Thoughts on Rapture!

The Rapture or Resurrection of the Church!
Some say Christians will be gone (Raptured) before the Tribulation. Some say that Christians will have to persevere. I personally do not see anywhere conclusively in Scripture that indicates the Rapture happens before the Tribulation.
It would be wise for all Christians to study, without referring to commentaries, of all Scripture concerning the Rapture(Resurrection). Just something to think about and ponder as we wait for that Glorious Day!
Here are a few of the most common Scriptures used to highlight the event.

Mt 24:29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1Co 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–
52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

1Th 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

2Th 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers,
2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Re 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Notice the theme throughout these passages. Also a passage of importance is Daniel 12:11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

With these can we conclude that the Rapture will be Mid-trib or Pre wrath Rapture?
Regardless, we are to Trust in Jesus to provide for Christians.
Mt 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.    Jesus is coming soon, so cling to Him and do not let go. Economic collapse, Food shortages, Disease, Earthquakes and Natural Disasters are increasing.  It is a great comfort to read and pray for understanding concerning all the events taking place in the world.
Lu 21:25-28 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Lift up your heads (ie Be of good cheer) because our Redemption is drawing near and is at the door. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

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Are you a Notional Christian?

What a day to be alive and walking in the steps of Jesus! As I ponder about the life and teaching of Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a prophecy Jesus spoke concerning His Return. Matthew 24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Unless you are a notional Christian, that means you follow Christ when you take a notion, this Scripture is accurate and hits the heart of the current Church deception! The church is now so worldly and drunk from its own maddening immorality there is no limit to its folly! The Apostle Paul understood what Jesus said concerning the church in the Last days. 2Timothy 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” The notional Christian is no Christian at all. They are in love with the concept of Christianity but deny the Power of the Resurrected Christ! So many are so involved with world they only speak of Jesus when they think it is fashionable. True Christians are only concerned about Godliness and living a Holy life for the Glory of Jesus, without caring what others think of their love for the One who died for them and Rose from the dead! Jesus has called us out of this world to be Holy as He is Holy and to Love one another as He Loved us! Not so the worldlings. 2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” Listen to this quote; “The church today is halted between two opinions. They do not know whether they want to serve the God who sent His Son to save them from their sins, or whether they want to pursue the idolatry and vain manner of living that is typical of American society today. What the Spirit wants to impress upon you this hour is that what passes for Christianity in the churches today is unacceptable to Him.” ~Joseph Herrin Remember the beginning Scripture of this devotion? Jesus said “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” How do we stand firm to the end of this wicked age? Repent of your idolatrous self and turn to Jesus! You have to come to God on His terms not yours! Turn away from your lies, hatred, lust, envy, strife, drunkenness, sexual immorality, stealing and hypocrisy. Turn to Jesus and be washed in His Blood shed on the Cross. Believe that God His Father raised Him from the dead and start fresh. Be Born again in the Spirit of God , so you can live a Holy life for which you were Created! Stop being a notional Christian and end up in Hell because you failed to know Him and Love Him. May everyone reading this be able to join me in Praising the Lord Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! He is coming soon! Yes, He is coming soon! Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

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Church of Vomit!

Scripture for consideration. Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm– neither hot nor cold– I am about to spit (vomit) you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Remember the Luke-warm church did not realize they were about to be vomited out of the mouth of Jesus because of their self centeredness, self righteousness and their lack of the True Christ centered mission of the Church. Does this sound like your church? Does your Church focus on the Person and Works of Jesus Christ? Is their always discussions about how to attract people to your Church? Christ never said He wanted His Church to be attractive, seeker friendly, comfortable, contemporary, old fashioned, people focused or modern. He gave this command for the Mission of His Church. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Luke 24:46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

After the Church received the Holy Spirit to empower them to fulfil His Mission, the book of Acts records the Purpose of the Church. Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Now with the clear Mission and Purpose of the Church clearly manifested by these Scriptures, ask yourself with prayer and honesty; does the Church I go to seek to obey Christ, without compromise, or does it only seem to do its own thing? If your Church is seeking obedience to Christ through its teaching and Preaching, then follow Christ through that local congregation. If not, run as fast as you can away from that church because you may find yourself vomited out of the mouth of Jesus-the Head of the Church! It does not sound good to be vomited out of Christ body, does it?

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Four Horsemen of Revelation!

1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”

Jesus is the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world! Only Jesus is worthy to open the seven seals. Refer back to Revelation 5. Voice like thunder means they are loud and authoritative.

2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”
4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”
8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

The Four Horseman of Apocalypse Revelation 6:2-8
Rev. 6:2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
First Horse is White
Study of the Anti-christ in the book of Daniel 7-12 reveals he will be a politician who will rise to power in the Revised Roman Empire AKA European Union. The anti-christ will come into power through peaceful means, after that will seek to destroy anyone who will not give him devotion. Riding on a White horse is a mockery of Jesus riding on a White horse in Revelation 19. White horse symbolizes purity which Anti-christ is not. Remember he will appear to be pure, but will be evil. Also it is note worthy that the teaching of Islam points to their Messiah will be the rider on the white horse. Could it be that Muslims will be helping anti-christ to conquer? Also look at the founder of the Arab Nation, Ishmael in Genesis 16:11-12 The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Now where will this rider be going to conquer?
Cross reference Zechariah 6:1-8
Rider on white horse is going West, possible pointing to where Anti- Christ rises to power. Revised Roman Empire is west of Israel. This is where EU is centralized.

Rev. 6:4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
Second Horse is Fiery Red
Rider will have power to take peace from the earth. To make men slay each other. (ie Ethnic war, religious war). Jesus said Nation will rise against Nation and kingdom against kingdom in Matthew 24 which will increase until Jesus returns.
Cross reference Zechariah 6:2 Zechariah does not tell which direction the Red horse will be heading. Could it be World Wide?

Rev. 6:5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Re 6:6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”
Third Horse is Black
Rider indicates something about economics.(ie rising food cost. Oil and wine indicates the wealthy will continue to prosper for a time).
Cross reference Zechariah 6:6 Black horse heads toward North Country. Due north of Israel is Russia. Economic collapse will be world wide. Which brings into focus the One World Economy. The anti-christ will control all financial transactions. See Revelation 13:15-17.

Rev. 6:8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
Fourth Horse is Pale(dapple green-sickly)
Riders name is Death and Hades follows with him. This horse goes toward the South. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Africa. All these South of Israel. These four Horsemen will have power over a fourth of the Earth. War, starvation, plagues such as Aids, west Nile virus, mad cow, and many others, are pestilence that come from the wild beasts of the Earth. The effects of these horse’s will be worldwide. All four horses are powerful, but only as God allows. Some say Christians will be gone before these riders are released. Some say that Christians will have to persevere. Regardless, we are to Trust in Jesus to provide for Christians. Remember Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Jesus is coming soon, so cling to Him and do not let go. Economic collapse, Food shortages, Disease, Earthquakes and Natural Disasters are increasing. It is a great comfort to read and pray for understanding concerning all the events taking place in the world. Luke 21:25-28 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea, ie (Hurricanes). Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Lift up your heads (ie Be of good cheer) because our Redemption is drawing near and is at the door.

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.
10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

The fifth seal, when it is opened, reveals souls of saints of old who were murdered because they refused to reject Jesus as their Savior. There has been millions through the years who lost their lives for Jesus sake! They hold a great testimony indeed. The sight the apostle beheld at the opening the fifth seal was very affecting. He saw the souls of the martyrs under the altar; at the foot of the altar in heaven, at the feet of Christ. Persecutors can only kill the body; after that there is no more they can do; the soul lives. God has provided a good place in the better world, for those who are faithful unto death. It is not their own death, but the sacrifice of Christ, that gives them entrance into heaven. The cause in which they suffered, was for the word of God; the best any man can lay down his life for; faith in God’s word, and the unshaken confession of that faith. They commit their cause to Him to whom vengeance belongs. The Lord is the comforter of his afflicted servants, and precious is their blood in his sight. As the measure of the sin of persecutors is filling up, so is the number of the persecuted, martyred servants of Christ. The Lord will certainly grant their request later in the Tribulation that has certainly started with the opening of the first four seals. As indicated in the eleventh verse the martyrs are given white robes that symbolize the purity that comes only through the Blood of Jesus. They are told to be patient until the rest of the believers, who will become martyrs, join them. Only the Lord knows which believers will be murdered during the Tribulation.

12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

When the sixth seal is opened there will be an earthquake so great that is will cause so much dust that the Sun will not be able to penetrate. The Moon when it shines through the dust caused by this earthquake will look like blood. Some apply it altogether to the Jews, and that their destruction in Judea and at Jerusalem was so dismal, that it was represented to St. John as the darkening of the sun, and the moon looking like blood, and the stars falling, such calamities impending as if heaven and earth were dissolving: doubtless at and before the destruction of Jerusalem there was a confluence of such calamities, so dismal, and so dreadful, as can very difficultly be represented or described. Cross reference to this sixth seal; As Rev 6:4,6-8, the sword, famine, and pestilence, answer to Mt 24:6,7; Re 6:9,10, as to martyrdoms, answer to Mt 24:9,10; so this passage, Re 6:12,17, answers to Mt 24:29,30, “the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven; … then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming”; imagery describing the portents of the immediate coming of the day of the Lord. Also see Joel 2:10, 31.

13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.

Could this be referring to a meteor shower? There will be an Asteroid hit the Earth during the Tribulation. Revelation 8:10. This is the beginning of many Global disasters.

14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

This sounds like an Atomic bomb. Also the results of the other calamities befalling the Earth!

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

After the opening of the Tribulation and the many billions of people dying from the results of the calamities described in this chapter people will still not repent of their sins. Instead of fleeing God’s wrath through the Death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus, people will be hiding in caves. What a cry of desperation when they pray that the mountains would fall on them to hide the face of God and the wrath of Jesus who is the Lamb. Listen to Psalm 2:9-12 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

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Rise Of Christian Persecution!

Sharing this article from Prophecy News Watch.  Where will you spend Eternity?  A Scripture to think about while reading this article is ; “Re 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.
10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

There is a widely quoted statistic that more Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than in the 19 centuries leading up to it. But as bad as the 20th century was, the 21st century is starting to make that look like a Sunday picnic. In every corner of the globe, Christians are being shot, burned, hanged, tortured and even stuffed into metal shipping containers. Christian clergy are being marked for assassination around the world, hundreds of churches are being burned to the ground along with scores of homes and businesses owned by Christians. Dozens of nations across the globe have now passed strict anti-conversion laws in an attempt to stifle the spread of Christianity. In the countries where Christians are not yet facing physical persecution, they still must deal with open discrimination, lawsuits and increasing ridicule. Christianity is now the most hated and most persecuted religion on the plant. The reality is that the words that Jesus spoke in John 15:18 ring truer today than ever: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Keep those words in mind as you read the following shocking reports of Christian persecution from all over the world….

China

Chinese authorities have conducted a crackdown on “illegal” Christian churches in recent months that church leaders are calling the harshest in years. Christians in China are required to worship in “churches” run by state-controlled organizations, and Christians who attempt to worship on their own are brutally persecuted.

Recently, hundreds of government police and hired thugs descended on a megachurch that served approximately 50,000 worshippers, smashing doors and windows, seizing Bibles and sending dozens of worshippers to hospitals with serious injuries. The co-pastors of the church are in prison and police vehicles remain parked on virtually every corner of the neighborhood where the church is located. Scenes such as this are regularly being repeated all over China as the Communist government seeks to eliminate all religion that is not government-sanctioned.

Eritrea

In a story that recently made headlines all over the world, thirty elderly women in Eritrea were arrested for simply praying together. But the truth is that this is just the latest episode in an ongoing persecution of Christians that is beyond brutal.

The Pakistan Christian TV website recently described the horrifc persecution of Christians in Eritrea this way….

Today some 3,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned for their faith. Some are in underground and solitary cells whilst some are in ‘secret’ prisons for the ‘disappeared’. However, most are herded into unventilated shipping containers in the desert where dysentery and infectious diseases go untreated. Torture is routine.

The truth is that these unventilated shipping containers are extremely uncomfortable. The temperatures in these metal shipping containers can reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and in many instances Christians are not even let out of them to use the bathroom.

Assassinations Of Clergy

Increasingly, Christian clergy are being targeted for assassination all over the world. The following are just a few of the recent examples….

*A Russian priest that had been highly critical of Islam has been assassinated inside his own church.

*Leftist guerrillas in Colombia brutally executed a Christian pastor just outside his own home.

*Two masked members of the al-Shabaab Muslim militia shot and killed a Christian pastor in Somalia as he drove home from a worship service.

India

Persecution of Christians in India is getting so bad that India actually made International Christian Concern’s Hall of Shame.

According to the ICC, 2008 was particularly bad, with “wave after wave of highly coordinated Hindu raids” that resulted in “the worst outbreak of anti-Christian violence in its recent history.”

The statistics that the ICC quotes regarding the outbreak of persecution in India are sobering….

“In all, more than 100 Christians are confirmed dead, 4,000 homes have burned down, and over 50,000 Christians have fled their homes.”

The following is just one example of what is going on in India. This story was originally posted by The Voice of the Martyrs….

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On April 25, Pastor Mohan Babu and two other believers were severely beaten by 35 Hindu extremists for holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) near Bangalore City, in Karnataka State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, the three-day VBS was organized by Ragigudda Baptist Church. VOM sources said, “Around 60 children from different backgrounds were attending the VBS. As they were worshiping, about 35 people belonging to a Hindu extremist group forcefully entered the hut chanting slogans and demolished the hut. The extremists mercilessly beat Mohan, Samuel and Krishna, alleging forceful conversion. The perpetrators chased the children without any courtesy and tore the Bibles. Mohan was severely injured on his lips and was profusely bleeding. The believers are living in fear and did not lodge complaint with the police.”

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Egypt

Hundreds of Muslim villagers in southern Egypt recently burned and looted scores of Christian-owned shops. Christians in Egypt live in a constant state of fear and thousands are being forced to relocate. In fact, the forced deportation of Egyptian Christians from their homes by the government in order to “protect” them is rapidly increasing.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, of course, strictly forbids the conversion of any Muslim to Christianity. The penalty for conversion is death. Back in 2008, The daughter of a man who works for Saudi Arabia’s religious police became a Christian after she joined an Internet chat group. He responded by cutting out her tongue and burning her to death.

The United Kingdom and Europe

All across Europe, “anti-proselytising” laws are being passed. Not only that, but other laws are being adopted that force Christians to deny their beliefs. For example, the U.K. government is being forced by the European Commission to eliminate exemptions that allow churches to refuse to employ homosexual staff.

North Korea

North Korea is one of the most brutally repressive governments in the history of mankind. Tonight more than 200,000 Christians will try to stay warm in horrific North Korean labor camps.

Christians there are considered little more than dogs as the following story from The Voice Of The Martyrs illustrates…..

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The young brown-eyed girl looked up at her mother. What would she decide?

Earlier that morning, the young girl’s mother, their pastor, and twenty-six others in her North Korean village of GokSan were bound and taken before a screaming crowd of Communists.

One of the guards ordered Pastor Kim and the other Christians, “Deny Christ, or you will die.” The words chilled her. How could they ask her to deny Jesus? She knew in her heart he was real. They all quietly refused.

Then the Communist guard shouted directly at the adult Christians, “Deny Christ, or we will hang your children.” The young girl looked up at her mother. She gripped her and knowing how much her mom loved her. her mother then leaned down. With confidence and peace she whispered, “Today, my love, I will see you in heaven.”

All of the children were hanged.

The remaining believers were then brought out onto the pavement and forced to lie down in front of a huge steamroller. The Communists gave them one last chance. “Deny this Jesus or you will be crushed.” The Christians had already given up their children; there was no turning back.

As the driver started the heavy piece of equipment, the singing from the villagers started softly. “More love, O Christ, to thee, more love to thee.”

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United States

Even with everything that has happened, the United States still offers Christians more freedom than virtually anywhere else on earth. But that is quickly changing as well. Christians in the U.S. just do not have the same level of freedom that they used to experience.

For example, school teachers in Florida say that they are being forced to hide in closets to pray after a controversial court ruling. All expressions of Christian faith are being ruthlessly pushed out of the public sphere by very powerful interest groups.

Calls for government repression of Christianity in the United States have grown louder than ever before. The Huffington Post even published a deeply disturbing article that calls evangelical Christianity the number one source of domestic terrorism in the United States and that calls on the Secret Service and the FBI to investigate and “infiltrate” pro-life and evangelical Christian groups.

Not only that, but many of the hottest best selling books in recent years have publicly mocked Christianity….

Just consider the titles of a few recent New York Times bestsellers…..

*”God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything” by journalist Christopher Hitchens.

*”The End of Faith” by atheist author Sam Harris.

*”The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins.

But this anti-Christian sentiment is just not held by a few elitists. The reality is that it has spread to much of the general population.

For example, the following are the titles of just a few anti-Christian threads on one of the most popular political discussion forums on the Internet….

“Dirty, Filthy, Christians”: Treatise On The Most Dangerous Death Cult In Human History

How can we destroy Christians?

Christians should not participate in politics

Why Christians are so ******* lame…

Attention Heterosexuals! Repent! Jesus Can Finally Make You Gay!

Christian are sub-humans

The truth is that hatred for Christians and Christianity is rapidly increasing.

Jesus warned us that these days would come.

In Matthew 24:9, Jesus told us how the world will treat Christians in the end times….

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”

The times ahead of us are not referred to as “the Tribulation” for nothing. It will be an absolute bloodbath for Christians. The entire world system will be geared towards eliminating all traces of the true Christian faith. Members of the same family will even betray one another to the authorities.

The truth is that things are not going to get any easier for Christians from here on out. Someday soon there will be no place to hide from Christian persecution.

When that day arrives, what will you do?

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3 Things

I know it is not just me but many of you have wondered about why things

seem to be moving so fast. So called economic crises, healthcare reform,

bailouts and so many other things seem to overwhelm most. I am not a

prophet but I know what the Bible says. Regardless of the situation you and

I find ourselves we need to remember what Paul the Apostle writes; 2Ti 3:1-

5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be

lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient

to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,

without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,

conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of

godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do w ith them. From this

passage of Scripture I would like to sugg est three things to ponder. 1) F aith

2) Holiness 3) Prayer. Faith is not an option in order to please God. We

must believe and put our Trust in Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus said that

before He comes many with wonder from the faith, so we need to be

Trusting in Him to bring us through every situation and not trusting in

government or men. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and

perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Second thing to consider is Holiness. Paul states that in the last days many

will have a form of godliness but denying its power. Many people all around

us seem to be religious. But Christian s now that religion does not bring

about a Holy life. The Bible says that without Holiness no one will see God.

So how do we live H oly lives amongst a religious godless society? Obedience

to Jesus Commands! Jesus Blood makes us Holy and we need to be Holy as

He is Holy! The H oly Spirit helps us to live Holy and G odly lives. The lost

world needs to see true believers living what they profess. Thirdly we need

prayer. This is the weapon of the believer. Paul talks about our strugg le in

this life in Ephesians chapter 6:10-18. Each piece of armor can only be put

on through prayer. Listen to Paul  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his

mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand

against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this

dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full arm or of God, so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything,

to stand. Stand firm then, with th e belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with

the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this,

take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming

arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the

Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the S pirit on all occasions w ith

all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always

keep on praying for all th e saints  . With everything th at is going on in life

we all need these 3 things; Faith, Holiness and prayer!

I know it is not just me but many of you have wondered about why things

seem to be moving so fast. So called economic crises, healthcare reform,

bailouts and so many other things seem to overwhelm most. I am not a

prophet but I know what the Bible says. Regardless of the situation you and

I find ourselves we need to remember what Paul the Apostle writes; 2Ti 3:1-

5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be

lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient

to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,

without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,

conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of

godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do w ith them. From this

passage of Scripture I would like to sugg est three things to ponder. 1) F aith

2) Holiness 3) Prayer. Faith is not an option in order to please God. We

must believe and put our Trust in Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus said that

before He comes many with wonder from the faith, so we need to be

Trusting in Him to bring us through every situation and not trusting in

government or men. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and

perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Second thing to consider is Holiness. Paul states that in the last days many

will have a form of godliness but denying its power. Many people all around

us seem to be religious. But Christian s now that religion does not bring

about a Holy life. The Bible says that without Holiness no one will see God.

So how do we live H oly lives amongst a religious godless society? Obedience

to Jesus Commands! Jesus Blood makes us Holy and we need to be Holy as

He is Holy! The H oly Spirit helps us to live Holy and G odly lives. The lost

world needs to see true believers living what they profess. Thirdly we need

prayer. This is the weapon of the believer. Paul talks about our strugg le in

this life in Ephesians chapter 6:10-18. Each piece of armor can only be put

on through prayer. Listen to Paul  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his

mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand

against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this

dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full arm or of God, so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything,

to stand. Stand firm then, with th e belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with

the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this,

take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming

arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the

Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the S pirit on all occasions w ith

all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always

keep on praying for all th e saints  . With everything th at is going on in life

we all need these 3 things; Faith, Holiness and prayer!

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Strange Fire in the House of The Lord….

No one fully understands what Nadab and Abihu did to prompt God to strike them dead in the sanctuary of Israel. The Bible says they loaded their firepans with incense, ignited the substance and “offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them” (Lev. 10:1, NASB). As a result of their careless and irreverent behavior, fire came from God’s presence and consumed them.
Zap. In an instant they were ashes.
When Moses had to explain to Aaron what happened to the two men, he said: “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near to Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored'” (v. 3). Although we don’t know the details of what Nadab and his brother did with the holy incense, we know they were careless and irreverent about the things of God.

This ancient story has relevant application for us today. We don’t use incense or firepans in our worship, but we are expected to handle God’s Word with care and minister to His people in the fear of the Lord. In other words: No funny business allowed. We aren’t allowed to mix God’s Word with foreign concepts or mix our worship with pagan practices.

Yet as I minister in various churches around this country I am finding that strange fire is spreading in our midst-even in churches that call themselves “Spirit-filled.” Pastors and leaders need to be aware of these trends:
1. Deadly visitations. In some charismatic circles today, people are claiming to have spiritual experiences that involve communication with the dead. One Michigan pastor told me last week that some church leaders he knows promote this bizarre practice and base it on Jesus’ experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. The logic is that since Jesus talked to Moses and Elijah on the day He was glorified, this gives us permission to talk to dead Christians and our dead relatives.
Although little is said about these experiences from the pulpit (since the average believer is not ready to handle this “new revelation”), people in some streams of the prophetic movement are claiming to have visitations from Aimee Semple McPherson, William Branham, John Wimber or various Bible characters. And we are expected to say, “Ooooooo, that’s so deep”-and then go looking for our own mystical, beyond-the-grave epiphany.
That is creepy. Communication with the dead was strictly forbidden in the Old Testament (see Deut. 18:11), and there is nothing in the New that indicates the rules were changed. Those who seek counsel from the dead-whether through mediums and séances or in “prophetic visions”-are taking a dangerous step toward demonization.
2. Ecstatic rapture. Not long after ecstasy became known as a recreational drug, someone in our movement got the bright idea to promote spiritual ecstasy as a form of legitimate worship. The concept evolved from “spiritual drunkenness” to the current fad in which people gather at church altars and pretend to shoot needles in their arms for a “spiritual high.” Some preachers today are encouraging people to “toke the Holy Ghost”-a reference to smoking marijuana.
I hate to be a party pooper, but the Bible warns us to “be of sound judgment and sober spirit” (1 Pet. 4:7). There is plenty of freedom and joy in the Holy Spirit; we don’t have to quench it by introducing people to pagan revelry. Christian worship is not about losing control. Those who worship Jesus do it “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and our love for God is not measured by how violently we shake or how many times we fall on the floor.
Recently I told a friend in Pennsylvania that when people get tired of this drug imagery it won’t be long before we see some Christians having sexual experiences at the altar. “It’s already happening,” my friend said. He described a recent “worship concert” in which one of the musicians simulated sex while stroking a microphone and whispering sensual phrases to Jesus. What is next-orgasmic worship? God help us.
3. Angels among us. Angels have always played a vital role in the life of the church. They are “ministering spirits” sent to protect, guide and strengthen believers (Heb. 1:14). But suddenly angels have become the rage in some segments of our movement. People are claiming to see them everywhere, and often the stories don’t line up with the Word of God.

During the Lakeland Revival last year in Florida, a man from Germany took the stage and claimed that an angel walked into a restaurant while he was eating a hamburger, took his intestines out and replaced them with a gold substance. Others have testified that angels took them to heaven and operated on them. And many are claiming that angels are dropping feathers, gold dust and precious gems on worshippers.
I know God can do anything. He can make an iron axe head float, hide a coin in a fish’s mouth and use a little boy’s lunch to feed a multitude. Those were genuine miracles that He can still do today. But we still have to use caution here. There are counterfeits. If we promote a false miracle or a false angel in the Lord’s house, we are participating in strange fire.
I know of a case where a man was caught planting fake jewels on the floor of a church. He told his friends he was “seeding the room” to lift the people’s faith. I know of others who have been caught putting gold glitter on themselves in a restroom and then running back in a church service, only to claim that God was blessing them with this special favor. Where is the fear of God when Christians would actually fabricate a miracle?
This is a time for all true believers with backbones to draw clear lines between what is godly worship and what is pagan practice. We want the miracles of God, but we also want the fear and reverence of God. We cannot allow this strange fire to spread unchecked.

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