Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Category: Devotionals Page 45 of 50
This Bible study goes over Scriptures dealing with the Rapture. Some believe that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation begins. While others believe the Rapture will occur in the middle of the Tribulation or at the end of the Tribulation. Please join me and be excited about the next step in God’s prophetic plan! Also, please leave a comment with your thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (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 which 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. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Good morning, reader! Christmas has passed and we are about to welcome in 2022. Could this be the year that the Rapture will occur? If you’re new to this blog and have never heard of this Rapture I write of, we’ll be taking a closer look at its meaning and what it represents to the born-again Christian. It is a message of hope and excitement to all believers who are awaiting the Lord’s return in the clouds for His bride. Read through today’s Bible verses and we’ll take a few days to explain and prove this event can occur at any moment. Today, however, we will just cover what the word means and where it is found in the Scriptures.
Although the word “rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible, it’s a term that describes the snatching away of born-again believers. The term “caught up” in verse 17 is elsewhere translated “pluck” (John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.) We see another reference to it when Philip was snatched away after he witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch (Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.) If you followed my series on the attitude of mankind during the end times, you saw that we are in a time where the antichrist will come into power. It is a time that no born-again believer will go through and a time that you do not want to experience if you are not born again. Prior to the revealing of the antichrist, this Rapture will occur: it can happen at any moment: it is imminent and you do not want to be caught unaware.
The New Testament was written in Greek and, therefore, we will see what the Greek language has to say about the word “rapture.” Strong’s Concordance states this:
G726
ἁρπάζω
harpazō
Total KJV Occurrences: 18
caught, 5: Act_8:39, 2Co_12:2, 2Co_12:4, 1Th_4:17, Rev_12:5
force, 3: Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
take, 3: Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
away, 2: Mat_13:19, Act_8:39
catcheth, 2: Mat_13:19, Joh_10:12
pluck, 2: Joh_10:28-29 (2)
pulling, 1: Jud_1:23
It will help you if you look up each of these verses in your Bible to see the different uses. The Rapture represents being caught up, taken by force, taken away, plucked, and pulled away. The word “rapture” isn’t found in the Bible. But, friend, neither is the word “bible” found in the Bible. 😁 But the concept and description of the rapture is found in the Bible and, therefore, it’s worthy of study, amen?
If you are a born-again Christian, you may have heard of the various beliefs of when the rapture will occur. To understand why it is important, you need to know when the different beliefs occur. There are three popular schools of thought of when the rapture will occur: the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation. Pre-tribulation is defined as occurring before the tribulation. Mid-tribulation is defined as occurring in the middle of the tribulation. And finally, the post-tribulation is defined as occurring after the tribulation.
The latter two beliefs claim that the pre-tribulation rapture was only recently “invented” but historical proof shows that this was the belief of the Christians as early as third century AD. Writings by Pseudo-Ephraim were found on this topic:
All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins.
-Pseudo-Ephraem (c. 374-627)
Please read his quote and let it sink in. So we see that the pre-tribulation rapture was not invented in the past 150 years but in the third century! As we continue our series, we will dig in deeper and we will see that this was what was intended through the Scriptures!
If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(Deu 32:15) But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Good morning! I’m certain that you are anticipating the new year and what it has in store for us as much as I am! Is this the year of Christ’s return for His church? Will we be raptured in 2022? How wonderful it would be to not experience death but be transformed and taken to Heaven to be with Him for all eternity! Oh reader, if you are not 100% certain that you are saved, please do not wait! Go to the last paragraph of this post and I can show you how to be born again!
Today’s usage of rock is once again capitalized, revealing that it is being used as a proper noun. This is referring to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! As I have stated before, there are only seven verses in the entire Bible where the word “Rock” is capitalized. Today’s verse is one of them. It speaks of God’s people, the Jews, were chosen by Him to be a people separated from the rest of the world. God was to provide salvation to the Jews by coming to this world as a Jew and dying for their sins. The Jews called Him the Messiah but they were looking for a conqueror, not a suffering Messiah who would die for their sins. As today’s verse indicates, they “lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” They forgot who God was – they were “unmindful”! God was not foremost in their lives – this leads me to believe that He was not a part of their everyday lives. So much so that the Bible repeats this just three verses later! Wow!
(Deu 32:18) Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Seven times in the Scriptures is the word Rock used as a proper noun. To whom is this proper noun referring? It is none other than Jesus Christ, the Jews’ Messiah and our Saviour! I’ve noted in prior posts that seven is the number of completion and perfection. Christ began the work in the Old Testament and His perfect sacrifice was completed in the New Testament! The Rock is referred to only once in the New Testament. How wonderful that this solitary verse in the New Testament reveals who that Rock is! 😃
(Deu 32:4) He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
(Deu 32:15) But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
(Deu 32:18) Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
(Deu 32:30) How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
(Deu 32:31) For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
(2 Sa 23:3) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
(1 Co 10:4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Christ was there in the Old Testament and was referred to as the Rock. However, the Jews did not recognize this. Jesus made it plain in the New Testament and revealed Himself. The Apostle Paul used to be a Pharisee and he was well aware of the Scriptures. Paul lets us know who the Rock of the Old Testament is and opens the eyes of the Jews. We Gentiles are blessed to be given this wonderful salvation as well!
I hope you have enjoyed these ten days of covering “Who is the Rock.” It always blesses me when we can see the Lord in different ways; how He portrays Himself in the Word. Praise the Lord, our Rock of salvation!
Can you say the same, reader? Does your hope lie with the world? The world will always bring disappointment. But Jesus never does. The world’s riches and rewards are only temporary. But Jesus’ rewards are eternal. If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(Psa 78:35) And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
Good morning, dear Reader! We have passed the Winter Solstice and our days are beginning to lengthen. I have always loved it when we get to this point because I know that the sun will set later and later with each passing day! I also love the symbolism. The darkness of winter can be symbolic of the state of one’s spiritual life. The more there is darkness in our heart, the more we will sin.
(Joh 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Praise the Lord that our Redeemer came to pay the price for our sins. He came to bring light to a dying world. Have you ever done a study on that word “redeem”? It totally blessed me! Noah Webster defines it as:
REDEE’M, v.t. [L. redimo; red, re, and emo, to obtain or purchase.]
To purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying an equivalent; as, to redeem prisoners or captured goods; to redeem a pledge.
To rescue; to recover; to deliver from.
Th’ Almighty from the grave hath me redeem’d.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Psa 25. Deu 7.To compensate; to make amends for.
To free by making atonement..
To pay the penalty of.
To save.
God’s violated law, by obedience and suffering in the place of the sinner, or by doing and suffering that which is accepted in lieu of the sinner’s obedience.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Gal 3. Titus 2.
In commerce, to purchase or pay the value in specie, of any promissory note, bill or other evidence of debt, given by the state, by a company or corporation, or by an individual. The credit of a state, a banking company or individuals, is good when they can redeem all their stock, notes or bills, at par.
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, paid the price for our sin and rescued us from the bondage of that sin. No longer do we have to sin because we have the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit abiding within us. We can say no to sin! Our Redeemer has completely saved us and has paid the ransom on our behalf! The word “redeemer” appears 18 times in the entire Bible and only in the Old Testament. Out of those 18 times, it is used as a proper noun seven times: Redeemer! As you may or may not know, the number seven in Scriptures is the number for completion and perfection. How appropriate is that? Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, came to earth to complete salvation. His salvation is perfect – without Him, there is no salvation! No religion can provide complete and perfect salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ and His payment for our sins!
(Job 19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
(Psa 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(Psa 78:35) And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
(Pro 23:11) For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
(Isa 41:14) Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
(Isa 43:14) Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
(Isa 44:6) Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
(Isa 44:24) Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
(Isa 47:4) As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
(Isa 48:17) Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
(Isa 49:7) Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
(Isa 49:26) And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
(Isa 54:5) For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
(Isa 54:8) In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
(Isa 59:20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
(Isa 60:16) Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
(Isa 63:16) Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
(Jer 50:34) Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
This is such a blessing to me! I hope it is to you as well! There’s always a golden nugget that can be found in the Scriptures if we simply search. 😃
If you’ve read through this post today and you have doubts whether or not you are saved, born again, please leave a comment simply asking me to reach out to you. I would rather be certain of where I will spend eternity than to be afraid to admit to my church family that I’m doubting that I’m saved! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(Psa 27:5) For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
(Psa 40:2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Good morning, dear reader! I’m especially excited to be writing this new series. I hope you will enjoy the comparison of our Lord to the word Rock! There is so much meaning packed into this one little word. It amazes me how we can glean from the Scriptures every single day and it is always something different. The Bible is the “living” word of God. Every time we read it, there is something for us to learn.
(Heb 4:12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Did you notice that today’s two verses from Psalms both speak of David being set upon a rock? We could delve into what motivated David to refer to this term. However, I’m more interested in the fact that he chose this term. Both verses seem to reveal that at the time of writing, he desperately needed God to help him out of the troubles he was experiencing. The first says that God hid David in the secret of His tabernacle and He set him upon a rock. The second verse says God brought David out of a horrible pit, out of miry clay and set him upon a rock. Both verses show David’s desperation. I can almost hear David’s voice in my head relaying the degree of relief and comfort that God brought to him. Can you?
The fact that David was planted upon a rock shows the stability of God’s provision. David was in miry clay, indicating to us that he was sinking or had difficulty in moving. They reveal David’s hopelessness. Have you ever been there, reader? I surely have and I in all those times, the Lord did for me as He did for David. We have a faithful, wonderful Heavenly Father who loves us and helps us through the miry muck of our lives. He can set you on a solid rock if you let Him.
God reveals to us that He will set us on a spiritual rock whenever we reach out to Him in our own desperation. I love that about the Lord! I love that He is compassionate and loving. He doesn’t want us to wallow in that miry clay but wants us to seek His help. We, too, can be set upon a rock just as David was long ago!
(Psa 86:15) But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Do you have doubts of your salvation? Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2Sa 22:32) For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
(Psa 18:31) For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
Good morning! I love today’s picture! You can see the brook running passed the rocks and the rocks are not affected by the current. Granted, they may change formation after years of water running over/around them, but they are not uprooted from their secure spot. I love the picture this paints in my mind! My spiritual body, my soul, is not affected by the various currents of life because I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and He is my rock and my shelter! This series is such a blessing to me because I am learning how to apply each of the Lord’s “rocks” to my growth in Him!
But another way to look at today’s verses is to actually see that only God is the rock! There is no other. Jesus gave us a great example of how firm of a rock He actually is in the parable of the wise man who built his spiritual house upon a rock.
(Mat 7:24-25) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Many “churches” today preach that Jesus is the Rock and foundation of our faith. However, they do not preach that we can build our spiritual body upon Him! He is truly the Rock and His Word is truth. When we accept Him as Saviour, we begin building our spiritual house, so to speak. We build that house on the doctrines taught in the Scriptures. As we apply these doctrines to our lives and obey them, our spiritual house gets stronger. We will weather the storms of life because our house is founded upon the Rock, Jesus Christ!
Yes, you may know this, but do you believe it and live it? Only a born again believer can successfully build his spiritual life upon the Rock! Please don’t let religion stand in the way of you making a decision. This is not about religion – it is a personal relationship with your Creator. It is a personal relationship with the One who died for you to be the price for your sins. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(Psa 94:22) But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
Good morning! We’re having an unusually warm December here in Northern Virginia. It hardly seems as though Christmas is right around the corner for those of us who don’t live in the North. But do we really need a tradition which celebrates Christ’s birth to recognize Him? Not hardly! To a born again Christian, Jesus’ birth is important but the more important thing is His resurrection from the dead, amen? Without that, our faith is nothing, amen? But praise the Lord that Christ was born and did rise from the dead! \o/
This devotional series helps me to better focus on the reasons why certain words were used in the Scriptures to describe an attribute of God. Every word of God is important – they lead to salvation in Jesus Christ and are the foundation of our very lives!
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Joh 10:35b …unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
When one realizes that God’s Word is eternal, can’t be broken, and will be fulfilled, the quicker that person will understand why certain words are used. Today’s verse talks about the rock as our defense and refuge. Have you ever been in a situation where you just could solve the problem because it was out of your control? There wasn’t one thing you could do to resolve the problem. But we personally know the God who actually parted the Red Sea, my friend! Do you think He can’t solve your problems? He most certainly can! The solution may not be as you had hoped or expected, but it will be the perfect solution because it is God’s will!
So what does this have to do with defense and refuge? Think about it for a moment. When one is living for the Lord and encounters an insurmountable problem, God is always there for you to turn to for help! The word refuge, according to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is defined as:
REF’UGE, n. [L. refugium, refugio; re and fugio, to flee.]She lter or protection from danger or distress.
That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a strong hold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats. Psa 104.
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. Psa 9.
Your life may have many enemies but the seed of that enemy is none other than Satan. His ultimate goal is to distract the believer so he can no longer be an effective Christian. This is where our defense and refuge becomes important. This is where we learn that there is someone we can turn to who loves us and will help us. Re-read the definition of refuge and use Jesus in its stead: Jesus shelters or protects me from danger, distress or calamity; He is a strong hold and protects me by His strength; He is a sanctuary which secures my safety by His sacredness; my enemy cannot access me when I am with Jesus!
Satan knows the Bible better than most Christians. But when we find shelter in it and live by it, we have the security that Christ will come to our defense and will provide us with that shelter! Praise the Lord for these little words in Scripture which open our eyes to God’s goodness and mercy!
If you’ve read through this post today and you have doubts whether or not you are saved, born again, please leave a comment simply asking me to reach out to you. I would rather be certain of where I will spend eternity than to be afraid to admit to my church family that I’m doubting that I’m saved! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(Psa 89:26) He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
Good morning, dear reader! How blessed we are to wake up to another day; to live, to breathe, and to behold God’s beauty. Today’s photo was taken by a high school classmate who has a great eye for capturing God’s creation! I love waterfalls because they remind me of God’s power! Also, they are usually surrounded by rocks which also remind me of God being the stable and solid foundation of my life. Dear most precious Heavenly Father, how grateful I am to be able to live another day to serve You! Although I’m retired and my “world” is smaller than it use to be, I pray that You would use this blog to attract readers to read about You, Lord. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Thank You, Father, for giving us salvation. I long for the day when my faith will be made sight that I may be able to worship at Your feet! Lord, may You be honored here and may all who read come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, the Saviour of our souls! I ask all these things in His glorious name!
Today’s verse refers to God using three descriptions: father, God and rock of my salvation! But notice what precedes each of these descriptive nouns! Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite wrote this Psalm and he writes that God spoke of David and how he would cry to “my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation”! This excites me because it shows us that one can have a special, personal relationship with God. I know this because he speaks of God as his father. God is not some impersonal being and it’s quite clear that he felt that he could turn to his Father and talk to Him about anything! Born again believers are privileged to be called God’s children! Friend, are you able to call God
(Luk 6:35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
(Joh 1:12-13) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Rom 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 4:6-7 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
1 Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Do you have this special relationship with God, reader? It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!