Tag: 2 Timothy 3:1-9 Page 1 of 4

Any Day Now – Day 56

On July 10, 2024

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Does the “church” today believe and practice these verses? I dare say there is a small percentage that do. One only has to look around to discover what does conforming to this world truly mean! There are “Christians” out there who believe it is OK to have an abortion or support women who have them. Is that what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God? Paul explained what is NOT the will of God to Timothy. Furthermore, Paul stated what these end times would look like:

2Ti 3:1-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

If these verses explain what is NOT God’s will, whose will do they conform to? The answer is Satan’s will. The evil spirit in mankind is reflected in:

(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

God’s will in these end times is: from such turn away. One may call himself a Christian, but his fruit bears the truth when he attends a pride parade in support of their cause! God loves the sinner but hates the sin! A true Christian can attend the pride parade and proclaim the freedom from sin that Christ provides. That, my friend, is God’s will.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The world of the unsaved is all around us. The gospel is open to everyone but they won’t hear if you don’t do your job. 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!

Any Day Now – Day 47

By Kate Plourde

On June 19, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Imminent … just what does that mean? As I have said before, the definitions I use come from Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. He defines it as:

IM’MINENT, a. [L. imminens, from immineo, to hang over; in and minor, to threaten. See Menace.]
Literally, shooting over; hence, hanging over; impending; threatening; near; appearing as if about to fall on; used of evils; as imminent danger; imminent judgments, evils or death.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

The timing of the Rapture is argued in Christian circles, I am sad to say. But the pre-tribulation Rapture is the only one whose timing is imminent. The other views depend on signs to occur.

If a man knew that a thief was going to come to his house at 8:00 p.m. on a given night, he would be prepared. But what did Jesus say?

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Just as in the Galilean weddings of Jesus’ day, the groom did not know when he was going to return for his bride until his father told him he could go. How perfectly that fits to the pre-tribulation Rapture! Jesus’ return is as a thief in the night. No one will expect Him at a given time!

Mat 24:42-44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The Tribulation period is filled with timing: it’s seven years long; the Antichrist defiles the temple after three and a half years, etc. Since we do not know the timing of the Rapture, it makes sense that it would occur before the Tribulation. It can’t possibly happen after the Tribulation, because then we would have a time. God is specific throughout the Bible, even to the day! Because of this, that is why He tells us to watch!

No where in the New Testament Scriptures do we find suggestions on how to prepare to live through the Tribulation. Instead, we are told to comfort one another.

1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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

Why would Paul tell the Thessalonians to comfort and edify one another if they had to go through the Tribulation? There is no comfort in knowing about the horrific things that were going to happen during those seven years! The beginning of the Church was not a time of peaceful existence but was a time of great persecution. Because they believed that the Rapture could happen at any time, they were encouraged to comfort each other as they waited for the Blessed Hope. (Titus 2:13)

One point I’d like to make is to those procrastinators out there. If you knew that Jesus would come at a certain date, you would wait until the last minute to get into “spiritual shape.” You would wait to witness to that lost relative. HOWEVER, because you do not know the time of His return, you stand ready because you are always watching!

You may have come across those who believe that the pre-Tribulation Rapture is a new theory invented in the early 1800’s. However, they stop there. The have not researched any further into earlier writings. Recently, biblical researchers have found several writings from early Church fathers who clearly held a pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

The First Epistle of Clement, 23 (written around 96 A.D. by Clement, a prominent leader of the church at Rome who knew some of the apostles personally and probably is the Clement referred to in Phil. 4:3): “Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, ‘speedily will He come, and will not tarry.’”

As early as 70 – 180 AD, The Didache, chapter 16, section 1, says, “‘Be vigilant over your life; let your lamps not be extinguished, or your loins ungirded, but be prepared, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come.”

“But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent of our Lord, now owned by all, now highly exalted, now a triumphant One!” (Tertullian 155 – 245 AD).

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 (374-627 AD).

John Calvin, the reformer at Geneva during the 1500s and founder of the Presbyterian Church, made the following statements in some of his commentaries on books of the Bible: “Be prepared to expect Him every day, or rather every moment.” “As He has promised that He will return to us, we ought to hold ourselves prepared, at every moment to receive Him.”

The Westminster Confession, written by the Puritans of England during the 1600s, declared that men should “shake off all carnal security and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come.”

“I say, somewhat more because the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ’s ‘appearing in the air’ (1 Thess 4:17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to paradise, or to some one of those many ‘mansions in the father’s house’ (John 14:2), and so disappear during the foresaid period of time.” (Morgan Edwards 1742-44).
I’m not much of a fan of relying on what scholarly men write about the Bible.

The Dark Ages (from about 450 AD to the 1600’s) were named for the condition of a spiritually dark world. Mankind was not allowed to read the Bible as it could only be interpreted by a priest. The Roman Catholic church was the universal church during that time. It was during this time frame that the church believed they were living during the millennium! This is called amillennialism and does not allow for a pre-Tribulation Rapture. It was not until the early 1600’s did we see premillennialism and the pre-Tribulation Rapture view reappear.

The “When” of the Rapture is the nucleus of the pre-Tribulation viewpoint. The Bible is its best interpreter. Scripture upon scripture, verse upon verse! The imminent return of the Lord Jesus to gather His Bride to Him is clear as you read the following verses:

Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matt 25:1-6 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

Mark 13:33-37 Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 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: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Rom 13:11-12 Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Tim 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Heb 10:24-25 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching.

Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

James 5:7-9 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Tribulation is preceded by many signs as seen clearly in Matthew 24:3-51, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, and 2 Peter 3:3-4. That is why many believers today are sounding out the warnings of Christ’s return! His return is closer than when the Scriptures were written so look up for your 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.
Jas 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

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 13

By Kate Plourde

On March 29, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Good morning! What we have covered thus far on this subject of the Rapture has been exciting to me. I can remember the first time I ever heard about it and thought to myself what a wonderful gift the Lord is offering to His children!! He doesn’t offer anything but His wrath to the children of disobedience (the unsaved).

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The prince of the power of the air is none other than Satan. Unbelievers follow his teachings whether they recognize that or not. We are seeing his influence in our world even more so than times past. Friend, the fact that Fairfax County Virginia is having Transgender day on Easter Sunday (2024) reveals the depravity of man due to Satan’s influence in the world. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/virginia-county-declares-transgender-day-of-visibility-on-easter-this-year/ar-BB1kzhUW) Christians should be screaming from the housetops declaring their sinful ways. This is most definitely a sign of the times mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

So let’s get back on point on the topic of the Rapture. The most prevalent point to the Rapture is its timing. Mid and post tribulation believers have tried to discredit those who believe in the pre-Tribulation Rapture for years. But they cannot dispute the timing.

Remember this, the Old Testament revolves around Israel and the judgment that is to come. The Old Testament doesn’t revolve around the church. The church isn’t spoken of in the rest of the Book of Revelation after Revelation 4:1:

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

When we search the Scriptures which talk about Christ’s return, we find verses that tell us we won’t know the day and hour. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time. But yet we read in Revelation 12:6, there is an exact number of days specifying how long Israelites will be nourished in a place that God prepared for them: God takes care of them in the wilderness for 1260 days. That’s pretty specific, if you ask me.

Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The 1,260 days begin when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The 1260 days spoken of above are exactly three and a half years, which is in the middle of the Tribulation.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events. Jesus protects His Bride, the Church, from the Tribulation period which is to come for the purpose of opening Israel’s eyes to their Messiah. That is why it is called Daniel’s 70th week. Israel is the central point of all of the Scriptures. A pause during this timeframe was given for the Church age due to Israel’s blindness of their Messiah. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through seven years of the worse time in history!

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

How can the Church comfort one another when they have to go through the judgments and martyrdom? (1 Thessalonians 4:18) This period of God’s wrath is on the children of disobedience as we see in the opening verses. And to top it off, the Apostle Paul taught the most on the Rapture as a positive thing in 1 Thessalonians. Each chapter has at least one verse that encourages the believers of his day. Take the time and read – study!!!

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. 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!

End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119 – Day 15

By Kate Plourde

On February 7, 2024

In Devotionals, End Time Comfort Found in Psalm 119

Psa 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

The word “testimony(ies) in this verse is very poignant. The Treasury of David has an interesting comment – I’ve added it below. David was the apple of God’s eye. One would think that he kept his heart focused on the Lord. But being human, I’m certain that he had tendencies to lean toward the opposite direction, as shown below.

“The only way to cure a wrong leaning is to have the soul bent in the opposite direction. Holiness of heart is the cure for covetousness.“
The Treasury of David

The only way to deal with sin is to be focused and centered on the Lord and His Word. Jesus quoted scripture to Satan when He was tempted by him in the desert. Jesus Christ took on human form and, therefore, could have succumbed to sin after 40 days of no eating. What human being wouldn’t? When the body is in pain and weak, it is harder to ward off the devil. Job is a good example of this. However, Jesus quoted His words from the Old Testament back at the devil. Is that what we do when we have fallen into temptation? Being tempted is not sin but giving into temptation is. The Lord promises to help us out of these situations.

James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

It is not until the temptation has been “conceived” in our heart that it brings forth sin. Therefore, do not let yourself get to that point. We have a choice as born-again believers! We do not have to sin. We can stay focused on God’s Word and quote it back to the devil when we are tempted. Be encouraged, Christian… it won’t be long now before the Rapture occurs. Our troubles here on earth will be gone and we will be forever with the Lord for all eternity! Oh joy! I love this hymn! It becomes sweeter to me as I see the day of Christ’s return to get His Bride in the Rapture of the Church! (1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, James 5:7-8, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 4:1) Be encouraged, believer!

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE

There’s coming a day when no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky
No more tears to dim the eye
All is peace forever more
On that happy golden shore
What a day, glorious day that will be

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face the one who saved my by His grace
When He takes me by the hand and leads me to the promised land
What a day, glorious day that will be

There will be no sorrows there
And no more burdens to bear
No more sickness and, no more pain
No more parting over there
And forever I will be with the one who died for me
What a day, glorious day that will be

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face the one who saved my by His grace
When He takes me by the hand and leads me to the promised land
What a day, glorious day that will be

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face the one who saved my by His grace
When He takes me by the hand and leads me to the promised land
What a day, glorious day that will be

But for the one who is not authentically born again, it is not so. The unbeliever is not looking forward to the Rapture, if he even knows anything about it. The bottom line is salvation. This determines where a person will spend eternity: forever burning in the Lake of Fire or in Heaven with the Lord Jesus. 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!

Are We in the End Times? Day 30

By Kate Plourde

On December 19, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

Good morning! This is the last day of the end times devotional. I have been praying that the Lord would use it for His glory and draw a soul to Him. Have you been saved by the Scriptures used in this devotional? Please let me know by leaving a comment and I will be happy to point you to a discipleship study that will help you to grow!

For our last day, I would like to share what the next events on the prophetic calendar are. The Christian is awaiting the Rapture of the Church. This is an event where God calls all born again believers to Heaven. Jesus Christ meets them in the clouds and takes them where He has prepared a place for them.

(1Th 4:13) 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. (Paul is referring to those who have died before the Rapture.)
(1Th 4:14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(1Th 4:15) 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.
(1Th 4:16) 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:
(1Th 4:17) 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.
(1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

You may have heard people say that word “rapture” isn’t in the Bible. Well, the word “bible” isn’t in the Bible either but that doesn’t mean it’s not called by another name. In the Greek, the word used for “caught up” is:

ἁρπάζω
harpazō
har-pad’-zo
From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): – catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

The Apostle Paul tells the believers to comfort themselves with this information! The Tribulation won’t happen until after the Rapture of the Church.

He goes on to tell believers what will come after the Rapture. If you are not born again, I pray that these last Scriptures that I share with you will shake you to the core and that you will get saved:

(2Th 2:1-12) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,: This is the Rapture.
(2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. People were misled by wrong doctrine, even in Paul’s day! He was writing the church at Thessalonica to hold fast to what he had written to them in the past and not be deceived by false doctrine.
(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; This great falling away is what we are experiencing today. We are not sure how long this will last but it will end with the man of sin (the antichrist) revealing himself. The antichrist will be none other than Satan.
(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. The antichrist will exalt himself above God and will sit in the temple in Jerusalem deceiving people into thinking he is God.
(5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he had already taught them these things. Some believed the Rapture had already occurred but he’s showing them that the antichrist was not yet revealed.
(6) And now ye 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 will let, until he be taken out of the way. What stops this prophetic clock from starting is the restraint of the Holy Spirit on this earth. At this time, He dwells within every born again believer.
(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Once the Rapture occurs, those born again believers are removed from the earth and so is the Holy Spirit. His work will be accomplished just as it was in the Old Testament where He empowers certain people for special missions.
(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Satan will have great power during the Tribulation and will deceive many by signs and wonders; but notice Scripture says “lying wonders.”
(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Satan will deceive mankind because they didn’t believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ while they had a chance.
(11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: Because mankind didn’t accept salvation and the truth, God will send strong delusion (errors and mistakes proceeding from false views) and they will believe Satan’s lies.
(12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Self explanatory.

Dear reader, please, I beg you. You do not want to be alive when this happens. It is a time like no other – worse than the Holocaust – worse than Nero’s reign. 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!

Are We in the End Times? Day 29

By Kate Plourde

On December 18, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

Good morning, dear Reader. If you have resisted the temptation to walk away from this devotional, I commend you for sticking with it and encourage you to finish! There is nothing more on this earth that I want than to lead you to salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone.

(Act 4:10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
(Act 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Just as there truly is a heaven, there is also its opposite which is a place of everlasting punishment called hell. No one wants to hear about hell. In fact, the world has made it a joke to the point that it’s no big deal. Just ask those in your circle of friends and family.

It’s not a popular subject, but you must confront the issue. Here’s an account in Scriptures that explains it perfectly and it was spoken by Jesus:

(Luk 16:22-24) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

The average human being can’t completely understand that such an awful place exists. But what does the Bible say about Hell?

Everlasting fire: (Mat 25:41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Eternal fire: (Jud 1:7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Furnace of fire: (Mat 13:42) And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Lake of fire and brimstone: (Rev 14:10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:(Rev 20:10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Outer darkness: (Mat 8:12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Blackness and darkness: (Jud 1:13) Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Chains of darkness: (2Pe 2:4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Bottomless pit: (Rev 20:3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Weeping and gnashing of teeth: (Mat 8:12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Everlasting destruction: (2Th 1:9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Endless torment: (Rev 14:11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

As I’ve told you before, Hell was not created for man but for the devil and his angels.

(Mat 25:41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

But for those who reject salvation through Jesus Christ to be born again:

(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;

Hell is so hot that it is unbearable – the pain and suffering never ends and goes on for all eternity. Just imagine if you put your hand on a hot iron and left it there. Our reaction is to pull away quickly, but this won’t be possible in Hell. Your screams and pain would never end. And this would not only be just your hand, but your entire body! There would be no escape. And it would last forever.

Are you sure you want to leave to chance where you spend eternity? Do you think being a member of a certain church will keep you out of Hell? No! Scripture is loud and clear about what happens to one who is not born again. There are not many ways to Heaven – there is only one way and that way is through Jesus Christ.

(Joh 3:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(Joh 3:7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Hell is not some made up place. If you believe the Bible to be truth, then you must believe that Hell is real and people actually die and go there. So what must one do to prevent this?

(Act 16:31a) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,
(Luk 13:3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

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!

Are We in the End Times? Day 28

By Kate Plourde

On December 17, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

Eph 5:14-18 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Good morning! Once again, I have chosen a picture with a beautiful sunrise! It’s as though the Lord Jesus Christ is shining down His light to attract unbelievers to Him! Can you see it? Look up and I will give you light to save your souls if you are not born again! 😃 For you who is born again, He sheds the light of His Word to encourage you during these end times!

Today’s Scriptures encourage both believers and unbelievers alike to wake up and recognize the times we are in. Christ shall give you light because He is the light of the world.

(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.

The Scriptures also say “redeeming the time” because the days are evil. The word “redeeming” means:

REDEE’MING, ppr. Ransoming; procuring deliverance from captivity, capture, bondage, sin, distress or liability to suffer, by the payment of an equivalent.

In these end times, we have seen how evil the world has become – more so now than EVER before. We can all agree that we would never have thought that there would be riots, the burning of buildings, the stealing from store owners, as we do today! We’ve never seen a pandemic that has shut down the ENTIRE world. These are the times where the unsaved, those who are not born again, must realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that light is Jesus Christ. He redeemed you from your sin debt so you would not be liable for the penalty of an eternity in Hell. Jesus also said that those who follow Him will NOT walk in darkness but shall have the light of life!

Friend, what is holding you back? You’ve heard the Gospel throughout this series. It cannot be made any plainer. If you don’t decide today, there may never be another opportunity to hear/read it again.

(Isa 66:4) I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Joh 12:48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (Heb 12:25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Each time you hear or read about salvation and choose not to be born again, you are sealing your soul to an eternity of burning and darkness, separated from God. There is a Hell, friend. Do you believe that? If you do, then why is it such a hard decision to be born again? If you don’t believe in Hell, stay tuned tomorrow where the post will be all about this horrible place that was created for the devil and his fallen angels. It was never meant for mankind. But because man choses not to be born again, Hell will be his destination.

Are We in the End Times? Day 27

By Kate Plourde

On December 16, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

(Rev 1:3) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Good morning, Reader! Today’s picture shows the beauty of nature! I love the symbolism of Winter. The beauty of Spring, Summer and Fall have died and are replaced with freezing cold temperatures and beautiful white snow. But as we look at the picture more closely, we see that despite the coldness the sun still rises! God displays His creation’s beauty with every single day. He gives us these little blessings to remind us who He is and what He is capable of doing. 🥰

We all love to receive blessings from friends and family, don’t we? Then you will love to receive this blessing from Almighty God Himself! Today’s Bible verse is right at the beginning of the Book of Revelation and it’s location is quite poignant. The Apostle John wrote penned this book and it’s quite apropos for a time like this. Revelation is all about what will take place in the end times.

Many people avoid reading the Bible because they don’t understand it. If you’re not born again, you don’t possess the Holy Spirit who would interpret these things for you. The Holy Spirit is vital for the believer. The Spirit provides us with the ability to interpret the Bible by ourselves. Sinners are in spiritual darkness until the Holy Spirit brings the light of Christ into their minds and hearts. We depend on the Third Person of the Trinity to illuminate us as we read. He awakens us to the truth from the Bible. He reveals to us its commands, its challenges and God’s promises, such as we’re seeing in today’s verse. It is His job not only to interpret the Scriptures for us but to guide us in our lives.

(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Therefore, Revelation 1:3 says that when we read about Bible prophecy, when we hear the words of that prophecy and when we keep those words, we will be blessed! Why? Because we will not be afraid of what the end times will bring. We have the warnings; we know what to expect. But to those who are not born again, the signs of the times and Bible prophecy are scary and they would rather not think about it.

Are you one of those that sits on the fence? Do you want to believe but you don’t want your friends and family to think you’ve gone off the deep end? Dear reader, who do you want to please? Will your friends keep you out of Hell? Do you really want to stand before God when you die and have your whole life reviewed? Each and every sin you’ve committed, in thought or deed, will be covered:

(Mar 4:22) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
(Mat 10:26) Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
(Mat 12:36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

God will not be mocked, friend. He will reward born again believers with eternal life in Heaven. But He will also give the one who turned down salvation to be born again eternal punishment in Hell. God doesn’t want to do this but it is not His choice; it’s yours! God gives everyone a choice – He did not create robots. He created man with a free will and choice.

(Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(Mat 25:41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
(Mat 25:41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
(Rev 20:15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Your name can only be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life if you are born again. You must set aside your fear of what friends and family will say. They will not be standing beside you on Judgment Day defending you. They will have their own time of judgment to deal with. Please, I beg of you to receive the free gift of eternal life through Christ!

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!

Are We in the End Times? Day 26

By Kate Plourde

On December 15, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

(2 Ti 3:9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Good morning, blogging friend! 😊 Are you excited about the times in which we live? Does the news make you look forward to the future and that of your children? I know I speak for many born again Christians who long for the day that the Rapture will happen and we are taken to Heaven before the events (like no other time in history) of the Tribulation will occur. This is where one should be extremely concerned about the state of their soul.

We are encouraged in the Scriptures to listen to wisdom and apply that wisdom to our hearts.

Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.

It is only the wisdom of Scriptures that we should listen to. Man makes mistakes but God does not. Friend, today’s verse is an extremely important one! Why? It’s important because all the warnings of 2 Timothy 3:1-8 come to a conclusion in this verse! So exactly what does folly mean? Noah Webster defines it as:

Weakness of intellect; imbecility of mind. want of understanding.

Wow! If you can’t see your sin or need for a Saviour, then you are the one that this verse is speaking to. The Scriptures have been shared with you and every opportunity has been given to you to accept Christ as your Saviour. If you haven’t abandoned this study and are still reading it, then you leave the destination of your soul to the devil himself. How can I say that? Let’s re-read today’s verse:

(2Ti 3:9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

I found this meme that summed it up pretty accurately:

Upon your death, your soul immediately stands before Christ and you will have to give an account of your sins. It will be as if they will be projected onto a screen and your whole life will be reviewed before everyone. God will show you each time the Gospel was presented to you and you rejected it. You will not be able to make excuses as the Gospel was clearly laid out for you. You cannot say that you never heard it because I have clearly explained it on this blog.

The Bible says:

(Mar 8:36-37) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

If you are saved and reading this, please share this blog with those you are praying for salvation.

Are We in the End Times? Day 25

By Kate Plourde

On December 14, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

(2 Ti 3:8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Good morning, Reader! Winter is here and the beautiful warm days of Fall have disappeared and ushered in the bitter, windy cold. The sunshine is deceiving when looking out from a nice warm house. 😎 Once I stepped outside, Winter reminded me exactly what season we’re in LOL!

But isn’t this example indicative of mankind? They appear to have a good life on the outside, but their heart on the inside is a an evil and reprobate heart. This heart is one of those sins evident in the end times and we can truly see it today, can’t we?

If you’re not famlilar with the word reprobate, its meaning as it refers to the faith from today’s verse is:

REPROBATE, a. [L. reprobatus, reprobo, to disallow; re and probo, to prove.]
Abandoned to error, or in apostasy. 2 Tim 3.
REP’ROBATE, n. A person abandoned to sin; one lost to virtue and religion.
I acknowledge myself a reprobate, a villain, a traitor to the king.

The Scriptures are our source of truth, as we have learned thus far, amen?

Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
(Jer 6:19) Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Jeremiah tried to explain the attitude of the heart of man during these end times. As you read verse 15 above, these people will not be ashamed at their sinful abominations, nor will they “blush” with shame and embarrassment when these sins are spoken. What are the abominations spoken of in Scripture?

Homsexuality – Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Pride, lies, shedding of innocent blood, a heart that schemes wickedness, feet that run to cause harm, damage; a false witness, one who causes problems amongst church members. (Pro 6:16-19) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Sacrifices of the wicked – Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Person who turns away the Gospel – Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Thoughts of the wicked – Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Everyday, ordinary people are guilty of most of these abominations! Jeremiah continued to say what happens to the reprobate:

Jer 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Are you going to be one of those people who fall under the five categories above? Are you:

➡ a homosexual ➡ prideful ➡ liar ➡ have had or promote abortion ➡ do you continue to do something evil ➡ do you cause harm to others or damage to their property ➡ are you a false witness ➡ do you cause problems in your church ➡ are you religious and perform sacrifices thinking that will earn your way to Heaven ➡ have you turned away the Gospel ➡ are your thoughts wicked

My friend, this is just a reminder to us how evil these end times are. The heart of man is wicked, even though you don’t think yourself as wicked, at least not compared to the next guy. But compare yourself to God – He is holy and He is the measuring stick for our morality.

(Jer 17:9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

If you are born again, spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ before it is eternally too late to do so. Rapture can happen at any moment and that opportunity ceases.