What I'm doing to be fully ready for the future 526-1 - 7 - 4

What am I doing to be fully ready for the future, fully ready for the future for what; a rather vague question. Does it have to do with waiting for Jesus to call His Church home? Is it about planting breadcrumbs for those left behind? Is it about being a prepper to survive tribulation in the lead up the the actual Tribulation?

In my daily walk as I wait upon the return of Jesus for His Church I try to remember Paul'S advice in Ephesians 6:13, “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.”

Paul speaks to the whole armour of God, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God helps to keep our thoughts focused on God.

I try to lead a life worthy of being caught up when Jesus comes for His bride. To have even a small portion of the righteousness of Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

What of those who are left behind at the time of the rapture? I suspect that any number of them will remember a born-again Christian friend who had warned them about the soon coming of Jesus for his Church. I have left breadcrumbs for family and friends who will be left behind as I expect that many other BACs have done.

Several prophetic websites such as the Rapture Ready site have information for those who are left behind. The Rapture Ready website has a section titled “Information For Those Left Behind.” I expect that these prophetic websites will be taken down fairly rapidly after the rapture. Nevertheless, while still available, people should be able to go to these sources and read some very helpful information dealing with what happened and why they missed it and what they can do to make sure that they don't fall under the spell of the antichrist.

Full disclosure, I’m something of a prepper. Most of my Christian friends fall into one of two groups concerning the Rapture. Most are pre-trip and expect to be taken out before the horror of the Tribulation begins. The other group think we'll be here for part or all the tribulation but will be protected in place. Although I agree we believers will be taken care of I feel that I should make a certain amount of preparation while I wait either to be called home or caught up.

I wrote the following several months ago, still relevant. "Several Christian websites promote the procurement of long term storage food products and other prepper items such as water purification. Many survival items are necessary in addition to food and water, medical supplies being just one. I’m slowly adding to my suppliers. I have ample solar power at my summer off-the-power-grid home and a lesser amount at my winter on-the-power-grid home. In a normal emergency, I will have this advantage, however, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) would likely wipe out the electronics required with solar power. I've taken the added precaution of placing an electronic Bible, flash drives with Bible teachings and Bible commentaries along with small electronics and a solar charger in faraday pouches. I will be able to satisfy my hunger for the Bible as well as share scripture with my neighbors no matter what happens."

As I attempt to be "fully ready for the future" I must remember that I'm an ambassador for God and not to be a stumbling block to others by reflecting on "What would Jesus do?"

Yes, demons exist, stay prayed up! 531-1 - 8 - 4

Demons “believe and tremble” (James 2:19):

– They recognized—and acknowledged – his deity;

– They believed in a future judgment  (Mt 8:29) and in a place of future torment (v.31) in the abousso;

 – They also believed in prayer: they beg Jesus to not send them into the abousso; but rather into the pigs. (Demons can’t enter animals without permission?)

[CM’s, The Gospel of Luke]

During a Hebrew (before Jesus) exorcism the demon had to identify himself. As a result, exorcism of a deaf person was impossible for all, that is all but Jesus. Exorcising an unnamed demon was evidence of the Messianic authority of Jesus.

During the tribulation, there will demonic locusts with a king whose named Abaddon.

Rev 9:2-3, “2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” [KJV] 

“Revelation 9:8-10 With hair like women's, they were attractive and seductive. With lion-like teeth, they were ferocious and cruel. With armor-like iron breastplates, they were difficult to attack and destroy. With wings that made a great sound, they were terrifying and demoralizing. Tails like scorpions equipped them to torture both physically and mentally. Their power ... to hurt men five months meant unrelieved suffering.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

I’ve owned acreage in a rather remote area in northeastern Arizona for about 20 years. For the last several years, I spend my summers there. Before that I spend little time there and a good friend often stayed on the property. The few times I stayed there I slept in a trailer and was awaken by a knock on the door. At breakfast, I asked my friend why he was knocking on the trailer door in the middle of the night. Oops, not him. I left a few days later I think for Michigan so my friend moved into the trailer. Later he told me he also heard knocking.

There was not a presence of evil rather something that didn’t belong. My friend has long since moved into an apartment and the trailer stayed empty for years. I now spend six months on my property but in another newer trailer. No knocking, however, if I feel things are not quite right I say something like “I repudiate anything not of God in the name of Jesus, not of myself but through the blood of Jesus.”

Demon are real and can enter a host body. Best defense is to stay prayed up. President Trump was prayed into the office of the POTUS. The extreme reactions of Hillary’s people seem demonically inspired. There are people with wild, distorted faces making nearly inhuman sounds. I, like many other, pray for the protection of President Trump, his family and administration.

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

the three major viewpoints of the rapture of the Church: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation and Post-Tribulation 544 - 8 - 6

Church (capital C) refers believers in the simple message of the Gospel.

Call it the Rapture, The Harpazo or the Blessed Hope, it will be the greatest event in a believers life. Jesus will call us home, what a wonderful day that will be. CM calls it “The most preposterous doctrine in Evangelical Christianity.” A preposterous doctrine with a scriptural bases.

1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught (G726) up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

G726 - harpazō - From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Pre-Tribulation Rapture is Jesus coming for His Church before the start of the seven year tribulation and this view is in accordance with “The Doctrine of Imminency.” We can expect Jesus at any moment; there is nothing more required for the Rapture of the Church to occur. 

The Jewish Wedding is analogous to what will happen in the lead up to the rapture. Jesus, the bridegroom, ascended into his father's house to prepare a place for his bride, the Church, just as was done in biblical time. Just as the bride was to be ready as the bridegroom could come at any time, the Church should eagerly anticipate the coming of Jesus for his Church.

A Mid-Tribulation Rapture embraces the belief that the Church will be caught at the midpoint of the seven year tribulation before the start of the final three and half years known as the time of Jacob’s troubles.

A post-Tribulation rapture point of view claims that the church will go through the seven year Tribulation. We would meet ourselves in the clouds as Jesus calls us to him as He descended to earth.  We would be going up and coming down at the same time.  No, the Church will not go through the Tribulation!
Both the mid- trib rapture and a post-trip rapture point of view deny “The Doctrine of Imminency,” however….

While there are several Scriptures that imply that the Church will be removed prior to the Tribulation, I have a question concerning Revelation 12:5-6, “She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.”

The woman is Israel fleeing after the desecration of the Temple as the Son of Prediction breaks his covenant with Israel after 3 ½ years. The Son of the woman/Israel is Jesus and if His ascension to the Father represents the Church, could this be mid-trib rapture?

Regardless of my question concerning Revelation 12:5-6, I am still of the belief that the rapture of the church will take place before the start of the seven year tribulation. That said, does it mean that there’ll be no persecution of Christians prior to the start of the tribulation.

Christians are being imprisoned, tortured and murdered in many parts of the world. Evil as the jihadists have been over the years, there is a new group quickly developing that appears to be demonically possessed. Members of ISIS are murdering Christians and non-Christians alike. They also are murdering their fellow Muslims due to differing beliefs. While we in America have been relatively safe since 9/11, we live under the growing threat of jihadists within our country.

What occurs between vv.5 & 6 in Revelation 12? 532-2 - 14 - 3

Revelation 12:5-6, ^“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”

This is a question that I have pondered before because I’m just not so sure but what these verses points to mid-trib rapture of the Church. However much as I’m praying for a pre-trib Rapture, Revelation 12:5-6 has long given me a level of discomfort. Flat out and plain and simple, I’m praying to be rapture before the start of the seven year tribulation. However…

The woman “gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.” The woman then fled into the wilderness to a place of safety (Petra) for the duration of 1,260 days, the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” The woman is the remnant of Israel fleeing the Antichrist mid-tribulation when he is totally indwelled by Satan and breaks the seven year covenant with Israel after 3 ½ years. Further, this evil Son of Prediction causes the desecration of the Temple.

The Son of the woman/Israel is Jesus and if His ascension to the Father is a representation the Church, oops, could this mean a mid-trib rapture? A problem with a mid-trib rapture is that it goes against The Doctrine of Imminence where we are we are to expect Him at any moment, Also, a mid-trib rapture runs counters the point of view that the rapture occurs before the start of the seven year covenant which kicks off the start of the seven year tribulation.

This Thursday we are having a special guest teacher at our Bible study. I not sure but what he may present an argument that that the church rather than being raptured will be protected/ hidden in place during all or part of the tribulation. So...to be continued...

Daniel also prophesies this as the time of Jacob’s troubles. Daniel 9:27, “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.”

In this session, what “proofs” does Chuck give about “Pre-Trib” rapture? What view do you hold? 512 - 6 -7

The four and 20 elders represent the raptured Church and John sees them in heaven before the scroll is opened. Add to this, there are numerous Scriptures that strongly suggest that the Church will be removed prior to the start of the seven-year Tribulation. However, much as I’m praying for a pre-trib Rapture I have a question concerning Revelation 12:5-6, “She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.”

The woman is Israel fleeing after the desecration of the Temple as the Son of Prediction breaks his covenant with Israel after 3 ½ years. The Son of the woman/Israel is Jesus and if His ascension to the Father represents the Church, could this be mid-trib rapture? Daniel also prophesies this as the time of Jacob’s troubles. Daniel 9:27, “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.”

However, a mid-trib rapture goes against The Doctrine of Imminence as we are we are to expect Jesus to come for His Church at any moment. So except for the above verses, I hold to the pre-tribulation point of view. The Rapture could occur anytime as all conditions have been met. No one knows the hour….however, I hope it’s soon. I attend Bible believing churches that work to bring non-believers into the Kingdom so one day we will be on our way to meet the Lord in the clouds.

While the Church will most likely be spared the Tribulation, we will likely go thought persecution even here in the United States. Our support of Israel is waning so God may take/ is taking His hand of protection from us.

I'm not sure what inheritance and rewards I will receive as I face the master, however, I will likely qualify for a crown of righteousness. As Paul awaited his approaching execution he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:8, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Grant Phillips of the Rapture Ready website has this to say, “The Church will not go through the Tribulation.”
This is a link to his article, “Will the Church Go through the Tribulation?” http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips95.html
Good reading.

Are you eagerly awaiting His coming? (Maranatha!) What proofs can you give to a yes answer? 501-2 - 11 - 7

As I started this answer with a “YES” the mailman knocked on the door to deliver DVDs I ordered from the Christian Book website including a title, “Gone,” The movie “Gone” deals with the Rapture and its aftermath on a small group of people who were “left behind.” The movie played loose with what is written in the Book of Revelation, however, the timing of the arrival of the DVD was interesting.I wake up in the morning still here on planet earth and feel a minute of sadness that Jesus didn’t come for us. Then I think, “Not my will, but Your will.”

Here I’m referring to Jesus coming in the air for His Church, and not His coming after the Tribulation. I am very excited and eager for the Blessed Hope, however, there are many who are in need of salvation. I’m hoping to bring more into the Kingdom while there is time by:

1. Praying for their salvation
2. Leaving “breadcrumbs “ on the Internet
3. Preparing flash drives of information for my children concerning the prophecies of the coming Messiah fulfilled by Jesus, proof of the Word and more
4. Use any opening to mention that it is time to be “right with God"
5. Read websites such as “Raptureready” daily and refer to them in chat room posts
6. Check websites for latest information concerning weather, earthquakes, volcanos, political issues and more
7. Follow information posted by KI such as K-Rations

As for me, I try to lead a life worthy of being caught up when Jesus comes for His bride. I wish I deserved to be qualified like Paul to write, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Added later:

People are so invested in a universe than is billions of years old so they don’t have to think about being responsible to their Creator. The religion of evolution is just that, a religion. To those who bow down at the altar of evolution we are no more than an accident and life has little value. So kill the unborn and those people who are burdens to society. There is even some discussion in Europe about 'After-birth abortion' being ethical. The truth of a young world is all around us, in the sea shells I found at about 6500 feet in Arizona, in the Grand Canyon and in so many places. It is so frustrating to hear people insult God as fable, don’t they know they are condemning themselves.