Signs Pt. 19 - BEWARE! Yes, again.

Mat 4:23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Mat 24:24  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.

Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before.

Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:28  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Mar 13:21  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mar 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Mar 13:23  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

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Mat_7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

2Pe_2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

1Jn_4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Rev_16:13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Rev_19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Rev_20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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We are being told to BEWARE of FALSE PROPHETS.

BEWARE!

If you see that BEWARE sign it's telling you something important, yes? It means you are taking a risk if you aren't cautious.

We aren't left to be deceived. Christ our Savior is more than open with us about the evil in our world. He wants us to BEWARE of false prophets. He KNOWS that false prophets will be the destruction of many people. False prophets are going to lead many people away from salvation, and you know what, those people will not even know it.  It sounds hopeless but the truth is, those people are CHOOSING to be led astray, to be deceived. The choice they make is to NOT to TRY the SPIRITS.

We are NOT to believe every spirit but TRY the spirits.

Why are we trying the spirits?  To see whether or not they are OF GOD.

We are to TEST the spirits, we are to PROVE the spirits.

Try-

- Transliteration: Dokimazo

- Phonetic: dok-im-ad'-zo

- Definition:

1. to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals

2. to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

How many people TEST, EXAMINE, PROVE, SCRUTINISE those who are teaching them from the Word of God?

Seriously.  We are so quick to just believe.  In fact somehow we are made to feel as if we are being difficult if we dare to question the 'leaders', the 'teachers', the 'prophets'.  We are given the impression that we are NOT using faith by simply believing.  We are nitpicking, we are missing the point, we are off base- sometimes way off base if we dare to stand upon a single principle while ignoring all the other principles that fit perfectly.

Isn't that what deception is all about?  Getting someone in by making everything above board but a few minor details.  Those details that are presumed to be so minor they don't matter, but it's those details that will destroy everything!  That is deception. 

When we are dealing with God's truth, we have to believe in ALL HIS TRUTH. We cannot afford to take one thing out! If we let ONE thing slide then we are LOST! LOST! DECEIVED!

We MUST beware of false prophets who will deceive all by the very elect!

We must not believe every wind of doctrine.

Eph_4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

We need to STUDY!

2Ti_3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Isa 8:20  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

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Mat 4:23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Mat 24:24  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.

Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before.

Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:28  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Mar 13:21  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mar 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Mar 13:23  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

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AS lightning coming out of the east and shining all the way to the west-  this is how amazing, how visible, how powerful the coming of our LORD will be!  

Yet there are so many who would have people believe that our Savior's return will be marked by a hidden call that zaps away people and suddenly people are gone. They are WRONG! They've taken a simple parable and twisted it so they can DECEIVE! Satan's DECEPTION!  The deceivers are deceived!

Our Savior's return will be very visible!

EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM!  How? I don't know, but I know with God all things are possible!

There is so much truth that has been covered thick in deception, hiding it from view and millions, billions, will be deceived!

Everything that is said- STUDY!

Everything you believe- HAVE BIBLCIAL EXEGEITCAL PROOF!

Don't let yourself get all caught up in the 'FEEL GOOD' religion.  It feels good, it sounds right, it's all about love but excludes the GOD who is LOVE and in LOVE created His MORAL COMMANDMENTS, telling us our SINNING ALL stems from the breaking of that moral law!

Do NOT get caught up in that! PRAY! PRAY for enlightenment!

PRAY for TRUTH!

Please LORD, in YOUR LOVE, YOUR AMAZING LOVE!

Signs Pt. 18 - The Elect's Sake

Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mar 13:19  For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Mar 13:20  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

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EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED.

Imagine, I know you can, imagine this because we live in a world where wars are a way of life for so many. Even if the majority of us sit comfortably in our homes untouched in any real way by wars we see the news, we hear the stories, we know family and loved ones, friends who have gone to war. We know that the horror of it exists and to believe otherwise is to hide from truth.

We can imagine the wars that exist now, because they are REAL, now imagine a time so incredibly bad that EVERYONE would die accept our Lord shortened the days of TRIBULATION.  Imagine war in your little world that you live in. Imagine turmoil in a very real way, right outside your door. Imagine horrors all around you, people dying, people suffering. This is how it will be for some people in the end. I say some people because we KNOW that others won't be feeling this horror so much. How do we know?

Luk 17:26  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luk 17:27  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:28  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luk 17:29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Eating, drink, marrying, buying, selling, planting, building….    a normal life, right? An every day normal existence.

We need to remember this…

'...no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. '

The elect's sake.

This speaks of Christ's followers, those whom he hath chosen, it is for THEIR sake the days are shortened.  It is Christ's followers who are on the verge of annihilation.  No flesh should be saved. The ONLY flesh that will be saved is that of Christ's followers.

We read this--

1Th 4:16  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:

1Th 4:17  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

The DEAD in CHRIST will rise first.

We which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD.

We can't know exactly how everything is going to unfold, but we have enough SIGNS to know that those who are not watching the signs will be caught up in such deep deception they'll believe they are Christ's but they are really Satan's.

More on the signs tomorrow all by the GRACE of GOD!

IN HIS LOVE!

Signs Pt 17 Abomination of Desolation

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Mar 13:14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,

(let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Mar 13:15  And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Mar 13:16  And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Mar 13:17  But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Mar 13:18  And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Luk 21:20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Luk 21:21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Luk 21:22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luk 21:23  But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Luk 21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

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Reading ALL three gives us a full picture.

In Matthew and Mark we read of the 'abomination of desolation' and we are told when this is seen to flee to the mountains quickly. However in Luke we are told 'when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then KNOW that the desolation thereof is nigh'. 

So here you are and you live in Jerusalem after the Lord has departed to Heaven and you are devote believers in Your Savior. You hang on the every word of the gospels and you know what these men of God have written. You are told they are SIGNS so you pay close attention.  Then one day, many years later in 66AD, thirty some years after Jesus' death, the city of Jerusalem is surrounded by the pagan Roman army. Jesus had predicted this, remember!  You rush into action because YOU know that Jesus said when you see the city compassed with armies that soon desolation was going to arrive and you don't want to have anything to do with that.  So off you go, and you CAN go off to the mountains because the army withdrew miraculously allowing all of those who were watching the signs to escape.  You didn't care that the armies withdrew in fact it made more sense than ever. Jesus said when you saw those armies you better leave and leave FAST, leave without hesitation. So when the way was cleared for you, you understood this was Jesus' divine intervention allowing you to escape to safety.

Then, in 70AD, yes, a few years later, Jerusalem was destroyed by pagan Rome.

Some might question the urgency of leaving when it took a while for the complete destruction, but our Savior knew that obedience demands action and hesitation has a way of keeping you procrastinating until Satan has enough time to convince you that you are safe.  On the other hand you could have been among those who fled and then thought about returning, being tempted to go back because the destruction wasn't imminent. By faith you HAD to believe the WORD of GOD and NOT return. Living by FAITH in the very word of Jesus, trusting that while to outside appearances your actions may seem extreme, they may seem silly, they may seem unnecessary, but you KNOW that they are very necessary and far from silly.

Our LORD allows our faith to be tried so that it is refined in the fires of affliction making it stronger all through HIM.

If we believe for ONE moment that we can turn back because we just don't believe Christ is going to come any time soon, then we put our eternal lives in great peril.  If we hesitate to get out of our sins, again, thinking that we have TIME to take care of things later on, we are jeopardizing our LIFE ETERNAL.

TODAY is the day of salvation!

Heb_3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Don't wait!

We know from our previous studying that the 'abomination of desolation' is Rome in its PAGAN and PAPAL forms, so we know that this message is a dual message for the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world.

When we see Papal ROME once again standing where it should not- in the HOLY PLACE- we know we have but a SHORT TIME until our Savior returns.

Dan 11:45  And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

Dan 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book

Tabernacles planted where they have no right to be planted- the BEAST standing in the HOLY CITY in such a way it has laid claim to it.

When the ancient Christ followers saw the sign they fled and Jerusalem was destroyed.  When we see the sign we have to FLEE all that would keep us from being Christ followers, because all those who are not Christ's will be destroyed.

May our Savior keep us IN HIM, knowing us and us knowing Him, prepared for all that is coming as He returns!

Please LORD, keep us in YOU!

Keep us from EVIL.

Keep us in YOUR EVERLASTING ETERNAL LOVE!

By YOUR MERCY AND GRACE!

Signs Pt. 16 - This world will NOT last forever!

Mat 24:9  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.

Mat 24:10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mar 13:9  But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mar 13:10  And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Mar 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Mar 13:12  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Mar 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luk 21:12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Luk 21:13  And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Luk 21:14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Luk 21:15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Luk 21:16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

Luk 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

Luk 21:18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

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Deliver you up to COUNCILS (Civil Authorities) and in the SYNAGOGUES (Church Authorities). Some delivered up to imprisonment, some to death.        Brought before RULERS and KINGS.  This happened and has happened throughout history.  People being delivered to authorities, both religious and civil and YES, some, in fact MANY have been put to death.

This is an ON GOING sign of the world's impending end.

This world will not last forever!  People will NOT going on indefinitely as they are. So many believe that nothing will change in the GRAND scheme of life.  They believe that they will have children and live out their lives as the world changes for good and bad around them and then their children will do the same and then their grand children, great grand children, great, great grand children and so on.  This ISN'T TRUE!

Our world will END. If ANY generation lives not believing that their world is going to end and Jesus is going to return, then where is their HOPE for a life that they KNOW in their hearts SHOULD exist but does not, a life that was abdicated by Adam and Eve and given over to Satan.  We KNOW there should be something BETTER, something PAINLESS in every way- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  We know this, but so many would much rather believe that everything is as it should be and we just have to deal with it all, suck it up and deal.

We MUST live with the HOPE of our SAVIOR returning!  Every single day that passes for us, is ONE day closer to our Lord's return! This is TRUTH!

False prophets (Again DECEPTION is a being brought up)  False prophets that will rise and DECIEVE many, and this after Jesus had already said 'Take heed that no man deceive you.'

DECEPTION-  Right now, no matter who you are, no matter what your religious affiliation ask yourself if you could leave all religious trappings you have around you and take your Bible and study on your own?  Could you live without any other person's influence? Yes, I'm talking about the favored pastor who seems to have all the wisdom of Solomon and comforting manner of the best healer ever.  Yes, I'm talking about the books, manuscripts, writings that you go to in order to put you on the right track. Yes, I'm talking about the church with all your friends inside it who help you live closer to God.  Can you give it all up? Would you be willing to give all that up and just take your Bible and go into a life where you are ONLY led by GOD and no outside source?  What are your attachments like? Are they hidden under the guise of godliness? Where is your heart, is it filled with the words of man, and not God? If you really cannot imagine yourself living without your spiritual human leader and still remaining God's and God's alone, then you might be caught up in deception. 

Now before you go off half-cocked and get all angry because I'm saying your favored minister is a false prophet, that's NOT what I'm saying. I don't even know your favored minister. What I'm saying is that being deceived is just that YOU ARE DECEIVED!

YOU WON'T KNOW!

Yet we are cautioned more than ONCE by our SAVIOR to make sure we AREN'T deceived! And the only way we can be sure of not being deceived is by knowing the TRUTH in CHRIST and holding to that TRUTH even when the whole world around you is caught up in SATAN'S DECEPTIONS! 

This point obviously cannot be stressed enough.  Jesus is our ONLY HOPE, no one and nothing else!

                                                                        

We will be betrayed by many- including brothers against brothers, fathers against sons, children against parents, friends against friends, relatives against relatives.         

Maybe you live in a family where members hate each other and think nothing of turning each other in to the police for anything at all. Maybe you live in a family where it's normal for you to hate your brother, your sister, your mother, your father.  Maybe you live in a family that has a way of life centered around feuding among each other.   I don't. I live in what I imagine to be an average family where we have our disagreements, our fights, our upsets, our periods of not talking, of angst and whatnot but for the most part we don't let it destroy our love for one another, and we wouldn't dream of turning each other in to any authorities for our religious beliefs. At least I THINK I live in that sort of family. To me the very idea that my son or daughter would betray me is unthinkable. The very idea of my sisters betraying me is absurd! And I have to believe that it would be the same for most families, but we are told that the betrayal among relatives and friends will take place.

We know it takes place and has taken place in religions such as Islam where honor killings in families is going on even today.  But I believe that all those who do hold fast to Christ will face a time such as described and in that day we MUST truth wholly in our SAVIOR and not even THINK about what we will say to those imprisoning us.

                                                                

We will be HATED because we love our SAVIOR - we love the TRUTH that our SAVIOR IS.                                                                        

When we are delivered- we must ENDURE, we must settle it in our hearts NOT to mediate before what will will say to those we are delivered up to (councils or churches), the HOLY SPIRIT, will give us the words to speak                         

                                                

Mar 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.                         

The HOLY SPIRIT will USE US!

The HOLY SPIRIT will SPEAK THROUGH US, hey will be HIS WORDS, not our own!

Imagine that, just imagine it for a moment.

We are creatures prone to worry, to premeditate what we are going to say, to get caught up in all the what ifs, and what nots. We have trained ourselves to contemplate what we will say and yet we are being told NOT to do this when we are brought up before councils, before synagogues to testify to our Faith.

This isn't going to be any ol' simple trial either, but a trial of our FAITH, when we are standing against all the DECEIVERS, all those who believe they have the true faith but have been led into deep deception.  All will seem lost to those who are looking from the outside in. They'll want to destroy those who do NOT accept their LIES, their DECEPTIONS.

                                                

Because of iniquity- the love of MANY will wax cold.                                                                        

Love. Jesus' love. True love. Will not be found.  Once deception has taken over someone they are even immune to their own loveless lives. What they believe is love will be anything but God's true love!

The Gospel will be preached in all the world , all the NATIONS for a WITNESS unto all-  THEN the end comes.                

We know from previous studies that the 'times of the NATIONS would be fulfilled when Jerusalem was no longer trodden down of the Gentiles' when Jerusalem was no longer in the hands of the gentiles, and that came to pass after close to a couple thousand years (PLENTY of time for the gospel to be witnessed to all the world).  In 1980 after wars which started in 1948, and another in 1967, a six day war, Jerusalem was back in the control of Israelites. In 1980 the Israelites made Jerusalem their capital- the seat of their government. 

We are living in the last remnant of time now believe it or not, no one will force you to believe, I won't even try to force you. Truth is truth.

                                                        

Enduring to the end- saved.                                                                        

In our patience we possess our souls.                                                                        

If we ENDURE to the END we will be saved!  ENDURANCE.  If we don't have ENDURANCE through our SAVIOR we will NOT be saved. 

In our PATIENCE we will possess our life.

Our patience.

2Pe_3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Longsuffering.

What we might be tempted to call simply suffering, senseless suffering, unnecessary suffering, God calls LONG SUFFERING. 

No, God does not like anything that has to do with sin, not a single thing. Not the results of it, not the  committing of it, not the punishment is warrants, God does NOT LIKE IT AT ALL and that is WHY HE SACRIFICED HIS ONLY SON!  God felt more deeply than any of us ever could feel, the pain, the heartache that sin brings.  All sicknesses, all tortures, all pain in all its forms, God has felt worse than we ever will. We question God and say, why? Why must the innocents suffer.  And God knows why, because sin has allowed suffering and the most innocent of ALL suffered worse than any innocent here can. He knows, He understands and He hurts.  

So why doesn't He just end all the suffering?

Because He's not willing that ANY should perish!

All that will come to Him He will wait for!  He will not let a single person perish that will be saved, that is something He could NEVER do, He paid too high a price for that person. And He will wait for that very last person.  And before you even start to think about how He will know when that last person has accepted His salvation, we know historically that God knows, right down to the very few who are His.

Sodom and Gomorrah- Abraham wanted it spared, but knew that God had a reason for its condemnation, still He couldn't help but ask God to spare it if there were 10 people that were His.  God agreed, but there weren't even 10 people that belonged to God in those cities.  He knows those who are His. And He will wait, He is willing to suffer along with us until the last person is His that will be His. And we… we have to be PATIENT.  Through everything we must have patience, trusting our God, that He will save US and all those who are HIS, loving Him and all His TRUTH!

Please Lord, please help us, save us, be in us all according to YOUR good pleasure!

Luk_12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Eph_1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will

Eph_1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself

Php_2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2Th_1:11  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

Signs Pt 15- Beginning of Sorrows

Signs Comparisons continued-

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mar 13:7  And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Mar 13:8  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Luk 21:9  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Luk 21:10  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luk 21:11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Two of the books have - all these are the BEGINNING of SORROWS.

One book has along with nations rising against nation, kingdoms against kingdoms, famines, earthquakes, pestilences (2 books) - FEARFUL SIGHTS and GREAT SIGNS SHALL THERE BE FROM HEAVEN.

Why should we note the differences? Why not just gloss over them. Sure, two words might mean the same thing such as 'troubled' and 'terrified' as written here so we can mostly understand they are saying the same thing, but when there is something in one that just isn't in the other, we need to note that this too is to be looked for as a sign.  We can't just take Matthew 24 and learn the signs, learn where they've come into play in history and such while ignoring the other 2 gospels simply because we want to assume they are saying the exact same thing. We need all the signs from all the gospels only then can we be sure we are following ALL the signs, noting all the signs.  Sometime missing a single sign can make for disastrous consequences.

I watch a show on television called The Amazing Race which pits various couples against each other on a journey with adventures around the world, and they are given clues. Sometimes a clue might tell them to follow the signs to such an such a destination and there have been times where a couple has missed a sign causing them to miss where they needed to go, having to backtrack and pick up the missed signs.  When we miss signs it's not always a non-consequential action.  The one sign we are missing could send us down an entirely wrong path, we just don't know.

Here in these few verses of the three gospels holding this similar occasion we are told by two that these signs are just the BEGINNING of sorrows.  Sorrows perhaps because of the destruction each sign portrays for humans. Wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences- all of these can mean a great loss of life.  Not all wars take millions of lives, just as earthquakes, famines, and pestilences don't all take millions of lives, but they can and have taken great numbers of lives. I just watch a move recently on a Tsunami that happened a few years back taking hundreds of thousands of lives that day- the tsunami was caused by an earthquake in the ocean. Tragedies such as these cause GREAT sorrow! And to think that these sorrows are just the beginning. We can only in our wildest imagination even minutely comprehend the sorrow that the seven last plagues will bring, a time of trouble such as never was.  At the time of the plagues though, we won't be looking to them as signs for us to get ready, all will be decided at that point, but rather realizing the wrath of God is being poured out and soon Jesus will appear to take His people with Him.  Right now we have plenty of signs to look at, to study, to watch for, to pray about all these signs warning us to take heed to what is coming so we may get ready, be prepared, to know we are going in the right direction, that the Bible is taking us where we need to go.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Written for our LEARNING.

That we...might have HOPE.

This is way we have the Scriptures, this is why we must study the Scriptures.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

All scripture is INSPIRED by GOD.

All scripture is profitable for DOCTRINE.

All scripture is profitable for REPROOF.

All scripture is profitable for CORRECTION.

All scripture is profitable for INSTRUCTION in RIGHTEOUSNESS.

We can't forget this!

Prophecy-

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

PROPHECY comes not by the WILL of man!

PROPHECY comes by HOLY MEN of GOD, speaking as they were MOVED by the HOLY GHOST!

TRUTH-

Isa 42:9  Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them

BEFORE they spring forth I tell you of them.  PREDICTION, PROPHECY!

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure

Declaring ...from ancient times the things that are NOT YET DONE.  PROPHECY!

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

We are NOT left in the dark! NONE will be able to say they had no way of knowing, not a single person!  No, we are not prophets, we are not personally given the secrets but the PROPHETS were given the secrets and they were given to them to give to US.

Deu 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Those things which are revealed! And they are revealed by the PROPHETS!

TRUTH

2Pe 1:16  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

TRUTH!

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you

Prophecy all given to us to allow us the realization of the reality of our SAVIOR'S GRACE.

God's plan- SALVATION.

By the grace of our LORD and SAVIOR more tomorrow!

Signs Pt. 14

We've gone through the signs of the end times given by Jesus and written in the Book of Matthew. We know that there are four gospels and in each there are different views of mostly the same happenings.  People often wonder why it was necessary for God, through the Holy Spirit guiding men over the many years the Word of God has existed in its many forms- Old Testament, which was at the time just the Scriptures that Jesus actually used, reading from and expounding upon.  The New Testament which came together over many years after Jesus' life and death, and resurrection and they were put together at various times by various means and then finally men took all the writings and decided which to include in what we now have as our Bible, some Bibles have more books than others, and people allow themselves to be confused by all this- even to the point of denying the validity of God's word.  The truth is… God has given us ALL we need of His truth and He's left nothing out.  We will by faith and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit be led to ALL His truth that we need.  Why God decided that we'd need the four gospels with three telling mostly the same thing is not a point for contention but rather for blessing.  We could read the three, the four and we could compare where we need to compare and we could see where one might word something one way while another words it differently only to give the message even greater meaning to us. We could note various differences and study those differences not to rip apart the truth but to solidify it even further.

The signs in Matthew, Mark, and Luke we must study them all, right?

Mat 24:1  And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Mat 24:2  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mat 24:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mar 13:1  And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

Mar 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mar 13:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Mar 13:4  Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Mar 13:5  And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Mar 13:6  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Luk 21:5  And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

Luk 21:6  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luk 21:7  And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

Luk 21:8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

The differences are minimal here, but there are differences.

Sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?

And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

Matthew says these most important words--

END OF THE WORLD.

This ties all these things together for the destruction of the temple and the end of the world.

More comparisons tomorrow by the GRACE of our GOD. This deserves a lot more studying, comparison. The Bible even tells us this--

Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Please LORD help us! We need to watch for Your signs, given to us for a reason, Your heavenly reasons. Please save us.

Signs Pt. 13 Take Heed...

Sign One-

Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

We've come full circle here with these prophetic signs given to us by Jesus pointing us towards the end of the world, and the destruction of Jerusalem. 

Take HEED.

Pay ATTENTION!

Why?

So NO MAN DECEIVES YOU!

This isn't the first warning about DECEIVERS- please, please read more straight from our Lord's word.

Jer 29:8  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, DECEIVE you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Jer 29:9  For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, DECEITFUL workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to DECEIVE;

Eph 5:6  Let no man DECEIVE you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 2:8  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.

2Th 2:3  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;

2Th 2:4  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.

2Pe 2:1  But there were FALSE prophets also among the people, even as there shall be FALSE teachers among you, who PRIVILY shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2Pe 2:4  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

2Pe 2:5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2Pe 2:6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2Pe 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2Pe 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

2Pe 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

2Pe 2:13  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own DECEIVINGS while they feast with you;

2Pe 2:14  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2Pe 2:15  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2Pe 2:16  But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Did you read all that?

Did you STUDY all that?

Did you understand what it is saying?

Sign One-

Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Signs for the end of the world.

Signs we MUST take HEED to.

DECEPTION.

If it's not according to God's word then there is NO LIGHT in those who are preaching and teaching, they are DECEIVING you. They may even appear as being preachers/teachers of RIGHTEOUSNESS!  So if they appear this way then we have to be on guard! Why do we think we won't be deceived? We have to study, we have to pray, we have to WATCH! 

We can't let our guard down! So many let their guards down and then Satan sneaks in bringing all his deception with him.

If you think you can't be deceived, you're wrong.

We can all be deceived, it's the nature of deception.

Please LORD, you've given us all these signs, signs we MUST be aware of, signs we MUST study and know.

Please LORD, save us even from ourselves, especially from ourselves.

In YOUR love!

Always in YOUR LOVE!