Jesus Will Return in the Clouds of Heaven

2011-11-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

He Cometh With Clouds, And Every Eye Shall See Him

The Return of Christ in the Clouds of Heaven

Now we beseech you, brethren,
By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And by our gathering together in Him.
That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,
Neither, by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us,
As that day of Christ is at hand.

Let no man deceive you by any means;
For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first;
And that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;
So that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity does already work:
Only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.

And then shall the wicked be revealed,
Whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth,
And shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,
Even Him, whose coming is after the working of Satan
With all power and signs and lying wonders.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
Because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
That they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believe not the truth,
But had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

And I [John] saw another Mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon His head, and His face was as it were the sun, and His feet as pillars of fire. (Revelation 10:1)

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple:
And His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple.
And Jesus said unto them,
"See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you,
There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately,
Saying, 'Tell us, when shall these things be?
And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?'

And Jesus answered and said unto them,
"Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ;'
And shall deceive many.
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."

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows."

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
And ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
And then shall the end come."

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
Spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
Stand in the holy place,
(Whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
For then shall be great tribulation,
Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:
But for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

"Then if any man shall say unto you, 'Lo, here is Christ, or there;' believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
And shall shew great signs and wonders;
Insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

"Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
'Behold, He is in the desert;' go not forth:
'Behold, He is in the secret chambers;' believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west;
So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days
Shall the sun be darkened,
And the moon shall not give her light,
And the stars shall fall from heaven,
And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,
And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
And they shall gather together His elect from the four winds,
From one end of heaven to the other."

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree;
When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, 'This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.'"

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood,
They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
Until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;
So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

(Matthew Chapter 24)

And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And He said,
"Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God:
But she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts,
He said,
"As for these things which ye behold, the days will come,
In the which there shall not be left one stone upon another,
That shall not be thrown down."

And they asked Him, saying, 'Master, but when shall these things be?
And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?'

And He said,
"Take heed that ye be not deceived:
For many shall come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ;'
And the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified:
For these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by."
Then said He unto them:
"Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;"

"And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
But before all these,
They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
Delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons,
Being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom,
Which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents,
And brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends;
And some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
In your patience possess ye your souls."

"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies,
Then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains;
And let them which are in the midst of it depart out;
And let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
For these be the days of vengeance,
That all things which are written may be fulfilled."

"But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!
For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword,
And shall be led away captive into all nations:
And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,
Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;
And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;
The sea and the waves roaring;
Men's hearts failing them for fear,
And for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:
For the powers of heaven shall be shaken."

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;
For your redemption draweth nigh."

And He spake to them a parable;
"Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
When they now shoot forth,
Ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass,
Know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."

Verily I say unto you,
"This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time
Your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,
And so that day come upon you unawares.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always,
That ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,
And to stand before the Son of man."

And in the day time He was teaching in the temple;
And at night He went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
And all the people came early in the morning to Him in the temple, for to hear Him.

(Luke Chapter 21)

The Sixth Seal, the Seven Trumpets, and the Return of Christ

And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal,
And, lo, there was a great earthquake;
And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair,
And the moon became as blood;
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth,
Even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;
And every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men,
And the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
Hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks,
'Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne,
And from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?'
And when He had opened the seventh seal,
There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God;
And to them were given seven trumpets.
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer;
And there was given unto him much incense,
That he should offer it with the prayers of all saints
Upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints,
Ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar,
And cast it into the earth:
And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The first angel sounded,
And there followed hail and fire mingled with blood,
And they were cast upon the earth:
And the third part of trees was burnt up,
And all green grass was burnt up.
And the second angel sounded,
And as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea:
And the third part of the sea became blood;
And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died;
And the third part of the ships were destroyed.
And the third angel sounded,
And there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp,
And it fell upon the third part of the rivers,
And upon the fountains of waters;
And the name of the star is called Wormwood:
And the third part of the waters became wormwood;
And many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
And the fourth angel sounded,
And the third part of the sun was smitten,
And the third part of the moon,
And the third part of the stars;
So as the third part of them was darkened,
And the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,
Saying with a loud voice,
'Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of
The other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!' [the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets]

(Revelation 6:12-17; 8:1-13)

The first four seals in the Book of Revelation describe death of 1/4 of the earth by war, scarcity, famine, diseases, plagues, etc. At the opening of the fifth seal, the souls in heaven ask: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" They are told: "Rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."

Following the cosmic disturbances of the sixth seal (great earthquake, sun turns black, moon turns blood red, stars fall to earth, sky rolls up like a scroll, every mountain and island moves), there is silence in heaven about 1/2 hour before the seventh seal is opened.

The seventh seal in the Book of Revelation reveals itself as the seven trumpets, described as "the wrath of the Lamb." The first four trumpets will bring destruction upon the earth (1/3 of trees burned up, all green grass burned, 1/3 of sea turns to blood, 1/3 of sea creatures die, 1/3 of ships destroyed, 1/3 of waters poisoned, 1/3 of sun and moon and stars darkened).

When the fifth trumpet is sounded, Satan will be released from the bottomless pit to rule over his earthly kingdom (his one-world government and religion). He will stand in the holy place claiming to be God, and he will promise peace and security to a world in desperate need of grand solutions to profound problems. Satan, deceiving many with his signs and wonders, will reign as king over this earth for five months, during which time (sixth trumpet) 1/3 part of man will be killed (most likely Christians and others who refuse to worship "the beast" and to receive his "mark" in their right hand or forehead).

After this earthly reign by Satan for "a little season" and his persecution of the followers of Christ, Christ will return in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory (seventh trumpet) to deliver up His people to the kingdom of heaven. He then will destroy by fire the kingdom of "the beast" and create a new heaven and a new earth over which He will reign with His people for eternity.

"And I will bring the third part through the fire,
And will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried:
They shall call on my name, and I will hear them:
I will say, 'It is my people:' and they shall say, 'The Lord is my God'."
(Zechariah 13:9)

* * * * * * *

Sixth Seal - This is what precedes Satan's "reign" over his earthly kingdom, the one-world government and religion. Notice that the events revealed by the sixth seal are very similiar to some of the events which immediately shall precede the return of Christ in the clouds of heaven (the seventh and last trumpet).

Great earthquake
Sun turns black
Moon turns blood red
Stars fall to earth
Sky folds up like a scroll
Every mountain and island moved out of their places

Seventh Seal - Reveals itself as the seven trumpets

Silence in heaven about the space of half an hour

First Four Trumpets
1/3 of trees burned up and all the green grass burned
1/3 of seas, sea creatures and ships destroyed
1/3 of waters poisoned
1/3 of sun, moon, stars darkened

These events could be the aftermath of a Nuclear World War, which most likely will originate in the Middle East.

Fifth Trumpet - Satan released "a little season" to deceive the nations. Satan, the false messiah, will stand in the holy place, Jerusalem, promising peace and security to a world in desperate need of grand solutions to profound problems. Claiming to be God, Satan will deceive many with his signs and wonders. The world will worship the beast, this one-world power.

'Locusts' torment men without the seal of God for five months (a 'little season')

Sixth Trumpet
1/3 part of man killed

Seventh Trumpet - The Return of Christ in the Clouds of Heaven (The Day of the Lord)

Witnesses of Christ, lying dead in the streets, ascend to heaven in a cloud
Great earthquake
Voices from heaven
Temple of God opened in heaven
Lightning, voices, thunder, earthquake, great hail
A cloudy and dark day
Sun darkened
Moon darkened
Stars fall from heaven
Heaven and earth shaken

And I [John] saw another Mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon His head, and His face was as it were the sun, and His feet as pillars of fire. (Revelation 10:1)

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet 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 air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Behold I show 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 trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51)

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." (Mark 13:22-27)

Jesus said unto him, “Thou has said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)

Again the high priest asked Him, and said unto Him, Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, “I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62)

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26)

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight… Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9,11)

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:29-30)

"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7)

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit,
Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool:
His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him:
Thousand thousands ministered unto Him,
And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him:
The judgment was set, and the books were opened.
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake:
I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away:
Yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
I saw in the night visions, and, behold,
One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,
And came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.
And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,
That all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him:
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

(Daniel 7:9-14)

The Day of the Lord

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live… Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:25,28-29)

He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)

"Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand;
It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them;
They shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth:
They shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
Behold, the day of the Lord cometh,
Cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate:
And He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light:
The sun shall be darkened in his going forth,
And the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity;
And I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,
And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place,
In the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger."

(Isaiah 13:6-13)

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10)

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. (Revelation 18:17)

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. (Revelation 18:19)

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (Joel 2:2)

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” (Joel 2:31)

“The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.” (Joel 2:15-18)

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. (Joel 3:15)

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come. (Acts 2:20)

"For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen." (Ezekiel 30:3)

"As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." (Ezekiel 34:12)

The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. (Zephaniah 1:14-18)

Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple. For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of His place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under Him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. (Micah 1:1-4)

But now is Christ risen from the dead,
And become the firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits;
Afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.
Then cometh the end,
When He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;
When He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death.
For He hath put all things under His feet.
But when He saith all things are put under Him,
It is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him,
Then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him,
That God may be all in all.

(1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:8-10)

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine… Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:1-2,8)

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you;
In both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
And of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
Walking after their own lusts,
And saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers fell asleep,
All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'

For this they willingly are ignorant of,
That by the Word of God the heavens were of old,
And the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store,
Reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,
That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness;
But is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
But that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;
In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
And the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
And the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
Look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Therefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
Even as our beloved brother Paul also,
According to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;
In which are some things hard to be understood,
Which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
As they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked,
Fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

(2 Peter Chapter 3)

The Resurrection to Life: the Delivering Up of the Chosen Ones to the Kingdom of Heaven

In the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. (Ephesians 1:10)

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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 4:13-17)

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, “He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom. But the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:36-43)

Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said to him, Sir, did not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy has done this. The servants said unto him, Is it thou will then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let them grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matthew 13:24-30)

“I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.” (Ezekiel 20:41)

Thus saith the Lord God; “Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?’ Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; ‘Behold, I am against your pillows wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Because with your lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life. Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 13:18:23)

For thus saith the Lord God, “Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be. There shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.” (Ezekiel 34:11-16)

The Resurrection to Damnation: the Raising of the Ungodly Dead for Final Judgment

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29)

The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Proverbs 16:4)

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 2:9-14)

“But I say this unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, “‘Speak;’ thus saith the Lord; ‘Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.’” (Ezekiel 11:5)

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: “Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great. Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned. Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed. She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire. In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou was not purged, thou shall not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. I the Lord have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee,” said the Lord God. (Ezekiel 24:9-14)

2011-03-27T01:37:00.000-07:00

Jesus Says to Watch for the Signs and Prepare for His Return

"Take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." --Mark 13:23

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." --Luke 21:36

"Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching." --Luke 12:37

"If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." --Revelation 3:3

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." --Mark 13:33

"What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God." --2 Peter 3:11-12

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." -- Matthew 25:13

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." --Matthew 24:42

"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, 'Watch'." --Mark 13:35-37

"And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, 'What, could ye not watch with me one hour'?" --Matthew 26:40

"And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, 'Sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour'?" --Mark 14:37

"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." --Revelation 17:12

"Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come'." --Revelation 18:10

"For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off." --Revelation 18:17

"And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate'." --Revelation 18:19

And as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples saith unto Him,
Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
And Jesus answering said unto him,
"Seest thou these great buildings?
There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

And as He sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple,
Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately,
Tell us, when shall these things be?
And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And Jesus answering them began to say,
"Take heed lest any man deceive you:
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled:
For such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
And there shall be earthquakes in divers places,
And there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

But take heed to yourselves:
For they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten:
And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up,
Take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate:
But whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye:
For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son;
And children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
Standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,)
Then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house,
Neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

For in those days shall be affliction,
Such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
But for the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.

And then if any man shall say to you,
'Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there;' believe him not:
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,
And shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds,
From the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree;
When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man,
No, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey,
Who left his house, and gave authority to his servants,
And to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore:
For ye know not when the master of the house cometh,
At even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, 'Watch'."
--Mark Chapter 13

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you;
In both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
And of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
Walking after their own lusts, and saying,
'Where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers fell asleep,
All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'

For this they willingly are ignorant of,
That by the Word of God the heavens were of old,
And the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store,
Reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,
That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness;
But is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
But that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;
In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
And the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
And the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
Look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Therefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
Even as our beloved brother Paul also,
According to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;
In which are some things hard to be understood,
Which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
As they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked,
Fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
--2 Peter, Chapter 3

The Parable of the 10 Virgins and the Lamp Oil

The key to the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25 is the link with the previous chapter in which Jesus describes what shall be the signs of His return. The parable in chapter 25 is talking about the end of times -- Jesus' return -- and how we should prepare.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps,
And went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
But go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;
And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
Who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;
To every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:
Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant;
Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man,
Reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,
And then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:
But from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him,
Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations:
And He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats:
And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat:
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me:
I was sick, and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat:
I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in:
Naked, and ye clothed me not:
Sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer Him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall He answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
--Matthew 25

Be Prepared

The End Times Forecaster
June 12, 2010

Many years ago, I had the wonderful experience of being a Boy Scout. I learned many important skills and character traits through the Scouts. One of the first things I learned was the Boy Scout motto—“Be Prepared.” There is nothing worse than being faced with an adverse situation and not being prepared. In the Scouts, we were taught to think ahead about situations that we might encounter while camping and prepare accordingly.

Many difficulties that we face in life, likewise, can be overcome if we think ahead and plan and prepare accordingly. In this chapter, we will think ahead to what difficulties we will face in the 70th Week and I will suggest ways that we can plan and prepare accordingly. By the time you read this book, even though I am writing it before the 70th Week starts, you may already be in it. Even if that is the case, it is still not too late to prepare.

In endeavoring to prepare for this time, you must first realize that many people will be deceived and will not recognize the signs of the prophetic times in which we live. For as the Apostle Paul said, Christ’s return to the clouds and the rapture will catch many people off guard and will come upon them as a thief in the night:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thess. 5:1-3)

When the rapture happens, the people of the world will pretty much be going about their daily routines. Even though the 70th Week will have started and the first five seals will bring about much death and destruction, the majority of the people will be so deceived that they will not be able to recognize the prophetic times in which we live.

[Editor's Note: The word 'rapture' does not appear in the Bible; it is a modern-day term used to describe the return of Christ in the clouds of heaven to deliver up His people to the kingdom of heaven.]

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matt. 24:37-42)

So we see that, even though the first five seals will be opened, and tribulations and sorrows will be experienced by the world, the vast majority of people will not recognize that we are in this prophetic time period and will be caught off guard by the Day of the Lord because they will be deceived by the devil and his cohorts.

But that is not to be the case for the believer. The believer, as Jesus says, is to watch:

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 24:42-44).

The Apostle Paul also echoes the same idea and further tells us that the Day will not overtake us as a thief:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thess. 5:1-6)

Note what it says in reference to the Day of the Lord, that it will not overtake the brethren as a thief. Why? Because any serious student of the Bible will recognize the signs of the times and, more specifically, will probably be able to know that the 70th Week has started and will be able to discern the occurrences of the seals. Thus, after seeing the signs, they will know that the Lord’s return is imminent. Hopefully, you will be walking close enough to the Lord that you can recognize His pending return and prepare many years in advance for the difficulties that lie ahead.

The most important consideration in getting ready for the Lord’s return is to make sure you are prepared spiritually. Jesus told a parable that teaches the importance of being spiritually ready for His return:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matt. 25:1-13)

Are you ready for the bridegroom?

Spiritual Preparation

The starting point for being spiritually prepared is to make sure that you are a Christian.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…” (2 Cor. 13:5a)

Becoming a Christian is a very simple yet profound process. There are four things one must know in order to become a Christian:

1. We are sinners. As the Bible says;

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Sin is falling short of God’s perfection. Everyone has sinned many times in life. We have all lied, or stolen, or cheated, or done something wrong at some time in our lives.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10).

2. We deserve Hell. Realize that there is a punishment for being a sinner, and that punishment is death.

“For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).

The punishment for sin is not just physical death, but also spiritual death. The place of spiritual death is Hell.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rom. 21:8).

We all have sinned and we all deserve the punishment of Hell for our sin.

3. Jesus died for our sins.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

Jesus willingly went to the cross, shed His blood, and died for our sins. On the cross Jesus paid the price for our sins, He suffered the punishment that we deserve, He suffered Hell for us. Hell is a place of total separation from God. When Jesus was on the cross, God the Father separated Himself from God the Son. That is why Jesus cried out “with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” While Jesus was on the cross He was experiencing separation from God the Father. In other words He was suffering Hell. He was suffering the Hell that we deserve. While on the cross Jesus paid for all the sins of mankind, past, present, and future.

4. We must receive Christ by faith. In order to receive the forgiveness of our sins and become a Christian it is not enough to know that we are sinners, that we deserve Hell, and that Christ died for our sins, but we must receive Christ by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8,9).

Notice that that verse tells us that we cannot earn our way to heaven. We obtain salvation through faith, not by works. Faith basically boils down to placing your trust in something or someone. If you are sitting down while reading this book, you are placing your faith or trust in the chair that you are sitting upon. Faith requires more than just an intellectual belief; it involves an action of your will. For example, if there were a pond covered with ice, and there were people standing around saying that the ice could hold them up, but they were not willing to walk on the ice, then they would only be demonstrating an intellectual belief and not faith. If they stepped out onto the ice, they would be demonstrating faith.

One can place their faith in Christ by simply calling out to Him in prayer, for the Bible says,

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

I placed my faith in Christ by sincerely praying a prayer like this:

“Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I deserve Hell. Thank you for dying for my sins. Save me. Come into my life. Make me the kind of person that you want me to be. I thank you that you have and that you will take me to heaven when I die. Amen.”

If you sincerely pray that prayer with all your heart, then the Lord Jesus will come into your life and forgive your sins, and save you from an eternity of Hell. If you were to die tomorrow, you would go to heaven. Not because you are good enough to get there, but because you have received the payment of your sins. It is that simple.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (Jn 5:24)

So the first thing that one needs to do in order to get ready spiritually for the Lord’s return is to make sure that you are a Christian. I would encourage you, if you are not sure of your eternal destiny, to take a moment right now and bow your head and sincerely pray the prayer listed above and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you are saved, nothing can separate you from the love of God. For more on the security of your salvation, see the article “Eternal Security” at http://www.thecomingepiphany.com/.

Righteous Living

The next step in being spiritually prepared for the Lord’s return is to make sure that you are living a righteous life — that is, a life without offence toward God and man. There are serious consequences for the believer who is not living in obedience to our Lord’s commands.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor. 11:30-32)

These verses suggest that the disobedient Christian will be subject to problems, sickness, and even death for their disobedience. You certainly do not want to be in a disobedient state when the Lord returns.

How do you live a righteous life? Righteous living is summed up in just two commandments:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matt. 22:37-40)

Thus, the two most important things for a Christian to do is to love God with all his heart and love his neighbor as himself.

How does a Christian love God? Jesus answered that question succinctly:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15)

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (Jn 14:21)

Jesus told us the way that we love God is to keep the commandments.

There are some Christians who say to make a list of items that you should obey is legalism. No, to not have a list of things a Christian should obey is licentiousness. Legalism is when you say that one must obey a list of “dos and don’ts” for salvation. To have a list of dos and don’ts from the Bible to show love to God is godly living. Those who say the Christian is free or at liberty to do as they wish are not free. Rather, they are enslaving themselves to sin at the dictates of their misguided imaginations and fleshly desires. If someone is legalistic in saying, in order to love God you must keep the commandments, then Jesus was legalistic when He commanded us to keep them. We know that this was not the case. Therefore it is not legalism to obey God.

Here are some of the many things that the Lord, either directly or by application of principle, commands Christians to do:

Pray and read the Bible daily
Be baptized
Attend church
Give tithes and offerings
Love our neighbor as our self
Share the gospel
Obey authorities
Forgive others
Dress modestly

Here are some of the many things that the Lord, either directly or by application of principle, commands Christians to not do:

Lie
Steal
Cheat
Cuss
Covet
Murder and commit acts of violence
Hate
Harbor unforgiveness
Fornicate
Commit adultery
Listen to rock and rap music
Look at unwholesome things

Unfortunately, many Christians have swallowed—hook, line and sinker— the lie of the devil that a Christian is free to live as they please. This philosophy is contrary to the teaching of scripture. I have worked with Christian young people for 20 years, and I have seen a steady progression of worldliness and unrighteousness in the lives of the children and their parents. And sadly enough, many of these young people have fallen into grievous sins and brought great destruction to their lives. For more information on how to live righteously, see the article entitled “Living Righteous” at http://www.thecomingepiphany.com/.

>Remember we obey God, not for the purpose of earning salvation, but because God has saved us from a terrible hell and we out of love for the Lord want to glorify Him by abstaining from sin and living a Godly life. Let us not use our liberty in Christ as a license to sin. The Apostle Paul gives us a strong admonition if we continue in sin:

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (Eph. 5:1-7)

Dear Christian, as we see the Day of the Lord approaching, let us sincerely examine ourselves before the Lord with a humble and contrite heart to make sure that we are in the faith and that we are living a life that is pleasing to Him. Let us all strive to hear the words

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter into the joy of thy master” (Matt. 25:21).

Do not try to claim that you love the Lord if you do not obey Him. Jesus said;

“He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” (John 14:24)

This may seem difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. The power and ability to live the Christian life comes through the controlling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. In scripture, this is referred to as walking in the Spirit or being filled with the Spirit.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:17,18)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)

How can a Christian be filled with the Spirit? Colossians 2:6 answers that question:

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

This verse is basically saying that in the same way that we received Christ, we should also walk in Him. How does a Christian receive Christ? Through faith, thus, we are to walk in Him by faith or be filled with the Spirit through faith. So in order to be filled with the Spirit, we must first desire to be filled. Then we must make sure that we have all sins confessed — for God will not fill a dirty vessel — we must also present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice to be used any way that He may wish, and ask to be filled and believe by faith that we are filled.

Here is a suggested prayer to be filled with the Spirit:

“Dear God I present myself to you to be used any way that you desire. Fill me with your Spirit, direct me, control me and empower me. Live your life through me. I thank you that you will. Amen.”

Mental Preparation

In order to be ready for the return of the Lord, we must not only be spiritually prepared, but we must also be mentally prepared. To do this, we need to have a good working knowledge of prophetic truths. The Lord admonishes believers to not be asleep in regards to prophetic matters:

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is…Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Luke 13:32-37)

Here, Jesus warns believers of being asleep at His return. I believe He is specifically referring to being mentally and spiritually asleep, or unaware of the prophetic times that we live in, and the pending sorrows and tribulations that Christians are going to have to endure during the 70th Week. This description would probably classify the vast majority of sincere Christians that, due to a lack of fervency in seeking after the truth in relation to end times prophecy, have blindly adhered to what their well-respected, but erring pre-trib teachers have taught them.

So I say, wake up, Christian, know that we are very close to entering the 70th Week of Daniel, and by the time you read this we may already be in it. Do not remain asleep to the pending trials that are going to come upon the world with the opening of the seals. Christians who remain asleep and do not prepare spiritually, mentally and physically for those trials will be subject to extreme difficulties and hardships. After the Abomination of Desolation, the antichrist will require all to take the mark in order to buy or sell.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:16,17)

What are Christians who have not prepared for those times going to do when they are faced with the choice of not being able to buy or sell unless they take the mark? And yes, it will be a choice, and will not be forced upon anyone as was depicted in the popular, but scripturally inaccurate, Left Behind series. Many misinterpret Rev. 13:16, which says,

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads,” to read “And he forces” instead of “And he causeth.”

The Greek word in question here is poieo. Strong’s Greek and Hebrew dictionary defines it as “to produce, construct, form, fashion, to be the authors of, to make ready, to prepare.” The word in no way means, “to force.”

It will be a choice that all alive at the time will have to make, and I fear some nominal Christians will choose the mark, undoubtedly reasoning it away somehow, especially when they are faced with not being able to buy or sell. Some may even be faced with a choice of taking the mark or being put to death. Unfortunately, the threat of death will, along with the many deceptions and persecutions, will be part of the reason there will be a great falling away from the faith. Scripture even indicates that many nominal Christians will fall away to the point where they will even betray family members.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mark 13:12,13)

If somebody takes the mark are they really doomed to hell? The answer is found in Rev. 14:9-12:

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

So yes, those who take the mark are doomed to hell. Do not let any fantasy series convince you otherwise. The Left Behind series portrayed an individual who was forced to take the mark and who later was saved. This is in contradiction to the scripture above. Taking the mark will be an eternal choice with clear ramifications.

Physical Preparations

Along with making spiritual and mental preparations for the return of the Lord, one must also make physical preparations. Preparing for the future is a basic life principle.

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Prov 6:6-8)

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Prov 22:3)

These verses make it clear that a Christian is to prepare for the future. So how can a Christian prepare physically for the 70th Week? We must first consider what we are likely to be faced with. As already discussed, Christians will be faced with living through the first five seals.

Let us re-examine again what the first five seals entail:

First seal (white horse): Establishment of the world religion and or government through deception.

Second seal (red horse): War and or anarchy on the earth.

Third seal (black horse): Famine due to crop failures and or a worldwide economic collapse.

Fourth seal (pale horse): Death of one-quarter of world’s population by various means, possibly culminating from the first four seals.

Fifth seal: Persecution and martyrdom of Jews and Christians.

The first five seals will span a length of time from at least 3.5 years to a maximum of six years in total duration. See the charts entitled “The Afflictions of the 70th Week” and “The Three Sevens ‘777’” for a pictorial representation of this data.

Things will become more severe upon the opening of the fifth seal, which starts after the 3½ year point. That time period is called the great tribulation and is when Christian and Jews will be persecuted and no one will be able to buy or sell without having the mark of the beast. Even though the first four seals present many difficulties, the fifth seal will be the most difficult to withstand. This is the time that Christians will need to concentrate on preparing for.

[Editor's Note: Preventing those without the mark of the beast from buying or selling does not occur until the very end (Revelation chapter 13), when Satan sets up his throne in the holy place, claiming to be God. In Revelation chapter 9, this period of time, when the devil incarnate shall reign over his one-world kingdom, is described as "a little season." The Lord tells us, more specifically, that is will be the last "five months" before Christ's return not 2½ years.]

Realizing the great tribulation, as already discussed, will most likely last from ½ to 2½ years, thus Christians will probably be faced with up to a maximum of 2½ years of time where they will not be able to buy or sell and will have to prepare for. In considering how to prepare for those times realize that saving money for that time will most likely be of no help, for with the initiation of the mark the world will be under a cashless monetary system and money will be obsolete and become worthless. Thus to prepare one should concentrate on making preparations which will allow you to make it through those times without money.

The first and most important necessity for life is water. Unless you have vast economic resources, and large amounts of storage space, you will not have the ability to store several years’ worth of water. In my opinion the best way to provide for your water needs would be to obtain a good water filter that will remove all harmful materials. With a good filter, you could use rainwater, pond water, and or stream water and, after filtering it, you could use it for whatever you wanted. I prefer gravity filters, which use silver impregnated ceramic “candles” to filter out the impurities and pathogens. Missionaries have used these for years. You can take muddy pond water and pour it in the top and you will get out clean water. The replaceable filter elements are good for a couple thousand gallons. These units cost about $200 to $300. They are well worth the investment.

The next most important preparation is food. If Christians will not be able to buy or sell for up to 2.5 years then ideally you should try to have that much food stored. Since we do not know when the 70th Week will begin you want to buy foods that will keep for extended periods of time. Thus, we are talking about dried or canned foods. There are many companies that sell freeze-dried foods and also offer package deals on case lots. Or you could gather the foods yourself from local businesses and package them for long time storage.[1]

At present many foods suitable for long time storage can be obtained quite inexpensively. Rice, pasta, flour, dried beans, oatmeal, dried soups, canned vegetables, nuts, chocolate, raisins, sugar, dried potatoes, dried milk, etc. There are numerous grocery stores and wholesale centers that offer bulk quantities of food at reasonable prices. You want to make sure that you cover all the basic food groups, the greater the variety the better. To fulfill your protein needs, freeze-dried meats are available, but they can be a little costly. Vegetable proteins, such as beans, are also an excellent cost effective source of protein. Also having a supply of seeds and knowing how to grow vegetables would be another good idea. One could grow large amounts of fresh vegetables or obtain them from a farm and can them. There are whole books devoted to emergency preparedness, and it would be a good idea to consult them to become more knowledgeable in this area.

It would also be helpful if one learned how to hunt and fish. Being able to harvest fresh meat would be a good addition to any diet. To be able to hunt or fish would necessitate purchasing hunting and fishing equipment. Rods, reels, lures, line, guns, ammunition, bow and arrows, hunting clothes, and skinning knives are all needed to help gather fresh meat. And do not naively think that just owning those items makes you a hunter or fisherman. It takes practice.

The next concern we should consider is shelter, which includes housing and clothes. Most of us probably have enough clothes to make it through a couple of years. But if you have smaller children that will be growing, you may want to make sure that you have some bigger size clothing pre-bought for them. As for housing, it is unclear exactly what will transpire. From what we have previously discussed about the seals, we know that there will be a severe economic collapse. Whether people will be able to keep their houses without paying their mortgages is unknown. Most likely, they will not. Also those who pay rent will not be able to do so either after the mark comes about. We will consider some possibilities of what one can do about this later in this chapter, but in case all else failed it wouldn’t hurt to have a tent.

Another consideration is electricity. Most likely, at some point we will be without it. This may be a result of natural disasters, wars, and or not being able to buy or sell. As a matter of fact, Iran has claimed that it has the ability to destroy our power grid and take out all items with computer chips, including modern automobiles, using electromagnetic pulses.[2] Lt. Col Thomas E. Bearden (retd.), who has done extensive research in scalar weaponry, asserts that hostile forces will conduct an asymmetrical war against the U.S. in the future and will eventually take out the power grid and collapse the economy.

Selected portable weapons of such types are to be inserted ¾ probably some have already been inserted ¾ into the U.S. and used internally by the Yakuza in its coming destruction of our centralized electrical power system… the loss of our national electrical power system is intended to evoke the catastrophic collapse of the entire U.S. economy, followed by the fall of other Western nations’ economies like toppling dominoes.[3]

Whether God allows this to occur is yet to be seen but the possibility of being without electricity in the near future is real. Being without electricity presents a problem for most of us because we rely on it for heat, refrigeration, cooking, and much more.[4] So with the possibility of losing electric, we have to make a choice of whether to generate it ourselves or live without it. If you choose to generate it yourself, solar and or wind power is probably the way to go. Generating power with a fossil-fuel-driven engine would necessitate storing huge amounts of fuel and would be impractical. The downside of solar or wind power is the cost, these setups can be quite expensive. If you have unlimited resources, solar and or wind would probably be the best way to provide electricity during the 70th Week. And if you could not afford a solar set up to power your whole house you could maybe just get a big enough one to power essential appliances like your refrigerator and or freezer.

The other choice is to prepare to live without electricity. With no electricity, to meet your heating and cooking needs, all you would need to get is a wood stove. If you have a large house, you may have to get a second one. Wood is a readily available source of fuel that one would be able to collect themselves. Solar ovens are also a good way to cook food.

The next consideration would be for necessities such as but not limited to: Bibles, soaps, toothpaste, toilet paper, medicines (including herbal remedies), diapers, candles, solar charger, disposable lighters, camping equipment, flashlights, batteries, crank-up radio, first aid kit, baking soda, salt, hydrogen peroxide, sun screen, vitamins, tea tree oil, personal hygiene items, and tools.

I believe that it would be wise to purchase and learn how to use a gun for defense purposes and or hunting. The best type of gun for home defense is a shotgun. They are relatively easy to use and easy to accurately fire. In an attack, you would probably not have to even use the gun. Just showing it will send most criminals running. Some Christians feel that it is wrong to protect themselves and that guns are evil or bad. This is far from the truth. The use of weapons for protection against criminals, and or in war is promoted in scripture. The most famous example was when David slew Goliath. He used a slingshot, a weapon, to defend Israel and fight the Philistine giant, and then he cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword. Thus, weapons for self-defense, guns included, are not bad, only the improper use of them is wrong.

When food and money become scarce, the “have-nots” are going to seek out the “haves,” and some will stop at nothing to get what they want. Thus, Christians should be ready to fight off criminals if necessary to protect their families. Of course deadly force should only be used as a last resort in the face of imminent danger. Another consideration is that you should not let anyone know about any of your preparations, even your relatives. Be very discrete about all that you do. Keep all stores in a safe and secure place, if you can hide them, all the better.

During the 70th Week there will be places in the world that will be more dangerous to live than others, and these places should be avoided. The troubles of the 70th Week, as we know, will include various distresses at various places. The Bible indicates that several places will be hotbeds for destruction, including but not limited to Jerusalem, Damascus, and end-times Babylon. Other areas that will probably be most prone to troubles will be the big cities. Not only are they targets for mass destruction, but also when things get tough, riots could break out, making them very dangerous. Thus rural areas would more likely be less dangerous. Also, the farther a rural area is from a big city, the better. For instance, if a nuclear bomb exploded in a city, or a plague hit, you would want to be far enough away so that you were not directly affected. Also in case of widespread nuclear fallout you should have some potassium iodide on hand.[5]

So if one wanted to move to a less dangerous location during the 70th Week, where should they go? God has a perfect will for all of us. Go to Him and ask Him what it is, and when the time comes, If it is His will for you to move He will show you what you need to do. Something to keep in mind and pray about is that after the opening of the fifth seal, and the persecution of the antichrist begins, God commands Israel to flee into the wilderness and He may want you to do the same.

During the beginning of the 70th Week, plagues and diseases will be unleashed upon the land. As already discussed many Bible scholars feel that the fourth seal contains plagues:

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:7-8)

What can one do to protect themselves against plagues? Many think that a daily intake of colloidal silver will prevent one from getting certain diseases. Jerry Golden has written an article entitled “Learning to Survive an Attack! Colloidal Silver!”[6] which discusses this possibility. In light of this information a colloidal silver generator would also be another item one would want to purchase. A substance that has been proven to be effective in fighting viruses is Sambucol, which is made from elderberries.[7]

Another great defense against viruses is taking large doses of vitamin C. Bird flu has been in the news in recent years and could be one the viruses that could afflict the population in the future. Vitamin C is very effective against this virus.[8] Let me also mention that many feel that vaccinations will offer little or no protection against future pandemic viruses because the viruses spread and change so rapidly.[9] Some also think that during this time evil forces may use some vaccinations to spread disease.[10]

Financial Preparations

One must also make wise financial investments. As already discussed, the third seal will probably entail an economic collapse.[11] Believe it or not, there are groups out there who would love to see such a collapse happen, including a secret occult group called The Illuminati, which has had plans in the works for years. [12]

I am not a financial advisor, and the suggestions herein are not to be deemed as financial advice, but if the economy does collapse, I believe it’s important to be debt-free. The banks will come collecting their loans. If you are not able to pay, they will foreclose. So make it your goal to get out of debt. If you have a home mortgage and cannot pay it off before the coming collapse and the mark of the beast is instituted here is an idea that could possibly work; try to anticipate the timing those events, and if possible, pre-pay — by whatever righteous means you can — a couple years worth of mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and utilities. If you rent seek to do the same. To do this, you need to concentrate on saving as much money as possible now.

Also realize that a financial collapse would also involve a collapse of the stock market far worse than what happened in 1929. At such a time most stocks would lose their value. Again I am not a financial expert but if such a collapse of the stock market were to occur during the third seal then it would be wise to move investments to “safer” investments before the collapse occurred. Safer investments could possibly include sector funds, and commodities like grains, oil, and precious metals.[13] Though no investment is guaranteed to be safe these are probably less risky and those sectors are likely to rise in value. One sure investment is wheat, after the third seal a measure of wheat will cost a days wages! (Rev 6:5,6)

But also realize that all money will become worthless after the antichrist takes control and establishes the mark. Thus, any money you have just prior to the 3.5-year point should be used to purchase necessities to make it through the great tribulation. Any other medium of exchange may have some value after the mark comes about, but it would be limited to being used to barter with private individuals.

In regards to when you should make physical preparations; Realize that it is possible that the 70th Week may start this year, it is also possible that it may not start for another 30 years or more, though things are looking like it will be sooner than later. You should make this a matter of prayer, but to be on the safe side preparations that may take a longer time to complete such as saving money, learning to hunt and fish, etc can be started now. Food storage can also be started now as long as you buy foods that can be stored for a long time without perishing.

It is unclear when things will first start to “get bad.” All kinds of things could happen before and at the beginning of the 70th week. Some locales may experience troubles before others. For instance what if God allows the American Hiroshima—the threatened nuking of 10 or more American cities—to occur[14], which would be catastrophic for the United States. If it occurs it may occur before the 70th week or could be part of one of the seals. Also there could be severe economic downturns in various places leading up to and at the beginning of the 70th week.

More than one financial expert has predicted that the United States will suffer a severe economic downturn before the end of 2008.[15] If any of these scenarios develop life could become very difficult for many. So to be on the safe side it would be better to make preparations sooner than later.

In God’s Hands

Of course, these are just examples. I have presented a general outline of how I am attempting to prepare and some ideas for how others might prepare, as well. However, these things should be used as a guideline. Your situation may be different and require different preparations. Some will never be able to prepare. What about the senior citizen living from check to check? What about children living in a home where their parents are not saved? Or what about someone who does not get saved until they actually see the mark of the beast come about? People in these situations will not be able to prepare at all.

What can people who cannot prepare properly do (or, for that matter, what can any of us do, for none of us can prepare totally for what lies ahead)? The answer is to do the best you can and trust God for the rest. Believers should attempt to prepare as best they can with the resources that God has given them. Due to financial constraints, I have not even been able to prepare to the full extent that I have recommended, but as the Lord provides, I will seek to do those things. Also, do not let me give the false impression that if you prepare you will be guaranteed to have “smooth sailing.” Even if you prepare to the fullest you may still face great difficulties during the tribulations of the 70th Week.

At the same time, let me encourage those with means to prepare for and take care of their brothers and sisters in the Lord who do not have the means to take care of themselves:

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

Our first responsibility in life is our relationship with God. Then our responsibilities are to others, which starts with providing for our family.

“But if any provide not for his own, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (I Tim 5:8).

After we provide for our family, then we are to minister to others and try and meet their needs. You may be the one that God wants to use to meet the needs of that senior citizen in your church living from check to check. We will need to all pull together and help each other make it through that time. It would also probably be advisable to form groups of true believers that can work together to provide for the needs of the group. During the trying times ahead wise pastors would do well to organize their church into such groups.

Prayer will be our most important asset during this time, and Christians should gather together as often as possible to pray about that time and to pray against the plans of the NWO and the antichrist. We can pray even now that the damage, destruction, control, etc of the antichrist and his NWO forces would be kept to a minimum and that their plans would be frustrated. We should also pray for the salvation of the many that will be deceived during these times. We can also pray now that we would be spared from persecution and that we would be left alone to live a life glorifying the Lord till we are raptured.

Let me also remind you that Christians are to never trust in their preparations or weapons to protect them and or deliver them from the tribulations that lie ahead:

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. (Ps 33: 16-22)

At the same time, however, trusting in the Lord does not negate proper preparation. If you knew a hurricane was coming your way, would you be “lacking in faith” by preparing for it, and even evacuating if necessary? Or would you stay in harm’s way and be washed out to sea and claim that you were trusting Jesus? We are all supposed to trust Jesus. However, I do not feel one can say, I am not going to prepare because I am trusting in God. We must do all that we can and trust God for the rest.

Was it wrong for David to get five stones out of the brook to prepare to fight Goliath? Or should he have gone out there with no stones and said I am just going to trust God? No, he would have been just dead by his own fault because he did not prepare. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and told Pharaoh that a seven-year famine was looming in the future. Joseph instructed Pharaoh to prepare, and you know the rest of the story. He did, and many people were saved from the famine. In one of his sermons, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said,

“God will not do for you what He has given you strength to do for yourself.”

Do all you can trusting in God’s power and guidance to prepare for the 70th Week.

What if you are in no financial position to prepare at this time? Pray to God and ask Him to provide for you. Remember the Word of the Lord;

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14,15).

We know that it is God’s will for us to have food and shelter. Remember the wonderful promises of God. “The Lord is our shepherd and we shall not want.” Do all you can to get ready, but trust in Him to see you through the difficult times that lie ahead.

Prepare yourself spiritually by making sure of your salvation and removing evil practices from your life. Draw close to the Lord through prayer, Bible reading, and fasting. Prepare yourself mentally by studying prophetic truths so you know what to expect and can make educated decisions based on fact and not panic. And, finally, prepare physically by making sure, as much as is possible, that you have enough necessities to make it through the trials and tribulations ahead. And in all, remember to trust in the Lord. My prayer for you is this:

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:12,13).

Be a good scout; be prepared!

2011-03-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

After Death, What Cometh?

The following is adapted from the daily devotionals of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

We Shall Be Going to Our Father’s House, Our Father’s Home, Where Jesus Is

Some dwell here for years while others come to earth but a few hours before their departure. Well it is to recline in earth’s shady groves for a long time, satisfied with the hope of resurrection when the time of fruition comes.

To many saints, old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner’s cheek as he nears the shore of immortality; fewer waves ruffle his sea; quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age, the flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains.

Pain does not break the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life’s evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.

We shall be departing from all we have known and loved here, but we shall be going to our Father’s house—to our Father’s home, where Jesus is—to that royal city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. This shall be our last removal, to dwell forever with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of God.

The Lord’s people shall enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no, cries faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come, the light of immortality, the light of a Father’s countenance. Gather up your feet in the bed; see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft you away.

Farewell, beloved one, you are gone, you wave your hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but you behold the unseen; adieu, brother, you have light at eventide, such as we have not yet.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
(for we walk by faith, not by sight):
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

“Today Shalt Thou Be with Me in Paradise” is the Whisper of Jesus to Every Dying Believer

If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
(1 Thessalonians 4:14)

What is this sleep? The idea connected with sleep is “rest,” and that is the thought that the Spirit of God would convey to us when “sleep” is used in Scripture to indicate “death.” Sleep makes each night a Sabbath for the day; sleep shuts fast the door of the soul and bids all intruders tarry for a while so that the life within may enter its summer garden of ease. The toil worn believer quietly sleeps, as does the weary child when it slumbers on its mother’s breast.

When the body “sleeps” in its lonely bed of earth beneath the coverlet of grass, do not imagine that the soul sleeps in insensibility. “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” is the whisper of Christ to every dying saint. They who are “dead in Christ” have not perished, for surely they behold their God. They “sleep in Jesus,” yet their souls are before the throne of God, praising Him day and night in His temple, singing hallelujahs to Him who washed them from their sins in His blood.

Blessed is death, since, through the divine power, it disrobes us of this workday garment to clothe us with the wedding garment of incorruption. What an awaking shall be theirs! They went to their rest with the furrowed brow and the wasted features, but they wake up in beauty and glory. They were laid in the last resting place weary and worn, but they shall not rise as such. No, the shriveled seed, so destitute of form and comeliness, rises from the dust a beauteous flower.

Happy are they who die in the Lord: they rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Their quiet repose shall never be broken until God shall rouse them to give them their full reward. Guarded by angel watchers, curtained by eternal mysteries, they sleep on, these inheritors of glory, till the fulness of time shall bring the fulness of redemption. Blessed are the “dead in Christ,” they who “sleep in Jesus.”

Every Time a Believer Leaves Earth for Paradise, It is an Answer to Christ’s Prayer

“Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am.”
(John 17:24)

Death smites the best of our loved ones: the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the most devoted must die. And why is this so? It is through Jesus’ prevailing prayer: “Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am.” It is this prayer which bears them on eagle’s wings to heaven. Every time a believer mounts from this earth to paradise, it is an answer to Christ’s prayer.

Many times Jesus and His people pull against one another in prayer. We bend our knees in prayer and say “Father, I will that your saints be with me where I am;” Christ says, “Father, I will that they also be with me where I am.” Thus the disciple is at cross-purposes with his Lord.

The soul cannot be in both places: the beloved one cannot be with Christ and with us too. Now, which pleader shall win the day? If we had our choice, if the King should step from His throne and say, “Here are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another, which shall be answered?” O! I am sure, though it would be agony, we would start from our feet and say, “Jesus, not my will, but yours be done.”

We would give up our prayers for our loved one’s life if we could realize that Christ is praying in the opposite direction: “Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am.” Lord, you shall have them; by faith we let them go.

Mercy Me - Finally Home

Jesus Does Not Plead for Our Instant Removal By Death

“I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world.”
(John 17:15)

Although Jesus prays that His people may eventually be with Him where He is, He does not plead for our instant removal by death—He does not ask that we may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. Instead, He wishes for us to stay here. For us to abide in the flesh is needful for others, if not profitable for self. He asks that we may be kept from evil, but He never asks for us to be admitted to the inheritance in glory until we are of full age.

It is a sweet and blessed event that will occur to all believers in God’s own time—the going home to be with Jesus. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer: “Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest.”

But Christ does not pray like that: He leaves us in His Father’s hands until, like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master’s garner.

Christians often want to die when they have any trouble. Ask them why and they tell you, “Because we would be with the Lord.” We fear it is not so much because they are longing to be with the Lord, but because they desire to get rid of their troubles; else they would feel the same wish to die at other times when not under the pressure of trial. They want to go home, not so much for the Savior’s company, but to be at rest.

Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better; but the wish to escape from trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as He pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil and conflict and suffering; and leave Him to say when “it is enough.”

When the Eyes Close on Earth, They Open in Heaven, and We Shall Forever Be with the Lord

So shall we ever be with the Lord.
(1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Even the sweetest visits from Christ, how short they are and how transitory! One moment our eyes see Him, and we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, but again a little time and we do not see Him, for our Beloved withdraws Himself from us. Like a roe or a young hart, He leaps over the mountains of division; He is gone to the land of spices and feeds no more among the lilies.

O, how sweet the prospect of the time when we shall not behold Him at a distance, but shall see Him face to face: when He shall not be as a wayfaring man tarrying but for a night, but shall eternally enfold us in the bosom of His glory.

In heaven there shall be no interruptions from care or sin; no weeping shall dim our eyes; no earthly business shall distract our happy thoughts; we shall have nothing to hinder us from gazing forever on the Sun of righteousness with unwearied eyes.

O, if it be so sweet to see Him now and then, how sweet to gaze on that blessed face forever, and never have a cloud rolling between and never have to turn one’s eyes away to look on a world of weariness and woe! If to die is but to enter into uninterrupted communion with Jesus, then death is indeed gain and the black drop is swallowed up in a sea of victory.

That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death. (Hebrews 2:14)

O child of God, death has lost its sting, because the devil’s power over it is destroyed; so then cease to fear dying. Then, O child of God, what is there for you to fear in death, seeing that through the death of your Lord, its curse and sting are destroyed? Ask grace from God the Holy Ghost that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of your Redeemer’s death you may be strengthened for that dreaded hour. And now it is but a Jacob’s ladder, whose foot is in the dark grave but its top reaches to glory everlasting.

The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great, but it is not so. We are not far from home: a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread and the soul is launched upon the deep. How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must beat upon the sail before it shall be reefed in the port of peace? How long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to that sea that knows no storm? Listen to the answer, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Yon ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven: it did but spread its sail and it was there; like that ship of old upon the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it, but Jesus said, “Peace, be still” and immediately it came to land.

Do not think that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory, for when the eyes close on earth they open in heaven. Living near the cross of Calvary, you may think of death with pleasure and welcome it when it comes with intense delight.

It is sweet to die in the Lord: it is a covenant blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment: it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell.

Upon Death, What Wonder-world Will Open upon Our Astonished Sight

Upon death, what wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight? What scene of glory will be unfolded to our view?

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He has prepared for him that waits for Him. --Isaiah 64:4

What God has in store for us is truly beyond our ability to imagine. Even in this life, the love of God is beyond our ability to understand.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. --Ephesians 3:17-19

Although no traveler has ever returned to tell, we know enough of the heavenly land to make us welcome our summons thither with joy and gladness. We have many ungratified desires at present, but soon every wish shall be satisfied and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time we shall be rid of all our trials and our troubles. Our eyes now suffused with tears shall weep no longer. We shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne. Nay, more, upon His throne shall we sit. The triumph of His glory shall be shared by us. His crown, His joy, His paradise, these shall be ours, and we shall be co-heirs with Him, who is the Heir of all things.

There Remaineth Therefore a Rest to the People of God --Hebrews 4:9

How different will be the state of the believer in heaven from what it is here! Here we are born to toil and suffer weariness, but in the land of the immortal, fatigue is never known. Anxious to serve our Master, we find our strength unequal to our zeal: our constant cry is, "Help us to serve you, O Lord, our God."

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. --Revelation 7:13-17

Here, our best joys bear "mortal" on our brows; our sweetest birds fall before Death’s arrows; our most pleasant days are shadowed into nights; and the flood-tides of our bliss subside into ebbs of sorrow.

Here, Christians are always unsettled; we feel that we have not yet attained. There, all are at rest; they have attained the summit of the mountain; they have ascended to the bosom of their God—higher they cannot go.

Ah! Christians, the hot day of weariness lasts not forever; the sun is nearing the horizon; it shall rise again with a brighter day than we have ever seen upon a land where all serve God day and night and yet rest from their labors. Ah, toil-worn laborers, only think when we shall rest forever! It is a rest eternal; a rest that “remaineth.”

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. --1 Corinthians 2:9

Here, Rest Is, But There, It Is Perfect

In heaven, everything is immortal; the harp abides unrusted, the crown unwithered, the eye undimmed, the voice unfaltering, the heart unwavering, and the immortal being is wholly absorbed in infinite delight. O happy day it will be when mortality shall be swallowed up of life and the Eternal Sabbath shall begin.

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. --Revelation 22:1-5

We Shall Be Departing from All We Have Known and Loved Here, But We Shall Be Going to Our Father’s House—to Our Father’s Home, Where Jesus Is—to That Royal City Which Has Foundations, Whose Builder and Maker Is God

This shall be our last removal, to dwell forever with Him we love, in the midst of His people, in the presence of God.

“My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” -- Ezekiel 37:27

We Shall Be Made Perfect in Christ When We Go Home to Heaven

In this present dispensation, we are by no means perfect. Our minds are still darkened by the influence of sin; our consciousness is still beclouded by the effects of sin. The lust of the flesh often still dominates and controls us to a certain extent, and we do not live the fullness of our spiritual life.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. --1 Corinthians 13:12

Jeremey Camp - There Will Be a Day

As the apostle Paul has it, "We behold a dim image, as in a dark glass; but we do not as yet see face to face;" we do not fully understand the truth of God. Sometimes the darkness seems to break and there are moments when we behold more clearly the beauty of God's plan and the work of salvation. However, even at those best moments of our present life upon earth, the darkness of sin has not been fully dispersed and we do not see face to face. And as it is with our knowledge, so also it is with our will, with our feelings, and with our desires: our will is still under the influence of sinful perversion. But when the Lord Jesus Christ shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. --1 John 3:1-2

There Is Laid Up for Me a Crown of Righteousness --2 Timothy 4:8

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” --Revelation 3:21

Doubting ones! We have often said, “I fear I shall never enter heaven.” Fear not! All the people of God shall enter there.

“There is one throne in heaven that Paul the apostle could not fill; it was made for me, and I shall have it. 'But can I forfeit it?' No, it is entailed. If I be a child of God I shall not lose it; it is mine as securely as if I were there.”

Poor doubting ones, see the fair inheritance; it is ours. If we believe in the Lord Jesus, if we have repented of our sins, if we have been renewed in heart, we are God’s people and there is a place reserved, a crown laid up, a harp specially provided for each one of us.

No one else shall have your portion; it is reserved in heaven for you, and you shall have it before too long, for there shall be no vacant thrones in glory when all the chosen are gathered in.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” -- John 10:27-30

“Behold, I Come Quickly: Hold That Fast Which Thou Hast, That No One Take Thy Crown” --Revelation 3:11

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:
That, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
They may by your good works, which they shall behold,
Glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake:
Whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors,
As unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers,
And for the praise of them that do well.
For so is the will of God,
That with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness,
But as the servants of God.
--1 Peter 2:11-16

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.” --Revelation 3:5

We Must Patiently Endure with Hope as an Anchor of the Soul, and We Will Obtain the Promise at the End, the Power of an Endless Life

According as His divine power hath given unto us
All things that pertain unto life and godliness,
Through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence,
Add to your faith virtue;
And to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance;
And to temperance patience;
And to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness;
And to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you and abound,
They make you that ye shall neither be barren
Nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off,
And hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
Into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
--2 Peter 1:3-11

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." --Revelation 3:12

“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” --Revelation 22:14

Mercy Me - I Can Only Imagine

ONE OF THE TWO THIEVES ON THE CROSS NEXT TO CHRIST
RECEIVED THE GIFT OF FAITH

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary,
There they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand,
And the other on the left.

Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

And they parted His raiment and cast lots. And the people stood beholding.
And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying,
He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.
And the soldiers also mocked Him,
Coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying,
If Thou be the king of the Jews, save Thyself.
And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew,
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying,
If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying,
Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds:
But this man hath done nothing amiss.
And he said unto Jesus,
Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him,
"Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

--Luke 23:33-43

2011-03-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

In the Age to Come, We Shall Have Eternal Life

Will Our Works on Earth Be Rewarded in Heaven?

We deserve no rewards, no merit, no crowns that we may boast, for it is all of God. Any faith we have more than another is because God dealt that measure to us, and not because of ourselves. Any work we do greater than any other is because God worked within us more than another. Rather than ask, “What rewards will we get,” we should ask, “What does God will for us to do.” And when we have done it, say, “We are unprofitable servants.” Abandon pride and, as the certain poor widow who threw in two mites, surrender all to our Lord. Everlasting life is all the reward we need. (“Do Christians Receive Rewards in Heaven for their Works on Earth?,” Tony Warren)

We Obtain an Inheritance Through the Work of Faith of Christ

The following is adapted from the “Daily Meditations” of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. (Ephesians 2:19)

As citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honors. The glory that belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God; we are already princes of the blood imperial. Already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven.

Also as citizens of heaven, we enjoy its delights. Do they rejoice over sinners that repent and prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? Such honors as we have, we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for His Second Advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.

We Will Be Equally Beloved in Heaven Even If We Are Not All Equally Rewarded

The following is adapted from the “Daily Meditations” of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment. (Revelation 4:4)

These representatives of the saints in heaven are said to be around the throne. In the passage in Canticles, where Solomon sings of the King sitting at his table, some render it “a round table.” From this, some expositors, I think, without straining the text, have said, “There is an equality among the saints.” That idea is conveyed by the equal nearness of the four and twenty elders.

The condition of glorified spirits in heaven is that of nearness to Christ, a clear vision of His glory, a constant access to His court, and a familiar fellowship with His person—there isn’t any difference in this respect between one saint and another. All the people of God, apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private and obscure Christians, shall all be seated near the throne, where they shall forever gaze upon their exalted Lord and be satisfied with His love. They shall all be near to Christ, all ravished with His love, all eating and drinking at the same table with Him, all equally beloved as His favorites and friends even if not all equally rewarded as servants.

Let believers on earth imitate the saints in heaven in their nearness to Christ. Let us on earth be as the elders are in heaven, sitting around the throne. May Christ be the object of our thoughts and the center of our lives. How can we endure to live at such a distance from our Beloved? Lord Jesus, draw us nearer to you and say unto us, “Abide in me and I in you;” and permit us to sing,

“His left hand is under my head and His right hand does embrace me.”

The Rewards Both Now and Forever of Following Christ

The following adapted from “The Rewards of Following Christ” by Joseph Tkach, Worldwide Church of God at http://www.wcg.org/lit/prophecy/rewards.htm.

Let’s begin our discussion by noting the way that Jesus answered Peter’s question:

“I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

The gospel of Mark makes it clear that Jesus is talking about two different time periods:

“No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

Jesus is stating in emphatic terms that God will reward us generously, but He also warns us that this life is not a life of physical luxury. We will have persecutions, trials and sufferings in this life. But the blessings outweigh the difficulties by a hundred-to-one margin! Whatever sacrifices we make will be richly compensated. The Christian life is certainly “worth it.”

Of course, Jesus is not promising to give 100 fields to everyone who gave up a farm to follow Him. He is not promising to make everyone wealthy. He is not promising to give 100 mothers. He is not talking in strictly literal terms. What He means is that the things we receive in this life will be 100 times as valuable as the things we give up—as measured by real value, eternal value, not by temporary fads about physical things.

Even our trials have spiritual value to our benefit (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4), and this is of greater value than gold (1 Peter 1:7). God sometimes gives us gold and other temporary rewards (perhaps as an indication of better things to come), but the rewards that count most are those that last forever.

Frankly, I doubt that the disciples understood what Jesus was saying. They were still thinking in terms of a physical kingdom that would soon bring earthly freedom and power to the Israelites (Acts 1:6). The martyrdom of Stephen and James (Acts 7:57-60; 12:2) may have come as quite a surprise. Where were the hundredfold rewards for them?

Parables of Reward

Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

In several parables, Jesus indicated that faithful disciples would receive great rewards. Sometimes the reward is described as ruler ship, but Jesus also used other ways to describe our reward.

In the parable of the vineyard workers, the gift of salvation is symbolized by one day’s wage (Matthew 20:9-16).
In the parable of the virgins, the reward is a marriage banquet (Matthew 25:10).
In the parable of talents, the reward is described in general terms: being put “in charge of many things” and being able to “share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 20:20-23).

In the parable of sheep and goats, the blessed disciples are allowed to inherit a kingdom (Matthew 20:34).
In the parable of the servants, the faithful servant is rewarded by being put in charge of all the master’s possessions (Luke 12:42-44).

In the parables of the pounds, the trustworthy servants were given ruler ship over cities (Luke 19:16-19). Jesus promised the 12 disciples ruler ship over the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Members of the church in Thyatira were promised authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26-27).

Jesus advised His disciples to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21). By this, He implied that what we do in this life will be rewarded in the future—but what sort of reward is it? What good is a treasure when there is nothing to buy? When streets are made of gold, what will be the value of gold?

When we have spiritual bodies, we will not need physical things. I think that this fact suggests that when we think of eternal rewards, we should think primarily about spiritual rewards, not physical things that will pass away. But the problem is that we do not have the vocabulary to describe details of an existence we have never experienced. So we need to use words based on the physical when we even attempt to describe what the spiritual is like.

Our eternal reward will be like a treasure. In some respects, it will be like inheriting a kingdom. In some way, it will be like being given all our master’s possessions. It will be similar to having a vineyard to take care of on behalf of the master. It will be like having responsibility over cities. It will be like a wedding banquet when we share in our master’s happiness. It is like all of these things and much more.

Our spiritual blessings will be far better than the physical things we know in this life. Our eternity in God’s presence will be much more glorious and joyful than literal physical rewards, though it will be like them in certain ways. All physical things, no matter how beautiful, enjoyable or valuable, are only weak shadows of infinitely better heavenly rewards.

Eternal Joy With God

David put it this way:

“You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

John described it as a time when:

“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 20:4).

Everyone will be fully happy. There will be absolutely no dissatisfaction of any kind. No one will be able to think of even a tiny way in which things could be better. We will have reached the purpose for which God has made us.

Isaiah described some of this joy when he predicted a nation returning to its land:

“The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).

We will be in the presence of God, and we will be happier than we have ever been. This is what Christianity has traditionally tried to convey by the concept of “going to heaven.”

We used to ridicule the idea of “going to heaven” and talked instead of ruling planets in outer space. This is ironic, since our idea about other planets has less biblical support than the concept of heaven.

Paul says that we are already seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and he wanted to go to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). Going to heaven isn’t much different than what Paul has already said.

A few people may envision heaven as a place of clouds, harps and gold-paved streets. But I think that most Christians realize that such physical things are not really part of heaven: they are figures of speech, suggesting peace, beauty, glory and other good things; they are an attempt to use limited physical terms to describe spiritual realities.

Heaven is spiritual, not physical. It is the “place” where God lives. Science fiction fans might say, “God lives in a different dimension.” He is everywhere, present in all dimensions, yet “heaven” is the realm in which He actually dwells. (I apologize for the lack of precision in my words. Theologians may have more precise words for these concepts, but I hope I can get the general idea across with simple words.) The point is that to be in “heaven” is to be in the presence of God in an immediate and special way.

Scripture makes it clear that we will be where God is (John 14:3; Philippians 1:23). Another way to describe our close relationship with God at that time is that we will see Him “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:4; 1 John 3:2). This is a metaphor for being with Him in the closest possible way. So, when we understand the term “heaven” to refer to the dwelling-place of God, it is not wrong to say that Christians will be in heaven in the age to come. We will be with God, and being with God is rightly called being in “heaven.”

In a vision, John saw God’s presence eventually coming to earth—not the present earth but a “new earth” (Revelation 21:3). But whether we “go” to heaven or it “comes” to us is of no consequence. Either way, we will be in heaven, in the presence of God forever, and it will be wonderfully good. We might prefer other ways of saying it, but it is not a point on which we should judge or criticize other Christians. How we describe the life of the age to come, as long as our description is biblical, does not change the fact that we have faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior.

When most Christians talk about heaven, they are simply using the term as a synonym for salvation. For example, some Christian evangelists ask, “Are you sure that you will go to heaven if you die tonight?” Their real point in most cases is not when or where we go—they are simply asking if we are sure of our salvation.

Is It Wrong to Want a Reward?

Some critics of Christianity have ridiculed the concept of heaven as “pie in the sky in the bye and bye”—but ridicule is not a legitimate form of argument. The real question is, “Is there a reward or not?” If there really is pie in the sky, then it is not ridiculous to hope to enjoy it. If we really will be rewarded, it is ridiculous not to want it.

The simple fact is that God has indeed promised to reward us.

“Anyone who comes to Him [God] must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Belief in rewards is part of the Christian faith. Nevertheless, some people think that it is somehow demeaning or less than honorable for Christians to want to be rewarded for their labors. They think that Christians should serve with a motive of love, expecting no reward for their labors. But that is not the complete message of the Bible. In addition to the free gift of salvation by grace through faith, the Bible does promise rewards for God’s people, and it is not wrong to desire the promises of God.

Certainly, we are to serve God from the motivation of love and not as hirelings who work only to be paid. However, Scripture does speak of rewards and assures us that we will be rewarded. I believe that it is honorable for us to believe in God’s promises and to find them motivating. Rewards are definitely not the only motive of the redeemed children of God, but it is part of the package God has given us.

When this life becomes difficult, it is helpful for us to remember that there is another life in which we will be rewarded.

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Paul knew that the future life would make his sacrifices worthwhile; he gave up temporary pleasures to seek better and longer-lasting pleasures in Christ (Philippians 3:8).

Paul was not afraid of using the language of “gain” (Philippians 1:21; 1 Timothy 3:13; 6:6; cf. Hebrews 11:35). He knew that his future life would be much better than the persecutions of this life. Jesus was also mindful of the benefits of His own sacrifice, and He was willing to endure the cross because He saw great joy on the other side (Hebrews 12:2).

When Jesus counseled us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), He was not against investing—He was against bad investments. Do not invest in temporary rewards, but invest in heavenly rewards that will last forever.

“Great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” (Matthew 13:44)—a treasure so great it is worth giving up all the things of this life in order to gain it.

God has prepared something wonderfully good for us, and we will find it to be extremely enjoyable. It is right for us to eagerly look forward to these great blessings and, when we count the cost of following Jesus, it is also right for us to count the blessings and rewards promised for us.

“The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does” (Ephesians 6:8). “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24). “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully” (2 John 1:8).

Exceedingly Great Rewards

What God has in store for us is truly beyond our ability to imagine. Even in this life, the love of God is beyond our ability to understand (Ephesians 3:19). The peace of God is beyond our comprehension (Philippians 4:7), and His joy is beyond our ability to put into words (1 Peter 1:8). How much more, then, is it impossible to describe how good it will be to live with God forever?

The biblical writers didn’t give us many details. But one thing we know for certain—it is going to be the most wonderful experience we have ever had. It is better than the most beautiful paintings, better than the most delicious food, better than the most exciting sport, better than the best feelings and experiences we have ever had. It is better than anything on earth. It is going to be a tremendous reward!

Friends, God is truly generous! We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises—and the privilege of sharing this wonderful news with others. What joy should fill our hearts!

Conclusion

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-9).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul.

What Will It Be Like in Eternity?

“My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Ezekiel 37:27)

We are Joint Heirs with Christ

The following is adapted from the “Daily Meditations” of Charles Haddon Surgeon.

“And the glory which Thou gavest me I have given them.” (John 17:22)

Behold the superlative liberality of the Lord Jesus, for He has given us His all. Although a tithe of His possessions would have made a universe of angels rich beyond all thought, yet He was not content until He had given us all that He had. He makes us sit with Him and share the feast. He will have His bride as rich as Himself, and He will not have a glory or a grace in which she shall not share. There is not one room in His house, the key of which He will withhold from His people.

He has not been content with less than making us joint heirs with Him so that we might have equal possessions. He gives us full liberty to take all that He has to be our own; He loves us to make free with His treasure and appropriate as much as we can possibly carry. As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite. Ours are the azure light of the city that needs no candle or light of the sun. Ours are the river of the water of life and the twelve manner of fruits that grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof. There is nothing in heaven that does not belong to us: “things present, or things to come,” all are ours.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11)

When Jesus gave Himself for us, He gave us all the rights and privileges that went with Himself so that now, although as eternal God, He has essential rights to which no creature may venture to pretend. Yet as Jesus, the Mediator, the federal head of the covenant of grace, He has no heritage apart from us.

All the glorious consequences of His obedience unto death are the joint riches of all who are in Him and on whose behalf He accomplished the divine will. He enters into glory, but not for Himself alone, for it is written: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered” (Hebrews 6:20); “He appears in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24).

Consider this, believer: you have no right to heaven in yourself: your right lies in Christ:

If you are pardoned, it is through His blood.
If you are justified, it is through His righteousness.
If you are sanctified, it is because He is made of God unto you sanctification.
If you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved in Christ Jesus.
If you are perfected at the last, it will be because you are complete in Him.

Thus Jesus is magnified—for all is in Him and by Him. The inheritance is made certain to us—for it is obtained in Him. Each blessing is the sweeter and even heaven itself the brighter because it is Jesus our Beloved “in whom” we have obtained all.

Where is the man who shall estimate our divine portion? Weigh the riches of Christ in scales and His treasure in balances, and then think to count the treasures that belong to the saints. Reach the bottom of Christ’s sea of joy, and then hope to understand the bliss that God has prepared for them that love Him. Overleap the boundaries of Christ’s possessions, and then dream of a limit to the fair inheritance of the elect. “All things are yours, for you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.”

Eternity Will Right the Wrongs of Time

The following is adapted from the “Daily Meditations” of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“The voice of weeping shall be no more heard.” (Isaiah 65:19)

The glorified weep no more because all outward causes of grief are gone. There are no broken friendships or blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution and slander are unknown there. No pain distresses; no thought of death or bereavement saddens. They weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified. No “evil heart of unbelief” prompts them to depart from the living God; they are without fault before His throne, and they are fully conformed to His image.

Well may they cease to mourn, who have ceased to sin. They weep no more because all fear of change is past. They know that they are eternally secure. Sin is shut out, and they are shut in. They dwell within a city that shall never be stormed; they bask in a sun that shall never set; they drink of a river that shall never dry; they pluck fruit from a tree that shall never wither.

Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted; and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall co-exist with it. They are forever with the Lord. They weep no more because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything that they do not have in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties, are completely satisfied.

No matter how imperfect may be our present ideas of the things that God has prepared for them that love Him, we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fulness of delight, is in them. They bathe themselves in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite beatitude. That same joyful rest remains for us. It may not be far distant, “wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Revelation Chapters 21 and 22

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.' (Revelation 21:1-4)

And He that sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.' (Revelation 21:5-9)

And He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God… And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof… And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:10, 22-23, 27)

And He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 22:1-4)

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, 'These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is He that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.' (Revelation 22:5-7)

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith He unto me, 'See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.' And He saith unto me, 'Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.' (Revelation 22:8-14)

Other Related Scripture

“Now will I rise,” saith the Lord; “Now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.” (Isaiah 33:10)

And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise Thee: though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. (Isaiah 12:1-6)

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:1-11)

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her People a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my People: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that has not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my People, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And is shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 65:17-25)

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)

“The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. The sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy People also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:19-21)

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:22-24)

“Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord… For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:1,5-8)

“For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.” (Isaiah 54:9-14)

“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:4)

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off… Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby… And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity. (Isaiah 33:15-17,20-21,24)

And Jesus, answering, said unto them, “The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)

“For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (Mark 12:35)

Conclusion

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 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. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also His offspring. (Acts 17:24-28)

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead. (Acts 17:29-31)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:3-7)

Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. (Ephesians 1:8-10)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11-14)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

2011-03-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ephesians Chapter 2

And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
According to the prince of the power of the air,
The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;
And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(By grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together,
And made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come,
He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace
In His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith;
And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
Which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,
Who are called Uncircumcision,
By that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ,
Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
And strangers from the covenants of promise,
Having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now, in Christ Jesus,
Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace, who hath made both one,
And hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in His flesh the enmity,
Even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
For to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
Having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
But fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

2011-03-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

John Chapter 16

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
They shall put you out of the synagogues:
Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you,
Because they have not known the Father, nor me."

"But these things have I told you,
That when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.
And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you."

"But now I go my way to Him that sent me;
And none of you asketh me, 'Whither goest Thou?'
But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away:
For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
But if I depart, I will send Him unto you, and when He is come.
He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:
For He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:
And He will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
All things that the Father hath are mine:
Therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

"A little while, and ye shall not see me:
And again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."

Then said some of His disciples among themselves, "What is this that He saith unto us:
'A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me:
And, because I go to the Father?'"
They said therefore, "What is this that He saith,
'A little while?' We cannot tell what He saith."

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask Him,
And said unto them,
"Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said,
'A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?'
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice:
And ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come:
But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish,
For joy that a man is born into the world.
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again,
And your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing."

"Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:
Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs:
But the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs,
But I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
At that day ye shall ask in my name:
And I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me,
And have believed that I came out from God."

"I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world:
Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."
His disciples said unto Him,
'Lo, now speakest Thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
Now are we sure that Thou knowest all things,
And needest not that any man should ask Thee:
By this we believe that Thou camest forth from God.'
Jesus answered them,
"Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,
That ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone:
And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world."

* * * * * * *

Greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you,
Than he (the devil's spirit) that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

2011-03-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

John Chapter 14

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions:
If it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
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.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

Thomas saith unto Him,
'Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?'
Jesus saith unto him,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:
And from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him."

Philip saith unto Him,
'Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.'
Jesus saith unto him,
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?
He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;
And how sayest thou then, 'Shew us the Father?'
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:
But the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me:
Or else believe me for the very works' sake."

"Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
And greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
That the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

"If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father,
And He shall give you another Comforter,
That He may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth;
Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him:
But ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more;
But ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
And he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
And I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto Him,
'Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world?'
Jesus answered and said unto him,
"If a man love me, he will keep my words:
And my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:
And the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

"These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
Whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father:
For my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass,
That, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you:
For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

But that the world may know that I love the Father;
And as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
Arise, let us go hence."

* * * * * * *

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
But against principalities, against powers,
Against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
Against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

2011-03-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

John Chapter 12

And Jesus answered them, saying,
"The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,
It abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

"He that loveth his life shall lose it;
And he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

"If any man serve me, let him follow me;
And where I am, there shall also my servant be:
If any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?
'Father, save me from this hour:'
But for this cause came I unto this hour.
'Father, glorify Thy name.'"
Then came there a Voice from heaven, saying,
''I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:
Others said, 'An angel spake to Him.'

Jesus answered and said, "This Voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
This He said, signifying what death He should die.

The people answered Him, 'We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever:
And how sayest Thou, 'The Son of man must be lifted up?' Who is this Son of man?'
Then Jesus said unto them,
"Yet a little while is the light with you.
Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you:
For he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light."
These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.

But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake,
'Lord, who hath believed our report?
And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?'
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
'He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart;
That they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart,
And be converted, and I should heal them.'
These things said Esaias, when he saw His glory and spake of Him.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him;
But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him,
Lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Jesus cried and said,
"He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on Him that sent me.
And he that seeth me seeth Him that sent me.
I am come a light into the world,
That whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not:
For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath One that judgeth him:
The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
For I have not spoken of myself;
But the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment,
What I should say, and what I should speak.
And I know that His commandment is life everlasting:
Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."