What is my true motivation? - A short blog

Am I trying to put the fear of God into lazy Christians? Perhaps. Jonah hated the Ninevites; wanted them dead. What do you suppose his motivation was as he walked through their town declaring God's judgment upon the people? Fear, perhaps.

Slightly off topic.
Went to dinner last night, by myself; took my bible and read as I ate. Had a great time doing that. The overly drunk, romantic couple did not even bother me. Started to leave and I hear someone calling my name. Before I could turn around I have a hand on my shoulder. It is one of the guys from Friday morning bible study. This man is very knowledgeable, and knows his Greek, beside that he is really funny.
He asks me if I am going in the morning. I said if you are, I will, and I told him that I am really beginning to struggle with going there, due to the "leader".

Now back on topic. I wish I could put the fear of God in this "leader", for he preaches opinion, asks questions but does not want any answers, refuses to see anything other than what his "mentor" tells him, and brings confusion to everyone sitting there. Aside from the fact that he won't shut up.
Yep, I think the fear of God would do the trick; NOT.

The man at the restaurant was the only one there this A.M. when I showed. Immediately he asked me what I had been reading, so I told him Ezekiel 37 and 38. You want to know what he said? Of course you do. Do we really have to read and talk about that confusing book. I try to stay out of the old testament, besides, it's old, and is it really relevant to the book of Revelation.
Are you kidding me!
I cannot believe he even said that.
Why am I still here?
Are these guys a mission field?

Here is what goes through my mind, and trust me on this, I AM NOT Full of myself. "Blessed are your eyes, for prophets and kings have longed to see what you see."
Am I the only one that sees this stuff?
Am I the only one listening?
Why does God insist on me being nice?

Breathe deeply, straighten up your back, get determined, educate yourself even better, solidify your answers firmly in the word, AND stand your ground. I have called you to be a watchman upon the wall, and I the Lord will strengthen you and give you the words to say. I have not called you to argue foolishly with pharisees, but to bring light and life to those who will hear it. Be diligent and prepared with an answer, for the time is short. Do the work of an evangelist, and preach the good news. Be proactive with your faith. Stretch out your hands and I will put them to work.

Until then, I choose to be a man of God.

I was born broken, and so were you.
There is nothing I can do to fix it, but thankfully I serve the God that is in the process of fixing all things.

On that day, in the twinkling of an eye, I will be changed.
No longer ruled by the cravings of this body I fight against.
No longer struggling with the damage of abuse.
No longer a tool for anger.
No longer subject to rejection.
Do you crave that moment too?

It is not far off.
I hear the sound of his coming in the distance, I have been hearing it for months now.

Why then do we sleep?

Awaken my beloved.
It is for you I am coming.
Throw off your slumber and awaken.

Do I know with precision when that day will come?
No, but I have seen the tree bud out – summer is upon us, and the time to pick the ripe fruit is almost here.

I have not left you in the darkness so that you would not know when my time would come. I am calling forth those that are watchers to cry out, for there is a terror approaching.
Hearing the cry, how will you respond?

I am calling you forth to decree my name upon this land and people.
As you move out in faith I will follow you with signs and wonders.

With Gideon’s troops as an example, the fearful are welcome to go back to sleep.

Sleep and your pains will come upon you suddenly.
Then what will you do?

The word of the Lord came to me saying. 3/25/12

First off I was able to make to church last night. Pastor told us that he fights off some degree of guilt because, as he said, "I know that the church has been called to pray, and Jesus himself said that my house will be called a house of prayer." He opened with this passage:
Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  (2)  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

This is recorded in Luke's gospel:
Luke 4:18-19 KJV  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  (19)  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
After reading the passage he called the elders to the front, and then opened the service for anyone to come forward and receive prayer.
This is so out of the ordinary, as services are so oriented to video schedules.
My heart has been crying out for revival. Think about this concept, revival. What does that mean to the victim of a crash or some injury. For some it may mean being brought back to life. If the air got knocked out of you, it means being able to breath once again. To Lazarus, it meant life once again.
So what does revival mean to us, the church. It means: it needs to be global; everybody needs to get on board; you have to get proactive and participate; it means that this is the last call. It means that God wants to breathe life into a dead church.
But in light of the passage that Jesus used it means change.

• the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor
• to bind up the brokenhearted
• to proclaim freedom for the captives
• release from darkness for the prisoners,
• to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
  

I am trying to be rather specific in this post and need to get to my point. An obvious factor here is that God may be pouring out revival upon the earth even as we speak, but what use is it if you refuse to participate or allow it to change you, or motivate you.
Israel heard words like this, and still turned their backs on God. That sounds simple enough but there is more to it. They not only rejected God, but substituted the Holy God with some of the sickest forms of idol worship. Stephen gives us some insight into this when he is brought before the Sanhedrin, prior to his stoning. Stephen, in his speech, tells us that this was not just some cute calf statue that “came out of the fire”, but an image of the god Molech and Rephim. Molech was a mixture of sights, with a calves head and the arms of a man. It was hollow and would be heated with a fire burning inside. Children were then laid upon the heated arms in sacrifice. What made this worse was that Aaron may well have been blowing the trumpet that had a secondary purpose of drowning out the screams of the dying child. Consider that Joshua, who had been upon the mountain, away from the people thought there was war in the camp.
I had two options for church service this AM. I could go to a mens' life group. An acquaintance of mine had invited me to this group a couple of weeks ago. Having tried it, and only having a rare Sunday morning off, I now debated internally about whether I should go to this life group, and suffer through the discomfort and lack of enthusiasm, or go to a church where worship always rends my heart.
I chose the other church. I must tell you it was incredible.
I have come to the place in my life where I like Jacob do not want to let go of God until he blesses me. I understand what God has called me to, and it is now my pursuit. Having read Ezekiel lately, this phrase is constantly on my mind, “they shall know that a prophet has been in their midst.” How would you know, or care that a prophet has been in your midst, unless he did exactly what Isaiah 61 decrees, and brought you a word or showed you a sign. Until that day comes then I just keep pursuing Him.
That being said, I went with and attitude of prayer. I am not an extrovert, but if I have something to say, I will not keep silent. That means that I don’t go there looking for people to mingle with. Although I sometimes wish I knew how. What is important to me is that I respond when God tells me to speak to someone.
Two things God said to me this morning.

1. The spirit of the living God has been calling forth the prophets,and he has been speaking to many of you about stepping out in faith and doing the unusual. That means moving in the realm of the prophetic. To define that just a little. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, therefore the act of you speaking out in Jesus name: declaring those things that be not as though they were; speaking life into people; reclaiming captives and setting them free, is acting in the role of a prophet. This is not the time for big heads, the world has had its fill of them, and they have disillusioned many, leading them astray. What it is, is time for responsible people to start finally acting like the priest warriors that God called us to be.
   God has spoken to me over the last couple of weeks, telling me to rend the heavens on behalf of those he places upon my heart. What does that mean? An example would be the man at the restaurant. Watching the futile discussion at our table, he finally got up and left. Who knows, he might be sitting with us if it were not for the arrogance and stupidity of this argument. When I noticed that he had left the building God spoke to me about him, saying, “if you will rend the heavens on his behalf then I will move at your word and turn his life toward me.”
   This morning God began to speak to me about applying this to virtually everything that seems impossible. The spirit said, “I am asking you to rend the Heavens, opening the way for me to cause a tidal wave of change.” Clearly, I could see my own daughters and the prayers I made over them, even before they were born. God is asking me to impact their attitudes, that are currently filled with anger and deception, so that they fill the roles he intended.
   Only days ago I was at a bible study where a comment was made that goes something like this, “Why are people so worried that our economy is going to collapse, they are just living in fear.” Our discussion at that moment had been about what is going on in this nation, and the world. It does not take a genius to pick up on the idea that some are walking around blindly, ignoring the signs of the times, and holding the word of God in contempt. Jesus told us that we are not in the darkness that we should be able to read the signs, and be spiritually prepared.
   In response to this indolent position I opened my mouth and this came out, “This nation will not fall while my feet are planted on its soil.” There was a sudden hush for a moment. Some will flatly challenge you, while others start thinking. Paul encountered people like this, thinkers, they were the Bereans, and they searched the scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. I happen to know its true, based upon faith if I had nothing else, but what I have is precedent. Someone, in the name of God has gone before and performed or said things of this nature. You don’t believe me. Elijah told them, “by my word, it will not rain.” and it did not. I might have a hard time with this myself if I had not seen it action on a previous occassion. Someone I knew from childhood, a christian, had asthma attacks with some frequency. I do not remember where we were going but I told him, “as long as you stay with me you have no attacks.” I had forgotten about that, and was recently reminded of it. One of brothers has stayed in touch with this fellow and he told my brother that as long as he was around me he could breathe. Praise God, and thank you Father for honoring my word.
   
2. The second thing God kept speaking through me was a word, relentless.
   RELENTLESS – To be persistent, intently fixed on a goal.
   

What is the goal? What ever you apply your faith toward in Jesus name. Don’t be foolish about this, this is not about your favorite teams winning some championship that you have a bet on. God will not honor that. This is about you acting out in God’s will. If you must ask the question, “what is God’s will?” Then I recommend you read Isaiah 61:1-2 once again.
You want a synopsis. God is calling you to move out in faith. If you will rend the heavens on behalf of this nation, Israel, and captive people, God will move at your word and rescue them. Decree it so. And then be relentless about this. There is a cute little poem / story that states the devil should say oh no! when you get out of bed in the morning. Make that a reality. As my pastor said the other night, be open to the spirit of God, pay attention to what spirit is saying to you, and change the world for Christ.

What is my hope based in?

Why am I confused about this?

He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

John 3:36 KJV 

 

I am struck by something as I read passages like this: I think about how clear this sounds; “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Wrath removed – everlasting life given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is this concept difficult to understand or do we just make it difficult? If I can make a strong statement about Revelation and end times events stating, “I am not confused” then why am I confused about this?

I grew up in church, and most of my concepts of God were presented to me by the church, and mom. As I have chosen to read for myself I found that much of what I learned was wrapped in misconception.

God is bigger and better than what they taught me.

Yes, I struggled with understanding Revelation just like everyone else, but something happened that changed all that. Perhaps my relentless desire to understand is a huge aspect of my understanding. Gaining knowledge about Islam is another part. Putting both facets together, and applying some logical reasoning, while leaning heavily upon the Holy Spirit, I feel I have a clear confidence about where things are going.

An example of this happened in Monday morning bible study. The leader responded to someone's question about 2 Thessalonians 2.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The leader said, “we cannot say with any accuracy when this will happened because we do not know who the man of sin is, and he has not been revealed.” The oohs and aahs rose from some. Seconds passed and I said, “I believe we do, what if I can tell you who he is?” Based upon what I understand about Islam, He is the Mahdi, the twelfth Imam, and he comes in the midst of carnage and confusion. President Ahmadinejad of Iran has stood before the UN on three occasions and after declaring that he feels that he has been called to bring about this carnage, has called forth the Mahdi.

The men of the group just sat there staring at me. I am not confused about this. A bold move on my part; aggressive yes. A statement made in faith, absolutely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is what I struggle with.

How do I know that I have done enough, have enough oil, or that Jesus is really coming for us at all? Paul made a statement that if we have no hope in being caught up then what we do and how we live our lives makes us most foolish. But there is hope, and that is what I going to pursue.

The saddest aspect of this is, I am sure I am not the only one that thinks like this.

I know from scripture that it takes faith to please God, perhaps this is one of those areas, but it would be foolish, I think, to merely have faith and continue living in any way that you please.

Alright, so I am applying faith to passages like my originating scripture, and others.

• John 3:36 KJV He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life.

[Believe is the Greek word pisteno meaning: to be persuaded; to place confidence in; an absolute dependence upon; a reliance in the Word of God.]

What if you trying to establish yourself in faith, or perhaps regain some confidence?

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

The dictionary definition of appointed is: decreed; ordained; established. Just based upon 1 Thessalonians 5:9, though wrath is coming, it is not meant for those who are in Him; the Son already took the wrath for us. God will not punish the Son again, and because we are hidden in him, he will not punish us with this wrath that is coming.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV (13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
  

What a concept; the lack of ignorance; Paul certainly implies that there is some form of it, and it is the ignorance that creates the hole for confusion and doubt to crawl through. Webster’s dictionary has an initial definition of ignorance as: Want, absence or destitution of knowledge. You really need to assess whether I am lacking information, or merely choosing to accept the information given.

Paul wrote this in response to their fears and a lack of confidence that had crept in on one of the church bodies that he had established. Clearly, I am not the only one. Paul, in my mind, seemed greatly disturbed that their confidence had been shaken from its foundation. Paul had delivered this message of hope, for it is the basis and backbone of who we are.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:14 KJV (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
  

“if we believe..” And I do, “that Jesus died and rose again,” This very concept is the underlying theme throughout most of the New Testament. 

He is alive, and because he is alive his word is valid and true. 

He is coming back just as he said. 

At the time of this writing I am still breathing therefore physically alive, but there was a time that I was spiritually dead. Accepting him made me alive in Christ, as I became flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone (look it up). Here is the key: “in Jesus will God bring (those) with him.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:15 KJV (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

Two things jump out at me as I read this passage in 1Thessalonians 4:15.

First: Paul is not making this up, this is directive given based in and upon the Word of the Lord. What does that mean? It means that scripture backs this up. Think about it! Paul preached grace and life out of the head knowledge he had in the Torah, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We also know that Jesus himself spoke with Paul in the vision on the road to Damascus.

Secondly: Paul, and everyone he spoke to understood that they could and should live with a sense of excitement, as they anxiously awaited the return of Lord. Everyone wanted out of here, especially if there is the hope of a better life. Again, think about it. There is not a religion out there that does not have a hope of a better life, and even those that think that you live and then evaporate, at least anchor on an end of grief.

Suppose your life is one of party until you drop; at some point you do drop. If you happen to drop and it does not kill you, but leaves you paralyzed from the neck down; lying in the hospital bed, stewing in your personal hatred and fears, you are attended by Christian nurses who speak loving words of life to you. Pastors visit you, praying over you, all the while your head refuses all help because your thoughts are blinded by your hatred. You lie there unable to scream and curse them, so tears well up in yours eyes, and instead of recognizing your deep disgust and hatred, they think you have a recognition of the love that Jesus paid for you. Eventually you die and instead of vaporizing, as you had hoped, you find your soul is eternal and you get to spend eternity with your adopted father, Satan, burning in torment with him. - Get it, no hope.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV (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.
  

To be caught up – Greek, harpazo means to be grasped hastily, snatched, or seized. Consider that both Jesus and Peter spoke concerning this persuasion as they both gave us the example of Noah. Peter took it one step further by adding in Lot.

Grasping someone suddenly can have so many implications, such as playing a bad joke, but the one that might bring concern would be the example of getting pulled to safety when your demise is imminent. God is not a thrill seeker, he does everything on time, but it is His time. There is clearly the idea of rescue from a potentially life threatening situation, on a grand scale.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have not refused, nor rejected Jesus Christ the Son, therefore I have everlasting life.

So, what is at question here?
Asking myself this question I can only bring one thing to mind, Matthew 25 and the 10 virgins.

Matthew 25:1-12 AMP THEN THE kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. (2) Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). (3) For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; (4) But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. (6) But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! (7) Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. (8) And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. (9) But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. (10) But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. (11) Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! (12) But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].

Of the 5 that did not make it in, did they think that they believed? The parable tells us that they were lethargic and slept, apparently during the period that they could have made preparations.  

Does lethargy and sleeping imply non-belief? I am not sure about the answer to this. They all got the invitation, or was it just understood? If someone, perhaps the family, sends out invitations, why would the Lord not know them?
Having had a wedding of my own, there were certainly people I did not know. How would I make a determination that someone coming to my wedding should not be allowed in? I would have nothing to base that upon, unless I had some insight into the character and nature of this person I do not recognize.

That morning at “Bible study” I got 15 seconds to speak about this.

I said, “the oil of Matthew 25 could not be the Holy Spirit, as Jesus is talking to a Jewish audience, but the time frame would make his comments directed at the modern church (the Laodicean church) because it affects us.” While the oil may well be drive and desire, the invitation aspect is God’s word.

Suddenly I see something here. .

1. I believed in him, this one that first loved me. That implies knowledge of him and a recognition of what he has done for me. Time spent with him increases that knowledge, and relationship builds intimacy.
2. He chose me. Ephesians 1:4 ASV even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. - I cannot begin to define for you how that makes me feel. No one has ever chosen me, and then stayed with me, no matter what, but God has. He, with no effort at all, made a determination that included me, throughout all eternity. I cannot take this in.
3. A Life with Him is part of our promise. 1 Timothy 4:8 ASV “... but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.” A promise that started with Abraham , and made toward his future seed, of which I am now one. How would you know that there is this hope unless someone tell you. As I think about the soul winning techniques I have heard, all are based in the concept of fire insurance; in other words, escaping hell. Try and answer me truthfully. Would you have come to Him if I told you I can give you an assurance of a life of peace with Him?
   

Unprepared or un-equipped they had no oil, or at least not enough. I am not convinced Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit for he was talking to a Jewish audience, and the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon everyone yet, but the reference to the destination implies the modern-day church (The Laodicean Church).

One of my brothers feels the oil is worship. I like this idea so let’s mull this over. Worship, according to Webster’s dictionary means excellence of character, dignity, worth, worthiness; the act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being. Worship entails all that give that honor unto the one who is worthy. He alone, is God. Calling upon his name would be an act of worth-ship.

What if the oil is desire; drive for knowledge of him; or the ceaseless seeking of his face, because you want to know Him better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What if I see nothing that should cause me concerns that I might be one of the 50% that were unprepared?

Then I should have a strong confidence that Jesus is coming back for me, and yet I have concerns and I struggle with the idea of being left behind. On the positive side, scripture seems to be definitive about how Jesus and the Father feel toward those that are his.

Jesus tells us in John 6.

John 6:37-39 ASV All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

Would it be possible, at all, for the creator of the universe to fail? The short answer is NO!

When you think about the fact that God claimed you for his very own, before the world was made, displays a conspicuous resolution in restoring a broken family back to himself.

John 6:40 ASV For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholds the Son, and believes on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

We have all heard the whining, and contradictions, how do you know God’s will? I suppose you will never know without knowing his character, but again, the short answer is His word. John 6:40 is merely one example. His will is that all who behold and believe should have eternal life, and be raised up at the last day.

Let’s ponder this a moment. The word behold here was translated as see in the KJV. The Greek word is theoreo and carries the meaning:

A spectator of – That is not necessarily a good translation, for I can be a spectator with only a morbid interest. Some people love to chase ambulances, just to see the ugly results. Can they help? No, and more than likely just get in the way.

To discern – Now this makes more sense, because it implies thought and focus. Literally to experience or intensively acknowledge. What are you acknowledging? All that he is, the relationship.

Figuratively to experience – Now we have taken this way beyond merely looking at something with morbid intent. This is an intense knowledge.

To believe – Greek pisteuō ; is to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing).

So it is the will of the Father, that everyone that experiences or intensively acknowledges this relationship with Jesus, and has faith, in respect to the hope, should have eternal life.

Wait a minute, should implies the right or necessity, but not necessarily ownership. Even if I use the KJV there is still a shadow, in that the translators used the phrase “may have” everlasting life.

The Greek word for should, or may have, is echo, and means to have or to hold. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, as well as Vine’s New Testament Words, defines the phrase as: To have, as in to own or possess.

There is no uncertainty in this. We have hope; we have the will of the Father; we have the promise of God; those of us that have received the Son, have this life and promise.

As I compared versions this caught my attention. John 6:40 CEV My Father wants everyone who sees the Son to have faith in him and to have eternal life. Then I will raise them to life on the last day.

Somehow this seems to say it all, and correctly.

The last piece of confusion here is this: “Then I will raise them to life on the last day.”

Martha speaking to Jesus about Lazarus said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:24 KJV

She spoke of resurrection of the dead that happens at the end of the thousand-year reign, when all who remain will be judged. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible agrees with me. 
As pertaining to Martha’s understanding of “the last day” John Gill wrote in his exposition of the entire Bible:
“The Jews were divided about the doctrine of the resurrection, the Sadducees denied it, the Pharisees asserted it; and on this latter side was Martha; she believed there would be a resurrection of the dead; that this would be at the last day, or at the end of the world; and that her brother would rise at that general resurrection: wherefore, if Christ meant no more than that, this was what she always believed. The Syriac version renders it, "in the consolation at the last day"; and so the time of the resurrection is, by the Jews, called "the days of consolation". “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God committed to remove us from the coming wrath.

Titus 1:1-2 KJV ….the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Dake’s notes point out that the phrase “last day” is used 6 times. 5 times of the day of redemption and once of the last day of judgment.

The word promised used in Titus 1:2 is the Greek word: epaggellō and means: to announce upon (reflexively), that is, (by implication) to engage to do something,

Thayer’s definition of the same word: is to announce that one is about to do or furnish something.

2 Timothy 1:8-9 KJV ….. the gospel according to the power of God; (9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

I do not see any confusion here, but straight forward talk, about God’s commitment to pulling us up to heaven, with Him, prior to the time of wrath. (As a side note. I have opted to stop calling the last seven years the tribulation. Clearly it will be a time of great tribulation, but what it is, is a time of great wrath. Tribulation has been with us since time began, and we are destined for it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 2:3 KJV How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Perhaps this is one of those passages that cloud my waters. 

To neglect is to put off or ignore. 

Is this ignorance before or after the point of salvation? Keeping in mind that salvation or at least redemption came at the cross, the demarcation is our acceptance.

In talking about this I see the face of a young man I will refer to as my son-in-law. He displayed all the emotions; performed all the rituals (tongue in cheek), and yet the fruit he produces is infidelity, worldliness, and greed.

So my choice to not develop or pursue this “new” relationship is what?

A choice, completely of my own?

Consider some of our techniques in reaching out to people with the gospel. Ray Comfort stands at the beach with a camera man and a microphone, pressuring people to admit and see their in-ward brokenness. Perhaps they accept Christ and he moves on to the next victim.

What did this new convert learn? That they are, or at least were a broken liar that now has Christ, little more. Perhaps then the problem is in how we have taught the masses.

The son-in-law had the influence of the Catholic church, and then a few minutes of a pastor whose favorite counseling technique was to say, “just stop it!” Try that on an addict, and let me know how it works for them.

Are we teaching new believers or any believer to walk out this conversion process with at least the knowledge that there is a hope and solid foundation for that hope. Are we teaching the foundations of faith that build this confidence, or are we blazing away at the congregation about sin and their brokenness, because our pastors do not have the faith that God is capable of keeping us in His grasp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is more to this thesis, and it shall be explored. The intent is to prove a rightful confidence in the hope and promises of God, about our being gathered to him, and our right to a relationship built on confidence.

Let me tell you about my day.

First off, I am in the middle of three days off, and it was much-needed.

I went and caught up with the guys for Monday morning “bible study”. I am putting it in quotes because there are more than enough days that I do not feel like it qualifies as a bible study. I arrived there about 07:35.

When I walked in they were already in some discussion about what I am not sure. One of the guys breaks away from that conversation and asked me about my weekend. We laughed and giggled about that for a minute, and then the last of the regulars shows up. We will call him Fred.
Fred, almost always shows up right at 08:00. This will become important in a minute.

Fred has told us, several times, that he feels this is the only place he can go where he actually walks away with something he can use, most of the time.

Fred asks Bob, the so-called leader what they were looking at today. So Bob answers with, “I am still hung up on the wording in Revelation 22:2 and the usage of the word ‘were’ but someone has pointed out to me that the right wording used is are, changing the tense, but really I am not sure, and would really like to talk about this some more.”

Mind you this conversation started, and should have ended two weeks ago. Trust me on this, I am not being short-tempered. We have two very knowledgeable people always in attendance here. One is Greek, Greece is his native land and our resident go to guy on original meanings. The other is seminary trained, with over 40 years of study in Greek. Their conclusion two weeks ago. The word is are, and is present tense.

That is so like God. Compare this idea of present tense with the wording found in Ephesians

Ephesians 2:13 KJV But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

  
It does not matter when you read it, it is always now.

When this subject came up two weeks ago, there was the secondary confusion that goes like this. “I also see the new Jerusalem coming down, but it is heaven, and if it is in heaven, then why do we need healing for the nations, and who are all these evil people who cannot go into the City of God, because of their sin.

I mentioned that the time factor would become important in a minute, so here goes. Fred arrives at 08:00, and Fred and Bob, go back and forth with this endless banter until 09:30 when two of the guys have had enough, get up, and leave.

I had little else to do or I might have left also. I stuck it out until 10:30 before I left.

Nothing got said, nothing got clarified, nothing got accomplished, and there was no room in Bob’s mind for change.

At one point I got up to throw away my trash, and noticed a man watching our table intently.

Personally, I think useless banter like this just turns people off to religion. I invited the man to come on over and throw his two cents in. He just left a few minutes later.

I went back to the table and held up my hand. Finally Fred stops and says, “what is that for?” I said, “I would like to throw in my two cents, for a couple of minutes.” And I did.

Only a week ago I had written a paper and handed it to Bob, specifically for the purpose of assisting him with clarification of these questions. He apparently rejected not only my help, but God’s word, because I based my paper upon God’s word.

I told the guys to write this down, but no one did, as I took them back momentarily to Revelation 20

Revelation 20:7-9 KJV And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

What is my point here?

Satan has been released at this point, deceives the nations, and they come back to attack two things:

1. the camp of God,
   
2. and the City of God.
   

 Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind when this takes place?

Let’s clarify.

Revelation 20:1-3 KJV And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

 Now jump forward.

21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

All of sudden confusion again. Not really. We just read that after the 1000 years Satan has been released, deceives the nations, and they come against the City of God, and the camp of God. The City of God is here. Ezekiel saw it and described it with in similar terms to what John is now seeing.

If God is burning everything up, Earth included, then anything existing upon this earth is burnt. Not just burnt a little, but utterly destroyed.
Why? Because it is all tainted with sin. But wait a minute. We are talking about a New Jerusalem, one in which no sin can enter. I am jumping ahead, but follow with me.

Why wouldn’t the city be destroyed? It would. Therefore it is not, and that changes some perceptions, doesn’t it.

If this book of Revelation is chronological, and it is not, then we have Satan attacking a city that is not even here yet.

Another aspect of this mornings foolishness is the concept of this New Jerusalem not being here on earth. Let’s disrupt that one for a moment.

How would the nations, a physical people, still prone to make their own choices, and at this point under Satan's influence because of his release, attack a spiritual city (some think it is spiritual analogy) they would not be able to even see?

Consider the logic of your questions if you’re asking this, and/or making rash statements about the concept of a physical heavens validity.
Heaven is a real place, as is the New Jerusalem, and no, there are not going to be two of them.

For the last argument against this mornings fallacy, I attempted to take them back to the origins of their problem, Revelation 22:2

Revelation 22:1-5 KJV And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (2) In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was therethe tree of life, which bare twelve manner offruits, andyielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree werefor the healing of the nations. (3)And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4)And they shall see his face; and his name shall bein their foreheads. (5)And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

So what is the chronological order here?

Bypassing the catch phrase “the Great Tribulation” we are going to call this what it is, the wrath of God being poured out on earth.

Who is this wrath being poured out on?

1. Israel for their unbelief.
   
2. The nations for their unbelief, and the act of fighting against God.
   
3. And sadly, many who will not be caught up in the rapture.
   

What is happening here on earth during this time period?
Fire, smoke, stars falling from the heavens, waters being poisoned, the earth severely being shaken, hail stones, burning, and oh yeah, the Great Tribulation of the “Saints of God”. The saints of God only gain that title by refusing the mark, and refusing to worship the beast.

Will everyone be hit by this? It is entirely possible that the be-headings will be a middle eastern phenomenon, but based upon CIA statistics, there are 2,500,000 Muslims in the USA alone. That number is difficult to ascertain, because what little freedom we have left has precluded the CIA from being able to ask the religious affiliation as people enter this country legally. Of that 2,500,000 only 14% are considered to be full-blown radicals, willing to perform Jihad upon command. If I am right that is only 35,000 radicals in this country. Spread 35,000 over a nation like this, and God help us. There is a small problem with any of this. They are all under direct command by the Qur’an to do Jihad when necessary. That is why it is necessary for Islam to infiltrate our learning centers, our legislative system, our courts, and our law enforcement, and they are doing just that. Ouch! So, when you add this to perversion that country is allowing FEMA to construct prison of war camps in our own nation, the chances that great tribulation will happen here are very good.

When the period of wrath comes to an abrupt halt the 1000 year period begins.

Satan is bound during this time, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.

Saints rule and reign with Christ, and the nations have to come before God to honor him, regardless of how they believe.

Satan gets released for a short time at the end of 1000 years, deceives the nations, God wipes out the offenders, throws Satan into the lake of fire, and restores the most amazing peace on earth.

I happen to find Revelation 22 a beautiful and fascinating read. Why? One because it is the end of the story on earth as we know it, and it only gets better. It is not a time of fear, but of rejoicing, because our redemption draws near.

Paul’s gospels are gospels of hope for the believer, not wrath. We were not made for wrath, but salvation. 

The Jews that asked Jesus “when would these things be”, were not looking for, nor expecting a snatching away, but a militaristic messiah that would reign triumphantly, defeating their foes forever. He will, but even as he stood before them, clearly prophesied by Daniel and others, they rejected him, and put him to death. He will come, just as he said, to capture us away, and then again with justice to put things right.

James told us to ask for clarity and wisdom.

James 1:5 CJB Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

We are not in the darkness that we should not know. Just ask.

---

A postscript to the morning.

I told you that I spoke to a man in the restaurant as I threw away my trash this AM. Well he got up within a few minutes and left. Several minutes had passed, and suddenly God places this man heavily upon my heart.
  
God spoke to me and said, “If you will rend the heavens on his behalf, then I will move upon his life at your request.” I said yes sir, and started praying.
This went on for several minutes; me praying in the spirit for this man, claiming his life for God, and doing also what God told me to do, putting my hand on the back of my Greek friend as I prayed.

I composed myself and went back to trying to find a clear-cut answer to the futility that was being passed back and forth across the table. An hour and fifteen minutes of nothing. This is madness, and demonic.

Two of the guys are now gone, and suddenly God has drawn my attention to a young man, sitting at an extra seat across the room, but clearly within earshot. He has his eyes closed and God speaks to me, about him, in the same way. I turned to the one I called Fred. Totally interrupting their useless banter and said,

“God has not called us to confusion, but to bring life. I have, at God’s direction prayed for the man who showed an interest, and he is mine. God is calling for his prophets and the time is now. He is calling us forth to bring life and healing to the broken, not this foolishness. God has spoken to me about that young man sitting over there with his eyes shut, pretending that he does not hear, and told me to rend the heavens on his behalf, claiming his life for the kingdom, and I have, he is mine. This is what we have been called to do.”

Fred is just staring at me. He says, you sound angry. I responded with, “I am not, but I am intense.” You want to know what a prophet is like? You just saw it. Declare those things that be not as though they were. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy, therefore testify of Jesus.

I got up and left.

Some time later dad gets home from his morning bible study and tells me that he tried to get the men there to ponder Genesis 1:26

Genesis 1:26 KJV And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Dad was focused upon the aspect that this plural personal pronoun our implies that God is talking to someone else, but even more important is fact that the “them” have dominion.

Add this to the statement that Jesus made “all power has been given unto me, therefore you go.” implying they were to move out in the usage of that power.

That power transfer was not temporary, and still viable today.
If that is the case why are we not walking in that power?

You don’t believe that do you?

What happens when the Holy Spirit comes?

Acts 1:8 KJVBut ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I pointed out to dad what I said and did this morning.

Power is the ability to produce change.

God asked me to step into the lives of two men this morning, and whether they know it, or not change will come.
Power.

Act out in the spirit of the Lord and you will know power, his power.