PROPHETIC SIGNS THAT WE ARE IN THE END TIMES [A good summary of SOME key evidences--QX]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bible gives many examples of signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Six such signs are given by Jesus, two characteristics are given by Paul, and eleven other occurrences are given by the prophets to occur prior to or soon after the end of the age. While we are also told we will not know the time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know when that time was getting closer. As the Christian church is increasingly drawn into the interfaith movement, and as more and more churches go into isolation, preparing to sleep through the growing attacks on their faith, perhaps God knew it would take a few signs to wake us up and remind us that we have work to do.

Unfortunately, many Christians take the verses that tell us we won't know the time of His coming to mean they should ignore any and all scripture that might warn us of this time of tribulation. Others have fallen into the trap of fearing being labeled a "conspiracy theorist" should they display an interest in the Biblical prophecies about our future on Earth. My philosophy is simple. God included it in the Bible and, since God is all knowing, we should trust that it is something we should know and study along with the rest of His Word.

It is increasingly obvious that the time of our Lord's coming is drawing near. Prophecy is being fulfilled daily, and at a faster pace than ever before. Whether you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, or believe Christians will be witness to the full tribulation, wrath, and final judgments, matters not. The beginning of birth pains and the signs of the times should have the same effect on all of us. It should motivate us to save as many souls as we can in the time that we have left. The Great Commission tells us to be disciples to all nations, bringing the message of salvation through Christ to all people. If the Church is raptured before the tribulation, it is important that we leave behind an explanation for the trials and judgments those left behind will face. How else will they recognize the deception of the anti-Christ and seek instead the truth of the Bible? If we are to endure the tribulation along side them, we will need to be prepared to not only share the message of salvation, but share with them the reasons for God's judgment and hold it up as further proof of their need to be saved.

Below is a study of the prophetic signs God gave us as a warning of the approaching end of the age. Many of them are being fulfilled now and many will be fulfilled in the near future. I would encourage you to study prophecy, know what is coming and be prepared to share it with others.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Matthew24:3 Jesus was asked, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" Jesus told his apostles to look for the following signs prior to his second coming and the end of the age.

Matthew 24:5 "For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many."

In the last several years many have claimed to be the Messiah. Jim Jones and David Koresh are examples of these false christs as well as countless others who are not as newsworthy. These false prophets are a prelude to the ultimate false christ, the antichrist. Many New Age groups, some even NGO's working for the United Nations, are anxiously awaiting the antichrist, preparing the way for his acceptance as the head of the hierarchy of gods and the one who will usher in world peace.

Matthew 24:6 "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."

Rumors of wars in all areas of the world now occur frequently thanks to instant media coverage and the availability of a multitude of 24-hour news sources.

Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

More people have been killed in warfare in this century than at any other time in history. As the death toll rises in the Middle East, more and more countries work feverishly to develop devastating weapons of mass destruction. Add to that the expanding threat of terrorism and unpredictable dictators such as Saddam Hussein, and the potential for the outbreak of war exists in nations, kingdoms and places across the globe.

Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

As white, Christian farmers are driven out of Africa in increasing numbers, and foreigners move in to replace life-sustaining crops with poppies that now supply 25% of the worlds drugs, famine spreads across the African continent. The undernourished are not limited to Africa, however. A large portion of the worlds 5 billion people suffers from a shortage of food.

Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."

The number and intensity of earthquakes this century is at a level higher than any other time in history. A staggering number of seismic events occur around the world daily. The earthquake seismic monitor IRIS shows all major earthquakes for the last year. Indicated by yellow and red circles, the seismic events of the last 15 days provides strong evidence of the fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 in our day. By contrast, in the years from 1890 to 1900 there was only one major earthquake in the world.

Matthew 24:8-9 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name."

Christians are under attack throughout the world today. In the United States Christians still enjoy freedom to worship God without suffering much more than ridicule, hatred, or discrimination at work and school. However in many other countries such as China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christian suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith. During the tribulation this suffering will be worldwide and will continue even to the point of martyrdom. These first 5 signs will increase in intensity and severity as the tribulation approaches, much like the birth pangs or contractions of a pregnant woman worsen as the delivery time approaches.

Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."

This prophecy has already been fulfilled through television, radio, missionaries, the translation of the Bible into many languages, and the internet. People all over the world now hear the message of Christ from missionaries who have the means to travel the globe, and via technology that allows us to communicate with people on the other side of the world right from our own homes, churches and offices.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

For anyone who has watched television, read a newspaper, lost a retirement to corporate greed and corruption, or just walked outside their front door, it is obvious this prophecy has been fulfilled by our generation. Our leaders are often corrupt; our cities are filled with crime, brutality, and neon signs proclaiming our sinful, godless nature. The New Age Movement brings in increasing numbers of mystics who claim to be the enlightened ones. They are some of the most educated and influential people in our societies, and yet the most lacking in real truth.

I Timothy 4:1-3 "But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. By means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth."

Churches today are becoming more and more ecumenical, embracing the New Age interfaith agenda, and denying Christ as the only way to salvation. Giving in to the politically correct media and a corrupt society, they have embrace homosexuality as an acceptable alternate lifestyle and preach tolerance and compromise in place of God's truth for the salvation of the world. The environmentalist movement within the New Age movement lures them into a worship of mother earth, belief in past lives, reincarnation, and Karma while demonizing all those who would eat the meat God gave us as nourishment for our bodies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revelation 9:16 "And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them."

An army of that size had never existed until China's army reached that number in the 1960's.

Daniel 2:32-33 "The head of the statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay."

Daniel 2:40-43 "Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have the toughness of iron, and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery."

The fourth kingdom of iron is the Roman empire according to Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The two legs are the division of the Roman empire into an eastern portion called the Byzantine empire which ended in the 1400's and a western portion based in Rome which ended in the 400's. The nations of Europe since the Roman empire dissolved have never adhered or formed one empire but continue as separate nations, however, the European Union now has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries.

Zephaniah 3:9 "For then I will return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."

Prior to the restoration of Israel in 1948, Hebrew was a dead language. Now Hebrew is spoken throughout Israel.

4. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE, RESTORATION OF TEMPLE WORSHIP AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES IN JERUSALEM

For several end time prophecies to be fulfilled, the temple will have to be rebuilt.

Revelation 11:2 "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the oly city for forty-two months."

Daniel 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolation, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."

Daniel 9:26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary."

Some archeologists believe that the temple mount is actually 340 feet south of the Dome of the Rock site, putting the Dome of the Rock within the Court of the Gentiles. This may be the court outside the temple that is left out.

There are many groups already working on preparations for the new temple. The blueprints are already done, the temple garments have been made, and there have already been attempts to lay the cornerstone of the temple. The only thing standing in the way of the construction of the new temple is Islam's third holiest site, the Dome of the Rock and government support for such an undertaking. Some possible scenarios for the rebuilding of the temple are as follows:

1. The persuasion and performing of miracles by the Antichrist and False Prophet convinces the Islamic world to approve the rebuilding.

2. The United Nations will negotiate the rebuilding of the temple following a war with the armies from the North (Russia and Islamic forces). This assumes that the war with the armies from the North is not the battle of Armageddon as some feel and that this attack occurs before the rapture or tribulation period begins. The supernatural destruction of the Russian army and Islamic forces will cause an outpouring of Christian worship and zeal amongst the Jewish people who will reconstruct the temple.

3. It is determined that the site of the first two temples is actually south of the Dome of the Rock, and the court of the gentiles (Dome of the Rock) will be left out of the 3rd temple.

A group in Israel called the Temple Mount Faithful have obtained most of the clothing, instruments and other equipment required for temple worship and are actively preparing for the laying of the third temple's cornerstone.

Numbers 19:2-7 "This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. "You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be brought outside the camp and be slaughtered in his presence. Next Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. "Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight; its hide and its flesh and its blood, with its refuse, shall be burned. "The priest shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward come into the camp, but the priest shall be unclean until evening."

A red heifer will be required to be used in the process of purification described in the book of Numbers. In May 1997 the first Red Heifer was born in 2000 years. Another red Heifer was born in Israel in March of 2002.

Daniel 12:4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."

Billy Graham was quoted as saying, "ninety percent of all the engineers and scientists who have ever lived are alive today." Air travel, space travel, DNA research and human cloning are all examples of the rapid increase in knowledge in our generation.

Zephaniah 3:10-11 "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, will bring My offerings. In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain."

In 1984, Operation Moses saw the airlift of 15,000 Jews who had already fled to refugee camps in Sudan to escape starvation. In 1991, Operation Solomon flew 20,000 Jews to Israel from Ethiopia itself. A further airlift began in June of 1999, aimed at transporting the last 3,000 members of the Quara Jewish community from northeastern Ethiopia to Israel.

Ezekiel 38:2,4,8 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them."

In order for some end time events to occur Russia will have to be a strong nation with a strong military.

Jeremiah 23:7-8 "Therefore behold, the days are coming declares the Lord, when they will no longer say, as the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, but as the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I have driven them. Then they will live on their own soil."

In the 1970's and 1980's there was a mass exodus of Russian Jews out of Communist Russia. In 1999 the Associated Press reported a dramatic increase in the number of Jewish immigrants from Russia, bringing the largest number of Russian Jews to Israel since the early 1990's.

Revelation 13:16-17 "And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name."

On May 10, three members of a family in Florida became the first people to receive the biochip implant. Each device, made of silicon and called a VeriChip, is a small radio transmitter about the size of a piece of rice that is injected under a person's skin. It transmits a unique personal ID number whenever it is within a few feet of a special receiver unit. VeriChip's maker describes it as "a miniaturized, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) that can be used in a variety of security, emergency and healthcare applications."

Is the biochip the mark of the beast to be used by the antichrist? We can't really know. What is significant is that people are being softened to the idea of a mark or an implant as a means of maintaining security, providing medical information, and regulating a more interdependent world. As attitudes change, fears subside, and people are convinced of the need for such a mark, the true mark of the beast will be easily introduced to the world by the antichrist.

The United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN peacekeeping/police force, numerous UN NGO's, and other agencies are preliminary steps to the formation of a one world government. We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in the one world government headed by the antichrist. The increasing terrorist threat and the middle east conflict will only speed up the formation of this governing body as fear and promises of better security make more people willing to give up their national sovereignty for global governance.

Revelation 11:3, 7-10 "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophecy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth."

Television and the 24-hour news networks make it possible for people around the world to see the dead prophets and rejoice at their deaths.

Luke 21:28 "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Luke 21:32 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place."

Another fascinating prophetic story from Demos S's history:

[also from YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHECY pp69-71]

The Shakarian Story

I would like to close this chapter with a story of a modern-day prophet who reminds me of Samuel. The anecdote took place at the turn of the century in the country of Armenia. The similarity between Samuel and the old Russian cannot be missed, and the story clearly illustrates the continuity and unity of prophecy.

Demos Shakarian, founder and former president of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International, tells the story. Shakarian was a California dairyman who walked with God in an unusual way. His Fellowship reached more than a billion people each year with the life-changing message of Christ's love. [Quix's new paragraphing break here]

His exposure to prophetic activity was part of the rich heritage connected with Spirit-filled Armenian churches. The following episode involves his grandfather (also named Demos) and is told by Demos in his personal story, The Happiest People on Earth—an amazing validation of prophecy at work today.

In the year 1900, when Isaac [Demos' father] was eight and his younger sister, Hamas, was four, the news arrived that a hundred Russian Christians were coming over the mountains in their covered wagons. Everyone was pleased.

It was the custom in Kara Kala [in Armenia] to hold a feast
for the visiting Christians whenever they arrived. In spite of the fact that he didn't agree with the "full Gospel" preached by the Russians, Grandfather considered their visits as times set apart for God, and insisted that
the welcoming feast be held on the large level plot of ground in front of his own.
, ,
Now Grandfather was proud of his fine cattle. With the news that the Russians were on their way, he went out to his herd and looked them over. He would choose the very finest, fattest steer for this special meal.

Unfortunately, however, the fattest steer in the herd turned out, on inspection, to have a flaw. The animal was blind in one eye. [Qx paragraph break here]

What should he do? Grandfather knew his Bible well: He knew he should not offer an imperfect animal to the Lord, for didn't it say in the twenty-second chapter of Leviticus, verse 20, "But whatsoever hath a blemish, that
shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable..."?
What a dilemma! No other animal in the herd was large enough to feed a hundred guests. [Qx paragraphing]

Grandfather looked around. No one was watching Suppose he slaughtered the big steer and simply hid the blemished head? Yes, that was what he would do! Grandfather led the half-blind steer into the barn, butchered it himself, and quickly placed the head in a sack which he hid beneath a pile of threshed wheat in a dark corner. [Qx paragraphing]

Grandfather was just in time, for as he finished dressing the beef, he heard the rumble of wagons coming into Kara Kala. What a welcome sight--Coming down the dusty road was the familiar caravan of wagons, each pulled by four perspiring horses. Beside the driver of the first team erect and commanding as ever, sat the white-bearded patriarch who was leader and prophet of the group. [Qx P]

Grandfather and little Isaac ran up the road to greet their guests. [Qx p]

All over town preparations for the feast were underway. Soon the big steer was roasting on a spit over a huge bed of charcoal. That evening everyone gathered, expectant and hungry, around the long plank tables.

Before the meal could begin, however, the food must be blessed, These old Russian Christians would not say any prayer--even grace over meals-until they had received what they called the anointing. They would wait before the Lord until, in their phrase, the Spirit fell upon them. [Qx p]

They claimed (a little to Grandfather's amusement) that they could literally feel His Presence descend. When this occurred they would raise their arms and dance with joy.

On this occasion as always, the Russians waited for the anointing of the Spirit. Sure enough, as everyone watched, first one and then another began to dance in place. Everything was going as usual. Soon would come the blessing of the food, and the feast could begin.

But to Grandfather's dismay, the patriarch suddenly raised his hand--not in sign of blessing but as a signal that everything was to stop. Giving Grandfather a strange, penetrating look, the tall, white-haired man walked
from the table without a word.

Grandfather's eyes followed the old man's every movement as the prophet strode across the yard and into the barn. After a moment he reappeared. In his hand he held the sack which Grandfather had hidden beneath the pile of wheat.

Grandfather began to shake. How could the man have known! No one had seen him. The Russians had not even reached the village when he had hidden that head. Now the patriarch placed the telltale sack before Grandfather and let it fall open, revealing to everyone the head with the milk-white eye.

"Have you anything to confess, Brother Demos?" the Russian asked.

"Yes, I have," said Grandfather, still shaking. "But how did you know?"

"God told me," the old man said simply. "You still do not believe that He speaks to His people today as in the past. The Spirit gave me this word of knowledge for a special reason: that you and your family might believe. You have been resisting the power of the Spirit. Today is the day you will resist no longer."

Before his neighbors and guests that evening Grandfather confessed the deception he had attempted. With tears rolling down his face into his bristly beard, he asked their forgiveness. "Show me," he said to the prophet, "how
I, too, can receive the Spirit of God."

Grandfather knelt and the old Russian laid his work-narled hands on his head. Immediately Grandfather burst into joyous prayer in a language neither he nor anyone present could understand. The Russians called this kind of ecstatic utterance "tongues" and regarded it as a sign that the Holy Spirit was present with the speaker. That night Grandmother, too, received this "Baptism in the Spirit."26

What a story! This is just one of many accounts from around the world that illustrate the possibility of prophecy today with the same beneficial effects as recorded in the Bible.27 Although this chapter has concentrated on the Old Testament prophets, I include this episode about the old Russian to keep before us the concept of prophecy today as in continuity with
that of Bible times.

Ref 26: Demos Shakarian, The Happiest People on Earth [bk] (Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1975) pp16-19

Ref 27: See, for instance, Stories from the Front Lines [italics] by Jane Rumph (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 1996).

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. KJV

(Deu 4:29 KJV) But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

(1Ch 16:10 KJV) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

(1Ch 16:11 KJV) Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

(1Ch 22:19 KJV) Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

(2Ch 11:16 KJV) And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

(2Ch 12:14 KJV) And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

(2Ch 14:4 KJV) And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.

(2Ch 15:12 KJV) And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

(2Ch 15:13 KJV) That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

(2Ch 20:3 KJV) And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

(2Ch 20:4 KJV) And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

(Ezr 6:21 KJV) And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

(Psa 34:10 KJV) The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

(Psa 105:3 KJV) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

(Psa 105:4 KJV) Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

(Pro 28:5 KJV) Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

(Isa 9:13 KJV) For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

(Isa 31:1 KJV) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

(Isa 51:1 KJV) Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

(Jer 50:4 KJV) In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

(Hos 3:5 KJV) Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

(Hos 5:6 KJV) They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

(Hos 10:12 KJV) Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

(Amo 5:6 KJV) Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.

(Zec 8:21 KJV) And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

(Zec 8:22 KJV) Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

(Act 17:27 KJV) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

I would like to introduce you to the concept of

consulting, considering, pondering

the 'whole counsel of God' from the whole of Scripture.

It CAN discourage the very human tendency to

uhhhh unfittingly fixate on this or that verse for some proof text sorts of purposes.

Perhaps you'd like to consider reinserting these Scriptures back into your Bible?

Exodus 18:15
Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.
(Whole Chapter: Exodus 18 In context: Exodus 18:14-16)

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Whole Chapter: Deuteronomy 4 In context: Deuteronomy 4:28-30)

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD ."
(Whole Chapter: 1 Chronicles 22 In context: 1 Chronicles 22:18-20)

2 Chronicles 11:16
Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD , the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD , the God of their fathers.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 11 In context: 2 Chronicles 11:15-17)

2 Chronicles 14:4
He commanded Judah to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 14 In context: 2 Chronicles 14:3-5)

2 Chronicles 15:12
They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:11-13)

2 Chronicles 15:13
All who would not seek the LORD , the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:12-14)

2 Chronicles 19:3
There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 19 In context: 2 Chronicles 19:2-4)

2 Chronicles 30:19
who sets his heart on seeking God-the LORD , the God of his fathers-even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 30 In context: 2 Chronicles 30:18-20)

2 Chronicles 34:3
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 34 In context: 2 Chronicles 34:2-4)

Exodus 18:15
Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.
(Whole Chapter: Exodus 18 In context: Exodus 18:14-16)

Leviticus 19:31
" 'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
(Whole Chapter: Leviticus 19 In context: Leviticus 19:30-32)

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Whole Chapter: Deuteronomy 4 In context: Deuteronomy 4:28-30)

Deuteronomy 12:5
But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;
(Whole Chapter: Deuteronomy 12 In context: Deuteronomy 12:4-6)

1 Kings 12:28
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."
(Whole Chapter: 1 Kings 12 In context: 1 Kings 12:27-29)

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD ."
(Whole Chapter: 1 Chronicles 22 In context: 1 Chronicles 22:18-20)

1 Chronicles 28:9
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
(Whole Chapter: 1 Chronicles 28 In context: 1 Chronicles 28:8-10)

2 Chronicles 11:16
Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD , the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD , the God of their fathers.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 11 In context: 2 Chronicles 11:15-17)

2 Chronicles 14:4
He commanded Judah to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 14 In context: 2 Chronicles 14:3-5)

2 Chronicles 15:12
They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:11-13)

2 Chronicles 15:13
All who would not seek the LORD , the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:12-14)

2 Chronicles 19:3
There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 19 In context: 2 Chronicles 19:2-4)

2 Chronicles 30:19
who sets his heart on seeking God-the LORD , the God of his fathers-even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 30 In context: 2 Chronicles 30:18-20)

2 Chronicles 34:3
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 34 In context: 2 Chronicles 34:2-4)

Ezra 6:21
So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD , the God of Israel.
(Whole Chapter: Ezra 6 In context: Ezra 6:20-22)

Exodus 18:15
Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.
(Whole Chapter: Exodus 18 In context: Exodus 18:14-16)

Leviticus 19:31
" 'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
(Whole Chapter: Leviticus 19 In context: Leviticus 19:30-32)

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Whole Chapter: Deuteronomy 4 In context: Deuteronomy 4:28-30)

Deuteronomy 12:5
But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;
(Whole Chapter: Deuteronomy 12 In context: Deuteronomy 12:4-6)

1 Kings 12:28
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."
(Whole Chapter: 1 Kings 12 In context: 1 Kings 12:27-29)

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD ."
(Whole Chapter: 1 Chronicles 22 In context: 1 Chronicles 22:18-20)

1 Chronicles 28:9
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
(Whole Chapter: 1 Chronicles 28 In context: 1 Chronicles 28:8-10)

2 Chronicles 11:16
Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD , the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD , the God of their fathers.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 11 In context: 2 Chronicles 11:15-17)

2 Chronicles 14:4
He commanded Judah to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 14 In context: 2 Chronicles 14:3-5)

2 Chronicles 15:12
They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD , the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:11-13)

2 Chronicles 15:13
All who would not seek the LORD , the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 15 In context: 2 Chronicles 15:12-14)

2 Chronicles 19:3
There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 19 In context: 2 Chronicles 19:2-4)

2 Chronicles 30:19
who sets his heart on seeking God-the LORD , the God of his fathers-even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 30 In context: 2 Chronicles 30:18-20)

2 Chronicles 34:3
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.
(Whole Chapter: 2 Chronicles 34 In context: 2 Chronicles 34:2-4)

Ezra 4:2
they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, "Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."
(Whole Chapter: Ezra 4 In context: Ezra 4:1-3)

Ezra 6:21
So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD , the God of Israel.
(Whole Chapter: Ezra 6 In context: Ezra 6:20-22)

Psalm 4:2
How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame [ 4:2 Or [ you dishonor my Glorious One ] ] ? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods [ 4:2 Or [ seek lies ] ] ? Selah
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 4 In context: Psalm 4:1-3)

Psalm 10:4
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 10 In context: Psalm 10:3-5)

Psalm 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 14 In context: Psalm 14:1-3)

Psalm 24:6
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [ 24:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts [ face, Jacob ] ] Selah
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 24 In context: Psalm 24:5-7)

Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 53 In context: Psalm 53:1-3)

Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 63 In context: Psalm 63:1-2)

Psalm 69:6
May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 69 In context: Psalm 69:5-7)

Psalm 69:32
The poor will see and be glad- you who seek God, may your hearts live!
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 69 In context: Psalm 69:31-33)

Psalm 70:4
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 70 In context: Psalm 70:3-5)

Psalm 78:34
Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 78 In context: Psalm 78:33-35)

Jeremiah 50:4
"In those days, at that time," declares the LORD , "the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the LORD their God.
(Whole Chapter: Jeremiah 50 In context: Jeremiah 50:3-5)

Hosea 3:5
Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
(Whole Chapter: Hosea 3 In context: Hosea 3:4-6)

Amos 5:14
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
(Whole Chapter: Amos 5 In context: Amos 5:13-15)

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [ 2:15 Or [ 15 But the one {who is our father} did not do this, not as long as life remained in him. And what was he seeking? An offspring from God ] ] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
(Whole Chapter: Malachi 2 In context: Malachi 2:14-16)

Acts 17:27
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
(Whole Chapter: Acts 17 In context: Acts 17:26-28)

Romans 3:11
there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
(Whole Chapter: Romans 3 In context: Romans 3:10-12)

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
(Whole Chapter: Hebrews 11 In context: Hebrews 11:5-7)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.