Current Events Update And The Soon Rapture Of The Church (With Videos)

The Bird of Paradise flower above seems fitting to begin this post, as we will be discussing the Rapture of true believers to heaven  (paradise) with Jesus.  Also, we will discuss current events in light of Bible prophecy.

To begin, please watch the following 19 minute video on current events in the Middle East featuring Messianic Jew and Bible teacher Amir Tsarfati, who has a thriving ministry and lives in Israel.  This video was created and posted yesterday, so obviously it is current.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0GNZ-Gfb2E

Amir gives information on the recent attack on Syria by America with Israel's assistance, as well as other useful information pertaining to the last days.    I appreciated how he stresses that the people of God should not be afraid, because the Lord is in control.  We are the generation that has seen more prophecies coming true than any other generation, says Amir.  He gives much encouragement to true believers in the Lord. 

He also directs us to the fact that PM Netanyahu of Israel made a video yesterday in English concerning Iran's nuclear plan, as well as the fact that Israel acquired a stockpile of documents that proves Iran lied when the nuclear deal was signed concerning the fact that they supposedly did not have nuclear weapons.  Although you may have seen it on the news, I will post this video link with Netanyahu directly below:

We are now watching Bible prophecy being fulfilled in real time. These are dangerous times, but also exciting times.  Prophecies are being fulfilled almost daily, it seems.  It is important to read  your Bible so you can appreciate how true God's Word is and everything He told us about the end times is coming to pass right now.  It builds your faith, and also gives you hope that we believers will all be with the Lord very soon in heaven,  before the 7 year Tribulation occurs.   That is when God pours out His wrath upon all the ungodly and evil people left on earth after the Rapture.  The Great Tribulation is also called the time of "Jacob's trouble"... meaning the Jewish people .  (Jeremiah 30:7).  The Tribulation is also to bring the Jews to the realization that Jesus is their Messiah.

This may seem like soft date setting, to say that Jesus will return soon to Rapture true believers to be with Him in heaven.  But  remember that "Jesus chastised the Pharisees and the Sadducees as well as the city of Jerusalem for not recognizing the season of their visitation."   -  Matthew 16:1-4; 23:37-39

Also, do not forget that Jesus gave us signs to look for that pointed to the season of His return for believers.  You may find these signs in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

We need to understand the temporary nature of our current existence, as our departure will be soon in light of Bible prophecy.

Are you ready to leave this earth?  Are you ready for the return of the Lord?  Are you living a sanctified life; as holy a life as possible?  Are you surrendered to the Lord and obeying Him?  In other words, are you born again?  (John 3:3)

If all of that is true of you, then there is no need to panic or to be afraid.  Our faith and trust and hope is in the good Lord, and not in this corrupt world.  God gives us peace when we trust in Him.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee"    -  Isaiah 26:3

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   -  John 14:27

Those who are refusing to believe in Jesus as their Savior are making the biggest mistake they could ever make in this life.  Their eternity will be in torment in hell.   I beg you to look to the Lord for help.  He loves you and does not wish any to perish.  (2 Peter 3:9).

This world is passing away, but he that does the will of God will live forever.  (1 John 2:17).  Wouldn't you like to live forever in a paradise restored; live among peaceable persons who want nothing more than to worship and praise the Lord ?   You can if you will only put your trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus as your Savior.  But you must also sincerely repent of your sins, ask the Lord for forgiveness and believe in the resurrection of Jesus.  It is not complicated; it is not an elaborate list of do's and don't's.  When you begin to live a life dedicated to the Lord, you will want to obey and follow Him, because your love for Him will grow as you draw near to Him in prayer and in Bible reading and study.  You will have a hope and a purpose, and He will give you peace.


Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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

"What Is The Work Of God?" - Inspirational Weekend

My photograph above of the African Crowned Crane is just one example of God's beautiful creations.  All we have to do also is to gaze upon gorgeous mountains, and other breathtaking examples of our Heavenly Father's masterpieces, and we realize just how awesome our God is.   

But "the work of God" stressed in this post is not about His amazing creation, but something else indeed.  John 6:29 says:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

Let's back up to other verses in John 6 so that we may see the context here more fully.  Jesus had previously performed the miracle of turning two small fishes and five barley loaves into enough food to feed over 5,000 men plus women and children.  Not only that, but there were 12 baskets of food left over.  (John 6:1-14).

Later, the people searched for Jesus again, and when they found Him, He said unto them:

".......Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."  -  John 6:26

The miracles which Jesus performed proved that He came from God and that He was the promised Messiah.  That was reason enough to follow Him.  But to follow Him because He supplied them with food, that was selfishness of a gross kind.  Beware today, believers, that you do not make the same mistake:  following Jesus for what you can get from Him, instead of following Him out of faith and belief in Him. We should follow Him out of extreme love for Him, and out of true gratitude for salvation from Him.

In John 6:27, Jesus went on to say to them:

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed."

The people responded with: "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"   -  John 6:28

Jesus responded with the already quoted verse, John 6:29:

"This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

The people had immediately thought that doing "works" (plural) was what was required and was what Jesus meant.   But Jesus referred to one work......  the work that pleases God... and the first requirement is to have faith in Jesus Christ.  "A faith that would enable them to lay hold upon Him who is the Bread of Life: from  such faith would spring a Christlike life."

It is not doing this or doing that, but it is believing.  "The act of believing in Jesus, the soul's casting itself on Him with perfect trust, is here spoken of as a work, as something which requires the exercise of man's will and calls forth determination and effort. The attainment of abiding nourishment unto eternal life offered by the Son of man."

Believe in Jesus as the Savior. 

"This is the work which sinners are to do; and doing this they will be saved, for "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth".   (Romans 10:4).

We are living in the last days.

Believers should be in constant fellowship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, thereby developing a close, intimate, personal love relationship with Him.  That will enable you to not only live a life pleasing to Him and to help you grow to spiritual maturity, but it will also help you to do the Great Commission and bring others, with the Holy Spirit's help, to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Unbelievers should not delay in accepting Jesus as their Savior as His return is imminent.  Not to choose Him, not to choose life, is still a choice....you are saying No to Him, No to eternal life with the Lord.   You need to repent of your sins, pray for forgiveness, believe in Jesus with all your being and believe also in His resurrection !  It is not complicated, you only need to be repentant and sincere - and of course have faith and believe in Jesus.

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us:  (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."   -  Jesus at John 6:39

"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

Jesus tells us the Great Commission at Matthew 28:19, 20:

(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Syria Is A Wake-up Call ; Middle East Events ; Bible Prophecy (With Video)

In my photograph above, most of these lesser flamingos have their heads buried, and some may be in oblivious sleep.   It reminds me of the general attitude of most people in these perilous times we are now living in:  life goes on as usual (so they believe) as all hell is breaking loose in the world and particularly in the Middle East.  Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before their eyes and they are too asleep to realize it.   This is true even in the pulpit as well as the pews.   Pastors, for the most part, do not dare touch on Bible prophecy.   

Following is a 28 minute video from prophecywatchers,com featuring author and White House Correspondent Bill Koenig, who discusses the Middle East current events in detail.   Although posted on You Tube yesterday, it was filmed the beginning of this month, so it is not completely up-to-date, but there is enough pertinent information as to be enlightening to us.  

 Most of you who are followers of this blog, are already aware of the fact that things happening right now are extremely prophetically significant.  Mr. Koenig has been studying Bible prophecy for many years, and so has the host of the show, Gary Stearman, so they are quite knowledgeable concerning end time events.

Here is a link to an article titled "Three Reasons Syria Is Our Wake-Up Call"  from raptureready.com.  The writer, Todd Hampson, gives 3 main Scriptures as the reasons concerning Syria as a wake-up call. They are Zechariah 12:2-3;  Isaiah 17:1,14; Ezekiel 38.

Mr. Hampson goes into detail about these prophecies, and explains how Israel's recently discovered gas and oil is a threat to Russia's oil sales.   He also brings to our attention that "Saudi Arabia has never been aligned with Israel and the USA as foretold in Ezekiel 38 -- until now!"  He also says, "I believe we are seeing the stage being set before our very eyes for these three major end-time prophecies."   Please read the entire article.  It is recent and was published April 21, 2018.

Don't be slow to comprehend.  We are living in the last days; the last "hour" of the end times.  Read Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 for the signs of the times which Jesus warned us about.  Now is not the time to creep along with no purpose.  If you are a true believer, you need to be preparing spiritually for the Lord's soon return.   You also need to be witnessing to lost souls for them to come to the Lord in faith; to accept Jesus as their Savior, and to surrender their lives to Him.

Many people have a sense that tells them something has to give soon!  All the signs of the times tell us things cannot continue as they are now without a major event occurring, such as a World War (which some believe has already begun); or, glory! the return of Jesus to rapture believers to heaven to be with Him forever.   Many scholars believe that the disappearance of millions of believers in America will cripple our country so that we are no longer a superpower.   There are other factors, such as a nuclear attack, or an EMP attack, which could cripple our country. 

To sum it all up, get right with the Lord and obey Him and fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).   Your eternity depends on it, or should I say also that your future rewards in heaven depend on it, for thereby you are doing the Lord's will; you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works, but you show your faith by your works.  (James 2:20).

Jesus tells us at John 6:47,  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life."

He says at John 6:40,   "And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

America Is In Deep Trouble (Video)

"America has become a humanistic society" says Dr. David Reagan of christinprophecy.org .  He also tells us that "The core belief in humanism is its conviction that man is capable of solving his own problems without any supernatural intervention from God."

2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us:  (1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

All of the above things are prevalent in the world today, and perhaps especially so in America.  In verse 2 above it mentions that men will be lovers of their own selves.......that is humanism.   In verse 4 it tells us that men will be lovers of pleasures.....that is hedonism.   In 1 Timothy 6:10 it tells us that the root of all evil is the love of money.......that is materialism.  Many people today make money their god.  

You have to admit, America is guilty of all of the above sins.  Following is a 28 minute video from christinprophecy.org  which goes into much more detail and also discusses "God's prophetic voices to America" :

America is indeed in deep trouble and long overdue for judgement from God, as many have forgotten Him and many do not have a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with the Lord.  You must read and study your Bible to hear God "speak" to you; and you must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  That is how you build a relationship with God, by communicating with Him.  

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you....."  - James 4:8a

Jesus gave us many signs to watch for concerning the end times, which we are now living in....in fact, we are in the last "hour" of the end times.  Read all of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 to discover these signs of the last days.  

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

If Jesus returns tomorrow, or even in the next hour, would you be ready?  Can you honestly say that you know Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him, and that you long to be with Him for all eternity?

When Jesus walked the earth almost 2,000 years ago, the religious leaders of that day were not expecting Him to come as a "meek lamb".   They were expecting a conqueror to free them from the Romans.  So they missed Jesus' coming, so much so that they crucified Him.  Go here to read an article titled "Do Not Miss His Coming." 

America is in deep trouble because it is so full of ungodly people and people who have no love of God whatsoever.  Most everyone just wants to do their own thing.  And that is not to mention the violence we see today and the corruption in politics and I could go on and on.  In the days of long ago,  God would send enemies to wreck havoc on Israel when that nation would turn from Him and get caught up in sin and in worshiping other gods.  In that sense, they had rejected the good Lord, and they paid the price, often becoming captives in a foreign land.  God punished them severely, just like He will punish America.  

We can get so caught up in everyday living, work, family, and just also having a good time, that we have no time for the Lord.  We let things of the world crowd Him out.  In other words, we do not put Jesus first in our life.  That is the worst mistake anyone can make.  Your eternal destiny depends on the choices you make right now.  Choose Jesus and spend eternity in paradise with Him;  choose the world and its desires, and spend eternity in hell.  

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."    -  James 4:4

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:  therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"   -

Deuteronomy 30:19

The good news is:

Jesus loves you !!

He will pardon your sins and wipe the slate clean !

Choose Life

Choose Jesus

Come to Him in repentance.  Pray for forgiveness. Believe with all your being that Jesus is the Savior, and that you need Him.  You must have belief in His resurrection also as Romans 10 tells us.  If you are truly a follower of Jesus, you will live a godly life and put the Lord first.

Romans 10:9,10,13 informs us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."    -  Ephesians 2:8-9

"It Is Finished !" - Inspirational Weekend

Resurrection Day is this coming Sunday, as all Christians know.  They will hear sermons and Scriptures concerning Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  He suffered a cruel and painful death; but He did it out of love for us - us undeserving humans that can be so stubborn and self-willed.  Oh how He loves us !!  We should thank Him everyday for His sacrifice because we who believe in Him will have everlasting life !  

For believers, therefore, death is not the end, but the beginning.  The beginning of life in eternity with our blessed Lord Jesus Christ; and in a new resurrected body.  

"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.  Believest thou this?"   -  John 11:25-26

We have all sinned and deserve death, God's punishment.  ( Romans 3:23).  But God in His great love and mercy, sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins; to die in our place, taking the punishment that we deserved, so that those who believe in Him and in His resurrection may have eternal life. (Romans 10:9,10,13).  

Charles Spurgeon has said, "This love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain unto it" ......"Herein is love! and truly it is love that "passeth knowledge".  O let this love fill our hearts with adoring gratitude, and lead us to practical manifestations of its power."

Jesus' resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith.  I urge you to read 1 Corinthians chapter 15.  Also study Isaiah 53 which prophesied about Jesus, and was written during the prophet Isaiah's  later years and he lived till around 681 BC. 

"When Jesus therefore had received  the vinegar, He said, "It is finished": and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost."     -  John 19:30

John is the only Gospel that mentions that Jesus said this.  It is no doubt the cry mentioned at Matthew 27:50 and Mark 15:37.  

The fact that Jesus said "it is finished" signifies several things:

(1)  The work of man's redemption was completed.

(2)  Every obstacle was removed, symbolized by the tearing of the veil.

(3)  The way of mercy was opened.

(4)  Jesus had met man's desperate need as a transgressor.

(5)  He had satisfied the law's demand in God's government.

(6)  He had answered every Scriptural type with an antitype. 

(7)  He had fulfilled every ancient prophecy concerning Himself.

(8)  Thus, in one word, Christ exhaustively discharged that entire 

       former dispensation in a new one.

Christ triumphed over the devil and his cohorts (evil angels) and must have sent unimaginable alarm into hades itself.  (Colossians 2:15).

In ancient times, telelestai  (finished) would be written across invoices to indicate "paid in full".  It is the same word used in John 19:28.  All was finished. Jesus had given His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  God's will had been done.  The means of the world's salvation had now been provided.

How could we ever become self-important and self-righteous, knowing that we, as sinners, deserve death and punishment except for the love and mercy of the Lord,   We should be very humbled and very grateful for all Jesus did for us, by dying in our place.

Let us sing praises to Him, and in true gratitude worship Him as our Master and Savior !

Following is a worship song you are probably familiar with:

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."   -  Mark 10:45

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple."          -         Luke 14:27

"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

"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."    -  John 3:17

"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

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, I urge you to make the choice today to repent of your sins, and pray to the Lord for forgiveness.  Believe with all your being that Jesus is the Savior, and that He is waiting to pardon you if you will turn to Him in faith and repentance.  

Jesus loves you !!   

Choose Him !  Choose Life Eternal !

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9)  "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Wisdom And The Most Important Decision" (Videos - Chuck Smith and Andrew Murray) - Inspirational Weekend

The dictionary informs us that wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.  The word "wisdom" is mentioned 222 times in the Hebrew Bible.  True wisdom is a gift from God.  Jesus is wisdom, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:30 below:

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification. and redemption."

"True wisdom is the knowledge of Divine things, rightly used."  

"Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it."   -  J.I. Packer 

The book of Proverbs is best known for its wisdom.  I recommend you read all of it, and especially chapter 8 of Proverbs.  

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."  -  Proverbs 9:10

We are only wise when we turn to God and reverently fear Him and go to Him about all decisions that need to be made; asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us and to give us strength and endurance.  He will enable us to deal rightly in all matters, when we seek to know His will and to follow through by obeying Him and doing His will, not ours.  We need to develop a close, personal, intimate, love relationship with God through Jesus Christ in order to know His will and to obey Him.  You must communicate with someone in order to build a relationship.  The same is true of the heavenly Father.  Go to Him often in prayer, and study His Holy Word to, in turn, listen to Him speak through His written Word.  As you come to know the Lord more and more, you will obey Him out of love, and you will surrender your life and your very being to Him.  

Andrew Murray says, "Abiding in Him, His wisdom will come to you as a spontaneous outflow of a life rooted in Him."  Following is an 11 minute audio sermon by Murray about abiding in Christ as your wisdom:

The late pastor, Chuck Smith, gives the benefits of wisdom in the following 25 minute audio sermon.  

In pastor Smith's sermon above, he mentions how experience is often the best teacher, especially when raising children.  We learn wisdom when we make mistakes and thereby learn what to avoid in the future.

We also learn wisdom by reading the Scriptures ....a really deep, serious study of God's Word.  

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  -  James 1:5

To acquire wisdom, go to the good Lord in prayer and ask Him to give you wisdom.  God is a giver.  If you are a believer and in good standing with Him, He will grant your petition.  That is, if you ask in faith.  Remember, the doubting man dishonors God.  Therefore if we do not have faith, we should not expect God to answer us.  (James 1:6,7).

In making decisions, we should always endeavor to make them in a manner that glorifies God.  Always ask yourself what the Bible says about the problem.  Talk to your pastor or a mature believer and ask them if they can help you to more fully understand just what God's Word says about the matter you are concerned about; the decision you need to make.  Also, you may go by your past experiences to help you make a decision.   And, again, go to the Lord in prayer for help.

Ask yourself if this decision will keep you from a good witness for the Lord. We need to honor God and bring Him glory in all that we do and say. Consider all options and, again, take it to the Lord in prayer.

The most important decision anyone can make is the one that determines their eternal destiny.....heaven or hell.   If you are a true believer and have been born again (John 3:3) and you are putting God first in your life, then you will have heaven to look forward to.  But beware if you are putting off coming to the Lord in faith; refusing to believe in Jesus as your Savior.  Think about it:  Eternity is a long time to spend it in the wrong place, and suffering unbearable torment at that.

We are living in the last days the Bible prophesied about; current events are evidence that we are, indeed, in the very last hour of this present age.  Read Ezekiel 38 and 39 for starters; all the countries are now coming against Israel (as prophesied) in an effort to annihilate her.  Israel is God's prophetic time clock; God will rescue His chosen people.

The fact that this is the last "hour" of the end times, should move everyone to turn to God and cry out to Him for deliverance.  Unbelievers should repent of their sins, pray to the Lord for forgiveness, and believe with all their being that Jesus is the Savior and to put their faith and trust in Him.  They need to also believe that He rose from the dead and is now in heaven to make intercession for us to the Father.  (Romans 10:9,10,13).

Time is short.

Jesus will return soon to take true believers to heaven with Him in the Rapture of the Church.

Don't be left behind to face the torment and horrors of the 7 year Tribulation period and then afterwards hell itself, unless you repent first.

Jesus loves you !!

He will welcome you with open arms and pardon your sins, if you will only turn to Him in faith and belief and repentance.

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:  therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" -  Deuteronomy 30:19

Concerning end time events, Jesus said at Luke 21:28:  "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

"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 Is A Sanctuary" (Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

These cattle egrets seem to have found themselves a tranquil sanctuary in the branches of an extremely large old tree.  A sanctuary can be a church or an area in your home where you pray to and worship God, or any place of refuge where you feel safe and protected.  The ancient Jews, as mentioned in the Bible at Numbers 35:11-15, had cities of refuge where the person who accidentally killed someone could flee to for safety from the avenger of blood.

But God Himself called Himself a sanctuary:

"Therefore say, thus saith the LORD God; although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come."  -  Ezekiel 11:16

Following is a 2 minute sermon clip by Charles Spurgeon on the above verse: 

The ancient Jews were sent into exile in other countries because God was punishing them for their lack of respect for Him and for their disobedience and rebellion.  It was an event that displayed the holiness of God; and it was a severe punishment for His people.  The event was to show God's goodness. Even in judgment, He showed mercy.  It was not His intention to destroy, but to correct and reform.

The good Lord assured His people that He would be "a little sanctuary" for them wherever they went.  In using the word "little", perhaps God was saying that He would be as they were; that He would bow down to their littleness and be to each one of them a little sanctuary.  "When the Lord communes with the greatest of men, He must become little to speak with them."  The dispersion made the Jews able to worship God everywhere without a material temple.

"And He shall be for a sanctuary....."  -  Isaiah 8:14a

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. (22)  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. (23)  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.  (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."   -  John 4:21-24

A sanctuary was a place of refuge, a place of worship, a place of mercy, the house of mercy, and a place of great holiness.  God Himself is all of that and more.  He will be to us a place of communion and of revelation.  He answers our prayers, and today He "speaks" to us through the Bible, His Holy Word.  So you may find in God and Jesus your sanctuary.  All that you ever could want or need.

If for some reason, either sickness or a long journey, you are unable to go to the house of God, remember that God is your sanctuary and you can worship Him and pray to Him from your home or hospital.  

Below is a song video that relates to this message, although it does not mention God Himself as being our sanctuary:

If you are an unbeliever, you need to turn now to the Lord in repentance before it is too late.  Before Jesus returns to take true believers to be home with Him in heaven; or else you will be left behind to face unbelievable horrors during the 7 year tribulation period after the Rapture of the church occurs.  Your eternal destiny, heaven or hell, is what is at stake.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and all thy soul."   -  Deuteronomy 4:29

"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

Jesus is ready to receive you in His loving embrace.  His outstretched arms will receive you with joy and with pardon for your sins.

All it takes is true repentance and a prayer for forgiveness. And, of course, a belief and faith in Jesus as your Savior and belief in His resurrection.

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us :  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Being Reflectors Of God's Beauty" (With Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

Recently I wrote here about "Beauty, Art, and God".  Then I wrote primarily about how God loves beauty and how He is a Master Artist as all of creation testifies.  This weekend I will focus on the beauty of the Lord Himself, and how we should, as true believers, reflect His beauty and His attributes in our conduct and in all of our life.

"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."  -  Psalm 90:17

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple."  -  Psalm 27:4

First, just what does it mean to say "the beauty of the LORD"?

Matthew Poole's Commentary tells us it is "His favorable countenance, and gracious influence, and glorious presence."

The word  translated "beauty" here means pleasantness, then beauty, as well as splendor.  Holiness is also the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 110:3), as is His goodness (Zechariah 9:17).  You can pretty much sum it all up by saying that "The harmony of all His attributes is the beauty of His nature"; as Matthew Henry tells us.

Here is a song video about the beauty of the Lord:

In Psalm 90:17 it says "let the beauty of the Lord be upon us."   This not only means the Lord's blessing upon us, but also that we may endeavor to exhibit some of the Lord's beauty and attributes in our own speech, conduct, and attitudes....that we may reflect God's holiness, His goodness, His love, His patience, and so much more.  This becomes more manifest as we grow spiritually to maturity in our walk with the Lord.  His beauty will inspire us to be filled with love and gratitude towards Him, and to be on fire to witness to others about the Gospel; to be reflectors of His beauty.  

When we became true believers, we became a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17).    "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:"   -  Colossians 3:10.   This is possible because at salvation God changes the believer's nature.  Therefore we can reflect the Lord's beauty by having a holy nature; a heart that has been transformed; a godly life will be the outcome of our conversion.  And a godly life is a wonderful reflection on the beautiful, saving power of our Lord.  

"For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn amongst many brethren."  -  Romans 8:29

Romans 8:29 is referring to believers having the moral  conformity to the likeness of God's Son.

All of these holy attributes we acquire at conversion (although it takes time to mature spiritually, the possibilities are there) because at conversion we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to live a godly life and to reflect the beauty of the Lord.

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," -  Ephesians 1:13

Following is a sermon clip  (about 2 minutes in length) by Charles Spurgeon on being reflectors of the Lord's beauty:

The beauty of the Lord is also found in redemption and, as stated previously, in His creation; as well as the revelation of His character and work in Scripture.   If you are a true believer, you need to endeavor to develop a strong, close, personal and intimate relationship with the Lord through Jesus Christ, and that will empower you to grow in maturity and to be filled with love and devotion to God like you have never experienced before.  In order to have this close relationship, you need to be in prayer often; you cannot have a good relationship with someone you never communicate with.  Daily reading of God's Word is important as well, for God "speaks" through the Bible.  You get to know more about Him and Jesus when you read His Holy Word, thereby growing closer to Him.

If you are an unbeliever, you need to turn to God before it is too late.   None of us know whether we will be alive tomorrow, or even in our next few minutes.   Now is the time to give your life and devotion to the Lord, so you will not suffer the coming 7 year Tribulation and eventually hell itself.  

Pray and ask God for forgiveness. Honestly repent of your sins and do not continue living in sin;  Believe that Jesus is the Savior and only through Him is eternal life in heaven possible.  Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and that His shed blood on the cross can wash your sins away; redeem you.

Jesus is waiting with open arms of love and forgiveness if only you will come to Him in full faith and belief and in repentance.  

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us,  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"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

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.  God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."  -  1 John 4:16

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new."  -  2 Corinthians 5:17

"Faith And Prayer Work Together" (Videos) - Inspirational Weekend

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."   -  Mark 11:22-24

I could end this post right now, for those words spoken above by Jesus say it all.   Faith and prayer go hand in hand; they work together.  

The Lord plainly explained that faith held the secret to having your prayers answered.

I am reminded of the account in Matthew 17:14-21 about how the disciples of Jesus could not cast out the demon from the lunatic son.  When the disciples asked Jesus why they failed, Jesus told them in Matthew 17:20 that it was because of their unbelief, and in verse 21, the Lord said, concerning the demon, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."  Evidently, the disciples had not been nourishing their faith;  they had not been in prayer (and they did not fast) so their trust and their efforts completely failed.   They did not have the power because they did not have a strong faith.

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."   -  Matthew 21:22

You need to believe.  You need to have faith.  So then when you pray, your prayers will be answered.   But remember, you need to be specific when you pray.   Also keep in mind that prayer is, in many ways, dependent upon the Word of God.  God's Holy Word becomes the reason and the inspiration of our prayers.

"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."   -  John 15:7

Hebrews 11:1 tells us,  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."     

Faith is believing that God will make a way where there is no way.  Following is an encouraging and up-lifting song of faith by Don Moen titled "God Will Make A Way":

"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith.  The two are at opposite sides of the same coin."  -  A.W. Tozer

"If you find your life of prayer to be always so short, and so easy, and so spiritual, as to be without cost and strain and sweat to you, you may depend on it, you have not yet begun to pray."  -  Alexander Whyte

The good Lord wants to fellowship with us.  He loves us and desires to commune with us.   That word "commune" means with intensity, with passion, and with intimacy.  Our prayers should reflect that kind of intensity and intimacy;  I can picture that God cares not for many so-called "Ho-Hum" prayers that have no feeling and no depth.  Remember He is God Almighty, the Creator, the Sovereign of the universe.   Show Him honor and respect, and be in awe of Him when you pray and worship.  You can do nothing without Him;  your very life depends upon His grace and love.  Give God the honor and the glory He deserves and expects.

Following are two short videos (around 16 minutes each) reciting from the works of Andrew Murray.  The first one is about the source of the power in prayer:

The next discourse by Andrew Murray concerns Faith:

But what if you are not saved?   Then the prayer that God will answer is the one where you ask Him for forgiveness, repenting in all sincerity, and believing with all your very being that Jesus is the Savior and also believing in His resurrection.

If you are living in sin and are disobedient to the good Lord, your prayers will not be answered unless you repent and ask Him for forgiveness and for salvation through Jesus Christ, and do this in humility and in faith.

"Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." -  Acts 4:12

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

"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

Many people realize that we are now living in the last days - the end times - and Bible prophecy is now being fulfilled before our very eyes.  Soon Jesus will return again to take true believers to heaven with Him.  They will avoid the horrific 7 year Tribulation period that follows.   Will you be among the true believers that go to heaven with the Lord, or will you be left behind to face the doom and disaster that occurs during the Tribulation?

The Lord loves you and does not wish for any to be destroyed.  

All it takes is one step of faith from you and a true repentance.

Jesus is waiting for you with love and outstretched arms of tender compassion to hold you close in His embrace and in the safety and salvation found in Him.

Time is short.  

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us,  "(9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Think Russia, Turkey, Iran Alliance - Think End Times Upon Us (With Videos)

I have written often on various end time Bible prophesies.  Go to the above right on this page where you see the Search box and type in "end times,  the Rapture, the Tribulation, mark of the beast" and other terms pertaining to various Bible prophecies and previous posts on those topics will pop up for you to view. I write about such subjects because I feel the urgency of these perilous days we find ourselves living in now, and because believers are urged by the Lord to spread His Word.  Bible prophecy is approximately 1/3 of the contents found in God's Holy Word, and many have come to faith in Jesus upon learning we are in the last days, and that the Bible predicts the future and that much of what is happening now was foretold in its pages.  But, of course, also because Jesus is the only way to heaven, and those who put their faith and trust in Him, believing Him to be the Savior of all who surrender to Him, will have everlasting life. 

"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.  Believest thou this? "  -  John 11:25-26

Following is a  19 minute video focusing primarily on Ezekiel 38 and the recent alliance of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.  It features pastors Don Stewart and Jack Hibbs.  

Ezekiel 38:1-3 tells us, (1)" And the word of the Lord came unto me saying, (2) Son of man, set thy face against Gog the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, (3)  And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:"

Ezekiel 38 then lists the countries that will ally themselves with Gog to go against Israel in an effort to destroy Israel.  All of those countries are right now in place preparing to come against Israel very soon, by all indications.  If we are that close to the Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39 war, then we must be ever so close to the time when Jesus returns to take us home with Him !!

I urge you to please read all of Ezekiel 38 as well as Ezekiel 39.

Following is another video (56 minutes in length), with a sermon by Jack Hibbs and also a sermon by Amir Tsarfati, which pertain to being ready for our "visitation" soon: the return of Jesus.  Both sermons refer to the recent alliance of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.  Amir Tsarfati reminds us that "The whole prophetic aspect of the Bible is all about Jesus."   He also warns us that, "People who don't know the time of their visitation cannot escape the calamity."

We should "occupy' until Jesus returns.  That means, besides normal activities such as your job, you should be busy telling others about Jesus and His soon return.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."  -  Matthew 28:19-20

Be watchful !  Be ready !

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."   -  Luke 21:28

"Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."                     -  Matthew 24:44

Yes, Carnal Christians Are A Reality

More than once I have said that there is no such thing as a carnal Christian.  (Scroll down to the February 17, 2018, post directly below or go to this link).  I suppose I was thinking primarily of the false conversion of a person, as opposed to true conversion, which leads to holiness and a life totally surrendered to the good Lord....true conversion, that is; because when a person is truly converted he is sealed with the Holy Spirit, which then indwells him (Ephesians 4:30).  "What?  know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"  (1 Corinthians 6:19).   In other words, I had assumed that a carnal Christian was one who had not been truly converted; had not been born again.

There are newly converted believers that are sometimes called "babes in Christ".  They are not spiritually mature yet, and can still be carnally minded to a large degree.   Carnal comes from the Greek word sarkikos, which means "fleshly."   Anytime a Christian sins, he is being carnal.  

But please note, while a Christian (especially new Christians) can be carnal for a time, a true Christian will not remain that way forever.   As he prays and studies the Bible, he will grow to truly know the Lord.  He will love Him and will not want to grieve the Holy Spirit.  He will develop a close, intimate, and personal love relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  As time goes on, his life and manner and spirituality will be manifest to others, and he will do good works.   Genuine faith will always result in good works, according to James chapter 2.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."    -   Ephesians 2:8-10

Carnal Christians are spoken of in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 :

"(1)  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  (2)  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  (3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

In the quote above, the fact that Paul called them "brethren" signifies that they were Christians, as Paul often used that term to refer to other Christians as well.

So a believer can sin and appear to be carnal, but he will not remain carnal if he is a true Christian.

It is good to read 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, where it speaks of a man's works being tried by fire.   Verse 15 tells us:  "If any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

So, evidently, a carnal Christian is still saved.  Back to my thoughts on true or false conversion:  it is not whether a carnal Christian has lost his salvation, but was he, in actuality, truly saved in the first place.   

God will lovingly discipline carnal Christians so they can become more Christlike and also to have a close relationship with Him.  It is all about obedience, love, and true commitment to the Lord.  A  life totally surrendered to Him.  

Read Hebrews 12:5-11.  Following are verses 6 and 7:

(6) "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.  (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not.?"

Examine your heart and test yourself, and see if you are a worldly and carnal person.   If so, repent and make an effort to be more Christlike and to obey God in all things.  Get down on your knees and pray that God will give you an outpouring of His Holy Spirit so that you may better do His will and live as a true Christian should. You will then become more holy and live a life pleasing to the good Lord.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."    -  Romans 12:1-2

1 John 2:15-17 cautions us:  (15) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."