Look Up Fellowship "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

My brother, JRed- don't get down if it does not come to pass -we are all fallible human beings trying to understand a infallible God. I love you my brother; in the name of Yeshua.

Shavuot in 2009 is on Friday, the 29th of May.

Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Shavuot on the sunset of Thursday, the 28th of May.

Excellent Advice-Thanks!

And, by what timing do we go? in the US the time is way behind with Australia and new Zealand.....it's well and truly past that time down under when in the US you are all still sleeping!
I say "When it happens it happens and we will be so much better off...."
Come soon Dear Lord Jesus!

As you said Jred, let's remember what Grant Jeffrey once wrote:

"Many sincere students of prophecy have previously calculated dates for the fulfilling of these events, only to see the dates come and go, disproving their calculations. The result, of course, is that the world and most Christians tend to ridicule or ignore all prophecy completely. However, this attitude in unjustified. What other area of study, biblical or otherwise, is abandoned because earlier efforts failed to arrive at a complete understanding of the subject? If scholars had abandoned the study of such sciences as geology or physics simply because earlier theories proved to be inaccurate, there would be few scientists and little scientific knowledge today. We learn from the failures as well as the successes of early biblical scholars.

No offense, but I really have a problem with this addition of the "prayer of worthiness" to one's salvation to get in on the rapture. Quote from your link: "We are told to PRAY that we may be counted worthy of this escape, do you know how many people openly rebel and refuse to do this very specific command even though we've been pointing it out to them for YEARS now?".

I am not saying not to pray this, as I pray that way ALL the time. But, there are countless similar commands throughout the NT. If we MUST follow this one for rapture, we must follow all or be accused of not having faith. Wasn't it the Jews who had this problem from the beginning? Not being able to follow every dot and tittle? What good did Jesus do to die on the cross if we also have to search out and conduct all these extra ritualistic prayers? What of those who only hear of Jesus but haven't read that in addition to calling on his name you must also say particular prayers? Will they be left behind? Should we also say the Rosary? Dip our hand in Holy Water? Cover all the basis so-to-speak? Isn't just praying to God on a regular basis and having a personal relationship with Jesus good enough anymore?

I don't mean to sound off and I agree with being watchful but it seems the God I know gives this to me to do all without having to read it. It is also scripture that "God and only God knows your heart". No amount of praying will help you unless you haven't been praying at all which might be a sign to reassess your personal salvation (are you really saved, or did you just go through the motions?). And what kind of "true Christian" doesn't pray on a regular basis? God won't be fooled by an 11th hour prayer say-er, unless it is truly in their heart. What if the rapture doesn't happen today or tomorrow? Will some of you go back to your old lives of not paying attention until the next bomb drops and do it all again? I don't think God will buy that one either. The 11th hour worker came to work and the work might not end today but next week or next year. (more to follow)

(the rest)

What makes a person a saint (Christian)? As far as I know, calling on and truly accepting Jesus as your personal savior is the ONLY requisite I know of. And God knows who is truly asking, not just tossing out some incantatory prayer. And there are ways of testing ourselves:

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

James 1:3-6
...because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(doubt is a key word here. How can one believe if they have doubt? And if you believe without doubt, why aren't you always trying to please you Father to be counted worthy?)

One test I use is this: if you sin and do not feel some shame for it AND seek God for forgiveness you may not be "truly saved". There are many ways to test your faith. Don't be like the the "believers" on the rock in Luke 8:13 who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

If God has not found you worthy right this moment, no prayer for Him to do so will help (except for forgiveness of course). You need to get to work in convincing HIM now and forever more!

Lastly, a great key to being counted worthy comes from the lost son of Luke 15:21
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son..." He admitted to his sins with true humility in seeking forgiveness. Oh, and what a party there was! In his forgiveness he was counted worthy!

Pray to God to forgive you of your sins with a truly humbled heart FIRST. It is then that God will hear you and be glad in you, counting you worthy.
John 9:31, Isaiah 59:1-2


Nick
Third_heaven_investigations@yahoo.com

I'll Be Honest

Ever since I read that passage in the Bible to 'pray to be counted worthy' I've remembered to include it in my prayers.

Why? Because I'm into "rituals"? Not hardly. Just simply because it says to.

Is there anything wrong with simple obedience? If God's Word says to do something-I'm going to do it.

Ok- I get the concern of those who are possibly new Christians and read more into "counted worthy" than they should.

But if you really want to spit hairs then check with the study Perry Stone did on this passage. He has a CD teaching called : "Counted Worthy to Escape These Things" and in it he states that "counted worthy" actually means to "Overcome" in the original language.