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IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Pause for Effect – Pete Garcia - https://www.rev310.net/post/pause-for-effect
''Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.'' Luke 12:40 We often talk of how close we are to the return of Jesus Christ, and the imminence of His return still lingers in the air - yet that day seems so far away at times. So many ‘could be’ dates have come and gone. So many seemingly perfect dates have aligned with so many other apparent prophetic signs. We thought it would have been a perfect time for the Rapture. Yet we are still here. We’re caught in a paradox of emotions that cause those of us who watch, to wait patiently, containing the joy of the prospect of our eternal glorification in Christ. At this late stage in the game of human history, there are only three kinds of people left not awaiting the return of Jesus Christ: those who know and don’t believe, and those that don’t know or don’t care. With all the craziness going on in the world, how could anyone not think that this is the last generation? At the very least, can anyone who even remotely keeps up on current events, think that life will continue as-is for more than a few decades at the most? Our national debt alone will force a radical realignment in the way our nation and the world function. Many Christians aren’t actively looking for the Lord’s coming. One reason for this is the resurgence of Amillennialism. Most of Christianity today believes the Church is the true Israel, and all prophetic events are then allegorized or historicized. From that perspective, they deny any biblical significance regarding Israel and the Middle East. But for those of us who are watching and waiting, our anticipation continues to build with each passing day. As the days and weeks go by, countries go to war, nations collapse into chaos, there are unprecedented natural disasters and we see the signs stacking up like never before. Most importantly, we also understand the incredible significance of the fact that Israel has retained its identity and re-emerged as a nation despite tremendous odds. But as the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, before long, even events like Hurricane Katrina seem like a lifetime ago. So many things are happening in so many different spectrums prophetically, it is like we’re becoming desensitized to it all. It’s like being in a very noisy restaurant. No matter how loud it gets, you somehow get used to that level of distraction until it all blends into background noise. It’s not until we leave there and go outside, that you notice just how loud it was. This is the very thing we should be wary of. As we move throughout the year, Jewish holy days will start to gain prominence and meaning as the time draws closer. The Feasts of the Lord are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. We talk about how significant these events are and how a rapture event could fulfill them prophetically. Jesus literally fulfilled the first three of the seven main Jewish feasts through His death, burial, and resurrection. The Church was born on Pentecost and, given that all the feasts have been fulfilled chronologically and literally, we can have full confidence that the Feast of Trumpets symbolizes the next major event, being the Rapture of the church. Not to say that the Church is limited to only being raptured during Rosh Hashanah (September-October), but if these events are following some chronological pattern, then that may be the case. But as watchful believers, we have to counter this idea with the issue of imminence, and that Christ could return at any moment. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess 1:9-10; 1 Thess 5:4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3; Revelation 22:7,12, 20) In a way, we work ourselves up for the possibility of Christ’s return around these specific dates. But when these dates come and go, we allow our hope to get temporarily deflated, as if the Lord let us down somehow. Maybe this is a fleeting moment for some, but for others, it can turn that disappointment into bitterness. Many Preterists have become that way because, at some point in the past, they got burned by buying into some teacher/preacher/prophet sell them a load of goods by date-setting Christ’s return. We are as believers, commanded to watch, and be watchful for the Lord’s return well over a dozen times in the New Testament, yet this message is increasingly not being echoed from the pulpits of Christian churches. If the return of Christ is preached, then it is falling on increasingly deaf ears and hardened hearts. So many red lines have come and gone. So many ‘point-of-no-return’ moments have presumably slipped by without a peep. The world delicately balances on a knife's edge, wobbling to and fro, and just when things seem to lean a little too much in one direction, it somehow balances itself out. Wars that threaten to ignite World War III seem a whisper away and somehow remain there. Economies that seem to be faltering to the point of no recovery, suddenly recover. And yet we can see the signs stacking up. We can see countries aligning themselves together politically, economically, and militarily in a way they’ve never done in the past and doing exactly as the Bible predicted. Those of us who take the Bible seriously can see the literal events of Zech 12:3 slowly gathering momentum and taking shape before our very eyes. Who would have thought, so many centuries ago, that a seemingly insignificant nation like Israel would demand such global attention? We can turn on the news and see the steady downward trend the world is going. There appears to be no indication or possibility of a reversal. The apostasy in Christendom is rising and we can see the evidence manifest itself in the watered-down, lukewarm gospel messages on Christian television, in books, and in the pulpits. Furthermore, the very nature of Christ’s divinity, sin, and hell is being challenged by more and more so-called Christian leaders. This is all despite the optimism of the Postmillennialists and Reconstructionists. Then, on a day when we least expect it, it will happen. We’ll wake up in the morning and thank the Lord for the day He’s given us. We’ll go about our usual routine. We might even think, ‘maybe today’. But then the reality of our lives quickly intrudes upon us - we have real bills to pay and real problems to sort out. You know the kind of day I’m talking about. Before you know it, it’s dark outside and you sit down to read or maybe catch the news...and bam! The Trumpet sounds and the voice of our Lord call out to us...“COME UP HERE! We know that God has His predetermined timeline and ultimate purpose. His schedule isn’t ours. Peter reminds us that God is not willing for any to perish and that the day of the Lord will come as a thief (2 Pet 3:9-10). As we watch all these worrisome and perplexing events unfold and ebb, we should be encouraged to occupy and witness to the lost while we still have precious time. Our world cannot continue indefinitely under its current course. We live in an age that is an ellipsis of sorts, God’s national plan for Israel on hold (or paused) until our fullness comes to completion (Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25) and we do not know when that moment will come. In the meantime, we must stay alert because...It really could happen today. "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" Mark 13:37 When blood spills on Passover and Easter, it’s time to build the Temple – Tuly Weisz – https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-704445 What is Hamas' greatest fear? That Israel will start to build the Temple. One would have hoped that yesterday’s unique convergence of Passover, Easter and Ramadan would have led to a wonderful day of peace and brotherhood in the spiritual capital city of Jerusalem. Alas, any dream of religious harmony on a day holy to all three great Abrahamic faiths, was shattered by Muslim rioters who turned the Temple Mount into a bloody battlefield hurling stones at Jewish worshippers and Israeli vehicles. Palestinian terrorists have been fanning the flames of religious violence in recent weeks, as Israelis have been preparing for the Passover holiday, observed this week. On Thursday evening, April 8, a Palestinian terrorist attacked Tel Aviv’s busy Dizengoff Square where mainly secular Israeli young people were crowded at bars and cafes, tragically murdering three Jews in their 20s. Shortly after the deadly massacre, Hamas explained their motive and declared, “The continuing terrorism of the occupation and its crimes, attempts to Judaize Jerusalem and to perform sacrifices in the Al-Aqsa Mosque to build its so-called ‘Temple’ during what they call ‘Passover’ — against it stands blood and bullets.” Through their statement, Hamas exposed their greatest fear: that Israel will start to build the Temple. For thousands of years, Jews have been praying for a return to the Land of Israel. Over the last century, we have miraculously been restored to our homeland from the four corners of the earth, but are still awaiting the proper time to build the Temple. Judaism is incomplete without the Temple, and Passover is a prime example, as Deuteronomy makes clear: “You are not permitted to slaughter the Passover sacrifice in any of the settlements that Hashem your God is giving you; but at the place where Hashem your God will choose to establish His name, there alone shall you slaughter the Pesach sacrifice, in the evening, at sundown, the time of day when you departed from Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 16:5,6) Hamas is terrified that after close to 75 years of statehood, Israel will begin turning its attention to the place where God chose to establish His name. In fact, each year, more and more Israelis take the dangerous risk of ascending the holy mountain under the hostile guards of Jordanian officials. Palestinian terrorists are getting scared as Jews are getting serious about restoring our holy of holies, the site we pray towards every day, and the building we beseech God for repeatedly throughout our liturgy. On a national level, the rebuilding of the Temple would be a great humiliation to Palestinian terror groups, but on a religious level, the construction of Judaism’s Third Temple would in no way pose a threat to Islam, whose main religious holy sites are in Mecca and Medina. Responsible Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders should use this recent wave of Islamic violence to immediately begin discussing practical and peaceful steps for the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount. It could be done without damaging or disrespecting the Dome of the Rock or Al Aqsa, as part of a future peace plan between Israel and her Arab neighbors to end the plague of Islamic terror once and for all. During periods of history, Islam held great respect for Judaism’s Temple in Jerusalem, and one can imagine many potential scenarios in the ever-changing Mideast, where significant segments of Islam could do so once again. Similarly, for many centuries, Christianity looked at the Temple with hostility, but as relations between Jews and Evangelicals have improved in recent years, some Christians are rethinking their relationship with the Temple. I asked John Enarson, the Christian relations director of Cry for Zion, a Temple Mount advocacy group, what his thoughts were on the connection between Easter and the Temple, and the implications for Christians today. “We Christians have often thought that Resurrection Sunday spelled the end for the Holy Temple in God’s plan,” Enarson explained. “But when we read the Gospels and Book of Acts carefully, the Apostles continued to be passionate for God’s House in Jerusalem, including Paul. As God is restoring Zion, we need to rediscover our own texts with Jewish glasses, and that includes God’s Temple.” WIth more Christians coming alongside the Jews and becoming passionate about the need to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, we have a unique opportunity today. Rather than lamenting the terrible violence that disrupted Passover, Easter and Ramadan, we must take steps to prevent religious violence from causing further blood to be spilled in the streets of Jerusalem. It’s time for peace-loving Jews, Christians and Muslims to come together and build the “house of prayer for all nations.” The End Of Civilization As We Know It Is Coming – And That Is Actually Really Good News - by Michael Snyder - http://endoftheamericandream.com/the-end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it-is-coming-and-that-is-actually-really-good-news/ Having the proper perspective can completely change how you view the future. Yes, without a doubt the past few years have been very rough. The COVID pandemic ushered in an alarming new era in 2020, 2021 was even worse, and now 2022 has added a major global food crisis, a horrifying bird flu pandemic and the biggest land war in Europe since World War II. Unfortunately, the truth is that things will get even worse in the months and years ahead. To many people that sounds like really bad news, but it actually isn’t. We desperately need someone to hit the “reset button”. Our culture has been swirling down the toilet for decades, but during the last few years that process seems to have greatly accelerated. If people from 50 or 60 years ago were exposed to our society today, they would be absolutely horrified by what has happened to us. But many of us think that everything is just fine, because we have gradually become desensitized to the utter depravity that is all around us. We are like the proverbial frog in the kettle. If you try to put a frog directly into boiling water, it will jump right out. But if you put a frog into lukewarm water and slowly turn the heat up, it will not realize what is happening until it is too late. At this point, our society resembles a giant open sewer, and it is getting worse with each passing day. But the good news is that everything is going to be cleaned up and set right. However, before that happens our world is going to get to experience the full consequences of all the evil that it has so eagerly embraced. So it is okay to have mixed emotions about the signs of the end times that are happening all around us. On one hand, the years ahead are going to be increasingly challenging as global events continue to spiral out of control. On the other hand, all of these events are indications that Jesus is coming back soon, and that should absolutely thrill all of us. As the signs of the last days continue to be fulfilled, we will want to continuously keep a very close eye on Israel. On Monday, the Jerusalem Post actually published an editorial that openly called for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in the Holy City… Palestinian terrorists are getting scared as Jews are getting serious about restoring our holy of holies, the site we pray towards every day, and the building we beseech God for repeatedly throughout our liturgy. On a national level, the rebuilding of the Temple would be a great humiliation to Palestinian terror groups, but on a religious level, the construction of Judaism’s Third Temple would in no way pose a threat to Islam, whose main religious holy sites are in Mecca and Medina. And I found it quite noteworthy that the rabbi that penned this piece actually suggested that the rebuilding of the Temple could be part of a “future peace plan between Israel and her Arab neighbors”… Responsible Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders should use this recent wave of Islamic violence to immediately begin discussing practical and peaceful steps for the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount. It could be done without damaging or disrespecting the Dome of the Rock or Al Aqsa, as part of a future peace plan between Israel and her Arab neighbors to end the plague of Islamic terror once and for all. I was floored when I first read that. According to the Bible, sacrifices will start to happen again on the Temple Mount in the last days, but a temple is not necessarily required. Some have suggested that instead of a new Temple, a structure such as the Tabernacle of David could potentially be set up. In any event, those of us that are interested in Bible prophecy are watching these developments very closely. We have also recently learned that a new silver coin is being minted in order to help fund the rebuilding of the Temple… The Mikdash (Temple) Educational Center in conjunction with Rabbi Hillel Weiss, the former spokesman for the nascent Sanhedrin, has minted a silver coin to promote a practical effort to establish the third temple. The coin contains 32 grams of pure silver and represents three times the amount of the biblical silver half-shekel that was donated by every Jewish male to finance the daily operation of the temple. Even in the midst of all the violence that is going on in Israel lately, there is so much enthusiasm for this project. Unfortunately, there was even more violence on Monday, and a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel… Gaza militants fired a rocket into Israel Monday, the Israeli army said, the first such incident in months and a sign that a wave of violence around a Jerusalem holy site could escalate further. In response, the Israeli air force hit a key military target in Gaza… The Israeli air force attacked southern Gaza Monday in response to a rocket launched from the strip earlier in the day, according to the military spokesperson. The IDF said that air force fighter jets destroyed a weapons manufacturing workshop belonging to Hamas. Hamas said that militants responded with anti-aircraft weapons, but failed to hit the Israeli jets. There has been a lot of talk about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, but in my opinion I think that a major war will erupt in the Middle East before that happens. Emotions are running very high on all sides, and over the weekend a key voice in the Lebanese parliament openly stated that if Hezbollah is given enough funding “there will be nothing left called Israel in the region”… Mohammed Raad, the head of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc in the Lebanese parliament declared on Saturday that it would take a mere $9 billion to obliterate the State of Israel. “The resistance only needs $9 billion and there will be nothing left called Israel in the region,” said Raad, who previously met with French president Emmanuel Macron, according to a news broadcast by Lebanese outlet MTV. What a horrible thing to say. But this is how these terrorists actually feel. They are absolutely obsessed with wiping Israel off the map, and nothing will deter them from pursuing that goal. Fortunately, they will not be successful. I assume that Raad wants all of that money for Hezbollah so that it can be spent on more missiles. This goes right along with the article that I posted yesterday. Iran is becoming more belligerent as well. On Monday, the president of Iran issued a very ominous warning… Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Monday warned that Israel will be targeted by his country’s armed forces if it makes “the tiniest move” against Iran. He spoke as talks stalled in Vienna over a deal to rein in Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which Tehran says are used for peaceful purposes. Israel opposes a deal, saying it does not do enough to curb Iran’s nuclear program or its military activities across the region. Israeli officials have said they will unilaterally do what’s necessary to protect their country. It is just a matter of time before Iran and Israel go to war. And as I shared in Lost Prophecies, that is one of the signs of the end times that we are waiting for. Unfortunately, most of the population does not want to hear about signs of the end times yet. Instead, most of the population just continues to race after evil as rapidly as it can. But even though there is such a rejection of spiritual things, a lot of people out there still realize that they ultimately have a day of reckoning coming. Just check out the results of a recent survey from the UK… The new survey of over 1,000 people in the United Kingdom, commissioned by SpiritShack Ltd, finds 50 percent of respondents believe in an afterlife. Of this group, 60 percent believe everyone experiences the same thing when they die — regardless of their individual beliefs. However, two in three believe scientists will never be able to tell us what really happens when someone passes. Regardless of whether people think they’re going to heaven (55%) or worry their life choices could end up sending them to hell (58%), the poll finds 68 percent of all respondents have no fear of what comes next. However, 69 percent would rather live another life after leaving this one instead of simply seeing their existence end. There are so many that are deeply lost and deeply confused, and we need to point as many in the right direction as we possibly can. Heaven is a very real place, and a woman named Charlotte Holmes recently had an opportunity to personally experience this for herself… Then Charlotte’s heart stopped. For the next 11 minutes, she was clinically dead. “I was above my body. I could see Danny standing in the corner,” she says. “He had backed up. I could see them, all the nurses around. And then I opened my eyes. I looked around at the beauty. I could see the trees, I could see the grass. And everything was swaying with the music. Because everything in Heaven worships God. I can’t convey to you what Heaven looked like, cause it’s so above what we could even imagine, a million times.” What an incredible testimony! According to her account, she even got to see a child that she lost before it was born… “Standing behind my mom and dad was a light so bright. I couldn’t look upon it. So bright. But I knew it was my Heavenly Father. I saw a toddler. And I can remember thinking, ‘Who is this?’ And I heard my father say to me, my Heavenly Father say to me, ‘It’s your child.’ I lost that child. I was 5-1/2 months pregnant. I can remember them holding the baby up and saying, ‘Charlotte, it’s a boy.’ Then he was gone. So when I saw this toddler, I said, ‘God, how is that possible?’ He says, ‘They continue to grow in Heaven. But there’s no time. It’s eternity.’ So 48 years, and here my child, our child, is a toddler.” Of course there are countless others that have had similar experiences over the decades. But even though credible eyewitness after credible eyewitness has come back and shared what the other side is like, most people in our society still will not listen. What will it take to finally get them to wake up? My Answers to Rapture Questions – Terry James - https://terryjamesprophecyline.com/2022/04/18/my-answers-to-rapture-questions/ The questions and answers that follow was part of an interview conducted by Pastor Billy Crone. My prayerful hope is that it will help believers be always ready to answer those who question why we believe Jesus will call the Church to Himself before the Tribulation begins. 1. What is the biblical basis for a Rapture?
2. What do you see is the purpose of the Rapture?
3. How would you respond to those who say that the word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible? Neither do the word “Trinity” or “Bible.” The evidence is clear: the doctrine of Rapture is there in the total context of a number of scriptural references. The Greek [word for rapture] is harpazo, for “catching up” or “snatching.” Later, the Latin Vulgate put it as raptura, from which the word “rapture” comes. 4. What are the benefits of the doctrine of imminency? The prime benefit is that imminency should encourage all believers to always be ready for Christ’s any-moment intervention into the affairs of fallen man. It should make people want to live righteously. “Be ye always ready, for in a time ye think not, the son of man cometh”—Matthew 24:44. 5. How would you respond to those who say, “There is not one verse in the Bible that supports the pre-Trib position of the Rapture”? I would say, “You are incorrect.” Revelation 3:10 is a promise to Church Age believers to be kept out of the Tribulation. Additionally, there are a number of verses that make the case for a pre-Trib Rapture. The best single verse to indicate a pre-Trib Rapture is Revelation 3: 10. Second Thessalonians 2:3 is another passage that strongly indicates believers will be raptured before the Tribulation. 6. What precisely does Paul mean when he says that “the falling away” (2:3) must come before the Tribulation? (Note: The Greek word apostasia is used as asfestimi in this instance of “falling away.” It means a spatial departure rather than a departure from faith.) The definite article “the” denotes that this will be a definite event, an event distinct from the appearance of the Man of Sin. The Greek word for “falling away,” taken by itself, does not mean religious apostasy or defection. Neither does the word mean “to fall,” as the Greeks have another word for that. [pipto, “I fall”; TDI]. The best translation of the word is “to depart.” The Apostle Paul refers here to a definite event which he calls “the departure,” and which will occur just before the start of the Tribulation. This is the Rapture of the Church. So the word has the core meaning of “departure,” and it depends upon the context to determine whether it is used to mean physical departure or an abstract departure, such as departure from the faith. [Translation History—The first seven English translations of apostasia all rendered the noun as either “departure” or “departing.” They are as follows: Wycliffe Bible (1384); Tyndale Bible (1526); Coverdale Bible (1535); Cranmer Bible (1539); Breeches Bible (1576); Beza Bible (1583); Geneva Bible (1608).] This supports the notion that the word truly means “departure.” In fact, Jerome’s Latin translation known as the Vulgate, from around the time of AD 400, renders apostasia with the word discessio, meaning “departure.” 7. Where in the Bible do you see the Church absent from the seven-year Tribulation? Revelation 3: 10 is part of the first three chapters of the Revelation. The Church is addressed nineteen times through chapter 3. The voice is heard saying “Come up here!” at the beginning of chapter 4. The saints of the Church Age aren’t mentioned again until Christ returns with the saints in Revelation 19:11. 8. How would you respond to those who say the seven-year Tribulation does not include a full seven years of God’s wrath? Daniel the prophet said that from the decree going forth to rebuild the wall and the sanctuary (Temple), seventy weeks (prophetic weeks—490 years) are determined on “thy people”—Israel. Antichrist (the “prince that shall come,” will confirm the covenant for one prophetic week (seven years) of that seventy-weeks prophecy. That last week of seven years will begin with a covenant made by Antichrist. Daniel’s prophecy tells of the peace that will destroy many—Daniel 8:25, Isaiah 28:15–18—for one week. That is, seven prophetic days (or seven years in Daniel’s 490 years prophecy) from when the command went forth to rebuild the city and sanctuary. Daniel 9: 27 indicates this sets in motion the final seven years leading to Armageddon and Christ’s return—the Tribulation era, the last three and one half of which will be “Great” Tribulation (Matthew 24:21, Jeremiah 30:7). When this “prince” comes riding forth on the white horse offering peace (Revelation 6:1), the seals have been opened and the last seven years run their course from that point. 9. How would you respond to those who say that the pre-Trib position is unfair? God is sovereign. He alone can determine what His program for the consummation of human history will be. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sin of mankind, that anyone who believes in Him, according to John 3: 16 and Romans 10:9–10, can have eternal life. The Rapture is part of His plan for humanity. It is up to humanity to accept His plan, not the other way around—i.e., God adjusting to fit what mankind might consider “fair.” Also, Romans chapter 1 says that all have been given light for achieving escape from God’s judgment. They are “without excuse.” 10. How would you respond to those who say that the pre-Trib position encourages laziness? Everyone I know who truly studies God’s Word and believes the pre-Trib view it presents are busy carrying out the Great Commission and trying to live a life worthy of being Christ’s followers. The doctrine of imminency should make Christians aware of the times and have them looking for their Lord’s sudden appearance (Titus 2: 13). I say without reservation that the pre-Trib view of the Rapture makes the true student of Bible prophecy much more aware of Christ’s coming again and what that entails. That creates enthusiasm to hear the words “Well done, good, faithful servant” from Jesus when He appears. 11. How would you respond to those who say the pre-Trib position is teaching a “secret” Rapture? I don’t know why they call it a “secret.” Paul was very plain and thorough in showing this “mystery.” Jesus first gave it as recorded in John 14:1–3. This is the “mystery” Paul made clear. It’s right there in the Scripture. It’s no secret. It will be a total shock and surprise to those who don’t know Christ, the Bible says. It will come as a “thief in the night” to the lost. Unfortunately, it will come as a shock to most Christians, too. But, they are going to Christ when He calls anyway. Also, Jesus, in the “days of Noah, days of Lot” passages of Matthew 24:36–42 and Luke 17:26–30, which is a Rapture reference, says it will be a time when He is “revealed.” This is not a secret coming. Everyone will know something major has just occurred. 12. How would you respond to those who say that the pre-Trib position is a “recent” teaching and therefore must be rejected? Again, I go back to the Apostle Paul, who plainly taught it as recorded in His second letter to the Thessalonians (chapter 2). Also, a number of the early church fathers made reference to their belief in a pre-Trib view. 13. How would you respond to those who say that John Darby is the one who came up with the pre-Trib Rapture? Jesus came up with it. Paul revealed the mystery the disciples didn’t know at the time. John Darby turned it into a systematic presentation/study. 14. How would you respond to those who say that John Darby received the idea of a pre-Trib Rapture from Margaret McDonald? According to the history of the matter, letters show that Darby wrote about the Rapture in 1827 while recovering from a riding accident, and that Margaret McDonald’s supposed visions weren’t given until 1830. 15. How would you respond to those who say the Church is in Matthew 24? I would say that Jesus is talking about the Rapture, which involves the Church, in Matthew 24:36–42. That is the “days of Noah, days of Lot” prophecy. He talks, in that Olivet Discourse chapter, about His coming again at “an hour ye think not.” Both of these prophecies have to, in my view, be addressed to the Church. The Lord could not have been talking about His coming at a business-as-usual time like is indicated in the “days of Noah and Lot” prophecy when addressing the Second Advent. As much as three-fourths of the earth’s population will have died during the previous seven years of that period. It will not be business as usual during the Tribulation. Tribulation saints will be able to count down to the exact time the Lord is returning, [thus] Jesus’ words about “in a time you think not” (Matthew 24:44). 16. What are your biggest issues with—and why do you disagree with—the post-Trib position? Because it’s not in the Bible. The pre-Trib position is taught by Paul and makes the best total sense of the whole matter. It is the position that brings everything into logical perspective. The best argument against it is that the Bible plainly presents a Millennial Reign of Christ. It also plainly teaches that flesh and blood must be in that kingdom to procreate, because there will be peoples as ubiquitous as “the sands of the sea.” If all believers are lifted to be with Christ at the end of the Tribulation, they are no longer flesh and blood, but flesh and bone. They are in their translated bodies like Jesus. They are perfect, and at any rate, do not procreate in Heaven, according to Jesus’ own words on marriage and the activity of Heaven’s citizenry. All left on earth when Christ returns, if all believers were raptured at the end of that era, would be lost, thus would be cast into “outer darkness” at the sheep/goats judgment of Matthew 25. No one would be left to populate the earth. Jesus says there will be flesh-and-blood people left after the sheep/goats judgment to repopulate the millennial earth. 17. What are your biggest issues with—and why do you disagree with—the pre-Wrath position? Because I believe the word of God puts forth that not just the last three and one-half years, but the full seven years of the Tribulation, Daniel’s Seventieth Week, is the wrath of God upon the rebels of planet earth. Daniel 9:26–27 presents that with the confirming of the covenant by the prince that shall come. The last seven years will from that point on be an era that will punish the anti-God masses. It says of Antichrist and those final years, “and for the overspreading of abominations, he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Revelation chapter 6 presents Antichrist as coming on the scene after the opening of the first seal. He confirms the covenant God says is made with “death and hell.” it is this agreement with Antichrist to be the world’s savior that invokes the wrath of God. It occurs at the very beginning of the seven years—Daniel’s Seventieth Week. 18. What are your biggest issues with—and why do you disagree with—the mid-Trib position? Because, with the opening of the first seal, the wrath of God begins with the confirming of the covenant of false peace at the very beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, as explained above. Jesus promised that believers (His Church) will be kept out of the very time of that era of God’s wrath (Revelation 3:10). Believers of the Church Age cannot go through even one hour of that terrible time. 19. What are your biggest issues with—and why do you disagree with—a partial-Rapture position? My primary reason is that the Apostle Paul, in the 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonian prophecies of the Rapture, uses the word “all.” He uses in conjunction the pronoun “we” (meaning all believers in Christ). He didn’t say “some,” He said “all.” He says we shall “all be changed.” There is no room in that prophecy for some to go and some to be left behind when it comes to born-again believers. 20. What kind of a response have you received and/or encountered with those who disagree with the pre-Trib position? I receive weekly very harsh words, some even accusing me of leading people to Hell. They most always say to begin with that they once believed in the pre-Trib view but have, after reading what the Bible says, now believe in another view. They also accuse us who teach the pre-Trib view as causing people to not recognize Antichrist when he comes on the scene. Most of the email I get from these are angry, but they start off asking questions. As soon as I respond to their questions, they begin telling me that I am wrong—and are quite angry with their words. 21. What would you encourage those who disagree with the pre-Trib position to do differently in how they handle the varying positions on the Rapture? I would encourage them to be more civil in their opposition. Most don’t back up their claims with relevant passages. I would encourage them to study and pray earnestly over the Scriptures on the matter and stop reading books only by those who are anti-Rapture writers. These always want to debate. I would advise them to stop seeking to debate those of us who know the pre-Trib view to be truth from God’s Word, and instead just teach their views, if they are that convicted. I no longer debate, but teach, the pre-Trib view to those who truly want to know what the Scriptures say about the Rapture. Daily Jot: The war on faith - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com As wars and rumors of wars swirl around us and we a pummeled by horrific and tyrannical political policies, we as prophetic Christians have some considerations before us. Christians have been engaged in a war against our faith for over a generation. And for the most part, we have been witnesses–not witnesses as in standing in the gap for righteousness, but rather witnesses in the sense of watching our once Godly nation blessed by the true Liberty of the Lord dissolve into the bondage of sin in the name of humanist freedom. We have seemed too content to overlook this painful truth, and listen to the song of that sinful siren as she transforms our nation and citizens from light into darkness. Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The bondage spoken herein is the bondage of satanic-driven sin from which Christ’s death and resurrection freed all believers. Yet, in the name of freedom, it is the humanist sin that threatens to wrap itself around the very existence of this nation and squeeze its lifeblood. Is this the lot of Christians, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for the Liberty of Christ? Are we disposed to be among the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern our salvation and the eternal life of others? Have we become a nation where the grace of God in His perfect Liberty is laid down as an excuse to become enslaved in humanistic bondage because what God judges as unrighteous, man judges as righteous? Have we become a silent kingdom of God’s people, betraying our Father in Heaven with tolerance of human correctness? Are we to remain with a mouth to speak, but our words are empty and powerless because we fear man rather than God? The doctrines of men are the deceptions to freedom and the chains of bondage. If you have ears to hear, and know the truth of that Liberty which frees all, to keep silent upon it is nothing less than treason. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “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.” We should understand that the millions of Christians, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of us as a people and of the nations, and who will raise up forces to assist us in this battle. You see, the battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. In the months ahead, our light needs to be strong, and powerful and fearless and courageous. Pray, yes, but also act. Daily Devotion: The Perfect Word - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’ —Romans 10:13 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-perfect-word/ - Listen I love the word saved. What a perfect word. When a firefighter goes into a building and rescues someone, a news article might say the person was “saved,” and indeed they were. Saved is the perfect word to describe what God has done for us. He has saved us, He is saving us, and He will save us. God has saved us from judgment. Without Christ, we were going to face eternal judgment and separation from God. But He saved us from that. And He is saving us. Every day we face temptation and difficulty and hardship, and Christ gets us through it. He is saving us, and ultimately, He will save us. One day we will come to the end of our lives and will pass into eternity. And because we have put our faith in Jesus, we have the promise of salvation, which, of course, is the hope of Heaven. When God saves someone, He forgives their sin. But He not only forgives it, He also forgets it. When God saves a person, He justifies them. In the Bible, justification is a word that speaks of something that God does for us. He places the righteousness of Christ into our spiritual bank account, if you will. So when you’re saved, when you believe in Jesus, your sin is forgiven and your sin is forgotten. That is what God has done for you. The Bible describes it as “so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:3 NKJV). In fact, in the same verse the writer of Hebrews asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” No matter what you’re going through today, no matter what hardship you’re facing, I want you to know that if you put have your faith in Jesus Christ, then you are saved. FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
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