Tag: Romans 8:1 Page 1 of 2

Believing a Lie

On April 16, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels said that if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. Today, more than ever, no one wants to be held accountable for their actions or their sins. It’s always someone else’s fault. We hear, even amongst Christians, that God is a loving God (which He is) and He would not send someone to Hell.

If you disobey the law of the land, the judge would give you a ticket and/or he would put you in jail. You wouldn’t say, “The judge is a loving judge, and he would not send someone to jail.” The judge didn’t send you to jail because he felt like it. He sent you to jail because you disobeyed the law of the land.

Why would you think that God would not judge you, find you guilty, and send you to Hell? He doesn’t send you to Hell because He feels like it. God sends us to Hell because we did not obey the Scriptures. To top it off, God knew we could not possibly keep all 613 Jewish laws, let alone the Ten Commandments. That is why He personally came to earth in order to offer Himself as a sacrifice for OUR sins. The only thing we have to do is believe that and accept Christ as our Saviour!

God’s wrath only falls on those who choose to ignore Him. You cannot find one verse in the Bible where God’s wrath fell on the righteous (those who believe in Him through faith). You may find it hard to believe in the Bible as I did. But it came to a point in my life where I knew there had to be more to “religion” than the works of the church I attended.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The end of times is at hand, Reader. God’s wrath will fall upon an unbelieving world during the seven-year Tribulation. You do not want to be here for that. Now is the time for you to be saved.

2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

God’s wrath is not something you want to experience. What have you got to lose if you choose salvation? You will go to Heaven at the Rapture or at your death if you are saved. If you believe the lie that God would not send anyone to Hell, then you will go there. God is a righteous Judge and He will send you there, but only because it was your choice. If you want to choose salvation, please follow the link to walk you through the Scriptures on how to be saved.

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Protect Me, Oh God!

By Kate Plourde

On March 24, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Sometimes it seems we are hit from every side, doesn’t it? The devil does not play fair. If he can distract the Christian from leaning on the Lord, he will. It’s no coincidence that the Apostle Peter compared the devil as a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8) If you’ve been a believer even for a short time, you will experience the devil’s ravenous attempts in your life. He wants you absorbed with your problems so that your light for Jesus is dimmed.

Are you at the point in your spiritual walk where your light is now just glowing embers? Have you ever noticed that when you’re walking on the beach, your feet sink into the sand and you’re not as steady? However, if you dig your feet deeper into the sand, you are steadier. The deeper in the stand you plant yourself, the steadier you become. Oh Christian, the deeper you dig into the Scriptures, the steadier you will become in your journey!

This is your mission! Dig your feet in and stand firm on God’s Word. Review those verses that have encouraged you in the past in your head and let them encourage you again. It is your shield against fiery darts. This is why the Bible is called the Living Word of God! It breathes and moves within the believer, and restores spiritual health!

Your faith is at its weakest when you are not armed with the Bible. We are armed each time we start our day in God’s Word. We are armed each time something happens during the day that brings verses to mind that we read just that morning!

Not only did God tell Abram that He was his shield, but God also said that He was Abram’s great reward. What was that reward? God made Abram the father of all nations. Abram, now called Abraham, would not only be the father of the Jewish people but of the Gentile nations as well. Anyone whose salvation is based on faith is born into Abraham’s family! Once we are born again, we also have a great reward. That reward is that our sin debt has been paid in full by the Lord Jesus Christ and we are no longer under condemnation!

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Once we are born again, we are in Christ Jesus. Every day we fight a battle with the flesh. You know you are in the battle because the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart! He warns you and guides you to walk after Him and not the flesh. Are you feeling weak and discouraged? Pick up your shield and dig your feet in!

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What’s Keeping You?

By Kate Plourde

On March 10, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. ~Isaiah 12:2

In looking back on my entire life, I remember gifts given to me; but none so important than the gift of salvation from the Father. The born-again Christian has received the most blessed gift – eternal life in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. That penalty that we greatly deserved was taken upon the Lord Himself, and we are no longer judged! Furthermore, we are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). Our sins are no longer remembered but they are buried in the deepest sea. In fact, they are removed as far as the east is from the west! (Psa 103:12 and Micah 7:19) That alone should be enough to cause the Christian to rejoice, don’t you think? Sometimes I think that Christians forget just how much they have been rescued from.

The Lord tells us that we also can trust in Him to be with us during those difficult times. God never sleeps so He is always watchful of what happens to us.

~Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

We have no need to be afraid of anything in our lives because the God who loves us, and never sleeps, is watching … waiting … diligently protecting us. We can rest in His care! 💙 We can be assured that the problems of the day will be handled by the Master and we can enjoy peaceful rest. In fact, this verse says our sleep will be sweet.

~Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

God’s strength cannot be measured – after all, He is not a man! What better arms to rest in than those of the Lord’s?

~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Serving the Lord, and resting in His care, will put a song in your heart!

~Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

What is it in your life that is keeping you from achieving rest in Him? Think about it, and jot down your answer(s). Then talk to the Lord about it. Since He never sleeps, and has counted the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). Therefore, you are precious to Him and He cares about you! (1 Peter 5:7)

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The Time of JACOB’S Trouble

By Kate Plourde

On January 29, 2025

In Devotionals

Jer 30:7a Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

What a blessed day it is!! Are you excited? Are you afraid? There is no greater way to start your day than to be in the Word and listen to God as He speaks to you. This series may be an eye opener for some, and a refresher course for others. In my previous post, we touched a bit on the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” In a few Scripture references, the Bible refers to the Israel’s great tribulation as this time of Jacob’s trouble. This phrase refers to the descendants of Jacob so it stands to reason that it is meant for only the Jews, not the Church. Just as the Church isn’t mentioned in the Old Testament, the Church won’t play a role in the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Their will be people who will come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ during the Tribulation period but they will not be referred to as the Church, but as Tribulation saints. Today’s verse states that this trouble will come just before the Lord Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, returns to save them at His Second Coming.

That final week of Daniel’s 70th week hasn’t taken place yet. An angel told Daniel that, “70 weeks are determined upon thy people” (Dan 9:24).

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The Bible doesn’t say that the Tribulation is meant as a time of testing and judgment for the Church. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and, therefore, our sins have been judged already. (Romans 8:1) Our sins have been washed away once we receive salvation through Christ and eternal life with Him. The Bible does say that God’s wrath will be upon the “children of disobedience.” The Tribulation period will begin after the Rapture of the Church. We do not know how long it will be after the Rapture, but the Tribulation won’t start with the Church still on earth. We know this because God’s wrath is not meant for the Church but for those “children of disobedience.”

Eph 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:

Eph 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.

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

(Nah 1:2) God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

The phrase, “children of disobedience,” appears three times in the KJV Bible. The first appearance explains exactly who these children are:

Eph 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:

Satan is this prince – it is his ‘spirit’ that lives within the children of disobedience. God gave us plenty of warnings in the Scriptures. He gave us a pattern for living. He gave us His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, the devil wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ and he is adamant about taking as many souls with him to Hell! Is it any wonder that the devil has managed to cause Christians who used to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church to change their views? The devil does not want believers to concentrate on Christ but to concentrate on the horrible events of the Tribulation! Satan wants believers to take their eyes off the Lord and prepare themselves for his (Satan’s) reign! Satan will go from being the prince of the power of the air to the reigning antichrist!

Some proponents of the post-Tribulation viewpoint claim that Christians will be tested during the Tribulation. To make this fit into that viewpoint, they have to “spiritualize” the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God’s protective seal. If the Church was to go through the Tribulation, don’t you think the Apostle John would have used the word “church” here as he did in chapters one through three? The Post-Tribulation proponents are forgetting the different dispensations. Before the Ecclesiastical Dispensation (the Age of Grace or the Church Age), there was the Legal Dispensation, the Age of Law. After the Church Age, God is dealing with Israel once again and only Israel. That is why references to the Age of Law (i.e., the temple), are made in Revelation. The post-Tribulation view tries to combine these two dispensations of the Law and Grace into the Tribulation. Only one age can happen at a time so this does not jive at all! Revelation is filled with judgment and the Scriptures tells us that God’s wrath is not upon the church.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This is why Paul said that we have the blessed hope, Christian! (Titus 2:13) This is such a positive and powerful verse. Does it even resemble Paul trying to tell us that we would go through the judgments of the Tribulation? Not to me, it doesn’t! The judgments of Revelation are severe and horrifying! Paul wanted to make sure that his followers were well taught about what was to come so they wouldn’t fall for every wind of doctrine.

(Tit 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The three verses above about the children of disobedience aren’t the only verses that speak of the wrath. God is very clear on who will receive that wrath during the Tribulation:

(Joh 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(Rom 1:18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(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 14:19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:1) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:7) And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

(Rev 16:1) And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Logically speaking, if the Church is to go through the Tribulation, they would also receive God’s wrath. Why would the Lord do this to His Church if we are not appointed unto wrath? Why would the Groom, the Lord Jesus, allow His wife, the Church, to be tortured and killed? Would any husband allow this in his home? Of course not!

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

To the one who is not saved, this is a scary time. 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!

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Teaching Worth Repeating!

By Kate Plourde

On January 1, 2025

In Devotionals

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. ( 8 ) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

What an exciting time to be alive! We are witnessing unprecedented events affecting the entire globe! If you follow Amir Tsarfati, you see that wars and rumors of wars is all around us! Follow any earthquake app and you will see the increase in earthquake severity and frequency, just as the Lord told us would happen. Jesus spoke of what we are to expect in the end times in Matthew 24:3-51. To the average reader, these verses are frightening. But to the believer, they are exciting because we know that we will not be here to experience the horrific events that will occur on the entire earth!

The Rapture of the church has three very different groups of belief: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation (Pre-Wrath) and Post-Tribulation. They all pertain to the Rapture’s timing – when the event will occur. Which one is correct? ALWAYS turn to God’s Word to determine the answer. God would not want His children to be afraid of what is to come. Think of your earthly father: would he want you to be afraid as you live under his roof? No father would want this weighing on his children. An earthly father wants to protect his children. How much more a Heavenly Father: the Perfect Father?

What does each one mean? Pre-Tribulation refers to the Rapture occurring sometime before the start of the Tribulation. The Bible says that His return will be as a thief coming in the night. If you knew the hour a thief would enter your house, you would be prepared. That is why we are told to always be prepared. Just as the five virgins had oil in their lamps and were prepared for the bridegroom, so must the church be ready! Noah didn’t know when the flood was going to come – he just knew it was coming and he continued doing what God had commanded him to do. The Bible answers all of our questions so let’s get to it.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The Bible tells us when the Tribulation will begin. It will begin when the Antichrist is made known, not a minute before.

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.

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.

We know that when the Antichrist is revealed, the Tribulation will begin. However, what about the Rapture? The Bible says:

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

Matthew 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 cock crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch”.

These verses indicate that Christ’s return for His church is imminent – it can happen at any time. No man knows the day or the hour. The Thessalonians were informed by false teachers that they had missed it in 2 Thessalonians! We are given a timeline of the Tribulation in the Book of Revelation. We know that it is a literal seven years from the time that the Antichrist is revealed. (This is also confirmed as Daniel’s 70th week in Daniel 9:24-27.) This doesn’t fulfill the “imminent” return of Christ but a definite period of time. There is a precise timeline here of Christ’s Second Coming. God is all about timing and order. However, the above verses encourage believers to be waiting and watchful. This is the proof of His imminent return for the Rapture of the church.

Just as Noah was kept from the wrath on the entire earth, so will believers be kept from the Tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 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.

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

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (The Greek word for “from” in this verse is “ek” which means “out of.”)

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

These verses would not make any sense if believers were to go through part or all of the Tribulation! There is no comfort or blessed hope if Christians have to experience the wrath which is to come to the world. The wrath that is to come is for the “children of disobedience” according to Paul:

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:

In fact, if you do a word search on the word “wrath,” the verses represented are filled with God’s judgments. Christ took our judgment on the cross. We are no longer condemned … we are no longer under the veil of judgment by God!

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

There is no timeline for the Rapture. This is called “imminent.” It can happen at any time before the impending judgments of the Tribulation. It was such an important doctrine of the early Church that the Apostle Paul taught the most about this topic. I wonder if it is because Paul was “caught up” (harpazo = rapture) to the third heaven and knew what awaits the believer! (see 2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (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. (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;

Paul had to repeat his teachings to the Thessalonians because they had been deceived by the same skeptics that we have today. The verses above tell us that the Thessalonians thought they had missed the Rapture and that the Tribulation had already begun. They were listening to heretics rather than remembering what Paul had taught them.

Paul reminds them of the signs that will usher in the Tribulation will be: except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition! There are definite signs and timelines described in the Tribulation. We have been seeing a falling away from the faith for several decades and it is getting far worse. We know we are in those “end times” but we are not in the Tribulation period.

There are no signs or timeline which must occur before the Rapture. If a person believes in the Mid-Tribulation Rapture, then there is a definite timeline because that is half way through the seven years, which is three and a half years. If a person believes in the Post-Tribulation Rapture, then there is a definite timeline there as well: after the seven years of Tribulation. Those of us who hold to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture have something to look forward to. It keeps us focused in doing the work of the Lord because we want to be caught up at that time of the Rapture! So friend, be encouraged! Be watchful and pray that you remain ready for Christ’s Rapture of His Church at any moment! We are not called to experience the wrath that is about to come to this earth! Praise Him!!!

If you are like I me prior to salvation and are interested in the end times, I pray you find the Lord (as I did) before it’s too late! 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!

Are You Ready?

By Kate Plourde

On December 27, 2024

In Devotionals

The main thing that should encourage a believer today is that God does not leave His children to despair during these times. The times are changing so rapidly and there’s fear in the hearts of mankind: fear of the unknown! When is the next pandemic going to happen and where is it going to lead us? What are these orbs we’re seeing in the skies? Will the new world order happen in our lifetime? Will citizens lose their freedoms in order to corral them? Americans, and the world for that matter, have no idea what is to come. But the born-again Christian isn’t looking to this world for his hope. We look to Christ! Why? Let’s look and see.

The Rapture is an event that will most definitely happen. The timing of the Rapture is uncertain but the event itself is most surely going to happen. This is why it is considered to be imminent. The Thessalonians thought it had already happened and Paul addresses that in 2 Thessalonians.

2 Thess 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (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. (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;

However, the Scriptures below tell us that it is as definite as Christ’s resurrection. Without Christ’s resurrection, one would have no hope!

1 Thess 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.

It is the Word of God, reader! Paul taught them about the Rapture and God saw fit to include this topic in the Bible through His Holy Spirit. (John 14:26) Friend, Christ does not leave us hopeless! He left us with His Word to encourage us during these end times! If we are blessed enough to be alive at the time of the Rapture, we will not see death! How exciting is that!

1 Th 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.

There are approximately 365 promises in the Old Testament about Jesus’ first coming. Every single one of them was fulfilled. God keeps His promises. Therefore, we can rest assured that He will keep His promises of Jesus’ Second Coming! Every single detail in God’s Word will be fulfilled.

Matt. 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.

Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

It is said that 6,000 prophecies in the Bible, and nearly 70% of those prophecies have occurred without failure or error. The remaining nearly 30% will be fulfilled because God’s Word in Matthew and Luke above say so. The comfort that comes from this is that God keeps His promises and we can rest assured that the future ones will be kept to the letter! The Church experienced God’s mercy and grace by providing Himself as the Saviour through Jesus Christ. But God’s judgment must still take place because it is part of His Word. He magnifies His Word above His name!

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

This truly defines how important that every single thing in God’s Word must be fulfilled! The Rapture is no different. The Rapture is only for those who are truly born-again, live accordingly and long for His coming. To the one who claims he is a “Christian” but does not separate himself from sin, he is not a true believer. One isn’t a true believer just because one goes to church. If he is consistently disobedient to the Word, then he is considered a part of the children of disobedience.

Eph. 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:

Eph. 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.

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

Anyone can believe in God – in fact, the devils believe in Him, but that does not make them saved! In fact, they tremble!

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Check yourself, reader. If you have indeed been born again, you will strive to live the Christian life according to the Bible. You won’t be sinless, but you will sin LESS. (1 John 1:9-10) If you are not, sure, make sure! If you know that you are not living according to the Bible, then you are considered as part of the children of disobedience. A born-again believer walks after the Holy Spirit’s influence. This is why the Church will not be experiencing the Tribulation’s wrath of God.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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!

Any Day Now – Day 53

By Kate Plourde

On July 3, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Luk 21:29-36 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (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.

Jesus made it very clear that the end of the Church age would come when the fig tree shoots forth. There is a reason Jesus points out the fig tree along with all the trees. Why would he include the fig tree if He said “all the trees.” Doesn’t it stand to reason that there is something special about this particular tree? Why the fig tree? The study of “first mentions” reveals that the first time the fig tree was referred to would have significance. We see in Genesis 3:7 that Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to cover their sinful nature, passing it along to every human being thereafter.

As well, we see that the fig tree refers to Israel in Hosea 9:10 and Joel 1:7:

Hos 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

Joe 1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

Israel, the fig tree, habitually left God to serve other gods and it no longer bared fruit for the one true living God. Later, in the New Testament, we see it mentioned in Mark 11:13-14:

Mar 11:13-14 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. (14) And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Jesus points out that the fig tree would not produce fruit and man would not eat of it for ever. What fruit will mankind eat from then? It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fruit of His Spirit!

So back on topic, Israel (the fig tree) became a nation on May 14, 1948. This marks the beginning of the end of the age. Jesus said in our opening verses in Mark that this generation would not pass away before all was accomplished. We are that generation, reader! Jesus said: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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? The answer is the “snare.” The Greek word for snare is “pagis” and is defined in Strong’s Concordance as:

pagis
pag-ece’
From G4078; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): – snare

The Antichrist will most definitely trap the world with his deceptions, tricks and stratagem during the seven-year Tribulation period. But Jesus says that we can escape this trap. How? We know that to be included in the Church, one must be truly and authentically born again. A true born-again believer cannot be a nominal Christian. We see in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that the old sinful life and all parts of that sinful nature is replaced by a new life that desires the things of God. Once one is born again, he/she is a member of the Church, the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So how do we escape the Antichrist’s trap? We will be counted worthy to participate in the Rapture of the Church. (1 Corinthians 1:50-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) This escape is not an easy way out as many Christian scholars claim of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture belief. No, dear reader! This is a promise given to the body of Christ. (See Ephesians 1:14-23) We, the Church, are Christ’s body. He cannot allow His own body to go through the Tribulation, which is a time of God unleashing wrath. Romans 8:1 explicitly tells the Church that we are not under condemnation. The Greek word for condemnation and its definition are below:

katakrima
kat-ak’-ree-mah
From G2632; an adverse sentence (the verdict): – condemnation.

The Church is no longer under an adverse sentence of death with a destination of Hell. No indeed! We have been bought with the price of Christ’s shed blood.

1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Cor 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Once we realize this, we can see how the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the only viewpoint that makes sense. 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 52

By Kate Plourde

On July 1, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Why is timing so important when it comes to the Rapture? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals. It is no different when it comes to the Rapture. If you knew the date, you would most likely wait until a few days before their arrival before starting your plans.

Different views:

Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today we will cover the Post-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint. This one is the last of the viewpoints we will cover. It teaches the Rapture occurs near the end or at the end of the great Tribulation. We know that the Tribulation lasts 2,520 days. This belief, therefore, sets a date for the Rapture to occur.

Furthermore, this belief means that the church will be raptured to the clouds and then immediately return with Christ at the Second Coming. The two events run simultaneously. To summarize, they believe that there is only one coming of the Lord Jesus and that is at His Second Coming.

Their core belief is that God’s people suffered persecution through the centuries, and therefore, the church will go through the Tribulation. There is one major problem with this: Romans 8:1 reveals to us that the Church is not under condemnation and will never go through God’s wrath. The judgments during the Tribulation affect everyone, including believers. This contradicts Romans 8:1. Furthermore, they cannot explain the fact that Jesus went to Heaven in Acts 1:9-11 to prepare a place for us and to receive us unto Himself. (Matthew 14:1-3) Post-Tribulation Rapture believers won’t be going to Heaven because they believe that they meet Jesus in the air and then come back to earth at that point to defeat Satan’s armies. They will then enter the Millennial Kingdom. What happened to going to be with Jesus and experiencing the mansions that He prepared for them in Heaven?

Summary: All the views, except for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint, cannot explain why the Church cannot be found after Rev. 4:1 all the way through chapter 21. They assume that the word “saints” in Revelation represents the Church. These are Tribulation saints and not the Church, the Bride of Christ.

As well, there is no timeline for the Rapture. It is imminent, as we learned in our prior studies. Two other viewpoints rely on a timeline. That timeline begins the seven-year Tribulation when the Antichrist signs the peace treaty with Israel. (Daniel 9:27) Therefore, if the Mid-Tribulation Rapture were to be true, they would simply have to count three and a half years, which is 1260 days (Jewish years contain 360 days, not 365) and they would know the exact day. And if the Post-Tribulation Rapture were true, they would have 2,520. There is no imminence in these viewpoints. The Pre-Wrath Rapture viewpoint doesn’t rest its belief on a timeline. However, it does believe that the Church will experience the first five judgment Seals. They cannot find answers to the fact that the word “church” does not appear after Revelation 4:1.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint can answer all the questions relating to timing, as well as the lack of presence of the Church from Revelation chapters 4:1 through 22:15. The word “church” can be found 7 times in Revelation chapters 1 through 3. The word “churches” can be found 12 times in Revelation chapters 1 through 3 and one time in Revelation 22:16. This alone shows that the Church is not present during any of the judgments.

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 50

By Kate Plourde

On June 26, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Let’s review the different views of the Rapture. All but one of them involve Bible prophecy’s timing. Why is timing so important? If you were expecting your parents to come visit from 3,000 miles, you would be looking forward to it. You would be preparing the guest room, making plans to take them places, as well as planning meals.

Different views:

Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today we are going to cover the viewpoint that says the Rapture will occur in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period.

Mid Tribulation

The Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint believes that the rapture will occur at the last trumpet of the 7 trumpet judgments of Revelation 11. This belief says that the Church will live through the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.

Why do you think they believe that? They interpret Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “the last trump” to be the last trumpet of the judgment.

1Co 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.

However, the trumpets of Revelation are judgment trumpets. There is nothing good about any of the seven trumpets. There is no blessed hope in them as they all involve judgment. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:

Trumpet #1 – Revelation 8:2 says that these trumpets were given to angels. Verse 6 tells us that it is the angels who will sound these trumpets. However we see here: 1Th 4:16-18 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.

The Lord Himself is the one who shouts and the Lord has the trump OF GOD. The Word says that “the trump of God,” which is a call of grace, calling the Church home. It is not a trump of judgment. This is the only time we see the phrase, “trump of God,” used in the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New Testament. It is not one of judgment. The first trumpet judgment brings hail and fire mingled with blood and one third of the trees and grass are destroyed.
The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.

Lastly, the seven trumpet judgments do not contain the last trumpet in Revelation. The last trumpet was spoken of by Jesus and is actually found in Matthew 24:31 where Jesus sends his angels out to gather his elect “from one end of HEAVEN to the other” at his Second Coming.

Mat 24:31 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.

This verse refers to Christ’s Second Coming to earth with His Bride. This trumpet is used to sound a call to the Bride to gather together with Him for the final battle.

So we can see that there is no comfort in this viewpoint as pointed out in Paul’s writings about the Rapture:

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

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

The comfort for the Bride, the Church, is knowing that we will be spared the Trumpet Judgments. Judgment is for those who have not received Christ as their Saviour. Judgment is for those who disobeyed God’s Word:

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:

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

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

Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

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

Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Luk 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Notice that NO ONE knows the day or the hour of Christ’s return for His Bride. When the Father tells His Son to go get His Bride, it will be like the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five had oil (the Holy Spirit) and five did not. The five who were sealed unto the day of redemption went into the marriage and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) This privilege was for the Church as shown us in Revelation 3:7:

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The door to Heaven is the Shepherd’s door for His sheep; the sheep who knew His voice. The sheep that He knew by name. (John 10:3, 27) Once we are raptured, that door is shut by Christ alone, the Bridegroom. No man can open that door after it is shut. This privilege is given to the Church (the Philadelphia Church). They will witness from Heaven all the judgments which will come upon the earth.

Rev 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.

We will cover the next viewpoint in the next post. Are you ready for the Rapture? 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 45

By Kate Plourde

On June 14, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

These three verses in John are a preview of what is in store for the Church. It answers the question of “Who” will participate in the Rapture. The Rapture is not the same as the Second Coming of Christ when He returns to earth to destroy the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Nor will He establish His earthly kingdom at the time of the Rapture. No, the Rapture is the first phase of the end times to happen right before the Tribulation begins.

Exactly who will take part in the Rapture? The Apostle John tells us in:

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The born-again believer is promised everlasting life and we do not experience God’s wrath. We are not condemned like those who do not believe.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear in the verses below that God’s wrath is to be received by those who do not believe in salvation and who do not obey God’s Word in order to receive it.

Eph 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: [Born-again believers “in time past” walked in disobedience, but after salvation, they ceased.]

Eph 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.

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

God’s wrath is not intended for the Church. Each person who gets saved is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise is our inheritance, the gift from Jesus Christ to His Bride!

Eph 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. [That inheritance is given to us when the day of redemption arrives.]

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [When IS that day of redemption? Jesus encouraged His followers to be aware of the “end time signs”!

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.

The Apostle Paul compared the Church to Christ’s Bride.

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Paul tells us that the believers who died in his day would be raised up along with those alive to be presented.]

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. [The Bride is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Here we were both the Spirit and the bride speaking. The Bride is in Heaven during the Tribulation.]

Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

There are so many other verses but I think you can now understand the “who” in those who will participate in the Rapture. It will be the Groom, Jesus Christ, and the Bride, the Church. I love how Paul compares the Church to ambassadors.

2Co 5:19-21 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Every country has an ambassador who represents and communicates his leader’s wishes to the world. We represent Christ and it is our duty to communicate Christ’s wishes. He wishes that all be reconciled to God. We see this desire in John 3:16! When that country is about to go to war, the first thing that happens is that the ambassador is called home. So will we be called home before God’s wrath comes upon the earth during the Tribulation.

The only way to be a part of the Bride of Christ is to be born again. It is salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. 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!