corporately. The majority of the Christian community at all levels today sees no need. The attitude is: we are born again, perhaps baptized with the Holy Ghost, go to church every Sunday, sing some nice songs, put a few shekels in the offering plate, try to lead a morally good life, read our Bible, even pray sometimes. Our life is, for the most part, without persecution, tribulation, or suffering. Besides, we have to go to work five days a week; that takes nine hours a day. We have to sleep and eat, take care of many household chores, spend a number of hours weekly with our children. So that leaves very little time for anything else. Further we know we are saved and will go to heaven one day when we die, so what is the problem? All is well. I'm OK, you're OK; why rock the boat? Does that sound a little like Cornelius in Acts 10 before the Lord sent an apostle (Peter) to him?

(2) We must recognize that we cannot fulfill that need.

This is the second biggest hurdle on the road to restoration. After all, doesn't the Scripture say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me?" No man can pull himself up spiritually by his bootstraps. Paul describes this truth in Romans, Chapter 7.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25

Two of the most descriptive words of man, even 'Christian' man, are 'cannot' and 'nothing.'

In Genesis, Chapter 11, all men tried to build a tower that would reach unto heaven. That was man's attempt to reach God by their own efforts. Of course that attempt failed even though the natural, carnal motivation behind that endeavor seemed good and right. The Lord will never allow man's efforts to bring about the will and purpose of God. Man, on his own efforts, can never reach God or know Him. Then we read of Ishmael and Isaac ... the former was the result of a Godly man's efforts to bring forth God's will. We all know the result of that.

A true revelation of the worthlessness of the natural man (or even Christian man's fleshly efforts to please God) in His sight has always been a necessary prelude to anointing for true service. The 'I cannot' of Moses; the 'Woe is me' of Isaiah; the 'I am but a child' of Jeremiah; the 'I am a sinful man' of Peter; the 'In me dwelleth no good thing' of Paul, are typical confessions of all who have been called of God and anointed for ministry.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

Abiding in Him speaks of much more than being born from above or being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Without the Lord and the grace of God we can do nothing! We cannot even take our next breath except for Him. Jesus said,

I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

John 5:30

If Jesus said He could have His own self do nothing (and He said that), where does that leave us? The same is true of every believer.

We can have a B.A., a M.S., a Ph.D., a M.D., a J.D., a doctor of divinity from any seminary or any other kind of degree from any university but still know nothing of value to the Lord. What is the conclusion of the matter? All believers are totally dependent upon the Lord for everything. Sometimes we believers have to learn that the hard way. That is why Jesus said,

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

A little child is totally dependent upon his or her parents. Likewise, all Christians must come to the place where we recognize that we are totally dependent upon the Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, for all things. Except for the grace of God we cannot even draw our next breath. 

(3) We must recognize that only the Lord, not man, can help us, and that by the power of the Holy Ghost. Now it is true that the Lord delights to use His people from time to time, but our real Source for all things is the Lord Himself. Part of the song of Moses and the children of Israel was,

The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

Exodus 15:2

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isaiah 22:6 

(4) We must sincerely ask the Lord to work out within us that which we long for.

Any time that we ask anything which is in the will of the Lord, we will receive our request, but we still may have to wait for the Lord's timing. The Lord is not our servant, just waiting to do our bidding immediately.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

Note carefully that "Ask, and ye shall receive" is conditional. We must ask in His name. That does NOT mean, "Lord, please give me a new car every year, in the name of Jesus," i.e., we cannot just repeat some "magic" words to get what we want. We must ask that which we know is in the will of God. 

7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked Him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

8 Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

10 And He saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

12 Then believed they His words; they sang His praise.

13 They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Psalm 106:7-15

(5) Then, both before and after we receive, we must thank the Lord and give Him all the glory.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

That verse says in EVERYTHING give thanks. But brother, must I give thanks when I lose my job? Absolutely! Why? because the Lord has something better for you. But brother, you don't know how they have persecuted me and spoken lies about me! No, but the Lord knows.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Whenever we see a word repeated twice, we need to pay close attention. For example, 25 times in the Gospel of John (and nowhere else) Jesus said, "Verily, verily ..." The first three verses of Psalm 136 all say, "O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endureth forever." Another form of repetition is when a word is repeated three times in the same verse. Then we best take notice, because that emphasizes the great importance of that word. It indicates a state of completion or absoluteness. For example, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts" in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8; "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord" in Jeremiah 22:29; "I will overturn, overturn, overturn" of Ezekiel 21:27; "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord" of Jeremiah 7:4. I am not aware of any other such repetition, but there could be more. We should note that the only such repetition in both the Old and New Testaments is "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts." That is the only characteristic of God that is repeated three times in succession. His holiness is so far beyond human thought that a super-superlative has to be used to express it.

11 And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Luke 17:11-19

In our next several messages we want to apply those five basic principles as they relate to a common theme of preparation, followed by several messages on restoration. Restoration precedes step 5 of that five-step procedure. It is our responsibility to prepare the way of the Lord. Restoration is the Lord's responsibility after we do what we are called to do. Both preparation and restoration are intimately related with the kingdom of God and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. There can be no restoration without our preparation. But when we prepare the way of the Lord we are previewing the greatest Coming Attraction ever ... the Lord Jesus Christ.