Chaos or Christ?

Isn't all of the turmoil going on in the world today making your head spin? The terrible earthquake followed by the tsunami in Japan is enough to bring us all to our knees in prayer. Add in all of the unrest throughout the Muslim world. Note the continuing financial crisis here at home (unemployment, inflation, home foreclosures, high prices for food and gas etc.) and the financial woes going on across the world. Include the battles going on between two opposing ideologies. The conservatives/ TEA Party Patriots (who want to keep our nation as our Founders intended) are fighting hard against the Fabian Socialist screwed up ideas of the Soros progressives and union leaders - who are intent on destroying capitalism and our Constitutional Republic (including marriage as the union of one man and one woman, increased abortion tragedies, demoralizing our military with unnecessary "gay" rights acknowledgement; the list is endless!!) in order to change our nation in a Islamo-fascist/socialist/Marxist regime - and you've got enough chaos to label it all a kind of tribulation in and of itself!

This brought back to my mind a conversation I had years ago with a Christian believer who held to the Mid-tribulation Rapture view. That link is a Bing list to 692,000 additional links where you could find out information about that view. I checked out some of the links found on the first page of the Bing list. The third one I clicked on was a good explanation of why the Pre-Wrath/Mid-Tribulation view of the Rapture doesn't quite fit what the Bible tells us regarding when the Rapture will occur..

Is the Mid-Tribulation
or
Pre-Wrath Rapture the Biblical View?

For example:

Excerpt:

2. Problem with this view:

The devastating events of Revelation 6:16-17 and Revelation 7:14 occur before the middle of the Tribulation. The Tribulation (Daniel's Seventh Week) begins with the outpouring of the Seal judgments, followed by the Trumpets and ending with the Bowl or Vial judgments. There is no break in the progressive judgments only a worsening of the wrath of God as they are cast upon the earth.

3. Revelation 6:1-15. The events of Revelation 6-10, reveal a very terrible time for the Earth. Note the terrible events of the seven seal judgments and the six trumpet judgments:

Verse 2 White horse: This rider goes forth conquering and to conquer. It is probably the Antichrist who appears to be white in that he offers peace to the world. He deceives the nations and all the while he is talking peace he is conquering the nations of earth and setting up himself as the world dictator.

It is imperative to acknowledge who it is that is opening the Seals and directing the Seal Judgments. It is plainly the Lamb who is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is ridiculous to conclude that these terrible judgments are the "wrath of man" and not part of God's wrath. Without question Revelation 6:1 is telling us that the Seal Judgments are the beginning of God's pouring His wrath on the earth. They are initiated by Jesus Christ and under His direction and control and part of His plan. On this point alone the Pre-Wrath view is shown to be in error.

The chaos that has been increasing over the last several years could cause some Christians to believe that we already are in the midst of the Great Tribulation! But are we? Jesus did tell us that we would go through such times prior to the Great Tribulation as described in the book of Revelation. However, in Matthew 24:6, Jesus informs us, "but the end is not yet."

Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.


Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.


Mat 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Going through such times is just "the beginning of sorrows."

We are certainly going through these "sorrows." They are intensifying and the
"nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" [Egypt, Libya, for example] is now happening right before our very eyes! The amount of Earthquakes each year are increasing exponentially and becoming even more intense than in past decades.

It helps to read the entire chapter of Matthew 24 to get the correct context of this portion of Scripture. I will be commenting further on Matthew 24 tomorrow.

But I wanted to leave this post tonight with the hope of Romans 8 [from Blue Letter Bible]:

Rom 8

Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.


Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:


Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.


Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.


Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.


Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.


Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.


Rom 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.


Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.


Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.


Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.


Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.


Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.


Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:


Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.


Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.


Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.


Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,


Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.


Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.


Rom 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.


Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?


Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].


Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.


Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.


Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.


Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.


Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.


Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?


Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?


Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.


Rom 8:34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.


Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?


Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.


Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.


Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,


Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hat Tips to all links.

Final Curtain Call

The title of Dr. David Jeremiah's March magazine and devotional is "A Graceful Exit." In the essay called, "The Great Curtain Call," the author briefly explains and compares The Rapture of the Church (all believers) as the Church's final curtain call. This is because the roles of the audience and performer will be reversed.

Jeremiah:

Calling us out to join Him for all eternity will be the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ Himself.

Even though our lives have been lived out - like characters in a play - it is all believers everywhere who will applaud Jesus Christ because of his plan for the redemption of mankind.

Jeremiah:

It is Christ alone who deserves the credit and praise. He wrote the script, funded the production at the expense of His own life-blood, chose the cast, empowered the players, and then rewards us at the end for accomplishing something that He alone made possible. The Rapture will be a final curtain call like no other.

Recall the question and answer about Rockefeller - one of the richest men in the world - when he died? It was asked, "how much (money) did he leave?" Answer: all of it.

All that we have, all that we think we own, all that we give to others in all honesty - belongs to the Lord. We are stewards of this earth. All that we enjoy while here while on this earth is in all actuality "on loan" to us.

Dr. Jeremiah's paragraph about Christ alone deserving the credit and praise is true about our entire lives. Have you ever really thought deeply about that? That paragraph reminded me to think more deeply about it. The promise that He rewards believers "at the end for accomplishing something that He alone made possible" is strikingly awesome! Why? Because it is so true! Allow me to share some Scriptures that reiterate this point.

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Mat 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

That is some powerful Word to keep in mind - especially today. With all of the financial worries, woes, stealing, thievery (even via taxes through our own government!!) loss of jobs, loss of homes etc. we might need to look at those verses and understand why our nation is experiencing what is currently happening today. Any ideas?

Could it be that many of us have forgotten God?

Could it be that God is calling us out from our slumber and sinful ways?

Could it be that we are relying too much on "things of this earth" rather than relying on God?

Moths can ruin and destroy the most expensive piece of clothing. They can also destroy the oldest raggedy piece of clothing. Rust can damage the most expensive car, as well as an older car. Get one ding in a new vehicle which results in paint chipping off and rust is soon to follow.

This probably isn't the time to say, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away." When it comes to possessions and this current economy, we don't want to hear that. But there is a purpose even in times of great loss. When Katrina hit New Orleans, many people turned back to God as a result of it. I have read on other blogs that many civilians in Iraq, though they have suffered years of loss from Saddam Hussein's brutal regime, are now coming to Christ in record numbers after having been liberated by our brave military and the coalition forces.

But consider this, also. When it comes to utilizing such a statement in light of all eternity - we most certainly should have a completely joyful attitude. "The Lord giveth (eternal life), and the Lord taketh away (the sins of the world)."

Dr. Jeremiah tells us that the Rapture of the Church could happen at any time. There is nothing on the prophetic calendar that needs to be done before we "meet the Lord in the air." Bible scholars refer to this as the "imminent appearing of Christ," imminent meaning "at any moment."

Dr. Jeremiah:

To put this event in perspective, let's step back and review God's plan for the ages:

* After the fall of mankind into sin in the Garden of Eden, God called a people out of the human race for Himself: Abraham and his descendants.

* When that people failed to fulfill their mission of attracting the nations of earth to God by manifesting His glory on earth, God sent His Son, Jesus, to call out a new people from all the nations of the earth: the Church - the spiritual, not physical, descendants of Abraham.

* When the Church fulfills her mission of taking the Good News of God's forgiveness and salvation throughout the earth, Christ will return in the sky and call the Church to Himself in heaven to avoid the judgment God will bring upon the enemies of God on earth. That "calling out" - that final curtain call - is the Rapture, when the entire Church from all ages is united for the first time with her Lord and Savior.

Nothing remains on God's prophetic timetable to be accomplished before the Rapture can occur. But on important question does remain to be answered.

The Most Important Question

The script that God has delivered to us for His drama on earth is not specific as to times and dates; it is only specific in terms of events. That is, we know Christ is going to return for His Church - but even He did not know the exact day or hour (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, we must be ready for God's curtain call to come at any time.

While discussing that verse in a Bible study group, it was deemed necessary for Jesus Christ not to reveal the date or time. If we knew it, would we work as though his return was imminent? If the date was June 9, 2009 - probably yes! If it was set at June 9, 2209 - probably not. There is a specific reason why the date has not been revealed.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Jesus told a parable to accentuate the need to live a watchful life: the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

Mat 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.


Mat 25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.


Mat 25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,


Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.


Mat 25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.


Mat 25:6 "And at midnight a cry was [heard]: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; [fn] go out to meet him!'


Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.


Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us [some] of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'


Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, '[No], lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'


Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.


Mat 25:11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'


Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'


Mat 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [fn] in which the Son of Man is coming.

NKJV Footnotes:
(25:6) NU-Text omits is coming.
(25:13) NU-Text omits the rest of this verse.

Dr. Jeremiah:

Those who participate in the final curtain call for the Church will be those who are on stage when it happens.

There will be no running onto the stage at the final moment in order to participate in the Rapture when Jesus appears for His Church.

So the question is, do you have a part in the script? Are you part of God's cast of characters who will be invited to participate in history's final curtain call? You can join the cast today by placing your faith in Christ, receiving Him as your Lord and Savior. Only then will you be assured of hearing His call when He returns to remove His Church from earth. It is earth's final graceful exit - not something that you want to miss.

Hat tip:

Turning Points Magazine & Devotional: A Graceful Exit by Dr. David Jeremiah, March 2009 pp. 24-25

Prophecy: Modern Europe...Ancient Rome

This morning, I watched the Turning Point T.V. broadcast of Dr. David Jeremiah on the topic of "Modern Europe...Ancient Rome."

How exciting it is to see biblical prophecy coming to fruition right before our very eyes! This is another example, and brief study, of how ancient prophets in the Bible (in this case, Daniel) prophesied about what the world would be like the closer we get to the Rapture, the rise of the Antichrist, and then Jesus' second coming.

Sunday, September 28, 2008
Series: What In the World Is Going On?
Ten Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore

Video link of today's broadcast:

Modern Europe...Ancient Rome



If you are a Christian - you should view this video message!

If you are not a Christian - my advice to you is that you MUST view this video message!

Kevin Kaatz - (you are currently studying "the Christian religion," right?); Joe Brummer - (you used to be a believer for 30 years - right?); Mike Rucker - (you consider yourself to adhere more towards "Universalism" - right?); those of a different religion (Umm Yasmin?); all of the lurkers; all of the "Anonymous" people who comment at this blog, all of the non-believers who visit here...are you willing to listen?

Will you watch and listen carefully to the broadcast and share your thoughts afterwards?

P.S. If your time is short (physically, as well as spiritually - if you are not saved by Jesus Christ!), watch the brief introduction (it's important to the entire message) then fast forward past the worship music to view the message.

HT: LightSource.com