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  • The Rapture: The Great Snatching Away

    07/21/2022 / updated 1/26/2024                      By: M.P Bramble

    Since the great pandemic of 2020 the world seems to have been shaken off its sane and monotonous course of life we knew before the virus traversed the world. As hard as the world has tried, we just cannot seem to find that pre-pandemic sense of normalcy we once had. I believe we will look back at 2020 as a great inflection point in man’s modern history.

    This has caused many to thoughtfully consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 where He expounds on the signs of His second coming. Some Biblical scholars are pointing to the converging and acceleration of these prophetic signs as the world events seem to be aligning with the End of Days. In turn, interest in an End-Times event known as the Rapture of the Church has spiked within the ranks of followers of Christ and also those who profess little or no Christian affiliation.

    What would be your reaction if millions of people spontaneously disappeared from the earth in an instant? The Apostle Paul speaks of the Rapture in 1 Corinthians 15 where he makes the pronouncement “I tell you a mystery”. Yes, this great mystery has garnered much speculation and enthusiasm even with various movies capitalizing to fascinate audiences with what can be called the ‘great snatching away’.

    Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

    But speculation and artistic license are dangerous when it comes to sorting out truth and Biblical doctrines that God takes seriously. So, below are a some Scriptures to provide a brief overview and introduction to the Rapture. It is far from being comprehensive. I am making the assumption not everyone reading this knows about or understands the Rapture. However, I do believe a literal, honest reading of Scripture makes it obvious the Rapture is an event on God’s prophetic calendar prior to the Tribulation.

    Rapture Overview

    Jesus used parables and analogies to communicate truth referencing events and traditions the people of His day recognized. The Jews of the 1st century would have been very familiar with the traditional Jewish betrothal and wedding traditions which Jesus utilized to emphasize His relationship to the Church (i.e. true believers). The predominate symbolism is that of a bride which is analogous to the Church (Revelation ch 18-22). Many other Jewish wedding analogies are woven through Scriptures painting a picture of Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church. A great booklet describing the parallels is “A Christian Love Story” by Zola Levitt.

    In John 14:1-6, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going away to prepare a place in His Father’s house for them and that He will return to take them to Himself. This is the same promise the Jewish bridegroom gives his bride in the Jewish betrothal mentioned above. The bridegroom and bride become engaged, the bridegroom leaves for a time to build a room onto his father’s house prior to the wedding. At the end of a period of time, which only the groom’s father knows, the groom comes for his bride to carry her off to the wedding feast.

    The Rapture is the fulfillment of the promise Jesus gave His disciples in John 14. It is the unexpected snatching away of the Church of Jesus Christ (the Bride) comprised of His true believers and followers. Jesus will appear in the air as promised (Acts 1:9-11) prior to the Last Days Tribulation to take the Bride to His Father’s house in heaven.

    The purpose of the Rapture is to rescue the Church from the wrath and judgement (Revelation 3:10-12) coming during the 7 years of the Tribulation period. This is not the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which occurs at the end of the Tribulation when He returns bodily to judge the nations, vanquish His enemies and set up His kingdom on Earth for 1000 years.

    In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Apostle Paul clearly elaborates the how and who of the Rapture. The word used for Rapture is “caught-up” in the New King James text which is the Greek word harpazo that connotes to pluck, snatch, pull or take by force. It is the Latin word raptus where we get the English word rapture. At the event, Jesus Christ descends from heaven with a shout to snatch His Church with the dead in Christ going first then the living believers taking both to the heavenly realm. The shout and the snatching is reminiscent of the Jewish groom announcing he is here to whisk away his bride.

    In 1 Corinthians 15:50-53, it specifically outlines what happens to those who are Raptured. In an instant, the human body is changed from the fleshly corruption to spiritual incorruption. The thought is the new spiritual body will be like the resurrected body Jesus had after His resurrection and prior to His ascension (1 John 3:2-3).

    All throughout the Bible, God has given us pictures or types of the Rapture whereby He has kept and preserved the righteous believers from judgement and wrath. Specifically, you see Noah and his family who were rescued from the Flood, Lot and his family were first taken out of Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction, and of course, Enoch and Elijah both who did not see death but were taken bodily to heaven. The Apostle Paul, himself, uses the same word “harpazo” to describe his being taken to heaven for a brief time in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. The idea of God protecting and preserving those who follow Him in truth is not a new or contrived concept.

    The Book of Revelation describes that it is Jesus Himself (The Lamb) that pours out the wrath upon the nations during the Tribulation. And we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 that Paul the Apostle clearly states that believers are not appointed unto wrath. So it surely makes sense why the Church is removed from the Earth prior to the Tribulation given she is His bride and not under the judgement of the nations.

    Believers in Christ have been anticipating the Rapture for almost 2,000 years. But today there is a heightened sense and anticipation among believers that the Father is about to reveal to the Son it is time to go for His bride. But is the bride ready?

    The True Church

    So the question now obviously arises, how is the bride or the Church to know if they are ready for the coming of Jesus Christ at the Rapture?

    In the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus emphasizes watching in anticipation and preparing for His return. The parable delineates the virgins into two groups; the wise and the foolish. The distinction is the preparation. The wise virgins are attentive to preparing themselves for the arrival of the bridegroom coming with oil for their lamps. While the foolish virgins come unprepared to the place of waiting without the necessity of oil.

    Like in 1 Thessalonians 4, a shout announces the coming of the bridegroom. All of the virgins ready themselves but the foolish are left scrambling for a supply of oil. The oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer or in this case the wise virgins in this parable. This is the defining moment for all the virgins. The wise are welcomed by the bridegroom into the wedding feast and the foolish are shut out. Not only is the door to the wedding feast closed but the bridegroom sadly does not acknowledge knowing the foolish virgins.

    The Holy Spirit is the line of demarcation for the outcome of the parable as it is for those who are called the true Church of Christ. In Romans chapter 8, The Apostle Paul beautifully explains the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer in Christ. But it is in Romans 8:9b where Paul puts the stake in the ground defining who are the true Church of Christ and who are not. 

    Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  Romans 8:9b

    Jesus had a similar pertinent conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) explaining that the natural man cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only one who is born-again of the Spirit. Jesus further explains in these verses it is through faith in the the Son (Jesus) that a person is born of the Spirit. This is the common thread that runs through the teaching of the New Testament.

    “The person who gives no evidence of the presence, power or fruit of God’s Spirit in his life has no claim to Christ as Savior and Lord. The person who demonstrates no desire for the things of God and has no inclination to avoid sin or passion to please God is not in dwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus does not belong to Christ.” John McArthur – The New Testament Commentary on Romans 1-8

    It is the walk of true faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone that authenticates the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Are you Rapture ready?

    The Remnant

    Like the foolish virgins in the parable who are refused entry to the wedding feast, there will be a group of people shutout of the Rapture and left on Earth to endure the 7 years of Tribulation. Those who remain are what author Pete Garcia refers to as the Remnant.

    Initially, there will be many in the remnant who are in shock that they were not taken in the Rapture. Several verses in Gospel of Matthew may offer insight to the plight of these individuals (Matthew 7:13-14 & Matthew 7:21-23). But like the foolish virgins, they will have all the wedding paraphernalia except the one that matters.

    The vast majority of the remnant will be dazed trying to understand what happened while looking for answers from civil, academic and spiritual leaders. The mass disappearance of millions of people will most likely trigger chaotic reverberations through governments, financial markets and societies around the world. Many will possibly try to put a spin on the Rapture event to explain it away or exploit it for their own purposes.

    After the initial reaction to the Rapture, the stage will be set for the Anti-christ to come on the world scene to fulfill the period the Bible calls the Tribulation, a time unlike any other in human history. Jesus specifically warns that deception will abound during those days (see Matthew 24) being characterized by false prophets, lawlessness and false signs and wonders.

    So, discovering and knowing what is true during those days will be challenging. Being equipped with the Biblical truth is vital to providing real answers and hope while navigating the turmoil that will ensue.

    Rules for the Remnant

    Author Pete Garcia has written a primer called the “Rules for the Remnant” which was designed for all of the remnant left behind after the Rapture. Pete created a timeline of the Tribulation events for the remnant to clarify what to expect and most importantly how to get yourself on the right course for eternity. Here is a link to Rules for the Remnant (article link). I encourage you to read it, share it and even print it out to leave for those left behind after the Rapture. Pete’s site is rev310.net which has timely articles on this subject and more.

    Conclusion

    We are moving towards the days in history that are the cap stone of God’s plan for mankind on the Earth. The prophetic warning signals are flashing all around us today. A quick glance at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 confirms that the signs pointing to societal breakdown are accelerating as lawlessness abounds in our streets. I do not have any foreknowledge on when the Rapture will occur but the signs are converging and accelerating before our eyes.

    No matter what side of the Rapture we are on when you read this, before or after, there is hope provided by God through Christ to all who will receive Him. But be warned, that opportunity has an expiration date. The decision you make about Jesus Christ and His finished / redemptive work will set your course for eternity and potentially what side of the Rapture you land on. Romans 10:9-11 explains:

    ……that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart thatGod has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  Romans 10:9-11

    To those who eagerly wait for Him (Jesus Christ) He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28

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  • The Ultimate Planned Deception and End Times Lies

    07/4/2022

    “As Christ has a Gospel, Satan has a gospel too; the latter being a clever counterfeit of the former. So closely does the gospel of Satan resemble that which it parades, multitudes of the unsaved are deceived by it.” A.W.Pink

    Deception is a strategic tactic that has been used in warfare since Biblical times. During World War II, Operation Bodyguard was fabricated by the British with the intent to mislead the Germans regarding the landing destination for the invasion of Europe. The imaginative use of balloon-like replicas of tanks, trucks and equipment along with a ghost army successfully convinced the Germans the invasion would happen at Pas de Calais rather than Normandy. By the time the Germans were able to re-group once the invasion commenced, the British and Americans had formed a beach-head and were advancing inland. The ruse was vital to the success of the June 6th invasion and defeating the Nazis in Europe.

    “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. Matthew 24:3b-5

    The Bible speaks volumes about deception. When asked about signs of His coming in the above verses, the first thing Jesus says is “Take heed no one deceives you.” In the corresponding verses on the End Times and the Tribulation in Matthew 24, Jesus warns about deception four different times (v4, 5, 11 & 24). So, obviously Jesus is emphasizing the importance of watching for and recognizing coming deceptions.

    The Apostle Paul also describes deception as one of the prominent characteristics of the times leading up to and during the Last Days when Satan’s proxies come on the world scene. Satan’s playbook has always consisted of deceit and sowing doubt in order to manipulate mankind beginning with the deception of Adam and Eve who chose to believe his lies. Jesus refers to Satan as the “father of lies who does not have any truth in him” (John 8:44), so it should not surprise us that the events of the last days seem to be a crescendo of Satanic lies as foretold in the Book of Revelation.

    The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5

    The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul as explained in 1 Timothy that people will be deceived and drawn away by demonic philosophies and teachings in the last days. As we look at the world today, maybe those days are closer than we realize. Traditional faith and values as outlined in the Bible are being assaulted before our eyes. Aberrant teachings have infiltrated traditional Christian churches leaving many questioning the foundations of their faith and emptying pews altogether. Paul specifically mentions marriage as one of the foundations of life God has ordained that will be vilified. This is not surprising since traditional marriage between a man and a woman is a holy union and covenant which is a representation of Jesus Christ and the Church, His bride. Of course Satan will try to adulterate and destroy the very foundation of human relationships if it corrupts man’s true faith in God and His natural order for life.

    Many of the deceitful and demonic philosophies being promoted today by the media, entertainment and even government are attempting to move society away from the God created order which places man above creation (being made in His image) to the degraded, natural view that man is no more than animal without a soul and a parasite on the Earth’s natural resources. Many of the current world leaders and techno-elites are embracing such views (i.e. –World Economic Forum 2030 Goals) as solutions to the multitude of challenges they perceive. But theses solutions are a humanistic attempt to circumvent God’s reign and dominion over man.

    The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

    The Apostle Paul is warning in the above verses that such tactics are a planned deception by Satan during the Last Days to accomplish his demonic lust for power and worship. The lawless one (Anti-christ) and his false disciples will be empowered by Satan to perform fantastic signs and wonders during the Tribulation. Even though these will be supernatural signs, they are described as lying wonders which are meant to deceive and influence with malevolent intent. So great and ultimate are the deceptions of those terrible days that the very elect would be misled if it were possible (Matthew 24:24).

    Notice who is deceived. It is those who did not love the truth of God’s Word that would lead them to salvation. In other words, the people deceived are those who reject Christ, His redemptive work and the truth of Scripture and prefer unrighteous living. God’s response to those who reject His truth is to allow a delusional mental state to overtake them so they succumb to the deceit of the lie.

    Paul distinguishes between those who are “deceived and perish” and those “who know the truth”. That distinction centers around a faith based relationship with God with a heart to believe His Word as truth and follow Christ.

    The emphasis in all of these verses is the knowing, believing, and following God’s truth. That is the insurmountable defense against the deceit and lies of Satan and his minions. Biblical truth and salvation in Christ are the shield against the treachery of the evil one and a powerful, spiritual weapon (Hebrews 4:12) as part of the believer’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-20). You may remember, it is the defense Jesus used to combat Satan’s lies and temptations in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13).

    The closer we come to the End Times and the return of Jesus Christ the more imperative will be the knowledge of the truth of God’s Word and promises. So, take heed that no one deceives you as we wait for the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ!

    M.P. Bramble / info@truevinetalk.com

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  • Crooked Paths, The Decline of a Nation

    06/23/2022

    “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

    Abraham Lincoln
    Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy,
that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.   Isaiah 59:1-2

    The above verses are God’s response through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel about their complaint that He is not hearing their prayers / petitions and that their fasting is for nothing (see Isaiah 58:3). But Isaiah reveals that God is not dull of hearing or impotent. It is the sin of the people that is the hinderance to God responding to their requests. Psalm 66:18 states: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalm 66:18

    In the follow-up verses (Isaiah 59:3-8) Isaiah articulates that the society had degenerated into daily immorality and lawlessness among the common people where genuine truth and justice is no longer upheld. That there is blood on the hands of the people, their minds are quick to conceive evil, violence reigns and the most chilling is that they made haste to shed innocent blood. Their behavior is characterized by God through Isaiah as the “crooked path” of life where those who choose that way will not know peace.

    They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Isaiah 59:8b

    Although the context of this Scripture is directed at the nation of Israel as a society, a universal principle here can be applied to nations, communities and individuals; sin is a barrier not only to God hearing prayer but also His blessings. The spiritual consequences of living the crooked path is that God will turn His face away from those who walk it, blessings will dwindle and inner peace will allude the heart. The natural consequences when sin and iniquity rule invariably leads to the disintegration of order, harmony and the eventual breakdown of a society whether at the family level or nationally.

    As of this writing our nation is increasingly experiencing the effects of the crooked path. Mass violence is becoming commonplace. Criminals are allowed to steal, pillage and loot without appropriate prosecution and justice. What used to be absolutes and biologically true is now turned upside down so that confusion and ambiguity dictates the law of the land. People march and rage in the streets to justify the right to shed the innocent blood of the unborn while we publicly celebrate and affirm immoral and unnatural behavior. When we as a people, society or nation approve and legislate the behavior of the crooked path, God’s peace and favor shall be withheld ultimately leading to societal disintegration.

    A recent survey revealed 70% of college age people say there are no moral absolutes. Many see God’s moral laws as irrelevant which is not surprising as a Gallup poll also revealed most Americans dismiss the authority of the Ten Commandments. Ultimately the state of a free nation, its governance and perpetuity rests on the backs of the people’s recognition of God’s authority and willingness to walk according to those spiritual and moral laws. Because we have been created in the image of God, the violation of those laws is not only a reproach to God but a violation of self and who we were created to be. 

    Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

    President Abraham Lincoln on August 12, 1861, courageously called for a National Day of Fasting for the great and mighty storm of the Civil War that was upon our nation. He recognized the peril of the nation and implored the citizens to humbly turn to the One true God. Here is an excerpt from that proclamation and a link to the full Proclamation:

    And whereas it is fit and becoming in all people, at all times, to acknowledge and revere the Supreme Government of God; to bow in humble submission to his chastisements; to confess and deplore their sins and transgressions in the full conviction that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and to pray, with all fervency and contrition, for the pardon of their past offences, and for a blessing upon their present and prospective action:

    Another great and mighty storm is upon us as a nation and a people. But where are the calls from our current leaders and pulpits to return to the Lord God? Where are the men of courage like Lincoln willing to speak truth and men like Isaiah willing to speak God’s Word unashamedly? To our shame, most pulpits and leaders are ambivalent or even worse silent about the path of our nation.

    Until there is a change of heart at all levels which results in a change in behavior away from the crooked path, genuine peace will allude us and we will see further breakdown of our families, culture and nation leading to its demise.

    But the Lord God of heaven always has an ear to hear one prayer; that being the prayer of repentance from a contrite heart. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

    Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.  Acts 3:17-21
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  • Power of God on Display

    06/16/2022

    And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

    Abraham Lincoln
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes...  Romans 1:16

    In the Book of Job there is much talk about the nature of God by Job and his friends. Finally God steps in and asks Job “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4) In a stinging rebuff, God exposes their lack of knowledge and understanding.

    Like Job and his friends, many today want to speculate about and even emasculate the character and essence of the God of creation. Although, an honest reading of Scripture leads one to conclude that He is a supernatural, holy God who is beyond our ability to fully comprehend Him and His nature. The Scriptures reveal Him as anything but weak and indifferent to the affairs of man and His creation. His very essence as creator, sustainer, law giver, redeemer, and the eternally existent One precludes Him to be a God of supreme power who transcends the very laws of the universe He created.

    The power of God was put on display through the work of His Son Jesus Christ for the loving benefit of all mankind. That power was, is and still is to be revealed in the work of Christ as Creator (Colossians 1:15-17), the Redeemer (Titus 2:11-14) and the soon coming Judge and King who will reign upon the Earth (Revelation 19:11-16).

    At the death of Christ on the cross, God destroyed the grasp and demand of sin that held mankind in bondage since the sin of Adam. Jesus Christ who knew no sin became sin for humanity that we should no longer be slaves to sin. To those who reject Jesus Christ, the message of the cross is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-19). But to those who trust Him, we are God’s power put on full display as His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.

    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.   1 Corinthians 1:18-19

    At the Resurrection, Jesus Christ overcame death by the power of God through the Holy Spirit so death could no longer hold man in its clutches. To everyone who believes in Jesus Christ this same power is appropriated to them (Ephesians 1:19-21). It is a grand release from the prison of the fear of death into a freedom to walk with the assurance of eternal life. And again, this same spectacular demonstration of God’s power will be on display as He raises the dead and snatches the living belonging to Christ in a heavenly rapture of the Church.

    the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:19-21

    The rapture of the Church will ignite a seven year period of wrath upon the unbelieving world. At that time, God will set His power on display again through His Son, Jesus Christ, to judge the unbelieving, rebellious nations and vanquish Satan and his hold over the world.

    One of the most magnificent and undeniable demonstrations of God’s power is the ability of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change a life! It is the radical renewal and transformation of the lives of those who are born again that solidifies the evidence and veracity of the work of Christ. It is in this salvation that the law of sin and death are overcome for all who call on Him reconciling God and man where all other means fall short. Not only does the power of God bring salvation but it also keeps those who believe through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).

    The power of the true and living God is active and on display in the world everyday. His attributes are revealed to us in His Scriptures, His creation and the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. This same power is made manifest in all who will simply believe and call upon the name of Jesus Christ.

    For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,........ (Romans 1:20).
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  • Forgiveness on Display

                                                                                                                                                                                            06/07/2022

    “A man does his dyin’ the way a man does his livin’ “. Matt Dillion – “Gunsmoke”

    One of the central themes of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is God’s forgiveness. God extends His offer of unmerited mercy towards both man and in some respects nations if they will turn from their sin to seek His forgiveness and restoration.

    Broken relationships are part of life where man is involved. Our pride, selfishness and general fallen nature seems to provide the fuel to create the contention that is required to foster wounded relationships. In Psalm 32, it deals directly with the God to man relationship where sin or iniquity has broken the fellowship between a man (King David) and the Lord.

    In any relationship forgiveness is a two way transaction. The one who needs forgiven and the one who needs to forgive; both equally complicated when humans are involved. But with the God of creation the path to forgiveness is much clearer and does not vacillate. We always know where God stands on the issue. Unlike man, He is always willing to forgive when we seek Him. God’s forgiveness knows no boundaries and no barriers except the self-imposed unwillingness by someone to seek it from the One who freely offers it.

    Forgiveness received from God is described as a blessing. The connotation is where peace, contentment and wholeness is restored to a person because not only are the sins forgiven but God no longer counts them against the person. In other words, He blots them out like they never existed. 

    Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.  Psalm 32:1-2

    The key word in these verses is “covered”. Sins or transgressions can only be forgiven because they have been atoned for or covered. In other words, a payment has been paid to cover the cost that sin has accumulated. As David penned this psalm, he believed / trusted God would provide the covering for his sin by faith which allowed him to seek forgiveness. David was forward looking to God’s promise of a Messiah who would bear or atone for his sins and those of all mankind. This Messiah was Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

    Unlike King David, we have the privilege of looking back in time to see how God worked to provide the atonement for sin through His Son (Romans 3:23-26). Man cannot atone for his own sins no matter the size or volume of effort. Sins are covered only by Jesus’ perfect blood sacrifice and death on the cross. Therefore, forgiveness of those sins can only be achieved through faith in the One God presented as a sacrifice of atonement. 

    Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.  
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; 
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and 
surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalm 32:5-7

    In Psalm 32 verses 5-7, the path to forgiveness is laid out: acknowledgement of our sin and confession of those sins to the Lord God. But like King David, first there must be faith and trust in God’s atonement to cover those sins. And with that atonement only coming through Jesus Christ, it is faith in Him that is the path of forgiveness of sin and ultimately salvation.

    The path of forgiveness with God does not change between Old Testament and New Testament. The same verses of Psalm 32:1-2 are quoted in the New Testament Book of Romans in Chapter 4 where the Apostle Paul expounds on how a right standing with God is achieved by faith. Once faith and trust in Jesus Christ is realized, the real blessing in life and in eternity begins.

    Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 
However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, 
their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing 
when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits 
righteousness apart from works:  “Blessed are those whose transgressions 
are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose 
sin the Lord will never count against them.  Romans 4:4-8

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  • Sacred Remembrances

    5/30/2022

    Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. "They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”  Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.  Malachi 3:16-18

    There are remembrances and then there are sacred remembrances.

    Each of us hold dear remembrances of times, events and people that have made an indelible imprint upon our lives. It may have been a word of encouragement, a personal victory or someone who came along side during a long, dark stretch. But it is those memories that we cherish and carry with us always.

    Today, is Memorial Day and we hold in remembrance those who died serving and defending our county and in some respects, the entire free world. It was those who sacrificed their all so the principles of freedom could be upheld and enjoyed by you and me. We often see the phrase “Lest we never forget” associated with Memorial Day. Yes, we should never forget those who upheld and defended freedom as our national treasure and the principles they believed in that underscored their courage.

    The Founders of our nation courageously scripted our rights and freedoms on the principles of absolute truth and righteousness as self-evidently bestowed from our Creator. They affirmed that those principles must be upheld by a people if freedom is to be the crown of a nation. Truth and righteousness carry an immeasurable value so strong that men and women throughout the history of our nation have sacrificed dearly and even to death to uphold their intrinsic value.

    Lest we also never forget that unless we too cherish such principles and values as a people and nation, freedom will soon be lost because the courage to defend it will be lost too. Freedom is a sacred gift given by God; given to a people who humbly fear their Creator. We once again as a people must learn how to discern good and evil based upon God’s truth or we will soon forget those principles and values that made our nation great.

    Today is a day of remembrance; never forget the bold, the brave, the selfless and those who upheld truth, righteousness and freedom. But more over, let us declare this day a day of sacred remembrance to remember the God of Heaven who gave us our freedom and inalienable rights. 

    Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.  Proverbs 14:34
    Steps to Faith in Jesus Christ

  • A Last Call From Heaven

    5/22/2022 Originally Posted / Updated 01/04/2023

    “You have a choice: You can either fall into the hands of the living God, or you can fall into the arms of the loving Savior. You can continue to rebel and turn your back on the Lord’s salvation, or you can accept the free gift He is holding out to you.”

    Amir Tsarfati – Revealing Revelation
    Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those 
who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 
“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. 
Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”  Revelation 14:6-7

    A day is soon coming when the world will be thrown into a great turmoil beyond anything in past history. It is a day where God’s wrath will be poured out upon the nations and mankind for their refusal to repent from sin. The book of Revelation describes this time as a literal seven year period on Earth before the return and second advent of Jesus Christ. This time is known as the Tribulation but is also referred to as Daniel’s Seventieth Week.

    The period leading up to the Tribulation is characterized by events that are described as birth pangs where people’s behavior increasingly degenerates into an aberrant self-indulgence and lawlessness where God’s truth and moral standards are cast to the ground. It is also a time when the earth is groaning with famines, earthquakes, and pestilence in various places. Additionally, conflict within and between nations stirs like a boiling stew. Jesus said these are just the beginning of sorrows. Several Scriptures describe these events: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 & Matthew 24:4-8

    World events prior to and during the Tribulation will open the door for a man of political and social charisma to come to power known as the Anti-Christ. He will consolidate his power bringing most of the world under his influence and control with his satanic lies. The Anti-Christ will be the ultimate blasphemer of the true God and deceiver of the nations. The Tribulation will culminate with God’s wrath upon the Satan, his minions and an unbelieving world that refuses to accept God’s dominion and His Son. In the end, Jesus Christ will return victoriously to take possession of His inheritance and reign upon the Earth.

    The heart of God is redemptive in nature to those who will hear Him. Even during the events of the Tribulation, God is still calling mankind to repent and believe in the Name of His Son. A contingent of 144,000 Jewish witnesses roam the earth proclaiming the Gospel of Christ during that time along with two anointed, unidentified witnesses who preach repentance in Jerusalem. God always seems to have a messenger of grace ready to proclaim His truth.

    In Revelation chapter 14 we see God uses an angelic messenger to broadcast the Gospel to every nation, tribe and people in their own language during the last days of the Tribulation. It is a last call to mankind during the incredible shaking and judgement that is being poured out on the entire world. Again, God’s is showing His grace and mercy to mankind before His wrath is fully realized. He is always calling, always beckoning to those who will hear and receive His invitation of salvation in Jesus Christ. Those who accept the invitation of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ prior to the Rapture of the Church will be spared having to endure the Tribulation period. This is discussed in the post “The Rapture in View”.

    …God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. 1 Timothy 2:3-6

    Sadly, the Book of Revelation reveals that even as judgement is falling upon the world men in their twisted rage blaspheme God refusing to repent even to the very end (Revelation 16:18-21). The heart of man has the propensity to become pridefully hard and calloused; so much so that there is a willingness to suffer an eternity in hell rather then turn to the one true God. But to those who hear His call and turn to Jesus Christ, they can shout “Salvation, and glory and power belong to our God”.

    If you are interested in finding out more about the Tribulation and End Times events, here is a great resource from Dr. David Jeremiah. “What is the Tribulation?”

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  • Young, Rich and Powerful

    5/17/2022

    Contentment: Everybody says they want it, but most people run right by it.

    Charles R. Swindoll
    As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’'" “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.   Mark 10:17-22

    This is just one of three accounts in the Gospels of this interaction between Jesus and the man known as the rich, young ruler (RYR). The Gospels tell us he is rich, young and is most likely either in a powerful position in the synagogue or Jewish leadership. But with all of this going for him, there is still something missing in his life. “What must I do……”? and there begins the discourse between the young seeker and the One known as the Son of Man.

    Most people have a yearning to know what will happen to them after they die. Is there a heaven and a hell? Am I just some lump of carbon destine for worm food? This is a question that in one way or another plagues the hearts of most people at some point in their lifetime. Being an Israelite, the RYR understands there is an afterlife once we die. So he asks Jesus the question we all long to know – “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”.

    Jesus answers by listing only the Ten Commandments which pertain to man’s relationship to man. The RYR tells Jesus “I am good with those. I have kept them all.” in a sincere expression of his own piety. So, why didn’t Jesus list all the Ten Commandments?

    This is where it gets interesting and most often mis-understood. So, Jesus doesn’t respond to RYR’s answer but tests him further. “There is one thing you lack! Now go and sell all your stuff and give the proceeds to the poor”. Many interpret this command as Jesus is saying if we sell all our goods and take a vow of poverty, we are guaranteed eternal life. Others interpret this as Jesus acknowledging a works based road to eternal life; do a bunch of good works that outweigh all you bad junk and you are in. Neither are true. Rather, Jesus is probing the heart of the young man further.

    Up until this point the RYR is confident with his answers. However, Jesus went after the very heart of the young man; the thing He knew would compete for His affections and allegiance in the life of the RYR, his wealth. Scripture says you cannot serve God and money. One of the Ten Commandments Jesus does not initially list pertains to man’s relationship to God. “You shall have no other gods before Me”. The RYR realized exactly what Jesus was alluding to by telling him to sell everything and give it to the poor. The wealth of the young man was his stumbling block and his god. The cost of following Jesus was just too high for him and he went away rich but empty.

    Riches in themselves are not wrong unless they take priority over our relationship with God. Many people in the Bible were blessed with great riches. If Jesus was talking to you, it may not be riches He puts His finger on but maybe a relationship, a job or a lifestyle that is keeping you from following Him completely; something you have a greater love for than Him. Like the RYR, each of us must decide the value of eternal life in relationship to our temporal earthly “treasures” we hold dear. Where your heart is there your treasure will be!

    Jesus said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  Luke 9:22-24
    Steps to Faith in Jesus Christ

  • Words All Too Familiar

    5/12/2022

    “I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world”

    C.S. Lewis
    "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned,.........."  John 3:16-18a

    The Bible verse John 3:16 is one of the most well known and revered Scripture verses. We see it on billboards, in the end-zones at football games and on bumper stickers. It is from a discourse in the Gospel of John where Jesus is speaking to one of the Jewish high priests named Nicodemus (see John 3:1-21). These verses appear to initiate a climax to the entire conversation. God’s extreme love for mankind and the offering of grace at the very expense of His Son Jesus Christ is succinctly described in little more than two sentences. The bottom line truth of the verses is that faith in Jesus Christ is the way of eternal life.

    But as well known as the above verses are, the connecting and concluding verses spoken by Jesus in the conversation are just as unknown to most. They are not seen on billboards or bumper stickers and get very little attention even in churches these days. But you might say they are the bookend to John 3:16. 

    "but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. "   John 3:18b-21.

    It is easy to understand why they do not get the attention or have the notoriety of the first set of verses. They are not exactly feel good reading. But they are still the Words of Jesus; they still speak truth and need to be given equal weight in the discourse on eternal life. Additionally, they are the counter weight to the scale of understanding of God’s grace and His righteousness. Put the whole set of verses together you have an “either or” choice outlined by Jesus.

    Simply put: Jesus is offering eternal life (forgiveness and everlasting life) for those who choose to believe and trust in Him or the alternative (judgment and hell) to those who chose not to believe and trust in Him. They are completely divergent paths to and in eternity. But as a God who created mankind as a free-will being, He is simply saying it boils down to our choice which we each make one way or another. 

    Jesus: "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:46
    Steps to Faith in Jesus Christ
    We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.                                      2 Corinthians 5:20-21.