1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Php 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Co 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Th 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The restraining power of the Holy Spirit is alive. We don’t hear a thing when we see the fluff from a dandelion flowing through the air whilst the wind carries it. We don’t even hear it dropping to the ground. You don’t hear it but you see the evidence of it. It is no different than the topic we are discussing today. We don’t see the Holy Spirit but we see the results of His work. He works through born again believers in the Church, and He is responsible for stirring the hearts of the unsaved. His holy presence is what is standing between the Rapture and the start of the seven-year Tribulation.
There is no timeline for the pre-Tribulation Rapture event – it is imminent. In the verses above, we see that “he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” The Holy Spirit resides within every born again believer. Without Him, evil will dominate the world just as in Noah’s days. All the people at the time were evil and God destroyed them all, except for Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives. Only eight people! Incredible!
The Holy Spirit, is restraining the Antichrist from “coming out” and made known to the world at this time. When the Rapture occurs, the Holy Spirit’s “job” will return to the same way He worked in the Old Testament. He empowered certain individuals for a task that was needed. The Tribulation time is called “the time of Jacob’s Trouble” – what began in the Old Testament with God’s chosen people, the Jews, will end in the Book of Revelation dealing with the Jews. The church age will be finished once the Rapture occurs, and God’s work with the Nation of Israel, as well as the Jewish people, will once again be the top headline. We are already seeing the persecution of the Jews across the globe. This has resulted in many seeking citizenship in Israel, which is the safest place for Jews. Of course, Gentiles (anyone not Jewish) will still have opportunities to be saved, but the main push will be to the Nation of Israel. Therefore, keep your focus on Israel as we see the end times unfold before our very eyes.
Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
This time period revolving around Israel and the Jews will be like no other time. The Church will be removed in the Rapture, along with the restraining force of the Holy Spirit. For a short period of time, there will not be a living soul who believes in Jesus Christ as the Saviour. As people realize their raptured loved ones are gone, they might come to believe. But once the Two Witnesses and the 144,000 come into the picture, then people will hear the gospel and believe. Unfortunately, most will die a martyr’s death. Deceiving spirits working through men will draw the world to believe a lie. Even the Tribulation saints will struggle as we see in:
Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
The revelation of the Antichrist can only come after the Rapture. We see in today’s verses that the “mystery of inquiry doth already work.” War and destruction just don’t happen overnight. It is something that builds over time. The Antichrist’s “evilness and spirit” is already at work in this world and we are seeing the results of it daily on the news. The only reason he is not revealed is because the Holy Spirit is holding him back. Once the Holy Spirit’s restraint is removed via the Rapture, the man of lawlessness will be revealed and he will have free rein.
Friend, born again Christians will not see the Antichrist in his role as Revelation describes. The epitome of the evil of this world is hindered right now thanks to the Holy Spirit. But once His power of restraint is removed with the Rapture of the church, the church age will end and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble will begin, also known as Daniel’s 70th week. The Antichrist will cut loose his evil influence and one will be hard pressed to find anything good.
I am trying to describe these events as simply as I can so that it is easily understood by those who are not born again. It may sound strange to you but with even just a little faith, you can be saved. This event is not something believers have to worry about because we will be in Heaven with Christ! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
1 Thess 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Good morning, Reader! Today’s verses cause born-again believers all over the world to shout with joy and anticipation at the upcoming reunion with Christ, our Lord! That day to come is the conclusion of all the years of longing to be with the Lord Jesus. The caveat is that the born-again believer that is alive at the time of the Rapture will not die! What a gift that is!
I felt it necessary to discuss the Rapture today because I have a dear friend who has been led astray by what I consider to be a false teacher. This false teacher is cunning and is deceiving many. All these years, my friend believed that the Rapture would occur before the Tribulation. Why was she misled? I believe the reason is that she did not study the matter out so that she was convinced from the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11 tells us that these people would listen to a message and would then search the Bible to make sure that what they were being taught was in line with the Bible’s teachings. Too many people today are being misled by preachers who “tickle the ears.” (Ephesians 4:14) They listen to a message and taken in false teaching without question. They wouldn’t do that with their finances but yet when it comes to the things of God, they allow the devil to creep in and lead them astray. Yes, I say it’s the devil’s doing because he has been corrupting God’s Word since the Garden of Eden. He corrupted God’s words and convinced Eve that God was keeping her from attaining something greater. The devil will do whatever it takes to distract the believer from God’s Word. He will fill the mind with lies and corruption because that is who he is and what he does (John 8:44).
Today’s verses tell us how the Rapture will occur. If the Rapture were to occur at the end of the Tribulation, as my friend believes, it would be difficult to go up to meet the Lord in the air only to immediately return with Christ to earth to fight the Battle of Armageddon. This theory does not jive with the Scriptures. Jesus said that when He left the earth, He would go to prepare a place for believers in His Father’s house; a house which has many mansions. He didn’t say He would prepare a place for us in the future. No! He said “I go to prepare a place for you.” So where did Jesus go after His ascension? He returned to Heaven! This is the place where we will go to meet Him.
Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Furthermore, Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.”
So let’s get back to today’s scripture from 1 Thess 4:13-18. The Apostle Paul didn’t want his readers to be misled by false teachers. He wrote so his readers would be encouraged and comforted! He didn’t want them to be ignorant of this teaching; he prepared them and taught them. So how will the Rapture happen? Paul says that Jesus will come down from Heaven with a shout and with the trump of God. The word “trump” only appears twice in the Bible: 1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:16. Both refer to the Rapture. The trump in today’s Scripture is the “trump of God,” it is not a trumpet used by man but of God Himself. This trump is a big deal! God Himself is calling the saints together! Paul reaffirms that his words are told to us by the word of the Lord! Christ wants us comforted and not fearful. Furthermore, Paul tells us to comfort each other with this information! What comfort is there if we are to go through the Tribulation??? It’s a time in which the world has never experienced the horrifying judgments that are about to happen!
Paul says those who died from the beginning of the church age until the time of the Rapture will rise first; then believers who are still alive on the earth will rise immediately after. Where are we meeting Jesus? We (the dead in Christ and those who are alive at the Rapture) are caught up to meet the Lord IN THE AIR. Jesus Christ’s return after the Tribulation is Christ coming to EARTH.
Those saints will be kept from the coming wrath which will descend upon a wicked world. Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 3:6 state that God’s wrath is to come on children of disobedience. Why would Jesus allow His bride to go through His wrath? What husband does such a thing? The born-again believers (prior to the Rapture) are not children of disobedience so therefore, we are not the ones to go through the Tribulation. Granted, people will be saved during the Tribulation, but they were children of disobedience prior to the Rapture!
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Paul again exhorts the Christians that they should not let anyone deceive them with vain words. Unfortunately, my friend has been deceived to believe that she would experience God’s wrath upon the earth. Why would God put His children (the saints) through His wrath? We are not children of disobedience; we are born-again and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit! Furthermore, as I said above, we are His Bride! The Perfect Groom, the Lord Jesus, would not put his wife in harm’s way, yet alone through torture; but this Perfect Groom would protect her. What husband allows an intruder to harm his wife??? As well, all born-again believers are members of Christ’s own body, of Christ’s flesh, and of Christ’s bones (Eph 5:30). Since we are part of Him, why would He put us through His wrath? It makes no sense! Jesus Christ is not going through the Tribulation nor is His Bride, who is a part of Him!
As if this isn’t enough, how can we be raptured at the end of the Tribulation and then immediately come back with Jesus Christ to conquer the antichrist? Jesus went to prepare a place for us, as we read at the beginning of this post. If the post-tribulation theory is correct, we won’t be going to Heaven at all to enjoy the place He prepared for us in His Father’s house. That does not make any sense at all. One cannot listen to a false prophet’s words and leave out the other parts of Scripture that totally contradict what the false prophet is saying! The Bible says in:
Rev 19:11-14 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The raptured Saints will be coming back with Jesus as part of His army! It says in verse 14 that wewere in heaven! How do I know that the “we” is comprised of born-again raptured believers? Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, white and clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. This cannot be an army of angels because this army is clean! Angels cannot attain salvation; only mankind. Those who are made clean are those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour (1 John 1:7). It is the blood of our precious Saviour that makes us clean and clothes us in fine, white linen! We are clothed with Jesus’ righteousness!
Dear Reader, if you are born-again, do not believe every wind of doctrine. Study it for yourself as I have and stop listening to what others teach. Let the Holy Spirit be your Teacher (Luke 12:12). There is nothing encouraging about going through the Tribulation. There is nothing comforting about experiencing the wrath of God. During the Tribulation, God’s wrath will descend on a wicked, unbelieving world! His judgment fell on the world when Noah finished building His ark. His judgment fell on Sodom and Gomorrah after Lot and his family were pulled out.
Even during the Tribulation, His mercy is still shown by placing the Two Witnesses (Rev 11:3) and 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:1-8) to spread the Gospel. Those who believe during the Tribulation will pay the price of being martyred for their faith (Rev 6:9-11 and Rev 7:9-10, Revelation 7:13-14). Many will die as a result of believing in Christ during this horrific time. They will pay a price for having waited to accept His salvation.
Won’t you accept Christ now before the Rapture occurs, friend? Please don’t wait! There are seven seals, seven trumpets and seven plagues which will make up God’s wrath during this horrifying time (Matthew 24:21). You must remember that Jesus said in that verse that it will be a time that has never come upon this earth! Why would you want to suffer through these? I know some may think that they will take their chances and live like they want to live now and deal with these judgments later. But Reader, God knows your motives and will not allow you to try to “trick Him”! Romans 1:28-32 tells us that those who do wickedly will be given over to a reprobate mind; yes, even those who try to deceive Him. Noah Webster’s dictionary defines this as:
REPROBATE, a. [L. reprobatus, reprobo, to disallow; re and probo, to prove.]
Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected. Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. Jer 6.
Abandoned in sin; lost to virtue or grace. They profess that they know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Titus 1.
Abandoned to error, or in apostasy. 2 Tim 3.
Do you want to take a chance that this could happen to you? You may think you are not this evil but James 2:10 says that if you have stolen, for example, you are guilty of all the Ten Commandments, not just stealing. Romans 3:23 says that ALL have sinned; yes, you too! The only way you can prevent going through the horrible Tribulation is by accepting Christ as your Saviour; not just “in words” but with a heart conversion which changes you from the inside out! (2 Cor 5:17) Jesus took all our sins upon Himself so we could be reconciled to God through Him! (2 Cor 5:20-21)
There will come a time when it will be too late. You will spend eternity burning in Hell and the Lake of Fire. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved and you laughed it off and ignored it. Just read the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). That rich man knew what was happening to him in Hell. He recognized his own sins and desperately wanted his family to be warned so they would not experience what he was experiencing. I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (2) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Good morning! As we open our eyes in the morning to a brand new day, let us remember that we are living in exciting times. We will be the ones who experience the Rapture before we die! We must be busy with the Lord’s work in leading as many as we can to Him. Christians have no need to fear what is happening around the world. Why? Because we know that these things must happen in order for Christ to come again. The Rapture is not waiting for a specific event before it can happen. However, for Christ to come as conquering King at the Second Coming, these disturbing times must come to past.
In Revelation 1:19, we see an outline of what the entire Book of Revelation is all about. The Apostle John explained to us those things which he saw (chapter 1) when Jesus spoke to Him. He told us about the things “which are” in chapters 2 and 3. Now we will look at the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4 through 22).
Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
The Greek word for hereafter is “meta taut” which starts us here in chapter 4. It is found again in today’s verses, Revelation 4:1. We see that the Apostle John, in his early 90’s and while he was on the island of Patmos, writes: “he looked and a door was opened in heaven.” He was taken by the Lord to heaven where he would behold many terrifying things which would happen in the future.
We see John as a “picture or type” of the church that is raptured prior to chapter 6. I realize many don’t believe in the rapture and their defense is that the word rapture doesn’t appear in the Bible. However, neither does the word “Trinity” but it is a fundamental belief in the foundations of Christianity, amen? Neither is the word “bacon” but we enjoy it with breakfast! We must remember that the New Testament Scriptures were not written in English, but in Greek. The word “harpazo” means to snatch away and when it was translated into Latin, the word “rapturo” was used; this is where the word “rapture” comes from. It is these first two verses of chapter 4 that describes the rapture beautifully.
One notices that a door was opened in heaven in verse 1 and Jesus says, “Come up hither.” Do you recall the letter to Philadelphia? A promise was made to this church:
Rev 3:8-10 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
“Come up here” appears only twice in the New Testament and both times are in the Book of Revelation. It is used again when the Two Witnesses in chapter 11 are raised after being dead in the streets for three days. Jesus tells John to “come up here” so He can show John things which must happen “hereafter.” John was immediately in the spirit and he beheld one sitting on the throne. Can you imagine how John felt as he was looking at what was going on in heaven around the throne???
Why is it believed that this is an indication of the Rapture? We must look at it according to the Scriptures.
The church is not mentioned once after Revelation chapter 3. The word church appears 80 times in the New Testament, seven in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. The word churches is found 37 times in the New Testament, 11 times in chapters 2 and 3 and once in chapter 22. It is nowhere to be found in chapters 4 through 21. The Tribulation is a time period where God deals with Israel and His efforts to draw them back to Him. The church age is over at this point because we are raptured and now the focus is on Israel.
The open door in heaven only appears twice: once here in chapter 4 and then again when the two witnesses are caught up into Heaven in 19:11.
The sound of a trumpet is consistent with: 1 Co 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1Th 4:15-16 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: This is not the sound of angels’ trumpets but the trumpet of God!
Invitation to “come up here” appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Revelation, here and Revelation 11:12, when the two witnesses are raptured.
Lastly, the return of the Saints with Christ is found at the end, in chapter 19. The Scriptures which talk about the Saints being with Jesus at the Second Coming are many:
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
1Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
So dear reader, we see that the pre-tribulation Rapture view holds to the test of events. Our next post will continue with John’s visions of what goes on in Heaven before the Tribulation begins: they are exciting times!!!
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Good morning, reader! I hope this series stirs your heart to tell others about Christ so they won’t have to live through the most terrible period in earth’s history. I know it stirs the embers in my own heart! I also pray that this series would prick the lukewarm heart to be set on fire for God’s Word and repent from complacency.
Today’s church is the Laodicean church and we are hard pressed to find anything in this church that it is doing right. In fact, Christ cannot commend it for one thing! Even though He can’t, He still encourages them to repent! In fact, He prefaces that statement with the fact that those He loves, He reproves and disciplines them. What great compassion our Saviour has!
This church in history was a wealthy church. It was known for its sheep that had glossy black wool which they used for fine expensive coats. Their medical school also invented an eye disease salve which we still use today, called boric acid. I found that quite interesting. They didn’t have good drinking water so they piped in their water by aqueduct from Hierapolis. This water came from their hot water spring and by the time it arrived to Laodicea, it was lukewarm. I love how the Lord uses their “commodities” in a spiritual light. It is located near Denizli, Turkey today. They were nearly destroyed in 60AD by an earthquake. In fact, the government offered them subsidies to rebuild (sound familiar?) but they rejected it and said they could handle it on their own. They were self sufficient, which I also find interesting. They didn’t need any help from God!
In the church timeline, Laodicea existed from the 1900’s and this church will go through the Tribulation period. It runs simultaneously with the church at Philadelphia but it is not evangelistic at all. In fact, this church is an apostate church. It’s interesting to read how Jesus uses His reprimands with what this church holds dear.
Jesus tells them that they are lukewarm considering the waters from the aqueduct coming into their city being lukewarm! I love the analogy! They are not on fire for the Lord nor cold and indifferent. Jesus also tells them that they are known for their eye salve yet they are spiritually blind! They’re known for their black shining expensive wool but they will be naked before Him. He encourages them to have white raiment so they will be clothed. They have plenty of gold but the Lord tells them to buy from Him gold tried by fire!
This church has allowed the world into it and has no spiritual power at all. At the turn of the 20th Century, scholars of the day promoted heresies which started turning the hearts of Christian churches. One such man was Harry Emerson Fosdick. According to Wikipedia,
Fosdick became a central figure in the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s and was one of the most prominent liberal ministers of the early 20th century.
In his sermon at the Northern Baptists Convention in 1922, he said that Christianity didn’t need:
“intolerance of fundamentalists, but rather the tolerance of diverse beliefs practiced by enlightened modernists.”
Today, a tolerating of sin under the banner of love is promoted in this apostate church rather than addressing sin under the banner of truth and grace so that people could experience genuine forgiveness! It is liberal theologians like this who infiltrated the church and this church becomes known as the apostate church at Laodicea. Both churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea, exist today but the church at Philadelphia will be gloriously raptured! The Laodicean church, however, will go through the Tribulation and will be used by the Antichrist. He will succeed in deceiving many through this church.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks and asks them to let Him in. This church has not invited Jesus into their church. The Lord doesn’t force His way in. It continues to be a personal invitation to us all, not just this church, amen? We must all have our own personal experience with the Lord. We must all be born again and live for the Lord as our time is short!
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Good morning, reader! Pull up a chair, open your Bible and sit a while with your favorite morning beverage. We are about to read the letter to the Church at Philadelphia. This church is especially a blessing to read because it represents our current Church age! This is the age where believers have the blessed hope of being raptured before that great and horrifying day of the Lord.
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The horrifying seven-year Tribulation will be like none that has ever occurred on this earth. As mankind has grown more wicked, it will take more judgments and wrath from God in order to get their attention. The more one sins, the harder the heart is toward the things of God. It is going to be a period of great fear and destruction. This is the very topic that led me to the Saviour and I have rejoiced daily that I am going to be included in this blessed event, unless the Lord calls me Home before.
The Church of Philadelphia is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It, too, was nearly destroyed by the great earthquake of 17AD and it never fully recovered. It was known for its principle crop of grapes. Ironically, the unbelievers worshipped Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.
Bacchus was the unrestrained Roman god of wine and revelry, religious ecstasy, and frenzied creativity. The Romans believed that Bacchus inspired his worshipers in their drunken state, freeing them to think and act in new ways.
mythopedia.com
This city was built by Philadelphus, King of Pergamum. It was eventually taken by Bajazet in 1390. It is now the town named Allahshar, and Islam is the only religion. How sad that Christianity faded!
Historically, the Church at Philadelphia covers the period from 1750 until the Rapture. this time frame is also occupied by the Church at Laodicea covering the time span between the 1900’s through the Tribulation. Do you wonder why two Churches run side by side? Apparently the Church in the 1900’s branched off into two and resulted in the evangelistic Church and the liberal, apostate church. The liberal “thinkers” became prominent during the 1900’s and this liberalism crept into the Church. But as usual, there was a holy remnant who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ from 1750 until today. We see the continuation of John Wesley’s preaching as well as Jonathan Edwards, who was also prominent. There were four segments to the Great Awakening:
Starting at the end of the last Church from 1730-1740, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were leading many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
From 1790-1840, America was spiritually awakened. It is said that 10,000 souls per week were won to the Lord in New York City alone! Oh that this would happen today! The awakening spread throughout New England and Baptists baptized over a million converts. The gospel’s effects were felt for 40 years after that!
A Welsh revival occurred from 1855 to 1930 and entire towns were transformed. Bars closed down and lives were literally changed. It was said that the coal production industry went down because the donkeys wouldn’t move when the townsmen told them to move! Why? The donkeys were accustomed to being cursed at and the townsmen were no longer cursing! Now THAT is a changed life, amen? (2 Cor. 5:17 was truly accomplished)
From 1960-1980, America saw an awakening with Billy Graham’s evangelistic tours. Hearts were stirred at this time. I’m not promoting his work as his doctrine was different than what I believe; however, one cannot deny the hearts that came to Christ because of his ministry. In fact, I was born again in 1980, not because of Billy Graham but because of a faithful servant who shared the Gospel with me. At that time, many were going door to door spreading the Gospel. Today, going door to door could get you arrested for not being “woke”!
The Church at Philadelphia is alive and well today. Because of its evangelism, souls have been saved and there are still a few good churches around the world. These are the churches who did not close down during the epidemic and Pastors refused to obey the government’s mandates for closure. These are the churches who preach the whole counsel of God and win souls and not churches who have a “life coach” that only speaks in generalities.
This is the second Church that Jesus didn’t reprimand (the Church at Smyrna being the other). This Church’s faithfulness will be rewarded with the Rapture and they won’t have to go through the Tribulation.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This is a wonderful promise which is taught throughout the New Testament and brings encouragement to all believers. The Apostle Paul did not want us to be ignorant in the area of the end times. The last series covering the Rapture goes into the details and Scriptures – if you haven’t read it, you can access it here. Despite the wickedness and fear displayed by the world today, born-again Christians all over are awaiting their Blessed Hope and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet us in the air! I, for one, am encouraged by the “signs” of His return! I’m not afraid of what will happen and how bad things are getting. The war between Russia and Ukraine doesn’t bother me in the least. The rising inflation and threats of economic collapse don’t frighten me at all. Why? Because the Lord has promised that this generation will not pass away before He comes for us. Israel (the fig tree) became a nation in May 1948 and the generation alive to see this is the final generation before the Tribulation.
Luk 21:29-33 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Dear reader, are you going to be one of those who will experience the Rapture? If not, wouldn’t you want to be a part of it? It excites me that the Rapture might occur before I die! I will get to go up into the clouds to meet Jesus. As I’m going up, my earthly body will be changed to an eternal body! Jesus was able to be touched by His disciples and He also ate. Just as the body of Jesus after His resurrection was changed, so will ours! Praise the Lord God Almighty!
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 3:1-6 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
It’s a beautiful day here – the sun is shining and warmer days are ahead! Winter’s cold days dissipate as Spring’s beauty unfolds. How I love Spring! It’s a beautiful analogy of the new life that is given to us at the moment of salvation, amen? This new life should produce a heart that desires to please God as well as to be a good ambassador for His kingdom!
I praise the Lord that He has given us His Word to learn what is about to happen to the entire planet and those who dwell on it. Friend, this is no laughing matter, nor is it one that is to be taken lightly. We are currently going over the letters dictated by Jesus to the Apostle John to the churches of the day located in Asia Minor. Each letter not only had specific instructions to a particular church, but also the letters were for a specific time in church history. Today’s churches can glean from the teachings they hold and about what the Lord Jesus warns us.
Today’s letter is to the Church in Sardis. The church age for this church is from 1517-1750 AD. This church was not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It was a wealthy city which worshiped Artemis, the goddess of fertility (one of their many gods). They were also known for the largest graveyard which was named the cemetery on a thousand hills. This city was destroyed by a major earthquake in 17AD and was not fully restored to its original state. Today, it is known as Sart with a population of approximately 5,300.
Many other doctrines were introduced and way too many to list here. It is this “church” that Jesus warns us about. The reader should do some studying on the many things that were introduced by the Roman Catholic Church and compare it with Scripture. I’m not trying to pick on Catholicism here. It is important for the reader to learn about church history according to early writers and historians; not just literature from the Catholic church, which I might add is skewed. You will be surprised to discover that many of the Catholic beliefs are not biblically sound. During this period, a Gregorian monk by the name of Martin Luther, posted his objections to the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines in his famous 95 Theses on October 31, 1517. He posted this on the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. This is when the Protestant Reformation (protestors) began. God’s holy remnant began to question Catholic doctrine and they compared these doctrines with Scripture. This is what everyone should do.
Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Protestant Reformation began toward the end of this Church age. It was known as the age of the “Great Awakening.” Men of God saw the heresies in the church and sought to remove themselves from it. Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were prominent preachers in the early 1700’s. In fact, John Wesley started preaching in 1738; it is said that he covered over 250,000 miles on horseback! Hearts were on fire to hear God’s Word. The push to have a printed Bible began during this timeframe as well. The first printed Bible in English was printed in 1611 and known as the King James Bible. This edition of the Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I. Now we can see why this period was called the Great Awakening. The age went from a time of trusting the clergy (also known as the appropriately named Dark Ages) to reading for one’s self what the Bible had to say. The Bible was forbidden to be read by lay people up until this point. It was taught that only priests could interpret it. What joy it must have been for the average person to be able to read the Scriptures!
This church had a holy remnant left in its midst and they were commended by Jesus for this. Jesus also told them that He had something against them: they were alive in reputation, dead in actuality and incomplete in deeds.
They were not living according to His Word and how it directed them to live. However, to the holy remnant, He said they would be dressed in white and their names would be found in the Book of Life! We see a common theme in these letters – there was always a holy remnant who stuck to Christ’s teachings and separated themselves from the world. The rest were known for works for reputation’s sake only when in reality, they were dead inside. Their works were not a result of salvation but they were done in order to gain salvation. This is taught by many different religions today. Having been raised Catholic, I was taught this very thing.
So, therefore, these “practices (or dogma)” were added to their initial doctrine, bit by bit. In the year 1010, the rosary was added – “invented” by Peter the Hermit. (I was raised believing that the virgin Mary made an appearance and taught us to say the rosary.) In 1215, the practice of transubstantiation was added (the actual turning of the wine and bread to Christ’s blood and body). In 1229, the Bible was forbidden to laymen. We see the results in today’s Roman Catholic Church. More and more burdens were added to the salvation message and no longer was faith and mercy a part of it. It was now a religion of works:
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
So what do we have to learn from this Church? Even though we are in the end times and things are occurring on a daily basis which reveal the devil is hard at work as his time is short, we must remember this:
Remember that we are alive in Christ – we must share this “life” with the dead, the lost: Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Remember those deeds as a believer in Christ – tell others about salvation through Christ alone; we must care for the poor, the fatherless and the widows. More importantly, the deeds are not to be done for our glory but for the glory of God alone! It is not our works that get us to Heaven but only Christ’s work is sufficient, amen?
As an afterthought, it’s interesting that the word “catholic” means universal. As we will see in later chapters, the one-world (universal) church will be located in a city on seven hills. Rome is the only city that fulfills this geographic location. I pray that if you are Catholic, you will not see these posts as negative comments or attacks on your church. Instead, I pray that your eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit of God before it’s eternally too late.
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 8:8 -9 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Good morning, dear Reader! As I write this post, it’s a beautiful morning and the sun is just rising! We had a horrible thunderstorm yesterday but you would never know it today. It’s amazing how we can experience an alarming event and then have a beautiful day the next. But as we shall see in today’s Scripture passage, this will not be the case at this point of the Tribulation.
As we see with this second trumpet, one third of the sea becomes blood, a third of sea life is killed and a third of the ships on the sea are destroyed. What seas? We have no way of knowing which ones will experience destruction of one third of its waters. But whichever seas/oceans receive this judgment, you can believe that it will impact the entire globe in one way or another. The Tribulation is centered around Israel so the judgments will draw them back to God. However, its effects will impact the rest of mankind as well.
The Scriptures refer to the “great mountain burning with fire.” Can you put yourself in John’s shoes as he sees this prophecy? He may be referring to an asteroid hitting the earth. I can see where its entrance into the atmosphere and explosion as it hits the sea would appear to be a great mountain burning with fire. An asteroid which would produce this kind of destruction has to be of great size. Just to give you a glimpse of the enormity of its effects, scientists have found an asteroid named 1950DA which they predict will have a 1 in 300 chance of hitting earth on March 16the in the year 2880. This asteroid is greater than half a mile wide and the impact would be equivalent to one million tons of TNT! Granted, 2880 is 860 years away but I am simply using this simply as an example of what could happen during this second trumpet. An impact of that magnitude would definitely be obvious in today’s social media and internet capabilities, wouldn’t you agree?
It could also possibly be an enormous underwater volcano which has occurred many times. This judgment mentions only that the seas (and what lies on it and in it) will be affected so it appears that the effects will be only to water, fish and ships, at this point. The blood could refer to the contamination of the waters from the actual destruction of sea life decaying as a result. Can you imagine the smell coming from the sea? The biggest providers of oxygen to our planet are actually not trees and plants, but plankton from the oceans. They provide 50-80% of the earth’s oxygen!! Imagine taking a deep breath but not fully being able to feel the effects of oxygen (or the lack of it) filling your lungs.
Let’s think about the one third of the sea creatures that will die. In 2011, food from the oceans and seas provided 143.8 million tons of food per year. That means that only 96.3 million tons of seafood will be available. Not only that, but think of the economic impact this will have when there are not enough jobs for the fishermen. As if that’s not enough, there are approximately 50,000 merchant ships at any given time on our oceans and seas and a third of them will be destroyed, leaving 33,500 ships to move shipments! There will be less food going to market and less means to deliver that food to those markets. Also, ships cannot be built overnight. They take months to build and, therefore, whatever food can be taken from the seas will be limited to the number of ships that can provide delivery of the product.
This one trumpet alone is going to have a tremendous impact on life here on earth. Starvation, joblessness, bare grocery shelves, and lack of air, will have a tremendous effect on the quality of life. Oh how I pray that people will read this and get saved before it’s eternally too late! Are you reading this today and you’re not 100% certain that you would be raptured? Is there the slightest possibility that you will go through the Tribulation? Your prideful stubbornness and sin is what stands between you and salvation. Pride keeps a person from admitting he/she has done wrong. Stubbornness is what keeps a person from going in a new direction, preferring the pleasures of sin in his/her life.
But what makes the biggest impression upon you? Is it the enjoyment of sin or the fear of being one of those who will live through the Tribulation? For me, it was the fear of going through the Tribulation. The thought of it pricked my heart and at that point, I realized that I deserved the punishment. The Holy Spirit of God worked in my heart and I understood that my “good works” would not gain me entrance into Heaven. Quite the contrary, I deserved Hell. Just as Adam and Eve’s one sin of disobedience resulted in banishment from the perfect Garden of Eden, all the more reason for my hundreds of sins in my short life of 25 years (at the time) would keep me out of Heaven. Dear Reader, if there’s even the slightest possibility of where you will spend eternity, settle the matter now. What you decide today will impact where you will spend those seven years of Tribulation: (1) raptured and in Heaven with the Lord, or (2) suffering through the worst events in history ever to occur on earth.
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
Rev 8:1-5 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (3) And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (4) And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. (5) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Good morning, Reader! Grab your favorite beverage and let’s begin today’s post with chapter 8. We will be watching as John’s writings unfold a series of judgments one right after the other. They come swiftly and people aren’t finished with the repercussions of the one before when the next judgment comes.
The seventh seal is ushering the trumpet judgments. It’s interesting to me that the seventh seal begins with silence in heaven, a holy and foreboding hush for about a half hour. As God rested on the seventh day from creation, here also we are told of a pregnant pause, a silence, a rest if you will. Just as we saw praising in chapter 7, we now suddenly experience silence, preparing us for the next series of judgments.
Verse 8 reveals an angel standing at the altar and he was given a golden censer and incense. This gesture is described as the prayers of all the saints being offered up on the golden altar before the throne. The prayers of the saints are never forgotten by God; they are preserved by the Lord and seen rising before Him. As we saw in Revelation 8:5, the angel fills the censer with fire and casts it to earth. It continues to say that there are voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. No other judgment was introduced in this manner – I find that interesting.
Rev 8:6-7 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (7) The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Now we see the first angel blow the first trumpet and one third of the earth’s trees were burnt up and all grass was burnt up. Can you imagine what this will do? The phrase, “mingled with blood” may be referencing that many will die. This judgment is quite similar to the plagues of Egypt in Exodus 9:22-26. This will have tremendous ecological ramifications. What will livestock graze upon? Those who promote a “green” planet have no idea what is about to come upon the earth.
Where will you be during this period, reader? Will you be safe in Heaven with our Groom or will you be on earth, serving Satan and his beast? Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
We have now reached the end of our study about the Rapture versus the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! King Jesus will reign through the Millennium in Jerusalem. After the unsaved are cast into the Lake of Fire, Jesus will create a new Heaven and a new earth! How exciting!
Rev 21:1-8 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
My last post covered the second death. But at the creation of the new Heaven and the new earth, there will no longer be unbelievers and sinners. All things will be made new and perfect! A new Jerusalem will also be created and only those who were found in the Lamb’s book of life will be able to enter in.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
What a glorious event this will be if you are born again!
Rev 22:3-5 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
So dear reader, will you be present at this event? If you’re not 100% sure, please (I beg you) make sure before it’s too late! You don’t know when you will die! You could be commuting home from work and be involved in a deadly car crash. You just don’t know!
Rev 22:11-20 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
We have reached the conclusion of this series. The next series will be a condensed version of the Book of Revelation! My desire is that if this blog is still online during the great Tribulation, eyes will be drawn to these devotional series and will be an encouragement to all who read it.
Php 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
