Don’t Be Discouraged

 Don’t Be Discouraged - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.comssa It’s easy to get discouraged as we eagerly await the Rapture. To our human minds it seems as if Jesus is dragging His feet, but remember, we live in a world with many, manylost souls who need to come to the saving grace of Christ. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.We need to earnestly thank God for His longsuffering, and patience. I’m sure you know someone who has thus far rejected the Gospel and doesn’t see their need for Jesus. That person may be the one Jesus is waiting on. Instead of getting discouraged that Hehasn’t called us Home yet, start witnessing to people. If you haven’t truly accepted His free gift of salvation, maybe He’s waiting on you. Scripture is very clear about what the end of days will look like and the signs are all falling in place. One thing many people miss is the fact that the Rapture and the SecondComing are two separate events. As we see signs of things that will happen during the final 7 years of Earth’s history (the Tribulation), remember the Rapture precedes the Tribulation by at least seven years. That means that the Rapture is on the very nearhorizon. I’m excited, and I can tell from Scripture, that we are getting very close. News headlines bombard us with wars and rumors of war. The newscasters don’t really understand that these wars fulfill prophecy, but Jesus tried to comfort us and calm ourfears. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6. Mainstream news goes on and on about Russia and Ukraine, as well as China and Taiwan. The warin Ukraine is truly awful, and it’s all part of Russia’s march to the Middle East. Have you heard about the many bombs being hurled toward Israel? There’s been 1,000 of them. That’s where you need to keep your focus. That’s where the ultimate battle will takeplace. Before that final battle, we have more prophecies to come about. Specifically, the Rapture. The signs are all falling into place, and the Rapture could happen at any moment. Instead of being discouraged dig into Scripture and have answers for otherswho fear what’s happening and need encouragement. Draw closer to our Lord and let Him calm your fears and ease your discouragement Prophecy is a great witnessing tool, but it’s sadly neglected. The Apostle Peter had seen marvelous things as he followed Jesus.Miraculous things that would boggle the mind, but in his second letter, he reminds his readers that, although the things he saw were marvelous, there’s a way to be more certain about Jesus and Scripture. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereuntoye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old timeby the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21. Be sure you pay attention to the fact that Peter was talking about God’s prophecy and not fortune cookies or Nostradamus. Peter was one of the disciples who approached Jesus with questions about prophecy “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and Johnand Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” Mark 13:3-4. This event is also recorded the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. Matthew records the questionsthey asked as “…Tell us, when shall these things be: and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3b. They were curious, just like we are, and I’m glad they asked. These men were still under the impression that Jesus wouldpull out His sword and free Israel from all oppression. That will happen, but it’s still in the future. Jesus explained to them what must come first. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4. Deception comeswhen people try to make Scripture say what they want it to say, instead of what God actually says. Remember, Peter, who was there, wrote that no prophecy is of any private interpretation. It’s all breathed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus continued to answer the Disciple’s questions and described what life would look like as time moved towards the end. People would claim to be Christ, “And ye shall hearof wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: f or all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6. All of the things Jesus said would lead to the end are happening, but most of the world is blind and have their fingersin their ears. Even Christians. There will be war between nations, but also fighting within nations. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All theseare the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:7-8. Brothers and sisters, as we see these things become news headlines, remember, it’s just beginning. There will be betrayal and hatred, false prophets will deceive many people and more. “And because iniquity shallabound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:12. That word “iniquity” comes from the Greek word “anomia” and means “Contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness”. Boy oh boy is this one coming to pass. There are many laws being violated. God’slaw, as established in the beginning when He created all things, is being mocked. The moral law is being violated. Here’s a fact that people are willfully ignoring. God created man, then He took woman out of man. There isn’t any room for speculation on that.Nobody can choose their gender, so “gender confusion” is not a reality, but a mental disorder. Yet, there is a group of Christ-rejecting people going to schools and teaching the teachers how to encourage the children to become whatever gender they want aswell as training how to teach the children to hide it from their parents. Today I heard that in the little community in which I live, some students are convinced they are dogs. Instead of confronting the child with truth and dealing with the mental problem,it’s acceptable for that child to wear a dog collar and be led on a leash. Litter boxes are in place for the “dogs” to use. I looked it up online, and this is happening everywhere. Signs of the times? You bet. Parents, if at all possible, homeschool your childrenwith a Christian based curriculum. You may have to give up a luxury or two, but your child’s eternal soul is worth it. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. It is the parent’s responsibilityto teach their children. “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:37. What were the days of Noe (Noah) like? Many Bible “scholars” would have us believethat Seth’s sons married Cain’s daughters and so God got really mad and destroyed the entire Creation. Wrong. When you study Genesis 6, you’ll find that fallen angels were mating with human women in order to corrupt God’s creation. Genetic manipulation wascorrupting everything. The only thing God could do was destroy all that was corrupted. Noah and his family were genetically pure. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:8-9. The word “perfect” doesn’t mean he was sinless, but that he wasn’t corrupted. Today there is much genetic manipulation happening. Do a study on this subject, and you will be shocked at how it’s infiltrating everythingwe eat and our health. Honor God in all you do. When you walk with God, you will follow His ways. So many signs are manifesting today. Matthew isn’t the only one who wrote about signs, The Old Testament prophets wrote about the end times. Daniel is very clear in what hewrote, Ezekiel wrote about the dry bones coming together (the final rebirth of Israel which has been fulfilled) and the final war that is yet to come, Isaiah contains prophecy about the end times, and many of the Psalms are prophetic. This is just a quicksample of where to look in the Old Testament for prophecy; it’s enlightening to search Scripture. The New Testament also is clear as to what signs to look for, and the truth that the Rapture will happen prior to the Tribulation. Many pastors won’t teach onprophecy, and that is a sad comment upon the quality of the rest of their teaching. Scripture seems to be secondary to funny jokes, secular “authorities”, and whatever sport happens to be in season. Many of our pulpits are filled with false teachers and theywill be held accountable when they stand before Jesus. That, too, is a sign that we are at the end. According to Revelation chapter 3, the last of the church age will be evidenced by Jesus not being welcome into the midst of the congregation. “Behold I standat the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. If your pastor isn’t preaching the pure word of God, then he isn’t feeding the flock properly. There’s no reasonfor you to starve. If you have a Bible, you need to study it. God knew that in these last days there would be pastors who tickle ears and fear losing government tax exemptions, more than they respect and honor God’s truth. “Behold, the days come, saith theLord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of theLORD, and shall not find it:” Amos 8:11-12. People crave God’s word, but will look in all the wrong places to find it if the pastor leaves them empty. Don’t look to Eastern Mysticism, or any false doctrine, but look to Scripture and feed on God’s truth foryourself. Don’t be discouraged, but look for ways that you can work for Christ while there is still time. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh,when no man can work.” John 9:4. Jesus knew that He had much work to do before He allowed Himself to be crucified. He taught His disciples and led by example. When He was crucified, and risen from the dead, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all of us whotruly have placed our faith in Jesus. While we are still in the world, we need to share God’s truth. Arm yourself with God’s armor, and study Scripture. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing theword of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. Christians will soon be taken Home in the Rapture and we need to work for the Kingdom while we can. Don’t be discouraged. The King is coming and you don’t want to be caught pouting or sleeping. There’s work to be done, so get busy. God bless you all, Nathele Graham