The Seals are opened. Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 3

Posted on 09/26/2012 by remso

The fifth seal is opened.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

(Revelation 6:9-10 NIV)

I want you to keep something in mind as we go ahead. Nothing is in this book we call the bible, is by accident, and this look into heaven, at this first set of martyrs is no different. Why would I be compelled to mention that? Because this insertion of slain saints between such horrors seems out-of-place.

Every previous seal has been filled with death, destruction, and deceit, and yet this seal gives us a look back into heaven at those who have been slain since some specific point-in-time. I like to think that the point is the catching away of the church. If this details a mid tribulation catching away, that of course negates the concept, pointed out in (1 Thessalonians 5:9 AMP)

For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)”.

This passage dictates that there is a wrath to come aside from mere human cruelty, and that this wrath has a specific time period, seven-years and goes by multiple names, such as: Jacob’s troubles, or the tribulation, and it has a specific purpose. Those who choose to fight with me over this premise are failing to answer a couple of questions:

If I am wrong, why a limited number of slain?
Since John got a second glimpse at the martyred, why was that number uncountable?
Why just focus on two reasons for their deaths: The Word of God, and the testimony which they held.

Let’s be honest; many Christians have died merely going about the affairs of everyday life, but nothing sets them apart as belonging to the Lord. If you think your bumper sticker on your car sets you apart as God’s then you have not been cut off on the freeway, or flipped off by the driver of a car with a “christian” symbol on their car, as I have. So clearly that is not what these people have done.

They were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Maintained through what?

If they had been part of the church that had awaited Jesus return then they would not have been here. (I suppose you figured out that my point-of-view is one of pre-tribulation rapture.) So these people now come from every walk of life, and may even include that fifty percent that Jesus described in Matthew 25.

There was something distinctly different about these people and those yet to be martyred, and yet this difference was not there just minutes before the rapture of the church. No, prior to that day they did not understand, care, or because of deception were looking for answers in things that had no meaning.

I looked up some numbers on religious populations in the United States. Mormons number about 6.1 million; Jehovah’s Witness claim numbers equaling 7.65 million, none of this accounts for the obscure religious sects, and those in traditional religion that do not pursue God in a way that maintains the oil in their lamps. When you consider that every cult is based in some form of truth (that is the general premise in deception – draw them in with some form of truth.) then every cult has enough truth to send people toward Jesus Christ. Since that rarely happens then we should understand that scripture tells us that the god of this world has blinded them.

A light bulb suddenly turned on.

Whatever twisted message they have spread will change, as will the books they have carried. I strongly suspect that in the United States the Word of God will be declared illegal and yet these new believers will carry it proudly, knowing full well that this act will take them to their deaths. What would you do with the realization that the one you rejected for years was true and now you have this one last chance to declare your newly found love for him. They will do this regardless of the cost, because of His love.

Killed, as they were.

(Revelation 6:11 KJV) And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Some have already died and more are to come. How do we justify a delineation in this time some call the great tribulation? On a personal level, how much greater does wrath have to get when it is directed at you?

Just to make a point, my Dake’s bible indicates that verse 12 of chapter 6 begins the wrath of God. I don’t see it, for wrath merely continues, and I will attempt to pursue that with the sixth seal.

They will come from every cult, religion, race and nation.

What if bible believers are right and Jesus is coming back for those who long for and await him. Then all those who practicea form of religion,having been deceived and turned against receiving the king of glory, Jesus Christ, now wake up. How that happens is not my business, but the Holy Spirit, through God’s word, tells me that it will. Falling on their knees they will ask the one they ignored for so long to forgive them, come into them, and accept them into his kingdom, which he will. Their numbers will be uncountable.

One of the fallacies about the time after the rapture, is that many believe that the Holy Spirit is taken away. What I believe we see is the power and drawing ability of the Holy Spirit as he continues to direct people to the kingdom. Who do you think it is that gives these people who never had a backbone before to now have one? Most will face horrendous tortures and death and I think they will quickly come to this understanding.

Who Are the Tribulation Saints? (raptureimminent.wordpress.com)
What is the Rapture? (prophecyfortoday.org)

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged Bible, Christ, end times, God, HolySpirit, Jesus Christ, last days, rapture, Revelation, Scripture, thoughts, Word of God | Leave a comment

The Seals are opened. Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 2

Posted on 09/21/2012 by remso

The third seal is open – Revelation 6:5

The rider on the black horse holds a pair of scales in his hand.

Revelation 6:6 ERV Then I heard something that sounded like a voice. The voice came from where the four living beings were. It said, “A quart of wheat or three quarts of barley will cost a full day’s pay. But don’t harm the supply of olive oil and wine!”

I can generalize this and say the economy suffers from total upheaval. My bible is a Dake’s, King James version, and the comments indicate that food will rise to prices 8x above whatever is normal, and that might be the tip of the iceberg. We are watching national economies collapse and a national conservative broadcaster claims that if Obama gets re-elected the economy of the United states will collapse and that there will be food riots across this nation. Why would he say that? Across the United States we have suffered horrible drought and crops that have not died are dying. This affects everyone as prices continue to rise. Several years ago we began to see gas prices hit the $4 dollar per gallon mark. Although the impact had other effects, we saw the price of food go up due to transportation costs. And yet when the price of gas dropped prices did not go back down.

I wish I could understand why God would not allow for the oil and wine to be critically affected. Around my neck of the woods we have a store called BevMo. It is primarily a large liquor store but leans toward the wine gourmet. It is fairly consistent from store-to-store, while the price of a loaf of bread is now over $4 dollars, wine is still cheap. Perhaps this too is symbolic, just as the rider is. If we had the statistics we would probably find that alcohol consumption has risen dramatically, as well as suicides.

The Fourth Seal

“The Lamb opened the fourth seal. Then I heard the voice of the fourth living being say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale-colored horse. The rider on the horse was death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth–power to kill people with the sword, by starving, by disease, and with the wild animals of the earth.”

(Revelation 6:7-8 ERV)

This is the second rider to bring death, and yet this rider is more specific in their methods and prolific.

One fourth of the “worlds” population is killed. I put the world in quotations because I cannot specifically say that will be the effect. On September 11, 2001 over 3000 people were killed, both directly and indirectly, as airplanes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York.

What is to guarantee that the quantity of people killed is not spread over a wide area? Absolutely nothing. Sure, firepower seems to be a deterrent to the law-abiding, but we are not talking about those that will follow the law, for them, this is a war, and we, those of us that claim a relationship with Jesus Christ, and the Jews are the enemy. Everyone that dies as a Muslim is merely collateral damage, and Allah will sort them out at the end. In Islam, to spill your blood, even as collateral damage, is your guarantee of a righteous reward. In Islam without the spilling of blood there is nothing that gives you a hope of an eternal future, therefore they are always striving to be more religious and righteous, and willing to kill anyone that steps outside Islam’s moral boundaries.

The world population is estimated to number 7.039 billion. That equals the death of one billion seven hundred fifty-nine million seven hundred fifty thousand people, in fairly short amount of time.

Muslim populations by percentage, around the globe.

What is the point of showing you this information? To make you aware that there is not a nation on this earth that does not have a Muslim population living.

If what we see in Revelation chapter six is reality, the killing by sword of one-fourth of the world’s population, then you can begin to see that this can take place anywhere and everywhere. As you can see the United States alone has over 4 million Muslims living in it.

If only 18% are hard liners, demanding every tenet of the Qur’an be followed precisely, then we are merely looking at about 745,000 people in the US that are willing to die as martyrs for Allah. Tell me again how it is that this nation will escape the violence that is coming?

Forget about the alleged anger over some poorly done movie, that is all just a cover for their real intent, killing anyone who stands in the way of Islam being the religion of the world and Sharia being the “law” that runs that world. If you know anything about Sharia then you understand that personal freedom has no place within it’s guidelines and women have no rights at all. Just look around you. Indonesia has been one of the main places in the world where “Christians” have been tortured and killed over the years. Now with activity levels of Muslims in the middle east taking a front seat in the worlds eyes, we seem to think that this is the only place Muslims live.

Today’s news, 9/17/12, indicated that now even Indonesia has joined in the melee attributed to a six month old movie. If you do not understand by now violence is a mandate in the Qu’ran, with statements like, hide for them in wait and kill them at every opportunity.

If there is a point, it is that Islam fits the prescription of violence that the passage call for. As of this writing, my pastor has been preaching a series on deception. As part of his message he stated, that the every human, because of his broken nature, has it in them to do evil. Only receiving a new life from within can change and snap a person out of such a nature, and you only do that by accepting Jesus Christ. In contrast with so many religions of the world, like Islam or Mormonism, you cannot work your way into the kingdom of God by your works. Salvation, and a life with him is only attainable by faith in Jesus Christ, the only one that did it right. Turn to him; call on his name and he will give you his life.

A response to my post, “A Short Course in Revelation” – part one. (omharris.com)
Islamic vs Christian Eschatology Part 3, Crucifixion/Return (lynleahz.com)
Dearborn Imam calls on U.S. to enforce Sharia blasphemy laws (iranaware.com)
Islamic vs Christian Eschatology Part 4, Jesus and the False Prophet (lynleahz.com)

Posted in End times, Hope, In Christ, Prophetic, Thoughts | Tagged Allah, Belief, Christ, Christianity, deception, end times, Faith, God, hope, Islam, Jesus, Jews, Lamb, last days, prophecy, rapture, Revelation, The Seals, thoughts, United States | 1 Comment

Posted on 09/16/2012 by remso

As James Taylor said, “keepin my eyes on the Holy Land.” The time to pray is now!

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

As The Joshua Fund’s 2012 Epicenter Conference comes to an end, evidence continues to mount that war is coming to the epicenter. More reason to pray for peace, but prepare for war.

“Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war,” reports the London Telegraph. “Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea. A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf….In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships…

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The Seals are opened – Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 1

Posted on 09/14/2012 by remso

Rev 6

After a brief introduction to the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, the only one worthy to open the seals. The opening of the seals begins.

I think this is worthy of thought.

Of all the aspects that one understands about Jesus, bringing the wrath does not seem to be one that comes to mind, and yet here he is opening the seals that bring the pain.

What comes to mind is how little understanding we have of who Jesus is. He told us plainly, the Father and I are one. As I was talking with a friend about this I mentioned that my understanding was that God would sit upon the throne at the “great white throne” and pass judgment; clearly it is Jesus that sits upon that throne.

We need to find out who he is, and the only way to do that is to spend time with him in his word.

Revelation 6, The seals are opened – with one exception.

The first seal – The rider on the White horse.

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

(Revelation 6:1-2 NIV)

As a side note: this is about the only passage that Islam will give any credence to for they believe that this speaks about their Mahdi that they have expected, much like we await the return of Jesus. Saddam Hussein believed so strongly in this that he portrayed himself as this rider on billboards across Iraq.

He carries a bow, symbolic of war, but he has no arrows. Therefore this is representative of false peace. The passage even makes that clear for us, “and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” It is not clear who gives him this crown, but throughout the Revelation we see crowns and they are all symbolic of a high degree of leadership. Do not start getting warm fuzzies over this leadership aspect, as though the man is a student of John Maxwell or Zig Ziglar.
While this may be thin on the logic side.Those of us that grew up on cowboy and Indian movies have always seen the cowboy on the white horse as being the good guy. It makes sense, for white is perceived as purity, therefore this rider comes under a false pretense.
This man is the antichrist and is empowered by Satan himself.

The second seal is opened– The rider on the red horse.

The Lamb opened the second seal. Then I heard the second living being say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a red one. The rider on the horse was given power to take away peace from the earth so that people would kill each other. He was given a big sword.

(Revelation 6:3-4 ERV)

Now we have a rider on a red horse. Just the coloration alone should be a warning, for the horse is the color of blood.

“it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace from the earth, and that they would slaughter one another, and a large sword was given to him.”

Again you should be asking who is empowering this one. We know that Satan empowers the antichrist and probably empowers this one also, but if we work on the principal that nothing is happening without God’s permission then we might conclude that God is empowering these beasts. If that is the case then they are merely acting out God’s plan and therefore bringing the judgment that God intended upon the earth.
An understanding of Islam will show you another angle on the false prophet.

Islam believes: “Jesus (Isa; Arabic: عيسى‎ ʿĪsā) is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Masih (Messiah) who was sent to guide the Children of Israel (banī isrā’īl) with a new scripture, the Injīl or Gospel.[1] The belief in Jesus (and all other messengers of God) is required in Islam, and a requirement of being a Muslim. The Quran mentions Jesus twenty-five times, more often, by name, than Muhammad, four times.[2][3] It states that Jesus was born to Mary (Arabic: Maryam) as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God (Arabic: Allah). To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles (such as healing the blind, bringing dead people back to life, etc.), all by the permission of God rather than of his own power. According to the popular opinion and Muslim traditions, Jesus was not crucified but instead, he was raised up by God unto the heavens. This “raising” is understood to mean through bodily ascension.

Many Muslims believe that Jesus will return to earth near the Day of Judgment to restore justice and to defeat Masih ad-Dajjal (“the false messiah”, also known as the Antichrist).[4][5]

Like all prophets in Islam, Jesus is considered to have been a Muslim (i.e., one who submits to the will of God), as he preached that his followers should adopt the “straight path” as commanded by God. Islam rejects the Trinitarian Christian view that Jesus was God incarnate or the son of God, that he was ever crucified or resurrected, or that he ever atoned for the sins of mankind. The Quran says that Jesus himself never claimed any of these things, and it furthermore indicates that Jesus will deny having ever claimed divinity at the Last Judgment, and God will vindicate him.[6] The Quran emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human being who, like all other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God’s message. Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with God (shirk), emphasizing a strict notion of monotheism (tawhīd).” From Wikipedia

Having an understanding of the above information leads me to believe that the rider on the red horse is the false prophet. He comes as the enforcer of Islam and he will demand that all non-Muslims convert or die, he is the one that makes the image to speak, he is a Jew of Aaronic lineage and therefore entitled to be a high priest, and, as stated, he can do amazing signs, such as causing it to rain. (This will be important as the two witnesses will have caused it not to rain.)

“That they should kill one another”

Who is the “they”?

A broad spectrum answer might be people in general. If that is the case then there will be bloodshed in the streets on a global basis. The United States is preparing for major rioting in this nation. The street gangs are aware of the issues with the police forces and their excessive violence and they are taking advantage of it. The stripping of police authority has emboldened them and they are preparing for a war of their own.
If we focus on a more specific level I believe we could be looking at the impact that Islam will have upon the world. Even within Islam there are multiple sects and they fight between themselves for power on a continuing basis. What we saw in the early days of the Iraq war was Shiite’s and Sunni’s vying for power, blowing each other up. They cannot agree on most line items. They have one foundational teaching the Koran and it prescribes a unified killing of those outside the faith. This term Jihad that we have come to hear often, is a call to war, by deception or violence, against those outside the faith, especially against Jews and Christians.

Posted in End times, Our being caught up, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged Belief, Bible, Book of Revelation, Christ, Christianity, deception, future, God, hope, Islam, Jesus, Lamb, rapture, Revelation, Saddam Hussein, Satan, Second Coming Christ, thoughts | Leave a comment

STATE OF THE EPICENTER, 2012: “A great darkness is descending on the people of the Middle East. War is coming.” « Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

Posted on 09/13/2012 by remso

A re-post from Joel C. Rosenberg’s blog.

It is getting worse. The time for the watchmen upon the wall to arise is now!

STATE OF THE EPICENTER, 2012: “A great darkness is descending on the people of the Middle East. War is coming.” « Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog.

Posted in Apostasy, Cult teachings, End times, Prophetic, Thoughts | Tagged Belief, Bible, blasphemy, Christ, end times, God, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jews, Joel C. Rosenberg, Middle East, Osama bin Laden, rapture, Revelation, Scripture | Leave a comment

Part 4 – Challenges to “a Short Course on Revelation”.

Posted on 09/05/2012 by remso

Yes, I tried a different look to appease one of my critics.

Things to come –

Having made a brief outline of things to come, I stated, “After what seems like days of panic there will be three and one half years of relative peace.”

You rebutted that statement with, “The 2^nd half of Daniels seven years is the Great Tribulation..”

While that might be excruciatingly correct, you gave no scriptural backing as a foundation for your argument and, in essence you have assumed that there will be little to no tribulation effects until you say so, and that the horrors of this seven-year period come only at the 2^nd half. Since you feel that the horrors are exclusive to the second half what do you do with the escalating acts of violence against Christians, and bizarrely against the opposing Muslim sect that loses the day’s battle? If escalating violence for the sake of power does not get your attention, how about the concept of shoving my religion down your throat by cutting off your hand or your head, raping and then beating your wife merely because she is not a Muslim, burning down your church with all it’s members in it, all merely because you will not bow before my god.

You say that Christians must go through the tribulation. If that is a solid, strict concept in your mind then you have placed all of us in the Great Tribulation, a time of judgment against the nations and Israel, ignoring scripture that states, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV, and effectively called God a liar.

God is cleaning house –

Whether you call it Jacob’s troubles, as Ezekiel did, or a time of wrath, or judgment, it is all serving the same purpose, God is cleaning the house – so to speak. I feel compelled to point out what Jesus made very clear, it will be as in the days of Noah and Lot. In both examples God delivered them, by removing them from the judgment, and immediately the method of destruction came. Read this in Luke 17, Matthew 24, Genesis 6:11-7:6, Genesis 18:20 – 19:26

If God is cleaning house, why?

Because Israel violated the covenant, over and over again. Psalms 89:31-33 ESV if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, (32) then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, (33) but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.
Because of the pride, evil, and iniquity of the world. Isaiah 13:11 JPS And I will visit upon the world their evil, and upon the wicked their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the tyrants.

There are passages scattered all over the bible defining why God is bringing judgment upon the earth. Look at the example of Noah and you will find that the earth was filled with violence and every thought of man was continually evil. Look around you, is it that much different today?

Is it important how he cleans house or what he calls it?

John, in Revelation 6:2 states, “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” This is the beginnings of the seven-year period, and yet you already have a man with bow without arrows and yet conquering. We are nowhere close to the mid-point, the time of the Great Tribulation, as you have pointed out, and yet you would be hard pressed to say that wrath has not begun.

We do not know how much time passes until the second rider shows up. Revelation 6:4 KJV “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” Again we are distanced from the mid-point and yet you cannot deny that some form of pain is being pressed into the world.

This has nothing to do with the believer.

Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Calling God’s actions by other names does not change his intent. This passage in Romans calls it wrath and tells us it is revealed from heaven. Is what John sees directed at the negligent Christian community? NO! God’s wrath is directed at ungodliness, the unrighteousness of men, and those who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Undoubtedly any of these aspects are demonstrative of our own bad behaviors as Christians, that is not what he talking about.

Let’s look at Romans 1:18 for a moment.

“ungodliness” – The Greek word is asebeia, meaning NO reverence for God. Even within the church body there are those that have no respect for God.
“the unrighteousness of men” – Unrighteousness is the Greek word adikia, meaning the act of injustice. Webster’s dictionary tells us that injustice is any violation of another’s rights.
“who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” – Hold is the Greek word katecho and means to suppress, bridle or withhold. This last aspect, while not necessarily an act of violence is an act of abuse for in doing so they are keeping people away from truth by a variety of methods. And for what means?

This is not the mislead Christian, stumbling over some concept as they walk out this lifestyle of ours. This is intentional acts of impeding others from finding the truth. Paul told us (1Jn 4:3, 2Jn 1:7) that the antichrist is already in the world.

Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Vain words, what does that mean? Empty words, devoid of truth, nullifying God in the lives of people, causing people to be disobedient, and subject to wrath.

Colossians 3:5-6 KJV 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 comes on the children of disobedience:

In this case the wrath of God is coming upon the children of disobedience, this covers a lot of people, and verse 5 defines what makes them disobedient. The Greek word for disobedience is apeitheia and means obstinate opposition.

Ponder the meaning of the word obstinate for a moment: Stubborn; pertinaciously adhering to an opinion or purpose; fixed firmly in resolution; not yielding to reason, arguments or other means.

Christ, having already suffered once-

Luke 24:44-47 ESV Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (45) Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (46) and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Romans 5:9 KJV Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 8:1-4 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (3) For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, (4) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 2:3 KJV Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2:3 speaks in the past tense when it says, “and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” That is not who we are once we accept Jesus Christ as our redemption and life.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV (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.

Luke 21 is one in which you need to show the context.

Luke 21:23 KJV But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

In Luke 21:20 Jesus says, “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” So based upon this passage who is he speaking of? Israel, and specifically Jerusalem. As such he is talking about the Jews. So to say wrath upon a people he is talking about wrath upon the Jews. Why? Because Israel rejected him, over and over. They will turn to him now. Can you see in this instance that God is directing his wrath toward a specific people group, and not a generalized body of Christ.

Nobody wants God wrath upon them.

I suspect that most people feel vulnerable to wrath because they lack an understanding of who they are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:21-25 GW Now, the way to receive God’s approval has been made plain in a way other than Moses’ Teachings. Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets tell us this. (22) Everyone who believes has God’s approval through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between people. (23) Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God’s glory. (24) They receive God’s approval freely by an act of his kindness through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free from sin. (25) God showed that Christ is the throne of mercy where God’s approval is given through faith in Christ’s blood. In his patience God waited to deal with sins committed in the past.

We understand this concept of God’s approval as being our receipt of his righteous blessing because we have faith in Jesus Christ. A word used commonly in many translations is propitiation. It merely means that Jesus Christ’s actions for us and toward us was enough. Sin, our broken condition, required, a payment, and that was usually done through a bloody sacrifice. If you watched the movie or read the book, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” then you got a small dose of understanding, for the Witch made it clear that she had the right to blood for the representative man-child had committed treason against the kingdom and his own kind. Aslan did not argue the point, but made himself the sacrifice instead of the boy. The price paid for your life was made by Jesus Christ upon the cross. All that is left is your acceptance of the one who made it on your behalf; Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Many believe the tribulation is here.

When it comes to severe tribulation, a simple look at the Muslim countries of the world and you will find that Christians are already going through it, and have been for many years. The violence against Christians has taken a dramatic upswing with the rise of Muslim majority populations and recent political takeovers. You are not going to stop this with violence, only prayer can hold it back, for you are dealing with powerful, devilish angels that fell with Satan, and their influence on people that seem to enjoy invoking pain upon people while their main motivation is power.

2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 CEV (5) Don’t you remember that I told you this while I was still with you? (6) You already know what is holding this wicked one back until it is time for him to come. (7) His mysterious power is already at work, but someone is holding him back. And the wicked one won’t appear until that someone is out of the way. (8) Then he will appear, but the Lord Jesus will kill him simply by breathing on him. He will be completely destroyed by the Lord’s glorious return.

Even if the passage tells us plainly that someone is holding back the evil one, isn’t it plain to see that not everyone is being restrained. Look, Paul already made that clear in 2Thessalonians 2:7 when he said, (CEV) “His mysterious power is already at work”. Whose power? Satan’s, as he works through evil people. We have seen this repeated throughout history. One of the most vile was Antiochus as he desecrated the temple, a sign of things to come.

What then is holding the antichrist back?

Paul had preached this message to the Thessalonian church and is now reminding them again. We, who are believers, are the one that is holding him back, and with him the onslaught of evil.

John MacArthur’s commentary conservatively tells us that the restraints can have many aspects, “These include: (1) human government; (2) preaching of the gospel; (3) the binding of Satan; (4) the providence of God; (5) the Jewish state; (6) the church; (7) the Holy Spirit; and (8) Michael, the angel. Whatever now restrains the Antichrist of verses 2Th_2:3-4, 2Th_2:8-10 from being revealed in the fullness of his apostasy and evil, must be more than human or even angelic power. The power that holds back Satan from bringing the final apostasy and unveiling of his Satan-possessed false Christ must be divinely supernatural. It must be God’s power in operation that holds back Satan, so that the man of sin, the son of destruction, won’t be able to come until God permits it by removing the restraining power.”

The problem I have with the human government side of this is: within the United States, laws are changing rapidly. Those of us who speak out against the weakening of laws or the removal of protections by law are becoming labeled as terrorists. We are no longer looking for those who wish to destroy the nation as the enemy, but those who wish to preserve it’s sanity as the problem. Jonathon Cahn wrote the book “The Harbinger”, a sign of things to come. In it he describes how this nation has not repented, even though the calls and signs have come to do so. We have failed to repent and turn this around and this nation will be punished for its arrogance. There is always a chance for repentance; all it takes is for a few people with backbones to pray. Pray that God withholds the enemy. I believe that many have done that over this nation or we would have seen far greater destruction by now.

Joel Richardson’s book, “The Mideast Beast” scripturally defines why the antichrist will be a middle east Muslim. Sure, he will come off as a moderate at first, but that is while his forces continue to bleed out the middle eastern Christian community. Israel will have suffered a tremendous attack and therefore have the need to sign a peace treaty. That treaty will correspond with the rapture of the church, the introduction of the antichrist, and a rapid increase in violence and destruction globally.

In trying to refocus for a moment; I have no doubt that multiple scenarios will be come together at one time. With the level of violence in the Arab world already as high as it is and little to bring it under control, how do you expect that to not spill over into America and other, so-called civilized nations. We have Mosques in almost every city with Mullahs teaching the edicts of the Qu’ran, therefore it is a logical assumption that a hatred of those outside the faith (Islam) is being taught as well.

(We assume that the word might be Jihad, the confusion for us that do not understand, is that Jihad is a way of life for the Muslim, the Qu’ran teaches this, and deception is the highest and most honorable form of Jihad, therefore Jihad is quite probably being performed on a daily basis around you.

The problem with Islam is: The potential for explosive harm is there. Do not be foolish enough to think it cannot happen, for it already is. Don’t even try to tell me that while this antichrist declares peace that there will be peace; there will be pandemonium. What makes it worse is that while the impact of his control will be centrally felt and located in the middle east, those Muslims living in this country will attempt to assert control and power as well, and they will attempt to invoke Sharia law over you, where ever they can.

If you read this and the rapture has come.

Turn your lives over to Jesus Christ even now. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and he will. Cry out in the name of Jesus Christ, for that name alone carries power. You can stop the enemy in his tracks. The story of the three Hebrew men that Nebuchadnezzar had thrown into the furnace is not merely to entertain you. It was meant to show you that God is in control and stop the effects of the enemy. Put your trust in him and speak specifically against these things. In the name of Jesus command them to turn away. Call down God’s vengeance upon them. Ask God to hide you. Do what ever the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart to do. Listen to him for he will direct you.

This is not a time of fear but of power. I know this for I saw it as I read the scriptures. Detractors will die as they sit in unbelief, either that or they will convert to Islam, worshiping the beast and his false prophet, and they will condemn themselves to the flames that the antichrist is condemned to. Do not do that, no matter what the cost. Turn your eyes upon Jesus Christ and he will bring you, his saints, into the kingdom. A kingdom filled with joy, and you will reign with him for the thousand years.

Turn your life to him now and enjoy a hope, knowing that eternity with the one who has loved you since time began is yours. You can have hope. There is a life with him, and his name is Jesus Christ.

A Short Course on Revelation (omharris.com)
Who Are the Tribulation Saints? (raptureimminent.wordpress.com)
What is the Rapture? (prophecyfortoday.org)

Posted in End times, Hope, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged Authorized King James Version, Book of Revelation, Christian, Daniel, end times, First Epistle to the Thessalonians, God, GreatTribulation, HolySpirit, Islam, Israel, Jesus, rapture, Revelation | Leave a comment

Challenges to: “A Short Course on Revelation” Part 2

Posted on 08/31/2012 by remso

You challenged the concept of the tribulation being judgment, referring back to the seals and the plagues of Revelation as if they were some separate entity. You also told me that you spend little to no time reading the old testament, so here is the underlying problem.

I think an attempt at establishing what this time we call the tribulation is, is in order.

Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Without a comparative look at the Old Testament we might not have any understanding of what Jacob’s troubles is. A clear aspect of the passage is “that day”. I believe the reference is to “the day of the Lord.” This day plays a significant role in our understanding of Jacob’s troubles. The fact that Jacob is associated with the beginnings of Israel is a huge clue.

The passage also states that “he shall be saved out of it.” Who then is the “he” referring to since Jacob is long since passed? God seems to not be looking for a singular man, but more toward an entity or perhaps a nation; the nation Israel. Why would there be a reference to being saved out of something when Israel is experiencing an unprecedented peace now? Perhaps we are ignoring the obvious signs, given by prophecy of a time when there will be a tremendous outcry for peace.

Without an understanding of scripture how would you know that “that day” will come at a time when people are saying “peace, peace”. There is always an alternative possibility that requires some thought. What if this is a scenario where the people are crying out for peace because they need it? Think about the situation in Israel, as you read this. Iran is crying out for the absolute destruction of Israel and they are building the assets that would enable them to do something like that. Scripture tells that the damage will be great at some point with a two-thirds loss of Israel’s population, but that will not happen tomorrow. It will only happen after some ruler makes a peace treaty with Israel for a seven-year period, which he will break half way through the time period. At that time Israel will be attacked from every flank. There will be horror in the streets like you never thought possible.

John MacArthur’s commentary states: time of Jacob’s trouble. This period of unprecedented difficulty for Israel, as the verse defines, is set in a context of Israel’s final restoration. It is best equated with the time of tribulation (cf. Jer_30:8-9) just before Christ’s second advent, mentioned elsewhere (Dan_12:1; Mat_24:21-22) and described in detail (Rev. 6-19).

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Michael, the Angel, steps up in behalf of “the children of thy people”, the Children of Israel. References to “a nation” and “thy people” are clear references to Israel.

Matthew 24:21-22 KJV For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Again I quote from John MacArthur: great tribulation. The words “has not been” and “nor ever shall be”—along with the description that follows—identify this as the yet-future time in which God’s wrath shall be poured out on the earth (see note on Rev_7:14). Jesus’ descriptions of the cataclysms that follow closely resemble the outpouring of divine wrath described in the bowl judgments of Revelation 16 and His subsequent appearing in Revelation 19 (see note on Mat_24:30).

The entire chapter of Matthew 24 is talking about the end, but there is a context to Matthew 24 and it lies in the question that the disciples ask Jesus.

Matthew 24:3 KJV And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

The sign of his coming (one of the many references to “the day of the Lord”) is at the end of the 7 year period, and it is definitively the time when Jesus shall return physically to the earth. Realistically, if you consider all the events that scripture defines will happen, then perhaps they are all signs of his coming.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck states,

“To what “time of trouble” was Jeremiah referring? Some have felt that he was pointing to the coming fall of Judah to Babylon or to the later fall of Babylon to Medo-Persia. However, in both of these periods the Northern Kingdom of Israel was not affected. It had already gone into captivity (in 722 b.c.). A better solution is to see Jeremiah referring to the still-future Tribulation period when the remnant of Israel and Judah will experience a time of unparalleled persecution (Dan_9:27; Dan_12:1; Mat_24:15-22). The period will end when Christ appears to rescue His elect (Rom_11:26) and establish His kingdom (Mat_24:30-31; Mat_25:31-46; Rev_19:11-21; Rev_20:4-6).”

While there are some clear time frames involved, many contend that the “day of the Lord” is the entire seven-year period. Others make assertions that the great tribulation arrives at the mid point and only lasts three and one half years. If you invest some time looking into this mid-point aspect it is clear that persecution escalates from then on, making the idea that no one would survive a much more realistic scenario.

Look at this passage from the NT.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 (DRC)(The Holy Bible Translated From The Latin Vulgate) That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

The Thessalonian church was asking because it feared that the day of the Lord had come already. If they were talking about the time of destruction that so many references to “the day of Lord” refer to, then I believe the discussion might have taken a completely different turn, but Paul reassured them that for them, it had not come, therefore they could rest in the hope that they would meet him in the air, on that day; another day altogether.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV Paul tells the church, and us, (51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) 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.

If you try to make this correlate with the trumpets of Revelation then you will only provoke your confusion, for the trumpets of Revelation are part of the judgment period. Ask yourself as you increase in knowledge of end times events, how many raptures are recorded? The answer is two, and they both happen after the end of the seven-year period.

The first rapture is of those slain for their testimony during this horrible time. God calls them saints and they get to reign with him during the thousand-years. The second resurrection of the dead is at the end of the thousand-year reign. None of these should be considered to be in Christ, for if they had been they would have been caught up to be with him in the air, and that did not happen. These are the one that have died outside of a firm acceptance of God as Lord and his son Jesus Christ. They are brought before the Great White throne and judged. Although we often speak of these people as doomed to hell, if you spend some time studying this out you will find that even in this God still shows mercy to many.

Ezekiel 30:3 KJV For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Joel chapter 2 is one that I heard often in my pentecostal circles where prophetic speakers would come and share what God laid upon their hearts.

Joel 2:28-29 KJV And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

If you spend anytime reading Joel you will find it filled with encouragement, and gloom.

Joel 2:1-2 KJV Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is nigh at hand; (2) A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

You have to find the distinction as to when this “day of the Lord” comes. I believe that this points to the physical manifestation of the Lord upon the earth at the end of the seven-year period. It is not going to be a pretty day, and I believe the effects of his coming will be seen globally. You cannot forget that this is a Jewish oriented book, whether you wish to accept that fact or not is irrelevant. The Jew reads something like “blow the trumpet in Zion” and there is an immediate recognition of the sound of the shofar giving out a call.

If you do as I did, and merely pursue the word judgment through the simple concordance at the back of most bibles, you will taken to Isaiah 66 as I was. God, through Isaiah contrasts the humble and contrite with the what ever the opposite is. Though what to call the opposite is not made distinct in the NIV, it is safe to presume the selfish, manipulative, and those who refuse to follow God’s commands. Webster’s dictionary describes the humble as being submissive, or penitent, in complete opposition to the selfish and manipulative.

What are hiGod’s commands for the NT believer? Few considering we live in an age of grace and mercy. We are to believe in the Name of Jesus, and his redeeming work on the cross that brought us forgiveness for sins, but what does that mean to us? It means we have a hope; the same message that Paul brought to the Thessalonian church when they struggled over the possibility that they had missed the rapture. If your sins have been forgiven and you believe in the Son, then you have a hope for the future with Him in Heaven, just as he said.

Isaiah 66 starting at verse 3 describes those in opposition to God, how they operate, and what will happen to them.

Isaiah 66:3-4 NIV But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations; (4) so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

Why? For when I called, no one answered; When I spoke, no one listened.

Perhaps the question to ask, like some nightmarish movie, is what do you dread? Israel is about the same size as New Jersey and all of their neighbors are hostile toward them. Put yourself in their shoes, especially now, then tell me what your greatest fear would be.

Here is that word you seem to have so much trouble with, judgment.

Isaiah 66:14-16 NIV When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes. (15) See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. (16) For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD.

Jeremiah 25:29 NIV See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword on all who live on the earth, declares the LORD Almighty.’

Another harsh example, but in this case he clearly deems it punishment.

Judgment, I suppose would be the sentence prescribed, punishment is the carrying out of the act. People, in a civilized world, do not get punished for no reason. God has already spelled out the sentence for us.

Jeremiah 46:10 NIV But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD Almighty– a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.

Ezekiel 30:2-3 NIV “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” (3) For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near– a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

Joel 3:2 NIV I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

Joel’s prophecy should stand out for God states clearly that he, “will put them on trial for what they did”. That sounds like judgment to me.

Isaiah 13:6 NIV Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:9 NIV See, the day of the LORD is coming –a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger– to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

Isaiah 13:11-13 NIV I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (12) I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. (13) Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

Look at verse 13 above. “ I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.” Hardly anyone hears of the events that occur in Revelation, whether they fall under the classification of seals, plagues, or trumpets considers them a pleasant affair. I think it is safe to say that everyone perceives the events of Revelation as terror, and no one cares to distinguish between the beginning from the end, it is all calamitous with death permeating every event. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks of what is to come as anything less than punishment, the result of judgment.

I have been at this for several days now. Not only trying to give clarity, but build a reasonable argument. Yes, it takes me a while, and yes, I am basically lazy, not so willing at times to do the research necessary.

I had not been sleeping well due to a recent back injury and during one of my bouts of restless sleep God spoke to me and gave me some clarity on this subject of judgment upon the earth. I was reminded of what Jesus said, it will be as in the days of Noah. Luke recorded that Jesus spoke of Lot. Peter added some clarity by speaking of Lot as well.

Matthew 24:36-39 KJV But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Jesus warned that a time would come when people would no longer be paying attention. That means they were not expecting Jesus anymore today than yesterday, and life was just continuing to happen, because there are things to do and life to live.

When you break down the Noah scenario what are the aspects?

Noah, a righteous man in an unrighteous world, is following God’s odd command to build a massive boat. Noah, and probably his sons, take a tremendous amount of flack over this boat, partly because it takes him 100 years to build it. During this entire time people ask questions, mock him, and, if they are kind, merely walk away. Life continues, children are born, the oldest being 100 by the time the flood hits, and these have the same opportunity to walk in righteousness as Noah because Noah preached the right way to them, but did they? No way. Man only did what he wanted.
God sees all of this, for nothing escapes him, and when the time is right he brings JUDGMENT. We do not have to call it anything else, trumpets, bowls, seals, it is nothing less than destruction of godless man upon the earth.

How many righteous men were there at this time? Apparently only one, but unlike Lot’s family Noah’s came along. I do not think people pick up on the mercy of God in this story. One of Noah’s sons does something horrible to his father not long after the flood and receives a curse upon his family line for it. We really know little about the sons and their wives prior to the flood.
Clearly, because righteousness continues in some people today, the responsibility lies on Noah’s sons to pass on that heritage. The fact that the world is filled with believers is testimony to that.
The ark is complete. God gives the command to the animals to come and fill the boat. Scripture tells us that when the animals were secured that the flooding began. The earth began to open up as well as the skies, and water began rushing out from every direction. Flooding takes some time unless you live below a dam when it breaks, and then you have only seconds. As the earth began to flood God put Noah, and his family in the boat. Destruction came and God removes his righteous man from that destruction.

Warnings were given; judgment came, and God rescued those that were his before the all-encompassing destruction touched Noah.

Now consider Lot for a moment.

Lot tried bargaining with God to save at least his home and family, I am not sure what else he was bargaining for. It is possible that Lot knew the extent of the perversion, I believe he did. Scripture backs that idea up for you see an odd comment from the town folk in verse 19.

Genesis 19:9 KJV And they (the angels) said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

The men of town said that Lot needed to stop judging them.
God has the Angels pull Lot, his wife and daughters out of the town, and then destruction came. There is such an attraction to the world left behind that the wife looks back and dies, and the daughters, in short order, pull an odd stunt by having sexual intercourse with their father. What God wants us to see as the result is a righteous man, Lot.

Once again, like Noah, God has rescued his righteous from judgment, or shall we say, destruction. There is no precursor, no mid-tribulation period, no great tribulation; it is merely judgment for the rejection of God.

A little clarity and insight as to why I write. I used to hang out with a group of men at the hamburger stand. We would talk about the bible. One of the men, claimed to have been a pastor at one time, and seemed to enjoy taking a domineering role at these meetings. They had asked me to join them, and I did for many months. Although we have had some clashes, this leader and I, I think we worked through them, but I disagree with him frequently. I told the group that I write commentaries and thoughts on scripture, and post them on the internet. I was asked to share some of these with the group.

This last time was odd for a couple of reasons: The “pastor” is on a seven-year mission to make the Revelation clear and understandable (Yes, that was an allusion to Star Trek, and no it is not literally a seven-year mission, but he pursuing minute details and never gaining any ground. Therefore it will take him seven years, at least). Problem is everything he said was confusing when he would speak about it. I decided, because I too had always had a wish to understand Revelation that I would write a short synopsis of the book. I called it “A Short Course on Revelation” and posted it on the internet. I took a couple of copies to the bible study and handed it exclusively to one of the men there (this man I gave it to seems to enjoy reading them and he is extremely knowledgeable in Greek).

The “pastor” took that copy from him to glance at and kept it. The following week he handed it back to me with his arguments scribbled on it, and an addendum indicating that he really wanted to talk about this in-depth, and that he was open to understanding, and willing to change if someone could convince him he was wrong. Here is the problem with that, no one can convince him he is wrong. We have pointed things out in scriptures that are in opposition to his assertions and yet he would continue to sit there arguing by saying we are misunderstanding the passage. I cannot change anyone, only God can, and I learned long ago that you cannot argue with a closed mind.

The “pastor” also let us know that he did not spend anytime at all in the old testament, and really could see no great reason too since our lives as believers is solely based in the new testament. I find that a pathetically odd and uneducated approach, especially since this man was a chief financial officer for a corporation at one time.

To choose to ignore statements Jesus made that are clearly taken from the old testament, and not have some desire to understand their context puzzles me. I also found the old testament to be filled with people who like me, desired to understand God and still live in this tumultuous world we are stuck in. Reading the old testament gives me insight into how they did it.

The book of Revelation is deeply entrenched in the old testament and deserves our study, and a serious, in-depth study will begin to make much of it come clear, as many parts of the revelation are direct quotes from the various prophetic books.

And lastly, we seem to forget that this book we call the Bible was primarily a Jewish oriented book until Paul the Apostle came along. It has not changed in it’s heart for Israel and the Jews, nor has the prophetic scheme changed. Having an understanding that to the Jew prophecy is pattern makes the book of Revelation suddenly come alive, for God saw fit to show those patterns over and over through the prophets and in the Revelation itself.

I tried to convey that on this part of the paper the pastor seemed to be distraught over the idea that God was bringing judgment. He kept trying to come back to the exact terminology that Revelation uses as though pain cares where it inflicts you. Whether they be called seals, bowls, or trumpets is somewhat irrelevant, for they all bring death and judgment to those still on earth.

Ezekiel 7:19 KJV They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.

John 5:26-27 KJV For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; (27) And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

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

Revelation 6:17 KJV For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Jude 1:6 KJV And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Pastor, after having read these last few passages, I have concluded that in your present state, you are one of the false shepherds that scriptures speak of, for you have not pointed any towards our hope that we should have with your lack of understanding and false teachings. And even if you were honest in your efforts, your lack of understanding would have, at the least, caused those that listen to you to only see through muddied water, at which point they have learned nothing.

I exhort you to dig into God’s word; find the Son of God in all his glory awaiting you there with open arms, and run to him. Allow him free rein in your life by accepting him for who he is; he is God and he loves you with an everlasting love. He knew you, everything about you, and still he longs for your companionship. An everlasting glory and life with the Father awaits you when you come. Wait no longer, just come.

Michael, the Angel, steps up in behalf of “the children of thy people”, the Children of Israel. References to “a nation” and “thy people” are clear references to Israel.

The entire chapter of Matthew 24 is talking about the end, but there is a context to Matthew 24 and it lies in the question that the disciples ask Jesus.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck states,

Look at this passage from the NT.

Ezekiel 30:3 KJV For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Joel chapter 2 is one that I heard often in my pentecostal circles where prophetic speakers would come and share what God laid upon their hearts.

If you spend anytime reading Joel you will find it filled with encouragement, and gloom.

What are God’s commands for the NT believer? Few considering we live in an age of grace and mercy. We are to believe in the Name of Jesus, and his redeeming work on the cross that brought us forgiveness for sins, but what does that mean to us? It means we have a hope; the same message that Paul brought to the Thessalonian church when they struggled over the possibility that they had missed the rapture. If your sins have been forgiven and you believe in the Son, then you have a hope for the future with Him in Heaven, just as he said.

Isaiah 66 starting at verse 3 describes those in opposition to God, how they operate, and what will happen to them.

Why? For when I called, no one answered; When I spoke, no one listened.

Here is that word you seem to have so much trouble with, judgment.

Another harsh example, but in this case he clearly deems it punishment.

Joel’s prophecy should stand out for God states clearly that he, “will put them on trial for what they did”. That sounds like judgment to me.

Isaiah 13:6 NIV Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:9 NIV See, the day of the LORD is coming –a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger– to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

When you break down the Noah scenario what are the aspects?

Noah, a righteous man in an unrighteous world, is following God’s odd command to build a massive boat. Noah, and probably his sons, take a tremendous amount of flack over this boat, partly because it takes him 100 years to build it. During this entire time people ask questions, mock him, and, if they are kind, merely walk away. Life continues, children are born, the oldest being 100 by the time the flood hits, and these have the same opportunity to walk in righteousness as Noah because Noah preached the right way to them, but did they? No way. Man only did what he wanted.
God sees all of this, for nothing escapes him, and when the time is right he brings JUDGMENT. We do not have to call it anything else, trumpets, bowls, seals, it is nothing less than destruction of godless man upon the earth.

How many righteous men were there at this time? Apparently only one, but unlike Lot’s family Noah’s came along. I do not think people pick up on the mercy of God in this story. One of Noah’s sons does something horrible to his father not long after the flood and receives a curse upon his family line for it. We really know little about the sons and their wives prior to the flood.
Clearly, because righteousness continues in some people today, the responsibility lies on Noah’s sons to pass on that heritage. The fact that the world is filled with believers is testimony to that.
The ark is complete. God gives the command to the animals to come and fill the boat. Scripture tells us that when the animals were secured that the flooding began. The earth began to open up as well as the skies, and water began rushing out from every direction. Flooding takes some time unless you live below a dam when it breaks, and then you have only seconds. As the earth began to flood God put Noah, and his family in the boat. Destruction came and God removes his righteous man from that destruction.

Warnings were given; judgment came, and God rescued those that were his before the all-encompassing destruction touched Noah.

Now consider Lot for a moment.

Lot tried bargaining with God to save at least his home and family, I am not sure what else he was bargaining for. It is possible that Lot knew the extent of the perversion, I believe he did. Scripture backs that idea up for you see an odd comment from the town folk in verse 19.

Genesis 19:9 KJV And they (the angels) said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

The men of town said that Lot needed to stop judging them.
God has the Angels pull Lot, his wife and daughters out of the town, and then destruction came. There is such an attraction to the world left behind that the wife looks back and dies, and the daughters, in short order, pull an odd stunt by having sexual intercourse with their father. What God wants us to see as the result is a righteous man, Lot.

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

Revelation 6:17 KJV For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Jude 1:6 KJV And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Who Are the Tribulation Saints? (raptureimminent.wordpress.com)
A Short Course on Revelation (omharris.com)
What is the Rapture? (prophecyfortoday.org)

Posted in End times, Prophetic, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged Bible, Christ, end times, Faith, future, God, God's word, GreatTribulation, Israel, Jacob, Jeremiah, Jesus, Lord's Day, Old Testament, prophecy, rapture, Revelation, Scripture, thoughts | Leave a comment

Posted on 08/29/2012 by remso

Read what Joel is saying. An important aspect to this is that Netanyahu had consulted a Rabbi to get a highly respected spiritual point of view.

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

“Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef implored God to ‘wipe out and destroy’ Iran and Hezbollah during his weekly sermon on Saturday night,” reports the Jerusalem Post. “Speaking on Saturday night, Yosef talked about the tradition on the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, of eating various fruits and vegetables as positive portents for the year ahead. ‘When we make the blessing on the dates that ‘our enemies and haters should be ended’ we should have in mind the Iranian regime, those evil people who threaten Israel,’ the Rabbi said. ‘Do good, God, wipe them out, kill them,’ he entreated, to which the assembled crowd answered ‘amen.'”

The Rabbi is wrong. We should pray for the salvation of the Iranian people, not their utter destruction. We certainly should pray for the current regime in Iran to be changed or removed, and for the Iranian nuclear program to be dismantled or neutralized…

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Posted in Thoughts | Tagged Barack Obama, Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, Israel, Netanyahu, United States | Leave a comment

Questions? Some have all the answers.

Posted on 08/27/2012 by remso

The July 2012 newsletter, “The Bible Says” calls itself ‘the bible answer to your questions’.

Obviously not every question, like “Daddy, where did we dinosaurs come from?” Because this is one of those things that the bible is rather silent about. I strongly suspect the answer is there, but it probably requires thinking outside the box, and that causes great grief to fundamentalists.

Someone had written in asking, “Will the Antichrist be the 12^th Imam (Mahdi) that Shia Muslims, particularly the Iranian leadership, are expecting?”

The answers are a compilation from the World Prophetic Ministry research department, and writings from the late Doctors: Howard C. Estep, Dave Breese, Ed Hinson, and “others.”

I am familiar with these names and have read this newsletter for several years now. I made the assumption that their information was good all the time. I was wrong.

The answer to the question asked was a decisive one, “Absolutely not!” They continue: “The bible indicates the Antichrist will come from a revived Roman Empire, meaning that he will come from an area of the old Roman empire. (Daniel 9:26,27)”

If you know my writings at all, then you know I am not going to respond well to an answer like that. I find it domineering, un-insightful, and narrow-minded. So as usual I am going to tear it up.

They base their immediate response on Daniel 9:26,27, so let’s go there.

Daniel 9:26-27 KJV And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come 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. (27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: 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.

Traditional teachings would have us believe that Caesar, the Roman General, ordered the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. When in fact Josephus, the Jewish historian, recorded this scenario in opposition to tradition. Keep in mind that history is almost always a one-sided recollection, and generally portrays the victor in the kindest light. Josephus had no motivation to make Titus look good. So where did we come up with these “traditions”?

Josephus records that an unnamed young man rush to Titus to alert him that the troops were involved with the destruction of the temple and that they had started a fire. Titus, dressed as he was, ran toward the temple, waving one arm, and seeing that this was a salvageable situation ordered the men to put the fire out, for he knew that this would bring no good.

From Josephus writings: The Wars of the Jews.

Book 6, Chapter 4. “And now a certain person came running to Titus, and told him of this fire, as he was resting himself in his tent after the last battle; whereupon he rose up in great haste, and, as he was, ran to the holy house, in order to have a stop put to the fire; after him followed all his commanders, and after them followed the several legions, in great astonishment; so there was a great clamor and tumult raised, as was natural upon the disorderly motion of so great an army. Then did Caesar, both by calling to the soldiers that were fighting, with a loud voice, and by giving a signal to them with his right hand, order them to quench the fire. But they did not hear what he said, though he spake so loud, having their ears already dimmed by a greater noise another way; nor did they attend to the signal he made with his hand neither, as still some of them were distracted with fighting, and others with passion. But as for the legions that came running thither, neither any persuasions nor any threatenings could restrain their violence, but each one’s own passion was his commander at this time; and as they were crowding into the temple together, many of them were trampled on by one another, while a great number fell among the ruins of the cloisters, which were still hot and smoking, and were destroyed in the same miserable way with those whom they had conquered; and when they were come near the holy house, they made as if they did not so much as hear Caesar’s orders to the contrary; but they encouraged those that were before them to set it on fire.”

I have been told that Josephus tells us that by 69AD the conscript troops, taken from surrounding areas, outnumbered the Italians by a 5:1 ratio. These troops according to Josephus were Syrians and Arabians, and demonstrated their hatred of the Jews at every opportunity. The number of Assyrians within the ranks, wearing Roman uniforms, by the time of the temples destruction could have been as high as 60000. Josephus tells us that these troops quickly weighed their punishment for disobedience against their hatred of the Jews and ignored the orders coming from Titus, throwing more fuel on the fire. If we are going to use Daniel to back up our claim of a revised Roman Empire then we really should consider history. Yes, the temple was destroyed, but who destroyed it? Caesar? While not exactly a benevolent ruler by any stretch, it was Assyrians. Instead of merely accepting what tradition has taught us, we need to consider what historical record makes clear. I have yet to find that wording of such an exact nature, but Josephus did make it clear that there were three legions involved in the siege, and another source indicated four legions. Estimates on the number of troops are as high as 80,000.

Keep in mind that the portion of passage the prophecy teachers anchor upon is “the people of the prince that shall come”. While clearly an aspect of what Daniel saw appears to have been fulfilled; but if you have an understanding of end times events to any degree then you should also realize that this is still a future event.

One of the things I have learned is that to the Jewish mind prophecy is pattern, and God spent a tremendous amount of time speaking to a Jewish audience; we just happen to be privileged to be included in that.

Ascribing all these characteristics to Europe does not fit, it never has, and this false assumption has kept the majority of the church in confusion for two thousand plus years. Not to mention that we have not been taught to pray for the correct things, the persecuted church, and restraints against the antichrist and his followers.

A secondary problem I have with the response the authors of the newsletter gave, is that they are all dead. Those that write as staff may be very intelligent, but if they are merely emulating previous leadership then what does that accomplish. We have entire nations that do that; Cuba for example.

If the leadership is good and the information being propagated is sound, then the recipients will be sound, but all you have to do is look around you and you know that is not the case. The church is no more vibrant than it was before; oh sure, there are a handful of people who are consciously trying to maintain the oil in their lamps but the majority do not want to hear that the Lord’s return in imminent.

How, or why would you wish to come off with such an incorrect and closed-minded answer – Note the way they responded to a legitimate question: “Absolutely Not!” Perhaps that is exactly what many of these dead guys would have said, especially if they are going to cling to Daniel 9:26, 27 as the end all to the question. Again, if the those that have passed on left us with good information then let’s continue to use it as our foundation. But if is not right or based in some incorrect logic and a potential lack of understanding then NO!

No one had ever pointed out to me that Josephus had recorded such information about the temple being destroyed by Assyrians within the ranks of the Roman troops. To ignore such information demonstrates an insincerity in proclaiming the truth, and leads to cultish practices in which the followers are kept in the dark trusting in this man alone as the one to regurgitate the necessary information that they think I need.

God gave us brains and logical thought so that we can look around the corner and make sure that there is nothing hidden on the other side of the fence. We are not looking some new and great revelation, I believe that the information is all there, but things in the world have changed so rapidly that we cannot ignore them. When I was a child we did not crawl under desks because of earthquake preparedness, we did drills in case of nuclear war. Why? Because Cuba, 90 miles off our shoreline had nuclear missiles supplied by Russia. Russia and East Germany were scary monsters but then two things happened that seem to change everything. In the late 1970’s Russia seemed to disintegrate, and the Iranian revolution came about. While the tearing down of the Berlin wall was monumental, especially as then President Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” No one seemed to notice or understand what the significance of the Iranian revolution meant. For Iran, and all that eventually followed, it was a return to the effectively dead Caliphate. Mullah’s that lived in secrecy outside of their countries returned as the doors reopened, and in Iran they voted in the Ayatollah Khomeni as the president, or at least ruling authority over it. Those that cleared out of there during those years will tell you how horrible the transition was. Burkhas were not required under the Shah’s rule. Yes it’s true, the Shah was a tyrant in his own right, but he did not force the people to live under sharia law.

Look at another piece of significant information that few of us knew about or understood its significance. The Muslim brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928. Why is this significant? Because by treaty the Ottoman caliphate, based in Turkey, was disbanded and outlawed in 1924. The Muslim Brotherhood was instituted to circumvent that. Allow me to give you an overview from Wikipedia.

The Society of the Muslim Brothers (Arabic: جماعة الإخوان المسلمون‎, often simply: الإخوان المسلمون, “the Muslim Brotherhood”, transliterated: al-ʾiḫwān al-muslimūn) is the Arab world’s most influential[1] and one of the largest Islamic movements,[2] and is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states.[which?] Founded in Egypt in 1928 as a Pan-Islamic, religious, political, and social movement by the Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna,[3][4][5][6] by the end of World War II the MB had an estimated two million members.[7] Its ideas had gained supporters throughout the Arab world and influenced other Islamist groups with its “model of political activism combined with Islamic charity work”.[8] Its most famous slogan, used worldwide, is “Islam is the solution.”[8]

The Brotherhood’s stated goal is to instill the Qur’an and Sunnah as the “sole reference point for…ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community… and state” The movement officially opposes violent means to achieve its goals, although it at one time encompassed a paramilitary wing and its members were involved in massacres, bombings and assassinations of political opponents; notably Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmoud an-Nukrashi Pasha and the movement’s own founder Hassan al-Banna.[8][9] The movement has been criticized by al-Qaeda for its support for democratic elections rather than armed jihad.[citation needed] The Hamas Party Charter, which describes Hamas as an arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, ordains that jihad is the individual obligation of every Muslim, that a “peaceful solution” to the “problem” of non-Muslims living in Israel is “inconsistent with the beliefs of the movement”, that infidel (non-Muslim) laws and treaties in Israel are void, and that all Jews and Christians must acknowledge complete Muslim sovereignty over Israel. The charter also states that Zionism is the cause of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The Muslim Brotherhood started as a religious social organization; preaching Islam, teaching the illiterate, setting up hospitals and even launching commercial enterprises. As it continued to rise in influence, starting in 1936, it began to oppose British rule in Egypt.[10] Many Egyptian nationalists accuse the MB of violent killings during this period.[11] After the Arab defeat in the First Arab-Israeli war, the Egyptian government dissolved the organization and arrested its members.[10] It supported the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, but after an attempted assassination of Egypt’s president it was once again banned and repressed.[12] The MB has been suppressed in other countries as well, most notably in Syria in 1982 during the Hama massacre.[13]

The MB is financed by contributions from its members, who are required to allocate a portion of their income to the movement. Some of these contributions are from members who work in Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich countries.[14]

Many will read this and think, that doesn’t sound so bad, besides, they have been disbanded several times over. If you think like this then it proves that you live in a hole, or under a rock. Are you not aware that the Muslim Brotherhood just got themselves elected to leadership over Egypt, and that they moved in quickly to fill the void left in Libya after the ouster/death of Muammar Gaddafi.

The brotherhood requires the teaching of the Qur’an, a book filled with hatred and death to all outside of the “religion.” It demands a part of one’s income to finance all actions they take. Though they advocate non-violence on paper, violent Jihad is absolutely a part of who they are, and Taqiya is a way of life and the greatest form of Jihad.

With the obvious changes going on around us, how does one choose to ignore the apparent clarity. You have to choose to not pay attention to details, and choose a level of arrogance that refuses to look outside of your convenient and traditional teaching.

God meant for these things to be understood. The end times are no longer a great mystery. Jesus is Lord and his return is imminent. I urge you find your life in him, for he is hope and salvation, and there is no salvation through any other. Give your life over him and ask him to make himself real to you, and he will.

Posted in Cult teachings, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged antichrist, Arabians, Assyrians, Caesar, Daniel, Josephus, Julius Caesar, logic, Roman Empire, Syrians, Titus, tradition, understanding | 2 Comments

False Accusations Have Been Brought!

Posted on 08/23/2012 by remso

Read: Acts 6:8 – 7:60

False accusations have been brought against Stephen and he had been dragged before the high council of the Jews.

While most would react in anger, screaming out in their own defense, not Stephen. As the Jewish council glared at him they saw the face of an angel.

When they demanded that he respond he gives them a very precise history that shows God’s hand in the salvation, sins, birth, and bondage of a nation.

Two things caught my attention.

Acts 7:38 .. our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give to us: ….

The phrase lively oracles in Greek is: logia zonta, meaning: living doctrines that give life upon obedience to them. Here, the term applies to Moses’ law.

Logia zonta, used in Romans 3:2 refers to the Old Testament in general. In Hebrews 5:12 and 1Peter 4:11 it encompasses all of scripture.

Conceptually: The idea of living doctrines conveys: teaching or instructions that are alive.

We perceive the word alive as something that breathes, moves, has some variable aspect, like tree growth.

A tree might be an outstanding example in that it, from a simple start, develops into a foundational plant with miniscule characteristics of what it’s potential can be.

Does the tree change as it matures? Not in it’s designed characteristics. Initially it could look no different from any other tree until it leafs out. The changes that we can see are in growth enlargements as it gets taller, wider, stronger, and with maturity, if that is it’s purpose, produce fruit.

Most trees go through seasons during which they leaf out, produce fruit, drop their leaves, and go dormant for a time, until it is time to repeat that cycle again. In Horticulture, an oddity might be the Sasanqua Camellia for during the dormant season, a time of presumed bleakness, is when it produces it’s spectacular floral displays. Consider that aspect when you compare this to our lives in Christ.

If we have grown and allowed God and time to mature us, then when a time of dormancy occurs all the internal work involved may now be producing some fruit or foliage in the life of someone who is out of our view.
Acts 7:42

Still looking at Stephen’s recap of Israel’s history. Moses comes off the mountain and finds most of Israel worshiping a gold calf they created. If only it were that simple.

Stephen gets rather specific about the identities of these gods: Molech, and Rephan. Stephen quotes from the law, to the Jewish council which returns to him no argument, “you have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship.”

Dr. Chuck Misler has referred to Stephen’s discourse, as one of the most astounding passages in scripture, for it gives us an insight into Israel’s history that we do not find anywhere else.

Stephen gets rather specific with the identities of these gods that Israel was dancing around. Molech and Rephan. Stephen quotes saying, “you have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephah, the idols you made to worship.”

Molech was especially detestable, for its worshipers would sacrifice their children to it.

Moloch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do not in any way sanitize this scenario for it is pure horror. When you contrast the sacrificing of children with Jesus actions toward children, you can begin to picture why God so despises this idolatry.

Although the impact is not immediately seen their actions got them sent into exile in Babylon. A key to God’s response is found in Acts 7:42, “but God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies.”

I find it interesting that Stephen does not mention that God brought an immediate judgment, for the earth opened to swallow multitudes as they danced around their idols.

Israel’s only salvation at this point was Moses interceding for them.

For God to turn away does not imply an overlooking of bad behavior. The implication would seem to be rejection, as though he had looked face to face. Think about this for a moment; this is the early stages of their wanderings. Was there ever a time that God left them and walked away? NO. The passage then, requires some thought.

Another aspect to look at is this turning them over to, what? – The worship of the heavenly bodies.

(AMP)But God turned [away from them] and delivered them up to worship and serve the host (stars) of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you [really] offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness (desert), O house of Israel? [Jer. 19:13.]

Worship – the rendering of religious homage.

Host – the celestial luminaries.

Heaven – the sky and stars.

They were already worshiping Molech and Rephan!

Molech – Look this up in Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; 2Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35

Leviticus 18:21 KJV And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

2 Kings 23:10 KJV And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

Jeremiah 32:35 KJV And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

God turning them over to worship the heavenly bodies does not sound all that bad when you first hear it. Again, there has to be something more.

Contrast this Paul turning a brother over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh so that his soul could be saved, but that does not seem to be the case here. These are not “saved souls” like those who are covered by the blanket of Christ’s blood. These people are subject to the law of God, a rigid following of God’s guidelines. Based upon what we know they did as they danced around the god Molech, and what they continued to do, in offering their children as sacrifices to some pagan god. No wonder God placed them under such strict guidelines.

Read the story about how Paul dealt with church discipline, in the New Testament, from

1 Corinthians, Chapter 5.

I want so badly to have a solid scriptural backing for the next assertion.

God did not turn his back on us! I know this is true because, “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” I want so much to say with confidence that God will not turn his back on us, in this age.

Romans 5:8 KJV But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Some would say, God cannot look upon sin, and this may well be what we saw on the cross when Jesus cried out that the father had abandoned him. To place that attribute upon us is wrong because Christ’s blood paid the price for all sin, once, for all. Though we all continue to sin God will not judge the world for sin, but for refusing to accept the price paid for our sin, effectively demonstrating our non-acceptance of God as the Father.

If we use this experience Stephen describes to validate God’s turning his back on us, then we are not paying attention.

Stephen said in Acts 7:38 that God gave them logia zonta, living doctrines that produce life upon obedience. Now just a minute, didn’t we talk about the restrictive laws that Israel had to follow to obtain righteousness?

See what I mean about not paying attention. If we do not investigate God’s word for ourselves then we are subject to the fallacies that false teachers feed. God gave them living principles, that when followed produced life in them. Because they were living, we can extrapolate that this was the life of God in them. (Try to imagine where this might take you.)

Israel chose to:

Disregard
Disobey
Build an image of Molech and offer worship to it.

(Molech, from historical record, had the head of a cow and the body of a man. With arms outstretched and a hollow body they would heat this atrocity up and lay their children in its arms. A “priest” would blow a trumpet loudly to drown out the sounds of the screaming children, as the onlookers danced wildly around the statue and others partook of sexual acts as part of the festivities. This is what Moses hears and sees as he comes off the mountain that day. He did not merely dash the tablets to the ground, he threw them at their heads.)

Reverting back to the ways of Egypt, so familiar while in bondage, they also worshiped Repham. Repham is also mentioned in Amos 5:25. It represented an Egyptian star god and was apparently small enough to carry around with you.

So God has reacted to their blatant and horrific disobedience.What would it take to get your attention and get you to stop some self-destructive behavior?

As I got into the car to go to lunch one day, a radio pastor says, “God will occasionally lead you on a destructive path.”

If we use Christ as our pattern for who God is, then we come to know that Christ is the good shepherd.

A shepherd in our commercial world is interested in making money, and leading his sheep on a destructive path is counterproductive. The only way I can see that happening on purpose is to get us quickly to safety on greener pasture, and I can guarantee that suffering loss is not what the shepherd desires. Nothing about this picture coincides with the kind of imagery that Stephen’s dissertation portrays. Israel, and them alone, put themselves on this destructive path.

If the shepherd turns his back on the sheep intentionally, he subjects them to their own stupidity and whatever hazards may lie in their path, potentially death. And for what purpose? This certainly does not qualify you as a good shepherd, which Christ is.

A former pastor told us that it was traditional for a shepherd to break the leg of a sheep that would continuously stray. And that was supposed to be my image of God? I believe it was his image of God, for this pastor had very little understanding of human nature, nor compassion upon people. Try presenting this aspect the pastor presents as a selling point for the Christian life.

I have spent a tremendous amount of time pursuing an understanding of end times events, and one of the things that most people associate with end times is God’s wrath and vengeance upon earth. What I have come to understand is that though wrath is clearly an aspect, it is also a time of mercy, as God continues to await and welcome all who will come to him. He is a God of mercy, but you will never know that without pursuing him, and coming to him. Ask Jesus Christ to make himself real to you and he will. If you will let him, he will come into your life and give you a hope of life with him, and hope is something that very few of you have. Come to him.

Intolerance! (pilgrimpassing.com)

Posted in Hope, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged Acts of the Apostles, God, God's word, Israel, Jesus, Moloch, Moses, Old Testament, Scripture, Stephen, thoughts, worship | Leave a comment

A Voice in the Wilderness

The Seals are opened. Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 3

The Seals are opened. Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 2

Muslim populations by percentage, around the globe.

The Seals are opened – Revelation 6 and beyond. Part 1

Rev 6

STATE OF THE EPICENTER, 2012: “A great darkness is descending on the people of the Middle East. War is coming.” « Joel C. Rosenberg’s Blog

Part 4 – Challenges to “a Short Course on Revelation”.

Things to come –

God is cleaning house –

Is it important how he cleans house or what he calls it?

This has nothing to do with the believer.

Christ, having already suffered once-

Nobody wants God wrath upon them.

Many believe the tribulation is here.

What then is holding the antichrist back?

If you read this and the rapture has come.

Challenges to: “A Short Course on Revelation” Part 2

Questions? Some have all the answers.

False Accusations Have Been Brought!

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But exclude the courtyard outside the temple _ a layman’s commentary. John 2:18-25

While being announced by the Father is great, no one understood by Jesus. John 2: 13-22.

It started out as the Lord’s passover. A layman’s commentary on John chapter two, verses 11-13.

No doubt, He is coming to judge and make war, but this is NOT the final judgment. Revelation 20:4.

A rebuttal to a post I made several years ago. Revelation 13:7

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Muslim populations by percentage, around the globe.

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Rev 6

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Things to come –

God is cleaning house –

Is it important how he cleans house or what he calls it?

This has nothing to do with the believer.

Christ, having already suffered once-

Nobody wants God wrath upon them.

Many believe the tribulation is here.

What then is holding the antichrist back?

If you read this and the rapture has come.

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Share this:

Related articles

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Recent Posts: A Voice in the Wilderness

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