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Are You Ready?

The Rapture Summary

Rapture- The Only Way To Go

Revelation 5:11-13 NKJV

11  Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 
12  saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13  And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

One of the most often question that I receive is usually in reference to the Rapture. What is it, How it will happen, Where it will happen, When it will happen and so forth. While I can not speak to the "when" as no one knows the date and the hour that the Rapture will take place- I can speak to the What, Where and How aspect.


The Term

The term "Rapture" comes from a Latin word, "rapio," that means "to catch up, to snatch away, or to take out." It is, in turn, a translation of the Greek word, "harpazo."
So, "Rapture" is a Biblical word that comes right out of the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. The word is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. In the New American Standard Version, the English phrase, "caught up," is used. The same phrase is used in the King James and New International Versions.


Understanding The Rapture

The Rapture is a glorious event which God has promised to the Church. The promise is that someday very soon, at the blowing of a trumpet and the shout of an archangel, Jesus will appear in the sky and take up His Church, living and dead, to Heaven.


A Promise to the Church

The concept of the Rapture was not revealed to the Old Testament prophets because it is a promise to the New Testament Church and not to the saints of God who lived before the establishment of the Church. Jesus will return as a bridegroom for His bride, and that bride consists only of Church Age saints.

The saints of Old Testament times will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation and not at the time of the Rapture of the Church. Daniel reveals this fact in Daniel 12:1-2 where he says that the saints of that age will be resurrected at the end of the "time of distress." By these two specific Verses we can see that there is a sequential order of events that take place during the Rapture of God's people. The dead in Jesus Christ will rise first; followed by those in Christ that are alive at the time of the event and then later those that lived and died prior to Jesus Christ.


Biblical References

The first clear mention of the Rapture in Scripture is found in the words of Jesus recorded in John 14:1-4. Jesus said, "I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

The most detailed revelation of the actual events related to the Rapture is given by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. He says that when Jesus appears, the dead in Christ (Church Age saints) will be resurrected and caught up first. Then, those of us who are alive in Christ will be translated "to meet the Lord in the air."

Paul mentions the Rapture again in 1 Corinthians 15 — his famous chapter on the resurrection of the dead: "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet" (verses 51-52).

Paul's reference here to being changed is an allusion to the fact that the saints will receive glorified bodies that will be imperishable, immortal, and perfected (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-55 and Isaiah 35:5-6).


A Summary

To summarize, these passages teach that the shout of an archangel and the blowing of a trumpet will herald the sudden appearance of Jesus in the heavens (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The dead in Christ will be resurrected and rise up to meet the Lord in the sky. Then, those saints who are alive will be "caught up" to the Lord. Paul concludes his description in 1 Thessalonians 4 by encouraging his readers to "comfort one another with these words."

And truly the Rapture is a comforting thought! Consider the promises contained in the concept of the Rapture. Jesus will bring with Him the spirits of those who have died in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14). He will resurrect their bodies in a great miracle of re-creation; He will reunite their bodies with their spirits; and He will then glorify their bodies, making them immortal. And those believers who are living will not even taste death. Rather, they will be caught up to the Lord, and in transit, they will be translated from mortal to immortal.

All my life I have heard that there are two things no one can avoid: taxes and death. Well, that is not true. According to 1 Thessalonians 4, a whole generation of believers will escape death. Taxes appear to be the only inevitability!

The Timing

The most controversial aspect of the Rapture is its timing. Some place it at the end of the Tribulation, making it one and the same event as the Second Coming. Others place it in the middle of the Tribulation. Still others believe that it will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation.

The reason for these differing viewpoints is that the exact time of the Rapture is not precisely revealed in scripture. It is only inferred. There is, therefore, room for honest differences of opinion, and lines of fellowship should certainly not be drawn over differences regarding this point, even though it is an important point.


The Post-Tribulation Rapture

Those who place the timing at the end of the Tribulation usually base their argument on two parables in Matthew 13 and on the Lord's Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24.
In Matthew 24 the Lord portrays His gathering of the saints as an event that will take place "immediately after the tribulation of those days" (Matthew 24:29). This certainly sounds like a post-Tribulation Rapture. But it must be kept in mind that the book of Matthew was written to the Jews, and therefore the recording of Jesus' speech by Matthew has a distinctively Jewish flavor to it as compared to Luke's record of the same speech.

Note, for example, Matthew's references to Judea and to Jewish law regarding travel on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:15-20). These are omitted in Luke's account. Instead, Luke speaks of the saints looking up for deliverance "to escape all these things" when the end time signs "begin to take place" (Luke 21:28, 36). The saints in Matthew are instructed to flee from Judea and hide. The saints in Luke are told to look up for deliverance.

It appears, therefore, that Matthew and Luke are speaking of two different sets of saints. The saints in Matthew's account are most likely Jews who receive Jesus as their Messiah during the Tribulation. The saints in Luke are those who receive Christ before the Tribulation begins. Most of those who accept the Lord during the Tribulation will be martyred (Revelation 7:9-14). Those who live to the end will be gathered by the angels of the Lord (Matthew 24:31).

The parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30) and the parable of the dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50) can be explained in the same way. They refer to a separation of saints and sinners that will take place at the end of the Tribulation. The saints are those who receive Jesus as their Savior during the Tribulation (Gentile and Jew) and who live to the end of that awful period.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Rapture is an event that is separate and apart from the Second Coming. The two simply cannot be combined into one event.


The Mid-Tribulation Rapture

There are variations of the mid-Tribulation Rapture concept. The most common is that the Church will be taken out in the exact middle of the Tribulation, at the point in time when the Antichrist is revealed.

This concept is based upon a statement in 1 Corinthians 15:52 which says that the Rapture will occur at the blowing of "the last trumpet." This trumpet is then identified with the seventh trumpet of the trumpet judgments in the book of Revelation. Since the blowing of the seventh trumpet is recorded in Revelation 11, the mid-point of the Tribulation, the conclusion is that the Rapture must occur in the middle of the Tribulation.

But there are two problems with this interpretation. The first is that the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15 is blown for believers whereas the seven trumpets of Revelation 8, 9 and 11 are sounded for unbelievers. The Revelation trumpets have no relevance for the Church. The last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15 is a trumpet for the righteous. The last trumpet for the unrighteous is the one described in Revelation 11.

Another problem with this interpretation is that the passage in Revelation 11 that portrays the sounding of the seventh trumpet is a "flash forward" to the end of the Tribulation. Flash forwards are very common in the book of Revelation. They occur after something terrible is described in order to assure the reader that everything is going to turn out all right when Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation.

Thus, the eighth and ninth chapters of Revelation, which describe the horrors of the trumpet judgments, are followed immediately by a flash forward in chapter 10 that pictures the return of Jesus in victory at the end of the Tribulation. The mid-Tribulation action resumes in chapter 11 with a description of the killing of the two great prophets of God by the Antichrist. Then, to offset that terrible event, we are presented with another flash forward, beginning with verse 15. The seventh trumpet is sounded and we find ourselves propelled forward to the end of the Tribulation when "the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord."

The point is that the seventh trumpet of Revelation relates to the end of the Tribulation and not the middle. It is the same trumpet that is referred to in Matthew 24:31, the trumpet that will be blown to announce the Second Coming of Jesus. It is therefore no basis for an argument in behalf of a mid-Tribulation Rapture.


The Pre-Wrath Rapture

A variation of the mid-Tribulation Rapture is the pre-wrath Rapture concept that places the Rapture at the beginning of the last quarter of the Tribulation, about five and a half years into the Tribulation.

The argument for this view is that the Church is promised protection only from the wrath of God and not the wrath of Man or of Satan. It is then argued that only the bowl judgments in the last quarter of the Tribulation (Revelation 16) represent the wrath of God.

But the argument for this view disintegrates when you consider two facts. First, it is Jesus Himself who breaks the seals that launch each of the seal judgments recorded in Revelation 6. These judgments occur at the beginning of the Tribulation. Second, the seven angels who blow the trumpets that initiate each of the trumpet judgments are given their trumpets at the throne of God (Revelation 8:2).

All the judgments of Revelation are clearly superintended by God. That is the reason we are told in Revelation 15:1 that the bowl judgments at the end of the Tribulation will finish the wrath of God, not begin His wrath.


The Pre-Tribulation Rapture

I believe the best inference of Scripture is that the Rapture will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation. The most important reason I believe this has to do with the issue of imminence.

Over and over in Scripture we are told to watch for the appearing of the Lord. We are told "to be ready" (Matthew 24:44), "to be on the alert" (Matthew 24:42), "to be dressed in readiness" (Luke 12:35), and to "keep your lamps alight" (Luke 12:35). The clear force of these persistent warnings is that Jesus can appear at any moment.

Only the pre-Tribulation concept of the Rapture allows for the imminence of the Lord's appearing for His Church. When the Rapture is placed at any other point in time, the imminence of the Lord's appearing is destroyed because other prophetic events must happen first.

For example, if the Rapture is going to occur in mid-Tribulation, then why should I live looking for the Lord's appearing at any moment? I would be looking instead for an Israeli peace treaty, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the revelation of the Antichrist. Then and only then could the Lord appear.


Focus

This raises the issue of what we are to be looking for. Nowhere are believers told to watch for the appearance of the Antichrist. On the contrary, we are told to watch for Jesus Christ. In Titus 2:13 Paul says we are to live "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." Likewise, Peter urges us to "fix our hope completely on the grace to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13). John completes the apostolic chorus by similarly urging us to "fix our hope on Him" at His appearing (1 John 3:2-3).

Only Matthew speaks of watching for the Antichrist (Matthew 24:15), but he is speaking to the Jews living in Israel in the middle of the Tribulation when the Antichrist desecrates the rebuilt Temple.


Wrath

Another argument in behalf of a pre-Tribulation Rapture has to do with the promises of God to protect the Church from His wrath. As has already been demonstrated, the book of Revelation shows that the wrath of God will be poured out during the entire period of the Tribulation.

The Word promises over and over that the Church will be delivered from God's wrath. Romans 5:9 says that "we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him [Jesus]." 1 Thessalonians 1:10 states that we are waiting "for His Son from heaven... who will deliver us from the wrath to come." The promise is repeated in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 — "God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."


Deliverance

Some argue that God could supernaturally protect the Church during the Tribulation. Yes, He could. In fact, He promises to do just that for the 144,000 Jews who will be sealed as bond-servants at the beginning of the Tribulation (Revelation 7:1-8).
But God's promise to the Church during the Tribulation is not one of protection but one of deliverance. Jesus said we would "escape" the horrors of the Tribulation (Luke 21:3-6). Paul says Jesus is coming to "deliver" us from God's wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10).


Symbolism

There are several prophetic types that seem to affirm the concept of deliverance from Tribulation.

Take Enoch for example. He was a prophet to the Gentiles who was raptured out of the world before God poured out His wrath in the great flood of Noah's time. Enoch appears to be a type of the Gentile Church that will be taken out of the world before God pours out His wrath again. If so, then Noah and his family are a type of the Jewish remnant that will be protected through the Tribulation.

Another Old Testament symbolic type which points toward a pre-Tribulation Rapture is the experience of Lot and his family. They were delivered out of Sodom and Gomorrah before those cities were destroyed.

The Apostle Peter alludes to both of these examples in his second epistle. He states that if God spared Noah and Lot, then He surely "knows how to rescue the godly from trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment" (2 Peter 2:4-9).

Another beautiful prophetic type is to be found in the Jewish wedding traditions of Jesus' time. After the betrothal, the groom would return to his father's house to prepare a wedding chamber for his bride. He would return for his bride at an unexpected moment, so the bride had to be ready constantly. When he returned, he would take his bride back to his father's house to the chamber he had prepared. He and his bride would then be sealed in the chamber for seven days. When they emerged, a great wedding feast would be celebrated.

Likewise, Jesus has returned to Heaven to prepare a place for His bride, the Church. When He returns for His bride, He will take her to His Father's heavenly home. There He will remain with His bride for seven years (the duration of the Tribulation). The period will end with "the marriage supper of the Lamb" described in Revelation 19. Thus the seven days in the wedding chamber point prophetically to the seven years that Jesus and His bride will remain in Heaven during the Tribulation.


Revelation

Speaking of Revelation, the structure of that book also implies a pre-Tribulation Rapture in a symbolic sense.

The first three chapters focus on the Church. Chapter 4 begins with the door of Heaven opening and John being raptured from the Isle of Patmos to the throne of God in Heaven. The Church is not mentioned thereafter until Revelation 19:7-9 when it is portrayed as the "bride of Christ" in Heaven with Jesus celebrating the "marriage supper of the Lamb." At Revelation 19:11 the door of Heaven opens again, and Jesus emerges riding a white horse on His way to earth, followed by His Church (Revelation 19:14).

The rapture of the Apostle John in Revelation 4 appears to be a symbolic type of the Rapture of the Church. Note that it is initiated by the cry of a voice that sounds like the blowing of a trumpet (Revelation 4:1). Since the Tribulation does not begin until Revelation 6, the rapture of John in Revelation 4 appears to be a symbolic type that points to a pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church.

Some counter this argument by pointing out that although the Church is not mentioned in Revelation during that book's description of the Tribulation, there is constant mention of "saints" (for example, Revelation 13:7). But that term is not used in the Bible exclusively to refer to members of the Church. Daniel uses it to refer to Old Testament believers who lived long before the Church was established (Daniel 7:18). The saints referred to in the book of Revelation are most likely those people who will be saved during the Tribulation, after the Church has been taken out of the world.


Paul's Assurance

An interesting argument in behalf of the pre-Tribulation timing of the Rapture can be found in 2 Thessalonians. The church at Thessalonica was in a turmoil because someone had written them a letter under Paul's name stating that they had missed the "gathering to the Lord" and were, in fact, living in "the day of the Lord" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

Paul attempted to calm them down by reminding them of his teaching that the day of the Lord would not come until after the Antichrist is revealed. He then stated that the Antichrist would not be revealed until a restraining force "is taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7).

There has been much speculation as to the identity of this restraining force that Paul refers to. Some have identified it as the Holy Spirit. But it cannot be the Holy Spirit because there will be people saved during the Tribulation, and no one can be saved apart from the testimony of the Spirit (John 16:8-11 & 1 John 5:7).

Others have identified the restrainer as human government. It is true that government was ordained by God to restrain evil (Romans 13:1-4). But the governments of the world are in rebellion against God and His Son (Psalm 2), and they are therefore a contributor to the evil that characterizes the world. Furthermore, the Tribulation will not be characterized by a lack of government. Rather, it will feature the first true worldwide government (Revelation 13:7).

In my opinion that leaves only one other candidate for Paul's restrainer — and that is the Church. It is the Church that serves as the primary restrainer of evil in the world today as it proclaims the Gospel and stands for righteousness. When the Church fails in this mission, evil multiplies, as Paul graphically points out in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Paul says that society in the end times will be characterized by chaos and despair because "men will hold to a form of religion but will deny its power." When the Church is removed from the world, all hell will literally break loose.


Escapism?

The pre-Tribulation concept of the Rapture has often been condemned as "escapism." I think this criticism is unjustified. The Bible itself says that Christians are to "comfort one another" with the thought of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Is it a comfort to think of the Rapture occurring at the end of the world's worst period of war instead of at the beginning?

Regardless of when the Rapture actually occurs, we need to keep in mind that the Bible teaches that societal conditions are going to grow increasingly worse the closer we get to the Lord's return. That means Christians will suffer tribulation whether or not they go into the Great Tribulation. And that means all of us had better be preparing ourselves for unprecedented suffering and spiritual warfare.

If you are a Christian, you can do that on a daily basis by putting on "the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13), praying at all times in the Spirit that you will be able to stand firm against the attacks of Satan (Ephesians 6:14-18).

In closing;

I think that instead of being fearful of what lies ahead of us that we should be rejoicing. Every day that passes brings us one day closer to being taken out of this world and reunited with our Creator. Instead of worrying about the decline of the human condition in man that we should we should see it clearly as a clue that Jesus could indeed call us all Home at any moment. Go about your lives doing the things that you would normally do as the many membered body of Christ (the church)  but do it with the anticipation of an imminent Return at any moment of our Lord Jesus Christ to collect His people.

Those of you that have not yet made the decision to be part of the family of Jesus Christ need to know that you are running out of time. If you choose to not bow your knee and accept Him now; rest assured that you will bow your knee before Him later.

Romans 14:11-12 NKJV
11  For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.


Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Come Quickly; Lord Jesus!

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus Is Coming Soon! Believe It ... or ... Not


"11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the Earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13 before the LORD: for HE COMETH, for He cometh to judge the Earth: He shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with His Truth" (Psalm 96:11-13).

What can I say at this stage of turmoil and uncertainty in our country? We certainly know One Positive Thing. Jesus is coming soon! Not just that He is coming-- for that has been known for a long time in the annals of Scripture. "And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south" (Zechariah 9:14). But He is coming soon!


"I come quickly" (Revelation 3:11, 22:7; 22:12; 22:20).


How do we know that "quickly" isn't just another 2000 years? Scripture teaches us to compare current events with the signs of His Coming. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your Redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).
 
There is no "maybe soon" about it. He is coming very soon!
 
"5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 before the LORD; for He cometh to judge the Earth: with Righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity" (Psalm 98:5-9).


The theme; in case you missed it, was/is joyfulness!


All the Earth - Listen!


The darkness from sin in this world is so dense! There are evil tidings in every direction of the globe. The Good News is that Jesus is coming soon and will eventually put an end to this sickening downward pull of the Devil. Jesus said "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2Timothy 3:13).
 
In the days of C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), of the Philadelphian Church Age period in which he lived ( the Church of Philadelphia) "thou hast a little strength" [Revelation 3:8]), Pastor Spurgeon said, "Worst of all, the church, so largely apostate as it is..."  And that was more than a hundred years ago! That was Philadelphia, the Church period when the LORD said that the Church still had "a little strength"! Is it really any wonder to us today, that the Professed Church, as a whole, has no strength to it at all?
 
Of course, there are tiny pockets of exceptions. The LORD will have His "remnant." As it was in Elijah's day, "even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of Grace" (Romans 11:5). But, the Professed Church today has been swallowed up by the world. "When the Son Of Man cometh, shall He find Faith on the Earth?" (Luke 18:8).


"I looked for the Church and I found it in the world;
I looked for the world, and alas, I found it in the Church."
--Horatius Bonar


As for the world, listen. "O Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the Word of the LORD... Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute Judgment and Justice in the Earth" (Jeremiah 22:29, 23:5). And He is coming soon!

"1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the Earth.
2 Sing unto the LORD, bless His Name; show forth His Salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His Glory among the heathen, His Wonders among all people.
4 For the LORD is Great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honour and Majesty are before Him: Strength and Beauty are in His Sanctuary.
7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD Glory and Strength.
8 Give unto the LORD the Glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9 O worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness: fear before Him, all the Earth.
10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the Earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13 before the LORD: for HE COMETH, for He cometh to judge the Earth: He shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with His Truth"
(Psalm 96:1-13).


Listen, Earth, for the Voice of the LORD encircles the globe.


(Job 37:4-5)
"4 After it a Voice roareth: He thundereth with the Voice of His Excellency; and He will not stay them when His Voice is heard.
5 God thundereth marvelously with His Voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend."

(Job 40:9) "Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a Voice like Him?"

(Psalm 29:3-5)
 "3 The Voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of Glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4 The Voice of the LORD is powerful; the Voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The Voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon."

(Psalm 46:6) "The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His Voice, the Earth melted."

The Great Judge has entered His Own Holy Courtroom. "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the Judgment was set, and the Books were opened." (Daniel 7:10).


The LORD is about to pass Judgment upon a planet of sinning inhabitants. "The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of Heaven shall He thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the Earth; and He shall give strength unto His King [His Son, Jesus Christ], and exalt the horn of His Anointed" (1Samuel 2:10). "Arise, O God, judge the Earth: for Thou shalt inherit all nations" (Psalm 82:8).

The martyred in Heaven yearn for the Judgment to take place. "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O LORD, Holy and True, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth?" (Revelation 6:10).

The poor and the meek, having been trodden down by those who have no mercy, yearn for the Judgment to take place. "With Righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth: and He shall smite the Earth with the Rod of His mouth, and with the Breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked" (Isaiah 11:4).

The oppressed and the orphan, having no power of their own, yearn for the Judgment of the LORD to make haste. "To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the Earth may no more oppress" (Psalm 10:18).

The righteous and even the planet, itself, even "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). For "then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because He cometh to judge the Earth" (1Chronicles 16:33).

"Lift up Thyself, Thou Judge of the Earth: render a reward to the proud" (Psalm 94:2).

(Genesis 18:25) "That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?"

(Psalm 67:4) "O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon Earth. Selah."



We Have Waited For Him


For those of us who "have waited for Him", the LORD will not let us down. "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His Salvation" (Isaiah 25:9). Many have said things intended to work against our faith, but God's Word sustains us. "Because of His Strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my Defense" (Psalm 59:9).

"3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 and saying, Where is the Promise of His Coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from The Beginning of the Creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the Earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 but the heavens and the Earth, which are now, by the Same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men"
(2Peter 3:3-7).

Those that scoff now, if they continue in their willful ignorance, will perish later. "Evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the Earth" (Psalm 37:9).

As Christians, whether you believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture or in a Pre-Wrath Rapture, as I do, the thing of Supreme Importance is that "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1Corinthians 4:2).


Do not "strive" with each other whether the Rapture is "pre, mid, or post," or whether it might be a combination of several  for "the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient" (2Timothy 2:24).

(James 5:9) "Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the Judge standeth before the door."

(Psalm 98:9) "for He cometh to judge the Earth: with Righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with Equity."

Be ready for the LORD, "holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (1Timothy 1:19). And then, when that wonderful day of Homegoing is lighted as a beacon for us, we shall find that our LORD has come to lead us in His Glory. "1 Arise, shine; for thy Light is come, and the Glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the Earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His Glory shall be seen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1-2).

Our Precious LORD Jesus is given to us by our Great Father in Heaven that we might always stand in confidence. "Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a Chief Corner Stone, Elect, Precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded" (1Peter 2:6).


It is our duty-- even privilege-- to keep "looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith" (Hebrews 12:2). "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have Mercy upon us" (Psalm 123:2).


Jesus is The Source of Mercy, Hope, and everything pertaining to life and sustenance. (Jude 21) "Keep yourselves in the Love of God, looking for the Mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life."

(Titus 2:13) "Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

(Psalm 145:15) "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season."

Look to receive from the hand of God. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are Eternal" (2Corinthians 4:18). We have waited. He has answered-- and will answer. Even the "temporal" things, though they last "even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14), have Eternal Weight and Glory when received by Faith.. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the Coming of the LORD. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the Earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain" (James 5:7).


As we wait patiently, we should tend our earthly gardens, watching over them so as to protect the "precious fruit". "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ at His Coming?"
(1Thessalonians 2:19).


Jesus came the first time "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). As we wait for Him, let us work for Him. "Sow to yourselves in Righteousness, reap in Mercy" (Hosea 10:12). For "he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6).


What "joy" it will be to meet the LORD with others that we have brought with us. "The fruit of the righteous is a Tree of Life; and he that winneth souls is Wise" (Proverbs 11:30). Brethren, "walk in Wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time" (Colossians 4:5). Be careful to "walk in Love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet smelling Savour" (Ephesians 5:2).

"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the Coming of the LORD draweth nigh" (James 5:8).



Clothed Upon with Our House from Heaven



The LORD has provided for our temporal needs, and has never let us down. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25).


He is ALWAYS there for us. "And God is able to make all Grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good
work"  (2Corinthians 9:8).


And if we have needs-- He fills them. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). In fact, we can confidently believe that, "no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).


As the waves roll in, we are not overcome. Our foundation is sure and steadfast. We have God's "Grace" (His help) "abound" to us, "always having all sufficiency in all things." You shall have the "supply" of "your need" if the "earthly house of this tabernacle" (2Corinthians 5:1) were "clothed upon with our House which is from Heaven" (5:2), in the lesser sense of this passage. The fuller meaning of the passage refers to our Home going, either by the death of this body or by the Rapture of this body by Christ's Return in the Pre-Tribulational-- and later, again, by the Pre- Wrath-- Raptures of the Church, the Body of Christ.

"1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a Building of God, an House not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our House which is from Heaven:
3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of Life"
(2Corinthians 5:1-4).

Therefore, this life, complete with the trials, testings, and sufferings necessary to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29), still is promised by the LORD to be a life that is "perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4). Waiting on the LORD reaps the answers needed. "Wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee"  (Proverbs 20:22). But the Glory "which shall be" cannot be compared to the life "of this present time" (Romans 8:18).

"18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God...
 
22 For we know that the whole Creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it"
(Romans 8:18-19, 22-25).

And this Eternal Glory promised becomes real sight to our beings when our LORD Jesus Christ takes us Home with Him.

"1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are Above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things Above, not on things on the Earth.
3 For ye are dead [to the world], and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in Glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the Earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 for which things' sake the Wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience"
(Colossians 3:1-6).

Therefore, brethren, "what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness" (2Peter 3:11).

"12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on Charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the LORD.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the LORD.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men;
24 knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."
(Colossians 3:12-25).


Come Quickly, LORD Jesus!


Think about it. Every time you pray this plea, His Coming is ever closer. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).


Pray it!


"7 And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son Of Man cometh, shall He find Faith on the Earth?" (Luke 18:7-8).


Don't listen to the scorners, the mockers, nor even the procrastinators, who want to delay His Coming.


"48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My LORD delayeth His Coming...

50 The LORD of that servant shall come in a Day when he looketh not for Him, and in an Hour that he is not aware of,
51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth"
(Matthew 24:48,50-51).


"In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion" (Psalm 71:1).


The LORD does "tarry", but that is fulfilling His Purpose. Only when the moment is in the fulness of His Providence, only then will He come. "For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37). The LORD's Plan is perfect. His Timing is perfect. His Coming is perfect.

"For the Vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry"
(Hebrews 2:3).

They shall not be ashamed that wait for Me" (Isaiah 49:23).


That's His Promise! "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under Whose wings thou art come to trust" (Ruth 2:12).



Don't doubt it! Don't give it up! Don't turn back!


"35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the Will of God, ye might receive the Promise.
37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:1).



And, what do we do while we wait?
 

Jesus gave the Command - "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13).

"2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the Mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in Wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with Grace, seasoned with Salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:2-6).


Jesus Is Coming Soon!
 
"11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the Earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13 before the LORD: for HE COMETH, for He cometh to judge the Earth: He shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with His Truth"
(Psalm 96:11-13).

How to Be Ready for the Rapture


It is the height of conceit that we would ever think that we will make ourself ready to be raptured home to Heaven by the simple force of our will. 'O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps' (Jeremiah 10:23).


If we have learned anything about the LORD Jesus Christ, we have learned that 'not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us' (Titus 3:5). In other words, we must be trusting in His merit and not any so-called worthiness of our own for Salvation, Sanctification, and Eternity...


However, in our attempt to properly emphasize the 'Grace of God that bringeth Salvation' (Titus 2:11), we have a tendency to discount those Scriptures that make us responsible for our own readiness to meet the LORD Jesus Christ, when He returns for us in the Rapture. 'Even so Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone' (James 2:17).


It would be a grave mistake to assume that any action that we have taken in the past, will be sufficient by itself to ensure our readiness to be raptured. 'Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man' (Luke 21:36).


Rather than relying upon any metaphysical formula from men promising that God will grant us the indulgence of our sins that we are committing or will commit-- and, still rapture us home to Heaven-- we ought rather to faithfully declare our absolute necessity of a continuing and practical holiness. 'Follow Peace with all men, and Holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD' (Hebrews 12:14).



More Than One- Look for the Final One

 
The Church's uncertainty of Rapture or no Rapture-- and, if Rapture, then when-- is interesting, considering the fact that there have already been at least two Saints that have been Raptured, ( Enoch and Elijah)  and that, before the New Covenant!


'But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a Better Covenant, which was established upon Better Promises' (Hebrews 8:6)...


The possibility of More Than One Advent for the Messiah has given the Church the Doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and it has also given the Body of Christ the legitimate expectation that More Than One Rapture will yet provide for the Son a worthy inheritance... The examples of Enoch and Elijah only reinforce the concept that the LORD God has wisely seen fit to accomplish More Than One Rapture already, setting the precedent for the future. 'Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come' (1Corinthians 10:11).



A Sober Warning


"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).

The disciples were not privileged to know, then, what the Spirit has revealed, now, to the Church. 'And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this Book: for the time is at hand' (Revelation 22:10).


We have too many signs that the original disciples did not have to indicate the exact nearness of the soon coming of the LORD Jesus Christ for His Church at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture. 'Can ye not discern the signs of the times?' (Matthew 16:3).


On May 14,1948 Israel was back in the land.


On June 7,1967 Israel recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.


Both of these events are signs (Matthew 24:15 and Luke 21:24b) that we are in the Last Generation.


'And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for Your Redemption draweth nigh' (Luke 21:28).


In Closing ...


God Does Care About Sin and Righteousness in a Nation. America's churches have lost their pilgrim character. 'Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul' (1Peter 2:11).


At home in the world, is the unfortunate description of the churches of America. 'Woe to them that are at ease in Zion' (Amos 6:1). Without a clear-cut separation from sin and the world, America's churches have lost their distinctive platform to call the nation to repentance. Her ministers and leaders have brought great reproach upon the Name of God in front of the unconverted. 'Her priests have violated My Law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them' (Ezekiel 22:26)."

It is incumbent on our Church leaders today to teach us to live holy lives- to come out of the world and all of those things that it provides that hold a claim on us. To teach us how to live joyfully apart from the World while we wait on that Glorious Appearing that takes us all Home. I don't envy them this task. Yet it is one that they each assumed when they signed on to Lead the Flock. To teach us to live with the sure knowledge that Jesus could arrive at any moment. and we simply must be ready. To live in a state of readiness of His Return; while we also carry on with our day to day lives. And we as the people of the flock need to support them in this endeavor.


At least once a week I will get an email on my "Prayer hotline" that asks the question:

1. How do I live as if Jesus is going to return today and yet still carry on with my daily affairs - affairs which take me out into the World?
 

This question isn't as difficult to answer as many Leaders of the Flock today seem to want to make it. In fact it seems to me as elemental as it comes.
 
You simply live joyfully in all that you do. In the house, out of the house- live joyfully. Live with the knowledge that Jesus could very well come today (which should put a smile on your face) and then get on with your day.


Listen; unless you are fortunate enough to live completely Off of the Grid then you are going to have to come out into the World from time to time. Even if it is just to make a run to the grocery store for a carton of milk. "Living apart from the World" doesn't mean we are all suppose to give up our homes, our lives, in favor of living in a cave. It simply means that we are to steer clear of things that are not godly- not Nice - in the eyes of the Lord.


Examples if you please:


1.  Ok;  how about these movies that deal with the paranormal. Are watching "ghosts" that slingshot people around the house or move furniture from place to place edifying to your spiritual life? Then don't watch them.


2. I remember my Grams had a saying about clothing "If it's above the knees then it doesn't please" (meaning please God). Although it may be the current rage in the fashion world today- is wearing a skirt, dress or shorts cut clear up to your butt cheeks edifying to your (or anyone else) spiritual life? Then why put them on? I personally am a huge fan of capris, a cutesy shirt and sandals year round. Hardly attire that would spin heads or elicit wolf calls as I pass by. But it works for me. I feel good, I am comfortable as I go about my day, modest without looking like a Nun about to enter the convent and it edifies my spiritual life. But; that's just me. You might feel the same way in a jeans and t-shirt or a modest dress. But! for Heaven sake! If you live in a house with anyone other than just your cat - put on a bra and cover them puppies up!


3. If you are a homemaker- tackle your household tasks with JOY in your heart. Take care of your home, your family. These are the things that God has given you stewardship over- wonderful gifts of children (still living at home or grown and on their own), a roof over your head (be it a shack in the back woods or a palace on a hill), food in the pantry (rather that is a case of canned green beans or a freezer full of the best cut steaks). You have a responsibility to take care of those things that God has given you stewardship over to the best of your ability.
 
Look around you. If your domicile is an absolute train wreck (a messy household does not equal good stewardship of the Gifts God has given you), if you are serving your family frozen pizza several times a week because you are too lazy to get in there and rattle a few pots and pans on a nightly basis (this does not equal good stewardship of the resources God has given you) Get your priorities in line! If Jesus arrived on the scene right this very moment- would you be embarrassed for Him to look around? My guess it that many of you would.


4. If you are a working man or woman- out in the public day after day- do your work Joyfully. At the end of the day- leave work at work. Come home to your home and family and take care of your responsibilities there.


5. For years I was not only a career woman but I also had a husband and children. I know! how hard it can be to balance taking care of all of these responsibilities but it can be done. It's a matter of priorities and delegation of responsibilities. There is nothing wrong with asking your spouse to chip in and help out- nothing wrong with teaching your children to do various things around the house and then holding them accountable to do it. Do all things with Joy in your heart and the day will go a lot more smoothly.


* The point is that Jesus expects us to LIVE our lives Joyfully while we Wait on His Return. Those of you that spend the entire day and night reading the Bible, listening to Christian music or completing "How to be a better Christian" booklets day after day - meanwhile your house and household falls in around you - is hardly utilizing the time that God has given you wisely and certainly not using the resources that God has given you wisely. Doing all of these things IS uplifting, edifying, prudent and lovely but if the rest of your life is suffering because of it then maybe you need to take a moment to realign your activities. All of these things can still be done along with your household responsibilities IF you organize your day properly.



6. Get along with your fellow man. You don't have to think like every other Christian thinks, You don't have to live exactly like every other Christian lives, You don't even have to exactly have the same exact beliefs as every other Christian but you do have to get along with them. You have to lift them up, You have to edify them, You have to enjoy the time that you are able to fellowship with them. After all; They are waiting on the same Jesus as you are and doing the best that they can until He gets here. Be nice, Be kind, Be joy filled. When Jesus said "Love One Another" He wasn't just throwing out a suggestion. He fully expects you to follow through with this Command. So; Love Them.


Living your daily life along with expecting the Lord to Return at any moment can not only BE done but it can BE done with a joy filled heart that is expectant that should the Lord not come today then tomorrow we can start all over again. We can keep our eyes on the Sky and still keep our day to day lives running smoothly and joyfully.
 

Any questions?

Love Longing

Longing for The Lord


For many years
I have longed for a place,
safely tucked away
from the human race.

Where quiet mingles
with songs of a bird,
Where serenity
is all that is heard.

To feel the calm
that God meant us to know
To cleanse, purify,
and spiritually grow.

To be with nature
and to grow more gentle,
A spot, that with time,
becomes sentimental.

It is here that Peace on Earth
begins with me
in the hope that it will
somehow, someday be. 

And she wandered away and away,
with Nature the dear old nurse,
Who sang to her night and day,
the rhymes of the universe.

And when the way seemed long,
and her heart began to fail,
She sang a more wonderful song,
or told a more wonderful tale.

Creation to Eternity - Part V - Conclusion

God - The Book Part V. Conclusion
Creation To Eternity


The Betrayal and Crucifixion Part 1.

After supper, Jesus walked to a garden called Gethsemane for a time of prayer. His disciples followed Him to this secluded place.

After His prayer, the chief priests and captains of the temple and the elders arrived there, looking for Jesus. Judas, who had just eaten with Him, was leading the group. Judas approached Jesus, greeting Him with a
kiss of betrayal.

Suddenly, Jesus identified himself to the mob by saying, "I AM."

The crowd went backwards and fell to the ground.

After that, Jesus allowed himself to be tied up and brought into the high priest's house.

The temple officers struck the blindfolded Jesus and then said, "Prophesy you holy man. Who hit you?" The temple officers who held Jesus ridiculed Him and spit in His face. And when they had blindfolded Him, they punched Him and slapped Him on the face, and then said, "Prophesy you holy man. Who hit you?"

Early the next morning, the crowd led Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow corrupting our Jewish nation."

But after questioning Jesus, Pilate told the chief priests, the rulers and the people; "He has done nothing worthy of death. I'll just order Him to be beaten and then release Him."

But they called out all at once, saying, "Get rid of this man. Crucify Him. Crucify Him."

Pilate, wanting to satisfy the people, had Jesus brutally whipped, and then turned Him over to be crucified.

The soldiers pushed a crown of thorns onto Jesus' head, and then put a purple robe on Him. Mocking Him, and beating Him with their fists.
  
The Roman soldiers braided a mock crown of thorns, placing it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. They said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they beat Him with their fists.

Afterwards they took Jesus and led Him away, making Him carry a wooden cross up to a place called Calvary, also known as Golgotha or the place of a skull.


The Betrayal and Crucifixion Part 2


There in the same area, where many years before God had told Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son Isaac, they nailed Jesus, God's only beloved son, to the cross.

As they did this, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they are doing."

While Jesus hung between two criminals who were also being executed, soldiers took His clothes, gambling for His robe, which fulfilled the prophetic words spoken by David.

For three hours, the people watched. The rulers with them mocked Jesus, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God ."

Then a darkness came on the land which stayed for three more hours as the prophet's words were fulfilled: "The Lord laid the sins of us all on Him."

Jesus then cried out with a loud voice, saying, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?"

Jesus, knowing that everything was now accomplished, fulfilled scripture when He said, "I thirst."

The soldiers ridiculed Jesus as they offered Him vinegar by saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Jesus tasted the vinegar, then called out, "It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then He bowed His head, and let His spirit go.

As He died, the sun darkened and the earth quaked, and the thick veil of the Temple ripped down the middle.

Now when the Roman captain in charge saw what happened, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two thieves who were hanging on the crosses beside Jesus.

But when the soldiers saw that Jesus was already dead, they didn't break His legs. Instead, one of them pierced His side with a spear, allowing blood and water to pour out.

All of this happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled: "None of His bones will be broken," and "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."

Afterwards, two believers (Joseph and Nicodemus) took Jesus' body, wound it in linen grave clothes dipped in spices, and laid His body in a tomb. Then, as requested by the Jewish leaders, the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers.


Resurrection to Eternity


Now, after three days, there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from the tomb's door. In fright, the Roman soldiers trembled and then ran away. When followers of Jesus came to the tomb and saw the stone moved, they were confused.

Suddenly, two men stood by them in shining garments, saying, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen. Remember how He told you before that He must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?"

Then they remembered His words.

The same day in the evening, Jesus came to the disciples and stood among them and said, "Peace to you."

But they were terrified, thinking that they were seeing a spirit.

So He said, "Look at my hands and my feet, it is really Me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, like you see I have. Everything happened as I told you it would because all the writings that described me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, had to be fulfilled."

Then He opened their understanding, saying, "It is written in the Scriptures that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name
among all nations. And you have seen these things."

Jesus continued appearing to many people, showing them that He was alive, which gave infallible proof of His resurrection. And He instructed His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel."

At the end of forty days, Jesus announced to His disciples, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall tell others about Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth."

As they watched, Jesus was taken up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Two men in white clothing said, "Why are you standing there staring up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was just taken up into heaven, shall come back again in the same manner as you saw Him go."


Resurrection to Eternity Part 2

So the followers of Jesus went throughout the land, preaching and baptizing, telling everyone that Christ the Savior was risen from the dead. They showed in the Scriptures how by Adam came sin and death, but by Jesus Christ came forgiveness and the resurrection of the dead.

Christians, dead or alive, will one day be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
 
They told how one day all the new bodies of those who have trusted God and believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be raised from the dead and, together with those who are alive, will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

God's book also says that Heaven will open, and Jesus will return to earth as the conquering King and righteous Judge.

And the name written on his clothes will be KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And the armies which are in heaven will follow him upon white horses.

Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives (just as the prophet Zechariah said), and the mountain will divide. And Christ will reign over all the earth. But when a thousand years expire, Satan will once more go out to deceive the nations, but fire will come down from God and devour those who follow Satan.

Then finally, Satan, the deceiver, will be thrown into the lake of fire and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

And then, in front of a great white throne, the dead, both small and great, will stand before God; and who ever is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

We will all stand before God, the great white throne judgment; and who ever is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire. 

But in a new heaven and a new earth, God will be with His people. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And there shall be no night and no need for candles, nor light from the sun; because the glory of God and the lamb will be the light; and They shall reign for ever and ever.

And the Tree of Life will be there and the curse on mankind will be gone.

Jesus says, "Let those who are thirsty come. Let them freely drink the water of life. Behold, I come quickly; blessed are they who obey My words.

He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not be condemned; but is passed from death unto life."

This is God's Story for You.

This is God's Story for Them.

You know this story; have known it most all of your life. But what about those people that don't know it?

I fully admit that I am not the door to door kind of person. It's really not in my nature to go out and ring a stranger's doorbell and say: Can I share something with you? Two thumbs up for those that can but it just isn't me.

Still; opportunities come up everyday for each of us to share this Story ...  in Part or in Whole.

Facing an Non-Believer is a difficult task at best.

Coming from a scientific background and through the trials of a lifetime I have found that, at least for me, it is much easier to reach out to some people on a Scientific level than it is to try and reach them on a Religious level.

I want you to look at this Questionaire that I will be including in the final segment.

In fact I encourage you and want you! to feel completely comfortable to print it out in several copies and keep them on hand. The next time you are confronted with a Non-Believer just give it to them to look over at their leisure and reach their own conclusions.

At the very least you will be setting them up to do a little investigative work on their own. Supernaturally you are setting them up for the Holy Spirit to minister to them as they study these questions.

You may never know if you have reached them on some level- but you can take great comfort in knowing that you tried. Which is all that God really expects of us.

To know God's Story

To Believe it

To try and live a good life

To Share it with others.

It is my hope that while reading this you will have come to better understand Your place in the Kingdom of God. You are Important and You Matter greatly in the furtherment of spreading the Word of God.

Let our hearts join with the Heart of Jesus Christ that no man be left behind. That we will feel the pain that He feels when one leaves this planet unsaved.

Until we each, in our appointed time, unite with Our Saviour, I wish you a life filled with the Peace that surpasses all understanding!

Dr. Angel Koerner Ph.D