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Advent and Hanukkah ramblings

Advent


Advent is such a blessing to me.  During this sacred time I am reminded of the gospel and the amazing remembrances of the season.  In this article I will share a few of my favorites.

Philippians 2:1-11 (NASB)

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I'm reminded that the stories in the Bible are not some Aesop's Fable, Grimm's Fairy Tale or an exagerrated Paul Bunyan myth, but every word is true.  It's a stunning and fantastic reality.

It's so hard to wrap my mind around this and so old hat that the effort to remove the numbness and awaken my heart to this stunning truth can be overwhelming.

Still, there it is: the Eternal, Self-Existent, All Powerful, All Knowing, All Present, King of the Universe, I AM THAT I AM, ALMIGHTY, HOLY-HOLY-HOLY, Creator, Sustainer, ALPHA, OMEGA, First and the Last, emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, taking on flesh and making Himself nothing in the form of a helpless, defenseless baby to show that His love would go as far as it takes.

What love is this?


The Gift


Luke 2:1-20 (NASB)

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,


“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.


Stunning.  Surreal.  Bewildering.

Can you imagine?  Can you put yourself in the fields outside of Bethlehem?

One angel and men fall as though dead.

Two angels and Sodom and Gomorrah are utterly and completely destroyed.

Suddenly, legions and legions, a great multitude, descend on a lonely field and declare to those below "don't be afraid" (Don't be afraid?!).

In my estimation, this is perhaps the most amazing passage since Genesis 1:26 ("let us create man in our image").


The House of Bread




Bethlehem - "Bread House" - House of Bread

Home to the Bread of Life - Yeshua HaMaschiach - Jesus the Messiah.

Migdal Eder the tower of the flock is at Bethlehem, where the spotless blemish free temple sacrificial sheep were born in a stable.  Where perhaps the once for all perfect blemish free spotless lamb was born.

I would encourage you to visit these links and spend some time studying this further.

Migdal Eder

The information is stunning.


Hanukkah roots


I recommend Daniel 8 through 11 as a primer.  Dr. Constable's famous commentary is also recommended - link.

Alexander the Great - 356 BC to 323 BC.  His kingdom was so vast it was divided into 4 kingdoms.

100 years later, Antiochus Epiphanes, also called Antiochus IV, was in power.  This ruthless king called himself a god.  He made it illegal to practice any Jewish worship or to own any part of the Torah (Old Testament).

There were some Jews who practiced guerilla warfare and fought against these oppressors.  So much so that despite having won several battles, Antiochus unleashed his own retrobution and 40,000 soldiers were levied upon Israel and it was destroyed.

In December 168 BC - Antiochus:

In one assault on Jerusalem, 40,000 Jews were killed in three days and 10,000 more were carried into captivity."  This suppression came to a head in December 168 B.C., when Antiochus returned in frustration from Alexandria,where he had been turned back by the Roman commander Popilius Laenas, and vented his exasperation on the Jews.  He sent his general, Apollonius, with twenty thousand troops under orders to seize Jerusalem on a Sabbath. There he erected an idol of Zeus and desecrated the altar by offering swine on it. This idol became known to the Jews as 'the abomination of desolation', (Daniel 11:31), which served as a type of a future abomination that will be set up in the Jerusalem sanctuary to be built in the last days (cf. Christ's prediction in Matt 24:15).

This event not only occurred in history, but will occur again in the middle of the 7 year tribulation (the time of Jacob's trouble).  It says in Daniel 9:27:

He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

In Daniel 11:31 we learn that forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. If the Jews weren't mad before, they certainly were after this occurred and the revolt that ensued resulted in an overthrow of the oppressors (can't help but think of Bill Bixby's famous line - "don't make me angry - you wouldn't like me when I'm angry").



On December 25th of 164 BC the Jews rededicated the temple.


Leviticus 23 and 24 tell us that the time of purification is 8 days, however all of the sacred oil had been destroyed, except enough for 1 night.  God caused the oil to continue to burn the fire for 8 days, until more oil could be made.

Chanukah celebrates the cleansing of the Temple following the revolt of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greek Empire of Syria.


The Stone the Builders Rejected


John 10:22-32 (Hanukkah)

 22At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem;
 23it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.
 24The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
 25Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me.
 26"But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
 27"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
 29"My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
 30"I and the Father are one."
 31The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.
 32Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?"


Jewish tradition tells us something about these stones.

This was the Temple Mount.  Fastidiously clean.  The Levites kept the temple immaculate.  This was their full time job.

So where did this pile of rocks come from?

Tradition tells us that these were the original altar stones, from before the first Abomination of Desolation.  These were holy to the Lord, but a pig had been sacrificed on them.

You can't use them and you can't get rid of them.  There they sat on Solomon's Portico as they waited for the Messiah to tell them what to do.


Exodus 20:25

If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

Ephesians 2:20

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

1 Peter 2:6

For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 'If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.

Ephesians 4:16

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Romans 9:33

just as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Romans 12:1

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Psalm 118:22

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.

Acts 4:11

He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures,
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the chief corner stone;
This came about from the Lord,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

It is interesting that the stones that were to be a foundation for worship and sacrifice were used to try to kill the once for all sacrifice.

Trying to kill the KING OF KINGS and SAVIOR of the world with pig blood stones, by those whose lives where supposedly intent on bringing worship to the one they were trying to kill.

How often do we participate at throwing stones at the one who is our source of life?  We are to be living sacrifices, yet here we are.

Jesus came to declare the truth that God is good, God loves, God is for us, God has made a way and God is returning.

Everything that declares otherwise is a damnable lie from hell.

Daniel 9:24-27 (ERV)


“God has allowed 70 weeks for your people and your holy city, Daniel. The 70 weeks are ordered for these reasons: to stop doing bad things, to stop sinning, to make people pure, to bring the goodness that continues forever, to put a seal on visions and prophets, and to dedicate a very holy place. “Learn and understand these things, Daniel. From the time that the message went out to go back and rebuild Jerusalem until the time for the chosen king to come will be seven weeks. Then Jerusalem will be rebuilt. There will again be places for people to meet together in Jerusalem, and there will be a ditch around the city to protect it. Jerusalem will be built for 62 weeks, but there will be many troubles during that time. After the 62 weeks, the chosen one will be killed. He will be gone. Then the people of the future leader will destroy the city and the holy place. That end will come like a flood. War will continue until the end. God has ordered that place to be completely destroyed.
“Then the future ruler will make an agreement with many people. That agreement will continue for one week. The offerings and sacrifices will stop for a half of a week. And a destroyer will come. He will do terrible, destructive things, but God has ordered that destroyer to be completely destroyed.”

So much has been given to declare truth, declare His gift, His coming and His return.

  • The Word declares.
  • The Spirit declares.
  • The prophets declared.
  • The great multitude of the heavenly host declared.
  • Anna and Simeon declared.
  • The Star of Bethlehem declared (Jupiter, Regulus, Virgo) – KING KING KING. 
  • The wise maggai declared.
  • Some lowly shepherds declared.
  • The Heavens declare as noted in Psalms 19.  
  • Christ tells us even the stones will cry out in Luke 19:40.
  • Babes cry out Psalms 8.
  • 1897 declared
  • 1917 declared
  • WWII and the Holocaust declared
  • 1947 declared
  • 1948 declared - Isaiah 66:8
  • 1967 declared - Psalm 83.
  • The Arab Spring declared - Isaiah 19
  • The Blood Moons declare. Luke 21:25
  • The Super moons declare. Luke 21:25
  • The Revelation 12:1-2 sign from Virgo declared. Luke 21:25
  • The U.N. is declaring - 1 Thessalonians 5:3
  • The breakdown of the E.U. is declaring.
  • The breakdown in the moral fabric is declaring - Isaiah 5:20
  • The breakdown in the world's humility before Truth - 2 Peter 3:3-10
  • The political stalemates and impending economic collapse declare.
  • The incoming meteors declare.
  • The ecological disasters declare the soon return and unsustainability.
  • The sun's coronal mass ejections declare.  Luke 21:25
  • The earth is declaring with volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunami's.
  • The birds, fish and acquatic life are dying in their declaration. Hosea 4:3
  • From Russia, to Iran, to Syria, Lebanon and North Korea - the nations are declaring.  Ezekiel 38-39, Isaiah 17
  • The bride has been declaring to the uttermost parts of the earth for two millennia.
  • ...so men are without excuse.  Romans 1:20
  • and we the body of Christ are the altar to light the way, bring praise and bring the gift of surrendered lives.


It would be fascinating if Christ's return for the bride coincided with the Festival of Dedication, as we the Church, the newly born baby, is dedicated/rededicated and we the Church complete our journey to fulfilling the exact part we were created from the foundation of the earth to play in becoming a part of the altar of praise to Very God of Very God.
Post A Comment

39 comments:

  1. Very good read! Thank you.

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    1. Lets add one more very interesting point -

      Hanukkah and Enoch are related words in Hebrew as they have the same root. And Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not for God took him.

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    2. Interesting article:
      http://watchfortheday.org/hanukkah2017.html

      Interesting youtube:
      https://youtu.be/WGFItaWF0Bk

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  2. And here another layer of the Portico of Solomon detail is UNSEALED, quite appropriate. Fine, sweeping article, wonderful treats as we await our King, thank you. Maranatha!

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  3. Not to be too picky, but it's guerilla warfare, not gorilla. :)

    I have studied about Migdal Eder and loved it. I need to study about Hanukkah more.

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  4. more Sci fi from Christians.Th e idol to be erected in the new built temple etc.No temple will be rebuilt read revelation.Yahusha and Yahuah are the temples.No idol but jesus teh false messiah is the one who is already replacing The true messiah known as The abomination that desolates the temple

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  5. I read somewhere that the term "snatch" that Jesus uses in John 10:28 is the same meaning as "caught up" in 2 Thessalonians 4:17. Interesting! Thank you for this - it was written beautifully and just what I needed today!

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    1. YEP. G726 "harpazo" is the word in John 10:28+29 (= repeated TWICE!). Definitely has to mean sth with regards to this season. MARANATHA!

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  6. Thank you, Greg! This article is wonderful and great, everything is arranged logically and in order, I study it today all day long and think over. Lord bless you abundantly! Maranatha!

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  7. Amen. Open these eyes our our heart s Lord. Maranatha

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  8. Gary - have you looked at the possibility that the other sign detailed in Rev 12:3-4 might be happening around 12/16 to 12/17? The 7 heads and 7 diadems appear to always be there in the form of the head of the serpent in Ophiuchus (Serpens Capens) made up of 7 stars with the crown above its head (Corona Borealis) made up of 7 stars. The 10 horns is a bit puzzling, but we see the serpents tail with 5 stars and another 5 planetary bodies move into the thigh of Ophiuchus all bunched together on 12/16 to 12/17. Those 5 bodies are the sun, moon, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury. And this is happening during the middle of Hanukkah. Just a thought...would love to hear what you think as well.

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    1. Not only the constellations, Damian. Watch the latest YTC "EXPITALY" video about Nibiru from South Italy (Calabria). You havent seen such crazy pictures yet for sure... But they're REAL!

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  10. When I read about the pile of stones and the way the past is connected with the present and how all points to Christ, the Holy Spirit of God sings within me. That's the only way I know how to describe what I felt. I also read the Migdal-eder link, and the same thing happened.

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  11. Oh, Greg, I cannot tell you how beautifully this article communicates the majesty of our Savior, The Spirit and our Loving Father to me. What a magnificent walk through the wonder of scripture! I am so grateful and will keep this in my God Box as a very, treasured possession. Blessings - Sherry

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  12. Nice! Praise the Lord! Jesus is returning, everything declares it! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

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  13. When I read what Daniel Matson at watchfortheday.org wrote about the possibility of the Lord’s return during Hanukkah, I had to scratch my head and not because it itched. Hanukkah? Why Hanukkah? Yes, his calculations did make sense mathematically, but what is the significance of Hanukkah?

    I thought Hanukkah was a modern alternative for Jewish kids to receive presents because their Christian friends had Christmas. “Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas!” I had never seen Hanukkah in the Bible. I thought it was just one day like Christmas. Why did Matson say seven days?

    My misconceptions were blasted away by this article by Greg, and I’m starting to get more excited about mid December being a great time for Christ’s return. Thanks for a great article, Greg!

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    1. I wrote this because of what Daniel did :)

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  14. Thank you, Gary. I monitor a lot of sites and always look forward to you having a new article out.

    in your list, what about this one: "and, truth was thrown to the ground", Dan 8:12

    That's pretty much what's going on now out-in-the-open.



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  15. Thank you for this out let to share and encourage!
    I have read a lot recently about Haggai and it's correlation to Hanukkah. Curious. Additionally it is curious that the stage seems to be setting up for the Eziekial battle. 2 thoughts. What is going to happen with President Trumps decision on moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and what is going to happen if Congress does nothing about the sanctions ON Iran in the Iran deal. It is curious to me there is absolutely zero talk about it as the 60 day deadline is fast approaching on the 16thish. Also, why was there a report about Iranian warships headed for the gulf of Mexico quickly gone?? Seems pretty curious to me... it feels like the big war is very much on the horizon. Any thought? Any more factual knowledge on these events out there?

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    1. Also, I have not fact checked so u sure of accuracy, but I read that this Hanukkah will mark 100 years exactly to the date of the victory over the Turkish control by General Allenby for Jerusalem.

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    2. No actually I don't i found this site on google and took me by surprise but if he was banned for speaking truth than doesn't seem like a bad guy to me Just saying -JMV

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  16. Oi vey! Are we really setting dates for Hannukah now? Why oh why do we do this church? Can't we just love on people and spread Gods word saving as many as we can before he arrives (which we don't know) but dissecting everything little thing and turning into "signs" is getting to be a little on the crazy side. It's like me looking at a microwave and noticing it said 02:17 and it stopped there as I was heating up my food. And than saying oh that's a sign it has to be this year because it just does "it spoke to me". Sounds crazy right? Why can't we just rely on scripture and stop trying to predict what God has. I honestly feel the believers on here waste waaayyyy to much time with these thoughts analogies and signs. I followed this site to hear the thought processes of other believers and I'm just not feeling it anymore. This downstairs make me a scoffer but I'm sure I'll be called that or better yet my comment removed but I discern so much that doesn't line up with scripture. And making these elaborate theories to fit what scripture says is crazy. I had alot of people (many in my bible study and my pastors) that have visited this site reading the comments and such and we are all in agreement . Love God love people and stop date setting. seriously over this site and the fear mongering peace out.

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    1. {SIGH...} You're not really looking forward to Jesus getting you out of here, are you? So sorry to hear about that. MARANATHA!

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    2. @Annabel I totally agree with Unknown. In my honest opinion it's ok for fellow believers to rebuke one another. And to say someone isn't looking forward to get out of here and meet Jesus is uncalled for. Just because someone doesn't agree doesn't mean they aren't ready to meet Jesus. I can't wait to meet Jesus but I want to bring as many people with me like family friends etc. My heart is focused on reaching the lost than date setting as well. I applaud unknown for standing his/her ground and speaking what the Holy Spirit has placed on his/her heart. The holy spirit speaks to me as well and I discern the same, are we living in the end days yes! do we know when we are going home? NO! doesn't make me any less a believer in the Lord of Lords -GMP

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    3. I also am with Unknown. Of course we all are looking forward to see Jesus...Its a shame the "scoffer and mocker" card gets played when someone doesn't jump up and down saying we are almost out of here. Things are happening fast but we will be here next year at this time seeing much worse.

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    4. @stan foster glad to know and it's refreshing actually that there are rational as Paul says "of sound mind" Christians on here. Everyone needs to chill out a bit and focus on the bigger picture which is spreading the word of God. Times are worse and honestly its going to get worse but we know one day it'll be over we just don't know the day. And I'm ok with that now they posted a new article about the Jerusalem announcement and they are losing their minds. I just people would relax and stop "over spiritualizing" everything. "Love God love people" ain't that the truth bottom line. Good job unknown love that analogy God Bless!

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    5. @Unknown - You remind me a lot of a former member of this community. He went by "DJ". He was banned. Do you know him? The two of you sound a lot alike!

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    6. @ Dennis No actually I don't i found this site on google and took me by surprise but if he was banned for speaking truth than doesn't seem like a bad guy to me Just saying -JMV

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    7. @ Unknown - Thanks for the response. I actually expect Christ to return during Hanukkah! Maybe on the last day. Or, maybe on the first day. Maybe even before it starts! I see signs of His return almost everywhere I look. I'll expect him to return on Christmas eve. And on Christmas day! I expect Him to return tonight before I go to sleep and I'll be expecting Him tomorrow by lunchtime and then on the next day, too! Next Saturday, New Year's Day, Valentine's Day and Groundhog Day - I think he will return on one of those days. I'll also be looking for Him the Tuesday after next and also on Independence Day. I'll expect Him on my next wedding anniversary and on my final birthday!

      I expect Him EVERY day .... and I expect Him ANY day. I search for clues from God's Written Word. I look for signs in the Heavens. I read the newspaper and see events that let me know His return is nearing.

      Yet, somehow, I still find time to "Love God and love people", as you say. In fact, I believe my purpose is to help others meet, know, and follow Jesus. We are running out of time! I also think I am to ACTIVELY look for Him, search for His return and expect Him at any moment. I'm just curious as to why other Believers think that "looking for & expecting His return" and "Loving others" are mutually exclusive. Can you tell me, please?

      That may make me one of the "crazies" you speak of, but you were looking for thought processes from other believers, right? Well, now you know mine!

      Blessings, brother!

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  17. @stan foster glad to know and it's refreshing actually that there are rational as Paul says "of sound mind" Christians on here. Everyone needs to chill out a bit and focus on the bigger picture which is spreading the word of God. Times are worse and honestly its going to get worse but we know one day it'll be over we just don't know the day. And I'm ok with that now they posted a new article about the Jerusalem announcement and they are losing their minds. I just people would relax and stop "over spiritualizing" everything. "Love God love people" ain't that the truth bottom line. Good job unknown love that analogy God Bless!

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  18. Well put, Dennis! I agree that living with a constant anticipation of the Lord’s return AND loving God and others are not mutally exclusive. We’re told to do all those things, so let’s not leave any of them undone! Of course our Lord wants us to long for His return - that IS part of loving someone. If I were gone on a long trip, I sure hope the people who love me would long for my return and even count down the days until I come back. I don’t think God frowns upon our intense desire for “the blessed hope” to become “blessed sight” - I think it honors and pleases Him. Yes, we go too far with it if we neglect the callings we have right here and are so distracted by our desire for His return that we forget what we’re supposed to be doing for Him right now, but if our calculations and miscalculations about His return spring from hearts that are just so, SO anxious to see His face, let’s be encouraged by the passion of our brothers and sisters in Christ and stop being so hard on each other.
    We all have different gifts and are called to different functions in the Body of Christ, and I am grateful for those who present their theories about end-times events. Even when they get it wrong, it encourages me because I learn things about our Lord and His sovereign Word each time.
    I’m thankful for this website and others like it. After taking in a steady dose of the worldly news on TV and in newspapers, how refreshing it is to get God’s big picture and to be reminded of His sovereignty and our blessed hope!

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  19. A THOUGHT

    If searching out hints at the Lord's return brings one back to humbly search scripture, then all the better it is to seek the LORD and His return. My morning devotional time in Luke 1 reminded me of the Great Sign,

    "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him kin the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."

    Consider these words of the LORD through His angel messenger. May we see a parallel in these days to the message given us through the angel? Have we not seen a Great Sign being birth? Does it not speak to us as the Psalmist wrote? Do not the stars pour forth speech from day to day, night after night?

    I for one am eagerly awaiting the return of our Lord and constantly return to His word in study. I do this out of love and out of maintaining my preparedness. I believe it to be healthy and wise and a basic requirement as a teacher.

    Would it not be foolish to simply sit as Job did and pout in anger? As much as it is foolish to say, "This is the day" or "that is the day", we should humbly consider (quoting the LORD through Paul),

    "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

    Dig on these pin-points and consider them. Paul had a knack for encouraging others; even the Galatians! I pray that none of us need as much persuasion as they did, rather that we may thoughtfully encourage each other and thereby encourage others new to this space.

    I for one believe that the signs we see today as much like the sign that was given with the coming of John. He came to prepare the way for the Lord. Are we not in somewhat the same position? Placed here and now that we may prepare the way for the Lord? Even preparing it one heart at a time?

    Being a Watchman and probing prophecy and evangelism go hand-in-hand. To have one without the other is telling a half story. Let us tell the whole story being Christ the Lord. His story is the story of redemption of not just mankind but all of creation.

    (Romans 8:18-25)

    Boldly seek the LORD and share the love He has given you. For in doing this you are keeping all the law and the prophets!

    Grace and peace to you on this Hanukkah,


    Pastor Rich

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, great read, although as far as the comments go......I left one blog, because of their clicks, and abuse of others that didn't spend their time in agreement with all that the regulars said, I see that same click has taken over this one as well! I am always watching, and looking for THE signs of our Savior's coming, but, I also see many who are part of that same click, making scripture fit their idea of signs......this is not acceptable to me, too much thought on planets, and other scientific readings, seems time would be better spent for us all, to go out and spread the Good News while The Door is still open! I mean no offense, just to maybe wake some folks, as to the division they are causing by demanding someone believe what they perceive to be.....and if they don't? Well, they are ignored, and not allowed to join in! Just my take on both of these sites! Shalom, and Birekoth to all!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A RESOURCE FOR EVANGELISM

    A fellow brother in Christ spearheads an evangelism effort aimed at reaping souls for the LORD. The ministry is called THE GOSPEL WITHIN and is geared around leading people to Christ through four (4) simple questions. No preaching, just connecting with people and seizing a moment to talk about our "what's next?"

    He also leads an effort to establish block ministries geared toward developing neighbourhoods that pray for their neighbours.

    Training materials and packets are available as well as a weekly webinar every Saturday. See their website below for details:

    http://www.thegospelwithin.com/

    If you are looking for a tangible way of making an impact on your neighbourhood, I highly encourage you to connect with a ministry that is blessed and empowered to equip others to do so.

    Christmas is the perfect time of the year to perform these outreaches and may start with nothing more than being intentional on meeting your neighbours. I would also encourage you to join an outreach to the aged, homeless and all others who have fallen outside the lines.

    Let us not forget to encourage each other in these final days and remain eyes fixed on the LORD.

    Pastor Rich

    ReplyDelete


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