As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ that lives in the USA I and many others have wondered why the United States is not publicly mentioned in Bible prophecy. This nation which has sent out more missionaries, given more money for the preaching of the gospel than any other country in history appears to no longer exist when the end of this dispensation draws to a close. Why is it? I tend to believe that there are many possible reasons that America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy. Those reasons include the following: The rapture of the church, the decline and moral collapse of the USA and or we have become a part of a united multinational combine. Let us examine each of these scenarios and see how they could play out.
The first and most likely scenario in my opinion is the fact that the rapture of the Church occurs. What this event would do is take leading people out of all sectors of society as the Lord calls them to Himself. In this moment the USA could not recover from this because so many parts of society would be so heavily impacted that the US could not bear the brunt of their lost which would take the US to a second rate power within a day.
If anyone watches and or reads the daily news we are being constantly bombarded with the fact of how evil seems to be gaining the upper hand in this nation and that we are headed down a morally slippery slope. Unless the people of faith repent and turn our eyes back unto the Lord this nation is bound to be destroyed not from without, but from within. As the family goes so goes a nation and when you hear and see the latest statistics on the health of the nuclear family in America, it is not good. What we are seeing is people calling evil good and good evil. When laws have to be passed to define that marriage is between a man and a woman than one can only see that this nation is in severe trouble. The moral decline we are on could be one of the reasons why America is not longer great, because America is not longer good.
The final reason given is the fact that our nation could sell itself out to a multinational group like the European Union. This may only occur after the rapture or when we have morally declined to such a place where we may need the protection of others to survive. I believe that everyone of these scenarios are possible and only time will tell whether or not they are truth.
What one should concern themselves with at this time is not whether or not the US exists in Bible prophecy but whether or not they are bound to spend eternity with the Lord. If you are not sure than pray to the Lord something like this, " Lord forgive me for my sins. I accept you as my Lord and Savior, please come and live within me. Guide and direct my steps Lord as I follow after you. In Jesus name. Amen." If your heart is sincere God will respond and you will spend eternity with Him. Don't wait. Do it today.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Are we in the End Times?
I feel inspired of God to study scripture on the end times recently. I don't know about you but there has been many a time where I have felt God leading me into a specific topic to study for a particular purpose. In the past it has been over things like cults and then within a couple of weeks I had an encounter with a Mormon missionaries. So the Lord knows what is coming towards us because He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. So when you hear God speaking to you about a particular topic that He wants you to focus on then pay attention, you don't know where it may be leading you to. Now back to the topic at hand.
Are we in the end of days? This is a question that has plagued mankind from the time of Christ forward, but I truly believe that we are on the verge of seeing the rapture of the Church. Why? Because the earth itself is groaning for the return of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Who are the sons of God? Anyone who is a follower of Christ is a son and or daughter of God. The earth is wanting to go back to the Garden of Eden. That is why it is groaning for our return. But is will not occur until we who are raptured with Christ come back in the 2nd Coming of Christ ,when Jesus will lead us on a white horse and bring us with Him (Revelation 19).
The raptured believers will be taken out before the tribulation period and will return at the end of the seven years of judgment with Christ. What has to take place before the Church is taken out of this world system? Nothing. I am one who also believes that the rapture of the Church will occur during the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah. Why do I believe this? Because everything that Christ did on the earth in a major way occurred during a Feast of Israel. An example of this occurred during the resurrection. This event occurred during the Jewish feast of Passover. The Bible declares that the "trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ shall arise and than we who are alive will be caught up." 1 Thess. 4:16, Rev. 4:1. We are entering into the time of the feast of trumpets this coming week. Will this be the day He returns? I don't know for sure but I do believe that if you don't have the assurance in your heart that Christ is your savior that today would be a good day to make one's self sure. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart. For if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Christ died for you, you shall be saved ( Romans 10:9).
No man knows the hour of His return but we can see the signs of His return drawing ever near. Don't wait. Put Christ first today. It is a decision you won't regret.
Are we in the end of days? This is a question that has plagued mankind from the time of Christ forward, but I truly believe that we are on the verge of seeing the rapture of the Church. Why? Because the earth itself is groaning for the return of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Who are the sons of God? Anyone who is a follower of Christ is a son and or daughter of God. The earth is wanting to go back to the Garden of Eden. That is why it is groaning for our return. But is will not occur until we who are raptured with Christ come back in the 2nd Coming of Christ ,when Jesus will lead us on a white horse and bring us with Him (Revelation 19).
The raptured believers will be taken out before the tribulation period and will return at the end of the seven years of judgment with Christ. What has to take place before the Church is taken out of this world system? Nothing. I am one who also believes that the rapture of the Church will occur during the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah. Why do I believe this? Because everything that Christ did on the earth in a major way occurred during a Feast of Israel. An example of this occurred during the resurrection. This event occurred during the Jewish feast of Passover. The Bible declares that the "trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ shall arise and than we who are alive will be caught up." 1 Thess. 4:16, Rev. 4:1. We are entering into the time of the feast of trumpets this coming week. Will this be the day He returns? I don't know for sure but I do believe that if you don't have the assurance in your heart that Christ is your savior that today would be a good day to make one's self sure. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart. For if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Christ died for you, you shall be saved ( Romans 10:9).
No man knows the hour of His return but we can see the signs of His return drawing ever near. Don't wait. Put Christ first today. It is a decision you won't regret.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Lord teach us how to Pray
I was recently approached with a question from a fellow co-worker about how does one pray to the Lord. When I began to give this some thought the Lord led me to think about the Lord's Prayer located in Matthew 6: 9-13. This is a model prayer that most Christians believe is a prayer we should recite and I don't disagree with doing that, after all it is scripture. But I also believe that is gives us some structure on how we should pray in general to the Father God.
Verse 9 says the following," Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." What Jesus is showing us here that when we first enter into a time of prayer that it is very important that we enter into that time through the gate of worship. So sing a song of praise to God, or remind Him of who He is. Verse 10 states, " Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." What Jesus is speaking about is the need to focus on what God is trying to get done on the earth. What you will pray for here is for one's nation leaders, the work of missionaries around the world and or the nations of the earth that need to know the Lord. Even praying for the souls of your loved ones would be considered in this part of the prayer time. The main idea behind this is that the focus is off of yourself and unto others who are in need.
Verse 11 says," Give us this day our daily bread." Here is a place where we pray for our own needs whether they be health, a job, or any other need you may have. God wants you to tell Him what you need because as your Heavenly Father He is concerned for you as His child.
Verse 12 states, " And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." When one is praying we need to repent for holding any grudges or anger toward those who may have offend us. Jesus forgave us for all we have done and now He is requiring that we do the same when we pray.
Finally verse 13 states the following, " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." In this verse Jesus is showing us that we need to have God gives us direction so it is important to seek God's wisdom and direction for the day so that we are led by the Holy Spirit in every little detail for the day. Finally Jesus is teaching us the importance of ending our prayer time the same way we began it with worship unto God.
I believe that as one follows this model you will find that your prayer time will be effective and will help one find the intimacy that one needs from God as a result. Don't hesitate, get started on this today!
Verse 9 says the following," Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." What Jesus is showing us here that when we first enter into a time of prayer that it is very important that we enter into that time through the gate of worship. So sing a song of praise to God, or remind Him of who He is. Verse 10 states, " Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." What Jesus is speaking about is the need to focus on what God is trying to get done on the earth. What you will pray for here is for one's nation leaders, the work of missionaries around the world and or the nations of the earth that need to know the Lord. Even praying for the souls of your loved ones would be considered in this part of the prayer time. The main idea behind this is that the focus is off of yourself and unto others who are in need.
Verse 11 says," Give us this day our daily bread." Here is a place where we pray for our own needs whether they be health, a job, or any other need you may have. God wants you to tell Him what you need because as your Heavenly Father He is concerned for you as His child.
Verse 12 states, " And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." When one is praying we need to repent for holding any grudges or anger toward those who may have offend us. Jesus forgave us for all we have done and now He is requiring that we do the same when we pray.
Finally verse 13 states the following, " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." In this verse Jesus is showing us that we need to have God gives us direction so it is important to seek God's wisdom and direction for the day so that we are led by the Holy Spirit in every little detail for the day. Finally Jesus is teaching us the importance of ending our prayer time the same way we began it with worship unto God.
I believe that as one follows this model you will find that your prayer time will be effective and will help one find the intimacy that one needs from God as a result. Don't hesitate, get started on this today!
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