In the World...

not of the world 

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What does the Bible mean when it says we are in the world but not of the world...that we are to be no part of the world? How can we live here on earth...in this world...but be no part of this world? We have to live here and earn a living here. Quite the Christian Conundrum. 

The following scriptures explain how we are to view the world. "By world" it means this temporary, evil system, government, fleshly desires, possessions and such. We know that we are here for a brief time, that our eternal home is with God and Jesus in heaven. We are told to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, because all those things are passing away. They are temporary and we can't bring them with us. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” 

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Philippians 3: 20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

This does not mean that we cannot enjoy the beauty of the world around us. God created it for us to enjoy. It simply means we are to be no part of the evil that surrounds us. 

This is not our home...

we are temporary aliens living in a foreign land.

Who Will be Raptured...

...and who will be left behind?

 Are you Ready?

The rapture of the Church has been a much debated topic amongst Christians for Centuries. Who will be taken, who will be left behind, and when will it occur? The only authority for answers to this question is the Bible...God's word...where we read, no one knows the day or hour...not Jesus, not the angels...only God knows.  Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

But it does say we would know the season. Paul said in  1Thessalonians 5:4 "But you are not in darkness brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief"

Not everyone who calls themselves a "Christian" will be caught up in the rapture. How can you know if you will be raptured? 

Luke 6:46  Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say?

Matthew 7: 21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

2 Thessalonians 2: 10-13 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2 Timothy 3:1–5: In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

If we do not want to find ourselves in the latter group, what do we need to do to be in line with God's will? 

Acts 16: 30-31  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

Romans 10: 9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John 10:27-28  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

John3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

2 Corinthians 6:2b Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Jesus is coming soon for his bride...whether it is tomorrow, next year or 5 years, we are told to be ready. He is coming for those who trust in him, are looking for him and waiting for him...those who are saved by believing in him...that he is the Son of God, who came to earth, died on the cross for our sins, rose, ascended to heaven, and is coming back again for his faithful followers. Repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness, believe in your heart, be baptized and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.

Jesus Christ is near, even at the door 

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Is The Rapture Biblical?

Our Blessed Hope

The first thing people invariably say when speaking of the "Rapture" is that the word "Rapture" is not in the Bible. The usual answer to that is the word "Bible" is not in the Bible either. Neither is the word Church or Christmas, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for those very same people. The Christmas that most of the world celebrates is a Pagan holiday, which was observed December 25th. The Roman Saturnalia, a harvest festival celebrating the winter solstice and return of the sun. They just replaced worship of the "Sun" with worship of the "Son". So to say that the Rapture is not in the Bible is hypocritical and just semantics to deny its existence. The actual word may not be in the Bible, but the event of being caught up or snatched away is. 

The word Rapture comes from the Latin word, rapio, which means to seize or snatch, is the equivalent of the Greek word harpazo used in the 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which means "caught up."

There are several schools of thought on when the Rapture will occur...Mostly Pre, Mid, or Post Tribulation. I believe it is Pre-Trib, not because that is my preference, but based on scripture. Revelation is a chronological order of events. In the first three books of Revelation Jesus is speaking to the Church. From Chapter 4 onward the Church is not mentioned again (because they have been removed) Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 

Revelation 3:22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Rapture is the next prophetic event on the prophetic calendar. All other prophesies that must occur before the rapture have already been fulfilled. 

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.

Thessalonian 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Corinthians 15: 51-52  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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.

Luke 17:34-36 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left. 

Matthew 24:31

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Rapture is not to be confused with the Second Coming of Jesus, where he comes in the clouds (with his Raptured Church) and every eye shall see him...that is a separate event which happens after the Tribulation.  Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and "with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

*The last "trump" refers to the 100 trumpets during the Feast of Trumpets (or Rosh HaShanah). The last trump, number 100, is called The Tekiah Gedolah, which means "the last trump," a very long final note, which symbolizes the hope of redemption.  

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Trust the Plan

Who's Plan...God's or Man's?

We certainly can't put our trust in the Government, They are not concerned with our best interest. Nor can we trust Policemen, Judges, Teachers, Doctors, Pharmaceuticals, the CDC, or the WHO, and definitely not Dr. Fauci. They are all corrupt. It is hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys anymore. Man will let you down every time. Even the most well intentioned can't solve your problems or keep you safe from unforeseen circumstances, natural disasters, or Plandemics. These people are evil. You can't even trust yourself to always make the best decisions. So who can we trust in times of trouble? 

The Bible is very clear about in whom we should put our trust.

Micah 7:5-8

Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

Jeremiah 17:5

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Psalms 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

Psalm 146:3 

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.

Ephesians 6:12

We are in a spiritual battle: for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Deuteronomy 3:22

Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Matthew 10:28

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Acts 4:12

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

 "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

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Are We Living in the Time of the End?

Are we living in the Biblical end times Jesus and other prophets like Daniel prophesied about in the New Testament and Old Testament Book of Daniel? 

Not sure I can definitively answer this question in one blog post. A question volumes have been written about and discussed at length by scholars, theologians, and philosophers since Jesus first spoke these words to his disciples who came to him on the Mount of Olives (“The Olivet Discourse”) and asked: "What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Mathew 24: 1-14

Jesus answered and said to them:

“See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. John 13:19

Matthew 24:33 when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

So how can we know if we are living in the time Jesus was talking about? People say there have always been wars, famine and pestilence. But when these things come upon you like birth pangs, increasing in severity and intensity you will know it is near. We can't know the exact day or hour, but we can discern when it is near by the signs given to us in the Bible. 

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark.

2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.

Although we can not know the day or hour of Jesus return, we can know the season. Jesus gave many signs pointing to his return as in the parable of the fig tree:

Matthew 24: 32-35 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not by no means pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 

The fig tree in the Bible represents the Nation of Israel. Jesus used the parable of a fig tree many times when speaking of Israel.

Luke 13: 6-9, Mark 11: 12-17, Matthew 21:19, Hosea 9:10

May 14,1948 Israel became a sovereign nation thus the fig tree come back to life and started shooting forth. The fig tree (Israel) that seemed dead sprung back to life, putting forth tender branches and leaves. We are the fig tree generation, those who were alive and saw Israel become a nation in 1948 will not pass away until all these things Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 take place.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 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. 

2 Peter 3:11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

We all must examine our own hearts and live every day like it's our last, mindful that Jesus could return anytime, *like a thief in the night when we think not.

Matthew 24:13-14 – But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Luke 21: 28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draws nigh.

*not to confuse the rapture with Jesus second coming, they are two separate events.

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