A Voice in the Wilderness |
September 16, 1997
Q/A Topics: Word Studies:
Q. He would speak of how an english word can mean so many different things. I guess I said that to say this, that I've learned to use the tools to decipher many words of the bible to get to what God is saying.
A. Thank you for your good word/s. [Top] Churches: Comments re: "Where can I go to Church?" It is such a feeling of relief to find the few others who seem aware of the ever widening gulf between what is written in the word and the practices of the early church and what we see today. It is nearly impossible to find a church not filled with false teaching, and lurking behind that a false spirit. Even if one could find a church where the bible is taught uncompromisingly and not in conjunction with whatever is popular (what fellowship has darkness with light?); the structure is unbiblical and circumvents the divine system of checks and balances. I'm speaking about the one man, pastor-ruled congregation; whereas the word clearly tells us that there are to be multiple pastors, elders, those with varying gifts and ministries serving one another and one ministry is not above another or can claim to not need the other. The foot cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you and the mouth cannot run the rest of the body off the road. There is to be mutual submission; understanding God's use of the foolish, weak things that are not; that knowledge can puff up and the present system is a result of tradition, not truth. It appears the major role of a church is to raise funds to support the church building and staff and put on a Sunday morning showtime(s). Many churches boast they have small groups, but they are peripheral and the resources of the church are geared to the big meeting - which I fail to see why it is necessary. Even if there is good teaching, there is no way of ascertaining if it bore any fruit; a lack of discipleship and personal relationships. I also believe the Lord is saying, " Come out from among her and be separate; touch not the unclean thing." We are not on the verge of revival, as many insist, we are on the eve of the strong delusion. The "Holy Ghost bartender" has slipped something into the drink. I wonder how so many can be so deceived? Why do I see this? I am nothing special. Certainly my own life is quite imperfect. We are told "my sheep hear my voice and they know me and they follow me. The voice of another they will not follow." I will put up with being accused of being negative, critical and unloving. However, I think I should be more careful about who I share my insights with as I have made the mistake of rebuking a fool (who will hate you) or a mocker (and incur abuse).
Comment: [Top] Imminent Rapture?
Q.
A. 24:4-8 Church age 24:9-26 Tribulation 24:27-25:30 Sign of His coming 24:38-42 (Rapture) 25:31-46 Millenium/KingdomThese things are in answer to the disciples' questions in 24:3. "when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" You will notice He gives the answers in a different order than they asked them. The "Church age" is exactly what we have been seeing for the past 2000 years. Then, we see the part about the sign of His coming and the Tribulation, and He says in vs33, "when you see all these things, know that it is near..." And this, of course, refers to His "Second coming" And if we see the world winding up for these events, and we know the Rapture is 7 years before that, we know the Rapture is even "closer" don't we. What are some of the "things" we see? If you want me to, I will look up references for you. But, for this time, I'll assume you either know them, or how to look them up, and will just mention various things. There are prophecies about "knowledge shall increase" that is our modern computer age to a tee. The "mark in the hand" of the Tribulation time: how many different technologies are being developed NOW...and as quickly as things are happening the last few years, it would not take them long at all to actually implement one of them, when the world leader takes control to "help" the world against the "alien enemies" who have abducted a few thousand Christians...and the economy collapses. There are prophecies about a "plague" which would "melt the flesh off the bones while a person is standing." Neutron bombs? There will be increase in earthquakes: look at the last couple years. Jesus said it would come about like a woman in labor pains: which come about, I suppose, more-or-less exponentially. And that is what is happening with earthquakes and such stuff. Prophecy speaks of "beasts" and pestilences. For all of modern medicine, why is it that all these new strains of bacteria are "now" emerging, for which antibiotics are not able to be developed? There are the 10 kingdoms: Some say it's Europe. More recently I have heard about the "Club of Rome" and the 10 global regions. And then there is the rapid push towards ecumenism...falling right in line for the "worship of the beast" which the antichrist requires. I had one note from somebody recently scoffing at my constant urgency regarding Christ's imminent return...saying, "Christians have been thus expectant for 2000 years...and it could just as easily be another 2000. But, at no time in human history have "all" these elements been "coming together" as they are "now." While a few years ago, many of these prophecies were not understood..."today" the technology is "in process" of developement to fulfill "all" the prophesies. Not to mention those things which are "spiritual" in nature...and there, too, there is an exploding "global awareness" of these things. Not to mention the prophecies in Isaiah 3&4 of "that day" regarding feminism and youth rebellion. And the biggest "sign" of the times is evrything happening regarding Israel. "In that day, Jerusalem shall be a burdensome stone..." to all the nations.
I don't know...is this enough.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
But, as you say, "if it doesn't" ..we keep looking up. Who knows,
throughout the centuries, what may have happened to the calendars.
there have been several. One thing I am sure of...God knows what time
it is. And let the scoffers scoff.
BTW...one interesting suggestion came up in conversation with a friend
this past week. I share it here, merely as "speculation." Nothing more,
nothing less.
First of all, as background...we are aware that Elijah's mantle
was left as he was caught up.(2Kgs2:13) When Jesus rose from the dead,
He left His grave clothes, just as they were wrapped.(Jn20:5-7) And
knowing that Jesus is the "firstfruits"(1Cor15:23) I have to think that
the clothing of Believers will be left, too, when we are Raptured.
Now, based on other accounts, another speculation of this friend. When
Stephen was about to die as a martyr he said, "Look! I see the heavens
opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"(Acts7:56)
There are also accounts of people dying, around the moment of death,
just before they "pass on" of "seeing Jesus" and in many cases,
speaking His Name in confident assurance.
Speculation...when the Rapture is about to happen, as the "trumpet" is
sounding, could it be possible that Believers will actually "see" Jesus
in the clouds and be able to "witness" to that fact to those around
us, just before we are snatched upward? We read how it will happen in a
"twinkling of an eye"(1Cor15:52) and how a person will be snatched out
from next to another who is left.(Mt24:40-41) And I think we often have
assumed that the person observing would see a sudden vanishing act,
without any warning...just..."zap." But, could it be...? That there
will be further witness to the unregenerate as to what happened...from
our own mouths as we are about to greet our Lord? Another instance of
"it will be given you in that hour what you should speak."??
A lot of exciting days ahead for the Believer/s, eh! And the world
thinks the Christian life is dull and boring!! Indeed!!
Q.
A.
Comment:
A friend of mine "had a telephone call from a person in Scotland.
Thought that this could be another confirmation, so here it is:
The person...Appears to be an established Christian who attends a
Mathodist church and is the Praise and Worship leader. When he arrived
home yesterday morning as he was about to sit down and write out some
songs the Lord gave him a word, I recorded it, and this is the
transcript:
God Bless and Maranatha!!!
A.
There certainly are very telling reasons why it "could be" October. But
we are told to watch, "for you do not know what hour your Lord is
coming." (Mt24:42) But we are to be "ready, for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour when you do not expect Him."(vs44)
Yes, indeed...Maranatha! Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!
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