tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80107932107313509312024-03-17T22:42:32.968-07:00Heart 2 HeartA place where you and I can have a heart to heart conversation. Grab yourself a comfy chair and stay awhile!Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.comBlogger1347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-5033754984244309922023-08-04T14:00:00.004-07:002023-08-04T14:01:29.879-07:00Keeping My Faith in Tact!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNQ-6D8ZyY2ZvNK4JaBMb-dLcPmWIGH7kEpI9ng4ButVuuUx7T5NNfpLnKzOPJKVl8K1ezzc5IWYeccUWUQB6cPHPonKU2pO5yFmMRaUWCV19bZbXwuGIUgZyOr9FdMImF7bZgirL0pIJvcay_pRugJxdXbrwY8qZgNQ7ccwPwscF_w1jLaj6j64tNNE/s4608/Trust%20in%20the%20Lord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNQ-6D8ZyY2ZvNK4JaBMb-dLcPmWIGH7kEpI9ng4ButVuuUx7T5NNfpLnKzOPJKVl8K1ezzc5IWYeccUWUQB6cPHPonKU2pO5yFmMRaUWCV19bZbXwuGIUgZyOr9FdMImF7bZgirL0pIJvcay_pRugJxdXbrwY8qZgNQ7ccwPwscF_w1jLaj6j64tNNE/s320/Trust%20in%20the%20Lord.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Why God? It is what is circling through my mind right now. The spiritual battle today has been relentless but it shouldn't surprise me at all. In fact, far too many times I go about my day forgetting it's a battlefield and not a playground. Yet I find myself caught off guard when it seems like you're at the beach dodging one wave only to get pummeled by another one. </p><p>So as a believer in Christ it is logical to question what's up? Is there any guidance to be gleaned? My first thought is prayer first, and then wait and listen to see what God has to say. </p><p>I got a phone call today in the midst of a hard day already. Trying to deal with so many family issues that are all raging out of control today and all happening one after the other. Today, I am trying to remain in control of the one thing I can and that's my faith. </p><p>It's my go to when things like today happen. My dad, almost 81 years old was scheduled for hernia surgery today and we prayed together last night that no matter what happened it would be a win-win situation as a believer. He would either have a successful surgery or he would go immediately into heaven and be 100% restored again and living a wonderful life til we get together again. </p><p>Only neither of those were the outcome. During the midst of his surgery, his heart began to act up and both the doctor and his anesthesiologist decided to stop before risking his life. Not even sure how far or even if they started his surgery. All I know is he is in recovery and they are waiting for him to wake up. Was God getting ready to take him home? Not sure, but at least He decided my dad's time here on earth wasn't done yet. He still has a plan and a purpose for this right now. He was needed here. </p><p>I am praying that God will give him some sort of peace in the midst of this. He had been looking forward to hanging out with his military honor guard friends again that he volunteers with and with the onset of this hernia, he hasn't been able to participate due to the pain. Will God heal him in spite of a failed surgery? </p><p>These are the questions rolling through my mind as I sit here once again taking up blogging to give myself some sort of outlet for all the things. I wait to hear from him and see what he has to say when he wakes up. I pray that he won't lose his faith. He may question it all after this, but I pray God will be there with him and give him a sense of purpose again. I am thankful he is still here. </p><p>Is there another answer for what has happened to his heart during his surgery? We have to wait for more answers when he meets with his doctor. What I am grateful for at this time, is I can feel God's presence with me. I feel a strength that isn't my own. I feel Him holding me. </p><p>So now I wait for more answers, both from God and from my Dad. But the one thing I won't give up on is my faith. I may not know the Why, but I do know God and I am trying to stay in His presence. That is here I can find peace and strength. </p><p>How do you handle those tough days? </p>Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-4358835972091145642023-06-26T11:03:00.006-07:002023-06-26T11:03:54.560-07:00A Trip of a Lifetime<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOmetdkTI25xWRpOv_NoTWHYX7MLixz2TWUHo4n4l8nvIDawSMKyRwJJo2AW-Q8HYKAVXvQHQSg6Y_Rj8J9RbUClTHttj07CHTIwyXbS-ymQ5mwlbw0C32YsViEIrV7oBJBICXT94sXUvnuzJ9lGFGFe9BfUv8GxES1fSVIOs_IM5TygBsGG1inPEbiQ/s3200/Trip%20of%20a%20Lifetime.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2442" data-original-width="3200" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOmetdkTI25xWRpOv_NoTWHYX7MLixz2TWUHo4n4l8nvIDawSMKyRwJJo2AW-Q8HYKAVXvQHQSg6Y_Rj8J9RbUClTHttj07CHTIwyXbS-ymQ5mwlbw0C32YsViEIrV7oBJBICXT94sXUvnuzJ9lGFGFe9BfUv8GxES1fSVIOs_IM5TygBsGG1inPEbiQ/s320/Trip%20of%20a%20Lifetime.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p>I had to share a conversation I had with my 80-year old father this morning by phone and he asked me to share this with you. </p><p>"I had a dream tonight that really impacted me so much and I couldn't wait to tell my wife. Part of me was so excited to share the experience that I didn't want to miss out on any of the details as it happened. In fact it stayed with me so much and most of the dreams I have, I barely remember them when I wake up. So this one felt like I had to share it before I forgot. </p><p>In my dream, I shared that my wife had gone on a small trip so she wasn't with me, and I was all alone. I had a ticket in my pocket for a trip I had been planning on going on for quite some time to visit Lake Tahoe. Today was that day. I packed what I needed for the trip and hurried to the train station. Upon arriving, I went to the ticket booth to find out what I needed to do to ensure I didn't miss out on the trip before the train left. I was informed I would need to present the ticket to the conductor on the train to make sure I was on the right train. As I was walking I saw the most gorgeous train, gold in color and it seemed as if light was emanating from inside. Almost surreal. The color was unlike anything I had seen before and that just made me all the more anxious to board. </p><p>I could see a small line of people waiting to board, so I joined them anxiously awaiting my turn. I saw two of my friends that I volunteer with and told them to save me a spot while I was waiting for my ticket to be validated. Two men in front of me, started arguing with the conductor about the price of the ticket and how so much planning had gone into the trip. Yet one thing was required prior to boarding, and it was to share this trip with others before you got to go. These men felt it was too foolish to share their trip as they wanted to keep this special trip a secret and so it wouldn't be over crowded. </p><p>The conductor pointed to another train headed for Las Vegas that didn't have the same requirements and in fact was actually much cheaper. Like this trip, it was all expenses paid, but they would get quite a bit of their money back, so they both wholeheartily agreed to change their plans. I watched as they hurried to board the other train, talking back and forth about how much money they were saving so they could use that to play some of the casino games and maybe win big. </p><p>Finally it was my turn as I handed the ticket to the conductor and shared that I had told several people about my trip encouraging others to join me. I even motioned to the friends that we waiting for me on the train who had saved me a seat! The conductor smiled and punched my ticket and I sat with my friends as we talked about what awaited us in Tahoe. The trees, the beauty of the crystal clear blue lake, and just getting away from life to take an anticipated vacation. </p><p>I heard the whistle of the train announcing that we were leaving and I loved that we had seats in the 360 viewing compartment so we could see everything as we moved along. The brilliant colors and shades of green from the many types of trees. The way the sunlight played among the branches. The colors were simply beyond what I could express as we spoke to one another about what we were seeing, as if for the very first time. The view captivated us for some long, that we arrived before we knew it. </p><p>The train employees told us our bags would be waiting for us in the rooms, and there was no need to burden ourselves with carrying them. All we needed to do was check in with the front desk to receive our room keys. To our surprise and delight, we were upgraded to suites, with surpassing views and balconies for us to sit back and enjoy the view of the lake! We realized we were all quite hungry and went to the restaurant at the hotel and as promised, there was no charge as we had paid for it all in advance when we booked our trips. </p><p>The menu was filled with all kinds of wonderful meals, from the thickest cuts of the best steaks, to fresh seafood and lobster. The desert bar was filled with anything you could possibly imagine. As we were enjoying our meal, the television programmed was interrupted by a special report coming out of Las Vegas. </p><p>The city was enduring a record heat wave that they had never experienced in the history of the city. In fact most of the streets were empty due to the high heat so most guests had stayed in the coolness of the hotels instead. The number of hotels placed such a high load on the electrical grid, that the power plant had exploded. Yet that was not the worst news as firefighters rushed to the scene to put out the fires. </p><p>Inside the hotels, with no power, and high temperatures outside, the doors had sealed the guests inside. With no air flow, things began to get warm. People started to panic and tried to get out of the hotel. People were passing out from the heat and many died from being trampled or pushed by other guests trying to flee the hotels. Even firefighters and rescue personnel were struggling to get people out. </p><p>And then I woke up. "</p><p>I'm not even sure what all of this meant, but I felt I needed to share it with my family. </p><p>What do you think my dream meant? </p><p>I'd love to hear your thoughts</p>Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-75917031322830201102020-11-09T09:46:00.001-08:002020-11-09T09:46:21.407-08:00Is the Spirit of the Antichrist Alive in the World Today?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI29AWBaPfCByXmqOE94N7cjg5kB_RgFCIHwZm1sgk1mQxP4D-xJOkrJ8VRnxXBXKmQiLQM2wXR0KJR2R7BZgj2-Zv6j6pday7-2fCaGkwUhKPvYfmRFCSzPgm6MtZ2r9Gzvb75zvCKfc/s1600/Book+of+Life+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI29AWBaPfCByXmqOE94N7cjg5kB_RgFCIHwZm1sgk1mQxP4D-xJOkrJ8VRnxXBXKmQiLQM2wXR0KJR2R7BZgj2-Zv6j6pday7-2fCaGkwUhKPvYfmRFCSzPgm6MtZ2r9Gzvb75zvCKfc/s1600/Book+of+Life+2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What do you imagine when you hear the word "Antichrist?" Do you imagine a
man in a red suit, dressed up looking like the devil, red pointy ears,
spiked tail, pitchfork in hand? The Antichrist that is coming will look
nothing like that, in fact he will be the quintessential perfect
politician. He is not Barack Obama, or Joe Biden for that matter. He
will be brilliant in every way. A true show man to the world. When God
created Lucifer, he was the most perfect of all God's created angels and
I firmly believe that will carry over into what we will see in the man
who rises up in the End Times during the Tribulation period. He would be
someone you would say, that you could listen to all day!<br />
<br />
Satan and his workers always show up in opposition to Christ and His
ministry. Where do you find Satan at work to destroy? In churches, in
Christian ministries, in works that matter, in worship. When problems
occur in these places, it is designed to distract you while you are
there. To get your mind off of these things in any way he can. You ever
have your mind wander in the middle of a prayer or while listening to
your pastor's sermon? Satan attacks the works of the church, hates
Christians and is out to destroy you, to downplay the significance and
importance of church and its ministers.<br />
<br />
The coming of the Antichrist will become an evil event because of man's resistance to God.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:6 ~ "He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to
slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven."</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan is not omniscient but he can read the signs and trends. He has a lot of experience. Now ask yourself these questions.<br />
<br />
1. Can he damage the God of heaven?<br />
2. Can he defeat Jesus Christ?<br />
3. Can he defile heaven itself?<br />
4. Can he destroy the saved in heaven?<br />
<br />
Absolutely NO! Then what is he doing it for? So that man will hate God,
Jesus Christ and everything that has to do with them. He's been working
really hard at it for more than 2000 plus years. It is not that the
Antichrist will say anything new, but it is how he says it that will
persuade those who hear him to believe it. He will come into a world
that is ripe for him. The Bible says that mankind is a fallen race in
need of being converted toward God.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 3:20-23 ~ "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in
his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become
conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has
been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This
righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God."</b></i><br />
<br />
Every human has sinned, but we can have access to heaven by faith. To
believe. It's called being saved, being born again, being redeemed.
Every humans is born into sin, but a baby isn't held accountable for sin
until they have knowledge of the law. They were born into a sinful
nature. This is called the age of accountability. No one knows what that
age is because it is different for everyone based on their maturity and
understanding. If they died, they would go immediately into heaven.<br />
<br />
Man is at war with God. It's in our hearts.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Acts 7:51 ~ "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts
and ears! You are just like your fathers:You always resist the Holy
Spirit!"</b></i><br />
<br />
You're resisting God and He loves you so much He died for you!!!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 13:2 ~ "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority
is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who so will
bring judgment on themselves."</b></i><br />
<br />
The very thing we need, we are fighting against ourselves. Stop resisting God about your life.<br />
<br />
<i><b>James 4:10 ~ "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."</b></i><br />
<br />
You can try to lift yourself up (pride), and Satan will be happy to play on that.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 5:8-10 ~ "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this"
While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been
justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath
through him!"</b></i><br />
<br />
We don't really hate ourselves, even though we think that sometimes.
We're always thinking about ourselves, we're legends in our own minds.
If we hated ourselves, we would be happy we're so miserable. The fact is
that you don't.<br />
<br />
It's like your grandfather deposited a bunch of money in a bank account for you, you only simply need to go get it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 18:11 ~ "The Son of Man came to save that which was lost."</b></i><br />
<br />
It will become an evil event because of man's hatred toward believers.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 13:7 ~ "He was given power to make war against the
saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe,
people, language and nation."</b></i><br />
<br />
This verse does not apply to the church age, but applies to the
believers living during the time of the Antichrist, these will be the
Tribulation saints.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 7:21 ~ "As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them,"</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Daniel 7:25 ~ "He will speak against the Most High and oppress his
saints and try to change the set times and laws. The saints will be
handed over to him for a time, times and a half a time."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Daniel 12:1 ` "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects
your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has
not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time,
your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will
be delivered."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Daniel 12:7 ~ "The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters
of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and
I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a
time, times and a half a time. When the power of the holy people has
been finally broken, all these things will be completed."</b></i><br />
<br />
Because of man's rejection of the truth, it will become an evil event.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:8-10 ~ "All inhabitants of the earth will worship
the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life
belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He
who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into
captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed by the sword, with the
sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and
faithfulness on the part of the saints."</b></i><br />
<br />
Persecution is coming to us and it may take on physical forms, but it is
easier to live for Jesus Christ than in the coming years ahead.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1 John 2:18 ~ "Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you
have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have
come. This is how we know it is the last hour."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 John 2:22-23 ~ "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that
Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father
and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever
acknowledges the Son has the Father also."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 John 4:3 ~ "but every spirit that does not acknowledge that
Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you
have already heard is coming and even now is already in the world."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ~ "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and</b></i> so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."<br />
<br />
Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Can you say it with confidence?<br />
<br />
You're here now, able to decide, able to choose, able to receive.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Hebrews 9:27-28 ~ "Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the
sins of the many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear
sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."</b></i><br />
<br />
Do you believe? Can you say with confidence today, "I'm trusting in Jesus Christ?"<br />
<br />
If you call upon Jesus Christ, you will be saved!!!Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-81366135621720970002020-11-06T09:56:00.008-08:002020-11-06T09:56:58.346-08:00How to Tell a Counterfeit From The Real One<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09sR8QNUtdxr02O6o9rbAcfb0MIf8nHJQ5lmtVbxqigZycgE26TEDJumPK4ONrolQp8EH5D_ONIYP60EfOIY4gT0EMvWPW3-H4U8QbuAAtyqNEUsH75T-twuNcj4waWqyAJ9LQMZnN8U/s1600/Counterfeit+Money.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09sR8QNUtdxr02O6o9rbAcfb0MIf8nHJQ5lmtVbxqigZycgE26TEDJumPK4ONrolQp8EH5D_ONIYP60EfOIY4gT0EMvWPW3-H4U8QbuAAtyqNEUsH75T-twuNcj4waWqyAJ9LQMZnN8U/s320/Counterfeit+Money.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Book of Revelation addresses more Old Testament passages than any
other book of the New Testament and that is why we need to make sure we
know our Bible. Satan wants us to worship and bow down to him and that
has always been his goal. It is anything, that is not of God. If you
don't worship the God of the Bible, than you worship something whether
money, education, power, fame, etc. This is the real reason that Satan
offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world, when he tempted Him in the
desert. It was his to give.<br />
<br />
When the Antichrist comes it will be a miraculous event through Satanic deception.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:3 ~ "One of the heads of the beast seemed to have
had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world
was astonished and followed the beast."</b></i><br />
<br />
The Antichrist will look as if he had died. He will have an
assassination attempt on his life that will look as though it succeeded
and he will be well-known throughout the world when it happens. When he
is healed, the whole world will be amazed and be deceived.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Zechariah 11:17 ~ "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the
flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be
completely withered, his right eye totally blinded." </b></i><br />
<br />
Satanic deception also traffics the world of miraculous healings. Just
because someone does a miracle does not mean it came from God. You'd be
surprised at how far some people would go and believe just for a
miracle. Matthew 7 reminds us that many will come in Jesus name
performing miracles. These are not from God, they are used to get you to
believe false doctrine and accept anything other than the Jesus of the
Bible.<br />
<br />
Look at Paul. Three times he attempted to pray to God for healing and
all three times he was denied. God told him that His strength would be
made perfect in his weakness. Paul accepted that truth and never prayed
for healing again.<br />
<br />
Don't be a fair-weather Christian. You'll follow Jesus as long as things
go your way. As long as you have money, a great job, a home, health,
prosperity, love, happiness...you name it. But the minute that is all
taken away, you have nothing left and that is where you will find how
true your faith in Jesus really is.<br />
<br />
This is why when trials and persecution are so healthy. When things are
stripped away it defines who we really are and what our true faith looks
like.<br />
<br />
This miraculous event will bring about a false worship.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:4 ~ "Men worshiped the dragon because he had given
authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked,
"Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan appears to Jesus at the beginning of His ministry. He was trying
to figure out how to deal with God in human form. Satan wanted to know
if Jesus could be tempted in the same way he had and have a desire to be
worshiped. It was the same reason he tempted Eve. The doctrine remains
the same, to be like God. It is his passion and desire to be worshiped.
The human soul craves attention, power, authority, fame and accolades
because we now live in a fallen world. Satan will possess the body of a
man, the Antichrist. This is the fall out of sin in the world, not acts
of God like insurance policies say. This is why bad things happen even
though God is still God. This is the twisted thinking of Satan to do
things and then watch us blame God when it does.<br />
<br />
<i><b>2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-11 ~ "Don't let anyone deceive you in any
way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man
of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will
oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is
worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming
himself to be God. </b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work
of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and
wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are
perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be
saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they
will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not
believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." </b></i><br />
<br />
There can never be true worship without deep love and appreciation. Any
attempt to worship anything else will leave you empty. Satan will
attempt to show his true agenda (worship).<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:15 ~ "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the
abomination that causes desolation' spoken of through the prophet Daniel
- let the reader understand -"</b></i><br />
<br />
This miraculous event will come through demonic persuasion.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:5 ~ "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud
words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two
months."</b></i><br />
<br />
The Jerusalem Initiative will promote the Antichrist to a global
statesman when he is able to broker the 7-year peace treaty that no one
has been able to do. There is a satanic agenda at work today.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1 John 2:18 ~ "Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you
have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have
come. This is how we know it is the last hour."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 John 2:22-23 ~ "Who is the liar? It is the man who denies the
Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father
and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever
acknowledges the Son has the Father also."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 John 4:3 ~ "but every spirit that does not acknowledge that
Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you
have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."</b></i><br />
<br />
Wherever, whenever the Lord is at work, there will be a satanic agenda at work.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ~ "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is
veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the
minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ~ "For such men are false apostles,
deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Jesus. And no wonder, for
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising,
then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end
will be what their actions deserve."</b></i><br />
<br />
Charismatic deception is nothing new. Watch out when you go to church.
Wherever miracles were performed in the Bible, there were those who
counter-argued that these were not from God. Where do you find
counterfeit $100 bills? Alongside real $100 bills.<br />
<br />
The Word of God is more true each time we hear it and read it. It builds
our faith. The truth is always the truth, we are just catching up to
it. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-36098869245673480322020-11-05T09:28:00.001-08:002020-11-05T09:28:23.063-08:00Just Who Are You Following Any Way?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Some might say the Book of Revelation is too hard to understand, but I
would challenge you to join this study and see if it doesn't make sense
and you gain a clarity you didn't have before. I know I have and thus
the reason for sharing it with you. Grab a Bible and a notebook and join
in the fun in this study.<br />
<br />
We have been studying the rise of the Antichrist, both in nature and
character. The word Antichrist means impostor Christ or instead of
Christ. Jesus provided a warning that deception would be coming just
before His return. This Antichrist will become a legend so much in his
own mind that he will stand in the temple in Jerusalem and proclaim
himself to be god.<br />
<br />
If you don't know the Bible, you might already find yourselves being
deceived, even though what someone is saying sounds correct. We need to
open our Bibles and compare it to what God says in regards to what is
being said and forget about what we "feel."<br />
<br />
In the teaching and preaching of the ministry of Jesus about what the
signs would be before the end times, He provides such clarity.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:3-5, 11, 15 ~ "As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the
disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these
things be, and what will be the sing of your coming and of the close of
the age?" And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.
For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ and they will
lead many astray." And many false prophets will arise and lead many
astray. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the
prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),"</b></i><br />
<br />
Jesus reminds us that the number one thing we need to be wary of is
being deceived. Many will be deceived, both in the authority of Jesus
and coming to them in His Name, but they are not. Look at the level of
deception in the world today by false prophets, cults, false teachers,
false gospels and even false Christs. Are there more of these in the
world today than say the last 100 years? Absolutely! More than you can
count and they are growing every day.<br />
<br />
In Matthew 24:15 this is a culminating event for the Antichrist to stand
in the temple and declare himself to be god. In order for that to
happen, there has to be a temple built and that will happen one day on a
vacant plot of land that sits waiting for that to happen.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:32-33 ~ "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as
its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer
is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is
near, at the very gates."</b></i><br />
<br />
We need to understand this parable and learn the truth that is conveys.
When spring comes it seems one day the trees are on the verge of budding
and then the next day, it bursts forth in color and newness. This means
it will be sudden. Some scholars believe that the fig tree represents
Israel and that when we see events happening in Israel we should be
looking up. Israel became a nation again for the second time in one day
on May 14, 1948. The entire future program of God is centered around the
nation of Israel and the return of Jesus Christ to that Israel.<br />
<br />
Regarding false prophets and false teachers, the apostle Paul warned...<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Galatians 1:8-9 ~ "But even if we or an angel from heaven should
preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, 'let him
be accursed.' As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is
preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, 'let him be
accused."</b></i><br />
<br />
The Antichrist has an agenda of deception. It will be a global event by political means.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:1-10 ~ "And the dragon stood on the shore of the
sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven
heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous
name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a
bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his
power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast
seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.
The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the
dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also
worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war
against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and
blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He
opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his
dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make
war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority
over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the
earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in
the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation
of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into
captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the
sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient
endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 8:25 ~ </b><b>"By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper
under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without
warning he shall destroy man. And he shall even rise up against the
Prince of princes, and he shall be broken - but by no human hand."</b></i><br />
<br />
He engineers a 7 year peace treaty but he will deceive the world through
this peace. He will impress the U.N. and the European Union. He will
out politic the United States and the world will love him because he
will be their man!<br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
He will come by religious mockery.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Luke 21:17 ~ "You will be hated by all for my name's sake."</b></i><br />
<br />
The moment you mention, Jesus Christ, the Bible or God, you will be
hated by those who hear you and this is only going to increase. The
global system of mockery of biblical Christianity and the biblical
Jesus. The world hates a real Christian and the world hates a real
Jesus. If we feed the homeless, the world hates us because they are not
the ones doing it and they feel bad. Why is it when you curse, you'll
say the name of Jesus or ask God to condemn something or someone.
Because there is power in that name. No one even feels better after they
do it either because there is a spirit against Jesus in the world
today.<br />
<br />
You will only hear more and more blasphemous doctrine and speech in the
days ahead. Even now you hear of people being shot simply because they
confess they are Christians over any other religion or that they believe
in Jesus. Why is that? When you probe these people you will find out
that deep inside of them, they have been hurt by someone or upset them
under the premise of saying that they believe in Jesus like a church
leader or teacher.<br />
<br />
The question I have is who are you following anyway?Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-1614447400659354722020-11-04T11:13:00.001-08:002020-11-04T11:13:31.402-08:00Is the Antichrist Alive Today? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
This is probably one of the greatest questions most people will ask when
discussing End Times events and Bible prophecy, is the Antichrist alive
today? If you were to ask me based on my own personal opinion and
looking around at the events I see happening around me every single day
with my Bible wide open, I would have to say that Yes! I believe he is.
Israel is the main topic of global politics today and remember that the
nation of Israel did not exist until May 14, 1948. The world today hates
the nation of Israel, the Jewish people and if you notice the city of
Jerusalem appears in the news more daily than any other city since 1948.<br />
<br />
Yet we have to understand a few things as well. We know that Satan is
not omnipotent or omniscient, all knowing and all powerful like God is.
He does not know when the End Time events will happen much like we
don't. Therefore, he has had to have a man standing by in every
generation for when that time does come. Satan doesn't know when that
time will come only God does, but he can understand the signs much like
we do and he is watching, believing that regardless of how the Bible
says it will all turn out in the end, he believes through his pride and
arrogance that he will win in the end.<br />
<br />
The coming of the Antichrist will be a global event by political means.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:1 ~ "And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.
And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven
heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous
name." </b></i><br />
<br />
The Antichrist will come on the scene almost insignificant at first. He
will come in intrigue, from a leadership role in what used to be the
Ancient Roman Empire in the last days. The United States of Europe. It
will be a system that will take over the world, much like the euro is
overtaking the dollar. A currency will rise in Europe that will overtake
the dollar including the British pound and the Chinese Yen.<br />
<br />
We know that the Antichrist will usher in a 7 year peace treaty that
Daniel 7:26-27 speak of. The world is looking for someone to bring peace
to the Middle East. It won't happen in the world til it happens in the
Middle East first.<br />
<br />
If we look at the meaning of the word "sea" from Revelation 13:1 and
understand that "sea" in the Middle East, means the Mediterranean Sea.
But "sea" in the Bible means Gentile communities around the world. It is
where we get the phrase, sea of humanity. Can it mean both and still
make sense, absolutely. A beast will come out of the Gentile sea of
humanity in the area close to the Mediterranean Sea, or Ancient Rome!<br />
<br />
We need to understand the meaning of the 7 heads, which represents 7 leaders that will arise in the global world.<br />
<br />
10 horns represents kingship and authority or rule. These represent the
10 kings that will initially arise in the global one world government.<br />
<br />
10 crowns represent the kings and their authority over their lands, kingdoms or nations or regions over the earth.<br />
<br />
The Bible contains the worlds history past, present and future. In the
Book of Daniel, we understand that the Antichrist will dupe the whole
world with peace and prosperity. Now there is nothing wrong with wanting
peace and prosperity as long as it comes with the right priority first.
We are missing justice and equity in the world. There are so many lost
that still live in bondage to the darkness. Jesus reminds us,<br />
<br />
<i><b>"What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? " ~ Mark 8:36. </b></i><br />
<br />
Don't love money or what it promises to give up. Love God and see what He can do with the money.<br />
<br />
The Antichrist will make a religious mockery and make light of it. We
see that the United States of Europe has removed any reference to God in
their constitution because they feel America had gotten it wrong and
that is why things are falling apart today.<br />
<br />
<i><b>John 14:6 ~ "Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."</b></i><br />
<br />
Some might argue that this verse is too narrow in the way we should
think about eternity. But if you look at it in the Greek or Hebrew it
actually reads, I am THE way, and THE truth and THE life. It narrows it
even further to mean there is no other way, no other truth and no other
life apart from Jesus to get to heaven. This upsets people but on Sunday
morning, the tomb of Jesus was empty. The tombs of all the other
religious leaders in the world are still full. You have to deal with the
truth of Christ. You either have to deny Him or accept Him. You can't
ignore Him.<br />
<br />
The Antichrist will lead the world in denial against Jesus. He will
offer an alternative that promises you freedom to do whatever you want,
worship however and whomever you want all with no consequences and that
is just what the itching ears of the world wants to hear. This will be
one of the indicators that a global leader and a new age, new world
government is on its way. Look around it is happening more and more each
day. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-1560759540817723892020-11-03T12:30:00.004-08:002020-11-03T12:30:50.951-08:00The Way is Being Paved for the End Times<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
If you know your Bible, then you know there is the Holy Trinity, which
is comprised of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but when the
Tribulation begins, Satan will also attempt to create an unholy trinity
which is comprised of Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The
Antichrist or impostor Christ will rise out of a political theater and
will come out of no where. You might say that isn't possible that
someone can rise to such a place of prominence without anyone knowing
anything about him, but consider our former president in the United
States, Barack Obama. No one had heard of him 12 years ago, he has a
limited political background and was immediately pushed to the forefront
of the presidential campaign while people were still trying to figure
out just where he came from and what his background was. This makes the
rise of the Antichrist possible and without question it can and will
happen in the future.<br />
<br />
The False Prophet will be a religious leader that will take charge of
the world's religions and combine them in a global one world religion
that appeases most everyone except those that hold to the doctrines of
the Bible as absolute.<br />
<br />
So is the Antichrist alive today? Based on the world events we see
happening around us everyday, it wouldn't surprise me if he was. He is
not the image of what the world might imagine. He won't be grotesque in
appearance or have a red tail or act in a demonic like manner, but quite
the contrary will be charismatic, influential, brilliant and he will
swoon the world with his words like Hitler did. He will be a great
orator to draw people in by what he has to say. It will be deceptive,
demonic and spiritual in nature and character and the world will fall
for it. He will allow for a global world church. He will establish a
cashless system which we have already have begun laying the groundwork
for even now, and will establish a way to identify those who follow him
and those that don't with the introduction of a mark.<br />
<br />
We see how easily that would be to introduce with the rise of terrorism
and drugs in the world, simply take away the cash and see how much that
would limit what they could do. We have heard about the implementation
of a national security card and the possibility of chip implants that
would host information about the person that it is implanted in as a way
of tracking them, maintaining their medical history and so much more.
The world is aching for someone to fix what is rapidly happening in the
world from the issues with global downfalls of the economy, the global
pandemic of CoVid 19, and the rise of terrorists threats. It is telling
us that man can not govern himself and we simply need to establish a
global government to solve all of the world's problems in a nut shell.<br />
<br />
The Bible has promised that the Antichrist will appear when Israel has
troubles with her neighbors and we know that since Israel became a
nation for the second time in history on May 14, 1948, that we have been
moving forward in that direction but now it seems imperative just how
much hatred there is for the nation of Israel, the rise of antisemitism
and the persecution and hatred for Christians around the world and it is
only growing.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 9:26 ~ "After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will
be cut off and have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will
destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood; War
will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed."</b></i><br />
<br />
The Antichrist will sign a 7 year peace treaty with the nation of Israel
and her neighbors giving them what they have always wanted peace. The
ability to worship in their Jewish way and allow them to rebuild their
temple. It will only last 3 1/2 years however and then things will go
south in a hurry. The Antichrist comes from a political means and with
tremendous influences to impact the world on a global scale. The world
will all fall under his spell.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 13:1-10 ~ "And the dragon stood on the shore of the
sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven
heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous
name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a
bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his
power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast
seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.
The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the
dragon because he had given authority to the beast, an they also
worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war
against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and
blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He
opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his
dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make
war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority
over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the
earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in
the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation
of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into
captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the
sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient
endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."</b></i><br />
<br />
We should not be concerned in trying to figure out just who the
Antichrist is, because the church will be long gone before he comes onto
the scene and rises up in the world. We learn about Revelation and the
End Times because it strengthens our faith as believers and because of
what Revelation 1:3 promises.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 1:3 ~ "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this
prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is
written in it, because the time is near."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is the only book in the Bible that offers a special blessing on the
one who reads it and hears the words. A blessing comes to those who
study it and thus the reason we are walking through it verse by verse,
chapter by chapter. You can't understand the Book of Revelation however
as we have learned without first reading and understanding the Old
Testament. As we look into the description of the creature mentioned in
this chapter, we have to remember where have we heard these words before
and that would be in the book of Daniel. Daniel has described this
creature and these events and identifies for us who it is.<br />
<br />
We see the creature has animalistic characteristics of a leopard, lion
and a bear and we will be breaking down what these means in the nature
and character of the Antichrist. He will connive and weave his way into
the world much like the serpent did in the Garden of Eden and as we know
the whole world will believe it except those whose names are written in
the Lamb's book of life.<br />
<br />
The way is being paved and the stage is being set, and if you truly know
and understand your Bible, you know we have never been closer that we
are right now in history. More tomorrow! Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-67684057089052014202020-11-02T10:42:00.005-08:002020-11-02T10:42:34.694-08:00Despite What is Happening in the World, You Can Still Have Hope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
As we continue through the Book of Revelation, it is really important
not to rush through it and realize how it is speaking to us in our own
personal relationship with Jesus if we have one today. It should be an
ongoing personal checklist to how we're doing in our relationship with
Jesus. If you don't have a personal relationship with Him, than how can
you say you're a Christian. It's just religion if you are simply going
through the motions. The questions we need to be asking ourselves today
is:<br />
<br />
Is this real in my life?<br />
Am I really a Christian?<br />
How are you doing in this world?<br />
Are you relying on the blood of Jesus Christ and His faithfulness day by day?<br />
Have you placed your entire existence upon the altar of God?<br />
How is your faith?<br />
How is your hope?<br />
How is your love?<br />
<br />
Never underestimate man's own ability to justify his own sin. Remember
that appearances are everything to the Christian life and how others
perceive us. Just because you're living together to save money for your
wedding and you aren't sleeping with one another, people who don't know
you, believe that you are. How can you justify that as a Christian?<br />
<br />
Will you fight temptations so that you can stay strong today?<br />
<br />
<i><b>2 Corinthians 9:8 ~ "And God is able to make all grace abound to
you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Ephesians 3:20 ~ "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Lamentations 3:32-33 ~ "Though he brings grief, he will show
compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly
bring affliction or grief to the children of men."</b></i><br />
<br />
God's not setting out to ruin your day today. <br />
<br />
<b>Hebrews 6:19 ~ "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."</b><br />
<br />
Have you put all your hope and trust in God? Some might be putting all
your trust in money. Realize that it can never buy you great health.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Psalm 42:5 ~ "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed
within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior
and my God. "</b></i><br />
<br />
You are not hopeless. Your hope is in God, no matter what happens to
you. It is the only thing that will get you through to the end. People
who are dying want and will cling to the Word of God. Maybe what you're
losing or have possessed, isn't what is important for you right now.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Psalm 146:5-6 ~ "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the
sea, and everything in them - the LORD who remains faithful forever."</b></i><br />
<br />
Got problems? Give them to the LORD.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 Peter 1:3-4 ~ "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an
inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for
you."</b></i><br />
<br />
Our hope is alive, because Jesus rose from the dead! That is the deep assurance and hope of a Christian despite circumstances.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 15:13 ~ "May the God of hope fill you will all joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Titus 2:13-14 ~ "while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself
for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a
people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."</b></i><br />
<br />
To look for, means to anticipate something. It may look to some like
they are fretting or worrying sometimes, like sprinters before a race
walking around the track aren't worrying about the race, but
anticipating the sound of the gun and finishing the race.<br />
<br />
Let each moment we have count, regardless of what is going on around
you. Jesus paid for the cost of our sins, past, present and future sins
through His death on the cross. That is how He redeems us from all
wickedness and purifies us for Himself when we put our faith and trust
in Him.<br />
<br />
God knows how special you are. He is so in love with you and will be
with you always. He will never leave you. He loves us because He is
love. It has nothing to do with what we can do for Him. That is not
love. God's love for us is unconditional. Eager to do what is good is
easy to do when you are a Christian, because we can't wait to do
something to give God all the glory, honor and praise. That is what
being a Christian is all about.<br />
<br />
We will pick up our study into the Book of Revelation 13 tomorrow but
through today, consider just how much you are loved by God and how
wonderful you are to Him. Be blessed through the love and hope that can
be found only in Jesus Christ. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-64376672227038919082020-10-30T12:21:00.006-07:002020-10-30T12:21:39.921-07:00It's Time to Gain a Heavenly Perspective<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXs8Pz7VpirnT6rOgE9PyGhLPrkya9JMkH8dyGPY40iFMCUTimrh9W0pdISrxCZMywWZ0FosWzlWxFsnpFdfp9GIVbJ-jmYkDH0VU2s4fZ-cx0Li935wvO90I3AqFayR8_Ax21cPPq_Q/s1600/CaesareaPhilipi_002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXs8Pz7VpirnT6rOgE9PyGhLPrkya9JMkH8dyGPY40iFMCUTimrh9W0pdISrxCZMywWZ0FosWzlWxFsnpFdfp9GIVbJ-jmYkDH0VU2s4fZ-cx0Li935wvO90I3AqFayR8_Ax21cPPq_Q/s320/CaesareaPhilipi_002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Things are not always how they appear. Having the right perspective is
how we view those in heaven will see spiritual things that we are
studying in Revelation 12 in the war between Michael and his angels and
Satan and his fallen angels. The Bible is silent however on whether or
not we, who are in heaven, will be able to see things going on in the
earth. What is interesting is that if we, in heaven, are giving God's
perspective on things, we would not see things happening below to our
loved ones as sad. We would know why there are happening and thus not be
sad.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 10:12-13 ~ "Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel.
Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to
humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come
in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me
twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help
me, because I was detained there with the King of Persia."</b></i><br />
<br />
In a nutshell, the prayer Daniel prayed, was possibly in the process of
perhaps being answered by Gabriel and he was dispatched from heaven the
day Daniel prayed it. However, because he (Gabriel?) was delayed by a
fallen angel identified as the prince of the Persian kingdom, it took
Michael coming to help him before he could deliver the answer to prayer
to Daniel. He was being held up in the spiritual realm. If you want an
idea of what goes on in the spiritual realm and our own physical world,
read Piercing the Darkness from Frank Peretti! Too often we fail to
recognize and forget that there are demonic influences happening in our
lives and in the lives of those around us.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 25:41 ~ "Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart
from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the
devil and his angels."</b></i><br />
<br />
Hell wasn't created for humans, it was created for Satan and his angels.
Humans wind up there on their own choices to reject God and do what
they want.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 24:21 ~ "In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below."</b></i><br />
<br />
We need to remember that our most effective weapon we weld as a
Christian is prayer, We need to pray and pray again in those desperate
hours in our lives.<br />
<br />
<b>Ephesians 6:12 ~ "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms."</b><br />
<br />
This is where our battle is, not with the people we encounter. Pray and pray always in all things.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Ephesians 6:18 ~ "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always
keep on praying for all the saints."</b></i><br />
<br />
We need to enforce the fact that means "apply the Bible through prayer/"
This is the only way to affect the spiritual realm. This is how
Christians weld weapons.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 12:1 ~"At this time Michael, the great prince who protects
your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has
not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time
your people - everyone whose name is found in the book - will be
delivered."</b></i><br />
<br />
"At this time" is the time referred to in Revelation 12:7 with the war
in heaven between Michael and Satan. Michael stands up to act and to
defend. Fighting the right battle, wins us the victory, there is a
victory that is fully guaranteed us.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:8 ~ "But he was not strong enough (Satan), and they lose their place in heaven."</b></i><br />
<br />
Jesus took his disciples to a place in Caseara Phillipi where it was not
a place for Christians to go. In fact, during that time, it was the
biggest place of Satanic worship and demon activity. It was a place
carved out of rock where places were that you could worship your god of
choice, declare allegiance to them and then sacrifice your child by
throwing them into the river below. The place still exists today and
you'd be surprised at what it is called, "The Gates of Hell." (See
pictures contained in this post). We pick up the story and see how this
changes our perspective in what we have read all along now.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 16:18 ~ "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not over come
it."</b></i><br />
<br />
This was one of the darkest places on the planet. Pan was worshiped
here. It was known as Pan - Ick. Worship of Pan, declare their name,
worship him and then sacrifice your children to him." These rocks in
Casarea Philippi are called the Gates of Hell. This is the reason that
Jesus told Peter and his disciples in that location, that the gates of
Hell will not prevail against His church, no matter what happens in the
world. No matter how dark or evil it might look.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<i><b>John 10:27-29 ~ "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and
they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to
me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's
Hand."</b></i><br />
<br />
Jesus gives eternal life for free, it is not something any of us can
attempt to earn. Once we have it, we need to rest in that assurance that
we belong to Jesus and nothing that happens to us in this life will
ever take away the promise of eternal life He have given to those who
call Him Lord and Savior.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Philippians 1:6 ~ "Being confident of this, that he who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Psalm 138:8 ~ "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; you love,
O LORD, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Jude 1:24 ~ "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to
present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great
joy."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 16:11 ~ "and in regards to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Hebrews 2:14-15 ~ "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too
shared in their humility so that by his death he might destroy him who
holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all
their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan either wants you to fear death or simply never to think about it. There is a victory that is absolutely final.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:8 ~ "But he was not strong enough (Satan), and they lost their place in heaven."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Luke 22:31-32 ~ "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as
wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."</b></i><br />
<br />
Isn't it interesting what Simon might have been thinking when Jesus
posed this to Simon. I'm sure he was probably saying, "Why didn't you
just tell Satan, No and then we'd would move forward without anything
happening to me. I mean prayer is fine and all that, but really?"<br />
<br />
When Satan asks to "sift you as wheat," that is not a good thing. People
masquerade all the time in their faith, carrying their Bible, attending
church, but they'd rather enjoy the pleasures of this world over what
Jesus has promised and are not true followers of the faith. Why would
anyone want to follow them?<br />
<br />
The world right now belongs to Satan and his followers but as we have
studied in Revelation 12, that will not always be the case. Jesus is
coming back and that will soon change. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-60655255928917435932020-10-29T10:29:00.005-07:002020-10-29T10:29:38.799-07:00Satan Is Expelled From Heaven<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
As we have been continuing our study into the Book of Revelation it is
important to understand that this is for a 7 year duration period once
the church is removed from the earth in Revelation 4:1. What we need to
understand is that the final 3 1/2 years is known as the Great
Tribulation period, one filled with atmospheric disturbances, wars,
plagues and geological events. The believers we find scattered through
these chapters are simply Tribulation Saints, ones that responded to the
message in faith after the rapture of the church. Church Age Saints or
Believers have been in heaven up to this point.<br />
<br />
From Revelation 12 to Revelation 19, the Bible takes the reader into the
microscopic details of the events we see coming to the earth during the
final 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period. As we studied in previous
posts we learned that the nation of Israel and the Jewish remnant will
flee to the wildness and we have deciphered that this is located in
Jordan, and we believe it will be in the city of Petra. During the
Tribulation period, the Antichrist will have Jordan as their enemy and
thus he will not be able to touch them.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 11:41 ~ "He (the Antichrist) will also invade the Beautiful
Land (Jerusalem). Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the
leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand."</b></i><br />
<br />
Right now the European Union has been stockpiling food supplies and
resources in Jordan in an undisclosed location but reportedly not far
from Petra in the event of a global war that would impact Europe or the
Middle East. It is slated to contain enough food for 2 million people.
If you attempt to search for this, you will not find any information on
the Internet but those who are involved in the process can't comment on
what is happening or where the supply location is. This would be perfect
to align up with Revelation 12:6 ~"The woman (Israel) fled into the
desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care
of for 1,260 days (or 3 1/2 years)." This means that Jordan will supply
the food to enable this to happen. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:7-12 ~ "And there was a war in heaven. Michael and
his angels fought against the dragon and his angels fought back. But he
was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great
dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or
Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and
his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have
come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the
authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses
them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame
him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they
did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore
rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and
the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury
because he knows that his time is short."</b></i><br />
<br />
This details the eviction of Satan out of his access from heaven.
Remember that this is a detailed look at what is going on during the
Tribulation period in a behind the scenes kind of way. This is during
those final 3 1/2 years known as the Great Tribulation.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:21 ~ "For then there will be great distress, unequaled
from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled
again."</b></i><br />
<br />
Fighting the battle, wins us the victory. There is a victory that can
only come from war despite how we may feel. No one wants war, but if you
want to stop your enemies from attacking you on your own soil, you have
to attach them on their own soil. You can't wait for them to get here.
We all want peace, but in order to achieve it, sometimes war is
necessary. Think about what happened if the US had opted to stay out of
the war when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor or when Germany invaded Europe.
The world would be a drastically different place.<br />
<br />
Behind earthly wars, there are first spiritual powers at play. The Bible
tells us there are nations that are stirred up by demonic and heavenly
warfare. Salvation is the absolute victory and purpose of God and Satan
wants to do anything he can to prevent that from happening.<br />
<br />
We know in reading the Bible that there are 3 levels or types of heaven.
We have the (1) heaven which consists of ground zero to where our
atmosphere ends and space begins. Then the (2) heaven is from all the
space and beyond to include all the planets and stars, suns and galaxies
as far as it exists. The (3) heaven is the very abode of God. When we
read that there was a war in heaven, this is all three heavens rolled
into one.<br />
<br />
During the Tribulation Period, Satan is expelled from heaven and the
Throne Room of God where he has been accusing believers since the
creation. Why does God even allow him access? Satan likes to pick
fights, he's been doing it all along and even through the Tribulation
period because he knows his time is limited. We see in our study today
that a war is breaking out in heaven between Michael and his angels and
Lucifer (Satan) and his angels.<br />
<br />
This is an incredible sight to fathom because when we consider angels,
they are not the cute chubby cheek cherubs. Whenever they have appeared
throughout the Bible, people are afraid when they show up, and are often
sick for days. Here we see Michael versus Satan. Jesus does not have an
equal opponent. This is a battle in the spiritual realm of heaven and
one we will look at in greater detail tomorrow.Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-55039633526772530042020-10-28T11:23:00.000-07:002020-10-28T11:23:05.642-07:00Is Antisemitism Part of Satan's Ultimate Plan? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
As we have been studying in the Book of Revelation we have learned at
this point in our study in chapter 12, that we are breaking down Satan's
plan to destroy Israel, the Jews and belief in anything pertaining to
Jesus before his time runs out. If he can do any of this, the Messiah
can not return and in his mind he will have won the war against God and
Jesus.<br />
<br />
The connection between Jesus and Israel is and will remain unbroken.
From Genesis 3, God has promised that the Messiah would come and destroy
Satan and that Satan has been planning on ways to destroy the genetic
line of the Messiah for centuries. Look back on Biblical history and we
can see how Pharoah and Herod both tried to wipe out the lineage of
Jewish born babies. Satan has been trying to kill the Jews, and they
have been the most persecuted race throughout all of history. Why?
Because Satan is trying to destroy God's plan of redemption for the
world.<br />
<br />
That is why Jesus, Jews and Israel is so hated. Antisemitism is rising
and all of it is demonically inspired. Revelation 12 is the key to
understand Bible Prophecy and it contains a lot of Old Testament
references. This is mid point in the Tribulation period and is the
advent of Satan's agenda.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Genesis 37:5-11 ~ "Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his
brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this
dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when
suddenly my shelf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered
around mine and bowed down to it." His brothers said to him, "Do you
intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him
all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had
another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had
another dream, and this time the sun and the moon and eleven stars were
bowing down to me." When he told his father as well as his brothers,
his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your
mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground
before you? His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the
matter in mind."</b></i><br />
<br />
Now let's look at Revelation 12:1-6 to unveil the clues given to us from the Old Testament.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 12:1-6 ~ "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown
of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as
she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven" An
enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on
his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung
them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about
to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.
She gave birth to a male child, who will rule the nations with an iron
scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The
woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she
might be taken care of for 1,260 days."</b></i><br />
<br />
The woman is Israel and the twelve stars are the tribes or sons of Israel.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 9:30-33 ~ "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who
did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is
by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not
attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it
were by works. They stumbled over the 'stumbling stone.' As it is
written: "See I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a
rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be
put to shame."</b></i><br />
<br />
Israel is still God's chosen people and nation but there is a veil over
their eyes. This is Israel's unbelief. The Gentile gathering has been
happening since the church age began at Pentecost and will continue
until the Rapture of the church.<br />
<br />
If you ever have taken notice that Arab maps don't list Israel on their
maps. Why is that? It goes against the Koran because it says that Allah
can't not exist as long as Israel does. It lists the land of Israel as
Palestine instead. It is not great wonder why the sudden push for
Palestine to become a state or recognized nation. The nation of Israel
has become a thorn in their flesh since it became a nation on May 14,
1948. This is the very reason Satan has been trying to eradicate the
line of the Messiah from the beginning. Satan's mission is to destroy
the church.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 1:1-3,14 ~"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has
been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have
seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is the message of the New Testament Church! Satan is desperately
fighting for total control. A desire to control human government.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:3 ~ "An enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads."</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan is represented as a dragon has been a symbol for quite some time.
The 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns or diadems, all apply to earthly
global powers or politics. We know that throughout the Bible there are
references that specific nations, regions or lands are controlled by
specific demons for example Persia is referred to in Daniel 7, who has a
demonic ruler on control of the land. We need to understand that there
is a spiritual battle at play when it comes to politics. We need to
ensure we are praying and voting in every election. People would argue
that religion and politics should remain separate but this is not the
foundations our founding fathers of this nation would agree with. There
should be no separation of religion and politics and in fact should go
hand in hand with one another.<br />
<br />
If you were to ever look at the the very top of the Washington Memorial,
it states if you could see it. "Laus Deo or Praise be to God in Latin. "<br />
<br />
Satan knows that if he can corrupt the decision makers over a city, a
country, or a nation = he can directly influence and effect millions or
even billions of people. In the end, Satan and his powers will be
condemned. We see that since Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, Satan is a victim
of his own lies and he keeps on trying to find loopholes that will
allow his plan to succeed. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-2837815755503167632020-10-27T10:55:00.002-07:002020-10-27T10:55:29.152-07:00There Will Be No Place to Hide<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
So many people will wonder just why they don't understand the Book of
Revelation and it's simply because in order to know what is being said,
you have to have knowledge of the things from the Old Testament to make
sense of what you are reading first. Once you do that, you will gain
clarity to what you are reading. That is one definite way to tell who
has read the Old Testament and who hasn't.<br />
<br />
Don't self determine what Revelation says, this is the language of the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals the mysteries of God to those who
are willing to be open to what He says and have the Spirit living within
them. All around the Dome of the Rock mosque, their is engravings in
Arabic that say, God does not have a son. We know from the Bible this is
clearly false doctrine and thus the reason that Christians don't serve
the same God as Muslims do.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Proverbs 30:4 ~ "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has
gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the
waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What
is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!"</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Isaiah 66:7-11 ~ " Before she goes into labor, she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard
of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in
a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion
in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring the moment of
birth and not give delivery? says the LORD. Do I close up the womb when I
bring to delivery? says your God. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad
for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who
mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting
breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing
abundance."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 9:6 ~ "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Psalm 2:7-9 ~ "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to
me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I
will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your
possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them
to pieces like pottery."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Psalms 2:12 ~ "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed
in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all
who take refuge in him."</b></i><br />
<br />
Psalms 2 reveals that this is Jesus. Jewish people will argue that this is not Jesus, but then ask them who is it then?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Acts 13:32-33 ~ "We will tell you the good news: What God promised
our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up
Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "You are my Son; today I
have become your Father."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 1:1-3,14 ~ "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has
been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have </b></i><br />
<i><b>seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."</b></i><br />
<br />
The existence of Israel and the Son of God is what Satan's battle plan
is. He is trying hard to get people to buy into the fact that Israel is
not God's chosen nation and that Jesus is NOT the Son of God.<br />
<br />
<i><b>John 1:18 (NIV) ~ "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan's goal is against Israel and against the ministry of Jesus during
the Tribulation period as well as an ongoing battle since the creation
of the world. As of May 14, 1948, Israel exists for a second time in
history as a nation. This is why God's chosen nation has undergone the
horrors and atrocities because they have repeatedly disobeyed God. Look
back at Israel's history. Each time they obey God, He blesses them
immensely, but then a king will come along and cause Israel to go
against the very God they were worshiping and thus God will send them a
prophet to warn them to come back to God. When they don't, He uses enemy
nations to discipline them, and when they turn back, God forgives them
and the blessings return.<br />
<br />
Look back at the world today and see if there are any traces of the
Ammonites or Edomite people's? No, because God has wiped them from the
face of the earth. Israel's enemies are wiped off the face of the earth,
yet Israel still stands. This prophecy from the prophet Isaiah warns
against the people of Israel that if they do not turn back to God, he
will scatter their possessions and scatter them to the four corners of
the earth. This happened just prior to the Holocaust. Israel rejects
their God again and again and leaves God no choice but to administer
discipline.<br />
<br />
If you want a commentary on Revelation 12, read Matthew 24:15-21.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:15-21 ~ "So when you see standing in the holy place
'the abomination that causes desolation' spoken of through the prophet
Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea
flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to
take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get
his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and
nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or
on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from
the beginning of the world until now - and never equaled again."</b></i><br />
<br />
We will study this section in more detail in further studies but this
has to be a journey that is taken by foot that will take a day and a
half to complete. "Judea flee to the mountains." In reference to the
Sabbath, Jews would be fleeing with a conscience on their mind to not go
past 12 furlongs in a day. The reference to winter, means that it does
snow in Jerusalem and you can't get out of town when it does. With
regard to being pregnant and nursing, just means that it is hard to get
anywhere on foot in a hurry if you are pregnant or nursing without great
difficulty not saying for people to not have babies.<br />
<br />
The Bible has continually promised that the Messiah would come through
Israel. The fact that the reference is made in Revelation 12 in regards
to the dragon waiting to devour the child from the woman has been
Satan's plan all along. He has always wanted to prevent the Messiah's
coming since God's proclamation in the garden in Genesis 3, that He
would send forth a child to destroy him. He wants to destroy the Messiah
at any chance because to do so would mean that His plan would succeed
to rule the world. From Pharoah's plan to kill all the Hebrew babies to
Herod's declaration to kill all babies, Satan has been trying to destroy
the line of the Messiah throughout the ages. This is the reason that
Joseph and Mary went to Egypt instead while Herod has issued a decree to
kill all newborn babies.<br />
<br />
Jesus was born from Mary in the line of David in Bethlehem in Israel
exactly as the Bible had predicted it to happen. Jesus warned that in
the future, after Israel has rebuilt its long awaited temple, that a
horrific time would come. This is the abomination of desolation spoken
about in Matthew 24:15.<br />
<br />
When Jesus came, He came to Israel first (birth in Bethlehem) and will
be returning to Israel in His Second Coming. This is why Satan is trying
so hard to destroy Israel so that Jesus has no place to come back to.
This is the very reason Satan has been trying to destroy the Jewish
people as well. Ezekiel promises that Jesus will return to come through
the Eastern Gate, which is currently walled up and the bodies of people
lie below the area. It goes against Jewish beliefs to walk over the land
where dead bodies are laid and are buried. More proof that Satan's plan
continues! Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-6835589276557243262020-10-26T12:29:00.003-07:002020-10-26T12:29:28.433-07:00Why is Israel So Important to God? <p> <br />
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<br />
Replacement theology is something as Christians we have to look out for.
It is when people will take what the Bible says and turn it around to
mean something it quite clearly does not. In the book of Revelation 12,
we have already discovered that this portion of scripture is filled with
symbols, wonders, and signs and there are those that would try and
convince you that the woman referred to in this chapter is the church,
the twelve stars represent the 12 apostles, she brings forth the child
which is Jesus which we do whenever we preach, this is ludicrous. The
woman represents Israel and the 12 stars represent the 12 tribes, Jesus
came born in Bethlehem, that is in Israel, His first coming was to
Israel and His Second Coming will be to Israel. He will sit on the
physical throne of His physical father David in Israel. The woman is
Israel and she is the one being attacked by the fiery dragon whom we
know to be Satan, and thus the reason for the identity of the woman is
so vital. You need to understand this. To learn more about this visit
John Walvoord's website. A great dependable scholar that will help you
understand who the woman is.<br />
<br />
Satan is locked into a battle with God's chosen people.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:1 ~ "A great and wondrous sign appeared in the
heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a
crown of twelve stars on her head."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is not an actual woman but a representation of something and in
this case it is the nation of Israel. The Catholic church believes this
is the representation of Mary. It can't be Mary because she is pregnant
in heaven, and Jesus is already enthroned in heaven. Who is she pregnant
with and by whom? <br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Genesis 37:5-9 ~ "Jacob lived in the land where his father had
stayed, the land of Canaan,. This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a
young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the
sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he
brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel loved Joseph
more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his
old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers
saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him
and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph has a dream, and when he
told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them,
"Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the
field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves
gathered around mine and bowed down to it. His brothers said to him,
"Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us? And they
hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then
he had another dream, and he told it to his brother. "Listen, he said,
"I had another dream, and this time <span style="color: red;">the sun and the moon and eleven stars</span> were bowing down to me."</b></i><br />
<br />
We know that Joseph had 11 brothers and with himself added made for 12 sons of Jacob.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Genesis 37:10-11 ~ "When he told his father as well as his
brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had?
Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to
the ground before you? His brothers were jealous of him, but his father
kept the matter in mind."</b></i><br />
<br />
Out of the life of Jacob came the 12 sons. Out of the 12 sons of Jacob
was formed the nation of Israel. Over and over in the Bible, God says
that He is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. What is Jacob's name
when God changed it to Israel. Joseph's life by the way, one of Jacob's
sons, was sold due to the envy of his brothers into slavery for 20
pieces of silver. When Jesus was betrayed he was sold by Judas for 30
pieces of silver which would have been the equivalent based on currency
value at that time. There are quite the parallels between the life of
Jesus and the life of Joseph. Both were falsely imprisoned and rejected
by their own people. They were both led away into the world, where for
Joseph, Egypt would have been that other world at that time. They were
both wrongfully accused and imprisoned, but due to God's grace, He
rescued Joseph from prison to rescue all of Israel including his own
family. All of Joseph's parents and brothers bowed down before him not
recognizing his rise in status in Egypt or knowing who he was.<br />
<br />
There is no doubt then to who the woman is, it is Israel who would bring forth a son.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Romans 9:1-5 ~ "I speak the truth in Christ - I am not lying, my
conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and
unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were
cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my
own race, the people of Israel. Theirs in the adoption as sons; theirs
the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple
worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is
traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever
praised! Amen!"</b></i><br />
<br />
Satan is not just fighting against a single enemy but against the nation
of Israel and her people. Did you know that Satan has hated Israel.
That is why they have gone through so much throughout history. Satan is
fighting against a divine mission.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:2 ~ "She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth."</b></i><br />
<br />
In the future, Satan will launch an even bigger attack against the
nation of Israel, and has been against Israel for these last 2000 years,
has been against Israel since its inception, through our father
Abraham.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 26:17 ~ "As a woman with child and about to give birth
writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, O LORD."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 9:6-7 ~ "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of
the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will
reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding
it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The
zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 66:7-11 ~ "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard
of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in
a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion
in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring the moment of
birth and not give deliver? says the LORD. Do I close up the womb when I
bring delivery? Says your God. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for
her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you mourn over
her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you
will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Zion is another name for Israel. We need to stand with Israel because
God says so. God commands us to do so, even though we don't agree with
all of their politics. God blessed Abraham that all nations would come
from Israel. There will be a rise in antisemitism in the last days
because the Bible has says so. This is the reason churches are exempt
from taxes so they can bear the burden of those in need did you know
that? This is one of the main reasons I believe that America has been so
blessed in the past. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Psalm 2:7-9, 12 ~ "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said
to me, "You are my Son, today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and
I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your
possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them
to pieces like pottery. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be
destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed
are all who take refuge in him."</b></i><br />
<br />
More missionaries came from America than ever before. America is in
place to bring forth the second birth of Israel since May 14, 1948 and I
believe that America has served its purpose. America has rejected God
since the removal from the courts, prayer in schools. We fail to trust
in God anymore and instead turn to money and what we can get for
ourselves. So do we simply give up? Not at all, we need to be actively
working as if God isn't going to come back at anytime and stay busy
doing the things He has called us to do, working for the betterment of
things in our city, our government and doing all we can so one day we
can stand accountable to God for what we did with our time while we were
waiting for God to arrive.<br />
Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-4932772613558809682020-10-23T10:15:00.001-07:002020-10-23T10:15:36.440-07:00An Act of War Has Been Declared Upon Us!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
As we begin Chapter 12 into our study of Revelation, we can clearly see a
new stage is being set. A war is being waged in heaven and that will
manifest itself on earth. There is an epic battle between Satan and
God's plan. It deals with the nation of Israel, the birth of the
Messiah, His resurrection and ascension into heaven, it deals with Satan
and his antics that he is going to perpetrate upon the world. Chapter
12 opens as if two book ends spanning several millennia, and where this
study shifts in the scene is this is God's view of what is going on
behind the scenes as it were spiritually as we have been previously
studying the ministry, judgment and wrath of God during the Tribulation
period up to this point. God is pulling back at this point to show us
the spiritual battle that is taking place in the spiritual realm that
manifests itself in the physical realm. This is God's view and His
perspective on the events that have been unfolding and are unfolding.<br />
<br />
There is a war ongoing against the Word of God, against His Son Jesus
Christ, the ministry of Jesus and it is just getting more hostile to
those willing to take a stand for Jesus in the world today. There are
two very different wars, the one on earth and the one in heaven
throughout Revelation 12. We can never know the literal interpretation
of Revelation without first understanding the Old Testament. We can't
begin to understand the signs, symbols, types, visions, and wonders
because they are first represented in the Old Testament. What is in the
Old concealed, is in the New revealed! <br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:1-6 ~ " A great and wondrous sign appeared in
heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a
crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in
pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in
heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven
crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky
and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who
was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it
was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all
nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and
to his throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for
her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days." </b></i><br />
<br />
We have an enemy that wages war and is always planning surprise attacks
against us even at this very hour. There are satanic powers that exist
and are at work according to the Bible, and he is the personification
and manifestation of evil, and according to the Bible, he was the first
one to sin and fall from heaven and has his own collation of demonic
allies comprised of demons and fallen angels. They are plotting against
our demise as Christians and as a church. Even though the offices of
Homeland Security, CIA and FBI have announced that the enemy is among
us, they believe that there are strong cells of terrorists operating
even within our own borders and states. They have for years been making
their way up from Central America and Mexico with gang member ties
specifically to the drug cartels of Al Qaeda and other terrorists
groups.<br />
<br />
However when you consider the church, the enemy has been among us for
quite some times when you consider things on the spiritual level. The
enemy has been in our midst even on September 10, 2001 obviously but in
the spiritual sense the enemy has always been with us. The enemy has
always been attacking us. Revelation 12, tells us about the specific
attacks of Satan against God, against God's interests, the things that
surround God's mission and His will, against God's nation Israel, His
chosen people, the church and all of us that stand together believing
and doing the work of God and to bring about God's will upon the earth.
As Christians, we need to understand that we are always under attack.<br />
<br />
Satan's first plan of attack is to get people to not believe in him.
This is exactly what he did to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He begins to
sow seeds of doubt in her mind. He begins to interpret God's Word into
his own persuasions, didn't he say, "Well don't you know why God doesn't
want you to touch the fruit of the tree of good and evil? It's because
he knows that the day that you touch it and eat of it, you will be just
like Him. You will become a God." This doctrine of heresy has never left
the planet since that fateful day in the garden. There are doctrines
throughout the world that you can become a god or gods. Satan's job is
to infiltrate and he does it by surprise attack.<br />
<br />
If you look at three specific cases on US soil including the 1990
bombing of the World Trade Center, were these not surprise attacks? Was
not September 11th a surprise attack? Was not December 7, 1941, a
surprise attack? Apparently God is trying to teach America in the
physical sense. This just shows us how vulnerable we are to surprise
attacks because often times America is asleep at the wheel. We will not
have massive church attendance or massive prayer meetings, or turn
stadiums into prayer vigils until some surprise attack happens again.
The government has even been warning us that more surprise attacks are
coming, which should not make them surprise attacks if you are ready.
Satan is launching surprise attacks against you and I all the time and
he is doing it even now. It can't be a surprise attack however if we are
on guard, watching and waiting. If we know the strategy that Satan has
against us, we should not be caught off guard.<br />
<br />
As Christians, we know that things are coming to the world, to nations,
that frankly the CIA and the FBI ought to be interviewing us. They
should talk to us about what is coming. The minute you mention what the
Bible has to say about future events, they don't want to hear anything
about it. An act of war has been declared against us. If we are walking
in the Spirit, they won't come as a surprise. If we understand that
Satan is against us, without us praying for our families, marriages and
children, they are vulnerable. Satan has engineered things in this world
to pull Christian families apart. He hates you and your entire family
and has set out to destroy you more than anybody else on the block.
Because your a Christian, he stays awake all night and day trying to
figure out your demise. We don't need to panic, because if we are in the
Spirit, warring in the Spirit, praying for our families, without our
prayer coverage and interceding for them daily, naming by name and
encouraging them with our own words, they are under attack daily.<br />
<br />
We will see truths in the opening verses of this chapter that are
eternal. We will see historical facts in these opening verses that have
actually happened. As a foot soldier during WWI, J.R.R. Tolkien believed
that behind each of the nations, there were powers both heavenly and
demonically at work in the war. In the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien wrote
his interpretations of the demonic powers and the powers of light behind
the empires of the world. He saw these epic battles being spawned by
spiritual activity. Satan is locked in an epic battle. He cannot get out
of this battle. In Revelation 12, we see a war on earth with a war in
heaven at the conclusion of this chapter. What we see happening in the
spiritual realms in heaven, manifests itself in the physical realm on
the earth. This is true in every aspect of life and what we are going
through. They all have spiritual meanings behind them. The kingdoms of
light and darkness are at war.<br />
<br />
Satan is locked into an epic battle with a very specific enemy with us
being some of those enemies. The battle he is in is with a chosen
people. What John is seeing in verse 1 is a manifestation of truth given
by symbols or signs. The Old King James says "wonders." You can make a
note in your Bible that what you are reading here is conveyed in symbols
and signs. John is saying, "I saw this sign..." What is it?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 12:1 ~ "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the
sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her
head."</b></i><br />
<br />
When it speaks of a woman, it doesn't speak of a physical woman, because
the Greek interpretation calls for it to be a representation of
something, not an actual woman. That is important!!!<br />
<br />
Tolkien saw that the atrocities of war, that they were demonically
inspired. The movies are pretty graphic to what we are dealing with in
the spiritual realm. The powers that are invisible in the world around
me. Tolkien was brilliant. Revelation 12 let's us into the spiritual
realm and the movies gives you insight into what is really going on in
the spiritual realm. You might just want to rewatch it while studying
this section and see it with spiritual eyes.Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-3874184631054360732020-10-21T10:19:00.000-07:002020-10-21T10:19:01.294-07:00Welcome to the Digital Age! Are You Ready to Receive Your Mark? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW74j08rmobQznMqkLMwo37obwPeDhbeP-Rs1R8cCn-0JeCRAJNld3uSpiQSX0TFLzNhYzXGGKQYbzn-sYwryFQsRaGKp4NwirWPIR2QhDyINvHHZTkOHa0EPHHZ65Sk9_jJEz7oBoJl0/s1600/Bar+Code.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW74j08rmobQznMqkLMwo37obwPeDhbeP-Rs1R8cCn-0JeCRAJNld3uSpiQSX0TFLzNhYzXGGKQYbzn-sYwryFQsRaGKp4NwirWPIR2QhDyINvHHZTkOHa0EPHHZ65Sk9_jJEz7oBoJl0/s320/Bar+Code.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Perhaps the hardest question any Christian has been asked is "Why does
God allow bad things to happen?" While we rest in the knowledge knowing
that nothing that happens in this world passes without God's knowledge,
we understand that this is now a sin-filled world ruled by Satan for a
limited period of time and his purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. So
while it may feel fine to blame God, the real person or created being
is Satan for why bad things happen in the world. We need to remember
that Satan is alive and is real and the blame needs to be placed on him.
The biggest lie we fall for is that he doesn't exist and that God is
somehow responsible for what is happening. We buy into his deception
when we believe that.<br />
<br />
The Bible is the only book that promises that all that it contains, all
the promises and prophecies will come true in 100% certainty and detail.
God has promised that one day evil will have run its course and He will
place judgment upon those who have followed in the ways of Satan and
rejected Christ, along with the Antichrist, Satan and all his demonic
followers. The Bible promises that in the last days in Revelation 13
beginning in verse 11, those who are left on the earth will need to
pledge an alliegance to the European Ruler through the taking of a mark
on his right hand or forehead. Notice it doesn't say left hand? If the
mark is unable to placed on the right hand, it will be placed on the
forehead and it will be the same prefix for everyone, even though their
numbers will vary. That prefix will be 666. Its like those of us that
live in a certain area, all of us have the same area code that identify
those of us that live in specific places.<br />
<br />
Did you know that in Hebrew the number 6, is represented as man and that
666 is man declaring himself to be god. Just like in Hebrew the number
777 is the complete rule and reign of God of Heaven. 666 is the attempt
of man to become like God. The book of Revelation warns us about this.
Did you know that in Mexico under the leadership of <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5439055/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/microchips-implanted-mexican-officials/#.VnMpD79UUxk">Vincente Fox</a>,
because his key cabinet members are often used to gain access into
secure facilities, he wanted to ensure that they were able to be tracked
by receiving a mark in the right hand painlessly. This is the brain
child of a company called Digital Applied Solutions which has been
marketing this product under the name <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/06/10/first_people_injected_with_id/">"Digital Angel" </a>and
is using the issues of medical illnesses and the premise for making
this a product it believes consumers will use. It is the same "Verichip"
technology that is being used by vets to scan all those run away pets
but as of right now does not have government approval for use in the US
at this time. They also lack the tools needed to track location of
people must like GPS does but they are working on incorporating the use
of RFID to help in the process.<br />
<br />It's amazing when you consider how the Bible is thousands of years
old and yet predicts this type of technology would be available to be
used in the future and we are watching it unfold before our very eyes.
If you are a skeptic, what more do you need? The Lord is coming back.
Jesus is coming back and if He said it, you'd better believe it. Jesus
must come back unless He is the wrong one.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 6:9-10 ~ " This, then is how you should pray: "Our Father
in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. "</b></i><br />
<br />
You ever prayed that prayer before? You know what you are asking for?
For God to establish His kingdom on earth. When you pray that prayer you
are asking for the return of Jesus Christ to take place. Next time you
pray it, pray it and mean it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 9:6-7 ~ "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of
the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will
reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding
it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The
zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."</b></i><br />
<br />
Where is the throne of David? It's in Jerusalem but it hasn't been
established yet. It will be when Jesus comes. If Jesus does not sit for
1000 years on the throne of David in Jerusalem in a literal sense, He is
not the Christ. The Bible teaches that He must come back.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Psalm 93:1-2 ~ "The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD
is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly
established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity."</b></i><br />
<br />
How long will the LORD reign? Forever and ever! When we say Praise the
Lord, we ought to really mean it. We should be thanking God in all
things. Jesus is coming one day soon and we need to be thanking Him both
now and forever. We know however at this time, that Satan is in control
of the earth and what happens here only through God however, and we
know that the current state of our world is growing darker wouldn't you
agree? Why is that true?<br />
<br />
<i><b>2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ~ "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is
veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the
minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."</b></i><br />
<br />
Put blame where blame is due. It is Satan who has blinded the minds of
those living in this world who does not believe. Don't blame God when
people are starving around the world, God is not sending the earthquakes
that destroy people lives or sending horrific storms that are killing
people. God is not sending those things. This is a world that is
repeatedly sold into the hands of Satan. <i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 12:31 ~ "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the price of this world will be driven out."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 14:30 ~ "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>John 16:11 ~ "and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stand condemned."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 12:25-26 ~ "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,
"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or
household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out
Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?" </b></i>Satan is behind the destructive forces that kill and destroy. Not God.<br />
<br />
In the end, it will be the Lord who is worshiped. He is worshiped because He alone is the Savoir.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:16-17 ~ "And the twenty four elders, who were seated
on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and
who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to
reign."</b></i><br />
<br />
This makes sense when you read it backward. Because you have begun to
reign and have taken your great power, (this is something that the world
has longed for), the fact that You are the One who is, who was and is
to come, You have absolute authority and there is no doubt about it. You
are the One and we give thanks to You because you are the Lord God
Almighty. The twenty four elders and seated and secure in heaven. We
know in prior studies that then 24 elders are none other than a
representation of the church age believers from the day of Pentecost to
the day of rapture. They are introduced to us in Revelation 4 and are
never seen again on earth. In Revelation 19, we see Christ coming back
in the Second Coming with His church. How did they get there? Revelation
4:1.<br />
<br />
Why the number 24? Study previously what we have gone through but
quickly, there were 24 order of priests dedicated and commanded by God
in the Old Testament. They were to live before the Lord, doing the work
of the Lord. What does the Bible say we are as Christians? We are a
kingdom of priests. These 24 elders represent the entire body of church
believers from the Day of Pentecost to the Day of the Rapture. The only
way you get to heaven, is through faith in Jesus Christ alone not a
religious affiliation. It is the same for anyone who calls on the name
of Jesus. It is hell without Him literally. Remember this is a future
event.<br />
<br />
It is the Lord who is worshiped because He alone is Almighty. Who is this in verse 17? He is the Lord, Almighty.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 1:8 ~ " I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 1:17 ~ "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though
dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I
am the First and the Last."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 1:18 ~ "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I
am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 4:8 ~ "Each of the four living creatures had six wings
and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and
night they never stopped saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God
Almighty, who was, and is and is to come."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 2:8 ~ "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the word of him who is the First and the Last, who died and
came to life again."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Titus 2:13 ~ "while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,"</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Titus 2:10 ~ "and not steal from them, but to show that they can
be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about
God our Savior attractive."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 42:8 ~ "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Hosea 13:4 ~ "But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of
Egypt. You shall have no other God but me, no Savior except me."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Phil 3:20 ~ "For our citizenship is in heaven, for which we also eagerly await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."</b></i><br />
<br />
It is a great time to really know who Jesus is! If you are not a
Christian, what in the world are you doing? Why don't you know Jesus?
What is keeping you from being a Christian because Jesus is everything!
There are no second changes when your life ends. There are no do overs.
No mulligans. If you are really smart, you will give your life to Jesus
today! <br />
<br />
<br /><br />Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-30322212908378467532020-10-20T11:08:00.004-07:002020-10-20T11:08:44.894-07:00Let Us Put the Blame of Evil Things Happening in The World Where It Belongs!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Did you know that the Book of Revelation references all the books of the
Bible over any other book in the Bible? You will never understand the
Book of Revelation without having knowledge of the Old Testament. When
Christians tell you that they don't understand the Book of Revelation,
they are announcing to you that they have never read the Old Testament
or have an understanding of what they have read in regards to studying
the Old Testament. What is concealed in the Old is revealed in the New!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:18 ~ "The nations were angry and your wrath has
come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your
servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name,
both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is a portion of Psalm 2 which is fulfilled by the time we get to Revelation 11:18 and was written over 3000 years ago.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Psalm 2:1-3 ~ "Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in
vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather
together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. "Let us break
their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." </b></i><br />
<br />
This part of the prophecy has already been fulfilled when they crucified
and mocked Jesus, and continues even to this day against Christians and
those that speak the truth found in God's Word.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Psalm 2:4-9 ~ "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs
at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his
wrath saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will
proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I
have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your
inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them
with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." </b></i><br />
<br />
This portion of prophecy is coming and will be fulfilled during the
Tribulation period when the wrath of God is unleashed upon a
Christ-rejecting world and when Jesus returns to earth in the Second
Coming to establish His kingdom once and for all.<br />
<br />
We have just finished studying from Revelation 10:1 to Revelation 11:14
what is known as a parenthetical pause in the chronological events in
the story to provide some much need information to the reader of the
book and from Revelation 11:15-19 we continue in the events of the
Tribulation Period with John again.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:15-19 ~ "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and
there were loud voices in heaven which said: "The kingdoms of this world
have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will
reign forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on
their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The
nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for
judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your
saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for
destroying those who destroy the earth." Then God's temple in heaven
was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of the covenant. And
there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an
earthquake and a great hailstorm"</b></i><br />
<br />
This portion of scripture introduces us to the coming kingdom of Christ.
We are living in the time of the church age believers right now.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Acts 1:9-11 ~ "After he said this, he was taken up before their
very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking
intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed
in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you
stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from
you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seem him go
into heaven."</b></i><br />
<br />
They watched Jesus ascend into the glory of heaven and we told to go
forth and preach the Word of the gospel into the whole world. On the day
of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came and the church was born. Jesus said
that He would be coming back and coming again. We wait for Jesus to
return just as the Bible predicts because if He doesn't, He wasn't the
Messiah and the faith we have in Him is nothing. But we know that Jesus
has fulfilled all the Bible prophecy's up to this point regarding His
birth, His death and His resurrection. Sandwiched between His first
coming, that is His birth as a baby in Bethlehem to His Second Coming in
Revelation 19 as King and Redeemer coming with the saints and the
church with Him to earth. In between this time is the Church Age, that
is what you and I are a part of and at some point in that time frame,
that age will end, and from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture, the
church will conclude.<br />
<br />
There will be no church in the Tribulation period. There will be the
Tribulation saints or the believers who are born again during that
Tribulation period. If you are a Christian right now, you will not
experience the events we have been studying about that will happen in
the Tribulation period. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior
even while reading this post, God has promised to deliver you from the
wrath that has yet to come. The words "wrath to come" does not mean
hell. The "wrath to come" is the Tribulation period, when God pours out
His judgment and vengeance upon the earth. Today you want to make sure
you are a Christian and that you know God personally! Make sure your
relationship with God is not a religious position where you think just
because you attend church on Sunday and that is it for the rest of the
week. You might be able to say that you know God, but can you say with
boldness that God knows You?<br />
<br />
We are going to look at three major points of why we need to know Jesus
today. When Christ comes, the Lord will reign on earth. God will reign
on earth.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:15 ~ "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in
heaven which said: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of
our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."</b></i><br />
<br />
Man's attempt to reign as president, as ruler, as king, is coming to an
end. Yes, God has established earthly governments in fact in Romans 13,
it states the governments in power have been established by God. That is
true, whether you believe in that government or not. As Christians, we
get a citizenship change or a passport change, as Paul taught in
Philippians that our citizenship is now in heaven.<br />
<br />
When we tell the world that the end is near, they will not believe that.
Because it implies the end of man and the beginning of Christ in the
world. The Bible makes it clear. We are running low on angels now. We
are down to the seventh angel and he is the last one. There were seven
of them, and this is the last one to blow his trumpet. From Revelation
12 to 19, we will cover a brief period of time, in those long section of
Scriptures. The attempt of man to reign is nearly over.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Genesis 6:3 ~ "Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend
with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and
twenty years."</b></i><br />
<br />
That word was given to Noah and his generation and when Noah proclaimed
those words it was exactly 120 years until the flood came. You might not
believe the flood happened, but God and history says it has happened.
Archaeology says it happened. A great flood happened and turned our
world upside down. The word strive or contend in Hebrew means to sail a
straight course. God will not always sail a straight course into man's
heart. He will not always be speaking to you directly and trying to
convince you to come to know Him.<br />
<br />
Right now Jesus is enthroned in heaven and He supervises all that is
going on in the earth. However there are things going on in the earth
that He does not approve of. The time for judgment has not yet come. All
of the evil that we see and experience and look at, think of all the
horrible events taking place in the world today, we need to put blame
where blame is due. That blame is due primarily on man's neck.<br />
<br />
<i><b>James 4:1 ~ "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they
come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but
don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You
quarrel and fight."</b></i><br />
<br />
It all begins in the heart. How is it that someone would pepetrate evil
against someone else? It comes from the heart. The Bible also tells us
that Satan is the god of this age. Little "g". He is not God. He is the
upsurper of authority of this age. You want to know why Satan has so
much destructive power in the world? It's because man keeps leaving the
door open. There are people wondering why their marriages are falling
apart and when they back up and realize that they were flirting with
someone else who wasn't their husband or wife all this time and now they
can see why their marriage is falling apart. There are those who are
wondering why their kids are rebelling within their family and they look
back and say, "Well we didn't want to ram God down their throats, we
wanted them to make their own choices." So they grew up not knowing God
and haven't learned anything from the Bible on how to act. When a man
leaves his home or family unattended, it goes to mischief. This earth
has gone to mischief.<br />
<br />
If there is an earthquake today or someone gets murdered today, we can't
blame God, this is a world where the evil thereof needs to be directed
toward Satan. Jesus says I have come to give you life, and that more
abundantly. But the thief, (not a thief but "THE" thief) has come to
rob, kill and destroy. Which refers to Satan. Satan loves when you are
having a bad day. We know man's reign is about to end and the Lord's
reign is about to come upon the earth.<br />
<br />
Notice that the camera angle has changed and we are seeing through
John's eyes what is happening in heaven. This is what He hears.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:15 ~ "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of
our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."</b></i><br />
<br />
Some versions of the Bible have dropped the "s" on the word 'kingdoms'
and it simply says kingdom. That is an unfortunate translation. If you
go back to the Old King James Version, it is as how I have written this
portion of Scripture of the Bible. There are a lot of kingdoms in this
world. Notice how they will all become the kingdom, dropping the "s".
When Jesus comes in His Second Coming, He is going to establish His
rule. But some things have to happen first before He returns.<br />
<br />
The first was laughable when people read it until it came to pass on May
14, 1948 when Israel became a nation in one day. Now people have zipped
their lips. The Bible said before Jesus came back, Israel would have to
become a nation again. That happened on May 14, 1948. Not only that the
Bible said that God would call all His people back home that had been
scattered across the world and bring them back to Israel in unbelief.
Not believing in God. When you look at the nation of Israel is is
predominately secular and an unbelief in God.<br />
<br />
If you keep on going, there will be an unification of Europe. That the
European Empire would be resurrected and that is happening today. It is
called the E.U. or the U.S.E. the United States of Europe. All these
things are coming together. If that is not enough and there are more
than 300 scriptures that have already been fulfilled in the most amazing
detail that need to take place before the Second Coming of Christ, and
in Revelation 13, there will come a time in technology that man will
issue a decree to those belonging to the One World Government, of a One
World Religion, of a One World Church (which is not really a church at
all), will have to pledge alliegance to a European ruler and to a global
church and receive a number on their right hand or forehead.<br />
<br />
If anyone has ever been to Buckingham Palace in England, there are
massive pillars that are out in front of the palace, one for example
will be labeled New Zealand, one will be labeled Australia, or India and
all of these pillar will label a kingdom, where the crown of England
presided over, so one crown sat over the kingdoms where it had
authority, so on a very human small scale, think of that and you will be
able to better understand that portion of Scripture. Under the crown of
Christ, remember He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, His kingdom will
swallow up all the other kingdoms. A singular kingdom will consume
plural kingdoms. Human kingdoms even though they have been presided over
by God, the human kingdoms will be swallowed up by Christ. <br />
<br />
<br />
Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-3451928863071287292020-10-19T11:05:00.004-07:002020-10-19T11:05:32.843-07:00The Greatest Party of Hell on Earth is Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj1CMj0VgPg-QcRGQsO3cy9GifIDj0wntARhb7hjmAjBdyvsoPiBgk9HVYQJ0KkaImCctgXbJoZ2QTndJYfjzVeIZLidEN4udBKrIZ1HeYrWgna15IoT0i-WMwN6Y43AULTtmiSR-CZM/s1600/Rejoicing+in+evil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj1CMj0VgPg-QcRGQsO3cy9GifIDj0wntARhb7hjmAjBdyvsoPiBgk9HVYQJ0KkaImCctgXbJoZ2QTndJYfjzVeIZLidEN4udBKrIZ1HeYrWgna15IoT0i-WMwN6Y43AULTtmiSR-CZM/s320/Rejoicing+in+evil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Imagine turning to BBC or CNN or even Fox News and seeing a group of
people dancing around the bodies of two men lying dead in the street.
These people are more than overjoyed that these two men are dead. They
are throwing things at them and having a great time. Sound far fetched
that we could ever see something like this today? I might imagine that
it wouldn't surprise us to see this on the news tonight. We see things
like this happening all the time all over the world. The reason the
people are so happy that these two men are dead is they believe they
have silenced their message from God in heaven. I believe that if evil
thinks that they can shut Christians up and killing us, they too would
start dancing.<br />
<br />
We see this spirit of zero tolerance happening during the Tribulation
period coming to these two men. I believe we are moving toward that
level of volatility where men will go nuts because they hate the things
that God loves. They will rise up against them. It exposes man's hatred
against the truth.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:9-11 ~ "For three and a half days men from every
people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse
them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will
celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had
tormented those who live on the earth. But after three and a half days a
breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and
terror struck those who saw them."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is quite literally Christmas in hell. There is a great hatred that
the world will have for God and God's witnesses. That is true even
today. There is a hatred toward the Lord, a hatred towards His message.
What surprises me is that this is a future event and the world is still
talking about tolerance today. Everybody is told to tolerate every group
of people except for one and that is Christians. You can outlaw them,
get rid of them, anything to get them out of here because they drive the
world crazy. Nothing is going to change in the future, in fact it will
only intensify. It's a world of tolerance until it comes to these two
men who are teaching the Word of God.<br />
<br />
In light of the advances in technology, how does the whole world rejoice
over the death of two men in Jerusalem? Satellite TV, CNN, and every
one is going to see it and rejoice. They will be sending one another
gifts all over the world to celebrate what has happened. Do you think
this is too far for us to consider something like this happening in the
world today? Have you taken a look at the news lately in the Middle East
when something happens they rejoice over? Have you seen dead bodies
dragged behind the back of a Jeep? Do they not stomp and burn bodies and
rejoice over it while it is being televised? Are you not watching that?
Or have you not seen that?<br />
<br />
We need to wake up as a church. Here we are today reading a book that is
2000 years old and it seems as if we are turning on the news today and
seeing how relevant this is in our culture today. We we see a body of a
man being dragged in the streets in the Middle East behind a truck,
burned on fire, beaten and hung over a bridge. That would never happen
right, while the people who did it are rejoicing and claiming victory
over the event? It is happening and it will happen all the more the
closer we get to this future event. You don't have to use much of an
imagination to see that happening in the world today. The earth dwellers
will rejoice over this event!<br />
<br />
This will be the biggest party in all of the world on earth and remember
that even though it appears that Satan has the victory or the enemies
of God, their victory once again is short lived. They will only be
rejoicing for 3 1/2 days. The world hates God, even though they will be
gathering together all the religions of the world except those that have
to do with God. The world views the messengers and their message as
evil. They refuse to tolerate others. What do you think these two
prophets were prophesying about the return of Elvis? No it was the truth
of God's Word. People today are so weak and fragile that they whine and
whimper and have a breakdown of the slightest things.<br />
<br />
They will allow these men's bodies simply sit in the streets right where
they were killed for 3 1/2 days. The burial practices of the Middle
East - that day! Our technology today is where this prophecy of the
Bible foretells is today. This is a real time, worldwide event that will
be seen by everyone, in every language of the world. Isn't it amazing
how wonderful and true the Bible is even though this was written about
2000 years ago? The exposing of man's hatred against the truth, is a
hatred that cannot be curbed. Remember back in the year 2000 when
people thought the world was going to end and they all celebrated and
partied. We are not too far from these types of events being celebrated
and heralded. It's a hatred that they can't not see.<br />
<br />
While most of the time the Lord isn't seen as a person to put an end to a
party, He does after 3 1/2 days. When the breath of God enters these
two men and they come back to life, imagine the horror and terror that
will come over those that believed they were dead. Millions of people
will see this happen.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:11 ~ "But after three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them,
and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them."</b></i><br />
<br />
This great fear that will come upon those that witness and see this
event will be the kind that cause mass hysteria, causes panic and
immobilize those that see it.<br />
<br />
God's final witness to the world will be a powerful testimony of grace
and judgment. These two are exclusive. You can not reconcile these two,
they are both true and false at the same time. God who is holy and
righteous, has to be just. But God is also a God of grace and mercy. The
more we learn about God the more we can come to terms with just how we
chose to live our lives and how responsible we are. You and I are the
only ones responsible for the decisions we make. We can often look back
in our life often before we were Christians and realize how stupid some
of those decisions are. However, when we became Christians we made less
stupid decisions.<br />
<br />
As we grow older, often times when faced with making a decision, the one
in our minds is often times the one God doesn't want us to take. Since
He is such a God in whom knows how it will all play out in the end, who
knows the decision we need to make, and how often we get into trouble
when we act in our own minds instead of waiting on Him, we should pray
for patience to be willing to wait for the time in which God will give
us the answer to what we need to do and to be willing not to jump ahead
until He does. Now that is wisdom. Sometimes God wants us to find the
answer ourselves so we can learn how to do this in our own lives
personal through seeking Him. Don't take someone's else opinion on what
you should do, even if it is a pastors. If he is worth his weight in
salt, he will instruct you to prayer and to seek God's truth in the
Bible.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:12-14 ~ "Then they heard a loud voice from heaven
saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud,
while their enemies looked on. At that very hour there was </b></i><br />
<i><b> a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven
thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were
terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has
passed, the third woe is coming soon."</b></i><br />
<br />
When it says that the two men ascended or went up to heaven, this was
not a quick disappearance. This was a slow process and the same one used
when Jesus ascended from the apostles for the last time. So much they
as the apostles were watching, their mouths hung open so long, two
angels appeared to them to ask what they were doing looking up so long.
In grace, the Lord will not leave anyone behind. Regarding the justice
of God, He will never leave justice undone. This is something we need
so much in our world today.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:13-14 ~ "At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a
tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the
earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God
of heaven. The second woe has passed, the third woe is coming soon."</b></i><br />
<br />
This means that a tenth of the city of Jerusalem fell down. What is
truly interesting is that in the King James Version is says that 7000
men were killed, it doesn't say how many total number of people at that
point were killed only the number of men killed in the earthquake. No
one knows the exact number. None of us rejoice in judgment and neither
does God. However when something horrific happens, do you not want to
see justice done? We all want it so long as it doesn't affect us.<br />
<br />
When we make a huge mistake you know what we want most from the judge?
Mercy! The problem is that we live in a system now where the whole
system is corrupt. If you have money, you will get off. There are older
people who should be retiring or not working, that have to return back
to work. They worked hard all their lives and invested money and because
of white collar crime, their retirements have been stolen from them.
There will come a day when God will exercise perfect judgment. The Bible
says in Genesis by Abraham, "Shall not the Lord of all the earth, do
right?" He knows every motive to every crime.<br />
<br />
The final portion of today's study offers a bit of confusion and begs us
to answer the question, who are the people who gave glory to God, while
the rest were afraid? One scholar might argue it doesn't matter they
simply were so afraid, they didn't know what they were doing and gave
credit to anyone. But it was short lived. They didn't really know what
they were saying. Others will say, if you look at the chronology of the
events and this being a parenthetical pause, this event brought about
the sealing of the 144,000 saints. No one knows for sure.<br />
<br />
Do you have Jesus Christ in your life? No, more matter what you have in
your life today, it is nothing compared to what He offers! No money, no
possessions, no position or job. Only Jesus can offer you what the world
can't. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We need to make
sure our faith in Jesus is real. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-72069331876179801612020-10-16T09:46:00.006-07:002020-10-16T09:46:48.949-07:00Why is Jerusalem the Most Sought After Piece of Real Estate in the World? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oBV37z0cHQ7kqpEGeldBVgynvvEwldrE4rsmHoI2_6SRicF2vGVYf0lg6177CUXoXlK48IHL8qq9NqoSxBvvQlG3aWyNzF_0teuoKDPeN7tRuZF4FofygwExjcPKpaqZB0csGSDrsdw/s1600/Jerusalem+Map.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oBV37z0cHQ7kqpEGeldBVgynvvEwldrE4rsmHoI2_6SRicF2vGVYf0lg6177CUXoXlK48IHL8qq9NqoSxBvvQlG3aWyNzF_0teuoKDPeN7tRuZF4FofygwExjcPKpaqZB0csGSDrsdw/s320/Jerusalem+Map.png" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The city of Jerusalem belongs to God. It does not belong to the
Palestinians, the U.N., the E.U or the United States and technically it
doesn't even belong to Israel! God says that it is His city, He has set
His name upon that city. When you listen to Rabbi's speak about how God
spoke creation into existence, not only did the land form beneath His
feet but also the Temple Mount. He takes the city of Jerusalem seriously
and here in Revelation, we hear God comparing them to Sodom and Egypt.
When God has issues with you, He brings them to your attention. Doesn't
mean He doesn't love you any less, but He does have to address what is
displeasing to Him that you are doing. Remember that God has already
done this in the letters to the seven churches earlier in our studies.
It is a way of bringing these things to focus and help us to get right
with God again.<br />
<br />
If you have ever visited the city of Jerusalem, as you are walking
around the city, you can get a sense that this is not how God intended
it to be. It's like that in almost any city you walk around in, yet the
one big difference in Jerusalem compared to anywhere else is that God is
not done with Jerusalem yet. He has eternal plans for Jerusalem! Like
those amazing renovations shows, Jesus when He returns will be doing the
ultimate restoration on this city and what a city it will be!<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:8 ~ "Their bodies will lie in the street of the
great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also
their Lord was crucified."</b></i><br />
<br />
The great city is referring to Jerusalem because it was the city in
which our Lord was crucified. But why is God calling it Sodom and Egypt?
How does God use these two cities to compare His own city and people
with those who have deep spiritual issues? We know that the city of
Jerusalem belongs to God and it makes you wonder why so many people
fight over this small little pieces of land and why it is so widely
contested. The most sacred piece of real estate in the world today and
most sought after is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It is what all the
wars have been about going back as far historically as we can. It's a
spiritual battle and a spiritual situation.<br />
<br />
God refers to any city when it is not walking with Him, being obedient
to Him, worshiping Him as it should be, God calls it as it is. So what
does God do to a city that isn't doing what it should be doing? He
brings judgment to the city. That is how God disciplines even though we
don't want to hear about it. Even to the own Christian, when we walk in
disobedience, God brings about chastisement. This does not mean your
salvation is being called into question. Your salvation is fine, just
like you don't disown one of your children when they make a mistake, the
same is true for God. Discipline is necessary to get you back where you
need to be. The Bible says, "Whom the Lord loves, He chastens!" The
Bible also says that if you are not a child of God, He will not
discipline you. As a parent, you don't discipline someone else's child
when they are misbehaving, each parent takes care of their own child
because they have a vested interest in their child's well being. So does
God. Just because you think you're getting away with stuff doesn't mean
God doesn't care. You might just want to be sure you are truly a child
of God's.<br />
<br />
From the beginning of time, God has chosen the land of Israel, the city
of Jerusalem and the Jews to be His people. Nothing that the world does
will change that. As Christians, God has placed His seal upon us as His
chosen children as well. Just because discipline comes doesn't mean God
has rejected you. So when we look at the first of the two cities that
God compares Jerusalem to in looking at Sodom, we need to remember what
they were known for. God judged the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for
their rebelliousness to God, and that they went after strange flesh. God
has sanctioned special perimeters in regards to sexual activity. Only a
male and a female in marriage! God only blesses the sexual activity
between a married husband and wife ONLY! All other bets are not
sanctioned or approved by God. In the Book of Hebrews, God says the
marriage bed is undefiled. God is against fornication and adultery. Did
you know from a scientific perspective that when a husband and wife come
together as one in marriage that the exchange of bodily fluids help
build each other's immunities up instead of tearing them down? God
brings the biology of a husband and a wife together to strengthen them. <br />
<br />
If you step outside those perimeters and do things you aren't supposed
to do, is it any wonder that you feel run down, get sick or fall victim
to certain diseases? The Bible says if we sow to the flesh of the flesh
and we will reap corruption. Have you seen how the pornographic industry
is reeling from the impacts of aids and other sexually transmitted
diseases? It's slowly killing them all off and then they wonder what is
happening to them and why? God is saying that He is calling Jerusalem,
spiritual Sodom, God is looking at spiritual diversity, paganism, or as
God calls it harlotry. God calls it adultery in the spirit.<br />
<br />
Jerusalem during this great time of Tribulation will be it a city of
internationalism embracing all religions and all faiths, and most of the
Jews you meet today in the city are atheistic Jews who do not believe
in God while they walk in the Holy land. They refuse to believe in
Scriptures, our God and simply chalk it up to being in our culture. The
Bible says that God would bring Israel back into their own land in
unbelief. If you go to Israel today, you will meet people who don't
believe in God. We know that the Pope has even given credence that
Jerusalem in the spiritual center of the world, that the top three
leading religions or beliefs come together there. It will shift from
Rome and Mecca and all combine in a homogenization of the religions in
the city of Jerusalem, or a one world religion. Just type in one world
religion and see what you come up with today. There is a great movement
in the world today for us all to worship one God. They say that
Christians, Jews and Muslims all believe in God and that they are all
the same God. Yet let me ask these questions? If we worship the same
God, then why aren't you Christians trying to build a temple to
sacrifice animals for the removal of your sins? If we worship the same
God, why aren't we going out and beheading our enemies? It's not that it
isn't politically correct, it's that we do NOT worship the same God.<br />
<br />
Jesus says, "You can't come to the Father, except through Him." The
other thing is that the Bible says we know God's name. Adonai, is what
God calls Himself. He introduces Himself as being our Father who art in
Heaven. Yahweh or YHWH, the LORD God, and He is approachable. We can
pray to Him. The Bible says that there is one mediator between God and
man and that is Jesus Christ. We can pray directly to the Father through
Jesus Christ. You don't need to go through anyone to get prayer to God.
We can pray for you, but so can you. You can pray to God yourself. We
can't talk to God for you, God expects you to talk to Him yourself.
That's gotta set you free no matter where you are in the world. How
liberating is that!<br />
<br />
You don't have to get a little lamb and sacrifice it to God while
talking to Him while the blood runs out. You don't have to go out and
perpetrate all kinds of evil against humanity to earn God's favor, and
to enter some sort of paradise. The Bible says, you bow your knee or
open your heart to pray to the Lord in Jesus Name. Anyone and everyone
can do that. God says however that Jerusalem is a spiritual Sodom. It
will become a place of paganism and spiritual adultery and fornication.
God also says that Jerusalem is compared to a spiritual Egypt. We have
to consider what is Egypt famous for regarding the children of Israel?
Bondage, slavery. Did you know that when Israel was in the bondage and
slavery of Egypt, they were completely ignorant? That is why the way
Pharaoh dealt with Moses is so unique. He was saved by Pharaoh's
daughter and raised up in his house, being schooled in their ways and
would have been given the best the world had to offer.<br />
<br />
In the Book of Hebrews, it says that when Moses saw his people, he put
away everything he had access to at his fingertips for a moment, so he
could be associated with the inflections of God's people. Moses left
Egypt. Then the people of Israel through Moses also left Egypt. God led
them out and they became a great nation. Egypt in Scripture, is also a
reference to the world. When the Bible refers to Egypt you can also use
it as a reference to the world and its system. Worldliness, flesh and
the like.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 23:37-38 ~ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the
prophets ad stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather
your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but
you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate."</b></i><br />
<br />
It was left desolate, referring to the house which represents the Temple, because of paganism and not recognizing Him.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ~ "Do you not know that the wicked will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual
offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you
were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."</b></i><br />
<br />
God does want to be number one on a list of ten. He wants to be number
one on a list of one. Idolaters are those that put anything before God.
ANYTHING. Things can be idols and the things we most identify with. What
we spend our money and time on. As you read this list, repent of them
as you read them. Remember we don't have to do the actual act, but
simply looking at another man or woman is guilty of adultery. Simply
tell God you have sinned against Him and ask for His forgiveness. The
Bible says if we confess our sins, God will forgive us from all
unrighteousness. God doesn't make people idolaters, adulterers,
fornicators, thieves or homosexuals. These are all sins of choice. The
rest of the list continues with sins of choice as well. We are wanting
things others want and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get
there. Even paying taxes. While we may not like how our government
spends our money, the Bible says we have to do what He has commanded.
They will have to give an account to how they spent that money. We need
to keep on doing it until God changed it now matter how much we might
not like doing it.<br />
<br />
Even though God knows all of this, He is not surprised. He is hurt and
it pains Him to see how much His own creation rejects Him, those are
human emotions and He wants us to know He understands it all. God
announces in all the Book of the Prophets, Amos, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Zechariah, Isaiah and promises that He will gather together His people
from all the corners of the world because they have been scattered, and
He will bring them back to their own land in unbelief. They are very
made at God because they want to know where He was through the
Holocaust. How can you be angry at someone you don't believe exists? The
Jews won't believe in God again until Ezekiel 38, where God rescues
them from an impending war that is being lead by Israel's enemies from
the furthest points north!Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-48840868365372299172020-10-15T13:08:00.004-07:002020-10-15T13:08:29.303-07:00Will God Judge Those He Loves? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
There are a lot of people who are making grave mistakes when looking at
Bible prophecy, and that is replacement theology, which is taking Israel
and replacing it with the church. That is so wrong on many levels and
does a great disservice to the Bible. People think that the church is
going to be destroyed during the Tribulation period. Yet Jesus said,
"that the gates of hell will not prevail against My church." The church
is not present during the Tribulation period. What is happening is that
we have the 7 year Tribulation period in which God is focusing on
Israel.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 7:21 ~ "As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them,"</b></i><br />
<br />
God gives power to the Antichrist to destroy or devastate God's people,
predominantly the Jews and secondary those to come to faith by virtue of
the ministry of the born again Jews during the Tribulation period. We
always want to read the Bible for what it says, don't read stuff into
the Bible, let the Bible read its stuff into you. Don't let people
convince you that the Bible isn't really saying what it is saying. It
means exactly what it says. Let the Bible be the commentary on the
Bible.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we began to study sack cloth ministry and today we continue to
with in regards to it meaning judgment and grace. Even Jesus had a sack
cloth ministry. Jesus was ministering and a bunch of Pharisees,
professional sin sniffers and fault finders and legalists, and they
brought a woman to Jesus' feet and threw her down in front of Him, who
they caught in the very act of adultery. They turned to Jesus and said,
"Moses said she should be stoned for committing adultery, what do you
say? For we have caught her in the very act?"<br />
<br />
The Bible doesn't say what I am about to say, but I wish it did. I wish
Jesus would have said, "What were you doing watching?" "We caught her in
the very act, I mean, we were walking by..." Jesus said, "He who is
without sin, cast the first stone." No one stepped forward. Then He
began to write in the sand remember? It says that they were convicted
from the oldest on down to the youngest. Why? What does an older person
have over a younger person? They lived longer. The longer you live the
more you have opportunities to sin. The oldest left first, because they
lived longer and had racked up more sin, and even though the Bible
doesn't say what He wrote the Old Testament says, "I have written their
sins in the dust." I believe that Jesus was writing with the finger of
God, who was the Son of God, writing in the dust, looking up to see who
he was looking at and writing down all the sins that person committed
before moving on to the next one. I believe He wrote their sins in the
dirt and they saw what He had written, were convicted and walked away,
the oldest to the youngest. Now that is judgment! Sack cloth!<br />
<br />
Jesus turns to the woman and asks, "Woman, where are your accusers?" She
was smart, remember what she said, "Lord, I have none." Did she not
have accusers? Yes, but they were not present. They left! Can people
accuse you of things? Can people accuse you of things that are true? Yes
all of us! Where are they? You might say, "They are breathing down my
neck right now!" Where are they before the presence of God? What is one
of Satan's natures? He is before the throne of God accusing us day and
night. God doesn't hear it when we are washed in Christ. I'm hidden in
Christ!<br />
<br />
Now that the woman's accusers were gone, He didn't say she didn't have
any, Jesus said, "I do not accuse you." When God says that, you are
free! Are you free? Is your conscience clear? Do you know that if you
are a Christian right now, God says I do not accuse you between you and I
is an interesting filter and that filter is My Son, Jesus Christ! You
are washed in the blood as long as you continue to put your faith in
Him. That is good news! The world does not like this because of what it
implies. God's final witness to the world is a witness that is not
acceptable to everyone because the message of God to man is divisive.<br />
<br />
You know that to be true because the minute you give your life to God
and rush home to tell others about it, they don't receive it well. There
are some that when they give their lives to Jesus, found that their
parents threw them out of the house. Jesus has said, "Don't think that I
have come to bring peace, I've come to bring a sword. That a man in his
own home will be divided against his wife, or a child against a
parent." Jesus isn't into home wrecking. Jesus knows that within the
same house if you have someone who believes and someone who doesn't,
there will be division. That is true in many of our homes.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:7 ~ "Now when they have finished their testimony,
the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower
and kill them."</b></i><br />
<br />
Remember how we have learned that you will never understand the Book of
Revelation without reading the Old Testament? Where is this answered in
the Old Testament? Daniel 7, specifically verse 21.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 7:21 ~ "As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them,"</b></i><br />
<br />
God will allow the beast, (the Antichrist) to kill the two witnesses, or
believers in God during the Tribulation period. Those of you that are
born again Christians, when the rapture happens, you will be taken
directly to heaven. You will not be here when this happens. Those who
come to Christ during the Tribulation period are called Tribulation
saints. You and I right now are called to live for Christ, and it is not
easy. The Tribulation believers will not live for Christ, they will die
for Christ. I suggest making the decision now! Daniel 7 is the key to
understanding Revelation 11. Daniel 7 is one of the most remarkable
passages of Scripture and a must for understanding Bible prophecy. Why?
Who is the beast? He ascends out of the bottomless pit or the Abyss and
that has a connection with Satan. It is connected with demons, and it is
where an eternity in hell is deposited.<br />
<br />
Whoever it is that ascends out of the bottomless pit we have an apparent
problem. If we keep studying, our problem will go away. Why? This guy
is a human being. He is human. So how does he ascend out of the
bottomless pit where demons come from? The question we want to ask is
what does the Bible say about his life? That will answer this apparent
dilemma. First of all the Bible in Daniel 7, Daniel 2, and Daniel 11,
teaches us about four world governing empires, that God mentions. It is
all historic until the very end.<br />
<br />
So God says in the Book of Daniel, world governing empire number 1,
under the governing powers of Nebuchadnezzar was the Babylonian empire.
God says so and calls it by name.<br />
<br />
Number 2, the Medo-Persian Empire, under Darius and Sirus.<br />
<br />
The third empire was under the rule of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire.<br />
<br />
The fourth empire is a very interesting empire. The Bible says the
fourth empire is the Roman empire, but unlike the first three, the
Babylonian, Medo-Perisan and Grecian empires were all defeated by
invading armies. The Roman empire was never defeated by an invading
army. The Roman empire grew so massive that it began to break up. No one
ever conquered it. Technically according to the historian rule book, it
has never gone away. Its like in a coma or hibernating. The Bible says
that in the last days out of the Roman Empire, when it broke up formed
two sections, the eastern and western sections, and as the Bible
describes its legs going down, and that in the it will be reassembled as
toes in the end. This is key, because the Bible tells us that out of
the toes, out of the kingdoms, that came out of the Ancient Roman
empire, a ruler will emerge. Daniel and Revelation calls him the beast.
You know him even if you are not a Christian as Mr. 666.<br />
<br />
Don't confuse yourself when looking at this and see this guy coming out
of various areas. in Revelation 13:1, that John saw him come up out of
the sea and the sea were the nations of the world. Yet in Revelation 11
it says that he came up out of the bottomless pit. How does that happen
if he is just a man? This is where it gets technical. We know he is
empowered by demons, and he is possessed by Satan. Did you see John
freaking out about the introduction of the beast? When John is confused,
he asks a question in the Book of Revelation. He will ask, "What is the
meaning of this or what are these things?" He doesn't say anything
here. When the beast is introduced like it is to you and I in this study
right now, there is no debate from John. The answer is so simple.<br />
<br />
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem in Matthew 23 beginning in verse 37, and into chapter 24 of Matthew,<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 23:37-39 ~ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the
prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather
your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but
you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I
tell you, you will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Matthew 24:15 ~ "So when you see standing in the holy place
'abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet
Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea
flee to the mountains."</b></i><br />
<br />
When you see the Antichrist, standing in the Temple, where he ought not
to be, run for your lives. Jesus knew Daniel 9 and so did the Jews, as
well as John. He knew Daniel 7, Daniel 2 and Daniel 11. All the Jews
know Daniel. It is the key to understanding Bible prophecy. Do you see
how wonderfully technical this is? John didn't question the introduction
of the beast, because he already knew who the beast was. The beast
would come bringing in the last world governing empire that would subdue
God's people, based upon the Book of Daniel. Specifically Daniel 7:21.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 7:21 ~ "As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them,"</b></i><br />
<br />
God will grant the Antichrist power to destroy and subdue the saints,
until the Ancient of Days is seated and there shall be judgment in favor
of the saints. This is the introduction to the Second Coming of Christ.
So we must know Daniel. John did. This is why the beast is totally
normal thinking for him. Guess what Christians have always referred the
emperor of Rome as? The beast!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 9:26 ~ "the prince who is to come." </b></i><br />
<br />
We know that the beast will make war with them, overpower them and kill
them. So this man has been granted authority to do such things. The
reason this witness is not acceptable to everyone is that this message
is convicting.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:8 ~ "Their bodies will lie in the street of the
great city, which is figuratively called the city of Sodom and Egypt,
where also their Lord was crucified."</b></i><br />
<br />
Where was our Lord crucified? Jerusalem. How then can it be called Sodom
and Egypt? Throughout all of history whenever people have rejected God,
judgment always follows. God is so patient right now but it will not
always be the case. When Israel went astray, how did God judge Israel?
He sent an unbelieving pagan nation against them. There is a pagan cult
that is beginning to wreck havoc on our nation, the cult of Islam. God
knew about 9/11. Why didn't He stop it? As tragic as the death of those
people were, as a nation as a whole, shouldn't worse things happen to us
for what we have done? Did you know that we are the number 1
pornographic producing nation in the world? In the nation where it is
the biggest producing nation, California is where it takes place! In
California, it's in LA County. It's in the cities of Northridge,
Hollywood and Burbank. God says I won't stand for it. God's not asking
for your opinion or mine. He won't stand for it. He says I am holy and I
have to do this. I am wondering what is holding back God from moving
the Mojave Desert 25 feet to the north right now? So while people in
California are sitting back enjoying the pornography and loving it, a
great earthquake comes and now all of a sudden they want someone to
pray. What is God's response? <br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 59:2 ~ "But your iniquities have separated you from your
God; you sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." </b></i><br />
<br />
That is this nation is it not? It will happen. It's coming. I just hope
as Christians, He comes for us first. And if he doesn't, "to be absent
from the body is to be present with the Lord." If we live, we live for
Christ, either way it's a win-win thing for us. Will God will judge
people that He loves? God has promised that if you are His child, He
will chastise you. He will punish us for our wrongs. If God loves
America, despite being founded on Christian principles, He will
discipline us for our wrongs. It's called national judgment. He does
this to nations. He promises to do this to nations. He will do it to
America. He does it to His children.<br />
<br />
The Bible says if He doesn't do it to His children, if He doesn't punish
you for your wrong, I'm not talking about your sins, Jesus paid the
price for our sins at the cross. Now that you're a Christian and you
belong to God. If you go do something dumb against God and your
backsliding away from Him,<br />
<br />
<i><b>Galatians 6:7 ~"Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."</b></i><br />
<br />
God will discipline us because we do the wrong things. Jerusalem, Israel
had done the wrong thing. The 7 year Tribulation period is God focusing
on the nation of Israel, and He is dealing with them on national
judgment, and that judgment will bring them to a place of repentance.
This is how God works. It's fundamental, it's historical, it's biblical,
it is what we are observing here. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-24793313078468057132020-10-14T12:08:00.005-07:002020-10-14T12:08:36.091-07:00Have You Heard of Sack Cloth Ministry? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaVozl98lZTX9L5SwoBVOoG_Mp-6P3X55uYd63HPWL4f3Yu9wkYTcp_CHk5bSgvUzLnenrUMyMkus7B1MKgPKBFlk_qpJT5tsAZWIP4V3KWasSj366LZgRkcWual1nikcSNr5VkLKfEY/s1600/sackcloth+ministry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaVozl98lZTX9L5SwoBVOoG_Mp-6P3X55uYd63HPWL4f3Yu9wkYTcp_CHk5bSgvUzLnenrUMyMkus7B1MKgPKBFlk_qpJT5tsAZWIP4V3KWasSj366LZgRkcWual1nikcSNr5VkLKfEY/s1600/sackcloth+ministry.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If someone shows up in sackcloth, they probably don't have good news. We
live in a culture today that almost automatically shuns bad news. I
don't believe that we have the ability to decide anymore what is bad
news. Our culture equates bad news with things that make you unhappy.
Yet how many times did God send an unhappy message with Jonah, or
Ezekiel the Prophet or even John the Baptist to the hearers of their
words? John the Baptist said that the Lord is laying the ax at the root
of the trees. There are times in our lives, as Christians, that we need
to take the mantle on ministry that Jesus would have us take and have us
to have. He was the most loving individual the world has ever known and
he is the most hated individual the world has ever known as well. This
is possible because He loved but He also exposed darkness. People love
darkness more than the love light. As Christians, in some audiences, we
should be the most loved people, and in other audiences we will be the
most hated. Not because we hate people, they will hate us, as Jesus
said, "Don't be surprised if the world hates you, because they hated Me
first." He said if you were of the world, they would love you. But I am
not of this world and hopefully you are not either, and so the world
will hate us as they hated Him.<br />
<br />
They hate you because you represent the light of the Lord. If we were to
say, God condemns adultery, God condemns homosexuality, God condemns
robbery of banks, God condemns pride. People are going to say, how can I
fix this in my life and want to know what they can do to get right in
their life. While others are going to call us every name in the book,
they will walk away from you, want nothing to do with what you just said
and will hate you. This is the Christian ministry. It was John the
Baptist's ministry. It was Jesus' ministry. In the Book of Revelation,
it is the sackcloth ministry of those that speak for God.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:7-14 ~ "Now when they have finished their testimony,
the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower
and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city,
which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was
crucified. For three and a half days men from every people, tribe,
language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.
The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by
sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those
who live on the earth. But after three and a half days a breath of life
from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck
those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to
them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their
enemies looked on. At that very hour there was a severe earthquake an a
tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people will be killed in
the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the
God of heaven. The second woe has passed, the third woe is coming soon."</b></i><br />
<br />
Revelation 11 introduces us to a very key period of time with regard to
the great Tribulation period. We have already studied who the two
witnessed are. We only really know who one of them is for sure and that
is Elijah based on scripture references from both the Old and New
Testament. We don't know for sure who the other one is. Some say Moses
or it could be Enoch. The views are divided on just who it is, because
things in the Bible point to both of them. It could very well be either
or. Elijah and Enoch never died. They were both taken by God. It is
appointed once for every man to die and then judgment, Elijah and Enoch
never died a physical death. The Bible says that Elijah must come back,
we just don't know how he will appear.<br />
<br />
They will be in Jerusalem preaching for 3 1/2 years not sure where
exactly but as we come to this portion of scripture, these 3 1/2 years
have commenced. They will have been preaching to the people for the
first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period possibly at the signing of
the 7-year peace treaty. This is not some made up story. This is real
and it will take place at some point in the future. The Bible up to this
point has never been wrong in any of the prophetic events it predicted
would take place, have taken place in the most precise and minute
details. These things will also happen exactly as predicted.<br />
<br />
God's witness is not accepted by everyone. Have you realized that not
everyone you talk to wants to hear about God and what He has done for
you? You mention God, or Jesus or even open your Bible, people have a
tendency to close up. You will make people very uncomfortable. The name
that is most used either cursed or worshiped in the world is Jesus
Christ! You either curse Him or worship Him! You can't say that about
Mohammad, Buddha, Joseph Smith or Billy Graham or even the Pope. You
either love Jesus and you say so, or you care a less about Him and it
shows. The moment you tell people that Jesus died for us it makes people
upset. They may not say it but they want to know why did He have to
die. Just the thought is interesting to them but not in a good way. He
died for our sins, and that is the problem they have. The cross implies
that something is wrong in people's lives and that is the very reason,
they want to have crosses and even the Ten Commandments removed. All of
us are sinners and Jesus died for all of us. He loves us so much that He
went to the cross for us. We need Him.<br />
<br />
The message of God is unacceptable to the world now and to the world that is coming.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:7-8 ~ "Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up
from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their
bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively
called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified."</b></i><br />
<br />
Can you imagine for 3 1/2 years the testimony of these two witnesses
will be broadcast on Fox News, CNN and every other news organization
every day all day. All the conviction, truth and uncomfortableness of
what these witnesses are talking about will be broadcast 24/7. That
Jesus Christ is the Messiah. We need to believe in Him and all the
things mentioned in the Bible. Can you imagine how anointed their
messages will be? If you think you've heard of a great sermon in your
life, it will be nothing compared to one of their messages. They will be
sent from heaven, anointed by the Holy Spirit and have had a long time
to prepare their messages.<br />
<br />
The reason this message is unacceptable to the world is because the
message of God is personal. When they finish their "testimony," the word
testimony is a legal term. It means when they bore witness of the
truth. When they have finished their testimony or delivered their goods,
then we read how the Antichrist and the political world will kill these
two. They will not die until they have finished their testimony. When
they die, their testimony is complete. God will not allow these two to
suffer death, until the job is done.<br />
<br />
For those of you under the age of 18, honor your mom and dad. The Bible
says if you do this, you will live a long life. For those of you over
the age of 18, serve the Lord will gladness. You will live a long life. I
know the wisdom of God. The Bible says that He has numbered our days.
We will not die a day sooner or a day later. We need to serve the Lord
with gladness however many days He has appointed for us to live on this
earth, because we want our life to count. I don't want to simply breathe
air until it's time to go home. I want to make a difference, I want to
live my life is such a way that when God says it's time to come home, I
want to be able to say I am ready to go. I don't want to be on my death
bed, begging God for more time because we now are facing regrets for
what we didn't do with our time. We want to live for Him.<br />
<br />
These two lived for the Lord with all their heart. When their time of
testimony is done, it will look like to the whole world, that the
Antichrist took the power and that he destroyed them. But as have read
through the end of this chapter, everything turns around.<br />
<br />
We know that these two witnesses will speak to the world in sackcloth as we remember from <i><b>Revelation 11:3 ~"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth." </b></i>People
automatically equate wealth with those they see on Christian TV. They
won't be expecting these two witnesses of God to be wearing sackcloth.
They are part of a sack cloth ministry because whenever someone showed
up wearing sackcloth in the Bible, it was to announce judgment. These
guys and their message is not all that encouraging. Not doubt they give
the gospel message however which is encouraging. It will challenge them
to come to faith in Christ. Jonah was the first sackcloth prophet who
had a similar ministry. The first submarine captain. Jonah went to
Ninevah and what did he say? He's God man who walks on the scene and
tells them that in 40 days, Ninevah will perish. We know Jonah hated the
Ninevites. He preaches his message and goes to sit down under a tree
overlooking the city to watch it all happen. He was excited that he was
going to see an entire nation go up in flames.<br />
<br />
But God told Jonah that they were repenting of their sins and that they
were sorry. He can't destroy them. They were doing what He had hoped
they would do. Jonah was all bent out of shape because he didn't like
what God was doing because He was willing to accept their apology and
forgive them. This was the greatest revival in all human history. The
very minister who delivered the message was furious at his results. God
is gracious and merciful but He is also Judge and He is holy! God will
bring judgment during the Tribulation Period. We are called at times to
have a sackcloth ministry.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Galatians 6:1 ~ "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who
are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also
may be tempted."</b></i><br />
<br />
When we see a fellow Christian, we are to gently restore and rescue them
back to the faith. This is sackcloth ministry. Don't confuse
condemnation with the sackcloth ministry. God is not into condemnation.
Yes, God is bound by His holiness to exercise judgment, but God is not
willing that any man should perish or that any man should be condemned.
Are men condemned? Yes! Do they perish without Christ? Yes. Who's choice
is that? Not God. It's not His choice. It is their choice.<br />
<br />
That is why God sent His Son, so that man could escape that destiny. But sometimes people don't respond to that kind of message.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Jude 1:22 ~ "Be merciful to those who doubt."</b></i><br />
<br />
Some of us respond to a message of grace or some have to respond to a
message of fire. "It's the goodness of God that leads a man to
repentance." Some respond to the message of what God has done in His
great love for us and we are moved to make the decision to follow Jesus
in faith. That is good. That is the way it was intended. But some of us
are not wired that way. Some people respond to the fire and brimstone
methods of teaching. They need the message to be straightforward and
blunt to the core of what they are doing and what the end result will be
if they don't respond.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>Lord, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>I
ask You right now that there are those who are like the woman caught in
the act of adultery, thrown down to the ground, and brought Lord to
Your feet. Your grace transformed her life. And then there are others
like myself who inadvertently stumble into a church not knowing, heard
about the judgment and condemnation of a sinner and knew that I was
heading for fire. And You got me. So Lord, those who need grace to lead
them to Your feet, those who need to hear and smell the crackling of
eternal fires of hell itself, that they would come to Your feet. Lord,
thank You that Your salvation is all encompassing, to all those who turn
their hearts to You, in Jesus Name ~ AMEN!!!</b></i></span>Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-14891885282359505102020-10-13T10:12:00.005-07:002020-10-13T10:14:39.416-07:00Who Are the Two Witnesses During the Tribulation Period? <p><br />
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<br />
In Revelation 11, we are introduced to two witnesses and there has been
much speculation as to who these two are. We are going to take an
in-depth look using Scripture to see if there might just be some clues
to who these two are and what their purpose is. The Bible says that it
is appointed to every man, once to die, but we know there are exceptions
to this. The church will be raptured some day and they will not see
death. The Bible also tells us that Elijah didn't see death, he was
taken away to be with God in heaven. Enoch was taken from the earth, he
didn't see death. The Bible also teaches that before the Lord comes back
in His Second Coming, two witnesses come back to the earth. Some
believe one of them is Moses, who represents the law and the other is
Elijah who represents the prophets. It could also be Moses and Enoch or
Elijah and Enoch. No one can say for 100% certainty, but we will do a
little digging to see if we can find some clues that will point to some
clarity in the Bible regarding these two. The world will definitely find
out and to say that they are empowered is a understatement.<br />
<br />
God is about to make a very special announcement to mankind by the mouth of His witnesses.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:3 ~ "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth." </b></i><br />
<br />
1260 days is 3 1/2 years or 42 months. All these numerical references to
time specific time are all the same no matter how you measure it. God
will place these two in the world and it will be in Jerusalem. They are
wearing sackcloth which is kind of like a gunny sack or burlap. This is
the same type of sackcloth that Isaiah wore or John the Baptist wore.
It's referred to as camel's skin. The fur remained on the outside. The
wore the most uncomfortable part against their skin, not the soft furry
side. They did it so the prophet of God would never be comfortable or
used to it in his ministry. The ministry reminded him constantly that it
was God's business. It was God's Word.<br />
<br />
These two special evangelists, everyone wants to know who they are.
There are a few things we need to remember that are important. They are
the mouthpiece of God. These are prophets of God that speak in the name
of God, they are dedicated to the Word of God. They say what they need
to say no matter what with no concern for their own personal safety. God
has two witnesses appointed and what could be their possible identity?<br />
<br />
Their identity tells us that they belong to God. You belong to God if
you are a Christian. You are the property of God. He loved you enough to
have bought and paid for you through the death and resurrection and
faith we place in Jesus Christ. Jesus paid that price with His own
blood.<br />
<br />
Notice the words " I will give power..." Who is speaking to John? The
messenger or angel. This is another reference that points the the mighty
angel in Revelation 10 might just be Jesus Christ. They are powered by
God. The word for power is dunamus, which is where we get our word
dynamite from. It is a life changing, explosive power. These two also
live and die before the Lord.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:3 ~" And I will give power to my two witnesses," </b></i><br />
<br />
The word for witnesses here is the word martyrs or martis. We use the
English word "witness."It means to live for God and we all called to be
witnesses for God. This means we no longer live for our lives but for
God's life.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Romans 12:1-2 ~ "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's
mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to
God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer
to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -
his good, pleasing and perfect will."</b></i><br />
<br />
God doesn't want a dead sacrifice, He wants a living one. One that tell
others about Him. It also refers to these two witnesses that there is an
unveiled courtroom setting be revealed before us. They stand there to
bear witness and share the truth of God's Word against an unbelieving
world. A courtroom is being set and the world is getting ready to be
judged.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Deuteronomy 19:15 ~ "One witness is not enough to convict a man
accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be
established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."</b></i><br />
<br />
Our entire judicial system in America is based on Deuteronomy 19:15. The
Roman government even operated that way. These two witnesses are the
tools God is using to tell the world that judgment is coming. They are
commanded by God to prophesy.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:3 ~ "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth."</b></i><br />
<br />
If you do the math, you will come up short by 5 days. The Bible from
Genesis to Revelation, does not use a calendar with 365 days, it never
has and it never will. God uses a Greek calendar with 360 days. So when
we see 3 1/2 years, we are counting it on a 365 days calendar not God.
God uses a 360 day calendar to arrive at 1260 days or 3 1/2 years on a
biblical calendar or 42 months.<br />
<br />
This is a wonderful link whenever you go through the Bible and read
Bible prophecy now. You will either see times defined by 42 months, 3
1/2 years, 1260 days or times a time and a half. That is how it reads in
English. Times = 2 in Hebrew, Time= 1 in Hebrew and a half is a half.
That is exactly how you find it! 2 + 1 + 1/2 = 3 1/2 ! That is why when
you open the Bible and begin to study it you might not understand what
is being said. This demands that you and I both study the Old Testament!<br />
<br />
So what does all this have to do with you? Because when God says
something will last 1260 days or 42 months or 3 1/2 years it will last
exactly that long. Same as when He tells you that if You come to Him and
put your faith in Him, He will never leave you. He loves you. You can
rest in those promises as much as you can rest in the details God gives
us in the Bible. What God says, He keeps!<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 12:14 ~ "The woman was given the two wings of a great
eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the
desert, where should be taken care of for a time, times and a half a
time, out of the serpent's reach."</b></i><br />
<br />
You already know how long that is, 3 1/2 years!!!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 7:25 ~ "He will speak against the Most High and oppress his
saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be
handed over to him for a time, times and half a time."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Daniel 9:27 ~ "He will confirm a covenant with many for one
'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to the
sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an
abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is
poured out on him."</b></i><br />
<br />
Seven is seven years. In the middle of the seven or 7 years is 3 1/2
years, 1260 days or 42 months. You can't have sacrifices and offerings
in Israel unless you have a temple. God gives a very somber power over
the supernatural. Their origin is supernatural.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Revelation 11:4 ~ "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth."</b></i><br />
<br />
You wouldn't understand the references of the two lampstands or the two
olive trees unless you read the Old Testament. You won't find references
to the two olive trees until you read the Book of Zechariah. The two
witnesses in the book of Zechariah in Chapter 4, are referred to as the
two anointed ones of God that will stand before God over the whole
earth. These two anointed ones or two olive trees. See how reading the
Old Testament makes sense of what we are reading now.<br />
<br />
They will have a supernatural origin and so is their ministry. They will
preach and do things that are of a divine nature. So who are these two
witnesses? 1st view: Moses and Elijah. That is the popular view that
they are divinely sent back from heaven to earth. Why? (1) Moses is
referred to as the law giver. The ministry during the Tribulation period
is predominately to the Jewish nation. They honor Moses right? When
Moses died, God buried him. Nobody knows where Moses is buried. God says
that nobody knows. This is what we do know what happened when Moses
died, that Satan for some weird reason, tried to steal the dead body of
Moses. What would he want with the dead body of Moses? It says that
Michael, the archangel in the Book of Jude, fought and disputed with
Satan over the body of Moses. Why? Some scholars say, that is Satan
could have inhabitated this body of Moses, he could have come back to
the people of Israel, and given false doctrine to them. Interesting.<br />
<br />
There is a second view. That those are simply just two witnesses
ordained by God who are of the Jewish people, who are saved at that time
during the Tribulation Period, and are specially anointed prophets of
God. That could be. That they are not any of the Old Testament prophets
or men of God. The Bible doesn't give us their names exactly.<br />
<br />
The third view which I believe is the correct view. The Bible tells us
over and over again that Elijah must come before the great day of the
Lord. Elijah must come back. What is unique about Elijah is that he
never died. He was caught up in a chariot in the whirlwind of God and
was taken into heaven. Did Moses die? Yes he did. Elijah's ministry was
directly a ministry of the prophets. If you go to Israel today and ask
them who is your greatest prophet of all, they will tell you Elijah.
They honor him tremendously to this hour. Jesus says that Elijah must
come back before He returns. That's a queue that excludes the rapture
from the Second Coming by the way. Elijah has to come back to earth
before the Second Coming. Elijah does not have to come back before the
Rapture. Elijah is coming back. So we know one of these guys! Elijah
according to Old and New Testament.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Malachi 4:4-6 ~ "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees
and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. See, I will send you the
prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He
will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of the
children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with
a curse."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 17:10*11 ~ "The disciples asked him, "Why then do the
teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first. Jesus replied, "To
be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things." </b></i><br />
<br />
So who is the other guy. I'll give you a hint. This guy had a specific
ministry to the Gentiles. He preached the coming of the Lord. He used a
term we know in Greek, "maranatha." Behold the Lord cometh with ten
thousand of His saints. He too did not die. He never died. He was in
fact "raptured" from the earth. This is my opinion. It could be wrong. I
believe it is Enoch. Enoch and Elijah never died and Enoch preached to a
Gentile world. Elijah preached to the Jewish world. Remember what is
going on during the Tribulation period, judgment and events and by the
way, these two witnesses can call down judgment and can do anything they
want for 3 1/2 years. They will cause the earth to not receive any
rain. The earth will dry up. We read that in previous chapters in
Revelation, chapter 8. This is a parenthetical insert and what has
happened in chapter 8 is being recapped in chapter 11.<br />
<br />
These prophets will be ministering during that time. They will have
tremendous power given to them by God. They will exercise this
supernatural power.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:5-6 ~ "If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from
their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to
harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it
will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have the
power to turn the waters to blood and to strike the earth with every
kind of plague as often as they want."</b></i><br />
<br />
We have to remember that during the Tribulation period the world will be
so demonized that what these two men will do, will simply fit in with
everything else. Who had the power to shut up heaven so that no rain
fell in the Old Testament? Elijah! Who turned the waters to blood? Hmmm,
sounds like something Moses would do, as well as the plagues. Yet it
was Enoch who warned that this would happen too! They have all this
power to do all of this and more for 3 1/2 years. Now that is power.<br />
<br />
These events will happen and they will come. You and I don't have to
have any exposure or influence or any trauma of these events that are
coming. It's not an escape view it is simply biblical. Now granted the
Tribulation period could be 50 to a 100 years away. I don't think so,
but frankly with all due respect, I don't really care. Jesus is the one I
am looking for. He is the one that holds my hope.I'm not looking for
the Antichrist, I am looking for the Living Christ. I am expecting to
hear a trumpet blast at any time. Jesus told us throughout the Bible to
be looking for Him and watching for Him. No where in the Bible does it
say to be looking for the Antichrist. To wait for him and to be
expecting him.<br />
<br />
Always in the Bible it is to look for Jesus, expect Jesus, wait for
Jesus. We shouldn't be looking for the undertaker but looking for the
Upper taker! Let's look for Jesus every single day! Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-15021287509616627882020-10-12T13:34:00.003-07:002020-10-12T13:34:28.143-07:00Breaking News Headlines Coming Soon. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
This world is looking for a politician to pull them out of their woes.
Not only America, but the world is looking for a super politician. There
is a <a href="http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/united_nations_index.htm">prime minister in Belgium</a>,
Paul-Henri Spaak, who has stated with all the issues in the European
Union not coming together as well as they would have liked and the
falling of the Euro especially in light of what has happened in Greece,
that he has stated he doesn't care who comes as long as they can pull
them out of the mess they are in. We don't care whether he is a devil or
a Christ as long as he is a deliverer. This prayer will be answered in
the form of the Antichrist in the not too distant future. The world is
going to have to be in a place of hurting. This man will come to deliver
humanity from it's dilemma and we are seeing the stage being set even
now.<br />
<br />
The world today in 2015 is in a political, economical, and void of
leadership, borders are erasing around the globe, and the world is
desperate for a deliverer. The world doesn't care who it is, as long as
they do what is needed, but as believers, we know that only Jesus Christ
can do just that!<br />
<br />
Remember as we get back into our study today that from Revelation 10 to
Revelation 11:14, this entire portion of Scripture is called a
parenthetical pause, a break in the ongoing storyline to give the reader
some much needed information before continuing on in the events during
the Tribulation Period. This is perhaps the biggest challenge I faced
when reading Revelation the first couple of times, was I never knew what
was going on with these interruptions in the events, that we found
first in Revelation 7 and now again in Revelation 10-11:14. God is
pausing the story as if to give us some much needed information to help
us process the rest of the events. This is why so many people simply
give up their study into this amazing Book of the Bible, is because it
doesn't seem to flow right. When you study it and understand what is
happening, you can truly appreciate what is happening and make sense of
it to further your understanding of the book of Revelation.<br />
<br />
You also have to understand that the Book of Revelation begs us to have a
deep, deep understanding, especially from Revelation 10-11:14 of the
Old Testament. We can't understand the events and meanings without
seeing how the Old Testament plays a role into this Book! Remember too,
that as a believer in Jesus, we do not have to be a part of this time in
history. We can completely avoid the entire Tribulation period as a
believer in Jesus Christ. That is the most important thing to understand
in this study. Thus the urgency in sharing the gospel with others. The
Bible makes is perfectly clear that believers will be gone from the
earth before the Tribulation begins. These things wait an unbelieving
world. The reason God brings this judgment upon the world is because
they have rejected Christ's sacrifice upon the cross.<br />
<br />
If you are a Christian, where was our sin judged? On the cross. The
Bible says that that being so, there is no judgment left to us any
longer. The Tribulation period is a time of judgment upon the earth, for
those that have rejected Christ and the cross. You need to make a
decision this morning, will you experience these things which we are
reading about in Revelation of the coming judgment or will you take
advantage of the opportunity that Christ has given to you, that He died
on the cross for our sins, taking upon Himself our judgment. I don't
know about you, but that is a good deal!<br />
<br />
We learn that as God's final witness He gives a very specific warning of events.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:1-2 ~ "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and
was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the
worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it,
because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy
city for 42 months."</b></i><br />
<br />
We looked last time that there will be a temple built in Jerusalem
because the apostle Paul and the prophets have said so. Jesus said so as
well. There is a coming temple to Jerusalem. We studied that just north
of the Dome of the Rock, there is a vacant area that can house the
square footage of the space required to build the Temple or Solomon's
Temple if you measured it that way. We learned that in both the Old and
New Testament, there will be a dividing wall between the area of the
Gentiles that is defiled and the area in which the Temple will be built
during the Tribulation period. The outer area is an area that is an
abomination to God. It's not acceptable to Him. It is a defiled area.<br />
<br />
They already have the plans and have begun to process of creating the
items to be used in the coming Temple. They have been assembling the
people who have the last names of Levi or Levy or Kohan. These names
that can be traced back to the Levitical priesthood. They are being
instructed in priestly operations. The implements that will be used in
the temple that have been created are currently under lock and key
because they are made out of pure gold, pure silver and solid brass.
Israel is excited for the day when they will have the Temple once again.
We know that the days are coming because this talk is already happening
and it is exciting to see this happening even now. It means the time is
drawing closer. We already know that beheadings are on the rise around
the world and it is only going to increase in the last days.<br />
<br />
Information travels around the world now in a flash thanks to modern
advances in technology. Anytime anything happens on the Temple Mount it
makes national news! It is the most hotly contested piece of real estate
in the world. Something will happen in the future where Israel will be
granted access to build their Temple again. There is going to come an
announcement that this will be happening and it is a promise you can
bank on. These are some future headlines that are coming to the world in
the near future.<br />
<br />
Israel will sign a 7-year peace treaty with the United Nations that will
allow them to build a temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount.<br />
<br />
How do we know this. It's found in the Bible in Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13.<br />
<br />
This agreement will allow certain rights and privileges to the Muslim
people to practice their ancient pagan worship system of Ancient
Babylon, the worship of the moon god. What will be happening on the
Temple Mount will be a co-existing worship system of the Jewish Temple
and the Dome of the Rock Mosque with the crescent moon on top of it, to
worship the Babylonian moon god. They don't know his name or reference
his name, but in Arabic they just call him God, because it is his title
not his name. Allah is God is Arabic. This will take place there and it
will happen.<br />
<br />
How do we know this? It is found in Revelation 11 which we will study more in depth later.<br />
<br />
These two systems of worship happening at the same time, will offend the
God of heaven. Revelation 13, Daniel 2-3. This will be a divided yet
united practice that both these groups will worship on top of God's holy
mountain.<br />
<br />
The Bible warns that there will be a global "church" of lost souls
during this time. A one world church. That it will have the outward
appearance of Christianity but be anything but deny the power of God.
(Luke 13, 2 Corinthians 11, 2 Timothy 4, Matthew 7).<br />
<br />
That there will be a global economic system of commerce and it will be
cashless system where by transactions will be made electronically via a
numbering system with a certain numerical prefix = 666. Look at any bar
code today and you will find those numbers in the beginning, the middle
and on the end of the bar codes. It may not be 666 but if you turn it
over it is 999. Interesting how this is happening even now. There will
come a time however that in order to buy or sell without that prefix of
666. (Daniel 8, Revelation 13, 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 John 2).<br />
<br />
That Europe will once again be resurrected in a demonically energized
godless government of nations that will ultimately produce a
representative, a man, who will swoon the world into a false sense of
peace and hope. Hasn't God tried to warn us over and over again of this
happening. How many times has Europe tried to produce a global leader?
Interesting if you know European history. It will happen again. This guy
will be somewhat successful because Satan will dwell within him.
(Daniel 7, Revelation 12, Daniel 8, and Daniel 11).<br />
<br />
Paul told us of this time that we are studying in Revelation 11.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1 Thessalonians 5:3 ~ "While people are saying, "Peace and
safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a
pregnant woman, and they will not escape."</b></i><br />
<br />
Israel will love this point in the Tribulation. They will finally have
peace with their neighbors, there are no more attacks in their nation,
they have their Temple on the Temple Mount again. Things are great in
their eyes. They will believe that they are in a time of safety but it
will not be. It will be at a mid-point in the Tribulation period that
Israel will see what they couldn't see earlier.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:17-22 ~ "Let no one on the roof of his house go down to
take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get
his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and
nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or
on the Sabbath. For then there will be a great distress, unequaled from
the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again. If
those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the
sake of the elect those days will be shortened." </b></i><br />
<br />
This is a warning to Israel. He is saying in Revelation 11, that there is a deception coming to Israel.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:2 ~ "But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because is has been given to the Gentiles." </b></i><br />
<br />
As long as there is a Muslim presence on the Temple Mount, and the Jews
wanting to build a Temple on the Temple Mount, this coming leader will
strike a deal to make that happen. Think about what would have to happen
to make this a reality. With the European Union, the U. N., the United
States, all of the Arab nations around Israel? How will this happen? No
one has been able to pull this off no matter how much they have tried in
the past. It will take Satan, himself, dwelling inside a human being to
strike a demonic deal, that is called in the Bible, a 7-year peace
treaty. Satan will pull this off through his indwelling of a human
being. A man we refer to as the Antichrist. The Bible calls him the Son
of Perdition. The Old Testament calls him the Beast. He will be amazing
because people will be deceived by what he says and does. He will bring
incredible prosperity to the world. He will bring all kinds of peace to
the world. He will be the master politician like this world has never
seen.<br />
<br />
This deception will not only come upon the whole world but Israel
specifically. There will come a time when human government will reign.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:2b ~ "it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Luke 21:24 ~ "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as
prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the
Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." </b></i><br />
<br />
We know that 7 years will be the time until the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Tribulation Period marks that quite clearly. The Bible says when
human government ends that Jesus will return. To establish His kingdom
and to put an end to human government.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Zechariah 14:3-4 ~ "Then the LORD will go out an fight against
those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet
will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of
Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley,
with half of the mountains moving north and half moving south."</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Daniel 2:34, 44 ~ "While you were watching, a rock was cut out,
but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and
clay and smashed them. In the time of those kings, the God of Heaven
will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left
to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an
end, but it will itself endure forever."</b></i><br />
<br />
This is a reference to the return of Christ in Daniel 2. A time when
human government will cease. How can you look at the events in
Revelation 11 and not see the comparison to what is happening in the
world today? It's easy when you dig a hole and put your head in the
ground. The Bible tells us that the sons of Issachar observed the times
in which they lived, and determined what Israel ought to do. No one
should be more attuned to what your family should be doing next or the
pastor in your church should be the one leading your church in the
community, because we, as believers, are discerning the times in which
we are living in. We should be engaging more than ever. As we look
around and see the signs of the times and seasons, we want to know our
Bibles, get excited to know that the Lord is at work, and live for Him
because it's time to go full throttle for Jesus. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-43703286366135996642020-10-09T11:48:00.000-07:002020-10-09T11:48:11.926-07:00Time is Running Out! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
We know that the coming world leader will attempt to cohabitate the
religions of the world. We are already seeing the bumpers stickers
"Coexist" that is a step in that being looked at as being acceptable.
While the Antichrist might not be physically empowered just yet, the
spirit of the Antichrist, according to 1 John states that it is already
at work. God is watching this happen as Satan begins to get things set
up for this to happen. The stage is being set for the portion of
Scripture we are going to study today. It hasn't happened yet, but
things are being put in place for it to happen at a future time.<br />
<br />
If you have one of those "coexist" bumper stickers on your car, you
might want to remove it. You may want to research a bit about the man
who created those stickers as well. You need to find out what it's all
about. There is even a new one now called "tolerance." While he is
making millions off these bumper stickers he firmly believes in anything
but co-existence. You're driving around with an impossibility on the
back of your car, because there is no way the religions depicted there
on the sticker, could ever tolerate each other because its a
collaboration of hostile world views and religious biases. All of those
symbols will gang up and eradicate one of those symbols that are on that
sticker and that is Christianity.<br />
<br />
There is a time coming when deception will happen. This very specific
warning of events involves a coming deception to the nation of Israel.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:2a ~ "But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles."</b></i><br />
<br />
The Old Testament says that the outer court area of the Temple is
defiled. The next time the Temple is rebuilt there will be a dividing
line between something that it unclean, something that God says belongs
to the Gentiles, something that is defiling, and something that the Jews
will herald as the Temple. This is why I believe that the Dome of the
Rock, that mosque will stay during the 7-year Tribulation Period. Here
is the reason why, the Antichrist will engineer a peace agreement and
its Muslim enemies. So how can the Temple Mount be used that is
palatable to both the Jews and the Muslims? Somehow and someway, the
Antichrist will appease the zealot spirit of the Muslims on the mount
and at the same time, he will appeal to the zealousness of the Jews that
want to worship on the Temple Mount. There will be a wall in between
the two and I believe we are seeing hints of that wall today in Israel
where they are building a defense wall, which is working tremendously. I
think this is a forerunner to the wall that will be built between the
Dome of the Rock and the Temple of the Jews.<br />
<br />
God has stated that the area outside the Temple, is defiled. Now what
would make it defiled? False worship? Misguided faith? Practices of an
occult? Absolutely these things would. But the fact remains that all
around, written in Arabic, on the Dome of the Rock mosque, in tiles
says,"God is not begotten, and neither does God have a Son." No wonder
God says to leave it out. Leave it out. A term for non believer.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Proverbs 30:4 ~ "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has
gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the
waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What
is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!"</b></i><br />
<br />
People might say this is a contradiction, but I will go with what the
Bible says any day! The Bible says that when this man comes on the scene
there will be a great deception and Israel will be deceived. This is
the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:21 ~ "For then there will be great distress, unequaled
from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled
again." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Jeremiah 30:7 ~ "How awful that day will be! None will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.
"</b></i><br />
<br />
We know that Jacob got a new name and it was Israel. This is referring to the nation of Israel during the Tribulation Period.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Daniel 12:1 ~ "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects
your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has
not happened from the beginning of the nations until them. But at that
time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book -
will be delivered."</b></i><br />
<br />
John is giving us an insight as to how the tables are turning from the
first 3 1/2 years to the second 3 1/2 years. He is making a connection.
When this mid point happens there will come an end to human government.
The Gentiles will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months. This 42
months is a code word for Bible students,<br />
<br />
<i><b>Luke 21:24 ~ "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as
prisoners to all the nations, Jerusalem will be trampled on by the
Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled."</b></i><br />
<br />
Remember prior to 1948, Israel was not a nation. Then it became a
nation. In 1967, they took control of Jerusalem, then the Temple Mount,
but then turned around and gave it back that same week. Why didn't they
hang on to it? Because it wasn't time yet according to God. The time of
the Gentiles was not yet complete. The "Time of the Gentiles" has two
meanings. (1) It is certainly the control of the Gentiles over Israel,
meaning that Israel does not have sovereignty over its own nation, nor
its capital. That is true today in many ways. (2) A time would be given
to the Gentile nation to hear the gospel and respond to the salvation
message. The Bible says that time is running out. It will conclude. It
will terminate.<br />
<br />
Just like in the days of Noah, he had to wait. Noah had to wait 7 days
after he built the ark for it to rain. The Bible says it had never
rained before and that the water came up from the ground to water the
plants. It had never rained before. The people were outside mocking Noah
until the Bible says that God closed the door of the ark. We know that
the clouds began to form, and imagine what people thought of that and
then it began to rain and it didn't stop. There was a great earthquake
and the bowels of the earth opened up and let the water out. We now know
scientifically that there is more water beneath the earth, than above
the earth. Did you know that? There are bigger rivers beneath the earth
than are on the surface of the earth.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Zechariah 14:3 ~ "Then the LORD will go out and fight against
those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. ON that day his feet
will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem and, and the Mount
of Olives will be split in two from the east to west, forming a great
valley, with half of the mountains moving north and half moving south."</b></i><br />
<br />
This will happen at the culmination of the 7-year Tribulation Period to
culminate human government. At the end of Tribulation Period, God will
end human government and He is sending out warnings. Human government
fails every time. We should not be looking for political leaders to
provide all the answers, but look to the Lord. We should vote. People
died so we can vote. To honor the dead and the veterans, we should all
vote. If you're not sure who to vote for, vote for the lesser of the two
evils. Even though God knows the outcome, He has asked us to be
involved. Be salt and be light. The result, we leave up to God. Either
not enough of us voted or a lot of us voted, but God made up His mind in
2000 anyway. Who put Bush in office? Not the Supreme Court. God put him
in office. God says He raises up kings and He pulls kings down. Whoever
God puts in office next will tell us what is coming next. Think about
it!<br />
<br />
God has given us through John, a window into the future. When you read
or study the Bible consider this, the same Holy Spirit that was alive
when all this happened, is alive in you today. Ask God to allow that
Spirit to show you what it was like during that time, to see the things
they saw, to feel the things that happened, to smell the smells and hear
the sounds. Perhaps that is one of the reasons so many treasure hunters
or archaeologists love what they do. It's exciting because you never
know what you will find. What we are looking at right now, has never
happened before. We've been allowed today to discover, to explore, to
uncover, to see things that no one has ever seen before in our study.
God gives us just enough to know about this upcoming event.<br />
<br />
As we will study next week, we will look at these two witnesses, who
they are, where do they go, where did they come from and what is up with
their powers. It will be extremely important to know certain portions
of the Old Testament to understand the ministry of these two witnesses.
That is the point about the whole book of Revelation. God is basically
saying, I've written down the future for you in my Book and you might
want to take a look at it. No other man made gods of the religions of
the world have done such a thing. 27% of the Bible is devoted to future
events. He is saying, "Here is the future."<br />
<br />
We will be studying more about the 42 months, which is 1,260 days
according to the Biblical calendar which is equivalent to 3 1/2 years of
the later end of the Tribulation Period. He is telling you that you can
trust Him with your eternal life. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-19120418226989302552020-10-08T11:03:00.007-07:002020-10-08T11:03:50.271-07:00What Are You Worshipping in This World? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
For nearly two decades now there is a group in Israel known as the
Temple Mount Faithful that run the Temple Mount Institute who have been
making preparations to get ready for the rebuilding of the Temple in
Jerusalem. They have rebuilt many of the tools to be used in the Temple
as well as the menorah, and have been researching the red heifer, which
they have now discovered as well as those who fall in the lineage of the
Levitical priests, from the gowns the priest will wear, this group is
taking this extraordinarily serious. The have it all down to the finest
minute details from the exact color dye for the priests gown derived
from a sea snail. We know that at this time, there is no Temple Mount in
Jerusalem but in our study today we are learning that there will be.
God says that one day there will be.<br />
<br />
There are those who refuse to believe in the New Testament but through
their actions, they are working on efforts that one day they believe it
will be built again. This is just another indicator of last days events.
God's Word is always true. You can even use Google Earth to check this
area out where the Temple will one day be built again. It is just to the
left and north of the Dome of the Rock. It is a vacant lot where it
will one day be rebuilt and prophecy to be fulfilled.<br />
<br />
Remember in our study yesterday, we concluded that God is issuing a
warning throughout the Book of Revelation and even during the
Tribulation Period when it comes, that He loves us so much, He doesn't
want us to have to go through these things we are reading about and
studying today. Don't lose sight of that.<br />
<br />
As we continue our study this morning, we know that the warning God is
providing of a very specific event comes a temple to the city of
Jerusalem. One day in the last days, the Bible is assuming that a Temple
will be rebuilt in the city of Jerusalem. There is not a temple there
today, but the Bible clearly states that one day one will come. Scholars
will argue that this is not what this portion of scripture is referring
to and it must be something else because a temple will never be rebuilt
there. Israel as we know is making serious preparations for this to
happen even though they refuse to read the New Testament portions of the
Bible. The priestly gowns have already been made right down to the most
minute detail. The menorah for the holy of holies is already made. The
altar has already been created. They are teaching those of the Levite
lineage how to perform the priestly duties. Israel is planning on
building a Temple.<br />
<br />
They can't build it at this time because of the Muslim/Palestinian world
would go crazy. It would be the catalyst for the next world war. It
won't happen today, but Israel is moving in that direction. We know that
there is a coming Temple because Jesus said so.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Matthew 24:14-15 ~ "And this gospel of the kingdom will be
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the
end will come. So when you see standing in the holy place, 'the
abomination that cause desolation,' spoken through the prophet Daniel -
let the reader understand - "</b></i><br />
<br />
There will be a rebuilding of the Temple in what looks to be the area
just north of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. I believe that the Dome
of the Rock will still be there because Scripture talks about a wall
being built that will separate this holy place away from a defiled area.
Why would the Bible mention this Temple Mount area as being defiled?
God says in the last days, a Temple will come to Jerusalem. However a
lot of political things have to happen before that could ever be true.
There are motions and work taking place to brings these things about
when that day comes. There is a flat area just north of the Dome of the
Rock that can easily allow for the Temple to be rebuilt right behind the
Golden Gate, that the Tribulation Temple will be built.<br />
<br />
When John was given this vision in 90 A.D., the Temple did not exist
either. In 70 A.D. it was destroyed by Titus in the invading Roman
Empire to sequester an uprising in Jerusalem during that time. Jesus
predicted this would happen when He said not one stone would be left
unturned when the Temple was destroyed. The Bible says a day is coming
when a man, the Son of Perdition, some scholars refer to him as a Prince
or a Western Prince, will arise out of the ancient borders of a once
great Roman Empire.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ~ "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,
for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of
lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose
and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is
worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming
himself to be God."</b></i><br />
<br />
Even though we have a conglomeration of nations within the Europe Union
right now, the Bible says that 10 nations will rise out of the 25
nations that are within that group right now. Within that 10, there will
be a predominate group of 4 leaders that will be the spokespersons for
these nations. Out of the 4, the Bible says that 1 will rise up and that
will be the "western prince" or Son of Perdition or Antichrist and he
will speak convincing words to the world that the world will believe. He
will turn around the world's economy so that it will be the most
prosperous time that the world has ever known. This time period will
last for about 3 1/2 years. He will cause the environment to be
rejuvenated to some degree but he will not convince all the world. It
appears that China and parts of the Asian world will come to war against
him, and we will study more about that in greater detail in chapter 13.
This man will be the greatest politician the world has ever seen.<br />
<br />
In the United States right now, our own independence is an affront to
the entire global community. Did you know that? It is not liked and is
jealously disdained in Europe. The independent spirit in Americans is
not well received in the world. We are labeled as "free thinkers,"
"independents," and are marked as renegades in the global community.
Ronald Reagan even received flack for being labeled as a "rogue cowboy."
The world is getting a mind set of globalism. The United States is an
affront to that and it doesn't easily bow to the whims of the United
Nations. But something greater than the U.N. is coming. The European
Union is gaining strength, even their dollar is worth more than our
currency now. There will a continued decrease in the dollar and the yen,
and you'll see more countries embracing the Euro as the European Union
continues to grow in power and influence in the world. <br />
<br />
The European Union is taking its cue from the United States and is
following suit. There is one huge difference, God is being left out of
their constitution, their flags, and their currency whereas the United
States at this time has God in the midst of it all when He founded this
nation. He is in the middle of our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, our
Declaration of Independence. What comes out of Europe must have a
vacancy of God for this man to rise to power. The Bible says that he
will stand in the Temple of God during the Tribulation Period and
declare himself to be God. The Bible says that the people of the world
will fall under the deception and believe him. He will sign a 7-year
peace treaty with Israel and its warring neighbors in Daniel 9.<br />
<br />
They will vote with their pocketbooks because they want prosperity in
their lives and they want the environment to be restored, all the
environmental groups will love him. Don't mistake the belief that
Christians should be the greatest custodians of God's creations. But
look around you and you can see the extremes people are taking these
activities now. The difference is we don't worship creation, they do.
The world is being groomed for this time to come.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:1 ~ "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was
told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the
worshipers there."</b></i><br />
<br />
I can understand measuring the Temple of God, the altar but counting the
worshipers? We know that Jesus Christ is our High Priest, Jesus Christ
died on the cross once and for all, and Jesus ascended to heaven to
present His blood upon the altar in heaven. The temple was destroyed
because it wasn't needed anymore. God is not into earthly temples. God
is no longer into earthly altars. Jesus is now resurrected and is now
enthroned in heaven. When we pray do we face a temple? We don't do this
because as Christians, we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,
and our God is enthroned in heaven. We can pray any way we want to, any
time we want to, any where we want to. Our salvation is not connected to
an earthly temple.<br />
<br />
When John is asked to measure the temple, this is the temple the
Antichrist will use. Even though it says it is the Temple of God, that
is how the Jewish people reference it. God has not declared it to be His
temple. The Bible says that won't happen until Jesus returns to earth
and He establishes His own temple in Jerusalem. This is the temple to be
commandeered or stolen by the Antichrist. It's a false temple and
needless altar.<br />
<br />
Now it comes to measuring the worshipers and in the Greek it is <b>metreo</b>
which means: to measure, to ascertain in size, to make note of detail.
To determine size, scope and influence. The word here is both
figuratively and actual it just depends on the application. How do you
measure people? John is told to measure their hearts. Who are they? What
do they know? In what form are they worshiping? Where are they with
God? God measures the worshiper right now! God is always measuring our
desire or passion for worship.<br />
<br />
If you read your Bible carefully, Christians are prone to worship! If
you want to find a Christian who is worth anything to hang around with,
find one who is a worshiper! Christians should be worshiping and
praising God! It's what we are going to be doing in Heaven! It's good
practice. God might not count the physical number of people worshiping
in church but He measures each one of us. Do you ever notice that
sometimes when you are singing worship songs, you might be mouthing the
words, but your mind is someplace else. Sometimes if you are like me,
you have to close your eyes to get rid of all distractions. When you
worship alone, do you do that? We should understand that when we worship
corporately in church, what a blessing that is. The music in church has
nothing to do with us. As a Christian, we need to make worship a
priority, not something you show up just after its almost over or leave
just as it begins at the conclusion of service and you head out so you
don't have to be stuck trying to get out of the parking lot. God
measures His worshipers.<br />
<br />
Distraction is an easy thing, especially in worship. Every Christian has
experienced this. It is attacked with distractions. Anytime we try to
do something for God or spend time with God, our minds have a tendency
to wander. While we are involved in a spiritual devotion with God, it is
foreign to this world. It is foreign to our nature. It is foreign to
our life in this world. It is all about us worshiping the Lord and that
is why it is so difficult. When we worship God, there is a beautiful
death that takes place to us, our self, our demands, our wants, and we
lose track of us, which is always a good thing. Worship causes us to see
God bigger.<br />
<br />
If you remember in the movie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy
tells Aslan that every year he gets bigger. Aslan is the picture of
Jesus in C.S. Lewis' classic novel. He doesn't get any bigger, its that
Lucy worships him more. When we worship God, He gets bigger to us and
that is why we need to do that. We lose ourselves in His presence. In
the worship of God. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010793210731350931.post-67657037723394748872020-10-07T09:01:00.001-07:002020-10-07T09:01:25.124-07:00Are You Looking for Warning Signs From God?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Today as we enter a new chapter into the study of the Book of
Revelation, we are going to see how technology plays an important role
in what will be happening as God uses two witnesses to preach not only
His message of repentance, grace, and mercy but also as a last warning
of sorts to those still living in a Christ-rejecting world. We know that
this prophecy was written more than 2000 years ago and the Bible
assumes that the world would have the technology available so that they
would be able to see what is happening around the world, without anyone
having to be in Jerusalem to witness what is happening to these two men.
We know with satellite television, the internet and smart phones, this
is a very real possibility and as it advances, it will only make this
even more real when it happens.<br />
<br />
If you had someone in your life that you truly cared about, wouldn't you
want to warn them that danger is coming? This is just what God's plan
is in these final moments of the Tribulation period. His grace, love and
mercy are so evident that He is giving us these final opportunities to
come to know Him, as it was never His intention that anyone should be
separated from Him. It will be our own choice to make the decision. God
doesn't force Himself on anyone. He wants everyone to make that decision
on their own.<br />
<br />
If you have been following this study, you may remember that when we got
to chapter 10:1 all the way to chapter 11:14, we are in what is called a
parenthetical insert or pause in the action of what has been happening
to give us more insight into what is happening at this time in John's
teaching through what he is seeing during this 7-year period of the
Tribulation on earth. It's like the camera stops for a moment and then
pans back to John and zooms in on him, the apostle who has been given
this vision of the future. We remember that as John was attempting to
write down what the voices of the seven thunders had spoken, he was told
to stop.<br />
<br />
He wasn't allowed to tell us what those voices said, because it is
something so bad that is reserved only for those living on the earth at
that time. They are specifically reserved for the last days only. No one
knows what that is. We are only going to get through the first six
verses today, because this is one of the most complex portions of
scripture in the Old and New Testament combined, so I don't want you to
miss anything. Scholars throughout the ages have said, this is difficult
stuff.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:1-6 ~ "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and
was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the
worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it,
because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy
city for 42 months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they
will prophesy for 1, 260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two
olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the
earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and
devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must
die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain
during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the
waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as
often as they want."</b></i><br />
<br />
The one thing, I want you to remember is that if you are reading this,
you have an opportunity not to witness this event live. If you are a
believer, you will be spared from the judgment of God and will be in
heaven when all this happens on the earth for a full 7 years. The Bible
clearly teaches us that the church will be removed from the earth before
these things happen. In every generation throughout the ages, God has
always maintained a witness to His great plan. The Lord God is
everlasting and His Book, the Bible, is eternal.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Isaiah 55:8-11 ~ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are you ways my ways, " declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher
than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and snow
come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the
earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seeds for the
sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my
mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."</b></i><br />
<br />
God's Word always maintains a witness, even the Dark Ages, and we know
that there are things done in the name of Christianity to which we can
be ashamed of. We don't even have to go to the Dark Ages to find things
like that. There are those that kill doctors who perform abortions
because they believe they are justified in doing so because killing
babies is wrong, which it is, but so is killing the doctor under the
premise that because you are a Christian, you are justified to do so.
That is terrorism. Yes abortion is wrong, but we are instructed not do
those things, like blowing up clinics or murdering the staff that work
there. That is the definition of insane. People will say that they did
it in the "name of Jesus" or that "God told me to do it." God judges!
God issues vengeance, not us. Many things are done in the name of
Christianity, that is frankly embarrassing. We think about those Dark
Ages where in the name of Christ, military operations were conducted and
people were destroyed by the name or in the name of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Even in those Dark Ages, from 1200's to early 1400's before the Great
Reformation period, even when these horrible things were happening, God
had a faithful witness. God is faithful to give a witness at all times.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Matthew 5:16-18 ~ "In the same way, let your light sine before
men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I
have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth,
until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the
least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until
everything is accomplished."</b></i><br />
<br />
Not one little Hebrew comma, or exclamation point or hyphen of that
language will pass, Jesus said, until all these things are fulfilled
because God has established His witness. You, as a Christian, are a
witness of Christ. There is no doubt that the Bible is God's witness to
mankind! It is without error in its original language. It is perfect and
He has preserved it through the ages. The Bible is in direct harmony
with all that God has done. God is the Designer and Creator of all
creation and we can say that creation is a witness to mankind an
undeniable and great witness. Perfect creation! The scientific evidence
of creation is also an undeniable witness because everything in the
observable universe demands an intelligent designer. Good theology and
good science should never contradict one another. God has given us a
perfect witness in His creation.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Psalm 19:1-4 ~ "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies
proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the
earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has
pitched a tent for the sun."</b></i><br />
<br />
We are missing this these days. We need to get out more and chill out.
Get outside. Sit back in the desert where it is pitch black and stare at
the skies. It just begs to have a conversation when you look at how
beautiful it truly is. The greatest witness to God however is Jesus
Christ.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 1:5 ~ "and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the
earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>John 1:1-4 ~ "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him
all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men." </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>1 John 1:1-2 ~ "That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our
hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Rod of life. The
life appeared; we have see it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you
the eternal life, which was with the Father has appeared to us."</b></i><br />
<br />
That is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God's faithful witness. In the
context of the book of Revelation, not only do we have the unveiling of
Jesus Christ in the coming Last Days but it is the witness that Christ
gave unto the world. That witness is that time will conclude.
Civilization will cease as we know it. All of this will not continue on
indefinitely. The Bible says so. God has given us signs that we are
approaching those tremendous days where it will all come to an end.
God's final witness is a final and specific warning of events.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Revelation 11:1-2 ~ "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure
the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But
exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to
the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months."</b></i><br />
<br />
Let's not make a big deal out of this measuring rod, it's really not the
point or the issue. This rod or the word that was used was the rod that
was found in the Jordan River Valley between Galilee, the Sea of
Galilee as the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee down to the
Dead Sea, and as it approaches the Dead Sea there is this area or region
of reeds. Some of these reeds were used during the days of Ezekiel,
Zechariah, Jeremiah, the prophets. These reeds were hollow on the
inside, they were very firm and very light. Ezekiel was given a rod that
measured about 9 feet high, and he was told in his vision to measure
the temple. John is told the same thing. So this rod is a measuring rod
that they used in construction. Guys back in those days would have used a
measuring rod and a plume line in construction. Men use lasers or plume
lines today to measure the uprightness of something. The measuring rods
we used today bear such names like Stanley, and when we measure
something out, we press a button and the measuring rod coils back up.
John would use this as a staff and was used to lay it out and measure
things with it.<br />
<br />
John's given instruction by the angel to measure three things. (1) the
temple of God, (2) the altar, and (3) the worshipers there. In this
chapter, a warning is being given to those that God loves. Just like you
would do for someone you love or even like that danger is coming. You
wouldn't just keep that information to yourself. Something is coming
that is detrimental to them. Something is coming. What you do with that
warning however is up to you.<br />
<br />
We are all responsible to how we respond to the warning of God. Are you
going to heed the warning or are you simply going to choose not to
believe it? Jesus is the only way for you to find your way to Heaven and
relying on Him otherwise you will simply miss out. Heart2Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.com0