March 21, 2011

“UnPrepared”

Blessings Folk!!

The Body of Christ is unprepared for that which is yet to come.

Yes, we have the Spirit - Hallelujah!
Yes, the western church has “resources”.
Yes, we are not forsaken.

But, there is a dearth of true Biblical understanding about the last days.

Many years back I was helping a local body Christ for awhile.
On the first evening together a guest speaker spoke at length and with great vigor on Rev 4:1 being evidence and verification of the rapture of Believers…

Revelation 4
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

Without getting into details, this verse in no way refers to the “rapture.”

Recently, I was at the same location for another series of meeting...different speaker, same...can I say “sad”… explanation of the Word.

Oh, I know the arguments, the twisting and conforming of the Word to “our” argument, the “arguments from silence”, etc.

We are being taught how “bad it will be”, but “we will be gone…so, come with us”…”don’t be ‘left behind’ “...

This simply is not true.

(It is also not the pattern that we see in the Word for propagation of the Truth of the Kingdom.)

Now folk, I readily acknowledge that there is much information and debate about such.

Let me ask you to focus upon this one point.

Here is the main thing that must be examined and understood.

The “Wrath of God” and the “Great Tribulation” are not synonymous.
They are not the same.

The “great tribulation” is man against man...the Man of Lawlessness/Antichrist against Israel and her offspring (the church).

The “great tribulation” is not the “final” 7-year period.
This period is more accurately called the 70th week of Daniel. (Daniel 9, 12)
The “great tribulation” occurs within the 70th week of Daniel, but it is not the entire 7 year period.

The Wrath of God is the Lord pouring out judgment upon unbelieving man.

Now, there are many things upon which we might have differing views and over which we do not separate - we are the Body.

This is one such thing.

The Lord has given us voluminous amounts of the Word related to this.
All the following...plus more...provide insight…

Revelation
Matthew 24-25
Mark 13
Luke 21
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Peter
2 Peter
Jude
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Psalms
Daniel
All the Prophets

Yet, still...the Body is suffering a tremendous disservice by allowing those who do not know/refuse to see the Truth to lead people astray.

I hasten to say that often this is not done by malicious intent.
God-fearing, true believers can be incorrect.

But, are we teachable?
Do we truly desire to know the Truth, or are we seeking to “defend a position”?

I am often asked...

Will the church undergo the “great tribulation”?

Yes. The Word is clear.

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Matt 24:15-25
15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
17 "Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.
18 "Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
20 "But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
21 "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.
22 "Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him.
24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
25 "Behold, I have told you in advance.

NASU

We have been told by the Lord in advance.

The Lord tells us…

Dan 11:32-33
32 "By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.
33 "Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many;

NASU

(Yes...likely fulfilled during Maccabean revolt...yet type for that which is yet to come with man of lawlessness...principles still apply)


Dan 12:3
3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

NASU

Gain knowledge of the Word.
Know for yourself.
Do not just “know about God.”
Know God.
Have His insight.
He will use us…

Remember..
The Wrath of God
The Great Tribulation

Not the same…

Blessings!

The videos for lesson 1 of “Hosea - A Love That Will Not Let Me Go” are available.
http://www.alabamaprecept.blip.tv (Most recent video is on home page...click “episode archive” for the remainder)

I also post them on a regular/daily? basis on FaceBook. Join us there.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=265057332221

Have also uploaded several recent “Answers” episodes…
http://www.answers.blip.tv

And a couple of “Prayerline” episodes…
http://www.prayerline.blip.tv