WHAT OR WHERE IS BABYLON THE GREAT? A SURPRISE VIEWPOINT! ? And "RAPTURE WARS"- With Videos

 

Many Bible scholars have written and lectured extensively for years regarding Babylon the Great as mentioned in the Bible.  The most popular view - as to accuracy - has been challenged lately.  Please watch the following 29 minute video from prophecywatchers.com, with Gary Stearman as host interviewing Doug Woodward concerning Woodward's insights and views on where Babylon (or "Babylon the Great's daughter" ) just might be located.  Gary and Doug Woodward also discuss other scholars  viewpoints as to the whereabouts of Babylon the Great !  A fascinating discussion !

More about the end times we are currently experiencing, and also about the identity of Babylon the Great may be found by going to the "Search box" in the upper right hand side of this page and entering such topics as "Babylon the Great, end times, the Rapture, last days signs, Mark of the beast, " and so on.  You may also find articles concerning faith, hope, salvation, forgiveness, etc.   Many of the articles will also have videos.

Did you realize that 80% of Christians today do not believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture? (So said in the above video). My personal opinion as to the "why" of that fact may lie in the unfortunate truth that many of today's professing Christians do not read their Bibles!  Oh, many may open them while at church services, and some may read devotionals such as "Our Daily Bread" or Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest", and the like.  Which is all fine and good - even excellent - practice.   But nothing compares to reading the actual Word of God daily and in depth -  prayerfully and expectantly and reverently!  All Scripture is God-breathed! 2 Timothy 3:16  

Following is another 29 minute video by prophecywatchers.com, with Gary Stearman and his co-host Mondo Gonzales discussing the so-called "Rapture Wars" of today -  meaning the different beliefs as to the timing of the Rapture (pre-trib, pre-wrath, etc.) and how Christians can get argumentive concerning their beliefs thereof.  As brought out in the following video, "The gift of faith does not require you to know everything.  If your faith is whole and true, you will be raptured!"  (no matter what view you might have as to the timing of the Rapture - whether before the Tribulation or after the Trib. or whatever!)

Some time ago I read a quote by A.W. Pink which said, in effect, "If you do not understand all of Scripture (or it is not necessary to understand all of Scripture) - just Believe!" I am paraphrasing it because I could not find it again on the Internet today to quote it exactly, mainly because I did not want to spend time looking for it in my urge to hurry and get this article posted now.   When you think about it, Pink's quote is a wonderful insight into what true faith is!  If you don't understand all of Scripture, just believe it in faith because God cannot lie, and He certainly is telling us the truth in His Holy Word!

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." -   Hebrews 11:6

"And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee."  -  Luke 5:20

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believeth thou this?"  -     John 11:25-26

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." -   John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -    John 3:16

GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU ! HANG IN THERE! (Videos - The Soon Return - Will You Miss IT?) Inspirational Weekend

 

The last post on this blog (scroll down) was concerning God's faithfulness with a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith based on Lamentations the third chapter, verses 21 to 24,which follow:

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him."

This post will continue with more about the good Lord's faithfulness.  We need - during these chaotic and lawless times - to have something hopeful to hang on to, and what better hope than to dwell on God's faithfulness, and the fact that His promises will all come true!  The hope that true believers in Jesus as the Savior have far better things on the horizon which are soon to transpire!  

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of that great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." -  Titus 2:13-14

Part of the secret to endurance, besides the fact that God's promises will always come true - as they always have - (and to have faith that that is for sure), is to wait patiently with endurance for Him to ease our burdens and to comfort us with His presence (which He does right now to some degree), but also we have the blessed hope of Jesus' return for His "sheep" and the hope of eternal life in a much better place than what this present world offers. 

Verses 25 and 26 of Lamentations 3 encourages us : "The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Part of "seeking" the Lord, is not just the initial coming to salvation, but to continually seek Him after that - everyday - by frequent daily prayer and to pour over His Holy Word the Bible daily, as a continual feast to feed you spiritually.  Someone has said, "A prayerless Christian is a Christ-less Christian."

This blog has stressed often that the good Lord wants to fellowship with His people. When we do that by much prayer and Bible reading and studying, we will grow to know the Lord better; to know His attributes and character; and thereby learn to love Him more and more, day by day.  It is like with your friends and loved ones:  the more time you spend with them, the better you know them and the more you love them and want to spend time with them.  That is how we should feel about the LORD.  You will find that a warm, loving, close, intimate, personal relationship will develop between you and God through His Son Jesus Christ -  when you fellowship with the good Lord constantly. That is what it is all about, folks!  Nothing is more important than your relationship with the Lord!   Nothing!

Following is a 36 minute Christian video titled : "The Stage Is Set For the Second Coming."  I highly encourage you to watch it because there are many spiritual gems to be found there... about your Christian walk, as well as the fact that our Savior could return at any time now.

Going back to the faithfulness of God:  faithfulness is an attribute of God.  But to obtain the fulness of the faithfulness of God, we must realize that it depends on our walking with God and yielding to the guidance of His Holy Spirit.  We, too, therefore should be faithful to read and obey His Word and His Will.  Think about it: we only have that faith and have our own faithfulness by God's grace anyway! When we receive Christ as our Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings the blessings of love, peace, joy, and faithfulness...  Galations 5:22;  Ephesians 1:13

"And the heavens shall praise Thy wonders, O LORD: Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints."  -  Psalm 89:5

                                                     [Red Flowers of Cannonball Tree]

Another way to view God's faithfulness is to realize the fact that God will NOT fail you !! or abandon you!!

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  -  Hebrews 13:5

The basis of the above verse at Hebrews 13:5 is from the Old Testament:  Joshua 1:5, which tells us: 

"I will be with thee:  I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote a devotional about "He Never Fails" based on Joshua 1:5, a portion of that devotional follows:

"Beloved, a life of warfare is  before us, but the LORD of Hosts is with us.   ......   Have we to contend with cunning and powerful enemies?  Here is strength and valor, prowess and victoryl  Have we a vast heritage to win?  By this sign we shall achieve our purpose:  the LORD Himself is with us.  ....  When I meet death, who is called the last enemy, I pray that I may be at peace.  Only let my great care be to please the LORD in all things.  Oh, for faith and holiness, for these are a pleasure unto the Most High."

[Taro Fields, Overlook Near Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii]

Keep watching !  

Keep looking up!

Your redemption is near!

Following are salvation Scriptures for those who may not yet have accepted and believed in Jesus as the Savior.  These verses are also excellent for Christians to share with unsaved loved ones .

Here is a short 8 minute video by Dr. Charles Stanley on the subject of salvation;  please watch!

Remember, simply repeating "a sinner's prayer" does NOT, in itself, save you.  It is good to have a model or example to help one to understand,  but many have mindlessly repeated a formula type prayer and thought they were saved but by their lifestyle, etc., showed evidence that they were not truly born again.   You are saved by faith and belief in Jesus as THE SAVIOR!  Realize that His shed blood can wash you clean of your sins and save you for life eternal.  You must repent - a complete change of mind in conformity to the Lord's will, and then turn your life around to be obedient to His commands (as best we frail finite humans are able to do).  It would be best to say your own heartfelt and sincere prayer, and to ask for His forgiveness.  

Think how Jesus suffered an agonizing death for you, bled for you, died for you, so that you might have life eternal!  He paid your sin debt in full at His death.  It was a debt so great that none of us could ever have paid it on our own. (Works do NOT save you!)  Ephesians 2:8-9

What love !

What mercy!

The least we can do is follow Him as best we can and share the Gospel with lost souls! Out of our own love for Him and our gratitude to Him for all He has done for us.

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!

"True Perspective For Such A Time As This" (Videos - One A Sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith) - Inspirational Weekend

[Red Cassia Tree Blossoms]

I had spent much time preparing for this post, but last night while laying in bed and praying, I felt led to focus on different Scriptures and a different topic.  So, with the good Lord's help (as always) here goes !

Believe me, without praying in advance for the Holy Spirit's guidance, these blog posts would not be possible! Jesus tells us at John 15:5 =   "I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."

That is something the world in general does not even understand; meaning people who are not spiritually minded and who concern themselves only with the material and secular view of life in this mixed up world.  They may think that Christians who devote their time and thoughts on the good Lord and His will are fanatics or just crazy.  But what matters is What God and Jesus think!  How the good  Lord views a person; not how the world judges a person.  

"But the LORD said unto Samuel,  look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance; but the LORD looketh on the heart." -   1 Samuel 16:7

The sermon following is from the Bible book of Lamentations.  But before that, here is a brief 7 minute very informative overview of Lamentations:

Before the sermon video by Pastor Chuck Smith, let us consider Lamentations 3:21-24 :  

"This I recall in my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him."

What encouraging words for us today in this modern, topsy-turvy world !  Pastor Smith, who passed away in 2013, was the founder of the Calvary Chapel Churches.  His 29 minute sermon is based on Lamentations 3:21-24.  

God is a promise keeper! Pastor Smith, in the above video, tells us: "God will keep His promises to you -  it all depends on where you stand with God."  

Remember the old hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness"?  It ties in with Pastor Chuck's sermon above and I felt it needed to be included here for you.  Enjoy !

In the sermon here by Pastor Smith, he tells us (1) "It is good to be on God's side" - and (2) "Hope in God and wait for His salvation."

Many people today realize things are just in a turmoil in this world (and that is an understatement!)  They see  no way out -  like no relief is ever going to be possible.  The Bible prophesied about our day!  We are in the end of this dispensation- the end of the Church age!  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 concerning occurances proving these are now the end times !  

Jesus tells us at Luke 21:25-26 :  "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."   

  But then pay attention to what Luke 21:27 and 28 tells us ! "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."

True believers in the good Lord realize all this chaos and upheaval occuring today is proof that Jesus' return will be very soon to rapture His Bride (The Church, true followers of Christ).  

Will you be Rapture Ready?

Jesus loves you, and He is waiting to hear from you!

When you put your faith in Him and believe with all of your very soul - all of your very being- that He is the Savior and the only way to heaven; that His shed blood at Calvary can wash you clean from your sins because He paid your sin debt in full by His ransom death -- He died in your place and took on your sins so that you may have eternal life if you but believe in Him as the Redeemer- Just BELIEVE!!

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."  - Romans 5:9

However, you do need to repent of your sins in all sincerity, as well as pray with all of your heart and soul for forgiveness ! At Matthew 4:17 it tells us:  "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This world is dying!  In Jesus, we LIVE! 

When you run to Jesus in faith, He will welcome you with open arms and embrace you with His love and His forgiveness!

Following are some "Salvation Scriptures" for those who may not yet have believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior.  Also, the following verses are good for you who are already Christians to share with unbelieving relatives or friends to help bring them to salvation.  We are only vessels - we do NOT save anyone - but we share the Gospel with others and God's Holy Spirit saves them !  

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) - 2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."   -   John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   -  John 3:16

     "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."    -   John 3:3

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!

 

"Hold On Tight ! Almost There!" (With Encouraging and Hope Filled Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

 

[Barber's Point Lighthouse, Oahu, Hawaii]

We all have often heard how children, when on a road trip with parents, will impatiently and constantly repeat "Are we there yet?"  We who are true children of the heavenly Father are, in today's perilous times, wondering the same thing in regards to the soon return of Jesus as to when our "flight 777 to heaven on Titus213 airlines" will occur?  We ARE almost there!  Trust the good Lord! Hold on Tight to faith in Jesus and in His promises!

A wonderful and comforting promise of  Jesus is found at John 14:1-4 which follows:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

That is our blessed hope!  Titus 2:13, 14 tells us:   "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Many Christians today are feeling "battle weary."  But we must not lose hope!  We must keep the faith! God's promises never fail!  The fact that His Holy Word the Bible prophesied about these current last days and how those prophesies are now daily - even hourly, or by the minute - coming true right before our very eyes ;  that should all the more increase our faith and hope that our "battle" on this earth will be over soon when we meet our beloved Jesus !  Yes, many have said our life on earth is but a "journey" or a "pilgrimage", and that is very true.  But as for these last days we find ourselves caught up in -  it is a true battle !  A spiritual battle!

Romans 8:35-39 informs us: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

When the apostle Paul in the above verses mentions angels, principalities, powers, he, for the most part, refers to spiritual forces such as fallen angels and evil entities and, yes, the devil.  All of which wage war against true believers in the Lord.  This battle ground, so to speak, is further discussed in Ephesians, which speaks of the "whole Armor of God."  Please, please read all of Ephesians 6, as well as all of Romans 8 as well.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,  against the the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."  -   Ephesians 6:10-13

Following is an excellent 13 minute video about the Armor Of God and what it means and entails:

As we all know, many during the past year have suffered extreme losses, such as the death of a loved one, loss of employment, and the list goes on.  But God wants us to learn from what we are going through, so it says in the following 13 minute video. It says, "God isn't letting you down, He's letting you learn!"  

Another excellent video which follows stresses for us to focus on God and not our battles!

Not long ago, on this blog, a post was made concerning the Rapture, in which is explained the meaning of "Flight 777 on Titus 213 airline".   Here is the link https://inspiringnaturephotography.blogspot.com/search?q=departure+soon+flight+777

One more wonderful video for you !  It is 13 minutes in length and tells us the ONLY THING we can take to heaven with us.  A must watch for all Christians!

In view of the fact that these are the last moments of the last days, it is imperitive that all persons concern themselves where they will spend eternity.  Remember, eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place -  the wrong place being hell!

For any unsaved persons reading this blog, and for any believers who have unsaved relatives that they might want to share the following Salvation Scriptures with,  please take heed to the following:

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -  John 3:36

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"  - 2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."    -   John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -   John 3:16

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!