What is up in Heaven?

 What is up in Heaven? - By David Jeremiah - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/what-is-up-in-heaven.html What can we expect to encounter in Heaven? What will we find? In a word, everything! Everything that is most precious and dear to you and me, everything that is important to Christ-followers, is currently in Heaven. Everything we needor desire will be found in Heaven once we pass through its magnificent gates, either by death or by being caught up with Christ. The word Heaven is mentioned almost 700 times in the Bible. Thirty-three of the 39 Old Testament books talk about Heaven along with 21 of the 27 books in the New Testament.The word Heaven refers to something that is raised up or lofty. So, the language of the Bible speaks of Heaven as a place that is high, lofty, and lifted up. Jesus does not intend for us to live in a vapory nether land, in a disembodied haze, or in a blissful but intangible state of mind. No, the Bible refers to Heaven as a specificplace. Sometimes the Bible refers to Heaven as a country, which implies vastness of territory. Sometimes it’s referred to as the celestial city, which brings to mind buildings, streets,residents, and activity. Sometimes Heaven is referred to as a kingdom, which speaks of organization and government. In the passage I quoted from John 14:1–3, Jesus referred to Heaven as “My Father’s house.” For me, there’s something intimate, sweet, and personal about Heaven when we talk about it as “My Father’s house.” It’s no longer an empty space. In my mind’s eye, I see ahome. Jesus promised that if we put our trust in Him, He would prepare a place for us in our Father’s house that will serve as our heavenly home. There is nothing imaginary, hypothetical, or intangible about that. Next, our Redeemer is in Heaven. Hebrews 9:24 says, “Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appearin the presence of God for us.” Just imagine the moment we get to Heaven — and we see Jesus! Right now, we don’t see Him in a visual way. But the Bible says that when Jesus returns for us, “We shall be likeHim, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Think of the joy that will be ours when we get to Heaven and see the One who gave His life for us so that we could spend forever with Him in paradise! When you become a Christian, God becomes your Father and makes you an heir. That means you have an inheritance in Christ that will never be touched by inflation. It won’tbe lost in an economic crash. Its value will never decline or decrease, and it is both reserved and preserved for you. Your name is on it. Those eternal resources include the rewards we will receive from Christ. Jesus told His followers during a time of persecution, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greatis your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:12). Heaven is also precious to us because our residence is there. I’m not just talking about where we will live; I’m talking about our citizenship. When we become Christians,we become residents of Heaven: “Our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). As believers in Jesus, we are not citizens of earth who are going to Heaven. We are citizens of Heaven who are traveling through earth. Let that reality change the way youlive each day. Heaven is also precious to us because it’s where our riches are stored: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves breakin and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19–21). The only things going from earth to Heaven are human souls and the Word of God. So, if you’re trying to build equity in Heaven, invest your time, talents, and treasure inthe Word of God and the souls of men and women who need the message of Jesus Christ. Finally, Heaven is precious because our reservation is there. The registry in Heaven in which the names of all who belong to Christ are recorded is called the Lamb’s Bookof Life. Is your name written in Heaven? Do you have a reservation there? Recently a collection of nearly 400 hotels, regional tourism boards, tour operators, and others in the hospitality industry sent a letter to Chuck Sams, the director of theNational Parks Service, and Deb Haaland, who is U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary. The reason for that letter? Frustration with the national parks’ reservation website Recreation.gov. For many years, tourists from all across America have seethed when trying to reserve camping sites or hotel accommodations at Yellowstone, Yosemite, Great Smoky MountainsNational Park, and more than 4,200 other federally managed properties. The main issue seems to be the reservation system, which only allows would-be visitors to book between thirty and 60 days prior to a visit — a window that manages to thwart people who planahead and those who live spontaneously. It’s strange to think that gaining access to a national park is more difficult than gaining access to Heaven, but that is the case. Faith in Jesus is all that’s required tosecure your reservation for eternal salvation. If you are reading these words and aren’t sure your reservation is secure, I urge you to pray right now. Confess your sins. Acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.Do it now. Turn your life over to His control and accept His free offer of the gift of eternal life.

Where Did People Who Died Before Jesus Go?

 Where Did People Who Died Before Jesus Go? - By Jenny Pilman - https://www.raptureready.com/2023/08/15/where-did-people-who-died-before-jesus-go-by-jenny-pilman/ Prior to Jesus dying on the cross, every soul went to a place called Sheol when they died. Sheol means the abode of the dead. The abode of the dead consists of two parts, hell and paradise (AKA Abraham’s bosom). Hell is where the souls of the unsaved reside. Paradise is where the souls of the savedused to dwell before Jesus died on the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, he set free the righteous souls that were in Sheol and took them up to heaven. Now when a righteous person dies, he or she goes directly into the presence of God in heaven. How did the people in Old Testament get saved? Salvation in both the New and the Old Testament has always been through faith in God. It does not matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile. We are both saved through faith. Romans 3:30, “since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.” Romans 4:3, “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” See also Genesis 15:6. Hebrews chapter 11 is filled with examples of faith from the Old Testament saints such as Abel, Enoch, Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Israel, along with many others. Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemnedthe world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” God told Abraham he would be a father of many nations (Genesis 17:14). Abraham did not live long enough to see many nations come from him, but both he and Sarah trusted thatGod would keep his promise, and they died in faith. Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them…” The Old Testament believers knew that God promised to send the Messiah for our salvation, and they died in faith believing that promise. Isaiah talked about the coming Messiah in Isaiah 53. Job knew God was going to send a Messiah. Job 19:25, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” King David knew the Messiah would be one of his descendants (Acts 2:29-30). Acts 2:31, “he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandonedto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. Hades is the Greek word for Sheol. Romans 3:28, “So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Where is Sheol Located? Scripture indicates that Sheol is in the lower parts of the earth. Ezekiel 26:20, “then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below…” ESV and NRSV both say “dwellin the world below.” Numbers 16:30, & 33, “…The ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these menhave despised the LORD.” Verse 33, “So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.” Psalm 63:9, “But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.” Amos 9:2, “If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. To dig into Sheol means it’s in the earth.” People reside in three places. Philippians 2:10, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Ezekiel 31:14, “…For they have all been delivered to death, To the depths of the earth, Among the children of men who go down to the Pit. See also Ezekiel 32:18 & 24. Psalm 63:9, “But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.” The word for lower parts is tachtı̂y; it means lowermost, a pit, depths,womb. Other verses provide additional insights into the location of Sheol. Proverbs 15:24 indicates that hell is beneath, and Ezekiel 31:17 and Isaiah 14:15 state that it is down. The core of the earth is very hot. I believe that core is the location of hell. Most likely, the fire in the center is where lava from volcanos comes from. Deuteronomy 32:22, “For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.” Sheol has two compartments In Sheol (AKA Hades), there is a place called hell and a place called paradise. Sheol contains chambers. Proverbs 7:27, “Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambersof death.” Both hell and paradise are in the center of the earth but are in two separate compartments. You can see a clear picture of these two places in the story of the rich man andLazarus. Luke16:19-32. “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, coveredwith sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. (AKA paradise/Abraham’s bosom). The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham,have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things;but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.” Romans 4:16 says Abraham is the father of all who believe. Lazarus was with the believers. The rich man in hell could see Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:23). They were bothin Sheol, but the section that contained the believers was protected from the heat, and Lazarus was comforted there. We can also tell in Luke 16:24 that both Lazarus and Abraham had access to water, unlike the rich man in hell. I would like to speculate that when Adam and Eve sinned, the Garden of Eden may have been moved to the paradise compartment in Sheol. Ezekiel 31:16 (NIV), “I made the nationstremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the realm of the dead (Sheol) to be with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below.” Verse18 (ESV), “Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. Where Did Jesus Go When He Died? Jesus did not go to heaven the same day he died. Matthew 12:40, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of theearth.” Jesus went to Sheol, which is located in the center of the earth, and he ministered to the souls that were in the paradise section. I am confident he did not go to hell, assome have speculated. Luke 23:43, “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” We also know that paradise was not heaven because after he rose from the dead, he spoke to Mary Magdalene and told her he had not yet gone to his Father. John 20:17, “Jesussaid to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” When Jesus went to paradise, he brought the good news that scripture has been fulfilled to the believers who were waiting for the Messiah. 1 Peter 3:18-19, “For Christ alsosuffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” King David long ago knew that this glorious day was coming. Psalm 16:10, “For you will not abandon my (David’s) soul to Sheol, or let your Holy One [Jesus] see corruption.Acts 2:31, “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul [Jesus] was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.” See also Acts 2:27. Revelation 1:18, “I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Now that Jesus had the key, he could set those prisonersfree. What happened to the souls that were in Sheol? Hebrews 10:4, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Once the final sacrifice was made by Jesus and not by the blood of animals, thosethat were waiting in paradise could now enter heaven. Job 33:24, “and he is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.” Zechariah 9:11, “As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.” After Jesus rose from the dead, all the Old Testament saints and the righteous souls waiting in paradise were set free and resurrected from their graves. Matthew 27:51-53, “…The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Ephesians 4:8-10, “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but thathe had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) Paradise was emptied and is no longer a holding place of souls. Psalm 71:20, “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths ofthe earth you will bring me up again.” Psalm 86:13, “For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” See also 1 Samuel 2:6. When we die, where do we go now? Now that the final sacrifice for our sins has been made, anyone who believes in Jesus when they die goes directly into God’s presence. Ephesians 3:12, “Because of Christ andour faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Romans 5:2, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident,yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” God is a consuming fire God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and sin can’t be in the presence of God without being consumed. We can’t change the nature of the fire, but God can remove the sin,which is like gasoline on us. Isaiah 9:18-19, “Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire…” Isaiah 33:14, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: ‘Who among us can dwellwith the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?'” Those that are unsaved have the fuel of sin on their being for all eternity. Jesus came to remove our sins and wash us clean, so we can stand in the presence of Almighty God. 1 John 1:7, … “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Oncewe are saved, our nature becomes like gold. God’s nature then becomes to us a refiner’s fire. We don’t burn up; we are purified. Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold andsilver…” Job 23:10, “…when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” See also 1 Peter 1:7 & Zechariah 13:9. Those who died without accepting the free gift of salvation will spend an eternity with their sins attached to them in a fire. Knowing that humans could never live a sinlesslife, God took on a body of flesh and lived a perfect and sinless life for us. Jesus was the spotless sacrifice that took on the punishment for our sins. Salvation is by grace alone. You are not able to earn it through good deeds. It was paid in full by Jesusand is a gift to you. If you want to accept the free gift of salvation, you need to believe in your heart that Jesus died for our sins and was buried, and that he was raised from the dead on the third day. Then acknowledge you’re a sinner; ask God to forgiveyou, and confess out loud that Jesus is Lord. Then you will need to reject sin and practice righteousness. No one is perfect, but as you walk with God, he will change your heart and give you a desire for righteousness. You don’t have to get your life straightened out before you come to God. If you do, you could miss out on salvation. You go to God as you are, right now. You may be drenchedin the gasoline of sin, but the sacrificial blood of Jesus will fully cleanse you. Luke 12:32, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” For a more detailed look into why Jesus dying on the cross saves us from sin, check out my article Salvation Explained. Your sister in Christ, Jenny

Will He find faith When He Returns?

 Will He find faith When He Returns? - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com We live in very interesting times. There’s no doubt we are living in the very last days. In fact, we may not see tomorrow. The prophecies spoken of by the prophets of Godall seem to be being fulfilled quickly. Israel has very few friends among the nations, Russia is making friends with Israel’s enemies, the Third Temple is ready to be built, AI is an evil that is just getting started (could that stand for anti-iesous?), andmuch more. Another sign of the times is apostasy. There are many people who profess to be Christians who have the most screwball beliefs imaginable. Mormons believe that if they’re good enough, when they die, they will become gods of their own planet, Catholicsbelieve that what the pope says is sacred even if it contradicts Scripture, some so called Christians think the church has replaced Israel, and the list goes on. Scripture contradicts all of these beliefs. “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Neverthelesswhen the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8. Jesus had just told a parable about a judge who was corrupt. He didn’t have any fear of God and could care less about people. A widow was having a problem and needed legalhelp, so she went to the judge and asked for his help. The judge didn’t care about her problems, but he also didn’t want her to keep coming to him for help. He decided to help her. This parable doesn’t condone corrupt judges, but it does encourage persistentprayer and faith. Our prayers should be only to God and we should be in prayer always. Although Jesus questioned if He would find faith when He returns at the second coming, I wonder how much faith He would find today. We should take heed today to be faithfuland pray. We see earnest prayer being answered throughout Scripture. One of my favorite examples of earnest faith and prayer being answered is found in 1 Samuel. A man named Elkanah had 2 wives. One, Peninnah, was not a very kind or loving woman. She was ableto bear children, which made her feel superior. The other wife, Hannah, wasn’t able to have children, but Elkanah loved her dearly. Peninnah treated her poorly. “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up herwomb.” 1 Samuel 1:6. Have you ever had people mock you and torment you unfairly? How did you handle it? Hannah is a very good example. She didn’t whine to her husband nor did she seek revengeon Peninnah. She did pray. “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD and wept sore.” 1 Samuel 1:10. Hannah was a sweet woman who loved God and knew that only He could help her. She didn’t pray for vengeance upon Peninnah for being mean, but her prayer was centered upon herrequest and how she would serve God if her prayer was answered. “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou will indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thine handmaida man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11. How many mothers dedicate their children to God, then forget to teach them about God? Hannah would follow through on her promise. Hannah’s prayer was between her and God,and she poured out her heart to Him. She didn’t speak out loud, but her lips moved. Eli was the priest, and, being only human, he misinterpreted what he saw. He thought she was drunk. Hannah set him straight. “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord. I ama woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:15. God answered Hannah’s prayer and she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, and he became a very important judge and prophet of Israel. His life was dedicated to servingGod. Hannah was a woman of strong faith. Another example of faith is found in Esther. She was a young Jewish girl growing up in Shushan, which was the winter palace of Persian kings. The Babylonian captivity wasover, but many Jewish families chose to remain where they had lived for so many years. Esther was raised by her cousin, Mordecai because her parents had died, and Mordecai was a very kind man. The king, Ahasuerus, was not a very kind man. When he had a partyfor a group of men, he wanted his wife, Vashti, to parade herself in front of them. Vashti refused and was sent away. That left the king without a queen. Following his nature, he told his servants to gather all the fair young virgins and bring them to himso he could choose the one who pleased him the most. Yes, he was a jerk. Esther was one of the captured young virgins. Esther had a strong character, and didn’t feel sorry for herself, but cooperated. Mordecai never stopped his concern for Esther, and advisedher to not reveal that she was Jewish, and he checked on her daily. After a year, it was Esther’s time to go in and be with the king. She was very pleasing to the king and he made her his queen. We have to live every day by faith, and Esthercouldn’t have imagined what God knew about her future, but stayed faithful to Him. He had allowed Esther to be queen for a very special reason. As time went on, it became known to Mordecai that an evil man named Haman plotted to have all the Jewish peoplein the kingdom killed. Haman had convinced the king to issue a decree that on the 13th day of Adar, the people were to kill all Jewish people. Because Esther was queen, she was in a position to stop the atrocity. The problem was, the king didn’t know she wasJewish, and even so, if she approached him without being summoned, she could be killed. Mordecai had encouraged her to approach the king, but she told him of the very real possibility she would be killed. “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think notwith thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.” Esther 4:13. In other words, she would die anyway simply because she was Jewish. Mordecai told her that she might be in the king’s house for this exact reason. God does work in mysteriousways, and He was working through Esther. So, Esther came up with a plan. It started with prayer and fasting. “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and mymaidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16. What if Christians would have the faith to earnestly pray for each other and our governments? I’m sure our faith would make a difference. As it turned out, Esther was ableto stop Haman from further evil. She had thrown a banquet where only the king and Haman were guests, and then a second banquet. As the evening progressed, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish, and that she and her people were about to be slaughteredbecause of Haman. King Ahasuerus was not one to wait for trial and he had Haman hanged. The king reversed his decree and there was no slaughter, but he did honor Mordecai and Esther. There was much celebrating, and this is now a Jewish celebration called Purim.Esther couldn’t have imagined what great things she would accomplish for God when she was abducted. Her dreams of becoming a Jewish wife of a Jewish man were forever changed, but her people were saved. She had great faith in God and acted upon that faith.But first she asked for prayer and fasting. What if she hadn’t prayed? What if she had no faith? Scripture is filled with many great accounts of faith, and the rewards from God for faithfulness. Enoch was a man of great faith at a time much like today; evil was everywhere.He kept himself away from the evil and was able to instill in his children the same faith. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had the testimony, thathe pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:5-6. Enoch pleased God by his faith. He lived his life by God’s rules,and not by participating in the demonic happenings around him. That’s what God expects from Christians today. Our faith should cause us to seek God and live according to His word. Enoch pleased God by faith and he was taken prior to God’s judgment of the Flood. He stands as a pictureof Christians being Raptured prior to Daniel’s 70th week…the final seven years of earth history. Today there is much apostacy among those claiming to be Christians, which makes me wonder how much true faith is left. There is a remnant who follow Scripture,but we are getting fewer each day. Instead of God’s word being respected, we allow our children to be taught evolution. Instead of godly marriage being honored, people live together until they find someone new, then move on. Marriage has been perverted toinclude same sex marriages, and people even think they can choose their gender…or even their species. Purpose driven teachings undermine Biblical truth. Name it and claim it preachers make millions of dollars spewing their lies, while Scripture goes unread.This is all happening now, prior to the Rapture, and true faith is becoming hard to find. What will happen during the seven final years after the Rapture? Will Christ find faith when He returns? It will be near to impossible to be faithful to Christ during those final days. The man of sin will rule the world and require everyoneto take a mark. “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number ofhis name.” Revelation 13:16-17. The world is being primed today to bow to the beast and take his mark. After the Rapture, nobody can be saved who has taken the mark. There will be some who come to faith during the Tribulation, but it will be harder then thanit is today, to stay faithful. The best plan of action is to give your life to Christ today. You cannot be saved by being a good person. Salvation is by faith. “For by grace are ye saved by faith, and thatnot of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. If you claim to be a Christian, then start living like Christ. Repent and turn away from your sin. Remember, God defines sin, not you. Will He find faith when He returns? You need to answer that question and figure out where your faith lies. God bless you all, Nathele Graham twotug@embarqmail.com Recommended prophecy sites: www.raptureready.com www.prophecyupdate.com www.raptureforums.com All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed. If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know.

Does Satan Believe in the Rapture?

 Does Satan Believe in the Rapture? – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ With each passing day, it appears more and more likely that an alien abduction will be the explanation the globalists give to explain our sudden disappearance. Belief in extraterrestriallife is at an all-time high as UFO sightings dramatically increase and governments around the world acknowledge their existence. Is this just a coincidence as the time of our homegoing approaches, or are the forces of darkness actively preparing the world to accept the lie that will be given to explainthe Rapture? Paul wrote about the great depths of “wicked deception” that would come with the appearing of the antichrist, as well as the fact that the Lord Himself will cause the “perishing” to believe a lie. “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because theyrefused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11). A number of things drew my attention this week to how even in advance of the appearing of the antichrist, many people already believe the lies he will tell. A short clip of an interview I heard on Twitter last week confirms the wide acceptance of alien life among the elite of our day, or more likely, their willingness to perpetuatethe lie. Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling author and confidant of Klaus Schwab from the World Economic Forum (WEF), predicted the end of human-dominated history because of the arrival of alien life. “History will continue with somebody else in control,” he said. Harari went on to say that with a divided humanity, “it becomes almost impossible to contain the alien intelligence. I tend to think of it more in terms of an alien invasion.” The laughing of the interviewers did not deter him from stating his case. His words sounded like something from the old television show “The Twilight Zone,” but he was quite serious. There was also this news story from a couple weeks ago. On September 16, 2018, Reuters reported that Jaime Maussan, a Mexican journalist and longtime UFO enthusiast, producedtwo tiny, mummified bodies with elongated heads and three fingers on each hand. These images were beamed around the world as they were presented to Mexico’s Congress as proof of alien life. Reuters concluded its report by stating that Maussan’s claim had alreadybeen debunked. Was this just a first attempt? If so, it’s probable that the devilwill produce much more convincing proof in the future. For decades, Hollywood has produced a great number of movies and television shows promoting the agenda that we are not alone. These have created a mindset among many thatthe reports of UFOs could indeed be true. I have enjoyed several of these shows, unaware of their ultimate purpose in preparing the public to accept the validity of their existence. Even just a few years ago, governments around the world routinely denied the existence of alien spacecraft, but things have drastically changed. They are now letting an increasingamount of information leak out that supposedly confirms the reality of alien life visiting Earth in the past. As a result, belief in extraterrestrial life has quickly gone from fringe people wearing tinfoil hats to widespread acceptance. The reason for the U.S. government releasingthe information at this time is said to be a matter of defense, worries about an invasion. This matches the concern of Harari, the most influential author among the Luciferian globalists. Who are these Aliens? These aliens are demons. I say this because: 1.God’s Word doesn’t allow for their existence. 2.When they speak through humans, they deny the truths of Scripture. 3.The UFOs perform impossible feats for which no physical being could survive. Pastor Brandon Holthaus, in a prophecyupdate on Rumble from last year, pointed out how even the advocates of extraterrestrial beings admit their flying objects are “interdimensional.” He pointed out that the “ninety-degree turns” that they perform at “breakneck” speeds would “kill any creature.” Their movements prove that they are not “physical beings … the laws of the universe would kill them.” Why Would the Aliens Remove People from the Earth? Holthaus wrote this as an introduction to his prophecy update: “The world is going to have to have an excuse for why millions of people disappear in the Rapture. Fortunately, the forces of darkness have already shown their hand. Accordingto people who channel demons and fallen angels, the forces of darkness already have a deceptive lie in place that will be used to explain away the Rapture. That lie goes in concert with the Green Agenda that is currently being fostered by the ungodly, suchas Globalist, Leftist, UN, nations, politics, World Economic Forum, Big Corp, Big tech, Colleges and universities, schools, entertainment industry, and the Media. Save the plate is the cry! But when one sees where this kind of Green information originatesfrom, then you will see that there is a dragon behind it. A Green dragon.” As Holthaus alluded to in the above quote, it’s a part of the Green Agenda. Authors who claim to know the intent of these aliens tell us that many people are holding backthe earth from becoming what it’s intended to be. Therefore, the aliens must remove them from the earth to a different yet habitable planet where they will live fulfilled lives. Other writers who claim insight into the intent of these aliens say that a great number of people need to be re-educated in order to fit in with the world that’s coming. Theysay that huge mother ships exist close to the earth, although we cannot see them. Those of us who are holding back the advancement of civilization will be taken to these gigantic crafts and trained so that we might fit into society as it evolves. Perhaps this explains the nonstop effort to make everyone believe that alien life is vastly superior to humanity in both intelligence and technology. The devil wants peopleto believe these extraterrestrial beings have the ability to make tens of millions of people instantly disappear from the earth. According to Pastor Holthaus, the aliens have communicated through people that there will be two phases of this coming abduction of people from the world. •Phase 1 of the coming disappearance will be those holding back the earth from reaching its potential. Brandon cited one author as saying that twenty million people will betaken by the aliens. •Phase 2 includes the vanishing of children and babies of all ages from all races and nationalities. Brandon then said this: “All our understanding of the Rapture comes from Scripture, but it’s very interesting to see the enemies of God have an excuse for where the childrengo, and where we go” at the time of the Rapture. It’s interesting indeed! Does Satan believe in the Rapture? You bet he does, and what’s more, he’s already actively preparing the world to accept his lie for when we disappear.

How Much Longer Can It Be?

 How Much Longer Can It Be? – Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2023/9/23/how-much-longer-can-it-be We most assuredly live in biblical times. The convergence of signs is like that of the grand finale of a fireworks show that noisily illuminates the sky with its bright displayof colors. Yet sadly, many believers and pastors turn their heads and walk away from the spectacle telling themselves and others, “There’s nothing to see here.” I also believe the words of Proverbs 1:20 apply here: Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice. The myriad of signs, along with the voices of many students of Bible prophecy, sound the alarm regarding the nearness of the Tribulation. Wisdom continues to cry out withthe message that Jesus is coming soon, but so few are paying attention. A few months ago, I wrote about the blindness to such things in How Can You Not See? I still wonder how those who know Scripture can remain asleep and unaware of the signsthat point to the nearness of Jesus’ appearing. Now my question has progressed to: “How much longer can it be before Jesus catches us up to meet Him in the air?” Below are several reasons that cause me to ask this question. THE RUSH TO DIVIDE ISRAEL When I look at Israel on a world map, I need to put on my reading glasses and even then it’s difficult to discern the nation’s boundaries. Most countries this small receivelittle or no attention on the world stage. However, almost all the world leaders are now focused on both Israel and Jerusalem. The Bible predicted this would happen at the time of the end (Zechariah 12:1-3). The U.S. and other nations have become preoccupied with settling the Palestinian matter, believingthis will magically bring peace to the entire region. During his speech at the UN, President Biden called for a two-state solution as the path toward peace in the region. When he met with the Israeli Prime Minister, BenjaminNetanyahu seemed willing to go along with it to a limited degree, perhaps as part of the deal with Saudi Arabia that Netanyahu now predicts will become a reality sometime in early 2024. The rush to divide Israel tells us that the Tribulation period is ever so near because it will be during this time that the Lord will judge the nations that cut up His Land(Joel 3:1-3). Those with a passion to provide a state for the Palestinians are fulfilling biblical prophecy; God said this would happen at the time of the end. THE PUSH FOR DIGITAL CURRENCIES Another telling sign that speaks to the nearness of the Tribulation is the push for digital currencies. During the September 2023 meeting of the G-20 nations in New Delhi, India, the leaders “agreed to a plan to eventually impose digital currencies and digital IDs on their respectivepopulations, amid concern that governments might use them to monitor their people's spending and crush dissent.” This pact includes a pledge “to build the necessary infrastructure to implement digital currencies and IDs.”[1] The antichrist needs such a system in place by the midpoint of the Tribulation in order to control the buying and selling throughout the world (Revelation 13:16-18). He won’tbe able to do this if it’s possible for people to use cash or write checks for their purchases. In America, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is coming by way of the Federal Reserve’s FedNow, which has gone live. Many major banks are now participating in the program,which makes the transferring of money immediate. David Bowen, in his article, FedNow Goes Live, Paving The Way To A Central Bank Digital Currency on the Harbingers Daily website, wrote this about the matter: The Federal Reserve claims this is the alternative to a CBDC — a Central Bank Digital Currency. But really, what this is a stepping stone to a CBDC. Once the public gets morecomfortable with the speed of FedNow and the system is accepted as the standard procedure, you’ll get a Central Bank Digital Currency. The inevitable collapse of the economy in the U.S. will speed up the path to a CBDC in America, which will quickly become a unified worldwide currency during the Tribulationif not before it starts. THE THREAT OF WORLD WAR III After we are in glory with Jesus, He will open seven seals on what I believe is His title deed to all the kingdoms of this world (Revelation 6:1-8). The text tells us thatwar will be a factor in the killing of one fourth of the earth’s population. Do we see such a deadly conflict on the horizon? Yes, we do. Author, blogger, and researcher Michael Snyder recently wrote this about our blindness to this threat: Most Americans have absolutely no idea how close we are to the unthinkable. Even though leaders all over the globe have developed a really bad case of war fever, the vastmajority of us here in the United States are entirely convinced that everything will be okay somehow. Most of us believe the talking heads on television when they assure us that our politicians have everything under control and that it is extremely unlikelythat a nuclear conflict will happen. But on the other side of the globe they see things very differently. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the United Nations that the world is being pushed to the brink of the “final war“…[2] Snyder quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as publicly stating “that the U.S. is conducting a ‘war’ against Russia” with its support of Ukraine.[3] In the past severalweeks, I have read several accounts of Russian officials warning the U.S. of a nuclear attack because of its support of Ukraine’s war effort. Then we have the threat from China. Snyder quoted Gatestone Institute senior fellow and China expert Gordon Chang regarding this threat: We’re much closer to a nuclear exchange than Americans think. China is preparing to go to war… China is surveying the United States for nuclear weapons strikes, so we’ve gotto realize the gravity of this. The problems inside the Chinese regime right now indicate that Xi Jinping in the rocket force, which controls almost all of China’s nuclear weapons, he’s now installing officers who will obey his orders to push the button whenhe gives it.[4] It's remarkable that Biden’s support of Ukraine has not yet boiled over into a Russian attack on America. Just this week we heard news of U.S. Abram Tanks heading to Ukraineand Biden’s plan to supply the nation with long range missiles. Unless Vladimir Putin has the patience of Job, these things will lead to a direct attack on America. UFOS AND ALIENS This may seem like an unusual sign of the end times, however, the wide acceptance of extraterrestrial life along with many governments acknowledging their existence demonstratesthe increased activity of Satan to explain our sudden disappearance. I have watched a few prophecy updates from Pastor Brandon Holthaus on this matter; his insights demonstrate the progress that the devil has already made in perpetuating thisdeception. In one of his videos, he quoted a U.S. Navy pilot as saying that “UFO sightings are an everyday occurrence.” A short clip of an interview I heard on Twitter last week confirms the wide acceptance of alien life among the elite of our day, or more likely, their willingness to perpetuatethis deception. Yuval Noah Harari, bestselling author and confidant of Klaus Schwab from the World Economic Forum (WEF), predicted the end of human dominated history because of an upcoming alien invasion. “History will continue with somebody else in control,” he said. Why has Harari changed from advocating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and transhumanism as the future of mankind to that of one dominated by extraterrestrials? Does this surprisingturn in his thinking not show just how far the Luciferian globalists are willing to go in preparing the world for our disappearance at the time of the Rapture? Did you also notice the Harari, like so many others, naturally assume that the aliens are far more advanced than humans in both intelligence and technology? They must createthis illusion so that people believe they are capable of making tens of millions instantly disappear. THE UN’S SEVEN-YEAR COMMITMENT On September 18-19, 2023, a majority of member nations at the UN committed to a seven-year plan of accelerated growth to implement the 17 Strategic Development Goals (SDGs)of Agenda 2030. Although significant, let me quickly point out that this is NOT the covenant that the antichrist will make with Israel as prophesied in Daniel 9:27. What this demonstrates is the determination of the world’s leaders to set up a one world government that controls the lives of those it will enslave. It’s very clear thatboth the WEF and UN long for this totalitarian regime and want it in place by 2030. It also tells us that things are going as well as the globalists would like. Although they achieved some progress through the COVID-19 scare and are seeking to make climatechange a factor in bringing the nations together, things are not progressing as well as they had hoped. On the fifth page of the document, we are told that there is an “urgent need to take the actions necessary to reverse declines and accelerate progress to achieve the 2030Agenda and implement the SDGs.”[5] Author and friend Terry James addressed this shortfall in his excellent article, The Crisis. He credited the Lord’s resistance with stalling the elite’s objectives to achievetheir desired dominance. The calamity they need will come via the Rapture, which will happen according to God’s timing, not theirs. The disappearance of so many people will give the globalists the emergency they crave. As the alien deception takes hold after the Rapture, the nations will readily join togetherto fight what they regard as a common enemy. In his interview, Harari stated that a united world would have a much better chance of resisting an extraterrestrial invasion. The following quote from the UN’s SDGs meeting seems to say that such an emergency such as caused by the Rapture would lead to greater control by the UN: On that page the UN openly admits that one of the purposes of [its 2024] “the Summit of the Future” is to “put in place a stronger international response playbook for complexglobal shocks, maximizing the use of the Secretary-General’s convening power in the form of an Emergency Platform”.[6] There’s a sense of urgency in the statements coming from the UN. Is it because they are falling behind on their goals? Or do they know a great crisis looms in the future? DAYS OF NOAH AND LOT The Lord predicted that the end times would resemble the days of Noah (Matthew 24:36-39) and of Lot (Luke 17:28-29), and that is precisely what we see. The Bible doesn’t provide us with details of the violence in Noah’s day, which was one of the factors that led to the flood (Genesis 6:13). However, I believe that the abortions,sex trafficking, and sacrificing of young children in satanic rituals in the U.S. must at least rival the violence prevalent in the world before the flood. These things also tell us that the wickedness of our day far exceeds that of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’snot even close. I believe the U.S. in particular is dangling by a very thin thread over a pit of destruction; we have long passed the day where we as a nation should have collapsed economicallyor ignited a deadly war with Russia or China. The Lord is sovereignly holding back these things until the time is right for His judgment. There’s coming a day when all of us who trust Jesus as our Savior will instantly vanish and not long after that, all of God’s current restraints will suddenly evaporate andsudden destruction will fall upon the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10). How much longer can it be before we appear in glory with our Savior (Colossians 3:4)? I believe it’s very close. On the other hand, I don’t know for sure how much longer it will be until Jesus takes us home to glory. Perhaps we will face increasing affliction in the coming months orduring 2024. However, we must also avoid thinking that the Rapture cannot happen today or in the very near future. Such is the new date-setting error of so many Christians today who assumethat that it won’t happen in their lifetime. Maranatha! Perhaps today! I provide a detailed defense of the Pretribulation viewpoint in: The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times. I demonstrate,using an abundance of quotes, that the belief in a thousand-year reign of Jesus dominated the church during its first three hundred years. The historic view of the millennium is a literal view of Revelation 20:1-10 that places it between the Tribulation andthe eternal state. There’s no such thing as a “historic premillennialism” that denies a literal interpretation of this text. Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the home page of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/. Thanks! [1] By Bryan Jung, “G20 Announces Plan to Impose Digital Currencies and IDs Worldwide,” September 12, 2023 on The Epoch Times Website at: (here) [2] Michael Snyder, They Are Openly Admitting That We Are On The Brink Of “The Final War, September 19, 2023 at: (here) [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] Michael Snyder, While Barely Anyone Was Watching, Leaders At The UN Made A 7 Year Agreement To Implement A Single Global Agenda, September 21, 2023, at (Here)

Heavenly Signs or Natural Phenomenon – Part II

 Heavenly Signs or Natural Phenomenon – Part II - Randy Nettles - https://www.rev310.net/post/heavenly-signs-or-natural-phenomenon-part-ii Many people thought the purported Revelation 12 “sign” or constellation that aligned on September 23, 2017, was a heavenly sign for the Rapture. Of course, the Rapture didn’toccur on this date and six years later, it still hasn’t. But what is it about Revelation 12 that leads many people to believe the Rapture of the Church is in view here? We know the Woman represents Israel (and of course Mary, the mother of Jesus, is an Israelite),the Dragon represents Satan (and his antichrists), and the “male child” definitely represents Jesus. We know it’s Jesus by verse 4, “The dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” This child is Jesus, theson of Mary from the tribe of Judah. Verse 5 says, “And she (Mary/Israel) brought forth a man child (Jesus), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child (still Jesus, the man child) was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” “Her child” is Jesus. The woman (Mary/Israel) never gave birth to the Church. Most scholars who doubt the Church is in view here, believe that the “catching up unto God” refers to Jesus’ ascension into heaven in Acts 1:9. They believe the Church is never referred to asmasculine but rather as feminine, i.e. the Bride of Christ. However, many scholars believe the child, singularly, was Christ, but corporately “he” is the Church (i.e., His head and body). Another possible indicator that the “corporate” child is referring to Jesus and the Church is the wording of verse 5b, “and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. The Greek word for “caught up” is “harpazo” which is the same word used for the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. I don’t know ifthis one word quantifies the Rapture in this verse however, as John uses several different Greek words for this supernatural upward action. In the ascension of Jesus unto heaven in Acts 1:9, Luke uses the word “epairo” for “taken up.” In Revelation 4:1, Johnuses the word “anabaino” for “come up” and also twice in Revelation 11:12 for “come up” and “ascended up.” There have been Bible scholars and teachers on both sides of the aisle regarding this issue. It is a debate that is not going away anytime soon, like the ongoing debate aboutwhether Matthew 24:36- 50 is referring to the Rapture or the Second Coming (or both). Everybody must make up their own minds regarding such matters. We (pre-tribbers) can agree, however, that Jesus ascended into heaven and will one day return for His bride(or body) at the Rapture before the wrath of God comes upon the world. If there is to be a “Revelation 12 sign” in the sky, it will be a sign for the Jews, probably on or before the beginning of the 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation, as thatis what verses 6-17 are referring to. Also, if there is to be a great wonder in heaven (a constellation) of Virgo and the Sun and Moon and a crown of 12 stars in Leo, then there must also be a great wonder in heaven (a constellation) for the great red dragonthat is mentioned in verses 3 and 4. Here is a good website that casts doubts on the actual constellation in the sky on September 23, 2017 (and also 2023) being the Revelation 12:1-2 sign: Biblicalsigns in the sky on September 23, 2017? | Astronomy Essentials | EarthSky Robert Breaker of YouTube fame (TheRevelation 12 Sign Reborn: Don't Look Up! - YouTube) now believes the September 23, 2017 alignment was not the Rev. 12 sign but was possibly a heavenly sign of a historicalevent that occurred some 74 days later. On December 6, 2017, Donald Trump and the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and made plans to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Breaker also believes this same sort of constellation (slightly different) will occur again and could be the real Rev. 12 sign. It will align again or be “reborn” six yearslater (from September 23, 2017) in September of 2023. He believes this will be the sign that precedes either the Rapture or something of great import to the Jews, such as the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s strange to me that this “sign” in 2017was a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” but now it is to realign in 2023, only six years later. Instead of the planet Jupiter in Virgo, now it will be a comet by the name of Child. I guess you could call me a skeptic. LUNAR ECLIPSES SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE AGE? 2015 appeared to be a possible prophetic year for Israel and the world. It was the second year of a tetrad (four consecutive total lunar eclipses) with both years aligningwith the Feasts of Passover (Nisan 15) and Tabernacles (Tishri 15). There were also many significant and historical events occurring in that year. Several eschatological writers wrote articles concerning these events and astronomical signs. Daymond Duck wrote TheLast Generation:: by Daymond Duck - Rapture Ready on September 28, 2015. Jan Markell wrote BloodMoons: Harbingers or Hype? :: by Jan Markell - Rapture Ready on August 7, 2015, and yours truly wrote TheFall of 2015:: by Randy Nettles - Rapture Ready on July 2, 2015. Regarding the tetrads, here is part of what I wrote eight years ago, “The last two lunar eclipse tetrads occurring on these feast days of the Lord were in 1949/1950 and 1967/1968.These two tetrad cycles had three common denominators regarding the Jewish state: 1) War for Israel. 2) Israel acquired more land by defeating her enemies. 3) Mass immigration of Jews to the homeland.” There was a total lunar eclipse that was visible from Israel on September 28, 2015, on Tabernacles, just three days after the U.N.’s fifteen-year plan for the Agenda for SustainableDevelopment. This lunar eclipse is part of Saros cycle #137. The next lunar eclipse of Saros cycle 137 is on October 8, 2033, which is also on Tabernacles. This one will not be visible from Israel. Both of these eclipses will have occurred during Tabernaclesin the second year of tetrads. These are the only two eclipses out of 78 total eclipses of Saros cycle 137 that are part of a tetrad. There is something significant about the number 137 for this lunar Saros cycle. It’s almost like God is trying to tell us something. As I have written about before in 137:Number of God in Scripture and Science:: By Randy Nettles - Rapture Ready, 137 is the number for God. However, I am willing to admit that 137 being the Saros cycle numberfor the lunar eclipse in 2033 (the fourth one in a tetrad), on Tabernacles, could be a coincidence. SOLAR ECLIPSES SIGNIFYING THE END OF THE AGE? There was a total solar eclipse (only partial in Israel, Europe, North Africa, etc.) that occurred on March 20, 2015 (on Nisan 1). Remember solar eclipses are supposedly signsfor the Gentiles. About three months past the solar eclipse of 2015, on June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage was made legal throughout the United States by the U.S. Supreme Court. On September 3, 2015, on Trumpets, there was a partial lunar eclipse. 22 days later,on September 25, 2015, the 193 countries that make up the United Nations agreed to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. About three months later, in December 2015, almost 200 nations consented to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, includingthe U.S. Solar eclipses also occur in Saros cycles, which are numbered also (independent of lunar eclipses). The total solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 (Nisan 1) was part of the Saroscycle #120. The next total solar eclipse of Saros cycle 120 will occur on March 30, 2033. 120 is an interesting number for this Saros cycle as it looks portentous for the end of the age. Moses was 120 years old when he passed away. “And he said to them: Iam one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, You shall not cross over this Jordan” (Deuteronomy 31:2). LUNAR AND SOLAR ECLIPSES AND THEIR SAROS CYCLE NUMBERS Saros solar eclipse cycle #137 began in 1389 AD and will end in 2633 for a duration of 1244.08 years. There are 70 solar eclipses in this cycle. Let’s see how they compareto the lunar cycles of #137. As a matter of fact, let’s compare the tetrad lunar cycles of 2014-2015 (Saros cycles 122, 127, 132, and 137) with the solar cycles of 2000- 2002, which have identical cycle numbers. We will also compare the tetrad lunar cyclesof 2032-2033 (Same Saros cycles as 2014-2015) with the solar cycles of 2019-2020, which also have identical cycle numbers. TETRAD LUNAR ECLIPSE LUNAR SAROS SOLAR ECLIPSE SOLAR SAROS DATE CYCLE # DATE CYCLE # April 15, 2014 - Passover 122 Dec. 25, 2000 122 Oct. 8, 2014 – Tabernacles 127 June 21, 2001 127 April 4, 2015 – Passover 132 Dec. 14, 2001 132 Sept. 28, 2015 – Tabernacles 137 June 10, 2002 137 April 25, 2032 – Iyyar 15 122 Jan. 6, 2019 122 Oct. 18, 2032 – Heshvan 15 127 July 2, 2019 127 April 14, 2033 - Passover 132 Dec. 26, 2019 132 Oct. 8, 2033 - Tabernacles 137 June 21, 2020 137 SOLAR ECLIPSES OF THE 21ST CENTURY I would say 2001 and 2020 were two of the worst years in recent American history. One of the worst catastrophes for America was the 9-11-2001 attacks on America’s soil. Manywould say the solar eclipse of June 21, 2001, might have been a “sign” that preceded this catastrophic event. It was a precursor of the end of the age, and of Revelation 6:3-4 where the rider of the red horse will take peace from the earth and “that peopleshould kill one another.” Of course, 2019 was when the first human cases of Covid-19 were identified in Wuhan, China. WHO declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2000. Covid-19 ragedthroughout the world for several years, killing millions of people. Several vaccines were developed for COVID-19 by December 2020, which have proven ineffectual and probably even deadlier than the pandemic. Once again, there are those who would say the solareclipse of Dec. 26, 2019, was a sign that preceded the pandemic. It was a precursor of Revelation 6:7-8, where the rider of the pale horse, Death, will kill a fourth of the earth. In my article, The30330 Man:: By Randy Nettles - Rapture Ready, I talked about how on July 31, 2019, at the end of the Democratic presidential debate, Joe Biden told the viewers to “go toJoe 30330” to support him and I speculated on why he chose those numbers. Well, we found out in 2020. Some astute person calculated that 2020 divided by 666 (the number for the Antichrist) is 3.0330. I believe 30330 is the number or sign for the “spirit ofthe Antichrist” that is alive and well on planet Earth and is paving the way for the man of sin. Somehow Joe Biden won the November 3, 2020 election for president of the U.S. and has shown us why that number was chosen for him. “Joe Biden's tenure as the 46th president of the United States began with his inauguration on January 20, 2021. On the first day of his presidency, Biden made an effort torevert President Trump's energy policy by restoring U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement and revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. He also halted funding for Trump's border wall, an expansion of the Mexican border wall. On his second day,he issued a series of executive orders to reduce the impact of COVID-19, including invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950, and set an early goal of achieving one hundred million COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States in his first 100 days.” {1} Joe Biden and his administration, the Deep State, the super-wealthy progressive elites, and the Democratic party are deliberately destroying this country. There is no wayto sustain the massive illegal immigration into this country caused by the Biden administration policies, and the subsequent debt it will cause. It will destroy this country, sooner rather than later. Some would say the June 21, 2020, solar eclipse (Sarossolar cycle 137) was a sign of impending doom that would destroy America, starting with Joe Biden’s reign as president of the United States. This appears to be the case. SOLAR AND LUNAR ECLIPSES IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND THE SECOND COMING Regarding solar and lunar eclipses throughout the 1st century BC and AD and the 21st century AD, I have found something unusual, although it could just be a huge coincidence.I’ll let you be the judge. While I was doing research on my article,A Proposed Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ (rev310.net), I began looking up eclipses that occurred during the timeframe of Jesus’ life and a possible timeframe forHis return. My theory was that there should be four heavenly signs/eclipses (two solar and two lunar), that coincided with the “Moeds” of the Lord, in the year of Jesus’ birth, the yearof his death, and the year of His return. These eclipses would appear in the “four corners” of the world as these events were momentous for the Jews and the whole world. The lunar eclipses would be for the Jews and the solar eclipses would be for the Gentiles.4 is the biblical number for creation, in which the Word spoke the world and its inhabitants into existence. The “Moeds” that these eclipses would appear on would include the new moon Feasts of Nisan 1 (not a Feast of the Lord, but very important nevertheless) and Tishri 1 (RoshHashanah or Trumpets). The full moon Feasts would include Nisan 15 (the Jews’ Passover) and Tishri 15 (Sukkot or Tabernacles). At least one of these solar eclipses (Nisan 1 or Tishri 1) or lunar eclipses (Nisan 15 or Tishri 15) should be visible from Jerusalemas these biblical events were occurring in the land of Israel, but had an impact on the whole world. JESUS’ BIRTH AND DEATH I set the limits at 10 BC for Jesus’ birth and 40 AD for his death, adding many years to the possible timeframe of his birth and death according to historical and biblicalsources. The only year, within the acceptable timeframe, that contained two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses (on the Feast Days mentioned) for Jesus’ birth was 5 BC. The next closest years for Jesus’ birth (with the necessary criteria) were 14 BC and5 AD, which are too early and too late for Jesus’ birth. The dates for the eclipses in the 1st century BC and AD are Julian calendar dates. JESUS’ BIRTH – 5 BC Nisan 1 – March 8, 5 BC – Partial solar eclipse that was not visible from Israel Nisan 15 – March 23, 5 BC – Total lunar eclipse that was visible from Israel Tishri 1 – September 1, 5 BC – Partial solar eclipse that was not visible from Israel Tishri 15 – September 15, 5 BC – Total lunar eclipse that was visible from Israel SeeAstroPixels - Moon Phases: -0099 to 0000. (Note: 00 is I BC, -01 is 2 BC, etc.) and AstroPixels - Moon Phases: 0001 to 0100 for verification of these dates. JESUS’ DEATH Regarding the death of Jesus, there are three years that fit within the possible timeframe with the necessary criteria. They are 32 AD, 33 AD, and 34 AD. However, I think32 AD and 34 AD are disqualified as Passover (Nisan 14) was on a Sunday in 32 AD (April 13) and Monday in 34 AD (March 22), Julian calendar dates. The correct day for Jesus’ death (IMO) was Thursday. 33 AD is the only year, of these three years, with a Thursdaycrucifixion. Also, 34 AD had two lunar eclipses that were only Penumbral, which sometimes are hardly visible (not much of a sign). The next closest years for Jesus’ death, with the qualifying criteria, were 15 AD and 51 AD, which are way too early and waytoo late. JESUS’ DEATH – 33 AD Nisan 1 – March 19, 33 AD – Total solar eclipse that was not visible from Israel Nisan 15 – April 3, 33 AD – Partial lunar eclipse that was visible from Israel Tishri 1 – September 12, 33 AD – Annular solar eclipse that was visible from Israel Tishri 15 – September 27, 33 AD – Partial lunar eclipse that was visible from Israel SeeAstroPixels - Moon Phases: 0001 to 0100 for verification of these dates and years. Note: The April 3, 33 AD partial lunar eclipse was one of theSaros cycle # 71 lunar eclipses. Two Saros cycle 71 eclipses before this one, was the March 13, 4 BC partial lunar eclipse that Josephus wrote about. He said there was a lunar eclipse that occurred shortly before King Herod’s death. If the 4 BC eclipse isHerod’s eclipse, then the 5 BC year looks good for the birth of Jesus. Both of these partial lunar eclipses would have been seen from Israel. SeeA Proposed Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ (rev310.net) JESUS’ RETURN TO THE EARTH The soonest the Second Coming can occur is 2030 (about 3 months left) if you believe in a seven-year Tribulation that precedes it. However, it doesn’t have the necessary criteria.There are two acceptable years for the Second Coming that do have the qualifying criteria regarding four eclipses on Feast Days. They are 2033 and 2034. I will list both, however, I don’t like 2034 as it has a Penumbral lunar eclipse on Passover. I prefer the year 2033 for Jesus’ Second Coming as it is the second year of a tetrad (2032-2033), and as I have mentioned earlier, it is part of Saros cycle #137. I also likeit for various non-astronomical reasons that I have stated in earlier articles. This is not a prediction or date-setting for the Second Coming, just a theoretical scenario based on astronomical data. Note: The nearest year beyond 2034 for the return of Jesus Christ,with the qualifying criteria, is 2062. JESUS’ RETURN – 2033 Nisan 1 – March 30, 2033 – Total solar eclipse will not be visible from Israel Nisan 15 – April 14, 2033 – Total lunar eclipse will be visible from Israel Tishri 1 – September 23, 2033 – Partial solar eclipse will not be visible from Israel Tishri 15 – October 8, 2023 – Total lunar eclipse will not be visible from Israel. I believe Jesus will return on the Feast of Trumpets, as King of kings and Lord of lords. If the year is 2033, Trumpets will occur on September 23, which is the same dateas the “Revelation 12” constellation in 2017. Coincidence? It could be, although the Feast of Trumpets will not occur on September 23 again until 2071. JESUS’ RETURN – 2034 Nisan 1 – March 20, 2034 – Total solar eclipse. Partial seen from Israel Nisan 15 – April 3, 2034 – Penumbral lunar eclipse seen from Israel Tishri 1 – September 12, 2034 – Annular solar eclipse not seen from Israel Tishri 15 – September 28, 2034 – Partial lunar eclipse seen from Israel SeeAstroPixels - Moon Phases: 2001 to 2100 for verification of these eclipses and dates. THE SUPERNATURAL SIGNS DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST JESUS’ BIRTH We all know the story of Jesus’ birth and how the wise men from the East came to worship him, saying “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen Hisstar in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). Herod summoned them to him and determined from them what time the star appeared. He then sent them to Bethlehem. “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seenin the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. Throughout the ages, scholars have debated what this “star” could have been, and if it was even a natural phenomenon. Some have suggested a comet or a nova, while others believeit was a certain conjunction of planets and stars. I have come to the conclusion that it was a supernatural heavenly sign from God. Many times in the Bible, the word “star” is used for an angel (see Revelation 9:1: 12:4). It’s not beyond the realm of possibilitythat this is what the “star” was. Luke 2:8-20 records the details of the shepherds who were living in the fields around Bethlehem during the time of the birth of Jesus. ”And behold, an angel of the Lord stoodbefore them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid” (Luke 2: 9). Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you thisday in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:10-14). Perhaps this angel with the bright glory of the Lord shining around the shepherds was the bright star of Bethlehem. This angel of the Lord could have been the heavenly signthat brought the Gentile wise men to the true king of the Jews, and the baby in the manger was the earthly sign to the Jews. Both Jews and Gentiles were humanity’s witnesses to this spectacular event. The multitude of the heavenly host represented the angelsof heaven as witnesses to the Lord’s incarnation. JESUS’ LIFE About the time of the start of Jesus’ ministry, when Jesus was about 30 years old, he was baptized by John the Baptist. “When all the people were baptized, it came to passthat Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). I wouldsay this definitely qualifies as a supernatural sign from God. Jesus performed many supernatural miracles during his 3.5-year ministry, including walking on water, resurrecting people from the dead, turning water into wine, and of coursehealing multitudes of people. There is an interesting theory that amongst the multitudes who received a direct blessing from Christ, there are recorded in Scripture exactly 153 special individual cases. {Note:2} The 153 blessings correspond to John 21:11 wherePeter and some of the other disciples went fishing after Jesus’ resurrection and caught 153 fish after the resurrected Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. Of course, the 153 fish represent 153 miracles that Jesus performed and wererecorded in the Bible. Regardless if this is the true meaning of this verse (or if there is one), Jesus performed many miracles throughout his short life. “And there are also many other things thatJesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). JESUS’ DEATH Jesus was placed on the cross at 9 a.m. (Mark 15:25), then from noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land (Matt. 27:45). Darkness precedes death.During the 10 plagues of Egypt, darkness came over the land of Egypt for three days. After the plague of darkness in Egypt came the death of the Egyptian’s firstborn sons (Ex. 11:4-5). Likewise, on the cross darkness preceded the death of God’s Son. This wassupernatural darkness as there is no astronomical event that could cause a three-hour darkness. After Jesus yielded up His spirit, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened;and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake andthe things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54). The earthquake might not have been a supernatural event, although the centurion seemed to think so. The next event might also be considered a natural phenomenon, but I wouldimagine many Jews would have considered it a “sign.” After Jesus was laid in his tomb and the day was transitioning from Nisan 14 to Nisan 15 at sunset, a blood-red moon caused by a lunar eclipse was rising on the horizon in Jerusalem, Israel on April 3, 33AD. Was that blood-red moon a natural phenomenon? Yes. Was it a heavenly sign for the Jews? Yes. The following website has a modern photo reconstruction of the Moon rising over the Mount of Olives on April 3, 33 AD (and some good information as well). HowLunar and Solar Eclipses Shed Light on Biblical Events - Associates for Biblical Research (biblearchaeology.org) Of course, the greatest supernatural sign of all was when Jesus rose from the grave early on the first day of the week on Nisan 17. There were many witnesses who saw the resurrectedJesus, which proved He was the Messiah. Paul said, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that,He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all, He was seen by me also, as by one born out of duetime” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). JESUS’ RETURN TO THE EARTH “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before thegreat and terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shallcall” (Joel 2:30-32). ”Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers ofthe heavens shall be shaken: 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”(Matthew 24:29-30). There is one more “sign” that needs mentioning. Sometime in the very near future, there will be a great sign to the Jews that their long-awaited Messiah (whom they missedthe first time) is coming. It is a sign that will take place in the heavens and is commonly referred to as the Rapture. “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 inChrist shall rise first: 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This heavenly sign will precede Jesus’ return to the Earth by at least seven years (the long-awaited 70th seven of Daniel 9:24). So, to all you Jews and those who requirea sign, when you see the heavenly sign of the Rapture, you know your Messiah is near, even at the doors, so look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Randy Nettles rgeanie55@gmail.com

Ignoring the Higher Plane of Hope!

 Ignoring the Higher Plane of Hope! - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2023/09/23/ignoring-the-higher-plane-of-hope-by-daymond-duck/ A reader recently sent me an email that said: •I know that all of us have heard that depression and suicide are becoming rampant with our children and our elderly. I believe the reason is because they have no hope. Manygo to church, but they have a propensity for depression and an attitude that there is nothing more to live for. I feel that the church needs to step up and become more aware of the End-Time news that needs to be taught that will help lift these poor people’semotions to a higher plane of hope and renewed faith that the Bible is not a pile of fantasy tales that haven’t come true. I know: •That at least one-fourth to one-third of the Bible is prophecy, depending upon who we are listening to. •That Jesus told us many times to watch for His return. •That when Jesus gave the Great Commission, He told us to teach all nations to observe all (all, not just some of) the things He said (Matt. 28:19-20). •That the world situation will worsen at the end of the age (II Tim. 3:1-13). •That the glorious return of Jesus is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). •That under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul gave us the word of the Lord (something Jesus said about the Rapture) and told us to comfort one another with what Jesussaid (I Thess. 4:13-18). •That I often receive emails from church members who say their pastor never mentions Bible prophecy; they have asked their pastor to mention it occasionally, and he will notdo it, and they cannot find a church near them that has a pastor who occasionally preaches on Bible prophecy. I ask is it possible: •That the prophesied worsening world situation (Covid-19 deaths and side effects, inflation, talk of a digital currency, etc.) is causing an increase in depression and suicide,and most church members attend churches that have pastors who will not tell them that there is a higher plane of hope? •That there is no need for the unchurched to ask many church members what they think about the current world situation because nothing is ever said about it in the pulpit,in the Sunday School literature, in the Sunday School class, and the church members have never studied it on their own? •That lost church members and others are attending churches and listening to pastors who will never tell them that they could be running out of time to get saved? •That the answers that some depressed and suicidal people are seeking are in the Bible, but there is no chance that they will ever hear those hope-filled comforting wordsfrom a pastor or a church member in their neighborhood? •That the prophesied worsening world situation is partly due to a lukewarm attitude and spiritual failure in the church that is leading to the coming Judgment of God, churchmembers that will not make it to heaven, the rise of the Antichrist, the coming Mark of the Beast, and the fulfillment of other terrible events? Here are some current events that appear to indicate that the days of pastors and church members ignoring that higher plane of hope are about over. One, concerning the failure to talk about that higher plane ofhope in view of the prophesied worsening world situation: on Sept. 18, 2023, The Christian Post reported that well-known Christian researcher George Barna has released a new book in which he claims that millions of uncommitted Christians are causing “a catastrophicdecline in biblical worldview in America.” Here is part of what Barna’s research shows: •Many Christians feel ill-equipped, so they outsource their responsibilities as parents to others (teachers, coaches, experts, etc.) “who may not share their worldview andvalues.” •“Our worldview is the decision-making filter that informs every decision we make — intellectual, moral, emotional, and spiritual.” •“Most of them (parents) were also found incapable of passing on a biblical worldview to their children because most don’t have one.” •“They (parents) can’t give what they don’t have — and this creates a gaping spiritual vacuum as today’s parents are raising their children.” I do not question the accuracy of Barna’s research, but I found it troubling because the Bible teaches that there will be a falling away, a departing from the faith, a lukewarmspirit in the Church at the end of the age, and many will not make it to heaven. Every parent should be sure that they and their children are putting their faith in Jesus. Here is a link to The Christian Post article: https://www.christianpost.com/news/uncommitted-christians-a-threat-to-biblical-worldview-barna.html Two, concerning peace in the Middle East: on Sept. 14, 2023, itwas reported that Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, and Jordan would meet on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly meeting on Sept. 18, 2023, to discuss ways to change and restart the Middle East peace process. The Biden administration and congressional lawmakers from both parties are expressing optimism that a transformational agreement of peace and security is on the way, but itcould be a few months for that to become a reality. (Update:On Sept. 17, 2023, it was reported that Saudi Arabia has informed the Biden administration that it is suspending all discussions about a normalization agreement with Israel.) (Update:In a speech before the UN General Assembly on Sept. 19, 2023, Pres. Biden said, “The US plans to seek both the normalization of the Jewish state with its Arab neighbors and a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” He is practically beggingfor the Judgment of God to fall on the U.S.) Three, concerning deceit and corruption in the White House: Pres.Biden has constantly denied involvement and knowledge of Hunter’s business dealings. •Biden is on video boasting that he got a Ukrainian prosecutor fired who was investigating Hunter’s dealings with a company called Burisma by threatening to deny U.S. moneyto Ukraine. •There are bank records that show that Biden family members got at least $20 million from foreign entities. •There is proof that money flowed through more than 20 shell companies, and Pres. Biden was using aliases. •There is evidence on Hunter’s Laptop from Hell, and now, after many denials (lies), it has been proven that the laptop is Hunter’s. •One of Hunter’s business partners has said Hunter would call his dad on speakerphone during business meetings so Hunter’s foreign business partners could hear his dad’s voiceand what his dad said. •Whistleblowers in the IRS have testified that the Bidens have been involved in questionable business dealings, and the IRS leadership has covered it up. •There is more (testimonies, emails, etc.), and an investigation is ongoing. Pres. Biden’s claims that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing appear to be false. Four, concerning accusations of deceit and corruption in the WhiteHouse, Biden’s denial that there is any evidence to support them, and the decline of America: on Sept. 12, 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that a Republican committee will open a formal impeachment inquiry into Biden’s activities. An impeachment inquiry will allow Republicans to get information that they have been asking Biden to produce, and he has not, or will not, do it. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said Nancy Pelosi set a precedent when she targeted Pres. Trump; now our House committees will expose the crimes of the Biden family. Democrats have targeted Pres. Trump and many of his associates; now Republicans are targeting the Bidens, and some Democrats think that is wrong. Pandora’s box has been opened, and there is no telling when all of this will end, what will be uncovered, or how much damage is being done to the U.S. Five, concerning natural disasters: on Sept. 15, 2023, it wasreported that the death toll from the cyclone that struck Libya five days earlier and collapsed dams has topped 11,300, and more than 10,000 are still missing. Six, concerning a cashless society and tracking all buying andselling: on Sept. 15, 2023, The European Union Times reported: At the recent G20 Summit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “praised the EU’s strides toward a bloc-wide digital identity app capable of storing a citizen’s personalinformation, including credit cards, driver’s license, and passport data.” The title of the EU Times article is “EU Chief Says Public Who Refuse WEF Digital IDs Will Be Excluded from Society.” (Note:A digital society and tracking all buying and selling is not the Mark of the Beast—not the same as taking the name, number, or Mark of the Antichrist—but it is that system beginning to come to pass.) (My opinion:The Pre-Trib Rapture is the right view. This means Christians will be Raptured at least three and one-half years before the digital society and tracking all buying and selling develops into the Mark of the Beast.) Here is a link to the article: https://www.eutimes.net/2023/09/eu-chief-says-public-who-refuse-wef-digital-ids-will-be-excluded-from-society/ Seven, in a different article concerning a cashless society andtracking all buying and selling (the Mark of the Beast): on Sept. 17, 2023, The European Union Times reported: •That “Leaders of the G20 signed a treaty last week to roll out the WEF’s ‘digital IDs’ and ‘cashless societies,’ which will be mandatory for all people who wish to participatein society.” •That “The G20 leaders have agreed to impose these WEF policies on their populations without giving the public a chance to vote.” •That EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “advocated for global cooperation to usher in digital IDs.” •That “The European Union is currently trying to introduce a bloc-wide’ digital identity’ app that would consolidate various personal information, including passports, driver’slicenses, and medical history.” Citizens need to realize that the U.S. is a member of the G20, so this article is saying the U.S. has already signed a treaty to make the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) digitalIDs and cashless society mandatory for everyone who wants to buy, sell, travel, etc. According to the EU Times article recently, “Most Democrats and Republicans reported concern that the government could control what people spend their money on and potentiallyturn off access to their bank accounts.” Here is a link to the EU Times article: https://www.eutimes.net/2023/09/g20-sign-treaty-to-roll-out-wef-digital-passports-worldwide/ Eight, concerning pestilence and the possibility that globalistsare trying to reduce the population of planet Earth: on Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that Florida’s Surgeon Gen. is advising against taking the new mRNA Covid-19 vaccine. He does not think it has been properly tested for safety and effectiveness, and without proper testing, there could be dangerous adverse reactions, including cardiac injuries. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis agrees with his Surgeon General’s advice. (More:On Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that well-known cardiologist, epidemiologist, author, and more, Dr. Peter McCullough, told Members of the European Union Parliament (MEPs) the Covid-19 vaccines are not safe, and no one should take them.) (More:On Sept. 19, 2023, it was reported that Univ. of So. Carolina Professor Dr. Phillip Buckhaults told the So. Carolina Senate that Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is contaminated with billions of plasmid DNA bits that could cause rare but serious side effects, includingthe possibility of cancer.) (My opinion:Some of the people who say it is safe and effective are paid by the pharmaceutical industry or receive campaign contributions from them, so their statements should be considered suspect.) FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born witha sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6). Finally, are you Rapture Ready? If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believethat Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

What Christ’s Second Coming Will Look Like

 What Christ’s Second Coming Will Look Like - By Gene Lawley - https://www.raptureready.com/2023/09/27/what-christs-second-coming-will-look-like-by-gene-lawley/ How the Scriptures present the details of Christ’s Second Coming is far different than the picture we get from those who persistently want to avoid mentioning the Raptureas a viable end-time expectation. In this article, we will see and quote Scriptures that detail that event of His Second Coming and thereby establish the fact there is a coming “ingathering of the saints” prior to that Second Coming. The promises of God in the Bible are facts, established truths, because of the Person who made the promises. We see that in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of Godin Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God….” The facts, then, testify of the truth of the Word regarding the Second Coming of Christ. How Jesus told of His Second Coming, first of all, in Matthew 24:29-31, He says this: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moonwill not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the cloudsof heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Some specific things to note in that passage that are placing the timing of the Second Coming correctly: 1.It is after the tribulation of those days. It has not been a time of “eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage,” indicating a time of easy-going life withoutany turbulence and difficulties. In those days before the Lord comes to the earth to reign as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, as told in Revelation 13 to 19, conditions will be such that people will have as their number one concern a need for survival. Theimpact of the Mark of the Beast will have brought death to many (see Rev. 7), and lack of food will be magnified horribly. Remember Christ authorized famine to occur when He opened that third seal in Revelation 6 and a black horse and rider appeared? 2.Note who is already in heaven—the Elect: “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, fromone end of heaven to the other.” The passage in Matthew 24:37 and following tells of “two men who are together; one is taken, and the other one is left,” an action not fitting into the likeness of the glorious Second Coming of the Lord with His Elect, as depictedin Revelation 19:9, following the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is a clear contradiction to have the Lord “taking one and leaving the other” when His Elect are already in heaven with Him. It is clear that such a one-on-one selection is more properly placedin the Rapture setting, as also described in Luke 17:26-30. After all, we just saw that His saints were already in heaven, those places He has prepared for them, according to John 14:1-4. 3.Jesus comes to the earth with His body of believers, and a final battle is fought with Jesus, the One who conquers the Antichrist and his false prophet, then casts themalive into the lake of fire. This is revealed in Revelation 19 and is testimony that He has not remained in heaven and is now managing the Millenium from His throne there. The claim that we are now experiencing the Millennium here on earth is a fallacy theReformers did not take with their Reformation from the Roman Catholics, apparently. The picture the Scriptures show of the Second Coming in Revelation 19 is far more vivid with grandeur, glory, and power that will be seen worldwide than that of the Rapture.That is because at the Rapture, the audience is limited to the redeemed, and it is more likely that only the believers will hear the trumpet’s blast. The parable in Matthew 22:1-14 identifies those who will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb. It will bethose who have accepted His invitation to come, those who will have believed in Him during this age of grace. There are more details of His Second Coming in Zechariah 14:4 and following. Verse 4 says, “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalemon the east and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.” Zechariah goes on to describe the events of the Millennium rolling out, and it is defined as a period of only one thousand years. Revelation 20 speaks of “a thousand years” six times, emphasizing more specifically that the Millennium is not now occurring in its second thousand years. In refuting that belief, Satan does not appear to be bound in the bottomless pit at all; any control over evil from heaven is obviously missingas we see the growing evidence of a “falling away” from faith, lawfulness, justice and moral integrity. Truly, God is now allowing these things to continue until He comes at the right time, for the Scripture in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that the “fallingaway” must come first, then the One who restrains—holds back—the pressing onslaught of evil is taken out of the way. That, dear believer, is the Rapture, the “snatching” out those who have received Christ as their Savior. When the Reformers take up the beliefs of the Roman Catholics that the Book of Revelation is not worthy of any consideration in their understanding of God’s plan of redemptionand that it is a collection of myths and allegories, they leave out major events that are yet to come. One major event that is not addressed by those who want to skip the prophecies of the last days is the matter of the calling forth the 144,000 witnesses or messengers fromthe twelve tribes of Israel. Revelation 6, at the opening of the fifth seal, Jesus authorizes and previews their ministry, and in Revelation 7, John tells of the results of their preaching the gospel of the kingdom to “a great multitude which no one couldnumber, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands….” These are believers who have rejected the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 and following. They are killed, and it says more are also to be killed. They are not of the church,which has been taken to heaven already. They have a service role during the time of the tribulation, as the Elder assisting John seems to indicate. The ministry of the Holy Spirit, as John told us in John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak onHis own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” Does He lead us into false doctrines? Does He create doctrines on His own? Does He not tell us things to come? Will He reveal anything that is not in the inspired Scriptures?We have the whole counsel of God in the Bible, the Word of God. It is not laid out like an encyclopedia, one subject after another, in detail. We must search it out, rightly dividing that Word of Truth without contradictions. In my experience in the Word, I find that a chronological following of the roll-out of the events of the Bible is readily apparent and that such an approach to the propheciesof the last days eliminates much confusion and false doctrines that arise in these last days. For example, I am criticized as a “dispensationalist,” and thus, I must believe that the Rapture doctrine was invented by one John Darby in the mid-1800s. Dispensationalismmeans the belief that events have occurred one after the other that identify God’s pattern of the revelation of His plan for the redemption of mankind to the extent that can be accomplished. At least, that is how it comes across to me in its simplest form,and I scratch my head and wonder how that is any different than the following of a chronological roll-out of God’s program in the same way. Finally, the picture in Revelation 19 of Jesus returning to earth the Second Time shows Him on a white horse, charging forth, as the Apostle John tells it: “Now I saw heavenopened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns” (verse 11). Then, in verse 14, he says this: “And thearmies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” “And on His head were many crowns.” When did He get those crowns? They were cast at His feet when the saints, represented by the twenty-four elders, appeared before His throneas John so reported in Revelation 14—before the seven years of tribulation. Does this appearance give the implication that He will be dealing with those who are taken while others are being left behind? Two reminders come to mind: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5), and “Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10b).