The Darkest Time Of Year

 The Darkest Time Of Year

It's hard sometimes 

 

This time of year, around Christmas is a very hard time of year for many people.

It is not a joyful festive time, no matter how much we try to dress it up with religious zeal, and bright lights.

This is the time of year we often miss those who have gone before us. Family members and friends we have loved, and long to see again.

This is the time of year when the darkness grows around us like death and we cannot find the joy of the sunshine.

That is the symbolism of winter. It is the picture of a long frozen dark death, until springtime comes and the world springs back to life.

A picture of the resurrection God has planned for us, if we know Him.

This darkness we feel as we miss loved ones or seek to find meaning in our own loneliness and despair, can be made brighter through Him.

He came in the midst of darkness to save us from death and the forces of evil. He is the light of the world.

We can have hope to see our loved ones again.

We can have hope to see the clouds in our life part, and some purpose blaze through.

That hope is in Him.

Not some religious ceremonial thing, where we jump through hoops to find Him and hope we might catch a glimpse.

But, a real relationship that He died to establish.

A real relationship that He brings us everyday, when the sun comes up and reminds us that we are born again, and will be raised again.

The holidays are so hard for many people, but know that God is there. He is reaching out to be with you, and if you ask He will reveal Himself. He is not a long way off. He is not hidden. He is ever present and ready to be with you.

He promises us in His Word that we can trust Him.

Do not let the darkness or the forces of evil get you to believe there is no hope, or point.

God is the hope and the point.

Nothing else matters except knowing Him.

He is our light forever.

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The Coming Persecution

 The Coming Persecution

A Look at Mathew 24 

 

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.“—Matt. 24:9-13

The Lord tells us here that there will be great persecution of the Saints, at some point in the last days before His return.

I do not use the term, “believers” or “Christians” here. I use “Saints” to separate those who are saved and know the Lord, from those who are not. I do this because it seems that scripture teaches that there are many who claim to be Christians or think they are believers, but find out they are not. They betray the saints. They sell their fellow Christians into bondage.

The saints are really saved and know Him. They will stay with Him till the end, despite everything the devil throws at them. Not because of their own will or power, but because God will protect them, strengthen them and keep them.

I want you to understand that I am not giving you a prophecy. I am just pointing out what the scriptures seem to teach on this subject.

It appears that there will be tough times to come, and that the persecutions will begin after that tough time.

It seems that the tough times, will be the four horsemen of the seal judgements. (Rev. 6)

Jesus says:

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

 All these are the beginning of sorrows.“— Matt. 24:7-8

This matches the four horsemen, who bring deception, conflict, economic collapse, and wide spread death.

Many teach that the white horse, is the Anti-Christ. I do not believe that to be the case. COVID showed me that the white horse could be some kind of deception. It might even be another alleged “Global Pandemic”, which leads to nations and kingdoms fighting. This leads to economic collapse and vast levels of death.

The first time nations submitted. The second time, many will not.

That is just an example of a possibility.

But after this comes the persecution. In Revelation it is the 5th seal. After the four horsemen has created havoc. It is quite possible that Christians are blamed for what occurs during the ride of the horsemen (Matt. 24: 9-13, Rev. 6:9-11)

When we read Matthew 24, we see that this persecution leads to the greatest preaching of the Gospel in the history of the World.

Persecution has always worked to spread the Gospel. (Matt. 24:14, Rev. 7)

This persecution and killing of the saints will also lead to the great falling away as false brethren leave the church and reject Christ, in order to avoid persecution.

This persecution will also lead to the rise of the Anti-Christ, as the saints are overcome, and the Holy Spirit or restrainer in them is taken out of the way through this persecution. (2 Thess. 2, Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:21, 25)

According to the scriptures, the Abomination of Desolation will occur at this time. Which is the Anti-Christ sitting in God’s temple in Jerusalem and declaring Himself God. (Matt 24:15, Dan. 9:24-27, 2 Thess. 2)

This is when all hell breaks lose.

My focus is on the coming persecution, because it is what will impact the Saints during these last days.

Revelation, Daniel, and many other places give more details of what will occur. We can see that there will be a temple built in Jerusalem, which the Anti-Christ will sit in. We see that the Anti-Christ will make war with the Saints and over come them. We see that the saints will be removed, giving freedom to the Anti-Christ to do his work. We know he will institute the Mark of the Beast and control all buying and selling.

We do not know the exact timing of these things or the exact order. But, we do know it will happen.

My purpose is to prepare the Saints for the persecution to come. The second cleansing of the temple.

When Jesus was on the Earth the first time He chased out the money changers twice. Once at the beginning of his ministry in the Gospel of John and once at the end, after the triumphal entry in Matthew. (John 2:13-17, Matt. 21:12-13)

I think this is showing the persecutions at the beginning of the church and in these last days.

This coming persecution will drive out all those who are not really saved. Those who use the church for money or power or position. Those who have never really known Him or had a relationship with Him. Those who have not grown. They have no oil of faith in their lamps, because they never really believed.

Turn to the Lord. Do not trust the pre-tribulation rapture lie. There will come a time when the deception, will be so bad that it will be impossible to turn to Him. There will be strong delusion. There will be persecution and death.

If you cannot turn to the Lord in the good times, how will you do it in the bad? (Luke 23:29-31)

There will be a global religion from the false prophet which the entire world will flock to. It will be perfect and answer every question, even science will agree. Christians will join this church in droves to escape persecution and tribulation. This is the Great Falling Away and they will reject Jesus Christ as the Lord. (2 Thess. 2)

Jesus said,

“ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.“— Matt 24:32-36

Do not believe false teachers or prophets who try to claim when the Lord is coming or tell you He is in the desert or He is over there. This includes people who teach pre-tribulation rapture.

The Lord will come when He comes, and it will be quick and a surprise. But, there is no indication that He will come twice. Once to get His Church and once to set up His Kingdom. He only returns once, and that is in glory, and all eyes shall see Him. (Rev. 1:7, Matthew 24:29-31, Matthew 25,)

The false teaching of the pre-trib rapture will lead to many falling away, when the Anti-Christ rises and the persecutions begin.

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Why would a Christian say “My Lord delays His coming?” Because they never really knew the Lord and believed the Lord would come and get them before tribulation and the Anti-Christ. So, the only answer for them will be that He is “Delaying”.

 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

This will lead them to betray the saints and to turn them in to the authorities, delivering them to death.

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“–Math 24:48-51 (compare to the parable of the foolish virgins and all the parables of Matthew 25)

The coming persecution will weed out the people who do not know Him. The people who do not have the Holy Spirit.

There are those who will claim that these verses refer to believers who will rise up after the pre-trib rapture. Do not trust this view. Do not let anyone trust this view.

There is a time coming when strong delusion and deception will keep people from being saved. There will come a time when as in the days of Noah, and Lot, the door will be shut and those outside, will be struck blind. They will not be able to find the door or get saved.

Do not wait. Turn to the Lord now.

The coming persecution will be the time when the Gospel will be spread, greater than any time. It will be a last chance to receive the Lord. But, it will also be a witness. A final witness to those who have rejected. (Matt. 24:14)

Jesus speaks of it,

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.“–Math. 10:16-22

The Saint’s own children, educated in Luciferian controlled schools and colleges; taught to hate Christ and all things Christian will turn their own parents in to be killed during the persecution to come.

Your own family will betray you. Your pastor, and even your friends, will turn you in to be killed.

The Saints will move from place to place to survive, spreading the Gospel and worshiping in hiding. Destitute; unable to buy or sell because of the Mark of the Beast. (Matthew 10)

Those who abide to the end shall be saved.

This persecution is coming. Look at the hate of this present day. It will only grow until the forces of hate and murder are unleashed. Satan and his demons are building the system, and preparing their slaves.

Do not be deceived. Do not wait. Turn to the Lord today, and let Him grow you and build your faith.

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How Are We Tempted?

 How Are We Tempted?

 It’s important to understand.

 

 

In order to resist temptation, we must understand what is going on. If we miss an aspect of it, we cannot really resist it. We just shift it around or suffer through.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”— James 1:13-15

God does not lead us into temptation or use temptation. Temptation comes from demons who speak into our mind or lives and uses the flesh and our own lust to get us to sin. If we live our lives never being washed in the Blood of Jesus, being cleansed of sin, we face eternal death. Which is separation from God in hell and the Lake of Fire.

How does this work?

First, you must consider your family and surroundings from birth. All of it has impacted you. Demons have impacted family members who have impacted you. This is a fact. We do not live in a vacuum. It is not an excuse for our behavior or failure, but it is a fact.

Consider a parent who was terrible to you, or did bad things around you. They got it from someone when they were young, and have spread it to you. These are generational curses. They destroy families and keep them in bondage. Again, it’s not an excuse for our sinful actions but it is a fact.

Do you spread it to your kids?

Probably.

Second, you are born with corruption within you that came from your parents, and lineage. I will say DNA, because we understand that term, but it is deeper than that. It is a spiritual plague which infects us.

Next come the demons that are around us everywhere, all the time.

They start working on you the minute you are born. They desire to create habits and beliefs that they can poke at for the rest of your life.

Consider fear.

Kids can see into the spirit world, I believe.

So, when kids speak of monsters under the bed. Maybe it is.

Maybe the demons are seeking to create fear in you as a child, so it can be used by them later in life for all kinds of purposes.

These are buttons, put into place which can be used to tempt us later and keep us enslaved.

We have fear and it leads to lying to protect ourselves.

We get exposed to things and are tempted, and give in. This opens doors for more temptation and more sin.

As we grow we are enslaved by what the demons have tempted us with, and what we have allowed.

Can you think of the first time you lusted? The first time you lied? The first time you were jealous or envious or desired to have what was not yours? The first time you hated someone and got revenge? The first time you stole candy from the store?

All of it started a path way in your life. It opened doors and set buttons to trigger it again.

The more you did it, the more those doors opened.

This is why its important to discipline kids. So, they stop opening doors of evil that demonic entities can use later.

If they will listen.

Kids grow into adults with the same problems. The same sins and demons riding on their back.

Demons who know how to trigger their human slaves.

God seeks to turn us to Him and get us saved, while those demons keep fighting to keep us from turning and knowing God.

If we get saved, Christ forgives us of all sin. past, present and future. We are washed. we are clean. We will be with Him forever.

But, those demons keep working on our flesh. They keep hitting those buttons.

When we get saved, Christ sets us free from those attachments. But sometimes we open doors again, knowingly or unknowingly.

Those demons no longer control us, we have power over them if we exercise the authority we have in Jesus name.

Sometimes we do. Sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we don’t realize what we are doing. We don’t see what we are saying or doing until the Holy Spirit points it out.

James says,

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”— James 1:2-3

When we are tempted we can actually rejoice in it. Because it shows that we are saved and free. Before we got saved, we never noticed the temptation. We never noticed the way demons manipulated our lives to lead us into temptation.

But, when we get saved and set free, we see the truth and have power to resist. We see how hard the enemy works to get us and it gives us faith. Because we see the truth, and the truth sets us free. (John 8:32)

Whether we succeed or fail, the attempts of the enemy to tempt us works to grow us and build our faith and patience. We will face temptations our whole lives and we will get stronger as we resist and endure and fail and try again.

It is the battle between the spirit and the flesh. It is spiritual warfare. (Gal 5:16-17)

“ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”—James 1:12

We are blessed by God as we endure these temptations. Whether we fail or succeed. We grow closer to God because we are His and “ALL things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

This is not about succeeding in resisting temptation. Jesus already did that. He already lived the perfect life for us. The temptation is to continue to abide and endure in Christ. The devil wants you to give up if you are saved.

Because if you give up, you are no longer serving God. You are no longer fighting in the war.

Not that you lose or win your salvation. That’s already settled when you confess Jesus as your Lord. You are saved, but not fighting or doing your job. That is just as good to the devil, as having you enslaved. If you are not serving God in the gifts God has given you. If you are not following the Holy Spirit, then you are not waging war. The devil wins.

When you are tempted and fail. Because you will fail. You will sin. It is a fact.

Turn to the Lord. Never run away. That is the devil tempting you. He wants you to feel alone and in shame or fear, so he can devour you like a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8)

James says,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.“—James 4:7-10

Turn to The Lord. Confess your sin to Him. We are tempted by demons and we fail. We sin. Confess it to the Lord. Every time. No matter how many times. Ask the Lord to help you overcome. It will eventually work itself out of you.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”— 1 John 1:8-10

Do not believe the lie that you will lose your salvation. God does not cast us aside. He died for us and worked hard to get us to turn to Him. If you are saved. It is forever.

Turn to Him and confess. He will help and continue to work with you.

God will correct you. He does not cast you out.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.“— Prov. 3:11-12

Do not believe this has to be some kind of bad thing. God is able to correct us, and bless us at the same time.

But, He does not cast us out. He corrects. He grows. He teaches. He heals.

Remember, we have demons, wounds, trauma, buttons, doors and pathways that have been a problem for us since childhood.

God heals those things. God closes those doors when we are ready to hold on. He helps us.

Turn to God and cast out those demons in Jesus name. Draw more into God. Resist the devil and he will flee. Eventually.

Do not listen to the lies from preachers who never mention spiritual things. They tell you to resist the flesh. But, never mention demons or your past traumas, or the buttons that get pushed.

The scripture clearly speaks of demonic entities. That preacher cannot help you because he doesn’t believe. You can do battle in the flesh, but it is only half the battle.

Turn to God always.

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How Do I Turn To God?

 How Do I Turn To God?

 What does that look like?

 

 

It’s so simple anyone can do it. That is how God designed it.

I’m going to avoid magical theological words and just give it straight.

As we go through life things happen to us. Good things and bad.

We have excitement over good things. We celebrate victories and enjoy time with family or friends.

We also suffer through hard times. Terrible tragedies, that destroy our lives or lead us into dark places.

If it’s good, we might feel led to thank God.

If it’s bad, we might feel led to call out to God for help.

No matter what it is, if we feel or think about God at all, it is because He is calling us.

Humans in our natural flesh filled state do not seek God. We seek food, sex, money and freedom from pain. We do not seek spiritual things. (Rom. 3:10-18)

So if we start to wonder about God, or get interested in spiritual things, or find ourselves in trouble, and God is our only hope. He is calling us. You might hear a preacher preaching and it speaks to you. You might read a Gospel Tract and it opens your eyes. If you are reading this, God brought you here to read it. He is calling you.

It’s like when Jesus called to the disciples. He just said “Follow me” and they turned and followed Him

When you realize God is calling you. Just pray and talk to Him plain. He knows you and loves you. (Rom. 1:6, Rom. 8:30, Rom. 9:24, 1 Cor. 1:9)

Just ask Him to save you. (Matt. 7:7, Acts 2:38, John 5:24, Acts 2:21, Acts 16:30-31)

“Lord, please save me and help me. I make Jesus the Lord of my life and I believe in Him. Please change me and show me what to do. For it’s in Jesus name I pray. Amen.” (Rom 10:9-10)

These aren’t magic words. Try the best you can to mean them. He is real and He is listening and He will move. Trust Him.

Believe He hears you. Watch Him move.

The same guidance you got that led you to pray will guide you in other ways. You’ll be led to start reading your Bible. You will be led to certain people or church. You will see your life changing. Things will be removed and other things brought into your life.

Keep believing and keep praying. Turn to God in everything. It’s not just one prayer. It becomes a relationship. He becomes your life.

This is salvation. God has saved you, if you turned to Him and called out to Him. The Holy Spirit will come to dwell in you, and change you and grow you. He will lead you in Sanctification. (Acts 2:38, John 14:26, Luke 11:13)

That is the work God does on us throughout our life.

You have to understand. We are saved the instant we turn to Him and ask. But because of the fall and our own sins, we are so corrupt, that it takes time to fix us in this life. God does it in the proper way so it does not ruin us. He is a master builder. He is The Great Physician, and He is healing us. (Gal. 5:16-18, Prov. 3:11-12)

Read the Word of God, and believe it. No matter how crazy it makes you look to the world, friends, family or co-workers. Believe the Word. God takes this belief and makes us righteous. Nothing else can happen if we do not first believe. Nothing. We can hear the call and turn to Him, but if we do not believe what He tells us it will die on the vine. (Rom. 4:3, Matt. 13, )

Our belief or faith leads us to seek more of Him and to serve Him, as the Holy Spirit leads us. We learn that we should love God and others. We learn about baptism and communion. We learn about giving and helping others. We desire to tell people about Jesus, so they can be saved. We want other people to experience the great things God has done for us. (Mark 5:1-20, Matt. 10:32-33, Mark 16:15-20)

We pray to the Lord in Jesus name, and bring everything to Him. We see Him move in our lives and our faith grows with the relationship. (John 14:13-14, Prov. 3:5-6)

We find our life is changing. We find that we are changing. The things we used to struggle with are gone, and we have new things we struggle with. We have stories of how God has helped us and those stories encourage us and others.

God works to break us and correct us and change us as we confess our sins to him and let Him cleanse us. We walk in the spirit as we confess our sin and work these things out. He heals us of our trauma and destroyed lives. He brings us new hope and abundant life.

All of this is part of knowing Him. Knowing Him is the most important thing in our life. That relationship is really all that matters. He becomes our first love. (Mark 12:30-31, Matt. 10:37)

That doesn’t mean we don’t get angry, or hurt or question, or say things we shouldn’t. But, we turn back to Him. All relationships have friction. As He helps us get lined up with what He desires for us, we will face friction. We will endure trouble. We will face an enemy who seeks to drive us from God. (1 Pet. 5:8)

But, we abide. We keep turning to Him and letting Him grow us. We seek to build the Kingdom and get others saved. We let God work through us and love others and love Him.

It seems hard. But, its not because He is with us the whole way, and actually does it all Himself, if we let Him. (Heb. 13:5)

Just turn to God and ask. He will save you, grow you, teach you and open your eyes to things you never knew.

Then, you will be with Him forever.

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The Root Of All Evil

 The Root Of All Evil

A Deeper Meaning 

 

 

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.“—1 Tim. 6:10

People often misquote it as “money” is the root of all evil.

But it’s not.

Money is a tool. Like a hammer or a gun. It can be used for good or evil.

But, the verse says “the love of money”

Then it says is the “root”.

And here is where the key lies. 

Things are going to get a little twisty here, so hang on.

A root supports a plant and helps feed it and waters it. A root draws moisture from the soil so the plant can live. No roots. No plant.

You can grow a plant with artificial light and without soil in water. But without roots the plant dies.

So, what happens? People start to do evil things. After a while they discover that they can do more evil, and enjoy it more. If they have more money.

So, the demon guiding these thoughts and actions starts to develop a love for the money which is helping to support the evil actions.

When we do evil, we are tempted by demonic forces which plays on our corrupted nature and our flesh. They get us to act in an evil way. When we do, it opens a door making it easier for the demonic to tempt us further.

That is how it works. It even works that way for Christians. Satan tempts us and we listen and fall into sin. Pretending like you are immune to this process is dangerous. As believers we have power through the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus, but the scriptures warn us of our enemy Satan for a reason. (1 Peter 5:8)

When I say evil, we often think of serial killers and child molesters. But, I am referring to The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life. (1 John 2:15-17)

The Lust of the Flesh leads to the sins described in Galatians

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5)

The Lust of the Eyes, are covetousness. You want what others have. You want what is physical instead of spiritual. You want treasures on Earth instead of treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)

The Pride of Life, is basically trying to keep up with the Jones. You want to look good to others, you want the best job and clothes and car and home, so you can show off to others, and prove you made it. You love going back to the High School reunion so you can show how well you have done, and to see how much weight Sally SpecialGal has put on.

Many of these sins are very subtle. You might be able to argue them away or act like its not that bad. You might even go to a church where this is never taught.

But, all evil and sin is equal. There is not a degree of better sins. (James 2:10)

We think these sorts of things all the time and do not even realize it. This is because we have a corrupted nature and need Jesus to save us. We cannot keep it all straight.

We know we should give to others and help build the kingdom. But, we want our McDonald’s coffee too. We know we should help the neighbor and tell them about the Lord, but we have kids soccer practice, then cheer, then the ballgame. We really hope little Johnny can get that scholarship, so he can go to the really important school and have a career that pays well.

None of this is evil, but it can open doors and creep along, until we notice that it has been years, and we never did anything to build treasures in heaven. We got the brass ring at work, but we lost our soul and our kids are ruined.

We try to do everything but we end up being double minded and trying to serve God or do right, while trying to succeed in life. We make the choice to serve money and profit, instead of God and do not even realize we had a choice.

That is life. We fight to keep our families together and our marriages together in the midst of a world that strives to destroy us. We see lust every where and hear of God no where.

Do you understand?

All of this opens doors for demonic influence. It gives the enemy a chance to work in our lives, and compete with what God is doing.

So, we lust for things. We lust for more. We lust for power.

So, guess what helps us achieve these things?

Money.

We understand this even if we don’t realize it. Money provides us with the things we lust after.

So, Satan develops a love for money or a desire for more money, or a fear of not having enough money, in us. In order to feed those lusts or evils.

Do you understand.

That’s why 1 Timothy says to be content with what we have. (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

The love of money is the root which feeds the growth of all the evil or lusts in our lives, just like roots feed plants.

But it doesn’t stop there, because it grows into greed which impacts our culture, society and world.

We have people with five homes while others walk the streets with nothing. We have people who own land larger than a small country, while others get chased off park benches. We have billionaires with more money than entire countries, where kids die from disease due to unclean water.

All of it is greed and a love of money. Our system even thrives on people loving money, and looking after their own self interests, while telling themselves how altruistic they are, while getting tax breaks.

The system forces people to enslave themselves to the wealthy so they can earn a few pennies and struggle to get rich themselves. People dream of winning the lottery so they quit being a slave, and tell their boss where to go.

We all do it. We are all a part of the wicked system whether we like it or admit it or not.

Trust me, I tried for years to stay out, but it becomes impossible to live. You can go off grid. You can hide in a cave with your wife and kids for decades. But eventually the system will catch you. Your wife and kids will want to connect. Your grandkids will want to connect. The authorities will demand that you obey certain rules, or go to jail or lose your kids.

It’s part of the last days scenario and the Love of Money helps feed it. That is why we need Jesus. We cannot win. We cannot save ourselves. We can stop sinning in one place, and it pops up in other ways in our lives. That is why we need to turn to the Lord, and let Him saves us and help us to overcome.

When the Lord returns He says “What you’ve done to the least of these you have done to me.” (Matt. 25:31-46)

When we listen to the Lord and let Him work in our life we find ourselves helping others, spreading the Gospel and being content with what we have. We trust God more.

I’m not saying we should all be poor. But, we can be content and let the Lord do what He desires in our lives.

The Bible warns about wealth, and if you have ever had money you know that the responsibilities of it builds up. (1 Tim. 6:9)

Jesus said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mark 10:25)

Why?

Because when we have wealth we tend to turn to our money, instead of to God. We are tempted to forget the need we have for Him. So, we do not turn to Him. We do not seek Him. We do not see Him working in our life, and we do not grow in faith.

When you have nothing but God, you see Him answer prayers and your faith grows. You really believe, because you have seen. But, if you have money you can just pay to have your problem solved, and never see the deep workings of the Lord.

I’m not saying rich people cannot be saved. I’m saying wealth works against it. If it’s not bad for the person, then possibly for their kids who grew up rich and have never needed to cry out to God for anything.

Remember, wealth is relative. A middle class American is richer than most of the world’s population. Do not think you are poor, until you see real poverty.

The answer is to be content. Live a minimalist life and be content serving the Lord.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.“— 1 Tim. 6:6-8

The Lord can help us to overcome. If we turn to Him and ask.

Because please understand that in these last days, we are heading in to, our desire for the things of this world, and our lack of trust in God, will be used to destroy and overcome us.

When the Mark of the Beast comes, and you cannot pay your bills, or buy food, or clothes or anything. (Rev. 13)

Will you be content with a dirty blanket on a park bench with a bag of Cheetos, while your kids beg?

Or will you sell your soul and get the Mark.

The Love of money is the root, which feeds the beast. It feeds your lusts, and the greed of the world.

Learn contentment. Praise the lord and thank Him for what you have. learn to say no to desires. Fasting will help.

Turn to the Lord in all things and remember He is the only way to be saved, and He holds you in His hand.

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The Gathering

 The Gathering

What is it? 

 

Let us rightly divide 2 Thessalonians 2, and come to some conclusions about the near future.

This book was written by the Apostle Paul. He is speaking of the last days, which we are in. I’m using the KJV.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,” 2 Thess. 2:1

Gathering together unto Him?

What is it?

He is speaking of the rapture. He is speaking of the spirits/souls of all the saints from all time, being gathered together to Him, in the twinkling of an eye.

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

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”— 1 Thess. 4:16-17

And again

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

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

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”— 1 Cor. 15:50-52

The rapture is where all saints. All real believers are changed into spiritual bodies. It is called “The Gathering Together”. The Lord gathers us together with Him. (1 Cor. 15:35-49)

Now we look at the next verses in 2 Thessalonians 2.

“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Paul is saying that times will be tough, there will be deception, but rest assured the day of Christ’s return is at hand. It is imminent. His return, not a pre-tribulation rapture lie. Not this idea that He will sneak us away and we will wait in heaven for seven years, then come back. But, His actual return as promised.

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;”

This verse plainly states that the Gathering Together or Rapture will not occur until there is a Falling Away and the Anti-Christ is revealed. The Anti-Christ will wage war on the saints. The Word plainly states it. This is not some “tribulation saints” it is all of Christianity. It is the real saints. the real believers. (Rev. 13:7, Daniel 7:21, Daniel 7:25)

There will be terrible persecution in these last days against Christians. This persecution will cause many who have been in church but never really known Christ to fall away. They will want to avoid persecution and suffering. They will reject the Lord, and form the Apostate Church. This church will follow the False Prophet, and the New Religion he will create. (Rev. 6:9-11, Rev. 13)

Real believers will not accept the Mark of the Beast. They will not reject Christ. They will suffer and starve and be rounded up and killed. Just like the saints of the first church. Jesus cleansed the Temple twice during His earthly ministry. That is a picture of the early persecutions and the latter. Where all the chaff is removed. Where all the false ones are revealed and leave the body of the church. Because they never really believed or knew Him. They were just in church for tradition, fear, appearances or some other reason. But, they were never really saved. (Rev. 13)

The next verse in 2 Thessalonians,

⁴ Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

We see here that the Temple will be built at this time, before the Gathering together (Rapture). Before the return of Jesus. The Anti-Christ will sit in the Temple and call Himself God.

And the false prophet will teach that the Anti-Christ is God. It will be taught that He is the Messiah. That he is the latest of many souls who have come throughout history from beyond to lead us into the next step of our evolution. That we are being led by the Spirit to “be as gods” through evolution. The same lies Satan told Adam and Eve. (Rev. 13, Gen. 3)

As the Word says, there have been many anti-christs. “Instead of” Christs. False Christs. There is a spirit of antichrist from Satan who has worked to help build the Anti-Christ’s Global Kingdom since the Fall of Man. That spirit has used many people to move us along. The False Prophet will claim this is a good thing, from beyond and is part of our evolutionary process. But, it is not. (1 John 2:18, 1 John 4)

Next we see in 2 Thessalonians 2

“⁵ Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

⁶ And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

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

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

In these verses it speaks of the Restrainer. Someone who restrains the Anti-Christ.

This has been rightly understood to be the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the real believers. The Saints of the real church of Jesus Christ.

But, the false belief has been that the Holy Spirit will be removed in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, when all the saints have been removed with Him as well.

But, that is clearly not correct.

The Holy Spirit will be “taken out of the way”, because the Anti-Christ will have waged war against the Saints and overcome them. All the Saints, will be dead, locked up, underground, in hiding, and destroyed.

God allows this. Just like he did to the early church. Remember, persecution is not a bad thing for the believer. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”—Psa. 116:15

The removal of the Saints does not reveal the Anti-Christ. The removal of the Holy Spirit does not reveal the Anti-Christ. The Holy Spirit is not removed. He dwells in His people, but the influence He has at this time will have been taken out of the way with the saints, because they will have been killed or in hiding.

The saints and Holy Spirit being taken out of the way doesn’t reveal the Anti-Christ, because He will already be on the scene. But it reveals “That Wicked”.

It reveals that the man who is the “Anti-Christ”. The man the world has accepted and worshiped. The man who is considered a savior from all the troubles and problems that come from the seal and trumpet judgements, is not really a Christ. But is Satan in the flesh.

And all hell breaks loose. (Rev. 12:7-12)

Next we see in the verses of 2 Thessalonians,

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

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

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

¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Deception will be bad. With AI, and all powers and news and preachers, and doctors and scientists, and politicians and experts, and movies and music; backing Him up. The lies will be every where. We can see it today, but it will be worse.

As the Lord says “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt 24:24)

There will be no truth. If you do not already know the truth. If you do not already know Jesus Christ, and the truth of God’s Word and promises. You will not be able to break through the deceptions, to see truth.

There will be strong delusion that prevent those on the Earth from being saved, because they cannot see the truth. The Anti-Christ and the forces with Him. The spirit of anti-christ, Satan, the fallen angels and demons of hell, will even use the things of God to bring this deception.

And God will allow it. There are things in place that God has sent, which will be used to help with the delusion.

His Saints and the Holy Spirit with them will have been overcome and taken out of the way. The truth has been twisted in every way possible. There will be no one to refute the lies, or resist the enemy.

God has given the Gospel to everyone on Earth. They have heard and know. But, have chosen to reject. They hold the truth of who Jesus Christ is, in unrighteousness. They hold the truth of Jesus Christ and have chosen to not be washed by it. They have chosen to not believe it and be made righteous and be saved. They refuse to confess Him as Lord, and have chosen Satan. (Matt. 24:14)

As the Lord says

¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. —Matt. 24:21-22

Because the Lord returns, and ends the horror.

“²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”—Matt. 24:29-31

The Gathering Together, as spoken of in 2 Thessalonians.

 “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;

² Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.

³ Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”—Zeph. 2:1-3

We are hid in Christ. We are hid in the cleft of the Rock. We are hid in the Ark. We are washed clean in the Blood.

If we know Him. If we turn to Him and Confess Him as Lord before He comes. Before we are so deceived and twisted that we cannot see truth. (Rom. 10:9-10, Rom 14:11-12)

Be not one of those who turn to the Anti-Christ, and join the Apostate Church. The temptation for Christians in those days will be severe. They will lose everything, even life unless they turn from Christ. But, those who really know Him will be able to endure.

“³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”— Heb. 10:35-39.

As the Lord says

“⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” —Matt. 24:9-13

Many false brethren will turn and join the Apostate Church and will help the Anti-Christ kill and overcome the Saints. We endure, not by our works, but by abiding in Him. We abide in Him, by knowing Him. By confessing him as Lord. By the relationship we have with Him.

As the end of 2 Thessalonians 2 says,

“ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

¹⁴ Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

¹⁷ Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

Behold He comes quickly.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

(This has been an interpretation of what is to come. Like most prophecy we cannot put our foot down and say “Thus sayeth the Lord”. I am not doing that. I could be wrong. But, through time and study, I believe I have been led to this conclusion of what will occur. we shall see.

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The God Who Answers

 The God Who Answers

 He is there and will answer.

 

 

We live our lives in this world, where we seem to have no control. Where we look every where for answers. Everything seems hard and we have sorrow, working our selves to death.

We seek answers from gods, idols and wisemen. We seek answers from deep within ourselves. We seek solutions from doctors,sorcerers, experts, scientists and alchemists. We seek to join pop culture and the knowledge of our world. But we continue to flounder in the dark.

In the Bible, there’s a story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings Chapter 18)

Evil had taken over the land. The government was corrupt. The religion had become corrupt and wicked. There was drought and famine in the land and all the people were corrupted as well.

But God called Elijah to challenge the enemy. And Elijah went. He told the prophets of Baal.

“Let us pray over the alter of sacrifice and the God who sends fire is the real true God.”

The prophets of Baal cried out to their god. They tried everything they could but nothing happened.

Then Elijah told them to pour water on the altar. Then more water. Then Elijah prayed, and fire fell from heaven consuming the sacrifice, altar and even the water.

The Lord, is the one true God, and He is the one who answers.

Our lives are broken and we’ve tried everything; and nothing has helped. Everything has failed. We mess up again and again and it just seems to get worse.

God is calling you to turn to Him and ask Him for help. You’ve tried everything else, why not God?

It doesn’t matter how evil, how corrupt, or how much water you have poured on the troubles of your life. God will come as a consuming fire and save you. Then, He will change your life, if you give yourself to Him. (Acts 2:21 KJV)

Just call on Him. He is waiting. He is seeking you. Just ask Him to save you and confess that Jesus is the Lord, and you want Him to be your Lord. (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)

Believe in Him. Learn of Him, and trust Him and His promises.

The Word says that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)

He is with us always even until the end of the earth. (Matt. 28:20)

And if God is with us, then who can hurt us? Who can remove us from His hand? Who can get Him to stop loving us?

No one.

God hears our every word and thought. Believe it.

He hears your prayers and is moving. Trust Him.

No matter what happens, He is seeking our good. (Rom. 8:28)

Remind yourself of this.

Do not let the enemy get you to think God doesn’t care or is not listening or is punishing you.

God is with you.

Trust Him.

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