According to Bible scripture, we are given many clues and signs to indicate the time of Jesus's return. Most importantly, we are given indications as to when the "last seven years" of world history will begin.
Why is this so important?
It's important because, halfway into the last seven years, the Great Tribulation will begin. I believe God wants to warn us, as He always has throughout history. And if He wants to warn us, maybe it's because He wants us to be prepared.
How can one prepare for the Great Tribulation?
We can prepare mentally, spiritually, emotionally and even physically. To be prepared spiritually is the major emphasis, because if we can learn how to trust God now for our lives, it will be a "knee-jerk reaction" when the poop hits the fan. If we can learn how to hear from God now, it will come automatically when we're in a life-or-death situation. If we have a loving relationship with God now, we will be more apt to believe He loves us even when the going gets tough.
And, He does love us. More than we know! Which is why He is warning us and wants us to prepare for the worst persecution this world has ever known.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be.
Did Jesus say this to scare everyone to death so that they would run and hide? Are we supposed to react like Henny Penny and run around screaming,
"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We're all gonna DIE!"?
It seems to me that in America these days, the media and the government are more afraid of panic than of Ebola or ISIS (IS or ISIL). Who knows if they have their priorities straight? Can panic really be that terrible? More terrible than a terrorist attack?
So, we believers are not meant to panic. We are meant to be pillars of strength and faith in times of trouble!
I can think of no better way to build up our spiritual faith and strength than to READ THE WORD. So, what does the Word tell us about the Great Tribulation? And, have the last seven years already begun? --- My answer to that is,
"No, I don't believe so."
A few things are supposed to happen first. Mainly, as I have mentioned previously, the confirming of the covenant. (We assume that the covenant is going to be signed. But, it is confirmed somehow.)
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Ok, I know this sounds really bad. And it is. But, you must remember that the very worst stuff is going to happen to the unbelievers and those who worship the "Beast". In fact, Revelation tells us that some of the believers will be safe and provided for for the entire Great Tribulation period! Good news, right?
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
That's 1260 days. That translates to about 3.46 years, which may mean that she goes into the wilderness before the Great Tribulation even starts. Wow. God is good.
Another verse in the same chapter says: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
To me, that means that some of the believers will be protected in the wilderness and some of the believers will be out on the front lines, preaching the Gospel to the very end and even giving their lives as martyrs. (We've already seen many Christians beheaded by ISIS for their faith! Praise God! This is just the beginning, folks! I get the feeling we ain't seen nothin' yet!)
Revelation 12:17 says "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Ok, so what if you are one of those on the front lines? How do you overcome the devil?
Here's your answer, right out of Revelation 12:11!
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Never underestimate the power of the Blood of the Lamb. Never underestimate the power of the Name of Jesus! And never underestimate the power of your personal testimony!
When we are out there, sharing our personal testimony about how we came to the Lord and how Jesus brought us to eternal salvation, the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit falls heavily on us. That is the message Jesus wants to get out to the lost! So, He's going to anoint us with power and protection to be able to live long enough to get out the message. Am I right?
If you're serving God, getting out the message, God is going to see to it that you are provided for and protected right up until the end, or right up until your end. And if or when it's your turn to go, it will be a sweet release!
"Earth recedes! Heaven opens!"
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (I Corinthians 15:55)
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
How Will We Know When We're in the Last Three and a Half Years?
If you have read my previous post entitled, "How Will We Know When We're in the Last Seven Years?", you will know that I pointed out the "signing of the covenant" as one of the signs that begins the last seven years of life "as we know it" on this planet.
I singled that out so that it would be clear, emphatic and easy to remember.
But, what about the beginning of the last three and a half years? How will we know for sure when that has begun?
It was Jesus Himself Who warned us about the "Great Tribulation" in Matthew, chapter 24. We know from other verses in the Bible that the "Great Tribulation" lasts for three and a half years. Revelation chapter 13 describes the world dictator or "Antichrist" and the time period that he will be given to continue.
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
If you divide 42 by 12 (12 months in a year), you come up with 3.5 years. That's not a coincidence. That's God reinforcing His word by using months as well as years. He also tells us the time period in days.
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (3.54 years)
During this time of tribulation, the woman (or believers) flees into the wilderness.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
(One score is 20 years. So, that adds up to 1260 days.)
If you divide 1260 days by 364 (there are 364 and 1/4 days in a year), you will get 3.461 years.
If you choose to use the Jewish months, there are roughly 355 days in a Jewish calendar year, so by dividing 1260 days by 355, you come up with roughly 3.54 years.
In another verse, Revelation 12:14, it says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
That's three and a half years.
So, the question is: How will we know when we're in the last three and a half years?
Matthew 24:15 WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE...
21 FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Jesus made it very clear. He said "when". "When you see." We are going to see the Abomination of Desolation. Now, in this time on the earth, everyone is able to simultaneously see something important. Just like we all saw the twin towers fall. We'll see the placing of this "thing" when it is erected "in the holy place".
Is there a question about where the "Holy Place" is? No, it's not the Vatican. It's Jerusalem. If you haven't read the Bible, God has always referred to Jerusalem as His own holy place and the place Jesus will return to very soon.
Now, at this point in time, there is a mosque sitting on the temple mount. However, the Jews intend to build their own temple in the same vicinity. Therefore, the signing of the peace covenant (Daniel 9:27) may even make that possible, since, at the moment, it seems to be a political and religious impossibility.
I singled that out so that it would be clear, emphatic and easy to remember.
But, what about the beginning of the last three and a half years? How will we know for sure when that has begun?
It was Jesus Himself Who warned us about the "Great Tribulation" in Matthew, chapter 24. We know from other verses in the Bible that the "Great Tribulation" lasts for three and a half years. Revelation chapter 13 describes the world dictator or "Antichrist" and the time period that he will be given to continue.
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
If you divide 42 by 12 (12 months in a year), you come up with 3.5 years. That's not a coincidence. That's God reinforcing His word by using months as well as years. He also tells us the time period in days.
Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (3.54 years)
During this time of tribulation, the woman (or believers) flees into the wilderness.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
(One score is 20 years. So, that adds up to 1260 days.)
If you divide 1260 days by 364 (there are 364 and 1/4 days in a year), you will get 3.461 years.
If you choose to use the Jewish months, there are roughly 355 days in a Jewish calendar year, so by dividing 1260 days by 355, you come up with roughly 3.54 years.
In another verse, Revelation 12:14, it says, "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."
That's three and a half years.
So, the question is: How will we know when we're in the last three and a half years?
Matthew 24:15 WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, STAND IN THE HOLY PLACE...
21 FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Jesus made it very clear. He said "when". "When you see." We are going to see the Abomination of Desolation. Now, in this time on the earth, everyone is able to simultaneously see something important. Just like we all saw the twin towers fall. We'll see the placing of this "thing" when it is erected "in the holy place".
Is there a question about where the "Holy Place" is? No, it's not the Vatican. It's Jerusalem. If you haven't read the Bible, God has always referred to Jerusalem as His own holy place and the place Jesus will return to very soon.
Now, at this point in time, there is a mosque sitting on the temple mount. However, the Jews intend to build their own temple in the same vicinity. Therefore, the signing of the peace covenant (Daniel 9:27) may even make that possible, since, at the moment, it seems to be a political and religious impossibility.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Don't Burn the Bridge of Forgiveness
George Herbert said
"He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven."
Whoever thinks they do not need to be forgiven is greatly deceived.
In a sense, if we do not, cannot or will not forgive, we are declaring that we do not need forgiveness and we are not required to extend it to others. And that's just pure PRIDE. It's a ridiculous and childish attitude of,
"I'm perfect but you're not."
It's like that picture of the kid on the playground who says, "I'm taking my toys and going home."
He doesn't want to share his toys with others because he's selfish. It's funny and even kind of cute because we've all been there. But, hopefully, we will all grow out of that stage.
So, how is it that some of us are deceived into thinking that we are not required to forgive?
I think it has something to do with comparing sins with sins. The thought pattern is like this:
"I can forgive THIS but not THAT. THAT was a sin of the mind but THIS is a sin of the heart. THIS was unintentional but THAT was on purpose!"
We get the idea that we can be stingy with our forgiveness as if it's something we possess and give away. That right there is wrong thinking because, as imperfect human beings, we don't naturally possess the ability to forgive. It's not like we have a reservoir full of forgiveness to pour out to whoever we decide "deserves" it.
Like the lady told the judge, "Please have mercy on my son!"
And when the judge said, "Your son does not deserve mercy!"
She replied, "If he deserved it, it wouldn't BE mercy!"
The only way we can extend forgiveness to others is by fully and deeply knowing that we are not perfect, we are sinners and that we deserve to go to Hell! Yes, we deserve to go to Hell, people. iThere's not one of us who can escape the fires of Hell without the blood of Christ!
And just because you "feel" or "judge" that someone has "done you wrong", it does not give you the right to hold a grudge. You don't have that luxury unless you are GOD.
In fact, Jesus warned us in this way. He said in Matthew chapter 6, verses 14 and 15
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Wow.
That's pretty intense, don't you think? I mean, this is Jesus Christ our Saviour talking saying that, "Yes, I died for you and I forgave you, but if you don't forgive others, you won't be forgiven."
I almost just don't want to believe that because it's so drastic. It seems really harsh. Does it mean we will actually lose our salvation if we don't extend forgiveness to others? Well, Jesus said it. Was it just good advice? Or, is it true that God will not forgive us unless we forgive?
One way to look at it is like this:
Ok, you died. You're standing in front of the gates of Heaven. But, before you can get IN, you have to make sure you clean up any grudges you're holding in your heart against anyone on the planet. You can't take that unforgiveness into Heaven with you.
Maybe we need to look at unforgiveness as a sin. That would help us identify it as unwanted energy. It's a strain and a drain and a weight on our souls. That would mean that forgiveness is NOT an option. You don't get to choose to not forgive without very heavy consequences, according to Matthew 6:15.
What we need to ask ourselves is: "Do I really want God to not forgive me?"
What does that mean? Can you imagine God waiting on you to forgive your brother or sister before He deigns to forgive you? Do we really want to build a wall between ourselves and God?
How do we picture God? Is He the One who is critical, cold, hard, austere, rigid, unbending, unsympathetic and bound to the law? Is God like that? No! That is not the picture of the Christian God.
That pretty much describes the Devil.
Yes, folks, it's the Devil who has all those attributes. He's legalistic, judgmental, proud, haughty, unbending, unmerciful, critical. Oh, AND unloving. In case you didn't know it.
So, now, taking everything into consideration: where does unforgiveness come from? God? Jesus?
I have had difficulties forgiving people whom I felt did me wrong. One thing that helped was to STOP focussing on that person's huge mistake and to focus on a few of my own bloopers and unkind deeds (of which there are plenty). But the way to make forgiveness come easy is to remember in detail all the suffering that Jesus had to go through for our own sins.
Besides, if I hadn't gotten saved when I did, who knows what terrible crimes I would have been capable of committing? If I'd stayed on that road to destruction and selfishness, it may have led me to any number of dastardly deeds! But, thank God, someone had the love and compassion to tell me about salvation!
Now, it's just a matter of passing it on. "Pay it forward." And that's what forgiveness is all about: "paying it forward" because "what goes around comes around" and for sure, we're gonna need forgiveness one of these days very soon!
The bridge of forgiveness is a VERY busy bridge just flowing with non-stop traffic! God help us not to cause a road block.
"He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven."
Whoever thinks they do not need to be forgiven is greatly deceived.
In a sense, if we do not, cannot or will not forgive, we are declaring that we do not need forgiveness and we are not required to extend it to others. And that's just pure PRIDE. It's a ridiculous and childish attitude of,
"I'm perfect but you're not."
It's like that picture of the kid on the playground who says, "I'm taking my toys and going home."
He doesn't want to share his toys with others because he's selfish. It's funny and even kind of cute because we've all been there. But, hopefully, we will all grow out of that stage.
So, how is it that some of us are deceived into thinking that we are not required to forgive?
I think it has something to do with comparing sins with sins. The thought pattern is like this:
"I can forgive THIS but not THAT. THAT was a sin of the mind but THIS is a sin of the heart. THIS was unintentional but THAT was on purpose!"
We get the idea that we can be stingy with our forgiveness as if it's something we possess and give away. That right there is wrong thinking because, as imperfect human beings, we don't naturally possess the ability to forgive. It's not like we have a reservoir full of forgiveness to pour out to whoever we decide "deserves" it.
Like the lady told the judge, "Please have mercy on my son!"
And when the judge said, "Your son does not deserve mercy!"
She replied, "If he deserved it, it wouldn't BE mercy!"
The only way we can extend forgiveness to others is by fully and deeply knowing that we are not perfect, we are sinners and that we deserve to go to Hell! Yes, we deserve to go to Hell, people. iThere's not one of us who can escape the fires of Hell without the blood of Christ!
And just because you "feel" or "judge" that someone has "done you wrong", it does not give you the right to hold a grudge. You don't have that luxury unless you are GOD.
In fact, Jesus warned us in this way. He said in Matthew chapter 6, verses 14 and 15
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Wow.
That's pretty intense, don't you think? I mean, this is Jesus Christ our Saviour talking saying that, "Yes, I died for you and I forgave you, but if you don't forgive others, you won't be forgiven."
I almost just don't want to believe that because it's so drastic. It seems really harsh. Does it mean we will actually lose our salvation if we don't extend forgiveness to others? Well, Jesus said it. Was it just good advice? Or, is it true that God will not forgive us unless we forgive?
One way to look at it is like this:
Ok, you died. You're standing in front of the gates of Heaven. But, before you can get IN, you have to make sure you clean up any grudges you're holding in your heart against anyone on the planet. You can't take that unforgiveness into Heaven with you.
Maybe we need to look at unforgiveness as a sin. That would help us identify it as unwanted energy. It's a strain and a drain and a weight on our souls. That would mean that forgiveness is NOT an option. You don't get to choose to not forgive without very heavy consequences, according to Matthew 6:15.
What we need to ask ourselves is: "Do I really want God to not forgive me?"
What does that mean? Can you imagine God waiting on you to forgive your brother or sister before He deigns to forgive you? Do we really want to build a wall between ourselves and God?
How do we picture God? Is He the One who is critical, cold, hard, austere, rigid, unbending, unsympathetic and bound to the law? Is God like that? No! That is not the picture of the Christian God.
That pretty much describes the Devil.
Yes, folks, it's the Devil who has all those attributes. He's legalistic, judgmental, proud, haughty, unbending, unmerciful, critical. Oh, AND unloving. In case you didn't know it.
So, now, taking everything into consideration: where does unforgiveness come from? God? Jesus?
I have had difficulties forgiving people whom I felt did me wrong. One thing that helped was to STOP focussing on that person's huge mistake and to focus on a few of my own bloopers and unkind deeds (of which there are plenty). But the way to make forgiveness come easy is to remember in detail all the suffering that Jesus had to go through for our own sins.
Besides, if I hadn't gotten saved when I did, who knows what terrible crimes I would have been capable of committing? If I'd stayed on that road to destruction and selfishness, it may have led me to any number of dastardly deeds! But, thank God, someone had the love and compassion to tell me about salvation!
Now, it's just a matter of passing it on. "Pay it forward." And that's what forgiveness is all about: "paying it forward" because "what goes around comes around" and for sure, we're gonna need forgiveness one of these days very soon!
The bridge of forgiveness is a VERY busy bridge just flowing with non-stop traffic! God help us not to cause a road block.
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