Posted on 10/01/2011 5:51:45 AM PDT by kindred
Greetings in the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ!
For a future not so distant day...
This brief letter is written to those of you who have been left behind. May I calm your great anxiety and fears with this great message of hope! God loves you and cares greatly for you. He has a great plan, purpose and future for you and your life. He wants only and always the highest and best things for you. So please give your ear and full attention to the words that follow. The days ahead will be days that will not be easy - in fact they will be quite horrendous. But be of good cheer and of good courage. Have Faith in Almighty God and His Word. (Link to Bible Study on the Rapture.)
Jesus said, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but hath everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).
God so loved us that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins and mine! God has thus provided a way to restore fellowship with sinners (all humans), and to remove His righteous wrath that was upon us because of our sins and trespasses. Everyone that puts their trust in Jesus Christ will thus find God's pardon for sin and restored fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-3). The proof that God will do what He says is shown in what has just transpired, i.e., “The Rapture,” which is (or was) the abrupt removal of Believers (Christians) from the earth. God foretold in His Word that He would do it and He did! Almighty God never lies and never changes (see Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18, 13:8). Almighty God and His Word can therefore be fully trusted! All that put their trust in Almighty God and His Word can be confident that God will do what He says (2 Timothy 1:12).
Basic Facts About Salvation Found in Jesus Christ . All that put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (the Saved) thus find God's pardon for sin and have Eternal Life. All those who reject God’s saving grace (the Unsaved or Lost) will only receive God’s judgment and wrath (John 3:18).
The Saved will enter Christ’s Glorious Kingdom, which He will establish at the conclusion of this terrible time of Great World Tribulation, i.e., upon Christ's Second Coming to earth (Matthew 25:33-40). Facing God’s judgment, the Lost are removed from the earth prior to the beginning of Christ’s 1000-year (Millennial) Kingdom reign (Matthew 24:36-51, 25:41-46).
Another wonderful truth regarding those that are Saved is the deliverance from the power of wrath, darkness, and death (see 1 Thess. 1:10, Col. 1:13, Heb. 2:14-15). The Lost will have to experience the “Second Death,” which is eternal separation from God in Hell (the Lake of Fire) forever (Rev. 20:11-15). There is a Biblical saying that goes, “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.”
Humble yourselves before Almighty God. Listen to His Word! Have faith to believe Him, and all will be well. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!!
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1John 5:4-5).
The Rapture of the Church and Tribulation Period . As earlier stated, the major event that has just taken place (i.e., the Great Disappearance) is called "The Rapture of the Church." This is the event spoken of in the scriptures when Christ receives unto Himself all True Believers on earth who are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He has come to meet them in the clouds to be united – Head and Body, Bride and Bridegroom - forever more.
As the Bible states: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:3).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).
This period following the Rapture of the Church that you presently are in is called, "The Time of Jacob's Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), “The Time of Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24, Mark 13), and “The Time of Indignation and Wrath (Isaiah 34:2; Revelation 6:16-17). These terms describe a seven-year period of great global catastrophe: war, pestilence, famine, desolations, false hopes, false promises and great deception such as the world has never seen (see Revelation chapters 6-19). The only hope you have during this time of great global turmoil is to trust in The Lord Jesus Christ and His Word with all your heart, soul and mind. God has made provision for your total salvation in His wonderful person. Put your trust in Him!
A Brief Overview of Current Events . 1. The first event that will take place after the Rapture is the treaty signed between Israel and their enemies. A Man from Europe will greatly strengthen this treaty and make it work. Don’t be deceived! His one goal is to destroy Israel. Don’t believe this man, his teachings and political motivations. He is Satan's Anti-Christ. From the signing of this treaty to the Second Coming of Christ is exactly 7 Years (1 “week” of years or 2520 days; see Daniel 9:26-27).
2. The Gospel message will be preached from Israel by God's Two Jewish Witnesses (Rev 11:3-14) and 144,000 Jewish missionaries (Rev. 7:4-8,14:1-5). Listen to them!!! They bring the True Gospel message. They are God's messengers to the whole earth. Hear them! The Anti-Christ will seek to destroy them and their Gospel message of Jesus Messiah.
3. Beware of the great deception at hand as Jesus spoke of in (Matthew 24:4 and Revelation 12:9). The fearful and unbelieving inhabitants of the earth will be very susceptible to this demonic deception because of the many-faceted catastrophes, conditions and circumstances of this dreadful time. Stay focused and have faith in God and His Word alone (Proverbs 3:5-7)!
4. Love and honor the people of Israel (Genesis 12:2-3). They are God's people and this time period involves them coming back to God as a nation. Love God's chosen people, the Jews (Isaiah 41:8-11). The Anti-Christ and the World system will persecute them with all their hatred and power (Revelation 12, 17:12-14). Line up with God and not with this Wicked World (1 John 2:15-17).
5. Study God's simple plan of salvation, the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and hide it in your heart as the Bible teaches, for these are the Words of Life (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11). Share it with anyone who will hear you (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:15). Be faithful, knowing they may kill the body but not the soul (Matthew 10:28-39). Your soul and spirit are possessed by Almighty God as you possess Him. If your life is taken, God will raise you up at the end of this seven-year tribulation period (Rev. 14:13; 20:4-6). Don’t be afraid; God is still in control, and He is working all things together for good (Rom. 8:28). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou will be saved! (Acts 16:31)
6. By all means, DO NOT receive the Mark of the Beast! (Rev.13:18, 14:9-11) If you know Christ as Your Savior, you are safely His and the Holy Spirit will make it clear not to take it. If you know not yet Christ, then do not let yourself be deceived. The mark might bring temporary relief but doom for eternity! Trust in Christ as your Savior! Do not be swayed by the lies of the enemy! Don’t take the mark of the beast for any reason.
7. Again, place your trust in Almighty God and His Word alone! God is always right in what He says and does, and He is merciful and faithful in all His ways (Psalm 103:17-18; 1 Corinthians 10:13). This ought to bring great comfort and encouragement to your hearts. No matter what happens, remember that you belong to the Most High God and are eternally safe! (John 10:28)
The Kingdom Of Heaven is At Hand! Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shall be saved! (Acts 16:31) It is our desire that this brief letter may bring hope and insight about the Major Event that has just transpired. There are many links on this site that will direct you to the scripture truths about salvation and the current events at hand. Pray for God to give you wisdom and understanding in these days ahead.
The Kingdom of Heaven is truly at hand!!
Delta was selling advance discount tickets, but I passed because you had to change planes in Atlanta. :)
the Roman Empire included all of what is now North Africa as well as what is now Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, parts of Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia.
Secondly, if descended from Dan, does that mean he'll have Jewish blood?
Correct, Frost. This is a perfect example of the folly of coming up with one's own interpretation of scripture. The 1800s was rife with this -- witness J. Smith, Ellen G White, Charles Taize etc.
It's sad how many freepers know so little yet talk too much -- a class case of "a little knowledge is dangerous" -- they do not drink deeply, only sip. These are the same folks who believe Jesus is coming in an alien space ship etc.
“In case of rapture...can I have your car?”
Does Harold Camping have anything to say about how
Oct 21 really, REALLY, REALLY is the date...?
Elijah was carried away, via a whirlwind, to another place. He was taken there presumably so his presence wouldn't impede or otherwise diminish his successor Elisha.
He was taken up by the whirlwind under the reign of Jehoshaphat. But he sent a letter, thirteen years later, to the Jehoram, the son of Jehsoshaphat and it's chronicled in Chronicles:
2Ch 21:12 And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
This passage usually gives those who think that Elijah went to heaven fits because it doesnt' fit into their narrative so it's usually tried explain away. But NOBODY has gone to THE heaven. Jesus Christ made that clear:
Joh 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
No one has ascended, gone up to, heaven. Jesus said it himself.
The Bible does not even hint the 'instead' of Christ will be a 'flesh' being. It does say because of deception all but the very elect will be deceived. WHY, because they do not know who the 'instead' of Christ is and that this 'actor' will show up first. Anti Christ means instead of Christ, and of course that would be 'against' Christ for the devil to be claiming he is Christ. It is going to be quite embarrassing for Christian to discover they have gone to a wedding out of season and that groom is none other than the devil himself. But you cannot tell these that have their bags pack, and their tickets punched who shows up first.
And when there is no “rapture,” then what? =.=
Christ did speak of the days of the coming of the Son of Man as being like the Days of Noah. You had Noah and his family being whisked off the earth followed by Earth’s destruction. Christ described the conditions of the Days of Noah as being just like they will be when he comes. Like the days of Noah the chosen get whisked off to some place safe while God pours down his wrath on the unrepenting Earth. But the Bible says even those days are cut short lest all life be totally destroyed...meaning a lot of the unsaved but unmarked as well as those who managed to come to faith during that horrific time will be left to repopulate the Earth when Christ rules out of the new Jerusalem that comes out of heaven according to Revelation.
Now as to a rapture time period, I always felt it could occur any time from the Ezekiel 37-38 war right up until the Beast commits the Abomination of Desolation(the one Christ was hinting at, the one spoken of in Revelation...not the one in 72 AD or so done by the Romans). Heck it could be even just before Armageddon and the widespread destruction taking place on Earth at that time. I base that thinking on the fact that Revelation speaks of souls who had been martyred by the Beast system by the bushel load who purified themselves, overcame the Beast by their faith and by their testimony and by their refusal to take his mark. The wording in Revelation is very specific and it suggests a whole lot of Christians being killed by the Beast at that time. Did this happen after a rapture, when folks realizing that what their ol’ grannies said was true and they come to realization that they had better get saved even if they get killed for it? Or is there a whole lot of interesting stuff going on with the Church and the Beast before said rapture occurs? I have a strong notion about the rapture occuring at the time of the resurrection of the 2 killed witnesses, when God says(in perfect KJV, hah hah) “Come up hither!”, and when they do so, the entire company of remaining saints and all of the resurrected in Christ go up at that same time.....but hey it’s just a personal notion.
I believe that Ezekiel 13:16-23 tell us that the Heavenly Father knew what security blanket some Christians would divine. He makes it plain He is against those that cover His saving hands/fingers teaching salvation in flying souls.
What do you mean 'things get too bad'? Christ said there would be war and rumors of war.... but that is NOT the end. The old devil is going to get tossed out here among us playing like he is Jesus, and all but the elect will be deceived. That is the tribulation.
God created pizza and beer. Why wouldn’t both be in Heaven?
I remember reading once about a group from New England in the 1850s(?).
Sold everything they had and went into a field because their leader just “knew” when it would happen.
After a while they went away - couldn’t go home because they got rid of them.
The Mystery concerns a body of believers. It begins as a Mystery Hid in Scripture (1 Cor. 15:3,4), it continues as a Mystery hid in God (Eph. 3:2,3,5,6,9), and it ends with a mystery (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Romans through Philemon.
Your pastor is right to present the three commonly held eschatologic beliefs. No one knows for sure except the Holy Trinity. I lean Post Mill but most of my church is Amill. I find the pre mill stuff to be least supportable by scripture but I don't get wrapped around the wheel anymore about this stuff. Christ didn't come into the world to teach eschatolgy but to "save sinners". He told his disciples to "preach the word" which can save sinners from the wrath to come and bring them into a saving relationship with their creator God. I know my premill brothers who truly have trusted in Christ for remission of their sins will stand at judgment day and not suffer the second death. Unfortunately some use the view of the last days as a measure of righteousness, your pastor is a wise man. When this debate rages I become a Pan millenialist, Its all going to Pan out for God's chosen people.
Well certainly...Right after you receive the Mark of the Beast...
If only you could find some scripture to confirm that...
yeah but the Szechuan, what about the Szechuan!!!
If God made anything better then Pizza and Szechuan food he kept it for Himself.
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