Having worked with thousands of people I did not realize how many were fearful of making mistakes. I guess it was because God did not make us perfect, I expected to make mistakes and God would help me correct them. Making a mistake wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t the end of the world. I guess it was my belief that I could do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

What about Christians who are so afraid of making a mistake they are not willing to take any chances? Can God really use them and count on them to do His will? I heard a minister say that no matter where we as believers go, God will find us and He is with us at all times.

God does not expect us to be perfect. If we read our Bible we will know that. One of the things I have observed over the years, many Christians ignore that they have the Holy Spirit within them. Read what happened at Pentecost when the 120 received the Holy Spirit and how He changed everyone’s life. Prior to that the Apostles were afraid and then they became extremely bold in spreading the gospel.

In Philippians 3:12 – 16 – “ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

All that Paul had done he still had not reached perfection. If he hadn’t reached perfection what does that say about us? Living a holy and righteous life is a process. We will never reach perfection until we enter Heaven. Paul encourages believers to press forward toward what lies ahead and forget about the past. This means we are to look forward to what is ahead and not to worry about the past. If you have a perfectionist personally that seems almost impossible to do. That would be something we would need to pray about daily. We need to ask God to help us remember we are not perfect people and that is why Christ came as our Savior. If we were perfect, we would not need Christ to die for our sins.

God does not want us to make mistakes but He knows everyone will. Therefore, we must learn to lean on the Holy Spirit to check and guide us. When we pray, ask God to help us overcome the feeling of living a life paralyzed by fear and imperfections so that we can fulfill His purpose for our lives and guide us toward the plan that God have made for each of us.

We must continually remind ourselves Satan works on us to keep us down. Thinking negative thoughts will keeps us from being a blessing to others. There are times when the Holy Spirit will encourage us in helping others and we will refuse because we do not want to make a mistake and say or do the wrong thing. Not all thoughts come from God and we must realize that demonic influences often keep us from doing what God wants.

To overcome a low self-esteem we are told to focus on others and in helping others, it will improve how we feel about ourselves.

Prior to and Under the Old Testament, people lived like ‘animals’ doing whatever their lustful desires wanted. Many worshipped pagan gods made of medal, stone or wood. They sacrificed their children to these gods. Women and children were no more than chattel or slaves. It wasn’t unusual to sell their children or provide their daughters for Temple prostitution.

It appears we are headed back toward pagan ways. We are aborting our babies, sexual immorality is accepted and there is more hate in the world than love. Christians are being killed by the thousands because of their faith.

The Old Testament tells us that God chose Abraham and Sarah to show the world that there was a God who created everything and every human and He was not happy with the way people were living. Most know the story of God selecting Moses to lead a nation who had spent 430 years in Egypt as slaves, to a new land that would be theirs and they would worship and obey God.

God promises the Israelite nation that if they will be obedient to His laws He would provide peace for them. Leviticus 26:6 & 9 – “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.”

However, they were not obedient. Leviticus 26:18 – 20 – “If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.”

Numbers 14:11 – “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” God gave to Moses laws for the Israelites to live by. The religious leaders added more until there were 613 laws that the people had to acknowledge and keep. Breaking many of these laws resulted in the person being stoned to death.

God sent His Son Jesus Christ to bring us a New Covenant that would make the Old one unnecessary. John 12:44 – 50 – “Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Jesus makes the claim that when he confronts a person, they are confronted by God, and in listening to Him they are listening to God. In Him God meets man and man meets God. The result ends in judgment. Jesus tells us He did not come in the wrath of God but in His love. Yet His coming is a judgment. Jesus said that what these Jews heard in the last day will judge them. But if a person knows right and does wrong he judges himself. Once we know the truth, the truth will be a witness against us.

Christ came to fulfill the Law. Romans 13:8 – 10 – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Scripture is telling us a person who was in debt and could not repay would be thrown in jail with no means to get out. We are told that love is a never-ending debt that can never be repaid. We will always owe love whereas financial debt is a mandate to be paid back.

Since love fulfills the laws, how can we love our neighbor as ourselves if we do not love ourselves? Psychologists tell us that people who focus on others rarely suffer from low self-esteem. Do we have concern for those who have physical and spiritual needs?
I Timothy 1:15 – “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The moral of this blog is to recognize that laws, most often, do not change the behavior of man. Yet, our politicians believe we need more and more. The only thing throughout history that changed man was the acceptance of Christ as one’s Savior. It was when a person received into their heart the Holy Spirit; they received a love that changed their lives for the good. This is why it is so important that the church accept the commission to spread the gospel throughout the world. Have we not yet learned, only love will overcome hate?

This is why Jesus came to save the world and each of us.

Having had heart bypass surgery in 1984 and then again in 2007, this past Thursday another 911 call at 3:15 a.m. and a rush to the hospital. In 2007 my family was told I had a ten percent chance of living. It has been over 30 years that my heart has not been functioning correctly. As a result, I have read and studied the Bible as to what happens when a person dies.

The Bible tells us death is like falling asleep and having your soul immediately present with the Lord or separated forever from God. Death is not an end, it is a transfer to one’s next life.

A recent survey indicates 81% of Americans believe there is life after death. And 9% believe there may be life after death and 10% believe there is absolutely no life after death.

If you ask the average person if they are afraid of dying, what do you think the response would be? It would probably depend on a person’s age, their past experiences and what they might expect from the future. We have no supporting evidence but we would suppose the greatest fear most older people have is the fear of dying. Why does fear affect the lives of so many people? God created a perfect universe and a perfect Adam and Eve. He did not create Adam and Eve to have fear. We know that Christ lived without fear. Genesis 3:8-10 tells us that once Adam and Eve sinned, they became fearful. On earth, before God cursed it, there was absolutely nothing to fear. Once God cursed the earth, man developed fear. There are two kinds of fear. Positive fear requires that we not stand in the middle of a busy freeway and challenge oncoming cars. Negative fear can be a fear of failing, thus an unwillingness to try something that requires faith, confidence or trust. Fear prohibits most people from ever using their full potential or abilities.

When a person dies there are two places their spirit and soul will go and that is heaven or hell. How do we know who goes where? I John 3:10 writing to Christian believers says: “This is how we will know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” Since the Bible tells us that Satan works on people’s fears and promotes hate, on which group do you believe he is placing his attention?

It isn’t unusual for Christians to have fear based on past guilt, a feeling of unworthiness or a belief that we probably deserve punishment. In most cases it is a lack of trust in God and possibly placed there by demonic influence. When God says that Christ died that our sins could be forgiven and wiped clean and no longer remembered, can we trust God to really mean what He promises?

Fear can be the enemy of faith if we let it. Too often our fear is that we just can’t live up to God’s standards. Our faith and trust in God must help us to overcome our feelings, emotions and the belief that we are unworthy. We must sincerely rely on the promises of God and never on our feelings, which can deceive us.

How do we get rid of negative fear? I John 4:18 states: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Perfect love involves faith and confidence and cannot coexist with fear or hate in one’s heart. The Bible says that Christ died to free us from the slavery of fear. Hebrews 2:14 & 15 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Since fear has to do with death, failure and punishment, it should not be a part of a Christian’s experience. Maybe if we know more about what happens after a person dies it may, at least partially, overcome one’s fear of dying.

I Corinthians 15:51 reads: “Listen, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.” And verse 55: “Where O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?”

Physical death can be our doorway to heaven where our spirit and soul shall live with God, Christ and positive-loving people forever. Should we be fearful to walk through death’s door? Not if we have accepted God’s promises.

Knowing about Hell tells us something about Heaven.

Prior to the resurrection of Christ, when a person died under the Old Covenant, both believers and non-believers went to Hades or Hell depending upon their Bible translation. It was a temporary dwelling place for the soul. Psalms 49:15, “God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol or Hell.” Read Luke 16:19-26 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “ (Once a person is in the Place of Torment, they were unable to cross over.) Purgatory is covered later!

Christ tells us these two men who died went to Hell. Lazarus went to Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom and the rich man ended up in a Place of Torment. Therefore, we can determine that Hell had three separate divisions: Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise (a place of comfort), a Great Gulf that separates them and a Place of Torment. Where some of the confusion comes, is thinking Hell is the “Lake of Fire”. Luke 16:25 says, Lazarus was “comforted here” and the rich man was “in Agony” and asked that his tongue be cooled, because he was in agony in this fire. And the rich man is still there in agony at least 2000 years later. For those in Paradise, Daniel 12:2 says, “You will rest and then at the end of the day, you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance and others will receive their everlasting contempt.” Therefore, Christ says there are two separate places in Hell or Hades divided by a chasm or gulf. Many believe the gulf could be the Abyss or the Bottomless Pit where evil spirits are housed. (Acts 2:34 “David did not ascend to Heaven.”) (John 3:13 – According to John, Jesus said: “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.”) This was before Christ was resurrected.

In Hebrew, Sheol is the word used to describe Hell or Hades. When Sheol is translated into English in some Bibles, the following verses are referring to Hades or Hell: Prior to Christ’s resurrection, everyone went to Sheol which was either paradise or Hell.
· Sheol, a place where the dead exist – Proverbs 9:18 KJV
· You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. – Psalms 86:13 KJV
· Sheol, a place for the wicked and those who forgot God – Psalms 9:17 KJV
· A godly Jacob expected to go to Sheol – Genesis 44:29 Amplified O.T.
· All men will go to Sheol, the realm of the dead. – Psalm 89:48 Amplified O.T.

Some confusion exists believing that Hell or Hades was a place of torment where only the unrighteous waited for judgment. However, for the followers of God, there was Paradise or Abrahams’ bosom, a place of comfort for those who were righteous but had not been forgiven of their sins. Hopefully, this will be helpful as we continue our study. In the future, at the Day of Judgment, after Christ’s 1000-year rule on earth, Satan, the fallen angels and all non-believers will be thrown into a ‘Lake of Fire’.

When Christ was crucified He went from the cross to Sheol or Hell. Matthew 12:40, “The Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Some believe Ephesians 4:8-11 – “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men. (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)” This reveals that Paradise is no longer located in Hell and the Old Testament saints were taken by Christ up into heaven. They could not enter the presence of God until Christ’s resurrection and their sins had been forgiven. This is what they believe these Scriptures mean:

Christ descended into Hell to set the ‘captives free’ and take them to heaven to be with Him. He gave the ‘gift of salvation’ to those still alive by grace through faith. Under the New Covenant believers being converted, which occurred after Pentecost, and once they receive the Holy Spirit, may go directly to heaven where we join those saints from the Old Testament as well as New Covenant believers. (II Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23) The Paradise section of Hell is now empty and Christ holds the keys to the other two divisions. (I Thessalonians 4:14: We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.) The reason the Old Testament believers were held temporarily in Paradise was because the blood of animals could not forgive sins. It took Christ’s blood to do that. Once Christ’s blood was shed, it allowed Him to have the key and open the door to Paradise and take the Old Testament Saints with Him to heaven. The thief on the cross next to Christ was told; “today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Jesus did not say He would see him in heaven.

We also are told that Jesus did not ascend to heaven while He was in the center of the earth. Sunday, the day of His resurrection, He would not permit Mary to touch Him because He had not yet gone to heaven. According to (John 20:17) “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” Later, the disciples touched Him. (John 20:27) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

The Abyss is described as a bottomless pit where the worst of demonic spirits are all held and from where the Antichrist will come. They are locked up until God determines to release them onto the earth during the Great Tribulation. Some believe this could be the gulf between Paradise and the Place of Torment.

Purgatory was supposedly a place men went to do penance or suffer for the sins they had committed in order to purify themselves for a better afterlife. There is no indication anywhere in our Scripture that supports the suggestion that those in Hades or Hell can be granted the opportunity to receive salvation or that there is a Purgatory. Those who enter the Place of Torment have no hope for escape. Isaiah 38:18 – “The grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise, those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.” Knowing about Paradise and Hell provides some assumptions for heaven.

What do we know about heaven?

We know very little. We know many confuse heaven with the new earth and the new heaven that God will create for believers when this old world disappears. (Isaiah 66:22 says: “As the new heavens and the new earth that I will make, declares the Lord.”) We know that we must be saved and forgiven to get there. We will be able to recognize people as they did in Paradise. We know there will be a lot of singing and worshipping. There will be a multitude of angels in heaven. We know there will be no pain, tears, sorrow or death. We know that God and Christ are there. Matthew 22:30 tells us there will be no marriages as we will be like angels. Luke 20:29-38 – “’Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second one married her and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?’ Jesus replied: ‘The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

We may assume heaven is a temporary holding place for the souls of believers until God’s plans are fulfilled for Christ to come back to earth to rule for a 1000 years. (In heaven, one day may be as a 1000 years to God.) After that we know we will be transported to a new earth that is indescribable and beautiful which will be covered later.

The Great Tribulation must take place before Christ comes to rule the earth.

Matthew 24:4 – 25 tells us to watch out and let no one deceive you. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nation will rise against nation. There will be famines and earthquakes. You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and you will be hated by all nations because of me. There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and will never be equaled again. There will be false prophets. They will perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect. There will be seven years that the Antichrist will rule called the time of Tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 18 – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command and the dead in Christ will rise first. (The dead may refer to those having died and are in heaven.) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” This has been called the rapture. I Corinthians 15:52 reads that we will be changed and receive an imperishable body and will become immortal. The Bible says we will be like Christ. 1 John 3:2 – “When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

The question has always been: when will believers be raptured? Will it be prior to the seven years of Tribulation, in the middle at 3½ years or when it is finished? During the Great Tribulation there will be massive earthquakes, chaotic plagues, stars will fall from the sky and the oceans and streams will turn to blood. There will be disease such as AIDS and worse. Some believe the church will be raptured before the Tribulation. Some believe it will be after 3½ years while Satan is ruling. Others believe we will be raptured after the seven years of Tribulation. (Pre-Mid-Post)

How do we know if we will be taken? Ephesians 1:13 tell us, “We were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” If we have received the Holy Spirit we have been sealed. The knowledge that the Holy Spirit is in our lives is all we need to know to be assured that we are saved, secure and one of God’s children. Thus, if we are alive we will be raptured.

Following the Rapture

Revelation 20:4 & 6 – “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

Those who came to life, (we believe those coming from heaven) will rule with Christ a thousand years on this earth. And, they will not die a second time for they will rule with Christ during the thousand years. We believe the earth will have its curse removed and it will be an environment similar to what it was like before Adam’s sin. As Peter says, if God promised it, He then knows how to do it.

At the end of the thousand years Satan is let loose once again. Rev. 20:7 – 10 – Satan will convince millions to go to war against Christ and His people. Scripture says a fire will burn them up and the Devil and his followers will be thrown into the “Lake of Fire”. From the beginning of time, anyone whose name was not entered in the “Book of Life” was hurled into the “Lake of Fire”. This is where all non-believers will end up. (2nd Peter 3:7, 10, 12 – Luke 21:25-27 – Malachi 4:1.)

Rev: 21:1 – 4 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Gone will be our present earth, destroyed by fire according to 2nd Peter 3:7. The new world is prepared for God’s people. God, Christ and the Holy Spirit will live with His people as God did with Adam and Eve in the garden. There will be no more pain, mourning or death for the old order is gone. Our diets will be different as we eat fruit from the Tree of Life. The same tree that Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat. There will be no sun and sin is banished. Christ said that He was going away to prepare for us a mansion. Keep in mind that we are talking about the new earth. Our present heaven, the third heaven as Paul describes in II Corinthians 12:2 where God dwells now, is not necessarily paved with streets of gold. In this heaven, it doesn’t talk about eating or describe how we will live.

Rev 21: 5 “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

God says He is making everything new. Those who are victorious will inherit all these blessings and He will be their God and they will be His Children. Those who do not accept Christ, as their Savior will spend eternity separated from God.

Revelation 21:15-18 “The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold.”
The angel measured the city, its gates and its walls. It was 1400 miles square. Its walls were 200 feet thick. The new earth will be a perfect cube. The Holy of Holies in the Old Testament temple was also a perfect cube. The measurements are all in multiples of 12. The number 12 in the Bible stood for perfection and completeness. There are 12 tribes, 12 apostles and the walls surrounding the earth will be 12 by 12. The walls will have 12 layers. There will be 12 gates. It will be large enough to hold in excess of one billion people. The walls being 200 feet thick symbolize security. Everything on the new earth will radiate the presence of God. It will have no impurities; nothing will impede its ability to transmit God’s Glory.

Revelation 21:19 & 22 – “The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.” “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”

The picture of walls made of jewels reveals that the New Jerusalem will be a place of purity and durability. On the new earth there will be no need for a temple because God’s presence will be everywhere. He will be worshiped throughout the city.

Revelation 21:23-25 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.”

The city doesn’t need a sun or a moon for light. God’s glory is its light and Christ is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light and the earth’s kings will bring in their splendor. Its gates shall never be shut because there is no night. In the new earth there will be no need for a sun or a moon. The temperature will be very comfortable the year around. There will be no darkness because it cannot exist in the presence of light. Since there will be no sin in the presence of God there will be no need for darkness or a need to lock the gates. We will walk in the light of God.

Revelation 21:27 “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

The glory and honor of the people will be brought into the city. Nothing sinful will enter the city and no one who defiles (does shameful things), or deceives; only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be able to enter. The Holy City will be beyond one’s imagination when it comes to beauty. God’s kingdom will remain forever for those who are believers. God’s foreknowledge is absolute. He has known from the beginning of time who would worship Him and who would not. Scripture tells us if we die with Christ we will live with Him forever. (Matthew 19:28-30)

Revelation 22:1-2 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

We know there was a time when humans ate only vegetables and fruits. We believe this will be our diet in the new earth. Water, which is necessary for life will come from a river that is crystal clear. The leaves of trees will cure all the hurts of nations. We will have no fears for God will provide all of our needs.

Revelation 22:3 & 4 – “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

The throne of God and the Lamb will be at the center. His servants shall worship God and offer their services. They will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads. Nothing cursed will be in God’s presence for He has lifted the curse that He placed on earth banishing Adam & Eve from the garden. God and His children will never live in an imperfect setting. Our relationship to God in eternity means there will probably be duties that we are required to perform. God’s face has not been seen since Adam and Eve were in the garden. However, we will see the face of God and we will be sealed with the Spirit of God. Our character and our behavior shall be the same as Christ. We shall have a close relationship with Him. He will not always be on a throne but walking among His people.

Revelation 22:5 – “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”

No one will need lamplight or sunlight for God will be our light. We shall rule with Him forever and ever. This indicates there will be no more evil in the world or need of darkness. The night and day was to mark the passage of time. In the New Jerusalem, in eternity, there is no need to measure time. We shall rule with Him forever and ever, which has been the promise and hope of every Christian. This is what it is all about. Is living a disciplined life, saved, totally surrendered, having repented and committed to Christ for eighty some years or however many, worth forever and ever?

Revelation 22:6 & 7 – “The angel said to me: ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.’ ‘Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.’”
An angel said these are dependable and accurate words for everyone. God has sent His angel to tell you what must take place and soon. “Tell them I am on My way.” Blessed are those who keep the prophecy of this book. An angel is attesting to what John has written is trustworthy and true. Throughout history God has told His prophets what the future holds. God told Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and the other prophets what would happen at the end of the age and it was told to John so that a comprehensive presentation could be put into this one book, the Book of Revelation. The word ‘soon’, as I will return soon, could be interpreted to mean imminent, implies with certainty and suddenly. It has also been interpreted to say, when these events occur, as described in Revelation, they will happen in quick succession.

Revelation 22:8-11 “I, John saw all of these things with my own eyes and heard them with my ears. I fell down to worship the angel that showed me. He objected saying, I am a servant just like you and all who keep the words of this book. Worship God! Then he said not to put this book away on a shelf for time is near. Let those doing wrong continue; the one who is evil, let him be; the one who is good should continue to be good and the one who is holy should continue to be holy.”

John, we believe a cousin of Jesus, didn’t just imagine what he had written. Could an Apostle of Christ, one that Jesus had in His inner-circle, possibly make this up? Daniel had seen many things in heaven and he was commanded not to tell what he had seen because it was not a message for Daniel’s time. John is being told, everything you have seen and heard you are to make sure it becomes published. God wants His promises available for everyone to read. This is also how we will know when events unfold so we will not allow the Antichrist to deceive us. The angel is not recommending evil living. Do not be swayed by how others live. The consequences of how we live will determine the choices we make and the heavenly rewards that we will receive.

Revelation 22:12-15 “I’m on my way. My reward is with me. I will reward everyone according to what they have done. I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. How blessed are those who have washed their robes. The Tree of Life is theirs for good and they will walk through the gates of the city. All the evildoers will live outside the city.”

We believe this is an illustration that nothing evil will enter the city. Scripture tells us that the evildoers were cast into the Lake of Fire. The reason for walls around the city was to denote security. Walls are not needed if the gates are always open. In the Old Testament rewards were often immediate for living according to God’s principles. In the New Testament the rewards in most cases were to be deferred until Christ’s judgment. Otherwise all good Christians would be rich based upon Old Testament history. Rewards probably will be based more on one’s heart and attitude, their love for God and others, rather than having been a teacher, minister or never missing a church service. However, it is very clear in verse 12, “My reward is with me and I will give to every one according to what he has done.” This is why our church emphasizes serving, giving of our time and money, being in a small group and becoming connected to God and others. But it is not works but deeds that will receive rewards. Works is defined as expecting something in return for what we do for others. Deeds meaning we serve with unconditional love expecting nothing in return for our service.

Mark 13:24–31 tells more about the second coming. How can we know that we will go to heaven? I John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” These verses tell us if we love our brothers and sisters we will have life. If we have hate in our hearts and not love we will die. If you want to know what true love is Christ gave us an example. He laid down His life that our sins could be forgiven. Real love may require real sacrifice. How much are we willing to help others? What does it mean to lay down our lives for another? It may mean giving up our rights; it may mean putting others’ needs or interests above our own. Love produces being selfless and sacrificial giving. It may mean serving others without any expectation that they reciprocate. Two Christians who marry and have this kind of love in their hearts can have a lifetime of happiness. Their lives are not dead, they are children of God and they are alive.

I John 3:21 & 22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”

I John 3:24 “Those who obey his commands live in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us. We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” The Apostle John tells us there are ways to know we are going to heaven: We have unconditional love in our hearts and we do not hate fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and we know by seeing Holy Spirit inspired supernatural events taking place in our lives. The Holy Spirit teaches us, we receive fruits from the Holy Spirit and we are led or checked by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture says our attitude will influence the outcome in the decisions we make. Are you a positive or negative thinker or somewhere in between? Do you have a problem trusting God, accepting His promises or do you hear an inner voice predicting only bad things are going to happen? Do we concentrate on what Scripture tells us or do we listen to what Satan is saying, who wants to defeat us?

How important is your attitude? Our attitude can be our most important role in determining our future. How do we respond to any given situation, particularly a serious problem? We have many attitudes toward many things. We may have a favorable attitude toward blue and a negative attitude toward gray. We also have an attitude or philosophy toward life. You may dwell on the unpleasant things or see things through rose colored glasses. The world is not perfect and life presents many hindrances. You may be faced with a divorce, loss of job, a financial disaster or health problems. Different people may handle each in various ways. As bad as the situation may be, worry will drain one’s energy and possibly cause unhealthy conditions.

Having been in management for many years and having worked with between three and four thousand employees I came across a book by James P. Owens—“Cowboy Ethics: What Wall Street Can Learn From the Code of the West.” He lists 10 things that will make most anyone successful in business or life.
1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Always finish what you start
4. Do what has to be done
5. Be tough, but be fair
6. When you must make a promise, keep it
7. Ride hard for the brand
8. Talk less, say more
9. Remember that some things aren’t for sale
10. Know where to draw the line

The more we study the Bible and become more spiritual and Christ-like the greater is our motivation, we are more energized, enthused and it usually raises our productivity. We have a greater commitment to following the teachings of Christ. We become more trusting and obedient to the commandments of God. As our attitudes changes we learn to love rather than hate, to forgive rather than be unforgiving. As our spiritual condition gradually changes our perspectives on life should change. We can overcome the hindrances of being critical, jealous, greedy, prideful, unbelief, and lustful.

Stress can kill! Negative attitudes have a tendency to produce stress. Our attitude determines what we see in life. What we think is who we are and what we become. What are two very important points found in the Bible? It is having a life filled with peace and joy. Joy and peace produce healthy bodies. Lack of joy and peace produce unhealthy bodies. Having participated in sports and as a coach I found those with normal positive attitudes healed quicker than those who were more negative. I don’t think most realize the importance of having a positive, Christ-like attitude when it comes to health issues. Christ-like attitudes do not guarantee healthy lives but it improves the possibilities.

Climbing the ladder of success, people sometimes find themselves between joy and terror—the joy of accomplishment and the terror of failing. This is the kind of energy that eats holes in the stomach and brings on chest pains.

I have handled cheating employees, shoplifters, thieves, frauds and various hostile acts of nature, such as high winds, water damage and power failures. But because the Holy Spirit is my partner, I’ve not had to handle any of these situations alone. He is with me when a robber aims a six-shooter at me. He is with me when the roof caves in and when the stock market crashes. It’s the difference between crouching in a foxhole and scared or sitting in it with the Joint Chief of Staff beside you.

I John 5:14–15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

I found the American dream was available to those who realized that it won’t be given to them; it had to be earned. I received a degree in business management. I read many books on the power of positive thinking. I studied management principles and went to numerous seminars to improve my skills. The one book that has helped me the most is studying the Bible. One thing I learned was preparation. It was one key to success. I also learned the importance of trusting in God’s promises. I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have comfort, guidance and a purpose in life. The Bible taught me to become free from the ways of society and our worldly, self-centered nature and become more Christ minded.

How many people are willing to prepare for success? It seems there are many that want to dumb-down Americans, give them entitlements and convince them the government will meet their needs. You may not need an education but you must become knowledgeable. The same is true if you want to run a mile under four minutes. It takes more than just thinking you can. Suppose you would like to be a millionaire. Is that something you pray for and expect God to give you? Becoming a millionaire should not be one’s goal. The goal is doing something that will make society a better place and there is a good chance your byproduct would be wealth.

No matter what our job is or how much we make; the Apostle Paul says we are not to do our best only when we are being watched but remember, God is watching every second through the Holy Spirit that is within us. As God is watching and the Holy Spirit guiding, why not begin believing and practicing what it takes to be a success in whatever task you have chosen? Work hard, set obtainable goals and adequately prepare. Then see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Never allow the Devil or others to discourage you as they are likely to do. God’s promise that we can become successful and prosperous by complying with His teachings is available to all believers.

Christ described what He expected a church to be like. I believe a number of churches today would not meet His standard. The Apostle John was told to write to seven churches and critique them spiritually, as Christ told Him what to write. The first letter was to the church at Ephesus.

Ephesus claims to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus lived. It had many influential Christian leaders in its church. At the end of the first century, Ephesus was one of the most important cities for Christians. It was also where the Temple of Artemis was located. There was pagan worship and much evil in the city.

Revelation 2:1–5 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Scripture describes this church as full of good works and had many magnificent programs. It was fairly busy and had plenty of Christian activities. “But they were receiving no blessings”. History tells us sin among their members was not tolerated. False witnessing was not allowed either. Those who professed to be believers but lived the way of the world were excommunicated. No one who was unscrupulous in business, impure in his conversation, known to be living immorally, habitually intoxicated, given to fits of rage, unfaithful to his pledges or convicted of lying would have lasted in the Ephesians church. These people would have been told to leave the church and not come back.

It was not easy for the Ephesians. They received criticism and opposition from the world. Yet, year after year, they remained faithful and kept going. Those in Ephesus would not have accepted sexual immorality for a minute. Unlike many churches today who have become tolerant of sexual immorality that they call personal choices or alternative lifestyles.

The problem they faced was, even though they stood against evil and false teaching, maybe to a fault, they failed in their love to Christ and their love to each other. This was a large church filled with pride and apparently they had become very legalistic. Some churches today still believe that it takes works to please God. Their obedience to religious rules was more important than love of Christ and love toward others. It is easy to put one’s efforts into the church’s ministry and fail to love. Even considering all the good that was being done, they had lost their passion for Christ.

Ephesians 1:15 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,”

Paul, in one of his letters,- had previously commended the church for its love of God and of others. That was the height from which they had fallen. Even though you get back to having a relationship with God, if there is no love, there will be no light or no blessing. Love must be first and nothing less will do. A believer functioning without love for Christ and others is worse than useless. Therefore, if you do not repent, you will fall like Lucifer fell. Or, I will make your church cease to exist. Your light will go out. Scripture goes on to point out that you may be living right because you hate evil and the ways of immorality but, those who do not love often end up hating. The Spirit was saying to the Ephesians, those who listen to the Holy Spirit and do what He says will be victorious. They will remain faithful to Christ at all costs.

Here is a fallen church. Some believe: potentially they could lose the promise to live with Christ and God in eternity. They had failed to keep the two most important Commandments: love God with all of your heart, mind and soul and others as yourself. My experience is I have been a member of churches that would have failed that test. As a result, instead of steadily growing, they decreased their membership. There appeared to be no blessings coming from Christ.

What we can learn from the letter to the Ephesians church, as individuals, we could memorize the Bible, work 50 hours a week for the ministry and fail because of our lack of love. Acts 4:33 “With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” It is grace and not works that saves us and gives us the power to love. We must develop the discipline to love God and others if we want to have any relationship with Christ.

Recently in prayer, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me I needed to improve in my love and the encouraging of others. This blog is written to remind me and others of the two most important Commandments if we want Christ’s blessings.

Each time I read Acts chapter 12, I realize the importance of prayer and how God has a plan for each believer. The Bible tells us and history confirms it. King Herod arrested the Apostle Peter, put him in jail and was going to execute him after Passover.

Acts 12:1–4 “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.”

Peter was placed in maximum security, guarded by 16 soldiers. The purpose was to deny that Christ was the Son of God. Peter was the Jews number one target. Not only was he preaching about Christ, he was associating with Gentiles. He also was telling them they did not need to be circumcised. They made absolutely sure that he could not escape.

Acts 12:5–10 “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.”

When Peter entered prison, the church went to its knees and prayed without ceasing according to Luke. Luke describes the prayers as intense. Having been a board member of churches, I have seen many supernatural answers to prayer. You may believe it was God’s plan for Peter to be rescued and it would have happened even if no one prayed. I have seen impossible solutions to problems answered, once the church intensely began praying.

The order for Peter’s execution had been signed. Peter was to die the next day. What was Peter doing: he was sleeping? We often do not realize the power of the Holy Spirit within us, to give us faith, peace and calmness. Peter knew no matter what happen, Christ was with him. If it was his time—so be it. He realized heaven was a better place. Do we have this kind of faith? No matter what happens, will we calmly be at peace with whatever the future holds?

After studying my Bible, teaching Bible classes for years and as I have grown spiritually, I have developed more courage, a positive attitude and became more merciful toward others. Peter knew that no matter what happened, God knew what was taking place.

It took a slap in the face to wake Peter as he was in a deep sleep. A light came on and the chains fell off of Peter. He was told by an angel to get up and get dressed. Peter followed the angel out of the prison not knowing whether he was in a dream or if it was for real. Suddenly, the gate swung open and out they walked into the night. The angel left and he was alone. Peter was given no instructions as to what to do. The angel did what he was to do and his job was to answer the prayers of those praying.

The Jewish people were eagerly looking forward to the execution of Peter. However, a prayer meeting was taking place in Mary’s home praying that Peter would be spared. When their prayers were answered, they refused to believe it. Does this sound like the response some Christians would have today? When they did see Peter they thought it was his ghost because it was impossible that God would answer their prayers and Peter would be freed.

The next day, King Herod sent for Peter. A search was made and he could not be found. A man cannot simply vanish from a maximum security prison and disappear leaving no trace. Herod was furious for having lost face with the Jews. As a result, he had the 16 soldiers executed.

Do you believe God can do and does supernatural things in your life? Do you pray expecting the impossible to happen? God has allowed me to see so many supernatural events take place that I look for them every day. When I am on the freeway and I come close to having a wreck, I thank God for His intervention. When I am told I have a ten percent chance of surviving an operation, I relied on God to heal me. I am convinced that Christ and the Holy Spirit, as with Peter, were with me and my ministry was not completed and my life was prolonged.

I hope you have the faith to trust that God will intervene in the life of a believer. I hope that you trust God to answer your prayers. No matter what happens to a believer, God either allows it to happen or he stops it from happening. The Apostle Paul told us, it was much better going to heaven than staying on this earth. Many times death is a blessing to the one who dies but, a mournful and tearful time for those who remain. There will be a time when believers will live forever in eternity and death and bad things will never occur.

Beautiful story…. makes you understand that things happen for a reason. The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest – a driving rainstorm – hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area. Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. “Pastor,” she asked, “where did you get that tablecloth?” The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials ‘EBG’ were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten “The Tablecloth”. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria when the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve! The Church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn’t leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike. He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again in all the 35 years between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman’s apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

True story – submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God does work in mysterious ways. I FOUND THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAD TO LET YOU READ. I have read and heard many stories where God has intervened in similar ways. It shows the love and grace of God that He has for each one of us.

Scripture tells us what we may expect as the end times come. We do not believe America will play a major role. Israel will be attacked. The Antichrist will be revealed. The Jews build their Temple. We will have a cashless economy. Christians will be raptured. There will be a seven year period of the Abomination of Desolation. Armageddon will take place and a 200 million army will be defeated. Christ returns to rule for one-thousand years. We don’t know the date but we are told we can read the signs. So let’s look as some possibilities:

AMERICA’S REDUCED IMPORTANCE – We are told in the end times, Satan will be preparing for the Antichrist to rule the world. Politicians will be more concerned about their party and themselves than America. Presently, we are selecting a new president. It is possible that the GOP nominee will be Donald Trump. It is likely that Hillary Clinton will be indicted and Bernie Sanders will be the Democratic nominee. Republican conservatives will refuse to vote for Trump and Sanders could win. Also, the Democrats take over the senate. America continues to borrow and defaults on its loans. America has a severe depression and is financially unable to remain a superpower and it necessitates an extremely reduced military force. Government will be unable financially to pay full benefits for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. (Mark 3:24 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”)

ISRAEL IS ATTACKED – Russia becomes Syria’s protector and liberator based on an agreement to attack Israel to return the Golan Heights, territory Israel won from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. It contains billions of barrels of oil that Syria and Russia could receive hundreds of billions of dollars and divide. A number of nation, such as Iran and others will assist in the attack. Israel, with the help of God, wins and destroys these nation’s armies. Exodus 29:46 – “They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” There are many Scriptures that say: “They will know that I am God.” People will know there is a God and many will continue to deny His existence.

REVEALING OF THE ANTICHRIST – A person from the Eurozone countries will make peace with Israel and Palestine for a period. Israel gets to build its Temple. After 3½ years, the Antichrist will stop animal sacrifices and announces that he is their messiah.

THE CASHLESS ECONOMY – All transactions would require a credit card or a debit card. We are almost there now. A number of European nations are close to being cashless. We will become a one-world government led by the Antichrist. Everyone will be required to have a number or a RFID chip implanted on their right hand or forehead. Without the mark, no one will be able to buy or sell or obtain a job without that mark. Anyone taking that implant or mark will be separated from Christian believers throughout eternity. It is possible those refusing the mark will be killed. The Russian, Joseph Stalin, killed 20 million of his countrymen and a Chinese leader, Mao Zedon, murdered 45 million for not accepting their policies.

THE RAPTURE OF CHIRSTIAN BELIEVERS – The Bible tells us in the end times there will be scoffers and unbelievers. No matter what the signs tell us and what the conditions might be, most will not be able to believe that the end is nearing. Old Testament history tells us that the people of Israel were often warned and would not believe that God would do as He said He would do. False prophets were continually telling the people that things were only going to get better. But they didn’t!!!

I Thessalonians 4:13–18 – “We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

THE TRIBULATION – Jesus said one of the signs of the end times would be the great tribulation as described in Matthew 24:21-30. “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[ will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”

During this period of time there will be worldwide disasters, war, famine, pain and suffering and three quarters of those on earth will die prior to the Second Coming of Jesus.

THE WAR OF ARMAGEDDON – Revelation 16:16 “And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.” Armageddon is a strategic place located near an international highway leading north from Egypt through Israel, along the coast and on to Baghdad. Over 200 battles have been fought in this area.

The Bible says that the final war will be against Israel. Christ will return to earth with His saints to deliver Israel and complete the unity of God’s people. It is believed to be a war that will destroy most of the earth and much of the world’s population will be killed. The armies of the Antichrist will be wiped out.

CHRIST WILL RULE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS – It is believed that when Christ comes back to rule, the saints who have died will come with Him. This includes the Old Testament saints and all saved in the Tribulation period. Non-believers who have died since Adam will not be raised to live in the 1000 years. But after that time, they will face the Judgment and the ‘Lake of Fire’. Those who have been saved will be judged by their deeds and their rewards will be given to each.

It is believed during the 1000 years, the first three curses will be as the ecology and environment will return to pre-flood conditions. After those years, the Bible tells us a new heaven and a new earth comes. Revelation 21:3–4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Generation after generation will be born and the earth flourishes as it did in Eden before Satan tempted Adam and Eve. It shall be like heaven on earth. Scripture tells us this many times. At the end of the 1000 years, Satan is let out of his imprisonment in the Abyss and unbelievers will accept him and go with him to war against Christ seeking a better life or more material things. They will be so depraved that their final punishment is the ‘Lake of Fire’ along with Satan and all his followers. Then a new heaven and a new earth will appear after the 1000 years.

What is expected of a child of God and how is one to live their lives? How a person lives, to some degree, tells you much about their parents. My wife, having been a minister’s daughter, was expected to live differently than someone who lived as the world lives. If she were wild and out of control, would that affected her father’s acceptance as a preacher? How we as Christian’s live, doesn’t it tell others our respect for God and do we want others to accept our Heavenly Father as we would our earth parents?

Having been a Christian for over 60 years and being a member of eleven churches, due to transfers, I have seen people, who call themselves Christians, live no differently than a pagan would live. The Bible is very clear as to what is expected of a child of God. Ephesians 1:5 “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” NLT

If you asked the people you work with or those at school, do they believe you are a Christian? Are you different now than you use to be? Have you been changed? Is there change in your heart and in your behavior? Can you feel God’s Spirit within you?

Once you become a child of God, the 12th chapter of Romans tells us how to live. We are urged to do three things: We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. We are ‘not’ to conform to the patterns of this world. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us with a new mind-set and become a new person.

Romans 12:1–2 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Once a person accepts Christ as their Savior, they are to sacrifice their bodies. This was meant to the Jews, a sacrifice was giving an offering to God that was not returnable. It put the offering at God’s disposal. It was totally committing and surrendering our self-centeredness to Christ’s ways and allowing the Holy Spirit to completely change who we are to become. We must not continue to do things the world’s ways. Once we understand what God has done for us, the greater will be our commitment. We are to live without deliberately sinning, having renounced sin. Are you a Christian who only gave part of yourselves?

Romans 12:3 “ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

It is important as a Christian to have a healthy self-esteem but we must not over estimate ourselves. The Bible tells us the importance of being humble because of our commitment to Christ. We must never allow ourselves to become self-righteous as some Christians do. The more spiritually we become and the more faith we gain, the greater our realization that what we have is a gift from God. We must never measure ourselves by someone else’s standards or let someone else set our standards. God has given each believer a standard of faith to measure ourselves and that standard is Christ. We are to measure ourselves according to our relationship to Christ. If we use Christ as our standard we would never have to worry about being humble. God has given each of us at least one gift to carry out His will to evangelize the world through His church. We are never to be envious of another person’s gift.

Genesis 1:28 “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Renewing our minds also realizing that God tells us we are to be productive. We will never find joy and peace until we feel we have been productive and have a positive attitude toward being a doer and accomplishing our goals in life.

I believe many do not understand what this verse means. Fruitful means to be productive and multiply means to produce a family. Adam was removed from the garden and was told to become productive. I believe a person who is not productive will never have joy and peace in their lives. I believe as a Christian we must be productive. No matter how we act, we must do it as if we were doing it for the Lord.
Throughout my life-time as a Christian, I have always been concerned about the example I set for Christ to others. I believe it has given me an advantage in the workplace. I was promoted eight times in a large corporation.

As a child of God, has it made you act differently? Have you been able to be an example that influenced others to accept Christ as their Savior? The final measure, is your name written in the Book of Life?

Does Russia have an ulterior motive in taking an active part in Syria’s war? Does it have anything to do with the war described in Ezekiel 38 and 39? Could Russia’s involvement in Syria, as their protector and liberator, be because of the discovery of oil by Israel in the Golan Heights?

It has been reported that Israel has discovered billions of barrels of oil in the territory Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. Is it possible that Russia and Syria have agreed to share the tens of billions of dollars this oil is worth? The reason I am again bringing this to your attention is recently learning that the Russian Times referred to Russia helping Syria to regain the Golden Heights from Israel.

According to Fox News: “A license to drill in the area was initially issued in April 2013 within an area of nearly 98,000 acres -approximately a third of the Golan itself – but a series of appeals to the Israeli courts by organizations such as the Society for Protection of Nature in Israel and Greenpeace, put all development of the site on hold until a December 2014 ruling gave the green light for drilling.”

If you have followed UN Resolution 242, it demands the withdrawal of Israel from this land. Internationally, to many, this land is recognized as Syrian territory. However, according to the Bible, this land was an inheritance given by God to Abraham and the Israeli people forever. Do you think President Obama or Secretary Kerry is aware of Scripture? Is there some reason America, under President Obama, no longer plans to defend Israel? Could this be the reason the US is not involved in the Middle East? Is it possible that satanic influence is involved with America’s decision to leave Israel unprotected so that God can rescue Israel as described in Ezekiel 38:18 – 23 following below?

Read Ezekiel 39:1 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal.” Instead of chief prince of Meshek, why not use the name Vladimir Putin?

Based on information from Ezekiel, Russia’s influence will continue to increase among the Islamic world as the war against Israel nears. Putin has been co-operating and supporting almost every middle-eastern Islamic nation to the detriment of the United Nations. Putin has aggressively and systematically built alliances with the countries cited in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. We believe Ezekiel’s vision is coming into fulfillment this very moment.

This will not be the first time Russia has tried to attack Israel. They were on the brink of war in 1973 when the U. S. mobilized forces to counteract any attack the Russians planned on Israel. It is well known that the Soviet Union has supplied all of the ammunition, intelligence and military training to help the Arab and Islamic coalition destroy Israel. It happened once before in the 1967 war. Under President Lyndon Johnson we kept Russia from launching forces against Israel.

Ezekiel 38:3–6 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.” (Persia is Iran.)

Is the hook that God will use to pull Russia, Iran, etc. the discovery of oil in the Golan Heights? Is this the start of World War III?

Ezekiel clearly indicates that God himself will go to war on behalf of Israel and against her enemies, with devastating results as we read in Ezekiel 38:18–23 “This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

It is possible that Russia’s reason for their involvement in Syria is for the purpose of preparing to attack Israel, using: ‘it’s Syria’s property that they are taking back’. If you want to know what happens next in the world, just read the Bible. This was prophesized 1000s of years ago. What are the chances the Bible is not the Word of God?