Friday, March 30, 2007

A Bible study refuting 10 attacks on the Pre-trib Rapture

A Bible Study refuting 10 attacks on the pretribulation rapture.
The pre tribulation rapture is often attacked. The truth is always attacked. But which is the truth, the pretrib rapture, or some other prophetic scenario? The only way to know is to study scripture. Refuting one doctrine does not make another true by default. But debating back and forth can help bring understanding to the key issues. [Prov 27:17] "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." And I believe a serious study of the particularly controversial issue of the rapture in the Word of God shows the glory of god, and brings honour to Christians who are promised to rule with Christ.
Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
The Bible tells us to "prove all things" in 1 Thess 5:21, and to be able to give a "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"1 Peter 3:15. We are encouraged to [2 Tim 2:15] "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." and be like the Bereans who [Acts 17:11] "...searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." And we are also told to rebuke those who bring in false teachings.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
A heresy is simply a false teaching, and false teachings will always be among Chrisitans.
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Therefore, there will always be an ongoing debate regarding prophetic and doctrinal truths. We should not run from the debate, nor should we rufuse to examine scripture. Knowledge of true prophecy is the only way we can be sure to detect false prophecy. Prophecy is a protection, a comfort.
This paper is my attempt to reprove, rebuke, correct, teach, and exhort with all long suffering, Dan Corner who attacked in a paper the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture. My paper will not make nearly as much sense unless you read his paper first. I would suggest you read point number one in his article, then point number 1 in mine, back and forth. His paper was titled and linked at the following:
Pre-Trib Rapture Arguments Examined
It is my hope that those who have doubted the pretribulation rapture will be encouraged to study more so that they will no longer doubt and have a lack of faith. And that one day, they, too, will be able to give a ready answer to those who ask for a reason for their hope.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 1. Our pretrib critic, Dan Corner, gives us a pretrib argument, but no scripture is quoted:
"God is a loving God and would NEVER allow his children to suffer through the great tribulation. Hence, we will be leaving through the rapture before it occurs."
The following may have been the verse in mind for this pretrib argument:
[Rom 5:8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[Rom 5:9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[Rom 5:10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Thus, it is not wrong to use God's love as an argument and reason that we will not suffer his wrath in the tribulation. The Bible makes this argument in Romans 5:8-9.
This supports that Christians will not enter the wrath of the tribulation, and that the rapture will be before the tribulation. Later, I will address the argument that the tribulation does not contain the wrath of God.
The pretribulation rapture doctrine does not rest on the argument, "God won't let his own suffer." Of course his faithful have suffered in the past, and there are Christians being killed today. Tribulation is a word that is used to describe the trials the early Christians went through. (John 16:33, 2 Cor 1:4, 1 Thess 3:4, 2 Thess1:4, Revelation 1:9) . However, the future "great tribulation" is a time unlike any other, unlike these tribulations, by definition.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Therefore, it is wrong to compare past and present tribulations that Christians have had to endure and do endure today, and say the future great tribulation will be no different. The Bible says it's different.
One difference is that we will not suffer God's wrath, as Romans 5 (and many other verses such as 1 Thess 5:9) states. We should be already reconciled to God, and thus, will not face His wrath.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 2: Dan Corner gives an alternate possible way to interpret Rev 3:10 by arguing it is a promise to be kept "through" the time of tribulation instead of "from" it. I have read that this argument does not hold up to the scrutiny of grammar analysis, and I apologize that I do not remember the specifics at this time. Nevertheless, and however, even if true that the word can be used in either of two ways, this does not prove that Rev 3:10 is not a promise of the pretribulation rapture.
Elsewhere in scripture, the promise of protection in the tribulation is limited only to the 144,000, or to the two witnesses. And the two witnesses who have the power of God to protect them, end up killed by the middle of the tribulation in Revelation 11.
In other places there is NO promise of protection during the tribulation: the saints will be overcome.
[Rev 13:7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
[Dan 7:21] I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
[Dan 7:25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Thus, the promise to be "kept through" the tribulation is doubtful at best. Most will obviously be made war on, prevailed against, worn out, and killed, becoming the martyrs in the fifth seal in Rev 6.
An alternate possible reading of Rev 3:10 should not be used as a proof text; either to doubt one view or prove another. If the verse is unclear and can prove either of two things, and if pretrib cannot use it, then certainly the post trib view cannot use it either!
The somewhat unclear word becomes more clear when we realize that Rev 3:10 is a very strong pretrib verse, containing many pretrib themes. It is connected with the "open door", a rapture symbol of Rev 4:1.
The open door is also a strong symbol in the parable of Matt 25:1-13 the ten virgins, which is a rather clear pretrib parable which contains many other rapture themes, sleeping as death, a shout to awaken them, a wedding, some going in with the groom, and some being left behind.
The open door is also a symbol of the Feast of Trumpets which strongly teaches about the pretribulation rapture. From Ezek 46:1 we see the gate to the temple is to remain open on the new moon. The temple is a symbol of heaven, and the Feast of Trumpets takes place on the new moon.
[Rev 3:8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
[Rev 3:10] Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.
[Revelation 4:1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
The critic ignores the the open door, and the fact that this symbol creates a strong link to Rev 4:1, which, if it is the rapture, then the rapture is solidly proven to be pretrib.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 3: I agree with Dan Corner that it is a bad pretrib argument to say that Rev 4:1 is the rapture because the word Church is not mentioned after the verse. A good argument is that Rev 4:1 is the rapture because every symbol in the verse suggests the rapture: the trumpet voice, the open door in heaven, the call to come up here to heaven.
In fact, Rev 12 is another pretribulation rapture text, as the man child represents the Church as "the body of Christ". The reason I would say the rapture of the man child is the Church, is because each and every description of the man child in Rev 12:5 also applies to the Church.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Christ rules, and we rule as his bride (1. over the nations (Rev 2:26-27, Rev 5:10), 2. with a rod of iron (Rev 2:27), 3. sitting on his throne Rev 3:21).
Rev 2:26 He who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the nations,
Rev 2:27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Further, the Old Testament mentions a man child nation in Isaiah 66. This cannot be Christ as Christ is not a nation. Nor was Christ taken up to heaven as a child just born, he was a man of 33. This man child in Isaiah 66 is born before the travail, and the travail is also another term for the tribulation and Day of the Lord, thus proving that the man child rapture must be before the tribulation.
Therefore it is wrong to say the Church is not in view after Rev 4:1. This doesn't mean that Rev 4:1 isn't the rapture, it just means that the popular reasons given to show why Rev 4:1 is the rapture are not valid reasons to give.
I agree we should not give symbolic meaning to the Bible's use of symbols. We should let the Bible tell us what the symbols mean. And not deny the Bible's descriptions of these symbols.
The two strongest rapture texts are 1 Thess 4:15-18 and 1 Cor 15:51-54, and both of these verses mention the trumpet, as does Rev 4:1, which is clearly a call up to heaven, and connected right back to Rev 3:10 through the open door.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 4: Lot and Noah delivered from destruction as in Luke 17:26-30, Matthew 24:36-44
There is another verse which quotes these arguments about Noah and Lot, which is found in 2 Peter 2:4-9 which concludes:
[2Pet 2:9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
And as we saw from Rev 3:10, the tribulation is an "hour of trial", "to try those who dwell upon the earth".
Finally, to address the "taken and left" verses in Luke 17:31-37 which conclude with the parable of the eagles/vultures gathering together by the body/corpse. These lines are also found in Matt 24:40-41 and Matt 24:28.
The eagle/body parable does not necessarily mean those taken are taken to be destroyed. I agree there is a strong similarity to Rev 19, when the eagles are invited to feast on the bodies of those destroyed, which is clearly in the context of the return of Jesus after the tribulation. However, there is another Biblical interpretation of this parable.
Isaiah 40:31 says believers "shall mount up with wings as eagles".
And John 6:34-61 says that we must eat the flesh of Jesus to enter the kingdom.
Thus, this eagle/body parable, by the Bible's own definition of symbols, also signifies that this is the rapture, and that those taken are taken in the rapture, which would be the gathering together of believers to Jesus.
If we look at the definition of the words for "taken and left", we see that the word for "taken" is paralambano, which means to be joined together, or arrested. At first, that looks inconclusive. Do I want to be joined with Christ, or do I want to avoid being arrested, which sounds bad? Is taken, paralambano, a good or bad thing?
Paralambano means to be received & joined together, and is used in John 14:1-3, which is a primary rapture text (completely unmentioned by these 10 reasons to doubt), which tells us Jesus will paralambano, or take us or receive us, to be with him.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus obviously left for heaven, and will take us again there. That paralambano means to be joined is also very appropriate for the rapture, since we are wed to Christ (Eph 5:25, 2Cor 11:2, Rom 7:4) And those in marriage are joined together and two become one flesh. Gen 2:24, Eph 5:31, Matt 19:5-6, 1 Corinthians 6:16.
That paralambano also means to be arrested or taken or seized does not refute that this is a rapture word, since harpazo also means to be arrested and seized. Harpazo is the rapture word from 1 Thess 4:17. Both words, paralambano and harpazo are used to describe an arrest, Jesus in Mat 27:27, and Paul in Acts 23:10. Therefore, paralambano is a very appropriate rapture word, and the "taken and left" verses signify that those taken are taken in the rapture, not taken to be destroyed.
The word for "left", aphiemi, also means 1) to send away 1c1) to disregard 3d) to desert wrongfully 3i) abandon, leave destitute. This would be an appropriate word to describe those left behind after the pretribulation rapture.
As for me, I would rather be taken, as Lot was physically taken out and saved. I would rather be taken with Noah in the ark than be left behind in the flood or left behind in the city of Sodom.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 5:
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Also:
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This is an expression, an idiom, referring to both the wedding and to the Feast of Trumpets. In the wedding, a groom would say this of his wedding day, "of that day and hour knoweth no man,... but my Father only". He would say this because he would have to build a bridal chamber, and he could not leave to fetch his bride until his father gave permission and said the chamber was finished and furnished for the bridal week, which is a type of honeymoon.
The expression "of that day and hour knoweth no man" refers to the Feast of Trumpets, because this is the only feast on a new moon, which comes every 29.5 days, meaning it is inconclusive when it arrives, either on the 29th or 30th day, thus, the "unknown" day, or "day or hour no man knows".
In contrast, the "after the tribulation" time can be pinpointed to the day, it is known to the day. It is 3.5 years, or 42 months, or 1260 days after the middle of the tribulation when the antichrist takes power, which would be the sign from 2 Thess 2:4, when he stands in the temple saying he is God.
[Rev 13:5] And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
[Rev 12:6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
If the day the tribulation ends is unknown, these verses would have to say something like "about 1000 days", but they are specific. The end of the tribulation cannot be the "unknown day".
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 6:
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
I am glad our critic recognizes this as a rapture verse. He presents no scriptural rebuttal for this verse. He claims, "the tribulation is not the wrath of God." but presents no evidence for that yet.
It should be clear to anyone who reads Luke chapter 21, that this is a parallel account of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. The subject of "all these things that shall come to pass" is the events of the great tribulation just described, such as the abomination of desolation, and false christs, such as the event of 2 Thess 2:3-4, the man of sin in the temple.
Luke 21:36 does not specifically say "wrath", so to divert the argument into this side argument, "yes not appointed to wrath, but wrath is not in the tribulation," is really unfair and irrelevant for a valid rebuttal to Luke 21:36. If Luke is a rapture verse, it is clearly supporting pretrib. To escape all these things that shall come to pass could only happen in a pretribulation rapture.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 7:
Our critic states regarding, "tribulation is the wrath of God ... There are no Scriptures to back that up." This is why discussion on these arguments is fruitful and important. Clearly, our critic has not done his research, or has not yet realized the definitions of the words in the following verses:
Zephaniah 1:15 describes the day of the Lord as "tribulation, trouble, or distress"
This shows that the great tribulation (a day unlike any other) (Matt 24:21), and the Day of the Lord (a day unlike any other) (Joel 2:1-2), are speaking of the same time. Yes, the Day of the Lord, which is indisputably identified with the wrath of God (Zeph 1:15) is clearly described as "tribulation, distress, trouble".
Zephaniah 1:
14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Other translations, such as the NIV translate the word for tribulation in Matt 24:29 as "distress", in which case we would have an exact match. The Worldwide English translation says "time of trouble" for Matt 24:29. Of course, the words in Zephaniah 1:15 is not the exact same word as in Matt 24:29, one is Hebrew, the other is Greek. Here are the definitions from Strong's concordance so you can see how well they match: They match extremely well, even being derived from similar root words, see for yourself:
Matt 24:29 "tribulation"
2347 thlipsis {thlip'-sis}
from 2346; TDNT - 3:139,334; n f
AV - tribulation 21, affliction 17, trouble 3, anguish 1,
persecution 1, burdened 1, to be afflicted + 1519 1; 45
1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
2346 thlibo {thlee'-bo}
akin to the base of 5147; TDNT - 3:139,334; v
AV - trouble 4, afflict 3, narrow 1, throng 1, suffer tribulation 1; 10
1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon
2) a compressed way
2a) narrow straitened, contracted
3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress
Zeph 1:15 "trouble"
06869 tsarah {tsaw-raw'}
from 06862; TWOT - 1973c,1974b; n f
AV - trouble 44, distress 8, affliction 7, adversity 5, anguish 5,
tribulation 3, adversary 1; 73
1) straits, distress, trouble
2) vexer, rival wife
06862 tsar {tsar} or tsar {tsawr}
from 06887; TWOT - 1973a,1973b,1974a,1975a; adj
AV - enemy 37, adversary 26, trouble 17, distress 5, affliction 3,
foes 2, narrow 2, strait 2, flint 1, sorrow 1, misc 9; 105
1) narrow, tight
2) straits, distress
3) adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
4) hard pebble, flint
Zeph 1:15 "distress"
04691 m@tsuwqah {mets-oo-kaw'} or m@tsuqah {mets-oo-kaw'}
from 04690; TWOT - 1895e; n f
AV - distress 6, anguish 1; 7
1) straitness, distress, straits, stress
Well over five key concepts are shared between these Hebrew and Greek words: a narrow compressed tightness, tribulation, trouble, distress, affliction, straits". Not only that, but Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:7, which both quote this "time unlike any other" both use the phrase "time of trouble".
If it is true that the wrath of the Day of the Lord comes after the great tribulation, then there would be two times of trouble unlike any other. This is a logical contradiction.
I have personally identifed eight solid irrefutable proofs that the tribulation is at the same time as or during the Day of the Lord, and thus the tribulation contains the wrath of God, but I do not have the time to share them all here. But to say that there "are no scriptures to back that up" is just not true. Such a statement only shows the lack of study and scriptural analysis conducted by our critic.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 8:
The church will depart before the antichrist is revealed
2 Thess 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Our critic says 2 Thess 2:3 contradicts the pretrib interpretaion of verses 2:7-8. In fact, the verses are in complete harmony. It is our critic's interpretation of 2 Thess 2:3 which is wrong, not the pretrib interpretation of 2 Thess 2:7.
He says 2 Thess 2:3 means that two things must come first. But the grammar of the verse does not say that at all, only one thing must come first, the apostasia. The apostasia and the man of sin are not two things in a list! Look at the plain grammar of the verse:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
It does NOT read as follows:
...for that day shall not come except there first come (1. a falling away and 2. the man of sin revealed).
Nor does it read:
...for that day shall not come except there come (1. a falling away and 2 the man of sin revealed) first.
The apostasia, or falling away, clearly is the singular event which must come first. It appears as if the revealing of the man of sin is a consequence of the apostasia, just as verses 2 Thess 2:7 confirm. The word for and can also mean "then". "kai" is translated as "then" 20 times in the King James Bible. When words have two meanings like this, context helps determine the meaning, we cannot arbitrarily pick one and say the other cannot be correct. The verse can be understood that the apostasia comes first and then the man of sin is revealed. In which case, it would harmonize perfectly with 2 Thess 2:7-8, the removal or taking away allows the revealing of the man of sin.
There is a growing number of scholars that have realized that the apostasia signifies the rapture, since it has also been translated as "departure", and this is also the meaning of the root word of apostasia, which is aphistemi. Since the subject is the Day of the Lord, then this means that the singular event of the departure, or rapture, must come first before the Day of the Lord is here.
The other common argument from 2 Thess 2:3 is that the man of sin must first be revealed--which is said to be at the middle of the tribulation. But the verse does not say that. It does not say "when", it says "who". Thus, the description of the man of sin in the temple describes the who, the man of sin, not the when, the event of the revealing. But there are about 50 other descriptions of the man of sin in scripture. In fact, as Daniel 9:27 makes rather clear, the antichrist will confirm the covenant for seven with many. Thus, this is a public action which would reveal him at the start of the tribulation week. So, if the revealing of the man of sin is not a consequence of the apostasia, and the verse is listing two events that must come first, then the revealing of the man of sin and the departure/rapture would be located at the start of the tribulation week, when the man of sin is revealed by confirming the covenant with many at the start of Daniel's 70th week.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 9:
There are no scriptures listed, so this hardly seems worth the time to refute. Yet, our critic seems to embrace the OSAS doctrine as he says, "All Christians will leave the earth at the point of the rapture, regardless their position on the timing of the rapture. In fact, even the Christians who believe there will be no rapture will also go up at that point in time".
Apparently, our critic seems to think that those people who have been teaching the post tribulation rapture will go up in the rapture anyway. Of course, at the pretribulation rapture their doctrines would turn out to be false prophecies and lies. How could those teaching such lies and false prophecies go up in the pretribulation rapture? Wouldn't they be woefully unready and have to at least repent first?
There is a certain danger in teaching the Bible:
James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.
(RSV)
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (KJV)
So there cannot be zero consequences to making false prophecies and being wrong about this issue.
He concludes, "So no one is getting out of here through the rapture merely because he wants to go." To me, it is unbelievable that this man didn't see three clear statements in Luke 21:36, a subject of this debate earlier:
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Apparently, we do not need to watch?! Apparently we do not need to pray always?! Apparently, we do not need to be accounted worthy?! It is amazing that these instructions have been completely ignored. I would ask the question: How can someone who refuses to believe in the pretribulation rapture honestly pray to be accounted worthy to escape the tribulation to come in the pretribulation rapture?
In the Bible, faith is continually stressed as being so important for miracles. Will the rapture not be a miracle??
Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
I believe that with regard to determining who will go up in the rapture, God would echo his words in Matthew 8 & 9, "as you have believed, and according to your faith, let it be done unto you".
If there is a crown for all those who believe in and hope for the appearing of the Lord at the pretribulation rapture, I hope you will not let this crown be stolen from you.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Thus showing once again, the key rapture verse of Rev 3:10 contains strong rapture themes.
PRE-TRIB RAPTURE ARGUMENT NUMBER 10:
That the rapture is encouraging from 1 Thess 4:18.
Our critic says the timing of the rapture is not the subject of importance, but that the fact of the resurrection is what is encouraging.
But truly, any position which places the 7 year tribulation prior to the rapture, causes one to hope that the return of Jesus is far, far away so that one might live to a peaceful old age and die in peace. Nobody wants to endure tribulation if they don't have to.
There are many verses that say that prophecy is for comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
The post tribulation rapture viewpoint does not, can not, will not, is not a comfort, and all reasonable men know it.
Can you imagine saying the following prayer in front of your family? "Please, God, I hope and pray for the tribulation to start, so that we may have to flee into the wilderness risking starvation and attack by wild animals and death by exposure to the elements taking our elderly and children with us, because then, only then, may we be assured that Jesus will return in about 7 years if we survive and are not martyred as the Bible says will happen to the vast majority of the saints in the tribulation." No, that is no comfort. Such leads to fear, the desire to accumulate wealth and survivalist gear, and would be a false prophecy by definition! Compare with The Lord's prayer in Matt 6:9-13
In Conclusion:
I agree with Dan Corner that there will be saints in the tribulation who will have their faith seriously tested. But this in no way proves that there is not a pretribulation rapture. After the rapture, a few people will realize what happened, and they will wail, weep and gnash their teeth and beg to be raptured too, but it will be too late. Their only hope will be to repent and remain faithful to the end, which may very well require their death as they are handed over to the antichrist for the 42 months.
It is sad that some people will not be ready for the pretribulation rapture because they have been deceived into doubting it, and believing that our Master delayeth his coming. (Matt 24:48-51) It is also sad that others will not be ready because they are too comfortable and complacent, because of the false doctrine of "once saved always saved", thinking they don't need to prepare for the pretribulation rapture. These would be like the foolish virgins of Matt 25:1-13, who know the Lord is coming, and expect to go, but won't be ready.
The pretribulation rapture is not a false hope and snare. The snare is OSAS. The deception is doubt in the pretribulation rapture and the false prophecy of a post trib rapture. When one realizes that we must prepare spiritually to be ready, then even if one is not deemed worthy for the pretribulation rapture, then they will be as ready as one can be for the tribulation too. Those who are complacent and unready today need to realize that if they do not escape in the pretribulation rapture, they may well be called upon to die for the faith. And if people realize that, perhaps they will be motivated to give their lives for the faith today, and begin living for Jesus now, which will encourage their faith and walk in Christ, and hopefully lead them to be ready and wise virgins.

The Bible tells you how to study and interpret Bible Prophecy

The Bible tells you how to study and interpret Bible Prophecy
[Ecclesiastes 1:9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
[Hosea 12:9] And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.[10] I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
[Col 2:16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [Jewish Festivals] [Col 2:17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
[1Cor 10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, uponwhom the ends of the world are come.
[Rom 15:4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
[Mat 5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[Luke 4:19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

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[Isa 28:9] "Whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?
[Isa 28:10] For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."
[Jer 33:3] Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
[Dan 10:12] Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
[2Tim 3:15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
[Acts 17:11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
[2Pet 1:20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
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There are multiple fulfillments to a single prophesy
Jesus reads from Isaiah, and only quotes part of it, because not all of the verse was fulfilled at Jesus' first coming, 1967 years ago.
Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to thecaptives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Jesus left off the last part of Isa 61:2, "the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;" on purpose. Because the day of vengeance will occur at the great tribulation. Now, if there can be an unstated time gap of nearly 2000 years in one single verse,
nobody can say it is "unBiblical" for there to be an unstated time gap of 7 years considering the rapture and second coming that may exist in any Bible verse.
In other words, there are multiple fulfillments of scripture, not all at the same time.
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Multiple Fulfillments:
Jesus, in the gospel accounts, expresses a key idea about 20 times*;
[John 2:19] ... Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
This ONE VERSE has at least 3 fulfillments that I can see.
1. Jesus spoke of his body, which was destroyed and raised from the dead.
2. Jesus spoke of the literal temple, which was destroyed in 70AD, (Mat 24:2) and will be raised up in the near future.
3. Jesus spoke of the body of believers, which have been persecuted and killed, and will be raised up soon, on the 'third day' according to Hosea 6:2 "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. "
*Mat 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, 26:61, 27:40,64
Mark 9:31 Mark 10:34 Mark 14:58 Mark 15:29,
Luke 9:22, 13:32, 18:33, 24:7, 24:21, 24:46
John 2:19,20 Acts 10:40 1Cor 15:4

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Peter, in Acts 2, quotes Joel 2, as being fulfilled because of the outpouring of Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Yet we are still waiting for the "Day of the Lord". Thus, we have a third approximate 2000 year time gap between fulfillments in scripture--that leaves out mentioning any "time gap". The first, was a partial fulfillment, the second fulfillment occurs much later in time. Or, perhaps there will be several more fulfillments.
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In Psalm 2, there is a mix of verses describing both the rejected messiah, and the ruling messiah. Verses 2,3,7,12 describe the first advent, and the verses do not describe a chronological account.

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In Ezekiel 28, there is a mix of prophecy regarding the judgment of both Tyrus and Satan; some verses apply to Tyrus, some only to Satan, and some may be both.., and it goes back and forth.

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In Ezekiel 38,39, it is the gog/magog war, that sounds like Armageddon. Yet, we are also told of a Gog & Magog type war in Rev 20, which appears to be after the millennium. This makes for a total of three "end of the world" type conflicts of nations against Israel, all still in the future.
Revelation 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

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In Luke 21:6,20,21, In the Olivet discourse, when you compare the accounts between the different gospels, the prophesies about the abomination of desolation are mixed with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, where the armies camped about Jerusalem, and did not leave one stone unturned because when the temple was destroyed and burned, the gold that lined the walls in the temple filled the cracks and every stone was torn apart to get the gold. Yet, we are still waiting to see the abomination of desolation, and the Jews in flight away from the antichrist in the future, when Satan sits in the temple and says he is God. 2 thess 2.
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We need to be aware that a prophetic picure may be describing two events at once, mixed together into one section of words. And we need to be aware that one prophecy can be fulfilled multiple times.
I believe following verses picture both the rapture, and the second coming of Christ with all his saints gathered out of heaven.
Matthew 24: 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

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Here is an example of an Old Testament life experience, that was really a prophesy. Remember: [1Cor 10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
[Mat 12:39] But he [Jesus] answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [Mat 12:40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mat 12:41] The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Jonah was an example, or type of Jesus. Jonah's experience was a prophesy regarding Jesus' death. However, the Lord Jesus is not Jonah, not exactly... After all, did the Lord Jesus Christ run away from his duty before being killed? No. Was the Lord's death a punishment for the Lord, as Jonah being in the belly was a punishment for Jonah? No. Did the Lord begin his ministry after he came out of the grave, as Jonah began his ministry after he came out of the belly? No. Did Jonah's prophesy of doom for Nineveh come to pass? No. But all of Jesus' prophesies will come to pass. Did Jonah actually die when he was in the belly of the fish? No.
But there it is. A valid Bible prophesy! and parallel/similitude/comparison/example... Not ALL of it has to fit. It just has to be a type, or an example.
We must let scripture show us the definition of the types, but it does not all have to be exactly, specifically, 100% fitting and correct to each and every degree imaginable. That's what makes a comparison a comparison... Things are "like" but not exact. ALL analogies break down and are not perfect with close scrutiny.
We are compared to sheep. Does that mean that Christians are stupid? No.
We are compared to being the bride. Does that mean we Christians are supposed to be effeminite? No.
We are supposed to be wise as serpents. Does that mean we can be Satanic and snake-like? No.
We are supposed to watch and be ready. Yet told "no man knows" Does that mean we don't have to watch since it's impossible to "know"? No.
We are told our Lord will come as a thief in the night. Does that mean that the Bible commandment to not steal no longer applies? No.
In each of the cases above, the point I'm making is that the analogy or picture, or comparison, or metaphor is true. And it remains true and is not invalidated by little quirks we might be able to find with our own skeptical type reasoning.
You can look at things so closely, you end up invalidating the spirit of the law by looking too closely at the letter of the law.
Who are we to say that the typology must be clear and consistent and perfect in order to be valid? Where is that a Bible principle? In fact, just the opposite is a Bible principle, that types (and especially parables) will be difficult to see, if not impossible, for most people.
Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Matt 13:
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
When a theme is repeated multiple times, we should investigate the meaning and significace behind it. An interesting example:
Noah: It rained for 40 days & nights.
Moses & Israelites: Scouted out the promised land for 40 days, and after the mostly evil report of disbelief, ended up being punished a day for a year and wandered the wilderness for 40 years before finally entering the promised land.
Jesus: Wandered the wilderness for 40 days before beginning his ministry. Since Jesus died on Passover, a spring festival, and his ministry lasted about three and a half years, then Jesus must have began preaching sometime in the Fall.
Thus, 40, as a number, might stand for testing/judgement, and/or isolation/separateness from God.
[Col 2:16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [Jewish Festivals] [Col 2:17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
In the Jewish Festivals, there is also a period of 40 days, in the Fall Festivals. There are ten days including and between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. Prior to this time, there is the 30 day period of repentance, for a total of 40 days. If you don't repent prior to Trumpets, you must do so in the final ten days counting down to the Day of Atonement.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

I AM

I Am!

How often do we think of the Great Shema? Deut. 6: 4 -" Hear O Israel The Lord our God is one Lord." God in the beginning of the Word of God introduced us to the Elohim in Creation. The Trinity of God or we could say the Godhead.
Then we travel through the centuries watching this Great God, always there to deliver Israel from their troubles, but also there to judge Israel for their faithlessness. God is a God of Love but a God of Justice.
Now we find our selves in these days today. We see God’s Amazing Grace in all of our lives, as the enemy comes in to try to steal, kill and destroy us. But Jesus is here to deliver us from that wicked foe. We are going to see troubles, trials and tribulation hit us on every part, that the enemy can aim at us. Know This, the only answer we have is our faith in the Lord Christ Jesus. He will give us the Grace, Peace, Mercy and Endurance to continue in our walk In Him. Jesus was Tested on all sides and Overcame and He gave us the same Power to overcome the tests that are sent our way.
At this time in the Christian's life, as the clock winds down and the enemy knows that he has but a short time, he will come now with deliberate attacks against those who walk the Christian walk. This is his last chance to try and get us to turn away from Christ. But I beg you, hold on to Jesus with all the strength you have. He will be there to Hold you up, to Heal you, to Restore you, to Strengthen you and to Love you. We must realize, that the time of the end is upon us. That is why so many people are trying to see the soon coming day of the Rapture. It is on the Horizon, and Soon you will hear that Voice calling "Come Up Hither". Jesus is soon to come and we will hear the Cry of the Bridegroom saying - My Father has prepared the Wedding Supper, come now my Beloved Bride.
Until that time, we must run the race that is set before us, I am here to tell you it is going to be hard. As the world slams us on every side and our dollar is worth nothing, that God will supply all you need. He will never leave you nor forsake you and He is there to guide us thru these times. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, including our very own faith. Do not waver one inch, from the side of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The higher the storms and waves overflow, the stronger you must call out to to our Delivers. Do not let anyone take up your Blessed Hope. Jesus promised us that He was going to Heaven to prepare a mansion for us, and that He would come again to receive us into Himself. We must hold on tightly to that. Jesus is coming soon!
He has waited patiently for the day, Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to Him. So we must be busy telling a lost and dying world about the Redemption Plan of Jesus Christ. It is such a simple message and so true. Jesus loves you and wants you to follow Him. In this world there is no hope only hopelessness. On occasion, maybe a fleeting moment of happiness, but not the Joy that Jesus puts into the hearts of His Children. We must remember that we are Children of a King, the Only True King thru infinity. Our God is a God that sits on a Throne, waiting for His children to come and receive their inheritance. Boy what an inheritance He has set up for us! Can you even imagine, no tears, no sorrow, no thirst, no hunger, no need of light for He is The Light. No pain, only Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory. To sit at the Feet of Jesus and listen to Him tell us all the things He has for us. Nothing will be a mystery anymore, all will be clear. To live in New Jerusalem and be in that Great City. My heart longs to be there, as I do know that you all yearn to be with Jesus.
Never let anyone tell you that it will not happen, for Jesus is the Word and His Word is Truth, Light, and Life to us. Hunger beloved ones, to know Him more deeply. Surrender your all to Him. Give up on this world and give in to Jesus. He is waiting for you to come and receive of Him. As the days grow shorter and shorter, remember we are one day closer than we were the day before. There are no yesterdays and no tomorrows, they are constant day by day. Yesterday is past, tomorrow will be here before we know it. Place your hand in the Hands of Jesus and give Him every bit of your being. Set Jesus on the throne of your heart and bury your flesh. It is nothing but death and decay, Jesus is life and life eternally. God The Father, Jesus the Son and The Precious Holy Spirit be with you all. See You in Heaven soon!
Maranatha Christ Jesus and Jesus answers us and says Surely I am coming Quickly!
Zelma

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Are You Prepared to meet Your God?

Are You Prepared To Meet Your God?

As we sit here in the world that we are living in now, we find that we must ask ourselves some Questions! Are we Prepared to Meet our God? Have we lost our First Love? Do we still love Jesus, as much as we did the first day He found us? Are we ready, watching and praying? Or has the world sneaked in and you find yourself, less in Love with God and more in love with the things of the world? Do we find our selves not in shock, as we see what goes on in the daily news, does it burn at your soul, the evil that you see there? Is your righteous soul vexed with the evil that surrounds us? Could it be that we have allowed ourselves to be desensitized, to what is happening? Have we seen so much carnage in Iraq, that the rows of dead bodies no longer wound our souls? Do we weep over every lost soldier of ours, that comes home in a Flag Draped Coffin or do we say, this is war, you can Expect Casualties?
Are you clamoring away at a job that is not only killing you, but Killing the Spirit that Resides in you? Do you stay for the money, as you climb the ladder of success, not realizing that you are selling your very soul to get up that ladder? When you get there, will you find happiness or will you have Lost Everything, that mattered in the first place? Is Jesus still, the Lord of Your Life?
Do you know that happiness is only for a fleeting moment, but that the Joy of the Lord lasts a Lifetime and then Infinity? We have a Father in Heaven, that Loves us and will meet our every need. He did not promise us a rose garden. He promised us, that only thru trials and tribulation, would we enter into the Kingdom of God. That we would daily fight a bloody battle, against the unseen enemy, the enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy us? Is that enemy of your soul, a foe that you are fighting off daily to walk the walk of Faith in the Living God? It has never been a walk of ease, but a walk of trials, but who else walked the same walk? A Solitary Man, called Christ Jesus. He Walked and Overcame, so that we could walk and depending only upon Him, also overcome the things in this evil world.
Yes, this world is evil, but the God that says I AM is Perfect and Has Provided a way for us to walk and run the race that He set before us. He gave us Jesus, for our example and then allowed the Precious Holy Spirit to come and indwell in us, so that we could have the power to overcome all the arrows the enemy sends our way. But we must have our eyes fixed on Jesus and Jesus alone. We must love Jesus with all of our heart, mind and soul and and we must Love our neighbor, as Jesus Loved us. Can you say, that you are keeping the Commandments that the Lord Jesus, set for us to follow? Do we look for the good in everyone, realizing that it is the sin that we hate, not the person behind the sin? We are to pour out our very souls to them and try and lead them to the Rock, Christ Jesus. It has never been our job to judge them, but our job is to love them. God will judge everyone!
Do we moan and complain about the gifts that God has given to others, while we hide our own gifts under a bushel? Does our light so shine that people say, there is something about that person? I just do not quite know what it is, but they are different, they are always smiling, no matter what is going on in their lives. They have this Peace and Comfort about them. They are just different than we are, I want to be like them. Do the people in our jobs, know that we are the children of God or have you failed to admit that you serve Jesus? Do You stand up for Him and allow no one to trample on us, in our walk. Do we stand proudly saying, I serve the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ!
The time is running short my friends. We must jump into the Bible with Everything within ourselves and be ready to meet our God. He is coming soon. Will He say "Well done my faithful servant" or will he close the door in you face? Prepare to battle to the end. What will it profit a man, if he gains the world and loses his own soul? Jesus is coming, I beg you, be ready.
Agape
Zelma

The Battle Between Good and Evil has started

The Battle Between Good and Evil Has Started!

In this cold cruel world, that we live in, we can feel in our spirits the battle that is raging all over this world. Even Creation is crying out to be Avenged from the Blood that has been spilled on it. We feel the Powers of Good and the powers of the principalities and powers of the air fighting all around us to try and wedge the control of this world out of the Hands of God. But that will Never Happen! Satan may have gotten the title deed to the earth, when he defeated the first Adam in the Garden, but he lost it when he tried to defeat the Only Begotten Son of God. Jesus won it back and said - "It is Finished."
We will see Jesus open the title deed to the earth as He will then unleash His Wrath in the first of the Seals. This is the beginning of the End. As we see wars looming all over the globe, there is starvation and pestilence. Diseases that the new antibiotics will not even touch, let alone cure. They are finding them everyday. People dying and falling over with heart attacks, in their early thirties. Do you not think that we live in a world of fear? Depression and suicide and evil on every side of us, yet it does not touch us. For we are the children of the Living God and we do not fear for we have a future that is Secure in Jesus Christ. But lest we forget from whence we have come and what our mission is on this earth, let us remember that it is to bring the lost and hurting souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. To Learn about the the Love Book that Jesus gave us and the purpose of our lives. Being religious and going to church or having a quick Bible study once a week, will not do it. We must be wrapped up in the Word of God for it is our Daily Bread. How many of us would starve our selves all week and get a quick snack for lunch on Sunday and the not eat, until the next Sunday? How long do you think that we would live? How long do you think that we can live Spiritually, without the Word of God?
How many of us are so tied up in our hobbies and the other things, that satan has robbed you of your time with God? If you find yourself spending more time on anyone thing in your life, than you do in the Word of God, then that is your god. Stop and think children! What you feed your mind, is what comes out of your mouth. Garbage in, garbage out. The enemy wants to steal your soul and have you so busy, that you can not even think straight. He will bring all against you that he can, just like he did with Job. Are you strong enough in your knowledge, that you can quote Scriptures and Praise your way out of the trials that he sends your way? Or do you moan and complain like the children of Israel did, as they came out of Egypt? Do you not realize that your salvation was your coming out of the wilderness? Have you praised the Living God for everyday that He has given you on this earth or do you find yourself moaning and complaining about your lot in God? This is a very serious question and demands a serious answer. God will not be mocked, you will reap what you sow, remember that! Remember that the Children of Israel did not make it into the Promised Land. Will you make it into Heaven, with the attitude that you have in your life right now? Are you looking to God or are you running in the other direction, looking for all the things wrong in your lives? Do you not realize, that you could not take your next breath, unless God allowed you to? He is the Potter, you are the clay, you can not remake God but you can allow Him to not remake you. Are you a servant of God or do you think of God as someone you can call in, when you find it is just a little to much for you to handle? What kind of God do you serve? Does he come out of the TV, out of the Internet or out of your own mind? Have you made your own graven image of the Living God?
Do you remember to thank Him daily, for the fact that He choose You and then, He gave you a Free Will to obey Him or disobey Him. I would like you to remember that Judas Iscariot was in His hand also, but He had to let him go, what about you? Do you think that you can continue to displease God and get away with it and that no matter what, even if you Crucify His Son afresh and walk Over Him, that He will say "Well done my Faithful Servant." Or will He say depart from me, I never knew you? These are questions that you and you alone can answer. Our God is not a trophy god that we put on a shelf and bring Him up and down when we need Him. He is a Living Being that delights, in the Praises of His people. When is that last time that you took the time to Praise God for all that you have? Your life, your limbs, sight, touch, smell. and all the many things that He has given You? Do you Delight in every Sunset and every Sunrise, knowing that He made them to show you His Beauty? God is good to you, How Good are you to Him? We say come quickly Lord Jesus, but in your heart if He does come quickly, are You ready to Go?

Maranatha Dear Jesus My Lord and My Saviour.
Zelma P



http://sharonsrose

Thursday, March 08, 2007

What is Happening in the World Today?

What is happening in this world today:
As we silently look around the world that we live in today. All we can see is the darkness that surrounds every nation and every country. None are unaware of this.
We see the enemy at work very furiously as he knows that his time is short. But we also see our God at work because His Children are protected by His loving Grace. From the youngest to the oldest we are held safe and secure in the hands of Jesus Christ.
God is aware that Daniel is being fulfilled as is Isaiah and Jeremiah and all the prophets and we watch them unfold daily before our very own eyes. We See all the prophecy’s merging toward the end times. The Christian feels it in the middle of his being and is rapidly trying to occupy till Jesus takes us out of here. We must try and reach as many as we can for the Lord’s sake.
It is time to put all differences down and come together as a Church full of Passion and energy as was the early Church. Always remembering that there is a great prize set before us and that is we get to see our Lord Jesus Christ. That is all in the Long Run that will matter to any of us. To see our Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son.My one question is this will we see Jesus as John saw Him in Revelation like a lamb lead to the slaughter. Will that be the first thing that we will see in heaven, is the Bruised and Battered Body of our Lord and then we He takes the seal and begins to open them We will finally see Him in His Glory for we will begin like a great choir to sing our Praises to Him.
I find myself wondering just what heaven will be like. Just think Church no more trials, no sorry, no sickness, no tears just pure Joy as we are with our Gloriously King and we are being honored in His Father’s House. We will receive our inheritance from the Mighty God. But in all reality they will seem like nothing compared to being with the Father and the Son and The Holy Spirit. We shall see our God and hear His voice and feel His love that allowed Him to send Jesus to the World for each and every on of us.
Sometimes I often wonder If I Praise and Honor my Father as I should. Before the foundations of the world He chose me and you and every child of God that is under the Blood of His Son. He knew then every mistake and every wrong doing that we have done yet His Angels broke forward in Song as each of His chosen came to Him. He knew the day the hour and the minute that you would find Him. He was watching and waiting Patiently as an earthly father does for all His children to be home and in safety.
The love of the Father and the Son knows no bounds, we find from the greatest sinner to the worst sinner He loves us all equally. Do We Love Him Back as He loved us. Do we have the Faith that we hang on to every Written Word in the Bible and make it our Home. Our Father left us His Word to Love and Feed us daily and to keep us running the race. No matter what the situation is, you must realize that God is completely in control. There is no battle to fierce for Him. No sickness that He can not heal, No home that He can not make well. He is truly all in all.
As we see the night getting darker and the days getting dimmer and sin fostering like a gangrene we must realize the we will face heavy trials in these End Days. But Beloved Ones Keep You Eyes on Jesus not on the Circumstances in your life. You are a Child of the King, You are washed and adopted into the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. Give all these things coming our way to Him and just lift up your hearts in Praise. Jesus and The Father hear every prayer that we pray and They answer everyone to Their Glory. You must realize that the minute you pray the Father sends an angelic being with the a answer, but that they must have a war getting through the principalities and powers of the air. God answers every prayer for your best interest. So keep on keeping on. The Word of God tells us to Ask Seek and Find. Don’t give up. You've come to far to not finish the race no matter the circumstances we may all face.
I ask you all to Keep your Eyes upon the Great and Glorious Prize at the end of the Road. Father is holding You and He is telling you Press on My child Press on. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King. God’s blessings be upon each and everyone of us in this world that Love and Serve Jesus. He is more than worth every trouble, every heartache, every circamstances that we have faced. Remember that
Jesus was tempted just as we are and He overcame and gave you the power to also overcome.
Maranatha
Zelma

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