Just a reminder, even when it seems evil and those intent on evil are prevailing…
Tag Archives: end times
Repent and Be Saved
Heavy on my heart right now- His return may be soon, but more importantly, not even tomorrow is promised to you! TODAY is the day of salvation! Don’t put it off!!
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me!” The Bible says to call on the name of the Lord while you may be saved.
ALL have sinned (done wrong things against God’s commands) and fallen short of the glory of God, no one is righteous, not one.
You must repent, which means to turn from your sins and to turn to God, and believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved! The gift of God is eternal life!
Salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ. Yeshua HaMashiach (in Hebrew). Jesus the Messiah.
As in the Days of Noah
There are some things going on right now that should make us think…
I know I’m only scratching the surface here. I don’t really believe any of these are overly significant on their own but collectively, it seems they should give one pause as to the days in which we live. I certainly believe we are ever so close to the return of our Messiah. We should be preparing our hearts and minds to endure until the end, to withstand persecution and tribulation. We should be watching and praying, staying clothed, alert and aware of the times, so that He does not come to us as a thief but as our bridegroom ♥
» Interestingly, there are a slew of movies concerning Christianity being released this year. I am not saying they are Biblical or accurate, just that they reference Biblical people, places, and events. In fact, from all I have heard, most of them have blatant inaccuracies and false representations, the truth twisted with lies, leaven worked all throughout the dough. In fact, that should be further evidence of the times.
- Son of God movie on February 28th – allegedly about Jesus, the Son
- God’s Not Dead on March 21st – supposed proof of God, the Father’s existence
- Noah on March 28th – very loose portrayal of Noah, whose family were the sole survivors of the Flood, who is referenced in the Bible concerning the End Times (Matthew 24:37-38)
- Heaven is For Real on April 14th (Passover) – about a boy who says he saw heaven and it is real
- Left Behind on October 3rd (Yom Kippur) – based on the very popular book about the alleged rapture with Nicolas Cage
- Exodus: Gods and Kings on December 12th – representation of the mass exodus of God’s people from Egypt when He delivered them through Moses (a picture of Christ), played by Christian Bale (a picture of when the Christians bale out of here?!?)
And in recent and upcoming news:
Stand Firm & Speak God’s Word
This is a little long but all SO good and edifying that I couldn’t choose. I figure you can’t hear too much Word. And at least unlike our words, His words will NOT return void and are always Truth!
Things are really only going to get worse, no matter how much we fight it. People have totally become lovers of pleasure and self, rather than lovers of God and have given themselves over to the lusts of the flesh and fulfilling them.
But we cannot give in to the ways of the world. The Word of God has NOT changed, nor will it. It is NOT outdated, it is NOT antiquated, it is NOT obsolete… It IS living & active & powerful & sharper than any double-edged sword! It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts, attitudes, and intentions of the heart.
That is WHY the world hates it (& us & Jesus), why satan hates it, and it’s why those in the world & satan & his demons fight to silence us and, through us, God’s Word. But His Word stands forever, and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does NOT change! So yes, stand firm and when you have done all that you can to stand, stand, clothed in the armor of God with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which IS the Word of God!!
What did Jesus do when satan tempted him in the desert, attacking Him while He was so weak?!? He spoke the Word of God!!! His sword, His defense; our sword, our defense! Philosophy, psychology, & reasoning will only get you so far, but the Word of God is complete & perfect!
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work!
If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Have a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, for blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks the words of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
--- hodge podge of scriptures from 2 Timothy 3:12-17 & http://www.openbible.info/topics/persecution --- image from link to this blog - http://danielsblog.org/
Are you Watching and Praying?
Matthew 26:40-41, “Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, ‘What, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”
This is an excerpt from Homeward Bound, written by Michael Boldea Jr, grandson of Dumitru Duduman. So very timely! Please read the whole post here: http://mikeboldea.blogspot.com/2013/09/watching-and-praying.html
“Men have always gone to great lengths to skirt accountability, and to this day they continue to do so, even going so far as denying what they see with their own eyes.
It’s not as though the disciples didn’t know the struggle Christ was facing at the time. It’s not as though He did not tell them that His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death, or ask them explicitly to watch with Him.
Christ had done this. He had explained the circumstances to His disciples, had asked them to watch with Him, and yet, when He returned he found them asleep.
We have also been told by Christ, and explicitly so, what to expect during these last days, and what the landscape will look like. When He returns will He likewise find us asleep?
The struggle, the burden, the hardship isn’t the knowing, it is not knowledge itself, but battling against the weakness of the flesh and remaining in a state of watchfulness and prayerfulness until the Christ returns.
We know it won’t be long. We know His return is closer today than it was yesterday, and it will be closer tomorrow than it was today. When He returns He expects to find us awake, watchful, and prayerful, because it is what He asked of us, and it is in obedience that we receive our reward.
Watching and praying are not optional. We cannot choose, based on how busy we are, or how hectic our schedule, whether we will be watchful and prayerful on a given day, or during a given time period.
As children of God, as those redeemed, saved, and sanctified, we must understand the importance of being watchful and prayerful, and understand that slumber and the weakness of the flesh are not the only enemies we must contend with, but so are distractions and misplaced loyalties.
If the enemy can’t cause us to slumber, if the flesh cannot cause us to enter into temptation, the devil will settle for keeping us distracted, and keeping us from praying and being watchful for those things we ought to be watchful for…
A wise man knows to put first things first and watching and praying must be at the top of the list of what each of us ought to be doing today!”
Watching, waiting, and praying… How my heart longs for you Jesus ♥
You can find his ministry, Hand of Help, here: http://www.handofhelp.com/
I must cry out!
It constantly feels as if my words fall on deaf ears, whether they be calls to repentance, admonitions to right living, or wake up calls about the end times. People just do NOT want to hear truth anymore; they would rather believe the lie. Are you experiencing this? Truly heartbreaking 😦
So hard not to feel hopeless sometimes, but we need to have faith no matter what it looks like, for only God knows their heart. All we can do is plant the seed…
I remember a dream I had as a young teen about Jesus’ return. In the dream, I saw written in the clouds, “HE IS COMING!” I went to the high school and began telling everyone & anyone, whether they would listen to me or not, that they needed to Repent & be Saved because Jesus was coming SOON. And I remember that the supposed Christians that I knew were all trying to quiet & silence me telling me that I was causing a scene & embarrassing myself & them, but I would not.
I even got on the intercom system and was pleading with anyone who could hear me to Repent & turn to Christ, that His coming was at hand, as teachers & administrators tried to stop me. In the midst of all this, I remember being surprised that there was a handful of unlikely people, that I would not have expected, who began to help me plead with the students around us. Most of them I did not even know as Christians.
Sadly, I can see this happening in reality soon as well 😦
So I will continue to cry out, whether anyone seems to listen or care, despite whether other believers try to silence me or mock me… Who is there to fear but Him who can destroy both body & soul in hell?
When is the rapture?
I know our belief in the timing of the rapture may not be a salvation essential doctrine, YET I believe it can have a VERY big effect on our faith & our spiritual walk… and possibly even our salvation!
Matthew 24 has been pivotal to me in seeing the fallacy of the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine that is being so widely taught & pushed by books & movies as well.
If you really think there’s a pre-trib rapture, go & read the plain words of Jesus in Matthew 24 & let me know where you find this rapture. I don’t see it. I wish it was there. Somehow I think Jesus might have mentioned it.
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Instead He said there’d be false Christs, turmoil among the nations, wars & rumors of war, famines, earthquakes in diverse locations…
THEN you will be raptured… um, no… actually it says THEN you will be persecuted, put to death, & hated because of Him.
9 “At that time MANY will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.“
King James says many will be offended – maybe because Jesus didn’t rapture them away to glory before all the bad stuff started & their hearts weren’t prepared to endure persecution?! They didn’t have enough oil to take them past the midnight hour?!?
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Matthew 24 then goes on to say AND WHEN YOU SEE the abomination that causes desolation spoken of in Daniel – midweek beginning the great tribulation – which means we are HERE when that happens, otherwise we couldn’t see it.
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There we are again!
There’ll be more false Christs & prophets (sounds like they’ll be there the whole time too trying to deceive us. Again, us believers – unbelievers wouldn’t care what they said!)
Then immediately after the great distress, there will be darkness. And then FINALLY, Jesus says –
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Oh look, there we are again!! And He’s FINALLY gathering us at the trumpet call, at THE END of the great tribulation, those that stood firm until the end as He had said!
First (#1) the trumpet sounds, second (#2) those who have died will be raised, and lastly (#3) we who are left will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, PRAISE JESUS!!!
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And again…
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The resurrection & rapture of the saints are tied TOGETHER at the END of the age, the LAST day, after the LAST and 7th trumpet!!!
Picture found here-http://untilallhaveheard1.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/at-the-last-trumpet/
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Sorry if I seem to be beating a dead horse BUT this to me goes beyond how any person may try to use this or that scripture to support a pre-trib rapture. JUST look at the words of Jesus & see what He said. It seems abundantly clear to me!!!
Stepping off my soapbox now… 
The Remnant Church and the End-Time Testimony of Jesus Christ
I believe we are the end time saints, the remnant church of the last days… And I believe this post is an awesome encouragement & admonishment for us as we face this ever darkening world.
“Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand!”
Read the post here => The Remnant Church and the End-Time Testimony of Jesus Christ
“The Remnant church is, at its core and most fundamentally, God’s witness here on earth. Truly we have been called first and foremost to be a witness. Now most saints know that this word in its Greek form translates to martyr. Does that mean that every saint, every witness since the beginning of the church has been called to martyrdom? Certainly not. Yet let us not forget brothers and sisters that in every century God’s people here on earth have been persecuted and martyred for their faith. The danger for us saints in the Western world in the last 100 years has been that we have not been so-called.
Now, one would imagine that living in an atmosphere where one is allowed to worship freely without any state or religious interference that Christendom would thrive, yet, if we look at the state of Europe and North America we see something that at best, is a shallow faith…
The Remnant man or woman carries their cross. Carrying a cross is a lonely business. Its their very loneliness that compels them to seek an even closer walk with the Lord. The trials of the cross, the narrowness of the path, the desert and wilderness that often stretches out before them, a lack of fitting in, no acknowledgement of anything that you do, what you do you do in secret, you only seek to see the Lord high and lifted up…
The Remnant saint knows something of the glory of God. He has been touched by it, ruined for the things of this word by it. He has a fire that burns in his bones that will not and cannot be quenched. He is single-minded in his devotion. He arises in the morning with thoughts of His Lord.”
On my heart…
I’ll let God’s Word speak for itself:
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
– Romans 1:16-32
Watch & pray! Be alert!
“So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be ALERT and sober… Take heed, WATCH and PRAY, for you do not know when that time is…. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man…
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it has from the beginning of creation.” But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
-1 Thess 5:6, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36, 2 Peter 3:3,4,8,9,11, 14-18
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near!"
Wise or foolish?
Not Alone 