Maranatha - Awaiting Christ's Return

1 Cor. 15:52  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.

Where Can We Get Help?

Psalm 121:1-8, “[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.(1) My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.(2) He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.(3) Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (4) The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.(5) The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.(6) The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.(7) The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (8 )

Where Can We Get Help?

Not a single human being a live has had a life without trials. Think about that for a moment. A runner prepares for a marathon by training every day; no matter what kind of weather. Everyone is running the marathon of life. Some of us are slower than others but we have to remember that every single one of us will finish the race at some point or another. That race ends when we close our eyes at that final moment of life.

How we deal with trials as we run our marathon of life all depends on how we prepare for them and how we handle ourselves during the trial. When you prepare for a long trip, what do you do? You make sure you have a full tank of gas; you check your tires and all the fluids in your car. Shouldn’t we be preparing for our daily spiritual walk in the same manner? Shouldn’t we be fueling ourselves with the God’s word, and putting on the full armor of God so we can be sheltered by the Lord during our trials? Why do we make it difficult on ourselves by not doing so? Who in the world would run a marathon with no training whatsoever?

I am particularly fond of Psalm 121. I have run to this Psalm many a times. During the major trials of my life, I especially ran to this scripture to find peace. It is there that I experienced the Lord’s love and compassion. At the time I am experiencing a trial, however, the Psalm means more to me than it has ever meant. Here’s what I noticed – the Psalmist makes different points:

1. I have to make a conscious effort to seek my help. God won’t force Himself upon me. But when I seek Him, He is there!

2. I have to recognize where my help comes from. I don’t rest in the counsel of my spouse or my friends, as good as their counsel may be. I know that God is the only One who can take care of my trial and see me through to the end.

3. I realize that my Shepherd won’t allow me to falter. The more I am in the scriptures, the more my faith is built… brick by brick. As I need encouragement, verses come to mind that I can recite to myself and encourage myself. Each step is guided by my Shepherd.

4. I realize that my Shepherd never sleeps! This one gives me goosebumps! It brings me to tears because I know that since He never sleeps, nothing can happen to me that God’s not aware of. Nothing! My Shepherd is ever watching over me!

5. I have come to know that my Shepherd will keep me safe. The Lord keeps me – watches over me – provides me with shade from the heat of those fiery trials. That shade is found when I sit quietly reading my Bible and soaking in what He has for me. This picture is exactly what comes to mind as He keeps me safe through life’s storms.

6. I trust that my Saviour will keep me from the enemy, Satan, and preserve my salvation. I know that everything that happens to me has been allowed in my life for my benefit so I can grow in my faith. There is great comfort knowing that my eternal security can never be removed because God is the One that preserves my soul, not me. It is not by my own efforts that I gained salvation and, therefore, is not by my efforts to keep it.

7. I know that my Shepherd will guide my path forever more. When I am in God’s word and feeding my soul, my Shepherd can keep me from taking the wrong path in life. I cannot claim this if I am not soaking in God’s word daily. NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105) and Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa 119:11)

I must seek for my help and know where that help comes from; I must recognize that this help will keep me safe when I abide in Him; and lastly, my help preserves my soul – which cannot be said of any other self-help this world has to offer. Why not go to the expert? Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness in my life. Teach me what I must learn from each trial.

Dear God…
I cherish my time in Your Word
That peace and comfort there lies
I keep my eyes fixed on those hills
Where my Helper comes to my side

Taking Heed

Psalm 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

I feel as though I am living in a washing machine. I am being spun around, bounced around as it agitates, in waters filled with the world’s sins. All along I am praying I will come out clean! It can be compared to washing your clothes in mud, doesn’t it? The Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies made it obvious that believers are walking through very muddy waters! I didn’t watch the Olympics, but I saw clips of the ceremonies! How evil and blasphemous! I can imagine what Lot saw prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah!

It is quite the challenge for all believers today. We attempt to keep our eyes (the window to our hearts) from sin and not to let it dirty us. The only way to keep our spiritual garments clean from the mud of this world is to be in God’s word and to apply it to our lives! As we open the bible’s pages, it is like bathing in living waters. It is spiritual laundry day, every day!

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

I’ve seen older Christians who have remained “spiritual babes” because they have not spent time in the word of God. Taking time in the word is work but a blessing follows. Some work for a living and at the end of the pay period, a check is received. At the end of reading and studying, we also receive a check – a spiritual check. As well, our garments become less soiled from the world’s mud. However, if you’re not reading your bible daily, it’s like standing in front of the world and allowing it to sling mud at you. Some of that mud will stick!

Paul spoke on these spiritual babes. 1 Cor. 3:1-2, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” Paul likened the spiritual babes as carnal. They were still more concerned about the things of the flesh than spiritual things. After all, isn’t that what a human baby does? He cries and cries until he is fed. Paul used the right choice of words here, didn’t he? Is that how we react to reading the bible?

The more we grow in the Lord, the more we become spiritual adults. The world’s sinful behavior (that mud if you will) doesn’t stick to us or influence us because we have been armed! We’ve learned to trust more in the Lord; we’ve learned that God is faithful and won’t abandon us; we’ve received this peace that spiritually immature Christians can’t understand. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:7) Suffice it to say, however, that just reading the word doesn’t make your armor stronger. One has to heed and obey its warnings, as the Psalm continues to point out. What’s the use in reading a self-help book if you don’t apply what you’ve learned, right? Applying God’s word to our lives is the key to maturing as a believer. It is the key for Christians to survive in this world that has obviously gone mad!

God stresses over and over in His word that we need to be IN the word and applying it to our lives! Obedience shows our love to God – it shows our gratefulness for our salvation! (1 Samuel 15:22) Your car manual explains how to change spark plugs. However, if you don’t apply that knowledge, your car won’t start. It’s the same as reading the bible and obeying what God commands. This also provides us with a spiritual Teflon garment where the mud of this world doesn’t stick to it. This world is not going to get any cleaner. We are living in the end times of 2 Timothy 3:1-7! Be encouraged, reader! If you’re weary, dive into the bible and let the Holy Spirit encourage your heart!

Dear God…
May I come to you each day
On you my heart will lean
Let me search until I find
How to keep my garments clean

My Hiding Place

Psa 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psa 119:114  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

My father used to own a piece of land that was nestled in the woods in Northern Maine. On it was a ponded creek with a beaver’s dam, very much like this picture. He and I would sit for hours watching the beavers swimming to and from the dam doing their work. When their work was finished, Dad would go over the dam and remove one of the big branches. This would cause the current to go through and the beavers would sense it immediately. No more than just a minute or two later, you would see a head pop from near their lodge and off to work they would go to repair the damage. My father loved this hiding place and he would take me to it often. Out of all the memories I have of him, this one is the most special.

So many times I’ve wanted to run away to this place where I can hide from the day’s drama! Unfortunately, Dad sold the land to someone I don’t know – plus we live a thousand miles away. But the Lord showed me this morning that I did not need a physical hiding place because I had my time with Him. That hiding place can be anywhere and any time. I don’t even have to waste gas getting there!

Psa 119:151  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

As long as I am in my hiding place with the Lord, He will keep me from trouble. The Lord will bring such peace that He will surround me with songs of deliverance and escape from our cares, trials, tribulations, temptations, depression, anxiousness, sorrows, etc. God promises to give us song! It is not natural to sing when we are sad, is it? David says he was surrounded with songs of deliverance from God. Meditating in God’s Word surrounds us with the Lord’s goodness and mercy. All through Scriptures we are lifted up, comforted, given joy, given peace and comfort. We are also given instruction in how to move forward. How can we not have a song on our lips when we serve such a compassionate God!?

Notice also that the dam is a great representation of what we do with what God gives to us during our time in that hiding place. Do you take what God has given you and stand still like the water in the dam? Do you keep it to yourself? Or does God’s love and teaching trickle down to those you come in contact with throughout the day; like the flow of water after the branch is removed? God’s Word is constantly moving! Stagnant water smells and attracts unwanted critters. However, moving water is filled with life!

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Where is your hiding place, my friend? Have you run to it today to discuss the cares of this world with your Shepherd? He awaits to guide you, comfort you and encourage you. All you have to do is show up. Then take what He gives you and share it forward!

So I retreat to that haven each morning
All my cares at His feet I do lay
I leave them with Him for He loves me
As I move along life’s narrow way.

My Refuge

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psa 91:2)

How I love the Book of Psalms! I have to admit that this book is one of my favorites because it has brought me much comfort during trial and tribulation. It’s as though God knew His children would need uplifting and encouragement.

In today’s reading, I noticed that David began with stating “I will say of the LORD.” I believe David didn’t plan on keeping this information to himself; he was affirming that he was going to tell others about what God was doing for him. He was bragging on his Lord and was going to spread the joy. Do we brag on the Lord? Do we share the blessings God has bestowed upon us with those around us? It’s one thing to share a blessing during testimony time in church but it’s quite different to share what God has done for you with an unsaved person.

This is especially true when we are experiencing trials in our lives and the Lord has brought us through them. Sharing our experience with other believers serves to strengthen them in the Lord. Sharing our experience with the unsaved world shows them that we are sheltered and protected by our Heavenly Father and He sees us through difficult times. Speaking of God’s goodness is a testimony to others of His love and power.

David goes on to say that the Lord is his refuge and fortress. We all have a picture in our minds eye depicting what a refuge and fortress is. Oh my friend, doesn’t that just excite the spirit within you? Your Heavenly Father provides a refuge which shelters and protects you from danger, distress or calamity, and the enemy!

When I think of a refuge and fortress, I think of Christ’s teaching about building our house upon a rock. I believe David built his spiritual house upon this rock through his faith in his God. His rock was God. There are countless Scriptures which show God as the rock. One that I love is, For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? (2 Sam 22:32) David knew this rock intimately because he ran to this rock, his refuge and fortress, in time of need. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psa 61:2)

When I was first saved, I remember reading, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4) Christ is our Rock!! I noticed that the word rock was capitalized. So I did a word search in my e-Sword for the word rock to see if rock was capitalized anywhere else! At this point, I almost came unglued! Here are the verses for you! Be ready to be blessed as you see verses depicting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

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. (Deut. 32:4)

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. (Deut. 32:15)

Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. (Deut. 32:18 )

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? (Deut. 32:30)

For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. (Deut. 32:31)

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. (2 Sam. 23:3) (Christ speaking to the Father!!)

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10:4)

A simple word search revealed that the word rock appears 119 times in 109 verses. Out of the 119 occurrences, it is capitalized seven times! Seven is God’s number for perfection! There is no other firm and solid place to go to in order to find refuge. Christ is our perfect gift and the Jews’ spotless Lamb and sacrifice. Christ is revealed throughout the Bible in total perfection! Rejoice, oh my soul! What lovely nuggets You have given to me this morning, Lord!! What better refuge and fortress can be provided than by the Rock of our salvation, the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Who wants a flimsy refuge in the midst of a storm? It would be like hiding under lean-to on the beach when a hurricane is coming through, right? No one wants that. However, we have no need to worry because God is our refuge and in the midst of any storm, we can safely hide in Him!

Dear God…
I never cease to be amazed
At the peace Your Word provides
I run to my Rock and refuge
In Your fortress there I hide

How to Be Born Again/Saved and Know It!

Please read through the following Scriptures. This post is not “my opinion” but quotes directly from the Bible. They will walk you through God’s words to show you how you may be born again. If you sincerely desire to be saved, please take this seriously.

“As it is written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’” (Romans 3:10)

There is no human being that is “righteous” – No one is without sin. Adam and Eve brought sin into this world and since then, every human being was born with a sin nature. You don’t have to train a child to sin – it is a natural thing.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Paul is showing us that the standard isn’t your neighbor or anyone else, but rather God Himself is who you need to compare yourself to. You can say, “Well, I’m not as bad as that person.” The standard is God’s holiness. And all of us fall short of that standard.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

So we have seen from the Bible that we are ALL sinners and all of us fall short of God’s glory, correct? The Apostle Paul explains that the “wages” (or payment) of our sin is “death.” This includes both physical death and spiritual death. When you die, your body goes into the ground but your soul goes into eternity (either Hell or Heaven), that is called spiritual death. This separates us from God and this separation is for all eternity for those who die in their lost and sinful state.

Paul doesn’t leave us with just the bad news. He says that there’s a gift: what gift? It is the “gift of God” and that gift is “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

God didn’t send Christ to die for only good people. This verse says that “while we were yet sinners” Christ died for us! Paul says that God demonstrated or commended (gave) love to us even when we didn’t deserve it. Even when we were deep in sin, “Christ died for us.”

So what do you do with this information?

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

The bad news is we all fall short of God’s glory and we all face both physical and spiritual death because of it. The good news is that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us, and anyone who calls upon “the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

But friend, anyone can pray a prayer and think they are saved. But did that person repent of his sin?

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luk 13:3

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Co 5:17

Once you repent of your sins, it means that you will live your life according to God’s word. You won’t stop sinning altogether but you will be striving to be more Christ-like. The proof of repentance is revealed in your life and how you live it. If you claim to be a Christian but you are still a thief or you’re still habitually lying, you did not repent.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Eph 4:28

You can apply this to every sin – if you were a liar, lie no more. If you were an adulterer, stop! The Holy Spirit will teach you how to be more like Christ. You will be under conviction when you do sin. You will be remorseful and will repent from that sin. You won’t be sinless but you will sin less!

Please, if you have benefited from this page and have been born again, please leave me a comment and I will help you to grow in Christ Jesus.

Taking a Sabbatical

I will not be posting for a while. Feel free to visit the Devotionals page as well as the Bible Studies page; there are a lot of topics to pick from! 😃

Any Day Now – Day 65

Do you believe God’s Word or don’t you? Is the Bible something you read when you have time or do you make time to read it? It is not called the Living Word for nothing. It’s pages are new every day that a believer reads them. The Bible never grows old, even though it is a book of history. The Bible gives us upcoming news because it is a book of prophecy! We are not left unarmed to face this world.

1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

It is because it is the Living Word that it never grows old. Its pages reveal something new to us every single day we read it. Jesus Christ, the Word of God, lives, reader! (John 1:1) His promises to return are still valid and will be fulfilled. But when?

Mat 24:3-33  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  (4)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (6)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  ( 8 )  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  (9)  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.  (10)  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  (11)  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  (12)  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  (13)  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  (14)  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (15)  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)  (16)  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  (17)  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  (18)  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  (19)  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  (20)  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:  (21)  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (22)  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.  (23)  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  (27)  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (28)  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  (29)  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  (30)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  (31)  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  (32)  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  (33)  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

See also Luke 21:7-36 and Mark 13:5-37

Three of the four Gospels cover the events of the end times spoken by Jesus. Highlight these verses in your Bible and turn to them frequently to encourage yourself. We also have other books, like Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Revelation, etc. If you want to be encouraged, study them! You will be empowered knowing what is to come and you won’t be deceived. There are many deceivers out there. Many mock the pre-Tribulation Rapture view, as we have seen recently in the Tucker Carlson interview with John Rich. How very sad to watch as he criticized and misled Carlson! A few preachers called him out but will he even watch their messages? Reader, you cannot be deceived if you are in the Word and paying attention! There are many verses supporting the pre-Tribulation Rapture. But how can you defend the view if you are merely regurgitating what a pastor believes? You can’t! You must study the matter out for yourself. This blog is filled with this viewpoint. All you have to do is read the devotional series below and you will get some good teaching on the subject:

Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 64

Does the news frighten you, Reader? I think I can confidently say that anyone with half a functioning brain cell can see that things happening today are very different from yesteryear. There is an evil in the air and people are wondering what on earth is going on! The Christian can see with his spiritual eyes exactly what is going on.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The devils have emerged and are openly celebrated. We see in video clips of musicians openly performing satanic rituals and dressed in demonic garb. We see the spirit of antichrist rising and coming like a crescendo in a symphony. That spirit is no longer slowly coming into view but is coming with a blast! We are bombarded with ungodly rhetoric and it is being shoved down the world’s throat! The ungodly are no longer hiding their agenda but have put it out there for all to see. However, the church is asleep and timid. There are a few preachers out there who are speaking against the goals of the powers that be. However, this should be preached from every pulpit. Preachers today are more interested in their numbers and bank account than they are for people’s souls. Shame on them. The judgment of a holy God is coming upon them. I would not want to be in their shoes.

God has a plan, and it is outlined in the Bible. He did not leave us ignorant. All the prophecies to date that have been spoken by prophets, as well as Jesus Christ, have been fulfilled. Every … one … of … them! The ones left to come will happen!

The powers of the air, satanic influences, are grasping people’s minds and deceiving them. Satan is the father of lies and the world is enamored with him. He influences weak minds to murder on his behalf. He influences the world to follow after him so they can succeed.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

If you are reading this and you are not born again, you are serving your father the devil. Jesus Christ said so and He is God. He knows what He’s talking about. Reading the verse above explains to you exactly how you are being deceived. But to the born-again Christian, we clearly see what Satan’s goals are and that is to destroy man. Satan does not love you. He hates you and wants you to suffer in the Lake of Fire. There is no party there, nor will you be partying with your friends once you get there. Jesus said that the pain will be excruciating, like nothing ever experienced on earth:

(Mat 8:12)  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 13:42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 13:50)  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 22:13)  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 24:51)  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 25:30)  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Luk 13:28)  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

2Th 1:8-9  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone [brimstone is sulphur]: which is the second death.

Does this sound like a party to you? What exactly is “gnashing of teeth”? I dare say no!

STRONGS NT 1030: βρυγμός

βρυγμός, βρυγμου, ὁ (βρύχω, which see), a gnashing of teeth: with τῶν ὀδόντων added, a phrase denoting the extreme anguish and utter despair of men consigned to eternal condemnationMatthew 8:12Matthew 13:42, 50Matthew 22:13Matthew 24:51Matthew 25:30Luke 13:28; in Proverbs 19:12  snarling, growling; in the sense of biting

Look at the verses above and see what Jesus says it will be like in Hell. Do the highlighted words sound like a party? Not at all. These verses all deal with man’s senses. If you are not born again before you die, you will go to a place that affects your sight, your hearing, your taste, and your sense of touch. You will desire a drop of water and will get none, just like Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus. (Read Luke 16:19-31) There’s no party in Hell. None at all.

But to the born-again believer, the news today does not cause us to tremble, but to look up and rejoice that we shall be spared the horrors of the seven-year Tribulation period!

Oh friend, you must be born again if you do not want to go to Hell. You must be born again if you want to take part in the Rapture of the Church. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 63

Mat 24:3-8  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  (4)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (6)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  ( 8 )  All these are the beginning of sorrows. (9)  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

These are the beginning of sorrows. The Greek word for “sorrows” in verse 8 is “odin” and is defined as:

ὠδίν
ōdin
o-deen’
Akin to G3601; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth: – pain, sorrow, travail.

Any woman who has delivered a child can give you an accurate account of the event. The pain starts out slow and manageable. I remember thinking, “Wow, I can handle this”! I allowed my “feelings” to dictate what the rest of the delivery would be like. Boy was I wrong! The pains not only got stronger but they came closer together. So why do you think Jesus Himself compared it to the delivering of a baby?

Yes, we have experienced events prior to verse 8, but this has happened before in history. What makes these events different from those in history? They are occurring closer together and at the same time. Today’s events are happening concurrently. But now look at verse 9. Jesus said THEN shall they deliver you up to be afflicted. We are seeing a re-surging of antisemitic hatred that we haven’t seen since WWII. Israel is now fighting for its right to exist and they’re surrounded by nations that want them totally destroyed. We are in those times, dear Reader.

Don’t be discouraged! Look up for our redemption draweth nigh!

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Jesus is about to make His appearance in the clouds to rapture His Bride, the church! Don’t you want to participate in that?

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Escape what, Jesus? The answer is “all these things that shall come to pass“! This tells us that the church will not go through the Great Tribulation, the “time of Jacob’s troubles”! (Jeremiah 30:7) If you recall, Jacob was given a new name, which was Israel. (Genesis 32:28) The Tribulation is a time of Israel’s troubles, not the church. God will end the church age, the age of grace, with the Rapture of the church. Then focus will then be once again placed on Israel to draw them to their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Oh friend, you must be born again in order to participate in the Rapture, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 62

Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mar 14:38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Luk 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

1Co 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

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.

Look at all the times we are exhorted to watch or be found watching! Watch for what, you may wonder?

Mark 13:35 and Mark 14:38 both tell us to watch. Mark 13:35 says it is because we don’t know when the master will come. Strong’s defines “watch” as to be awake. We can’t be awake 24/7, so this is referring to being “spiritually awake.” Look for the signs of Christ’s coming, knowing it is at the door. Don’t be caught spiritually sleeping so to be caught unawares. Mark 14:38 warns us to watch and pray. Be alert, be awake, to the temptations/trials coming our way so we aren’t caught with our guard down. If we are watching, we know how to handle each one because we are confident in the Word of God to guide us.

grēgoreō: to be awake, to watch Original Word: γρηγορέω
Transliteration: grēgoreō
Phonetic Spelling: (gray-gor-yoo’-o)
Part of Speech: Verb
Short Definition: to be awake, to watch
Meaning: to be awake, to watch

Strong’s Concordance be vigilant, wake, be watchful.

From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch (literally or figuratively) — be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).

Luk 21:36 teaches us to watch for the Rapture. The Greek for this use of “watch” is to be sleepless. The word “escape” beautifully depicts the Rapture which is the trial to come upon the whole earth. How can a person be sleepless? We all need physical sleep. This is referring to our spiritual eyes watching sleeplessly for the Lord’s return for His Bride. A person who sleeps becomes complacent and stops looking upward and forward to Christ’s return for the Church!

agrypneō: to be sleepless, wakeful Original Word: ἀγρυπνέω
Transliteration: agrypneō
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-roop-neh’-o)
Part of Speech: Verb
Short Definition: to be sleepless, wakeful
Meaning: to be sleepless, wakeful

1Co 16:13 teaches us to watch and stand fast in the faith. There are many scoffers out there who want to discourage us from the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint. Why else would Paul teach us in the Rapture related verses to comfort and edify one another? There is no comfort or edification in the other viewpoints. Why? There isn’t any because the Church is not here during the Tribulation period.

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

I love this one. 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. We are going to be blessed because we were watching for Christ’s return! What will that blessing be? He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. The wedding of the Lamb and His Bride, the Church, will feast together!

Friend, you must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Page 5 of 59

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén