tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2499552085673490342024-03-15T21:12:42.006-04:00The Prophecy PuzzleMy ongoing attempt to piece together the truth as revealed in biblical prophecy and related studies in reference to end times--the times in which we live.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.comBlogger786125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-52473978019652483602024-01-18T14:02:00.002-05:002024-01-18T14:02:39.246-05:00The Prophetic Timeline <p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I often think about the prophetic timeline as I consider current events and my eagerness for Jesus to come and take His bride, the church, home to the Father before the start of His wrath as declared in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, an event commonly known as the rapture.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Following is the prophetic timeline as I see its flow from the pages of God’s word.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bullet points begin after the death and resurrection of Jesus.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus received the scroll that sets into motion events following His resurrection that will result in Satan’s destruction and the fulfillment of God’s covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the church. This is depicted in Revelation 5.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus begins to open the scroll, and the birth pains He identified in the Olivet Discourse begin. Compare Matthew 24:1-8 with Revelation 6:1-8.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We know that God reckons time differently in heaven—<i>“a day is as a thousand years.” 2Peter 3:8. </i>In consideration of that fact, Jesus could have begun opening the seals at any time after receiving the scroll. The fact that we can now identify these birth pains as occurring tells me that these first four seals have already been opened.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Believers of the church age will be martyred for their belief in Jesus as Savior as He declared in Matthew 24:9. “<i>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.”</i> Note that this is not identified as a birth pain sign. This corresponds to the opening of the 5th seal (Revelation 6:9-11). It does, however, point to the fact that the first four seals have already been opened. Maybe the death of Stephen (Acts 7) marks the opening of this seal.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The opening of the sixth seal marks the beginning of <i>“the wrath of the Lamb” </i>(Revelation 6:16-17). The Lamb is Jesus, God in flesh. This tells me that the rapture has occurred before this seal is opened. How far in advance? We aren’t told. I believe, however, that the intervening time is not long since the LORD continually leaves a witness to His truth and the gospel on earth, and the next thing we see in Revelation is the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Revelation 7:1-8). </span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In Revelation 7:9-17 John describes a multitude of of believers around God’s throne worshiping and praising the LORD. They include people from every “nation, kindred, people and tongues” (v9). I believe this is a picture of the raptured body of believers. Note that point is made that Jesus is in their midst. Those who posit that the rapture is depicted at the beginning of Revelation 4 need to explain why Jesus is not to be found at that point. Jesus clearly declared: <i>“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>where I am, there ye may be also.</i></span><i>” (John 14:3)</i></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some point out that the multitude described in Revelation 7 are described as coming out of “the” great tribulation, but the text actually says “great tribulation.” This refers to a time of great “affliction, anguish, persecution, trouble” (all from the Greek). I believe that applies to Christians of all ages, but it will be particularly descriptive of the time before the rapture occurs. Believers worldwide are being confronted more and more with mocking, persecution, moral depravity, the lack of reason and lawlessness. I’m not just talking about America—I’m talking worldwide. I’m reminded of Peter’s description of Lot.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:</i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><i> </i></span><i>(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)</i><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><i> </i></span><i>The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(2 Peter 2:7-9)</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Personally, I believe that God’s wrath and the 70th week of Daniel (commonly called the tribulation) are events with different purposes that run basically concurrent with one another. God can use common events to accomplish dual purposes. The wrath of God is a time when God is exacting vengeance on His enemies.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>he reserveth wrath for his enemies</i></span><i>.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(Nahum 1:2)</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The 70th week of Daniel is a time in which God is working with the Jews to draw out a body of believers among them through whom He will fulfill the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Seventy weeks are determined upon </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>thy people and upon thy holy city</i></span><i>, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” (Daniel 9:24)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In that regard, I believe the wrath of God and the 70th week of Daniel do not begin at the same time. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians states that God’s wrath (“the day of Christ,” the Lamb) will not begin until after the man of sin is revealed.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“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….” (2Thessalonians 2:3)</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This tells me that the Antichrist will be revealed before the opening of the sixth seal.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul also tells us that Antichrist cannot be revealed until “<i>he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way”</i> (2:7). Paul goes on to tell us that the Antichrist will come <i>“after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders….”</i> (2:9). In other words, Antichrist, the man of sin, will be an agent of Satan. The Greek for the word “letteth” in verse 7 means “to hold down…retain…withhold.” The power that is withholding the emergence of the Antichrist has to be a power greater than Satan’s. I am convinced this power is a reference to the Holy Spirit that indwells the body of believers. To take “him” out of the way requires that the body of believers be removed from the scene. I believe this necessitates that the rapture occur before Antichrist is revealed.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This tells me that the rapture and the revelation of Antichrist occur before the opening of the sixth seal. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One other bit of pertinent information is to define what first identifies the Antichrist. I believe it is the signing of the 7-year covenant of peace that he negotiates with Israel as described in Daniel 9:27: <i>“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week….” </i>The context in Daniel 9 is a description of events that are determined upon “thy people,” Daniel’s people, the people of Israel. Verse 27 goes on to declare that the Antichrist will break his covenant in the middle of the 70th week and <i>“cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.” </i>Again, this affirms that the 7-year covenant is with the people of Israel. Note that it also implies that the covenant allows for the practice of offering temple sacrifices, implying also the existence of a temple.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This timeline takes us to the middle of the 70th week of Daniel, when Antichrist breaks his covenant. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are a couple of other events on the prophetic horizon that need addressed—the attack of the armies of Gog on Israel and the destruction of Damascus. Frankly, the current war in Israel against Hamas, also involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen (all as proxies of Iran I believe) has thrown a wrench in my thinking. It could be expected that the destruction of Damascus occurs as part of the current war scenario. The attack of Gog, however, is supposed to occur when the people of Israel are dwelling securely or carelessly confident when the attack occurs—which was the situation when this war with Hamas started. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>safely</i></span><i> all of them.” (Ezekiel 38:8)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“safely” = confident…careless</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I always thought the war with Gog and his armies would occur before the beginning of the 70th week; now I’m questioning that line of thinking. Only time will tell.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is just a summary of my current understanding of the prophetic timeline according to scripture. As always, I'm open to God giving me better understanding. Much more detail is available on my website: <a href="http://momsbiblejournal.com">momsbiblejournal.com</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-27774474644041607932023-12-21T14:53:00.000-05:002023-12-21T14:53:38.777-05:00A CHRISTMAS MEDITATION<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Of the increase of <i>his</i> government and peace<i> there shall be</i> no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">(Isaiah 9:6-7)</span></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">(John 3:16-17)</span></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">(Galatians 4:4-5)</span></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Then Joseph her husband, being a just<i> man</i>, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">(Matthew 1:18-21)</span></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>(<i>And</i> this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And this<i> shall be</i> a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>And when they had seen<i> it</i>, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">(Luke 2:1-17)</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Cochin; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Cochin; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Cochin; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Cochin; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Cochin; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-79988385883534175932023-11-27T08:00:00.001-05:002023-11-27T08:00:00.147-05:00Wisdom from the Prophet Amos<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Amos 5:4</b></span><b style="font-family: Palatino;"> For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Amos 5:5</b></span><b> But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. </b></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Amos 5:6</b></span><b> Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour<i> it</i>, and <i>there be</i> none to quench<i> it</i> in Bethel. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As He always does, the LORD declares that forgiveness is available; Israel just needed to seek Him in faith and repentance. He makes the point that their sincerity will be noted by coming to Him on His terms—not at Bethel, Gilgal or Beersheba. The implication—Jerusalem was the place where God had chosen to place His name and receive the sacrifices of His people. These other cities had been established as worship centers in defiance of God’s instructions and had become centers of idol worship. The coming judgment of these cities is certain. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The warning in verse 6—If you don’t turn back to me in faith and repentance, the house of Joseph (another reference to the Northern Kingdom of Israel) will be completely devoured and no one will be able to prevent it. I think this is again in reference to their impotent idols. The call is for the people as individuals to repent of their sin and turn back to God in faith and obedience.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It always intrigues me how we humans think we have the right to expect our Creator, The God of the universe, to accept us on our terms instead of His. So many today are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, they’ll get to go to heaven. With that statement they are conceding there is a heaven and, in turn, a God in heaven who determines who is qualified to enter. He has clearly explained in scripture that the only qualification He will accept is faith in His Son Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin and Lord of our life. Still, many refuse to believe that He really means what He says. What an arrogant stance to take before Almighty God; and, sadly, how many are going to suffer an eternity outside His presence because they refuse to believe Him!</span></p><div><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-13971059960191745002023-11-20T11:42:00.000-05:002023-11-20T11:42:55.996-05:00HOW DO I SAY THANK YOU?<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How do I say “Thank You”</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For all that God has done</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For all the many blessings</span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That are mine through His dear Son?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His love is strong and constant</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No matter what I do.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He guides, protects and chastens</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I stumble my way through.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He’s always working in my life</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To bring about what’s good.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even if the things I choose</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aren’t always what I should.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His mercy and compassion</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Far exceed my greatest need.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And when I come before His throne</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He hears my every plea.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I may not understand His ways</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When angry, hurt or grieved.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And still His patience never fails.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He’s always there to meet my need.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Father when I need a hug.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Refuge when I fear.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Rock to give me strength.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Friend when I need cheer.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Thank You,” loving Father!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Increase my faith,” I pray.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May others see You shine through me</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In all I do and say.</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-23740802326038730692023-10-31T10:46:00.000-04:002023-10-31T10:46:37.424-04:00God's Word is Sure<p><b style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My heart is grieved over recent events in Israel. I can hardly believe the evil things that people aligned with Hamas have done to fellow human beings. It can only be described as Satanic and demonic. Satan is gearing up for his short reign of power over the nations of the world. Yes, he will get his one-world government—but only according to God’s ordained purpose. That purpose—to bring forth a believing remnant of the people of Israel through whom He will fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. It grieves me that it will take such suffering before God’s chosen people will recognize their true Messiah—the LORD Jesus, as declared in God's word.</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">As one who has been privileged to become part of spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus, the prayer is ever on my lips, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” It is my prayer to see peace in Jerusalem and to see Jerusalem a praise throughout the earth. But I know that will not happen until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom and rule from the throne of David.</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My heart is at peace because I know that the promises and prophecies in God’s word are sure and will come to pass just as promised and foretold. God’s word is clear about describing events and circumstances that would indicate that His return was at the door. Those events and circumstances are in full evidence around us. They shout that the last seven years before Jesus returns will soon commence. As the LORD orchestrates events to bring the people of Israel to saving faith, He will also exercise His wrath against His enemies and exact vengeance upon those that have martyred His followers.</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe that scripture is very clear in stating that His people, those who believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose victorious from the grave, will be rescued before God inflicts His wrath on planet earth. That event is commonly known as the rapture. It is that truth that gives me peace and fills me with great anticipation. </span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Satan is the great deceiver, and is hard at work convincing the masses that God’s word is not true—and, as events evidence all around the world, he seems to be succeeding. Don’t ignore the signs of the times. Read God’s word with a heart to know the truth. If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, turn to him in faith today—before it’s too late!</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians 2:8-9 “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.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ….”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. </i><i>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. </i><i>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.”</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz7QjCFFVkDjeNMoijqJeuFdloBw0UDOQJyTiDexlib3RanvWOSz9AYNkcS30OLx0F4mmjAp8yxRsyoNNQil2C1bv3IleYZ0C57wTttpQ7dN0mVcNZmggBrzBB3-PeHm5LBjsKc6u2fNxhxG4u7ctr6sRruCKIdTl_alDRO4j6ft3dElYX392c0AYPdk/s1200/Psalm%2089.34-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz7QjCFFVkDjeNMoijqJeuFdloBw0UDOQJyTiDexlib3RanvWOSz9AYNkcS30OLx0F4mmjAp8yxRsyoNNQil2C1bv3IleYZ0C57wTttpQ7dN0mVcNZmggBrzBB3-PeHm5LBjsKc6u2fNxhxG4u7ctr6sRruCKIdTl_alDRO4j6ft3dElYX392c0AYPdk/w400-h266/Psalm%2089.34-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkcfIWzfhkZUwmDJ_-yVi9GSHMXd7sKBzT3ZjvxGg2v7laYRLmZkRPByDE7sLxZvFKdHK1xL1OQKqxAieKqEtpKy8AQ_s93-A49M0q13BNIqeyNqZkjUalQZYLh5KdhcHZj90DBHKK66G7nCZJ6tk7JLmaqtS-tb0QVFNwargOAjmdx4lUXCv-P5l5-8/s1200/Isaiah%2031.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1200" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkcfIWzfhkZUwmDJ_-yVi9GSHMXd7sKBzT3ZjvxGg2v7laYRLmZkRPByDE7sLxZvFKdHK1xL1OQKqxAieKqEtpKy8AQ_s93-A49M0q13BNIqeyNqZkjUalQZYLh5KdhcHZj90DBHKK66G7nCZJ6tk7JLmaqtS-tb0QVFNwargOAjmdx4lUXCv-P5l5-8/w400-h253/Isaiah%2031.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-19901640695632746462023-07-19T09:45:00.001-04:002023-07-19T09:45:54.907-04:00COMING PERSECUTION<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I recently heard a teaching by Brett Meador on the subject of this blog. It is a message from which I think every follower of Jesus today would benefit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://atheycreek.com/teachings/g-447" target="_blank">https://atheycreek.com/teachings/g-447</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Keep looking up, Jesus is coming soon!</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-70497074499263892722023-05-03T12:46:00.000-04:002023-05-03T12:46:21.268-04:00DON'T LOOK DOWN--LOOK UP!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A piece of my heart....</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My soul is sad and weary</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I look around and see</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The evil things that people do</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To please the enemy.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The love of many grows so cold</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As consciences are seared</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Right is wrong and wrong is right</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No longer is God feared.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As always, it’s the weaker</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Abused and sacrificed</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As wicked men advance their cause</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With no regard for life.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My heart is sliding to despair </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Til finally I look up</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remembering Your promises</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That soon You’ll interrupt.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Believers will be snatched away</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your vengeance then unleashed</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your wrath poured out on all within</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The kingdom of the beast.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacob’s seed will finally know</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The truth about our LORD</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That He had suffered for their sins</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In anguish they will mourn.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The LORD will then return as King</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To rule from David’s throne</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Restoring much of Eden’s peace</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To quiet creation’s groans.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In righteousness our LORD will reign</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thousand years—and then</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Satan will get one last chance</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To claim the hearts of men.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He’ll gather a great army </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From the nations he deceives</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amazingly they’ll number</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the sand that’s in the sea.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fire will come down from God</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And sin will meet defeat.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Satan cast into hell’s fire</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s victory complete.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Despair replaced by blessed hope</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now lives within my soul</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I await the LORD’s return</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With joy my heart will flow!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-73136974737651612212023-03-27T11:18:00.000-04:002023-03-27T11:18:10.374-04:00LOVE CAME DOWN<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ-76a-T04PiUNbM7-3NRemtMLyjWpRNHcLclb0TUfJzXV8WBXw05D89jDPtFwpcTyesF3tfdYWzHJO4Z8tHDEN5agVLgmelLWsIFmTonCLDUI4D2lOiZeGn1XmwMuHzfCD0o6aq-bC_A_8rl9upnS2Lzf3eZwx5XXFuRUKt8uH4ZA4MeiN4Av6zK/s1800/Isaiah45.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ-76a-T04PiUNbM7-3NRemtMLyjWpRNHcLclb0TUfJzXV8WBXw05D89jDPtFwpcTyesF3tfdYWzHJO4Z8tHDEN5agVLgmelLWsIFmTonCLDUI4D2lOiZeGn1XmwMuHzfCD0o6aq-bC_A_8rl9upnS2Lzf3eZwx5XXFuRUKt8uH4ZA4MeiN4Av6zK/w400-h266/Isaiah45.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><div><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love sent Jesus down to earth</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Creation to redeem</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="font-size: large;">Knowing that He would endure</span></span></div><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Great pain and suffering.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was wounded for our sins</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Afflicted and oppressed</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet spoke no word in His defense</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite His great distress.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Father watched from heaven above</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pleased with what He saw</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">His Son—an offering for our sin</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">His sacrifice for all.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">They crucified Him on the cross</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">And mocked Him as He died</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thinking they had proved Him wrong</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">His claim had been denied.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">But three days later Christ arose</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">To resurrected life</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proving Him to be the Truth</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Son of Man divine.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eternal life can now be ours</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">A gift from God above</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Repent, believe and just receive</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ Jesus—Son of love.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-74897296023067840782023-01-16T11:06:00.001-05:002023-01-16T11:06:54.293-05:00A DESIRE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE LAND<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: Palatino; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:1</b></span><b style="font-family: Palatino;"> ¶ I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“mercy” = kindness; by implication (towards God)…beauty, favor, pity</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“judgment” = judging according to divine law</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As shown by so many psalms, David’s music centered around his thoughts of God—as the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, as the God of Israel, and as His personal LORD and Savior. His songs were basically a result of his prayers put to music. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:2</b></span><b> I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This verse is an expression of David’s commitment to behave with intelligence and wisdom and in sincerity with integrity. The question in the middle of the verse indicates that David is experiencing a time of testing in which He is waiting for God to act on his behalf. I got the idea that he is trying to encourage God to act by promising to live before Him with a “perfect heart.” The Hebrew for “perfect” makes reference to moral innocence and integrity. He understands that it is who we are in private that best testifies to who we really are.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I decided to see what Webster had to say about integrity: “The state or quality of being entire or complete….Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive….purity.” As Jesus so carefully explained in His teaching on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), God is looking at our actions as the outworking of our motives. David is declaring his intent to live righteously and without deceit before God in his home (and before the people of Israel I believe is implied). We all know that to maintain our righteousness at home is the hardest. Family is the first to be able to spot insincerity and/or deceitfulness in our actions. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:3</b></span><b> I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; <i>it</i> shall not cleave to me. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think scripture very strongly warns us that temptation often comes to us through our eyes. It certainly played a part in Eve falling for Satan’s lies.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat….”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">David is committed to avoiding temptation by controlling what he chooses to put before his eyes. This is called being proactive in guarding his heart. I have made a similar commitment in later years that I sure wish I had made when I was young. It is so hard in today’s culture to keep that commitment. Our entertainment industry is crafted around appealing to the lust of the eyes and the flesh. Even if you are discerning about what you watch on television, you still have to deal with the commercials that utilize the same tactic of appealing to the lust of the eyes and the flesh. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">David was motivated by a sincere hatred of the wickedness of those that choose to turn aside from God’s commands (and embrace what is wicked is the implication). He is determined not to let such wickedness become a part of his life. He wants his life to be above reproach.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is important to note that David is declaring hatred for the sin, but not for the sinner. That is in accordance with the heart of God.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:4</b></span><b> A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked<i> person</i>. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A “froward heart” is a reference to being “distorted…false…perverse.” It is evidenced by deliberate choices to embrace what is evil with a stubborn heart and rebellious spirit. David is determined that this will never be a description of him. He is determined not to have intimate fellowship with those who have such hearts. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:5</b></span><b> Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">David is determined not to tolerate those who would secretly slander his neighbor. Only cowards and/or those with immoral motives would make such accusations. Isn’t it interesting that he connects those who slander with those who are proud and arrogant? He is determined not to tolerate such people in his administration. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:6</b></span><b> Mine eyes<i> shall be</i> upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">David desires that his kingdom be enjoyed by those who are faithful to God and whose hearts are morally pure, honest and without deceit. He expects those who serve to do so with sincerity and integrity (as discussed in verse 2 above).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:7</b></span><b> He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Psalms 101:8</b></span><b> I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">David is determined that the wicked and deceitful not be allowed to serve in the palace; those who are liars will not be tolerated. His determination is to rid Israel of those who have rejected serving God and chosen to live in sin and rebellion against Him. He wants Jerusalem to be a city of the faithful and obedient who accept God as LORD. I think this is basically a statement of committing to dispense righteous judgment as king.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though David would prove to fall short in light of these commitments, he always responded with a heart of repentance and renewed obedience while maintaining his faith in his LORD. He was privileged to be identified in scripture as a “man after God’s own heart.”</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Acts 13:22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I looked back over this psalm, I thought how wonderful it would be if our government in America operated with these guidelines.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To act with wisdom and integrity</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To hate what is evil and wicked according to God’s word</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To limit service to those of moral character according to God’s word</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To be intolerant of slander </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To disqualify for service those who lie or are deceitful</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>To judge with righteous judgment according to the principles of God’s word</span></li></ul>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am convinced this will never be the norm until the LORD Jesus returns to establish His kingdom. COME LORD JESUS!</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-30887460680782126642022-12-13T14:25:00.000-05:002022-12-13T14:25:55.646-05:00A REASON TO CELEBRATE!<p> </p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Man was hopeless, lost in sin;</span></b></p><p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">But then the love of God stepped in.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">He sent His Son, a tiny babe,</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">To conquer sin and make a way.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">From babe to child to perfect man</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fulfilling God’s eternal plan.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">He made the choice to give His life</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Become the Father’s sacrifice.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">He healed the sick and raised the dead;</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet on the cross His blood was shed.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">He shared the truth, God’s will proclaimed;</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet at His death was mocked and shamed.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The thief cried out, “Remember me.”</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ said, “Today, with me you’ll be.”</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">“It is finished” was His cry, </span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">And giving up the ghost He died.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">For three days in the tomb He lay,</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Then rose victorious from the grave.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The gift of life is ours to take</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">If we but turn to Him in faith.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">So joyfully celebrate His birth,</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">His willingness to live on earth.</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">To pay the price that we might be</span></b></p>
<p style="color: #996700; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">With Him throughout eternity!</span></b></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-5013020324990801882022-11-24T07:31:00.003-05:002022-11-24T07:45:44.203-05:00A VERSE OF THANKSGIVING<p><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My God is great in goodness and grace</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Abundant in love and compassion</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">How can I do less than to give Him my all</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To serve Him in truth—word and action.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May my lips overflow with the praise He deserves</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May my works be a light to His glory</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I seek to tell others the wonderful news</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of His gift and the great gospel story.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May the joy of the LORD be the shine on my face</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I count every blessing that’s mine</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Redeemed and forgiven, a child of the King,</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A future with Him for all time.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-20242948666512032712022-07-26T14:54:00.000-04:002022-07-26T14:54:22.348-04:00A CALL FOR PROFESSING CHRISTIANS TO EXAMINE YOURSELF<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: Palatino;">Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These verses speak to a very important truth, a sad truth. There are those that “think” they are saved, but they are not. Some will even claim to have done amazing works in the name of the LORD, but they have actually been serving self in the process. One who has made a true profession of faith has humbled self and accepted Jesus as his LORD and Savior.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who accept Jesus as LORD will strive to do the things that please Him according to His will as revealed in the scripture because they love Him and are thankful for the sacrifice He made to provide for their salvation.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me….”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How are we to love the LORD Jesus? With our whole being. He is to be the primary focus of all we do and say. Our love for Him should affect every choice we make. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul encouraged us to examine ourselves to determine whether our actions prove our faith. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You must know that you cannot endorse most of what our culture today promotes as acceptable and good and be a true follower of Jesus because it goes directly against His word and His will. I urge you to examine yourself and make sure you have a future home in the presence of God. </span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-73269609417220280352022-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:002022-07-25T12:45:55.058-04:00A Commentary on Today<p> I just want to give a big Amen! to Jonathan Brentner’s article found on <a href="https://harbingersdaily.com/a-vast-disconnect-with-reality-has-invaded-our-culture-and-churches/" target="_blank">Harbinger’s Daily</a>.</p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-54209220600472435222022-06-01T15:07:00.000-04:002022-06-01T15:07:02.822-04:00THE RISE OF SATAN'S KINGDOM<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The signs are all around us</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It cannot be denied</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our LORD is coming very soon</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To carry off His bride.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Evil forces are advancing</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just as He foretold</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pushing their agenda </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Through actions strong and bold.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Manipulating science</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With schemes that they devise</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inciting fear and violence</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To propagate their lies.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those that stand against them</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are vilified and mocked</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And all attempts to share the truth</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aggressively are blocked.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These self-appointed leaders</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Declare they know what’s best</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To ensure a better future</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And bring the planet rest.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The nations must surrender</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One government must reign</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To ensure peace and equity</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At least—That’s what they claim.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But those familiar with God’s word</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Know this is Satan’s plan</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Establishing his throne on earth</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The world at his command.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our LORD is ever in control</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He’s not a bit surprised</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For through the prophets long ago</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He told of Satan’s rise.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The time allotted for his reign</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is short—God’s word is clear</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The LORD will then return as King</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s oh so very near.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So servants of the LORD take heart</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Find strength and power in faith</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Share the truth of His great love</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With urgency and grace.</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-71330723500505222902022-04-20T15:02:00.000-04:002022-04-20T15:02:31.394-04:00Random Notes for Meditation to Encourage and Convict<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Interesting note from Wiersbe: “‘Conscience’ is one of Paul’s favorite words….The word means ‘to know with, to know together.’ Conscience is the inner judge or witness that approves when we do right and disapproves when we do wrong (Rom. 2:15). Conscience does not set the standard; it only applies the standard. Conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light. God’s law is the light, and the cleaner the window is, the more the light shines in. As the window gets dirty, the light gets dimmer, and finally the light becomes darkness.”</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>1Chronicles 16:36</b></span><b> Blessed<i> be</i> the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever.</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Again, David reiterates that the LORD God of Israel is to be adored (from the Hebrew for <i>blessed</i>) forever. What does it mean to adore the LORD? Webster tells us that it is to “worship with profound reverence…to honor as deity….to love in the highest degree….” Thought: Does my life reflect my adoration for the LORD?</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I really liked this application from Meyer as quoted by Guzik: “The point to remember is that our enemies may shut us in on all sides, preventing reinforcements from north, south, east, and west; but no earthly power can ever shut off God from above us. . . . The way upwards is always kept clear; the ladder which links the beleaguered soul with God and heaven can never be blocked, except by transgression and sin.”</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>2Chronicles 29:1-2</b></span><b> Hezekiah began to reign<i> when he was</i> five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name<i> was</i> Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did<i> that which was</i> right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hezekiah was a good king that did what was right “in the sight of the LORD” in accordance with how King David had lived.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This phrase—in the sight of the LORD—appears many times as we read the historian’s record of Judah’s kings. I think it is an important truth that not many Christians focus on. God sees everything we do and say. There is nothing we can hide from Him. If we would but focus on that truth, I believe it would certainly have more impact on our actions and our speech.</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-30448604435109307672022-03-30T16:37:00.000-04:002022-03-30T16:37:13.382-04:00An Encouraging Word from Isaiah About Our Future<p><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: large;">Isaiah has words of encouragement as we await the LORD's return and navigate these difficult times during which the forces of evil are growing in power.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><b>Isaiah 64:4</b></span><b style="font-family: Palatino;"> "For since the beginning of the world<i> men</i> have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, <i>what</i> he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most often I have heard this verse used in reference to what is in store for us in heaven, and I am sure that is a valid statement. In context, however, the prophet is speaking of the conditions on planet earth that will accompany the return of the Messiah as King.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul quotes this verse in 1Corinthians.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>1Corinthians 2:9</i><i> "But as it is written, 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."</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">An excerpt from that journal might be appropriate here.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice that as Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah, he changes the word “waiteth” to “love.” That tells me that the two are interconnected since the same Holy Spirit breathed the words to both men. Love involves waiting and endurance. The root word for <i>waiteth</i> includes the idea of carving and entrenchment. That seems to be referencing a strong commitment, fortifying oneself to stay the course no matter what. This ties in with the truth of love presented in <i>1Corinthians 13:4—Charity suffereth long….</i> The words <i>charity</i> and <i>love</i> are the same in the Greek—agape/agapao. It takes unconditional love, a love of choice, to patiently endure even when the going gets really tough and we don’t understand why God is allowing certain things to happen in our life.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hebrew for <i>heard</i> states “to hear intelligently, understand.” “Perceived by the ear” is a reference only to listening. Every teacher knows that a student can hear without understanding. The point seems to be that only God knows what He has prepared for those that wait on Him. Everything that God does is good; every provision He makes is abundant. Those who choose to be faithful and wait on the LORD, even when circumstances are difficult and hard to endure, will be blessed beyond imagination.</span></p><div><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-66419158771031911802022-03-14T18:57:00.002-04:002022-03-14T19:02:38.686-04:00Some thoughts on Proverbs 28:2 & 4<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Proverbs 28:2</b></span><b style="font-family: Palatino;"> ¶ For the transgression of a land many<i> are</i> the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding<i> and</i> knowledge the state<i> thereof</i> shall be prolonged.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I liked the NLT: <i>“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability.”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The people of our country (America) should take this truth to heart. I think there have always been men of both good and bad character in government leadership in our country. The difference today being that those of bad character seem to greatly outnumber the good and are stepping forth more boldly in declaration of their wicked agendas, doing all they can to destroy the moral fiber of our society. The inevitable conclusion will be the destruction of America. Only if the American people wake up and recognize that truth and actively work to turn our nation back to the principles upon which it was founded that were rooted in the word of God, do we have a hope for the future. Our only hope is in strong, godly leadership. Sadly, I believe we have passed the point of turning back. My hope is in the return of Jesus to take His children home and eventually usher in His earthly kingdom.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Proverbs 28:4</b></span><b> ¶ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.</b></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Hebrew for the word “law” is a reference to God’s law. Those who reject God’s law praise the wicked, while those that choose to obey the law oppose the wicked. </span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Again, this is blatantly on display in America today. Those that reject God and His word are blatantly passing laws and instituting practices that are in direct disobedience to God’s word. As they do so, the masses cheer them on. They are so blinded by the god of this world that they cannot reason properly. </span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Those of us that seek to honor the LORD and obey the laws and principles set forth in His word are fighting back—but I think complacency and apathy have been allowed to reign for far too long. It will take a great revival in our country to change course to honor the biblical foundation upon which this country was established.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scripture is very clear that when it comes to a choice—<i>Acts 5:29 “We ought to obey God rather than men.”</i></span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-54514880140179931422022-01-20T15:20:00.001-05:002022-01-20T15:20:16.825-05:00CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Purpose to spend time in God’s word every day!</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">The word of God will reveal His will for your life, His promises to carry you through the trials of life and how to gain victory over the temptations of the flesh and the attacks of Satan and his forces of evil.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">The following poem is on the home page of my website that contains all my personal journals on the word of God.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">GOD’S WORD</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word lights my path in the way I should go.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It comforts in pain, is a balm to the soul.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word pricks my heart as I read of the pain</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That was caused by my sin when for me you were slain.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word gives instruction for wisdom and living</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the keys for success—love, be kind, be forgiving.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word gives me hope of a life without sin</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When you come for your own, life in heaven to begin.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word is a letter preserved through the years</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To chastise, encourage and free us from fears.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your word is a storehouse of treasures galore</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If we just take the time to pray, read, and explore.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAfZhgSMsL1Y1TVCCKxJGC-6W9TkuxcE185SoMX7r6gz1jbDuuBCT1r58jpPHgeTcNsbuyfbErtfK9dWDDPZuJoONyihgUwXYnco9TWOnzoXwkyZ2VZVp5GT6hb3NBC9VeLLRUKjvmt48NBSkaHuESz5yVDlXVW5v_qPigTHPZh-REdTxNj3n7GmIJ=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAfZhgSMsL1Y1TVCCKxJGC-6W9TkuxcE185SoMX7r6gz1jbDuuBCT1r58jpPHgeTcNsbuyfbErtfK9dWDDPZuJoONyihgUwXYnco9TWOnzoXwkyZ2VZVp5GT6hb3NBC9VeLLRUKjvmt48NBSkaHuESz5yVDlXVW5v_qPigTHPZh-REdTxNj3n7GmIJ=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-35664972301267754562021-12-17T10:02:00.005-05:002021-12-17T11:37:51.505-05:00A THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS POEM<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I had posted this poem for Thanksgiving but decided to add a Christmas addendum. As we wait for Jesus to come and take us home, I think we should all be focused on honoring the LORD in all we do and say to thank Him for the priceless gift of our salvation! May you have a blessed Christmas!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My heart is filled with joy and love</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With thankfulness and praise</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For God’s great love and mercy</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Forgiveness, peace and grace!</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Help me, Lord, to honor You</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In all I do and say</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To boldly share Your truth in love</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And in Your hands be clay.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Help me imitate Your Son</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Submissive to Your will</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Serving without thought to self</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Your plan for me fulfill.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Help me to reflect Your heart</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And with You, Lord, to grieve</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For those enslaved and bound by sin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Refusing Your Son to receive.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Help me, Lord, to hear Your voice</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And quickly to obey.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">May others look at me and see</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Your love ever on display.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christmas addendum…</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Help me, Lord, to share the news</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of Jesus and the cross</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of His great love and sacrifice</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A gift to all the lost</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To those who place their faith in Him</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The power to conquer sin</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And a home with Him in heaven</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With joy that never ends.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdg1jStGaRBJ0e08YfKjjF4LvkNmr48uKyxfYqxrrdl3gkq6T7hShlEHNtKubxeF5-FSnM6OEOretUVIEg3ywTP6ptakoD-fmgWlpNadCbSoDsYIyHXhswRu7GgLCCU4TjtH-ELLIAVLYR07rPEHdLAXLCrG50YeYTCIbjYmKqaPDeoddThtGhMXg2=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdg1jStGaRBJ0e08YfKjjF4LvkNmr48uKyxfYqxrrdl3gkq6T7hShlEHNtKubxeF5-FSnM6OEOretUVIEg3ywTP6ptakoD-fmgWlpNadCbSoDsYIyHXhswRu7GgLCCU4TjtH-ELLIAVLYR07rPEHdLAXLCrG50YeYTCIbjYmKqaPDeoddThtGhMXg2=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><p></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-55669887390473474652021-12-09T14:47:00.000-05:002021-12-09T14:47:22.652-05:00CLARIFYING THE END TIME SCENARIO AS I SEE IT<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I have listened to and read a great many teachings concerning end times, the rapture and the return of Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">In that process, I have noticed that so many teachers use the same terminology but with different meanings.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">This makes it difficult to compare apples to apples so to speak when seeking the truth.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I am no scholar, but I do believe that prayerful study has given me an understanding to this point that makes the prophetic puzzle pieces fit without trying to force them.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">The purpose of this blog is to share with you accordingly.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I continue to seek God’s truth and will not hesitate to change my view if presented with biblical evidence that refutes and corrects it.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think there are many that are close-minded to considering the possibility that they may be wrong in any of the conclusions they have made in this area of study. I think much of this resistance is a result of pride. I pray I never fall into that trap. My goal is to understand the truth of God’s word to the best of my ability as a Berean, those who searched the word daily seeking the truth.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Acts 17:10–11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, </i><b><i>and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so</i></b><i>.”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This blog is not meant to be a comprehensive study; verse-by-verse book studies can be found at my website. I will just be addressing those issues that resulted in changes in my understanding of this area of study.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Following is clarification of the terminology I will use:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">70th week of Daniel = 7-year tribulation; “tribulation” for short</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Great tribulation = last 3.5 years of 7-year tribulation</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The tribulation is directed toward the Jewish people.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The “day of the Lord” (aka the wrath of God) is directed toward the enemies of God throughout the world, toward unbelievers. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The “tribulation” and the “day of the Lord” are not interchangeable terms.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The “tribulation” and the “day of the Lord” are largely concurrent.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The “rapture” is when Jesus takes believers (both dead and alive) home to heaven to dwell with Him before God’s wrath.</span></li></ul>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The rapture is clearly identified in the following scriptures:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 14:2–3 “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.</span></i></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">”1 Corinthians 15:51–53 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”</span></i></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “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.”</span></i></li></ul>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Following are some verses that clarify that believers are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath; it is directed toward unbelievers.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Thessalonians 1:10 “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”</span></i></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”</span></i></li>
<li style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Revelation 3:10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”</span></i></li></ul>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Regarding the book of Revelation, I believe that the book flows in a natural chronological order while including some explanatory sections that are necessary to understanding what follows. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the first problems I encountered when first going through Revelation verse-by-verse on my own was chapter 4, the first explanatory section (including chapter 5) that sets the stage for the opening of the 7-sealed scroll. I had always been taught that when John is caught up to heaven at the beginning of that chapter, it represented the rapture of believers. The first thing that stood out to me was that Jesus was not present. John 14 specifically tells us that when Jesus comes to receive us to Himself, we will be with Him. Paul confirms that truth in his first letter to the Thessalonians (as shown above). Other verses are very specific in stating that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father; He was not there.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus appears in chapter 5 as the Lamb that was victorious over sin and the grave. It is then that He is privileged to take the 7-sealed scroll from God the Father.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We must keep in mind that heaven’s perspective of time is very different from earth’s perspective.<i> 2 Peter 3:8 “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.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The signs that Jesus identifies as birth pains in Matthew 24 mirror the first five seals of Revelation 6, and I think their connection is too strong to be ignored. These signs are not part of the tribulation period; they precede the <i>tribulation</i> as previously defined. I believe Jesus has opened these seals as evidenced in history since His return to heaven. I do not claim to know the earthly timeframe of the opening of each seal, but their impact is evident and ongoing in our world today. Just as birth pains increase in frequency and intensity before a woman gives birth, the signs that are evident today are increasing in frequency and intensity throughout the world today.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Regarding the martyrs that are referenced in the opening of the fifth seal, it makes sense (to me) that this is a reference to all the martyrs of the church age, an age that will end with the rapture. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Christians are promised deliverance from God’s wrath. This does not negated the fact that Christians have and will suffer tribulation and persecution as declared by Jesus and recorded by John until Jesus comes to take them home in the event called the rapture.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>John 16:33 “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</i>.” (The Greek for the word “tribulation” includes persecution.)</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is the opening of the sixth seal that identifies the beginning of God’s wrath (called “the wrath of the Lamb” in obvious reference to Jesus who is God in flesh).</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Revelation 6:16–17 “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?”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is at this point that we can say with certainty that the rapture has previously occurred or is occurring in conjunction with the opening of the sixth seal. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The LORD never leaves Himself without a witness on earth, so it is natural that the 144,000 witnesses are sealed at the beginning of chapter 7. Note that since the 70th week is directed toward the Jewish people, these witnesses are from twelve tribes of Israel. It also explains the reference to the great multitude of believers before the throne of God “which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues”—an obvious (to me) definition of the body of believers that have been raptured and delivered from God’s wrath.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe this sets the stage for the emergence and identity of the Antichrist through the signing of the 7-year covenant with Israel.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is clear in stating that the Antichrist will not be revealed until the Holy Spirit is “taken out of the way” and is no longer serving as a restraining power of evil. The Holy Spirit cannot be taken out of the way without taking believers out of the way since He indwells every believer.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, </i><b><i>until he be taken out of the way.</i></b><i> And THEN shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” </i>The word “letteth” is a reference to “holding down, retaining, withholding.” </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My conclusion, based on the above, is that the time of God’s wrath begins before the start of the tribulation which begins when the Antichrist signs the 7-year covenant with Israel. This is as foretold by Daniel.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Daniel 9:26–27 “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of </i><b><i>the prince that shall come</i></b><i> shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And </i><b><i>he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:</i></b><i> and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is detailed in Revelation 11 that the two witnesses (I believe to be Elijah and Moses) will be on the scene for 1260 days before “the beast” is allowed to kill them. I believe this indicates that they will be serving during the first half of the seven years before Satan indwells the Antichrist and is given full reign for the last 3.5 years. However, we know that the world will witness their resurrection 3.5 days later.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Revelation 11:8–12 “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of </i><b><i>the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half</i></b><i>, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And </i><b><i>after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; </i></b><i>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; </i><b><i>and their enemies beheld them</i></b><i>.”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Satan, identified as the Dragon, is thrown out of heaven in chapter 12 and emerges on the scene in chapter 13 as the power behind the beast that rises from the sea, the Antichrist. As stated above, he will rule without restraint for 3.5 years, the time known as “the great tribulation.”</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Revelation 13:5 “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Matthew 24:15–21 “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 shall be </i><b><i>great tribulation</i></b><i>, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is during this last 3.5 years that the Antichrist will desecrate the temple by going there to declare himself to be God (as referenced in the above scripture) and will implement the mark of the beast that will be required for anyone to buy or sell.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 “…and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Revelation 13:16–17 “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.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will have to admit that I did not expect to witness the foreshadowing of the mark of the beast before the rapture. However, my expectations have no bearing on the truth. Wrong expectations can lead to all kinds of problems if we allow them to. I am not sitting around worrying about what is going to happen next. I know that my LORD is in control and that everything is going to unfold according to His plan. Maybe the Holy Spirit will reveal yet more to give me better understanding if I keep an open heart to listen as I continue to study God’s word…and maybe not. I just KNOW that the signs around me are shouting that Jesus is returning very soon—and I can’t wait!</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I pray that you have accepted the gift of salvation that the LORD so freely offers and are ready for His return. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Come, LORD Jesus!</span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-45199283669073503392021-11-09T12:51:00.002-05:002021-11-09T12:51:49.149-05:00SOME THOUGHTS FROM TOZER’S “PURSUIT OF GOD”<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">“Lord, teach me to listen.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, ‘Speak, for thy servant heareth.’ </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice.”</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pays no attention to itself at all. While we are looking at God, we do not see ourselves—blessed riddance.”</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We are right when and only when we stand in a right position relative to God, and we are wrong so far and so long as we stand in any other position.”</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jesus never uttered opinions. He never guessed; He knew, and He knows.”</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort….He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring.”</span></p><div><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-42466418256102379192021-10-11T09:00:00.001-04:002021-10-11T09:00:00.236-04:00 INSIGHT FROM THE PROPHET JEREMIAH<p><b style="font-family: Palatino;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 6:13 ““Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone <i>is</i> given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.”</span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 9:6 “Your dwelling place <i>is</i> in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” says the LORD.”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the main reasons that God judged the nation of Israel and sent them into captivity in Babylon was because they had followed the direction of their deceitful leaders. Even worse, this deceit was being perpetrated by those that were supposed to represent God to the people. I am afraid that is true in so much of what is called Christendom throughout the world today. And it is surely true of the leaders of governments throughout the world—leaders who are themselves deceived by the great deceiver, the father of lies, Satan himself. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>John 8:42–45 “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. </i><b><i>Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.</i></b><i> He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: </i><b><i>for he is a liar, and the father of it</i></b><i>. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that evil men with the intent to seduce people with their lies and deceit would become more and more prevalent in the last days before the return of Jesus—and that is certainly evident in our world today.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Timothy 3:1 & 13 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come….But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah points out that the LORD had faithfully tried to get His people’s attention with judgments that should have caused them to grieve and change their ways. It didn’t work because the people had hard hearts and refused to respond in repentance and faith. I believe that the same can be said today—especially in America.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 5:3 “O LORD, <i>are</i> not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, But they have not grieved; You have consumed them, But they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to return.”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah also revealed God’s desire to relent from judgment against a nation if they would just turn from their evil ways. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 18:7–10 “The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy <i>it,</i> if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant <i>it,</i> if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah also warns, however, that there comes a point in time at which judgment becomes certain, and God will not even acknowledge prayers made on behalf of a nation.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 7:16 “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 11:14 “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 14:11–12 “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Do not pray for this people, for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.’”</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That is a very scary thought. We are to keep on praying for God to soften hearts and bring people to repentance because we do not have specific instructions from God not to pray. These verses point out, however, that there comes a time when God will no longer honor such prayers. The people’s hearts are so hard that God will no longer delay judgment.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I look on with both grief and joy as I witness all that is occurring in our world today, especially in my nation. I grieve over the growing influence and control of the forces of evil, yet rejoice that the signs according to scripture declare that Jesus is coming soon to take His family home to heaven. There are still many of my friends and loved ones that need to come to saving faith in the Savior, and I don’t want one of them to miss out on the blessings of salvation. Yes, I am eager for the LORD’s return; but I know that His timing will be perfect and that every day He delays is because He doesn’t want anyone to perish and miss out on those blessings either.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you do not truly know my Savior, I pray that you will ask Him to forgive you of your sins and accept His gift of salvation today. Secure life in the presence of the LORD forever!</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Luke 24:46–47 “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Isaiah 55:6–7 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><i></i><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-6354815376306479112021-09-29T14:41:00.000-04:002021-09-29T14:41:00.254-04:00A WORD OF EXHORTATION<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I just finished reading C. S. Lewis’ space trilogy and was amazed at how pertinent it is to the times in which we live—times that are growing spiritually darker by the day.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">From a selfish perspective, it’s hard to be patient and wait for the LORD to come and take us home.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">need to take our focus off of self and keep it on the LORD.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">We need to look at this world through His eyes and grieve over the millions that have rejected His gift of salvation.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">Peter gives us God’s perspective, the perspective that we should all embrace as we wait for His return.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Peter 3:9 “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.”</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With that in mind, we should be doing everything we can to spread the good news of salvation and to encourage one another to grow in faith and obedience through spending time in God’s word and in prayer. We also need to hang on to the precious promises in scripture such as the words of Jesus as recorded by John.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">John 16:33 “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.”</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are going to face hard times in this world, and those times will become ever more difficult as His return nears. However, we know the outcome of the war against the forces of good and evil, against God and His armies and Satan and his armies. The LORD Jesus will one day in the not too distant future establish His throne as King of kings in Jerusalem to rule the world. The forces of evil will no longer be allowed to exert their influence as He rules with a rod of iron in righteousness.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, dear brothers and sisters in Jesus, keep your mind fixed on Jesus and trust Him completely. The LORD is in control and nothing will touch His children that He does not turn to good! </span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-CEtTtEy0k/YVSyUfr9VDI/AAAAAAAAJvE/uQOS9SWjGFo8K10O7_e4_0ngi74VVMCYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/2Peter3.9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-CEtTtEy0k/YVSyUfr9VDI/AAAAAAAAJvE/uQOS9SWjGFo8K10O7_e4_0ngi74VVMCYACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/2Peter3.9.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za8j-jJ0ozY/YVSyUlRYkWI/AAAAAAAAJvI/1VCjNHooiywUDSMSFpuZlRf_HS-S8KJVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1495/John%2B16.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1495" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za8j-jJ0ozY/YVSyUlRYkWI/AAAAAAAAJvI/1VCjNHooiywUDSMSFpuZlRf_HS-S8KJVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h270/John%2B16.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nls278jpsxE/YVSyUuWFEDI/AAAAAAAAJvM/t0HIgXjw58cetE4g5nWiW0oHi8d6sxjFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Romans%2B8.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nls278jpsxE/YVSyUuWFEDI/AAAAAAAAJvM/t0HIgXjw58cetE4g5nWiW0oHi8d6sxjFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Romans%2B8.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-32414691930682191752021-08-29T14:22:00.000-04:002021-08-29T14:22:57.483-04:00WHAT DO WE AS CHRISTIANS OWE GOD?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The verses below answer the question in the title above. Our salvation was bought at the greatest cost possible to God the Father--the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. In light of that truth, we owe Him more than we can ever repay. At the very least, we should love the LORD with all of our being and strength!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j2cusF4fv4/YSvNLdiSI7I/AAAAAAAAJlY/xtSa5_cw6rc1H-ViMC6FdzVGmKoHyP6bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/1Cor%2B6.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j2cusF4fv4/YSvNLdiSI7I/AAAAAAAAJlY/xtSa5_cw6rc1H-ViMC6FdzVGmKoHyP6bwCLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/1Cor%2B6.20.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_C9cEUnMqA/YSvNL10XIEI/AAAAAAAAJlc/K_mkVPXAHM0SqtQDuHKbwIeHVSWIcDxXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Deut%2B6.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_C9cEUnMqA/YSvNL10XIEI/AAAAAAAAJlc/K_mkVPXAHM0SqtQDuHKbwIeHVSWIcDxXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Deut%2B6.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249955208567349034.post-70496594989898584732021-08-01T07:41:00.001-04:002021-08-01T07:41:10.288-04:00THE RAPTURE, THE ANTICHRIST, THE DAY OF THE LORD<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I think I must preface this post by stating that I believe the first five seals of Revelation 6 have already been opened.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">The first four seals mirror the signs identified as birth pains in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 and Mark 13).</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">I do not intend to expound on that belief at this time, but it may affect the language I use considering the predominant pretribulational teaching.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">(Detailed explanation of my understanding can be found at my website in my journal on Revelation.)</span><span style="font-family: Palatino;"> </span><span style="font-family: Palatino;">My purpose for this study is clarifying the order of events concerning the rapture, the day of the LORD and the revealing of the Antichrist.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Rapture = When Jesus gathers believers to Himself and transforms us to immortal incorruptible bodies.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the day of the LORD = The appointed time that God will pour out His wrath and exact His vengeance on all that is wicked and evil on planet earth.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the Antichrist = The man of sin that Satan will use and eventually indwell to establish his throne of power over the whole of planet earth—a time limited by God to the last 3.5 years before Jesus comes to establish Himself on the throne of David as King. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I must also clarify that I believe “the day of the LORD” (the wrath of God) and the seven years that we commonly refer to as “the tribulation” (aka the time of Jacob’s trouble and the 70th week of Daniel) are two separate but predominantly concurrent events with specific purposes. As stated before, I believe “the day of the LORD” is the designated time that God will exact His wrath on all that is wicked and evil on planet earth. The “tribulation” is the last seven years before Jesus returns as King, and the signing of the covenant as foretold in Daniel 9:27 marks its beginning. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Daniel 9:26–27 “…and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary….And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week….”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This seven-year period is directed toward the people of Israel as a refining fire to produce a purified remnant of believers that accept Jesus as the Messiah and through whom the LORD will fulfill His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David concerning possession of the Promised Land and the Davidic dynasty. Jesus described the last 3.5 years of the seven as “great tribulation,” a time worse than any other the world has or will experience.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 24:21–22 “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.”</span></i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I do want to clarify that I am seeking to understand the truth of scripture and use many teachers and resources in the process. I believe that God will hold me accountable for what I share with others. I am not seeking to please anyone but the LORD and only want to ensure to the best of my ability that I am sharing truth. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that </i><b><i>the day of Christ</i></b><i> is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for </i><b><i>that day</i></b><i> shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition….”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a teacher I listen to that uses this scripture to teach that believers will know who the Antichrist is. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I read these verses, I understand that two things must happen before “the day of the Lord” (the time of God’s wrath) begins— 1) “our gathering together unto Him” (the Rapture) and 2) the man of sin must be revealed.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Revelation 6:17 identifies the opening of the sixth seal as the beginning of the “wrath of the Lamb” (the day of the Lord). </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Revelation 6:16–17 “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from </i><b><i>the wrath of the Lamb</i></b><i>: For </i><b><i>the great day of his wrath is come;</i></b><i> and who shall be able to stand?”</i></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scripture is very clear that the believer will not suffer God’s wrath; therefore, the rapture <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must</span> precede the sixth seal or occur concurrent to it. As far as I can see based on all my studies, the first thing that identifies the Antichrist will be the signing of the covenant referenced in Daniel 9:27. Taken in conjunction with verse 3 of 2Thessalonians, I must conclude that the signing of the covenant also occurs before the sixth seal. </span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If we stopped here, I can see the possible basis of this man’s teaching. However, Paul goes on to tell us more.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>2 Thessalonians 2:6–9 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And </i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>then</i></span><i> shall that 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….””</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Greek for the word <i>withholdeth </i>states “to hold down…retain.” The same Greek word is translated<i> letteth</i> in verse 7. In other words, there is a force in the form of a being that is “holding down” or preventing the revealing of the Antichrist. That being has to be stronger than Satan, the power behind the Antichrist. I believe the only possible conclusion is that this is a reference to the Holy Spirit—who is now indwelling the body of believers. Only after the Holy Spirit is “taken out of the way” will the Antichrist be revealed. For the Holy Spirit to be taken out of the way, the body of believers must be taken out of the way. That will happen when the LORD gathers His people together in the rapture.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My conclusion of the order of events based on this passage—1) the Rapture, 2) the Antichrist is revealed by the signing of the covenant, 3) the day of the Lord, God’s wrath, begins with the opening of the sixth seal.</span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This, of course, negates the possibility of the rapture occurring in conjunction with the sixth seal as I had previously considered possible.</span></p><div><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175405891182224127noreply@blogger.com0