One Man In The Crowd

The plot thickens! I'm speechless right now, folks. Speechless.

Did you see this in the news today? A "heckler" at a public speech (a fundraiser at the House of Blues) President Obama was giving in Los Angeles (or the 'City of Angels') shouted the following at the President...

"The Christian God is the only and only true living God. The creator of Heaven and the universe. Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is the Son of God! You're the Antichrist!"

Amen! Wow! That directly resonates with some of the assertions made in Part 2 of our 'Going Home, Saying Goodbye...' series after we analyzed the President's 9/11 memorial speech he gave that included Psalm 46.

Here's the story and video I'm referring to in case you missed it. Check this out...

Heckler Calls Obama 'The Antichrist' At LA Fundraiser

Again, this whole thing just leaves me speechless.

Forget about Obama's laughing and smirking and sheer arrogance and ignorance in handling the whole situation (could you imagine how different his response would've been had a Muslim stood up and said similar things about 'Allah' and the 'Mahdi'?). For now, please just stop and think this through with me for a moment.

My dear friends, never mind how this event will be used to further marginalize us believers in Christ, but isn't it something how THIS IS THE FIRST TIME since Obama has been a prominent political figure and in the limelight/spotlight that someone in the crowd confronted him like this, even though the charge (that he's the Antichrist) has been out there and existed for years now? Plus, of all the times for it to happen for the very first time, you mean to tell me it's just a 'coincidence' that it happened during THE SAME TIMEFRAME when so many of us are in a heightened state of prophetic awareness? Unreal, isn't it? Now you know why I said I was speechless.

Even the image and thought of that man in the crowd being "dragged away" calls to mind thoughts of the coming persecution of the saints (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:11-12; Revelation 20:4-6). Furthermore, it reminded me of this verse...

Matthew 24:9-10 (ESV) Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

These are some of the verses that cause some of our brothers and sisters to conclude that Christians will not be taken up in any kind of Rapture at the outset of the Tribulation, but will have to endure some amount of trials and tribulation instead.

Is that what's coming later this week? Are we wrong about the timing of the Rapture, but right to conclude that something prophetically significant is imminent (Psalm 83/Gog-Magog one-two punch?; Antichrist revealed to the elect?; dramatic worldwide persecution of the Church?; etc.)? I still think that it's the Rapture, but others think it's more along the lines of more intense and widespread Christian persecution.

It's worth noting what Matthew Henry wrote about Matthew 24 then...

See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times. When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by any work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect's sake these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.

We're quickly approaching zero hour or midnight I think. I pray it's the "midnight" we've all been waiting for (Matthew 25:6). Do a quick word study and be prepared to be blown away by the common thread between all the passages where the word 'midnight' shows up in the holy Scriptures. And so, I have to ask, are you ready?

Still, some have brought up a great point that we need to prayerfully consider in response to this latest unusual incident involving an Obama presser. What is the likelihood that this individual was a plant? It's a legitimate question I think.

Look, we've all witnessed how this administration seems to have been manufacturing this idea that President Obama is, in fact, the prophesied Antichrist. We've tried to keep up with those clear cases here at LUF...

Obama Of Galilee?

The Handshake Felt Around The World?

Fun With Pictures

Obama Hieroglyphics?

The World Has Its King?

Was David Flynn Right?

Force Feeding Us An Antichrist?

Ray's Hell Burger -- Again!?!

The Comic Con: Obama The World's Savior From 'Aliens/UFOs'?

Why Some Believe Obama Will Lead During A Global 'Cosmic' Event...

Is that why the President was trying to hold back the laughs, at first? Was he 'in-the-know' so-to-speak about what was going to happen?

Some have noted how calm and undisturbed he seemed by what was happening. They openly wonder how in this post-9/11 day and age can a US President remain that calm in response to a loud and unpredictable heckler in the first row no less. That's another good point I think.

As you know, as far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out as to whether or not he will really become the prophesied Antichrist. It's possible, but I'm not 100% convinced that such will be the case. Yet, I remembered this 1970 prophecy from Pastor Jack Hyles from Baptist Church of Hammond that we looked at that I completely forgot about, which makes a compelling case for Obama becoming the Antichrist.

I will say that if this is all manufactured for whatever reason then we would all be wise to prayerfully consider the implications of such a narrative being promoted by those Powers-That-Be that are Satanically inspired. If you can get the world to think that barack Obamais the Antichrist (when he's merely a forerunner), and that the Psalm 83 War immediately followed by the Gog-Magog Attack was the Battle of Armageddon (when it was all merely a precursor or prelude), then you can get the apostate and Biblically illiterate world to think that the real Antichrist is actually Jesus Christ Himself who has returned via the Second Coming.

The bottom line, however, is that God is always in complete control of what does or doesn't happen, and even if there are some who are trying to make us think that prophecy is being fulfilled -- guess what? -- it is being fulfilled, not because of them, but because God is allowing it to happen, and allowing them to 'succeed' to fulfill His plans and purposes for humanity even if we don't quite understand it all just yet.

Adding another layer of intrigue here, have you also noticed that this isn't the first highly unusual incident that 'Mr Teleprompter' himself has experienced in recent days during his public appearances?

New Gaffe: Obama Confuses Jews With Janitors

President Obama spoke to the Congressional Black Caucus awards banquet over the weekend.

Those folks will stick with him in 2012, of course.

But they've been somewhat miffed in recent months that the first post-partisan president is doing too many deals with those Republicans and seeming to give in.

So, Obama needed to give the crowd some presidential love. He even brought his wife along. As with virtually all of Obama's speeches recently, the Democrat's remarks dealt with selling his jobs legislation, as if it wasn't DOA on Capitol Hill.

The first black president got to reminiscing about some other struggles in the past familiar to African Americans.

His 28 minutes of remarks had a strange tone to them, as if somehow Obama was equating support for his jobs program legislation with the far more important and historic civil rights movement.

He got into the usual yada-yada about rich people paying their fair share of taxes.

And then, deep into the speech, according to the White House transcript, the president said:

"When you start saying, at a time when the top one-tenth of 1 percent has seen their incomes go up four or five times over the last 20 years, and folks at the bottom have seen their incomes decline -- and your response is that you want poor folks to pay more?

Give me a break.

If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a janitor makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor. I have no problem with that."

That's what the transcript says he said.

Now, watch the C-SPAN video below, and listen especially to the phrase "the same tax rate as a janitor..."



In case you missed it, he said: "If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew, uh, as a janitor makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor."

Ready for this? Wait until you hear what Representative Sheila Jackson Lee said while she was a guest on Tavis Smiley's PBS show in response to that VERY SAME SPEECH, which has been getting wide distribution ever since (Rush Limbaugh even played it on his radio program earlier today)...

Tavis Smiley Goes Ballistic In Video Over Obama’s CBC Speech

President Obama critic Tavis Smiley went ballistic this past weekend on his TV show after Obama told African Americans to "stop complaining."

Obama, at the Phoenix Awards Dinner at the CBC Forum, said that African Americans need to get up and fight.

"I expect all of you to march with me and press on. Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC," said Obama.

Smiley said that Obama would never dare to say the same thing to another group of people.

Did you catch Lee's comments? They were hard to miss. "There are those who cheered when Jesus was crucified and we found that to be despicable..." When's the last time you remember so many allusions to Christianity and end times Bible prophecy all within the span of only a few days let alone all within the context of the political arena involving the same key players too? I certainly can't recall any such previous period of time.

What gives here, folks? What's with all the Christian references that come out like 'Freudian Slips' from President Obama and/or those who engage in talking about him lately? By the way, according to Freud, slips of the tongue reveal a 'source outside the speech'; a manifestation of the unconscious, guided by the super-ego and the rules of correct behavior. In other words, they are said to reveal the genuine truth of the matter.

Personally, I think we're seeing The Truth Himself revealing the truth to us just like His Word reveals to us that He will. To reiterate, the guy who has been known to be an 'eloquent speaker', and someone who doesn't deviate away from the script by his excessive reliance on Teleprompters, deviated away from the script not once, but twice, and in only a matter of days apart quite uncharacteristically and in a way that defies explanation. More importantly, what does it mean to us (if anything) that both gaffes involve key 'actors' in the fulfillment of end times Bible prophecy -- the Jews, the Antichrist, and Jesus Christ? I'm sorry, but that fact alone speaks loudly and clearly to me right now. Do you have ears to hear and eyes to see it too (Proverbs 20:12; Jeremiah 5:21; Romans 11:8)?

Look, this to me is just another piece of the prophetic puzzle that we need to pay very close attention to right now...just in case...and especially given the week we find ourselves in at the moment. I mean, my gosh, the perceived 'spiritual convergence' is in-your-face, is it not?

On a quick side note, I also thought it was VERY INTERESTING how the crowd shouted down this man's words (and actually booed at what he said about our God!), and then, when President Obama parroted some of what the man in the crowd had said (only after his smirking, joking, and laughing about it), they responded with what the article called "tepid" applause.

Tepid is synonymous with the word lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).

Are you willing to be the one man in the crowd who will stand up for Jesus Christ and proclaim the truth loudly and proudly no matter the personal cost? You may discover the answer to that question much sooner than you expected. Be ready (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 3:8).

Keep looking up!

Share|

Read more »

Posted in: America In Prophecy,Antichrist,False Christs,Four Horsemen,How Close Are We?,Jewish Feasts,Left Behind,Lord's Feasts,Rapture,Religious Persecution,Seven Seals

Repent! Jesus Christ Is Our Ark

Our analysis of particular Bible studies so far to this point...

-- Sola Scriptura (God's Word; Prophetic Scripture)
-- Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah
-- Palestinian Bid For Statehood At The United Nations
-- The International Day Of Peace
-- Pope Benedict's Visit To A Hostile Germany
-- Natural Disasters Increasing In Frequency/Intensity
-- Lying Signs And Wonders ('Marian Apparitions'; 'Aliens/UFOs'; etc.)
-- Global Economic Crisis
-- Comet Elenin's Arrival/Passage Through Our Solar System
-- Apostasy And Immorality On The Rise
-- "As In The Days Of Noah..." (Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 17:26-27)

Just to name a few of the biggies.

I strongly encourage you to do what I did. Grab your Bible. Have it by your side and apply Acts 17:11 to everything as you follow along, piece-by-piece, taking it all under prayerful consideration to the Lord.

INTRO: 'When They Shall Say Peace And Safety...'
PART 1: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 2: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 3: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 4: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
CONCLUSION: Deception From High Places

To reiterate, none of this is written to produce or sustain a spirit of fear in your life. Fear is a sin and it is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Job 5:21; Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:25; 1 Peter 3:14).

This series has been written to sound the alarm. For all I know, this may be the last time that the Lord gives me the chance to do so.

I thought that the 'Deception In High Places' post was a good Conclusion to the 'Going Home, Saying Goodbye' series because we tried to tie up all the loose ends.

In that entry, we attempted to catalog what some of the world's explanations would most likely be following the Rapture. I apologize if that became too tedious and time-consuming especially after all the time you invested in the previous 4 parts. I can assure you that my intention is not to burden or overwhelm you with information here. Today, however, I'd like to give you an Addendum to the Addendum.

More importantly, I want this message to be one that edifies and glorifies; one that might call you out, but one that will also give you hope for the future.

In the previous post, the Rainbow was the bookend. In this one, the Psalms are the bookend. It's a 'bookend' because you'll recall how this series started with our focus on another Psalm, or President Obama's Psalm 46 speech during the 9/11 memorial service, and our resulting analysis of it in comparison to the times we're living in.

It's very interesting because, since then, many of you have noted how the number 51 ("the number of Divine Revelation" according to E.W. Bullinger's studies) keeps coming up, or how it has come up prominently in recent days.

It began with the news of two high-profile deaths...

Kara Kennedy, Oldest Daughter Of Late Sen. Ted Kennedy, Dies At 51

Walter Mondale's Daughter, Eleanor, Dies At Age 51

In addition, I didn't realize this until just now, but the tragic plane crash at that Reno, Nevada air show involved a plane called the P-51, or the 'Galloping Ghost' I learned, and that the crash was caused by something called 'airframe separation' too (calling to mind another air-related 'separation' of sorts that we like to call the Rapture).

Reno Air Crash Fans Struggle With Crash Horrors

It will make more sense once this Bible study is through, but please take note of the comments from spectators who were there who described the tragic scene...

-- The noise was "hellish"

-- stunned silence and then screams

-- the smell was acrid

-- the sight was enough to keep Gerald Lent awake for more than 24 hours

Naturally, given this heightened state of awareness we're all in right now, I saw those headlines (mainly that last one) and instantly thought of Psalm 51 and what it tells us, and how that might relate to this series (if it does at all).

For starters, I find it fascinating that for the past two weeks our focus here in this forum has been squarely in the Book of Psalms, but mainly upon a few of them that are all relatively close to one another. Maybe it's just me, but I found that a little unusual.

Furthermore, isn't it quite telling how all the '51 stories' referenced above remind us of the inescapable truth that we all face whether we're believers or not (Hebrews 9:27), and this is taking place at the precise time that so many of us believe that our planet could be on the verge of some unprecedented cataclysm that will result in fulfilling that verse from God's Word in a much more profound way? I believe that it is quite telling indeed.

Repentance is necessary for salvation. This can never be overstated and it's at the heart of this entire series because it's at the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want an elaboration on this critical truth, then please CLICK HERE, and HERE, and HERE.

So, with all of that fresh in our mind, let's marvel at what Psalm 51 reveals to us especially since it directly relates to the Gospel and salvation, which we all need because of what we're told in Hebrews 9:27 about our eventual fate, which is the great equalizer in this life. Amazing!

Please prayerfully consider how important it might be for all of us to listen and pay close attention to what God is telling us in Psalm 51 so we can apply it to our own lives immediately.

Psalm 51 (ESV) Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

I love it! The 'Prayer of Repentance' itself coming up in this series of Bible studies, right at the end (and just days before the highly anticipated timeframe), or the one thing that's necessary for salvation. Praise the Lord!

Here are some notes regarding Psalm 51...

-- Traditionally referred to as the 'Miserere', and one of the 'Penitential Psalms' too. It begins with, "Have mercy on me, O God..." The Psalm's opening words in Latin, "Miserere mei, Deus," have led to its being called the 'Miserere Mei' or even just 'Miserere'. It is often known by this name in musical settings.

-- Many Psalms include introductory text ('superscription') in the manuscript attributing it to a particular author and sometimes to an occasion. The superscription in the Septuagint reads: "For the End: A Psalm of David, When Nathan the Prophet Came unto Him, When He Went in unto Bersabee (Batheshba) the Wife of Urias."

-- Verse 11 in the KJV forms a central part of the 'Selichot' services in Judaism and is usually recited between midnight and dawn tying in nicely with a number of verses often associated with the Rapture

-- Psalm 51 is a classic passage in the Old Testament on man's repentance and God's forgiveness of sin. Along with Psalm 32, it was written by David after his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, her husband (2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12)

-- It is 1 of 7 Psalms called 'Penitential Psalms' (Psalm 6; Psalm 32; Psalm 38; Psalm 51; Psalm 102; Psalm 130; Psalm 143)

-- To David's credit, he recognized fully how horrendous his sin was against God, blamed no one but himself, and begged for divine forgivness. Do we have a heart and mind like that?

-- (Verse 1) Comforting in that we see that David knew that even though he had sinned horribly, he also knew that forgiveness was available based on God's covenant love. There's that word 'covenant' again!

-- (Verse 4) David realized what every believer seeking forgiveness must, that even though he had tragically wronged Bathsheba and Uriah, his ultimate crime was against God and His holy law (2 Samuel 11:27)

-- Romans 3:4 quotes Psalm 51:4

-- (Verse 5) David also acknowledged that his sin was not God's fault in any way, nor was it some aberration. Rather, the source of David's sin was a fallen, sinful disposition, his since conception. My how that runs completely contradictory to the 'Lady Gaga Gospel' of today.

-- (Verse 12) Note how the Holy Spirit is generous, willing, and eager to uphold the believer.

-- (Verse 16) Ritual without genuine repentance is useless. However, with a right heart attitude, sacrifices were acceptable.

Again, I know this sort of thing shouldn't surprise me any more, but I am constantly amazed by our God and can't help but to marvel at how this particular Psalm came up within the context of this series of Bible studies not to mention the timeliness of it all too.

By the way, speaking of the number 51, the Great Pyramid itself is located at 51 degrees and 51 minutes, which ties in to the whole 'Benben Stone'/Shem/Fallen Angels/Nephilim/'Aliens-UFOs' comments from the previous post.

Most intriguing of all? Someone else pointed out to me that the word 'trumpets' occurs 51 times in 44 verses in the King James Version of the Holy Bible!

I have one final message to share today. No Compromise Radio is a ministry I've been listening to for the last year now. This is from a sermon preached in December 2010 that Pastor Mike Abendroth gave that is the perfect conclusion to the series we just wrapped up.

Jesus Christ Is Our Ark - Part 1 (30 Minutes)

Jesus Christ Is Our Ark - Part 2 (30 Minutes)

I hope you were blessed by that like I was. What an anointed message for us right now, isn't it? Jesus Christ is our Ark.

Let's not forget who we are (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:20). Let's not forget how we're supposed to conduct ourselves in this life (2 Timothy 1:9; 2 John 1:6). Let's not forget what we know about our future (1 John 2:17).

Like this Pastor exhorted us, don't be oblivious to it all. Don't be so preoccupied to the point where you forget that you answer to God and will bow before Him one day. For some of us, that day may be sooner than we thing regardless of whether or not the Rapture happens next week.

Keep looking up!

Share|

Read more »

Posted in: Aliens UFOs,Angels,Bible Study,Four Horsemen,How Close Are We?,Jewish Feasts,Left Behind,Lord's Feasts,NASA,Nature And Environment,Prophecy Basics,Rapture,Seven Seals,Why Study Prophecy?

Deception In High Places

Everywhere we turn these days, the Satanically inspired Powers-That-Be (and those loyal to them like Hollywood and the Mainstream Media) are trying their best to convince us that we need to fear the skies up above.

From bad 'Aliens/UFOs' to falling NASA satellites to Comet Elenin, the constant theme is that we should look up with fear and trepidation. My gosh! Can this blatant attack upon our cherished faith be any more evident?

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

It's my contention that this is just another clear sign that we're close to the time period that Jesus spoke of, and the time period that the Word of God testifies to. They're trying to manufacture deception in high places.

So, what of the church, the Rapture, and the Tribulation? What should we remind ourselves that will be extremely helpful in concluding this series? Part of me wants to encourage my brethren and another part of me wants to address those who may be left behind who might stumble upon this one day (even if that day is not during this coming week).

To recap, the past couple of weeks have prompted Christians around the world to expectantly watch for the fulfillment of end times prophecy in the days ahead even more than they had been to that point.

Contrary to what some might think, that's never a bad thing no matter what the final outcome turns out to be. We need to be cultivating a moment-by-moment desire to see Christ return. No, not to the point where the 'signs of the times' paralyze us and cause us to become complacent when it comes to our daily responsibilities. If anything, such a belief about the nearness of our Lord and Savior's return should prompt us to greater preaching and outreach to the lost souls in this world before it's too late.

In any event, these are the specific reasons why so many of us are feeling the way we do...

-- Sola Scriptura (God's Word; Prophetic Scripture)
-- Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah
-- Palestinian Bid For Statehood At The United Nations
-- The International Day Of Peace
-- Pope Benedict's Visit To A Hostile Germany
-- Natural Disasters Increasing In Frequency/Intensity
-- Lying Signs And Wonders ('Marian Apparitions'; 'Aliens/UFOs'; etc.)
-- Global Economic Crisis
-- Comet Elenin's Arrival/Passage Through Our Solar System
-- Apostasy And Immorality On The Rise
-- "As In The Days Of Noah..." (Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 17:26-27)

Just to name a few of the biggies.

I strongly encourage you to do what I did. Grab your Bible. Have it by your side and apply Acts 17:11 to everything as you follow along, piece-by-piece, taking it all under prayerful consideration to the Lord.

INTRO: 'When They Shall Say Peace And Safety...'
PART 1: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 2: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 3: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 4: Going Home, Saying Goodbye

To reiterate, none of this is written to produce or sustain a spirit of fear in your life. Fear is a sin and it is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Job 5:21; Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:25; 1 Peter 3:14).

This series has been written to sound the alarm. For all I know, this may be the last time that the Lord gives me the chance to do so.

If you're still not convinced and are looking for a quick overview of everything we presented in that 4-part series, then here's an exceptional and brief 4-minute video that should help (the specific days are a little off because it was created awhile back, but that doesn't change the general message about fostering an expectant attitude during this time of year)...



Yet, the naysayers and skeptics remain as they always will.

Look, I get it. You have every right to express such doubts, but that doesn't mean you're right. After all, one of these times you'll eventually be wrong too.

I'm just always amazed by other 'Christians' who constantly (and quickly) refuse to hear any serious discussion about the nearness of such things.

When did something like the Rapture or the return of our King Jesus Christ become the type of thing we don't want to experience let alone happen anytime soon? When did it become an 'off-limits' subject that no one within Christianity wants to talk about in the open with other Christians? Well, I reject silence on the issue of eschatology.

The common criticisms and rebuttals are the same as they've always been too. I imagine it was no different in Noah's day.

This is a collection of responses I gave in the Comments Section to Part 4 pulled together here to help keep us firmly planted in truth and righteousness...

Friends, thank you for your replies, and I will certainly take your words under prayerful consideration.

If I may, I would like to correct you both regarding a critical point in this series. The fact that you both have misunderstood me on it tells me that I have done a poor job of communicating things. For that, I'm sorry, so please forgive me. Still, I'd like to clarify something of great significance here.

My anticipation of the Rapture POSSIBLY happening next week is not solely due to the arrival of Comet Elenin.

My anticipation of the Rapture POSSIBLY happening next week is due to what these Bible studies of God's Word reveal to us about the undeniable link between the Rapture and Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah.

Comet Elenin is nothing but a "sign in the heavens" that simply UNDERSCORES the nearness of the event in my view. In other words, it's a 'minor/secondary' reason why I feel the way I do (when compared to the upcoming Jewish holiday, which is the 'major/primary' reason why I feel the way I do).

To put it another way, I would feel the same way if Comet Elenin wasn't even in our solar system right now because of what will be celebrated next week in conjunction with other (and multiple) signs of the times like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the global economic woes, the wars and rumors of war, etc.

I never once have suggested that Christians should celebrate the Lord's Feasts as the Jews do. Yet, we can't ignore them completely either. Remember, context is very important when reading the Scriptures, as is using the Word to prove the Word. Jesus was a Jew speaking to Jews within their own culture, using idioms and terminology and speaking of things that they would immediately understand when He uttered the words that were preserved in the Gospels; the same words we've highlighted throughout this study as evidence linking the Rapture to the Fall Feast known as the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah.

I merely wanted to call attention to the PROFOUND AND UNDENIABLE TRUTH that the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Spring Feasts, and He did so in their precise order too! Guess what? All that's left to be fulfilled are the Fall Feasts. Friends, the Feast of Trumpets is next in line to be fulfilled!

How can we, as Bible believing, Christ loving, expectant and watchful Christians, not view next week with enormous anticipation? Until it happens, this is how we should treat this time of year annually. Add to the mix all the other signs of the times and I think we have quite the recipe for the POSSIBLE FULFILLMENT of Bible prophecy (at least more reason to think so than ever before, right?)

If this means I'm doing 'damage' by 'date-setting', or contributing to a spirit of 'depression' and 'suicide' amongst the brethren (assuming next week comes and goes without anything happening), well, then I respectfully disagree. The evidence is astounding and it demands our attention now more than ever.

I have a serious question I've always wanted to ask my dear brothers and sisters in Christ who do not believe in a Pre-Trib Rapture, or any kind of a Rapture event even...

"Why do you insist on quenching a fellow brother or sister's spirit of expectancy for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?"

We do not share the same eschatological beliefs. That's fine. You'll recall the comments from J.C. Ryle on prophecy that we mentioned at the beginning of this series. But I don't understand the often aggressive attempts to talk fellow Christians out of their beliefs about the Rapture when it involves something as commendable and glorious as eagerly waiting and watching for His return.

What is the harm in doing that even if we're all wrong like some of you believe that people like me are?

Seriously, I'm hoping someone can address those questions for me please because I'm just baffled by the whole thing.

Sure, one common argument is that the response is such because they fear that those Christians who 'erroneously believe in the Rapture and particularly a Pre-Trib Rapture' aren't somehow fully prepared spiritually to endure trials and tribulations once we realize we were wrong all along. Really?

I'm just saddened by the whole thing. Generally speaking, you don't see Rapture believers Pre-Tribbers exercising the same kind of aggressive arguments to get other believers who don't agree with them to submit to their thinking on the subject. Again, why is that?

Yes, the Feasts are celebrated every year, which is precisely why we must greatly anticipate the Fall Feasts each time they come around because we know they are next in line to be fulfilled.

I hate that this whole study has become centered on Comet Elenin too when I still think it's more a 'secondary' sign as opposed to the 'primary' one, but we should probably keep this discussion going for the sake of clarity and focus.

I readily admit that this is definitely not the first time some in the Christian community like me have made connections between the Biblical Feast Days and events in outer space.

Still, the point is that it's not just one sign happening simultaneously with another. It's MULTIPLE SIGNS OF THE TIMES -- all happening at once, and all happening with greater frequency and intensity -- and that makes this much different I think.

I mean, here we are, only days before this anticipated timeframe, and we have the global economy falling apart (economic signs), the Israelis-Palestinians ready for their showdown tomorrow at the UN (political/spiritual signs), wars and rumors of war, immorality, apostasy, etc., etc., etc. How can we not be moved to think that this finally MIGHT BE it for us and the rest of the world?

Back to Elenin. The 'This-Is-Not-Unusual-At-All' aspect when it comes to the alignments aside, what do we say to explain the other oddities (conflicting reports really) associated with Comet Elenin though?

Mainly: the unexpected orbit; the timing of it's journey/passage through our solar system to coincide with things like 9/11 and Rosh Hashanah; the unexplained behavior of the comet; the strange images that depict it and potentially other pieces/'objects' trailing it; the conflicting reports (some kind of 'shield' around it? did it break apart?); etc.? I'm just curious about your take on those facts (or reported 'facts').

But let's just throw all of that out for a moment. The simple truth that no self-proclaimed Christian should ignore? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Comet Elenin is expected to be at its closest point to us during the culmination of God's annual holy days mentioned in the Bible.

In the New Testament, Jesus predicted celestial signs concerning the end of this current age and His return (Mark 13:25-26; Luke 21:11). We can even throw in the research by Pastor Mark Biltz regarding a coming rare phenomenon of 4 consecutive total lunar eclipses, known as a 'tetrad', and often called 'blood moons' too.

I don't know, but treating this upcoming event as 'no big deal' given where we are and what we know right now today seems contradictory to the way we Christians are supposed to be expectantly waiting and watching for His return.

Yes, I suppose to the secularists they would want someone like me to "eat crow" if nothing significant comes to pass within the next week like so many of us Christians anticipate, but what would that change really?

I'd be wrong about the TIMING, but I still wouldn't be wrong about the truth of the matter, which is that all these things the Scriptures say will happen ACTUALLY WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY. So, whether I'm ultimately 'right' or 'wrong' about next week seems immaterial because the beginning of the end is still very, very close regardless.

I will still continue to eagerly wait and watch for His return with the same level of expectancy I have right now no matter what happens. That's what we Christians are supposed to do, right?

You also bring up a great point about Camp David in the 1970s. The only thing I would point out again is how I think the one key difference is that we're not seeing just one sign of the times here and one sign of the times there, but we're instead seeing MULTIPLE SIGNS all occurring AT THE SAME TIME and also growing in frequency and intensity too. What does that remind us of? Well, hopefully, it should remind us of labor pains (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Yes, I could definitely be wrong about all of this. All of it. But I could also be right, and I pray that just the possibility of that being the case is enough to motivate others to repent and/or get their spiritual house in order ASAP. Either way, we'll know soon enough. Either way, it won't change my feelings about where we are on God's prophetic timeline one bit.

In the end, no, I won't have a problem eating crow if need be because I know that one day I'll be eating at the Wedding Feast with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Jeff ('JRed')

I hope that helps clarify things even further.

Again, what of the church, the Rapture, and the Tribulation? What should we remind ourselves that will be extremely helpful in concluding this series?

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

The most sobering truth in Scripture is that God will judge the wicked and sentence them to eternal Hell (Matthew 3:12; Matthew 25:41, 46; John 3:36; John 5:29; Acts 24:25; Romans 2:5, 8; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 6:2; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; Revelation 14:9–11). On the other hand, the blessed truth for believers is that God has not destined us for wrath (John 3:18, 36; John 5:24; Romans 5:1, 9; Romans 8:1, 33–34).

Like their nature, established in the past at salvation, and their present pattern of obedience, 'day' people’s future destiny sets them apart from 'night' people. Believers will not experience the wrath God will pour out on unbelievers on the Day of the Lord, and for eternity in Hell.

The word "destined" expresses the inexorable outworking of God’s sovereign plan for believers’ salvation. In Matthew 25:34 Jesus promised that believers will “inherit the kingdom prepared for [them] from the foundation of the world.” To the Ephesians Paul wrote, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4), while in 2 Timothy 1:9 he added, “[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

Orge (wrath) does not refer to a momentary outburst of rage, but to “an abiding and settled habit of mind” (Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament [reprint; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983], 131). It is a general reference to the final judgment, when God’s wrath will be poured out on the wicked (Matthew 3:7; John 3:36; Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5, 8; Romans 3:5; Romans 4:15; Romans 5:9; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Revelation 14:9–11).

But God’s wrath here must also include the Day of the Lord, since that was the Thessalonians’ primary concern. Paul assured them that they would face neither temporal wrath on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 6:17), nor eternal wrath in Hell.

But -- in contrast to the doomed night people -- God has destined believers "for obtaining (literally, "gaining" or "acquiring") salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ". Once again, Paul referred to the future dimension of believers’ salvation, their glorification (see the discussion of verse 8 above).

But all three aspects of salvation -- justification (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 3:24, 26; Romans 5:8–9; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16), sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 7:25), and glorification (Philippians 3:21) -- come only through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The simple, yet profound phrase "who died for (huper; “on our behalf”; “with reference to us”; “in our place”; “as our substitute”) us" (Romans 5:8) expresses the sole basis for believers’ salvation. God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21); “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24; John 10:11; Romans 8:3; Galatians 1:4; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2).

The glorious message of the Gospel is that Christ’s substitutionary death paid in full the penalty for believers’ sins and therefore believers will not face God’s judgment. In John 5:24 Jesus declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” Nor will they face His condemnation, because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Christ’s death on their behalf sets all day people -- both those who are awake (alive) and those who are asleep (dead; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15) -- apart from night people. The marvelous reality is that all believers will live together with Him, as Jesus Himself promised...

John 14:1-3 (ESV) Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

As he did with his discussion of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:18 where he used the same word rendered here “encourage”), Paul concluded his discussion of the Day of the Lord by exhorting the Thessalonians to "encourage one another and build up one another".

Based on the truth he had given them, they were to reassure the anxious and fearful that they would not experience the Day of the Lord. His concluding phrase, "just as you also are doing", affirms that they were already committed to encouragement. Ever the faithful Pastor, passionately concerned for his people, Paul wanted them to “excel still more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).


THE NOAHIC COVENANT; GOD'S COVENANT


As you know, this whole series started when I shared the experience I had with a Double Rainbow. The Rainbow is emblematic of the covenant that God made with humanity following The Flood of Noah's day. A Biblical covenant is an agreement found in the holy Scriptures between God and His people in which God makes specific promises and demands.

The 'Noahic Covenant' (Genesis 8-9) applies to the whole of humankind and to all living creatures. In this covenant, God...

-- blesses (Genesis 9:1) and commands (Genesis 9:7) Noah and his sons, that they should be fruitful and multiply, and populate the earth

-- places all plants and animals under human command (Genesis 9:2-3)

-- forbids eating meat with the blood still in it (Genesis 9:4)

-- forbids murder (Genesis 9:5)

-- Says that violent men will be repaid by violence (Genesis 9:6)

-- promises that He will never again destroy all life on earth by Flood (Genesis 9:11)

-- creates the rainbow as the sign of this "everlasting covenant" for all ages to come (Genesis 9:12-17)

There are a number of covenants that God makes that we can read about throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, but this was the very first one He made with man.

As a result, I have been studying the covenants and let me tell you, there is so much that people don't realize or don't want to think about in-depth. Covenant, like the one that Abraham made with God (Genesis 14) is not clean or neat. It has even been called a 'walk of death', which certainly gives David's claim of having no fear when walking through the shadow of death more meaning to me (Psalm 23).

In ancient days, animals were slaughtered from top to bottom, then laid apart (one half on one side, the other half on the other side). Those going into covenant would walk between the pieces, between the blood and death.

In the section mentioned above with Abraham, when he goes into a sleep he dreams of smoke and fire (a kind of going through the blood/death as God consummated the covenant with Abraham), giving him and his descendants the land of Israel. God delivers, preserves, and protects His own through the worst if that is His will.

Isn't that something though? More and more, we are going back to the Book of Genesis for things. More and more, we are going back to the beginning. As, I suppose, it should be because...

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Speaking of Noah, which invariably comes up in each and every study of Bible prophecy, did you know that Noah spoke words of prophecy?

Yes, I remembered a piece I wrote way back in March 2009 about 'Noah's Prophecy' that went into great detail about this, but that also directly relates to the Gog-Magog Attempted Invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 as well as 'Shem', which STRONGLY RESONATES with this who unusual Comet Elenin business.

What do I mean by that exactly? Well, one thing we didn't do in the previous parts to this series was call attention to the likely methods that Satan might attempt to use to deceive the world in explaining a Rapture event.

This is where I'd like this to begin serve as a sort of 'Left Behind Letter' in the event that we're right about what's coming next week; a Left Behind Letter that would alert anyone who might come across this to be on guard when the world's leaders attempt to explain what just happened.

I think many of us instinctively know that this is precisely why we've been force fed a steady diet of the whole 'Alien/UFO' meme since the inception of Hollywood.

I hate to continue this Addendum from out in 'left field' (according to some people), but I think LUF has gone to great lengths over the years to explain that the so-called 'Alien/UFO' phenomenon is not only real, but that it is a spiritual phenomenon as opposed to an extraterrestrial one.

In fact, we've even exhaustively tried to demonstrate why the 'Alien/UFO' phenomenon is so prevalent these days and used what we know about end times theology to speculate about it's likely role in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

If you're still 'on-the-fence' regarding this issue, then please take some time to familiarize yourself with the LUF Archives section on this subject ASAP to get a better feel for what I mean by all of that.

Simply put, there's a Great Deception coming (2 Thessalonians 2:9) that could conceivably deceive the elect (Mark 13:22), and it's our contention that the 'Alien/UFO' Satanic agenda will be at the forefront of that Great Deception. It doesn't have to be, but many believe that it will coincide with the aftermath of the Rapture.

Back to Noah's Prophecy and Shem. Interestingly enough, the Shem was also closely linked with fire and a stone. The Shem, thus, was a "highward fire-stone" we discovered back then. It is, in other words, apparently a reference to a meteorite.

From that 2009 study...

This is strongly corroborated by the fact that: "Shems were particularly associated with something called 'an-na,' which meant 'heavenly stone,' a term that was also used to define a shining metal. The use of the word shem in respect of its ‘shining’ aspect is apparent in the alternative name for Prince Utu, brother of Inanna…His epithet was Shem-esh: the Shining One" (Laurence Gardner, Genesis of the Grail Kings, p.120).

So, what we have here is that the shem was a "heavenly shining fire-stone" while the Nephilim, i.e. the offspring of the Fallen Angels (also called the "Shining Ones"), were the "people of the shem."

So, which is it? Is "shem" synonymous with "name" or "shining ones" or "a heavenly shining fire stone" or all of the above?

The occasion of Noah’s prophecy is worth our attention. The setting of it is a remarkable one. The terrible fall of the illustrious patriarch and the wonderful prediction he uttered concerning the future history of the three great divisions of the human family are placed in juxtaposition. The fact that the Holy Spirit has thus joined these two together is a striking illustration of the truth that God’s ways are different from ours. The devout student of the Word has learnt that not only are the very words of Scripture inspired of God, but that their arrangement and order also evidence a wisdom that transcends the human.

Noah’s prediction contains an outline sketch of the history of the nations of the world. The great races of the Earth are here seen in their embryonic condition: they are traced to their common source, through Shem, Ham, and Japheth, back to Noah.

What then are we to "learn" from this narration of Noah’s sad fall? First, we discover a striking proof of the Divine inspiration of the scriptures. Second, we learn from Noah’s fall that man at his best estate is altogether vanity, in other words, we see the utter and total depravity of human nature. Third, we learn from Noah’s fall the danger of using wine and the awful evils that attend intemperance. Fourth, in Noah’s sin we learn our need of watchfulness and prayer. A believer is never immune from falling. Finally, Noah’s fall utters a solemn warning to every servant of God. It is deeply significant that following this prophecy, recorded in the closing verses of Genesis 9, nothing whatsoever - - save his death - - is recorded about Noah after his terrible fall. The last 300 years of his life are a blank (1 Corinthians 9:27)!

This is a MAJOR PROPHECY as well as a missed prophecy for these last days. Plus, I think it will be clear when we're done here that we're starting to see the beginning of the very thing that is predicted to happen.

The questions that keep coming to mind during this important study are: "Was this a major prophecy that we missed?" and "Under whose tents should we dwell?"

Similar to Leviticus 23, Genesis 9:26-27 gives the Bible believer one of the most clear references in all of Scripture to the true revealed will of Yahweh, regarding exactly which customs and traditions the body of Messiah must adopt. These verses are among the greatest and yet the most neglected of all Messianic prophecies in all of Scripture.

Most of us have no problem quoting Isaiah 53 or Isaiah 7:14 as Messianic references to Yahshua, yet the devil has blinded most of the Roman and Babylonian religious world into quickly glossing over Genesis 9:26-27, or worse, ignoring the text completely. These verses never are really studied in depth and then practically applied.

I know that was another lengthy excerpt, but it will give you a good idea of where we went that day in our studies without you having to read the entire series of articles associated with it.

How it connects to everything we've been talking about (and the things I just postulated as being likely explanations for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy) you should know that it also led us to something called the 'Benben Stone', the Fallen Angels, and the Nephilim. It all certainly casts NASA's falling satellite from the other night as well as our look at NASA's 2004 'Genesis Mission' in a whole new light too, doesn't it? The seeds of deception have been planted.

Now that we've established what to be on the look-out for, I want to continue by helping to set your mind at ease should the unthinkable happen any day now.

Regardless of what does or doesn't happen in the days, weeks, months ahead the bottom line is that the end is near.

Yes, I know, how dare I promote 'doom-and-gloom' and try to scare people, right? Friend, who's afraid about the things coming upon the earth (Luke 21:26) except those who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

So, if that's you, then I hope the fear forces you to your knees once and for all in humble repentance for your sins so that you can receive the free gift of salvation from the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ before it's too late.

Forget the past. Forget your present circumstances. Everything that has happened up until this point in your life is simply prologue.

If you're reading this and you're not a Christian you need to know that you can find salvation today, and begin a spiritual journey with the one true God that is beyond your wildest dreams!

Proverbs 27:1 (KJV) Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Dr. Piers Steel is a Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics Professor at Canada's University of Calgary. In his research on procrastination he found that people are more likely to procrastinate if they don't feel the task is urgent, if it isn't appealing, or if it appears daunting.

Those may be the reasons many people put off making progress in their spiritual life. The Bible has a single verse that speaks to the issue of procrastination...

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

First, we are not guaranteed a long life. Second, when we die we face the judgment seat of Christ where our spiritual life will be examined (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). And third, we have a misconception about what brings joy in life. We have mistaken religion for the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

To assume that we have plenty of time to 'get serious' about spiritual things is to presume upon the future. To assume we won't enjoy spiritual growth is an insult to God.

If you have been procrastinating about engaging in spiritual growth, don't assume that you know the future. Redeem the time today while you are able (Ephesians 5:16).

The purpose of our study of prophecy being fulfilled in the world's news headlines is twofold. First, it is to demonstrate that there is a living God who still sits on His throne, and who is in complete control despite all the confusion and chaos. Second, it is to try to show you that our time here is short (much shorter than we think), and that the time to act (to make a life-saving and life-changing decision for Jesus Christ) is now!

I pray that the Lord opens your eyes to the truth about what needs to be done. Don't roll the dice on going through another week -- another day -- without making Him your Lord and Savior.

In closing, I want to take a moment to share another discovery I was led back to in the LUF Archives. Did you know that the throne in Heaven is Rainbow-canopied (Revelation 4:3)? Fitting that we end where this series began, isn't it?

This is what I wrote in a post published in April 2010...

Joining A Service Already In Progress

Revelation 4:9-11 (KJV) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

What's the most exciting worship service you've attended? Perhaps it was at your church or at a rally in an arena or stadium. Perhaps you're thinking of the service in a small country church the night Christ came into your life, or the service in which you were baptized.

If you could ask the apostle John, he'd likely talk about the service he observed in Revelation 4 and Revelation 5. Ten thousand angels surrounded the rainbow-canopied throne in Heaven! The whole triumphant church was there, symbolized by the twenty-four elders. Lightning bolts and thunder booms served as pyrotechnics and percussion. Cherubim and Seraphim attended the scene. A heavenly antiphonal choir sang: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"

Whenever we gather for worship, whether in a catacomb or a cathedral, we're simply tuning into the perpetual worship occurring in Heaven. Let's not take worship casually or complain if everything isn't to our liking. It's not for us, but for Him who is worthy to receive our praise.

Absolutely beautiful, isn't it? God draws our attention to the bookends of His holy Word to emphasize the truth of the matter.

That truth? What began in Genesis ends in Revelation.

Share|

Read more »

Posted in: Aliens UFOs,Angels,Bible Study,Four Horsemen,How Close Are We?,Jewish Feasts,Left Behind,Lord's Feasts,NASA,Nature And Environment,Prophecy Basics,Rapture,Seven Seals,Why Study Prophecy?

Going Home, Saying Goodbye -- Part 4

Someone commented that there's just too much material presented here in these 4 parts for anyone to possibly read and process properly. I get that...to an extent.

Just like old times, I feel sort of compelled to put all of this out there as quickly as possible without worrying about the amount of content. Having sat on all of this for weeks until I had time to pray about, double-check, triple-check, and allow other believers to confirm things through their own findings, I feel pretty confident that it's now or never and that time may be of the essence.

The good news (besides the Good News) is that this will be the last post published here until the end of the month at the earliest. So, for anyone who has been feeling 'overwhelmed' by this series, take comfort knowing you will have an adequate amount of time to read things at your own pace. But it may be now or never.

When the world is teetering on the brink of the start of Daniel's 70th Week (regardless of whether or not the conclusions made in this series play out or not), I'd say that we owe it to Him to make the time to study His Word more closely than ever before just in case our entrenched positions on prophecy are slightly off the mark.

If you're still looking for a Cliff's Notes version of this 4-part series though, then all you have to do is grab your Bible and watch all the videos embedded throughout and just forget about reading anything I wrote. Trust me, that will suffice. I hope that helps any of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are significantly pressed for time.

Back to the task at hand. You know, aside from evangelizing the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are also instructed to watch and pray for His return. This week, we’ve spent a lot of time attempting to address the connections between end times Bible prophecy as found in the Word and the news and real world events.

In some cases, the connections seem clear. In others, not so much. One thing I know for sure is that even though prophecy has many purposes to it, it was never intended by God to open the future just to idle curiosity.

He has a much higher purpose in furnishing guidance to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14) in giving comfort, encouragement, and hope to instill confidence and a sense of urgency in them especially during the troubled times that they live in.

We are the heirs of salvation! Prophecy was intended for us and for those very reasons. This is important for us to remember when we study and speak of prophecy.

Absolutely no doubt about it -- this 4-part series seems to have become THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT watershed revelation for us to date here in late 2011 and where we are with what we have today (at least from my humble perspective).

Excessive use of exclamation points and whether or not you feel I write with too much hyperbole aside, personally, I think that the Christians responsible for it make a very strong and compelling case, and that when you couple their findings with that of a few other independent, notable researchers and scholars, it becomes crystal clear that the truth is being revealed with greater frequency and intensity, and that's not a coincidence, my friends (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Is this the Daniel 12:4 "unsealing" by chance? Wait until you see where we end up when all is said and done. Like I mentioned in Part 1, I went through each study myself, prayed about them first, and then wrote all 4 parts before actually publishing them here for your time and consideration because I felt that strongly about the prophetic and spiritual implications.

My specific words were...

The conclusions? That the Rapture will occur during some future celebration of the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah. It is my humble opinion -- again, only my opinion -- based on the Biblical evidence I've studied here, and the signs of the times all around us right now, that we have good reason to think that it could happen this year in 2011, or in only a couple of weeks.

As risky as it is, I will go one step further and say this: I will be absolutely stunned if none of this comes to pass within the next couple of weeks as this study suggests it could (more stunned than I was when I first learned about all of it just a couple of weeks ago). I firmly believe that something prophetically significant is going to happen. No, it may not be the Rapture (though I'm leaning that way myself), but something big. The Lord will do as He pleases though and it will always be in accordance with His perfect Word and His perfect plan for all of humanity. If it doesn't come to pass, then it's only because I was wrong.

Bottom line, this conclusion is reached based on the following spiritual convergence of 'signs of the times' coming up...

-- Sola Scriptura (God's Word; Prophetic Scripture)
-- Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah
-- Palestinian Bid For Statehood At The United Nations
-- The International Day Of Peace
-- Pope Benedict's Visit To A Hostile Germany
-- Natural Disasters Increasing In Frequency/Intensity
-- Lying Signs And Wonders ('Marian Apparitions'; 'Aliens/UFOs'; etc.)
-- Global Economic Crisis
-- Comet Elenin's Arrival

Just to name a few of the biggies.

I strongly encourage you to do what I did. Grab your Bible. Have it by your side and apply Acts 17:11 to everything as you follow along, piece-by-piece, taking it all under prayerful consideration to the Lord.

What it all amounts to is a collection of stunning revelations -- each somehow related by a few common threads that defies logic, mathematical odds, and all probabilities of what others might call 'chance', 'coincidence', or 'randomness' -- that point to the Rapture (or an "escape" like the one mentioned in Luke 21:36) and the beginning of the end (a.k.a. Daniel's 70th Week / Tribulation / Final 7 Years) being within our near, and perhaps even immediate, future.

I pray that Christians who read this will begin to take notice of this presentation -- especially those Christians who have refused to give end times Bible prophecy a single serious thought until now -- instead of splitting hairs or simply wanting to debate things all the time. At some point, we'll all have to submit to the truth (and the Truth) even if we're not ready too thanks to our arrogance, ignorance, pride, and/or stubbornness.

I'm sorry to come across as being 'harsh' here, but it's time to take off the blinders once and for all. I realize that times are tough enough without having to add thoughts about the 'last days' and the 'beginning of Daniel's 70th Week' being literally days or weeks away to the mix, but what's the alternative? Continuing to bury your head in the sand by ignoring the truth in something that right now seems plain as day? That's blatantly irresponsible and behavior not conducive to being a true Christian (2 Thessalonians 2:10; Psalm 27:1).

I suppose the flip side would be to argue that it's equally 'irresponsible' and 'un-Christianlike' even for someone like me to issue such 'dire warnings' akin to what some might classify as 'fear mongering', which I'm sure puts me on par with others like Harold Camping according to some.

I pray that's not the case with you and that you don't feel that way about me or this humble online ministry. This is only about being a watchman and about sounding the alarm to the possibilities (Jeremiah 6:17). Be a Berean and apply Acts 17:11 while taking your concerns to the Lord in prayer at all times please.

Besides, if you're a Christian like you say you are then you should know what's in store for those who aren't living a life with our Lord and Savior, who aren't actively seeking Jesus' return and praying for it, who would rather call someone like me names and dismiss me entirely for what they believe to be 'false doctrine' despite what the evidence from the holy Scriptures seems to suggest; evidence which is also causing other brothers and sisters in Christ of ours around the world to reach similar conclusions right now. Doesn't that count for something?

My dear friends, life is about to get tougher in ways many can't even fathom! My sincere hope is that by being as blunt as possible about this you'll clearly understand that the time for spiritual preparation is almost over. We've been living on borrowed time for so long now.

For the believers who have shunned Bible prophecy for whatever reason, now is the time to repent of that sin and to feed on the prophetic verses.

For the lost non-believers in this world, or those 'on the fence' so-to-speak, the time to repent and confess your sins in order to be forgiven and saved by Jesus Christ is almost over. Respond carefully because there are eternal consequences at stake here.

Will it be God and His way, or your way (under Satan's influence as an enemy of God) and the life you want and think you deserve? Don't be foolish! Examine the following for yourself in a serious, intellectual manner. Take your thoughts and feelings to the Lord in deep, sincere prayer and watch Him sort it out for you. Then, be sure to plan for the inevitable, and begin sounding the alarm to your family and friends and anyone else who will listen. This may be your last chance to do so.

On to Part 4, or the final installment of this urgent series. If you haven't already, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the previous installments to help establish a firm foundation...

INTRO: 'When They Shall Say Peace And Safety...'
PART 1: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 2: Going Home, Saying Goodbye
PART 3: Going Home, Saying Goodbye

To reiterate, none of this is written to produce or sustain a spirit of fear in your life. Fear is a sin and it is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit (Job 5:21; Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:25; 1 Peter 3:14).

This series has been written to sound the alarm. For all I know, this may be the last time that the Lord gives me the chance to do so.

Lastly, before we get started, you should know that one of the defining lessons learned during 2011 for me has been radical obedience (John 10:4) at any cost (John 15:20). Another has been learning to hear and be sensitive to His voice (John 10:27) even if it means reconsidering my entrenched positions on various aspects of end times theology.

One of the best statements I ever read about how we Christians should approach each and every study of Bible prophecy comes to us from J.C. Ryle I think...

At the very outset I warn the reader of these pages that he will find here nothing deep or abstruse. I have purposely avoided everything that can be called speculative or conjectural. I have strictly confined myself to a few great prophetical principles, which appear to me written as it were with a sunbeam. I have not attempted to expound such portions of God's Word as Ezekiel's temple or the symbolical visions of Revelation. I have not ventured to fix any dates. I have not tried to settle the precise order or manner in which predictions of things to come are to be fulfilled. There is nothing I dislike so much in prophetical inquiry as dogmatism or positiveness. Much of the discredit which has fallen on prophetical study has arisen from the fact that many students instead of expounding prophecy have turned prophets themselves.

If anyone asks me what my prophetical opinions are, I am quite ready to give him an answer. Cautious and doubtful as I feel on some points, there are certain great principles about which I have fully made up my mind. I have held by them firmly for more than twenty­five years and have never had my opinion shaken about them. I have lived in the belief of them for a quarter of a century, and in the belief of them I hope to die. The older I grow, the more do I feel convinced of their truth, and the more satisfied am I that no other principles can explain the state of the Church and the world.

One thing only I wish to premise before making my statement. The reader must distinctly understand that I do not put forth my prophetical views as articles of faith but only as my private opinions. I do not say that nobody can be saved who does not agree with me about prophecy. I am not infallible. I am very sensible that holier and better men than myself do not see these subjects with my eyes and think me utterly mistaken. I condemn nobody; I judge nobody. I only ask liberty to hold and state distinctly my own views. The day will decide who is right. It is the new heart and faith in Christ's blood which are absolutely necessary to salvation. The man who knows these two things experimentally may be wrong about prophecy, but he will not miss heaven.

It is with that same spirit that I write to all of you today, my dear friends.


COMET ELENIN AND RAPTURE LINK? LOOK UP!


September is continuing to shape up to be a prophetically relevant month this year. In fact, as early as this week, we could very well start to experience some major changes on a worldwide scale.

While there are a number of different possibilities that we could focus on here, you know by now that our intent is to hone in on just one of them, and it's one that carries cosmic significance.

To this point, we've only briefly mentioned the planetary body known as Comet Elenin even in this special series. Today, however, we'll change that by devoting the entirety of this post to the unusual object and its prophetic implications (if any).

Surprisingly, despite all the information that's been available online for the past several months about this comet, this is the very first time I've written about Comet Elenin here. Now, you might not take that to mean much of anything, but I have to tell you that I find that to be quite telling indeed.

See, when news first broke about Comet Elenin months ago, people were emailing me about it left and right. Yet, I never felt moved by the Lord to spend any time whatsoever researching or writing about it...until now. That, to me, adds another layer of confirmation and credibility to the likelihood of things playing out the way that so many of us anticipate it could next week.

Again, that doesn't necessarily mean that we're all somehow prophets now, and that this is all a "Thus sayeth the Lord..." type of collective experience we're having (because we always want to remain cautious and sober about such possibilities especially when shared publicly with the world like this), but we also know that the Scriptures do promise us that this sort of thing will happen in the end times...

Joel 2:28-29 (KJV) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Acts 2:17-21 (KJV) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Incredible, isn't it? And yet, that adjective doesn't seem to do justice here.

Seriously though, just re-read that passage from Acts 2. Please allow me to highlight the most relevant and thought-provoking portion of the text...

"...And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

We might want to keep that at the forefront of our minds as we continue.

Truthfully, until now, besides not feeling moved to look into this whole Comet Elenin business I think I also felt that there's just been so much out there in the Blogosphere on this subject that anything I could possibly put here seemed redundant. Well, let me tell you that I certainly don't feel that way anymore.

I want to refer you to an excellent video series that I was alerted to that's worth your time given the potential prophetic implications. I'm sure you're sick of these by now (because, again, these past couple of weeks is really the first time I've studied this subject since it first entered the public's consciousness), but this video series is so much more Biblical than the others I've seen to date.

Besides, how can all of this Comet Elenin business not get us thinking about the other truths about the last days from Scripture?

Matthew 24:29 (KJV) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mark 13:24-25 (KJV) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Luke 21: 11 (KJV) And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:25 (KJV) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Joel 2:30 (KJV) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

Revelation 6:13 (KJV) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Sure, I get that some of the above verses don't apply to where we are on God's prophetic timeline yet (and may not even be close to being fulfilled when compared to others), but I included them here to point out the fact that God's Word explicitly states that various signs "in the heavens" will accompany the last days. Don't let that truth be lost upon you.

By the way, take some time to enlarge and study the above image when you can too. Please do so only after you've had a chance to digest and prayerfully consider all the content presented in the previous 3 parts of this series. Specifically, please make sure you've invested the time to watch all the videos referenced throughout this series (if nothing else) prior to watching this next one that's broken up into 6 sections.

The film you are about to watch simply asks whether or not there could be a link between Comet Elenin and the prophesied Rapture. There's a good reason why I structured things this way so that this particular study was front-and-center in Part 4, the final part, or the penultimate installment of this series (Proverbs 16:9). Hopefully, everything offered to this point will help underscore this assertion of a Comet Elenin-Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah-Rapture link.

I can't stress it enough though, please take some time -- no, make some time -- to watch this next video documentary in full. You won't be sorry. I guarantee it. I pray that you have been edified by everything I've tried to call attention to here in recent days just as I have. Watch...this...movie.

What is the alternative? Well, I'll answer that question with another question. What if we really were down to a little over a week left before life as we know it was changed forever? Isn't time spent with a serious Bible study better than time spent with any TV show premiering this week? You bet it is!

Without further adieu, I would like to share with you this compelling film by Andre Hendricks...

Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 1)



Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 2)

Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 3)

Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 4)

Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 5)

Comet Elenin And Rapture Link? (Part 6)

What do you think? More importantly, what does the Holy Spirit confirm for you (if anything) from what you just saw? Again, please prayerfully consider all of that information.

Here are a few points I would like to isolate that are either from that study or from my own personal notes taken during that study while I was watching it myself...

-- The phrase "the trumpet of God" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, or the passage we know so well (as well as the words "trump" and "trumpet" in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53), does not refer to the Judgment Trumpets of Revelation 8-11, but is illustrated by the trumpet of Exodus 19:16-19, which called the people out of the camp to meet God. In other words, it will be a trumpet of deliverance (Zephaniah 1:16; Zechariah 9:14).

-- I never noticed that Philip was "caught away" too in Acts 8:39! Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Elijah (1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12, 14; Ezekiel 8:3), and the unnamed Christian Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:2 (which the context makes it obvious that he was speaking himself), were also snatched away in a miraculous fashion.

-- Being so close to the Feast of Trumpets and combining that fact with everything else that's going on in the world right now, while also factoring in Isaiah 26:20 (Genesis 6; Genesis 19), makes for a thought-provoking case here I think. I mean, the Feast of Trumpets is the only one celebrated with a New Moon (as opposed to a Full Moon), and so that calls to mind the potential importance of Psalm 81:3 too.

-- If you watch only one of the six videos referenced above, then please watch Part 3 since it is entirely devoted to a study on the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah and provides all the Biblical evidence as to why the Rapture must take place to coincide with some future Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanan. That study is absolutely breathtaking! Then again, you could also simply refer to Part 3 of this LUF series too.

-- I readily admit that I could be wrong, but I'm not quite sure I believe that Revelation 4:1 is a veiled reference to the Rapture like most Christians who study end times prophecy tend to. I think it's simply a command for John to be temporarily transported to Heaven "in the Spirit" to receive revelation about future events.

There's still one final piece to this prophetic puzzle that is late breaking news.

The national media did not cover it like they should have (surprise, surprise), but a massive 'meteor' streaked across the Southwestern skies late last Wednesday night. Additional coverage by the L.A. Times. I hope it goes without saying that this could be a precursor to the event that's coming. It will be an event (if it happens) that will be the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but one that will also be explained away by the lost non-believing world.

For the record, whatever it was in the Southwestern skies it wasn't an 'asteroid' or a 'meteor' either as this video news report will clearly show. I don't know many asteroids or meteors that behave like that in the night sky, do you? For the record, should the Rapture occur next week some time those left behind will most likely be offered an explanation on par with 'Alien/UFO' involvement I bet.

Personally, whether the Rapture is imminent or not (as in whether or not it will occur next week some time), I do believe that an "escape" of some sort is in store for His believers in the very near future.

Luke 21:36 (NKJV) Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man

Interesting that where it says "that you may be counted worthy" there are older manuscripts that say "that you may have strength instead", which hints at possibly persevering through trials and tribulation under the divine protection of the Lord. Skeptics will likely pounce on this one sentence out of the hundreds I've written for this series and becomes obsessed with suggesting that even I am having 'doubts' and 'second thoughts' about my insistence that the Rapture is finally close at hand.

However, after prayerfully considering the totality of the information presented in this 4-part series, and especially after weighing this in-depth presentation on Comet Elenin and the Rapture in the balance, I take the "escape" mentioned in Luke 21:36 and immediately think of another verse that might be -- might be -- related to it as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NKJV) For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Boy, that single verse seems to encompass everything that's about to take place in the world right now including our own peculiar role in/during those events. I guess I should've just posted this one verse instead of droning on and on over 4 separate posts about the same thing, huh?

Either way, the time for preparation is almost over. Don't be caught off guard. Heed these warnings to get your spiritual house in order today.

As another blogger recently put it...

"Don't focus on when the Rapture will be -- just be READY!"

Amen to that! That's the right approach whether we're ultimately 'right' or 'wrong' in our conclusions.

I really like what we're reminded of from Jeremiah...

Jeremiah 10:2-3 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity.

If you're a Christian and you're fearful about such things as those written about these past few days, then repent immediately and seek His face. Fight fear and trepidation with faith.


ARE YOU RAPTURE READY? MOST IMPORTANTLY, ARE YOU SAVED?


Hopefully, this 4-part series opened some eyes or at least has helped get people excited about prophecy again because this is beyond big I think. This changes our ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING of what to expect about how and when Daniel's 70th Week and the Tribulation might begin, and sheds some new light on the entire Rapture debate.

Is this God's way of sending His Spirit to us to give us this insight at EXACTLY the right moment in time, and according to His perfect timing and perfect will, so that the elect are not only ready, but so that we could also sound the alarm as well?

Yes, I believe that based on the consistency and coherency of the Biblical record, coupled with the preponderance of signs of the times all around us, it's logical to conclude that this is precisely what is going on right now.

At this point in time, after a couple of focused weeks of research and writing (some of the most intensive work I've ever done on the subject of eschatology in my short life and particularly on the Rapture itself), I've come to find a sense of peace and rest in my soul about certain perspectives that are typically 'controversial' amongst Christians when it comes to end times prophecy (Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:16).

I wholeheartedly believe in a Rapture event as evidenced by my work here at LUF. I hope you do too. This does not mean that I haven't been preparing for the possibility of going through some kind of trials and tribulations in the future even if it's not the Tribulation or Great Tribulation itself. That would be irresponsible of me. I just believe that any such trials and tribulations would pale in comparison to the kind the rest of the world will have to face one day soon.

Personally, I've always believed that there is an actual Rapture based on the abundant Biblical evidence, but I kept bouncing back-and-forth between the various timelines (i.e. Pre-Trib; Mid-Trib; Pre-Wrath). Ty Lamb's phenomenal work The Case For Three Raptures and his interview with me on the subject is what the Lord used to finally settle the issue for me once and for all, and that's the moment when the whole Rapture 'debate' stopped being a 'contentious' and 'controversial' issue for me.

Now, whether or not I'm wrong about my feelings that such a glorious event will take place next week some time remains to be seen, and I'll tell you right now that I can handle being wrong; I'm ok with it. Why? Because it's not about being 'right' or 'wrong' because it's not about me at all -- IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT HIM.

Some of you might think that's a far too convenient 'easy out', but when you stop to think about it what's the alternative? Each of us should be trying to discern what His Word reveals to us about these times and about the future times to come so that He doesn't come upon us like a "thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10), rather than always trudging through life like it's all one giant fairy tale (2 Peter 3:4).

I once wrote that as this 'unsealing' of knowledge we read about in Daniel 12:4 increases during these last days, we're getting only pieces of the prophetic puzzle at a time.

This is how I see this spiritual journey and effort to better understand our Lord and His Word and plans for us. It's hard work, it takes real effort, but it will be so worth it in the end. Some Christians, believe it or not, want to mock and scoff at someone like me. That's ok though.

I have a tough time believing that on that day when I kneel before my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ He will say to me, "Jeff, you loved me too much, you tried to understand me too much, you tried to understand my holy Word too much, you tried to understand the end times too much! Just way too much and maybe a little obsessive! What were you thinking?" Anyone else with me on that?

The best part is that as long as you're willing to keep an open mind and at least consider alternate views that run contrary to your current entrenched position, you'll still find your way home by following the bread crumbs. Ironically, they are often 'alternate views' that are actually more Biblically sound than some long-standing, Pop Culture-influenced eschatological beliefs. Surrender your pride like I did and realize what Proverbs 25:2 is saying.

Why is that important advice for all of us who are watching and waiting for His return? Because every now and then, what we think are bread crumbs leading us to the truth are instead the leaves or twigs of the natural world, and although they might look similar at first, closer examination tells us that they're not what we're truly after since they'll only cause us to waste valuable time and lead us astray.

Look, I don't know how else to say it except to say emphatically that we are the last generation!

Matthew 24:34 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Mark 13:30 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Luke 21:32 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

We are the generation that will see the return of His Majesty King Jesus Christ! If that's a certainty, then why is it so hard to believe that it can happen next week in connection with the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah as we've clearly seen will be the case some day? Are you ready? I know that I am. Maranatha!

For the lost and non-believing world, the question is more profound in that it's not merely, "Are you ready?", but is, "Are you saved?" I'd like to turn to Charles Spurgeon for a brief message of what it means to genuinely repent so that you can be forgiven of your sins and receive God's free gift of salvation at this very moment...

"You must understand that there is only one door to salvation, and that is Christ; there is one way, and that is Christ; one truth, and that is Christ; one life, and that is Christ. Salvation lies in Jesus only; it does not lie in you, in your doings, or your feelings, or your knowings, or your resolutions. In Him all life and light for the sons of men are stored up by the mercy of God the Father. This may be one reason why you have not found the light; because you have sought it in the wrong place. Though the Lord has placed it on record in His Word, in the plainest language, that ‘it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy’ (Rom. 9:16) yet most men in their hearts imagine that everlasting life is tied to duties and earned by service. You must abandon such vainglorious notions; you must come before God as a humble petitioner, pleading the promises of mercy, abhorring all idea of merit, confessing that if the Lord condemns you He has a right to do it, and if He saves you, it will be an act of pure gratuitous mercy, a deed of sovereign grace. Oh, too many of you hold your heads too high; to enter the lowly gate of light you must stoop. On the bended knee is the penitent’s true place. ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner’, is the penitent’s true place. If God should condemn you, you could never complain of injustice, for you could not accuse the Lord, for you have no right to be heard. He could righteously withhold an answer of peace if He so willed. Confess that you are an undeserving, ill-deserving, hell-deserving sinner and begin to pray as you have never prayed before. Cry out of the depth of self-abasement if you want to be heard. Come as a beggar, not as a creditor. Come to crave, not to demand. Use only this argument, ‘Lord, hear me, for you are gracious, and Jesus died; I cry to you as a condemned criminal who seeks pardon. Deliver me from going down into the pit, that I may praise your name.’ This harboring of a proud spirit, I fear, has been a great source of mischief with many, and if it has been so with you, amend it and go now with humble and contrite hearts, in lowliness and brokenness of spirit, to your Father whom you have offended, for he will surely accept you as his children. Your salvation does not depend upon what you do, but upon what Christ did when he offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin. All your salvation takes root in the death throes of Calvary; the great Substitute bore your sin and suffered its penalty. Your sin shall never destroy you if upon that bloody tree the Lord’s chosen High Priest made a full expiation for your sins; they shall not be laid against you any more forever. What you have to do is simply accept what Jesus has finished. I know your idea is that you are to bring something to him; but that vainglorious idea has ruined many, and will ruin many more. When you are brought empty-handed, made willing to accept a free and full salvation from the hand of the Crucified, then, and then only, will you will be saved."

What could I, or anyone else for that matter, say to add to such a beautiful presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ except a bold and loud "AMEN!"?

It's worth repeating here at the end that aside from evangelizing the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are also instructed to watch and pray for His return. This week, we’ve spent a lot of time attempting to address the connection between end times Bible prophecy and the news and real world events.

In some cases, the connection seems clear. In others, not so much. One thing I know for sure is that even though prophecy has many purposes to it, it was never intended by God to open the future just to idle curiosity.

He has a much higher purpose in furnishing guidance to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14) in giving comfort, encouragement, and hope to instill confidence and a sense of urgency in them especially during the troubled times that they live in. We are the heirs of salvation! Prophecy was intended for us and for those very reasons.

This is important for us to remember when we study and speak of prophecy. Of course, talking about prophecy will invariably cause some to react in fear. What do we say to loved ones who fit that description?

Well, for starters, we read Romans...

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

I also feel led to read Proverbs 3...

Proverbs 3:25-26 (KJV) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Here’s the thing though. The only way the Lord can "keep your foot from being taken" is if you actually belong to Him in the first place. The only way to belong to Him is to make atonement for the multitude of sin in your life. The only way to make atonement is to repent for your sins believe in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross at Calvary when He shed His blood for your sake. Then, and only then, will you receive His free gift of salvation.

Thank you for joining me during this 4-part extravaganza this week. We've covered a lot of ground, but I believe there's so much spiritual meat here for us to chew on for awhile so unless something paradigm-shifting happens between now and the end of the month, and if I'm still here to report on it, this will be the last post published at Look Up Fellowship for the time being.

To summarize again, if you don't believe that Jesus Christ is coming, you're likely to get reluctant in your walk with God (or if you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you continue to live in unrepentant sin), then the Scriptures tell us that He will come upon YOU as a "thief in the night", and in an hour when YOU don't expect Him.

You need to know what the signs are so that you can be watching for them daily. I'm not suggesting that we should be so preoccupied with the future at the expense of the present, but God wants you to be aware of the signs of the times and the seasons we're living in.

He loves you and He won't come upon you as "a thief in the night"...if you're eagerly watching for His return.

Keep looking up!

Share|

Read more »

Posted in: Aliens UFOs,Angels,Bible Study,Four Horsemen,How Close Are We?,Jewish Feasts,Left Behind,Lord's Feasts,NASA,Nature And Environment,Prophecy Basics,Rapture,Seven Seals,Why Study Prophecy?