tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post7338371724651334965..comments2024-03-18T20:11:50.757-05:00Comments on UNSEALED - World News | Christian News | Prophecy Updates: Prophecy BasicsGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-20840479751638576882020-02-01T23:36:07.517-06:002020-02-01T23:36:07.517-06:004th Chapter of REVELATION were dealing with those ...4th Chapter of REVELATION were dealing with those that are caught up to be with the lord at the end of the happenings of the church, when God turns again to that 70th week of Daniel, to deal with His people for the last time, the literal natural descendants of Abraham.<br />These four and twenty elders are the redeemed of all ages, those saved by faith, whose faith in the Old Testament, was substituted for righteousness, and whose faith in the New Testament was a response to the good news of the Gospel, that are raptured and raised and caught up are with Him, throughout that great and terrible tribulation on earth, that follows this fourth chapter.<br />In short, the Church is in the twenty four elders upon seats around the throne. It's not the twelve apostles and the twelve patriarch sons of Jacob. It's those redeemed, by the blood of Christ, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.<br />Twenty four, constituting the saints of the Old Testament and the New Testament, saved by Faith, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, caught up.Gregghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17369169562087504802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-9829011241871142612020-01-30T09:36:20.630-06:002020-01-30T09:36:20.630-06:00So what did 1948 signify if not the birth of the f...So what did 1948 signify if not the birth of the fig tree. Gregghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13324302514981174122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-46187646570691991232019-08-25T14:41:28.467-05:002019-08-25T14:41:28.467-05:00Anita Fuentes of EMOAF-anita@emoaf.org or P.O. Box...Anita Fuentes of EMOAF-anita@emoaf.org or P.O. Box 218 Schertz, Texas 78154 and Lyn Leahz of FNN-LynLeahz@FreedomNationNews.Com or P.O. Box 727 Springboro, Ohio 45066 to get their perspectives on Gary Ray Bowles down on Florida and Jeffrey Epstein in New York and how they will be going before the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT to spiritually answer to God for the way they lived on earth. Hebrews 9:27 says that "It is appointed once to die and then the Judgment" as this sermon is being preached today around the world which is good news gospel. Ted Bundy was smart enough to want to talk to a Christian Pastor about getting right with God and he is one of the few that made it through the miry clay. Reverend James Dobson helped Ted Bundy get right with God so that he will make it to Heaven. There are only a small amount of convicted felons that will make it to Holiness, according to a news report in Christianity Today magazine. This is a rather sobering message to the public!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-33635347802804366682019-08-25T14:31:53.987-05:002019-08-25T14:31:53.987-05:00This morning's church sermon along with Anita ...This morning's church sermon along with Anita Fuentes of EMOAF working together along with Central Baptist Church working well with Lyn Leahz of Freedom Nation News in the which that the four are in one central concept: Based on what is going on in our news reports overseas and here in the US. Jeffrey Epstein in New York and Gary Ray Bowles down in Florida spiritually going before the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT to answer for their deeds while alive on earth. This will be a court case far greater than any court on planet earth. It is good to get saved and the Bema Seat will be just a family style chastening so to speak, to put it rather ostensibly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-22345149585048439602019-06-19T18:35:47.691-05:002019-06-19T18:35:47.691-05:00Thanks for all the work that you have put into thi...Thanks for all the work that you have put into this lengthy study. I also believe in the pre-trib rapture of the church. Eschatology tends to fall apart, apart from a pre-trib rapture of the church. To paraphrase John MacArthur and others.. "If you fail to make the distinction between the church and the Jewish people, your theology and in particular your eschatology will be in error." <br />Concerning Matthew 24:31, I struggled with this passage as well thinking that it was a pretty solid argument for a post-trib rapture. That was, until I studied the matter more deeply and discovered the true context of what Jesus was saying.<br />In your diagram you mentioned the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai. The law was given and there was a formal covenant ratification ceremony to affirm the Jewish nation's acceptance of the covenant. Deuteronomy, starting in chapter 27 speaks to this. The following chapters outline the blessings and the curses that will follow depending upon the peoples' obedience or lack thereof to the law. The law outlines that God will have the Jewish people taken captive and carried into foreign lands where they will worship gods of wood and stone that their fathers did not know. (Deuteronomy 28:64) Of course this prophecy was fulfilled with the ten northern tribes being conquered and carried away by Assyria and the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin conquered and carried away by Babylon.<br />However, what if this prophecy of Deuteronomy still has yet another fulfillment to come? The Jews are back in their land as of 1948. Daniel's seventieth week is all about Jesus' restoration of the Jewish people and ushering in His kingdom. It is the time of Jacob's trouble. I believe the same prophecies of the old testament will be fulfilled once again during the the 70th week. <br />The Jews act arrogantly toward God, make a covenant with other nations that do not worship the true God of Israel, and God carries out the same judgment upon the Jewish nation of the 70th week. At the midpoint of the tribulation, the antichrist and his minions attack Israel, in particular Jerusalem, killing many, taking some survivors to foreign nations as exiled slaves, and others remaining in Jerusalem as slaves. The Jewish people will once again be taken captive (scattered) to nations worshipping foreign gods. I know, I know, many people say Luke 21:24 was fulfilled in AD 70 and is not referring to a yet future 70th week fulfillment. I beg to differ.<br />I think Jesus in Matthew 24 is speaking primarily to the Jews. After the time of the great tribulation (v.21) is over for the Jews, the angels will be sent to gather the Jewish captives and bring them back to Israel. In effect, Jesus in Matthew 24:31, is referencing Deuteronomy 30:4-5. <br /><br />"4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:<br /><br />5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.<br /><br />I believe these absolutely to be future prophecies because the very next verse, Deuteronomy 30:6 says:<br /><br />And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. <br /><br />This is a gathering that did not take place in 1948. That was strictly a physical gathering. This future fulfillment speaks to not only a physical gathering but a spiritual renewal. The blindness of Israel will be lifted at this time, the Jews will collectively receive Jesus as their Messiah, and all of Israel will be saved. That has not yet happened. This is the spiritual renewal spoken of in Ezekiel 36:26. Robertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-77753304096356106372019-05-08T06:18:07.737-05:002019-05-08T06:18:07.737-05:00Dear Gary. Thank you for your encouragement and sm...Dear Gary. Thank you for your encouragement and small correction. Too easily we fall back to trying to be perfect rather than faith and faith alone in Christ's atonement for our sins. Thank you for putting that straight.<br /><br />Dear Sherril. Personally I don't see a connection between the 80 years by strength of Ps.90:10 and the little strength mentioned in Rev.3:8. I think people get a bit to excited about counting the length of a generation in the context of the restoration of Israel and the rapture of the church. There are so many explanations about the length of a generation that it cannot determine the year of His coming. Anytime people do so it becomes a disappointment. That's just my opinion and perhaps others have a better understanding of this matter. Abelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15487951322588001067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-43036921376609624192019-05-07T15:55:14.640-05:002019-05-07T15:55:14.640-05:00Anyone else notice that the verse that defines a g...Anyone else notice that the verse that defines a generation (in that Psalms) says "and if by strength, 80 years" and the letter to the church of Philadelphia says that they have "little strength"? Not "no strength", but a little. Would that seem to say that the church that gets raptured goes past 70 years from the budding fig tree by a few years? Just a thought.sherrill777https://www.blogger.com/profile/16174159916191124491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-53392208642844060752019-05-07T13:59:47.847-05:002019-05-07T13:59:47.847-05:00That's really good, brother! I'm always e...That's really good, brother! I'm always excited to hear from fellow believers around the world to get a glimpse into what God is doing.<br /><br />I would just graciously encourage you in that ministry work that Jesus is the prize. Remember that it isn't the condition of our heart that saves us. Our hearts are imperfect and will always be imperfect until we are glorified in Heaven at the rapture.<br /><br />What makes us right with God is not our heart, but what Jesus did on the Cross. His sacrifice was a literal substitutionary atonement. In other words, everything wrong we did fell on Him, and through faith in Him, God forgives all of our sin (past, present, and future). So many Christians will be left behind, but they will be left behind not because they aren't good enough, but because their faith was fake. They didn't truly, deep down, believe in Christ and the gospel.<br /><br />Blessings to you dear friend.<br /><br />Here's an article on the topic: <a href="https://www.unsealed.org/2019/01/the-law.html" rel="nofollow">The Law</a>Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-13905869523308374132019-05-07T13:55:39.617-05:002019-05-07T13:55:39.617-05:00I often look to Paul's first letter to Timothy...I often look to Paul's first letter to Timothy, <br /><br />5 The aim of our charge is love<br />that issues from a pure heart<br />and a good conscience and a <br />sincere faith.<br /><br />(1 Timothy 1:5 ESV)<br /><br /><br />To that end I am called as a pastor, a servant-leader, a teacher and a watchman. In that I remember exhortation of the Spirit through Hebrews, <br /><br />23 Let us hold fast the confession<br />of our hope without wavering, for <br />he who promised is faithful.<br /><br />24 And let us consider how to stir<br />up one another to love and good works,<br /><br />25 not neglecting to meet together,<br />as is the habit of some, but <br />encouraging one another, and all<br />the more as you see the Day <br />drawing near.<br /><br />(Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV)<br /><br /><br />We were made for community. We were made to gather often, regularly, and support one another. <br /><br />Evangelism is something many people are afraid to do. Sharing our story (testimony) should be a natural function of who we are. Loving others by sharing the blessings and love given us through Christ is what we should all be about in our day-to-day. The church is dreadful at teaching how to pray let alone how to share Christ. Listening for/to the Holy Spirit is another area we need work in.<br /><br />The opportunities to learn abound. We don't call it a "walk" for nothing! In all things may love abide and abound for it is the greatest. (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)<br /><br />I do not believe we are made to be the same. We are to be known by how we love one another and our unity in Christ. But each of us are gifted and given to be a member of a different part of the body of Christ being His Church. I was made a teacher and a watchman. YMMV.<br /><br />Yes, we should be pointing people to the LORD. As Watchmen I think that is what we do and must continue to do. Watch, encourage and wait...all the while prayerfully digging into the Word and listening for what the Spirit has to say.<br /><br />To put (1 Timothy 1:5) another way, <br /><br /><br />5 The aim of our charge is [GOD]<br />love that issues from a pure heart<br />and a good conscience and a <br />sincere faith.<br /><br /><br />Like I say, <br /><br />"Love like there's no tomorrow!"<br /><br />Blessings, <br /><br /><br />PR<br /><br />Pastor Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311564658668497654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-77335666169792258472019-05-07T13:50:46.695-05:002019-05-07T13:50:46.695-05:00Good thoughts. That said, we can't "give...Good thoughts. That said, we can't "give up this pre-trib [talk]". We are exhorted to encourage one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:18). We live in light of the fact that Jesus is about to take us home. By living in light of the hope of the rapture, we are encouraged to diligently share the gospel and live in a manner worthy of our calling.<br /><br />Also, I'm not aware of anyone here whose faith is in the rapture. The rapture is just an event. Our faith is in Christ. Christ is the ticket. The rapture is the ride.<br /><br />Many Christians are troubled by the study of prophecy, but as I pointed out <a href="https://www.unsealed.org/2019/04/understanding-bible-promised-seed.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>, it can't be disconnected from Christ and the gospel. Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. We can't close our eyes to 1/3rd or more of the Bible.<br /><br />Yes, Jesus is the only way.<br /><br />Yes, sharing the gospel matters more than anything else in our faith.<br /><br />But that doesn't mean we neglect other things:<br /><br />-Living holy lives<br />-Teaching on Christian living (parenting, marriage, etc)<br />-Vocational ministry<br />-etcGaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-67866026924407078932019-05-07T11:31:51.041-05:002019-05-07T11:31:51.041-05:00p.s....our ticket to escape the wrath of God is no...p.s....our ticket to escape the wrath of God is not the rapture....it is Jesus. Our faith in Him alone and what he did to pay for me to escape that wrath is the focus of spreading the truth of this gospel of the kingdom. I believe our task as believers is to focus on winning souls and helping people to escape the wrath of God that will come in judgement whether today, during Daniel's 70th week, or at the last day! My desire is to off the topic of when rapture is (why do we even spend any time at all on it unless it is focusing on ourselves) instead of our true focus is to save souls from the wrath of God through faith in the gift of His son to reconcile us to The Father and we pass from death into life through the blood of Jesus. <br />That is the gospel of The Kingdom, not side tracked as to when we will escape the world....God, please, please, please help us to put the focus back on Jesus and helping souls to escape the judgement, not when rapture is.....No one, and that means no one, knows that day, but we are to live everyday as if we meet the Lord today and help snatch others from the snares of this world. That's the true rapture. <br />Be blessed and may we truly be about our Father's business and preach the gospel of The Kingdom through salvation in Jesus, not salvation in a rapture...Faith in rapture does not save us....Faith in Jesus does. Let's put our focus back on Him and preach Christ crucified and take up our cross and follow Him as we watch and pray and do all we can to help multitudes in the valley of decision. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11792265661857287650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-29196923140444688882019-05-07T11:11:45.283-05:002019-05-07T11:11:45.283-05:00Pastor Rich and Elgordo....Thank you so much for y...Pastor Rich and Elgordo....Thank you so much for your Christ like reply to my questions/comments relative to us as believers possibly having to endure the persecution of Daniel's 70th week. I hear your heart and it is where mine is as well. My question should have been directed to those who say so often that they want to escape this world and its tribulations and Jesus himself said that we will have tribulation and most of us if not all of us, have experienced that to test us, make us stronger in our faith not in ourselves, but in God. <br />My comment is to those who think they can just sit back and wait to be delivered and that is not what scripture says. My concern is for those who believe they will escape that when they are disappointed and see that they are in Daniel's 70th week and times of testing and needing to have faith in God to see them through (not escape), they will not have that kind of faith, and many will be confused and fall away. <br />There seems to be so much judgment relative to those who will be in the Great tribulation, that perhaps they weren't "worthy" to be raptured and so, they were left behind. Those believers are going to be some of the strongest people of faith of all times! <br />That saddens me so much (those who judge ones that may be "left behind" and I do believe that people today, are being prepared, tested, so as to learn patience, endurance, perseverance to grow in one's faith that GOD is all we need, no matter what circumstances we are going through, perhaps to help those in the tribulation. <br />My reason for comments is to help to see that our preparation is to do all one can to help others be built up in their faith as to who God is and to be able to trust Him in everything, even to being an overcomer and having to die for ones faith in terrible circumstances, not to wait for escape. Many Christians through the years have had to endure such persecution as Jesus said we would. Look at the early believers, they didn't escape in a rapture. Look at the ones burned at the stake and thrown into dungeons during the reformation; they didn't escape in a rapture. Look at all the saints today all over the world having to be overcomes and endure persecution, tribulation...they have not been raptured out. <br />So much focus seems to be on "escaping", instead of winning souls and helping to build up the believer to endure, believe God and trust, no matter when we go to be with the Lord. <br />My belief in when rapture occurs does not constitute my salvation, but my faith in Jesus and what He did to reconcile me to The Father. Now it is He who lives in me and I die....Let us continue to die to self and give up this pre-trib, mid-trib, post trib and live daily, by dieing to self and sharing Jesus' return, no matter when that is. God Bless and yes, Maranatha...Till then, we strenghthen one another in our faith that God is our provider, no matter what may come! <br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11792265661857287650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-27250525981933732672019-05-07T07:08:10.324-05:002019-05-07T07:08:10.324-05:00Dear Gary and pastor Rich and the others….
My loc...Dear Gary and pastor Rich and the others….<br /><br />My location is West Africa and there is a time difference with you. When you were writing I was sleeping and when I checked in this morning I hoped to find one answer but was surprised to see a whole list of replies! <br /><br />Thank you for clarifying my question (mystery). I appreciate this a lot especially this part: ”There are two *types" of resurrections. The first resurrection is to life. The second resurrection is to death. Revelation 20 calls this second resurrection "the second death". <br /><br />Let me add something here to confirm the point of pre-trib rapture. We should always use the Bible as the final authority on any doctrine but do not neglect the prophetic angle. God speaks both, through His Word and through His prophets however the logos (written) Word has the highest authority and prophetic revelations may only confirm and clarify what is written and bring to light certain scripture passages that were not noticed or understood (I learned that from Rick Joyner). Having said that I do not understand why Rick Joyner does not teach on the rapture or the coming of Jesus Christ as if it is not coming imminently in our generation? But Rick Joyner seems the believe that first a multitude of souls will be saved through a massive worldwide awakening or revival (something I do not believe in). However Choo Thomas (heaven is so real) did speak about the rapture continually as she was warning us to be ready now. She always wrote about the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus as if it would be right now and that got me on-fire for the Lord (she went home to the Lord in 2013). In this context I can only point to the many prophetic dreams and visions people have had concerning the rapture. That it will shock the world but not the true saints (just as written in Luk.21:35-36). It is gonna be a sudden surprise for the world and great calamity will come after the rapture (as the devil is also cast down on the earth). <br /><br />Less than two week ago we saw this wonderful testimony of a humble pastor from Florida who had a dream concerning the rapture and, as he discovered later, at least two others had exactly the same dream revelation. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaxKrCD2YqQ . Also my wife had a similar dream revelation before she even believed there would be a sudden rapture of the church. <br /><br />I am doing missionary work as a foreigner and God always uses dreams to correct me or rebuke me if we go astray or to send me to someone with a message. We really appreciate God speaking to us that way and it has saved us from a lot of trouble. There is a lot of spiritual warfare in Africa and physical dangers but Jesus has delivered us time and again! All glory to God.<br /><br />Also one of our staff workers (in our ministry) had a similar dream concerning the rapture. That the rapture took away only a few of her church members but the church leaders and most of the congregation was left behind because their heart was not right with God. So it is definitely going to be a unexpected moment when the world is just celebrating and living life as usual. That means not during or after the tribulation but just like it is written in Matt 24:36-44. It is our responsibility to preach the gospel and also to prepare the church by warning them to live a holy and pure life of true repentance so that they won’t be left behind when Jesus comes for his pure Bride to take her home. <br /><br />God bless you all.<br /><br />Abel<br />Abelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-386407532169906962019-05-07T03:36:44.433-05:002019-05-07T03:36:44.433-05:00Hi Susan,
Pastor Rich has replied well but I'...Hi Susan,<br /><br />Pastor Rich has replied well but I'll add one thing as you have raised valid questions that come up often. These types of questions always remind me of a Corrie Ten Boom story:<br /><br />As a young girl, Corrie Ten Boom went to her father and said, ‘“Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.” “Tell me,” said her father, “when you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?” “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.” “That is right,” her father said, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in heaven knows when you will need the strength. He will supply all you need just in time.”’<br /><br />I'm a firm believer in a Pre-Trib rapture. But what if I am wrong? If I am wrong I will again do what I have had to do on countless times in the past as trying and difficult times have hit... I will cry out to the One who is my strength, admitting that I do not have what it takes but that He, and He alone, is able. If I am wrong about a Pre-trib rapture I am wrong, but I can't prepare or find the strength for the horrors of the tribulation (which will be worse than ANY time since the creation of the world! Matt 24:21) now anymore than a young Corrie Ten Boom could. Her wise Father gave good advice. God gives the strength for tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Not today. Psalm 46:1, Matt 6:34. The best we can do is walk closely with the Lord today, relying on Him and belief in an imminent, Pre-trib, any-moment coming of the Lord, certainly plays its part in that! <br /><br />God Bless. Maranatha! elgordohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08351703707892367937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-88863334079661116222019-05-07T01:00:49.866-05:002019-05-07T01:00:49.866-05:00It is true that Christ is in Father, and indeed is...It is true that Christ is in Father, and indeed is Father, and Father is in Christ. Not even the angels can distinguish.<br /><br />This does not mean they are the same, else no point for John 14:28, '... for my Father is greater than I'. One greater than another cannot be exactly the same.<br /><br />Also, the promise from the Lord in Rev. 3:10 is specific to the Church of Philadelphia. This promise is made broadly elsewhere in Scripture, to members of His general Church. Rev. 3:10's specific promise, and specific rewards involved, apply only to the members/guide of that church. Christ did not mention harpazo in any of the other 'final' letters. <br /><br /><br />Lastly, the Philadelphian Church is quite extant at this hour thank you, it hasn't gone anywhere and won't until the shout. I expect it's the smallest church of the seven, but feisty.<br />little dynamohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11380746207592226835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-78412175433246753662019-05-06T22:46:58.844-05:002019-05-06T22:46:58.844-05:00Hi Susan,
Thank you for chiming in and sharing! ...Hi Susan, <br /><br />Thank you for chiming in and sharing! You ask an honest question and I want to give you an honest answer. First, <br /><br />Q: Do I believe that I will not suffer any kind of tribulation during the 70th week of Daniel or in birth pangs leading up to it?<br /><br />A: I believe we will suffer, and are suffering, in varying degrees in the time leading up to Daniel's 70th week. I do not believe the Church will be here to see the AC in the third temple.<br /><br />Q: Are you prepared mentally, and spiritually not to be deceived and perhaps go through really bad times as Christians are right now? <br /><br />A: This life, this place, this story, is not about me...it's about God. It's all about Jesus. We, my family, have been going through harder and harder times but we will not yield. Our eyes are fixed on Christ. There is nothing I want more than to be with my Lord.<br /><br />Q: What if you are wrong about a pre-trib rapture? <br /><br />A: Then I am wrong. (It sure wouldn't be the first time). God is always right and that is all that matters and what I really care about.<br /><br />Q: Just what if, there is no pre trib or mid trib?<br /><br />A: My days are already allotted and accounted for. Written in the book. Our door has already been painted red and I wholly believe that in Christ my family has passed from death to life. I wholly believe His promises. You might as well ask me "What if there is no God?" I have already chosen life. That means I want what God in Christ offers; not what this world does. The perishable is perishing. The eternal endures.<br /><br />You said, "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best"...why should I make it all about me? Why make it all about us? Really?!! Surely we have seen what sin and death is doing to the garden that our Father created? I marvel at the thought of how Christ will touch this place and transform it from a withering and wasting planet to the garden it will once again be! I am not the author nor star of this show. Jesus is. My saying "Yes!" to Him was an opening of the eyes and freedom through Christ Jesus our Lord. There is nothing greater! <br /><br />I was once a lost and drowning man saved at sea. I was a death row inmate pardoned at the eleventh hour. <br /><br />Trust me, I have thought about it and I am willing to say that I may be mistaken. I am just an obscure pastor who has been called to a very special and unique ministry. God's truth is the only thing I have been seeking in this walk and the only thing that I will accept. That which kills the flesh will not kill my spirit. My life is bound-up in Christ and proven daily by His steadfast love.<br /><br />My life is dedicated to encouraging the saints and praying for the lost. Daily. That includes all of you. Yes, you! I don't care if you're right and I don't care if you're wrong about this trib, that trib or no trib. I care that YOU were created in the image of the living God and that He loves you with an unquenchable love that will NEVER DIE!<br /><br />He has never forsaken us and never will. He went to the cross for you and for me. He suffered what we were never meant to see. In Him it is finished. <br /><br />My life ended in a watery grave one Pentecost many years ago. A different man rose from that grave and bears the image of the One who is his Maker. I'll bet the same can be said of you.<br /><br />I certainly hope so! : )<br /><br />I am a church planter and one-year into replanting a local church. I am also hoping to plant more in the future. Lord willing. If He tarries I will be hard at work. If He comes this day? <br /><br />I am so ready to go home.<br /><br />Blessings to you, <br /><br /><br />Pastor Rich<br />(Psalm 16)<br /><br />Pastor Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311564658668497654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-62922207254593848762019-05-06T21:44:25.218-05:002019-05-06T21:44:25.218-05:00As much as I want to believe we will be caught awa...As much as I want to believe we will be caught away before we see any kind of "tribulation" that Jesus said we all would go through, I just can't for many reasons. Here's my question to everyone who believes they will not suffer any kind of tribulation during the 70th week of Daniel or in birth pangs leading up to it....Are you prepared mentally, and spiritually not to be deceived and perhaps have to go through really bad times as Christians are right now? Are you? What if you are wrong about a pre-trib rapture? Just what if, there is no pre trib or mid trib rapture. I know we all want it to be true...But what if the scriptures Jesus said relative to the resurrection being "The LAST DAY" is really, the last day and there is only one resurrection. Just what if......Are you prepared to be a martyr. Are you prepared to die for your faith as people around the world are today in their own tribulation? Just sayin'.........think about it. Prepare for worst, hope for the best, so no one is deceived or gives up faith if they find themselves in tribulation whether it be "The tribulation" or just before resurrection. God Bless! Read Jesus' words only and don't read into it. Pray for truth. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11792265661857287650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-81206790335724244292019-05-06T21:09:05.576-05:002019-05-06T21:09:05.576-05:00Abel,
Indeed, a good question. One that I could...Abel, <br /><br />Indeed, a good question. One that I couldn't help but chime in as well. I don't know which Bible translation you are using, but if to look Revelation 20 in the Greek, <br /><br />20.4 AND I SAW THRONES AND THEY SAT ON THEM AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN TO THEM, AND THE SOULS OF THE ONES HAVING BEEN BEHEADED BECAUSE OF THE TESTIMONY OF(FOR) JESUS AND BECAUSE OF THE WORD OF GOD AND WHO DID NOT WORSHIP THE BEAST NOR THE IMAGE OF IT AND DID NOT RECEIVE THE MARK ON THE FOREHEAD AND ON THE HAND OF THEM. AND THEY CAME TO LIFE AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS.<br /><br />20.5 THE REST OF THE DEAD DID NOT COME TO LIFE UNTIL SHOULD BE COMPLETED THE THOUSAND YEARS. THIS THE RESURRECTION THE FIRST. <br /><br />20.6 BLESSED AND HOLY THE ONE HAVING PART IN THE RESURRECTION FIRST; ON THESE ONES THE SECOND DEATH DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY, BUT THEY WILL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST AND WILL REIGN WITH HIM THE THOUSAND YEARS.<br /><br /><br />Verse four defines who takes part in the FIRST resurrection. (The resurrection/rapture). All those who have fallen asleep in Christ and were alive at our blessed hope are seen in heaven. These are the judges sitting upon the thrones. The saints slain for their testimony during the tribulation are in heaven as well -- all those killed prior to, and up to, Christ's second coming.<br /><br />Verse five addresses the rest of the dead (those not in Christ) and completes the picture of the FIRST resurrection. They do not come to life until the end of the Millennial Kingdom. A *qualifier*, "THE REST OF THE DEAD DID NOT COME TO LIFE UNTIL SHOULD BE COMPLETED THE THOUSAND YEARS" completes the picture of those who are to rise to life in the FIRST resurrection and those who do not.<br /><br />In verse six, God declares blessed and holy, meaning set apart, are the ones raised to life in the FIRST resurrection. They (we) will be priests of God and Christ and reign with Him in the Millennial Kingdom.<br /><br />In effect, when we fall asleep in the LORD we instantly awaken to Him in heaven. Either that or we will be taken awake. It is in the presence of the LORD as the glorified saints that we will wait as recorded by Paul through the Holy Spirit, <br /><br />15 For this we declare to you <br />by a word from the Lord, that<br />we who are alive, who are left <br />until the coming of the Lord, <br />will not precede those who <br />have fallen asleep.<br /><br />16 For the Lord himself will <br />descend from heaven with a cry<br />of command, with the voice of<br />an archangel, and with the <br />sound of the trumpet of God. <br />And the dead in Christ will <br />rise first.<br /><br />17 Then we who are alive, who<br />are left, will be caught up <br />together with them in the clouds<br />to meet the Lord in the air,<br />and so we will always be with<br />the Lord.<br /><br />18 Therefore encourage one <br />another with these words.<br /><br /><br />(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 ESV)<br /><br /><br />This is the FIRST resurrection according to Revelation 20. Those who abide in Christ don't die. For us there is no second death, only eternal life. All others? That's why I became a pastor. <br /><br />I hope this helps.<br /><br />Grace and peace to you,<br /><br />PRPastor Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311564658668497654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-73633278263323634052019-05-06T17:49:03.743-05:002019-05-06T17:49:03.743-05:00Wow Gary, that Is a brilliant explanation. I had t...Wow Gary, that Is a brilliant explanation. I had that same question as Abel, a few months back and was never too clear how I would refute if someone brought up about the resurection in rev 20 which indicates a post trib rapture. But your explanation makes a lot of sense. <br /><br />The 1st resurrection = the resurrection to life.<br /><br />The 2nd Resurrection = the resurrection to death.<br /><br />i.e. "don't be a grape" (the person who will be in the 2nd resurrection)<br /><br />Thank you brother.<br /><br />Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384335559456068135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-84360033943260970312019-05-06T17:03:30.410-05:002019-05-06T17:03:30.410-05:00That's a good question. This is how I underst...That's a good question. This is how I understand it:<br /><br />There are two *types" of resurrections. The first resurrection is to life. The second resurrection is to death. Revelation 20 calls this second resurrection "the second death".<br /><br />However, the Bible is crystal clear there are many more than two resurrections (I mentioned this a bit above in my article).<br /><br />If the point of Rev. 20:4-6 is to say the very first resurrection in *sequence* is the one in that chapter, then:<br /><br />1. Jesus had not yet been raised from the tomb.<br /><br />2. The Shunnamite's son had not yet been raised.<br /><br />3. Jairus' daughter had not yet been raised (Luke 8).<br /><br />4. Lazarus had not yet been raised.<br /><br />5. Certain OT saints mentioned in Matthew 27 had not yet been raised.<br /><br />6. Tabitha had not yet been raised (Acts 9).<br /><br />7. Eutychus had not yet been raised (Acts 20).<br /><br />God has been raising people from the dead since at least the time of Elisha. So Revelation 20 isn't evidence against the promise of a pre-trib rapture, unless those seven other resurrections listed above are still waiting to happen.<br /><br />Blessings to you!Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-51779197656228246002019-05-06T16:52:22.421-05:002019-05-06T16:52:22.421-05:00Ah, that makes sense what you're saying. And ...Ah, that makes sense what you're saying. And I completely agree. Escape from the wrath that's coming upon the world is a promise.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-89706314251476151552019-05-06T13:41:46.823-05:002019-05-06T13:41:46.823-05:00Dear Gary,
I have read your articles, since about...Dear Gary,<br /><br />I have read your articles, since about a year, and I am edified and encouraged by your Bible knowledge and understanding of the times we live in. <br /><br />Since I have been saved by faith in Christ Jesus, I made my own learning curve. First I believed in the pre-tribulation rapture because that's what my first church taught (before I was saved). But after I got saved and started reading the Word diligently, I changed opinion and thought that the rapture should be after the tribulation because of scripture passages like Matt.24:15-28 and Rev 20:4-6. Then after becoming a mature Christian I understood the pre-trib rapture since there is so much more evidence in many scripture passages besides. The last 15 years I have been teaching and preaching the rapture and coming of Christ in churches and I always feel the Holy Spirit confirming in my heart that I should teach this doctrine and the soon coming of the Lord. I use similar Bible quotation as you do in your articles but often have to keep it simple without going into many details when I preach in churches.<br /><br />There still remains one mystery to me and no-one has been able to explain this so far! In Revelations 20:4-6 the resurrection after the tribulation for those who have been beheaded for their testimony to Christ is called the FIRST resurrection (Rev.20:5). Why is that one called the FIRST resurrection while there is certainly a earlier super great resurrection at the rapture of the church before the tribulation? This Rev.20:4-6 still unsettles my faith a little in the pre-trib doctrine. I know there are a whole series of resurrections in the Bible but why should the one after the tribulation be called the FIRST resurrection??? <br /><br />Also note that the apostle Paul was trained as a Pharisee and they taught the resurrection. Paul himself had great hope in the resurrection and always wrote about it but he must referring to the "FIRST" resurrection together with the rapture of the church of 1 Thess.4:16-17. I am convinced that the apostle Paul (and all who sleep in Christ) have no part in the FIRST resurrection mentioned in Rev.20:5. There is a gap of 7 years between these two resurrections which both seem to fit the name FIRST resurrection? So dear Gary, can you explain the name "FIRST Resurrection". <br />Abelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-75292390580051623272019-05-06T11:06:16.959-05:002019-05-06T11:06:16.959-05:00Hi gary.
I mean, since 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says th...Hi gary.<br />I mean, since 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says that God has not appointed us to suffer wrath...if we were to have to suffer the tribulation (God's wrath) then that verse would be untrue right? That means he would have to remove us before it dont you think? I feel like he's telling us right in that one verse...don't worry I'll take you away first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-34162899830685910842019-05-05T22:13:46.221-05:002019-05-05T22:13:46.221-05:00Sounds like you're saying pre-trib is correct,...Sounds like you're saying pre-trib is correct, but you said:<br /><br />"1 thessalonians 5:9 proves pretrib rapture or the bible is not true."?Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-923571518579487836.post-75661680516963955312019-05-05T22:12:21.656-05:002019-05-05T22:12:21.656-05:00Thank you, brother. Yes, I hadn't even though...Thank you, brother. Yes, I hadn't even thought of Enoch. He's a big one.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03907296435997404954noreply@blogger.com