All Discussion PAGE 65

As to the coming of the Lord I wouild say that we MUST know the truth about things f.not that we might No the hour but recognise the season we are living in and be prepared to be called " to go up hither" at a moments notice .

As in the days of Noah there was Enoch who was " translated " in a moment in a twinkling of an eye and was before the outpouring of Gods wrath upon the earth . Noah on the other hand was saved through it .

As in the days of Lot there was also Abraham . Lot walked by sight .Abraham walked by faith . Thus God couid tell him what " He was about to do" and thus gave Abraham the oopertunity to intercede for Lot .

How is it that while the promise was given to the church thst Holy Spirit wouod lead us into all truth yet so many oroffession g christians do not know it?

Unbelief is not just not believing God but it is believing another and the wrong message .

We can get things wrong but the scriptures are there for correction reproof and ." Etc .

The Word of God is a discerner Alf the thoughts and intents of the heart " Often it's a persons wrong attitude that gives an indication of something wrong .

But how do we know that we know the truth?

If we know the truth out makes us free . It gives us a greater love for the people of God and the work of God and the word of God .When we know the truth wcom effective in the kingdom of God .and our spiritual vision increases .

The opposite is true when we fall into error .

All true born children of God are called to " watch and pray" . That does not mean to be transfixed by events or distracted from the goal . Elisha if he wanted the " double" blessing he had to make sure that he did not leave Elijah 's side not even by well meaning brethren .

I liken it to a football match . If you observe inexperienced and " little children" they simply chase the ball and leave the goal open to attack . Experienced or professional plates keep their positions moving back and forwards in that position regardless of where the ball is . But theur eyes never leave the ball and are watching the play ,knowing that sooner or later it's going to come into their 'square' . And they will be ready for it Wether to oppose or tackle the other team or receive a pass etc .

" Lo here is Christ " lo there is Christ " etc does not mean lo there or here is Jesus but Christ means anointing . Many make boasts of ' the anointing' is here or will be etc and too often people ho chasing to ' where it's at' .

But the eternal resting place of the Holy Spirit is the Word of God . " I will never leave you or forsake you says the Lord " Lo I am with you always" and in another place " He will abide in you forever "

As long as we honour the Word of God holding it if needs must above our own present experience rather than bring it down to ours then we will not miss the boat .

Indeed as we watch and pray at events we will be ready for not only do we learn to pray about those things but find ourselves by prayer being conformed to Gods will not ours or the worlds or " blown about by every wind of doctrine ".

GB

Hi Chris , the context of the chapter was that some were falsely saying that Christ came and that they missed his coming and their faith was overthrown. In the apostle's time , that's amazing . Even Peter said 1000 yrs is as a day to the Lord, so we need to be patient, it's been 2 days on that calendar so to speak . I believe God is in control of everything or at least has power to permit everything by his sovereign discretion. I do believe this power is sovereign. God can do anything he wants with no restrictions by anyone unless he permits it . So the anti christ only has what God allows him . And God alone decides the day and hour , and the Coming of Jesus in Glory is that time and method by God , and even Jesus said he did not know that day or hour , that is exclusively in God the father's knowledge. And no one will know until it happens. But as verse 3 Paul tells these early Christians that first 2 things must happen, falling away and Anti christ appearing . This must be the glasses we look through on this subject . Who is taken away ? The anti christ , before the kingdom comes when Jesus appears that also is the destruction of this evil kingdom on the world at this time headed by the anti christ and false prophet. So you could say Gods restraining power is removed to do anything he chooses . In this case or any case . I know some think that this is removing the Holy Spirit and therefore the church. But this is a stretch beyond what's being said here . God controls the weather too do he does not need the church for that , just an example . Angels can be used for and will be used by God for power during judgment time . Where do I think we are in the time line ? Beginning of sorrows , false teachers and wars and rumours of wars , both have been going on for 2000 yrs but increasing thanks for your interest. More could be said of course.

Hello Richard, My testimony remains. My sin was judged and remains judged at the cross and Jesus continues to reign in me while I remain in the flesh if I remain at the cross which Jesus as God in Revelation from heaven continues to point to. So my faith continues in him at the cross where I may be reconciled with both God and man.

The wedding will be revealed by the Father soon where our eyes will be on Him only.

God bless our conversation in Christ Jesus.

Rev.10.1 "A strong Angel"

We are considering the generation of Jesus Christ from different POV. The word become flesh presented the woman clothed with the sun; while the Law, the Word which was with God Melchizedek and the seven candlesticks. The Word which God supplies us the symbols of his office the iron rod. In his 'another angel' we have the last act of the Salvation saga: judgment of satan.

Law of the Spirit sets the kingdom where God is all in all,(1 Cor.15.27) The singles measurement would therefore include angels (Rev.21.17) In v.1 we see the Angel of the Lord given the authority: cloud of witnesses and the rainbow present us one face of heaven. The other also a face of the earth. "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:"

The pillars of fire refers to the heart of the earth. To quote Job,"As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire." From the heart of it, there is a furnace,"Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone."(28.2,5) The iron forged from this fire smashes the nations.(2.9) and the Word of God does," and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." This rod of iron is symbol for the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God, not God or of the Lamb but of the Lord Amighty. Thus we have references to judgment of God, with smoke out of a furnnace. It was at mount Sinai and at the bottomless pit,"And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit." and "And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace."(Rev.9.2;Exod.19.18; Gen.15.17)

please pray for me and my family

Rev.1.8 "Alpha and Omega"-1

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Now we shall see the generation of Jesus Christ from the POV of the Law of the Spirit. What we looked at in Rev.ch.12 was with regards to the body' thou hast me prepared.'(Heb.105)"The Law gives us the creation of the worlds (Gen.1.1) and In the beginning is for setting the Covenant in terms of the generations in terms of the day decreed for the Son. So after presenting the Covenant in seven days the Spirit inserts this verse,"These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens" (2.4) This day refers to the Father Son relationship so so earth serves the characteristics of the son in obedience to the Father in all things. But there shall be a point of time when God may be all in all and through all. "then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."(1 Cor.15.27) That is the Omega aspoect of Jesus Christ.

IRev.1.12-20 n the inaugural vision of John we have the same vision in ch.12 from the POV of the Law of the Spirit so the number Seven as the whole number we keep focus on.

Instead of the woman clothed with the sun we have seven golden candlestands. In the midst it is Melchizedek the priest-king. The golden girdle girt about his paps connect visually with seven angels, and the altar. And 'clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.(15.8)' Seven stars in his right hand and his visage in v.14 presents a face as his feel of the other face. "And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." In Job 28 we have reference to both."The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up." (28.15) Compare with Rev.12.16

Eccle.1.4 Generation of Jesus Christ

"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever."

Genealogy given in the entire Bible refers to the generaton of Jesus Christ against every other. It is how the Father has presented his his first begotten to the world. Let all angels worship him sets life of the Father relation agains ever other life. "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;"( Jn 5.26) God divided light from darkness and we have one against the other in Gen.1.2 Two columns under light and the ther under darkness would determine the form of the earth. "and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

This is well illustrated by the vision of the Woman clothed with the Sun. Two lights the greater light gives the generation of Jesus christ righteousness as brilliant as the sun, no fuller as Mark's gospel puts it,'And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.'( Mk 9,.3) The sun thus presents a face to the woman while the moon the lesser light gives her another face which tells that she stands as the Mother of all living by grace of God. Upon her head this crown of life is the divine promise in his Son, the gospel that overcomes the crown of life. How much did the gospel work with her? When the man child is caught up to the throne, so did her position slip. Boh imposter churches and Jews who were rather busy with their own righteousness and tradtion of their father would need find sanctuary from the onslaught of the devil. One group chooses their own place, the outer darkness while the other, "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."(Rev.12.6). The Spirit presents generation and then sets before them the Covenant: how to enter the God's rest.

Entering into the God's rest

God sanctified this day so I shall be glad and rejoice in it. No matter what, His promises are yea and Amen in his Son. God set me as a sign even as He set the heaven as a sign in his Son. His handiwork declares the glory of the world of the Spit. It is my upper limit."That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."(Phi.2.15)

My life was kickstarted when God set man a living soul. This life was restored to me when I became a new creation. "Thy word is truth and it sanctifies me to think my body is the lower limit and the Spirit has let lit a lamp as to my walk this day. Abiding in Christ fully conscious of his own life, it is not I but Christ who lives in me. He is my peace so my anxieties I let him handle. His grace is what the sky of heaven tells my naked eye.

God made my mouth so I shall guard my speech lest it sets a little fire; before it gets a wild fire and rob me of my peace let sto before letting the spark leave my hand. It saves the bother of running for a bucket of water. My life shared with my wife of longstanding, her happiness is the pillow I shall sleep most soundly. God gave me my soulmate whom God had picked continents away before I was born. Looking back nothing in it was an accident. So I have place from where it all began. My rest is at the knowledge that I am under the shadow of his wings and he never sleeps. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us./For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,/Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Rom.8.37-39) Now I know where he is I shall be; as he was so shall I be perfected in him. Only obedience to this hour is all I need hold. I am at rest

LORD, I pray that the prayers lifted up to you LORD, are blessed to be heard and answered in your perfect time and way. I pray also LORD that you bless us with your peace LORD and that you revive us daily LORD with new mercies for the day. I pray for Thanksgiving LORD for all the blessings you so freely give from your bounty. I pray we encourage eachother (iron sharpens iron) and look for moments to speak in truth and love about the glory of GOD. Thank you LORD for giving us life and life abundantly. May we share the joy and find you LORD in our tribulations as well. Amen

Dear Richard,

I am not bothered at all with you talking about your view of end times. We can differ on this matter. Time will prove all things, won't it? The way we differ should not affect our friendly relationship here.

As to the Kirk memorial, I was just impressed with the testimonies given by so many speakers that witnessed of Jesus and the gospel, sin and everyone's need for redemption in Jesus. The connection believers have with one another does transcend not only our differences on some topics, but also transcends our position in life, whether a political leader, a believer with a wide audience to witness, or those of us that are relatively unknown in the circles of government, local or national, or ministry that encompass wide berths in society. We of humble estate in this world have our personal calling from the Lord which we are to be faithful in performing unto the Lord.

Believers are connected in Christ, His body, which is being built up to be the dwelling of our Lord and our dwelling in Him, He in us, we in Him, He in the Father, the Father in Him and in us, the Spirit in the Father, and the Son, and in us. God's eternal purpose in creation was to redeem a people for our Lord and by the Spirit to bring these people into fellowship and union with the Godhead. It is a very blessed thing to be a child of God, isn't it?

Richard, I am glad we are friends here. And I am helped by the discussion we have on this forum and also by what individuals present as Jesse did with the Greek language information on the New Testament. We learn from one another and we face differing viewpoints that drive us to Scripture to know what God has revealed as truth.

It is late her in the PNW, so I need to head off to bed. Hopefully, this day long sinus headache will go away. The change in weather and season into fall tends to get to me and there are many wildfires that are affecting air quality as factors in how my body is responding to such stressors.

Goodnight for now

Hi Meek and seek. I read with interest your reply to Richard and for the most part, I agree. That is, 2 Thessalonians 2:3,6,7a I do agree with you on.

However, in verse 7b, "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way". If you read it like this: 'only he who now letteth (or, restrains), will continue to restrain, until he (i.e. the one who is doing the restraining) is taken out of the way (i.e. the restraining barrier is now removed)'. Only after this barrier is removed then will the Wicked one be revealed (v8), who will be consumed/destroyed by the Lord Jesus at His Coming. Can you see the difference in our understanding of this passage?

You read it as the 'anti Christ is taken away' and I read it as the 'restrainer is taken away'. In my understanding, it is the restraining force that has to be removed by God before the anti-Christ is revealed, or else, what would be the need of a restrainer (as also in verse 6, "withholdeth)? But I can see how you read this, if the word "letteth" is not 'restrain' but to 'allow'. So, you might read it as, 'God is allowing the anti-Christ to rule until he is then removed later by God'. But the Greek word for "letteth" is 'katecho' and that means 'to hold fast, to restrain, to keep'. So, I believe that the word 'restrain' is the right word to use in this instance and not 'allow', which then means that God restrains the anti-Christ from appearing, but once God removes His Restrainer, then anti-Christ appears and all that follows from that. And after the anti-Christ's course on Earth is finished, Jesus at His appearing, will destroy him. GBU.

Hello Doodie65. The references you gave refer to the Church located in Smyrna and Philadelphia respectively. These, as all the other Church gatherings mentioned in these two chapters, refer to those believers living in Asia Minor, now modern Turkey. These two Fellowships in Smyrna and Philadelphia were praised for their faithfulness to the Lord in spite of their sufferings and temptations. But in both locations, the "synagogue of Satan" is mentioned, which may be what you are enquiring about.

Even though these Fellowships were established by the apostles & those who traveled with them, after the ransacking of Jerusalem in AD70 by Gen Titus of Rome, many more Christians and Jews dispersed all over the Roman world. So when we get to these two chapters of the Book of the Revelation, we read of these Churches and their trials and spiritual condition in not only a pagan society, but also being affected by the Jews who also established themselves there and set up synagogues. You can read an instance where the Apostle Paul ministered to the Jews in one of their synagogues in Ephesus ( Acts 18:18,19).

So, when Jesus speaks to the Apostle John from Heaven in Revelation 2 & 3, we can understand that at least those two Church groups (Smyrna & Philadelphia) were being harrassed by the Jews living there. We are not told what they actually did to the Church, but it seems the Jews there were particularly antagonistic towards the Gospel & the believers, blaspheming the God Whom they were supposed to be worshiping by rejecting His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus calls them "the synagogue of Satan", for the true God is not, and cannot be, worshiped if He is being blasphemed. As Satan filled the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira to lie to the Holy Spirit ( Acts 5:1-11) and they suffered for it, so too, Satan had filled the hearts of these erring Jews who did Satan's bidding & no doubt they too would not be spared, unless they repent; and some would ( Revelation 3:9). Blessings.

I may never be as rational as you are; or emotionally stable on the subject.

It isn't that important as to our eschatological differences; but it scares me to think of being lukewarm in any capacity and again feeling I have to defend what I know the Lord actually has shown me.

All the stuff going on with the recent events has led me to warn as some others online are as to deception. In my church and probably where you are people see nothing wrong with the concept as it was put forth as one example for people to be "crowded" into heaven; along with the political merging with various denominations; some of which are sound and others not (including Mormons) with the whole Kirk thing (have to watch what I say). I will state that apparently his wife was wearing a Masonic ring-people should know these things and the dangers of AI supposed statements he would have said beyond the grave.

In my church I am the only voice with concerns it seems; I made it clear in tonights online prayer that if anything is untoward as to my opinions God would forgive me; and that indeed some will seek the Lord after this event; but to not see the warnings is foolish and I have been sensing lately that by this time next year I may not be able to continue in organized church.

We are having someone who is attempting to do a recovery group; although Monday the one guy couldn't be there because his sister was in the hospital; and the one other person had a different issue; so I talked with the guy leading it and the Pastor's wife and one other person; and we all had "skeletons in our closet" that were worth discussing. I am still wary somewhat if the guy leading it truly is saved; however.

Anyway in regard to eschatology I always seem to bring it up with the opposing view to respond to someone else after we talk; as far as I know it isn't intentional to bug you. Not even sure if you believe in the Millennium but I also mentioned it today.

Hope we can always be friends.

RP

Sounds like you have some joy-hope you have a decent Bible; can always read it on this site.

Let's consider something here. Our heavenly reunion should involve a rejoicing over all of our company; including those who we have led to the faith; or those we have watered that others have; as it were planted the seed. We already have the hosts of heaven as witnesses (see Heb. 11).

I would say also that the concept of escape from this earth isn't necessarily something not to look forward to; but that in heaven we will only see the destruction of the wicked from afar. ( Psalm 91:8 loosely translated). There is no doubt that we will be actively involved and I would say in prayer ( Rev. 8:4 and I believe one other place). We will see through spiritual eyes clearly in that realm and be prepared to rule and reign with Him. Once we are there the multitude under the throne will soon join us; and rule and reign with us during the Millennial rule of Christ. This brings us to the concept of glorified saints and those left physically to populate the earth during that time.

Trying to understand what is going on is hard because even I sensed the Lord may come for His church in September (albeit a few days still left). Maybe not this September. But a large part of why we're still here IF He is indeed coming soon is to warn others to flee the wrath to come ( Matt. 3:7 but apparently the concept in about 100 scriptures). No doubt Satan is mad we are still here; and as I've stated numerous times he acts as the equal opportunity destroyer; or I could word it as he hates everyone. Every day and all day we see evil; but for any moment of peace and tranquility no doubt God is constantly restraining things from getting worse; and in the Trib if He hadn't cut it short no flesh would survive ( Matt. 24:22).

Okay it is getting even later; time for me to get ready to crash.

Stay hungry for the Word; and may you draw people through His Spirit within you to Christ.

Agape.

got a revival happening at Parkton church of God in north carolina youth night tomorrow pray that the kids and teens get what they need from God and new people come

Greeting's

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Blessings

Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Blessings

Thanks for some verses , verse 3 is a key event the falling away ( or apostasy) , and anti christ ( a real man ) must come before Jesus coming . So we should know that has not happened. Only God can withhold any thing . Verse 6 the anti christ is revealed in his time (when God allows him to rise and work . ) Verse 7 the mystery of iniquity ( spirit of anti christ ) started back in the apostles time . Only he who now lets ( that's God ) until he is taken out of the way ( thats the anti christ only God let's until he says no more , only God has this power ). Verse 8 explains how the anti christ is taken away . Verse 9 is the false prophet. They are cast into the lake of fire . (I can't give you a scripture for that now but I read that somewhere where they go when taken out buy the coming of Jesus in Glory . )My take on these verses . Come Lord Jesus! Amen

It is late but out of a sense of duty let me briefly sum up some other concepts here from scripture. I did earlier posts which probably are gone on this subject; not sure if a name search can look things up although things ARE archived permanently it seems under certain scripture references of the day.

As stated in the last post there are what I would call "hidden" nuggets referring to the Rapture. Psalm 40 in the beginning is one I have mentioned; another is Zephaniah 2:3. Then there are the precedents of Enoch being translated because He had a close walk with God and Elijah. Jesus of course was the "first of the firstfruits" and the many who came out of their graves after His resurrection was an early gleaning type firstfruits as well ( Matt. 27:52-53).

We are; symbolically the "kings and priests" shown in Revelation 5 and other scriptures. Again it seems at times confusing but verses there discuss being redeemed to allow us to differentiate between angelic beings and people.

One strong point which we probably all agree upon is to focus on the Word; especially in light of heaven. This is how we gain spiritual insight; and it keeps us from myths such as the 3 days of darkness which come from some sort of pagan mysticism that is supposed to occur before the Rapture. Indeed there IS darkness coming during various judgments.

The other point is that the time of Jacob's trouble ( Jeremiah 30:7) needs to help provoke God's people ( Zech 13:8) who endure until the end through saving faith of that time of trial which the whole WORLD goes through which Revelation 3:10 promises we can as the overcomers in the Godly remnant type church can experience.

Again I have cited verses in Daniel which discuss saints being overcome ( Daniel 7:25 also seen in Revelation 13:7); yet now in the "church age" or dispensation the gates of hell will not prevail against the church ( Matt. 16:18). This means absolute apostasy in Mystery Babylon can't come until we are gone.

Perhaps this site has more people than I realized who believe this.

2 Thessalonians 2 states 2 Thessalonians

1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8And 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 wording here is confusing; admittedly but the Day of Christ may be defined when He has begun His rule and reign on earth; and that has to begin with the process of judgments; the first of which is the man of sin in Revelation 6:1-2 being revealed; which the restrainer in verse 6 (that as I see it being the Spirit as it works in the churches today) is removed. That can be seen in the verses describing what MUST occur immediately after the description of the churches in Revelation 4:1 as symbolized by John the Apostle who likely literally saw into the future.

The idea of the bridegroom and bride going into the chamber may be seen as hinted in other verses in scripture such as Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

I could elaborate further later.

Are talking about a secret rapture before Jesus comes back the 2nd time when every eye will see him ? ? If so I can't find in the bible . Do you have verses if so ! Thanks

Exodus 14:14, Psalm 16:1 , Psalm 18:2. Kjv.

Please pray so that god wil put you in better position

Matthew 5:19

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 24:35

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Blessings

Greetings

Romans 2:13 "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Blessings

I'm praying for souls to be saved all over the world and God to meet the needs all over the world in the mighty name of Jesus Amen

Dear Richard,

My thoughts about His delay. I don't think there is a delay. There are elect that need to be born again and those elect that are yet to be born to their mothers and fathers here. God foreknows all of the elect and is not bound by our seeming desire for His coming, which we should surely anticipate and look for gladly. He knows the specific number and time in history when the last of the elect will come to be regenerated and brought to faith in Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit, the Father, and Jesus Christ. The Godhead is in one accord on this. When Jesus was on earth, the limits of mortal humanness prevented Him from knowing the time He will return. But because His humanity is now perfected, glorified, and operating in all fullness with His divine nature, I do think that He knows the date and time of His own return. But this has not been revealed to any human. We just need to be ready and about our Father's business as we live out all the days He has appointed for each person.

I think we need to stay in the Word and not listen to people who claim to know or predict when our Lord will return. It is not for us to know, but we can certainly know from the Word what things must happen before He does come. 2 Thess. 2 comes to mind.

In light of recent events.

It seems on this site no one has gotten into being caught up (no pun intended) with the rapture frenzy this Feast of Trumpets as to believing a "thus saith the Lord" declaration online; or even having much interest in the viral internet frenzy.

I did want to say that lest we throw out the preverbal "baby" from the bathwater; so to speak the enthusiasm and conviction of His soon appearing and being ready; our lives in order; and witnessing with a sense of urgency are themes I cannot find at fault; if it can be extracted from a prediction made that is clearly non scriptural as to some hidden knowledge of things Christ Himself didn't know when on earth at least. As with the Jewish wedding feast; I have brought up the point that perhaps He still doesn't know the time the Father tells Him to come for His bride; as He only does what the Father tells Him to do; and that would of course extend to the time He rules and reigns VISIBLY on the earth; He certainly wouldn't have waited this long if it wasn't something that was part of the mystery of the council of God in the eternal Godhead.

There is no logical reason to expect that anything is going to change; in fact it is likely to contine to accelerate and spiral further into what we are being forced to endure; murders; immorality; wars and all the other insanity of this world. If those prognosticators of a date for the Rapture indeed end up themselves being foolish virgins and beating their fellowservants it just fits into prophecy. A true servant is concerned about continuing to be a productive servant until He comes.

Ultimately of course anyone using the delay of His coming to abandon their faith isn't firmly rooted; but nonetheless we need to continue to pray for those who are weak and suffering for various reasons in this world. We need to work while it is yet day (I'll let someone look that up so this page isn't wiped out one of my favorite (NOT) things of sleight of hand.

Hi Bernie,

I don't know which state you are moving from and I'm not asking for you to share that, but if it is California, then I must say you made the right decision.

Now, as far as becoming a better Christian, I'm not sure how one would do that. You see, if you have received Jesus Christ and have been born of His Spirit, you are no different than any other believer. The Spirit that's in you is the same Spirit every true believer has in them. You can't improve on that. In a nutshell, you're either a Christian or you're not. You can't become a better Christian than any other Christian.

As believers, we can become a better person in a human sense, but spiritually, we as believers are all equal. The only thing the Lord requires from us is faithfulness and submission to the persuasion of His Spirit which He has given to us.

You mentioned that you want to truly love the Lord always. Well, the Lord, through His Spirit, gives each believer the capacity and ability to love Him. Without His Spirit, we could not love Him in a true biblical sense. Brother, He knows your heart. He knows those who are trusting in Him in all things.

As for your move, if you've prayed about it and asked for God's will to be done, I hope you find comfort in knowing that He is in control. I wish you the best in your move and new location, and may the Lord keep you and your family in His care always.

God bless!!!