More: Pre, Post and Mid-Trib Raptures?

Since my July 2017 post Pre, Post and Mid-Trib Raptures? I have seen several videos where the person vigorously defends his or her rapture viewpoint and denies the others. I believe there could be several raptures. My reasoning is based on how crops were harvested in Biblical times.

The God’s Roadmap to the End video, The Rapture: Part 2 – What is the First Resurrection? goes into much more detail on Israel’s harvests than my short post. It’s an hour and 36 minutes long, but well worth watching IMO. I watched it twice. 🙂

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

Complete in Him!

This is an outstanding, uplifting video from HEAVENLY SIGN 2017! Here are some of the referenced scriptures.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Colossians 2:10 KJV

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Genesis 5:3 KJV

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 ESV

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18 ESV

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Colossians 2:8-10 KJV

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 KJV

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 KJV

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:4-10 KJV

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Romans 7:1-4 KJV

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV

Ephesians 1 KJV

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:1-6 KJV

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 1:3 KJV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

 

For Another Friend

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV

God is love.
1 John 4:8

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:23 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20 ESV

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the LORD,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Isaiah 55:12-13 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5 ESV

The whole earth is at rest and quiet;
they break forth into singing.
Isaiah 14:7 ESV

They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:9 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 ESV

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2 ESV

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

The Book of Remembrance

Here is another book in heaven.

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.”
Malachi 3:16-18 ESV

Spared from what? Continue reading with the very next verse.

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.”
Malachi 4:1-3 ESV

Do you fear the Lord and talk about Him with others who also fear the Lord? If so, keep watching! If not, click these links and think about your life.

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

What is Written About You in Heaven?

Heaven is full of books. A record is kept on everyone. Each person will be judged by the written record of their actions.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
Revelation 20:12 ESV

What stuff is written down about you?

Believers in Jesus

It is very good for believers. All the sin entries have been blotted away by the blood of the Lamb.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:13-14 KJV

Consider Moses in the New Testament.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
Hebrews 11:23-28 ESV

When discussing him personally, the New Testament only notes Moses’ faith! (Search results.) Besides Stephen’s history lesson of Acts 7, there is no mention that Moses was a murderer, or was so reluctant to do what God wanted him to do that God got upset.

Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Exodus 2:12 NIV

Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.”
Exodus 4:14 NIV (Full story of their burning bush discussion in Exodus 3 ESV and Exodus 4 ESV.)

God looks for our faith. If people tore the roof off your house, would you notice their faith?

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,”Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:1-5 ESV

People Who Do Not Believe in Jesus

The writing in the books is horrible for those whose sins have not been forgiven. They will have to pay the penalty, which is eternal death.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 ESV

Accept God’s free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus!

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

We Cannot Fear Dying For Our Faith

“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he [Jesus] said to show by what kind of death he [Simon Peter] was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him,”Follow me.”
John 21:18-19 ESV

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Revelation 12:11 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 ESV

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
Revelation 6:9-11 ESV

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:25 ESV

Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:58-60 ESV

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Philippians 1:20-23 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:37-38 ESV


Meditate on the benefits of being an overcomer!

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

Prayer for the Unsaved and Backsliders

This salvation prayer is written to be used by one or more people, praying for the salvation of one or more people. At first, the “(he / she / they)” and “(was / were)” constructs may be awkward, but hang in there! After praying the prayer a few times you will be able to glance at the next sentence or two, close your eyes, and pray with all your might. The exact words aren’t that important, go with the Word and your inner witness.

I expect this prayer become a “template” for me, as the Lord’s Prayer is a template. I will pray some sentences over and over and over, using God’s Word like a hammer. I will be reminded of other applicable verses and use them too.


Introduction

Father, in the name of Jesus, the Name above every name, (I/we) bring ____________ before you. (I/we) know that You are love. You loved the world so much that you sent your only Son to die in our place, so that by believing in Him all could have eternal life. (I/we) know You desire all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. You have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but want them to turn from their wicked ways and live!

Petitions

Father, Your Word says that no one can come to Jesus unless You draw them, so (I/we) ask You right now that You draw __________ to Jesus. You have mercy on whom you want to have mercy, and (I/we) ask you to have mercy on __________. Remove (his / her / their) heart(s) of stone and give (him / her / them) (a heart / hearts) of flesh. May (he / she / they) not be (a fool / fools) who believe(s) there is no God, but may (he / she / they) know that You exist, and You do reward those who seek You. May (he / she / they) know that Jesus is standing at the door and knocking, and may (he / she / they) open the door! May (he / she / they) know that the wages of sin is death, but that the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! May __________ know that every person will be judged by You, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! May __________ confess with (his / her / their) mouth(s) that Jesus is Lord, and believe in (his / her / their) heart(s) that God raised Him from the dead, so that (he is / she is / they are) saved!

If Taught as (a Child / Children)

Father, __________ (was / were) trained as (a child / children) in the way (he / she / they) should go. (I/we) remind You, Your Word says that that when (he is / she is / they are) old (he / she / they) will not depart from it. __________ (has / have) great peace because (he is / she is / they are) taught of the Lord.

Workers

Father, you are the Lord of the harvest, and (I/we) pray You send out laborers into Your harvest, including laborers for __________. May these laborers plant and water the seed of Your word in the good soil of __________, and may that seed yield a harvest — 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold!

Binding and Loosing

Father, in the name of Jesus (I/we) bind every evil, demonic spiritual ruler and authority blinding the mind(s) of __________. (I/we) loose your ministering spirits, your strong angels that do Your commands, to help (him / her / them) clearly see the glorious light of the glory of Christ!

Prayer Works!

Father, the prayers of the saints are incense in heaven. (My / Our) prayer is powerful and effective, because (I am not / we are not) depending on (my / our) own righteousness, which is like filthy rags. Instead, (I am / we are) depending on the fact that (I am / we are) the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, so (my / our) prayers for __________ are powerful and effective.

Conclusion

Father, (I/we) cast all the care of the salvation of __________ over on You, because you care for (me / us). (I/we) thank You that You are watching over Your Word to perform it. Your Word does not return to You empty, but it accomplishes that which you purpose, and succeeds in the thing for which you sent it! Thank You, Father!

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 ESV

In Jesus’ name, Amen!


References

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Joel 2:12 ESV

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV

Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12 ESV

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Romans 9:18 NIV

All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:44 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 ESV

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:9 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2 ESV

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 ESV

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31 ESV

God is love.
1 John 4:8

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:23 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
1 John 5:14 ESV

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16b NIV

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isaiah 64:6 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8 ESV

Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 NIV

“See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones, because I tell you, their angels in heaven always have access to my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:10 ISV

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20 KJV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV

“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:19-21 ESV

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them,”If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38 ESV

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26 NIV

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
Psalm 53:1 ESV

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24 ESV

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
Revelation 20:12 ESV

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
James 4:14 NASB

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2 ESV

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said,”He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:3-9 ESV

“The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Mark 4:14-20 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20 ESV

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.
Psalm 37:23-24 AMPC

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
Proverbs 24:16 NASB

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:23 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:9-11 ESV

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

A Wicked Generation Looks for Signs?

Some people are dismissing the Revelation 12 Sign because of these words of Jesus.

An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
Matthew 16:4 ESV

Are they correct? In my view, no. Context, context, context! The Pharisees and Sadducees were testing Jesus. They were not asking to learn!

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them,”When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”So he left them and departed. When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them,“Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:1-6 ESV

I say again, Jesus said beware!

Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:6 ESV

The truth is, God created the heavens to mark His appointed times. The heavens show signs. Genesis 1:14 is in the very first chapter of the Bible.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,”
Genesis 1:14 ESV

The Hebrew for “and seasons” is Strong’s Hebrew 4150: “moed: appointed time, place, or meeting

7 Feasts

The Seven Jewish Feasts

I know it is a wild concept, being able to look into the sky and know what will happen, but the Bible teaches us it has happened before. About 2000 years ago some wise men looked in the sky and went on a trip. Remember?

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 ESV

Understanding of some end-times prophecy was sealed.

He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:9 ESV

But now we have astronomy software, and some of us get it.

I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.”
Daniel 12:8-10 ESV

There really is something big coming! I’m not sure what is coming, or when it is coming, but something really big is coming!

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:36 KJV

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 KJV

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10 ESV

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

Wise men and wise women still seek Him today! Watch!

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

New Bible — New, Lush Pasture

I grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota. One of our neighbors followed a plan he believed helped his cattle grow faster than average in the summertime. He had divided part of his land into small pastures. Every week to two weeks, he would move the cattle to a new pasture in the middle of the day. He said, “If you move them in the middle of the day, when they usually rest, they will be excited to be in the new pasture. They will spend two or three hours more eating than they would in the old pasture, and they grow faster.”

I rode with him once and saw the evidence with my own eyes. Around noon we drove into the pasture. The herd knew what that white pickup meant! They came out from under the trees where they had been standing and lying down out of the noonday sun, and clustered around the pickup. When the whole herd was present we slowly drove to the new pasture and turned them into it. (We drove slowly because the herd would have run to keep up, and what’s the sense in that? 🙂 )

Ten minutes earlier all the cattle were resting in the shade. Now they were on their feet, wolfing down mouthfuls of new, lush grass a quickly as they could. I could easily believe the neighbor’s claim that they would grow faster because they spent two or three more hours eating than they normally would have.

Change is not always bad. Sometimes it is very, very good.

I have often used this principle in my Christian walk. If my Bible study seems dull or stale for a period of time, or if I’m trying to restart consistent study, an investment of some form or other helps. The change has to cost me something to be effective.

But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”
1 Chronicles 21:24 NLT

Almost 40 years a Christian, and I still can’t use cheap spiral notebooks. They’re not “special” enough. I need to use hardbound notebooks or DayTimer products. (The first entry in my first hardbound notebook is dated September 13, 1987. 🙂 ) I know I need to do this, and the Bible is cool with it. Make success as easy as possible for yourself.

Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Hebrews 12:13 NIV

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A Year of Wisdom and The Harmony of the Gospels Kit were two things I worked on in order to “freshen” my Bible study. They were very effective in getting me eager to do Bible study. My investment in the freshening was both money, and lots of time on the computer creating the materials.

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But perhaps the most effective thing I can do to make me want to spend more time in the Bible is to get a new “Primary Bible.” I have three categories of Bibles, reference Bibles, primary Bibles, and retired primary Bibles. I don’t care about the features of a reference Bible, as I only use them to look up passages in other versions. They can be new, used, hardbound, softbound, or have paper a thick as sandpaper. I don’t care. In fact with everything available on the internet, I don’t use them much anymore. But years ago I could have a half-dozen or more reference Bibles open on the desk as I was studying.

My primary Bible, however, has to have excellent characteristics. It needs a great cover, and the highest-quality paper within reason. It is my main tool, and it has to have cost me something. I seem to need to know it didn’t come from the damaged bin at Walmart. If that’s a weakness, so be it. I have found a solution that works well for me. I don’t get a new primary Bible very often. For example, one retired primary Bible is dated 9-10-96 and the next 12-27-02. (I don’t think there was one between them, but I’m not 100% sure. I have moved many times since my separation and divorce. My once 150 shelf-feet of books is down to under 25. I left many of my Bibles behind in my moves. 😦 )

My retired primary Bibles often make me smile. I love seeing them obviously used, and the oils of my hand having slowly erased the lettering on the binding. If I am ever on trial, accused of being a Christian, I hope they’re part of the evidence used to convict me. 🙂

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I got a new primary Bible on August 9, 2017.

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Like the cattle turned into the new pasture at high noon, I have been devouring it. I took it out of the box, and very quickly (it seemed) I had read all of Revelation and the first 25 chapters of Genesis. I’m going through Paul’s letters a complete book at a time. I read Job, Ecclesiastes, Ester, and several other Old Testament books in one sitting each.

Part of the reason for my reading more Bible than my usual is, of course, the times in which we are living. But part is what happens to me when I get a new primary Bible. I get this huge desire to just read it. I seem to want to make sure no pages are missing or upside down, and that no pages are permanently stuck together. It just happens. A new primary Bible begs me to read it. 🙂

If your Bible reading is sporadic or stale, I suggest you consider getting a new Bible. Get the size you want, the version you want and the color you want. Get a nice cover too, if you want. Consider getting a hardbound notebook, and some colored pens and pencils. You might be amazed at the Bible study you accomplish as a result. 🙂

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Has the rapture happened?
   You can still be saved and go to heaven!
---
Are you following God's plan for your life?    
   You should.
     Your plan is not going to work. 
     It is a really, really bad plan. 
     Please come to Jesus to escape your plan! 

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.

You WILL Be Rewarded by God!

God rewards every single person. No one can ‘opt out.’ For those who choose to believe in His plan of salvation, the reward is eternal life, a crown of life, and a lot of other really cool stuff.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV

No, we don’t deserve any of it. That’s why it is called a free gift.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 ESV

For those who choose to not believe, God’s reward is judgment on their sin. Nobody gets away with anything.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 ESV

Think you got away with murder? Think again.

For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.
Isaiah 26:21 ESV

The choice is clear.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT

People, choose life!

Are you following God's plan for your life? 
   You should.
      Your plan sucks.
      It really, really sucks.
      Suckage Maximus.

Most people are WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

Jesus is coming.
   Are you ready to meet Him?
   Give your life to Jesus Christ.
   Time is running out.