Musings

Super Hero Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:33:13 GMT

I just had a thought - what about a child that wanted to dress up like Christ for super hero day - what would the outcome be -he or she would have a crown of thorns and a peasants robe - would he be shunned - would he be mocked - would other children hit him or spit at him - probably - or more likely after all this happened, he would be sent home based on his wanting to be his own personal super hero - I can tell you straight on that Jesus Christ is my personal super hero and my saviour - you don't have to believe any of it - but just imagine for so many years how even His name sends people into turmoil or they turn away - JUST HIS NAME - imagine how much more power is in the person/God/Saviour.

The Avengers

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:49:52 GMT

Just got back from seeing this movie with my son, Holden. First movie I've been too in 5 years or so. I don't like the crowds, the expense, etc. But his mom didn't want to go and I prayed about it. Can't say it was a perfect experience, but my son really got into it. It made me think of all the superhero movies they are coming out with. It seems like this world is looking for someone to save them. I am not sure from what, unless it's this fallen world and the devil and all his demons. And that saviour has already come in the person of Jesus Christ. The real battle is not between the police/homeland security/armed forces etc. and the bad guys. The real battle is for souls and to thwart the enemies attempts to keep people from accepting the Christ as saviour.

My book - the Wounded Dove

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:49:21 GMT

First royalty check on the way - good feeling for sure - knowing that it may be helping some people with a different perspective is even more rewarding - God bless,

Steven

Byzantine monks

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:52:21 GMT

Byzantine monasticism - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Christian_monasticism#Byzantine_monasticism

I saw a special on this monastic order - wow! Their devotion to original Christian thought amazed me - though the Book of Acts teaches more of a evangelical role for the Christian.

One thing I completely agree with this order is their theory of death in this life - to join the order, before anything else, you need to embrace death - not be worried about going where God is going to send you next.

Like any person God creates I think about life and death. But I don't worry about it day to day. I embrace life, but am willing to go anywhere God thinks I need to go.

Revelation 18

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:55:21 GMT

America?

Revelation 18

¹And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

²And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

³For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

⁴And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

⁵For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

⁶Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

⁷How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

⁸Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

⁹And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

¹⁰Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

¹¹And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

¹²The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

¹³And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

¹⁴And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

¹⁵The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

¹⁶And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

¹⁷For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

¹⁸And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

¹⁹And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

²⁰Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

²¹And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

²²And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

²³And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

²⁴And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

For the day

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 04:59:52 GMT

Psalm 14:1 (King James Version)

Psalm 14

¹The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

It's up to you to believe and take Christ's hand - no one can force you - no one can do it for you - take His hand and live the life you were supposed to live.

Posting this again

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:28:15 GMT

The Gospel according to

St. Matthew

The Beginning of the Sermon on the Mount
1	And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2	and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
The Beatitudes
Lk. 6.20-23
3	¶ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4	¶ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Is. 61.2
5	¶ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Ps. 37.11
6	¶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Is. 55.1, 2
7	¶ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8	¶ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Ps. 24.4, 5
9	¶ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10	¶ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: 1 Pet. 3.14 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11	¶ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 1 Pet. 4.14
12	Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets 2 Chr. 36.16 · Acts 7.52 which were before you.
The Salt of the Earth
13	¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Mk. 9.50 · Lk. 14.34, 35
The Light of the World
14	¶ Ye are the light of the world. Joh. 8.12 ; 9.5 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15	Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; Mk. 4.21 · Lk. 8.16 ; 11.33 and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16	Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 1 Pet. 2.12
Jesus' Attitude toward the Law
17	¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18	For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Lk. 16.17
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.
20	For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus' Attitude toward Anger
Lk. 12.57-59
21	¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; Ex. 20.13 · Deut. 5.17and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22	but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23	Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee;
24	leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25	Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26	Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Jesus' Attitude toward Adultery
27	¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: Ex. 20.14 · Deut. 5.18
28	but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29	And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mt. 18.9 · Mk. 9.47
30	And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mt. 18.8 · Mk. 9.43
Jesus' Attitude toward Divorce
31	¶ It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: Deut. 24.1-4 · Mt. 19.7 · Mk. 10.4
32	but I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Mt. 19.9 · Mk. 10.11, 12 · Lk. 16.18 · 1 Cor. 7.10, 11
Jesus' Attitude toward Oaths
33	¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, Lev. 19.12 but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: Num. 30.2 · Deut. 23.21
34	but I say unto you, Swear not at all; Jas. 5.12 neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Is. 66.1 ·Mt. 23.22
35	nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: Is. 66.1 neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Ps. 48.2
36	Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37	But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Love for Enemies
Lk. 6.27-36
38	¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: Ex. 21.24 ·Lev. 24.20 · Deut. 19.21
39	but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40	And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41	And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42	Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43	¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, Lev. 19.18 and hate thine enemy.
44	But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45	that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46	For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47	And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48	Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Deut. 18.13

Sorry you didn't win the big one - gambling?

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:00:00 GMT

I am in agreement with Robert - from the upper room thread on gambling:

Matthew 27:35 (King James Version)

³⁵And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Who do you trust?

This was covered well in an article by a Christian ethicist I read a while back.
Start from the greatest commandments – i.e. think “When I gamble, do I love my neighbor as myself?” That means everyone – other gamblers, non-gamblers, employees of gambling companies, etc.

It’s clear from the Bible that getting money from others is fine when it’s in return for useful work, since you are are earning what is fair in return for serving others. The money must be received with good motivation, mind: Ephesians 4:28 –

“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”

So when we look at gambling we need to consider whether it obeys the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves by:
(1) Is the act of gambling doing something ‘useful’ for our neighbor (more generally, is it a wise use of God’s resources of time and money?)
and
(2) Are we motivated to use the money we ‘win’ to help those in need.

(2) is easier to address.
I suspect many gamblers – even Christians who buy lottery tickets as a harmless “one off” are secretly motivated “to spend what they get on their own pleasures” (James 4:3). Even if you are promising to give 50% of your winnings to the poor, should you really be risking your heart going the way most gambling advertisements are clearly enticing it to go? Not many lottery adverts where the winner is shown giving the money to charity, are there!? That said, (2) doesn’t prevent gambling, it’s just shows the importance of guarding your heart.

(1) is more difficult. Obvious gains from gambling are the following:
1. support the livelihoods of those who earn money from the gambling industry
2. those who win prizes (but is it good for their heart? See point (2))
3. charities and communities which may receive some of the funds
4. fun and friendship with others who are gambling
5. the personal enjoyment in the activity (1 Tim 4:4)

However, if we love our neighbors consistently, then we won’t support jobs which don’t offer genuine service to others, so those who get their livelihoods from gambling should only be supported by our custom if in fact the other groups (2 to 5) gain.
Similarly, 3 (charities) and 4 (socialising) are easily dismissed as good reasons because there are better alternatives available – charitable donations and non-gambling social activities.

I’ll skip some reasoning, because I think you have enough info to make a sound Bible-based judgement. My conclusion is as follows, but you may have a different one:

The main problem is that the winner is not really earning his/her money, and is obtaining it through an intrinsically unjust system of chance rather than need or merit. Everyone else is losing out, and they are being bound by a system which promises a win, but cannot give out a win except to a very few. It also results in inequality which as Christians we should be opposed to. Thus, even though a single gambling session may seem harmless, we should oppose such a system as best we can, which at the least means refraining from participation and hopefully we can also avoid supporting it in our employment if that option is available to us. I would go as far as to oppose church raffles, but I respect the opinions of those who highly value this and other fund raising methods.

Which seed are you?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:23:35 GMT

Mark 4:1-20

4:1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
4:2 He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
4:3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow.
4:4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
4:5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil.
4:6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away.
4:7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.
4:8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."
4:9 And he said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"
4:10 When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables.
4:11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables;
4:12 in order that'they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand;so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.'"
4:13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?
4:14 The sower sows the word.
4:15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.
4:16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy.
4:17 But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.
4:18 And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word,
4:19 but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing.
4:20 And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Proof that Christ was who He said He was

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:24:34 GMT

Read "A case for Christ" - Read Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" - read CS Lewis's "Mere Christianity" - and above all else read the Bible for yourself - not necessarily from beginning to end - that can be overwhelming - but join a study group or an Alpha class or something - at one point everyone thought the world was flat - planets were deemed as gods - do your homework and when God and Christ say "knock and the door will be opened to you" - take them seriously. The proof of Christ's role in our salvation is not given like your mom gave you an ice cream cone - you need to do your research - do I have proof - for me, but not necessarily for you. You need to dig deep into you are and what you want eternally. Free will at it's best.

Birthdays

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:39:05 GMT

As I get older, I care less and less about the day I was born and more just the fact the God created me - that day is really my birthday. Or I would even say the day I accepted our Creators and Jesus's eternal gift would count as the real thing - but today is my daughter's 8th birthday and she has been talking about it for awhile. I wish her God's blessings on this special day.

Dog traits

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:25:00 GMT

Let me preface this with the fact that I love dogs and always have. I was just trying to have a little fun with similarities.

I just finished playing mandolin at the Austin House of Prayer. During my playing, one of the artist's from Imagine Art, which is housed in AHP, approached me and commented on my mandolin. We started talking about all the different woods that made up my instrument. My instrument also has a truss rod cover, on the headstock, of a dog. The artist then said something about "it's all dog" - didn't quite get it, but I didn't ask him to repeat himself. On my drive back, it occured to me how much Christians are like dogs - that might sound like a stretch, or an insult - but hear me out.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Sprit are our master
They lead us, when we are willing, where they want us to go
They nuture our spirits
They meet our physical needs
Everything we have in a positive sense is because of them
We look to Them for encouragement and Love
They can keep us on a short rope or a long one
They are extremely patient with us on our journey
When they give an order, they expect that you'll listen and obey
They can discipline you if you disobey

And that's just off the top of my head - I'm sure there is a lot more. I also understand that the relationship we have with our Lord is much more intimate and there are many diffferences between a Christian and a dog. I just thought the few similarities were kind of fun.

Mistakes

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:13:11 GMT

We all make mistakes - not all of them sinful - seek the Lord's guidance - He will respond in His time with a love that is greater than anything you have ever experienced. There is no one that loves you more than the Lord (and when I reference the Lord I mean the Father, His Son and the Holy Ghost). He is kind to you so be kind to yourself. Try and love yourself and see yourself as He does, a beautifully created being that was created to love his or her love with all his or her heart. If you make a mistake, try not to beat yourself up. If you sin, seek repentance.

Brevity is a virtue

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:45:00 GMT

To make your opinion short and sweet, helps a lot. To say the thing over and over again in the same post doesn't make a lot of sense.

My next book

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:31:41 GMT

I can already envision it - it's going to be another collection of these blogs. I don't think I could formulate an entire fictional novel or Christian book - I just think this is the way I write - in spurts from time to time. I have had enough positive feedback that it's worth considering. Thank you, each and everyone of you, for your support and prayers. Blessings.

Twitter

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:28:45 GMT

I like having a twitter account just for the times I have a slight insight or thought. Facebook is way to commercialized. I like posting here because I think there was already some interest in what I had to say before the visitor comes. Twitter, whether anyone follows me or not, is a good outlet. Much love.

Hope not pray for His return

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:05:46 GMT

Kind of an addendum to the previous post - never give up Hope that the Lord will return in His Father's time - I just think that praying for something that was determined since the beggining of time is not where our Lord wants us to put our energy.

We need to trust

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:45:05 GMT

Regardless of our position in today's economy, we need to trust in our Lord - He will provide. He is not going to necessarily tell you how, but He is with you constantly - through the good and the bad. Trust in Him means that you have put Him into the center of your life - where He should be.

Post Tribulation vs Pre Tribulation

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:42:45 GMT

I tend to agree with Richards's comments - we are the salt of the earth and we are Christ's body - if we were raptured to early, how would Christ and God be able to use us to expand the harvest. Just thoughts.

The Rapture Question Answered

The Pre Tribulation Rapture vs. Post Tribulation Rapture is primarily a question over when the Church will be gathered to meet the Lord in the air.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up [raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Both the Pre Tribulation and the Post Tribulation groups agree on much of the prophetic picture as presented in Scripture. For example, both groups agree about the following sequence of prophetic events:

There will be a Fourth Beast Kingdom, Daniel 7:23

The Antichrist will rise to power out of that kingdom, Daniel 7:24-25

The Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many (Israel), Daniel 9:27

After 3 ½ years the Antichrist will cause temple worship to cease and he will set himself up in the temple of God declaring that he is God, Daniel 9:27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4

Then there will be Great Tribulation for 3 ½ years, Daniel 7:25, 12:1 and Matt. 24:21

After the Great Tribulation Christ will return and gather the elect from earth and heaven, Matthew 24:29-31

Then Christ’s reign on earth will begin, Revelation 11:15, and last for 1,000 years, Revelation 20:6

Both groups, also agree that here is a rapture of believers, those left alive at the return of Christ.

However, the Pre Tribulation group believes that this rapture of the living believers will occur before the Tribulation, or Pre Tribulation

The Post Tribulation group, on the other hand, believes that the rapture of the living believers will occur immediately after the Tribulation, or Post Tribulation.

Both groups also use the same Bible passages, below, to support their position.

The # 1 Rapture Passage:

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

The # 1 Rapture Passage beautifully describes the resurrection of the dead and the rapture (catching up) of those left alive at the return of Christ. However, since there is no mention of the Tribulation or the Antichrist in the text it is impossible, by this passage alone, to determine when this resurrection and rapture takes place. This passage appears to provide no support for either belief.

However, when compared with other Scripture there is support for the Post Tribulation belief. Notice in the passage that Jesus comes down from heaven. He has left heaven. Now read Acts 3:21.

He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets (Acts 3:21).

The Word of God says that Jesus must remain in heaven until it is time to restore everything. All bible students are certain that God does not restore everything before the Tribulation. Therefore, the # 1 Rapture Passage is describing a Post Tribulation rapture since it will be after the Tribulation when everything is restored.

Now, let's see what the # 2 Rapture Passage says.

The # 2 Rapture Passage:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

Once again the passage itself does not identify when the resurrection and rapture will take place. Again, there appears to be no support for either the Pre-Trib or Post-Trib position. However, when compared with other Scripture we find there is support for the Post Tribulation position. Notice in the passage that the dead will be raised imperishable, and we (the living) will be changed at the last trumpet. The last trumpet in Scripture is referred to two times in Revelation.

But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets (Revelation 10:7)

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever"(Revelation 11:15).

Therefore, the # 2 Rapture Passage also supports a Post Tribulation Resurrection and rapture. Because, at the seventh and last trumpet the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of Christ, forever. Everyone agrees, that the Kingdom of Christ on earth comes after the Tribulation.

Now, let's see what the # 3 Rapture Passage says.

The # 3 Rapture Passage:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:1-3).

Jesus is still here on earth with the disciples when He makes this statement. He says that He is going to the Father in heaven and if He goes He will come back. Therefore, when He has come back he will have left heaven and returned to earth. Then He says He will take us to be with Him. The Greek word which is translated into “take” is paralambano. Paralambano means to receive unto oneself in a personal way.

Therefore, in this passage Jesus is saying that He is going from earth to heaven and when He comes back from heaven to earth, He will receive or gather us to Himself. Therefore, the # 3 Rapture Passage also supports the Post Tribulation Rapture position because we, the Church, is received when Christ comes back to earth and establishes His Kingdom which is after the Tribulation.

Letting Scripture interpret Scripture, we find that Scripture always supports a Post Tribulation resurrection and rapture of the Church, just as Jesus said.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days … They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds [earth], from one end of the heavens [heaven] to the other (Matthew 24:29-31).

Richard Perry

When will this craziness end?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:16:02 GMT

When our Lord, Jesus Christ, returns and no sooner - we can, and will not, have a peaceful world until God sends His Son back. Why is He waiting despite the pain and suffering of His people? Not even Christ knows the hour. And since God works outside our time, our calendar, beware of false prophets that tell you this day or the next. Our world is in turmoil. Many agree we are in the time of tribulation. But we can't know for sure - only that there are wars and rumors of wars. That the Church is being persecuted to no end - even in our own country - a country established by Christians. I woudn't pray for the end - God knows what he is doing - to tell Him you want to see Christ come back is not a bad thing, maybe just selfish - I know I have been in circumstances that I want Him to come back - but I know it's our Father's business and those things should be left to Him. Pray that the harvest is expanded, lift Christ up, pray for the missionaries, pray for your enemies, pray for your and your familes protection - there are a lot of other things to pray for besides our Saviour's return. God Bless You.