WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

Answer: For knowledge, wisdom, understanding, doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16 says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

King David (in the Old Testament) was not a perfect man, yet in 1 Samuel 13:14 God told Saul that because he had not obeyed God’s commandments that he would be replaced as king by David, “a man after God’s own heart”. Why? Because after David’s sin of adultery and murder, he sincerely repented and asked God’s forgiveness. He then wanted to live in obedience to God, and in Psalm 51:10 David asks: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

*David loved God’s Word (His statutes, laws, precepts, and commandments).
*He believed that following God’s Word would result in righteous living.
*He meditated on it.
*He found liberty in it. (There is great freedom when you live by God’s Word.)
*God’s Word gave him answers for those who reproached him.
*He was strengthened by the Word when he was troubled.
*The Word gave him comfort when he was afflicted.
*He believed that God’s Word was worth more than any amount of gold or silver.

What follows are some verses from David’s Psalms and Proverbs showing us what God’s Word meant to him, and the benefits of living by it. Hopefully, David’s example will create in us a desire to love to study the Bible and obey it, so that one day in heaven we, too, will hear God say to us, “(Fill in your name) is a woman after my own heart!” How awesome will that be?!!

David wanted God to teach him His truths; and he was available (waiting) on God to use him all during the day.

Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

When Princes spoke against David, he continued to meditate on God’s statutes (His Word).

Psalms 119: 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Even when he was troubled, David was strengthened by God’s Word.

Psalms 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

David wanted to understand and faithfully obey God’s laws.

Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

David believed that following God’s precepts would result in righteous living.

Psalms 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

David trusted in God’s Word to help him when reproached by others.

Psalms 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

David found liberty in following God’s precepts.

Psalms 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

David loved God’s commandments.

Psalms 119:47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

David found comfort from the Word of God in his affliction.

Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Even when ridiculed (derided), David obeyed God’s law.

Psalms 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

David thought about how he was living, and turned to God’s testimonies (His Word) for instruction.

Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

David did not hesitate to obey God’s commandments.

Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

David believed that God’s laws are worth more than any amount of gold or silver.

Psalms 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

David had hope because of God’s Word.

Psalms 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

In the following Proverbs (in the Old Testament) we find good reasons to want to study God’s Word and to apply it to our daily lives.

For wisdom, knowledge and understanding

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

For length of days, long life, and peace

Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

To find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man

Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Be wise and do not refuse to listen to instruction.

Proverbs 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

If you are wise, you will learn from God’s commandments; a fool will not be instructed.

Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

If you fear (honor and respect) God’s commandments, you shall be rewarded. Those who don’t honor God’s Word will be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

If you learn by reproof, you shall be honoured. Those who refuse instruction will be brought to poverty and shame.

Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

If you keep God’s commandments you keep your soul. Those who despise God’s commands will die.

Proverbs 19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

Listen to counsel and learn by instruction, and you will be wise at the end of your life.

Proverbs 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

If you refuse to hear (learn) God’s law, your prayers will be an abomination to God.

Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

God’s Word is pure because He is pure. He shields those who trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Why Would God Bless America?

As I watch 'end times' prophecies that were predicted in both the Old and New Testaments taking place right before our eyes on the daily news, it has made me reflect on how far our country has come spiritually during our nation's history!

Incidentally, I like to watch the Hal Lindsey Report on TV, as he keeps us up-to-date on how Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, particularly as they relate to the Middle East.

Our country was founded on God, the Bible, and the Ten Commandments, but we have allowed our religious freedoms to be taken away, one by one.

Our founding fathers believed that children raised on godly principles (The Ten Commandments and the Bible) would grow up to be good citizens, and hence, they'd have less criminals and jails to deal with. Well, now, America is paying the price for removing prayer, the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and God from our schools and from our public lives. We are seeing the evidence every day in the news: kids killing kids in schools, kids killing their parents, overcrowded jails, school drop-outs, rampant teen pregnancies, abortions used as birth control, crime, drugs, alcoholism, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and suicides. And history shows that the start of all this chaos began when prayer was taken out of the schools!

Also, because kids have been taught in school that they were an 'accident' of evolution (because that theory is taught to them as fact); and because they are not allowed to be taught the Biblical creation story in class; these young people don't even know just what a unique and special person God created each one of them to be!* Consequently, they have no sense of how valuable they are! Otherwise, there would not be so many teen suicides!

God said in Jeremiah 1:5a in the Old Testament: *Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.

Historical evidence shows that the majority of our founders were Christians. America has turned away from God. Remember what happened to the Israelites in the Old Testament when they did that? When they drew away from Him, then He allowed them to 'do their own thing'. And they ended up spending many years as captives because of their disobedience. We have become complacent about our religious freedom - and in America right now those freedoms are available to all other religions (even satanism and witchcraft), but are gradually, and systematically, being taken away from Christians!

Our country, and our world, are in such chaos! Where is God? He promised He would always be with us, through everything we go through, good and bad. If He seems far away, perhaps it is because we have moved away from Him.

He promised us in Matthew 28:20b: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And in Hebrews 13:5 He promised: I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

But, it seems like God doesn't always answer our prayers. We need to remember that although we don't always understand why God allows certain things to happen*, He knows the future and can see the 'whole picture', so we can trust Him. And even though we didn't get the answer to our prayer that we wanted, He is still in control! But we, as Christians, need to be continuously praying for America to turn back to God!

God said in Isaiah 55:9: *For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thought.

How can we expect God to bless America when we have slowly removed Him from every aspect of our lives? We have relegated Him to an hour of our time in church on Sunday, but kept Him out of our lives the rest of the week!

For those of us who love God, we should want to obey His Commandments, but that means studying His Word daily. God created the Bible as a guidebook for us on how to live godly lives. His commands are not to punish us or deprive us, but to protect us, to bring us closer to Him, and to show us how to have a joyful, rewarding life when we live it according to His will!

We (me included) seem to pray 'on the run' these days. Thanking Him, in passing, during the day as I think of blessings. I sometimes (and sometimes don't) remember to say grace at meals. But as far as having a special, quiet time every day (or night) set apart (an appointment with Him) just to spend time with the Lord - well, that only happens sometimes.

God used to have a very close, personal relationship with Adam and Eve. They could talk to Him in person all day long - until they sinned; and so, nowadays, we can't hear Him talk to us 'out loud' like He did with them, but when we pray to Him, and quietly listen for His direction, we will sense in our spirit what He wants us to do. God loves us, and wants that same kind of close, personal relationship with each of us that He had with them. And if we truly love someone, we will want to spend time with that person, to get to know what they are like, to learn every detail about them, won't we? Then, why don't we spend regular, quality time with God? Is it because we don't have a clear conscience, and don't wish to give up some part of our lives that is not worthy of being a child of God, and a follower of Christ?

In America today, it seems that many times we don't even acknowledge God unless we need Him to give us something, when we are afraid, or in trouble, like He's an on-call Santa Claus!

It makes me angry when I hear non-Christians, who usually don't acknowledge God at all, blame Him for a natural disaster or some bad thing that has happened in someone's life! But you never hear them thank Him for the many blessings He has brought to them! And if they aren't blaming God for something, then they are using His name as a swear word by damning someone!*

In Exodus 20:7 God said: *Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

We Christians have allowed the atheist minority in America to remove prayer to God from out of our schools. The founders of our government created schools that taught the Bible, and believed that the Word of God gave children a firm foundation for living, and made them into good citizens. 'Separation of church and state' is NOT in our constitution! That phrase was written in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to some other individual; but it was only meant to establish the fact that America did not want only one religion run by the government, which is why the Pilgrims left England - so that they could have religious freedom. The Bible is the Word of The One and Only Living God! The founders of our Republic created our government based on the principles found in the Word of God, and the majority of Americans are Christian!

The atheists are also trying to remove God's Ten Commandments from all public places. So, this minority group of non-Christians has changed the foundation on which our whole American government was based on - and we have allowed it to happen!

I believe that a lot of the problems that we have personally, and nationally, are because we have stopped studying God's Word! Most Christians seem to leave the Bible out of their daily living - oh, they do 'busy' work at church, which makes them feel good about themselves; (Please don't get me wrong - helping do work at your church is a good thing, but many times it is done instead of getting right with God and living a life that is pleasing to Him!) And when we don't have the power of God's Word in our hearts and memories, then we go to work on Monday and find ourselves gossiping, treating people meanly, goofing off and wasting company time, swearing, using the Lord's name in vain, telling and/or listening to dirty jokes, going to drinking parties, cheating on our expense account, and living as if we weren't the ambassadors for Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us! God never seems to come along to the work place with us. If we don't live by the Bible, we will never have the joy, peace, and contentment that are the blessings that come to those who are following His will.

Proverbs 3:5 says: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

The minority group of atheists, and some other groups in America, are trying to remove God's name (the name of the One True God, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) from every public document, from monuments, from our money and our coins, and from every public place. So, tell me why is it okay if the Muslim's god, Allah, is mentioned in public and no one gets offended? Many people today are deceived by Satan into thinking that Allah and God Almighty are the same. THEY ARE NOT!! Allah is a man-made god, and is an idol to God Almighty because He is the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in it!!

Genesis 1:1 : In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:27: So God creted man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Dear Abba Father,
Please forgive me. I have been complacent, along with many other Americans, and figured 'the other guy' would fight back against the loss of our spiritual freedoms in our schools and public places.

I ask that you create in me a desire to spend time daily talking to - and listening - to you in prayer, as my sinful nature leads me towards wasting time on TV and other earthly entertainment
which has no eternal value.

I pray for America, and that we, as Christians, will turn back to you, Father; and that we will begin to earnestly study Your Word to know how to live godly lives, and to get to know you intimately.

We know by the signs of 'end time' prophecies that are happening all around us in the daily news, that Christ will soon return for his church. I ask the help of your Holy Spirit to make me productive for your kingdom until He comes!

In Jesus' Most Precious Name,
Amen.

The Rapture and The Tribulation

I wrote this post because a friend had concerns about Christians going through the last half of the Tribulation. My heart ached for her because I have such joy, looking forward to the soon return of Christ and our rapture to be with Him. I hope that this post helps relieve some of the anxiety that she, and others, may feel about this. In addition, for anyone interested in more detailed information about this subject, please read my other post called "Are We Living in The End Times?" that will help you make up your own mind about what the Bible says.


These Bible verses were taken from the King James Bible (KJB):

1 Thessalonians 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 (my emphasis).

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath (my emphasis), but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

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. (The Son is Jesus Christ).

If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, click the big, red, READY? button on the side bar of the home page and find out how, or go to my post "How I Was Saved" - instructions are at the bottom of the post.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, TO ME, IS MOST COMFORTING. JESUS TOLD US MANY TIMES NOT TO BE AFRAID.

I BELIEVE THAT GOD PUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION TO ASSURE US (BELIEVERS IN CHRIST) OF HIS PROTECTION AND CARE SO THAT WE WOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF THE WRATH TO COME (THE LAST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION).

The church is mentioned 17 times in the first three chapters of Revelation, but after John (a member of the church) is called up to heaven at the beginning of chapter 4, he looks down on the events of the Tribulation, and the church is not mentioned or seen again until chapter 19, when she (meaning the church) returns to the earth with her Bridegroom (Christ) at His glorious appearing. Why? Because the church is raptured to be with the Lord before it begins!*

BEFORE YOU DISMISS THE INFORMATION BECAUSE YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR "BEFORE IT BEGINS", PLEASE READ THIS:

Now, no one can know when the Rapture will occur except GOD, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER! If we (those who have accepted Christ as their Savior) are Raptured before the Tribulation OR half way through it (before the bad stuff), the point is that the church is not here during the wrath of the Tribulation! That is the point to focus on.

* Statement taken from the book, Charting The End Times by Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Or 97402.

Are We Living in The End Times?

"CHARTING THE END TIMES" by Tim LaHaye & Thomas Ice, Published in 2001 by Harvest House Publishers in Eugene, Oregon. Before I describe this book, I'd like to share some additional information with you who are interested in end times prophecies. I watch these television programs:

* The Hal Lindsey Report
* Grant R. Jeffrey Ministries

* Their programs cover these subjects from the Book of Revelation:
* Bible prophecy
* End times
* The return of Christ
* And how prophecy matches up with current events happening every day.
* They (and I) believe in the soon return of Christ - during our lifetime.

Getting back to the book, "Charting the End Times" - it is a fascinating book, but more importantly it reminds us of how urgent it is to accept Christ as your Savior if you haven't already done so; and a call for all believers to be aware of how we are living for Christ (or not) so that we won't be ashamed when He comes back to take us HOME to heaven.

If you haven't made the decision to accept Christ, and want to find out more, click the big, red READY? button on the side bar of this site, or read my article on How I Was Saved. It has instructions at the bottom of the post.

"Charting the End Times" is a large book packed full of charts (and a lot more, i.e. the history of the Bible, the different views on the rapture, i.e. when it will occur, etc.) It's a very worthwhile addition to anyone's library.

Reading this book will give you peace because you will realize from the Bible verses (taken from the book) that if you have accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sins, you don't have to worry or be afraid because you will be saved from the bad part (the last 3 years) of The Tribulation. To me, it doesn't matter if we're raptured before the Tribulation or after the first half of it, God has promised that we will be saved from the wrath that will come to all the world!! How awesome is that!!

Note: "The Greek word for “caught up” is harpazo, which means “snatched up.” The familiar word Rapture does not appear in the Greek New Testament, for it is a Latin word. Those who translated the Greek New Testament into Latin used Rapture to describe “snatched up” or “caught away” because it suggests a joyous exaltation – which is not the case when a person is snatched away by a kidnapper or someone who plans to harm him."

Here are the (KJV) Bible Verses Backing Up Tim & Thomas' View of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture & of the Rapture of the Church from their book.

Note: If you are adamant that the rapture won't be pre-tribulation, just read the Bible verses shown below (taken from the book) and then decide for yourself. (By the way, this book gives all the different views about when the Tribulation could happen, so even if you don't agree with Tim and Thomas about a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the book is still very worthwhile for a study of end times prophecy.)

Resurrection of Tribulation Saints:

Revelation 20:4-6

4 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Also see Revelation 13:15-16)

5 – But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Also see Luke 14:14)

6 – Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 –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. (See also Ephesians 2:12)

14 –For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (died) 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.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 -Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 –Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

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. (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

53 –For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (See also 2 Corinthians 5:4)

54 –So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 –O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (See also Hosea 13:14)

56 –The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 –But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(See also 1 John 5:4-5)

58 –Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (See also 1 Corinthians 3:8)

Jesus Talked About the Rapture

John 14:1-3

1 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (See also John 16:22)

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. (See also John 13:33, 36)

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.

Destruction of Earth By Fire

2 Peter 3:7-13

7 – But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 – But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long- suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (Also see Habakkuk 2:3)

10 – But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 – Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.

12 – Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (See also Micah 1:2-4)

13 – Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (See also Revelation 21:1)

New Heavens and a New Earth

Isaiah 65:17

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (See also Revelation 21:1-2)

Isaiah 66:22

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. (See also Revelation 21:1-2)

Revelations 21:1

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.

Jesus Predicted the Temple would be desecrated during the 70^th week. It will be rebuilt & then desecrated by the Antichrist at midpoint in the Tribulation. He will set himself up as God and demand the world worship Him. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8)

The Tribulation Does Not Occur Right after the Rapture

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

* When Antichrist breaks the covenant “in the midst of the week”, it will begin the greatest time of trial that the world has ever seen or will see, according to Jesus in Matthew 24:21 (For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (See also Daniel 12:1).

*Persecution will be targeted at both Jews and Christians. Those that are martyred will go into the presence of the Lord, awaiting the second phase of the resurrection Revelation 20:4 (And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.) See also Revelation 13:15-16.

*Those who endure at the end will be delivered from the Tribulation by going directly into the millennial kingdom. Matthew 24:13 (But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.)

Jesus Warned of Many False Teachers During the Tribulation

Luke 21:20-24

20 – And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (See also Matthew 24:15)

21 – Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22 – For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 – But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24 – And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (See also Matthew 24:16-22)

Other References by Jesus to the Tribulation

Luke 21:9

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Matthew 24:9-14 (First Half of the Tribulation)

9 – Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (See also Luke 21:12)

10 –And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

(See also Matthew 11:6)

11 –And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 –And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall was (grow) cold.

13 –But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 –And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 24:15-26 (Second Half of the Tribulation)

15 -When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand): (See also Daniel 9:27)

16 –Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 –Let him which is on the house-top not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 –Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 –And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

(See also Luke 23:29)

20 –But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:

21 –For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (See also Daniel 12:1)

22 –And except those days should b e shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

23 –Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

(See also Luke 17:23)

24 –For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (See also Revelation 13:13)

25 –Behold, I have told you before.

26 –Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Signs of Jesus’ Second Coming

Matthew 24:27-31

27 –For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 –For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (See also Luke 17:37)

29 –Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (See also Joel 2:10, 31)

30 –And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 –And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Revelation 19:11-16

11 –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. (See also Revelation 1:14)

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. (See also Revelation 7:9)

15 –And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (See also Revelation 14:19)

16 –And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (See also Revelation 17:14)

Rapture Phase “Our Gathering Together Unto Him”

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

(See also Hebrews 9:28)

Christ Throws Antichrist and the False Prophet Into the Lake of Fire Forever

Revelation 19:20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped the image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

EVENTS OF THE RAPTURE

1. The Lord Himself will descend from His Father’s house, where He is preparing a place for us.

John 14:1-3

1 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (See also John 16:22)

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. (See also John 13:33, 36)

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:16).

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:

2. He will come again to receive us to Himself.

John 14:1-3

1 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (See also John 16:22)

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. (See also John 13:33, 36)

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.

3. He will resurrect those who have fallen asleep in Him (deceased believers whom we will not precede)

1 Thessalonians 4:14-15).

14 –For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (died) 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.

4. The Lord will shout as He descends (All this takes place in the “twinkling of an eye”.)

1 Thessalonians 4:16

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:

1 Corinthians 15:52

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. (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

5. We will hear the voice of the archangel. (Perhaps to lead Israel during the seven years of the Tribulation as he did in the Old Testament.)

1 Thessalonians 4:16).

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:

6. We will also hear the trumpet call of God, the last trumpet for the church. (Don’t confuse this with the seventh trumpet of judgment upon the world during the Tribulation in Revelation 11:15.)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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.

7. The dead in Christ will rise first (the corruptible ashes of their dead bodies are made incorruptible and joined together with their spirits, which Jesus brings with Him).

8. Then we who are alive and remain will be changed (or made incorruptible by having our bodies made “immortal”.

(1 Corinthians 15:51, 53)

51 –Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(See also 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

53 –For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (See also 2 Corinthians 5:4)

9. We will be caught up (raptured) together.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

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.

10. We will be caught up in the clouds (where dead and living believers will have a monumental reunion.)

1 Thessalonians 4:17

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.

11. We will meet the Lord in the air.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

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.

12. Christ will receive us to Himself and take us to the Father’s house “that where I am, there you may be also”.

John 14:3

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.

13. “And so we shall always be with the Lord”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

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.

14. At the call of Christ for believers, He will judge all things. Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (See also Colossians 3:24-25)

Described in details in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. This judgment prepares Christians for…

15. The marriage of the Lamb. Before Christ returns to earth in power and great glory, He will meet His bride, the church, and the marriage supper will take place. In the meantime, after the church is raptured, the world will suffer the unprecedented outpouring of God’s wrath, which our Lord called “the great tribulation”.

Matthew 24:21

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (See Also Daniel 12:1)

The Ishbane Conspiracy

The Ishbane Conspiracy
By Randy Alcorn and his two daughters, Angela and Karina.

The questions that this book raised are excellent ones to help us grow our faith in Christ.

I believe that readers of all ages will be fascinated by this story of the private trials of four teenagers, how demonic forces target them, and how God draws them to himself! Satan is so subtle that we don't always pick up on what weakness of ours he is targeting!

The following questions are taken from this book. I hope that you'll get a chance to read this fast-paced novel. It will change your life!

1. What or who is drawing me away from Christ?

What or who is drawing me away from the Bible?

What or who is drawing me away from Spiritual Things?

2. Is Christmas buried under presents, activities, food, and Christmas movies?

3. Why do I find so much comfort in ___________ (food, alcohol, drugs, TV, sex, relationships, fitness, shopping, crafts, my looks, clothes, etc?) What or whichever it is – it’s an idol.

4. Why do I always have to try to please everybody? (Why am I afraid to say, “No.”?)

5. Is there so much “noise” in my life that I can’t hear God’s voice? (I need to examine my life – do I ever have any quiet time where I can speak – and listen – to God?)

6. In what areas of my life am I self centered?

7. Do I try to understand others, or is that “too much work”?

8. Do I compromise my faith by watching TV shows that Jesus would object to?

Do I ever confess and repent after I’ve watched something I know is wrong? (If not, my conscience will be desensitized further.)

9. Do I ever listen to music with an ungodly message?

Do I repent afterward?

10. Do I ever feel morally superior to non believers?

If so, have I ever asked God’s forgiveness?

11. How often during the day do I find myself thinking of me – and not others?

12. If I don't attend church I am missing the support of other Christians – and the accountability. I should be feeding on God’s Word to constantly protect myself Satan's attacks.

13. Do I ever put on the “whole armor of God”? How else can I be protected in the battle against Satan?

14. Do I ever trivialize things that are important to others?

15. Do I ever look to my husband for things only God can provide?

16. After I sin, do I avoid God instead of asking for forgiveness?

17. When I watch TV do I ever lust after some actor? Afterwards, do I repent and ask God’s forgiveness? Lusting is the same as adultery according to Jesus.

18. How often does Satan distract me from prayer, praise, and Bible study?

19. Do I warn my Christian friends when they are about to make a disastrous choice?

20. Do I expect non Christians to live by Christian standards?

21. Do I ever leave my comfort zone to share the Gospel? (not wanting to make someone feel uncomfortable?)

22. When I ask for forgiveness for sin, does the devil ever make me feel guilt-ridden anyway? And does the guilt keep me from praying and seeking God's assurance that I am forgiven.

23. Has the devil ever made me feel I’ve “lost my Christian witness” so I’ll quit trying to live a godly life?

24. Have I ever not apologized to someone I should have because the devil made me think of that person as my ‘enemy’ and not a person?

25. Have I ever had the courage to speak up for what’s right when in a group of non believers?

26. Do I fill my heart and mind with God and the Bible or do I fill it with the world view (TV, radio, magazines, books, movies)?

27. When I have troubles, do I turn to Christ or to other people to solve them?

28. Am I a control freak? Is that why __________ is so important to me – because I think I can’t control it?

29. Materialism – I always seem to be wanting something, not needing, but wanting.

30. Where is the passion I once had for Christ when I was first saved?

Do I value more what people think of me than what God thinks of me?

31. I forget to thank God every day for all the needs he provides for which I take for granted.

32. When things are going well, do I forget God?

33. What things do I do without counting the consequences that God would not approve of?

34. Is my pride keeping me from giving control of every part of my life to Christ?

Pride is the beginning of all other sin (declaring that I am the master of my life).

With God all things are possible.

35. Earth is not our home, heaven is.

36. Is my Bible collecting dust or am I searching it daily to get to know God?

37. Satan wants us not to pray, or tries to get us to pray without asking for forgiveness first so our prayers are not heard by God.

38. I could die at any moment without notice.

Am I right with God?

Have I confessed my sins to Christ?

Have I praised Him today for all He is?

Have I thanked Him for this day He has given me, and all the blessings He has provided?

Will God say to me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”?

39. Is there anyone I have refused to forgive?

* God will forgive us, but He expects us to forgive others first.

* To overcome bitterness, pray for that ("enemy") person.