Tag: Revelation 22:17

Light in the Last Days – Day 45

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

John 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.

As we look at John 14:1-3, we see a glimpse into God’s timing for His people. This passage identifies the participants of the Rapture, the initial phase of the end times scheduled to occur before the Tribulation. We must not confuse this with the Second Coming, when Jesus returns to earth to destroy the False Prophet and the Antichrist. The Rapture is not about establishing an earthly kingdom yet; it is about the Lord coming to take His Church to the place He has prepared.

Exactly who will take part in the Rapture? While we find the promise of the event in John 14, the Apostle John provides the specific “entry requirement” earlier in his Gospel. In John 3:36, he writes, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” This verse acts as a spiritual dividing line. The Rapture is not a general event for all of humanity; it is a specific gathering reserved for those who have placed their complete trust in Jesus Christ. For the believer, the Rapture is a rescue; for the unbeliever, it marks the beginning of a period where God’s wrath remains upon the earth.

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

To be a believer is to be secure. The Apostle John reminds us that whoever believes in the Son “hath everlasting life”—it is a guaranteed inheritance that begins the moment we trust Him. Because our sins were judged at the Cross, we no longer fear the wrath that “abideth” on those who refuse to believe. While the unbeliever remains spiritually separated, we have been brought into the light. Our future is not one of fear or judgment, but of eternal fellowship in the very presence of the God who loves us.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Scripture is explicit: God’s wrath is not a random occurrence, but a consequence to be received by those who refuse the gift of salvation and ignore His Word. The Apostle Paul reminds us that while believers once lived under the influence of this world’s “prince,” that chapter of our lives is closed. We are no longer “children of disobedience.” By highlighting this distinction, Paul emphasizes that the coming judgment is for those who continue in their rebellion, whereas the believer has been set apart and delivered from the wrath to come.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [Born-again believers “in time past” walked in disobedience, but after salvation, they ceased.]

Ephesians 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.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The Church has a blessed hope, a blessed destiny that does not include the outpouring of God’s wrath. Instead, we are marked as part of Christ’s own body through the sealing of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of promise serves as the official “receipt” of our salvation, verifying that our inheritance is already secured in heaven. It is the ultimate wedding gift from the Saviour to His Bride, ensuring that we are preserved, protected, and prepared for an eternity in His presence.

Ephesians 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  (14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. [That inheritance is given to us when the day of redemption arrives.]

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [When IS that day of redemption? Jesus encouraged His followers to be aware of the “end time signs”!

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

Throughout the New Testament, the Church is depicted as the Bride of Christ, a people set apart and “espoused” to Him. This spiritual betrothal carries a magnificent promise: just as God raised the Lord Jesus, He will also raise the members of His Church to present them in His presence. This “presentation” is our great hope. Even now, the Spirit within us cries out alongside the Bride for the Bridegroom’s return. While the world faces the trials of the Tribulation, the Bride—marked and sealed—is shown in her heavenly glory as the Lamb’s wife.

2 Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Paul tells us that the believers who died in his day would be raised up along with those alive to be presented.]

Revelation 22:17  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. [The Bride is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Here we were both the Spirit and the bride speaking. The Bride is in Heaven during the Tribulation.]

Revelation 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

By looking at these passages, we can truly understand “who” the Rapture is for: it is the long-awaited meeting between 

Jesus Christ, our heavenly Groom, and the Church, His redeemed Bride. This relationship defines our future, but Paul also gives us a title that defines our present. He describes us as ambassadors for Christ. Just as an ambassador is recalled to his home country before a conflict begins, the Church serves as God’s voice on earth today, knowing that our true citizenship is in heaven and our “recall” is drawing near.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Just as a nation sends an ambassador to represent its interests and communicate its leader’s vision to a foreign land, we serve as spiritual ambassadors for Christ. Our primary mission is to relay His heart for the world: a deep desire for all people to be reconciled to God, as we see in the famous promise of John 3:16. In the secular world, when a country is on the brink of war, one of the first things to happen is that the ambassador is called home for safety. Similarly, God will call His ambassadors—the Church—home to heaven before His righteous wrath is poured out upon the earth during the Tribulation.

The only way to be a part of the Bride of Christ is to be born again. It is salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. Friend, if you are not born again, 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. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 45

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment

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.

These three verses in John are a preview of what is in store for the Church. It answers the question of “Who” will participate in the Rapture. The Rapture is not the same as the Second Coming of Christ when He returns to earth to destroy the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Nor will He establish His earthly kingdom at the time of the Rapture. No, the Rapture is the first phase of the end times to happen right before the Tribulation begins.

Exactly who will take part in the Rapture? The Apostle John tells us in:

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The born-again believer is promised everlasting life and we do not experience God’s wrath. We are not condemned like those who do not believe.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear in the verses below that God’s wrath is to be received by those who do not believe in salvation and who do not obey God’s Word in order to receive it.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [Born-again believers “in time past” walked in disobedience, but after salvation, they ceased.]

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:

God’s wrath is not intended for the Church. Each person who gets saved is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise is our inheritance, the gift from Jesus Christ to His Bride!

Eph 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  (14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. [That inheritance is given to us when the day of redemption arrives.]

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [When IS that day of redemption? Jesus encouraged His followers to be aware of the “end time signs”!

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

The Apostle Paul compared the Church to Christ’s Bride.

2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2Co 4:14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Paul tells us that the believers who died in his day would be raised up along with those alive to be presented.]

Rev 22:17  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. [The Bride is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Here we were both the Spirit and the bride speaking. The Bride is in Heaven during the Tribulation.]

Rev 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

There are so many other verses but I think you can now understand the “who” in those who will participate in the Rapture. It will be the Groom, Jesus Christ, and the Bride, the Church. I love how Paul compares the Church to ambassadors.

2Co 5:19-21  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Every country has an ambassador who represents and communicates his leader’s wishes to the world. We represent Christ and it is our duty to communicate Christ’s wishes. He wishes that all be reconciled to God. We see this desire in John 3:16! When that country is about to go to war, the first thing that happens is that the ambassador is called home. So will we be called home before God’s wrath comes upon the earth during the Tribulation.

The only way to be a part of the Bride of Christ is to be born again. It is salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. Friend, if you are not born again, 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. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Comfort During the End Times – Day 13

On By KateIn Comfort During the End Times, Devotionals2 Comments

Good morning, Reader! I hope this series has brought you some comfort during these difficult times. As I write this, there is extreme unrest in Israel. A Jewish brother in Christ says that Israel is on the brink of civil war. The prophecies of old and those of the end times revolve around Israel. It doesn’t matter what other countries do amongst each other; it matters what happens to Israel, amen?

The news is constantly filled with horrible headlines of famines, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars. Jesus said this would happen in the end times and would get worse. (Matthew 24:6-8) But should the believer in Jesus Christ be eaten up with worry? Do you not think that God knows your heart and how worried you are?

How would you feel if your child stayed awake at night worried that someone would break into house? Wouldn’t it bother you that your child didn’t trust his parents enough to protect him? It is no different with God. If you are a born-again Christian, the Father in Heaven knows you so well. Friend, He actually knows your name!

Exo 33:17  And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

To an unbelieving world, events may seem chaotic where fear sets into the heart of man. This is exactly one of the devil’s goals. He does not want you to have peace in the Lord.

Satan wants mankind to be distracted and fearful.

This distraction and fear plays right into the devil’s plans to usher in the antichrist. The antichrist will appear to be the man of peace when he signs a peace treaty with Israel. But the devil is a deceiver and the father of lies. (John 8:44) He is known as an angel of light according to 2 Corinthians 11:14! The end times will be filled with lies, deceptions, signs and wonders, which will be so mesmerizing that it will seduce the world into believing he is God. (Mark 13:22) Friend, you should not take this lightly. The world will be sucked into this delusion!

1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

But before the antichrist can be revealed, the Holy Spirit’s influence on the earth (residing within every born-again believer) must be removed in order to usher in the devil’s total influence. (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)

In the meantime, the Lord takes care of His sheep. His Spirit leads and guides us through His Word, the Bible! Although God is a God of judgment (as the world will see in the Tribulation), He is also a God of love for those who follow Him. As Christians, we know that the Lord not only loves us but He knows us intimately.

Luk 12:7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

When God says that the very hairs on our heads are numbered, it reveals that intimacy! Not only does He know us intimately, but we are now His child because Christ’s righteousness covers us. When God looks at the born-again believer, He sees His Son’s righteousness over us, not our own! In fact, just as Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, God called Abraham His friend! Praise the Lord! Christ’s righteousness over us means that God calls us His friend also!

Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Not only are we considered a friend, we are Christ’s Bride. (Revelation 21:9, Revelation 22:17) The groom would never allow anything horrible happen to the woman of his dreams, right? Well how much more will our Groom protect us, His Church, from the Tribulation? (Revelation 3:10) Be encouraged, Christian. The same God who counts the hairs on our head, joys over us and calls us friend, is the same God who will give you peace during these difficult times!

As believers, we have so much at our fingertips to pull from for encouragement. We can read our Bibles, search out songs to encourage our hearts, and bow before the Lord of lords and Kings of kings in prayer! We can have intimate fellowship with the Creator of the universe!! But to the person who is not born-again, he has only himself to turn to and there’s no comfort in one’s own heart. The unbeliever doesn’t have the comfort that the believer does; they may be able to access the resources but that comfort just isn’t there. Friend, don’t be willfully ignorant of the end times. (2 Peter 3:5) If you are not born-again, confess your sins and repent of them. The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) 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!

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 18

On By KateIn Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By JesusLeave a comment

Prophecy of Messiah:

Leviticus 23:36-37  Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.  (37)  These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

Good morning! I don’t know about you, but there are some antiquated laws in the State of Virginia that I’ve found absolutely ridiculous and wonder why they are still on the books. While other laws that are considered antiquated but are actually helpful make sense. Here are a couple of examples:

Virginians cannot spit on seagulls. What???? Was there really a need to put that on the books? Were people actually spitting on seagulls? And if they were, whyyyy?

In Prince William County, it is illegal for a motorist to park their vehicle on a set of railroad tracks. Well, duh! It’s actually a law everywhere in the United States I would think.

I remember when I was first saved, I could not understand why God required these sacrifices in the Old Testament. I thought they were harsh and cruel. But as I grew in grace and the Holy Spirit taught me, I began to “get it”! As I was taught about Christ’s fulfillment of these sacrifices, I saw that these same verses were a history lesson for me to learn from. I love how the Apostle Paul wrote about this to the Galatians:

Galatians 3:22-26  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

It took a very Holy God to come to earth as a man so He could live a sinless life in order to become that perfect, spotless and sinless sacrifice for all mankind. As we look at the the different sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus 23:36-37, we see that one of those sacrifices was a drink offering. Why do you think that would that be necessary?

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:

John 7:37-38  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  (38)  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

All the sacrifices point to Jesus Christ; this one in particular to Him being the Living Water. Jesus offers the water of life flowing from the Throne! All of the Holy Scriptures intertwine beautifully, don’t they? Man cannot live without water. It is the source of physical life itself! Jesus has the living water which is the source of eternal life!

Revelation 21:6  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.

Revelation 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Revelation 22:17  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.

Do you want that living water that will give you eternal life in Heaven? Do you know Jesus personally or do you only know of Him? 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!