Watch, Pray and Be Ready

Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray, for ye have not known when the time is; 34 as a man who is gone abroad, having left his house, and given to his servants the authority, and to each one his work, did command also the porter that he may watch; 35 watch ye, therefore, for ye have not known when the lord of the house doth come, at even, or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or at the morning; 36 lest, having come suddenly, he may find you sleeping; 37 and what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.'

I'm not sure the Lord could have fit the word "watch" in there any more than He did. Do you think He is trying to make a point to us? I certainly do. We are to watch and pray, not tomorrow, not next week, not at the mid point of the tribulation, not at the pre-wrath rapture point, not after the tribulation....NOW. And this is at the heart of the matter these days when so many have taken a broad path that leads to destruction. Many have chosen not to watch for the Lord's return today and I am sure that will work to their detriment.

We are to be watching now....in every season:

Luke 21:36
... But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

We are given a very clear, very direct command to "watch at every season." Every season means there is no one season that we can "take off" from watching. It means we are watching always. What are we watching for? The Lord also makes this very clear, we are watching for His return. We are not watching for the anti-christ, the tribulation, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, etc etc. We are watching for our Lord each and every day. I don't care what your rapture timing doctrine is, if you are not watching for the Lord today and every day, you are wrong. Not because I say so, but because of the Lord's clear command.

This command we have to watch also illustrates why it is that so many remain on the broad path that leads to destruction instead of the narrow path that leads to life (Matt 7:13-28). If people choose the doctrines of men over the clear commands of God (in this case to watch), then how many other things are people choosing to do in disobedience to the Lord's command? Obedience is a big deal. You do not want to know what the consequences will be for living a disobedient life. I don't want to know either. Will you be "cutoff from the vine?" as we are insructed in John 15? I don't know, and I don't want to find out. We are told:

John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command"

There it is, love and obedience. Do you think anyone will make it into heaven that does not love Jesus Christ? That's an easy one to answer. You must love the Son of God therefore you must obey the Son of God. If you do not love Him you will not obey Him, and if you neither love nor obey His clear commands, what will become of you? Again, I am not your judge, these questions I ask myself as well as you. We are to test ourselves:

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

If we are not testing and examining ourselves, then once again, we have missed the mark and it is likely we will suffer for it.

We are commanded to watch, today, tomorrow and everyday thereafter. What are we watching for? The return of our Lord and Saviour. We may have a long time to wait, or we may be face to face with Him tonight. There is coming a time when there will be an open door in heaven (Rev 3). Open doors are for people to go through are they not?

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

We are told in Luke 17 and Matt 24 that the coming of the Son of Man will be exactly like it was in the days of Noah and Lot. Exactly, not kind of like those days, exactly like those days:

Gen 7:13In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; 14They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. 15And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

Noah and all the animals went into the ark and the Lord shut them in. Noah, his family and all the animals entered into a place of physical separation and protection from the flood that was outside. We are watching and praying for the Lord return that will occur in days just like Noah and Lot encountered. The church in Rev 3 is told that a door has been opened for them and they will be kept from the trial that is coming on all the earth. A trial that is coming on all the earth is the time of Jacob's trouble, also known as Daniel's 70th week, also known as the tribulation. That church will be kept from it. In Luke 21:36 we are guaranteed that there is an "escape from all" coming for those who are worthy of it. What is this escape from all? Escape from all of what? Again, easy question to answer, all of the judgement and wrath coming on this world.

We are told to be watching for the Lord's return. The Lord's return for us is also known as the blessed hope. Our expectation of the Lord's return for us is to give us hope and peace. The Lord has gone to build mansions for us in heaven so that where He is we may be also. This idea clearly portrayed to us in the bible is an exact mirror of the Jewish wedding. The groom goes to prepare a place for the bride and when that place has been completed and the Father approves, the groom comes back for the bride. We, the church are the bride of Christ. We are watching and waiting for our Groom in heaven to come back for us "with a shout" just as the Hebrews have done for centuries in their wedding traditions and just as the rapture of the church, the harpazo catching away of the bride of Christ.

This world is falling into hopelessness and despair. People are spiritually empty and bankrupt. These days are the days of Philadelphia and Laodicea. The Laodicean church thinks it is rich in every way but the Lord tells it that it is absolutely bankrupt and naked. The churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea are the only 2 churches where a "door" is mentioned:

8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

and

20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The true church has an open door set before them, but the laodicean church has a closed door where the Lord is outside knocking....big difference wouldn't you say? People go through open doors to get into an ark and to escape what is coming on the entire world.

Let's be found watching for our Lord when He returns for us so that we may go through that open door in heaven and therefore escape all of what's about to happen. Let us also be obedient to the command to pray that we are found worthy of this escape, just as Noah and Lot were found righteous and worthy in their generations to escape all of the flood and all of the fire and brimstone.

These things are what I hear the Lord speaking to me today. Grace and peace

The Coming "Flood"

The following is a rough brain dump of what the Lord deposited in my mind over a 2 hour period yesterday morning:

Relative vs Exact Timing

The Lord explains to us 16:2He replied,a “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

The top layer meaning of this ^^ is obvious. A deeper layer of meaning is His return....the timing of His return, when we see storm clouds we know its about to rain but we do not know exactly when the first drop will fall, see the difference? Its the difference of exact vs relative timing. You know its going to rain sometime soon, but you don't know when the first raindrop will fall, you also don't know whether the storm you see on the horizon is going to end up depositing light raindrops or Hurricaine Katrina...

As in the days of Noah, people eating drinking, planting building marrying until the day Noah entered the ark. today we have food costing more and some parts of the world are already in famine, but the 3rd seal in Rev 6 will be the difference between a drop of rain and a flood. The 3rd seal and all the other seals will be many exponential levels higher than famines we have seen in this world to date, same with all the other seals. It's important to note that the Lord himself has used "floods" to destroy the people of the ancient world and to teach us about the coming destruction of the people of the present world. The Lord promised that He would never again destroy the world in the same way He did in Noah's day. However, He did say that the coming destruction would be "like a flood." Daniel 9:26 The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

Floods "suddenly destroy" people. The sudden aspect of their demise is what hinders them from finding safety while it can still be found. By the time they realize they are in real trouble, well, they are in real trouble. What does the Lord tell us, His children about "sudden destruction" such as what is coming to destroy the world's people?

Prov 3:25Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being snared.

Pay close attention to verse 26 there. Not only are we protected from "sudden destruction" as we see in verse 25 that includes the coming "like a flood" event, but we are also protected from our "foot being snared?" That "snare" mentioned in verse 26 bring anything to mind? How about this?

Luke 21:34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

It's hand in glove folks. No "creative" bible interpretation needed...Form your conclusions as the Spirit leads from this..

Daniels 70th week, (obviously) occurs in 70th week, it is 7 prophetic "days" (7 years) long and starts with the Lord sealing 144,000 (7*70,000) and we find it in Revelation 7. Enough "7"s in there for you to think the Lord is giving us a clue? I see a needle and thread made up of 7s sewing this all neatly together for us to form a picture. The Lord's dealing with the nation of Israel officially starts again in Rev 7 with the sealing of the 144,000. All of Rev 6 is a warm up act that appears to come on the world "like a flood" and it starts in one day. Remember Luke 17 and Matt 24, the very day that Lot left Sodom and Noah went into the Ark, judgement fell...that very day. Also remember that the angels could not let destruction fall on Sodom until Lot had been physically removed from the city. The coming of the Son of Man will be a direct, exact replica of what happened in the days of Noah and Lot. It is guaranteed because the Lord said it would happen in this way.

Rev 6 there is no way to time the beginning of it or duration of it but it appears that all 7 seals open daniels 70th week with a "bang" of sudden destruction, just as it happened in the days of Noah, they didn't see it until they were in it.

Those in Seal 5, Rev 6 under the alter are all those who have died for Christ from the beginning of the church right up to till the Lord comes in the air to receive us. They died for their testimony. Nowhere in Rev 5 does it say they died because the anti-christ persecuted them while he was on earth. These are souls from throughout the church age who have given themselves for Christ.

All of us "in Christ" do not have the same destiny, all of us are not destined to die by beheading/being shot/fed to lions etc for Christ. Some very godly men have died "in Christ" without being martyred. To paint the destinies all of those of us in Christ with one broad brushstroke (ie we will all be martyred by the anti-christ in the tribulation) would be a huge mistake that inevitably leads to errors in understanding the Word of God and therefore errors in understanding what is going to happen in the days ahead.

Nowhere in the Lord's description of the days leading up to Noah entering the ark... do we see even a hint of any of the 7 seals, we see eating and drinking instead of famine as one example of this. Only someone high on crack cocaine would equate "eating and drinking" (Luke 17, Matt 24-the coming of the Son of Man) with Seal 3 of Rev 6 (the seal judgements)And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. The only explanation for this is the plain reading of the Word as it was written, the seals are not opened until the day We enter our "ark" then sudden destruction falls "like a flood" famine war disease and pestilence overtake this world and humanity in a way that causes hearts to melt with fear. The "flood" of events will be the difference of one drop of rain falling out of the sky and floodwaters covering the earth. Its a difference of intensity and duration such that it will overwhelm makind's ability to cope.

I have asked the Lord many times if I should stock up on guns and ammo and food for the coming "flood" of events that will overtake this world. The answer has been a stony silence in my spirit that tells me that we absolutely do not need, and will not need the things that people are stocking up on today. With this said, I do have some extra supplies in the house for events that could take place before "the flood" and our escape. Signs in the sun, moon, and stars point to changes coming to this earth. The changes coming will be catastrophic, read Rev 6 for the details. This inner witness that tells me there is no need to get ready for the end of the world as we know it, also fits hand in glove with the plain reading of scripture. We are watching and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, we are not waiting and watching for the anti-christ.

There is an alternate interpretation for the inner witness I have that there is no need to stock up supplies for the time of Jacob's trouble: that is, believers will need and receive divine assistance to make it through the days ahead. Any supplies stocked up will only last for so long, and the destruction and devastation coming will be beyond anything any one of us can even imagine right now.


Isaiah 13:12
I will make man scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.

Mark 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

Read that carefully ^^^. What is coming will wipe out most of mankind. Most of the population of the earth today will either escape out or die out. Some people will be preserved only because the days will be shortened. The Lords own words tell us that had He not shortened the days all mankind would be wiped out.

The Word of the Lord is true. His promises can be trusted. There is an escape coming. There is a day when those who are found worthy will get into a modern day "ark" just as Noah did. There is a day coming when those who are found worthy will be physically removed from the worldwide Sodom just as Lot was. Physical removal of the righteous is what happened in the days of Noah and Lot, that's a fact. Look for it again someday in our future.

It has been on my mind frequently of late that America is indeed Babylon the great we read about in scripture. Only one country in the history of the world fits ALL of the requirements listed to identify this endtime nation, and America is it. What once was a nation that at least in part sought the Lord and His righteousness has become a den of demons, a house of robbers, a refuge for every unclean spirit and everything that is dirty and filthy in this world. America is an occult nation, don't take my word for it, look at the signs and symbols she proudly displays in her capitol, on her money, in her great cities (NYC). Think deeply about the meaning of the following scripture:

Rev 18:1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

It says Babylon is fallen. Don't think here of national destruction, although that is certainly coming, think in terms of "fallen" angels, a fallen nature. America, which is Babylon the great has fallen from grace. Again, don't take my word for it, the Lord Himself follows up with what "fallen" means here, He says and Babylon "is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."

The title of this blog is Christian Apostasy. The chief trait of apostasy is denial. Today's babylonian form of churchianity is in denial. They cannot and will not believe that they participate in a babylonian form of apostate christianity. The cannot and will not believe that their pastoral system is idolatrous from the ground up. They will not acknowledge that they are fallen, as America is fallen. If all the churches on all the street corners of America today were indeed full of light, then America would not be a den of demons and a habitation of devils that it is today. The fact is, that what calls itself light, is not light, because it has not driven out darkness, therefore it is a lie and a fraud..by definition.

Another thought the Lord gave me. The fact that some true believers can live in Babylon the great today, which has become a den of demons and the home of every unclean thing, and still cling to the Lord in truth and purity, is a demonstration of the Lord's power. It is a miracle that anyone holds onto the truth in this great harlot nation. Darkness is everywhere, and yet a remnant remains as it always has, and always will. The Lord's Word is true, every last letter of it.

One last thought about the time of Jacob's trouble/tribulation/Daniel's 70th week. Many contend today that we will go through the seal judgements in Rev 6 because they are not God's wrath. Although they are positively wrong, the seals are the Lord's wrath (famine and war have been used as God's wrath in the past..look it up), another fact destroys their argument as well. The opening of the seals are judgement on this Christ rejecting world. All of what is coming "like a flood" is judgement on the inhabitants of this world. So let me ask, are we who are in Christ, children of God going to be subject to God's judgement on this wicked world. The answer is obvious and it is NO. We are not destined for God's wrath NOR His judgements on this wicked world. We are destined for the judgement seat of Christ which is a judgement for REWARD, not punishment. No wrath, no judgement reserved for the wicked, means no Rev 6 seal judgments for the children of God:

Jer 25:31 Wasting hath come unto the end of the earth, For a controversy hath Jehovah with nations, He hath executed judgment for all flesh, The wicked! He hath given them to the sword, An affirmation of Jehovah.

2 Thessalonians 2:12
... in order that all may come under judgement who have refused to believe the truth and have taken pleasure in unrighteousness

2 Peter 2:9
... the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from temptation, and on the other hand how to keep the unrighteous under punishment in readiness for the Day of Judgement

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Those who refuse to believe the truth are those who are coming under judgement...not us. The Word is very clear, we will be kept from the hour of temptation. The Lord knows how to rescue godly men. Remember Noah? Remember Lot? Remember their physical removal from the judgements inflicted on the wicked? Repeat performance coming to the earth some day..

Keep the faith, be patient, we may have quite some time to wait, or the Lord could knock on that "door" (rev 4, Matt 25) and those of us who hear it must immediately open it for Him. grace and peace

More on "The Clouds Parted"

The last post here described an experience I had with the Lord. I was in a mental and physical "fog" and the Lord parted that fog, brought back the bright lights in my heart and mind and gave me a clear view of what my future should look like.

I don't want to re-write that post, but I would like to add to it that the Lord showed me a number of very specific, seemingly mundane things in my life that I need to do. The Lord truly is interested in every detail of our lives. I think about 5 or 6 things fired through my mind in relatively quick succession while I was sitting at my desk in a state of bliss.

The reason I write this to you today is to ask you, "how much would someone pay to have God Almighty part the clouds in their life and show them their path forward in a very specific way, right down to the details? How much is that worth? I can tell you that the Lord's counsel to me is worth more than all the treasure the world has to offer. To know for a fact that the Lord has spoken to you is something that goes beyond words, and its something He does for us. I know He does these things because the Word says He will lead us and He just performed an act of "leading"....again, His Word is true down to the very letter. At various times in my life He has done this kind of thing but its always in different ways at different times.

Seek the Lord's face. Ask Him for His counsel. Pray, seek, ask, knock and the door will be opened. There is nothing special about this brother writing to you today. Anything done for me, can and will be done for you if you believe and keep the faith. Don't believe anything I tell you, read your bibles, seek the Word and counsel found in there. Seek the Lord and His guidance. I can tell you that this experience with the Lord was a surprise. I have been asking Him repeatedly about the future, and until writing this just now, I had not realized that He gave me what I needed to know about the future and all of it was very specific to me and my life. I had been asking Him about more broad world issues and He answered with specifics about my life only.

It is for us to ask, and for Him to deliver how He wants and when He wants. He does not answer according to the preconceived agendas we have. He answers as a loving Father with what we need to know at the right time. I have been riding a kind of high since that day and I intent to proceed forward boldly with the information and direction the Lord has given me. There is true power in knowing for sure that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to be doing it. These things only the Lord can deliver. He is very very good.

Keep the faith, ask, seek, knock. Grace and peace

The Clouds Parted

The past few days I haven't been feeling great, good enough to function, but not great. As as I sitting in my fog yesterday morning, it was as if the Lord parted the clouds in my mind and transported me into a beautiful day. Instantly light was shed on my heart and mind and I saw everything in my life the way it should be. I was overjoyed and greatly motivated. The Lord went through a host of different issues with me that can be summed up by the scriptures listed below.

Psalm 97:11
Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

Romans 8:14
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Psalm 25:15
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Proverbs 8:34
... Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily
at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

The Parable of the Talents
Matt 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The Lord clearly impressed me to follow Him "to the exclusion of all else." Just as Israel followed the Lord out of Egypt in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so we are to follow the Lord. The sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. We are to separate ourselves from the world. The word "church" as it is translated in Greek is "ekklesia." Literally, that means nothing close to what people today call "church." Ekklesia literally means "the called out ones under authority" or something very close to that. Note especially "the called out ones."

We have been called out of this world system, out of babylon and her harlot church which is ruled by the nico (conquer) laitans (you) (Rev 2). Yes, we are in the world but we are not of it. We admit that we are aliens and strangers here with a kingdom that is not of this world.

The Lord is coming soon for us, when exactly I have no idea. What I believe the Lord has impressed upon me is that while we watch and wait for His return daily we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12) as Paul said and to employ the "talents" the Lord has revealed to us by faith (Matt 25). We are to do these things with much thanksgiving and rejoicing always. We are to have faith in God, pray and ask for what we need, then believe we have received what we asked for (Mark 11:22-24, James 1:8).

Also, I've been put on an internet "fast" again (meaning no worldy "news" of any kind) for 30 days other than what I need to do for work. Again, the world is falling all over itelf to "stay connected" which is why you can't drive by a car without seeing everyone with a cell phone sewn permanently to their face or walk by someone on the street who isn't "texting." Meanwhile, the Lord has pointed me in the exact opposite direction with the instruction: disconnect. I am 100% positive that I can follow the Lord to the exclusion of all else, without a crack-berry or cell phone or Ipod permanently attached to my face and come out in the end light years ahead of the people I see around me. That is to say, I believe that if I do what the Lord has instructed me to do, I will benefit. These things are written here today so that you too may benefit.

We will find the Lord when we seek Him with all our heart. The enemy and the world are found in the noise and chaos of the world. Our Lord is found in stillness and quietness of spirit. He speaks to us in a still and quiet voice. I recently watched the new "karate kid" and one line in the entire movie really stood out to me. Jackie Chan said to his apprentice "there's a big difference between being still and doing nothing." To that I say AMEN. Let's be still and hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches today.

grace and peace

Patience

There are a number of alarming predictions floating around the Internet telling us that "the end is near" and some alarming cataclysmic event is waiting for us any day now. As with all things, I have taken these things to the Lord in prayer and this is what I perceive His response to be:

1. What about the Restrainer? I've been sitting on this post, not writing to be sure that what I write is not more of the opinion of man (which we have enough of already) but something that is actually from the Lord. I've had "the Restrainer" lit up inside me each time I've asked the question about all these cataclysmic predictions.

2 Thess 2:7 (YLT) for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder -- till he may be out of the way, 8 and then shall be revealed the Lawless One, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the manifestation of his presence,

Let's be clear about what this means. There have been world wars, famines, pestilences, a worldwide depression and more during this age of grace we live in, while the restrainer has restrained. Could we see more of the same before the restrainer is removed? Absolutely. Just realize that what is being restrained will be much much worse than anything the world has ever seen, but until that day that the restrainer is removed, why should we believers be troubled and fear like the world does?

The restrainer is still restraining today, that's part of what I hear the Lord saying.

2. Watch and Pray

This is the other part of the answer. The Word tells us over and over again to watch. Watch for what? 1. the Lord's coming, and 2. Watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation:

Matthew 25:13 So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

We can put aside all rapture timing debates here and now and say emphatically that if you are not watching for the Lord's return each and every day, you are wrong. Read Matt 25:13 again and again until it sinks in, if that doesn't work read the other 3 gospel writers telling you the same thing until it sinks in.

There is no compelling argument, none, for disobeying this clear command in scripture. I will concede to the "other tribbers" that I am not 100% sure of the rapture timing. They must concede to me that they are not 100% sure of the rapture timing. In this case where nobody is 100% sure, the only reasonable thing to do is what the Word of God clearly tells us to do, that is, be ready to meet the Lord every day.

3. The word of His patience

Again, I'm not going to get into rapture timing here. What I will address is the overwhelming and persistent command we read for us to be patient:

Rev 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience? You think we need to be patient? Sounds like it to me. Another big note in this neighborhood of scripture. The Lord pointed out to me for the first time (and I've read Rev 1-3) so many times I've lost count, that two and only two of the "churches of revelation" mentioned have a "door" mentioned by the Lord:

The Philadelphia church
Rev 3:8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

AND

The Laodicean church
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

That says that both churches exist at the same time, a time relevant to the "door" Jesus is talking about. Which "door" is He talking about? Just keep reading because immediately after mentioning "doors" to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea, we read in Rev 4 1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Now, regardless of what your rapture timing view is, we all have to admit that "doors" are used for people to go through, and specifically these "doors" are described to the churches. A "door in heaven" is open in Rev 4 then we see no more specific mentioning of the church for the rest of the book of Revelation. I know, I know, people have excuses for why the church is not mentioned. The counter to their arguments is, the Lord specifically addresses the churches by name in Rev 2-3, why would He not specifically address them for the rest of the book? Did the Lord forget the names of the churches? There are no idle words in the bible, if something is specifically mentioned, its for a reason, if something is mentioned specifically then not mentioned again, its for a reason...

In my mind, the rapture debate has been settled for good. It has been settled in a one word command...WATCH. If the pre-trib view is correct, I'm covered. If the mid-trib view is correct, I'm covered. If the pre-wrath view is correct, I'm covered. If the post-trib view is correct, I'm covered. If I die before any of these things, I'm covered. Readiness to meet the Lord every day is something there is no argument against..case closed.

Now, back to the original reason for this post: the doom and gloom predictions coming out of the woodwork today. I'm sorry if I can't get excited about the "end is near" message any longer. Over time, the people soothsaying and shamanizing the future through all their "signs and symbols" and other methods have been wrong.

I'll be the first to admit I thought the "end was near" years ago...and yet the world continues on just as in the "days of Noah" and the "days of Lot." What happens when year after year people predict the "end is near" and the world goes on just as it always has? The prognosticators lose all credibility, that's what happens. Those who hear them start to say

2 Peter 3:4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

The Lord has my attention today. The Lord may come back today for us, therefore we are to watch, today and every day for His coming and we are to pray that while we watch we do not fall into temptation.

These days call for patience. Be watching, be ready, but be prepared to wait however long it takes for our Master to return for us. While we wait, we should expect the same protection and provision we have received during our lifetime. The same God who has provided for me and protected me for decades will continue to do so till the very end. Never will I leave you or forsake you was His promise...I'm a believer in His promises. This is what I hear the Spirit saying today. Grace and peace

Expect the Very Best From the Lord

I was just on my knees in prayer and this one came across my mind and I had to write it down before I forgot. The Lord has peppered my mind with this phrase over a series of weeks now and it is only now that I am posting it.

This goes hand in hand with the last post here about the character of God and the pre-tribulation rapture of the saints. Somewhere along the way, someone, some organization, some spirit sold people on a bizarre and sick view of our God. At a time when the world is suffering incredibly, should we not expect the very BEST from our Lord? If not, why not? This really gets to the heart of the matter. What is your view of this God we read about in the bible? Do you really know Him? If you do not really know Him, then you really won't know what to expect from Him. Are you still with me here?

I need to say it again right here, expect the best from our Lord. If you are "in Christ" and at peace with Him, you should expect our Father's mercy, kindness and generosity. I would advise you to couple this expectation with an extreme sense of humility, thanksgiving and praise or your expectation might turn into demand and then you'll be in trouble (many today find themselves in that position).

We are children of the Most High God, do you have any idea what that means? We are inheritors of the Kingdom, along with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, can you wrap your mind around that? We will be seated WITH CHRIST..ON HIS THRONE in heavenly places, do you have any idea how glorious that will be? Who are we that our Lord has been, and will be so good to us?

Rev 3:20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

There's that door in heaven we see over and over again, Matt 25, Rev 4, here in Rev 3, and other places I cant remember right now :-)

Expecting the very best from the Lord ties in directly with our outlook on rapture timing. Who are these people who expect to go through the tribulation, do they know the Lord? Really? Intellectual knowledge of the scripture is meaningless. I don't care if you have a PhD, ThD, ABCD or any other degree behind your name, that doesn't mean you know squat about the Lord. Proof? Satan intellectually knows the bible word for word, all of it, and yet he clearly doesn't "get it."

Most people will not make it into heaven. I don't know what the percentage is, I don't know what the numbers are, I just know for a fact that few will make it. How do we know this, re-read Matt 7:13-28, read the Lord's words to the churches in Rev 2-3 and the entire history of Israel. Its always a remnant that is saved. The Word says that our God would have all men to be saved, unfortunately, men choose other paths for themselves.

Expect the very best from the Lord.

Noah did not spend one second treading water during the flood. Lot did not brush a single fiery ember off his clothes when Sodom burned to the ground. We should expect the EXACT same experience for ourselves here in these last days. In Luke 17 and Matt 24 our Lord tells us that His coming will be EXACTLY like it was in the days of Noah and Lot. The stories of Noah and Lot involved the righteous being spared the judgement that came upon the wicked instead.

Expect the very best from the Lord.

Noah and Lot were not even in the age of grace as we are now. Noah and Lot did not have the Son of God advocating for them at the Father's right hand as we do now. Noah and Lot were not Spirit indwelt believers as we are now. So again, why should we not expect to escape the fiery tribulation that lies ahead of us?

Expect the very best from the Lord.

Many people claim to know the Lord, but they do not know Him. Another more incriminating way to say it is, He does not know them:

Matt 7:21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

These many call themselves christians today. These many teach all kinds of doctrines that will not benefit themselves or those who hear them. These people cannot judge what is written in the Word of God correctly because the fear and knowledge of the Lord IS the beginning of wisdom and understanding. If they don't know Him, they have no understanding, and no understanding means they have no correct interpretation.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

I can tell you that with all my heart, I am expecting the very best from the Lord. What's happening outside is secondary. Its whats happening inside of us that is primary. The Lord has been very good to me and my family. That does not mean I am special, it means HE IS FAITHFUL. What is written here is for you, to edify in accordance with the Word which tells us:

Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification

There is an escape from all coming (Luke 21:36). There is an event coming that will be EXACTLY like the escapes of Noah and Lot who did not for a second have to deal with the judgements that came on the wicked in their day. I don't care what you call it, how you twist it, or how many 200 page e-books you write, if I have the same experience that Noah and Lot had, I did "escape all."

grace and peace

Debunking Objections to the Pre-Trib Rapture

The "other tribbers" have a multi faceted problem in their attempt to prove the Pre-trib rapture of the church wrong. They have to overcome:

1. The preponderance of scriptural evidence
2. The purpose of the tribulation
3. The nature of our God

The purpose of the tribulation was covered in the previous post. The bottom line there is-there is no reason whatsover for the church to be involved in the Daniel's 70th week. We weren't here in the first 69 weeks, we won't be here for the 70th week.

The purpose of this post is to address item 3 in the list above that we hear little to nothing about: the nature of our God.

Somewhere along the line, someone began to sell people on the idea that we have some kind of sourpuss, cosmic killjoy kind of God in the sky that enjoys seeing His people suffer. If that were true, that we did serve that kind of God, then perhaps the "other tribbers" might have a better argument.

As I read the bible, and I look back at my own life's testimony, here's what I see of the God of the bible:

1. He is longsuffering, putting up with my waywardness well beyond what I deserve to bring me around to His way through kindness and grace.

2. He is kind, tender, merciful and generous. Indeed He never puts on our shoulders any burden that is more than we can handle, though at times He has tested my strength and faith to the very last ounce.

3. He means what He says. Read the bible like a little child and I assure you that you will be much better off than any of the so called christian scholars of our day. If the Lord said it, He meant it. There is no need to write a 200 page book to explain simple lines of scripture. For example, if the Lord said there would be an escape from all, there will be an escape from all. No need for long lectures or 3day long debates or 200+ page books to explain or clarify what the Lord meant. It means what it would mean to a child.

4. He wants the very best for His children. Read Isaiah 54 for a glimpse into the character and nature of our God. He wants the very best for His children.

Think of our Lord's nature like a little child. If you were a child in a house with an older brother, and that older brother was always constantly getting into trouble with your father, would you expect your Father to punish you for the transgressions of your older brother? No, no reasonable child would expect that. We are the younger child (the church) and Israel is our older brother who to this day rejects Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Our God is a loving God, but He is also just. A righteous judge does not punish the innocent. The bible defines innocence differently than the world does. Innocence is being free from sin, which means covered by the blood that Jesus shed for us. The church by definition is a blood bought prize. Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103). Nobody who is on the narrow path that leads to life, who is covered by the blood of Jesus "needs" to go through any part of Daniel's 70th week.

The story of Noah shows us the Lord's character and His coming for us will be exactly like the story of Noah. If Noah escaped all of the flood, so will we. If Lot escaped all of the fire that fell on Sodom, so will we escape all the judgement coming to the world soon.

grace and peace

More Evidence of a Pre-Trib Rapture/Escape From All of the Church

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

The Lord our God has a purpose for everything He does. The tribulation is no different, there is a purpose for the tribulation/70th week of Daniel. To understand the escape from all/rapture of the church it is helpful to understand what it is we are escaping. We are escaping the 70th week out of 69 weeks that have nothing whatsoever to do with the church. Make sense?

The church wasn't around for the first 69 weeks so why exactly is it that the church "must" be around for the 70th week? The "other tribbers" have no legitimate answer for this, just excuses.

The purpose of the tribulation/Daniels 70th week is spelled out in detail by the Lord. What is the purpose of the tribulation?

1. to finish the transgression
2. to make an end of sins
3. to make reconciliation for iniquity
4. to bring in everlasting righteousness
5. to seal up the vision and prophecy
6. to anoint the most Holy

As we look at this list it becomes very apparent that the church has no place whatsoever in the purpose outlined. For example "to finish the transgression" what does the church and "finish the transgression" have in common? Nothing..we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Israel has not

Next? To make an end of sins. Again, when Jesus died on the cross for us and we accept what He did for us all our sins are washed away (provided we remain in Him, but thats a topic for another day).

Next? To make reconciliation for iniquity? This one should be like a 100ft pine tree slapping you across the face, again, what exactly did Jesus do on the cross for us? If it wasn't to make reconciliation for our iniquity then what was it?

4,5,6 all are the capstones at the end of the tribulation.

So again, we see no place for the church, no purpose for the church, no reason whatsoever for the church to take part in the 70th week of 69 weeks appointed for THY PEOPLE, that is, the people of Israel. The other tribbers cannot accept any of this so they begin to make excuses..yea but! they say world without end.

Why is it that the other tribbers are so hell bent on entering the tribulation and taking everyone and anyone they can with them? Is it because deep down inside they feel that they need the tribulation? Is there a witness inside of them that tells them they are on a collision course with the tribulation? There is no evidence these people can be shown to change their mind, and I don't think their mind should be changed, why?

It pains me to say this, but most people are not right with the Lord today, therefore they are not ready for the pre-tribulation rapture. We are told in Matt 7:14-28 that only a few are going to make it into heaven. We have the historical record of Israel being destroyed by the Lord over and over again with only a remnant being saved. We have Noah, the only family in the known world who escaped the flood. We have Lot the only man (with 2 daughters) to escape Sodom. The pattern is established. Why else do you think the Lord preemtively asked when He comes to earth will He find faith?

Luke 18:8 ... Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

We all know that the Lord is not pleased that most people will perish. He has been warning this world for years now, He continues to warn the people of this world day in and day out. The Lord's warning and discipline are a blessing. One could argue that with the events surrounding us today, with the world plunging into the greatest depression, we are in the outer bands (using hurricane terminology) of the tribulation storm now.

grace and peace

Debunking Objections to the Pre-Trib Rapture of the Church

As time permits (and the Spirit leads), I will address objections people have to the Pre-tribulation, pre-time of Jacob's trouble, escape from all of the Church.

Here's one of the objections:

2 Thess 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

One of the objections to the pre-trib rapture comes from an absolute butchery of the exegesis of this piece of scripture.

Note with me that in verse 1 above "our gathering together unto Him" is mentioned. That's the rapture right? Ok, great.

Next, and after the rapture is mentioned, in verse 2 the day of the Lord is mentioned, are you still with me?

Next, in verse 3, immediately after the day of the Lord is mentioned we are told that "that day" will not come until the falling away and anti-christ appears. This is the most basic and most straightforward kind of analysis you can do on the Word of God and yet people willfully butcher it to make it say what it clearly does not say to drive forward their errant doctrines.

"That day will not come" is written immediately after the "day of the Lord" so "that day" referred to here is clearly the "day of the Lord" NOT "our gathering together unto Him."

How is it that the pre-wrath and post-trib crowds skip right over that giant "day of the Lord" wording in neon lights which is attached at the hip with "that day" will not come?

Two events are mentioned here 1. our gathering together unto Him and 2. the day of Christ. They are two different events and nowhere in the bible is the rapture or the escape from all referred to as "that day" so why exactly is it that the "other tribbers" feel they can call the rapture "that day" here.

Consider this objection to the pre-trib rapture debunked.

grace and peace