Posted on 04/06/2012 1:09:55 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27,28)
It is three days since the Mid-America Prophecy Conference in Tulsa, and I am alone this evening and thinking about Charles Spurgeon, taking comfort in the fact that he battled depression from time to time.
I really think he hated this world.
And I mean that in a good way.
My wife is working at the hospital tonight, and our kids are now all out on their own.
I am feeling blue this evening.
The older I get, the more I realize that we shouldn't hold things in, since as humans, we are all shivering in the cold void, as it were. How in the world do people survive day-to-day without the God of the Bible as the core of their existence?
I really don't know.
My life has been and is blessed, to the point that I am embarrassed. God is very good to me.
Yet there is a creeping darkness in this world that causes me to count the days. People like us are nut-jobs in the culture, marginalized not only by cruel media types, but mostly by those in the professing church. Some are working overtime to perfect the Church so it can be handed off to Jesus like a dive-play from the one-yard line on the last play of the Super Bowl.
One invites ridicule and derision by saying that the American Church is a bloated sturgeon, very dead and rotting on the sands of time. I am astonished with each passing week at the heresy and apostasy that passes for orthodoxy. Mega-leaders-elevated to pope-like status-using social media to cruelly and viciously mock discernment ministries. And they get away with it.
Why?
Because there is only a remnant left now. Millions and millions follow the absurd and unscriptural teachings of men who have crept into the Church. Itching ears. Forms of godliness.
Denying the power.
Then there is just the rank evil. I'm so sick to death of hearing about murders and rapes and abuse of all kinds. Just bone-weary. The grotesque evil practiced in the government, from the very top down. Unhinged decadence on TV and film.
Lawlessness.
Grotesque, slouching, crouching, monstrous, chilling evil.
And people watch reality shows.
Hey, this whole thing is a reality show.
A dear, long-time friend now thinks I'm not only a nut for my beliefs, but views me-I think-as a jabbering, whispering shadow-person, furtively glancing this way and that.
Clear truth is so foreign to our culture that we might as well speak a language we just made up.
In Matthew 24:13, Jesus said: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
We are going to glory, and I believe it is sooner rather than later. We simply must endure. Thank goodness Jesus left us His Word and the Holy Spirit for comfort.
I once heard John Shelby Spong, in person, shamelessly mock the idea of a literal Second Coming.
Last summer, I stood with my wonderful, soon-to-be 20-year-old son, on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We were standing just behind the famed Golden Gate, looking at the Mount of Olives, where we are promised that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, will one day return to rescue a disintegrating world.
I put my hand on my son's shoulder-he is tall and strong and handsome-and prayed. I prayed for him, for our family and friends, and for the strength to endure what is coming. We looked again at the Mount of Olives and I pointed and said, "He is going to physically return there." A Palestinian security guard looked at us menacingly and I felt chagrin for this sick world.
In Acts 1:10-11, we read:
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
I cannot comprehend-I cannot wrap my mind around-the blasphemy of John Spong.
The promise of Christ's return, to a real place in real time, is sure.
When Jonathan and I stood there for those few moments, I longed to see Him return right there and then.
I am a deranged person for that, in today's world.
We left the Mount, finished our trip, returned home to our lives, and I here I sit. I am waiting.
Constantly now, I hear fellow believers almost groan for God to take them home. I do not think our minds were made to absorb the horrors we see now.
I do not mean to be depressing tonight, though I am depressed. The sun will shine tomorrow.
Many readers of "Israel Watch" tell me A) we will meet one day in heaven, or B) they are so tired and so want to go home. Their jobs are a millstone around their necks; family squabbles are blowing-up relationships; bizarre changes in previously routine lives are leaving people reeling; friends now look at us like we are wearing clown costumes.
It's too much for some. When a 35-year-old verbalizes that he or she longs to go home-the same language that used to be reserved for an 85-year-old confined to a fading body-friends, the return of the Lord must be close.
Something very strange entered our world only a few years ago, I believe that. One could almost feel a cold wind suddenly sweep through. Everyone recognizes it.
My favorite preacher has been dead for 15 years. Isn't that something? Last night on our RaptureReadyRadio show, "Tonight Matters," I asked John McTernan if there are any nationally known Bible teachers/pastors that he "follows."
He said no.
I want to weep.
They are all writing narcissistic bestselling clap-trap.
My favorite pastor came from Iowa with his new bride just before World War II and they established a country church on a rocky hillside and there they ministered for 50 years. He simply preached the Word from behind a simple pulpit to a few families. His wife played the organ and taught VBS and Sunday school. They ate food from their garden and observed the Sabbath and lived very simply. When my mother brought them their supper one night, she left and said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
He said, "I hope not."
He passed first and his wife spent a few years in a retirement home and at 95, almost totally blind and deaf, she memorized the entire book of Revelation.
They never built a mega-church or even heard of the concept. They wore simple clothes and didn't own a TV. He never wrote a book that got him on big-time Christian television.
America's most famous pastors today would think him a loser.
What a sick, vile, repulsive world we live in.
I will stop for now. I appreciate the fellowship with readers who come to RaptureReady. We will see each other soon.
In the 2000 film, The Patriot, a reluctant colonial warrior played by Mel Gibson gave his two young sons quick instructions as they prepared to ambush a blood-thirsty British patrol in a forest. He knelt down and looked at one son who appeared to be wavering and said, "Steady."
Then he was off.
In this moment that the Lord has privileged us to live in and see with our own eyes-the Day longed-for by many previous generations-we must remember to be steady. Our Champion, our Warrior is in charge, in control.
Love to you all.
This world has turned the corner. We are on the very edge of the Tribulation.
Ping!
Thank you for the post.
This week, friends in Arlington Texas were hit hard by the tornado.
I am greatful to our Lord that they are all alive and unhurt.
It is easy to understand the author’s despair (after seeing the birth pangs up close and personal.)
Soon and very soon Lord.
“We are on the very edge of the Tribulation.”
It feels like it. I fear, though, that so many people are so heavily invested in the Rapture, to being “rescued” out of this BEFORE the Antichrist is revealed. Scripture is plain that the coming of the Lord, and our garthering together to Him would not come before the “man of sin” is revealed. My concern about that is that the “mark” will come (in the form of some new technology) and people who are counting on being Raptured before that happens will willingly accept this “new” form of technology simply because they are so hung up on the idea that “it can’t be the Antichrist, and can’t be his mark because we’ll be gone before that happens”. We are being gradually acclimated to think of technogy as SO wonderful, to even accept the sticking of computer chips into our animals as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Beware; and pray that you will be able to escape all these things that must soon come to pass and STAND before the Son of Man.
Be sober, and pray for us all to be sober, to be strong and do exploits for the Kingdom of God. - We have family members that will not even entertain the idea that Christ may surely return soon. They have such grand ideas of all the important and impressive things their grandchildren and great grandchildren are going to do in the future that they simply become almost hostile at any mention or reminder of Christ’s return and any possible change in their big plans.
I really have no one that I can talk with about this subject; husband isn’t interested in much talk. So, I think bottling it up is also making me a bit depressed. - SO, I gotta get my head on straight and just keep looking up, for my redemption draweth nigh.
Twinkie
You don't need to be concerned. The people who are "counting on being raptured" are actually people who believe the promise that Jesus Christ made to come and get His bride off the earth before the Antichrist is revealed.
There can't be a mark without an Antichrist and the Antichrist can't come on the scene until the Church is removed. There is no chance whatsoever that the true bride of Christ will mistakenly take the mark because they won't be here when the mark is trotted out.
The Sun never stops shining.
This is two days before the day after tomorrow.
Cerially friend. G_d loves you. He wouldn't have made you if he didn't!
WELL PUT.
VERY WELL PUT.
Certainly my seDiments.
There is a darkness in the world. I don’t mean to try to comfort with cliches, but with Scripture. The best is, “Maranatha.” There is a Trumpet coming. It may be soon. It is our hope. Keep listening.
He’s not alone in how he feels.
Thanks again, for another great post.
Wise words.
I think you are very right on your assessment of the situation.
Christ made no such promise to get His bride off the earth BEFORE the Antichrist is revealed. (2nd Thessalonians 2:3)
Just the opposite.
Then, the statement that He who withholds the Antichrist from appearing will withhold until He is taken out of the way is not necessarily talking about the Bride of Christ here. Not necessarily. It is PROBABLY referring to the Holy Spirit; and He is able to withhold. He is able to blow where He listeth, not just exclusively residing in Christians. The Christians throughout the ages have been subjected to horrible persecutions. Why would we be immune? Gosh, no one is a bigger chicken than I am, and how I wish it not to be that I have to suffer; but God only knows. (I agree that the moment God’s Wrath falls on the earth, we’re going to be taken out, but not BEFORE the Antichrist is revealed.) 2nd Thessalonians 2:3
Thanks GN and I will CC Quix too; I just asked this in an email I wrote earlier this week,
WHY am I not hearing sermons warning against taking the mark of the beast, warning that worshipping the image of the beast will result in eternal damnation?
Myself, I have every intention of not taking the mark, on pain of torture or death. I pray the Lord strengthen me to stay true to this if/when that time comes.
That’s just me.
I don’t hear many others making such proclamations!
If folks aren’t steeling themselves NOW to resist and refuse it, how will they ever find the fortitude to actually avoid it, or die trying?
I have such an eerie feeling about that. I think many believers will row row row their boat gently down the stream merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream and will be stunned to realize too late that they were asleep at the switch ending up with the damned.
I have heard folks say it’s OK to take the mark but just make sure not to worship the image of the beast. WRONG. When it gets to that point, all of mankind will be SWEPT along and if they were too weak to resist taking the mark, they will be too weak to get out of worshipping the beast either.
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FOLKS, WAKE UP! The Mark of the Beast is coming! Those refusing it will be killed. However, better to have your physical body killed refusing the mark than to be spend eternity banned from Heaven for doing that which Scripture warns against.
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REF
Revelation 14
The Proclamations of Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon[f] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[g] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[h] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
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http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2014&version=NKJV
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INDEED.
WELL PUT.
THX THX
The Holy Spirit indwells the Church. If the Holy Spirit is removed, He cannot leave those that He indwells on the earth and will not leave those He indwells on the earth.
Jesus said:
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16, 17)
So we know that the Holy Spirit indwells each believer, we know that the Holy Spirit will never leave us, and we know that the Holy Spirit will be removed before the Antichrist is revealed. If the Holy Spirit is removed, and leaves the Church here, then Jesus Christ is a liar.
Jesus also said:
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
Because the book of Revelation is written chronologically, and Jesus tells His bride three chapters before He opens the first seal that reveals the judgment of the Antichrist on the earth that He will remove us, and He is telling us that He will keep us from the "hour of trial", or the Tribulation, this is a direct promise from Jesus Christ to His Church that we will not be here for the judgments that are meant for those who have chosen to reject Him.
Jesus also said:
and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
and
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
The Scripture is full of promises Jesus has made to His bride to remove us from the earth before He sends judgement. And He will do so, just like He removed Noah from the scene of judgment, and just like He removed Lot from the scene of judgment. There is not one indication in the Bible anywhere that the Church will go through the Tribulation.
Once you understand the reason for the Tribulation, it becomes clearer exactly why the Tribulation has nothing to do with the Church and why the Church will not go through the Tribulation.
All of the suffering and persecution and death that Christians have endured over the span of the Church age was because of Satan and the consequences of living in a fallen, sin sick world of which God tells us Satan is the "god". Nowhere does God promise to always deliver and protect Christians from the present realities of living in an evil world, but He absolutely promises to keep those who know Him as Savior from going through His wrath, otherwise known as the Tribulation.
This and this also explains that Christians will not go through the Tribulation and the difference between our present tribulations and the specific period known as the Tribulation.
Another point to consider is that it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us from our sins. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no conviction, no repentance, no conversion. Since we know that multitudes will come to Christ during the Tribulation, it stands to reason that it is not the Holy Spirit that is removed from the earth!
It will be a matter of head knowledge, not heart knowledge...That's why works and faith will be required during the tribulation...
Scripture only says that the Holy Spirit's restraining of evil is removed, not that He Himself is.
I agree. Man cannot come to God without the Holy Spirit.
Not only that, if God is going to send a strong delusion on some, that would also likely have to come through the Holy Spirit.
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