It is Up to You to Be Ready

Okay folks for years I've been urging people to be prepared...long before Ready.gov got on board. For too many people, the very idea of having more than a couple days' worth of food or having a stocked pantry is a joke to them. "Why clutter up my cupboards with food? I would rather have the latest and greatest, as-seen-on-tv cooking gadget that mixes, slices, dices, stirs, cooks and cleans itself all with the push of one button."

Well, duh? Have you looked outside? How many of those are the roads yesterday and today were out looking for that gallon of milk or loaf of bread they'd failed to pick up on Thursday? Even worse, how many were looking for an entire meal at McDonalds or a cup of coffee at Starbucks? Really???

A few years ago a friend in Kentucky went through 30 days without power after a terrible ice storm brought down power lines and trees throughout the entire region. Even when stores were finally able to open, it was cash on the barrelhead because there was no power to run the registers or ATMs.

She was fine. She's one of those..."oh, gasp!" preppers. She had food that she'd canned and dehydrated. She had powdered milk. She knew how to bake bread, and did so all the time. She had feed for her animals. Even tho she had to haul water and thaw it on the woodstove when it froze in the buckets, she made it.

She also ended up being able to help her neighbors, although for the most part they were also common sense type rural folks, used to being self-sufficient.

How many in this part of Texas are without power due to this ice storm...which already heard called "Icemageddon"? How many have already died? What about the vehicle that spun out on the ice about 3am this morning and ended up in the water?

If you are not a first responder, a cop, medical person or some otherwise emergency support personnel,  stay home. Then when weather clears, consider looking ahead and doing a little stocking up for the next storm. Don't think it'll happen? Think again. All over the storms are getting worse and more deadly, and it is up to you (not the Government officials who are sitting nice and warm and well-fed in some safe place) to provide for your family.

Today I'm Most Thankful For...

Mercy

Last night I researched the word "thanks" in the Bible and found that of all the phrases for giving thanks to God, 10 times we're told to "give thanks unto the Lord for His mercy endures forever."

I wondered about that. Why the emphasis on giving thanks for His mercy?

Perhaps because as humans we tend to think we've made it to this point in our lives through our own efforts. We've done this or that to become the person we are today. In fact, on Thanksgiving every year we often focus on being thankful for: family, friends, health, and other tangible blessings.

But for the most part, if it weren't for His mercy throughout our lives, none of us would be here.

What is "mercy"?

• compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power
• the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment
• an act of kindness, compassion, or favor

I've heard it described as "unmerited favor". Mercy is not something one earns. It is a gift.

So today, I'm thankful for His mercy that makes me able to be thankful for all the other blessings in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving everbody.

No One Knows the Day Nor the Hour

Now many people use Matthew 24:36 to support the idea that no one can know the time of the Lord's return. However, it is one scripture, taken out of context:

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

However, just a few seconds before saying this, and followed by a lengthy description of the events leading up to the coming of the Son of Man, the Lord said:

Mat 24:32-34  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  (33)  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  (34)  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Here He is saying that we will be able to identify the timing or season (since He mentions "summer") by looking for these signs.

Even before that in describing the signs with which we will be able to identify the nearness of His return, He clearly states:

Mat 24:29-31  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:  (30)  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.  (31)  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.
Notice that? "Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days..."

Then He describes the very same events as described throughout the Bible as the Day of the Lord.

You can read a more indepth earlier study of the Day of the Lord and another study on how the events Jesus describes in Mat 24:29 are also part of the 6th, 7th trumpet and 7th vial in Three Descriptions But One Event

Is the RFID Chip the Mark of the Beast?

Earlier today I read something on the Free Patriot website about the RFID chip and whether it was the Mark of the Beast:

At the beginning of the year I posed the question to a large FaceBook audience, asking for their interpretation of Revelation’s descriptions of the “mark of the beast”. I am not here to spark religious debate with anyone, but am sharing the comment that received the most votes that night. I found this comment rather well spoken, but as you know, many interpret the bible differently, and will take from it what it means to them, not necessarily what you want to make them believe; thankfully.

    “666 is a time marker….There are 7 trumpets, 7 vials of wrath, and 7 seals….The antichrist makes his return at the 6th of each…It’s true that you won’t be able to buy or sell…but that’s because there will be a global currency…The “mark” is in the forehead and the right hand…This means that they are indoctrinated (forehead) and doing the works (right hand) of the beast that looks like the lamb, but speaks as a dragon…..This is the exact opposite from the seal of God in the foreheads of the people who are protected from the things to come….by their knowledge of the word….If you take the Greek word for “seal” back to it’s root…it means “protection by understanding”….Those with the mark have the opposite…They are going to be in favor of the new world system”

Here's my response:

The antichrist comes three times? Where is that in the Bible?

First, in Daniel and Revelation the "beast" is a government or ideologue (capitalism, communism, nazism, islam ... which is probably the actual descriptions of the the lion, bear, leopard and beast unlike any other, as well as the white, the red, the black and the pale/or green horses). So it will be a government that initiates the MOB.

Second, Revelation says that without the MOB one won't be able to buy or sell; today we would say that without it one cannot work or shop.

Too many people intellectualize the Bible, and fail to realize that when God inspired the Bible to be written, God made it simple so that one did not have to have a degree in Hebrew or Greek to understand it.

So when the Bible say "He causes all, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hands or in their foreheads." So that says all people are forced to receive...have a mark put on their body in very specific places.

You can't intellectualize it to the point that you say that it is a spiritual mark that's invisible, that comes from being "indoctrinated" and from "doing the work" of the beast. That isn't even CLOSE to what the Bible says!

Now if you look at the Greek for "mark" it is described as khar'-ag-mah From the same as G5482; a "scratch or etching". Now that actually sounds more like a tattoo of some kind.

A year or so ago, I saw an article about a new "temporary" tattoo that once on the skin allowed doctors to monitor their patients long distance. It would not take anything to make that tattoo (scratch or etching) permanent, thus allowing anyone who had it to be monitored.

This could also tie in with the huge upswing and popularity of tattoos in recent years. When I was growing up, only former military personnel had tattoos, and usually it was just one or two marking their military service. Other than that, maybe bikers and others on the edge of society. But now? Oh my goodness! People in every level of society have tattoos, including preachers, doctors, lawyers, entertainers, politicians...tattoos have become mainstream.

So it is possible that the MOB will be somekind of high tech tattoo? Does that mean I would accept an RFID chip? Absolutely not!

It was Just a Test

From the SurvivalHomestead Yahoo Group:

"Over the past 2 hours I have been sitting here thinking. This was not a "server issue" folks, this was a test. A test to see how the big dumb monkey would respond when his banana was taken away. Would he just jump up and down and howl and fling poo, or would he attack his care take and destroy his habitat? 
 
There is no better time to run a test like this than when the system is already crumbling. We citizens are nothing more than a giant lab experiment for those in power. To test new theories on and see just how much more they can force us to take.

And after being witness yesterday to a rather large African American woman going full blown whitey hater and threatening to "burn that mutha fu**a down" over her EBT card being denied while she was trying to buy a candy bar and soda. I have come to the conclusion it is going to take WAY less than I ever imagined to break the camels back, not even a straw will be needed.

Our Nation is crumbling and masses are blind to it , brain washed by special interest programs and reality TV. We are spied on by our Government, lied to by our Government and more or less sodomized by them on a daily basis. Yet we are powerless because the masses just do not care.

This battle for America to be saved is lost, and has been for a long time. Now all we can do is pray and hope we survive the collapse."

Of course, he's absolutely right, but most people have their heads buried in the sand (or elsewhere), or say "God's gonna take care of me" which for most is just a cop out and a way for them to just keep on living like no change is coming.

Yes, for most...many...some God will take care of, but most forget that the Bible also says "the prudent man sees trouble coming and prepares." They also forget that the Bible says "if a man doesn't provide for his family he's worse than an infidel."

They also forget that Jesus said in Matt 24, "as it was in the days of Noah..." when describing the time of suffering just before His return. Then later in one of the epistles, we read, "and Noah prepared for the saving of his household." Since there are no mistakes in God Word, do ya think He might be trying to get folks who actually read the Bible to see that it is their duty to prepare.?

Nah, go back to sleep folks. Go to church today and suck up that happy, happy, Jesus is coming soon pre-trib rapture lalaland pablum. God'll take care of you. Of course, "My way is not your way," says the Lord.

The 10 Virgins and the Bridegrooms Cry

Part of the pre-trib teaching is that of the 10 virgins, five wise and five foolish, who doze off while waiting for the Bridegroom to come.

Mat 25:1-10  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9  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.  10  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.

So the way some pre-tribbers teach this is that because the 10 virgins are asleep that it must be a time of calm and peace. Therefore, the coming of the Lord (or rapture) cannot occur during a time of tribulation, but must happen before.

I have found that the best way to understand what the Word is really saying is to look at each word carefully. So here's the verses in particular:

 Wise vs. Foolish

3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

 Foolish:

μωρός
mōros
mo-ros'
Probably form the base of G3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd: - fool (-ish, X -ishness).
 
Wise:

φρόνιμος
phronimos
fron'-ee-mos
From G5424; thoughtful, that is, sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while G4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and G4908 indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative): - wise (-r).

So the heedless virgins didn't prepare, while the cautious and thoughtful virgins brought extra oil. Below we'll explore the importance of the extra oil.

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting is Tiring

5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Slumbered:

νυστάζω
nustazō
noos-tad'-zo
From a presumed derivative of G3506; to nod, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep; figuratively to delay: - slumber.
Slept:

καθεύδω
katheudō
kath-yoo'-do
From G2596 and εὕδω heudō (to sleep); to lie down to rest, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively): - (be a-) sleep.
 
They slept. Even the wise virgins rested because the Bridegroom delayed his coming.

More Than a Cry

6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

So at the "cry" the girls awaken.

Now according to Strong's concordance the Greek for "cry":

κραυγή
kraugē
krow-gay'

From G2896; an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief): - clamour, cry (-ing).

An outcry in notification; tumult or grief. A clamouring and crying.

Now that doesn't sound very peaceful.

"Behold the bridegroom comes, go out to meet him."

So the announcement or cry is to warn everyone that the Bridegroom is coming...not that he is already there. If he was there, the instructions would NOT have gone on to say "go out to meet him."

Time to Arise

7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9  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. 

So are the announcement that the Bridegroom was on his way, the 10 virgins arose:

G1453
ἐγείρω
egeirō
eg-i'-ro
Probably akin to the base of G58 (through the idea of collecting one’s faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), that is, rouse (literally from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence): - awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-) rise (again, up), stand, take up.

and trimmed their lamps

So there was no rush. They had time to arouse, collect their thoughts, rouse from obscurity or inactivity, and trim the wicks on their lamps.

Oil

8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9  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. 

Now, I want to focus on the oil. This was olive oil and it wasn't just used for lamps. Olive oil was also for cooking, heating and used in medicine. All necessities to living. Oil also has traditionally meant the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible, as in the "anointing".

So the wise virgins had extra oil. They had stocked up. So that even if they dozed they were still prepared.

Personally, I don't think this story has anything to do with the virgins falling asleep because it was a peaceful time. In fact I don't think this has anything to do with young women at all. We know that throughout the New Testament a virgin is associated with a Bride of Christ...the church on this earth.

So I believe we are seeing a stretch of time from the time Jesus left to now. The church has been waiting for over 2000 years for the return of Jesus. In that time, the church as a whole has pretty much gone to sleep.

Even those with the oil of the Holy Spirit have slumbered. But when the announcement comes that Jesus is on His way. Time is short. The church wakes up. Unfortunately for the unwise, who have failed to stock up on the Holy Spirit and knowledge of the Word, the annointing...they have to go find it.

The wise on the other hand, did get sleepy too. However, they did have the Holy Spirit, and when the cry (tumult, grief, clamour, crying) begins, they wake up and trim their lamps. They refill their lamps with that precious oil. They are ready. Not only do they have enough to be a light, but they have enough for sustenance (food), comfort (heat), and healing (medicine).

I believe the cry has started sounding. Many in the church are waking up and trimming their lamps. Unfortunately, many others in the church are waking up to find they don't have what they need to be a light.

Like a Thief in the Night...for Who?

I just read a very long explanation by a Facebook friend of why the Rapture cannot occur following a time of intense turmoil. This person primarily used the story of the 10 virgins and pointed out that they were all asleep. Therefore, since one cannot sleep in a time of trouble, that the Bridegroom could only come during a period of peace.

She then used the verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:2 from which this blog gets its name: like a thief in the night.

Here's the entire scripture:

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1Th 5:3  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.

1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1Th 5:7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Now if you read the entire scripture and don't just take one verse OUT OF CONTEXT, which is what pre-tribbers like to do, you will see that this has an entirely different meaning.

The pre-trib crowd point out this verse saying that Jesus coming will surprise everyone, but if you read it in context, that's not what it's saying!

1Th 5:3  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.

Notice "when THEY shall say" and "sudden destruction comes upon THEM"..."THEY shall not escape."

Who are the THEY and THEM Paul is talking about? Well, possibly those who are NOT reading this letter? He's addressing a church, so the THEY must be those NOT in the church.

Next: 1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Now, here Paul is identifying who he's addressing...the BRETHREN. The brethren at NOT in darkness. Who's in darkness? Obviously the THEY in the previous verse.

He then goes on that the brethren are NOT IN DARKNESS, that that day should overtake them (us) as a thief. In others, the brethren are not in darkness so will not be surprised when that day comes.

What?!!!

That doesn't fit what the pre-tribbers say. Of course, not. They can only use scriptures taken out of context.

Paul then goes on to describe the brethren:

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. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Th 5:5-9

 The brethren, the Believers, are NOT of the night or darkness. We are NOT to sleep, but watch and be sober, not drunken or sleep like those of the night. We are to be prepared for battle by having our armor on and staying sober.

It goes on to say that "God has not appointed us to wrath." Another favorite of the pre-tribbers. However, once again they are ignoring scripture to teach that the entire Tribulation period is the wrath of God.

Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Here were see that the inhabitants of the earth are being warned that Satan's wrath is about to be experienced...because he knows he only has a short time.

Next, I'll be addressing the 10 virgins sleeping.

However, for the purpose of this, know that the coming the Lord is not going to be a surprise to the Believer who is alert and looking for His return. In fact, we are told to be alert, be watching, and be ready for battle.

Three Descriptions But One Event

The standard teaching on the 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet and 7th Vial in Revelation has always been that these are three separate events. However, recently I've begun to believe that they are three different descriptions of the same event.

Of course, the only way this would be possible is if you understand that the Seals are an overview, like being out in space and seeing the United States land mass on the spinning blue marble called earth. You can see the mountains, rivers and clouds, and at night even the lights of the large metropolitan areas.

The trumpets are a closer look at what is happening, and would be like flying over the landscape on the US in a helicopter. You can see what happening in a lot more detail, and actually notice that there are lights in areas outside the metropolitan areas visible from space.

The Vials would then be a close up look at the lightbulb or candle emitting the light. Close enough to reach out and touch and get burned.

If that's the case, then there should be some descriptions in these three events that are the same. Well there are:



6th Seal:

Rev 6:12-17  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?


Two Witnesses Earthquake:

Rev 11:11-13  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Could this actually be describing the rapture of the saints?
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.



7th Trumpet Sounds:

Rev 11:14-19  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.



7th Vial

Rev 16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18  And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21  And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.


Are these three describing the same event? All three describe an earthquake:

Seal: a great earthquake
Trumpet: and an earthquake
Vial: a great earthquake

Other things described as occurring in the Seals, the Trumpets or the Vials:



Sun darkened - 6th seal,
Moon as blood - 6th seal
Stars of heaven fell unto the earth (meteorites?)
Mountains and islands were moved out of their places - 6th Seal, 7th Vial
Lightnings - 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Voices- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Thunderings- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Great Hail- 7th trumpet, 7th Vial
Mentions wrath has come/it is done: 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet, 7th Vial


Now above you can see that three of those items are only mentioned in the 6th Seal: sun darkened, the moon into blood, and the stars falling. However, you can see that throughout the rest of the Bible the Day of the Lord mentions those three things.

Day of the Lord:

Sun darkened - Isa 13:10, Mat 24:29
Punish wicked (wrath?) - Isa 13:11
Moon darkened - Joe 2:10, Mat 24:29
Stars fall from heaven - Mat 24:29
Moon into blood - Joe 2:31
Earthquake - Joe 2:10

Sound of trumpet:
Mat 24:31, Joe 2:16 (description of rapture?)

I would suggest that you study the following scriptures that describe the Day of the Lord:

DAY OF THE LORD...
WHAT "DAY" IS IT?

Eze 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.


The Day of the Lord


Zep 1:14 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. 6th Seal


Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: Matches what's happening in the Vials where the vials are pouring out on the wicked


Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.


Isa 13:9 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.


Isa 13:10 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.


Isa 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.




Day of Wrath/Anger


Isa 13:13 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.


Lam 2:21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.


Lam 2:22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD's anger none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.


Job 20:28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.


Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.


Zep 1:15 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,


Zep 1:18 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.


Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;


Job 21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.


Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.


Pro 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Now notice what Jesus Himself said:
 
Mat 24:29-31  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:  (30)  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.  (31)  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.

That is describing the rapture of Believers!!!

The Next Epic Disaster About to Hit the US?

If you have studied the correlation between the US's attempts to divide the land of Israel and subsequent natural, costly, disasters in the US, then you need to be aware of something. On March 20th Obama is going over to Israel (coincidentally entering six days before Passover, like Jesus did on Palm Sunday). The purpose of this visit will be to put pressure on Israel to divide her land and create a Palestinian homeland.

If that happens, Katrina, Rita, the recent mega tornadoes, and other natural disasters are going to seem like child's play. It won't just impact one small portion of the country; the entire nation will suffer in the aftermath of God's judgment for presuming to divide what He has given to the Jews.

From a Facebook friend:

Obama's trip to Israel could signal the onset of certain endtime events here in America. Click on this link to learn more. It is more than interesting! It could be vital to your very survival. The Lord has warned repeatedly through dreams and visions that when America allows Israel's land to be divided, our own land will also be divided right down the middle.

A megaquake will strike near the heartland of America and sever the commericial trafficways and the waterways of mid-America, bringing the US to its knees within hours. Bridges will collapse and the Mississippi River will become uncrossable. Semi-trucks will be stranded, as well as barges on the rivers. Life as we know it will immediately grind to a halt, and chaos will ensue.

The fragile economy will collapse. Starvation will set in. Looting. Killing. Death in the streets of America.

God will allow it. Those who bless Israel will be blessed. Those who curse Israel will be cursed.

If you live ANYWHERE in the US, you need to read this article. You will indeed be affected by the coming catastrophe.

For more information: Urgent Warning! Be Prepared!

03/16/13 - For all you who take scripture out of context to prove a pre-trib rapture...it ain't gonna happen yet. How can you continue to take a verse here and a verse there and say that it means that the rapture is going to occur at the end of March, as the things above are occurring (if they do)?

Who's Taken?

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone and we were discussing Biblical prophecy, the timing of the rapture and why one should prepare. As I was explaining that the Bible doesn't teach a pre-tribulation rapture, she brought up the verse about the two in the field, one taken and one left.

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. Mat 24:40-41

That's the standard verse used by pretribbers to prove that when the rapture happens, that Believers will suddenly disappear, leaving the sinners to go through the Tribulation.

Sounds good, right?

Maybe not. I believe that when you read the Bible you should not just take a scripture here and a scripture here, OUT OF CONTEXT, to prove a point. Unfortunately, that's what happens here.

Proponents of the PTR (pre-trib rapture) totally ignore the entire teaching of the Lord that comes before...especially, immediately before verse 40.

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. Mat 24:37-39

So let's look at those verse, especially verse 39:

"knew not until the flood came..." Who "knew not"? "They" who were "eating, drinking, marrying...". Afterall, it couldn't be talking about Noe/Noah, since he obviously "knew" what was coming.

So "they knew not until the flood came (judgment) and took them away..."

Who got taken away? "They". The unbelievers. The ones that "knew not"

Then the Lord goes on to say "...so shall ALSO be coming of the Son of man be..."

So what was going on in Noah's day before, during, and after the flood will be what we can expect at the second coming. Right?

Are we are the same page?

Immediately, the Lord continues by saying "Then..." What's the "then" referring to?

Well, He just said "the coming of the Son of Man be. Then..."

It's a continuation of the same thought.

"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."

Then...one shall be taken and one left.

So the Lord is saying there's a connection between those that the flood "took away" - the flood being judgment - and the one in the field who shall "be taken". Who was taken in the flood? The unbeliever. Therefore, who is taken from the field and the mill? The unbeliever?

WHAT?!!! 

Yep. If you read the Word, NOT taking verses out of context, but reading them in conjunction with those verses that come before and after, then you will see Jesus was explaining one single thought...and that is that those taken (destroyed) in the judgment of the flood, and those who will "be taken" in the coming judgment are the same...the unbelievers.

While those who survive or remain are Noah and other Believers.

Now if this is the case, there will other scriptures to show this. Right? Right.

Psalm 37.

Here's what the Word says about the outcome of the evildoers:

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Psa 37:1-2 

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psa 37:9

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. Psa 37:10

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. Psa 37:12-13

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Psa 37:14-15

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. Psa 37:17

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. Psa 37:20

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Psa 37:28


Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Psa 37:34

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. Psa 37:38

So there you have 11 in just one portion of scripture that makes it obvious that God is going to destroy the wicked. Well, that's something that no matter which side of the timing of the rapture you are on, we can agree upon. God is going to destroy the wicked.

But...what about the righteous? If it is the wicked who are "taken away" and the righteous "left" then, there should also be confirmation of that. There is...

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. Psa 37:9 To "inherit" something you have to be there...be present to inherit.

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Psa 37:28

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Psa 37:34 Again, "inherit". And the righteous will see the wicked "cut off" or destroyed..."taken away."

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. Psa 37:29 Again, for the 3rd time in the same passage we see  the righteous will "inherit the land".

Now, you can search elsewhere in the Word and you will see that it is consistent. 

The wicked are destroyed, taken away, while God preserves the righteous who will inherit the land/earth.

In the next study, we'll look at the other favorite concept of PTR theory...God has not appointed His saints to suffer His wrath.

As Lightening from Heaven

I saw someone ask in Facebook:

Do you know Hebrew?
Can you translate this - Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven...
Thanks!!

Here's my take:

If you look at the scriptures both before and after that statement of Jesus' you will understand that Jesus is saying "I was there and saw Satan (Lucifer, the Devil) cast out of heaven and fall to earth like lightening."

Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

The disciples had just mentioned that devils (demons, evil spirits) left when they commanded them to using the name of Jesus.

So Jesus is saying "I was there, saw him fall..." to emphasize that He is still powerful, then He goes on to say that He was giving them power to tread on serpents (another word for Satan) and scorpions (mean "sting").

In my studies of spiritual warfare, I've found that "torment" refers to demons or evil spirits. The only other place in the KJV that you will see the word scorpion is in Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

Notice the word "torment" and "torment of a scorpion".

Therefore when Jesus says "I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions" He's saying I'm giving you power over Satan and the demons, which is why it goes on to say "over all the power of the enemy"

Sadly most Christians fail to recognize that the only power Satan has is to deceive and lie. Therefore, he convinces them that he is powerful and they are subject to his power. When in fact, there is not much he fears as much as a Believer who know his/her authority in Jesus Name, and who stands up and resists him and his demons.

Therefore, it is time for Believers to stand up, understand that in the Name of Jesus, you have His authority and power to stand against the hoards of hell. All hell is breaking loose on earth, and the only ones who are going to be able to make it (no matter how much you prep) are those who have on the armor of God, the sword of the Spirit and walk in the authority of Jesus' Name.

Pre-Wrath or Post-Tribulation Rapture

Here's a message I posted in Facebook in response to a question about the timing of the Rapture. I share some insights I believe the Lord has given me (and believe me, I'm not thrilled about some of it!). However, it is what I understand of the Word at this point:

You know, Mike, after the Holy Spirit showed me the truth in the Word, I said I was "pre-wrath" as well. Then a few weeks ago, I was reading Revelation, and while I'd already seen that the 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet seemed to be describing the same event, I suddenly noticed that the 7th Vial also seemed to be describing the same event: earthquake, darkness, "it's done", sky falling...many, many similarities to the Day of the Lord described throughout the Bible.

I'd already pretty much decided that the Seals were describing a distance view that encompassed a good deal of time, perhaps decades or even a century or two. Then the Trumpets were a closer look at a some events that were closer to the end and happened in a shorter length of time, perhaps decades or years.

I also believed that the Vials happened very quickly, as in when you pour out something it doesn't usually dribble out. Instead the container (vial) empties quickly. So I figure the vials are describing events that happen very quickly, perhaps months weeks or days.

So when I saw the similarity in the 6th Seal, the 7th Trumpet and the 7th Seal, I sought some clarification in the Word.

Most people base a "pre-wrath" designation on the fact that the Bible says we are not "call to wrath". However, since God doesn't change, perhaps there are examples in the Bible of God protecting His people during great judgment. Two off the top of my head: the children of Israel in Goshen when God was pouring on judgment on Egypt. Before that, when He poured out His wrath on the entire earth in the flood. Noah and his family weren't taken out...they were protected in the ark, a symbol of being protected in the arms of God.

Also, I noticed recently something interesting about the 7th trumpet. Rev 10:7  "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished..." Suddenly I saw "when he shall BEGIN to sound..." To me that implies a span of time involved in the sounding of the 7th trumpet.

Which since the 7th trumpet is the LAST TRUMP which is when the rapture is supposed to occur, it would make sense that we won't know the DAY or the HOUR...but we will know the season. When we see those thing happening, we can know that we are close, and can actually know, as events happen, that we are closer and closer.

Also notice in Rev 10:7 were it says "the mystery of God should be finished..." is similar in meaning to Rev 16:17 the 7th vial where we see "It is done".

Also, in Rev 16:15, we see Jesus saying "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

This is just before the pouring out of the 7th vial. We know that His coming as a thief in night is for those that are NOT watching. But here He say "Blessed is he that watches". To me this implies that the rapture has NOT taken place yet.

Check out this Bible study on the Day of the Lord to see whether the 6th Seal, 7th Trumpet and 7th Vial might possibly be describing the same event. One event, not two or three or more. One Event...the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming and Rapture of the Church all the same.

Most Important Prep for a Christian

Recently I've heard Believers wondering, worrying and fretting about the fact that they don't have enough supplies for survival. They see what's happening, and believe the Lord has instructed them to get ready, but they are still filled with worry.

Where's my response:

The best and most important prep any Believer can make is to be into the Word. If you realize that God doesn't change, but is the same today as He was 4000 years ago, then you know what He can do. Will He, though? I believe that is up to the Believer.

If He led Lot and his family out of the cities hours before destroying the city, He can do the same thing now.

If the three Hebrew boys came out of the fire without even a hint of smoke on their clothes, then there will be Believers walk out of ground zero of a nuclear missile strike.

If He parted the Red Sea so His people could pass over on dry land, He can do the same thing now.

If He caused water to pour out of a struck rock, if He tells you to take your hammer and hit that boulder in your front yard, then do it. Just remember if He says to hit it once, that you don't hit it twice.

You prep as He leads you to prepare, then know that if He caused the ravens to bring the prophet meat, that He can do the same now.

Nothing is impossible with God.

Know His promises. Know the Word. Determine that no matter what, you are going to stand on the Word. What does the Word say?

• Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (Psa 37:1-3)

• But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psa 37:11)

• The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
  (Psa 37:18-19)

• For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
  (Psa 37:28-29)

• And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
  (Psa 37:40)

• He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
  (Psa 91:1)
  
  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
  (Psa 91:2)
  
  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
  (Psa 91:3)
  
  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
  (Psa 91:4)
  
  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
  (Psa 91:5)
  
  Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
  (Psa 91:6)
  
  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
  (Psa 91:7)
  
  Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
  (Psa 91:8)
  
  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
  (Psa 91:9)
  
  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
  (Psa 91:10)
  
  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
  (Psa 91:11)
  
  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  (Psa 91:12)
  
  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
  (Psa 91:13)
  
  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
  (Psa 91:14)
  
  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
  (Psa 91:15)
  
  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
  (Psa 91:16)

• And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
  (Rev 12:11)
  

These verses are full of promise of protection, survival and victory.