BECAUSE YOU HAVE KEPT MY WORD, I WILL KEEP THEE FROM.......

 

By Pastor Mike Taylor

19 “And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.

21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 36:19-23)

We live in an age of miracles. Who would have dreamed the advancements that have been created in a short, by comparison of the last 125 year, to the history of mankind. But science has made great advances in medicine on understanding genetic codes, some good, and some not so good. As it was in the days of Noah, mankind has mastered many secrets to life, but have done things that God destroyed the whole earth because of doing things against His Creation. Man attempts to merge DNA's of humans and animals in test tubes is an abomination before God. To create artificial intelligence and make man a hybrid of machine and humanity. Then man has been able to manipulate weather such as using HAARP but creates havoc using such devices to control the elements.

Then we see the advances in space travel and I remember the news coverage when we first landed a manned space craft on the moon. Man expects in the future to travel to distant stars, to Mars and other planets outside our atmosphere. It appears there is nothing that mankind cannot do....to a point, that God will allow. Mankind has limits that are in the bounds of time, which we cannot control. We see the past and learn from history, but we cannot see the future and make any type of predictions, as we can only guess.

ISRAEL, A MODERN DAY MIRACLE

Take for example the restoration of Israel as a modern day democracy after almost 2000 years of being destroyed as a nation on earth. No one would have believed 150 years ago OR even 80 years that Israel would ever come back to her native country as we have seen in the last 73 years. Israel was virtually uprooted in 702 BC by Sargon II who conquered the northern half of the nation we now know as Israel and carted the people to distant lands, scattering them to the four winds and placed other people conquered into the land to prevent an uprising and rebellion of nations they conquered and overran. It is how the Samaritans came to be in the northern half of the once great nation of Israel in the days of Jesus. Likewise, the southern half of Israel, know as Judah was taken captive by the Kingdom of Babylon and finally returned after 70 years of exile. But in 70AD Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple burned and the nation of Israel was no more when in 135 AD the city was sown with salt and plowed under and the national name was changed to Palestine by the Roman Empire after the name of the Philistines in Gaza area.

Still the prophets wrote confidently by Holy Spirit moving them to write, that in the last days, Israel would again be reborn in her own land. Once again the Hebrew people would inhabit real estate from which they were displaced, seemingly forever.

"And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country." (Ezekiel 34:13)

 Writing of the Gog Magog invasion, God inspired Ezekiel to prophesy;

"After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." (Ezekiel 38:8)

In this passage, we find a time frame in Ezekiel's prophecy that would come to pass as he said “after many days, in the latter years”. They would be brought forth from all the nations that they had wandered to and be brought to the ancestral lands to a land who had always been laid waste for near 2000 years. A place when Mark Twain visited called it the most desolate place he had ever seen on earth. Nothing grew and there were no trees, but only desert and barren hills.

For more than 2,500 years, this prophecy of Ezekiel remained dormant. Israel was destroyed by Sargon and never again existed as an independent nation.  Until, on May 14, 1948, when the survivors of the Holocaust were 'brought forth' under the banner of 'never again' to the 'mountains of Israel' -- which 'had always been waste' as the nation of 'Israel'.

During the time before Israel became a nation again, they petitioned Great Britain to allow them a homeland in the African country of Uganda, as they would have settled for any country, but that is not what the prophets wrote and not what God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that Israel and the Jewish people would inhabit again the mountains of Israel and that is exactly what happened.

I say all that about how Israel in a brevity of statements how Israel is now a nation again, to say this.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION?

Understanding the purpose of the Tribulation in relationship to Israel would go a long way to helping us to understand whether the Church of the Living God will be raptured before the tribulation, out of it, or after it.

Let us go back to the prophet Daniel and explore a little more of the vision given to the prophet and how history would unfold. Daniel foretold the rise and fall of three great empires and the rise, fall and revival of the last great world empire -- that of Rome.

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24)

The main points of the prophecy given to Daniel fall into these categories:

A. 'Weeks' refer to 'weeks of years' – 70/ 7 year periods equalling 490 years using the Hebrew 'shabua' or 'heptad' the way we use the Greek 'decade' in our culture to divide years into groups of ten years each.

B. The angel specifically said this period was for Daniel's people (Jews) and Daniel's holy city (Jerusalem).

C. Within this time frame six things will be accomplished; 1) finish the transgression, 2) make an end of sin, 3) make reconcilation for sin, 4) bring in everlasting righteousness, 5) seal up the vision and prophecy and 6) anoint the Most Holy.

All of these points are clearly directed at Israel, as the Church had not been formed yet. Point 1-3 in numeral category C above have already been accomplished and were settled for the church at the cross of Calvary by our Lord and Savior. Points 4-6 occur at the end of the Tribulation, with the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom and the rule of the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

The first 69 weeks or 483 years (70x7=490 years) concluded with Jesus riding in on a donkey to to loud proclaims of “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest ” and the people proclaiming Jesus as King. A few days later and Jesus would be crucified, as the text in Daniel says:

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:26)

Thus, the prophecy was put on pause, as the points 4-6 could not be completed because the Temple was destroyed in 70AD. At that time, God turned His attention to building a people who were not His people, the Church of the Living God. Daniel is told that the 70^th week will open when the “Anti-Christ” confirms a covenant between Israel and the many or nations of the world.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)

Daniel indicates in the passages noted above, that the Tribulation period is for Israel's national redemption. That theme is picked up by the prophet Zechariah:

 “The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zechariah 12:1-3)

Zechariah goes into great detail in chapter 12-14 of the redemption of Israel and is further proven in Revelation chapter 4 all the way through to chapter 20.

Jeremiah states further, that this is the time of Jacob's trouble:

7 “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:

9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” (Jeremiah 30:7-9)

"For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." (Jeremiah 30:11)

THOSE THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH.

There is also a second group that go through the Tribulation, right along with Israel:

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10)

Remember me telling you in times past, that the phrase “Keep thee from” is found in the original Greek in the word “EK” or meaning to keep from the hour, to separate those from the time and space. To bring them out of, not through an event. In this case, Jesus is talking about the coming Tribulation that will try “them that dwell upon the earth”. And the Church is not part of the Tribulation, as Jesus will take us “out of” His coming wrath poured out.

Note the phrase, 'them that dwell upon the earth'.  We find it six other times; in Revelation 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, and 17;8.

These are the individuals that gloat over the death of God's two witnesses found in chapter 11 of Revelation. And those who are pronounced to endure the final three trumpets which are to come written in chp. 8 of this same book of your Bible. These “dwellers on the earth” are the people who are deceived by the beast rising up from the sea, makes an image of the first beast, and worships the beast which all speaks of the Anti-Christ:

6 “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:6-8)

Those who dwell upon the earth will gaze in wonder at the scarlet beast:

7 “And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” (Revelation 17:7-8)

These are the people, those that dwell upon the earth, who do NOT have their names written down in the Book of Life and will take the mark of the beast.

In contrast to these earth dwellers, Jesus says of the Church in His prayer at Gethsemane;

14 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:14-17)

Jesus is praying at the time for His apostles, and all who the Father would give Him. It is a blanket prayer for all the saints of God down through time from the time of the cross. Clearly, since the Tribulation period is the time of Jacob's Trouble, was pronounced upon Daniel's people and Daniel's city, and its purpose is to accomplish for Daniel's people in the last days the same thing accomplished for the Church at the Cross. The Tribulation period is for the Jews. As I have spoken of many times in the past, the two group of people found during the tribulation as noted above are the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, and those who are rebellious against God known as the “dwellers upon the earth” . Israel will be refined as silver is refined in the furnace, as Malachi tells us:

2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)

Just as clearly, according to Jesus, it is also to judge the earth dwellers whose names are not written in the Book of Life.

14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (Revelation 14:14-20)

If there is a purpose for the Church in the Tribulation Period, there is no express mention of that purpose in Scripture, although Scripture is clear regarding both Jews and 'earth-dwellers'.  And the 'earth dwellers' can't be the Church, since their names are not written in the Book of Life.

Paul tells us through God's Holy Spirit that we are not appointed to the wrath that is befallen those who dwell upon the earth, that starts in chp. 6 of Revelation.

9 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:9-10)

But what wrath to come? To those who will be delivered unto hell fire for their rejection of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. The wrath of God will fall on all earth dwellers in the Tribulation that have rejected the only propitiation or substitute for the wrath we deserve, which is death. Again in Romans chapter 8, Paul confirms that we are not part of God's fury, as the wrath of God is fallen on those who are condemned.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)

Now lets look at 1^st Thessalonians of Paul has further to say:

  “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

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

Notice in verse 3 "For when THEY shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM, as travail upon a woman with child; and THEY shall not escape." (Note the pronouns 'they' and 'them')

Then we read in verse 5: "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: WE are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let US not sleep, as do others; but let US watch and be sober." (Note the change -- 'they'- 'them' become 'we'- 'us')

Then in verse 7, Paul tells us the difference in “we,us” in verse 5, by differentiating between those that sleep and are drunk:

"For THEY that sleep sleep in the night; and THEY that be drunken are drunken in the night."

And finally, tells us that we must be vigilant "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

There is a clear distinction between Jewish people who are alive during this time, and earth dwellers who are also going through the Tribulation, and “US” the Church, but let me make a point here.

Look at verse 8 above. It refers to the “hope of salvation”. What does that mean?

Salvation from what?

My salvation comes with an iron-clad guarantee, signed in Blood.  I don't 'hope' for salvation -- I am saved now.

17” For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1^st Peter 4:17-19)

The church is being judged now. We are saved by the Blood of Jesus and have salvation from eternal punishment that is found in hell and the Lake of Fire.

.But salvation from the 'wrath to come' is indicated by the context and consistent with the doctrine that says,

"I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them from my hand." (John 10:28)

And the 'wrath to come' is the Tribulation period - the time of Jacob's Trouble. The Church is not needing judgment as we have already been judged righteous clothed with the righteousness of Jesus our Lord, and that not of our own.

The argument for a pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church is consistent with Scripture.  Keep in mind that the salient point is not so much 'when' as it is "Who" is coming.

ARE YOU READY?

Do you know who is coming? Are you ready to meet Him? Will you be clothed with His righteousness, or found wanting by being clothed with your own? Yours cannot stand in front of a Holy God who will not allow sin into His presence. There is only one Way back to God our Father and to be forgiven of all of our short comings in breaking the Laws of God, for if you have sinned in one point, you have sinned in them all. One sin is just as great as the other in God's eyes. What must you do to be forgiven and be able to escape what is coming?

The Remedy is found in One Name that is above every name. Jesus Christ is that Name...He stands at the door of any sinner's heart and knocks to be allowed entrance. He won't force His way in, but will accept your invitation to make Him Lord of your life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11)

Who will you be identified with in the coming time of the return of Jesus Christ for His Church...will you be that church, the bride of Christ, or will you simply be a sin filled “earth dweller” that has to go through the most horrific time known to God's world. Jesus is coming. Now is the season of making that decision for Jesus Christ and get on the ark of safety, which is the Son of God. Do it today, as the time of that closing window of opportunity is closing fast.

This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying you enter into a relationship by the blood of Jesus Christ, with Almighty God. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear. Email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com ,God bless you all,

TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET.

FALSE PROPHETS AND RELIGIONS DURING THE END OF DAYS

 

By Pastor Mike Taylor

9 “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1^st. Corinthains 13:9-10, 12)

There are many interpretations out there concerning Bible prophecy and all can't be right, and all can't be wrong. Nobody who is truly a Christian is trying to teach false doctrine, or doing the work of the “adversary”.

All those preachers, evangelist and pastors are reading the same Bible that I am reading and I assume all of them are sincere (at least I hope they are). It is beyond comprehension of myself to believe that one who has believed in the atonement of Jesus Christ through His sacrifice on a cross, and subsequent resurrection to a glorified man/God, would teach deliberate error.

Now we know that there are false teachers in the world, as Jesus told us that the end times would produce those who seek to deceive.

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

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

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

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:23-27)

But I don't believe that those who are “sincere” Christians are preaching error deliberately. I also, have been accused of preaching false doctrine when I propose anything on Dispensationalism, or the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, but from that perspective, not wanting to deceive anybody, I have often prayed that God would show me if I be in error while teaching the same. What God has done in the past, and continues to do for me, is to re-inforce these doctrines and to preach them more earnestly, as the time is short.



Personally, I have pointed out errors of the “New Age” type of Christianity that focuses on your “Best Life Now” type of motivational speaking, that looks to numbers that fill their church, and money for their pet building programs they can afford from “fleecing the flock” ...There are plenty of TV evangelist, and you know who they are, who are willing to bend the message to their advantage.

So it is with the Prosperity Gospel that tells you to send them $100 and God will turn right around and send you $1000, which reminds me of the past political election and the mantra “Pay to play” that leads many people to send all their money to these TV preachers and forsake taking care of their family. God is NOT about riches in this life, but the riches of the life to come. God has a habit of taking care of His children, and giving them what they need, but it doesn't include multi-million dollar mansions and driving around in a Rolls-Royce and jet-setting to foreign lands in your private jet.



But even with that, the fact remains that there are sincere Christians who read the same scriptures as everybody else and come up with entirely different interpretations and we are reading the same messages. When it comes to the future of Bible Prophecy and what God has promised us in the near future, you have people who discount much of it. The Preterist believe that everything of prophecy was fulfilled in 70AD with the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jews into exile.



To a futurist, Bible prophecy has yet to be completely fulfilled. But even amongst these folks there is disagreement on when these events will take place. Some believe the Rapture, the HARPAZO of the church will be at the end of the Tribulation. Others believe it will happen at the mid-point of the Tribulation, or even Pre-wrath believers.
Others, this minister included, believe that the “Removal of God's Church” will take place before the Tribulation starts in earnest and God's wrath pours down on rebellious mankind in a wave after wave of ever increasing crescendo of events.

8 “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”(1^st Thessalonians 5:8-10)

But again, we are all reading the same passages and coming to different conclusions. I praise God that I was able to show a prior post Tribulation believer that Revelation 3:10, when taken in the original Greek, shows that God will “take us out of” not take us through the coming Tribulation.

10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”(Revelation 3:10-11)

The phrase “will keep thee from” is a Greek word I have spoken of repeatedly, which is the Greek word “EK”...which means literally to be removed from the time and place of the situation...that would be the tribulation.

Then I pointed him to Isaiah 26:19-21 coupled with John 14:2-4, its sister verse, the brother was able to see what he had read many times, but failed to discern that the church is not present during this horrific time of Jacob's trouble.

17 “Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord.

18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:17-21)

And the sister verse that says Jesus will bring us to Him, not Jesus coming to us on earth:

 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:1-4)

My brother told me that he had read those passages many times, but it never made sense until he looked up the original Greek meaning of the passage.



ARE ALL SINCERE?


We presume that all of those who read Bible prophecy are all sincere and believe that their understanding is the correct one. After all, things that are different are NOT the same, as the Rapture can only occur ONCE.

The question is, “is the rapture before, during, or after the Tribulation?”...Speaking of a fellow brother in Christ, Hal Lindsey would be sincere and confident that the Rapture happens before the tribulation and we would agree. But there are others, such as Marv Rosenthal who teaches something called “Pre-Wrath and reading his commentaries, I believe he is sincere in that belief.


I have also been aware of post Tribulation teachers, and there are whole denominations that believe in such a theory when related to Bible Prophecy. I recall that the Church of God, when HW. Armstrong was alive and his son, Garner Ted were both Post Tribulation believers and there are off-shoots of that denomination since the split of the Church of God who still believe it. But reading these still active preachers work convinces me that they too, are sincere about their position of Bible prophecy. (Although I believe they are wrong)

Although there are many different interpretations of the coming of our Lord, when and where it will happen, there is one doctrine that a true Christian believes and we can all agree on. It is that we are all saved by Grace through Faith in the shed Blood and bodily resurrection of our Lord to become a glorified spirit being of flesh and bone. Jesus became what we will be in the “sweet by and by” a glorified man, immortal, and we will be in the same image as our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1^st John 3:1-3)

That is the ONLY doctrine, in the final analysis, which really and truly bears eternal consequences. Preterist that trust Jesus for their salvation through faith, will meet up with futurist who also trust Jesus, who will fellowship with Pre-Tribbers, and post Tribbers that will fellowship with other protestants and Catholics who actually believe that only Jesus saves.

Because in the final analysis, if you trust Jesus, and in Him alone for your hopes of salvation, then you will go to that blessed place of eternal existence, we call “heaven”.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)



THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD


This is the central message of the Gospel. It is the focus of the entire Bible that was written as a love letter to the world, that God would redeem us by the blood of His Son. The rest is the product of us longing to know more about God and know that we are blinded by our earthly existence as being mortal and bound to this world we live on. We are finite men and women who are attempting to comprehend the infinite. We can only know the True God of the Bible, by believing in the only Begotten Son of God. To see Jesus is to see God the Father, as they are ONE.

As the opening scripture plainly tells us, we see “through a glass darkly”. Paul said we only know in part, but the part that really matters is the part that we are saved by faith in Jesus. Everything else in the Bible is a discussion of what we discern to be truth as we read it....but we must diligently study God's Word, because cherry-picking scriptures to confirm our pre-conceived ideas and doctrines will lead many into errors of interpretations.



A LESSON OF THE TOWER OF BABEL


In the story of the Tower of Babel, God explains how the various ethnic nations came to be.

"And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:6-7)

By scattering mankind over the whole earth, God removed the common bond of one language and ethnicity. God was insuring that no man could ever rule completely over other men, as Nimrod did when he was constructing the Tower of Babel.

Down though the ages, no man has been able to dominate all mankind, at least NOT YET. Not that some have tried to do so. We speak of people like Hitler, Napoleon, or the many Roman Catholic Popes that ruled the known world, but never completely ruled mankind on a global basis.

To date, this has prevented one culture or one world view to dominate all mankind. That diversity has allowed Christianity to flourish to the point that is part of world history.
That is because Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, rather than an accepted cultural duty, or a doctrinal edict by a majority ruling denomination.

Even ten years ago, I would not have imagined what has transpired in the last year....the big push for socialism, abortions, illegal immigration and open borders, and the push for a one world government. Plus total control BY one party who is godless and wants complete power. They have done all they can do, in the last couple months to unravel all the accomplishment provided in the last four years...This present confused so called “POTUS” is leading the world to destruction as he is implementing past Obama policies to our own demise. It will be proven that like Obama, Biden will be Israel's worst enemy and it will lead to environmental disasters all along our land. Mark my words on that. These are all false prophets that lead us into a one world government and the revealing of the Anti-Christ.

BACK TO THE CHURCH

God has built that same diversity into the Church, which accounts for how and why sincere Christians can read the same Scriptures and come up with such widely divergent doctrines as preterist historicism and pretribulationist futurism differ so greatly. It prevents any one teacher from becoming the only accepted source of information of the things of God.


WHY SO MANY DENOMINATIONS?

If everybody agreed on all point of scripture and Bible Prophecy, then the guy who articulated it the best could become the Great Oracle of God. (and what if he were wrong?)

There are so many denominations that have their own understanding of what the Bible says...Of course, we all can't be right. Someone has it right, and the others are wrong, but believe in their mortal understanding that they are right, but still wrong. We all have diverse teachings, but share the same salvation by grace through faith. And each are equally sincere because we all share the same awesome accountability before the Lord. So none of us who preach or those who hear the Word should take any of this lightly, but examine yourself to make sure you are in the faith of Jesus Christ.

4. “ For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

5, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2^nd Corinthians 13:4-5)

IN the end of all things of mankind's rule upon earth, we will be judged by how we used that doctrine that God delivered to us to lead others to the salvation which is found in no One, but Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is all true down through the Ages, but there is coming a time, when even this truth will be corrupted by two men who will lead those left behind in this world to destruction.....the real False Prophet and the Anti-Christ. 


TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, THE TRIBULATION

The necessity of understanding in the Church Age is demonstrated by a peek across the divide of the coming “Time of Jacob's Trouble” after the Church Age is concluded and this diversity will be replaced by a One World Religion that will be headed by one man promoting a mortal man, that many will look to as the “modern political messiah”.



A false prophet will arise that will direct all mankind to worship at the feet of the prophesied religious beast, the Anti-Christ. Since there will be no living, saved Christians on this earth that are guided by the Holy Spirit at that time of man's history, then the results achieved by the False Prophet are amply rewarded with the results that were unattainable during the Age of Grace, or the Church Age.

7 “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”(2^nd Thessalonians 2:7-12)

The diversity of thought will been changed to a distorted edict of a false religion that will be imposed on the whole world, and those that do not bow before this false religion will be at war with the coming One World Government headed by the coming Anti-Christ.
That diversity of understanding is replaced by a universal religion imposed by the false prophet and directed toward the worship of antichrist.

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:7-8)

I had a comment on my blog space from a reader who disagreed with my assessment that those who are in the Tribulation are not the Church. The quote was “ When we mention saints it's referring to us Christians found in numerous verses in revelation. So I kindly disagree with your article.” to that I responded.

“Notice that those who go through the tribulation are called saints, but never called the church...they are called the elect...a saint is a saint if they believe on Jesus, no matter what the time period is. The Tribulation produces those who believe through much persecution from man, and dealing with the falling wrath of God. No where in scripture will you find God's people being subjected to His wrath, if they are following Him. Those who believe in Jesus during this horrific time of the Tribulation will be sorely tested and will not have the guarantee of God's Holy Spirit, save the 144,000 Jewish evangelist that preach the Gospel and it will cost them their lives and all who believe in the Name of Jesus...only a remnant will escape the Anti-Christ reign of terror and will most likely be those who escaped to the wilderness fortress of Petra from Judea when the Abomination that causeth desolation reveals himself and proclaims himself, God. It will be as it was in 70 AD, when a remnant of Jewish people believed the Roman invasion of Jerusalem to destroy her, and escaped to Petra, which will most likely be where God will supernaturally protect them for a times, time and half a time...or 3.5 years...It may be the remnant of Jewish people that survive along with a remnant of Gentiles that did not take the mark of the Beast. “

Again, the success of the False Prophet in the final analysis, comes from the loss of spiritual diversity that is unique to the Church.
On doctrinal issues like the Rapture of the Church, for example, no matter what view one holds as doctrinal truth, the essential fact is that we all will obtain heaven's glory if we be found in Jesus Christ. The Rapture is called the Blessed Hope and I point all those who are “playing church” to its nearness. Why? Because if they are playing church, they may not be truly saved, just going through the motions and will be sorely surprised when they are “left behind”...my message to those who are not serious about Jesus Christ, is to warn them of the closeness of our eternal reward found in Jesus, and unless they just insanely desire for their life of unrighteousness and being subjected to the worst time in all of mankind's history, they had better get right with God right now....Because it will be exponentially harder to find Jesus Christ in the Tribulation..Oh, it's possible and many will, but it will cost them their life from the popular execution of being be-headed as described in Revelation.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years “ (Revelation 20:4)

The hour of the coming of our Lord draws ever near. And I believe the Pre-Tribulation removal of the Church, in Greek, the HARPAZO found in 1^st Thessalonians:

16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

and repeated again in 1^st Corinthians the same thought :

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

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

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1^st Corinthians 15:50-53)

Both passages speak of us being changed and caught up....the Word for this is HARPAZO, or from the dictionary, “to be snatched away, by force”

Right now, we see through a glass darkly, because that is how God intended it to be on this side of eternity. I believe, and many others believe that the bible speaks of the Pre-Tribulation rapture of the Bride of Christ. It is rather obvious, if you take a plain reading of scripture and don't inject your own bias. I don't believe that those who are truly God's people and don't agree with me, are preaching falsehood, but when the rapture happens, we'll all go at the same time. It's not a salvation issue, but it is a glorious belief that Jesus is coming for a Bride that is spotless and clean, and not for anything she has done, but what He has done.

For me, I will continue to preach and teach what I believe God has revealed to me. Those who belong to Him, truly, can believe or not believe as it will not matter when we are all raised into the air to meet our Lord Jesus and forever be with our Lord. The arms and hands of those who don't believe will be as mine, raised in praise to our God, and our Savior. I feel they will be just as thankful as I am, that they were WRONG...

16“For God so loved the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17, God send not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through HIM, might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

Belief with confession to others, what God has done for you. You believe in your heart and confess with you mouth, then my friend, you will join us at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and to be forever with the Lord.

8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11)

Won't you join us, those who believe in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected and sits at the right hand of God waiting for His return. ? Believe these last two passages in your heart and mind, and you will. So come Lord Jesus.....THE flip of the coin is to believe false prophets and denominations that don't preach Jesus Christ, crucified, and raised the third day. Instead of heaven, they will lead you to hell for all eternity.

This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying that I see you before our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you need prayer, counseling on salvation issues, or just a listening ear. Contact me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com. God bless you all.

TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET