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Posts Tagged ‘apostasy’

This is an amazing painting, what a blessing God has bestowed on him.

It is really unbelievable that folks are still asleep but they are.

It is supernatural.  God has turned them over to their own desires as they reject Him and what this nation was founded on: God and the Christian faith.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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A reminder of who we are and who they are: The Forgotten Man by Jon McNaughton

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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Could not agree more…

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Posted by  The Right Scoop on December 17th, 2012 in Politics

I thought the Pope was supposed to be a Biblical man? If he is he should know that there won’t be true peace between Israel and the Palestinians and believing in some UN pipe dream for the sake of peace is fruitless. But even more than that he’s revealed that he also doesn’t understand Islam, which at its core wants to destroy Israel. And this is exactly what the Palestinians want.

Sheesh. I’m not trying to dis the Pope, but this is a problem:

TIMES OF ISRAEL – Pope Benedict XVI told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Monday that he hopes the Palestinians’ upgrade to nonmember observer state at the UN will hasten the international community into finding a solution to its conflict with Israel.

The Palestinian leader is visiting Europe to thank countries that voted for the upgrade. Abbas met with the Pope to praise him for supporting the Palestinians’ recent bid. All European Union countries except for the Czech Republic either supported the motion or abstained from the vote.

The Holy See is the only other entity to hold the status of nonmember observer state at the UN.

The Vatican had warmly welcomed the vote, and a Vatican statement said that “it is hoped that this initiative will encourage the commitment of the international community to finding a fair and lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Abbas chatted privately with Pope Benedict for 30 minutes and then met with the Vatican’s top diplomats. (more…)

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Dale really hit the nail on the head with the article below.

All the nations problems, ALL of them, would be solved by turning back to God.  Not just giving it lip service, but reading His Word (The Bible) every day (twice a day) and bringing our issues and problems to go through prayer daily, starting every meeting with prayer to guide us.

It would only take one action to change course.  A leader to lead by example, not simply words.  What ever happened to the saying “actions speak louder than words”.  We have forgotten these simple truths as a nation.

One statement jumped out at me in Dales article about halfway through.

Nothing pleases Satan more than every time he can place a ‘wall of separation’ between God and people.

When we separate ourselves from God through turning away or succumbing to sin, not only do we miss out on the joy of our closeness to God (since he must pull away) but we also open ourselves up to Satan’s advances to gain more power and control over our lives by filling the void.

That is what we have seen as a nation when on that pivotal day in the 1960’s we expelled God from our schools.  It was the (more…)

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Imminent.  We hear it mentioned quite often but what does it mean and what is it like to live with the feeling of someone’s imminent return?

The article below is a good summary of what that means, what the Bible has to say about it,  and how we should be living our lives as believers in Christ today in anticipation of His return for his bride.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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January 4, 2013|1:35 pm

While the Mayan Calendar’s prediction that doomsday was on Dec. 21, 2012, was wrong, the Bible has a lot to say about Christ’s return – his return is mentioned in no less than 318 times in the 260 chapters in the New Testament, Laurie said in his message, titled “Things to do before the end of the world.”

What if we knew somehow that Jesus Christ will be back for us at 3 p.m. tomorrow? The pastor asked. “I’m sure we’d all be saints at 2:45 … We’ll be wearing our Sunday morning smiles and our come-quickly-Jesus attitude.” Though we do not know when Jesus is returning, “shouldn’t we have that same smile and that same attitude every day as if that were the day that Christ could come?”

Those who doubt Jesus’ promise to return due to the delay must read 2 Peter 3:9, Laurie suggested. The verse reads: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The pastor went on to say he prayed in 1970 that Jesus should come soon, “but isn’t it good that he didn’t?” Many among the audience received Jesus after 1970, he pointed out.

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The summary done below by Thomas Ice steps back to view the work of the Bible as the amazing work that it is.  Once you begin to study it both in-depth as well as tying together the story you see the promise of the “rapture” or snatching away told throughout.

One of the knocks against the Rapture is that it is escapism.  I have never understood this as I feel it prepares the believer for the exact opposite.  Procrastination is not an option with imminence.

Peter and John both admonish their audience to fix their eye on the future return of Christ, resulting in Godly living in the present. (1 Peter 1:13 and 1 John 3:2-3)

1 Peter 1:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 Therefore, [a]prepare your minds for action, [b]keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [c]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:

a. 1 Peter 1:13 Lit gird the loins of your mind
b. 1 Peter 1:13 Lit be sober
c. 1 Peter 1:13 Or which is announced

The Rapture, “…my blessed hope…” (Titus 2:13),  is one of the major reasons why we gladly live for Christ today and prioritize our life in view of eternal values.

Please take the time to read through the article below in full.  It is a blessing and thought provokingly wonderful.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Friday, January 4, 2013

The Amazing Truth of the Rapture

Thomas IceBy Dr. Thomas Ice
Pre-Trib Research Center

When one sits back and contemplates the great truths contained in God’s plan for history as revealed in the Bible, it is truly amazing to contemplate such reality. A partial list would include the following: God’s creation out of nothing; God’s creation of angels and their role in history; man’s fall into sin; Noah’s Ark and the Flood; the tower of Babel; the call of Abraham; the Exodus and foundation of the nation of Israel; the up-and-down history of Israel, Christ’s first coming; His death, resurrection, and ascension; the founding of the church; and Christ’s promise to return to take His bride to heaven with Him at the rapture. These real, historical events are greater than any fictional account that the most creative moviemaker could conceive. So one day the Father will tell the Son to go and get His bride and at that moment every living believer, no matter where they may be, will be caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord, in order to be taken to heaven. This will truly be an amazing event.

Rapture

The Impact of the Rapture

Romans 11:25 indicates that the trigger point for the rapture will be when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The leading Greek lexicon of our day says the noun translated fullness in this passage means “that which is brought to fullness or completion; full number.” [1] Also, Acts 15:14 says, “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.” Thus, when that last Gentile convert comes to faith in Christ, the Church, the Body of Christ, will be complete and the rapture will take place. The full number of Gentiles will have come in and then our Lord will turn His attention to the salvation of all Israel (Rom. 11:26) during the subsequent tribulation period.

The rapture of the church will be a truly amazing event that will confound the world. Just think about it for a moment. How will the world who rejects the possibility that a God who does miracles is out there, explain the sudden disappearance of hundreds of millions of people all over the world in an instance of time? People that are left behind will generally not be open (more…)

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I think the article below is very eye opening into how the “Grand Delusion” that is spoken of in the Bible will work.  My initial thought was “Who in their right mind would label 2012 as the ‘best year ever’?”  It must just be a hook to get you to read but they are serious.  Sure they will elude to some negatives but are quick to minimize them for the bright side assessment.

Sure costs are rising, Brussels sprouts cost 70% more now than in January but who wants to eat those?  Really!!!  A 70% increase in food costs and we spin that positive.  I can see it in 2013, food prices are up 400%, but it has allowed us to keep all those new years resolutions to loose weight and we have a much more sustainable society now!

A few other key highlights: (my comments in italics)

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As I read Todd’s article several additional thoughts came to mind.  He brings up some excellent “root” causes for why we find our nation in the state it is today and especially why we are not able to reach the younger generations.  I believe they have become so “distracted” (deceived) with life and the things of this world that they are not even aware of what is happening in it, let alone prophecies of what is to come.  It is probably one of the most discouraging points for some one dedicated to waking others up to God’s word, but we must remember that with God all things are possible!

I am also reminded of the Days of Noah & the Days of Lot prophecy by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24).  The turning point on Gay marriage and drug use sure do point to this prophecy.

Even with us living through these events I am amazed at how people, even fellow Christians, still do not make the connection between the Bible and the events.  Most just write it off to coincidence or something that has always occurred.  The rise of evil, (more…)

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This is a good reminder that we should not be fearful or fret these days we live in, these last days.  It is human nature to fret and be fearful but that is exactly the reason God revealed what these days would look like to us through prophecy in His word.  He tells us not to worry that these thing must come to pass before the end can come.

Our attitude should instead be joyful and exhilarated.  We can’t stop what is going to happen and neither can any force on earth.  Only God can.  His will will be done.  That is what our prayers and thoughts should be focused on, God’s will!  Not on specific events or things we want to occur.  We need to be actively praying for God’s will to be done and asking what little part if any He would like us to play in advancing His will.

When you take that perspective, this world looks a whole lot different.  God said it, so you can count on Him doing it!  He is our Rock and His Son our Savior!  God needs us to be calm as things get worst.  You will be a beacon to the lost as they scatter to and fro.  And hopefully we can plant the seed that will save them from the coming tribulation or more importantly the lake of fire.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Dec 3, 2012

Steady

by Jim Fletcher – Israel Watch

I’m working, and not watching the UN speeches regarding the Palestinians’ bid for nation status. I am however monitoring social media, and the reactions from pro Israel folks who are rightly revolted over the unjust speeches, and in the growing discomfort with a legitimized Palestinian entity.

We should not worry, though.

A few weeks ago, while driving near the Golan Heights, I saw one of what I believe were 2-3 tanks Israel had at its disposal during the harrowing months following the declaration of statehood in 1948. No matter how you or any revisionist slices it, the young Jewish state faced overwhelming odds in struggling to survive. (Footnote: the aforementioned tank sits under some trees on a kibbutz, a cool reminder of those momentous days.)

I submit that we are looking at similar odds now, but our perceptions are skewed.

Certainly, the international community—cowardly and immoral as it is—not only will cave to bizarre and unjust Arab demands, but the community actually likes the inversion of the truth, since it participates in it. Global media, political operatives, and religionists fall over themselves in efforts to advance evil in our world.

That’s exactly what they’re supposed to do.

God told us a long time ago pretty much exactly what’s going to happen. Why are we shocked and saddened to see these days arrive? If the Word of the Lord is true, it had to be this way.

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Over the last few months there has been a lot of activity within the Church to pray, fast, repent, cry’s for our nation to repent and turn back to God.  It has always made me somewhat uneasy and when I participate, I feel worse.

Jack Kelly really sums up better than I could my gut feelings.  When I found and read the article below and shouted out “Praise the Lord” and I think I shed a few tears.

Deep in my soul I knew that this is a personal deal, not collective in the least.  I can not save you, you can not save me.  It is something between you and God and me and God.

I think too much energy has been spent praying for our will for our nation instead of for God’s will to be done as Christ prayed.  What ever that is, it is guaranteed to be better than anything we can come up with.  He will give us what we need to “occupy” until he returns to rapture us home.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Repenting On Behalf Of Our Country?

by Jack Kelly


Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. (Ezekiel 9:3-6)

The principle of marking those who would be protected from judgment was first mentioned in Genesis 4:15 when the Lord marked Cain as a warning to those who might try to kill him for murdering Abel.

It had also been hinted at when the Lord told Elijah He had reserved 7,000 faithful in Israel who had not succumbed to idol worship (1 Kings 19:18), but Ezekiel 9:4 stands as the clearest example in history of the Lord marking those who are His and protecting them from danger.  In the spiritual world the mark is a sign that the marked person belongs to the Lord and is off limits to anyone else.

Have You Been Marked?

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory (Ephes 1:13-14).

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

In these two passages Paul revealed that all born again believers were marked at the time they believed to show that they belong to the Lord.  It’s the spiritual equivalent of a rancher branding his cattle with his mark of ownership.  The presence of this mark will protect us like it has protected others He has marked throughout history.

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With the acceleration of end times events we are seeing the emergent church taking a bolder stance.  No place can this be seen clearer than support for Israel, God’s chosen people.

Matthew 7:15-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

We will know them by their fruit!

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Nov 19, 2012

The Six-Week War

Now that the death cult Hamas has decided to go out Bonnie and Clyde-style, word comes that Israel’s leadership is preparing for a two-month engagement. Let us all fervently pray that they completely destroy the terror entity that has plagued the region (including the Palestinians) for a quarter-century.

Others are writing very good reports on the fighting thus far—hundreds of rockets have landed in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem! The Hamas stockpiles are such that until the IDF gathers its full strength, some damage will be done. I left one friend’s home in Jerusalem last week to travel to another in Efrat, and I passed the Gush Etzion turn.

At least two rockets landed in Gush Etzion yesterday, with other reports that they landed in Jerusalem as well. You can’t imagine how small the country is if you haven’t been there. Imagine driving from Richardson, Texas, to Plano. Culver City, California, to Glendale. Washington D.C., to Silver Spring, Maryland.

What I want to spotlight this week at “Israel Watch” is the unfolding propaganda war, equally vicious and important. Within 48 hours of the terror war launched against Israeli civilians by Hamas, Israel’s tiny window of goodwill began to predictably shrink. Among those leading the charge—and I find this repulsive and ghastly in the extreme—are religious leaders in the West.

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This is such a common question that I believe we have all struggled with at some point in time of our lives or if not yet will at some point.  The answer is so reassuring and strengthening of our faith.  Studying prophecy has a similar effect.  I wish more understood how powerful it is.  God laid out for us what will happen before it happened so we could strengthen our faith in Him and with assurance put our trust in Him.  He knew we would struggle like Thomas with doubts and would need some reassurance.  Prophecy is that reassurance and yet largely as a church, Christ’s Bride, we ignore it or worse scoff at God’s predictions that He put in place to reassure us of His power and authority.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Is God In Total Control Of Everything?

by Jack Kelly


There’s a theory, only hinted at in Scripture, that Planet Earth had been the domain of Satan prior to his rebellion. Although he was only a created being, Satan was an enormously powerful dignitary in God’s Universe (Jude 1:9). He was the overseer of the Cherubim (the guardians of God’s Throne) and a leader of the angelic host. He was God’s most impressive creation (Ezekiel 28:12-15). Because of his position, his power, and his beauty he became proud and rebelled (Ezekiel 28:17, Isaiah 14:13-14), bringing about a judgment that destroyed planet Earth.

All this seems to have happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Hints of this in Scripture are

1) an alternate (and some say more literal) rendering of Genesis 1:2 reads, “But the Earth became formless and void”, rather than “and the Earth was formless and void.”

2) In Isaiah 45:18 the Lord said He didn’t create the Earth that way, using the same Hebrew word that’s translated formless in Genesis 1:2, but formed it to be inhabited. Putting these two points together hints at a judgment sometime after Earth’s original creation.

3) The angels already existed at the time of the Genesis creation account. They shouted and sang for joy when the Lord laid the foundations of Earth (Job 38:4-7) so they must have been created earlier. If so, then Satan must have been created earlier was as well.

4) The serpent seems to appear out of nowhere in Genesis 3:1 although there’s no mention of him in the creation account. Also the Hebrew word translated serpent comes from a root meaning enchanter, which could mean it was not an ordinary animal. And Eve didn’t seem to be reluctant to converse with him, indicating she might have recognized him for who he really was.

Let me hasten to add that I don’t believe in a pre-Adamite civilization. The Bible clearly calls Adam the first man (1 Cor. 15:45). It also says the animals were created on the same day as Adam (Genesis 1:24-26) so I don’t believe dinosaurs or any other animals preceded Adam’s creation.

After Earth sat submerged in ruin and darkness for who knows how long, God said “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) and the six day Genesis creation process began. It helps to remember that the Bible is not a book about eternity, it’s about the age of man. As such it begins with the creation of the first man and ends when the Millennium ends seven thousand years later. It gives only vague hints about what happened before the Age of Man began and what will come after it ends. All we really know is that there was an eternity past and there will be an eternity future.

God’s first instruction to Adam and Eve was to give them dominion over Planet Earth, telling them to subdue it and populate it (more…)

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…at least half of us.

It is just stunning to me how out of touch we have become as a people.  We have so many distractions these days that we don’t pay attention to real current events, let alone put them all together and take the time to step back and look at the big picture.

That is what prophecy is.  It is a puzzle left for us by God.  If we study His word as he commanded us to, we will not be caught like a thief in the night.  Events and outcomes of certain actions will not surprise us.  We understand the bigger picture and how the puzzle is coming together generally.  We were meant to study prophecy.

If these folks don’t even know this major event has taken place, how can we imagine they can assemble the prophecy puzzle God has left for us in his word.  How do we get them to wake up?

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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Pete goes through a lot of the prophecies we are seeing the stage set for.  The headlines he lists are also reflecting the times we live in.  It is a great read, sobering for the saved, and scary to those unsaved.  It might also be a bit jarring for those that don’t believe in the pre-trib rapture.  His last few paragraphs really jumped out at me and rang true, the end is near.

Maranatha – Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

-myblessedhope

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Something Big is Going On – Part 3

By Pete Rose


In the past two articles in this series I have focused mainly on current events such as …

  • Unexplained movements of troops and military equipment
  • Massive ammunition purchases – 1.7 Billion rounds plus – by government agencies, most of it for the Department of Homeland Security
  • The NDAA authorizing indefinite detention of US citizens just on suspicion, no hearing, no trial, no due process
  • Obama issuing one executive order after another seizing control of practically all the nation’s resources, infrastructure, food production, transportation, communication
  • And more…

Some recent developments – from Web reports

  • *Coastal military bases being evacuated over back roads under cover of darkness, cover story is expectation of massive coastal flooding
  • Obama-appointed court overturns permanent injunction on NDAA indefinite detention clause (Yes, all three judges on this court were appointed by Obama)
  • *Obama makes deal with Iran, they will announce a stop to uranium enrichment in return for relaxing of sanctions before the election
  • Huge sinkhole in Louisiana continues to grow, officials worry about huge reserves of liquid butane, propane stored in nearby salt domes amid concern the domes may be tied in with the New Madrid fault
  • Gulf stream has stopped, BP oil spill blamed, will have drastic effects on weather (this dates back to 1910)
  • *Staged bank collapse supposed to take place in late October, all banks will close, credit cards, debit cards, food cards will not work, checks unusable, all money in the banks will be frozen
  • And now, HR6566, a bill directing FEMA to prepare for the possibility of mass fatalities!

*I have no confirmation for these… I’m just putting them out for whatever they’re worth.

In this article I want to focus on prophecies pointing to these events. I have bolded all scriptures and references for ease of locating them.

Bible prophecy in all cases may be taken at face value. These are inspired by the Holy Spirit and can be depended on. Non-biblical prophecies must be judged as to source and accuracy. There are a lot of the latter around today, so be careful what you believe. If you have conflicting prophecies concerning the same event, one or the other has to be false, and both may be. These prophets must be judged based on their past record of accuracy and the witness of the Holy Spirit. If someone makes a specific prophecy and the prophesied event doesn’t happen as prophesied, this person likely prophesied out of his own heart and not by the Holy Spirit, and is not to be believed.

That said, let’s take a look at some Bible prophecies. There are many, many prophecies concerning the end times, so many I will not have room to cover all of them here. But I will try to hit the most important ones.

A quick overview

There is a wealth of prophecy about end time events and conditions in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, and the book of The Revelation focuses almost entirely on end time events. 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 3 provide information on the rapture. 2 Thessalonians 2 warns of the fate of those who are left behind, and gives some clues about the timing of the rapture.

The book of Daniel contains several prophecies concerning the end-times. Some believe Psalm 83 prophesies an end-time attack of nations immediately surrounding Israel, some say it is already fulfilled. It could be both are true, some prophecies do have both a near and a distant fulfillment. Isaiah 17 prophesies the cataclysmic destruction of Damascus and surrounding territory. Ezekiel 37 gives a graphic word picture of the restoration of Israel in the vision of the dry bones. Ezekiel 38-39 describe the end-time invasion of Israel by Russia and the outer band of nations surrounding Israel. Zechariah 14 tells of Christ’s return to Earth and gives a description of the battle of Armageddon. Psalm 2 tells of the rebellion of the heathen, and the judgment that awaits them. Isaiah 11 gives a description of conditions that will prevail during the Kingdom age, the Millennium.

Now some specifics

Daniel 12:1-4 gives some important details of conditions in the end times:

[1] And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. This speaks of the great tribulation which is to come on the whole Earth after the Church is gone. Its purpose is to purify Israel and bring its people into proper relationship with God.

[2] And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This refers to the resurrection of the just at the time of the rapture, and the resurrection of the unsaved at the time of the Great White Throne judgment. There will be a second resurrection of the just at the end of the Tribulation, as I understand it, of those who were saved during the tribulation and were killed for their faith.

[3] And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” The wise are those who have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and their brightness is their reward who win souls to Christ.

[4] And thou, o Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end:… Until recent years, portions of the prophecies of Daniel have been sealed, that is their meaning could not be understood except in the context of current events when the time of their fulfillment was close at hand.

…Many shall run to and fro, … Until about the middle of the 18th century all travel was either on foot or with the aid of some sort of animal. With the advent of the railroad and the gasoline engine, all that changed. Now nearly everyone has a car capable of doing 70 miles per hour or faster, we have airplanes which routinely travel at 600 miles per hour and rocketships which have taken men to the moon and back.

…and knowledge shall be increased. Knowledge has increased more in the past century than in all time beyond put together. Sadly, much of today’s knowledge is being used for evil and not for good, such as universal spying, better and more efficient ways of killing people, and genetic tampering on food crops, now known to sicken both people and livestock, and having the potential to contaminate the gene pool worldwide, potentially resulting in famines with the potential to starve millions to death. Genetic tampering, mixing genes from unrelated species, was what ultimately brought on the flood of Noah’s day, because the entire genetic makeup of the world had become corrupted and only Noah and his family remained uncontaminated. This tampering is explicitly mentioned in the apocryphal books of Enoch and Jasher.

Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, chapter 3 verses 1-5, tell of the moral conditions of our day.

[1] This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. Sounds just like conditions today, doesn’t it? And much of this has come about just in my lifetime.

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 tells about the coming of the Antichrist, and gives a hint concerning the rapture. I recommend you read the entire book.

[6] And now you know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth [withholds, restrains]will letuntil he be taken out of the way. [8] And thenshall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they might believe a lie; [12] That they might all be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (Emphasis added.)

In verses six and seven we have the Restrainer. We believe this is none other than the Holy Spirit dwelling in all born again Christians in this world. Since we are all sealed with the Holy Spirit, the only way the Restrainer can be removed is to remove us, the Church, the Ekklesia, the called out assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can the Antichrist be revealed (verse 8), and there is a massive push on right now for the formation of one world government and one world religion, to be led by this evil man. All the events I have made note of in my previous articles in this series are setting the stage for that eventuality. The Department of Homeland Security procuring 1.7 Billion rounds of ammunition, FEMA camps equipped with guillotines, FEMA being directed to make preparations for massive fatalities, cover stories of expectation of mega-catastrophes, what does all of this tell you? Something BIG IS going on. Verse 9 tells who is behind all of this, none other than Satan himself. Verses 10-12 tell of the fate of those who have willfully rejected Jesus in this age, they won’t get a second chance once the rapture has come and they are left behind. They will all fall prey to the delusion that the antichrist is God, and will all be condemned with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tell of the rapture, how it will happen.

[16] For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The dead will arise and join us who are still living, we will all receive our glorified bodies and in an instant be caught up together to join Jesus in the air, to be escorted to Heaven. I recommend you read the whole chapter.

1 Corinthians 15 gives an in depth discussion of the resurrection, then details what will happen to us when that event happens:

[51] Behold I show a mystery; we shall not all sleep [die], but we shall be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [23] For this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality. So it will all happen in an instant, Greek Atomos, the smallest possible division of time. A nanosecond, a New York Minute. (What is a New York Minute? That’s the time between when the light turns green and the cabbie behind you blows his horn. Joke! It’ll happen much quicker than than a New York minute.) Read the whole chapter.

The gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, gives many details of things that will be happening just before Jesus returns for His own. Wars and rumors of wars. Nation against nation and tribe against tribe (verses 6-7). Persecution (verse 9). Betrayal (verse 10). False prophets (verse 11). Many of them nowadays.

Verse 12: Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Lots of that already, and much worse to come.

[13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. This is tribulation prophecy. Those who receive Jesus after the rapture and maintain their faith to the end of the tribulation shall be saved. That is not for this present age.

[14] Gospel of the Kingdom preached to all the world. This will happen during the tribulation. God’s grace again, not willing that any should perish, but that all should find repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Sadly, many will refuse it.

[15] Abomination of desolation in the holy place… Hasn’t happened yet. This will happen sometime around the midpoint of the tribulation. Tribulation events continue through verse 31.

Be aware that not all of the events of Matthew 24 are in chronological order. The parts concerning the rapture follow the parts about events during the tribulation, but precede the latter in their happening.

Now the key-Israel’s restoration as a nation:

[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know summer is nigh: [33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. [34] Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass, until all these things be fulfilled.

The fig tree is a prophetic symbol of Israel. The putting forth of leaves is symbolic of the nation of Israel, scattered all over the world for nearly 2000 years, being restored as a nation in May 1948. Verse 33-Jesus makes the point, when you see all these signs happening, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, storms, moral collapse etc. and you see Israel restored as a nation, know that the end is near. Jesus described this period as being like birth pangs, starting off mild and infrequent, then increasing in both intensity and frequency until the baby is born. The pangs are now increasing at an exponential rate, and things are rapidly coming to a head. Then verse 34 gives a very big hint to the approximate time of the rapture-the generation that sees all these things begin to happen will not pass away until all is fulfilled. And all means all the way up to the end of the tribulation period, at least another seven years after the rapture. According to the Bible the usual lifespan of a generation is 70 years, if by strength, 80. It has now been close to 63 years since Israel once again became a nation, and if the rapture were to happen today there would still be at least seven years until the end of all that Jesus prophesied.

No man knows the day and hour (the exact time) of the rapture, but I truly believe He is telling us we will know when that time is near. I believe that we are in that time now.

Verses 37-39 give some clues as to what things will be like at the time of His coming.

[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking. Marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.

Noah preached for some 200 years while the ark was being constructed, and nobody listened. When the flood came, only Noah, his family, and the animals brought into the ark, were saved. So it is in the days leading up to the rapture, it’s business as usual for the world and will be right up until the rapture. And very few people are paying any attention.

[40] Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; one shall be taken and the other left. A perfect picture of the rapture.

[42] Watch therefore for you know not what hour your Lord doth come. This I believe is another clue to the timing of the rapture, it will come at a time when no one is expecting it. Once the tribulation is underway, things are going to be anything but business as usual. It will be chaos. Once we’ve received Jesus our salvation is assured, nevertheless if we don’t live it out, we can lose our reward. See 1 Corinthians chapter 3 for details.

1 Thessalonians 5:9: For God hath not appointed us to judgment, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. More assurance of our eternal salvation in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:10, from Jesus’ seven letters to seven churches: Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them who dwell upon the earth.

This was addressed to the church at Philadelphia, generally considered to represent the believing church in the world at this time, and is another argument in favor of a pre-tribulation rapture. It is one of seven letters from the Lord Jesus to seven churches of His day, usually thought to be representative of various conditions of churches through history, from His day to our day.

There’s much more about the tribulation and the end times especially from Revelation 4 and onward, and another hint of the pre-tribulation rapture, and all the plagues God will pour out on the world once we are gone. It tells among other things of a totalitarian dictator who will seek to control the whole world, and we are seeing preparations for that in progress in this day and time. And this is what I have been seeking to emphasize all the way through this series.

We are in critical times. Preparations for the one world government are well underway and the big push is on. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 we must be gone before the antichrist can be revealed, and that can only mean one thing in the context of today’s events: The time of the rapture must be very close. There is only one way you can prepare and be ready for evacuation in the rapture, and that is to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The only way you can do that is to let go of your sins, turn to Jesus and invite Him into your life by an act of your will. If you have never received Jesus into your life and the rapture happens, you will be left behind and will go into the tribulation period. Yes, a great multitude will be saved in the tribulation but for most it will be at the cost of their physical life. Revelation 20:4 speaks of the souls beheaded for their witness of Jesus and the word of God. This is as real as it gets. I have seen the reports of guillotines in the FEMA camps and I believe they are real.

But don’t think you can willfully reject Jesus now and expect to be saved after the rapture. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 plainly says if you’ve done that you will be sent strong delusion, and you will believe the lie that the antichrist is God, and you will be cast into the lake of fire where he is going, to be tormented in flames for ever and ever. Believe me you don’t want to go there. And you don’t have to.

This is your watchman-on-the-wall warning. The horn is sounding. The enemy (Satan incarnate) is coming. Don’t let him take you. Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved and rescued and safe from the enemy. Do it now! Reject Jesus and the enemy sooner or later will get you and take you to hell to live forever in eternal torment.

Romans 10:9-13: That if thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord is rich unto all who call upon him. [13]For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The choice is up to you, You must decide for yourself. I can’t do it for you. Do it today, do it now.

Pete Rose

email: wvhillbilly737@suddenlink.net

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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Over the last year it has become harder and harder to have a conversation about faith.  I have felt a hardening of positions on both sides.  we see this in politics too.  On the faith side, it stands out to me that more and more, we feel as if we may suffer some fallout from sharing our faith and the Gospel.  Not outright persecution but blowback from differences in opinion, and a general feeling that we need to keep it to ourselves.

What Jeff shares in the article below is something I have felt to varying degrees over the last couple of years.  It’s roots come from the doctrine of the Emergent church.  The ideas are infecting our chruches and leading many off the narrow path.  We need to pray that through us planting seeds, God can pull them back onto the correct path.

Maranatha – Come quickly Lord!

-myblessedhope

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False Sense of Security

By Jeff Patty


I had a short discussion the other day with a co-worker concerning Biblical matters. It’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. It became a little heated, but the co-worker seems to like heated arguments, and he seems to be more desiring to push peoples’ buttons than usual. I believe the reasons are twofold. One, he has a liberal view of Christianity, and two, he has a liberal view of politics. And as the election gets closer, he gets more aggressive and outspoken about all his liberal beliefs.

I like my co-worker; he’s funny and can be caring. And I also love and care for him as a person. But, his liberal views of the Bible and his liberal interpretation gravely concern me. You see, he claims to be a Christian and seems bold at times in proclaiming it. And at times he will say things that I totally agree with and it seems like he’s getting a grasp on the Word. But then he’ll start talking to someone, and it’s so unbiblical it’s scary! Yet he’s convinced he’s right and he’s convincing others at work that don’t know any better that he’s right. Something I like to say about people who treat the Word like this is, “They treat the Bible like it’s a salad bar. They take what they want and leave the rest.” This perfectly describes my co-worker.

I’ll give some examples of what I’ve overheard and even had brief discussions with him about. Once I heard him say very boldly that, “The book of Revelation is a pile of horse****!” Another time he said, “John the Revelator must have gotten ahold of some bad mushrooms on the Island of Patmos, because he was crazy! He believes prophecy is total nonsense. And the other thing of great concern, he has no problem with profanity, especially using the Lord’s name in vain. I don’t know how many times a day he does, I just know that I hear every form of it at least two dozen times each day at work. Minimum! It’s the same as you or I saying, “and, or but, or the” while making a statement. And he never shows any remorse or guilt for the profanity. The only thing I’ve ever known him to show guilt for is gossip. Which is good, and it’s something we all probably struggle with to some degree and should feel guilt for and ask forgiveness for but the profanity isn’t an issue for him.

Neither is sexual immorality. He is a big supporter of anything and everything homosexual. He’s single and has never been married and he’s in his early fifties. I’ve even heard him state a couple of different times that he still hopes to meet someone and get married someday and he knows God has someone for him whoever HE or SHE may be. The first time I heard him say that, I convinced myself that I didn’t hear him right. He wasn’t talking to me, I just overheard him, and so I dismissed it. The second time I heard him; there was no mistaking what he said. This is one of the scriptures he leaves out or throws away, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:26-27 (KJV)

He listens to and follows a couple of famous pastors or, “Life Coaches” as they like to be called today, that feed people what I like to call, “Cotton Candy and Kool-Aid.” Fluff. Even though I would never introduce him to the following people, he would love the “Religious Left” teachings of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell. My co-worker hates the Jews for “occupying the Palestinians’ territory,” and he believes God is a God of love and would never send anybody to Hell. And at other times he even says there is no Hell. So if he ever becomes aware of McLaren and Bell, he’ll have their collected works. Both of these men are a big part of the emergent movement that is destroying Christianity. McLaren and Bell are the types of teachers spoken of in 2 Peter 1:1-2: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (KJV)

He recently recovered from lung cancer and it almost appears that he was miraculously healed. He claims it was through the power of prayer. Maybe it was, I don’t know. He says he must have a purpose, that’s why God has spared him, more than once. He’s had a lot of other close calls. Maybe. But I can’t help but think: maybe he was spared to deceive people. You see, I believe that Satan has the power to heal. He tries to imitate God. They’re pale imitations for sure, but he is able to imitate to some degree. A fascinating and frightening book that I highly recommend is, The Beautiful Side of Evil, by Johanna Michaelsen. In it she talks about when she was involved in the occult with a psychic healer and learning the craft, and how she witnessed many healings of individuals. Some were healed for only short periods of time, others for very long periods of time. Even before she became born-again she felt an evil presence during these sessions. Once she was saved she knew the healings were demonic. Now I’m not saying my co-worker is possessed, but I do believe that because of his preaching of another gospel, he could be being used to lead people astray. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal 1:6-9 (KJV)

Like the “Religious Left,” my co-worker seems to have an animosity towards anyone who exposes conservative Christian values. We’re seen as hateful, intolerant and judgmental. And it’s not just him but anyone else with his worldview. I’m convinced that this type of attitude and treatment will become more pronounced and accepted in the near future. I believe the day is quickly coming when it will be dangerous for a true believer to voice his or her convictions in this country, even in a small town like mine.

I haven’t written this article to judge my co-worker or belittle him. I’m sincerely concerned for his soul. He truly believes he is saved yet, the evidence suggests otherwise. I fear he has a false sense of security. And what really bothers me is, in my experience, these are the types of people that are the hardest to reach. If it’s someone who maybe isn’t necessarily an atheist, but they don’t claim to be a Christian, you can present them with the Gospel. Build a foundation. But for someone who believes they are a born-again Christian, whether through heritage or just saying it, it’s hard to say anything that doesn’t offend them or put them on the defensive. I will readily admit I have a hard time knowing how to talk to this particular co-worker and anyone else of a similar mindset. Where I work, and the area where I live, it is populated with a huge amount of people with this mindset, yet their lifestyle isn’t remotely Christian. Quite the opposite. But they believe they have secured a home in Heaven. Maybe I’m naive. Maybe it’s this way everywhere. I fear that it is. It’s a symptom of the condition of our churches. Churches that are all too willing to feed on cotton candy and kool-aid.

I will pray for my co-worker and others like him, and try to set a godly example and be a good witness. That may be more effective than words.

www.jeffpatty.com

jeff@jeffpatty.com

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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So we are all anxiously awaiting the Lord return for His Church.  I know I am, but what are we to do with all this anxiousness and anxiety while we wait faithfully and patiently (besides cracking our knuckles, tapping our pencil, or clicking our pen cap, my wife hates that).  The Lord was very specific and Peter gave some very interesting words about what we should be doing while we wait.  And wait really isn’t the right word, we are supposed to be busy doing the Lord’s will.

In 2 Peter 3:12, Peter drops a subtle hint that we can impact the timing of God’s plan and that should be our goal.

2 Peter 3:11-12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! (emphasis added)

We are not just to be looking for His return.  That is important, but we are to be hastening the coming!

Can we really do that?

Yes, we know that God has a specific number of gentiles that must be brought to Christ before Christ’s return.  We can certainly help by spreading the Gospel.  Not only should we live it but we need to get aggressive about spreading God’s wonderful promise.  Especially now as things are looking bleaker and bleaker, what better time for Good News!

Pastor JD and Ryan both have good discussions of this topic below, JD in this weeks Aloha prophecy update and Ryan from an article posted on RaptureReady.com.

Maranatha – Lord come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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I Am Calling You Out, Church

By Ryan Vanderstelt


Where are you Church? Are you reading this? Are you as ready as I to go home? If you are anything like me, you have been waiting a LONG time for Christ to return. We have been standing in the train terminal with our bags packed, peering down the tracks for the faintest glimmer of light, testing the ground for that particular tremor and waiting for the sound of that Glorious Call. We watch for Feasts. We watch for the planets and stars to be in the right positions and the right color. We watch for those things while we hold our breath: “Is this it? Is it going to be tonight? Maybe while I sleep tonight? Will I wake up to Glory…or just wake up?”.

And yet, here…we…are – still standing in the train station checking our watches. Is the train late? We don’t know. He gave us some indications of when to expect him and we see those indications all around us, but still no train Home.

Truth is, there is something lacking that we, and I include myself here, seem to be overlooking. The one thing He said would hasten His arrival. We are waiting on some passengers to arrive at the station. We cannot expect to go until there are enough of us to fill the train to capacity. So instead of looking at all the things that are swirling around us, things we can all see are pointing to His return. I make the following proposal.

I want to form an “army” of sorts. A kind of Army of God. Please hear me out – I can hear the rustlings in your mind thinking this smacks of the Crusades of the Middle Ages, but I don’t mean exactly that. I am tired of waiting. It is time we start DOING!

(more…)

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I have been struggling over the last few years with feeling like I don’t fit in to any of the churches we have belonged to.  This has weighed heavily upon me as the Spiritual Leader of my family.  I take the Lord’s word very seriously.

The feeling has just been that things just aren’t right, not foundational enough, as if we are drifting when we try to assimilate with the other members.  I have seen flashes here or there but nothing solid that I feel I want to anchor my family to.

I have been told by friend and family that I just need to get more involved and the reason that I don’t feel comfortable is that I am not truly part of the “family”, but that doesn’t resonate well when I search my heart.  It is deeper than that.  The reasons I have resisted are captured well in the articles below.  I couldn’t have summed them up better.  I feel like I am being called to something bigger, something I can anchor my family on.  I am just not sure where that is.  Until I find out, we will stay immersed in the word of God during this journey, trusting in Him alone.

I share these words and the two articles below in hopes that they resonate with others that are on the same path as me, maybe in a similar state.  I was asked recently how I come up with the posts that I put up here.  I don’t think I answered him clearly at the time but I can tell you I feel led to these topics by the Holy Spirit.

This morning I sat down at six something in the morning (later than normal), and starring through sleep weary eyes at my Bible.  I prayed for the Lord to show me his will and give me discernment as I usually do each day.  I wasn’t sure what part of the word I should read this morning so I started flipping through the new testament of a new Bible I had purchased.  The title of the section for Philippians 3:18 – 4:1 caught my eye.  I can’t even tell you offhand what the title was but I started reading. When I was done, I felt as thought the Lord had shown me what I needed.

Did I know exactly what that was?  No, but I have found through faith that if I ponder those verses throughout the day, He will lead me where He wants me to be.  Some days it is clearer than others.  Today I know it was crystal clear at about 9am.  When I got to about 80% of the way through Tucker’s article below, there it was Philippians 3:18 – 4:1 with the words “stand fast” underlined.  It all became clear.  The other articles I had highlighted to post later today aligned perfectly to what I read and was feeling in my soul.

Again, I share this because I want others to know that the Holy Spirit does work in our lives every day.  Is it a voice from above, a vision, or a dream?  No, nothing that dramatic for me, it is simply a feeling, a thought, or a prompting, that if I listen to it (this is key) then I can know God’s will for me that day and feel at peace.

We need to quiet this noisy, busy world and slow down enough to hear it.  And it isn’t going to be something large most of the time.  There is a reason Jesus used the analogy of sowing seeds.  Seeds are small, tiny in a lot of cases, but they grow into enormous plants.  The same is true of the gospel, we are simply asked to sow the seeds (i.e. plant the seed).  God’s word and the Holy Spirit make it grow. So maybe this post and article are the seed for someone, or maybe you are feeling the same as me and this encourages you as it did me to stand strong, stand fast.

We ARE being called to be part of His Remnant Church.  I feel the call.  Do you?

Maranatha! – Lord Come Quickly!

-myblessedhope

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The Rise of the Remnant Church I

By Tucker Whitaker


Definition: Remnant – that which remains, or is set apart. A distinct part of a larger whole.

In these last days, I believe God is still doing a work that will impact the world. I believe He is calling out a Holy Remnant Church, dedicated to Jesus Christ and focused on doing His work during these last days. I believe God is raising up a church that is committed to Him and His cause who are a holy remnant, a group of people who are steadfast and sure of their God.

The Remnant Church I’m speaking of has no relationship to replacement theology, nor to the Adventist remnant theology, nor to the theology of the modern day Judaizers who claim to be Christians yet require adherence to Old Testament Jewish laws. The Remnant Church is at the core of the True Church… the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ set apart from the apostate churches that dominate the world today.

Today, many are witnessing, and are becoming a part of an interesting phenomenon, where folks are leaving the structure and security of “traditional” organized churches, denominations and memberships, to follow hard after God. This extraordinary migration is little understood by establishment Christianity.

Perhaps the Lord Jesus Christ is calling His Remnant Church to Himself at the end of this age to worship and teach in simplicity and doctrinal purity. Perhaps the desire to be obedient to the Word and to understand Bible Prophecy and to fulfill the great commission and the great commandment has birthed an early church understanding of what it truly means to follow Christ. Perhaps God is preparing a people to stand and hold forth truth in a world where people and “churches” are consumed with materialism, prosperity, self centered pursuits and desires, and tolerance for those things that are unbiblical. Perhaps a time of final testing for the true church and Israel is upon us, a time for the Remnant Church to “Stand” for Christ. Whatever the ultimate reason, folks are coming out, and almost immediately they understand the need to adapt to this new and extraordinary environment where the Sufficiency of Christ is taught, that Christ alone is indeed all they need.

Today, the mainstream churches have turned away from the gospel and are full of wickedness; they have embraced the world and humanistic ideals. In what were the houses of God, there is no power or spiritual authority, and in fact, there is no presence of the Lord at all. But I believe there is a remnant of people, a Remnant Church, comprised of those who are diligently seeking to understand the scriptures, all of God’s Word.

The Remnant Church is that part of the Body of Jesus Christ that knows they are sons of God, and that are hearing from and following the leading of His Holy Spirit. Within the Remnant Church there is coming a deeper intimacy (more…)

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Did you know in the Jewish Talmud (Sanhedrin 97b) that there is a list of ten signs called the “Birthpangs of the Messiah”?

Modern rabbis admit they don’t know why the signs are called this but as Christians, especially Christians that are “watchmen” and study prophecy, these should be very familiar.  See what you think.

Birthpangs of the Messiah – (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97b)

  1. The Jews will return to their biblical homeland and the desert will bloom.
  2. The world will be in a state of complete degradation.
  3. Truth will decrease and lies will prevail.
  4. Inflation will be out of control.
  5. There will be fewer and fewer wise and righteous people.
  6. Many Jews will give up the hope of redemption.
  7. The young will treat the old with disrespect.
  8. Learning will be rejected because people will desire a life of ease.
  9. The whole world will turn against Israel.
  10. The Jews will fight each other (the secular against the religious).

The Talmud also adds that God will defeat Israels enemies in the war of Gog and Magog and confirm the nation of Israel is God’s chosen people (Ezekiel 38 and 39).

Is that amazing or what?!

It is like a checklist of what we are seeing today.

Not one of those items listed is not being done today and/or at some point of fulfillment.

We as Christians recognize these as the birthpangs that Jesus and his disciples wrote about to describe the time leading up to the tribulation, book-ended by the formation of Israel in 1948 and the climax at the confirming of the seven year peace agreement to officially begin the tribulation period and Daniel’s 79th week.

The good news for us is that Christ will return before that time to remove His church (bride) from this world to protect us from the coming wrath.

Maranatha – Lord come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Excerpts from the post above were taken from a book by Ken Johnson, “The Rapture pg 48.  It is an amazing book that I would recommend everyone to purchase through the hyperlink above.

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If you have not asked Christ into your life, the essential gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  Believing this is the only qualification for salvation.  We are sinners in need of a savior.  Jesus died for our sins, and to prove that His death was sufficient for us,  God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead is our assurance that He will raise us, too.
 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:3-4). 

 

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JD – appears to be in a lot of pain this week, we should keep him in our prayers.  I think it was his back from what I have pieced together.  Even through the pain, he does an amazing job of laying out the answer to:

Why the rapture?

Where do we see this in God’s word? (In more places than you think)

Why do we not see the words rapture in the bible? (It Greek to me, literally!)

And finally why it is important to believe God’s word about the rapture?

What really gives us hope?  Our Blessed Hope and Blessed Assurance!

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you’re not certain you’re saved, here is what you should do, right now:
  1. Acknowledge that you have sinned against a holy God and ask for forgiveness (even if you don’t feel you deserve it) (Rom. 3:23).  Genuinely feel the pain of your sin and be willing to turn from it (repent) (Acts 3:19).
  2. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for you (John 3:1-18) in your place, and was raised back to life.  There is no one else you can turn to (John 14:6): “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  3. Confess that you are trusting Jesus as your personal Savior.  Since Jesus is alive, you can talk to him.  This is called prayer.  So talk to him right now, in your own words, accept his invitation to know him.
It’s simple faith through grace, the kind of faith a little child would have.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Welcome brother or sister in Christ!  This is just the start of the journey, we are called to live in this world but not be of this world.  Begin studying God’s word (the Bible) daily to give you the strength and wisdom to live this calling out.  There are many sites like this that can help you as well.

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Nothing like having a balanced panel, three non-believers but the poll is troubling.

It matches the Lord’s promises though.

There is so much deception out there, both the media and the internet.

If there is anyone questioning, they need to read their Bible, not the internet.  This is the reason why prophecy is so important.

The Lord predicted all these things, over 2000 years ago so that we would know His word is the truth.  He put them in His book for us to read and verify what we are seeing so we could discern the truth.

He has never been proven wrong and has a 100% track record if you actually read the Bible.  Study the Bible, the internet and other books can be a good supplement, but everything must be taken back to the Bible to be verified.

Do not be deceived…

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you have not asked Christ into your life, the essential gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  Believing this is the only qualification for salvation.  We are sinners in need of a savior.  Jesus died for our sins, and to prove that His death was sufficient for us,  God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead is our assurance that He will raise us, too.
 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:3-4). 

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I think this is a new favorite article for me from Jack Kelly. 

He does a fantastic job laying out the basics in a way that cuts right to the heart of the matter.

What is the only thing we need to do to accept the glorious gift of salvation God has offered to us and what the difference is between a Christian doing good work and a non-believer doing the same good works. (Hint: It has to do with motive and intent.) 

I have never heard this concept explained so well.

Must Read!

God Bless!

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Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.  Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.  If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life,  he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:11-15)

The Great White Throne Judgment fits descriptions we have about the Day of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur.  It’s was believed that on the first of Tishri the books in which all the deeds of God’s people had been recorded were opened for review.  The names of those whose behavior in the previous year had been exemplary in every way were immediately inscribed in the Book of Life. Those whose behavior had been totally without merit were scheduled for death in the coming year. Almost everyone was somewhere in between these two extremes so for the next 10 days, called the days of awe, the people conducted a thorough self examination and went around frantically trying to right the wrongs they had committed during the year because the forgiveness by God required prior reconciliation between men (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance).  On the 10th of Tishri, Yom Kippur, the books were closed and those who had righted the wrongs of the previous year were inscribed in the Book of Life for another year.   During the 10 days of awe,  a common greeting among friends was, “May your name be written in the Book.”

The difference in Rev. 20:11-15 is the absence of the 10 days of awe.  The unsaved dead will be resurrected and immediately taken to judgment without any opportunity to make things right.  Anything that was not dealt with before the person died will be there to condemn him or her at the Great White Throne.  Therefore only those who died in a state of total righteousness will find their names written in the Book at the resurrection of the unsaved.

Traditional Or Conditional?

There’s a lot of talk these days about degrees of good and evil, and some of it has even evolved into a re-thinking of our traditional view of the eternal state of unbelievers. The traditional view is that anyone who fails to personally accept the pardon that God purchased for us with the blood of His son will spend eternity in a state of agonizing punishment in the Lake of Fire.

But some have begun to question this view, asking why an unbelieving humanitarian who led an exemplary life in service to others but failed to acknowledge the Lord as his Savior should receive the same punishment as someone like Hitler or Stalin who murdered millions of people in cold blood. They say it’s not like God to do this, and back it up by quoting Revelation 20:12 that says in part, “The dead were judged … according to what they had done.”

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This is the prophecy that weighs on my mind and heart the most recently.  I have to constantly ask for the Lords aid in lifting this worry/concern.  It grieves me greatly to see so many being mis-led and deceived.

I find myself constantly checking and double checking the background/core beliefs of any “new” author I hear of or are recommended.  It is a minefield out there.  Some days I just want to throw up my hands and say “Lord, where do I turn for help and understanding?”  And I always hear the same response, “My Word.”

It is really the answer.  Anything man has touched can be corrupted but God’s Word, His Son, and His Word are true and everlasting.  It is easily said to rely on “His Word” but sometimes we need a little help interpreting what it all means or lack the patience to stick with it as long as it takes for its meaning to be revealed.

I agree with Jim on his statements below.  We really need to be very guarded with what we believe, taking everything back to God’s Word for validation.  We need to look before the surface to see what their core beliefs are.

This is a fight that needs to be fought to help protect our children and wake folks up from the rampant deception of this world.  It is a hard fight, but we must lean on the Lord.

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Jun 4, 2012

The War on Bible Prophecy, Part 486

That’s tongue-in-cheek, of course—barely. I’ve written before about what I am calling the “War on Bible Prophecy,” and the truth is, I could write about it endlessly, because it is so pervasive in American evangelical circles today.

Never thought you’d read a statement like that, did you?

I didn’t, either.

This is not a mystery. The future scenario outlined by God in Genesis 3—the enmity between the woman and her Seed, and the serpent and his seed—is clearly played-out today, as the world loathes both Israel and the Messiah.

So then, a key battleground in this long war against Israel is the current direct attack on Bible prophecy.

In his book, The Emerging Church, Dan Kimball makes the following statement:

“The basis of learning has shifted from logic and rational, systematic thought to the realm of experience. People increasingly long for the mystical and the spiritual rather than the evidential and fact-based faith of the modern soil.”

A couple points. Those young people today who are leaning in this direction are doing so because Dan Kimball and his friends are pushing them in that direction with their mystical teachings. Secondly, his comment of course is heavily biased; there are also plenty of people left who will respond to that approach that Emergents so hate, the “evidential and fact-based” apologetic that worked so well the last 2,000 years, between the time of Christ and the apostles…and Dan Kimball.

At a Catalyst Conference in March, 2011, speaker Christine Caine said, “God is still in the miracle business today.”

He certainly is, but the problem for Caine and her friends in Emergent is that they so dislike the eschatology of their parents and grandparents that they are ignoring the biggest miracle in our world today: the fulfillment of predictive prophecy, centered around of course Israel.

Emergents (Caine might dispute that she is Emergent, but the fact is, she pals-around with tons of them) hate Bible prophecy because it pushes against their own understanding of prophecy: man can save himself and is carving-out a glorious future.

This latter view is in direct contrast to the biblical view, which is crystal clear: the Savior must return to prevent man from destroying himself. Of course, if you are a Purpose-Driven pastor or follower drunk on your own accomplishments, this is a hateful view!

Let me digress just for a moment, and attempt to show you what we are up against, in the battle for the hearts and minds of young people—all of whom could find the freedom they so long for, in the God of the Bible.

Brad Lomenick, who leads the Catalyst team (www.catalystspace.com), periodically lists people he’d love to meet. A few months ago, he published another list, and added a list from his assistant, Michelle Hoeft. Among the folks they’d love to have dinner with:

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There are a ton of headlines related to prophecy this week. 

Things are remaining very heated and even heating up further if that is even possible…

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One In Seven Believe World Will End Soon – End Times / Last Days

Cold War rhetoric takes dangerous turn: Russia threatens to destroy NATO missile shield if talks continue to stall – Rumors of War / Gog/Magog

Swarm of earthquakes rippling through Western Turkey – Earthquakes

‘Supermoon,’ Meteor Shower and Solar Eclipse to Grace May Skies – Signs in Heavens

The surprising threat from Mexico’s awakened volcano – Extreme Weather Signs

“We are Preparing for Massive Civil War,” Says DHS Informant – Unrest / Rumors of War

Russia threatens to strike NATO missile defense sites – Rumors of War / Gog/Magog

New ‘Unknowns’ Hacking Group Hits NASA, Air Force, European Space Agency – Unrest / Days of Noah

Billionaire Hugo Salinas Price – Elites Plan to Control the World – One World Government

Obama administration urges freer access to cellphone records – One World Government

Israel gets 4th nuke-capable German submarine – Psalm 83 / Isaiah 17 / Ezekiel 38

EU PLOT TO SCRAP BRITAIN – One World Government / Rise of Roman Empire

It’s out there: Science journal publishes details of deadly lab-made bird flu that ‘could cause global pandemic’ – Pestilence

Draghi: euro countries to lose even more sovereignty – One World Government / Rise of Roman Empire

Annan Spokesman: Plan for Syria ‘on track’ – Psalm 83 / Isaiah 17

Global Warming Melts Away – Deception

‘I’m ready for a comeback’: Blair’s made millions since quitting… now he wants to ‘re-engage with UK politics’ – Deception

5 Volcanoes You Should Keep Your Eye On – Extreme Weather Signs

Earthquake swarm strikes off West Coast again – Earthquakes

Flu study that sparked censorship row is published at last – Pestilence

Leeb – We Will See Unbelievable Chaos Going Forward – One World Government / Rise of Roman Empire

Six army battalions called up under emergency orders to meet growing threat on Egypt, Syria borders – Psalm 83 / Isaiah 17

Saudi Arabia warns Iran over Gulf islands, Bahrain – Rumors of War / Unrest

Eurozone Crisis: Joblessness Hits Record High – One World Government / Rise of Roman Empire

Fierce Clashes Erupt in Egypt Ahead of Presidential Vote – Psalm 83 War

Al Qaeda Magazine Calls for Firebomb Campaign in US – Unrest / Days of Noah

Flights disrupted as North Korea jams GPS signals – Rumors of War

India ready for war with China: Nehru – Rumors of War

Syrian students ‘killed at Aleppo protest’ – Psalm 83 / Isaiah 17

Does ‘Freedom Tower’ height fulfill prophecy? – End Times Prophecy

‘The time is finished’: Religious sect erects billboards in Toronto ahead of the ‘transformation’ – Deception / False Christs

Magnitude 6.3 quake hits off southwest Mexico – Earthquakes

Andrea Mitchell Slips Up, Says “We” Instead Of “White House” Politicizing OBL – Deception

Pentagon is planning ‘contingency’ for Iran and North Korea – Wars / Rumors of War

Meshal loses control of Hamas military wing as authority moves to Gaza leadership – Psalm 83

Seattle mayor issues emergency order after May Day mayhem – Unrest / Days of Noah

Mysterious Marine and Coastal Bird Deaths in Peru Stump Scientists – Pestilence

Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz emits 2000 meter high steam cloud – Extreme Weather / Volcano

Canadians make a racket about mysterious ‘hum’ coming from US side of border – Signs from Heavens

Yellowstone: New Picture Emerges Of A More Active, Less ‘Super’ Volcano – Extreme Weather / Volcano

New Obama slogan has long ties to Marxism, socialism – One World Government / Deception

World Gold Council unveils latest draft of Conflict-Free Gold Standard – One World Currency

US sees sharp rise in newborns with opiate withdrawal – Days of Noah / Pestilence

At least 16 Nigerian Christians at prayer butchered after Islamists make good on threats – Christian Persecution

WashPost Writes The Public Be Damned: They’re Biased If They Think We’re Biased – Deception

QUEERLY BELOVED Pope’s spokesman: Unite to fight ‘gay’ marriage – Days of Noah

Muslim Brotherhood endorses Obama faith adviser – Deception

Does the Bible still matter in 2012? – Church Falling Away / Apostasy

The TSA’s mission creep is making the US a police state – Control / One World Government

Peru examines deaths of more than 500 pelicans – Pestilence

One killed, 16 hurt in grenade attack at Kenyan church – Christian Persecution

Hundreds of Syrian troops defect near Damascus, Latakia, as clashes flare – Psalm 83 War / Isaiah 17

Iran slams deployment of U.S. F-22 Raptors in UAE: lawmaker – Psalm 83 / Ezekiel 38

Lebanon holds ship ‘carrying weapons for Syria rebels’ – Psalm 83 / Isaiah 17

Monuments destroyed to wipe out Iranian Christian heritage – Christian Persecution

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you have not asked Christ into your life, the essential gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  Believing this is the only qualification for salvation.  We are sinners in need of a savior.  Jesus died for our sins, and to prove that His death was sufficient for us,  God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead is our assurance that He will raise us, too.
 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:3-4). 

Read Full Post »

This article from this weekend really caught my attention.

I think it really sums up well the Apostasy that Christ warned us of in the last days.

The article actually tries to spin it as that we, as Americans, still value the Bible but if you read on you will see the statistics clearly show a lack of understanding or following/studying of God’s Word.

A couple of the troubling statements:

While nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the Bible has too little influence in society—a far cry from the anti-faith picture often painted in culture—approximately half (46%) say they read the Bible no more than once or twice a year.

and

And approximately half of Americans surveyed didn’t know the fundamental differences between the teachings of the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon, with 46% percent saying they believe all three books teach the same spiritual truths.

They call these facts “encouraging and unsettling”.  I am not sure where they find the encouragement it is pretty unsettling.

And “47% of Americans believe the Bible has too little influence in society”, not sure I would call that a far cry from the anti-faith picture, that’s almost half!

Take a read, it is pretty sobering…

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Does the Bible still matter in 2012?

By

Published April 29, 2012

FoxNews.com

After all the very visible fighting about public displays of religious symbols— from 10 Commandments plaques to graveyard crosses to faith-themed war memorials to holiday manger displays—you might have developed the impression that most Americans don’t think the Bible matters today and they like it that way.

You’d be wrong.

There is a lot of speculation about both the current role and the appropriate role of the Bible in America. But each year, American Bible Society puts the guessing aside and asks a sampling of Americans to tell us how they view and use the Bible and what they believe its role should be in America.  Recently, American Bible Society released this year’s results from that research in the 2012 State of the Bible report.

The State of the Bible in America in 2012 can be summed up in a two words: encouraging and unsettling.

The research, commissioned by American Bible Society and conducted by Barna Research, found that the majority of Americans (69%) believe the Bible provides answers on how to live a meaningful life. But while 79% believe they are knowledgeable about the Bible, 54% were unable to correctly identify the first five books of the Bible.  And approximately half of Americans surveyed didn’t know the fundamental differences between the teachings of the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon, with 46% percent saying they believe all three books teach the same spiritual truths.

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Today’s prophecy headlines…

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Pope Assails ‘Disobedience’ Among Priests – Church Falling Away / Apostasy

U.S. Officials Seek Source of Salmonella Outbreak – Pestilience

Russia warns against arming Syrian rebels – Psalm 83 War

First US Marines deployed to Australia – Rumors of Wars

Sharpton In The White House – Days of Noah

Americans brace for next foreclosure wave – One World Currency

Officials from Egypt’s Brotherhood at White House – Deception

Terror cells on high alert to attack U.S. – Rumors of Wars

3-4 N.Korean subs disappear after leaving east coast bases – Rumors of Wars

WIRE: Hezbollah threat in USA...

'200-300 sympathizers in New York alone'... - Rumors of War / Days of Noah

Gay marriage may be on the ballot in Ohio this November – Days of Noah

IDF chief: “Whoever tries to test our power will face a clever and powerful army that is determined to defend Israel and subdue its enemies” – Rumors of War / Psalm 83

The media that exposed Nixon is covering for Obama – Deception

‘Gay Christian? Yes!’: Movement Sparks Debate Among Believers – Church Falling Away

Why Did Obama Invite Al Sharpton to Easter Prayer Breakfast But Not Southern Baptist Leaders? – Deception

Christian Man Sues Over Restrictions on Passing Out Bibles at MN Gay Pride Parade – Christian Persecution

Guess What: Hybrid Cars Don’t Really Save You That Much Money – Deception

MSNBC Reports Fake Article as Real News…Again – Deception

Obama During Easter Address: Jesus‘ ’Triumph’ In Crucifixion Helps Me During Troubled Times – Deception

‘Kill That White Man!’: 78-Year Old Man Beaten By 6 Youths in Alleged Racially-Motivated Attack – Days of Noah

Actual Bill Ayers Rant: Why Do ‘Uniformed Military’ Get to Board Planes First? – Deception / Days of Noah

ROCKET FROM EGYPT HITS ISRAEL... - Psalm 83 War / War / Rumors of War
NETANYAHU: Sinai now a 'terror zone'... - Psalm 83 War / War / Rumors of War
EGYPT MUSLIM BROS. GO TO WHITE HOUSE... - Deception

Food inflation seen back on the table as prices rise... - One World Currency

Violent protests erupt in Athens over debt suicide... - One World Government

MARION BARRY: 'We've got to do something about these Asians coming in'... - Days of Noah / Deception
'Dirty' shops 'ought to go'... - Days of Noah / Deception

Putin targets foes with 'zombie' gun which attack victims' central nervous system... - Gog / Magog

CIA: Iran expanded nuke program last year... - Ezekiel 38 War

Bill would suspend passport for unpaid taxes... - Control / One World Government

CNN Enhances Zimmerman 911 Call Again -- 'Now it does sound less like that racial slur'... - Days of Noah
Resolution Blames 'Racial Bias' For Trayvon Shooting... - Days of Noah
Man, 78, beaten by teens: 'This is for Trayvon'... – Days of Noah

Americans brace for next foreclosure wave... - One World Currency

White House in damage control over Obama Supreme Court remarks... - Deception
CURL: Divide and conquer: Re-elect strategy includes bashing high court... - Deception
ROMNEY: 'A PURPOSFUL DISTORTION'... – Deception

WASHPOST: 'Vast majority' of WBank Christians blocked from Jerusalem for Easter...
Amb. to US denounces as 'libelous'...

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

 

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Pastor JD echos the heavy heart that I have been feeling.  But that is not really a good description.  It is more than that.  It really is a very strange combination of heavy heart, intense feeling that something big is just about to happen (anxious & nervousness combined), and finally a felling of things getting harder, as if the incline is quickly increasing on the treadmill of life.

Not a simple or pleasant feeling or easily described, but even though I feel weighted down by it.  I have this thread of nervous excitement, anticipation.  For what I am not exactly sure.

When I heard JD’s update this week, I was so very comforted.  Not because it necessarily cleared anything up for me, but it echoed the feelings I was having.  It confirmed that it is not just me.  I have since confirmed this with other brothers and sisters in Christ that I trust and listen to.

He quoted some very eerie prophetic words from Paul Harvey back in 1965.  I have included the full audio & text of it below.  It was the second time I have heard it this week and it just really hits home.

Paul Harvey’s words really do exactly match what has happened since they were spoken some 47 years ago.  They paint a picture of what Paul told Timothy the last days would be like.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – (NKJV) – Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Lets run down the list:

– Lovers of themselves — check

– Lovers of money — check

– Boasters and proud — check

– Blasphemers — check

– Disobedient to parents — check

– Unthankful — check

– Unholy — check

– Unloving — check

– Unforgiving — check

– Slanderers — check

– Without self-control — check

– Brutal despisers of good — check

– Traitors — check

– Headstrong, haughty — check

– Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — check

– Having a form of godliness but denying its power — check

I think that about sums up what we are seeing.  But wait you say, we have seen all of these things throughout history what makes this time special.

Ahh, I may agree if Paul was talking about the world but he is talking about the church.  This is what has crept into the church in the last days.  Read the next five verses.

2 Timothy 3:6-10 – (NKJV)

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The other piece that makes me so sure in my heart is the magnitude we are seeing and the combination with other end times signs.  It is the entire picture God is painting for us, if we just have eyes to see.

“For men will be lovers of themselves…” and

“…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…”

Those two really stood out to me and drove the nail home.

The phrase “Pastors will preach man centered sermons” and the term “itching ears” pops into my mind.

JD does an excellent job stepping through the progression we are seeing.

God’s Word is truly amazing!  Praise God!

It is all there for us to read, all we have to do is have the desire to look.  To knock and the door will be opened…

Another area that JD explores is the comparison between the two end time churches Jesus speaks of in Revelation.

Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) and Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)

“…I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name….” – Revelation 3:8 (partial)

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’…” – Revelation 3:17 (partial)

What pastor JD pointed out that I had not caught before was that the Philadelphia (faithful) end time church will be “weak” or “weakened” in the last days.  It will be the Laodicea (unfaithful) church that will be strong when measured by this worlds standards.

Give it a listen, maybe it will bring you comfort as well.

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

Satan wants us uninterested in the things of God.

The stakes are so high: eternal life or eternal death.

Why would you not be concerned about that!

If you have not asked Christ into your life, the essential gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  Believing this is the only qualification for salvation.  We are sinners in need of a savior.  Jesus died for our sins, and to prove that His death was sufficient for us,  God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead is our assurance that He will raise us, too.
 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:3-4). 

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Revelation 17:14  “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

One of the ways satan has tried to confuse and deter Christians from solidifying their beliefs is by making prophecy seem scary or confusing.  I am going to address the latter today, and hopefully the first in the coming days. 

(Why does the word Revelation = Scary?  Is that what you thought when you read the first word of this post?)

The Lord led me to an article by Mike Taylor from a while back.  It really lays out the comparison well between two of the most popular beliefs. 

Having studied the different views on end time timelines, there is one that rose above the others, premillennial.  What make it stand out to me is that you really did not have to suspend believe for the pieces to fit together.  And more importantly, there were not any pieces left on the table as “not fitting” the theory you have assembled.

I believe that the bible is 100% correct and the infallible word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  God would not layout prophecy that contradicted itself, it all fits together.  You just need to continue to pray, study and dig deeply untill they all fit.  In all my years of (more…)

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A question I have been asking myself recently is what does it mean to be a “watchman”?  Jesus uses this term several times throughout prophecy.  I have prayed about this and I feel pieces are beginning to come into focus.  One of the pieces is summed up well in an article this week by Jim Fletcher, at Israel Watch.

I think being a watchman for God and His signs of the last days has a lot to do with “not being of this world” as Paul so eloquently stated in Romans 12:2.

Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We are not supposed to “fit into” this world, we are not called to be normal.  Jesus said take heart and do not be discouraged if the world hates you because they hated Me first.

John 15:17-19 (KJV) –  17These things I command you, that ye love one another.  18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

This is not a bad thing, it is actually good.  I think that is where we have gone so wrong as a church and frankly as parents.  We should not try ourselves to conform to this world and we should not teach our kids that is the right way.  I think that is a major component of (more…)

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Apostasy!  It is a major sign of the last days.  Are we experiencing it?

A good test is to ask your friends and family about Christ’s Second Coming or the Rapture this weekend.

What a great time, thanksgiving, to bring it up?  You might be surprised at what you hear and feel coming back your way.  Even those that wear the name christian, seem to be shrugging off the second coming or the rapture or the end time signs.

It is a good test to see how attached we are to this world.  Are we looking forward to Christ’s return, or do we feel it would mess up our plans?  Do we have to many things yet to do in this world? 

The video/audio below is a grouping of portions of sermons that are very pointed and probably what most don’t want to think about.  They speak in love, to fellow brothers and sisters, it is not being said based on growing their congregation, but to wake us up to what Jesus has called us to do.

The part that really hit home for me was his statement about when was the last time you spent an hour with Jesus.  Have we set aside an hour each day to spend with Christ, the number one priority in our lives.  Is he?  I was guilty.  Maybe if you pieced together all of my 5-10 minute segments, but is that quality time.  We use that argument with our kids and loved ones, how about Christ Jesus?

When was the last time you heard a sermon as pointed as the ones in the video.  Think about that as you listen.  It is the Truth!  It is pointed, but it is the Truth, the Word of God!

God Bless, let us hear the Truth and take it to heart…

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Frank DiMora’s Blog:

In the past two weeks two members of my own family who claim they are Christians have said the following: “You have been saying the Lord is coming back soon for years, they were saying the same thing 2000 years ago and Jesus still hasn’t returned”. Over the years I have noticed more people saying the same thing. These people who say these things aren’t reading the Word of God, and they are unaware that what they stated was actually a fulfillment of prophecy for the last days.  Why is this important? Watch the video below.

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